Category: Sports

Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle, has praised Lucky Emmanuel and Ayobami Junior’s performances in Shooting Stars’ 3–2 win over Nasarawa United.

Chelle was in the stands at Lekan Salami Stadium on Sunday for the matchday 36 Nigeria Premier Football League fixture.

The coach singled out forward Junior as one of the standout performers but said he still has areas to improve.

“Lucky scored twice, but I wanted to watch Ayobami Junior,” Chelle told Shooting Stars media.

“He did well with the ball. He is very good.

“When without the ball, he needs to work harder to help the team. The players gave everything throughout the encounter.”

Emmanuel scored a brace for Shooting Stars in the win.

Chelle is expected to attend Tuesday’s clash between Ikorodu City and Wikki Tourists.

NPFL: Chelle praises Shooting Stars duo after win over Nasarawa United

Nasarawa United technical adviser, Mbwas Mangut, says his team will not give up on their target of securing a continental place.

The Solid Miners suffered a setback in their push for a continental spot with a 2–1 defeat to Shooting Stars in Ibadan.

Nasarawa United dropped to seventh position on the league table following the defeat.

They have two matches left to achieve their objective.

Mangut assured that they will fight with purpose until the end of the season.

“Like I said before, the league is still open to teams in the top six positions,” Mangut told the club’s media.

“We will fight till the end of the season, with the hope of achieving our set goals.”

Nasarawa United will take on Plateau United in Lafia this weekend.

NPFL: Nasarawa United won’t give up on continental ticket – Mangut

Shooting Stars goalkeeper, Godgift Elkannah, has tendered an unreserved apology for his mistake in the 3–2 win over Nasarawa United.

Elkannah’s mistake gifted the Solid Miners the equaliser in the game.

The shot-stopper was unhappy with his performance in the keenly contested encounter.

Elkannah, however, expressed gratitude to his teammates for their determination in securing the victory.

“I feel so bad that I made a costly mistake in the game against Nasarawa United,” Elkannah told 3SCfanstv.

“I have never made this type of mistake in my entire career, but I still give glory that we were able to get the victory in the game.”

Shooting Stars currently occupy fourth position on the NPFL table.

NPFL: Shooting Stars goalie apologises for error in win over Nasarawa United

Taiwo Awoniyi has reacted to Nottingham Forest’s stunning victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

A second-string Forest side defeated Chelsea 3–1 to move closer to Premier League survival.

Awoniyi, who made his 100th appearance for the Tricky Trees in the game, bagged a brace and also won a penalty.

It was the Nigeria international’s first brace in the Premier League since May 2023, which, incidentally, was also against Chelsea.

The 28-year-old said they worked hard for the victory.

“We came here with the mentality to win, good ball from [Dilane] Bakwa [for his goal] as well and the way we started the game, we had more of the ball, brilliant from the team,” the striker told Sky Sports, via the BBC.

EPL: Awoniyi reflects on Nottingham Forest’s victory over Chelsea

Taiwo Awoniyi bagged a brace as Nottingham Forest defeated Chelsea 3–1 at Stamford Bridge.

Awoniyi opened the scoring for the Tricky Trees with a superb header from Dilane Bakwa’s cross after two minutes.

The visitors were awarded a penalty in the 20th minute after Awoniyi was fouled inside the box by Malo Gusto.

Igor Jesus sent Robert Sanchez the wrong way to double Forest’s lead.

Chelsea were awarded a penalty late in the first half following a foul on Jesse Derry.

Cole Palmer’s effort was, however, saved by Matz Sels.

Forest netted their third of the game early in the second half, with Awoniyi slotting home from Morgan Gibbs-White’s cross.

The 28-year-old has now scored four goals and registered one assist in 14 league appearances for Forest this season.

Joao Pedro reduced the deficit for Chelsea in stoppage time.

EPL: Awoniyi bags brace as Forest stun Chelsea 3-1 at Stamford Bridge

Rivers United technical adviser Finidi George has reflected on his team’s comfortable home victory over Abia Warriors, DAILY POST reports.

Finidi’s side thrashed Abia Warriors 3-0 in a Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, matchday 36 encounter encounter at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt on Sunday.

Abia Warriors put up a resolute display at the back in the first half, but conceded thrice after the break.

Azeez Falolu scored the curtain raiser five minutes after the break.

Timothy Zachaaria, and Bello Babatunde later added two more goals for the hosts.

“It was a good game, I would say. In the first half, we didn’t create much. We only had one glaring chance that we missed — a glaring header. There was another chance but not as clear-cut as the first,” Finidi said after the game.

The Port Harcourt club will face Wikki Tourists in their next game at the New Jos Stadium this weekend.

NPFL: Finidi lauds Rivers United’s home win over Abia Warriors

At least four players were absent from Arsenal’s training on Monday as the squad prepares for their Champions League semi-final second leg against Atletico Madrid.

They are captain Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz, Jurrien Timber and Mikel Merino.

Following their 3-0 win over Fulham last Saturday, manager Mikel Arteta expressed optimisim that Odegaard and Havert could face the LaLiga side.

But neither of them were pictured in the open training session.

Timber and Merino are long-term absentees, although there is hope they could return before the season ends.

There was good news however as Bukayo Saka took part in the session, after making his return from injury against Fulham.

UCL: Four Arsenal players miss training ahead Atletico Madrid second leg

Kun Khalifat FC technical adviser, Obinna Uzoho, says his team will not give up their fight to avoid relegation in the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, this season.

The modest side moved to 17th position in the table after a 2-1 win over Kano Pillars at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri on Sunday.

Uzoho expressed confidence in the side’s ability to retain their top-flight status.

“We always believe in ourselves and we don’t give up until the last whistle is blown,” Uzoho told Puyaka.

“We will fight until we are safe to play in the league next season.”

Uzoho added that survival would benefit the squad’s younger players.

“Our safety is good for the young players because next season they will show more of their talents to the world.”

NPFL: Kun Khalifat FC will keep fighting to avoid relegation – Uzoho vows

Two clubs are currently battling to sign Manchester United midfielder Casemiro.

According to talkSPORT, Inter Miami and LA Galaxy are the two leading contenders to sign the Brazilian.

The two Major League Soccer, MLS, clubs are both currently in talks to try and sign the veteran midfielder in the summer.

Casemiro is leaning towards a move to the MLS despite strong interest from Saudi Arabia and Turkey.

The 34-year-old confirmed a few weeks ago that he would be leaving Old Trafford at the end of the season despite fan calls for him to stay for another season.

Casemiro is one of Man United’s highest earners, and he joined the Premier League club from Real Madrid in 2022.

EPL: Two clubs battling to sign Casemiro from Man Utd

Kano Pillars technical adviser, Mohammed Babaganaru, has expressed disappointment with his team’s defeat to Kun Khalifat FC.

The Sai Masu Gida suffered a 2-1 defeat to Kun Khalifat FC at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri, on Sunday.

Nnorom Nmesoma and Ebetomame Oghenetega were on target for the home team, while Luis Dadong scored Pillars’ only goal of the game.

Babaganaru blamed loss of concentration for his team’s defeat.

“It was not the result we wanted despite our determination to get a victory in the game,” Babaganaru told Puyaka.

“They scored first and we equalised after which we conceded again, I think we lost the game to loss of concentration towards the end.

Kano Pillars dropped to 14th position on the league table with 45 points, two points above the relegation zone.

NPFL: Babaganaru rues Kano Pillars’ loss to Kun Khalifat FC