Category: Sports

Manchester City striker, Erling Haaland, has apologized to the team’s fans after they lost 3-1 to Bodo/Glimt in the Champions League on Tuesday night.

Haaland endured a difficult return to Norway, missing several chances to score.

Bodo/Glimt led 2-0 at halftime, thanks to two goals from Kasper Hogh.

They added a third goal through Jens Petter Hauge before the hour mark, when Ryan Cherki pulled one back with a deflected shot.

City now sits in seventh place in the league phase and could miss out on the top eight.

Haaland told TNT Sports: “I don’t have the answers.

“I take full responsibility for not scoring the goals I should have.

“I’m sorry to everyone, every Man City supporter and every fan who came to the game today. In the end, it was embarrassing.”

UCL: Embarrassing – Haaland apologizes after Man City’s defeat to Bodo/Glimt

Flying Eagles striker, Precious Benjamin has joined Austrian club Altach on loan until the end of the season, DAILY POST reports.

Benjamin, who is currently under contract with Bundesliga club TSG Hoffenheim is Altach’s first winter signing.

The 19-year-old joined Hoffenheim just over a year ago.

The forward initially trained with Hoffenheim’s U-19 team before graduating to the first team.

Benjamin has been a regular member of the first team squad this season.

The teenager is expected to gain more playing experience at Altach.

Transfer: Flying Eagles striker moves to Austrian club Altach on loan

President of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, Ibrahim Gasau, has rubbished a report online, claiming he had a heated argument with Fouzi Lekjaa, President of the Moroccan Football Federation, FRMF.

A report which emerged online claimed that Gasau had a tense altercation with Lekjaa during a recent CAF Executive Committee meeting in Morocco.

But Gusau has now clarified that he has a positive rapport with Lekjaa, describing the report as false.

He said in a statement on the NFF’s website on Tuesday, “I don’t know where the report is coming from.

“Personally, I’ve always had a good relationship with Lekjaa.

“There was no shouting or any insults thrown. Whoever came up with that report engaged in mongering of total falsehood,” he said.

AFCON: NFF boss Gusau clears air on alleged clash with Morocco’s Fouzi Lekjaa

Hull City defender, Semi Ajayi is set to be sidelined for the next two months with a hamstring injury, DAILY POST reports.

Ajayi sustained the injury in added time of Nigeria’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations third-placed encounter against Egypt last Saturday.

The centre-back was replaced by Nantes defender Chidozie Awaziem.

Scan results have since confirmed damage to his hamstring.

Ajayi’s injury is a major blow to the Tigers, who have lost several of their key players to injuries in recent weeks.

The 32-year-old joined Hull City on a free transfer last summer after severing ties with West Bromwich Albion.

Championship: Hull City suffer Ajayi injury blow 

The first two teams were eliminated from this season’s Champions League on Tuesday night.

They are Villarreal and Kairat Almaty, who currently occupy the 35th and 36th positions in the league phase.

Both teams have crashed out following their defeats to Club Brugge and Ajax respectively.

Villareal lost 2-1 to Ajax, while Kairat were thrashed 4-1 by Club Brugge.

The two teams have just one point each after seven matches.

According to the new format, 24 of the 36 clubs participating will progress into the knockout phase.

However, the top eight go straight into the Round of 16.

Champions League: Two teams eliminated from competition

Sheffield United have joined the list of clubs interested in Brentford midfielder, Frank Onyeka, DAILY POST reports.

The Sky Bet Championship club are keen to strengthen their squad for the second half of the season.

The Blades have formally enquired about Onyeka, according to the Daily Mail.

Brentford would consider a loan with option to buy for the Nigeria international.

Onyeka has struggled for regular playing time at the club this season.

The 28-year-old has also been linked with Spanish club, Valencia.

He spent last season on loan with Bundesliga side, Augsburg.

Transfer: Sheffield United enter Frank Onyeka race 

Former African Footballer of the Year, Victor Ikpeba has noted that the Super Eagles need two big goalkeepers in the team.

He praised the current number one, Stanley Nwabali but stressed the importance of having strong competition in the Super Eagles’ goalkeeping position.

