On Tuesday, President Bola Tinubu met with the national team, the Super Eagles, where he announced that each member would be honored with national awards (Member of the Order of the Niger, MON). The accolades also included flats in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and a parcel of land. The delegation to the presidency was led by the Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh, along with officials from the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF. The Super Eagles secured the second position in the recently concluded Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) hosted by Côte d’Ivoire, and all team members were…
Author: Oluwaseun samuel
Real Madrid secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory against RB Leipzig in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 clash on Tuesday. Despite a game filled with attacking efforts but lacking in overall quality, Brahim Diaz’s moment of brilliance in the early second half proved decisive for Madrid’s crucial away win. The game unfolded with Leipzig initially having the ball in the net within the first two minutes, only for VAR to rule out Benjamin Sesko’s header due to a foul on goalkeeper Andriy Lunin. Sesko continued to challenge Lunin, but the Ukrainian goalkeeper showcased excellent saves to keep the…
Bukayo Saka has acknowledged that Arsenal aimed to make a statement to their Premier League title rivals by dominating West Ham United with a 6-0 victory over the weekend. Following their recent 3-1 triumph against Liverpool, Arsenal showcased their prowess by delivering an exceptional performance against West Ham, remaining within two points of Jurgen Klopp’s side at the league’s summit. Saka, who missed a crucial penalty in the previous season’s draw against West Ham that ended Arsenal’s title challenge, was determined to avoid a repeat this time. “We knew this was a significant game, and winning it was crucial for…
Serie A clubs have rejected the proposal put forth by the top four teams to reduce the league’s size from 20 to 18 teams. In a notable display of diverse opinions within Italian football, Serie A teams, in a collective decision at the league’s general assembly meeting on February 12, opted to maintain the current 20-team format. The proposal to streamline the league faced opposition despite the backing of football giants Juventus, Inter Milan, AC Milan, and Roma. Only these four clubs supported the reduction, falling short of the required majority. The initiative, driven by the influential quartet, aimed to…
Super Eagles center-back Kenneth Omeruo has dismissed any notion of retiring from international football following the recently concluded 2023 Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday night. Despite being a bit-part player for the Super Eagles during the AFCON, where head coach Jose Peseiro predominantly opted for a back three of Troost-Ekong, Calvin Bassey, and Semi Ajayi, the 30-year-old managed to make five appearances. Omeruo, a former Chelsea player, started only one game against Guinea-Bissau. Alongside Ahmed Musa, he stands as one of the two longest-serving players in the current Super Eagles squad, having secured victory in the 2013 AFCON. When…
Bruno Guimaraes dismisses speculation linking him to a departure from Newcastle United, affirming his commitment to the club for the foreseeable future. Despite being a key signing post the Saudi Public Investment Fund takeover, with a reported £40 million move from Lyon in 2022, Guimaraes has been the subject of interest from prominent European clubs like Barcelona, Liverpool, Real Madrid, Manchester City, and Chelsea. While the Brazilian midfielder secured a new five-year deal at St James’ Park in October, ongoing rumors have fueled uncertainty about his long-term tenure, especially amid potential financial constraints for Newcastle. Addressing the swirling rumors, Guimaraes…
Chelsea secured a much-needed 3-1 victory against Crystal Palace on Monday night, with Conor Gallagher, a former loanee from the Eagles, scoring two crucial second-half goals. The Blues initially fell behind in the 30th minute when Jefferson Lerma struck a powerful shot from distance. However, Chelsea improved in the second half, equalizing through Gallagher’s first goal just two minutes after halftime. The former Eagles midfielder then scored again in the 91st minute to finish a flowing move. Enzo Fernandez added a stylish effort to wrap up the scoring. In the early stages, Palace, missing key players, had an early lead…
Super Eagles defender Kenneth Omeruo has criticized coach Jose Peseiro’s tactics following Nigeria’s defeat to Ivory Coast in the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on Sunday. The former Chelsea star expressed his dissatisfaction, stating that the Super Eagles adopted an excessively defensive approach against Ivory Coast. Omeruo, addressing reporters after the game, admitted feeling disheartened that Nigeria could not secure the AFCON trophy. Reflecting on the match, Omeruo remarked, “I think we were defending from the start of the game, and it is a long time to play defensive. One mistake and there is a goal.…
Following the conclusion of the 34th Africa Cup of Nations title match in Abidjan late Sunday night, the Nigerian football team, the Super Eagles, find themselves without a coach. The interim contract with Portuguese manager Jose Peseiro has expired, as it was linked to the conclusion of AFCON 2023. Initially scheduled to end in June of the previous year, the contract was extended to cover the Africa Cup of Nations period. The renewal of the interim six-month contract was contingent on Nigeria reaching the semi-finals, a condition fulfilled when the Super Eagles defeated Angola in the quarter-finals. Nigeria’s upcoming task…
Chelsea’s defensive lineup faces a setback with the news that Benoit Badiashile will miss the eagerly anticipated Carabao Cup Final due to a groin injury sustained in the recent FA Cup victory against Aston Villa. Scans confirming the extent of the injury suggest a four-week recovery period. This unfortunate development not only sidelines the 22-year-old French international for the upcoming Premier League clash against Crystal Palace but also rules him out for the away fixture against reigning champions Manchester City. The implications extend further, impacting the crucial Wembley showdown with Liverpool and the FA Cup fifth-round clash with Leeds. Badiashile,…
