Category: Sports

Former boxing heavyweight champion, Tyson Fury, has predicted that Jake Paul will take Anthony Joshua all the way in their bout next week.

Joshua and Paul will fight next Friday in Miami.

The controversial contest is billed for eight three-minute rounds, with the fighters wearing 10oz gloves.

“I think it will go the distance,” Fury told OOOsch TV.

“I think it will be a move around and a points job, absolutely.

“I understand people’s concerns but they have to start believing in Jake.

“They don’t believe because they can’t get their head around how he beat those guys.”

Tyson Fury predicts Anthony Joshua vs Jake Paul fight

Rivers United technical adviser, Finidi George, has described his team’s away victory over Plateau United as an important one for his team.

The Pride of Rivers moved to second position in the league table with 30 points from 15 matches after a 2-1 win over Plateau United in Jos.

Finidi commended his players for playing with determination in the game.

“It’s an important win,” Finidi told Rivers United media after the game.

“I felt in the first half we struggled a little bit. Coming in the second half, we pushed a little more, pressed a bit higher, forced them to kick the long balls and look for the second ball which gave an edge. While we won the second balls we had the whole field to operate.”

Rivers United will battle with Wikki Tourists in their next league encounter on Sunday.

NPFL: Rivers United coach Finidi thumbs up win over Plateau United

Fulham head coach Marco Silva has expressed frustration following the imminent departure of Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey and Samuel Chukwueze for the Africa Cup of Nations.

The trio were named in Nigeria’s squad for the competition by head coach, Eric Chelle on Thursday.

Iwobi, Chukwueze, and Bassey would be away for around one month should the Super Eagles make it to the final of AFCON 2025.

The biennial competition will run from Sunday, 21 December, 2025 to Sunday, 18 January, 2026.

The three players have been exceptional for Fulham this season.

Silva believed they would be greatly missed during their absence.

“We are talking about three starting XI players. We know Alex is a key player in any position he plays. The importance of Calvin, and what Chukwueze has been doing in recent games. You have to find solutions. If you know any other way to handle it [AFCON], let me know.”

AFCON 2025: Fulham boss laments Super Eagles’ trio departure

Everton head coach David Moyes says the Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, must be respected by European clubs.

The scheduling of the tournament has constantly caused friction between European clubs and participating countries.

The two parties are always at loggerheads over the release of players for the biennial competition.

FIFA recently ruled that clubs should release players just one week before the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

The directive was contrary to the earlier mandatory two weeks release date for players.

Moyes, who will be without two key players, Idrissa Gueye and Iliman Ndiaye, during the tournament, however said players must not be stopped from participating.

“We have to respect completely the Africa Cup of Nations,” Moyes told a press conference on Friday.

“The players will go to play in the tournament for their countries, and rightly so. It’s a great thing they get selected for their countries, and we hope they do well.”

We have to respect AFCON — Everton boss Moyes

Liverpool manager, Arne Slot, held showdown talks with Mohamed Salah on Friday morning, according to Daily Mail.

Slot dropped Salah for their trip to Inter Milan in the Champions League in midweek.

It came after the Egyptian winger granted an explosive interview, taking a dig at the club’s hierarchy last Saturday.

Salah claimed he had been “thrown under the bus” and had “no relationship” with Slot.

The Egyptian’s outburst had led to speculations that this weekend’s league fixture with Brighton will be his last for the club.

Slot said: “I will have a conversation with Mo this morning and the outcome of that conversation determines how it will look tomorrow.

“I have no reasons not wanting him to stay, if that is a little bit of an answer.”

EPL: Salah in showdown talks with Slot over Liverpool future

The head coach of the Super Eagles, Eric Chelle, has named his final squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Chelle has trimmed his initial 50-man squad to 28 players.

The most obvious absentee is captain William Troost-Ekong, who announced his retirement from international football last week.

However, vice-captains Wilfred Ndidi and Victor Osimhen make the cut.

The deadline for the submission of the final squads was December 10.

