Category: Sports

Newcastle icon, Alan Shearer, didn’t hold back as he tore into three Arsenal players for their costly blunders in the FA Cup quarter-final loss to Southampton over the weekend.

Just 13 days after falling to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final, Arsenal slumped to another disappointing defeat, this time 2–1 against Southampton at St. Mary’s.

Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast alongside Gary Lineker and Micah Richards, Shearer singled out Ben White, Cristhian Mosquera, and Gabriel Magalhães for harsh criticism.

“Scienza gave Ben White an absolute torrid evening. He was all over the place. Ben White didn’t know what to do,” Shearer said.

“Ross Stewart forced Mosquera and Gabriel into errors that you have not seen from them too many times. All three of those players I mentioned made huge errors and could have been punished even more.”

They made huge errors – Alan Shearer calls out three Arsenal players

Super Eagles midfielder, Alex Iwobi has commented on the release of Nigeria’s 2026 kit, indicating that he personally favours the previous design in light of the team’s recent friendly matches.

The new collection, launched by the global sportswear leader Nike, has ignited discussions due to its striking light green home and away options.

The kits, revealed in late March, showcases a light green home jersey with darker panel accents, along with an away shirt adorned with bold green flame-like motifs on a white background — a contemporary interpretation of Nigeria’s traditional colors.

These designs have already been showcased on the field during the Super Eagles’ 2‑1 win against Iran and their 2‑2 draw with Jordan in Turkey.

In a discussion on the Alexander Yaa Digg podcast prior to the match against Iran, Iwobi articulated his initial thoughts on the training gear associated with the new collection, comparing its look to something eye-catching and unconventional for training sessions.

He remarked, “The training kit is bright green, resembling highlighters with a pink stripe on the side. That’s the new kit for training.”

Contemplating the new designs and their significance within Nigeria’s football heritage, the Fulham midfielder shared his personal perspective on the kits and their potential impact on the team’s performance.

He concluded, “Personally, I think I prefer the old one, but we will see if this one can bring us luck in today’s match.”

‘I prefer the old one’ – Alex Iwobi on new Super Eagles’ kit

Real Madrid winger, Vinicius Junior, has sent a message to Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal after the Spain international recently hit out at racist chants.

Recall that Yamal was angry with chants from fans during Spain’s international friendly goalless draw with Egypt last week.

Speaking to the media on Monday ahead of Real Madrid’s Champions League quarter-final clash with Bayern Munich on Tuesday, Vinicius Jr addressed the issue.

The Brazilian, however, hoped Yamal could continue to fight at every chance for people worldwide who are subject to racism.

“It’s a complicated issue, and it happens a lot. I hope Lamine [Yamal] can continue this fight as well,” Vinicius said via Madrid Universal.

“We have money, but poor Black people have more difficulties than we do. I’m not saying that Spain, Germany, or Portugal are racist countries, but there are racists in every country, and if we fight together, hopefully, other players and people will stop suffering these things.”

Vinicius has been the target of racist chants in Spain and has been fighting for years.

I hope you can continue this fight – Vinicius sends message to Yamal about racism

Arsenal will be without the duo of Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber, for the trip to Sporting to play the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final first leg.

Both Saka and Timber did not feature in the 2-1 defeat to Southampton in the FA Cup last weekend.

And Gunners boss, Mikel Arteta, has confirmed they won’t be fit for Tuesday’s game.

But in an injury boost for Arteta, key trio Declan Rice, Gabriel and Leandro Trossard are fit for the game in Portugal.

On Saka and Timber, Arteta said: “They haven’t travelled. They’re not ready yet.

“Hopefully, they’re going to be ready for the weekend if everything goes well.

“That’s a massive boost because in recent days we’ve lost so many important players and that’s something that we need to change immediately.”

UCL: Arsenal suffers double injury blow ahead of Sporting quarter-final tie

Former Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper, Kasey Keller, has snubbed Portugal and Argentina while naming the three favourites to win the 2026 World Cup.

He feels Lionel Messi cannot lead Argentina to defend the World Cup title, nor can Cristiano Ronaldo lead Portugal to win it.

According to him, France, England, and Spain are stronger contenders for this year’s World Cup title than Argentina and Portugal.

“Can Ronaldo lift the World Cup this summer? I just don’t see Portugal getting it done. When I look at the top teams,” Keller said to Jackpot City Casino (via Tribal Football).

“Look at France’s squad—if they get it together, watch out. Spain are obviously strong, and I’m really impressed by England’s team. They have to be among the favourites.

