Category: Sports

Former French international, Christophe Dugarry, has come to the defense of Kylian Mbappe, insisting that the forward is not the cause of Real Madrid’s current challenges.

Instead, he pointed the finger at several players within the squad, labeling Edouardo Camavinga, Arda Güler, Federico Valverde, Marco Asensio, and Aurelien Tchouaméni as overrated and insufficient for the team’s requirements.

In his remarks on Jérôme Rothen’s podcast, Dugarry stated, “It’s surprising to hear that all of Real Madrid’s problems are solely on Kylian Mbappe.

“If he’s no longer wanted, perhaps the Spanish club should consider selling him.”

He continued, “There are many players at Real Madrid who [don’t possess the caliber required] to be Madrid players. They’re overrated, I am sorry.

“They’ve been there a long time, Camavinga, Guler, Valverde, Tchouaméni and Asensio who came out of nowhere and became a starter.”

‘They’re overrated’ – Christophe Dugarry defends Mbappe, calls out five Real Madrid players

Former Chelsea defender, Frank Leboeuf has advised Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard to consider leaving the club at the end of the season because he is no longer influential.

This season, Odegaard has faced challenges with both form and fitness, missing 15 matches due to various injuries.

The Norwegian midfielder has managed only one goal and seven assists in 27 appearances for Mikel Arteta’s team.

Speaking on ESPN with former Liverpool star Steve Nicol, Leboeuf said: “I agree [with Nicol about Odegaard considering leaving Arsenal].

“I have always liked Martin Odegaard and the way he plays because he is very elegant, but he is not influential anymore.

Leboeuf added, “He is going to help [Viktor] Gyokeres too [if Odegaard leaves Arsenal]. So it will be a hard time for Odegaard, and he will have to make a very good choice, a big choice, at the end of the season.”

EPL: He’s not influential anymore – Frank Leboeuf advises Odegaard to consider leaving Arsenal

Paul Onuachu is a subject of interest from Saudi Professional League outfit Al-Ahli, DAILY POST reports.

Al Ahli have reportedly lined up Onuachu as replacement for England international, Ivan Toney.

The striker has been in impressive form for Turkish Super Lig side Trabzonspor this season.

The 31-year-old has scored 17 goals in 20 league appearances for the Black Sea Storm.

Onuachu joined Trabzonspor from Sky Bet Championship club, Southampton last summer.

The former FC Midtylland star is currently valued at €6m.

Transfer: Saudi club Al-Ahli line up move for Onuachu

Former Manchester United defender, Rio Ferdinand, has defended Jose Mourinho after the Benfica manager was widely criticized for his stance on the alleged racial abuse toward Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior.

This comes after Mourinho refused to throw his support behind Benfica player Gianluca Prestianni or Vinicius in the aftermath of the alleged racial scandal that marred the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16 play-off first leg tie last week between Benfica and Real Madrid.

Instead, Mourinho accused Vinicius of provoking the abuse with his celebration in front of Benfica fans after he scored the only goal of the match.

Speaking on his Rio Ferdinand Presents, Ferdinand said Mourinho has done enough for black players, adding that he is not a racist.

He also admitted that the Portuguese approached the situation wrongly.

“I think Jose, in time, will sit there and go, ‘Maybe I approached that wrong.’ And it doesn’t make Jose Mourinho a racist by the way,” Ferdinand said.

“I think Jose Mourinho has done enough for black footballers from all over the world, who look at him like a father figure, and that is to suggest that the guy hasn’t got a racist bone in his body.”

Alleged racism: ‘He has done enough for black footballers’ – Rio Ferdinand defends Mourinho

The English Premier League, EPL, that reportedly turned down the opportunity to sign Ademola Lookman from Atalanta, has been revealed.

According to The Sun, Tottenham Hotspur is the Premier League club that rejected the chance to sign the Nigerian international in the January transfer window before he completed his move to Atlético Madrid.

Lookman was made available to Tottenham during in January window as Spurs searched for attacking reinforcements to bolster their squad amid a severe injury crisis and a difficult league campaign this season.

