NPFL 2024/25 SEASON MATCHDAY 33 RESULT, SCORERS

*Bayelsa Utd 3 Shooting Stars 0

Ogba Ifeanyi (27th min)

Magbisa Wisdom (40th min)

Kehinde Lawal (46th min)

NPFL 2024/25 SEASON MATCHDAY 33 FIXTURES

April 11:

Bayelsa Utd vs Shooting Stars 4:00pm

April 13:

Enugu Rangers vs Heartland 3:00pm

Nasarawa Utd vs Plateau Utd 4:00pm

Kano Pillars   vs Lobi Stars 4:00pm

Sunshine Stars vs Enyimba  4:00pm

Abia Warriors  vs Rivers Utd 4:00pm

Remo Stars     vs Katsina Utd 4:00pm

Akwa Utd      vs El-Kanemi   4:00pm

Ikorodu City  vs Niger Tornadoes 5:30pm

Kwara Utd  vs Bendel Insurance 5:30pm

........................

NPFL 2024/25 SEASON MATCHDAY 32 RESULTS, SCORERS

*Enyimba 2 Abia Warriors 1

Ijoma Desouza-Warriors (20th min)

Kalu Nweke-Enyimba (35th min)

Joseph Atule-Enyimba (66th min)

*Katsina Utd 1 Bayelsa Utd 1

Rabiu Abdullahi-Bayelsa (44th min)

Bello Lukman-Katsina (77th min)

*Heartland 2 Kano Pillars 0

Samuel Agu (39, 77th min)

*Niger Tornadoes 2 El-Kanemi 0

Mohammed Hussaini (33rd min)

Ahmed Family (90+12min, pen)

*Bendel Insurance 0 Enugu Rangers 0

*Plateau United 0 Kwara United 0

*Shooting Stars 0 Ikorodu City 0

*Lobi Stars 1 Sunshine Stars 1

Ahmadu Liman -Sunshine (9th min)

Johnmark Aule -Lobi Stars (55th min)

*Nasarawa Utd 2 Akwa Utd 0

Leonard Ugochukwu (2nd min)

Abubakar Garba (85th min)

*Rivers Utd 1 Remo Stars 0

David Sholumade (84th min)

EPL MATCHDAY 31 FIXTURES

April 5, 2025

Everton vs Arsenal          12:30pm

C'Palace vs Brighton        3:00pm

Ipswich Town vs Wolves   3:00pm

West Ham  vs B'nemouth  3:00pm

Aston Villa vs Nottm Forest 5:30pm

SUN:

Tottenham vs Southampton 2:00pm

Brentford  vs Chelsea 2:00pm

Fulham     vs Liverpool 2:00pm

Man Utd   vs Man City  4:30pm

MON:

Leicester vs Newcastle 8:00pm

2024/25 NPFL MATCHDAY 32 FIXTURES

April 5, 2025

Lobi Stars vs Sunshine Stars 4:00pm

Bendel Insurance vs Enugu Rangers 4:00pm

SUN:

Plateau Utd vs Kwara Utd 4:00pm

Niger Tornadoes vs El-Kanemi 4:00pm

Enyimba vs Abia Warriors 4:00pm

Nasarawa Utd vs Akwa Utd 4:00pm

Rivers Utd   vs Remo Stars 4:00pm

Katsina Utd  vs Bayelsa Utd 4:00pm

Heartland  vs Kano Pillars  4:00pm

Shooting Stars vs Ikorodu City 5:30pm

NPFL 2024/25 SEASON MATCHDAY 31 RESULTS, SCORERS

*El-Kanemi Warriors 2 Shooting Stars 0

Gideon Monday-Shooting (35th min)

Sadiq Ibrahim-Shooting (45+2min)

Daniel Barnabas-El-Kanemi (50th min)

Suleiman Alabi-El-Kanemi (81st min)

*Abia Warriors 2 Lobi Stars 0

Sunday Megwo (25th min)

Anthony Ijoma (90+2min)

*Bayelsa United 1 Rivers United 0

 Kehinde Lawal (13th min)

*Kano Pillars 0 Bendel Insurance 0

 

*Kwara United 1 Nasarawa United 0

Lawal Abayomi (64th min)

*Sunshine Stars 0 Heartland  0

*Remo Stars 2 Enyimba 0

Olamilekan Adedayo (28th min)

Samson Olasupo (69th min)

*Akwa United 2 Niger Tornadoes 0

Ifeanyi Okoye (44th min, Own goal)

Mare Abson   (69th min)

*Enugu Rangers 1 Plateau Utd 0

Samuel Kalu (73rd min)

NPFL 2024/25 SEASON MATCHDAY 30 RESULTS, SCORERS

 *Nasarawa Utd 1 Enugu Rangers 0

Kabiru Balogun (90th min, pen)

*Katsina Utd 3 El-Kanemi Warriors 0

Moses Effiong (39th min)

Bello Lukman (70th min, pen)

Abdul Taofeek (76th min)

*Shooting Stars 3 Niger Tornadoes 1

Ayodeji Bamidele-Shooting (38th min)

Okachi Anthony-Shooting (43rd min)

Sunday Williams-Tornadoes (66th min)

Okon Samuel-Shooting (79th min)

*Heartland 0 Abia Warriors 1

Ojonugwa Adejoh (81st min)

*Kwara United 0 Akwa United 2

Osoba Kabir (26th min)

Uche Sabastine (73rd min)

*Plateau United 2 Kano Pillars 1

Jerry Alex-Pillars (31st min)

Pam Samuel-Plateau (58th min)

Gafar Saka-Plateau  (77th min)

