Category: Sports

Abia Warriors earned a well‑deserved 1‑0 victory over Plateau United on Sunday in Jos, according to technical adviser Imama Amapakabo.

Taheer Abubakar’s lone goal secured the three points for Abia Warriors at the New Jos Stadium.

Amapakabo added that Plateau United were predictable throughout the match.

“Every victory is exciting because it’s been a while since we had a three-game winning streak. It’s an exciting feeling, as we needed to end the first round on a positive note,” Amapakabo remarked.

“Plateau United were too predictable because they were waiting for my team to make mistakes instead of trying to create something themselves,” he added.

The victory lifted Abia Warriors to second position on the league table with 33 points from 19 matches.

NPFL: Abia Warriors’ win over Plateau United well deserved – Amapakabo

Super Eagles players will receive $30,000 each for reaching the Round of 16 at the ongoing 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, DAILY POST reports.

According to SCORENigeria, the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, initially proposed $15,000 per player but the offer was rejected by the players.

The two parties then settled for $30,000, an improvement on what they earned at the last AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire.

They have also reached agreement on bonus for the latter  rounds of the competition.

The Super Eagles booked a spot in the knockout round after a nervy 3-2 win over the the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia last Saturday.

Eric Chelle’s side will take on the Cranes of Uganda in their last group game on Tuesday (today).

AFCON 2025: NFF doubles Super Eagles’ bonus 

The identities of two men who died in a car accident involving British-Nigerian boxer, Anthony Joshua, have been confirmed.

MatchRoom CEO, Eddie Hearn, took to his Instagram post to reveal their names.

Hearn wrote: “With profound sadness it has been confirmed that two close friends and team members Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele have tragically passed away.”

Joshua and Ayodele had known each other even before his boxing career began, while Sina was his strength and conditioning coach.

The men were driving along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, when their SUV rammed into a stationary vehicle on the busy road.

Although Joshua sustained minor injuries.

He has been confirmed to be in stable condition.

Anthony Joshua accident: Identities of people who died in crash confirmed

A Galatasaray fan, Hussein was at the Sardienne Complex, Fès, Morocco on Monday to watch Victor Osimhen in Super Eagles’ training, DAILY POST reports.

The Super Eagles returned to training on Monday after observing Sunday as rest day following their 3-2 victory over the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia.

Hussein stormed the Super Eagles’ training ground with a Galatasaray flag to offer support for Osimhen.

He was well received by  Osimhen’s Super Eagles teammates and staff.

It would be recalled that some Napoli fans also visited the Super Eagles hotel in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire during the last AFCON to offer support for the 27-year-old.

Osimhen has scored once and provided one assist in two games for the Super Eagles at AFCON 2025.

The striker is expected to be rested for tonight’s clash with the Cranes of Uganda.

AFCON 2025: Galatasaray fan storms Super Eagles’ training for Osimhen 

Manchester United  legend, Peter Schmeichel hopes his old team will continue their good recent performance and achieve a much better result in the Premier League this season.

The last campaign was a big setback for the Red Devils because they ended up in 15th place in the top league and did not win any trophies.

That has left them without any European competitions this season, and after a surprising early departure from the Carabao Cup at the hands of Grimsby Town, they now have just the league to focus on.

Ruben Amorim’s team is currently sixth in the league, just three points behind the fourth place.

A victory against Newcastle United last time means they are now tied on points with Chelsea, who are in fifth place, so there’s some positive feeling coming back to Old Trafford.

Iconic goalkeeper, Schmeichel, is not getting too excited, but he believes they can keep up their current level and end the season in a similar position as they are right now.

“I think fifth or sixth. Fifth place is good, but they’re competing with a few other clubs that are also doing really well,” the Dane said on ViaPlay.

“But I think that’s the level Manchester United are at. With the signings of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, they should be able to finish around fifth or sixth,” he said.

When asked if he would be happy with that position, he said, “If fifth place gives them a chance to play in the Champions League, I would be very happy.”

However, it is still uncertain whether fifth place will be enough for a spot in the Champions League next season.

Schmeichel was with Liverpool’s former star Jan Molby, who was not very confident about United’s chances of getting back into European competitions next season.

“I think they’re pretty capable of finishing somewhere between fifth and tenth,” said the former midfielder.

“I think that’s the issue with Manchester United’s season. You keep thinking about the next game, and if they win, it’s a good season, but if they lose, you’re back to where you started.”

