Author: Nurudeen Obalola
Former Super Eagles midfielder and 1994 Africa Cup of Nations winner, Mutiu Adepoju, speaks to SportingTimes.ng about his career, the national team, his former teammate Austin Eguavoen, and Ademola Lookman’s CAF Awards African Player of the Year chances… The Super Eagles seem to be back to form with decent results in the AFCON qualifiers. What do you think was wrong with the team in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers? Well, I wouldn’t know, I wouldn’t know. Probably that moment, they didn’t have the opportunity and all that. I believe everybody knows what is at stake and shouldn’t fail. I mean…
Daniel Dubois sensationally knocked Anthony Joshua out in the fifth rounds of their heavyweight world title bout at Wembley on Saturday night. The underdog Dubios produced a performance for the ages to stun the two-time world heavyweight champion and catapult himself into global boxing stardom in front of 96,000 fans at Wembley. The 27-year-old knocked Joshua down multiple times to retain the International Boxing Federation heavyweight title and leave question marks over Joshua’s career. Dubois stopped Joshua, 34, with a brutal counter right hook to secure the biggest win of his 24-fight career. “Are you not entertained?” Dubois said post-fight…
By Kayode John Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen registered his second assist in two league matches for Galatasaray as they swept aside Fenerbahce 3-1 in the Turkish Super Lig Derby on Saturday night. Osimhen, who featured for 90 minutes in the game as he did on his debut last weekend, however, failed to get on the scoresheet again. Like against Rizespor, the 25-year-old provided the assist for Galatasaray’s second goal in the 28th minute. The reigning African player of the year found<span;> found former Napoli teammate, Dries Mertens, who put Galatasaray two goals up in the fiesty encounter. In-form Gabriel…
By Kayode John Super Eagles midfielder, Alex Iwobi, set a new assist record by a Nigerian in the English Premier League as Fulham defeated Newcastle United 3-1. Iwobi bagged his 30th assist in the English top flight in the win, surpassing Nwankwo Kanu’s 29 in the league. The 28-year-old made the assist for Fulham’s second goal, which was netted by former Arsenal star Emile Smith-Rowe. Earlier, Raul Jimenez gave the home side the lead after just five minutes. Harvey Barnes halved the deficit at the start of the second half but Reiss Nelson sealed the points at Craven Cottage in…
By Nurudeen Obalola Chelsea were imperious on Saturday, easing past West Ham 3-0 at the London Stadium. Nicolas Jackson scored twice and assisted Cole Palmer for the third goal as Chelsea secured a third straight away win in the English Premier League this season. With the victory, Blues boss Enzo Maresca became <span;>the first manager to win each of his first three away Premier League games since Pep Guardiola in September 2016. Also, Chelsea have won five consecutive away top division matches for the first time since December 2021 under Thomas Tuchel. Jackson opened the scoring for Chelsea in the…
By Kayode John Enyimba have promised to make the country proud by securing a ticket to the CAF Confederations Cup group phase, when they take on Etoile Filante in the return leg of the second preliminary round on Sunday. Enyimba and Etoile Filante played out 0-0 draw in the first leg last week at the Stade Mamadou Konate in Mali. The Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) outfit will host the Burkina Faso side at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, with the tie still open. “Hustle, sweat, repeat! Na this hustle we de! Enyimba FC training hard to make…
Super Eagles defender, Ola Aina, has hinted he could stay at Nottingham Forest beyond this season, amid reports the club are planning to offer him a fresh deal. Aina is having an impressive start to the 2023/2024 English Premier League season, starting all the matches for Forest so far. The Nigeria international was brilliant for club in their 1-0 victory over Liverpool at Anfield last weekend. According to Nottingham Post on Friday, BBC Radio Nottinghamshire asked the versatile defender whether negotiations are ongoing between him and Forest following reports of an offer. “All I can say is I am really…
By Kayode John Rivers United will hope to stay unbeaten in these early stages of the season as they face a tough test away to Lobi Stars in a Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) clash on Saturday. Under new head coach, former Super Eagles boss Finidi George, Rivers United have managed one win and a draw in their first two NPFL matches so far. The Pride of Rivers played 0-0 against Bendel Insurance on matchday 1, at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, and recorded a 3-1 victory over Heartland at home last week. Their hosts, Lobi Stars, will…
By Kayode John Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, has suggested that Kevin de Bruyne could be fit for the club’s English Premier League clash against Arsenal on Sunday. De Bruyne did not return to the pitch for the second half of City’s 0-0 draw with Inter Milan on Wednesday in their first UEFA Champions League fixture of the season at the Etihad. The Belgium midfielder appeared to have suffered a groin injury, and there were fears he would miss Sunday’s high-profile clash. Guardiola had promised to provide an update on De Bruyne’s condition, and he did on Friday during his…
By Kayode John After making his debut in the UEFA Champions League on Thursday night, Super Eagles striker, Victor Boniface, has recalled how he paid N30 to watch the competition back in Nigeria as a football fan. Boniface was in action for 62 minutes in Bayer Leverkusen’s 4-0 win against Feyenoord at De Kuip in Holland. The 23-year-old, however, missed the opportunity of joining the exclusive list of Nigerians who marked their first game in the top European club competition with a goal. After the game, the Nigeria international expressed delight over how far he has come. “From paying 30…