“I don’t see Argentina repeating their success. As for Brazil, can they show up when they have not necessarily been any good?

“I look at Spain, France and England personally [as the favourites to win the World Cup].”

Ex-Tottenham goalkeeper, Keller snubs Portugal, Argentina, names favourites to win 2026 World Cup

Galatasaray manager, Okan Buruk, has claimed that Trabzonspor is a different team when their top striker, Paul Onuachu, is not playing.

Buruk spoke at his post-match interview after Onuachu led Trabzonspor to beat Galatasaray 2-1 in the Turkish Super Lig encounter over the weekend.

He suggested that Trabzonspor would have struggled to win against his team if the Nigerian international was unavailable at the Papara Park.

Onuachu scored the first goal for the hosts against the visitors to give his side all three points.

“Trabzonspor is different when Onuachu is not there. Players who play regularly develop certain habits,” Buruk said as quoted by BeinSports.

Despite the outcome of the match, Galatasaray remains at the top of the Turkish Super Lig with a point ahead of third-place Trabzonspor.

Buruk’s side has a game in hand and should they win their outstanding game, they will go four points clear at the top of the table.

Turkey: Galatasaray manager Buruk makes claim about Trabzonspor, Paul Onuachu after 2-1 defeat

Rangers technical adviser Fidelis Ilechukwu says the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, title is still up for grabs, DAILY POST reports.

The Flying Antelopes were held to a 0-0 draw by Barau FC in a matchday 33 encounter at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu on Sunday.

The nine-time champions reclaimed top spot despite the result after former leaders Rivers United lost 2-0 to Warri Wolves in Ozoro.

Ilechukwu expected the title race to go down the wire.

“Five games to go, the league title is still open. Rivers United lost today, but you can never say what can happen. The most important thing is that we will prepare for our next game,” he said.

Rangers will be away to Niger Tornadoes in their next game this weekend.

NPFL title race far from decided — Ilechukwu

Rivers United technical adviser Finidi George has lamented his team’s defeat to Warri Wolves, DAILY POST reports.

The Port Harcourt club were handed a 2-0 defeat by their hosts in Ozoro on Sunday.

Igbunu Evwierhurhoma, and Othuke Egbo got the goals for Warri Wolves.

Rivers United dropped to second position on the table following the disappointing defeat.

Rangers, who were held to a 0-0 draw by Barau FC now sit at the top of the log.

Finidi said a draw would have been a fair result for his team.

“Every loss is painful, but at this point in the league, a point would have been a good one because we had the opportunity to fight for it, but it just wasn’t possible today,” Finidi said after the game.

Rivers United will host Plateau United in their next league game.

NPFL: Finidi rues Rivers United’s defeat to Warri Wolves

Former England striker, Gary Lineker, is sticking with Arsenal to lift the Premier League title, despite losing both the Carabao Cup and FA Cup.

The Gunners were in line for an unprecedented Quadruple, but they lost 2-0 to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final.

Over the weekend, Mikel Arteta’s men were also defeated 2-1 by Southampton in an FA Cup quarter-final clash.

These results have now raised doubts over if Arsenal’s season is in real danger of crumbling.

They play Sporting in the Champions League quarter-final and are nine points clear of City in the league.

Lineker, speaking on the Rest is Football podcast, said: “It’s been a tough two weeks for Arsenal.

“People are asking if they’re panicking or if it’s a crisis, it’s definitely a little wobble.

“The next game or two are hugely important for Arsenal, they need to steady the ship, there’s no doubt about it.

“They’ve got a huge lead in the title race but it’s squeaky bum time.

“I think they will be fine, I think they will win the league, which will still be the main thing for them.

“The Champions League would obviously be an enormous bonus because it’s a competition they’ve never won.”

EPL: Tough two weeks for Arsenal – Lineker predicts team to win title

Wilfred Ndidi has questioned the quality of officiating in Beşiktaş’ defeat to Istanbul rivals, Fenerbahçe, DAILY POST reports.

Beşiktaş lost 1-0 to their hosts at the Chobani Stadium on Sunday night.

Fenerbahçe were awarded a controversial penalty late in the game.

Ivory Coast international Emmanuel Agbadou was deemed to have fouled Dorgeles Nené inside the box.

Replays, however, showed that Agbadou won the ball cleanly.

Ndidi took to the social media to express his anger.

“How can you have VAR and decide not to check? I’m still trying to understand,” he posted on Instagram.

Turkey: Ndidi questions officiating in Beşiktaş’ loss to Fenerbahçe