Category: Sports

Chelsea have received a double injury boost ahead of their Premier League clash with Nottingham Forest on Monday.

Interim manager Calum McFarlane broke the positive news during his pre-match press conference on Friday.

According to him, both defenders Reece James and Levi Colwill could be back in the Blues squad to face Nottingham Forest at Stamford Bridge.

James and Colwill have both been sidelined because of injury, but they have now rejoined Chelsea’s first-team training ahead of Monday’s clash with Forest.

“Reece (James) is back in training, and Levi (Colwil) is back in training also,” McFarlane told reporters.

“Both are looking good, which is really positive. Things are looking promising,” he said.

EPL: Chelsea receive double boost ahead of Nottingham Forest clash

Super Eagles striker Salim Fago Lawal has been ruled out of the upcoming Unity Cup tournament, DAILY POST reports.

Lawal sustained an injury in Viktoria Plzeň’s 2-0 victory over Bohemians Praha in March.

The 23-year-old missed the Super Eagles’ friendlies against Iran and Jordan due to the injury.

According to Czech regional newspaper Plzeňský deník, the striker will miss the remainder of the campaign after failing to recover in time from the injury.

Lawal was part of the Super Eagles’ squad at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Unity Cup will start in Charlton on Tuesday, 26 May, with the first semi-final between Nigeria and Zimbabwe.

Super Eagles: Lawal ruled out of Unity Cup with injury

Former Chelsea star, Chris Sutton, has predicted the match-day 35 fixtures of the Premier League.

Manchester United will tackle Liverpool on Sunday evening at Old Trafford.

Arsenal will clash with Fulham on Saturday evening at the Emirates Stadium.

Everton will take on Manchester City on Monday while Chelsea will face Nottingham Forest.

Stating his predictions, Sutton backed Brighton to beat Newcastle United 2-1 at St. James’ Park.

Sutton’s other predictions, according to BBC Sport, includes:

Brentford 1-1 West Ham United

Leeds United 2-0 Burnley.

Wolves 0-1 Sunderland

Arsenal 2-0 Fulham

Bournemouth 2-1 Crystal Palace

Manchester United 2-2 Liverpool

Aston Villa 2-0 Tottenham Hotspur

Chelsea 1-1 Nottingham Forest

Everton 1-2 Manchester City

EPL: Chris Sutton predicts Man Utd vs Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal fixtures

Galatasaray striker, Victor Osimhen, has weighed in on the debate as to who the better winger is between Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal and Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise, and also the better player between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel.

Both Yamal and Olise have been impressive for their respective clubs so far this season.

As for Messi and Ronaldo, they are arguably considered among the greatest footballers in history.

However, in a recent quick-fire session with Berneese, Osimhen was asked to name his favourite between Yamal and Olise, and also Messi and Ronaldo.

The former Napoli attacker said, “That’s a tough one. Permit me to pick both,” Osimhen said of Yamal vs Olise.

“These guys are unique in their own craft. I think they are almost similar because they use the same foot.

“The way they read the game is different, so picking one is doing a huge disservice to the other. I will go for both.”

On Messi vs Ronaldo, Osimhen added, “It’s the same thing with Messi and Ronaldo. I go for both. I have never chosen any of them individually.

“Those two guys have been up there for almost 20 years.”

Osimhen names his favourite between Olise vs Yamal, Messi vs Ronaldo

A profound sense of sorrow has enveloped the football community in both Nigeria and Italy following the untimely passing of Emmanuel King Okoye.

Okoye is a 25-year-old midfielder who collapsed during a match in his native country on Wednesday.

Born in 2000, Okoye was in Nigeria to visit family when the tragic event took place.

Reports from Notiziario del Calcio and the City of Canicattini Police Department indicate that the young footballer sustained a serious head injury due to a significant collision on the field, resulting in his abrupt collapse.

Emergency personnel responded promptly, administering immediate medical care before transporting him to the hospital; however, despite their best efforts, Okoye could not be revived.

The tragedy has resonated deeply in Italy, where Okoye spent a considerable portion of his playing career with various amateur clubs, including Acri, Palmese, Trebisacce, Tricarico Pozzo di Sicar, Campora, San Fili, and Promosport.

In a tribute to their former player, Canicattini Calcio stated, “The Pol.D. City of Canicattini is in mourning. Yesterday, April 29, while participating in a match in Nigeria – during what was meant to be a time of peace and family gathering – former Canary striker Emmanuel King Okoye tragically lost his life at the tender age of 25.