EPL: Schmeichel, Jan Molby predicts where Man United would finish this season

Kwara United technical adviser, Ashifat Suleiman, has expressed disappointment with his team’s defeat to Bendel Insurance.

Kwara United were defeated 2-0 by Bendel Insurance at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium on Saturday.

Akpan Emmanuel and Kayode Oke were on target for Bendel Insurance in the game.

Suleiman admitted that his team did not plan for a defeat in the encounter.

“We came here to pick at least a point, but it is disappointing that we lost,” Suleiman reacted in a chat with the club’s media.

“We will go again in the second round and surely make up for the lost points.”

Kwara United will do battle with Bendel Insurance in the reverse fixture in Ilorin when the second round commences in January.

NPFL: Suleiman disappointed with Kwara United’s defeat to Bendel Insurance

Nigeria’s Super Eagles will return to training tonight ahead of their final group game against the Cranes of Uganda at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

The session will hold at the Sardienne Complex. It will start at 5pm local time.

The Super Eagles observed Sunday as rest day following Saturday’s thrilling 3-2 win over the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia.

Head coach Éric Chelle is expected to rest some of his key stars including Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Wilfred Ndidi, and Alex Iwobi for the clash with Uganda.

It will be an opportunity for the fringe players to stake claim for a starting berth.

Tuesday’s encounter between Nigeria and Uganda will hold at the Complexe Sportif de Fès.

AFCON 2025: Super Eagles return to training ahead Uganda clash 

At least three countries have been eliminated from the ongoing 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, in Morocco after failing to register a single point in the group stage so far.

The three countries are Botswana, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.

Despite having one final game to play in the group stage fixtures this week, the aforementioned countries will pack their bags and leave Morocco irrespective of the outcome of their last group stage matches.

Botswana is currently in the bottom position in Group D  with zero points after suffering consecutive defeats in their opening two matches.

They were beaten 3–0 by Senegal before losing 1–0 to the Benin Republic.

The Zebras still have a final group fixture against DR Congo on Tuesday; the results elsewhere in their group have already confirmed their elimination from the competition.

Similarly, Equatorial Guinea also suffered two defeats in Group E.  They lost 2–1 against Burkina Faso in their first game before losing 1–0 to Sudan, leaving them without a point.

Also, Gabon bowed out early in Group F after back-to-back defeats. They lost their first game 1–0 against Cameroon before falling 3–2 to Mozambique in their second game.

Gabon sits bottom position in the group and are mathematically eliminated.

They will play for pride when they face Ivory Coast on Wednesday in their last group fixture.

AFCON: 3 countries eliminated from tournament

Cranes of Uganda striker, Ivan Ahimbisibwe believes they can create an upset by getting a win against the Super Eagles of Nigeria, DAILY POST reports.

Paul Put’s side will face their highly fancied opponent in their last group game at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Fès on Tuesday.

Uganda must win the game to have any chance of progressing to the Round of 16 having managed just two points from their opening two games against Tunisia and Tanzania.

The Super Eagles will be looking to secure their third win of the AFCON 2025 finals.

Ahimbisibwe declared that they will do their best to win the game.

“We expect to have a good game against Nigeria. We believe in ourselves and come with a good mentality and try to win,” Ahimbisibwe told reporters.

AFCON 2025: Uganda will fight to beat Super Eagles – Ahimbisibwe

Algeria captain, Riyad Mahrez is the top scorer at the ongoing 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, in Morocco.

This comes after the former Manchester City winger scored the only goal in Algeria’s 1-0 win against Burkina Faso on Sunday.

The 34-year-old former Leicester City star has three goals to his name so far in the competition.

Behind Mahrez on the goal scorers chart include the likes of Senegal striker Nicolas Jackson and Tunisia star Elias Achouri, and Nigeria’s Lookman Ademola.

AFCON top scorers ahead of final Group stage fixtures taking place this week, from Monday to Wednesday:

Three goals – Riyad Mahrez

Two goals – Nicolas Jackson and Elias Achouri, Lookman Ademola, Amad Diallo (Ivory Coast), Mohamed Salah (Egypt), Brahim Diaz (Morocco) and Lassine Sinayoko (Mali).

One goal – Lyle Foster (South Africa), Semi Ajayi (Nigeria), Marvin Anieboh (Equatorial Guinea) and Victor Osimhen (Nigeria).

AFCON top scorers ahead of final Group stage fixtures this week