Category: Sports

Enyimba Football Club of Aba on Sunday beat Abia Warriors of Umuahia 2-1 in a classy Abia Derby played at Aba Stadium.

Two goals scored by Chidera Michael in the 60th and 90th minutes gave Enyimba the maximum three points against their Umuahia neighbours.

The game produced tense moments in the goal areas of both teams during the first 45 minutes but still ended 0-0.

In the 60th minute, Chidera Michael scored to give the home team the lead, but Abia Warriors equalized in the 87th minute through Emeka Obioma.

The match was heading to a 1-1 draw, but Chidera Michael again scored for Enyimba in the 90th minute from a penalty after Wonah Williams of Enyimba was brought down in the Abia Warriors’ penalty area.

With Sunday’s victory, Enyimba now has 39 points from 32 matches and is 15th on the NPFL table.

Abia Warriors, which was in 5th position last week, dropped to 6th position while retaining 49 points.

NPFL: Abia Warriors fall in Aba, as Enyimba snatch late winner

Barcelona’s president, Joan Laporta, has discussed Lionel Messi’s exit from the club in 2021.

He said he was right to let the legendary player leave due to the financial difficulties the club faced at the time.

Messi is often considered the greatest player in the history of the Blaugrana.

Nevertheless, he had to depart from the club in 2021 because of its financial constraints and LaLiga’s salary regulations.

He subsequently signed with Paris Saint-Germain before transferring to Inter Miami two years later.

Laporta justified his decision to part ways with the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, telling Marca:

“I had to make a decision, and I believe it was the correct one; the outcomes are evident.

“We managed to restore the club’s financial health, assembled a competitive team, and it was time for a generational shift.

“Leo was nearing the end of his career, and we needed to build a new team. Would I have preferred to create a new team with Leo’s assistance? Yes. We attempted that, but it was not feasible.”

In 2023, Lionel Messi was also rumored to be making a return to Barcelona, but he ultimately chose to join Inter Miami instead.

I was right to let Lionel Messi leave Barcelona – Laporta

Former Argentina international, Javier Saviola, has expressed his support for 31-year-old Leandro Paredes to assume the role of captain for Argentina following Lionel Messi’s tenure.

As Messi approaches the end of his illustrious career, there is ongoing speculation regarding who will take the reins of La Albiceleste after his retirement.

In a conversation with Marca, Javier Saviola identified Leandro Paredes as the ideal candidate to succeed Messi as captain upon his potential exit. He remarked:

“Paredes possesses a strong personality. He has demonstrated his capabilities over the past few years and has the potential to become an exceptional captain. Julian, Tagliafico, Dibu, I believe that is where the focus should be,” he stated.

Lionel Messi has been at the forefront as the captain of the Argentina national team since 2011. His inaugural match leading the team as captain was a 1–0 victory against Venezuela in a friendly held in Kolkata, India.

Under Messi’s leadership, La Albiceleste achieved remarkable success, clinching the 2022 FIFA World Cup and two Copa America titles in 2021 and 2024.

At the age of 38, Lionel Messi continues to serve as Argentina’s captain, yet his time in this role is limited. The iconic forward has not yet made a decision regarding his participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, although there is significant anticipation for him to lead his country once more.

Following his departure, the future captain remains uncertain, although Leandro Paredes is a prominent contender. He made his national team debut in 2017 and has since accumulated 76 appearances for La Albiceleste. He was part of the squad that triumphed in the 2022 World Cup and the 2021 and 2024 Copa Americas.

Argentina’s coach, Lionel Scaloni, has pledged to do his utmost to ensure Lionel Messi’s presence at the 2026 World Cup.

Javier Saviola backs Leandro Paredes as successor to Lionel Messi

Heartland technical adviser, Emmanuel Amuneke is targeting a strong finish to the 2025/26 season

The Naze Millionaires are pushing for promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL.

Amuneke’s side boosted their chances of top-flight return with a 3-0 bashing of Gateway FC at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri on Saturday.

The Owerri club currently occupy third position on the NNL Conference A table with 23 points from 13 games

Heartland are two points adrift leaders Inter Lagos FC.

With an outstanding game against Smart City still on the card, Amuneke said they will fight to achieve their objective.

“Like I’ve always said, we’re not here to make noise. We just want to play our games and approach each one as it comes,” the coach said after the game against Gateway.

“Every game comes with different challenges. We know all three games will be very difficult, but what matters is our readiness to play them and achieve our objectives.”