*Rivers Utd 1 Ikorodu City 0

Stephen Egbe (90+6min)

*Bendel Insurance 2 Sunshine Stars 0

Kayode Solomon (20th min)

*Enyimba 1 Bayelsa Utd 1

Ekene Awazie-Enyimba (8th min)

Ogba Ifeanyi-Bayelsa (9th min)

*Remo Stars  vs Lobi Stars (pp)

NPFL 2024/25 SEASON MATCHDAY 29 RESULTS, SCORERS

*Enugu Rangers 3 Kwara United 0

Chiedozie Okorie (1st min)

Isaac Saviour (29th min)

Frank Uwumiro (62nd min)

*Niger Tornadoes 1 Katsina United 0

Peter Williams (85th min)

*Kano Pillars 1 Nasarawa United 1

Auwalu Malam-Pillars (18th min)

Idris Ajiya-Nasarawa (68th min)

*El-Kanemi Warriors 1 Rivers United 2

Taofeek Otaniyi-Rivers Utd (47th min)

Samson Obi-Rivers Utd (61st min)

Risilanu Ismail-El-Kanemi (90th min)

*Akwa United 2 Shooting Stars 0

Ebedebiri Eddy (61st min)

Uche Sabastine (68th min)

*Abia Warriors 1 Bendel Insurance 0

Sunday Megwo (42nd min)

*Remo Stars 2 Heartland 0

Olamilekan Adedayo (31st min)

Samson Olasupo (80th min)

*Bayelsa United 1 Lobi Stars 0

Magbisa Wisdom (55th min)

*Ikorodu City 2 Enyimba 0

Tosin Oyedokun-Ikorodu (41st min)

Mojeeb Odufeso-Enyimba (66th min)

Joseph Atule-Enyimba (73rd min)

Ayomide Cole-Ikorodu (90+7min)

*Sunshine Stars 2 Plateau United 2

Vincent Temitope--Plateau Utd (8th min)

Stephen Chukwude-Sunshine (18th min)

Sabbath Mancha--Plateau Utd (30th min)

Anthony Nwadioha-Own goal (67th min)

NPFL 2024/25 MATCHDAY 28 RESULTS, SCORERS

*Katsina United 1 Shooting Stars 0

Ahmed AbdulTaofik (90+7min)

* Plateau United 1 Abia Warriors 0

Olawale Doyeni (54th min, pen)

*Kwara United 2 Kano Pillars 0

Wasiu Alalade (20th min, pen)

Wasiu Jimoh   (52nd min)

*Bendel Insurance 2 Remo Stars 1

Meyinwa Oritseweyinmi-Insurance (2nd, 55th min)

Arinze Anakwe-Remo Stars (82nd min)

*Enyimba 1 El-Kanemi Warriors 0

Joseph Atule (29th min)

*Enugu Rangers 1 Akwa United 1

Osoba Kabir-Akwa Utd (24th min)

Isaac Saviour-Rangers (48th min)

*Nasarawa Utd 1 Sunshine Stars 1

Idris Ajiya-Nasarawa (5th min)

Ahmadu Liman-Sunshine (36th min)

*Rivers United 1 Niger Tornadoes 0

Samson Obi (83rd min)

*Lobi Stars 0 Ikorodu City 1

Shola Adelani (81st min)

*Heartland 1 Bayelsa United 1

Issa Yusuf-Bayelsa (54th min)

Suraju Lawal-Heartland (60th min)

Caption: 

Kwara United's Wasiu Alalade, dazzles during a league game, he was on song last Sunday against Kano Pillars in Ilorin.

NPFL 2024/25 SEASON MATCHDAY 28 FIXTURES

March 8:

Rivers United  vs Niger Tornadoes 3:00pm

Bendel Insurance vs Remo Stars    4:00pm

Lobi Stars             vs Ikorodu City 4:00pm

SUN:

Plateau United vs Abia Warriors 3:00pm

Kwara United vs Kano Pillars 4:00pm

Enyimba         vs El-Kanemi Warriors 4:00pm

Nasarawa Utd  vs Sunshine Stars 4:00pm

Enugu Rangers vs Akwa United 4:00pm

Heartland        vs Bayelsa Utd  5:30pm

RESULT: Katsina United 1 Shooting Stars 0

Ahmed Abdultaofik (90+7min) 

EPL MATCHDAY 28 FIXTURES

March 8, 2025

Nottm Forest vs Man City 1:30pm

C'Palace        vs Ipswich 4:00pm

Liverpool vs Southampton 4:00pm

Brighton   vs Fulham         4:00pm

Brentford    vs Aston Villa 6:30pm

Wolves       vs Everton     9:00pm

SUN:

Tottenham  vs Bournemouth 3:00pm

Chelsea      vs Leicester City 3:00pm

Man Utd    vs Arsenal           5:30pm

MON:

West Ham Utd vs Newcastle 9:00pm

NPFL 2024/25 MATCHDAY 27 RESULTS, SCORERS

*Sunshine Stars 4 Kwara United 2

Ahmadu Liman-Sunshine (11th min)

Adeshina Issa Gata-Kwara (22nd min)

Wasiu Alalade-Kwara (27th min)

Own goal-Sunshine (32nd min)

Ahmadu Liman-Sunshine (45+1min)

Ahmadu Liman-Sunshine (47th min)

*Abia Warriors 1 Nasarawa United 1

Sunday Megwo-Warriors (36th min)

Garba Mohammed-Nasarawa (41st min)

*Bayelsa United 2 Bendel Insurance 1

Kayode Solomon-Insurance (36th min)

James Emo-Bayelsa (45+2min)

