Author: Nurudeen Obalola
Dominic Solanke netted a brace as Tottenham Hotspur survived a Manchester United fightback to reach the Carabao Cup semi-final with a nervy 4-3 victory at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Thursday night. Ange Postecoglou’s side were cruising at 3-0 up in less than an hour until two calamitous errors from goalkeeper Fraser Forster opened the door to an unlikely Manchester United revival. Solanke, born in England to a Nigerian father, pounced on United goalkeeper Altay Bayindir’s error after 15 minutes as Spurs edged a tight, entertaining first half – and the real drama unfolded after the break. Dejan Kulusevski drove…
Wolves have named Vitor Pereira as their new manager, the struggling English Premier League club announced on Thursday. Pereira replaces Gary O’Neil, who was sacked last weekend following a poor start to the season. The 56-year-old Pereira, who has won league titles in Portugal, Greece and China, has left Saudi Pro League club Al Shabab to join Wolves on an 18-month contract. The widely travelled Pereira was close to replacing Rafael Benitez as Everton manager in 2022. During an extensive managerial career, the Portuguese boss has won two Primeira Liga titles with Porto and the Greek Super League with…
Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma had to be taken off and required stitches to stop heavy bleeding from his face after a nasty collision with Wilfried Singo during Paris Saint-Germain’s 4-2 win over Monaco in Ligue 1 on Wednesday night. Italy No.1 Donnarumma came out bravely in an attempt to stop Singo on the corner of his area, but took the Frenchman’s studs right to the face as he stretched to try and control the ball. Donnarumma was reportedly left feeling completely dazed after the incident, as blood poured out of his face after suffering multiple deep cuts to his face. The former AC Milan…
By Nurudeen Obalola The Super Eagles are ending the year in the 44th position in the world, according to the latest FIFA ranking published on Thursday. The three-time African champions retained their position from November, with the same 1,482 points. On the whole, it is a massive drop for the Super Eagles from how they began 2024 in the world ranking. Nigeria were 28th in the world in the first ranking of the year, released just days after the Super Eagles reached the Africa Cup of Nations final in Cote d’Ivoire. Then, they had 1,522 points and were ranked third…
Gabriel Jesus ended his goal drought at the Emirates Stadium with a hat-trick to help Arsenal come from behind to beat Crystal Palace 3-2 on Wednesday and advance to the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup. Holders Liverpool also progressed to the semi-finals with a 2-1 win at Southampton, while 2023 finalists Newcastle United saw off Brentford 3-1. Palace took a shock lead at the Emirates with their first shot of the match, with Jean-Philippe Mateta outmuscling Jakub Kiwior to score the opener. Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta made eight changes from the side that started their 0-0 draw with Everton at…
Real Madrid defeated Mexico’s Pachuca 3-0 on Wednesday night to win the FIFA Intercontinental Cup in a largely one-sided final. Attacking trio Kylian Mbappe, Rodrygo and Vinicius Jr were all on target for the UEFA Champions League holders at the Lusail Stadium in Doha, Qatar. Real Madrid were comfortable for most of the match and never looked likely to cede control despite allowing the CONCACAF champions to threaten occasionally from counter-attacks. The Spanish side opened the scoring in the 37th minute with a fine team goal. It started with Jude Bellingham passing to Vinicius Jr, who ran past the goalkeeper…
Super Eagles striker Kelechi Iheanacho could be on his way out of Sevilla in January, according to reports in Spain. The Nigeria international, 28, joined the LaLiga club on a free transfer in August after leaving Leicester City, but has struggled for form. Having scored no goals in nine LaLiga appearaces for Sevilla, the club are keen to let go of Iheanacho less than six months into his time in Spain. Marca claimed that Iheanacho is almost certain to leave Sevilla during next month’s winter transfer window. The club’s sporting department, led by sporting director Victor Orta, is believed to…
Former world number one Simona Halep, whose career stalled due to a doping ban that was reduced on appeal this year, will step up her comeback at the Australian Open after receiving a wildcard for the qualifying tournament on Wednesday. The 33-year-old was provisionally suspended in October 2022 and later banned for four years, a period which was cut to nine months in March following an appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Halep, who has denied knowingly taking the banned drug roxadustat, returned to action in Miami in March and last competed on the WTA Tour in Hong…
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim says the club are “better” with Marcus Rashford after the forward suggested he could leave Old Trafford. The England international, 27, said on Tuesday that he was “ready for a new challenge and the next steps” in his career. It came two days after Rashford was dropped for United’s derby win against Manchester City at Etihad Stadium. Rashford’s last Premier League start came in a 4-0 win against Everton on 1 December 1, when he scored twice. Amorim suggested the club want the striker – who came through United’s youth ranks – to stay, saying: “I…
By Nurudeen Obalola Super Eagles head coach Austin Eguavoen and captain William Troost-Ekong went in different directions in the voting process for 2024 The Best FIFA Men’s Player of the Year award. Brazil and Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr won the award on Tuesday night in Doha, Qatar, beating Ballon d’Or winner Rodri. The winner was determined by votes from national team head coaches and captains, with Eguavoen and Troost-Ekong representing Nigeria. While Eguavoen went for Lionel Messi, Vinícius Jr and Rodri as his top three in that order, Troost-Ekong opted for Jude Bellingham as No.1, followed by Vinicius and…