“A former player of Acri and Palmese, Emmanuel donned the Giallorossi jersey during the 2018-2019 season. He was known for his dedication, integrity, and love for the game.

“Now, only memories remain, from the outstanding goal he scored in Mazzarrone to the close bond he shared with Massimo Ficara, another angel—like him—who left us far too soon.

“The president, management, coaching staff, and all Canarian athletes extend their condolences to the Okoye family. Farewell, Emmanuel.”

Just last week, former Super Eagles and Esperance striker Michael Eneramo collapsed and passed away on the pitch in Ungwan Yelwa, Kaduna during a local friendly match.

Mourning in Nigeria, Italy as Okoye dies after sustaining head injury during football match

The manager Real Madrid players prefer as their next manager over Jose Mourinho has been revealed.

Mourinho is among the names linked with the Los Blancos.

Real Madrid are expected to appoint a new manager to take over from Alvaro Arbeloa at the end of the season.

Arbeloa’s six months at Santiago Bernabeu did not yield fruitful results as Real Madrid is headed for a trophyless season.

However, according to Cadena Ser (as reported by Sportskeeda), Real Madrid players believe former Liverpool head coach Jurgen Klopp would be a better choice.

The report added that the players believe the Portuguese will eventually clash with them and cause hostility in the dressing room.

Mourinho is the currently managing Benfica, and he is reportedly keen to return to Madrid as head coach, while Klopp is yet to manage any club since he left Liverpool in 2024.

LaLiga: Manager preferred by Real Madrid players over Mourinho revealed

Raphael Onyedika has rejected the chance to sign a new contract with Belgian Pro League outfit, Club Brugge, DAILY POST reports.

Onyedika has one year left on his contract with the 19th-time Belgian champions.

Club Brugge rejected offers from Turkish Super Lig champions, Galatasaray for the Nigeria international in January.

According to Belgian news outlet, Het Nieuwsblad, Club Brugge have been trying for some time to get Onyedika to sign a new contract.

The defensive midfielder has, however, set his sights on leaving the club at the end of the season.

Onyedika joined Club Brugge from Danish outfit, FC Midtylland in 2022.

Transfer: Onyedika snubs new Club Brugge contract offer

Al-Nassr captain, Cristiano Ronaldo, has declared that his move to the Saudi Pro League, SPL, paved the way for other top international stars to follow suit.

The Portuguese forward stated this during a recent chat with Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand.

Since Ronaldo’s arrival, big names like Neymar, Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kanté, Sadio Mané, Riyad Mahrez, and Ivan Toney joined the SPL.

“I will speak at the end of the season about many real matters,” Ronaldo said as quoted by Fabrizio Romano.

“I was the first to come to this league, and the rest came because of me.

“They must respect the referees; even if they make mistakes, they are human, and they make errors.”

Ronaldo’s remarks come after Al-Nassr’s 2–0 win over Al-Ahli on Wednesday.

Top foreign players came to Saudi Arabia League because of me – Ronaldo

El-Kanemi Warriors midfielder, Daddy Abdulrahman, has expressed optimism ahead of the final rounds of matches in the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL.

The Borno Army will play Barau FC, Niger Tornadoes, and Enyimba in their remaining fixtures this season.

Abdulrahman admitted that the games will not be easy but assured that he will give his best.

El-Kanemi Warriors will face Barau FC in a matchday 36 fixture in Kano this weekend.

“Our next focus is now Barau FC, who we play in Kano,” Abdulrahman told NPFL media.

“We are on the same points with them, and that is not going to be an easy match because goal difference can play a big role at the end of the season.

“I just want to go there and give my best. We want to get a result in that game and come back home and make sure we win against Niger Tornadoes.”

NPFL: El-Kanemi Warriors’ Abdulrahman eyes strong end to season

Kun Khalifat captain, Chikamso Amaefula, has said that the team is ready for the matchday 36 encounter against Kano Pillars.

The Owerri-based club will lock horns with Kano Pillars at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri, on Sunday.

Amaefula said that their focus is to secure maximum points against Mohammed Babaganaru’s side.

“We have used the two-week break in the league to intensify preparations for the game,” Amaefula told the club’s media.

“We are more focused as we go all out for the maximum points against Kano Pillars.

“We are playing for the badge and the club’s faithful; victory is non-negotiable in the game.”

Kun Khalifat are currently battling to avoid relegation.

NPFL: Kun Khalifat want maximum points against Pillars – Amaefula