Category: Sports

Chelsea and Liverpool suffered away defeats in the Premier League on Saturday evening, as the race for Champions League places continues.

The Blues were thrashed 3-0 by Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium in the late kick-off.

Beto opened the scoring in the first half, before adding a second after the break.

Iliman Ndiaye then curled an exquisite third past Robert Sanchez.

Earlier in the day, Liverpool lost 2-1 at Brighton.

These results leave Chelsea in sixth place with 48 points, while Liverpool are in fifth position with 49 points.

Aston Villa (51) will have the chance to tighten their grip on fourth spot when they host West Ham on Sunday.

EPL: Liverpool, Chelsea stumble in race for Champions League spots

Kwara United have been boosted with the return of forward Junior Aimufua for the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, matchday 31 encounter against Remo Stars.

Aimufua is returning from an injury which has kept him out of action since last month.

His return is a big boost for the Harmony Boys, who are battlling relegation.

Aimufua has made 22 appearances for Kwara United scoring three goals with two assist in this campaign.

Meanwhile, Kwara United duo of Saheed Olaniyi and Alao Mohammed remain sidelined for the game.

Kwara United will do battle with Remo Stars in Ikenne on Sunday.

NPFL: Fit-again Aimufua returns for Kwara United vs Remo Stars

The Premier League match-day 31 commenced on Friday night as Manchester United played a 2-2 draw with Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.

Premier League leaders Arsenal and second-place Manchester City will not play in the EPL this weekend as their matches have been postponed due to the Carabao Cup final.

Arsenal will take on Man City in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday at Wembley Stadium.

However, there are Premier League matches that are likely to produce shock results.

Brighton vs Liverpool

This match will take place on Saturday afternoon at the American Express Stadium. Liverpool are in 5th position in the Premier League table, while Brighton are in 12th place. The Reds drew 1-1 against Tottenham Hotspur in their last Premier League game, while Brighton won 1-0 against Sunderland.

The hosts will hope to make use of their home advantage to surprise Arne Slot’s side.

Everton vs Chelsea

Everton will welcome Chelsea at home on Saturday evening. Both teams lost their last Premier League matches against Arsenal and Newcastle United, respectively. The Toffees sit in 8th position in the Premier League table, while Chelsea are in the 6th position.

Everton will hope to avoid a defeat at home and could get a good result against the Blues.

Aston Villa vs West Ham

Aston Villa will host West Ham on Sunday evening at Villa Park. Unai Emery’s side lost their last game against Manchester United, while the Hammers played a 1-1 draw with Manchester City.

Aston Villa are in 4th position in the Premier League table, while West Ham are 18th.

The visitors could pull a shock result against Aston Villa as they will hope to build on their last result against Pep Guardiola’s side.

EPL: Three fixtures we could see shock results this weekend

Super Eagles new invitee Philip Otele has been declared fit for Hamburg’s Bundesliga clash with Borussia Dortmund, DAILY POST reports.

Otele has battled illness this week, and was earlier declared doubtful for the trip to Dortmund.

Hamburg have however confirmed the winger’s availability for the game following a quick recovery.

Otele linked up with Die Rothosen on loan from Swiss outfit, FC Basel, in January.

The 26-year-old has registered one assist in six appearances for the Bundesliga club.

He will hope to make his international debut for Nigeria in the friendlies against Iran and Jordan next week.

Bundesliga: Hamburg confirm Otele fit for Borussia Dortmund clash

Arsenal goalkeeper, David Raya, has admitted his career could have taken a dramatically different path, revealing he came close to joining Bayern Munich before the Gunners secured his signature.

The Spain international spoke ahead of Arsenal’s Carabao Cup final against Manchester City on Sunday at Wembley Stadium.

The 30-year-old made his loan move to Arsenal from Brentford permanent in 2024.

Raya told Sky, “I was very close to going to another club before joining Arsenal.

“And luckily, that did not happen, so Arsenal made the bid. The club was FC Bayern,” he added.

Raya has been impressive for Mikel Arteta’s side since joining the Premier League North London club from Brentford and he is their first-choice goalkeeper.

EPL: ‘I was very close’ – David Raya names club he almost joined before Arsenal move

Galatasaray striker, Victor Osimhen, has listed the key figures that shaped his football career.