Bayer Leverkusen director Simon Rolfes is confident that Xabi Alonso will remain with the club beyond the current season. Despite strong interest from top European clubs, particularly Liverpool, Rolfes emphasized his certainty about Alonso’s continued presence at Leverkusen. The team’s recent 3-0 triumph over Bayern Munich has solidified their position in the Bundesliga title race under Alonso’s leadership. Rolfes, speaking to Sport1, outlined three reasons for his confidence in retaining Alonso. He pointed to the existing contract, which binds Alonso to the club until 2026. Rolfes also highlighted Alonso’s comfort and satisfaction, both personally and with his family, emphasizing the…
Mauricio Pochettino acknowledges that he hasn’t felt the affection of Chelsea fans, recognizing their sentiment due to the team’s underwhelming performance this season. Despite his arrival at Stamford Bridge with the aim of rejuvenating the club’s standing in the Premier League, Chelsea remains in the lower half of the table, leading to a strained atmosphere among supporters. Pochettino believes the fans’ frustration is justified, given the lack of notable on-field improvements. In an interview with Sky Sports, Pochettino candidly admitted, “No, no, I need to be honest with you, no, because I understand they were winning the Champions League, they…
Paris Saint-Germain is set to propose €120 million for Napoli striker Victor Osimhen in the upcoming summer transfer window, as reported by La Repubblica. Various sources indicate that Osimhen has a release clause ranging from €120 to £130 million in the contract extension he agreed upon with Napoli last year. PSG is reportedly gearing up to submit an official offer for Osimhen at the conclusion of the current season. Napoli is open to parting ways with Osimhen upon receiving a suitable offer for the prolific striker. PSG views Osimhen as a promising replacement for Kylian Mbappe, who might make a…
AFCON 2023 has concluded, leaving the Ivorians jubilant as they secured their third AFCON title at the expense of the Super Eagles of Nigeria. The tournament showcased numerous positives, notably the officiating, which raised questions about the standards in Europe. While acknowledging that officiating may not be flawless, there were minimal complaints from the teams. Players conducted themselves admirably, with several showcasing their talents and garnering attention. Here is the AFCON 2023 Team of the Tournament: 1. Emilio Nsue (Equatorial Guinea): The captain and striker surprised many, leading his team to the round of 16 and emerging as the top…
A recent report indicates that both Arsenal and Chelsea have deployed scouts to monitor the performance of Athletic Club winger Nico Williams on multiple occasions. The 21-year-old, who has already amassed over 100 appearances for his club and is a regular for the Spanish national team, is recognized as one of La Liga’s premier wingers. Last summer saw considerable interest in Williams when he entered the final year of his contract. However, he opted to commit to Athletic Club by signing a new four-year deal in December, securing his association with the club until 2027. Fabrizio Romano reveals that the…
Following the conclusion of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, the focus now shifts to Nigeria’s future in international competitions, particularly the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Benin Republic in June. As the Super Eagles aim to regain their prowess, several crucial issues require attention. Firstly, the search for a successor to legendary goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama remains a debated topic. Strengthening key areas, such as defense and attack, is the second challenge. The third involves instilling a winning mentality for sustained success. Lastly, the task is to effectively harness the talents of the country’s young players,…
Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has labeled Conor Gallagher as “invaluable” to the Premier League club. Gallagher’s two-goal performance played a pivotal role in the Blues’ 3-1 triumph over Crystal Palace on Monday night. Despite trailing 1-0 at halftime due to Jefferson Lerma’s impressive strike, Gallagher swiftly equalized a minute into the second half. He then secured another goal in the 91st minute, with Enzo Fernández completing the scoring. Pochettino commended Gallagher, stating, “I think he’s a player with a great commitment to the team, always trying to compensate for every single situation. It’s priceless to have a player like him.…
The Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh, recently engaged in a conversation with Super Eagles midfielder, Alex Iwobi, addressing the issue of cyberbullying directed at the Fulham star. The minister’s media aide, Diana-Mary Tiku Nsan, disclosed this in a statement on Monday. Having led the Super Eagles back home after the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final against Ivory Coast, Enoh expressed his awareness of the social media criticism and emphasized the ministry’s commitment to combat bullying against not only Iwobi but all athletes. “We are concerned about how our sportsmen and women are treated,” said Enoh. The…
Super Eagles goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, has responded to losing the Golden Glove at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations to South Africa’s captain, Ronwen Williams. Nwabali, who could have secured the accolade with another clean sheet against Ivory Coast in the final on Sunday, fell short after conceding two goals. Despite the outcome, the Nigerian goalkeeper acknowledges Williams as a deserving recipient of the Golden Glove. Ronwen Williams, a Mamelodi Sundowns player, clinched the Best Goalkeeper award for his instrumental role in guiding South Africa to win the bronze medal at the Africa Cup of Nations. Williams made history by…
The Super Eagles squad has come back home following their participation in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final in Ivory Coast. Nigeria secured the silver medal after a 2-1 defeat by the host nation, Ivory Coast, on Sunday, February 11. Upon their arrival at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on Wednesday morning, February 13, the squad was warmly welcomed. The reception was led by the Honourable Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh, and NFF President Ibrahim Musa Gusau.