Bina Tombiri-Bayelsa (64th min)

*Niger Tornadoes 0 Enyimba 1

Joseph Atule (62nd min)

*Kano Pillars 1 Enugu Rangers 1

Bashir Usman-Rangers (33rd min, pen)

Rabiu Ali-Pillars (42nd min, pen)

Jerry Alex-Pillars (60th min)

*Remo Stars 1 Plateau United 0

Samson Olasupo (74th min)

*Ikorodu City 2 Heartland 0

Leonard Ngenge (9th min)

Ayomide Cole (58th min)

*Akwa United 1 Katsina United 0

Uche Sebastine (20th min)

*El-Kanemi Warriors 1 Lobi Stars 0

Jonathan Jacob (52nd min)

*Shooting Stars 0 Rivers United 0

NPFL 2024/25 MATCHDAY 26 RESULTS, SCORERS

*Enyimba 1 Shooting Stars 1

Sodiq Ibrahim-Shooting (16th min)

Ekene Awazie-Enyimba (42nd min)

*Kwara United 0 Abia Warriors 0

*Plateau United 1 Bayelsa United 0

Umar Farouk (75th min)

*Heartland 0 El-Kanemi Warriors 0

*Kano Pillars 1 Akwa United 0

Rabiu Ali (83rd min, pen)

*Nasarawa United 1 Remo Stars 0

Anas Yusuf (25th min)

*Lobi Stars  0 Niger Tornadoes 2

Daniel Akanbek (45+1min)

Victor Okoro (66th min)

*Enugu Rangers 3 Sunshine Stars 0

Bashir Usman (25th min)

Joel Odoh (28th min)

Kingsley Maduforo (41st min)

*Rivers United 1 Katsina Utd 0 

Ubong Friday (17th min)

*Bendel Insurance 2 Ikorodu City 1

Stanley Okoroma-Insurance (52nd min)

Shola Adelani-Ikorodu (54th min)

Uche Collins-Insurance  (69th min)

NPFL 2024/25 SEASON MATCHDAY 27 FIXTURES

March 1, 2025:

Sunshine Stars vs Kwara United 4:00pm

SUN:

Kano Pillars vs Enugu Rangers  3:00pm

Bayelsa Utd vs Bendel Insurance 4:00pm

Abia Warriors vs Nasarawa Utd 4:00pm

Niger Tornadoes  vs Enyimba    4:00pm

Ikorodu City   vs Heartland       4:00pm

Remo Stars   vs Plateau United 5:30pm

MON:

El-Kanemi Warriors vs Lobi Stars 3:00pm

Akwa United    vs Katsina United 3:00pm

Shooting Stars vs Rivers United     5:30pm

NPFL 2024/25 SEASON MATCHDAY 26 FIXTURES

Feb. 26

Kwara United vs Abia Warriors 4:00pm

Plateau Utd vs Bayelsa Utd 4:00pm

Heartland vs El-Kanemi Warriors 4:00pm

Enyimba   vs Shooting Stars 4:00pm

Kano Pillars vs Akwa United 4:00pm

Nasarawa Utd vsRemo Stars 4:00pm

Lobi Stars      vs Niger Tornadoes 4:00pm

Enugu Rangers vs Sunshine Stars 4:00pm

Feb. 27.

Rivers United vs Katsina Utd 4:00pm

Bendel Insurance vs Ikorodu City 5:30pm

EPL MATCHDAY 27 FIXTURES

Feb. 25, 2025:

Brighton vs Bournemouth 8:30pm

Wolves    vs Fulham          8:30pm

C'Palace  vs Ason Villa     8:30pm

Chelsea   vs Southampton 9:15pm

WED:

Tottenham   vs Man City   8:30pm

Nottm Forest vs Arsenal   8:30pm

Brentford       vs Everton  8:30pm

Man Utd        vs Ipswich   8:30pm

Liverpool       vs Newcastle 9:15pm

THURS:

West Ham   vs Leicester City 9:00pm

EPL MATCHDAY 26 FIXTURES

Feb. 21, 2025

Leicester City vs Brentford 9:00pm

SAT:

Everton         vs Man Utd 1:30pm

Ipswich Town vs Tottenham 4:00pm

Arsenal      vs West Ham      4:00pm

Bournemouth vs Wolves   4:00pm

Southampton vs Brighton 4:00pm 

Fulham           vs C'Palace 4:00pm

Aston Villa     vs Chelsea   6:30pm

SUN:

Newcastle    vs Nottm Forest 3:00pm

Man City      vs Liverpool      5:30pm

NPFL 2024/25 MATCHDAY 25 RESULTS, SCORERS

*Shooting Stars 2 Lobi Stars  2

Joshua Akpan-Shooting (18th min)

Sadiq Ibrahim-Shooting (52nd min)

Ossy Martins-Lobi Stars (34th, 45+2min)

*Katsina United 2 Enyimba 1

Bello Lukman-Katsina (41st, 50th min)

Ekene Awazie-Enyimba (90+2min, pen)

*Remo Stars 2 Kwara United  0

Arinze Anakwe (79th min)

Hadi Haruna (90+4 min)

*Abia Warriors 1 Enugu Rangers 0

Ijoma Desouza (43rd min)

* El-Kanemi Warriors 0 Bendel Insurance 0

*Sunshine Stars 1 Kano Pillars 1

Chigozie Iwundu -Sunshine (59th min)

*Niger Tornadoes 2 Heartland 1

Goal-Heartland (6th min)

Ismael Sarki-Tornadoes (59th, 89th min)

*Ikorodu City 2 Plateau United 1

Albert Hilary-Plateau (38th min)

