Category: Sports

Arsenal midfielder, Ethan Nwaneri, has publicly acknowledged his Nigerian roots.

This has sparked fresh speculation over a possible future with the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

Nwaneri left the Gunners to join Marseille on loan until the end of this season.

The teenager has begun to impress in Ligue 1, having netted a goal on his debut.

Nwaneri was asked about former Nigerian players Taye Taiwo and Wilson Oruma, who previously represented Marseille.

“Yes, I know. I’m Nigerian, and I am here to help the team as much as possible,” Nwaneri told R.org.

So far, the 19-year-old has represented England at age-group competitions, but is yet to be called up to the Three Lions.

EPL: I’m Nigerian – Arsenal midfielder, Nwaneri opens door to Super Eagles

The death of the Nigerian non-league footballer, Saburi Olayinka Adeniji has left the football community in deep mourning, with the tragedy compounded by the fact that he passed away just hours before his wife and young daughter could reach him in hospital.

Adeniji, who featured as a winger for Kings Park Rangers, died on Friday after spending close to two weeks in intensive care.

He was admitted to hospital on January 25 following a severe brain stem injury and never regained consciousness.

Kings Park Rangers confirmed the development on Saturday, revealing that doctors delayed withdrawing life support in the hope that his family, travelling from Nigeria, would arrive in time to say their final farewells.

However, his wife and four-year-old daughter arrived in the United Kingdom the following morning, a day after his death.

In paying tribute, the club described Adeniji as more than just a player, but a cherished member of the team who showed remarkable strength until the end.

“It is with great sadness that we must announce our number 17 Saburi Adeniji ‘Ola’ passed away yesterday morning,” the club said, adding that he would always remain part of the Kings Park Rangers family.

The Halstead-based side, which competes in the Essex and Suffolk Border League, said Adeniji was widely respected by teammates for his humility, tireless work ethic and unwavering commitment to supporting his family.

Following the tragedy, the club launched a fundraising appeal to help cover urgent expenses for his family.

By the weekend, donations had exceeded £16,000 of the £17,000 target, drawing support from fellow players, supporters and members of the wider football community.

As part of the support efforts, Kings Park Rangers waived gate fees at recent matches, held a minute’s silence before their fixture against Henley Athletic, and organised a separate fundraising event to assist the family during their stay in the UK.

In a subsequent message, the club expressed appreciation for the overwhelming response, thanking donors for standing by Adeniji’s loved ones during what it described as an extremely difficult time.

Information on the fundraising page indicated that the funds would be used to cover emergency visa processing, travel and accommodation costs, as well as provide longer-term support for Adeniji’s widow and daughter upon their return to Nigeria.

Organisers noted that the appeal is aimed at helping his wife rebuild her life and securing the welfare and future of his young daughter, to whom Adeniji was deeply devoted.

Popular Nigerian footballer dies in UK

Ademola Lookman is in line to make his LaLiga home debut for Atletico Madrid against Real Betis on Sunday (today).

The encounter is slated for the Metropolitano Stadium.

Lookman linked up with Diego Simeone’s side from Atalanta on Monday.

The Nigeria international made an impressive debut for the Rojiblancos, providing a goal and an assist in the club’s Copa del Rey 5-0 win over Real Betis on Thursday.

Atletico Madrid’s fans will be desperate to catch a glimpse of their newest addition.

Atletico sits in third position on the LaLiga table with 45 points from 22 matches.

LaLiga: Lookman set for maiden Atletico Madrid’s home appearance

Former Manchester United striker, Dimitar Berbatov has praised Kobbie Mainoo after the Red Devils beat Tottenham in the Premier League on Saturday.

Berbatov, a former striker of both clubs hailed Mainoo’s display during the match, saying he was happy the midfielder stayed at the club even though there were rumours he could leave to get more playing time.

“When I was watching him today, not just today, he’s always looking around the field, always checking where he is and where his teammates are, creating a mental picture so he knows exactly when the ball is coming and how to play it with one touch or two touches,” he said as quoted by Sportskeeda.

“He’s really smart at slowing the game when it needs to be slowed, luring the other team towards him and then passing the ball.

“This way, it frees up space in the opponent’s half. I’m really glad he stayed at United. Now we don’t have to watch him play for another team, because we can finally see just how good he is.

“And I believe he can get even better.”

Mainoo, who is 20 years old, is a product of Manchester United’s academy and has played in 90 senior matches for the Red Devils.

He has scored seven goals and providing five assists. The Red Devils have won four games straight and their next match is against West Ham United away on February 10.

EPL: Dimitar Berbatov names Man United star he’s happy watching

Chelsea ace, Cole Palmer has listed three things manager, Liam Rosenior has done for the Blues players since he took charge at Stamford Bridge in the past few weeks.

According to Palmer, Rosenior gives Chelsea players confidence, allows them to play freely and be themselves.

The England international stated this while opening up on life under the 41-year-old gaffer, who replaced Enzo Maresca a few weeks ago.

“Life under Liam Rosenior is amazing, he gives us all confidence,” Palmer told the BBC after Chelsea’s Premier League 3-1 victory against Wolves on Saturday.

“He let us be ourselves, play freely. I’m sure when I’m back properly fit, you will see the best of me.”

