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Thursday, 19 December 2024

NPFL 2024/25 SEASON MATCHDAY 18 FIXTURES

Sat. Dec 21:

Kano Pillars vs Niger Tornadoes 3:00pm

Bendel Insurance vs Lobi Stars   5:30pm

Sunshine Stars    vs El-Kanemi Warriors 4:00pm

SUN:

Plateau United vs Enyimba 4:00pm

Akwa United    vs Heartland 4:00pm

Abia Warriors  vs Ikorodu City 4:00pm

Remo Stars      vs Bayelsa United 4:00pm

Enugu Rangers vs Shooting Stars 4:00pm

Nasarawa United  vs Rivers United 4:00pm

Kwara United    vs Katsina United 5:30pm

EPL MATCHDAY 17 FIXTURES

SAT, Dec. 21:

Aston Villa vs Man City 1:30pm

West Ham   vs Brighton 4:00pm

Brentford    vs Nottm Forest 4:00pm

Ipswich      vs Newcastle 4:00pm

C'Palace    vs Arsenal     6:30pm

SUN:

Man Utd    vs Bournemouth 3:00pm

Leicester   vs Wolves            3:00pm

Everton     vs Chelsea          3:00pm

Fulham     vs Southampton  3:00pm

Tottenham vs Liverpool       5:30pm


Tuesday, 17 December 2024

NPFL 2024/25 SEASON MATCHDAY 17 RESULTS, SCORERS

*Lobi Stars           1 Plateau United  0

Adebayo Waheed (45th min)


*Shooting Stars    2 Kano Pillars    0

Joshua Akpan (44th min)

Adam Mustapha (78th min)


*Niger Tornadoes 4 Sunshine Stars  1

Ernest Onyeka-Tornadoes (3rd, 7th min)

Abbarh Khaleed-Tornadoes (13th min)

Joseph Godstime-Tornadoes (27th min)

Sadiq Ibrahim-Sunshine (72nd min)


*El-Kanemi Warriors 3 Abia Warriors   0

Ibrahim Mustapha (5th min)

Salihu Nasiru (25th min)

Muhammad Aminu (74th min)


*Heartland            1 Bendel Insurance 1 

Promise Anyanwu -Heartland (6th min)

Michael Enaruna -Insurance (82nd min)


*Rivers United      2 Kwara United       1

Akeem Akanni-Kwara Utd (18th min)

Timothy Zechariah-Rivers Utd (53rd min)

David Benjamin-Rivers Utd (59th min)

Katsina United    0 Enugu Rangers    0


*Bayelsa United    1 Akwa United 0

Chijioke Alaekwe-Akwa Utd (23rd min)

Auwal Sadiq-Bayelsa Utd (41st min)

Ibrahim Yahaya-Bayelsa (78th min)


*Ikorodu City   1 Remo Stars 1

Shuaib Ibrahim -Remo (8th min)

Chineme Chinonso -Ikorodu (90th min)


*Katsina United 0 Enugu Rangers 0

Friday, 13 December 2024

EPL MATCHDAY 16 FIXTURES

SAT, Dec. 14:

Newcastle vs Leicester 4:00pm

Arsenal vs Everton 4:00pm

Wolves  vs Ipswich  4:00pm

Liverpool vs Fulham 4:00pm

Nottm Forest vs Aston Villa 6:30pm

SUN:

Brighton  vs C'Palace 3:00pm

Man City  vs Man Utd 5:30pm

Southampton vs Tottenham 8:00pm

Chelsea       vs Brentford 8:00pm

MON:

Bournemouth vs West Ham  9:00pm

NPFL 2024/25 SEASON MATCHDAY 17 FIXTURES

SAT. Dec 14:

Lobi Stars vs Plateau United 3:00pm

Shooting Stars vs Kano Pillars 5:30pm

SUN:

Niger Tornadoes vs Sunshine Stars 3:00pm

El-Kanemi vs Abia Warriors 3:00pm

Heartland     vs Bendel Insurance 4:00pm

Rivers United vs Kwara United 4:00pm

Katsina United vs Enugu Rangers 4:00pm

Bayelsa United vs Akwa United 4:00pm

Ikorodu City vs Remo Stars 5:30pm

Enyimba     vs Nasarawa United (pp)

Saturday, 7 December 2024

NPFL 2024/25 SEASON MATCHDAY 16 RESULTS, SCORERS

*Nasarawa United 1 Lobi Stars 0

Qamar Adegoke (12th min)


*Sunshine Stars 0 Shooting Stars 1

Alex Aghahowa (28th min)


*Plateau United 3 Heartland 2

Sunday Anthony-Plateau (5th, 69th min)

Tobi Iyanda-Heartland (53rd, 57th min)

Pam Mafeng-Plateau (90th min)


*Abia Warriors 2 Niger Tornadoes 1

Anthony Ijoma -Abia (21st min)

Own goal (56th min)

Ahmed Family-Tornadoes (90+5min, pen)


*Enugu Rangers 1 Rivers United 0

Collins Ugwueze (15th min)


*Bayelsa United  1 Ikorodu City 0

Rabiu Abdullahi (79th min)


*Kano Pillars 1 Katsina United 0

Abba Adam (34th min)


*Remo Stars 2 El-Kanemi Warriors 0

Peter Onuoha (31st min)

Franck Mawuena (45+2min)



Friday, 6 December 2024

EPL MATCHDAY 15 FIXTURES

Dec. 7:

Everton vs Liverpool             1:30pm

Brentford vs Newcastle        4:00pm

C'Palace   vs Man City         4:00pm

Aston Villa vs Southampton 4:00pm

Man Utd     vs Nottm Forest 6:30pm

SUN:

Fulham   vs Arsenal 3:00pm

Leicester   vs Brighton 3:00pm

Ipswich   vs Bournemouth 3:00pm

Tottenham vs Chelsea  5:30pm

MON:

West Ham   vs Wolves 9:00pm

NPFL 2024/25 SEASON MATCHDAY 16 FIXTURES

Sat. Dec 7:

Nasarawa United vs Lobi Stars 3:00pm

Sunshine Stars     vs Shooting Stars 5:30pm

SUN:

Plateau United     vs Heartland 3:00pm

Abia Warriors    vs Niger Tornadoes 4:00pm

Enugu Rangers   vs Rivers United 4:00pm

Bayelsa United    vs Ikorodu City   4:00pm

Kano Pillars      vs Katsina United 4:00pm

Remo Stars       vs El-Kanemi 4:00pm

Kwara United vs Enyimba   (pp)

MON:

Akwa United   vs Bendel Insurance 4:00pm

Tuesday, 3 December 2024

EPL MATCHDAY 14 FIXTURES

Tuesday, Dec. 3:

Ipswich Town vs C'Palace 8:30pm

Leicester City vs West Ham 9:15pm

Dec.4:

Southampton vs Chelsea          8:30pm

Man City        vs Nottm Forest 8:30pm

Everton          vs Wolves          8:30pm

Newcastle      vs Liverpool      8:30pm

Arsenal          vs Man Utd       9:15pm

Aston Villa     vs Brentford     9:15pm

Dec. 5:

Fulham           vs Brighton     8:30pm

Bournemouth vs Tottenham  9:15pm

Monday, 2 December 2024

NPFL 2024/25 SEASON MATCHDAY 15 RESULTS, SCORERS

*Heartland     3  Nasarawa United 2

Promise Anyanwu-Heartland (15th min)

Anas Yusuf-Nasarawa (45+1min)

Garba Abubakar-Nasarawa (85th min)

Suraj Lawal-Heartland (87th min)

Christian Moloku-Heartland (90+3min)


*Bendel Insurance 2 Plateau United 1      

Uche Collins-Insurance (7th min)

Victor Dawa-Plateau Utd (24th min)

Kayode Solomon-Insurance (66th min)


*Lobi Stars              1 Kwara United    0   

Onah Peter Ogbodo (26th min)


*Shooting Stars 2 Abia Warriors 0

Anthony Okachi (39th min, pen)

Joshua Akpan    (43rd min)


*El-Kanemi Warriors 0 Bayelsa United 0


*Ikorodu City 4 Akwa United   1 

Tosin Oyedokun-Ikorodu (3rd min)

Chijioke Alaekwe-Akwa Utd (36th min)

Emmanuel Solomon-Ikorodu (45+3min)

Abdulmalik Olatunji-Ikorodu (46th min)

Ayomide Cole-Ikorodu (71st min)


*Niger Tornadoes 2 Remo Stars 1

Joseph Godstime-Tornadoes (26th min)

Papa Mustapha Daniel-Tornadoes (40th min)

Michael Ibe-Remo Stars (90+3min)

 

*Rivers United 1 Kano Pillars 0

Aniekeme Okon (31st min)



*Katsina United 1 Sunshine Stars 0

Ahmed Abdultaofik (35th min)


Caption: Shooting Stars' Anthony Okachi, scores against Abia Warriors last Sunday, at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan.


