Author: Nurudeen Obalola
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has compared forward Cole Palmer’s influence on the team to that of English Premier League top scorer Mohamed Salah’s on Liverpool. Palmer joined the Blues from Manchester City in September 2023 and has been their standout performer since, scoring 22 league goals last season under Mauricio Pochettino and adding 14 more to that tally this term, along with six assists. Salah, meanwhile, tops the league’s scoring chart this campaign having contributed 18 goals and 13 assists to help Arne Slot’s Liverpool establish a six-point gap at the top of the league with a game in hand.…
By Korede James Super Eagles striker Cyriel Dessers’ superb strike for Rangers against Manchester United in Thursday’s UEFA Europa League matchday 7 fixture has been nominated for the Goal of the Day award. UEFA announced Dessers as one of the four nominees on their Europa League X account. The other three shortlisted are Milot Rashica of Besiktas, Can Uzun of Eintracht Frankfurt and Midtjylland’s Dario Osorio. Dessers, who was introduced into the game on 71 minutes, thought he had earned a point for Rangers with two minutes left. The Nigeria international brilliantly controlled a long pass from his half, then…
Madison Keys of the United States upset two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus 6-3, 2-6, 7-5 in the Australian Open final on Saturday night to collect her first Grand Slam title at age 29. By adding this win over the No.1:ranked Sabalenka to an elimination of No.2 Iga Swiatek in the semi-finals on Thursday — saving a match point along the way — Keys is the first woman since Serena Williams in 2005 to defeat both of the WTA’s top two players at Melbourne Park. Keys, ranked 14th and seeded 19th, was playing in her second major final after being the runner-up at the 2017 US…
By Korede James Leicester City manager Ruud van Nistelrooy has insisted that Wilfred Ndidi will not be sold by the club anytime soon, although the Nigeria international is reportedly attracting interest from Ligue 1 club AS Monaco. French outlet L’Equipe had reported on Thursday that Monaco were eyeing a loan-to-buy deal for Ndidi after their attempt to sign Edson Alvarez from West Ham fell through. But van Nistelrooy was adamant that Leicester would not be letting the 28-year-old Super Eagles midfielder leave. The Manchester United legend said he sees midfielder as an important part of the club’s survival bid and…
By Korede James Nigeria’s Super Six clash with England at the 2025 ICC U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup in Malaysia on Saturday has been abandoned due to rain. “The official word is in – The game has been ABANDONED,” the International Cricket Council (ICC) said on Saturday. “This outcome was expected, given the overnight rain and the persistent drizzle since the morning. “With this outcome, both teams collect one point each to kickstart their Super Six campaign.” This is not the first time the Nigerian team’s match was abandoned due to rain. Their opening group fixture with Samoa was also…
Manchester City defender Kyle Walker has completed a switch to Serie A club AC Milan on loan for the rest of the season. The deal for the England international includes an option to buy the 34-year-old when his loan deal expires at the end of the season. Walker, a six-time English Premier League winner with City, joins fellow Englishmen Fikayo Tomori, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Tammy Abraham at the San Siro. He will wear the number 32 shirt at Milan, and could make his debut when they host Parma in Serie A on Sunday. Walker posted a lengthy and emotional…
By Korede James Super Falcons of Nigeria forward Francisca Ordega has completed a move to Saudi Arabia club Al-Ittihad Ladies from Russian club CSKA Moscow. Al-Ittihad announced the signing on Friday, confirming that Ordega signed a two-year deal as a free agent, following the expiration of her contract with CSKA Moscow. The 31-year-old’s move to Al-Ittihad Ladies reunites her with fellow Nigerian international Ashleigh Plumptre, who also plays for the Saudi Arabian club. During her time with CSKA Moscow, Ordega made 84 appearances, scored 29 goals and provided 20 assists. Her impressive performances helped the team win the Russian Cup…
By Korede James Brentford have announced the signing of Michael Kayode on loan from Fiorentina. “Defender Michael Kayode has joined Brentford on loan from Italian side Fiorentina, subject to international clearance. The deal includes an option to make the transfer permanent in the summer,” Brentford said in a statement on Friday. “The right-back enjoyed a breakout season last term, playing 26 games in Serie A, scoring one goal and providing two assists. “Kayode was also a regular fixture in La Viola’s run to the UEFA Europa Conference League final, which they lost to Olympiacos, making six appearances in the European…
The Super Eagles of Nigeria have been placed in Pot 1, meant for the top teams, for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) draw. The draw ceremony is scheduled for the Mohamed V National Theatre in Rabat, Morocco on Monday. The Super Eagles, who were losing finalists at the last AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire last February, have been placed in the top pot along with seven-time winners Egypt, holders Cote d’Ivoire, two-time winners Algeria, hosts and 1976 champions Morocco, and 2021 winners Senegal. The teams in the same pot cannot be drawn against each other, meaning three-time champions Nigeria…
Atalanta have promised to do ‘all they can’ to retain the services of Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman for next season. However, the Serie A title contenders insist Lookman ‘must not stay against his will’ as the club ‘already replaced Zapata, Muriel and Gomez…’ The Nigeria international has registered 14 goals and seven assists in 26 appearances across all competitions this season, but was linked with a summer move to PSG, before he eventually remained in Bergamo, where his contract expires in June 2026. Corriere della Sera asked Atalanta President Antonio Percassi and his son, the club CEO Luca, whether they would keep the…