Chelsea’s next game is against Leeds United in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday.

EPL: Palmer lists three things Rosenior has done for Chelsea players

Coventry City head coach, Frank Lampard, believes Frank Onyeka’s experience will help the team get promoted to the Premier League.

Onyeka joined Coventry from Brentford in January.

The Super Eagles midfielder might play his first game for the club against Oxford United this Saturday.

In an interview with the Coventry Telegraph, Lampard said, “He brings a different quality and probably a different profile to the midfield players we have.

“As I say, the profile is slightly different and I think that helps us in terms of the options and the competition in the middle of the park for us.”

Transfer: Why I signed Frank Onyeka for Coventry – Lampard

Nigeria striker, Taiwo Awoniyi has won Nottingham Forest’s Goal of the Month award for January, DAILY POST reports.

Awoniyi won the award for his superb strike in Forest’s 2-0 victory over Brentford late in the month.

The forward received a pass from Morgan Gibbs-White, and drove into the Brentford’s box before firing past goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher.

It was the forward’s first goal of the season for the Tricky Trees.

The strike was selected from seven other nominated goals.

The 28-year-old has made just league appearances for Nottingham Forest this season.

EPL: Awoniyi scoops Nottingham Forest’s GOTM award 

Former Manchester United defender, Phil Jones has picked the greatest player of all times between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

Jones was a teammate of Ronaldo during their time at Manchester United.

The 33-year-old, however, played against Messi in the UEFA Champions League when the Argentine was at Barcelona.

Asked to pick his greatest player between Messi and Ronaldo, Jones opted for the Portugal captain.

Jones said on ESPN UK, “Picking between Ronaldo and Messi is like choosing between your mum and your dad. I will go with Cristiano.”

Ronaldo and Messi have been widely regarded as among the best footballers on earth, having won 13 Ballon d’Or awards among them in the past.

Ronaldo vs Messi: ‘It’s like choosing between mum, dad’ – Jones picks GOAT

The Saudi Pro League has picked Manchester United’s midfielder Bruno Fernandes and Liverpool’s forward Mohamed Salah as potential ambassadors  for the league as replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo.

There are discussions about Ronaldo’s possible departure from the club.

Ronaldo, who is now 41 years old, has been the most famous player in the Saudi league after he came to the Kingdom in December 2022 on a free transfer after spending over 20 years playing in Europe with four different teams.

In 2025, Ronaldo signed a big and profitable new contract with Al-Nassr until the next summer.

Because of his comment about the club owners PIF not supporting the team enough during the recent transfer window compared to other clubs, Ronaldo might leave this summer.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has a £43 million clause in his new contract that will become active at the end of the season.

In case he uses that option, a source from the Saudi league told The i Paper, as reported by Sport Bible, that Salah or Fernandes would be great choices for the league:

“Salah and Fernandes would be ideal choices, especially Salah, because he would draw in an Arab audience as a Muslim.

“Either of those newcomers, plus that young talent, would be really big for us.”

Ronaldo did not play in the Knights of Najd’s 1-0 victory in the Saudi Pro League against Al-Riyadh on Monday, and also missed the 2-0 home win against Al-Ittihad on Friday, which has led to doubts about his place in the team.

Both Salah and Fernandes are important players for their teams. Salah has been playing for Liverpool since the summer of 2017 and has scored more than 250 goals in all competitions.

Fernandes, who is the captain of United, has been playing for Old Trafford since January 2020 and has scored over 100 goals.

Saudi Super League picks two players to replace Cristiano Ronaldo

Barcelona have decided to sign Marcus Rashford permanently from Manchester United.

The England attacker has performed really well on loan at Barcelona, and the good performance has made the club decide to pay Manchester United to buy him permanently.

It is also thought that the big Catalan team wants to sign Tottenham captain, Cristian Romero.

Luis Miguelsanz from Sport in Spain says Barcelona have made a “unanimous” decision to pay the money required to keep Marcus Rashford on a permanent contract.

Miguelsanz wrote, “Barca will use the €30 million option to buy the player permanently in a deal that won’t be discussed, because Manchester United won’t reduce their asking price by even one euro.

“The Catalan club thinks this price is fair and not too high, considering the player’s skills and how much similar players in this position are worth, which could go up a lot.”

In another development, there are stories that Sergio Ramos might come back to Real Madrid after he left his team in Mexico, Monterrey, in December.

He has also been connected with a possible return to Sevilla, but the club’s sporting director, Antonio Cordon, has stated there is “no financial possibility” for that to happen.

At 39, Sergio Ramos wants to keep playing soccer, and right now he’s focused on playing in Spain.

Two clubs have become possible options: Sevilla and Real Madrid.

Juanfe Sanz talked about El Chiringuito and said, “It’s not the first time he’s offered himself to Real Madrid when things were tough. He also mentioned that he’s always ready to join Sevilla, because “the two teams he loves the most are Real Madrid and Sevilla.”

Barcelona are looking at signing Romero.

Gabriel Sans from Mundo Deportivo writes: “Cristian Romero, who is 27 years old, has chosen to look for a new team in June, even though he still has a contract that runs until 2029 and he is the captain of Tottenham.”

Transfer: Barcelona take final decision on Marcus Rashford as Sergio Ramos seeks Real Madrid return