According to the 27-year-old, they are former Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba, ex-Nigerian forward Odion Ighalo and former Super Eagles captain John Obi Mikel.

He was speaking during a Twitch livestream with comedian Carter Efe in the early hours of Saturday.

“I attribute all my success to God. And there are some people who are human beings who put me on the right path,” Osimhen said.

“In terms of football, everybody knows I draw my inspiration from Didier Drogba. And also the likes of Odion Ighalo.”

Osimhen also recalled the first impression Mikel Obi left on him when he first joined the Super Eagles camp.

“I saw him after we ate. I saw him and told him, ‘Senior man, I dey come to your room.’ He say, make I follow am immediately,” Osimhen said.

“He asked me to come to his room and he sent me money. I can’t say how much he gave me but he gave me pounds.”

Osimhen names three players that shaped his football career

Belgian outfit Club Brugge are monitoring Rangers defender Emmanuel Fernandez, DAILY POST reports.

Fernandez has caught the eye with his impressive performances since arriving at Rangers from League One club Peterborough United last summer.

The 24-year-old has netted six times in 26 appearances across all competitions for the Light Blues.

The centre-back was also called up by Nigeria for the first time this week for upcoming international friendlies against Iran and Jordan.

According to Voetbal Primeur, Club Brugge were reportedly convinced of his abilities after just one scouting appearance.

Fernandez, who has a contract with Rangers until 2029, is currently valued at around €9m.

Transfer: Club Brugge plot move for Fernandez

Abia Comets head coach, Ejeh Okechukwu, says his team will overcome their poor run of form in the Nigeria National League, NNL.

Okechukwu’s side have recorded three wins, three draws and six defeats in 12 matches.

Abia Comets sit in eighth position on the NNL Conference A table with 12 points from 12 matches.

Okechukwu admitted that his team is struggling top form.

“Difficult moments is part of football, but we will surely overcome it.” Okechukwu told Sportslighthub.

Abia Comets will be up against Edel FC in a matchday 15 fixture next week.

NNL: Abia Comets will bounce back stronger – Okechukwu

Nigeria Women Football League, NWFL, side Nasarawa Amazons have received a cash gift of ₦200,000 for their hard fought win over Dannaz Ladies.

The Nasarawa State Commissioner of Justice and Attorney General, Barrister Isaac Danladi, doled out the cash to the players.

Nasarawa Amazons edged out Dannaz Ladies 1-0 at the Lafia City Stadium on Wednesday.

Onyekachi Deborah grabbed the only goal of the game.

Nasarawa Amazons occupy second position on the NWFL group B table with 22 points from 11 matches.

The Lafia-based side will do battle with Ahudianynem Queens in their next game.

NWFL: Nasarawa Amazons get cash reward for win over Dannaz Ladies

Super Eagles star, Victor Osimhen has returned to Nigeria following a significant injury sustained during the first half of Galatasaray’s 4-0 loss to Liverpool in the Champions League round of 16 at Anfield on Wednesday.

The Nigerian international collided early on with Liverpool centre-back, Ibrahima Konaté but managed to play through the pain for the entire first half, later being diagnosed with a fractured right forearm.

As reported by the Turkish sports daily Fanatik, Osimhen, whose arm is currently in a cast, will wait for the swelling to decrease before making a decision regarding surgery.

Should he require surgery, he is anticipated to be out of action for approximately one and a half months.

This absence could result in him missing crucial Super Lig matches against Trabzonspor, Kocaelispor, and Gençlerbirliği S.K., while also putting him in a race against time to recover for the highly anticipated match against Fenerbahçe on April 26.

Osimhen was notably missing from the Super Eagles squad for their forthcoming friendlies against Iran and Jordan in Antalya, Turkey.

His trip to Nigeria during the international break had been arranged prior to the injury and the squad announcement.

The former African Footballer of the Year has faced fitness challenges this season, missing seven matches across both the Super Lig and UEFA Champions League.

Despite these challenges and his commitments to the national team, Osimhen has been directly involved in 26 goals this season, with 19 goals and seven assists.

Turkey: Victor Osimhen leaves Galatasaray, returns to Nigeria after injury