Abdulmalik Olatunji-Ikorodu (74th min)

Tosin Oyedokun-Ikorodu (80th min)

*Bayelsa United 2 Nasarawa United 2

Nasarawa -(1st min, 45+2 min)

Rabiu Abdullahi-Bayelsa (38th min)

Ogba Ifeanyi-Bayelsa (90+8 min)

*Akwa United 1 Rivers United 1

Ubong Friday-Rivers Utd (8th min)

Akwa Utd- (52nd min)

NPFL 2024/25 SEASON MATCHDAY 25 FIXTURES

Feb. 19, 2025:

El-Kanemi Warriors vs Bendel Insurance 3:00pm

Sunshine Stars          vs Kano Pillars 4:00pm

Katsina United vs Enyimba 4:00pm

Bayelsa United vs Nasarawa United 4:00pm

Abia Warriors vs Enugu Rangers 4:00pm

Akwa United vs Rivers United 4:00pm

Niger Tornadoes vs Heartland 4:00pm

Ikorodu City   vs Plateau United 5:30pm

Shooting Stars vs Lobi Stars    5:30pm

Feb 20:

Remo Stars    vs Kwara United  5:30pm

NPFL 2024/25 MATCHDAY 24 RESULTS, SCORERS

 *Enugu Rangers 2 Remo Stars    1 

Isaac Saviour-Rangers (30th min)

Kingsley Maduforo-Rangers (49th min)

Hadi Haruna-Remo (89th min)

*Heartland  2  Shooting Stars   1 

Chukwuma Agor-Heartland (30th min)

Adam Mustapha-Shooting (80th min, pen)

John Bassey-Heartland (88th min, pen)

*Bendel Insurance 3 Niger Tornadoes 0

Emiloju Julius (5th min)

Uche Collins (55th min)

Kayode Solomon (76th min)

*Kano Pillars 1 Abia Warriors 0

Mustapha Umar (42nd min)

*Enyimba       1 Rivers United   0 

Imo Obot (41st min)

*Kwara United 1 Bayelsa United 0

Wasiu Jimoh (78th min)

*Plateau United 2 El-Kanemi 0

Emmanuel Ihezuo (40th min)

Olawale Doyeni (80th min)

*Lobi Stars       1 Katsina United 1

Goal -Lobi (68th min)

Promise Damala-Katsina (86th min)

*Nasarawa Utd 0 Ikorodu City 0

*Sunshine Stars 1 Akwa United 0

Samuel Matthew (29th min)

Caption:

Wasiu Jimoh, nets Kwara United's winner against Bayelsa United last weekend at the Rashidi Yekini mainbowl of the George Innih Stadium, Ilorin.

City's Akanji undergoes surgery

 Manchester City defender, Manuel Akanji, will require surgery on a thigh injury and is expected to be absent for up to 10 weeks.

Switzerland international Akanji, 29, sustained the injury in Tuesday's 3-2 Champions League knockout phase play-off defeat by Real Madrid at Etihad Stadium.

"He has surgery on Saturday. Eight to 10 weeks out," manager Pep Guardiola said on Friday.

The groin injury suffered by Jack Grealish in the same first-leg match is less serious. However, Guardiola said he does not think the England international will be available for Saturday's Premier League home game against Newcastle United.

On Grealish, Guardiola said: "It's not as tough as what Manu [Akanji] has done, but I don't know if he will be ready tomorrow.

"I don't think so, but we will assess him."

Akanji has started 20 of City's 24 Premier League games this season, among 30 appearances across all competitions.

City, who lost key defensive midfielder Rodri when he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in September, are fifth in the Premier League - with last season's champions 16 points adrift of leaders 

Liverpool.

Akanji's injury comes after fellow defenders John Stones, Nathan Ake and Ruben Dias only recently returned from absences.

"We only wish the best recovery for Manu [Akanji]. The effort he has done this season has been unbelievable," Guardiola said.

"Him and Nathan [Ake] have played in difficult conditions. Help the team in [an] emergency. Helped in right-back.

"In the end the body said enough is enough."

NPFL 2024/25 SEASON MATCHDAY 24 FIXTURES

Feb. 15, 2025:

Kano Pillars vs Abia Warriors 3:00pm

Enyimba       vs Rivers United 3:00pm

Kwara United vs Bayelsa United 4:00pm

Plateau United vs El-Kanemi Warriors 4:00pm

Lobi Stars    vs Katsina United 4:00pm

Nasarawa Utd vs Ikorodu City 4:00pm

Sunshine Stars vs Akwa United 5:30pm

SUN:

Enugu Rangers vs Remo Stars 3:00pm

Heartland          vs Shooting Stars 4:00pm

Bendel Insurance vs Niger Tornadoes 5:30pm

EPL MATCHDAY 25 FIXTURES

Feb. 14, 2025

Brighton vs Chelsea 9:00pm

SAT:

Leicester    vs Arsenal   1:30pm

Southampton vs Bournemouth 4:00pm

Man City       vs Newcastle   4:00pm

West Ham vs Brentford 4:00pm

Aston Villa vs Ipswich   4:00pm

Fulham       vs Nottm Forest 4:00pm

C'Palace    vs Everton        6:30pm

SUN:

Liverpool    vs Wolves   3:00pm

Tottenham  vs Man Utd 5:30pm

NPFL 2024/25 MATCHDAY 23 RESULTS, SCORERS

*Niger Tornadoes 1 Plateau United 1

Papa Daniel-Tornadoes (59th min)

Samuel Kalu-Plateau Utd (88th min)

*Shooting Stars 1 Bendel Insurance 

Godwin Odibo (81st min)

