Category: Sports

Calvin Bassey has been passed fit for Fulham’s trip to Liverpool on Saturday, DAILY POST reports.

Bassey sustained a back injury in Fulham’s 3-1 victory over Burnley before the international break.

The centre-back was forced to withdraw from Nigeria’s international friendlies against Iran and Jordan.

The 26-year-old is now available for selection after recovering fully from the injury.

The defender’s international teammates, Alex Iwobi and Samuel Chukwueze are also in contention to feature against the Reds.

Bassey has made 25 league appearances for Fulham this season, with one goal to his name.

EPL: Bassey cleared for Fulham vs Liverpool

Former Atletico Madrid left-midfielder, Yannick Carrasco, has revealed that Eden Hazard didn’t succeed at Real Madrid because of injuries.

Speaking on Ruben Uria’s YouTube channel, Carrasco explained that despite Hazard joining Real Madrid in 2019 off the back of a stellar Chelsea career, persistent physical issues derailed him long before his 2023 retirement.

“Outside of Atlético, Eden Hazard is the best player I’ve ever played with,” Carrasco said.

“He didn’t succeed at Real Madrid because of injuries. Sometimes you just can’t control it.

“Hazard had an ankle problem that never truly healed. You compensate for the pain and end up with a hamstring or quadriceps injury,” the Al-Shabab player said.

Why Hazard didn’t succeed at Real Madrid – Carrasco

Former Arsenal star, Paul Merson, has claimed that Arsenal will go twelve points clear ahead of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table this weekend.

Currently sitting nine points clear, the Gunners would stretch their lead to 12 if City drops points against the Blues.

“I think the Premier League title race will be over this weekend. Arsenal will go twelve points clear of Manchester City,” Merson told Sportskeeda.

“I don’t believe Manchester City will beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

“I am predicting a comfortable win for Mikel Arteta’s team when they face Bournemouth. Arsenal will be relieved they at least have one trophy in the bag after this weekend.”

EPL: Arsenal to go 12 points clear, title race will be over this weekend – Merson

UEFA, on Thursday, named three Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich players in the Champions League team for this week.

This follows the conclusion of the Champions League quarter-final first leg fixtures played on Wednesday.

UEFA also included Arsenal and Atletico Madrid players in the team.

The European football governing body disclosed this in a post on its website today.

Here is UEFA’s Champions League team for this week:

Manuel Neuer (Bayern)
Josip Stanišić (Bayern)
Marquinhos (PSG)
Robin Le Normand (Atletico)
Maximiliano Araújo (Sporting CP)
Joshua Kimmich (Bayern)
João Neves (PSG)
Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)
Kai Havertz (Arsenal)
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (PSG)
Julián Alvarez (Atletico)

Meanwhile, the Champions League quarter-final second leg fixtures will take place next week, and four teams will progress to the semi-final stage.

UEFA names three PSG, Bayern players, others in Champions League team [Starting XI]

Arsenal legend, Paul Merson, has predicted the Premier League match-day 32, taking place on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

West Ham United will host Wolves at the London Stadium on Friday night, while Arsenal will face Bournemouth at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

On Saturday evening, Liverpool will welcome Fulham to Anfield, while Chelsea will tackle Manchester City at Stamford Bridge on Sunday evening.

Providing his prediction via Sportskeeda, Merson backed Manchester United to play a 1-1 draw with Leeds United on Monday night.

Merson’s other predictions include:

West Ham United 2-1 Wolves

Arsenal 3-0 Bournemouth

Brentford 1-2 Everton

Burnley 1-2 Brighton & Hove Albion

Liverpool 2-0 Fulham

Crystal Palace 0-2 Newcastle United

Sunderland 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur

Nottingham Forest 1-1 Aston Villa

Chelsea 1-1 Manchester City

EPL: Paul Merson predicts Chelsea vs Man City, Arsenal, Liverpool fixtures

Kun Khalifat FC midfielder Nnorom Nmesoma says they are in high spirits ahead of the remaining matches in the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, this season.

The Owerri-based club will take on Warri Wolves, Plateau United, Kano Pillars, Abia Warriors and Wikki Tourists in their last five league games of the season.

Kun Khalifat FC sit bottom of the NPFL table with 36 points from 33 games.

Nmesoma assured that the players will approach the matches with focus and determination.

“As players we are in good spirit as we have been on a good run, so the confidence is high,” Nmesoma told Kun Khalifat FC media.

