Author: Nurudeen Obalola

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…

Raphinha scored twice as Barcelona overcame a two-goal deficit to secure a crucial 4-3 home victory against rivals Real Madrid in a pulsating Clasico on Sunday, edging them to the brink of the LaLiga title. The victory extends Barcelona’s lead at the top of the standings to seven points over second-placed Real Madrid and with three matches remaining, one more victory will clinch a 28th Spanish league title for the Catalans. After Tuesday’s heartbreaking extra-time loss to Inter Milan saw them exit the Champions League at the semi-final stage, Barca bounced back in style. Barca earned a fourth consecutive victory…

By Nurudeen Obalola Remo Stars celebrated their first Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) title with a come-from-behind 4-1 victory over Ikorodu City in Ikenne-Remo on Sunday. The champions, who sealed their first-ever top flight title before Sunday’s clash, fell behind to Tosin Oyedokun’s strike in the 16th minute, which stung them into action. Sikiru Alimi levelled the scores in the 38th minute and Ibrahim Shuaibu gave Remo Stars the lead before half-time. Further goals from Babatunde Bello and Olamilekan Adedayo completed the big win for the champions ahead of the trophy presentation. With one match to go, Remo Stars have…

Super Eagles stars Ola Aina, Wilfred Ndidi and Taiwo Awoniyi were all involved on Sunday as Nottingham Forest missed the opportunity to move into the UEFA Champions League positions in the English Premier League table. Forest, who had Aina from the start and Awoniyi as a late substitute, conceded a late equaliser in a 2-2 home draw against Leicester City, who featured Ndidi from the start. Argentina midfielder Facundo Buonanotte scored with eight minutes left on the clock to earn a point for the Foxes, who are already relegated. Goals from striker Chris Wood and midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White had turned…

Atalanta are reportedly considering a deal to take Italy international Federico Chiesa back to Serie A from Liverpool, potentially as part of an exchange involving Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman. Chiesa had been linked with several different clubs when it became clear Juventus would not offer him a new contract last summer, so he eventually joined Liverpool for €12m plus bonuses. Although he participated enough to pick up a winner’s medal in the English Premier League, he has made only 13 competitive appearances throughout the campaign in all competitions, scoring two goals with two assists. A lot of the lack…

Victor Osimhen has praised the fans of Galatasaray for inspiring the club towards success in the Turkish Super Lig. The champions are on course for the Super Lig and Turkish Cup double, as they are eight points clear in the league with three matches to go and are in the Cup final. Although top scorer Osimhen was not among the goals on Saturday as Galatasaray defeated Trabzonspor 2-0 away, the Super Eagles star acknowledged the contributions of the supporters. “Today, the voice of our 2,000 fans was louder than the voice of 40,000 Trabzonspor fans,” the Nigeria international told reporters…

The Flying Eagles of Nigeria face a tough challenge to qualify for the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals and the FIFA U-20 World Cup as they are up against Senegal in the continental tournament’s quarter-finals in Egypt. The four semi-finalists in Egypt will seal their tickets to the World Cup scheduled for later in the year in Chile. The standout clash of the quarter-finals is the one between seven-time champions Nigeria and holders Senegal, billed for Ismailia on Monday. The Flying Eagles finished second in Group B unbeaten after a victory over Tunisia and draws with Morocco and Kenya. The Flying Eagles’…

World football body FIFA has increased the number of teams at the Women’s World Cup to 48, it announced on Friday. “After consultation with the confederations and other stakeholders, and given the remarkable recent strides made by women’s football across the world, the FIFA Council has unanimously decided to expand the number of participating teams in the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ from 32 to 48 as of the 2031 edition,” the body stated. “The decision, taken at a meeting held virtually, will significantly broaden representation, offering more nations and players access to elite competition and accelerating investment in women’s football…

Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah and Arsenal striker Alessia Russo have been voted the Football Writers’ Association men’s and women’s player of the season. The winners were announced on Friday after votes by football journalists in England were tallied. Salah has scored 28 goals and provided 18 assists to help Liverpool win the English Premier League title, breaking the record for the most goal involvements in a single 38-game campaign. The Egypt forward also scored three goals and provided four assists as Liverpool reached the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League, where they were eliminated by finalists Paris Saint-Germain. Last…

Juventus are willing to pay a fee surpassing the release clause in Victor Osimhen’s contract with Napoli in a bid to beat off competition for the Super Eagles striker, according to reports. The Nigeria international is currently on a successful loan spell at Galatasaray, where he has registered 33 goals and eight assists in 37 appearances across all competitions as the club chase the Turkish double. Osimhen is expected to be sold by Napoli once he returns from his loan spell in Istanbul and several clubs have been linked with the prolific 26-year-old. Juventus have been persistently mentioned as suitors…