Thursday, 28 November 2024

NPFL 2024/25 SEASON MATCHDAY 15 FIXTURES

Sat. Nov. 30:

Bendel Insurance vs Plateau United       4:00pm

Lobi Stars            vs Kwara United         4:00pm  

SUN:

El-Kanemi Warriors vs Bayelsa United 3:00pm

Ikorodu City             vs Akwa United     4:00pm

Niger Tornadoes       vs Remo Stars      4:00pm

Rivers United           vs Kano Pillars      4:00pm

Katsina United        vs Sunshine Stars   4:00pm

Heartland               vs Nasarawa United 4:00pm

Shooting Stars         vs Abia Warriors   5:30pm

Dec. 3:

Enyimba                  vs Enugu Rangers 4:00pm


EPL MATCHDAY 13 FIXTURES

Friday Nov. 29:

Brighton vs Southampton         9:00pm

Saturday Nov. 30:

Crystal Palace vs Newcastle       4:00pm

Wolves             vs Bournemouth  4:00pm

Brentford         vs Leicester City 4:00pm

Nottm Forest    vs Ipswich Town 4:00pm

West Ham       vs Arsenal             6:30pm

Sunday Dec. 1:

Tottenham vs Fulham                  2:30pm

Chelsea vs Aston Villa                  2:30pm


Man United vs Everton                2:30pm

Liverpool    vs Man City               5:00pm


Caption: Liverpool's Mohamed Salah in a world of his own.





NPFL 2024/25 SEASON MATCHDAY 14 RESULTS, SCORERS


*Nasarawa United 2 Bendel Insurance 1

Victor Collins-Nasarawa (9th, 51st min)

Meyinwa Oritseweyinmi-Insurance (25th min)


*Enugu Rangers 3 Lobi Stars 0

Frank Uwumiro (26th min)

Kenneth Igboke (30th min)

Emmanuel Onyebuchi (44th min)


*Sunshine Stars 1 Rivers United 1

Timothy Zechariah -Rivers Utd (3rd min)

Promise Awosanmi-Sunshine (61st min)


*Ikorodu City 2 El-Kanemi Warriors 0

Shola Adelani (62nd min)

Ayomide Cole (77th min)


*Abia Warriors 2 Katsina United 0

Ijoma Desouza (45+2 min)

Adejoh Ojonugwa (90th min)


*Akwa United 1 Plateau United 0

Friday Apollos (90+9 min)


*Kwara United  1 Heartland 0

Emmanuel Ogbole (21st minute)


*Bayelsa United 4 Niger Tornadoes 1

James Emo -Bayelsa (16th min)

Magbisa Wisdom-Bayelsa (23rd, 49th min)

Rabiu Abdullahi-Bayelsa (62nd min)

Sunday Williams-Tornadoes (81st min)


*Remo Stars 2 Shooting Stars 0

Sikiru Alimi (45+3 min, pen)

Olamilekan Adedayo (67th min)


Caption: Remo Stars' Sikiru Alimi, nets one of the goals against Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC).


Monday, 25 November 2024

NPFL 2024/25 SEASON MATCHDAY 14 FIXTURES

Wed Nov. 27:

Enugu Rangers vs Lobi Stars 4:00pm

Sunshine Stars  vs Rivers United 4:00pm

Ikorodu City     vs El-Kanemi Warriors 4:00pm

Nasarawa United vs Bendel Insurance 4:00pm

Abia Warriors  vs Katsina United 4:00pm

Akwa United   vs Plateau United 4:00pm

Kwara United  vs Heartland 4:00pm

Bayelsa United vs Niger Tornadoes 4:00pm

Remo Stars      vs Shooting Stars  4:00pm

Kano Pillars     vs Enyimba (pp)

NPFL 2024/25 SEASON MATCHDAY 13 RESULTS, SCORERS


*El-Kanemi Warriors 1 Akwa United   0

Ibrahim Mustapha (17th min, pen)


*Bendel Insurance 3 Kwara United 1 

Nazir Mohammed -Insurance (17th, 29th min)

Emmanuel Ogbole-Kwara Utd (23rd min)

Austin Ogunye -Insurance (84th min)


*Lobi Stars 2 Kano Pillars    2 

Liman Amadou -Lobi (7th min)

Ossy Martins -Lobi (14th min)

Rabiu Ali       -Pillars (76th min)

Mustapha Umar-Pillars (78th min)


*Shooting Stars 1 Bayelsa United 0

Anthony Okachi (15th min)


*Plateau United 2 Nasarawa United 0

Own goal (51st min)

Olawale Doyeni (81st min, pen)


*Katsina United 2 Remo Stars 0

Azeez Falolu (50th, 62nd min)


*Rivers United 1 Abia Warriors 0

Ndifreke Effiong (58th min, pen)


*Niger Tornadoes 0 Ikorodu City   0


*Heartland 0 Enugu Rangers 0


Caption: Rabiu Ali, nets season's eighth goal last weekend against Lobi Stars.

Thursday, 21 November 2024

NPFL 2024/25 SEASON MATCHDAY 13 FIXTURES

 Sat, Nov. 23:

El-Kanemi Warriors vs Akwa United 3:00pm

Bendel Insurance      vs Kwara United 4:00pm

Lobi Stars                 vs Kano Pillars  4:00pm

Niger Tornadoes     vs Ikorodu City   4:00pm

Sun, Nov. 24:

Plateau United      vs Nasarawa United 4:00pm

Katsina United     vs Remo Stars  4:00pm

Rivers United      vs Abia Warriors 4:00pm

Heartland           vs Enugu Rangers  4:00pm

Shooting Stars  vs Bayelsa United    5:30pm

Enyimba             vs Sunshine Stars (pp)

EPL MATCHDAY 12 FIXTURES

Sat, Nov. 23:

Leicester vs Chelsea          1:30pm

Everton   vs Brentford       4:00pm

Bournemouth vs Brighton 4:00pm

Fulham        vs Wolves      4:00pm

Arsenal       vs Nottm Forest 4:00pm

Aston Villa  vs C'Palace    4:00pm

Man City   vs Tottenham   6:30pm

Sun, Nov. 24:

Southampton vs Liverpool 3:00pm

Ipswich Town vs Man Utd 5:30pm

Mon, Nov. 25:

Newcastle   vs West Ham  9:00pm

Monday, 18 November 2024

2024 CAF Player award: Lookman makes Top Five


Nigeria international and Atalanta forward, Ademola Lookman, made the final five-man shortlist for the 2024 CAF Men's Player of the Year. 

The Confederation of African Football on Monday officially unveiled the top five nominees in each of the men’s categories of the CAF Awards scheduled for next month in in Marrakech, Morocco.

However, Super Eagles captain, William Troost-Ekong, could not make the cut after he was initially shortlised among the top 10.

Lookman who finished 14th in the 2024 Ballon d'Or is favoured to win the award which is held by compatriot, Victor Osimhen.

Recall that Lookman posted an outstanding performance last season. 

He scored three goals to help Nigeria reached the final of the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.

The 2017 FIFA U20 World Cup winner with England made history by scoring a hat-trick in the final of the 2024 UEFA Europa League which helped his club to lift the trophy at the expense of Bayer Leverkusen last season.

A total of seven categories have been confirmed by CAF in the Men’s category of the awards, shortlisting the five top performing players, coaches and teams in each of the categories.

Other categories announced include Goalkeeper of the Year, Interclub Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, Young Player of the Year, Club of the Year, National Team of the Year.

Meanwhile, the remaining four contenders for the Men's Player of the Year award are Simon Adingra [Cote d’Ivoire/Brighton]; Serhou Guirassy [Guinea / Borussia Dortmund]; Achraf Hakimi (Morocco/PSG] and Ronwen Williams of South Africa/Mamelodi Sundowns.


Saturday, 16 November 2024

NPFL 2024/25 SEASON MATCHDAY 12 RESULTS, SCORERS

*Akwa United 1 Nasarawa United 0

Paul Acquah (34th min)


*Ikorodu City 2 Shooting Stars 1

Anthony Okachi -Shooting (16th min)

Shola Adelani-Ikorodu (59th min)

Rivio Ayemwenre-Ikorodu (89th min)


*Kwara United 2 Plateau United 0

Emmanuel Ogbole (67th, 78th min pen)


*Kano Pillars 2 Heartland 2

Suraju Lawal-Heartland (51st, 59th min)

Rabiu Ali -Pillars (57th min)

Ahmed Musa-Pillars (75th min)


*Sunshine Stars 1 Lobi Stars 0

Promise Awosanmi (48th min)


*El-Kanemi Warriors 1 Niger Tornadoes 0

Ibrahim Mustapha (50th min)


*Bayelsa United 1 Katsina United 1

Rabiu Abdullahi - Bayelsa Utd (73rd min)

Ahmed Abdultaofik - Katsina Utd (85th min)


*Enugu Rangers 3 Bendel Insurance 2

Godwin Obaje - Rangers (21st min)

Frank Uwumiro - Rangers (39th min)

Effimi Nsi Edim -Rangers (55th min)

Nnamdi Anthony -Insurance (66th min)

Uche Collins -Insurance (85th min)



*Abia Warriors  1 Enyimba 1

Clinton Jephta- Enyimba (9th min)

Adejoh Ojonugwa -Abia (22nd min)


*Remo Stars 0 Rivers United 0

Caption: Rangers' Godwin Obaje, he was on song during last Sunday's five-goal thriller in Enugu.


