Category: Sports

Twenty-one players are now in the Super Eagles camp in Cairo, Egypt, as they continue preparations for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Wilfred Ndidi, Bruno Onyemaechi, Akor Adams, Cyriel Dessers, Akor Adams, and Raphael Onyedika were the latest arrivals at the team’s base at the Renaissance Hotel.

The new arrivals took part in the team’s first training session at the Cairo International Stadium on Monday night.

Seven more players are still expected to join the camp.

The Super Eagles will face the Pharaohs of Egypt in a friendly Tuesday.

Players in camp:
Francis Uzoho
Stanley Nwabali
Fisayo Dele-Bashiru
Akinsanmiro Ebenezer
Amas Obasogie
Semi Ajayi
Ademola Lookman
Bright Osayi-Samuel
Igho Ogbu
Tochukwu Nnadi
Zaidu Sanusi
Paul Onuachu
Frank Onyeka
Calvin Bassey
Alex Iwobi
Wilfred Ndidi
Bruno Onyemaechi
Cyril Dessers
Akor Adams
Chidera Ejuke
Raphael Onyedika

AFCON 2025: Super Eagles step up preparation with 21 players 

Osun United head coach Akinade Onigbinde has commended his players’ performance despite the defeat to Akwa United.

The Omoluabi giants went down 1-0 to Akwa United at the Uyo Township Stadium on Monday, with Daniel Gothom’s early goal securing maximum points for the visitors.

Onigbinde is confident that the team will improve with continued effort.

“Picking points away will soon be realised if this momentum is sustained,” Onigbinde told the club’s media.

Osun United have recorded two wins and four defeats in six matches this season, occupying the ninth position in the NNL Conference B table.

NNL: Osun United will get better with more games — Onigbinde

Abia Warriors technical adviser Imama Amapakabo has praised striker Suraj Lawal for his contribution to the win over Kun Khalifat FC.

Lawal scored the goal that secured a 1-0 victory for Abia Warriors at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri on Sunday. He has now found the net in back-to-back games for the Umuahia-based side.

Amapakabo is confident that the player can improve further with more game time.

“He has too much to give but I think his end point had always been his goal scoring,” Amapakabo told the club’s media.

“We are working on that with him because he does too much outside the box, he had too many goals to score with his ability.”

Lawal has registered two goals for Abia Warriors in this campaign.

NPFL: Amapakabo hails Abia Warriors goal scorer in win over Kun Khalifat

Fulham head coach Marco Silva has admitted that the club will miss Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey and Samuel Chukwueze during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Iwobi, Bassey and Chukwueze departed for AFCON duty following the Cottagers’ 3-2 victory over Burnley on Saturday. The trio could be away for up to a month, depending on Nigeria’s progress in the competition.

Silva acknowledged the importance of the three players but noted that it presents an opportunity for others to step up.

“We are talking about three important players. I will not hide their importance, but you cannot change it. It was in the schedule and we knew it. Now is the time for others to step in, show their quality, and prove that we can trust them,” Silva told the club’s official website.

Nigeria will begin their campaign against the Taifa Stars of Tanzania next Tuesday.

AFCON 2025: We will miss Iwobi, Bassey, Chukwueze — Fulham boss Silva 

The Nigeria National League, NNL, has rescheduled two matches in Matchday Day Seven of Conference A and B.

The fixture between Stormers SC and Rovers FC, originally scheduled for Saturday, December 20, will now take place on Friday, December 19, 2025. The encounter will be held at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena, Abeokuta.

Meanwhile, the Matchday Six fixture between Smart City and Heartland, which had been put on hold, will now be played on Thursday, January 15, 2026, at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos.

All remaining matches in the groups will proceed according to the original schedule..

NNL announces new date for Week 6, 7 fixtures

Gift Orban was the hero as Hellas Verona defeated Fiorentina 2-1 away in their Serie A clash on Sunday.

Orban scored both goals for the visitors in a thrilling contest. The Nigerian opened the scoring for Verona three minutes before half-time. Fiorentina equalised through an own goal by Unai Nunez in the 69th minute.

Orban, however, fired home the winning goal deep into stoppage time. The striker has so far registered four goals and one assist in 11 league appearances for the Yellow and Blues this season.

Paolo Zanetti’s side moved from 19th to 18th position in the table following the victory.

Serie A: Orban grabs brace to help Hellas Verona beat Fiorentina

Kwara United technical adviser Suleiman Ashifat has attributed his team’s defeat to injuries.

The Harmony Boys suffered a 3-1 loss against the People’s Elephant at the Enyimba International Stadium, Aba, on Sunday.

Kwara United were struck by injuries to two key players during the warm-up for the game, forcing a tactical adjustment by the technical team.

Suleiman promised that the team would regroup and make amends for the defeat in forthcoming matches.

“We had to change our game pattern a few minutes into the match because two of our regular players, including midfielder Philip Ozor and one defender, sustained injuries during the warm-up,” Suleiman told Kwara United’s media.

“Football is like that sometimes. We will go back, prepare, and regroup for our next game.”

NPFL: Suleiman blames injury for Kwara United’s loss to Enyimba

Former Chelsea captain John Terry has named Cole Palmer as the best No. 10 in the world at present.

Chelsea returned to winning ways on Saturday, defeating Everton 2-0 at Stamford Bridge. Cole Palmer put the home side ahead in the 21st minute, slotting in Male Gusto’s through ball. Gusto then doubled the lead for the Blues before half-time, and that was enough to secure all three points for the west London side.

Terry praised Palmer, describing the England international as “the best No. 10 in world football.”

“I was also delighted to have Cole Palmer back in the team and playing in that No. 10 role,” he said on TikTok.

“I’m not sure there’s anyone better in world football playing in the No. 10 role. If there is, Palmer certainly gives them a run for their money.

“He’s so brave, constantly on the half-turn trying to get in those little pockets. It’s a defender’s nightmare when you come up against a player like that.”

The win took the Blues to fourth place in the Premier League table.

EPL: ‘Brave, defenders’ nightmare’ – John Terry hails best No.10 in the world

Four players are now at the Super Eagles camp in Cairo in preparation for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, DAILY POST reports.

Italy-based duo Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Akinsanmiro Ebenezer arrived at the team’s Renaissance Hotels base on Sunday night. Goalkeepers Francis Uzoho and Stanley Nwabali had arrived earlier in the day.

Six more players—Igoh Ogbu, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Tochukwu Nnadi, Amas Obasogie, Ademola Lookman, and Semi Ajayi—are expected in camp later tonight.

The Super Eagles are scheduled to hold their first training session on Monday. Eric Chelle’s side will face the Pharaohs of Egypt in a friendly at the Cairo International Stadium on Tuesday.

AFCON 2025: Dele-Bashiru, Akinsanmiro arrive Super Eagles’ Cairo camp

Brazilian legend Thiago Silva has said that he would like to become a manager at Chelsea.

The former PSG captain expressed his desire to “coach all the teams where I have played.”

The 41-year-old Chelsea defender is at the tail end of his footballing career and will retire as one of the greatest defenders of his generation. Silva has played for the likes of PSG, Chelsea, and currently Fluminense.

Speaking about his plans post-retirement, Silva told L’Equipe that he wants to go into coaching.

“When I become a coach, I’ve set myself a goal: To coach all the teams where I have played,” Silva said.

The Brazilian legend has also played for RS Futebol, Juventude, Porto, and AC Milan. His son, Isago Silva, is currently at Chelsea, having signed a scholarship contract with the Blues.

EPL: Thiago Silva wants to become Chelsea manager