NNL: Heartland will keep pushing for NPFL promotion — Amuneke

Barcelona icon Javier Saviola has named his favourite countries to play in the 2026 World Cup final.

He believes the Lionel Messi-led Argentina would compete against Spain in the final of the forthcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The World Cup is scheduled to be held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

Both nations have topped their respective qualifying groups and will not face each other until the final of the quadrennial tournament, commencing on June 11, with co-hosts Mexico set to play against South Africa.

After reaching the pinnacle of the competition four years ago in Qatar, Messi and his teammates aim to become the first team in 64 years (following Brazil in 1958 and 1962) to successfully defend their title.

Saviola regards Lionel Scaloni’s squad as one of the frontrunners due to the presence of Messi, who is considered one of the greatest players in the history of the sport (according to Marca):

“Indeed, we are contenders. We have already secured the World Cup; and we possess the best player in the world, as well as one of the greatest in history, Messi,” he said.

“Once you reach the summit, you must continue to prove yourself and earn the respect of the reigning world champion. I hope we can face Spain in the final stages of the World Cup.

“He has alleviated the pressure of not winning the World Cup. Now, he will undoubtedly relish the experience. He always aspires for the best for Argentina, and such players consistently compete and strive for victory.”

Messi clinched the World Cup in his fifth attempt in 2022, thereby ‘completing football’ and securing all major titles with both club and country.

World Cup 2026: Saviola names two countries to play in final, best player currently

Kwara United technical adviser, Suleiman Ashifat, has praised his team’s determination in the win over Nasarawa United.

The Ilorin-based side beat Nasarawa United 1-0 in a matchday 32 fixture at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos on Saturday.

Ashifat assured that his team will continue to work hard to avoid relegation.

“We will continue to work hard to achieve our league status,” Ashifat told the club’s media after the game.

The Harmony Boys moved up to 18th position on the league table.

Kwara United will lock horns with El-Kanemi Warriors in their next league game.

NPFL: Ashifat commends Kwara United’s win over Nasarawa United

Nigeria’s Samson Adamu has been appointed Acting General Secretary of the Confederation of African football, CAF.

Adamu replaces Veron Mosengo-Omba of DR Congo.

Mosengo-Omba recently stepped down to participate in the election for President of the Football Federation of DR Congo, FECOFA.

Adamu currently serves as CAF’s Director of Competitions.

The football administrator is well respected within CAF.

He is the son of Dr. Amos Adamu, the former FIFA Executive Committee member who was banned from football following a corruption scandal in 2010.

Nigeria’s Samson Adamu named CAF’s acting General Secretary

Chelsea playmaker, Cole Palmer, is said to be unhappy at the Premier League club and is considering a summer exit.

According to the UK Mirror, Palmer has become unsettled at Stamford Bridge and is pushing to leave.

The 23-year-old is enduring a frustrating campaign due to injury problems.

However, he has contributed 10 goals and three assists in 25 appearances so far.

But Chelsea has suffered four straight defeats in all competitions and currently sits in sixth place in the Premier League.

This means Liam Rosenior’s men are in real danger of missing out on playing in the Champions League next season.

That could see Chelsea struggle to keep players Palmer, despite the midfielder having a contract until 2033.

It is understood Palmer would favour a switch to Manchester United, amid interest from Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.

EPL: Cole Palmer set for shock move from Chelsea to Man Utd

Super Eagles defender Bruno Onyemaechi has announced the birth of his first child, DAILY POST reports.

Onyemaechi announced the arrival of the bundle of joy with his Portuguese partner, Ines Fontes, on social media.

The left-back and Fontes have been together since 2022.

Fontes, who is a content creator, has been sharing pictures of the duo in recent weeks.

Onyemaechi posted a picture of himself holding the newborn, captioning it, “Best gift ever”.

The Olympiacos of Greece defender was in action for the Super Eagles against Iran on Friday.

Onyemaechi, Portuguese partner welcome first child

The Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, has approved t the matchday 32 encounter between Barau FC and Katsina United be played behind closed doors.

The league body stated that the decision was reached on the request of Barau FC.

According to the NPFL the reason was based on the previous conduct of both Kano and Katsina United fans.

The NPFL urged Barau FC to ensure a successful logistics required for a closed door match.

DAILY POST recalls that crowd violence have occurred during fixtures involving teams from the aforementioned states.

Barau FC will battle with Katsina United at the Sani Abacha Stadium on Sunday.

NPFL: Barau FC vs Katsina United to hold without fans