Thursday, 14 November 2024

NPFL 2024/25 SEASON MATCHDAY 12 FIXTURES

Sat, Nov. 16:

Akwa United vs Nasarawa United 4:00pm

Sun, Nov. 17:

El-Kanemi Warriors vs Niger Tornadoes 3:00pm

Ikorodu City vs Shooting Stars 4:00pm

Enugu Rangers vs Bendel Insurance 4:00pm

Abia Warriors  vs Enyimba 4:00pm

Bayelsa United vs Katsina United 4:00pm

Sunshine Stars  vs Lobi Stars 4:00pm

Remo Stars     vs Rivers United 4:00pm

Kwara United  vs Plateau United 4:00pm

Kano Pillars     vs Heartland  4:00pm

Monday, 11 November 2024

NPFL 2024/25 SEASON MATCHDAY 11 RESULTS, SCORERS


*Bendel Insurance 0 Kano Pillars 1

Rabiu Ali (90+7 min, pen)


*Nasarawa United 0 Kwara United 1

Emmanuel Ogbole (45+2 min)


*Lobi Stars  3 Abia Warriors 1

Sunday Megwo-Abia (56th min)

...................... (61st, 90th min)

Christian Nnaji-Lobi (79th min)


*Heartland 1 Sunshine Stars 0

Christian Molokwu (8th min)


*Katsina United 1 Ikorodu City 2

Moses Effiong-Katsina (18th min)

Solomon Alade-Ikorodu (44th min)

Emmanuel Solomon -Ikorodu (89th min)


*Rivers United 0 Bayelsa United 1

..........(7th min)


*Enyimba  0 Remo Stars 0


*Niger Tornadoes 1 Akwa United 0

Papa Daniel (48th min)


*Plateau United 0 Enugu Rangers 0


*Shooting Stars 3 El-Kanemi Warriors 0

Samuel Ayanrinde (27th min)

Abubakar Aliyu Ibrahim (38th min)

Adam Mustapha (62nd min)

Caption: Rabiu Ali, nets the winner against Bendel Insurance last weekend.

Thursday, 7 November 2024

Osimhen bags brace as Galatasaray humble Tottenham in five-goal thriller

 Victor Osimhen scored twice as Galatasaray inflicted a first Europa League defeat of the season against 10-man Tottenham Hotspur in Istanbul, reports BBC Sport.

Teenage forward Will Lankshear was dismissed for two yellow cards on the hour mark for Spurs, having earlier scored his first senior goal for the club in only his second start.

However, by that stage the visitors should have been out of sight with the final scoreline barely reflective of an encounter that was dominated by the hosts.

Tottenham's woeful attempts to play out from the back and their shambolic defending ensured that they endured a trying evening in a destination that is notorious for its hostile atmosphere.

Yunus Akgun's sixth-minute effort was the precursor of what was to follow, with the Turkey midfielder dispatching a wonderful left-foot volley past Spurs goalkeeper Fraser Forster from 20 yards.

While 19-year-old Lankshear levelled from close range after being teed up by Brennan Johnson, the way in which Tottenham repeatedly gifted possession and goalscoring opportunities to their opponents will place scrutiny on manager Ange Postecoglou's decision to begin with six first-choice players on the bench.

An error from central defender Radu Dragusin contributed to Osimhen's first goal of the evening, with the on-loan Napoli forward reacting sharply to a Dries Mertens pass to poke a right-foot effort past Forster into the right corner.

Osimhen's second also came courtesy of the Belgian playmaker, with Mertens' right-wing delivery expertly turned home by the unmarked Nigerian international from eight yards.

While substitute Dominic Solanke tapped in from Pedro Porro's pass - nine minutes after Lankshear's departure - to give the score an air of respectability, in truth the visitors were well beaten.

Only some profligate finishing and several excellent saves from Forster prevented Okan Buruk's team from the emphatic victory they richly deserved.

Meanwhile, Osimhen, 2015 FIFA U17 World Cup winner, has scored six goals in his last five games for The Lions


since his loan arrival from Napoli in the summer.

NPFL 2024/25 SEASON MATCHDAY 11 FIXTURES

Sat, Nov. 9:

Lobi Stars vs Abia Warriors 4:00pm

Bendel Insurance vs Kano Pillars 4:00pm

Sun, Nov 10:

Heartland vs Sunshine Stars 4:00pm

Katsina United vs Ikorodu City 4:00pm

Rivers United vs Bayelsa United 4:00pm

Enyimba       vs Remo Stars 4:00pm

Niger Tornadoes vs Akwa United 4:00pm

Plateau United vs Enugu Rangers 4:00pm

Nasarawa United vs Kwara United 4:00pm

Shooting Stars   vs El-Kanemi Warriors 5:30pm

EPL MATCHDAY 11 FIXTURES

Sat, Nov. 9:

Brentford vs Bournemouth 4:00pm

Wolves vs Southampton     4:00pm

Brighton vs Man City         4:00pm

West Ham vs Everton         4:00pm

C'Palace  vs Fulham          4:00pm

Liverpool vs Aston Villa     9:00pm

Sun, Nov. 10:

Nottm Forest vs Newcastle 3:00pm

Tottenham  vs Ipswich        3:00pm

Man Utd  vs Leicester       3:00pm

Chelsea    vs Arsenal         5:30pm

Monday, 4 November 2024

NPFL 2024/25 SEASON MATCHDAY 10 RESULTS, SCORERS


*Kano Pillars 2 Plateau United 1

Gafar Saka-Plateau (66th min)

Rabiu Ali-Pillars (78th min)

Ahmed Musa-Pillars (90+2min)


*El-Kanemi Warriors 1 Katsina United 0

Ibrahim Mustapha (69th min)


*Abia Warriors 0 Heartland 2

Michael Ogu (12th, 90+4min)


*Bayelsa United 1 Enyimba 1

Ekene Awazie-Enyimba (30th min)

Magbisa Wisdom-Bayelsa (37th min)


*Akwa United 2 Kwara United 1

Chijoke Alaekwe-Akwa (17th min)

Emmanuel Ogbole-Kwara Utd (33rd min)

Endurance Eddy-Akwa (60th, pen)


*Sunshine Stars 1 Bendel Insurance 2 

Kayode Solomon-Bendel (17th min)

Sadiq Ibrahim-Sunshine (44th min)

Nnamdi Anthony-Bendel (60th min)


*Enugu Rangers 1 Nasarawa United 0

Godwin Obaje (55th, 61st min, pen)


*Niger Tornadoes 2 Shooting Stars 0

Joseph Godstime (31st, 88th min)


*Ikorodu City 2 Rivers United 0

Ayomide Cole (48th min)

Rivio Ayemwenre (53rd min)


*Remo Stars 1 Lobi Stars  0

Michael Okoro Ibe (47th min)

Caption: Kano Pillars' Rabiu Ali, in a world of his own.