Nwabali, who keeps for Chippa United in South Africa is Nigeria’s top choice in goal, having played in 13 out of the last 14 matches for the Super Eagles.

In recent years, players like Maduka Okoye from Udinese, Francis Uzoho from Omonia Nicosia, and Amas Obasogie from Singida Black Stars have all been backup options for Nwabali.

Nwabali is currently the best goalkeeper in Nigeria, but his position as the main goalkeeping option for the Super Eagles is in danger.

This is because England-based Arthur Okonkwo, has decided to play for his father’s country, Nigeria.

Ikpeba said that having some competition within the team is important for keeping things at a high level.

Ikpeba said on SuperSport’s Monday Night Football that what the team needs is a little bit of competition, which will make everyone work harder.

“When it comes to Nwabali, the Super Eagles team needs two really good goalkeepers. In the past, I remember we had Emmanuel Okala and Best Ogedegbe,” he said.

Ikpeba also thought about Nigeria’s proud history at the Africa Cup of Nations, saying the Super Eagles’ success on the continent should be acknowledged.

He said, “They performed really well, and it’s important to recognize Nigeria’s history at the Africa Cup of Nations — they’ve won it three times, reached the finals five times, and finished third nine times.

“This is a record that highlights how much influence the Super Eagles have during the Africa Cup of Nations.”

Nwabali kept four straight clean sheets at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, just like he did in the 2023 tournament, when Nigeria came in second place.

AFCON: Super Eagles need two top goalkeepers – Ikpeba

Akor Adams has shared his excitement after helping Sevilla pick a point against Elche at the Martínez Valero Stadium on Monday night.

Sevilla held their hosts to a 2-2 draw in the thrilling contest.

Akor, who was making his first appearance for Sevilla after returning from the Africa Cup of Nations, bagged a brace for the Rojiblancos.

It was Sevilla’s first point in LaLiga since December.

Elche led 2-0 with 15 minutes remaining on the clock, before substitute Akor scored twice in the 75th and 92nd minutes respectively.

“I came back for the match after a long tournament, the team needed me and it’s good that the coach gave me minutes to energize the team and get the draw,” Akor was quoted by Mundodeportivo.com.

The 25-year-old has registered five goals and two assists in 14 appearances across all competitions for Sevilla this season.

LaLiga: Akor thrilled to salvage draw for Sevilla against Elche 

Amaju Pinnick has said he has no ambition to return as the president of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF.

There have been rumours circulating that Pinnick is eyeing a third term.

But the 55-year-old has now told News Central that he does not plan to run again.

“I’m young. I’m 55. I could still be president. But do I want to be? Never,” Pinnick said.

Pinnick previously held two full terms as NFF president, from 2014 to 2022.

He also served as the First Vice President of the Confederation of African Football, CAF, and was part of FIFA’s committee for organizing competitions.

“I’ve been in the role for eight years and I’m happy with that.

“So things are moving forward. It’s helping the federation to see some of its problems and how to fix them,” Pinnick added.

Pinnick speaks on returning as NFF president

Super Eagles forward, Akor Adams scored a brace for his club side, Sevilla on Monday night just after returning from Africa Cup of Nations.

His performance helped Sevilla come back and draw 2-2 with Elche in the Spanish LaLiga.

Adams, who began the game on the bench, came on in the second half replacing Gerard Fernández and helped change the match for the visiting team.

Adams scored two goals in a thrilling 25-minute period, netting his first in the 75th minute.

In the final moments of the game, Adams scored his second goal with a strong penalty shot, sending the ball into the top corner of the net just two minutes into stoppage time to make the scores equal again.

Adams has now scored five goals and provided two assists in 15 league games this season in the La Liga.

He also had a standout showing at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, scoring two goals and setting up two more chances in seven games.

His performances were very important as the Super Eagles won the bronze medal.

Nigeria drew with Egypt 0-0 in the third-place playoff and then won the match 4-2 on penalties.

This result takes Sevilla closer to safety from the relegation zone.

LaLiga: Akor Adams scores twice after return to Sevilla