Author: Nurudeen Obalola
Kayode John Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho has both praised and had a sly dig at Victor Osimhen, suggesting that the Super Eagles striker is worth tons of money despite his ‘diving’. Osimhen and Mourinho were both in Italy last season, when the Nigerian star was still in the good books of Napoli, and the former Chelsea coach in charge of AS Roma. However, circumstances have brought them to Turkey, with Osimhen at Galatasaray on loan and Mourinho their Istanbul rivals Fenerbahce’s manager. Osimhen and Mourinho are very familiar with each other. The Portuguese boss accused the Nigerian two seasons ago…
Manchester United are confident they comply with Premier League and UEFA financial rules despite posting a £113.2m net loss in their latest accounts. It is the fifth consecutive year United have made an annual loss, with the club £115.5m in the red in 2021-22 and £42.1m in 2022-23. Profitability and sustainability rules (PSR) permit a £105m loss over a three-year period, but within the regulations certain deductions are allowed in relation to investment in infrastructure, the academy and women’s teams, among other things, which United believe means they will not fall foul of spending regulations. Everton and Nottingham Forest received points…
Derek Chisora has made a bold claim that Anthony Joshua will knock both Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk out. Chisora predicted that Joshua secure stoppages against Fury and Usyk, if the Nigerian-Briton fights the Ukrainian again, to become undisputed heavyweight world champion. “AJ will knock Fury out in six rounds and he will stop Usyk in round four. I’m telling you now”, Chisora told talkSPORT talkBOXING on Tuesday. “Because now he’s got the right dancing partner, his trainer. That guy hasn’t stopped watching the two tapes of him fighting Usyk. “Because he wants that fight badly, he wants the rematch.…
By Kayode John Super Eagles of Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong has expressed pride in his teammates following the 0-0 draw with Rwanda in their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Kigali on Tuesday. The three-time African champions could have earned all three points but for the controversial ruling out of Ademola Lookman’s first-half goal by Egytian referee Mohamed Eid Mansour. “Naija, thank you. Proud of this team. Nigeria Super Eagles,” the 31-year-old Troost-Ekong wrote on his personal accounts on Facebook and X after the Kigali clash. Troost-Ekong, who left PAOK Saloniki of Greece to join newly promoted Saudi Arabia…
By Nurudeen Obalola The Black Stars of Ghana will have to find alternate venues for their next set of Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches after the Confederation of African Football dealt the West Africans a big blow. The country’s only remaining eligible ground for international matches, the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi, has now lost that status due to poor maintenance. “The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has withdrawn its approval for the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi, Ghana, due to technical infractions, including an unsuitable playing field,” the Ghana Football Association announced on Wednesday. “The decision was made…
By Kayode John Austin Eguavoen has suggested that he was misinterpreted on Tuesday with the report that he had quit as caretaker head coach of the Super Eagles. The former Nigeria captain was widely reported on Tuesday to have left the coaching position after the 0-0 draw with Rwanda in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying clash in Kigali, having fulfilled his two-match interim mandate. However, in a fresh twist, the 59-year-old insists that he has not stepped down from the role. “Whatever people are reading out there is not correct, I am still in charge,” Eguavoen told reporters in…
By Kayode John Interim coach of the Super Eagles, Augustine Eguavoen, has explained why striker Victor Osimhen did not start in the 0-0 draw against Rwanda on Tuesday, in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. Despite coming from the bench to score against Benin Republic last weekend at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Eguavoen left Osimhen on the bench again, in the away clash at Amahoro National Stadium in Kigali. The 25-year-old replaced Victor Boniface at the start of the second half of the encounter but was unable to find the back of the net this…
By Kayode John Super Eagles interim coach, Austin Eguavoen, has left the position following the expiration of his mandate to handle the team in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Benin Republic and Rwanda. Eguavoen, who was brought in to manage the team in the two matches, led the Eagles to a 3-0 victory over the Cheetahs at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo last Saturday, and the goalless draw in Kigali on Tuesday. Though he had said the aim was to ensure the Eagles have a perfect start in the qualifiers, the three-time African champions…
By Kayode John Numerous Nigerians have urged the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to investigate and punish Egyptian referee, Mohamed Maarouf Eid Mansour, after he ruled out what appeared to be a legitimate goal by Super Eagles forward, Ademola Lookman, in the 0-0 draw with Rwanda on Tuesday. Nigeria and Rwanda faced off at the newly refurbished Amahoro National Stadium in Kigali, in a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier. The controversial moment arrived in the 22nd minute of the clash. Ola Aina made a long throw-in, which was flicked on into the box by Semi Ajayi, and in-form…
A goal by Ademola Lookman was controversially chalked off on Tuesday in Kigali as Rwanda and Nigeria’s Super Eagles settled for a 0-0 draw in their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers clash. The Atalanta forward, who struck twice in Saturday’s 3-0 victory over Benin Republic in Uyo, headed home off a long Ola Aina throw in the 22nd minute. The Super Eagles were about to launch into celebration when the referee raised up his hand to indicate that the goal did not count. Replays showed there was nothing wrong with the goal. Aina’s long throw was headed on by…