Category: Sports

Nasarawa United captain King Osanga has lamented the team’s exit from the President Federation Cup, DAILY POST reports.

The Solid Miners lost 4-2 on penalities to Ikorodu City in their semi-final encounter at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City on Wednesday

The two teams battled to a 1-1 draw in regulation time.

Ayoola Ibrahim gave Ikorodu City the lead in the 11th minute, while Bright Amadi restored parity for Mbwas Mangut’s side four minutes before the break.

Osanga couldn’t hide his disappointment after his team’s elimination from the competition.

“This truly hurts, no doubts. We wanted to bring a trophy home for our great supporters and fans, but look at the journey” Osanga told the club’s media.

“We have grown, we have competed with the best, and we have built something here.

“Everyone is hurt, but we have to put the pains of this behind us and rebuild ahead of next season.”

President Federation Cup: Osanga laments Nasarawa United’s exit

New Real Madrid signing, Marc Cucurella, has said he had “no doubts” about signing for the Spanish giants, following his £52m move from Chelsea.

Cucurella revealed he had a phone call with new head coach Jose Mourinho before signing.

“When Madrid came I didn’t think about it, it’s a unique opportunity. Playing for Real Madrid is an honour and not many players can say it, so I had no doubts,” he told Spanish outlet El Mundo.

“He told me that he really wanted to work with me, that I was going to adapt very well, that Madrid was a great club. I am looking forward to working with him.”

Cucurella is one of three high-profile arrivals already confirmed to join the club this summer alongside Bernardo Silva and Ibrahima Konate, with Denzel Dumfries set to follow.

LaLiga: Cucurella reveals details of phone call with Mourinho before Real Madrid move

Nasarawa United technical adviser, Mbwas Mangut, has commended his team’s performance despite their elimination from the President Federation Cup.

The Solid Miners suffered a 4-2 defeat against Ikorodu City in Benin City on Wednesday.

The encounter finished 1-1 in regulation time.

Mangut admitted that his players created more scoring chances but failed to convert them.

“We exit the President Federation’s Cup with our heads high,” Mbwas stated after the game.

“The boys gave everything. We didn’t lose this tie, penalties just didn’t fall for us today, but rest assured that next season, we will come back stronger and better.”

President Federation Cup: Mangut hails players despite Ikorodu City loss

The Nationwide League One, NLO, has issued a final reminder to all clubs regarding registration compliance for the Division Two U-19 Youth League.

The league body warned that failure to meet the June 30, 2026 deadline will result in exclusion from season fixtures.

The NLO said strict adherence to all directives is required as preparations intensify for the 2026 season.

Clubs must complete both payment and player’s registration on the official NLO portal before the deadline expires.

The organizers mandates that all clubs must be affiliated with their respective state Football association and pay the annual registration fee as determined by the NLO Board.

Any club in violation of this payment would be assumed to have withdrawn her participation in the league.

Clubs are required to submit proof of payment, including bank tellers or transfer receipts, to the NLO accounts department for confirmation.

The NLO U-19 Youth League is scheduled to kick off on July 24, 2026.

NLO issues final reminder on U-19 Youth League registration deadline

Details of Real Madrid’s deal for Ibrahima Konate have been revealed.

Konate officially joined the Los Blancos from Liverpool on Thursday.

Real Madrid announced in a statement that the defender has reached an agreement to join the Spanish LaLiga giants.

Konate will remain at the Santiago Bernabeu for the next four seasons, until  June 30, 2030.

This is coming after Real Madrid signed Marc Cucurella from Chelsea.

Real Madrid are eager to bolster their new manager, Jose Mourinho’s squad ahead of next season.

Transfer: Details of Real Madrid’s deal for Konate revealed

Portugal captain, Cristiano Ronaldo, has reacted to their 1-1 draw with DR Congo in their 2026 World Cup opener on Wednesday.

Ronaldo failed to add to his international goal tally as they dropped points against the Leopards.

The 41-year-old only had two scuffed efforts in the 90 minutes he played in Houston.

Joao Neves scored for Portugal, before Yohan Wissa headed home the equalizer before half time.

Ronaldo took to social media to write: “It’s not the start we wanted but this is FAR from being over.

“Focus on the next game.”

Portugal’s next group game is against Uzbekistan next Tuesday.

2026 World Cup: Not what we wanted – Ronaldo reacts to 1-1 draw with DR Congo

Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen, has ranked his number one on who is the better player between Argentina captain Lionel Messi and Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo.

​In a recent social media video session, the Galatasaray star was asked to rank Messi and Ronaldo.

Instead of placing one above the other, Osimhen opted for a different approach.

The former Napoli man stated that he sees both of them on the same level.

“I don’t do no Messi and Ronaldo ranking,” Osimhen said.

“Why can’t we put them together as number one? For me, Messi and Ronaldo are number one on my ranking,” he said.

Messi and Ronaldo are currently at the ongoing World Cup tournament, representing their countries, Argentina and Portugal, respectively.

See video

Messi vs Ronaldo: Osimhen ranks who’s better player

Former Sweden international, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, has insisted that everything Argentina captain Lionel Messi touches turns into glory.

The former Manchester United striker stated this on a Fox Sports program while speaking about Messi’s impressive display against Algeria in the World Cup on Wednesday morning.

According to Ibrahimovic, there may never be another Messi in the game of football again.

Recall that Messi’s hat-trick ensured Argentina defeated Algeria 3-0 in their World Cup opener.

“I have said many times, with Messi’s game, you just need to watch and enjoy. There may never be another Messi in football; he is too special, his talent is innate,” Ibrahimovic said.

“The sport of football seems to exist for him; everything he touches turns into glory. When you need him to step up, this guy steps up.”

World Cup 2026: Everything he touches turns to glory – Zlatan Ibrahimovic on Messi

Portugal captain, Cristiano Ronaldo, failed to make an impact as they played out a 1-1 draw with DR Congo in their 2026 World Cup opener on Wednesday.

All eyes were on Ronaldo, who was making his sixth appearance at the tournament.

But the 41-year-old only had two scuffed efforts in the 90 minutes he played in Houston.

Portugal took an early lead after Joao Neves rose highest to head home in the first half.

The Leopards ensured they went into the break level, thanks to Yohan Wissa, who also headed past Diogo Costa.

Although the second half was an end-to-end affair, neither team was able to take maximum points from the encounter.

2026 World Cup: Ronaldo fails to shine as DR Congo hold Portugal

Ikorodu City and El-kanemi Warriors will clash in the final of the President Federation Cup, DAILY POST reports.

Three-time champions El-kanemi Warriors defeated Wikki Tourists 3-1 in their semi-final encounter at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium, Katsina.

The Maiduguri club will be playing in their second final in two years.

Ikorodu City reached the final following a 4-2 penalty shoot-out victory over Nasarawa United.

Both teams battled to a 1-1 draw in regulation time.

Ayoola Ibrahim gave Ikorodu City the lead in the 11th minute, and Nasarawa United equalised five minutes before the break.

Ikorodu City will be playing in the final of the President Federation Cup for the first time.

President Federation Cup: Ikorodu City, El-kanemi Warriors qualify for final