Author: Nurudeen Obalola
Coaches Daniel Ogunmodede and Mas-Ud Didi Dramani of Nigeria’s Super Eagles B and Ghana’s Black Galaxies respectively have made confident statements ahead of Saturday’s African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifying clash in Uyo. The first leg ended 0-0 in Accra and Saturday’s battle at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium will decide which of the fierce rivals proceeds to the 2025 CHAN in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. At the pre-match press conference on Friday evening, Dramani insisted his boys had the better opportunities in the first leg in Accra and will not be easy targets for the Eagles in Uyo. “We created far more…
Kai Havertz scored the only goal of a tight encounter on Friday night as Arsenal defeated a brave Ipswich Town side 1-0 at the Emirates Stadium to rise to second in the English Premier League. The hosts netted the winner in the 23rd minute when Leandro Trossard crossed the ball for Havertz to tap in from close range. Arsenal dominated and had 83.5% of possession in the first half as Kieran McKenna’s side, who rarely left their own half, looked to frustrate them. Declan Rice curled over from the edge of the box, before Gabriel Jesus thought he had doubled…
Cristiano Ronaldo believes Real Madrid forward Vinícius Jr should have won this year’s men’s Ballon d’Or award instead of Rodri. Speaking at the Globe Soccer Awards on Friday, Ronaldo said Vinícius deserved the prize over Manchester City’s Rodri, after the Brazil forward and his Real Madrid teammates boycotted the ceremony in Paris hosted by France Football magazine. Vinicius has since won The Best FIFA Men’s Player of the Year prize and the main Globe Soccer Awards honour. “In my opinion, he [Vinícius] deserved to win the golden ball [Ballon d’Or award],” former Real Madrid star Ronaldo said. “It was unfair in my opinion. I say here in…
Stand-in Super Eagles B head coach Daniel Ogunmodede is focused on victory ahead of Saturday’s African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifier against Ghana’s Black Galaxies in Uyo. The fierce West African rivals played a 0-0 draw in Accra on Sunday in the first leg of the final qualifying round tie, with the second leg scheduled for the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Saturday. “We are doing everything to stay focused by avoiding any distractions,” Ogunmodede, who is also the head coach of Remo Stars, said. “Yes, we got a scoreless draw in the first leg away and now playing at…
Ruben Amorim has asked for patience and admitted he had ‘no idea’ how long it will take for him to revive Manchester United, after a defeat by Wolves on Thursday condemned him to the worst start by any Old Trafford boss in almost 100 years. Boxing Day’s 2-0 loss at Molineux — United’s third consecutive defeat — made Amorim the first Red Devils manager to lose five or more of his first 10 matches in charge since Walter Crickmer in January 1932. “I have no idea. No idea. Instead of me trying to understand how much time it will take,…
Mohamed Salah scored his 100th English Premier League goal on Boxing Day as leaders Liverpool strengthened their hold at the top of the table after coming from behind to defeat struggling Leicester City 3-1 at Anfield and move seven points clear. Leicester had lost five of their previous seven matches but stunned Anfield by taking the lead through Jordan Ayew’s sharp sixth-minute finish. Liverpool endured a frustrating half as Andy Robertson and Salah hit the post and crossbar respectively before Cody Gakpo levelled right on the stroke of half-time with a lovely curling finish from the edge of the box.…
By Nurudeen Obalola Super Eagles stars Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey produced solid performances for Fulham as they shocked Chelsea 2-1 at Stamford Bridge in their English Premier League clash on Boxing Day. In another Premier League battle at the City Ground, Nigeria international Ola Aina was impressive in Nottingham Forest’s 1-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur. All three Super Eagles players were in the starting line-ups as their clubs secured the huge wins. Bassey was solid at the back while Iwobi was brilliant on the left win as visiting Fulham came from behind to stun Chelsea. Cole Palmer gave the…
Manchester City had their dismal streak stretched to only one win in nine English Premier League games on Thursday as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Everton at the Etihad Stadium. Erling Haaland had a second-half penalty saved by Jordan Pickford as the champions’ crisis continued with the laboured home draw. Pep Guardiola’s once all-conquering side are in unfamiliar territory amid a staggering descent into mediocrity, with just one win now in their past 13 games in all competitions. The result leaves the champions sixth in the table, three points adrift of Nottingham Forest in fourth and 11…
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola believes his side are at risk of missing out on next season’s UEFA Champions League due to their recent struggles. The Premier League champions are looking to qualify for Europe’s top club competition for a 15th straight season, but have won just one of their last eight games in the domestic league and are seventh in the table, 12 points behind leaders Liverpool, who have a game in hand. Guardiola’s side are four points behind Nottingham Forest, who currently occupy the fourth and final Champions League qualification spot. “When I said before, people laughed. They…
Austin Reaves drove for a go-ahead layup with one second left to cap a triple-double, LeBron James added to his Christmas Day lore with 31 points and the Los Angeles Lakers overcame an injury to Anthony Davis to outlast the Golden State Warriors 115-113 on Wednesday night/Thursday morning in San Francisco. Despite losing Davis for good to a twisted left ankle in the eighth minute of the game, the Lakers held the upper hand for almost the entire final three quarters, leading to a fourth win in five games. The Lakers led 109-100 with 1:30 to go before Stephen…