Category: Sports

Kun Khalifat FC midfielder Nnorom Nmesoma says they are in high spirits ahead of the remaining matches in the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, this season.

The Owerri-based club will take on Warri Wolves, Plateau United, Kano Pillars, Abia Warriors and Wikki Tourists in their last five league games of the season.

Kun Khalifat FC sit bottom of the NPFL table with 36 points from 33 games.

Nmesoma assured that the players will approach the matches with focus and determination.

“As players we are in good spirit as we have been on a good run, so the confidence is high,” Nmesoma told Kun Khalifat FC media.

“We know that the stakes are high especially going into the five remaining fixtures in the NPFL.

“Everyone is going to go into the game fully focused and confident so we can do our best.”

NPFL: Kun Khalifat FC star Nmesoma confident of relegation survival

Porto will host Nottingham Forest in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League quarter-final with three Super Eagles stars expected to be on parade, DAILY POST reports.

Hosts Porto will parade forward Terem Moffi, and left-back Zaidu Sanusi, while Ola Aina will feature for Nottingham Forest.

Sanusi has made six appearances for Porto in the Europa League this season, with one assist to his name.

Moffi, who linked up with Porto on loan from Ligue 1 club, OGC Nice in January has scored once in two appearances for the Dragons.

Aina has made six appearances for Nottingham Forest.

It will be the second time Porto and Nottingham Forest will be meeting in the competition this season.

Nottingham Forest recorded a 2-0 win over Porto during the league phase in October, marking their first-ever meeting in European competition.‎‎

Europa League: Aina, Moffi, Sanusi set for quarter-final showdown

Super Falcons captain Rasheedat Ajibade has expressed disappointment with the team’s preparations for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.

The WAFCON 2026 finals which will be hosted by Morocco was moved by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) from March to July.

The Super Falcons played two friendlies against the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon during the last international window for women in February, and Tuesday.

Justine Madugu’s side were scheduled to face Cape Verde in double-header friendlies next week.

Cape Verde have however pulled out of the friendlies, leaving the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, scrambling for a new opponent.

Ajibade is unhappy with the Super Falcons build-up to WAFCON 2026.

“We are just preparing for the women’s African Cup of nations, we are also fighting for World Cup qualification…so why are we not preparing with the seriousness and intensity this demands…abeg wetin be all this one, for how long?” Ajibade questioned on Instagram.

The Super Falcons won a record-extending 10th title at the last edition of the biennial tournament.

The WAFCON 2026 finals will also serve as the qualifier for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

WAFCON 2026: Ajibade unhappy with Super Falcons’ preparation for title defence

Former Chelsea striker Salomon Kalou has noted that Ademola Lookman was played out of position in Atletico Madrid 2-0 victory against Barcelona in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-finals on Wednesday.

He said the Nigerian was deployed to play more defensive role instead of attack in the game and so could not enjoy the match.

He however, voiced his strong support for Lookman, asserting that the forward enjoys the backing of football enthusiasts throughout the continent as he advances in his UEFA Champions League journey with Atletico Madrid.

Kalou made these comments after Lookman’s lackluster display in Atletico Madrid’s 2-0 victory over FC Barcelona during the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final match at the Camp Nou on Wednesday.

Lookman, who transferred to the Spanish side from Atalanta in the winter transfer window, was replaced in the second half by Alexander Sørloth, who subsequently scored the second goal from close range.

The home team had initially taken the lead late in the first half with a superb free-kick from Julián Álvarez, which sailed past Barcelona goalkeeper Joan García.

In an interview with SuperSport, Kalou attributed Lookman’s performance to the tactical requirements of the match, clarifying that the Nigerian was tasked with more defensive duties, which curtailed his typical offensive contributions.

“In this type of game, I am certain he did not enjoy the match as he had to focus more on defense than on attacking.

“His strength lies in advancing forward, but even when you achieve victory, you feel pleased returning home, aware that you have the opportunity to qualify for the semi-finals.

“I hope he will reach that level because he is an exceptional player, and all Africans will be cheering for him,” the Ivorian forward concluded.

Lookman has been performing admirably, tallying two goals and four assists in twelve appearances in the Champions League this season.

UCL: ‘Great player’ – Solomon Kalou reveals why Lookman didn’t score against Barça

Lazio are open to selling midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru in the summer, DAILY POST reports.

According to Italian publication, Tuttomercato, Lazio want between €15m and €18m for the Nigeria international.

Dele-Bashiru was linked with a move away from the Stadio Olimipco in January.

