Author: Nurudeen Obalola
By Korede James Super Eagles stars Nathan Tella and William Troost-Ekong played key roles on Friday night to inspire their clubs to victories in Germany and Saudi Arabia. While forward Tella netted one of the goals that earned Bayer Leverkusen a 3-2 victory at Borussia Dortmund, centre-back Troost-Ekong provided the assist for the winning goal in Al Kholood’s victory by the same margin over Al Ettifaq. Tella, filling in for his injured Nigeria international teammate Victor Boniface, stunned the home crowd in Dortmund in the first minute, rifling home his first goal of the Bundesliga campaign in his 12th appearance…
Mikel Arteta is keen on securing another FA Cup troohy at Arsenal as he prepares his side to face rivals Manchester United in the third round on Sunday at the Emirates. Arteta’s first trophy at Arsenal as a player was the FA Cup in 2014 whey defeated Hull City in the final. It was also his first as a manager back in 2020, when the Gunners beat Chelsea 2-1 in the final at Wembley. Despite Arsenal not going beyond the fourth round since lifting the trophy for a record 14th time five years ago, Arteta insists his team is fully…
Jannik Sinner will launch his Australian Open title defence under a stubborn doping cloud but the whiff of scandal may do little to halt the Italian juggernaut. Sinner remains the man to beat at Melbourne Park even as doping officials seek a two-year ban for the world number one for failing two drugs tests last March. The saga failed to derail Sinner during a stellar season as he put the distractions aside to win eight titles, including a second Grand Slam crown at the U.S. Open and a maiden ATP Finals trophy. Sinner may face a cooler reception than usual for…
Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak has been named the English Premier League Player of the Month for December. This is the first time Isak will claim the prize. The Sweden striker, 25, was announced the winner in a statement by the Premier League on Friday. Isak topped an eight-man shortlist, which included Liverpool’s in-form forward Mohamed Salah, after the public’s votes on the EA SPORTS website were combined with those of a panel of football experts. The former Real Sociedad star won the award after an incredible month for Newcastle United, scoring eight goals and providing two assists in six…
By Korede James Super Eagles winger Chidera Ejuke returned to full training with Sevilla on Thursday after being sidelined for over two months with a hamstring injury. Ejuke got injured in Sevilla’s LaLiga fixture against Barcelona on October 20 last year. In a video posted on the club’s X handle on Thursday, the 27-year-old was welcomed back by his teammates with a guard of honour. Sevilla coach Garcia Pimienta had suggested the winger would be back soon after he began light training in December. “Ejuke could be training with us in mid-January and, if all goes well, he will participate…
By Korede James Italian clubs Cagliari and Empoli have been linked to January transfer moves for Rangers’ Nigeria international Cyriel Dessers. The Super Eagles striker spent the 2022-2023 season in Italy with Cremonese, who sold him to Rangers after just one year for €5m following their relegation to Serie B. During his time at Cremonense, 30-year-old Dessers scored six goals in 26 Serie A games. So far this season the striker has registered 12 goals and four assists in 30 games for Rangers, including one in the UEFA Europa League. However, he has dropped down the pecking order in recent…
By Korede James Former Super Eagles striker Odion Ighalo was on target for Al Wehda in their 2-1 win away to Al Fateh in the Saudi Pro League on Thursday. Ighalo has now scored in back-to-back matches after also netting in Al Wehda’s 3-2 home defeat to Al Akhdoud on December 5 before the league went on break. The former Nigeria international netted in the 26th minute on Thursday to put his side 2-0 up against Al Fateh. Craig Goodwin had opened the scoring for Al Wehda in the 14th minute. Sofiane Bendebka pulled a goal back for Al Fateh…
Everton have fired their manager Sean Dyche after less than two years in charge at Goodison Park. “Everton Football Club can confirm that Sean Dyche has been relieved of his duties as Senior Men’s First Team Manager with immediate effect,” the club stated on Thursday evening. “Ian Woan, Steve Stone, Mark Howard and Billy Mercer have also left the Club. “The process to appoint a new manager is under way and an update will be provided in due course. “Under-18s Head Coach Leighton Baines and Club Captain Seamus Coleman will take charge of first-team affairs on an interim basis.” The…
Everton defender Ashley Young has said it would be the high point of his career if he lines up against his 18-year-old son Tyler when the Merseyside club host Peterborough United in the third round of the FA Cup on Thursday night. Former England international Young, 39, spent more than eight years at Manchester United, winning the 2012-2013 Premier League title, the 2015-2016 FA Cup, and both the League Cup and UEFA Europa League in 2016-2017. His son has made one appearance for Peterborough. “If there was a possibility that we were able to play with each other or play…
By Korede James Former Nigeria international Etim Esin fears new Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle may struggle to command the respect of the star players in the team. Chelle, who has dual Mali and French citizenship, was announced as the Super Eagles head coach on Tuesday and has been tasked with qualifying the team to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Also, the former Mali coach will be in charge of the Super Eagles B at next month’s Africa Nations Championship (CHAN). Reacting to the appointment, Esin, in an exclusive interview with Sportingtimes.ng, said Chelle does not have the pedigree to…