By Obaloluwa Joshua, LAGOS Arsenal title hopes suffered a dent following a disappointing 1-0 home defeat to West Ham United. Prompt News reports that it was the Gunners first home defeat of the campaign Mikel Arteta’s side managed just two shots on target for entire duration of the game. Jarrod Bowen scored the winning goal just before half-time. Bowen headed in from close range in the 44th minute. Arsenal offered little going forward and missed the absence of several of their stars. The West London club, who occupy second position on the table have 53 points from 26 games. READ…
Author: Obaloluwa Joshua
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Following the circumstantial cancellation of the planned friendly matches between the Nigeria U20 team and their Egyptian counterparts, the Nigeria Football Federation has secured a replacement team, in order for the Flying Eagles not to leave camp without testing their strength ahead of the forthcoming Africa U20 Cup of Nations. The seven-time African champions will now play AFCON host nation, Cote d’Ivoire in two matches scheduled for Wednesday, 26th February and Friday, 28th February 2025 in the Ivorian capital. Aliyu Lawal Ibrahim, Team Administrator of the Nigeria U20 side confirmed that the team, which has been in camp in Abuja…
By Obaloluwa Joshua, LAGOS Manchester United fought back from the dead to draw 2-2 draw against Everton at the Goodison Park on Saturday. Everton dominated the opening exchanges and took the lead through Beto early on. Abdoulaye Doucoure made it 2-0 to the hosts just before half-time. Manchester United improved after the break and Bruno Fernandes pulled a goal back from a free kick in the 72nd minute. Manuel Ugarte equalised for the visitors with a superb shot 10 minutes from time. Everton thought they were set to snatch a dramatic win after they were awarded a stoppage-time penalty, but…
By Obaloluwa Joshua, LAGOS Inter Milan and Barcelona legend Samuel Eto’o has publicly backed Atalanta striker Ademola Lookman following a row manager with Gian Piero Gasperini. Atalanta were eliminated from the UEFA Champions League by Club Brugge on Tuesday night. Gasperini blamed Lookman, for missing a penalty kick in a 3-1 loss against Club Brugge. The Italian tactician said the Nigeria international was “one of the worst penalty takers” he had ever seen. The 27-year-old replied the coach the following day labelling his comment”disrespectful”. Lookman received support from many ex-players, including Alessandro Del Piero and former Inter and Barcelona star…
By Obaloluwa Joshua, LAGOS Four Nigerian match officials have been appointed to officiate the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of encounter between Ethiopia and Uganda at the Abebe Bekila Stadium, Addis Ababa on Wednesday. Patience Madu will take up the role of centre referee for the first round second leg tie. Madu , who is of Nigeria’s seasoned arbiters has in the past officiated at the WAFCON, 2024 Olympic Games and CAF Women’s Champions League. She will be assisted by Abibatu Iyaduni Yusuf, Assistant Referee 1, Mfom Friday Akpan , Assistant Referee 2, while Hannah Eliagwu will serve as the fourth…
By Obaloluwa Joshua, LAGOS Greek Super League giants PAOK FC have completed the signing of Nigerian defender, Haruna Saleh. The left-back, who joined PAOK from Unique Football Academy penned a one-and-half year contract with the option of another year. Saleh was discovered during a scouting programme organised by the Unique Football Academy in Lagos two years ago. The left-back is expected to join the first team for training, marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter in his career. AbdulJalil Oladimeji, President of Unique Futbol Academy, expressed his delight at Haruna’s success, stating, “This is exactly what we aimed to…
By Obaloluwa Joshua , LAGOS Holders Real Madrid will face local rivals Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Champions League last 16. Premier League leaders Liverpool will also Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain in another heavyweight clash. Another Premier League club Arsenal will be up against Eredivisie giants PSV Eindhoven, while Aston Villa will tackle Club Brugge. Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen are also paired together. Last-16 ties will take place on March 4 and 5 with the second legs played on March 11 and 12. Full Fixtures Club Brugge vs Aston Villa Borussia Dortmund vs Lille Real Madrid vs Atletico…
By Obaloluwa Joshua, LAGOS Viktoria Plzen forward Rafiu Durosinmi has recounted his difficult spell on the sidelines with injury. Durosinmi was sidelined for around 15 months due to a knee injury. The 22-year-old has already agreed a move to German outfit Eintracht Frankfurt before sustaining the injury. The transfer was however cancelled after he failed a medical. The Nigerian is now gradually hitting top form again after scoring thrice in his last two games for the Plzen. He bagged a brace in Miroslav Koubek’s side 2-0 win at Teplice last weekend. Durosinmi also registered a goal and an assist in…
By Obaloluwa Joshua, LAGOS Falconets star, Chioma Olise has moved to Turkish Women’s Super Lig outfit Trabzonspor. Trabzonspor signed Olise from Nigeria Women’s Football League (NWFL) side, Edo Queens. The 19-year-old penned an 18-month contract with the Black Sea Storm. The dazzling midfielder will wear jersey number 16 at the club. Olise won the NWFL title with Edo Queens last season and the WAFU B Champions League trophy. The former Royal Queens player was part of Falconets squad to the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World in Colombia. She scored once in four outings with the Falconets exiting the competition at…
The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, has again declared that all 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory must stage the final matches of their 2025 President Federation Cup competition on Saturday, 22nd February or Sunday, 23rd February 2025. In a statement to secretaries of Football Associations in all the 36 States and the FCT, NFF’s Director of Competitions, Ruth David, reiterated: “Final matches are to be played ONLY ON 22nd/23rd, except in special cases and as approved by the NFF “Failure to adhere to the above attracts a fine of N1,000,000 (One million naira only).” The National Play-Off of this…