Category: Sports

Rangers manager, Danny Röhl, has explained why he didn’t feature Emmanuel Fernandez in his side’s recent 4-2 win over Dundee after he played for Nigeria during the March international break.

Recall that Fernandez was an unused substitute as Rangers defeated Dundee in the Scottish top-flight league last weekend.

Röhl opted to play John Souttar and Nasser Djiga in the defence, leaving Fernandez among the substitutes.

Speaking to reporters ahead of Rangers’ clash with Falkirk this weekend, Röhl was asked whether Fernandez is back in contention for Sunday’s match after missing out against Dundee.

He said, “Manny, it was a decision from my side. Manny travelled a lot. It was his first experience with the national team.

“We have John, as well as a centre-back, available. Derek is back in the training group, and we have a competition for this position. And it is good for us and Manny to push and not to be comfortable in a position. We won 4-2, and then my choice was not too wrong.”

Why I didn’t feature Fernandez after he played for Nigeria – Rangers manager Röhl

Former Argentina defender, Oscar Ruggeri, has named Spain, France and England as the three biggest contenders to win the 2026 World Cup apart from his country.

According to Ruggeri, the aforementioned countries have very good players in their squads.

Speaking to BOLA VIP about the contenders to challenge Argentina for the World Cup, Ruggeri said, “For me, Spain, France, and England — I see very good players in them, I’m not sure about them as a unit — but I will still put them in.

“The Germans. We get frustrated, but somehow, they might not show much early on, and then you see them among the top four. And I think Brazil will improve,” he said.

The World Cup will take place in the summer and will be co-hosted by Mexico, Canada and the United States.

Argentina is the current defending champion of the World Cup after they won it four years ago in Qatar.

2026 World Cup: Ex-Argentina defender Oscar Ruggeri names three biggest contenders to win trophy

Chelsea manager, Liam Rosenior, has singled out Moises Caicedo as the best defensive midfielder in the world.

Speaking ahead of Sunday’s Premier League showdown against Manchester City at Stamford Bridge, Rosenior didn’t hold back in his praise for the Ecuadorian midfielder.

He hailed Caicedo for his sharp footballing brain, physical dominance, and technical excellence.

“For me, he is one of the best defensive midfield players, if not the best defensive midfield player in world football,” Rosenior said at his pre-match press conference.

“His intelligence, his physicality, his technical quality, how he understands the game. He’ll be huge for us on Sunday (against Manchester City).”

Chelsea manager, Liam Rosenior names best defensive midfielder

Three Chelsea players will miss Sunday’s Premier League clash against Manchester City.

The Blues will face the Cityzens in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge this weekend.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Friday, Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior confirmed that the likes of Trevoh Chalobah, Levi Colwill and Reece James will not feature against Pep Guardiola’s side as they are still recovering from injury.

“Trevoh (Chalobah) is working really hard and is back on the pitch. Levi (Colwill) is training but still has some hurdles to overcome first, and Reece (James) has been running today.

“None of them will be ready for Man City, but they are working well,” Rosenior said.

Chelsea head to the Man City game after beating Port Vale in the FA Cup quarter-final in their last fixture.

EPL: Three Chelsea players to miss Man City clash at Stamford Bridge

Nasarawa United Chairman Solomon Babanjah, has demanded improvement from the team in the remaining fixtures this season.

The Solid Miners have managed only one win from their last four league matches.

Nasarawa United suffered a 1-0 defeat to bottom club Kun Khalifat FC at the Lafia City Stadium last weekend.

Babanjah described the team’s recent poor run of form as a disappointment.

“”These are crucial periods for any serious-minded team in the league, and the slightest mistake could be very costly,” Babanjah told the club’s media.

“We acknowledge that our performance fell woefully short of the high standards we have set for ourselves.

“As a team, we must let go of the ugly past and focus on the task ahead. We must bring smiles on our faces and our great supporters again. Nobody is happy, not at all!.”

Nasarawa United will be up against El-Kanemi Warriors in their next league match this weekend in Maiduguri.

NPFL: Babanjah demands improvement from Nasarawa United’s players

Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, has given an update on the injury situation within his squad, as they prepare to host Bournemouth in the Premier League on Saturday.