Friday, 1 November 2024

NPFL 2024/25 SEASON MATCHDAY 10 FIXTURES

Sun, Nov. 3:

El-Kanemi Warriors vs Katsina United  3:00pm

Bayelsa United      vs Enyimba           3:00pm

Akwa United            vs Kwara United  4:00pm

Sunshine Stars   vs Bendel Insurance   4:00pm

Enugu Rangers   vs Nasarawa United   4:00pm

Niger Tornadoes vs Shooting Stars     4:00pm

Kano Pillars    vs Plateau United      4:00pm

Abia Warriors  vs Heartland             4:00pm

Ikorodu City   vs Rivers United        4:00pm

Remo Stars     vs Lobi Stars            5:30pm

EPL MATCHDAY 10 FIXTURES

 Sat, Nov. 2:

Newcastle vs Arsenal          1:30pm

Ipswich     vs Leicester       4:00pm

Southampton vs Everton     4:00pm

Liverpool       vs Brighton    4:00pm

Bournemouth vs Man City   4:00pm

Nottm Forest  vs West Ham 4:00pm

Wolves          vs C'Palace    6:30pm

Sun, Nov. 3:

Tottenham   vs Aston Villa 3:00pm

Man Utd      vs Chelsea      5:30pm

Mon, Nov. 4:

Fulham     vs Brentford   9:00pm

NPFL 2024/25 SEASON MATCHDAY 9 RESULTS, SCORERS


*Rivers United  1 El-Kanemi Warriors 1

Samaila Bello-El-Kanemi (30th min)

Taofeek Olaniyi-Rivers Utd (33rd min)


*Kwara United 1 Enugu Rangers  1

Shola Abdulraheem-Kwara (43rd min)

Kingsley Maduforo-Rangers (45th min)


*Shooting Stars 2 Akwa United 1

Gideon Monday-Shooting (45+6 min)

Joshua Akpan   -Shooting (73rd min)

Friday Apollos  -Akwa Utd (83rd min)


*Katsina United  1 Niger Tornadoes 1 

Papa Mustapha Daniel-Tornadoes (41st min)

Bello Lukman-Katsina (54th min)


*Heartland         1 Remo Stars 0

Afolayan Temitope Peters (71st min)


*Bendel Insurance 0 Abia Warriors 1 

Sunday Megwo (40th min)


*Nasarawa United 1 Kano Pillars  0

Anas Yusuf (41st min)


*Plateau United    3 Sunshine Stars 0

Vincent Temitope (14th min, pen)

Sadiq Abubakar Adamu (66th, 90+4 min, pen)


*Enyimba        2   Ikorodu City  1

Ifeanyi Ihemekwele-Enyimba (6th min)

Toyeeb Ajeyigbe-Ikorodu (90th min)

Moses Adikwu-Enyimba (90+2 min)


*Lobi Stars   2 Bayelsa United 1

Ossy Martins-Lobi (22nd, 57th min)

Ibrahim Yahaya-Bayelsa (30th min, pen)


Caption: 

Shola Abdulrahman dazzles during the matchday nine NPFL clash with Enugu Rangers in Ilorin.

Friday, 25 October 2024

Djokovic withdraws from Paris Masters

Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from next week's Paris Masters, potentially ending his 2024 season.

The 37-year-old, who is the defending champion in Paris, has won a record 40 Masters titles in his career along with his 24 Grand Slam titles.

Djokovic is still in contention to qualify for the season-ending ATP Finals in Turin next month, but is currently sixth in the race for the eight-man field event with a number of players still able to overtake him.

"Unfortunately I won't be playing the Paris Masters this year," Djokovic posted on social media.

"I have a lot of great memories, winning seven titles and I hope to be back with you next year. Sorry to everyone who was hoping to see me there."

For the first time since 2017, Djokovic will end the season without a Grand Slam title after victories for Italy's Jannik Sinner and Spain's Carlos Alcaraz in the four majors.

However, Djokovic did win his first Olympic gold medal in Paris in August.



Thursday, 24 October 2024

EPL MATCHDAY 9 FIXTURES

Oct. 25, 2024:

Leicester City vs Nottm Forest 8:00pm

Oct. 26:

Brentford vs Ipswich Town 3:00pm

Man City    vs Southampton 3:00pm

Aston Villa vs Bournemouth 3:00pm

Brighton     vs Wolves           3:00pm

Everton     vs Fulham            5:30pm

Oct. 27:

C'Palace    vs Tottenham   3:00pm

Chelsea    vs Newcastle     3:00pm

West Ham vs Man Utd       3:00pm

Arsenal      vs Liverpool     5:30pm

NPFL 2024/25 SEASON MATCHDAY 9 FIXTURES

Katsina United  vs Niger Tornadoes 3:00pm

Heartland        vs Remo Stars         4:00pm

Bendel Insurance vs Abia Warriors 5:30pm

Oct. 27:

Nasarawa United vs Kano Pillars  3:00pm

Rivers United  vs El-Kanemi Warriors 4:00pm

Plateau United    vs Sunshine Stars 4:00pm

Enyimba            vs Ikorodu City     4:00pm

Kwara United  vs Enugu Rangers  4:00pm

Shooting Stars vs Akwa United      5:30pm

Oct. 28:

Lobi Stars     vs Bayelsa United     3:00pm

Monday, 21 October 2024

NPFL 2024/25 SEASON MATCHDAY 8 RESULTS, SCORERS

*Kano Pillars 1 Kwara United 1

Issa Gaita - Kwara Utd (50th min)

Zulkifilu Rabiu-Pillars (56th min)


*Sunshine Stars 1 Nasarawa United 0

Olufemi Adesina (18th min)


*Abia Warriors 3 Plateau United 1

Sadiq Adamu-Plateau (40th min)

Sunday Megwo -Abia (45th min)

Adejoh Ojonugwa -Abia (45+2 min)

Paul Samson- Abia (56th min)


*Akwa United  0 Enugu Rangers 0


*Remo Stars    1 Bendel Insurance 0

Dela Akorli (43rd min)


*Bayelsa Utd    1 Heartland  0

Rabiu Abdullahi (54th min)


*El-Kanemi  Warriors  1 Enyimba     0

Usman Abbas (45+4 min)


*Ikorodu City 4 Lobi Stars    2

Salau Yusuf -Ikorodu (2nd min)

Emmanuel Solomon -Ikorodu (19th), 56th min)

Ifeanyi Assurance -Lobi (45+5, 45+6 min)

Rivio Ayemwenre -Ikorodu (58th min)


*Niger Tornadoes 0 Rivers United 1

Seyeifa Jackson (47th min)


*Shooting Stars 1 Katsina United 0

Adam Mustapha (68th min)

Friday, 18 October 2024

NPFL 2024/25 SEASON MATCHDAY 8 FIXTURES

Sun, Oct. 20:

Kano Pillars vs Kwara Utd          4:00pm

Sunshine Stars vs Nasarawa Utd 4:00pm

Abia Warriors vs Plateau Utd      4:00pm

Remo Stars     vs Bendel Insurance 5:30pm

Bayelsa Utd    vs Heartland       3:00pm

El-Kanemi     vs Enyimba          3:00pm

Mon, Oct. 21:

Ikorodu City vs Lobi Stars        3:00pm

Niger Tornadoes vs Rivers Utd 4:00pm

Shooting Stars   vs Katsina Utd 5:30pm

Akwa Utd          vs Enugu Rangers 5:30pm

Thursday, 17 October 2024

NPFL 2024/25 SEASON MATCHDAY 7 RESULTS, SCORERS


*Kwara Utd    3   Sunshine Stars  0

Wasiu Alalade (30th, 38th min)

Abdulraheem Shola (73rd min)


*Enugu Rangers 3   Kano Pillars      4

Rabiu Ali -Pillars (15th min pen, 37th min pen) 

Zulkifilu Rabiu-Pillars (28th min)

Ahmed Musa-Pillars (45+1 min)

Isaac Saviour -Rangers (47th min, 59th min)

Emmanuel Nenrot -Rangers (90th min)


*Lobi Stars         2    El-Kanemi         2

Ossy Martins -Lobi Stars (17th, 53rd min)

Ibrahim Mustapha-El-Kanemi (57th, 86th min)


*Nasarawa Utd   3   Abia Warriors   0

Anas Yusuf (56th, 58th, 70th min)


Enyimba            1   Tornadoes          1

Joseph Godstime -Tornadoes (42nd min)

Ufere Chukwu     -Enyimba    (76th min)


*Bendel Insurance 3  Bayelsa Utd     0

Kayode Solomon (17th min)

Nnamdi Anthony  (78th min)

Michael Enaruna (90+2 min)


*Rivers Utd           2 Shooting Stars   0

Aniekeme Okon (51st min)

Ndifreke Effiong (65th min)


*Plateau Utd         3 Remo Stars        1    

Chukwuebuka Anthony -Plateau (4th, 71st min)

Sadiq Adamu -Plateau (64th min)

Jabbar Malik-Remo Stars (83rd min)


*Heartland            1 Ikorodu City      1  

Salaudeen Yusuf -Ikorodu (5th min)

Chukwudi Agor-Heartland (66th min)


*Katsina Utd         1 Akwa Utd          0

Azeez Falolu (27th min)

EPL MATCHDAY 8 FIXTURES

Oct. 19, 2024:

Tottenham vs West Ham 12:30pm

Man Utd    vs Brentford   3:00pm

Newcastle  vs Brighton    3:00pm

Ipswich      vs Everton      3:00pm

Fulham      vs Aston Villa 3:00pm

Southampton vs Leicester 3:00pm

Bournemouth vs Arsenal 5:30pm

Oct. 20:

Wolves vs Man City 2:00pm

Liverpool vs Chelsea 4:30pm

Oct 21:

Nottm Forest vs Crystal Palace 8:00pm

Tuesday, 15 October 2024

NPFL 2024/25 SEASON MATCHDAY 7 FIXTURES

Oct. 16:

