Author: Nurudeen Obalola
Novak Djokovic retired injured after losing the first set 7-6 against Alexander Zverev on Friday to put the German through to his first Australian Open final and extend his wait for a record 25th Grand Slam title. Zverev will meet either Jannik Sinner or Ben Shelton in Sunday’s decider as he bids for his first Grand Slam title, but Djokovic will remain locked with Margaret Court on 24 major trophies until at least the French Open. There were doubts about Djokovic’s left thigh following his taxing quarter-final win over Carlos Alcaraz when he took a lengthy medical timeout after the…
By Korede James Super Eagles striker Cyriel Dessers was on target but ended on the losing side as Rangers lost 2-1 to Manchester United at Old Trafford on matchday 7 of the UEFA Europa League on Thursday night. Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes was the hero as his stoppage time goal earned Ruben Amorim’s side the win. Also in action for Rangers was Super Eagles defender Leon Balogun who was replaced in the 46th minute apparently due to a knock. United took the lead in the 52nd minute after goalkeeper Jack Butland, who was once on loan at the club,…
By Korede James Club Brugge have announced the signing of 18-year-old Nigerian defender Vince Osuji from Sweden’s Kalmar FF. The Belgian club confirmed the signing in a statement on their website on Thursday, with the deal reported to be around €3 million. “Vince Osuji signs a contract with Blauw-Zwart until 2029,” the club said. “The Nigerian central defender comes from the Swedish club Kalmar FF. “Osuji is an 18-year-old talent from Nigeria. The central defender played last season for the Swedish Kalmar FF, where the football season runs from April to November. “He transferred from Cardinal Football Academy to Scandinavia…
By Korede James A brace from Abba Adam earned Kano Pillars a 2-0 win against Enyimba in a rescheduled matchday 14 Nigeria Premier Football League fixture in Kano on Thursday. The result means Enyimba have not beaten Kano Pillars in the NPFL in Kano since a 2-1 victory on May 4, 2016, which was a rescheduled matchday 7 tie. Ahmed Musa was in Kano Pillars’ starting line-up while his former Super Eagles teammate Brown Ideye came on in the 62nd minute for Enyimba. Adam broke the deadlock in the 26th minute. The striker received the ball from Ibrahim Inuwa, beat…
By Korede James Manchester City’s new signing Omar Marmoush has identified Nigerian Afrobeats superstar Burna Boy as his favourite artiste. Marmoush joined City from Bundesliga club Eintracht Frankfurt on Thursday in a four-and-a-half-year deal believed to be worth €75 million. He becomes City’s third signing in the January transfer window, following the arrivals of Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis. After the completion of his signing, the 25-year-old striker was involved in a quick question and answer video posted on City’s X account. When asked who his favourite artiste is, he simply replied: “Burna Boy.” The Egyptian international also named Brazil…
Madison Keys fought her way back from a set down on Thursday to shock Iga Swiatek in a thriller and set up an Australian Open women’s singles final against two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka. The 19th seed battled through a thrilling semi-final on a final-set tiebreak against the world No.2 5-7, 6-1, 7-6 after Sabalenka swept aside Paula Badosa in straight sets earlier in the day. Five-time Grand Slam champion Swiatek had not dropped her serve since the first round but was broken eight times by Keys, who saved a match point on her way to edging a titanic battle.…
By Korede James Nigeria’s Super Eagles B will now take on Equatorial Guinea in Group D of the 2024 Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) disqualified Congo Brazzaville for fielding an ineligible player in the playoffs. CAF’s Disciplinary Board confirmed Congo’s disqualification in a verdict released on Thursday. The decision follows a formal complaint lodged by the Equatorial Guinea Football Federation (FEGUIFUT) and which was followed by an investigation. “The CAF Disciplinary Board has released a verdict on the matters involving the Federación Ecuatoguineana de Fútbol (“FEGUIFUT”) and the Fédération Congolaise de Football (“FECOFOOT”) following…
Manchester City have completed the signing of Omar Marmoush from Eintracht Frankfurt. The 25-year-old Egypt striker, who cost Manchester City around €75 million, is the third January arrival for the English Premier League champions after defenders Abdukodir Khusanov and Victor Reis. “Manchester City are delighted to announce the signing of Omar Marmoush from Eintracht Frankfurt,” the club stated on Thursday. “The 25-year-old Egyptian striker has completed a move to the Etihad Stadium on a four-and-a-half-year deal, meaning he will remain at the Club until the summer of 2029. “One of the most coveted young forwards operating in the European…
Real Madrid have become the first football club to generate more than €1 billion in annual revenue, according to analysis by Deloitte. The Spanish club retain top spot in Deloitte’s Money League study with revenue of €1.05bn (£883m) from a 2023-2024 season in which they won LaLiga and the UEFA Champions League. Manchester City are again second with revenue of £708m. They won an unprecedented fourth consecutive Premier League title and the FIFA Club World Cup and European Super Cup last season. Paris St-Germain (£681m), Manchester United (£651m) and Bayern Munich (£646m) complete the top five. Aston Villa enter…
By Korede James Manchester City are in danger of crashing out of this season’s UEFA Champions League following their dramatic 4-2 defeat to PSG in Paris on Wednesday night. Two quick goals from Jack Grealish and Erling Haaland on 50 and 53 minutes respectively put City 2-0 ahead. Ousmane Dembele pulled a goal back for PSG in the 56th minute before Bradley Barcola made it 2-2 in the 60th minute. In the 79th minute PSG completed the comeback as Joao Neves put them 3-2 ahead. Goncalo Ramos then added the fourth goal for the hosts on 96 minutes. Ramos’ goal…