The Gunners are looking to extend their lead over Manchester City to 12 points with a win at the Emirates.

Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, Piero Hincapie, Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber all missed Thursday’s training session.

When asked about them, Arteta replied: “Yeah there have been changes there since yesterday.

“I don’t know. Some of them.”

On Eberechi Eze specificially, Arteta said: “He is available. My first conversation with him after felt that niggle he wanted to be available the next week. That was not possible.

“The recovery, the way he has shown to get back, the way he has pushed.

EPL: Arteta gives Arsenal injury updates ahead of Bournemouth clash

Former Nigeria internationals Joy Jegede-Idakwo, and Aighewi Omodiaghe have been appointed assistant coaches for the Flamingos, DAILY POST reports.

Another Nigeria international, Kola Ige will take up the position of goalkeepers’ trainer.

The trio’s appointment was announced by the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, on Friday.

Jegede-Idakwo, Omodiaghe, and Ige will assist newly appointed head coach, Akeem Busari.

Busari takes over from former handler of the team, Bankole Olowoookere last week.

He has already invited 36 players for Flamingos’ 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup second round qualifying fixture against either Niger Republic or Guinea.

NFF appoints Jegede-Idakwo, Omodiaghe to Flamingos coaching crew

Wikki Tourists will be without the services of six players for the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, matchday 34 clash against Bayelsa United.

The absentees are Nasiru Jibrin, Klingshak Longbak, Utum Godswill, Haruna Aliyu, Usman Abdullahi and Ibrahim Shuaibu.

Jibrin is currently recovering from a knee injury, while Longbak is out due to fever.

First-choice goalkeeper Godswill is suspended after receiving a first-half red card in the 2-2 draw against Enyimba.

Aliyu, Abdullahi and Shuaibu are all sidelined with different injuries.

Wikki Tourists will trade tackles with Bayelsa United at the Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa on Sunday.

The Bauchi Elephants must avoid defeat to boost their chances of avoiding relegation.

NPFL: Wikki Tourists to miss six players against Bayelsa United

Nasarawa United technical adviser, Mbwas Mangut has urged the club’s supporters not to lose hope in the team.

The Solid Miners suffered a disappointing 1-0 home defeat to bottom club Kun Khalifat FC last weekend.

The defeat put a dent the club’s title aspirations.

Nasarawa United have now lost their last two Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, game.

Mangut assured that the team will double their effort in the remaining fixtures this season.

“The time for reckoning is upon us; we will rise to the occasion and ensure that the remaining part of our campaign concludes on a note of dignity and competitiveness,” Mangut stated in a chat with Nasarawa United’s media.

“Let me assure our dedicated and loyal supporters and fans across the globe that we are working tirelessly behind the scenes to address the issues that have led to our recent predicament.

“No doubt, your support remains our greatest strength, and we ask that you continue to stand by us as we navigate these challenging times.”

Nasarawa United will do battle with El-Kanemi Warriors in the next league game in Maiduguri on Sunday.

NPFL: Mangut urges calm amid Nasarawa United’s winless streak

Chelsea manager, Liam Rosenior, has confirmed that Enzo Fernandez will not play against Manchester City, despite apologising for his recent comments to the media.

The Argentine was dropped for last weekend’s FA Cup game with Port Vale and the Premier League match with City on Sunday.

This was punishment for his comments over his future during the international break.

Fernandez and his agent – who initially criticised the punishment – have said sorry to the club but the sanction stands.

“I’ve had a really good conversation [with Enzo], I’ve had three or four with Enzo. He’s apologised to me, to the club, and we’ll deal with that after a massive game on Sunday,” Rosenior said.

“It’s a serious meeting about something very serious to Enzo. I said every single step along this way I’m not questioning Enzo’s character, I’m not questioning who he is as a person. I believe people make mistakes and you can’t overstep the punishment for the mistake.

“We’ve made a sanction. We made a decision, I made a decision and what I want from Enzo is for him to go on from here and have an outstanding career.

“No he won’t play on Sunday. But hopefully after that he’ll be a massive part of the group moving forward. There are still a few hurdles that need to be overcome that I won’t go into. But at the same time I want every player really, really focused on a huge run-in.”

EPL: Rosenior confirms Chelsea player that is banned for Man City clash