Author: Nurudeen Obalola
By Nurudeen Obalola Nigerians and others across Sub-Saharan Africa will soon be able to watch CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup matches again on cable television following a new deal between the Confederation of African Football and SuperSport. The competitions used to be a regular feature on SuperSport, but they have not been available on the cable service for some time due to rights issues. CAF confirmed the new deal on Monday, which will apply to this season’s group phase and the knockout stages, with the Women’s Champions League included. “The Confédération Africaine de Football (“CAF”) today announced new…
Basketball Hall of Famer Dikembe Mutombo, whose towering presence dominated basketball on and off the court, has died from brain cancer at the age of 58. “Dikembe Mutombo was simply larger than life,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement on Monday. “On the court, he was one of the greatest shot blockers and defensive players in the history of the NBA. Off the floor, he poured his heart and soul into helping others.” Helped by his 7ft 2in frame, Mutombo ended his career second on the NBA’s all-time list for blocked shots. He was also an eight-time All-Star and four-time…
Premier League club Chelsea are reportedly still keen on signing Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen. According to CaughtOffside, football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano disclosed in his latest Daily Briefing, that Chelsea are determined to sign the Napoli loanee. However, he said there is nothing concrete yet. “I’m aware there continue to be plenty of stories about Victor Osimhen’s future after a crazy summer that saw him make the surprise move to Galatasaray despite the strong interest from Chelsea and other clubs,” Romano was quoted as saying on Sunday. “I’ve been asked about reports on Osimhen possibly moving for just £40m…
Seven-time Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton battled with depression for years from an early age as he dealt with the pressure of pursuing a career in motor racing and faced bullying at school, the 39-year-old told The Times in an interview. Hamilton, who has been racing competitively since he was six, said he has also battled with depression as an adult, and has found it difficult to open up about his journey. “I think it was the pressure of the racing and struggling at school. The bullying. I had no one to talk to,” Hamilton said in the interview published…
Former Super Eagles head coach Finidi George prevailed over his former club Enyimba on Sunday by leading Rivers United to a 2-0 victory over the People’s Elephant in their Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) clash in Port Harcourt. Rivers United got off to a flying start after 17 minutes when Ubong Friday fired them into the lead at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium and Seiyefa Jackson doubled the home side’s advantage in the 86th minute, following a combination with David Benjamin. Rivers United are unbeaten this season with three wins and one draw in four matches, while this is Enyimba’s first…
Tottenham Hotspur produced a magnificent display to outclass 10-man Manchester United 3-0 in their English Premier League clash at Old Trafford on Sunday to pile renewed pressure on manager Erik ten Hag. Spurs, even without injured Son Heung-min, tore Manchester United apart as they set the platform for victory with a first-half masterclass, the only mystery being how they only had Brennan Johnson’s third-minute goal to show for their overwhelming dominance. Johnson’s simple finish was created by Micky van de Ven’s barnstorming run from his own half, and Spurs went on to create chance after chance without adding to their…
By Kayode John Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has revealed that he sustained a minor knock in Galatasaray’s 3-3 draw against Kasimpasa in the Turkish Super Lig on Saturday. Osimhen opened his goal account for Galatasaray in the game by bagging a brace in the first half. The Nigeria international scored his first of the two goals after just 20 minutes at the RAMS Park and completed his double eight minutes later. However, he was replaced in the 46th minute by former Napoli teammate, Dries Mertens. “I do not have a serious injury. I felt a little discomfort. I thought…
Football’s global governing body FIFA has confirmed the 12 stadiums in the United States of America that will stage matches at the expanded FIFA Club World Cup in 2025. In the new format of the competition, 32 clubs from across the world will play for trophy. The tournament will kick off on June 15, 2025, and the final on July 13, 2025 at the MetLife Stadium in New York, New Jersey, the same ground that will host the 2026 FIFA World Cup final. For the 2025 Club World Cup, the other 11 venues are Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta), Bank of America…
LaLiga is calling for the immediate arrest of fans involved in a hate campaign targeting Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr ahead of Sunday’s derby at Atletico Madrid. The campaign launched on social media under the hashtag “#MetropolitanoConMascarilla” (‘Metropolitano with a mask’) aims to encourage Atletico fans to don masks at the Metropolitano Stadium on Sunday in order to racially abuse the Brazilian winger without revealing their identities. Multiple arrests have been made in Spain since last year for racist abuse directed at Vinicius, who is Black. “LaLiga wishes to announce that it will proceed to formally report and request the immediate…
By Kayode John Ikorodu City and Akwa United both suffered 2-1 home defeats in their respective Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) matches on Saturday, the former losing to Nasarawa United, the latter going down to Sunshine Stars. With the two games heralding matchday 4 fixtures in the league, both home teams were searching for their first victories of the 2024/2025 NPFL season following challenging starts. Nasarawa United broke the deadlock just before half-time through Anas Yusuf at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos. Thankgod Chilaka pulled hosts Ikorodu City level three minutes after the restart, but Kabiru Balogun ensured the…