Category: Sports

Barcelona defender, João Cancelo, has put Lamine Yamal among the top three most talented players in the world.

Cancelo spoke at his pre-match press conference ahead of Barcelona’s UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg clash with Atletico Madrid on Wednesday night.

“Lamine Yamal is in the top three most talented players in the world,” the Portuguese said as quoted by Fabrizio Romano.

Yamal has been a revelation since he was promoted into Barcelona’s first team under Xavi a few years ago.

The Spain international finished in second place in the Ballon d’Or rankings last year behind Ousmane Dembele.

He led Barcelona to win the LaLiga title last season and has been impressive so far this term, scoring 14 goals and providing 9 assists in 25 appearances.

UCL: Cancelo puts Yamal among top three most talented players in the world

Wikki Tourists technical adviser, Evans Ogenyi, has described his team’s position on the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, as unfortunate.

The Bauchi Elephants occupy 19th position on the NPFL table with 37 points from 33 matches.

Wikki Tourists failed to give their relegation survival a boost following a 2-2 draw with Enyimba on Monday.

Ogenyi admitted that he is yet to have enough time to imbibe his philosophy on the team.

“It’s unfortunate that we are in these situation and all we have to do is just for us as a team to keep working hard,” Ogenyi told gongnews.

“Don’t forget I took over not up to a month ago. I am just managing what I have.

Ogenyi insisted that they won’t stop working hard to improve on their position on the NPFL table.

“For now the team will not stop working hard but we are going to ensure that our hard work will yield positive result for us to escape the drop.”

NPFL: Ogenyi laments Wikki Tourists’ unfortunate relegation battle

Remo Stars technical adviser, Usman Abdallah has revealed that his team must fight to avoid defeat in their remaining fixtures in the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, this season.

The Sky Blue Stars are battling to escape relegation after a difficult campaign.

The title holders currently occupy 17th position on the log.

Remo Stars will face Abdallah’s former club, Kano Pillars this weekend.

The former Super Eagles assistant coach is expecting a difficult duel.

“Kano is a very competitive place to be, now every single match we have to achieve something from the game,” Abdallah told Remo Stars media.

“We don’t need to drop any points until the end of the season and in our home ground we must ensure we get the maximum points in the games, If not it’s going to be very difficult.”

NPFL: Remo Stars must win remaining five games to escape relegation – Abdallah

Nigeria’s Falconets have resumed camping ahead of the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup final qualifying round tie against Malawi, DAILY POST reports.

The players and their officials converged in Abuja on Monday, and had their first training session on Tuesday morning.

Nigeria will host the first leg on Saturday, May 2, while the reverse fixture will hold in Blantyre a week later.

Moses Aduku’s side defeated hard-fighting Senegal in the second round, while Malawi edged past Guinea-Bissau.

Since the competition started in 2002, the Falconets have qualified for every single edition.

Poland will host the competition in September.

U-20 WWCQ: Falconets return to camp for Malawi showdown

Jose Mourinho has insisted that he wants to stay with Benfica, even though he admits the team has lost hope of winning the league title.

A 1-1 draw with Casa Pia on Monday, means they can no longer catch up in the league standings.

Mourinho is currently signed with Benfica until June 2027, but there is a clause in his contract that lets him leave at the end of the season.

When asked about his future, Mourinho said, “Jorge Mendes is my agent, but I make my own decisions. My choice is to stay in Benfica.”

Mourinho came back to Portugal last September after coaching in other countries for 21 years.

Mourinho confirms club he’ll coach next season as Benfica title hopes end

Former Super Eagles head coach Jo Bonfrere has said the team must put behind them the failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and focus on the next two editions, DAILY POST reports.

The three-time African champions will be missing for the second consecutive editions when hostilities starts in Canada, Mexico, and United States of America in June.

Éric Chelle’s side were stopped by eternal rivals Black Stars of Ghana from qualifying for the 2022 edition hosted by Qatar.

Nigeria lost on penalities to Democratic Republic of Congo in the final of the African playoffs last November.

Bonfrere said the focus of the team must now be on the 2030 and 2034 editions.

“Super Eagles must put the 2026 World Cup disappointment behind them. Preparation for 2030 and 2034 must start now,” Bonfrere said during an interview on Monday.

Super Eagles must start preparation for 2030, 2034 World Cups now – Bonfrere

The Federation of International Football Association, FIFA, has cleared Wrexham goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo to play for the Super Eagles.

Okonkwo was born in England to Nigerian parents and is eligible to represent both countries.

The former Arsenal shot stopper previously represented England at the youth level.

The 24-year-old’s change of eligibility was formally updated on the FIFA platform for international player transfers on Tuesday.

Okonkwo is now expected to get a chance to feature for the Super Eagles in the upcoming friendlies against India and Jamaica in May.

The Super Eagles also have two more friendlies lined up in June against Poland and Portugal.

Super Eagles: FIFA clears Wrexham goalkeeper Okonkwo to represent Nigeria

Heartland have reacted to their failure to secure a promotion ticket to the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL.

The Naze Millionaires missed out on the promotion ticket to Inter Lagos.

Heartland occupy third position on the NNL Conference A table.

The Owerri-based club said that they have resolved to renew their target for next season.

“Though the journey may have faced a setback, we will press on with renewed resolve, knowing that a man’s fall does not define the end of his story.” Heartland reacted after the confirmation of Inter Lagos as the winner of the group.

Heartland will do battle with Crowns FC in their final game of the season next weekend.

NNL: Heartland vow to bounce back from promotion setback

Sports Minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Didier Bodembo, has boasted that Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo will cry when both teams clash in the 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage encounter.

DR Congo recently qualified for this year’s World Cup tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

The African side was drawn in Group K at the World Cup and will face Portugal, Uzbekistan and Colombia.

“Qualifying for the World Cup was not easy; we fought hard.

“In our first match at the 2026 World Cup, Cristiano Ronaldo will be in tears,” Bodembo said (via GOAL).

Ronaldo, 41, is expected to feature for Portugal in what could be his last World Cup tournament for his country.

2026 World Cup: Cristiano Ronaldo will cry – DR Congo’s Didier Bodembo

Former Nigeria winger, Garba Lawal, has given his verdict on why Paul Onuachu turns into a scoring monster for Trabzonspor but goes quiet when representing the Super Eagles.

Onuachu has been unstoppable in the Turkish Super Lig this season, racking up 22 goals and helping Trabzonspor climb to third place.

However, the 31-year-old scored just four goals in 34 caps for the Super Eagles.

“People need to understand that playing for your country is a completely different challenge,” Lawal told Footy Africa.

“At club level, you have the luxury of time and consistent minutes to find your rhythm, but with the national team, you don’t have time to gel and If you don’t produce instantly, you risk being dropped.”

Why Paul Onuachu shines for Trabzonspor but struggles Super Eagles – Garba Lawal