*Akwa United 2 Enyimba 1

Ogunleye Olayemi-Akwa (26th min)

Isaah Mohammed Enyimba (39th min)

Uche Sabastine-Akwa (75th min)

*Rivers United 1 Lobi Stars 0

Timothy Zechariah (88th min)

*Bayelsa United 0 Enugu Rangers 0

*Abia Warriors 3 Sunshine Stars 0

Chigozie Iwundu (18th min, own goal)

Ijoma Desouza (36th, 90+2min)

*Ikorodu City 2 Kwara United 1

Junior Aimufua-Kwara Utd (2nd min)

Toyeeb Ajeyigbe--Ikorodu (7th min)

Shola Adelani-Ikorodu (64th min)

*El-Kanemi Warriors 1 Nasarawa United 0

Umar Al-Amin (29th min)

*Katsina United 1 Heartland 0

Mohammed Ibrahim (74th min)

*Remo Stars 2 Kano Pillars 1

Sikiru Alimi-Remo (5th min)

Ibrahim Aboubaker-Remo (40th min)

Abba Adam-Pillars (45+8min)

Agbonlahor defends EPL players on goal celebrations

Gabby Agbonlahor has defended Premier League players as chiefs consider implementing sanctions on celebrations.

Excessive celebrations have been a hot topic of late with Myles Lewis-Skelly imitating Erling Haaland’s signature move during Arsenal's 5-1 win over Manchester City last weekend.

The 18-year-old did not receive any punishment but the same cannot be said of Everton's Iliman Ndiaye against Brighton, who received a yellow card after he netted the winner and flapped his arms like a seagull.

The Premier League's chief football officer, Tony Scholes, said: “There's a balance. I think we all like to see celebrations. Some of the celebrations have been very funny, entertaining, but there's a line.

“Once it crosses over into mockery or criticism then we would need to deal with it.”

If the Premier League were to introduce celebration regulations they would be following in the footsteps of the NBA and NFL.

Tottenham beat Arsenal to record-breaking transfer for Irish wonderkid after deadline day

NFL referees have clamped down on prolonged celebrations, violent or offensive acts such as mimicking gunfire, sexually suggestive moves and taunting opponents.

This can result in an on-field punishment or a hefty fine.

Similar to the NBA where players can receive what is called a technical foul which comes after unsportsmanlike conduct.

Receiving two in a game will result in the player being ejected from the match permanently. 

Phil Foden and Joshua Zirkzee who have their own signature gun celebrations will be the most likely to receive punishment for celebrations if the PGMOL were to clamp down on them.

Jamie Vardy has also been known to ridicule rival fans as he did against Tottenham last month after pointing to the Premier League badge in mockery of Spurs’ lack of trophies.

He also imitated an Eagle after he scored against Crystal Palace in 2019 and did not receive a card.

talkSPORT host Agbonlahor used Vardy as an example when defending Premier League players over their celebrations.

The former Aston Villa striker said on talkSPORT Drive: "From playing the game and being one of those guys when they score, you celebrate in front of the away fans or home fans.

"Players get called every name under the sun by fans, Jamie Vardy for instance, he gets all sorts called to him, if he wants to run over to the Spurs fans and show them the Premier League badge...

"Just do what you want to do."

Agbonlahor continued to label the potential rule change as 'embarrassing' while Andy Goldstein added more on the topic.

Fellow talkSPORT host Goldstein said: "The only line that can be crossed is if something is offensive or has racist connotations.

"If someone scores and flaps their arms, let him flap his arms.

"If someone wants to sit on the floor and cross their legs like they're doing an Erling Haaland celebration, let them do it.

"It's called housery, it's called banter and it's what makes the world go round. It's doing no harm whatsoever."

One potential concern over the celebrations is that they may cause some unsavoury scenes on the pitch between players.

Usually, celebrations do not lead to players clashing on the pitch but that was not the case for Neal Maupay last season.

The Frenchman mocked James Maddison’s darts throw celebration which led to a passive-aggressive exchange with the two holding each other and slapping their chests.

NPFL 2024/25 SEASON MATCHDAY 23 FIXTURES

Feb 8:

Katsina United   vs Heartland   3:00pm

El-Kanemi          vs Nasarawa Utd     3:00pm

Remo Stars        vs Kano Pillars  4:00pm

Shooting Stars   vs Bendel Insurance 5:30pm

SUN:

Rivers United vs Lobi Stars 4:00pm

Akwa United vs Enyimba 4:00pm

Bayelsa United  vs Enugu Rangers 4:00pm

Abia Warriors vs Sunshine Stars 4:00pm

Niger Tornadoes vs Plateau Utd 4:00pm

Ikorodu City   vs Kwara Utd    5:30pm

NPFL 2024/25 MATCHDAY 21 RESULTS, SCORERS

*Bayelsa United 4  Sunshine Stars 1

Ogba Ifeanyi-Bayelsa (15th, 68th min)

Waheed Adebayo-Sunshine (37th min)

Auwal Sadiq-Bayelsa (51st min)

Eyong Ofem-Bayelsa (90+5min)

*El-Kanemi Warriors 2 Enugu Rangers 1

Salihu Nasiru (18th, 73rd min)

Isaac Saviour-Rangers (63rd min)

*Akwa United 1 Lobi Stars 1

Onyekachi Okafor-Lobi (27th min)

Friday Apollos-Akwa (72nd min)

*Remo Stars 3 Abia Warriors 2

Ezekiel Ayodele-Abia (25th min)

Ijoma Desouza-Abia (26th min)

Olamilekan Adedayo-Remo Stars (38th min)