Lobi Stars           vs El-Kanemi Warriors 2:00pm

Kwara Utd         vs Sunshine Stars 4:00pm

Nasarawa Utd    vs Abia Warriors 4:00pm

Enugu Rangers  vs Kano Pillars 4:00pm

Enyimba            vs Niger Tornadoes 4:00pm

Oct. 17:

Bendel Insurance vs Bayelsa Utd 3:00pm

Rivers Utd      vs Shooting Stars 4:00pm

Plateau Utd vs Remo Stars      4:00pm

Heartland    vs Ikorodu City    4:00pm

Katsina Utd vs Akwa Utd         5:30pm

NPFL 2024/25 SEASON MATCHDAY 6 RESULTS, SCORERS

*Ikorodu City  3 Bendel Insurance 0

Rivio Ayemwenre (48th min)

Kelechi Onwe       (56th min)

Ajeyigbe Toyeeb   (74th min)


*Abia Warriors  1 Kwara United 0

Sunday Megwo (76th min)


*Remo Stars 3 Nasarawa Utd 0

Sikiru Alimi     (51st min)

Stanley Joseph (59th min)

Sodiq Ismail   (62nd min)


*Sunshine Stars 1 Enugu Rangers 0

Stephen Chukwude (44th min)


*El-Kanemi Warriors 0 Heartland 0


*Shooting Stars      0 Enyimba      0


Bayelsa Utd  1 Plateau United 0

Ibrahim Yahaya (04th min)


*Akwa United  2 Kano Pillars 0

Ebedebiri Eddy (45th min)

Friday Apollos  (81st min)


*Katsina United 0 Rivers United 0


*Niger Tornadoes 1 Lobi Stars 1

Ossy Martins -Lobi Stars (61st min)

Emmanuel Ayodele -Tornadoes (90th min)



Thursday, 10 October 2024

NPFL 2024/25 SEASON MATCHDAY 6 FIXTURES

Oct 12:

Abia Warriors      vs Kwara United  2:00pm

Ikorodu City         vs Bendel Insurance 4:00pm

Sunshine Stars     vs Enugu Rangers 4:30pm

Oct 13:

Remo Stars          vs Nasarawa Utd 3:00pm 

El-Kanemi Warriors vs Heartland 4:00pm

Shooting Stars      vs Enyimba     4:00pm

Bayelsa Utd          vs Plateau United 4:00pm

Akwa United        vs Kano Pillars 4:00pm

Katsina United     vs Rivers United 4:00pm

Niger Tornadoes  vs Lobi Stars 4:00pm

Tuesday, 8 October 2024

UFC: Pereira used ‘juju’ to win fights, says Adesanya

Former UFC champion, Israel Adesanya, has become the latest fighter to accuse Alex Pereira of using magic to win his fights, reports www.talksport.com.

‘The Last Stylebender’ suffered consecutive losses, including two knockout defeats, in his first three fights with Pereira in kickboxing and MMA.

However, he finally got a win over ‘Poatan’ at UFC 287 in April 2023.

Adesanya knocked him out cold to win back his middleweight title before the Brazilian fan favourite moved up to light heavyweight and became a two-weight champion.

Pereira KO’d Jiri Prochazka to win the 205lb belt last November.

When they rematched earlier this year, Prochazka repeatedly claimed that his UFC 303 opponent uses black magic and rituals to ensure that he wins fights.

The Czech fighter challenged Pereira to face him without using spirits before he got brutally stopped in the second round of their rematch on June 29.

“Everybody knows that he’s doing these rituals before the fight,” Prochazka said during UFC 303 media day.

“Everybody can feel that what’s around him and what’s going on. And I think Alex can’t fight without that. So, that’s something he’s using normally in fighting.

“This is my challenge to him. To be without some other things. Let the higher power be there in the cage to see who’s the best in the world, in the performance, in the pure performance.”

Prochazka is a pretty eccentric character, who punches trees hundreds of times a day and locked himself in a cabin to train the mind, so no one really took his claim seriously, until now.

Adesanya recently backed up Prochazka during a conversation with Joe Rogan.

Pereira’s biggest rival insists he does use ‘juju’ ahead of his fights and will do so again before he takes on Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC 307 on Saturday night.

“You know what Jiri said about the whole juju thing? That’s real," Adesanya said on the JRE MMA show.

“The guy beat me in the biggest arena on the planet, Madison Square Garden, the same way as the last time he beat me in Brazil.

“I was beating his a***, had him hurt at the end of the first round and then he gets me in the last round.

"It’s his spirit, his whatever, like ancestors or his people, that are praying for him. I’ve got prayer warriors as well. My mum and dad be fasting, and they have people in the spirit world praying for me.

“The way he carries himself. Something about him just, he knows how to recover well.

“So, I just knew I could get him, but after that he knocked me out in the biggest arena in the world. I’m just like, ‘Let’s do that s*** again, Dana’ [White]’.


Monday, 7 October 2024

NPFL 2024/25 SEASON MATCHDAY 5 RESULTS, SCORERS

*Lobi Stars 1 Shooting Stars 0

Sameul Tiza (29th min)


*Kwara Utd 1 Remo Stars 0

Abdulraheem Shola (56th min)


*Enyimba   3 Katsina Utd  0

Ekene Awazie (16th min)

Ifeanyi Ihemekwele (30th min)

Kale Nweke (34th min)


*Kano Pillars 2 Sunshine Stars 0

Ahmed Musa (4th, 51st min)


*Rivers Utd  2  Akwa United 1

Stephen Manyo - Rivers Utd (31st min)

Friday Apollos -Akwa Utd    (49th min)

Ndifreke Effiong-Rivers Utd (85th min)


*Bendel Insurance 1 El-Kanemi Warriors 1

Ibrahim Mustapha -El-Kanemi (2nd min)

Michael Enaruna -Insurance    (19th min)


*Enugu Rangers   1 Abia Warriors  0

Kazeem Ogunleye (59th min)


*Heartland     2 Niger Tornadoes 0

Michael Ogu (20th, 60th min)



*Plateau Utd      1 Ikorodu City    0

Vincent Temitope (62nd min)


*Nasarawa Utd 0 Bayelsa Utd 0


Caption: Kwara United's Abdulraheem Shola (right), scores the winner against Remo Stars last Sunday in Ilorin.



Friday, 4 October 2024

Man Utd not impressive under Ten Hag, says Paul Scholes

Manchester United icon, Paul Scholes, says the Red Devils are going backwards under head coach Erik ten Hag.

Manchester United were humbled at home to Tottenham in the Premier League on Sunday, losing 0-3 and cementing their place in the bottom half of the table. It has led to speculation about Ten Hag's position as head coach and former midfielder Scholes says the Red Devils look "poorly coached" and appear to be a team who are going backwards.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, Scholes said: "You don't see where the next good performance or win is coming from. I don't think the players even understand what the manager wants from them. They look like a poorly coached-team. It's difficult to watch. It's two-and-a-bit years now and I feel like there's no progression when teams like Liverpool, Manchester City, and Arsenal, are progressing all the time.

"With United, it feels like the opposite - it feels like we're regressing. We're going the wrong way as results would suggest. All fans want is a bit of direction but there's a lack of hope. The team look so far off being anywhere near competitive."

Ten Hag bought himself some more time in the dugout after winning the FA Cup in May, but he has been under the watchful eye of Sir Jim Ratcliffe for months now. With hundreds of millions spent in the transfer window, Manchester United have not shown anywhere near enough progress under the former Ajax boss.


Why I dropped Mbappe from France squad, says Deschamps


Manager Didier Deschamps has explained why Real Madrid superstar, Kylian Mbappe, has been left out of the France squad for the upcoming Nations League ties.

Mbappe’s absence from the France squad comes as a surprise to many, particularly because he featured in Real Madrid’s Champions League loss to Lille on Wednesday. However, the forward has only just returned from a thigh injury, which caused him to miss crucial fixtures, including last weekend’s Madrid derby.

With La Liga set for a two-week international break following this weekend's fixtures, Mbappe will remain in Madrid, where he will continue his rehabilitation at the club's Valdebebas training facility. This extended period of rest and recovery is expected to help Mbappe regain peak condition without the added pressure of international duties.

"I spoke with Kylian about the situation, which is still uncertain after coming on as a substitute on Wednesday. He has a match on Saturday and there are questions," Deschamps told reporters explaining his decision to leave out Mbappe.

"He has a problem which is not serious but he needs treatment to recover properly. I am not here to take risks. That is why Kylian is not here."

Deschamps further acknowledged that while Mbappe had played in September’s games, he wasn’t in his best mental or physical condition at the time.

"I have no doubt about Kylian's commitment but he was not in the best condition during the last gathering," the head coach added.

