Category: Sports

Aston Villa have won this year’s Europa League final, after they hammered Freiburg 3-0 on Wednesday night.

The Premier League side came into the game at Istanbul as favourites and immediately made their dominance count.

Unai Emery’s men went into the break two goals up, thanks to sensational strikes from Youri Tielemans and Emi Buendia.

After the break, Morgan Rogers tapped in a third for Villa, as they won the trophy in style.

Emery has now won the competition a record-extending five times, having achieved success with Sevilla and Villarreal in the past.

Villa’s victory means that England could have six spots in the Champions League next season if they finish in fifth place.

BREAKING: Aston Villa thrash Freiburg to win Europa League final

Manchester United legend, Rio Ferdinand, has called out former teammate Patrice Evra after Arsenal were confirmed Premier League champions on Tuesday.

Evra had repeatedly questioned the Gunners’ mentality to win the Premier League title under manager Mikel Arteta.

His most viral line was when he compared watching the Gunners to Netflix.

“Watching Arsenal is like watching Netflix. You always have to wait for the next season!” Evra had said.

However, after watching Arteta’s side win the title, Ferdinand suggested that Evra apologize to the Premier League North London club.

“Shout out Arsenal fans… Years of mockery,” Ferdinand wrote on X.

“Tonight, sealed it. [Patrice] Evra, where’s your apology?”

EPL: ‘Where’s your apology’ – Rio Ferdinand calls out Evra after Arsenal win title

Former Super Eagles captain, John Obi Mikel, has revealed that he woke up to a lot of messages from supporters of Arsenal, after they were confirmed Premier League champions on Tuesday night.

Mikel Obi, who played for the Gunners’ rivals Chelsea, has admitted he was initially reluctant to congratulate them.

“I woke up to my phone blowing up, the messages, unbelievable, from Arsenal fans. Why will I congratulate Arsenal for winning the Premier League, I, a Chelsea fan, no way would we congratulate Arsenal for winning the Premier League,” he said on his podcast.

Mikel Obi, despite his loyalty to Chelsea, has praised Mikel Arteta’s men for ending a 22-year drought.

“But I have to say it though: they won the Premier League, they deserve it, fair play. We should not be bitter losers when it comes to sports.

“If someone has beaten you, you shake hands, and you move on,” he added.

EPL: Arsenal fans ‘blew up’ my phone after title win – Mikel Obi

The Warriors of Zimbabwe have replaced three players in their squad for the Unity Cup, DAILY POST reports.

The trio of Tinotenda Kadewere, Divine Lunga, and Bill Antonio  pulled out from the squad due to different reasons.

Kadewere is nursing an injury, while Lunga’s club, Mamelodi Sundowns will face Morocco’s AS FAR in the second leg of the CAF Champions League final this weekend.

Antonio asked to be excused from the squad due to personal commitments.

They have been replaced by Washington Navaya, Prosper Padera, and Isheanesu Mauchi.

Zimbabwe will face the Super Eagles in the semi-final of the Unity Cup next week Tuesday.

Unity Cup: Zimbabwe reshuffle squad ahead Super Eagles clash 

Former Newcastle United striker, Alan Shearer, has identified three ‘outstanding’ players who helped Arsenal win the Premier League title this season.

The three players are David Raya, Declan Rice and Gabriel.

Recall that the Gunners were confirmed 2025/26 Premier League winners on Tuesday after Manchester City failed to beat Bournemouth.

Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, Shearer, “They’ve been the best team and the most consistent,” Shearer said.

“I think the three outstanding players for Arsenal have been David Raya, Gabriel Magalhaes and Declan Rice.

“I just think those three, for me, have been the outstanding players week after week after week, delivering performance after performance when it got tough.”

EPL: ‘They’re outstanding’ – Alan Shearer names three players who helped Arsenal win title

Arsenal legend David Seaman is backing the current squad to add the Champions League title to the Premier League title they just won.

The Gunners were confirmed champions on Tuesday night, after Bournemouth held Manchester City to a 1-1 draw at the Vitality Stadium.

Erling Haaland’s late equaliser was not enough to keep City in the title race until the final day.

Arsenal will lift the trophy at Crystal Palace on Sunday, before preparations begin to play Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final next week.

When asked for his prediction ahead of the game in Budapest, Seaman replied: “It’s all about winning, it’s not how we play.

“But the old famous scoreline, ‘1-0 to Arsenal’, has still got a great sound to it.”

UCL: Seaman predicts Arsenal vs PSG final after Gunners clinch EPL title

Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle has unveiled separate squads for the Unity Cup and international friendlies against Poland and Portugal.

DAILY POST observed that the Unity Cup squad includes a number of home based players and some experienced foreign based Super Eagles regulars.

Nigeria will face Zimbabwe in the semi-final of the Unity Cup next week Tuesday.

The Nigerian team will also face Poland and Portugal in June.