The Super Eagles squad in full:
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa), Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania), Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC, Cyprus)

Defenders: Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England), Semi Ajayi (Hull City, England), Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England), Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece), Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes FC, France), Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal), Igoh Ogbu (Slavia Prague, Czech Republic), Ryan Alebiosu (Blackburn Rovers, England)

Midfielders: Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England), Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England), Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey), Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium), Tochukwu Nnadi (Zulte Waregem, Belgium), Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (SS Lazio, Italy), Ebenezer Akinsanmiro (Pisa SC, Italy), Usman Muhammed (Ironi Tiberias, Israel)

Forwards: Ademola Lookman (Atalanta BC, Italy), Samuel Chukwueze (Fulham FC, England), Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey), Simon Moses (Paris FC, France), Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla FC, Spain), Akor Adams (Sevilla FC, Spain), Paul Onuachu (Trabzonspor AS, Turkey), Cyriel Dessers (Panathinaikos FC, Greece), Salim Fago Lawal (NK Istra 1961, Croatia)

BREAKING: AFCON 2025: Chelle names final 28-man Super Eagles squad [Full list]

Morocco head coach Walid Regragui has unveiled a powerful 28-man squad for the 2026 Africa Cup of Nations.

Regragui included some of the country’s biggest stars including Achraf Hakimi, Yassine Bounou, Sofyan Amrabat, and striker Youssef En-Nesyri in the squad.

Hakimi, who is still recuperating from an ankle is expected to miss the opening matches.

Notable stars like Noussair Mazraoui, Brahim Diaz, Nayef Aguerd and Ayoub El Kaabi also made the list.

One name missing from the main squad is Sofiane Diop, who was involved in November’s fixtures but has been omitted.

Morocco are drawn in Group A with  Comoros, Mali and Zambia.

The Atlas Lions will face Comoros in the competition’s opening game on Sunday, 21 December.

AFCON 2025: Morocco coach unveils star-studded squad

The 44th edition of the Federation of Public Service Games, FEPSGA, has officially commenced in the Adamawa State capital, Yola.

The games, featuring teams presented by federal ministries, departments and agencies, MDAs, from across the country, was declared open Thursday by Governor Ahmadu Fintiri.

Teams of over 80 federal MDAs participated in the opening march past which took place at the Mahmud Ribadu Square, with Deputy Governor Kaletapwa Farauta representing Governor Fintiri and declaring the games open.

Farauta, reading the governor’s speech during the opening ceremony, said Adamawa State is proud to provide the stage on which national friendship would be displayed in the next few days.

The Federal Ministry of Works stole the show at the opening ceremony as the winner of the parade, followed by the Ministry of Education, with the Federal Inland Revenue Service coming third.

The games, which comprise field and track events, took off at the sports centre of the Federal College of Education, Yola, earlier in the week. The games will end on Tuesday, December 16, 2025.

Public Service Games officially commences in Yola

Former Arsenal player, Paul Merson has predicted the Premier League match-day 15 fixtures taking place this weekend and on Monday.

Chelsea will host Everton in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge on Saturday evening, while Liverpool will tackle Brighton.

On Saturday night, Arsenal will clash with Wolves at Emirates Stadium. Crystal Palace will host Manchester City on Sunday.

On Monday night, Manchester United will face Bournemouth at Old Trafford.

Here is Merson’s prediction via Sportskeeda:

Chelsea 2-1 Everton
Sunderland 1-1 Newcastle United
Liverpool 2-1 Brighton & Hove Albion
Crystal Palace 1-1 Manchester City
Nottingham Forest 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur
Burnley 1-0 Fulham
Arsenal 4-0 Wolves
Brentford 3-1 Leeds United
West Ham United 1-3 Aston Villa
Manchester United 2-1 Bournemouth

EPL: Paul Merson predicts Chelsea vs Everton, Man Utd vs Bournemouth, others

Former Arsenal striker, Thierry Henry has sent a clear message to Real Madrid regarding their manager, Xabi Alonso.

Henry advised Real Madrid against sacking Alonso following the team’s 2-1 defeat to Manchester City in the Champions League.

Alonso has been under pressure for the past few weeks due to Real Madrid’s performances.

“I don’t know what the [Real Madrid] board wants to do or not,” Henry told CBS Sports when asked about the speculation surrounding Alonso.

“I find it always ludicrous that a manager can be in trouble after being 6 months in the job. I don’t personally agree with that.

“I don’t think that they should question the coach,” he said.

Alonso was appointed Real Madrid’s coach some months ago after leaving Bayer Leverkusen.

UCL: ‘I don’t agree’ – Thierry Henry sends message to Real Madrid over Alonso