Deschamps has called up a fresh wave of talent, including Christopher Nkunku, Michael Olise, and Bradley Barcola for the next two games. Les Bleus will take on Israel in Budapest before travelling to Brussels to face Belgium on October 14. 

Meanwhile, it remains to be seen if Mbappe is called up by Carlo Ancelotti for Los Blancos' next fixture against Villarreal at Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday evening.

Tuesday, 1 October 2024

EPL MATCHDAY 7 FIXTURES

 Oct. 5:

Crystal Palace  vs Liverpool 12:30pm

Arsenal      vs Southampton 3:00pm

Man City   vs Fulham      3:00pm

Leicester City vs Bournemouth 3:00pm

Brenford vs Wolves      3:00pm

West Ham vs Ipswich   3:00pm

Everton     vs Newcastle 5:30pm

Oct. 6:        

Aston Villa vs Man Utd     2:00pm

Chelsea     vs Nottm Forest 2:00pm

Brighton   vs Tottenham  4:30pm

NPFL 2024/25 SEASON MATCHDAY 5 FIXTURES

Oct. 5:

Lobi Stars vs Shooting Stars 4:00pm

Oct. 6:

Kwara Utd vs Remo Stars     4:00pm

Nasarawa Utd vs Bayelsa Utd 4:00pm

Enyimba          vs Katsina Utd  4:00pm

Kano Pillars    vs Sunshine Stars 4:00pm

Rivers Utd       vs Akwa Utd         4:00pm

Bendel Insurance vs El-Kanemi Warriors 4:00pm

Enugu Rangers    vs Abia Warriors     4:00pm

Heartland          vs Niger Tornadoes    4:00pm

Plateau Utd       vs Ikorodu City         4:00pm


I blew $200m on jewelry, cars, nights out, says ex-NBA star Iverson


 Allen Iverson earned $155million during his 17-year NBA career, reports www.talksport.com.

But his fast lifestyle off the court saw him blow through the money.

In 2012, The Washington Post claimed Iverson told his then wife Tawanna Turner that he couldn't afford a cheeseburger during divorce proceedings.

He filed for bankruptcy that year.

Including endorsements, Iverson is believed to have earned more than $200million at this point in his career.

But his spending habits meant he was unable to keep up.

The former Denver Nuggets guard boasted a collection of luxury cars, which included a Lamborghini Murcielago, Mercedes Maybach 57S, and Bentley Continental GT.

He infamously gave the Bentley to rookie Philadelphia 76ers teammate Larry Hughes on a whim in 1998.

“Larry is standing there, and he’s in this… daze," Iverson wrote in a Players' Tribune article.

"He’s in a Bentley daze. Just looking at it…and then looking at me…and then he’s just, like, ‘Yo….. AI. I have to get me one of these.’

“I don’t even hesitate. ‘Bro, you can have mine.’”

Hilariously, the Bentley's tank was empty - leaving Hughes stranded in west Philadelphia for hours in what he thinks was a hazing prank to this day.

Hughes shared what it was like being introduced to Iverson as a rookie.

“When I came into the league, we had a lockout, so we weren’t necessarily getting NBA checks, but if you had any endorsements, obviously those things were still happening," he told Hoops Hype in 

2020.

"So when I went to the bank, I went to the ATM machine, and I put my card in and got a couple of dollars out for the day.

"But I went to the bank with Allen Iverson one day; he didn’t go to the ATM. He didn’t go into the bank to talk to the teller either. He actually went into the vault.

“This was really the first interaction I had with someone who had a lot of money.

"When they gave Allen his money, it was still wrapped in plastic, and that was something completely different than I’d ever seen.”

Iverson, who also played for the Detroit Pistons and Memphis Grizzlies, was famously generous and Fox Sports claimed he supported an entourage of around 50 people at one point.

His passion for fashion and luxury jewelry added to his financial struggles.

Another ex-Philly teammate, Matt Barnes, told Sports Illustrated that Iverson would often drop sums in strip clubs.

“He’d throw US$30,000, US$40,000 every time we went,” Barnes said.

“I’m like, ‘You realise what I can do with this money?’”

Thankfully, Iverson - nicknamed The Answer for his resourcefulness on the court - has managed to turn things around.

"I didn’t have a plan. I was 21 years old. I was on the fly. I never had money before in my life,” he told Afrotech.

Possibly the best decision Iverson ever made was his partnership with Reebok.

The lifetime deal saw him receive a yearly income of $800,000 - and he will scoop a $32million trust fund when he turns 55 in six years.

He joined the sportswear brand as vice-president of the basketball division last year.

His president is NBA icon Shaquille O’Neal.

Essentially Sports report that Iverson is working with ex-NBA star Al Harrington - the founder of cannabis company Viola - and launched his own strain.

Iverson's net worth is estimated at $1million.

And while that figure is a long way off the fortune he lost, things are pointing in the right direction for the gifted athlete and budding entrepreneur.


Monday, 30 September 2024

NPFL 2024/25 SEASON MATCHDAY 4 RESULTS, SCORERS

 *Ikorodu City 1 Nasarawa United 2

Anas Yusuf -Nasarawa (44th min)

Chilaka ThankGod -Ikorodu (45+3 min)

Kabiru Balogun      -Nasarawa (65th min)


*El-Kanemi Warriors 2 Plateau United 2 

Victor Dawa- Plateau (11th min)

Saka Gafar  - Plateau (55th min)

Ibrahim Mustapha -El-Kanemi (73rd min, pen)

Samaila Bello  -El-Kanemi  (84th min)


*Bayelsa United    1 Kwara United  1

Akanni Akeem -Kwara (66th min)

Yahaya Ibrahim-Bayelsa (76th min)


*Niger Tornadoes 1 Bendel Insurance 1

Jonas Emmanuel -Tornadoes (50th min)

Vincent Okeke -Insurance  (60th min)


*Rivers United   2 Enyimba 0

Ubong Friday (17th min)

Seiyefa Jackson (87th min)


*Abia Warriors  2   Kano Pillars 0

Sunday Megwo (15th min)

Emmanuel Ogbuagu (37th min)


*Akwa United  1 Sunshine Stars 2

Chinedu Nwosu -Sunshine (19th min)

Seth Mayo Ademe -Sunshine (81st min)

Wisdom Joshua Ndon-Akwa (83rd min)


*Katsina United   3 Lobi Stars   0

Azeez Falolu (20th min, pen)

Yahaya Nazifi (49th min)

Ahmed Abdultaofik (82nd min)


*Remo Stars        2 Enugu Rangers 1

Alex Oyowah -Remo (51st min)

Kenechukwu Agu-Rangers (55th min, pen)

Raymond Tochukwu-Remo (60th min)


*Shooting Stars   1 Heartland          0

Samuel Ayanrinde (22nd min)


Caption: 

Kabiru Balogun of Nasarawa United, nets the winner last Sunday in Lagos, against Ikorodu City.

UEFA Champions League fixtures

Oct. 1:

VfB Stuttgart vs Sparta Praha 5:45pm

RB Salsburg vs Brest        5:45pm

B'Dortmund  vs Celtic      8:00pm

S'Bratislava vs Man City  8:00pm

PSV              vs Sporting   8:00pm

Barcelona    vs Young Boys 8:00pm

B'Leverkusen vs AC Milan  8:00pm

Inter Milan    vs C'Zvezda   8:00pm

Arsenal          vs PSG           8:00pm

Oct. 2:

WED:

S'Donetsk vs Atalanta    5:45pm

Girona      vs Feyenoord 5:45pm

Liverpool   vs Bologna   8:00pm

Benfica      vs Atletico     8:00pm

RB Leipzig  vs Juventus  8:00pm

Sturm Graz  vs Club Brugge 8:00pm

D'Zagreb    vs Monaco    8:00pm

Lille           vs Real Madrid 8:00pm

Aston Villa vs Bayern          8:00pm

Friday, 27 September 2024

EPL MATCHDAY 6 FIXTURES

Sept. 28:

Newcastle   vs Man City 12:30pm

Brentford    vs West Ham 3:00pm

Arsenal       vs Leicester City 3:00pm

Chelsea      vs Brighton     3:00pm

Everton      vs C'Palace    3:00pm

Nottm Forest vs Fulham   3:00pm

Wolves        vs Liverpool   5:30pm

SUN:

Ipswich Town  vs Aston Villa 2:00pm

Man Utd         vs Tottenham  4:30pm

MON:

Bournemouth vs Southampton 8:00pm

NPFL 2024/25 SEASON MATCHDAY 4 FIXTURES

NPFL, SAT:

Ikorodu City vs Nasarawa Utd 3:00pm

El-Kanemi     vs Plateau Utd     3:00pm

Akwa United      vs Sunshine Stars 5:30pm

SUN:

Bayelsa United    vs Kwara United 4:00pm

Niger Tornadoes vs Bendel Insurance 3:00pm

Rivers United      vs Enyimba  3:00pm

Abia Warriors     vs Kano Pillars 4:00pm

Katsina United   vs Lobi Stars        4:00pm

Remo Stars        vs Enugu Rangers 5:30pm

Shooting Stars   vs Heartland          5:30pm

Tuesday, 24 September 2024

Galatasaray star hails Osimhen’s arrival


Galatasaray forward, Dries Mertens, has praised teammate Victor Osimhen in the wake of Galatasaray's 3-1 victory over rivals Fenerbahçe on Saturday. 

