By Obaloluwa Joshua, LAGOS Southampton’s new manager Ivan Juric is rooting for Paul Onuachu to score for the club soon. Onuachu arrived Southampton in January 2023 and has struggled to make impact at the club. The Nigerian has failed to hit target in 22 appearances across all competitions for the Saints. The 30-year-old was close to opening his goal account against West Ham United on Boxing Day. Juric told the Daily Echo:”Onuachu scored goals in Belgium every year, 20 goals. In Turkey, it’s the same thing. It’s not the same thing playing in Turkey and Belgium compared to England. “But it’s…
Author: Obaloluwa Joshua
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The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, has urged Nigeria’s Super Eagles B, to avoid complacency as they prepare to face Ghana in a decisive qualifying match on Saturday, December 28, in Uyo. Olopade emphasized the importance of capitalizing on home advantage and urged the players to remain disciplined, determined, and tactical throughout the match. “This is not the time to relax or underestimate the opposition. The team must stay focused and give their best to avoid a repeat of the past disappointment against Ghana. The stakes are high, and the country is counting on…
By Obaloluwa Joshua, LAGOS Manchester City and Everton played out a 1-1 draw in their Boxing Day clash at the Etihad Stadium. Bernardo Silva gave Pep Guardiola’s men the lead after 14 minutes. The Portugal international’s shot was deflected past Jarrad Braithwaite. Everton leveled nine minutes before the break through Iliman Ndiaye.It was Ndiaye’s third goal of the season for Sean Dyche’s men. Manchester City moved up just one place to fifth in the table as their dreadful run of late stretched to one win in 13 games. Everton side are now 15th after another impressive result on the road.
By Obaloluwa Joshua, LAGOS The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has appointed Moroccan official, Hamza El Fariq as centre referee for the second leg of the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifier between Home Eagles and Ghana. El Fariq will be assisted by his compatriots Abdessamad Abertoune (first assistant) Zakaria Bouchtaoui (second assistant)and Hicham Temsamani (fourth official). Prince Kai Saquee from Sierra Leone will be the commissioner, while Miboti Moise from the Democratic Republic of Congo will be in the role of referee assessor. The encounter will hold at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo on Saturday. The first leg…
Stand-in Head Coach Daniel Ogunmodede said on Thursday that the big focus of the Super Eagles B players and officials ahead of Saturday’s African Nations Championship qualifying game against Ghana’s Black Galaxies is to attain victory that will spring Nigeria to the finals of the competition early next year. Both illustrious regional rivals battled to a scoreless stalemate in Accra on Sunday and the final qualifying fixture is delicately poised ahead of the decider at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Saturday. “We are doing everything to stay focused by avoiding any distractions. Yes, we got a scoreless draw…
By Obaloluwa Joshua, LAGOS Augustine Eguavoen has challenged the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to take swift action on the appointment of a foreign coach for the Super Eagles. Eguavoen, who is the technical director of the NFF guided the Super Eagles to 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification last month. The NFF has declared their intention to appoint a substantive head coach for the three-time African champions. The soccer house are however still foot dragging on the appointment. The former defender said it is important for the NFF to step up their search with the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers…
By Obaloluwa Joshua, LAGOS Fulham midfielder Alex Iwobi has declared the Cottagers are ready for war against Chelsea. Marco Silva’s side will face Chelsea in a Boxing Day clash at the Stamford Bridge on Thursday. The Whites head into game in confident mood following their impressive run of form. Fulham are unbeaten in the Premier League this month. “Confident team. They have got so many talented players not just the eleven. But the players they can bring on as well can impact the game,” Iwobi told the club’s official website. “It is another derby. So I am sure, how good…
By Obaloluwa Joshua, LAGOS Super Eagles assistant coach Daniel Ogunmodede says they are determined to secure a place at the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) at the expense of Ghana. The Black Galaxies have stopped Nigeria from qualifying for the CHAN twice in the past. The two rivals are battling to secure a place in the next competition. The home-based Super Eagles held the Didi Dramani’s side to a 0-0 draw in the first leg. “We know history is not good to us with this country (Ghana) so we’ve decided not to pay attention to what history has done to…
By Obaloluwa Joshua, LAGOS Nigeria midfielder Alex Iwobi has celebrated with the less privileged in East London. In the spirit of Christmas, the former Arsenal star opened a temporary shop tagged ‘Alexpress’ to share with the needy. Iwobi gave out free food, including Turkeys, to families who are struggling to pay for their festive dinners.The 28-year-old praised his parents for instilling in him the spirit of giving. “In the house I was raised in, my dad naturally just gave back. To people in Nigeria, to his family and even people in the street – he would just buy bottles of water…
Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) can only be attractive to investors through transparency, credibility and our referees well motivated to render their best. Chairman of Nigeria Premier Football League Gbenga Elegbeleye disclosed this during a roundtable discourse with NPFL reporters in Akure, the state capital. He stressed that the league organisers will not compromise standard, saying they will ensure that the rules are adhered to without favouritism. Elegbeleye said: “From the beginning of next season we are going to do an upward review of players salaries.” He said there must be principle of checks and balances to grow the league.…