Author: Nurudeen Obalola
Super Eagles striker Taiwo Awoniyi has been placed in an induced coma after undergoing abdominal surgery. The Nottingham Forest forward collided into a goal post during their 2-2 home draw against Leicester at the weekend and received treatment. He came back on and completed the match at the City Ground despite appearing to be in discomfort. Awoniyi was subsequently taken to hospital on Monday evening after complications were discovered by club medical staff. Forest confirmed earlier on Tuesday that Awoniyi was ‘recovering well’ from the procedure. It’s unclear whether or not Awoniyi will have another operation, but it’s understood the injury he had could…
Nottingham Forest have assured that Taiwo Awoniyi is in recovery after the Super Eagles striker underwent emergency surgery on Monday night. The Nigeria international was involved in a nasty collision with the post during Forest’s 2-2 English Premier League draw with Leicester City on Sunday, which required Monday’s surgical procedure. “Nottingham Forest can confirm that Taiwo Awoniyi is recovering well so far following urgent surgery on a serious abdominal injury sustained during Sunday’s match against Leicester City,” the club stated on Tuesday. “The seriousness of his injury is a powerful reminder of the physical risks in the game, and…
Flying Eagles head coach Aliyu Zubairu has commended his players for keeping their cool and eliminating Senegal under tense circumstances in their U-20 Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final clash on Monday. Nigeria reached the U-20 AFCON semi-finals and secured a ticket to the FIFA U-20 World Cup after beating Senegal 3-1 on penalties in Ismailia, Egypt as the fixture ended 0-0 after extra-time. Goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt was the Flying Eagles hero against the defending champions, saving two of Senegal’s four kicks while his teammates converted all the three they attempted. “We prepared for all scenarios, including penalties,” Zubairu said afterwards.…
Andy Murray’s partnership with Novak Djokovic has come to an end after the pair announced they would no longer be working together. Djokovic shocked the tennis world in November when he revealed he had hired his former rival to lead his off-court team. But six months later the arrangement has come to an end, with Murray thanking the Serbian for the “unbelievable opportunity”. The PA news agency understands it was a mutual decision, with Djokovic having endured a difficult first part of the season, including losing his first match at his last two tournaments. Murray said: “Thanks to Novak for…
Super Eagles of Nigeria striker Taiwo Awoniyi had urgent surgery on Monday night after his sickening injury on Sunday during Nottingham Forest’s 2-2 draw with Leicester City. The Forest striker collided with the post in the closing stages of the English Premier League match against their local rivals. Awoniyi was down for several minutes after the scary clash and attempted to play on before being withdrawn minutes later. It was later determined he would need to go under the knife due to the extent of his abdominal injuries. Several outlets reported that surgery was deemed the best option for the Nigeria international,…
By Nurudeen Obalola Ademola Lookman was on target on Monday as Atalanta secured a spot in next season’s UEFA Champions League. The Super Eagles forward scored Atalanta’s first goal in their 2-1 home Serie A victory over AS Roma that guaranteed they will finish third and qualify for the top European competition. The result ended Roma’s remarkable 19-match unbeaten Serie A streak and mathematically guaranteed Champions League football for Atalanta. Lookman was an injury doubt before the match with an Achilles tendon inflammation, but the Nigeria international opened the scoring in the ninth. With his back to goal, Lookman took…
By Nurudeen Obalola The Flying Eagles of Nigeria have secured a ticket to the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup following their penalty shootout victory over defending champions Senegal in the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations on Monday. The U-20 AFCON quarter-final clash in Ismailia, Egypt ended 0-0 after extra-time, and the Flying Eagles won the penalty shootout 3-1. Goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt was the Nigerian hero, saving two of Senegal’s four attempts, while they smashed the fourth one against the crossbar. Having gone second in the shootout, the Flying Eagles converted all their three kicks to secure victory. The seven-time African…
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti is set to leave the Spanish club at the end of the season to become the new national team coach of Brazil, according to reports on Monday. The 65-year-old Italian is poised to officially take charge of Brazil on May 26 following the conclusion of the LaLiga season. Ancelotti leaves the Santiago Bernabeu as one of the club’s most successful managers, having won 15 trophies across two spells as Real manager and last season led Los Blancos to a UEFA Champions League and LaLiga double. Meanwhile, Real Madrid reportedly want Xabi Alonso in place as…
Ruben Amorim has accepted his job will be under threat if he cannot fix Manchester United’s English Premier League form, as his team lost their 17th league game of the season with a 2-0 defeat to West Ham at Old Trafford on Sunday. In a blistering post-match news conference, Amorim admitted he was “embarrassed” by United’s position in the table, hit out at the attitude of his players and questioned whether he’s the man to turn the club around. His team — 16th in the Premier League — is set for their lowest league finish since relegation to the second…
Ogun State will host a series of events as part of an agreement with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), the body announced on Monday. These events include the friendly matches between the Super Falcons and Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon, and a West African Football Union tournament. “Ogun State, the Gateway State, has signed up to be a strategic partner of the Nigeria Football Federation in delivering events, programmes and activities of the football-governing body, in a way that will strengthen the football economy as the country strives to create a vibrant sports economy to support the New Hope agenda of…