Category: Sports

Kwara United have received a timely boost with the return of midfielder Philip Ozor ahead of their midweek fixture against Kun Khalifat FC.

Ozor returned from the injury that has kept him out since December.

He was listed in the travelling squad for the trip to Owerri.

Ozor has featured in 14 matches for Suleiman Ashifat’s side this season.

Kwara United will do battle with Kun Khalifat FC at the Dan Anyiam Stadium on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Ibrahim Yahaya is the only player that has been sidelined from the game due to injury.

NPFL: Kwara United get Ozor boost ahead Kun Khalifat clash

Akwa United Chairman, Joseph Eno, has expressed optimism that his team will secure qualification to the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL.

The Promise Keepers currently top their group with 19 points from nine matches.

Eno believes that with collective efforts from stakeholders, the team can achieve their target.

“With the support of the government, our fans, and dedicated stakeholders, Akwa United is firmly on course for a swift return to the Nigerian Premier Football League,” Eno told the club’s media.

Akwa United will square up with Rovers FC in their opening fixture of the second stanza.

The second stanza is expected to commence on February 14th, 2026.

NNL: Akwa United eye swift return to NPFL

The duo of Arinze Ogbonna and Victor Adeoye have left Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, side, Kwara United, DAILY POST reports.

Ogbonna and Adeoye are reported to be close to a move abroad.

Both players featured regularly for the Ilorin club this season.

Ogbonna and Adeoye have 35 appearances between them for for Kwara United in this campaign.

Adeoye won the 2025 President Federation Cup with Kwara United.

The players’ departure is coming as a potential blow to Kwara United, who are battling relegation.

They have lost their last three league games.

Kwara United dropped into the relegation zone following a 1-0 defeat to Ikorodu City in Lagos last weekend.

They will take on Kun Khalifat on Thursday (today).

NPFL: Kwara United duo set for move abroad

Ifeanyi Ekwueme has stepped down from his role as Sporting Director of Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, side Enyimba.

Ekwueme said he took the decision to concentrate on his personal business interests.

The former Super Eagles winger was appointed Enyimba’s Sporting Director ahead of the 2023/24 season.

Ekwueme worked with his former international teammate, Nwankwo Kanu, who is the chairman of the club.

Enyimba have endured difficult campaign after a positive start.

Experienced tactician, Stanley Eguma was sacked by the Aba Giants last year.

Deji Ayeni is currently in charge of the team.

NPFL: Ekwueme resigns as Enyimba sporting director

Former Chelsea and Manchester United boss, Jose Mourinho, has slammed his critics following Benfica’s victory over Real Madrid in the Champions League group stage match on Wednesday night.

He said he hopes his critics were not committing suicide jumping off balconies when they saw his team’s performance against the Spanish big teams.

Benfica defeated Real Madrid with a score of 4-2 and advanced to the Champions League knockout play-offs.

The game in Lisbon was really thrilling, and Real Madrid scored first when Kylian Mbappe netted in the 30th minute.

Andreas Schjelderup and Vangelis Pavlidis both scored goals, giving the home team a 3-1 advantage, but Mbappe then scored to cut Real’s deficit to just one goal.

The Spaniards needed to draw the game in order to have a chance of advancing to the top eight in the Champions League.

Benfica thought they were already in the top 24 and would make the play-offs, but after seeing other results, they needed one more goal to improve their goal difference and make it through.

Raul Asencio and Rodrygo received red cards towards the end of the game for Real Madrid.

In the last few minutes of the game, Benfica earned a free-kick just before the match ended.

Their goalkeeper, Anatoliy Trubin, left his goal to get the ball and headed it into the net, scoring the key fourth goal in the 98th minute.

Benfica are 10 points behind the leading team in the Primeira Liga, Porto and for this Mourinho has been facing some pressure, but he took the opportunity to address the criticism following their fantastic victory.

The former Chelsea manager said to reporters, “The only thing I want it to do is bring a little respect. I hope they are not committing suicide or jumping off the balconies. Calm down.

“Benfica will lose, and they’ll have another chance to beat us. The only thing I need is a little respect. The team is the same.”

UCL: ‘I hope they’re not committing suicide’ – Mourinho slams critics after Benfica beat Real Madrid

On Wednesday evening, the final Match Day of this season’s Champions League group phase, will be played across Europe.