Although the Nigeria international did not find the back of the net, he made a significant contribution by providing the assist for Mertens to score Galatasaray's second goal of the night. Osimhen expertly controlled the ball with his chest inside the box, setting up Dries Mertens for a simple finish past Livakovic.

The Belgian international expressed his admiration for the 25-year-old, stressing the significant impact of his arrival at the club and his potential to further elevate the team's performance. With their victory over Istanbul rivals, Galatasaray extended their flawless record to six wins from six, matching their best-ever start to a Turkish Super Lig season—originally achieved in the 2009-2010 campaign under the legendary Dutch manager Frank Rijkaard.

Osimhen ended a tense summer in which he was as close to joining his dream club, Chelsea, as he was to bagging a lucrative transfer to the Saudi Pro League with a loan move to Galatasaray.

After Galatasaray's victory in the intercontinental derby, Mertens, speaking to the club's official website, took a moment to praise his teammate, Osimhen, for his contribution to the win.

Speaking highly of the towering forward, Mertens said, “Frankly, I am very happy that he came here. He is an incredible player, I know he can do even better, we will see that in the future. However, it is a great advantage for him to join us. He did not have a good preparation period, but he is a very important player for us and I think he will go to better places.”

Osimhen and Mertens share a strong on-field chemistry, having played together at Napoli for two years before the Belgian's move to Galatasaray in August 2022.

In their 36 appearances together, the Nigerian and Belgian duo have combined for three goal contributions—Mertens assisting one of Osimhen’s goals, while Osimhen set up two goals for the tricky forward.

I supposed to come out last before Joshua fight, says Dubois


Reigning International Boxing Federation (IBF) world heavyweight champion, Daniel Dubois. doesn't think it was right that he was made to walk first against Anthony Joshua.

On Saturday night, Dubois knocked out AJ in the fifth round at Wembley Stadium to retain his IBF heavyweight world title.

As the champion it is customary to walk second when making a defence of one's title.

However, to the surprise of many, Dubois came out to the ring before the challenger at the weekend.

"It's not right really for the champion to come out first but at the end of the day, I was in my mindset," Dubois told talkSPORT's Jim White.

"We had a great ring walk, it was perfect, the whole occasion was just huge, the opportunity, everything.

"I was just soaking it up. When I was in the ring we lit up the place. 

That was the best ring walk, don't you think?

"I was all business from the moment I left the dressing room to when I got into the ring.

"Once I was in the ring, it was like 'No looking back now, it is on'."

When the bell rang, Dubois came flying out the gates and floored AJ with a big right hand at the end of the opening stanza.

He continued bullying Joshua for the remainder of the fight as he dropped him twice more before closing the show in the fifth round with a perfectly timed counter right hand.

"I was not going to freeze, I wasn't overawed by the occasion," he added.

"To me, it was like a stroll in the park walking in there, I had to be in the right mindset to go in there and do what I did.

"It was doing everyone proud, doing my family proud, my dad, my team that is around me.

"I couldn't let them down, I did months and months of training for this and I was in the gym every day, hating what I was doing.

"But I've done it so there are no excuses... I'm always my biggest critic so I look where I can improve on but I'm proud.

"I did myself proud, I believe, all of the fights I've had back to back have been top-level fights and I've come through them so I'm proud of myself."

Following the all-British clash, Matchroom Boxing chief Eddie Hearn insisted there was a rematch clause and that his client was likely to activate it after the crushing defeat.

However, Dubois' promoter Frank Warren informed talkSPORT that the same clause wasn't in his client's paperwork.

Regardless of the technicalities, Dubois has emphatically welcomed a second fight with Joshua.

"Yeah, if that happens down the line then yes," he said when asked if he would entertain a rematch.

"If that happens next then yeah. I want to go for it.

"I want to do even better next time. I know where I need to improve as well, so as a champion and a fighter I want to prove people wrong every time and that's what we have been doing...

"I think I would, I can do a lot better than that. It was a great showing but next time I believe I'll be more clinical. More sharp, everything."


Caption: Anthony Joshua (left), dazed by Daniel Dubois's punch, during their IBF world title fight in London on Saturday night.

Leave boxing now, Prince Naseem tells Joshua

 Anthony Joshua has been pleaded to retire from boxing by Prince Naseeem Hamed.

The former two-time heavyweight world champion suffered a brutal KO defeat to fellow Brit Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium on Saturday night in the fifth round


.

It's the fourth defeat in 'AJ's' professional career and the 34-year-old has been told to walk away from the sport.

Hamed, who retired aged 28, told iFL TV, per The Sun: “Whether he can or he can't, I'd prefer him not to.

"He's had his day in the sun like we all have. He's done great, he won amazing world titles, he's defended them, he's earned his dough.

"Listen, he should bow out gracefully and that's it, done. Because when he gets hit on the chin - we don't want to talk about that right now.”

Hamed went 35 bouts unbeaten before losing to Mexican great Marco Antonio Barrera in 2001.

The International Boxing Hall of Famer came back with one more win before hanging up his gloves with a record of 36-1.

On a tough night, Joshua was grounded on four occasions before a devastating right hand in the fifth round saw Dubois secure the best win of his career.

Joshua's promoter, Eddie Hearn, said that he would look to exercise the rematch clause in the fight deal.

Meanwhile, Joshua poured cold water on any suggestion that he'll be retiring.

He said: "Of course I want to continue fighting. We took a shot and we came up short.

"What are we going to do, walk away? We're going to live another day."

Caption: Anthony Joshua crashed by Daniel Dubois in the fifth round of their IBF world title fight in London.


Monday, 23 September 2024

NPFL 2024/25 SEASON MATCHDAY 3 RESULTS, SCORERS

*Kano Pillars 0 Remo Stars 2

Sodiq Ismail (26th min)

Franck Mawuena (60th min)


*Plateau United 1 Niger Tornadoes 2

Ifeanyi Okechukwu -Tornadoes (17th min)

Eyo Kufre Ebong-Tornadoes (90+4min)

Samuel Pam-Plateau (90+5min )


*Nasarawa Utd 3 El-Kanemi 4

Anas Yusuf-Nasarawa Utd (hat-trick)

Nasiru Salihu- El-Kanemi  (brace)

Ethaghara Bright-El-Kanemi (89th min, pen)


*Lobi Stars 0 Rivers United 1

Kabiru Abdullahi (79th min)


*Kwara United 0 Ikorodu City 0



*Heartland   0 Katsina United 0

*Sunshine Stars 0 Abia Warriors 0*Enugu Rangers  1 Bayelsa United   0

Isaac Johnson Saviour (70th min)

*Bendel Insurance 1 Shooting Stars 0

Michael Enaruna (90+4 min)

*Enyimba              1 Akwa United       0

Austin Onyemaechi (78th min)

Caption: The first player to score a hat-trick this season, Anas Yusuf of Nasarawa United celebrates one of his goals.


Kane becomes Bundesliga's highest scoring Englishman


Harry Kane's 41st goal for Bayern Munich on Saturday saw him become the highest-scoring English player in Bundesliga history in just one more remarkable achievement of a thunderous goal-filled week for the Bavarians.

He blasted past Jude Bellingham, eclipsed Kevin Keegan, waltzed around Tony Woodcock's tally and has now surpassed Jadon Sancho. The unstoppable Harry Kane smashed his 41st Bundesliga goal in Bayern's thumping 5-0 win at Werder Bremen to become the highest-scoring English player ever in the German top flight. 

The historic strike was just another highlight in a staggering week for Kane and Bayern, with the striker following up a hat-trick in a 6-1 win over Kiel last Saturday evening with four goals that saw him become the UEFA Champions League's greatest English scorer in a 9-2 thrashing of Dinamo Zagreb.

The five-star showing on Matchday 4 saw Bayern rack up an astonishing 20 goals within seven days. 

Kane's history-making goal in Bremen marked a complete circle for the strike sensation - who scored his first Bundesliga goal on his league debut in a 4-0 win at Werder on the opening matchday of the 2023/24 season.

If Bayern's attack appear even hungrier this time around, that might be due to a certain Michael Olise, who continued his revelatory form with a stunning showing in Bremen. The French winger hit two goals and provided two assists - with his mazy run past a gaggle of perplexed defenders before cutting across for Musiala to turn in Bayern's second in arguably the best bit of a breathtaking display.