Jabbar Malik-Remo (45+1min)

Franck Mawuena-Remo (53rd min)

*Ikorodu City 4 Kano Pillars 1

Shola Adelani-Ikorodu (3rd min)

Austin Uzondu-Ikorodu (20th min)

Abba Adam--Pillars (44th min)

Rabiu Ali-Own goal (54th min)

Marvellous Freedom-Ikorodu (70th min)

*Shooting Stars 2 Nasarawa United 0

Tijani Kabiru (14th min)

Sadiq Ibrahim (82nd min)

*Enyimba 1 Heartland 1           

Daniel Ekpo-Heartland (18th min pen)

Joseph Atule-Enyimba   (55th min)

*Niger Tornadoes 2 Kwara United 1   

Ifeanyi Okechukwu-Tornadoes (2nd min)

Abdulrasheed Dabai-Tornadoes (86th min)

Kwara Utd's goal (90+2 min)   

*Katsina United 1 Plateau United 0 

Goal (90+5 min, pen)   

*Rivers United   2 Bendel Insurance 2 

Meyinwa Oritseweyinmi-Bendel (6th min)

Uche Collins-Bendel (49th min)

Ubong Friday-Rivers Utd (34th, 51st min)

NPFL 2024/25 MATCHDAY 22 RESULTS, SCORERS

*Sunshine Stars 1 Remo Stars 2

Alex Oyowah-Remo (9th min)

Auwalu Abubakar-Remo (28th min)

Samuel Matthew-Sunshine (67th min)

*Plateau United  1 Shooting Stars 1

Tijani Kabiru-Shooting (74th min)

Albert Hilary-Plateau Utd (76th min)

*Kano Pillars 0 Bayelsa United 0

*Nasarawa United 2 Niger Tornadoes 0

Anas Yusuf (3rd min pen, 71st min)

*Lobi Stars 0 Enyimba 1

Ifeanyi Ihemekwele (40th min)

*Enugu Rangers 2 Ikorodu City 0

Godwin Obaje (45th min)

Isaac Saviour  (89th min)

*Heartland 2 Rivers United 0

Christian Molokwu (62nd, 74th min)

*Abia Warriors 2 Akwa United 0

Ijoma Desouza (26th min)

Samuel Christian (90+3 min)

*Bendel Insurance 1 Katsina United 0

Emiloju Julius (26th min)

*Kwara United 2 El-Kanemi Warriors 0 

Wasiu Alalade (39th min)

Wasiu Jimoh (89th min)

Caption: 

Shooting Stars' Tijani Kabiru, in a world of his own during Sunday's NPFL matchday 22 clash with Plateau United. His goal was cancelled out by Albert Hilary.

EPL MATCHDAY 24 FIXTURES

Feb. 1, 2025:

Nottm Forest vs Brighton     1:30pm

Everton          vs Leicester City 4:00pm

Bournemouth vs Liverpool   4:00pm

Newcastle       vs Fulham     4:00pm

Ipswich Town vs Southampton 4:00pm

Wolves          vs Aston Villa 4:00pm

SUN:

Man United vs Crystal Palace 3:00pm

Brentford    vs Tottenham       3:00pm

Arsenal        vs Man City         5:30pm

MON:

Chelsea       vs West Ham     9:00pm

NPFL 2024/25 SEASON MATCHDAY 21 FIXTURES

Jan. 29.

Bayelsa United          vs Sunshine Stars 2:00pm

El-Kanemi Warriors vs Enugu Rangers 3:00pm

Akwa United             vs Lobi Stars         4:00pm

Remo Stars               vs Abia Warriors   4:00pm

Ikorodu City           vs Kano Pillars         4:00pm

Shooting Stars       vs Nasarawa United  5:30pm

Jan. 30.

Enyimba                 vs Heartland         4:00pm

Niger Tornadoes    vs Kwara United   4:00pm

Katsina United       vs Plateau United     4:00pm

Rivers United         vs Bendel Insurance 4:00pm

NPFL 2024/25 MATCHDAY 20 RESULTS, SCORERS

*Sunshine Stars 4 Ikorodu City 3

Ahmadu Liman-Sunshine (16th min)

Promise Awosanmi-Sunshine (21st, 34th, 74th min)

Shola Adelani-Ikorodu (45+1min, 66th min)

Emmanuel Solomon-Ikorodu (90+3min)

*Nasarawa Utd 1 Katsina Utd 0

Qamar Adegoke (34th min)

*Enugu Rangers 1 Niger Tornadoes 2

Ismael Sarki-Tornadoes (17th min)

Collins Ugwueze-Rangers (21st min)

Ifeanyi Okechukwu-Tornadoes (64th min)

*Abia Warriors 1 Bayelsa United 0

Sunday Megwo (4th min)

*Akwa United 1 Remo Stars 2

Uche Sebastine-Akwa Utd (6th min)

Arinze Anakwe -Remo (74th min)

Olamilekan Adedayo--Remo (85th min)

*Heartland  1 Lobi Stars 0

John Bassey (57th min)

*Plateau United 2 Rivers United 1

Olawale Doyeni--Plateau (21st min)

Ndifreke Effiong-Rivers Utd (87th min)

Emmanuel Ihezuo-Plateau (90+4min)

*Kwara United     2 Shooting Stars          0

Muhammad Kabiru (22nd min)

Abdullahi Ojifinni       (57th min)

*Kano Pillars  2 El-Kanemi Warriors 1

Rabiu Ali-Pillars (62nd min)

Umar Al-Amin-El-kanemi (65th min, pen)

Rashid Alhassan-Pillars (90th min)

*Bendel Insurance 1 Enyimba                    0  

Kayode Oke (55th min)   

Djokovic unsure of Australian Open return

Novak Djokovic says he will return to the Australian Open next year if he is still "fit, healthy and motivated", reports BBC Sport.