Unity Cup Squad:

Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC, Cyprus) Arthur Okonkwo (Wrexham FC, England); Michael Atata (Ikorodu City)

Defenders: Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece); Emmanuel Fernandez (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Chibuike Nwaiwu (Trabzonspor AS, Turkey); Igoh Ogbu (Slavia Prague, Czech Republic); Obinna Igboke (Enugu Rangers); Elias Ochobi (Rivers United); Chibueze Oputa (Enugu Rangers)

Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Tochukwu Nnadi (Olympic Marseille, France); Ebenezer Akinsanmiro (Pisa FC, Italy); Alhassan Yusuf (New England Revolution, USA); Aderemi Adeoye (Ikorodu City); Samson Tijani (FK Dukla Prague, Czech Republic); Ayobami Junior (Shooting Stars); Tosin Oyedokun (Ikorodu City)

Forwards: Simon Moses (Paris FC, France); Akor Adams (Sevilla FC, Spain); Philip Otele (Hamburger SV, Germany); Owen Oseni (Plymouth FC, England); Zadok Abu Yohanna (AIK, Greece); Terem Moffi (FC Porto, Portugal); Rafiu Durosinmi (Pisa FC, Italy); Femi Azeez (Millwall FC, England

Poland, Portugal Friendlies Squad:

Goalkeepers: Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy); Arthur Okonkwo (Wrexham FC, England); Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC, Cyprus)

Defenders: Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (Hull City, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Igoh Ogbu (Slavia Prague, Czech Republic); Emmanuel Fernandez (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland)

Midfielders: Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Frank Onyeka (Coventry FC, England); Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (SS Lazio, Italy); Tochukwu Nnadi (Olympic Marseille, France); Alhassan Yusuf (New England Revolution, USA)

Forwards: Ademola Lookman (Atletico Madrid, Spain); Samuel Chukwueze (Fulham FC, England); Moses Simon (Paris FC, France); Paul Onuachu (Trabzonspor AS, Turkey); Akor Adams (Sevilla FC, Spain); Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey); Terem Moffi (FC Porto, Portugal)  

Super Eagles: Eric Chelle picks squads for Unity Cup, Poland, Portugal friendlies

Former Arsenal goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo has explained why he decided to play for the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

In a conversation with the Super Eagles media team, Okonkwo expressed his enthusiasm about finally being eligible to represent Nigeria, highlighting that discussions with the national team began last summer.

He said, “It is a privilege to be granted the chance to play for your country. I am extremely excited and eagerly await the opportunity.

“I have been looking forward to this moment for quite some time, and to finally have the chance is remarkable.

“The process began last summer when I spoke with the manager and the goalkeeping coach. They expressed their interest in me, and the discussions were very encouraging. Since then, we have been working to finalize my switch from England to Nigeria,” he continued.

Okonkwo also shared the emotional experience of receiving confirmation of his selection, noting that the goalkeeping coach was the first to inform him.

“When the moment finally came, the goalkeeping coach was the first to message me, letting me know that I had been selected for the camp.

“You experience a surge of excitement. The first two people I called were my dad and my mom. I am filled with happiness and pride. I have not yet informed the rest of my family, but they will soon find out, and I am certain they will be thrilled.”

The young goalkeeper stated that his decision to switch allegiance to Nigeria was motivated by his ambition to win trophies with the Super Eagles.

“The reason for my decision is that I aspire to win trophies for my country. I understand how much Nigerians cherish football and how significant it is to them, and being able to contribute to that for my country and my roots would be extraordinary.”

Why I decided to play for Nigeria – Ex-England, Arsenal player Okonkwo

Wrexham have celebrated their goalkeeper, Arthur Okonkwo, on his maiden invitation to the Super Eagles, DAILY POST reports.

Okonkwo has been included in Nigeria’s squad for the Unity Cup tournament.

The Federation of International Football Association, FIFA, ratified the goalkeeper’s switch of International allegiance last month.

Though the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, is yet to release the official squad list for the friendly invitational tournament, Wrexham have confirmed the shot stopper’s invitation by congratulating him.

“Congratulations to Arthur Okonkwo on receiving his first call up to the Nigeria squad ahead of the Unity Cup,” Wrexham wrote on X.

Super Eagles head coach, Éric Chelle is expected to make the list official this week.

Nigeria will clash with the Warriors of Zimbabwe in the semi-final of the Unity Cup next week Tuesday.

Unity Cup: Wrexham laud Okonkwo’s maiden Super Eagles invitation

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has reacted to Arsenal’s emergence as champions of the 2025/2026 English Premier League season.

In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said Arsenal’s success was the result of patience, planning, and long-term vision.

DAILY POST reports that Arsenal were confirmed Premier League champions on Tuesday after Manchester City played out a draw against Bournemouth.

Reacting, Atiku compared Arsenal’s journey to the vision he holds for Nigeria’s economy and development ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to him, just as the club invested in young talents and maintained a clear football philosophy, Nigeria must also invest in its people, strengthen institutions, and remain committed to sustainable reforms.

“Arsenal’s victory did not happen overnight.

“My vision has always been to build an economy that works for all—driven by enterprise, strengthened by institutional reforms, and powered by the energy of our youth.

“Just as Arsenal invested in youth development and a clear footballing philosophy, Nigeria must invest in its people, reform its institutions, and stay committed to a coherent economic strategy,” he stated.

The former presidential candidate also urged Arsenal to complete a memorable season by defeating Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League final.

“Having conquered England, I encourage Arsenal to set their sights firmly on the UEFA Champions League,” he added.

‘It didn’t happen overnight’ – Atiku reacts to Arsenal’s emergence as EPL champions