Author: Nurudeen Obalola

By Kayode John Super Eagles striker Victor Boniface scored two goals in Bayern Leverkusen’s 4-1 Bundesliga win at Hoffenheim on Saturday. Boniface had failed to score in his first two Bundesliga games of the season against Borussia Monchengladbach and RB Leipzig, who ended Leverkusen’s unbeaten run in the league before the international break. In Saturday’s encounter, the 23-year-old Nigeria international doubled his side’s lead after 30 minutes to open his goal account for the season in the league after an assist from Granit Xhaka. He completed his brace in the 75th minute to restore Leverkusen’s three-goal lead, converting a pass…

By Nurudeen Obalola Super Eagles midfielder Wilfred Ndidi starred for Leicester City on Saturday with two assists as they drew 2-2 at Crystal Palace in their English Premier League clash. Ndidi’s fellow Nigeria international Ola Aina was one of Nottingham Forest’s heroes as they produced the shock of the day with a 1-0 victory over Liverpool at Anfield. Meanwhile, Erling Haaland continued his incredible scoring run with a brace as Manchester City defeated Brentford 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium. Ndidi, who was involved in last week’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, set up Jamie Vardy with a brilliant through ball…

The First Lady of Nigeria Senator Oluremi Tinubu has praised Team Nigeria athletes to the just concluded Paris 2024 Paralympics. Nigeria won seven medals at the Games — two gold, three silver and two bronze. Tinubu received the athletes and officials led by the Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Enoh, in her office at the State House, Abuja on Saturday. “Today, we celebrate not just the medals, but the spirit of resilience that defines our athletes and your names will be written in the annals of history as champions,” she said. “I want to especially acknowledge Folashade Oluwafemiayo and…

By Nurudeen Obalola Super Eagles midfielder Joe Aribo was an unused substitute on Saturday as his Southampton side were beaten 3-0 at home by Manchester United in an English Premier League clash. The Nigeria international was on the sidelines preparing to come on as a late substitute when defender Jack Stephens was sent off for a dangerous tackle on Alejandro Garnacho. With the Saints down to 10 men, they needed defensive reinforcement and coach Russel Martin changed his mind, bringing on Taylor Harwood-Bellis instead of Aribo in the 81st minute. Aribo had started all of Southampton’s first three Premier League…

Sunshine Stars head coach Kennedy Boboye is confident his side can secure all three points in Ikenne against Remo Stars in a matchday 2 clash of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL). The battle of Stars scheduled for Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne has been tagged ‘Oduduwa Derby.’ Boboye in his pre-match interview said if Remo Stars could get three points at Abia Warriors then nothing should stop Sunshine Stars from doing the same against last season’s runners-up on Saturday. “We are in Ogun State to pick the maximum points against Remo Stars,” Boboye boasted. “I have confidence in my…

By Kayode John Two Nigerian football icons, Finidi George and Emmanuel Amuneke, will collide in the Nigeria Football League (NPFL) on Saturday in Port Harcourt, when Rivers United host Heartland. Former Super Eagles teammates Finidi and Amuneke were appointed as head coaches of Rivers United and Heartland respectively last summer, and will face off at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium. Finidi, the former Super Eagles and Enyimba coach, earned a draw away to Bendel Insurance last weekend, at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, a ground he admitted after the game is always a difficult place for him to get…

By Kayode John Arenal manager Mikel Arteta, has suggested captain Martin Odegaard could be available for Sunday’s North London derby at Tottenham Hotspur. Norway midfielder Odegaard sustained an ankle injury last Monday during a UEFA Nations League clash against Austria and there were fears he could miss a few Arsenal fixtures. However, Arteta hinted on Friday that there was a chance Odegaard could feature against the Gunners’ fierce rivals on Sunday. “We need some more tests, so let’s see what happens in the next day or so, and see what happens with the extent of the injury and how quickly…

Athletes representing Lagos State at the ongoing National Youth Games have expressed their target for the competition taking place in Delta State. The Games were declared open on Thursday at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba, by President Bola Tinubu, who was represented by the Minister of Sports Development, John Enoh—with athletes from the state among those who participated in the matchpast. Chidera Nwokedi, a 10-year-old Judoka, is one of the 270 youngsters set to compete in 34 individual and team sports events from the state. Nwokedi is confident the quality of training she was exposed to during preparation for…

By Kayode John Nigeria Professional Football League champions Enugu Rangers recorded a narrow 1-0 victory over Sagrada Esperanca in the first leg of their CAF Champions League second preliminary round tie in Uyo on Friday. In the CAF Confederation Cup on the same evening, Enyimba secured a 0-0 draw with Burkina Faso’s Etoile Filante in their second preliminary round first leg clash in Bamako, Mali. Rangers, whose home ground, the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu, was not approved by the Confederation of African Football for their continental matches, had to host their Angolan opponents at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in…

Erling Haaland has won the Premier League Player of the Month award for August following his electric start to the season for Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City. Haaland, scored consecutive hat-tricks to finish the month on seven goals after just three games. The Norway striker already appears the early favourite to win the Premier League Golden Boot with his nearest current challengers — Mo Salah, Noni Madueke, Bryan Mbeumo and Luis Diaz — already four back, on three goals each. Haaland — as part of a City team that have made an ominous, 100% start to their 2024/25 Premier League campaign…