The 37-year-old Serb, aiming for a record-extending 11th men's singles title, retired injured from his semi-final against Alexander Zverev on Friday.

He raised both thumbs in the air towards the 15,000 fans as he left Rod Laver Arena - which he has often described as his "second home".

Asked if it might be his final appearance at Melbourne Park, Djokovic said. "I don't know. There is a chance. Who knows? I'll just have to see how the season goes.

"I want to keep going. But whether I'm going to have a revised schedule or not for the next year, I'm not sure."

It is the second successive year that Djokovic has lost in the Melbourne semi-finals.

Djokovic has stripped back his schedule in recent seasons and prioritised being ready for the biggest tournaments - namely the four Grand Slams.

The former world number one continues to seek a 25th Slam to move clear of Australia's Margaret Court, who won 24 women's singles titles between 1960 and 1973.

The Australian Open is where Djokovic has enjoyed most of Grand Slam success followed by Wimbledon, where he has won seven titles.

He has also won three French Open and four US Open titles.

"I normally like to come to Australia to play," seventh seed Djokovic added.

"I've had the biggest success in my career here. So if I'm fit, healthy, motivated, I don't see a reason why I wouldn't come.

"But there's always a chance [it is the last time]."

...Booed off by fans at Aussie Open

Novak Djokovic was booed off court by some Australian Open fans after retiring injured from his semi-final against Alexander Zverev.

Djokovic, who was bidding for a record-extending 11th title, quit after losing the first set 7-6 (7-5) in 80 minutes.

The 37-year-old Serb had his upper left leg heavily taped after injuring it in Tuesday's quarter-final win over Carlos Alcaraz.

"I did everything I possibly could do to manage the muscle tear that I had," said Djokovic, who was also aiming for an all-time standalone record of 25 major titles.

"Towards the end of that first set I just started feeling more and more pain.

"It was too much to handle for me."

After he slapped a volley into the net on set point, seventh seed Djokovic immediately approached Zverev and shook his hand.

He waved to the crowd and gave them a double thumbs up, despite audible boos from some sections inside Rod Laver Arena.

Asked by Serbian media, external about the reaction, Djokovic said: "I don't know what to say.

"People have come and paid for the tickets expecting a great match and a big fight, which they didn't get.

"From that perspective, I can understand. I am doing my best to understand them, but I am not sure whether they understand me or if they even want to."

German second seed Zverev is still bidding for his first Grand Slam title after twice losing in major finals.

He will face world number one and defending champion Jannik Sinner in Sunday's final after the Italian beat Ben Shelton.

From the moment Djokovic lunged for a drop-shot towards the end of the first set against Alcaraz and immediately grimaced to his box, there have been questions over his fitness.

Djokovic, as he has on countless occasions in his stellar career, somehow managed to defy the injury to earn a remarkable win against the 21-year-old.

But doubts remained how equipped he would be to play Zverev.

"I knew even if I won the first set, that it's going to be a huge uphill battle for me to stay physically fit enough to stay with him," added Djokovic.

"I don't think I had that in the tank."

Djokovic had not practised at Melbourne Park since Tuesday night's victory, cancelling a planned hit on Thursday before spending an hour warming up on court shortly before the semi-final.

Djokovic did not practise between matches during his 2023 title run and later revealed he had a three centimetre tear in his hamstring.

He also won the 2021 title despite tearing an abdominal muscle in the third round.

"The very first thing I want to say is, please guys, don't boo when a player is injured," said Zverev, addressing the crowd in his on-court interview.

"I know everyone paid for tickets and wants to see a five-set match but

you have to understand Novak Djokovic is someone who has given absolutely everything to tennis.

"He has won this title with an abdominal tear, he has won this title with a hamstring tear.

"If he cannot continue this match, it means he really cannot continue."

Former Australian player John Millman, working at Melbourne Park as a television summariser, said the crowd's reaction showed a "total lack of respect".

He added in a post on X: "Novak getting booed off is a disgrace. Classless."

Caption: Djokovic in action.

NPFL 2024/25 SEASON MATCHDAY 20 FIXTURES

Jan 25:

Nasarawa Utd vs Katsina Utd 4:00pm

Abia Warriors vs Bayelsa Utd 4:00pm

Sunshine Stars  vs Ikorodu City 4:00pm

Enugu Rangers vs Niger Tornadoes 4:00pm

SUN:

Akwa United  vs Remo Stars 4:00pm

Heartland       vs Lobi Stars   4:00pm

Plateau Utd    vs Rivers Utd   4:00pm

Kwara Utd     vs Shooting Stars (pp)

Kano Pillars   vs El-Kanemi Warriors (pp)

Rescheduled fixture, Jan 27

Kwara United vs Enyimba 4:00pm

EPL MATCHDAY 23 FIXTURES

Jan 25, 2025:

Southampton vs Newcastle 4:00pm

Brighton        vs Everton     4:00pm

Bournemouth vs Nottm Forest 4:00pm

Liverpool       vs Ipswich Town 4:00pm

Wolves          vs Arsenal        4:00pm

Man City      vs Chelsea        6:30pm

SUN:

Tottenham vs Leicester City 3:00pm

C'Palace   vs Brentford        3:00pm

Aston Villa vs West Ham      5:30pm

Fulham       vs Man Utd        8:00pm

Caption: 

Calvin Bassey, set for another showdown with Manchester United on Sunday at Craven Cottage.

