By Obaloluwa Joshua, LAGOS Lille manager Bruno Genesio says Chuba Akpom still have more to do despite his impressive debut for the club. Akpom scored on his Ligue 1 debut for Lille against Le Havre at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy on Saturday. The Nigerian was on target deep into stoppage time of the 2-1 loss. Genesio believed Akpom still need to find his feet at the club. “Scoring is always a good sign for a striker. Chuba was opportunistic in this action. He is a player who still has to find his feet with us,” he told the club’s official website.…
Author: Obaloluwa Joshua
Read More
By Obaloluwa Joshua, LAGOS Manchester City came from behind to beat Leyton Orient 2-1 in a thrilling Emirates FA Cup fourth-round tie on Saturday. The League One club went ahead after 16 minutes. Tottenham loanee Jamie Donley’s 40-yard lob hit City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega and went into the net. Substitute Abdukodir Khusanov equalised for Pep Guardiola’s men four minutes before the hour mark. The centre-back deflected in Rico Lewis’ strike. Kevin de Bruyne then poked home the winning goal 11 minutes from time.
By Obaloluwa Joshua, LAGOS Head coach Eric Chelle, along with his first assistant Hedi Taboubi, visited several Super Eagles players, including Wilfred Ndidi, Moses Simon, and Alex Iwobi at their respective clubs this week. Chelle also attended the Ligue 1 match between Nantes and Brest yesterday to observe winger Simon in action. He was on a meet-and-greet tour with various Super Eagles players during his time in Europe. The 47-year-old is also expected to visit more players next week. The Malian will take charge of the three-time African champions for the first time in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier…
By Obaloluwa Joshua, LAGOS West Bromwich Albion defender Semi Ajayi is nearing a return to full action after a lengthy injury layoff. Ajayi spent around four months on the sidelines as a result of a hamstring injury. The Nigeria international sustained the injury in Albion’s Sky Bet Championship clash with Cardiff City last October. The Baggies manager Tony Mowbray revealed that the 31-year-old will will feature for the Baggies’ U-21 in a friendly on Monday night against Newcastle United as he steps up his comeback. “I’ve had the conversation with Semi. ‘What about 45 minutes?’ I’m coming to watch. Him…
By Obaloluwa Joshua, LAGOS Super Eagles striker Cyriel Dessers has won Glasgow Rangers’ Goal of the Month for January. Dessers received the highest number of votes in a poll conducted on the club’s official website. The 31-year-old’s superb strike in Philippe Clement’s side 2-1 defeat to Manchester United at the Old Trafford was overwhelmingly voted for by majority of the fans. The striker took the place of Nedim Bajrani 19 minutes from time. Captain James Tavernier’s long pass was controlled by the former Feyenoord player. He used his body intelligently to nudge defender Harry Maguire out of the flight of…
Nigeria’s U17 girls, Flamingos, will on Sunday at the Remo Stars Sports Institute, Ikenne-Remo, kickstart their preparations for their two-leg FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualifying clash with the U17 girls of South Africa, known as Bantwana. The 2022 World Cup bronze medallists were drawn bye to the second round of the African qualifiers, while Bantwana fired from all cylinders to steamroll their counterparts from Gabon 21-2 on aggregate, winning 12-1 in Gabon and 9-1 in South Africa. “It is important that the Flamingos start their camping early for this second-round fixture, not just because South Africa won their first-round…
By Obaloluwa Joshua, LAGOS Alex Iwobi insists Nigeria can win the title at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations which will be hosted by Morocco. The Super Eagles will look to win a fourth title when hostilities begin in the North African country in December. The West Africans fell at the last hurdle the last time going down to a 2-1 defeat against hosts Cote d’Ivoire in the final. Iwobi is however adamant they can emerge champions this time around. “To win the AFCON, we were close the last one, we want to win the next,” he told Chinansa Anukam,…
By Obaloluwa Joshua, LAGOS Super Eagles will fly directly to Kigali from their respective bases for the crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Rwanda. Eric Chelle’s side will be up against the Amavubi at the Amahoro Stadium, Kigali on Friday, March 21. The team will open camp for the game in Kigali on Sunday, March 16. They are expected to train for two or three days before the crucial encounter. The West Africans will also entertain the Warriors of Zimbabwe at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo four days after the clash with Rwanda. The Super Eagles are yet…
By Obaloluwa Joshua, LAGOS Ademola Lookman will return to action for Atalanta before the end of the month. The Nigeria international returned to training this week after recovering from a knee injury. The winger sustained the injury on the eve of La Dea’s UEFA Champions League clash with Barcelona last month. Lookman has missed Gian Piero Gasperini’s side last three games. The 27-year-old won’t be part of Atalanta’s squad for the Champions League playoffs tie against Club Brugge. Club Brugge will host the first leg at the Jan Breydelstadion on Wednesday, January 12. The reverse fixture will hold at the…
National Sports Commission (NSC) chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko on Thursday welcomed the amalgamation of Nigeria Football Supporters Clubs to his office in Abuja. Speaking through member of the delegation, Mr. Vincent Okumagba, they pointed out that they had honoured a meeting summoned by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to the effect of having a unified group and came to brief the Chairman on their decision to sheathe their swords for the good of Nigerian football in particular and sports in general. The NSC Chairman urged the groups to intensify efforts to be unified for the ultimate good of Nigerian football. …