Category: Sports

Super Eagles coach, Eric Chelle, has said that Nigeria has “a lot of good players” to rely on, despite the absence of star forwards Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman ahead of the team’s international friendly against Poland on Wednesday.

Chelle had already confirmed that Osimhen and Lookman will miss the encounter.

The Malian stated this after Nigeria’s 3-0 victory over Jamaica in the final of the Unity Cup tournament in London at the weekend.

Speaking during his pre-match press conference in Warsaw on Tuesday, Chelle said, “I have made a few decisions that I wouldn’t like to elaborate on publicly.

“However, we have a lot of good players who will certainly fill in well for those absent.”

Poland vs Nigeria: Chelle backs Super Eagles to cope despite Osimhen, Lookman’s absence

Former Turkish referee, Ahmed Çakar, has advised Galatasaray to sell their top striker, Victor Osimhen, if they receive an offer of 130 million Euros for his signature.

Çakar believes the Turkish Super Lig champion would make a profit because they bought the Nigerian international for 75 million Euros from Napoli.

Osimhen has been heavily linked with a move away from Galatasaray this summer.

The 27-year-old recently dismissed reports of him leaving Galatasaray this summer amid links from Chelsea, Man United, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.

Speaking about Osimhen’s future on the Libero TV YouTube channel, as per Habersarikirmizi, Çakar said, “There is no football player in the world who cannot be sold. Osimhen cost Galatasaray around 75 million Euros.

“If they sell him for 90 or 100 million Euros, I would say, ‘You made a mistake.’ I would say ‘You’re fools if you’re offered 130 million Euros and don’t sell him.’ Because you make a profit, and you also get to use him for a year after acquiring his transfer rights. Then it’s fine.”

Transfer: Galatasaray told to sell Victor Osimhen

Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle has reiterated his team’s desire to extend their unbeaten streak when they take on Poland in a friendly on Wednesday.

The former African champions are unbeaten in their last five games.

Chelle’s side last tasted defeat in the semi-final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, when they lost to hosts Morocco on penalities.

Ahead of the clash with Poland, slated for the 58,000-capacity PGE Narodowy Stadium in Warsaw., the Malian stated that his team will go all out for a win.

“Now, we have a team and we are preparing to go out there and win. Winning is the mentality that we are trying to create in the team, in the players. We will go for a win on Wednesday,” Chelle told thenff.com.

The game will kick-off at 7.45pm Nigeria time.

Friendly: Chelle upbeat Super Eagles will beat Poland 

Argentina head coach, Lionel Scaloni, has named ten favourite countries that can win the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Argentina is the reigning world champions and will begin their title defence on June 16.

However, Scaloni believes his team, alongside the likes of Spain, France, England, Brazil, Portugal, Uruguay, and Colombia, Croatia and Morocco, are favourites to win the competition.

Speaking during an interview with Diario Ole (via MARCA), Scaloni stated:
“10? I don’t know if I fell short. Yes, because in a World Cup, of course, Argentina is going to be there.

“I don’t know if they are going to win, but those ten or twelve are going to fight and try to reach the final.

“Spain, France, Portugal, England, Brazil, Colombia, Uruguay, Argentina, Morocco… I don’t even know how many I named, I’m already forgetting one, Croatia,” he said.

World Cup 2026: Argentina coach names favourite countries that can win trophy

Marco Silva has left Fulham to become the new manager at Benfica.

The 48-year-old will replace Jose Mourinho, who is set to take over at Real Madrid.

Silva has agreed a three-year contract with the option for an extra year with the Lisbon club.

He is likely to be replaced by Ipswich boss, Kieran McKenna, who is a top candidate for the Cottagers’ job.

Silva was in charge of Fulham for five years, winning the Championship in his first season in the 2021-22 campaign, before establishing Fulham as a Premier League club.

Mourinho continues to wait for the Real Madrid presidential elections, before he can be officially announced.

Benfica confirms new manager as Mourinho waits on Real Madrid

Manchester United have revealed that Marcus Rashford will wear the number 11 for England at this summer’s World Cup

Kobbie Mainoo is set to wear the number 16.

The full list of England’s squad numbers are due to be released at 3pm on Tuesday.

But United have revealed the numbers early after sharing the squad numbers of all 13 of their representatives at the World Cup.

Mainoo wore the number 26 at Euro 2024, his first major tournament for the Three Lions.

Rashford, meanwhile retains the number 11 shirt he wore at the 2021 Euros and 2022 World Cup, having previously worn 19 at the 2018 World Cup and 22 at Euro 2016.

2026 World Cup: Rashford, Mainoo England shirt numbers revealed

Nigeria winger Chidera Ejuke is a subject of interest from Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen, DAILY POST reports.

Ejuke has been tipped to leave Spanish outfit, Sevilla this summer after another disappointing campaign for the club.

The Nigeria international registered one goal and one assist in 29 league appearances for the Rojiblancos.

The 28-year-old is also reportedly on the radar of some Premier League clubs but Bayer Leverkusen are leading the race for his signature.

Ejuke is currently valued at €4 million by Transfermarkt.

He joined Sevilla on a free transfer two years ago.

Transfer: Bayer Leverkusen target Super Eagles winger

Wikki Tourists technical adviser Evans Ogenyi has commended his players for the victory over Bayelsa United in the President Federation Cup Round 32 clash.

The Bauchi Elephants defeated Bayelsa United 3-1 at the Lafia City Stadium on Monday to reach the Round of 16.

Ogenyi hailed the players for playing to instructions in the game.

“I thank God for this victory and commend my players for playing according to instructions,” Ogenyi told the club’s media.

“Before the match, I challenged them to play the game of their lives, and they did exactly that, God Crowned our efforts with victory.”

The Bauchi club are aiming to make a meaningful impact in the competition following their relegation from the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL.

President Federation Cup: Ogenyi hails Wikki Tourists’ win over Bayelsa United

Out of the 16 Barcelona players travelling to the World Cup, five will be making their debut on football’s biggest stage.

Three players will be appearing at a World Cup for the first time for Spain when the tournament begins next week.

The players are Lamine Yamal, Cubarsí and Joan Garcia.

Similarly, Barcelona’s recent signing, Anthony Gordon, will also be making his World Cup debut for England.

Recall that the LaLiga champions signed Gordon from Newcastle United last month.

The fifth debutant is Egyptian youngster Hamza Abdelkarim from Barcelona’s U19A side, whose performances have not gone unnoticed.

World Cup 2026: Five Barcelona players to play first tournament

Brighton are in advanced talks to sign Nigerian youngster Zadok Yohanna from Swedish club, AIK, DAILY POST reports.

AIk are demanding a fee in the region of €20m for Yohanna.

The winger also has suitors elsewhere in the Premier League, along with clubs in Germany and Spain.

Brighton are however  ahead of the queue, according to Sky Sports, and could seal the deal this week.

The Seagulls have a commendable track record of developing promising talents.

Yohanna has scored two goals, and registered three assists in seven league appearances for AIK this season.

Transfer: Brighton in negotiations to sign Nigerian youngster