Author: Nurudeen Obalola

Edo Queens have received a N10 million reward from former Governor Godwin Obaseki and his wife Betsy for their achievement at the CAF Women’s Champions League and recognition by the Confederation of African Football. The Nigeria Women’s Football League champions reached the semi-finals of the 2024 CAFWCL at their first attempt, becoming the first club from the country to advance beyond the group phase of the continental competition. Edo Queens have also been nominated for the Women’s Club of the Year prize at the 2024 CAF Awards. A statement by the Media Adviser to the former governor, Crusoe Osagie, on…

By Nurudeen Obalola Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman is relishing the chance to test his skills against UEFA Champions League holders Real Madrid in a league phase clash in Bergamo on Tuesday night. Lookman is Atalanta’s star man and a lot of attention will be on the Nigeria international when the Serie A leaders host the European giants tonight. The 27-year-old CAF Awards African Player of the Year favourite is up for the challenge. “We look forward to it. We’re ready,” Lookman said during the pre-match press conference. When asked to rate Real Madrid key man Vinicius Jr, Lookman replied…

Fiorentina midfielder Edoardo Bove will have a removable heart starter device implanted. This is following his recent collapse during a Serie A encounter, accotdung to Italian media reports on Monday night. Bove, 22, who lost consciousness on the pitch during Fiorentina’s home fixture with Inter Milan on December 1 leading to the abandonment of the match, will have the operation on Tuesday which is part of the medical protocol before he can be discharged from hospital. The Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD), a type of pacemaker which can prevent fatal cardiac arrests by discharging a jolt to restore a regular heart rhythm, is…

Enzo Maresca has said his Chelsea side have exceeded expectations but are not in the English Premier League title race. The Italian added cheekily that he does not expect Chelsea’s rivals to slip up in the title race “like Marc Cucurella”. The Blues fought back from 2-0 down on Sunday to beat Tottenham 4-3 at the Tottenham HotspurStadium, with both of Spurs’ early goals coming after Cucurella slipped and lost his footing. Maresca became Chelsea manager in the summer after his predecessor Mauricio Pochettino steered the club to a sixth-placed finish. Now they are second, just four points off leaders…

Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) has announced the sacking of English Premier League referee David Coote, citing a ‘serious breach” of his contract. Coote became the subject of an investigation after a leaked video showed him in an expletive-laden rant about Liverpool and their former manager Jürgen Klopp. He is also under investigation from UEFA after a video published by The Sun allegedly showed him snorting a white powder while on duty at Euro 2024. “Following the conclusion of a thorough investigation into David Coote’s conduct, his employment with PGMOL has been terminated today with immediate effect,” PGMOL said in a statement on Monday.…

Napoli will have to sell Victor Osimhen before they can strengthen their squad in January, according to reports in Italy. There are claims that the Serie A title contenders are already considering new reinforcements ahead of the January transfer window, but will only be able to put in formal offers for some of their favoured targets if the club can find a buyer for Galatasaray loanee Osimhen within the next few weeks. Super Eagles striker Osimhen is currently out on loan in the Turkish Super Lig, where he has scored seven goals and provided three assists from his first nine…

Star outfielder Juan Soto and the New York Mets agreed on Sunday to a record $765 million, 15-year contract, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press, a deal that could escalate to $805 million and is believed to be the largest pact in team sports history. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the agreement, first reported by the New York Post, was subject to a successful physical. While there are no definitive records in sports beyond the United States, Soto’s deal is thought to eclipse those in all other team sports. The deal, spurning the…

By Nurudeen Obalola Remo Stars returned to the top of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) on Sunday with a 2-0 victory over visiting El-Kanemi Warriors, after previous leaders Rivers United lost 1-0 at champions Enugu Rangers. In the CAF Confederation Cup, Enyimba came back from 2-0 down in Uyo to draw 2-2 with Zamalek of Egypt in their group stage clash. Peter Onuoha and Franck Mawuena struck in the first half to give Remo Stars the win, which took then back to the top of the table with 29 points from 16 matches. Finidi George’s Rivers United fell to…

Cole Palmer scored twice from the penalty spot as Chelsea roared back from two goals down after 11 minutes to beat Tottenham Hotspur 4-3 away in a frenzied London derby and close the gap with English Premier League leaders Liverpool on Sunday. Two comical slips by Chelsea full-back Marc Cucurella led to Dominic Solanke and Dejan Kulusevski giving the hosts a dream start but their joy turned to despair as the visitors showed why they should be considered title contenders. Jadon Sancho rifled in a shot after 17 minutes to give Chelsea momentum and Palmer equalised from the spot just…

By Nurudeen Obalola Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi put up a strong performance for Fulham on Sunday as they secured a 1-1 draw with his former club Arsenal at Craven Cottage in the English Premier League. Also on Sunday, Nigeria midfielder Wilfred Ndidi was as usual in the starting line-up as Leicester City came from 2-0 down at home to draw 2-2 with Brighton. Iwobi, along with his international teammate Calvin Bassey, was impressive against the title-chasing Gunners as Fulham took the lead before Arsenal fought back in the second half and even missed victory by inches. Raul Jimenez shot…