UEFA Champions League fixtures

Tuesday, Jan. 21

Monaco vs Aston Villa   6:45pm

Atalanta    vs Sturm Graz 6:45pm

Atletico  vs Leverkusen 9:00pm

C'Zvezda vs PSV           9:00pm

Club Brugge vs Juventus 9:00pm

Benfica        vs Barcelona 9:00pm

Liverpool    vs Lille     9:00pm

S'Bratislava vs VfB Stuttgart 9:00pm

Bologna      vs B'Dortmund   9:00pm

Wednesday, Jan. 22

RB Leipzig vs Sporting 6:45pm

Shakhtar Donetsk vs Brest 6:45pm

Feyenoord vs Bayern Munich 9:00pm 

AC Milan   vs Girona  9:00pm

Real Madrid vs RB Salzburg  9:00pm

Sparta Praha vs Inter   9:00pm

PSG              vs Man City 9:00pm

Arsenal         vs Dinamo Zagreb 9:00pm

Celtic            vs Young Boys      9:00pm

Caption: 

Atalanta's dangerman, Ademola Lookman, in a world of his own.

2024/25 SEASON NPFL LEADING SCORERS

*Anas Yusuf-Nasarawa Utd (11 goals)

* Rabiu Ali-Kano Pillars (8 goals)

* Ibrahim Mustapha-El-Kanemi (7 goals)

* Emmanuel Ogbole-Kwara Utd (7 goals)

* Ossy Martins-Lobi Stars (6 goals)

* Sunday Megwo-Abia Warriors (6 goals)

* Ahmed Musa-Kano Pillars (6 goals)

Caption: 

Anas Yusuf celebrates one of his goals in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).

EPL MATCHDAY 22 FIXTURES

Jan 18, 2025:

Newcastle vs Bournemouth 1:30pm

Brentford vs Liverpool         4:00pm

West Ham  vs C'Palace       4:00pm

Leicester City vs Fulham     4:00pm

Arsenal     vs Aston Villa      6:30pm

SUN:

Nottm Forest vs Southampton 3:00pm

Everton     vs Tottenham          3:00pm

Man Utd   vs Brighton             3:00pm

Ipswich Town vs Man City      5:30pm

MON:

Chelsea    vs Wolves               9:00pm

Tyson Fury quits boxing

Former WBC world heavyweight champion, Tyson Fury, has shocked the boxing world by announcing his retirement from the sport years after his wife, Paris, begged him to hang up his gloves.

In a statement which has stunned his legion of loyal fans, the Gypsy King, 36, told his followers on social media that he was hanging up his gloves for good, declaring: "I'd like to announce my retirement from boxing. It's been a blast, I've loved every single minute of it. I'm going to end with this. Dick Turpin wore a mask. God bless everybody, see you on the other side. Get up!"

Paris, 35, who shares seven kids with the former heavyweight champion, is yet to comment on the retirement news. However, the boxer's childhood sweetheart begged her man to get out of the ring years before his shock reveal on Monday.

In 2020, she urged the WBC and lineal champion not to fight Deontay Wilder. Her reasons revolved around Tyson's safety as she told the Mirror: “I’d like him to beat Anthony Joshua and then stop. He’s in the ring with supreme boxers and it is a dangerous sport. We both know the risks. I know one shot can change everything.

“If they put all the belts on the line it would be such an amazing fight. I’d like him to take that one fight and retire undefeated. He can’t go on forever, he can’t go undefeated forever. I wouldn’t like to see him continue for too long and get hurt.”

Fury was due to fight Anthony Joshua later this year, but the outcome of that match will have to remain a mystery as the father-of-seven seems adamant his time in the ring is over.

In May this year, Paris pleaded with Tyson again, giving Tyson an ultimatum as she demanded that the World Champion boxer give up his passion once and for all amid fears that he will be killed in the ring.

The outspoken sportsman has been professional boxing for close to 14 years. Tyson retired from boxing in 2022, but after suffering with his mental health while idle and away from his passion, he decided to re-enter the ring again last year.

While Tyson's younger brother Tommy, who is also a professional boxer, was supportive of his big brother getting back in the ring - having flown to the United Arab Emirates to watch him fight last year - the same can't be said for Paris, who admitted she was terrified that Tyson could lose his life.

Paris previously revealed her feelings towards Tyson and his boxing career on their hit Netflix show, At Home with the Furys. The mum-of-seven admitted that on the lead up to Tyson's fights, she is crippled with anxiety and worry for her husband, and can't help but harbour concern that one wrong punch could kill the father of her children.

Speaking to Mail Sport ahead of his fight with Francis Ngannou last year, Tyson admitted that he sees where Paris is coming from, and feels sympathy for her having to watch him fight amid fears that it could be his last. The Gypsy King said: "It must be horrible knowing your husband can be killed in a fight and you've got six kids, seven in a minute, to look after on your own. That's got to be nerve wracking.

Caption: Tyson Fury (left) during his bout with Oleksandr Usyk.

EPL MATCHDAY 21 FIXTURES

TUESDAY, Jan 14, 2025:

Chelsea vs Bournemouth 8:30pm

Brentford vs Man City    8:30pm

West Ham vs Fulham      8:30pm

Nottm Forest vs Liverpool 9:00pm

WED:

Newcastle  vs Wolves 8:30pm

Leicester    vs C'Palace 8:30pm

Everton     vs Aston Villa 8:30pm

Arsenal     vs Tottenham  9:00pm

THURSDAY:

Ipswich  vs Brighton      8:30pm

Man Utd vs Southampton 9:00pm