And there is a chance that all six Premier League teams in the competition could progress into the knockouts.

Arsenal are almost guaranteed to finish top of the table, thanks to a perfect run so far.

They host Kairat Almaty and a draw would be enough for Mikel Arteta’s men.

For Liverpool, they sit in fourth place with 15 points and welcome Qarabag.

Victory will seal their top-eight spot, while a draw would leave the Reds vulnerable with eight clubs also on 13 points, meaning Slot’s side may be forced to a play-off.

Totteham occupy fifth position on the log with 14 points, ahead of their trip to Frankfurt.

A win in Germany will ensure they qualify for the last 16, but a point may not be enough to secure automatic qualification with 11 sides who could still overtake them.

Newcastle thumped PSV 3-0 last week and it boosted their chances of snatching an automatic spot.

The Magpies will clash with current holders Paris Saint-Germain and a win will secure their progress to the last 16 and a point may do it, as they have a strong goal difference.

For Chelsea, they occupy the last automatic spot with 13 points and travel to Napoli.

The Blues need victory to boost their hopes of qualifying for the last-16, but a victory alone may not be enough.

A draw against the former Serie A champions gives a chance to the teams circling below with rivals Barcelona and Atletico Madrid in straightforward looking home fixtures.

Manchester City need a win at home to Galatasaray to stand any realistic chance of direct progression to the last-16, with a draw is not likely to be enough with eight teams level on points.

Five teams are currently ahead of Man City on goal difference in the table.

Champions League: How 6 EPL teams can qualify for knockouts

Raphael Onyedika has been named in Club Brugge’s squad for the crucial UEFA Champions League clash with Olympic Marseille, DAILY POST reports.

Onyedika missed last week’s clash with Kairat Almaty in Kazakhstan due to a muscle injury.

The defensive midfielder returned from Africa Cup of Nations duty early last week.

Club Brugge are targeting a place in the knockout round of the Champions League.

The Belgian Pro League outfit currently occupy 27th position on the overall table.

The 24-year-old has scored once in eight appearances for Brugge in the competition this season.

UCL: Onyedika returns for Club Brugge vs Marseille

Chelsea Football Club has issued a statement following the unfortunate attack on two of its fans in Naples on Tuesday, just ahead of their UEFA Champions League match against Napoli on Wednesday evening.

In the statement on its website, the Premier League club urged supporters traveling to Naples for the game to “be extremely cautious,” as the two fans are currently receiving treatment for their injuries in the hospital.

“The club is aware of an incident that happened on Tuesday in Naples,” Chelsea’s statement partly read.

It said two fans have been hospitalized with injuries that are not “life-threatening.”

Chelsea also advised all traveling supporters to remain vigilant and heed the guidance provided prior to the match.

While there have been reports circulating on social media about possible stabbings involving Chelsea fans in Naples, the cause of the injuries has not yet been officially confirmed by the Napoli authorities.

Meanwhile, Napoli has a history of away supporters facing hostility from local fans.

UCL: They’re in hospital – Chelsea release statement after fans were attacked in Napoli

Former Arsenal striker, Alan Smith is backing his old team to win the Premier League title.

Last weekend, the Gunners saw their lead at the top of the table cut to four, after they suffered a 3-2 loss to Manchester United at the Emirates.

The result saw pundits and fans question Mikel Arteta men’s mentality in the title race.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Smith insisted that it only a setback.

“They have the best squad in the league, there’s no doubt about that,” he said.

“I think Arteta might just need to make some small changes to his tactics and maybe bring in some new players.”

Arsenal will face Kairat Almaty in their last Champions League group phase fixture on Wednesday, before they travel to Leeds this weekend in the league.

EPL: They’ve got best squad – Alan Smith names team to win title

Victor Osimhen will be looking to set another record when Galatasaray face Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday (today).

Osimhen has scored 12 goals in European competitions for the Turkish Super Lig champions.

The Nigeria international shared the record with Milan Baros, and Shabani Nonda.

The Nigeria international will emerge as Galatasaray’s most prolific scorer in Europe should he hit target against Pep Guardiola’s side.

Osimhen has already registered six goals in five outings for Okan Buruk’s side in the Champions League this season.

Manchester City will the host the Yellow and Reds at RAMS Park.

UCL: Osimhen targets new record at Manchester City