Category: Sports

Ibadan United have forfeited their 2026 Nationwide League One, NLO, match against Ilaji FC, DAILY POST reports.

The club were also fined ₦500,000 after players invaded the pitch and assaulted match officials during the game.

The NLO made the announcement in a statement on Monday.

DAILY POST recalls that the incident occurred during a live-streamed game at the Durbar Stadium, Oyo, and was witnessed by league officials.

The NLO described the incident as a “serious act of misconduct and unsportsmanlike behaviour” that disrupted play.

Three Ibadan United players were also suspended indefinitely from all football-related activities.

The players are: Ojedokun Basit, Lawal Hassan, and Aderibigbe Hammed.

Ibadan United must pay the fine before its next league fixture, as they are yet to accept or reject the sanction.

NLO sanctions Ibadan United over players, fans’ unruly conduct

The Super Eagles of Nigeria will face Madagascar, Tanzania, and Guinea-Bissau in the qualifiers for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, DAILY POST reports.

The draw ceremony took place at the headquarters of the Egyptian Football Association, EFA, Cairo on Tuesday.

Éric Chelle’s side was among the seeded teams, along with some of the continent’s top guns.

Nigeria will be overwhelming favourites to finish in first position in the group.

The first two teams in the group will qualify for the AFCON 2027 finals.

The qualifiers will be played across three FIFA international windows between September 2026 and March 2027.

Match days one and two are scheduled for 21 September and 6th October 2026, while the third and fourth rounds of fixtures will take place from 9 to 17 November 2026.

 The final qualification matches are set for 22 to 30 March 2027.

Super Eagles drawn against Madagascar, Tanzania, Guinea- Bissau in AFCON 2027 qualifiers 

Ruben Amorim is set to replace Jose Benfica as Benfica manager this summer, according to Goal.

The 41-year-old has been out of a job since he was sacked by Manchester United in January.

Amorim will now seek to rebuild his reputation at the Portuguese club.

It is understood that despite his struggles in the Premier League, his stock remains high in his country, following a successful spell with Sporting CP.

With Mourinho set to leave the Estadio da Luz for Real Madrid, Amorim has emerged as the top candidate to replace him.

Mourinho finished in third place with Benfica this season, qualifying for the Europa League after going the entire campaign unbeaten.

Amorim’s next managerial role revealed

Former Belgium playmaker, Eden Hazard, has revealed that he never wanted to take Cristiano Ronaldo’s no.7 shirt when he joined Real Madrid.

Hazard left Chelsea to join the LaLiga giants in the summer of 2019 for a €100 million fee.

The midfielder arrived at the Santiago Bernabeu just a year after Ronaldo’s exit.

However, his four-year spell in Madrid was disrupted by injuries and fitness issues.

Speaking to Canal Plus, Hazard said: “I went there to play like Eden, not to replace Ronaldo.

“But, as often happens, things didn’t go well. I didn’t want number 7.

“I wanted Luka Modric’s number 10. I thought he was going to say, ‘okay, take it,’ but he didn’t give it to me.”

LaLiga: Why I never wanted Cristiano Ronaldo’s shirt at Real Madrid – Hazard

Tolu Arokodare could leave Wolverhampton Wanderers this summer following their relegation from the Premier League.

Arokodare only joined Wolves from Belgian Pro League outfit KRC Genk last summer for €24m.

The forward managed just three goals in 28 league appearances for the Old Gold.

According to talkSPORT, the Nigeria international is expected to leave the Molineux on loan this summer.

Wolves reckoned finding a suitor to buy Arokodare on a permanent basis may prove difficult given his output in England’s top flight.

The 25-year-old is currently valued around €18m.

EPL: Arokodare faces uncertain future at Wolves

Arsenal are one win away from claiming their first Premier League title in 22 years.

This follows a battling 1-0 victory over already-relegated Burnley at the Emirates on Monday night.

The Gunners came into their last home fixture two points clear, knowing they could put pressure on Manchester City, who are away to Bournemouth on Wednesday night.

And Mikel Arteta named a very attacking side to face the Clarets.

Although Arsenal dominated the first half, they only had Kai Havertz’s header to show.

The goal proved to be the winner, as the league leaders took their tally to 82 points.

If City fail to beat Bournemouth tomorrow, Arsenal will be confirmed champions. Otherwise they would need to win at Crystal Palace in their final game on Sunday.

 EPL table: Arsenal go five points clear of Man City with narrow Burnley win

Kwara United technical adviser, Ashifat Suleiman has called on his players to show determination and focus ahead of their President Federation Cup Round of 64 clash with Sporting Supreme U-19.

The defending champions will begin their title defense on Tuesday at Prince Abubakar Audu University in Kogi.

Suleiman challenged the Harmony Boys to play with the mentality of champions and avoid an upset against the lower-league side.

“We are the defending champions and we must showcase the spirit of champions by playing with full focus, determination and concentration,” Suleiman told the club’s media.

Kwara United secured the 2025 title with a 1-0 win over Abakaliki FC in the final at Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos. 

The victory ended their 49-year wait for a major trophy and earned them a spot in the CAF Confederation Cup.

President Federation Cup: Kwara United gear up for title defence

Nigeria’s Super Eagles have been placed in Pot A for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualification draw, DAILY POST reports.

The draw will hold at the headquarters of the Egypt Football Association, EFA on Tuesday.

Morocco, Senegal, Algeria, Egypt, Côte d’Ivoire and Tunisia are some of the continent’s heavyweights also placed in Pot A.

48 countries will participate in the qualifying series for the tournament which will be co-hosted by three countries Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.

The first two teams in each group will qualify for the tournament.

The competition will run from 19 June to 17 July 2027.

 AFCON 2027 Draw: Super Eagles placed in Pot A

Manchester United legend Gary Neville and Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher have picked their Premier League Player of the Season.

Neville picked Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes, while Carragher went for Arsenal’s Declan Rice.

The duo spoke today on the final Monday Night Football of the season.

“I could say Declan Rice, Gabriel, Bernardo Silva, but Bruno getting level on Premier League assists with Kevin De Bruyne and Thierry Henry puts him in the very best company in terms of what the Premier League has to offer creativity,” Neville said.

“Bruno deserves it for playing and persisting in a struggling team for half the season.”

Similarly, Carragher added, “I am a huge fan of Fernandes, but you are picking a player whose games have not had any real jeopardy. I would go with Declan Rice.

“He was outstanding in the Champions League semi-finals against Atletico Madrid. He’s been a driving force for Arsenal.”

EPL: Gary Neville, Jamie Carragher pick Player of the Season

Arthur Okonkwo has said he cannot wait to make his debut for the Super Eagles of Nigeria, DAILY POST reports.

Okonkwo, who was born in London to Nigerian parents, represented England at different age-group levels.

The goalkeeper was, however, cleared by the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) to switch allegiance last month.

The 24-year-old is expected to be named in the Super Eagles squad for the Unity Cup tournament, which will hold later this month.

Okonkwo said he is excited about the chance to play for the three-time African champions.

“It’s an honour to be given the opportunity to play for your country. I’m excited, I can’t wait,” Okonkwo said on Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) TV.

Okonkwo eager to play for Super Eagles