Bayern's 100 per cent record makes them certain to top the table at the end of the matchday with Kane's five goals this season taking him to the familiar position of the top of the scoring charts. 


Saturday, 21 September 2024

IBF showdown: Joshua will stop Dubois by KO, says supercomputer


Supercomputer has predicted that the IBF world heavyweight title bout between challenger Anthony Joshua and title holder, Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium tonight [Saturday, September 21] will end in favour of the former via a knockout blow, reports www.dailymail.co.uk/sport.

Dubois will aim to defend the coveted title for the first time against a determined Joshua who is looking to become a three-time world champion.

Dubois, 27, has risen through the ranks having previously held the IBF interim title before being upgraded to the IBF heavyweight champion after Oleksandr Usyk vacated the title earlier this year. 

Both men will be salivating at the mouth over the idea of becoming the undisputed heavyweight champion but there can only be one winner and here's who the supercomputer is backing.

The Grosvenor Sport Super Computer has favoured the challenger, Joshua, ahead of the titanic clash between British rivals.

'AJ' - who has a stellar record inside the ring of 28 wins and only three defeats - has been given a 77.8 per cent chance of winning by any means in front of a sold out Wembley.

Joshua - who has bounced back remarkably since suffering back-to-back losses against Oleksandr Usyk in 2021 and 2022 - is incredible form of late.

The 34-year-old's resurgence has been nothing less than spectacular, winning his last four fights dating all the way back to April 2023, including his most recent bout against former UFC champion Francis Ngannou in March.

The boxing veteran delivered a second round blow to take his knockout tally to an outstanding 25, proving why he is still considered as one of the top heavyweights.

The same supercomputer claims Dubois has a 22.2 percent of claiming victory on the night, with the remaining 3.85 percent going in favour of a draw.

The likelihood of the fight going the full distance is also slim, as the computer predicts that the fight has just a 26.7 per cent chance of reaching the final bell. 

The computer favours 'AJ' to deliver the lethal blow stating that Joshua has a 69.2 percent chance of producing a knockout or TKO.

Whilst Dubois has been given 15.4 percent chance of doing the same to Joshua.

It should come as a shock to nobody that the software is predicting a knockout considering the fighters records. 

The current champion has a marvellous knockout record, managing to knock his opponent down in all but one of his 21 career wins.



Friday, 20 September 2024

De Bruyne could play against Arsenal, says Guardiola



Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, refused to rule Kevin De Bruyne out of Sunday's clash with Arsenal, saying he could yet be involved despite picking up an injury on Wednesday night, reports BBC Sport.

"He feels a little better today... Tomorrow we train and we will see. He could be [involved]," Guardiola told a news conference on Friday.

De Bruyne was substituted at half-time during the 0-0 draw against Inter Milan. The Belgium international picked up an injury late in the first half after trying to race onto a through ball from Jack Grealish.

City prepare to host Arsenal in what could prove a pivotal clash in the race for the Premier League title.

Guardiola's side have been unbeaten this season and are top of the Premier League after winning all of their opening four games.

The Spaniard was asked about the ongoing debate over the congested football calendar, particularly Rodri's comments that a player strike may not be far off.

"I agree with you, maybe for the first time, that many voices are talking about the players," Guardiola said. "I'm pretty sure that if something is going to change, it must come from the players. They are the only ones who can change something.

"The business can be without managers, sporting directors, media and owners, but without players you cannot play. The only ones to have the power to do it is them.

"And also I'm pretty busy they've done it to adjust the game, to make it more attractive. That's the reason why many players around the world, not just Rodders [Rodri], are starting to talk. We'll see."



Kane set for another Bundesliga record


Bayern Munich striker, Harry Kane, could become the top scoring English player in Bundesliga history this weekend - just weeks into his second season in Germany, reports BBC Sport.

The England captain scored four against Dinamo Zagreb on Tuesday night in the Champions League, but needs one at Werder Bremen today to break his latest record.

The 31-year-old has scored 40 Bundesliga goals in 35 games, level with the record of Jadon Sancho - who took 118 matches to reach the total across two spells at Borussia Dortmund.

Sancho only broke the record last season, which had been Tony Woodcock's 39 goals in 131 games for Cologne in the 1980s.

Kane, who has scored seven goals in his past two games, and Bayern go to Werder Bremen on Saturday.

Bayern have won all their games under Vincent Kompany so far.

Kane has scored 53 goals in 50 games for Bayern - compared to the 26 Robert Lewandowski managed in his first 50, and the 49 Erling Haaland hit in his first 50 games for Dortmund.

"He's already got five Bundesliga hat-tricks," said Bundesliga commentator Kevin Hatchard.

"It's absolutely extraordinary, and he's had the best ever debut season in terms of goalscoring in Bundesliga history.

"The Bayern fans love him and if he stays I think he's going to break all kinds of records in the German league."

BBC pundit Stephen Warnock said: "He will score goals at Bayern Munich as he suits the way they play. The one thing about Vincent Kompany's teams is they do create so many opportunities,"

"He will be involved in 50 goals this season with goals and assists, but he will still get questioned about his England position.

"I don't know why people want to question him, he is still phenomenal."

His four goals in the 9-2 Champions League win over Dinamo Zagreb on Tuesday night led to the Croatian team parting company with manager Sergej Jakirovic.

Another Englishman hoping to move up the Bundesliga scoring charts is Dortmund winger Jamie Gittens - who has six across three seasons.

The 20-year-old has scored four goals in all competitions this season, including two in midweek at Club Bruges.

Thursday, 19 September 2024

NPFL 2024/25 SEASON MATCHDAY 3 FIXTURES


Sept. 21:

Lobi Stars vs Rivers United           2:00pm

Nasarawa United vs El-Kanemi Warriors 4:00pm

Sept. 22:

Plateau United vs Niger Tornadoes 3:00pm

Sunshine Stars vs Abia Warriors 4:00pm

Heartland         vs Katsina United 4:00pm

Kano Pillars    vs Remo Stars      4:00pm

Kwara United  vs Ikorodu City    5:30pm

2024/25 SEASON EPL MATCHDAY 5 FIXTURES


Sept. 21:

West Ham       vs Chelsea  12:30pm

Aston Villa      vs Wolves   3:00pm   

Southampton vs Ipswich    3:00pm

Leicester        vs Everton   3:00pm

Fulham      vs Newcastle   3:00pm

Tottenham vs Brentford    3:00pm

Liverpool   vs B'nemouth  3:00pm

C'Palace     vs Man Utd    5:30pm

Sept. 22:

Brighton    vs Nottm Forest 2:00pm

Man City   vs Arsenal          4:30pm

Tuesday, 17 September 2024

Ahead Sept. 21 showdown: I won't give Dubois an inch, says Joshua

Two-time former world heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua, wants to ensure Daniel Dubois didn't 'take an inch' in their confrontation at a face-off this weekend in front of a British post-war record of 96,000 crowd at the Wembley Stadium.

Joshua, 34, challenges Dubois for the IBF heavyweight title, but have already sparked a rivalry between each other in a spikey fight build-up.

The British power-hitters were separated by security at a face-off before their launch press conference, as Joshua stood up after his rival wanted to get into it before the opening bell.

And AJ has now revealed in an exclusive interview with talkSPORT pundit Spencer Oliver why he really decided to escalate their tense exchange.

"Look I tell anyone at home, don't let anyone take in an inch because that then becomes a mile," Joshua said.

"That can then have a ripple effect because other people start thinking, 

'Oh I can push his buttons as well.'

"You have to sometimes draw a line under certain things and put a full stop behind it.

"That can eradicate people doing it. I'm in a very competitive industry and you have to make your mark known that you aren't here to play games.

"That's all it is. I'm not someone to tolerate any nonsense and I'd advised everyone to have that same attitude."

Footage emerged of the incident which saw Dubois call for Joshua to 'go now' as he showed a new fiery side to his personality.

Joshua stood up and edged towards his rival, before threatening to 'smash a chair' across his face, as things quickly turned prickly.

Luckily the altercation did not come to blows with the pair prevented from throwing punches before fight night.

But there will be concerns from security officials that things could again be stirred during the final media duties before the clash.

Dubois' promoter Frank Warren has confirmed exactly that, insisting that both teams are on edge at the thought of things becoming hostile.

"Fight week, everybody is on edge. These guys are jumping out of their skin and as fit as they're ever going to be," Warren said.

"They know what's at stake. It's pretty much a mental game now. Each of them will be trying to get an edge mentally.

"I'm sure something will be said, because that's the nature of the business.

"Whatever is said, at the end of the day it doesn't matter. What does matter is Saturday night when they step into the ring.

"When the first bell goes is when you get down to the serious business. 

When you're getting hit."


Caption: Joshua (right), deals with one of his opponents during a non-title fight.