“We know that the stakes are high especially going into the five remaining fixtures in the NPFL.

“Everyone is going to go into the game fully focused and confident so we can do our best.”

NPFL: Kun Khalifat FC star Nmesoma confident of relegation survival

Porto will host Nottingham Forest in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League quarter-final with three Super Eagles stars expected to be on parade, DAILY POST reports.

Hosts Porto will parade forward Terem Moffi, and left-back Zaidu Sanusi, while Ola Aina will feature for Nottingham Forest.

Sanusi has made six appearances for Porto in the Europa League this season, with one assist to his name.

Moffi, who linked up with Porto on loan from Ligue 1 club, OGC Nice in January has scored once in two appearances for the Dragons.

Aina has made six appearances for Nottingham Forest.

It will be the second time Porto and Nottingham Forest will be meeting in the competition this season.

Nottingham Forest recorded a 2-0 win over Porto during the league phase in October, marking their first-ever meeting in European competition.‎‎

Europa League: Aina, Moffi, Sanusi set for quarter-final showdown

Super Falcons captain Rasheedat Ajibade has expressed disappointment with the team’s preparations for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.

The WAFCON 2026 finals which will be hosted by Morocco was moved by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) from March to July.

The Super Falcons played two friendlies against the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon during the last international window for women in February, and Tuesday.

Justine Madugu’s side were scheduled to face Cape Verde in double-header friendlies next week.

Cape Verde have however pulled out of the friendlies, leaving the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, scrambling for a new opponent.

Ajibade is unhappy with the Super Falcons build-up to WAFCON 2026.

“We are just preparing for the women’s African Cup of nations, we are also fighting for World Cup qualification…so why are we not preparing with the seriousness and intensity this demands…abeg wetin be all this one, for how long?” Ajibade questioned on Instagram.

The Super Falcons won a record-extending 10th title at the last edition of the biennial tournament.

The WAFCON 2026 finals will also serve as the qualifier for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

WAFCON 2026: Ajibade unhappy with Super Falcons’ preparation for title defence

Former Chelsea striker Salomon Kalou has noted that Ademola Lookman was played out of position in Atletico Madrid 2-0 victory against Barcelona in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-finals on Wednesday.

He said the Nigerian was deployed to play more defensive role instead of attack in the game and so could not enjoy the match.

He however, voiced his strong support for Lookman, asserting that the forward enjoys the backing of football enthusiasts throughout the continent as he advances in his UEFA Champions League journey with Atletico Madrid.

Kalou made these comments after Lookman’s lackluster display in Atletico Madrid’s 2-0 victory over FC Barcelona during the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final match at the Camp Nou on Wednesday.

Lookman, who transferred to the Spanish side from Atalanta in the winter transfer window, was replaced in the second half by Alexander Sørloth, who subsequently scored the second goal from close range.

The home team had initially taken the lead late in the first half with a superb free-kick from Julián Álvarez, which sailed past Barcelona goalkeeper Joan García.

In an interview with SuperSport, Kalou attributed Lookman’s performance to the tactical requirements of the match, clarifying that the Nigerian was tasked with more defensive duties, which curtailed his typical offensive contributions.

“In this type of game, I am certain he did not enjoy the match as he had to focus more on defense than on attacking.

“His strength lies in advancing forward, but even when you achieve victory, you feel pleased returning home, aware that you have the opportunity to qualify for the semi-finals.

“I hope he will reach that level because he is an exceptional player, and all Africans will be cheering for him,” the Ivorian forward concluded.

Lookman has been performing admirably, tallying two goals and four assists in twelve appearances in the Champions League this season.

UCL: ‘Great player’ – Solomon Kalou reveals why Lookman didn’t score against Barça

Lazio are open to selling midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru in the summer, DAILY POST reports.

According to Italian publication, Tuttomercato, Lazio want between €15m and €18m for the Nigeria international.

Dele-Bashiru was linked with a move away from the Stadio Olimipco in January.

The 25-year-old however remain at the club following the departure of some key players.

Head coach Maurizio Sarri has however sanctioned his departure ahead of the summer transfer market.

Dele-Bashiru joined Lazio from Turkish Super Lig outfit Hatayspor in 2024.

He has made 17 league appearances for La Biancolesti this season.

Transfer: Lazio name asking price for Dele-Bashiru