Author: Nurudeen Obalola
By Korede James Former Super Eagles striker Odion Ighalo was on target for Al Wehda in their 2-1 win away to Al Fateh in the Saudi Pro League on Thursday. Ighalo has now scored in back-to-back matches after also netting in Al Wehda’s 3-2 home defeat to Al Akhdoud on December 5 before the league went on break. The former Nigeria international netted in the 26th minute on Thursday to put his side 2-0 up against Al Fateh. Craig Goodwin had opened the scoring for Al Wehda in the 14th minute. Sofiane Bendebka pulled a goal back for Al Fateh…
Everton have fired their manager Sean Dyche after less than two years in charge at Goodison Park. “Everton Football Club can confirm that Sean Dyche has been relieved of his duties as Senior Men’s First Team Manager with immediate effect,” the club stated on Thursday evening. “Ian Woan, Steve Stone, Mark Howard and Billy Mercer have also left the Club. “The process to appoint a new manager is under way and an update will be provided in due course. “Under-18s Head Coach Leighton Baines and Club Captain Seamus Coleman will take charge of first-team affairs on an interim basis.” The…
Everton defender Ashley Young has said it would be the high point of his career if he lines up against his 18-year-old son Tyler when the Merseyside club host Peterborough United in the third round of the FA Cup on Thursday night. Former England international Young, 39, spent more than eight years at Manchester United, winning the 2012-2013 Premier League title, the 2015-2016 FA Cup, and both the League Cup and UEFA Europa League in 2016-2017. His son has made one appearance for Peterborough. “If there was a possibility that we were able to play with each other or play…
By Korede James Former Nigeria international Etim Esin fears new Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle may struggle to command the respect of the star players in the team. Chelle, who has dual Mali and French citizenship, was announced as the Super Eagles head coach on Tuesday and has been tasked with qualifying the team to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Also, the former Mali coach will be in charge of the Super Eagles B at next month’s Africa Nations Championship (CHAN). Reacting to the appointment, Esin, in an exclusive interview with Sportingtimes.ng, said Chelle does not have the pedigree to…
By Korede James Champions of the Gibraltar league Lincoln Red Imps have announced the signing of Ikenna Cooper from Enyimba. Lincoln Red Imps confirmed the signing in a statement on Wednesday. “Our third signing,” the club stated on X to their under 10,000 followers. “Lincoln Red Imps are delighted to announce the signing of 22-year-old Cooper Ikenna Gerald. “The midfielder joins us from Enyimba International in Nigeria.” Lincoln Red Imps are Gilbraltar’s record champions with 27 league titles, including 14 consecutive titles between 2003 and 2016. In 2014 the club became the first team to represent Gibraltar in the UEFA…
Former Chelsea manager Graham Potter has been appointed the new head coach of West Ham United. The Hammers announced Potter’s appointment in a statement on Thursday. “West Ham United is delighted to welcome Graham Potter as the Club’s new Head Coach,” the London club stated. “The 49-year-old joins the Hammers on a two-and-a-half year contract and will take charge of his new team for the first time when the Irons travel to Aston Villa in the FA Cup third round on Friday evening. “A highly-respected and sought-after coach, Potter has been awaiting the right opportunity after leaving his last role…
By Korede James Lucas Bergvall’s late goal earned Tottenham Hotspur a 1-0 win over Liverpool in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final in London on Wednesday night. The game was overshadowed by the injury to Rodrigo Bentancur who collapsed in the early parts of the first half and needed to be stretchered off the pitch and taken to hospital. The game was paused for eight minutes while the midfielder was treated. Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold, who came off the bench, had a shot cleared off the line and Spurs’ Dominic Solanke saw a goal ruled out by VAR for…
By Korede James Nigerian striker Anthony Nwakaeme scored as Trabzonspor opened their Turkish Cup Group A campaign with a 3-0 win against Alanyaspor on Wednesday night. Former Super Eagles striker Nwakaeme, 35, scored in the 67th minute to put Trabzonspor 3-0 ahead in the Cup tie. Edin Visca opened the scoring in the 49th minute before Simon Banza doubled the lead in the 56th minute. Trabzonspor top the six-team group with Fatih Karagumruk in second place courtesy of their 1-0 win against Rizespor. Ankaragucu and Iskenderun Fk played out a 1-1 draw in their opening game and are in third…
By Korede James Former Super Eagles striker Brown Ideye was on target again as Enyimba defeated Nasarawa United 2-1 in their rescheduled Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) week 17 fixture on Wednesday in Aba. Ideye, 36, opened his goals account for Enyimba at the weekend in the 4-1 win against Black Bulls Maputo in the CAF Confederation Cup. With Wednesday’s victory, Enyimba ended a run of six straight games without a win (six draws) in the NPFL. The last time the People’s Elephant recorded a win in the league was when they defeated Ikorodu City 2-1 on October 27. On…
West Ham have sacked their manager Julen Lopetegui following hours of speculation about the Spaniard’s position. The English Premier League club announced the sacking on Wednesday, two days after several reports claimed the 58-year-old Lopetegui was on his way out. “West Ham United can confirm that Head Coach Julen Lopetegui has today left the Club,” the London club stated. “The first half of the 2024/25 season has not aligned with the Club’s ambitions and the Club has therefore taken action in line with its objectives. “The Club can confirm that Assistant Head Coach Pablo Sanz, Head of Performance Oscar Caro,…