The 25-year-old however remain at the club following the departure of some key players.

Head coach Maurizio Sarri has however sanctioned his departure ahead of the summer transfer market.

Dele-Bashiru joined Lazio from Turkish Super Lig outfit Hatayspor in 2024.

He has made 17 league appearances for La Biancolesti this season.

Transfer: Lazio name asking price for Dele-Bashiru

Former Real Madrid attacking midfielder, Rafael van der Vaart, has hit out at Vinicius after the club’s Champions League quarter-final first leg 2-1 defeat to Bayern Munich on Tuesday.

The Dutchman described Vinicius’ antics during the encounter against the Bundesliga giants as “awful.”

Vinicius was unable to make a significant impact against Bayern as goals from Luis Diaz and Harry Kane gave the visitors the victory against the Los Blancos.

Speaking with AS (via GOAL), Van der Vaart slammed Vinicius, saying, “It’s awful.

“Watching him play makes me angry. I feel very sorry for him because he is a brilliant player.

“But every time he touches the ball, even just a slight touch, he throws himself to the ground hoping the opponent gets a red card, then gets up as if nothing happened. That is what saddens me about him.”

UCL: It’s awful – Ex-Real Madrid midfielder, Van der Vaart blasts Vinicius

Nationwide League One, NLO, side FC One Rocket have appointed Otobong Daniel as their new head coach for the new season.

Otobong takes over from former handler of the club, Itoro Xavier.

The new tactician will be assisted by Universe Asuquo Udo.

FC One Rocket announced the technical shake-up on their social media handle on Tuesday.

“We are pleased to announce the appointment of Otobong Daniel as our new Head Coach,” FC One Rocket stated.

“Coach Oto will have Universe Asuquo Udo as his Assistant Coach.”

NLO: Otobong appointed new head coach of FC One Rocket

Manchester United legend, Paul Scholes, has named Paris Saint-Germain as the ‘best team in the world’ at the moment.

The former England international stated this while speaking on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast.

He heaped praises on the French Ligue 1 champions, calling them an “unbelievable” side.

Scholes also tipped PSG to eliminate Liverpool in the Champions League quarter-finals and march into the semis.

“PSG are unbelievable. I still expect them to go through [against Liverpool], but it wouldn’t shock me if Liverpool won. It could happen—I just don’t see it right now,” Scholes explained.

“Right now, PSG are probably the best team in the world,” he added.

The Parisians are the reigning European champions, having lifted the trophy in 2025.

Meanwhile, PSG head coach, Luis Enrique has played down favoritism, insisting there is no clear front-runner at this stage of the competition.

UCL: They’re unbelievable – Paul Scholes names best team in the world

Real Madrid striker, Kylian Mbappe, has put his name into Champions League history by becoming only the seventh player ever to net 14 goals plus in a single campaign.

The French captain joined an exclusive list featuring Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi after finding the net in Real Madrid’s 2–1 quarter-final first-leg defeat to Bayern Munich at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday.

Despite the loss, courtesy of strikes from Luis Díaz and Harry Kane, Mbappe’s goal was a personal milestone.

Having already netted 13 times in the league phase, the 27-year-old now sits on 14 for the season, according to Marca.

The other players to achieve this feat, apart from Messi and Ronaldo, are Jose Altafini, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Robert Lewandowski and Karim Benzema.

UCL: Mbappe joins Ronaldo, Messi, four others as only seventh player with 14 goals

Only three goalkeepers have recorded higher save percentages in a UEFA Champions League season on record than Arsenal’s David Raya in the competition’s history.

This comes after Raya’s impressive display for the Gunners against Sporting CP in the Champions League quarter-final first leg tie on Tuesday night.

Recall that the Spain international was superb as he recorded several saves for Mikel Arteta’s side against the Portuguese side in Lisbon.

His teammate Kai Havertz’s only goal of the encounter gave Arsenal a 1-0 win against Sporting.

However, according to Opta Analyst (via OptaJoe), only Jens Lehmann, Miguel Moya, and Eduardo Mendy has recorded higher save percentages in a Champions League campaign than Raya.

Lehmann saved every shot (100%) he faced in the 2005-06 campaign for Arsenal, while Miguel Moya saved 94.1% of shot he faced in the 2014-15 season for Atletico Madrid.

Eduardo Mendy saved 91.2% of shot he faced in the 2020-21 campaign for Chelsea, while Raya saved 90% of shot he faced for Arsenal in the ongoing Champions League campaign.

UCL: Only three goalkeepers recorded higher save percentages than Arsenal’s David Raya in history