At the time, Tottenham were struggling near the bottom half of the domestic league table and facing growing concerns over a potential relegation battle.

Despite their perilous position, the Premier League London club opted against signing Lookman, making it the second time the club has passed on the opportunity to bring the 28-year-old back to the Premier League.

Tottenham had earlier declined a move for Lookman last summer after his proposed transfer to Inter Milan collapsed.

Premier League club that rejected opportunity to sign Ademola Lookman revealed

Ekpemandu Christopher Chijioke has been appointed as the new team manager of Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, side Kun Khalifat FC.

Ekpemandu takes over from former Enyimba and Remo Stars defender, Ifeanyi Anaemena.

Aneamena recently left the post following a troubled campaign.

Kun Khalifat have been looking to reset their structure and improve on‑field performances, making Ekpemandu’s appointment a key part of that overhaul.

They currently occupy 19th position in the NPFL table with 28 points from 27 matches.

Kun Khalifat FC will square up with Enyimba in an Oriental Derby this weekend.

NPFL: Ekpemandu takes over as Kun Khalifat FC team manager after Anaemena’s exit

Eleven players are now in the Super Falcons camp in Yaoundé ahead of the friendlies against the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon, DAILY POST reports.

The camp opened on Tuesday following the arrival of head coach Justine Madugu, his assistants, and backroom staff.

Among the early arrivals in camp are captain Rasheedat Ajibade, Monday Gift, Demehin Tosin, and Christy Ucheibe.

Other players in camp are Ngozi-Okobi Okeoghene, Ogbonna Glory, Christopher Precious, Omewa Joy, Onyenezide Esther, Oloko Fatima, Nkwocha Favour.

14 more players are still being expected in camp.

The players will observe their first training session later tonight.

The first friendly will hold on Saturday, while the two countries will do battle again next week Tuesday.

Nigeria and Cameroon will use the friendlies as part of their preparations for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.

Eleven players arrive Super Falcons’ Yaoundé camp for Cameroon friendlies

Inter Miami captain, Lionel Messi, has revealed that he turned down the opportunity to play for the Spanish national team.

Messi, speaking on the Miro de Atras podcast, claimed he was approached during his early years at Barcelona.

However, according to the 39-year-old, his heart was always set on representing Argentina.

Messi left Argentina for Catalonia as a boy for Barca’s academy.

“There was a moment when something was mentioned from Spain,” he said.

“I’d been in Barcelona since I was very young, so it wasn’t strange. But my desire was always to play for Argentina.”

Messi reveals why he snubbed Spain

Nigeria’s Super Falcons have settled down in Yaounde ahead of their double-header friendlies against the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon, DAILY POST reports.

The African champions landed in the Cameroon’s capital on Wednesday.

Head coach Justine Madugu, his assistants, other backroom members, as well as two home-based players, Anderline Mgbechi, and Fatima Oloko made the trip from Abuja.

The foreign-based professionals are expected to start arriving camp on Wednesday (today).

Nigeria will take on their eternal rivals in the first friendly on Saturday.

The second friendly will also hold in Yaounde next week Tuesday.

Friendlies: Super Falcons settle down in Yaounde ahead Cameroon double-header

Inter Milan manager, Cristian Chivu has explained why Bodo Glimt eliminated his team from the UEFA Champions League this season.

The Norwegian side secured a 2-1 victory at San Siro during the second leg of their Round of 16 playoff on Tuesday, advancing with a 5-2 aggregate score after their 3-1 win in the first leg.

However, speaking to journalists after the game in Italy, Chivu admitted that Inter lost energy against the visitors and conceded two goals in the second half.

“We tried to unlock Bodo Glimt in every way. Assuming we scored 1-0 first, we would’ve put them in a difficult situation. They defended with a tight block, closing the spaces well.

“In the second half of the match we lost energy and made the mistake that cost us the goal. Then we lost the distance and conceded the second goal. Congratulations to Bodo Glimt,” Chivu said.

UCL: Why Bodo Glimt eliminated us – Inter Milan manager Cristian Chivu