Category: Sports

Arsenal have qualified for the final of the Champions League, thanks to a narrow 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid on Tuesday night.

The Gunners had played out a 1-1 draw with the LaLiga side last week at the Wanda Metropolitano.

At the Emirates, it was a tight affair, although Mikel Arteta’s men dominated the first half.

Bukayo Saka ensured they went into the break ahead, reacting quickest to Leandro Trossard’s shot to score.

It proved to be decisive, although Atletico fought to equalize in the second half but all to no availa.

Arsenal will now face the winner between Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich in the final on May 30 at Puskás Aréna in Budapest, Hungary.

Champions League: Arsenal eliminate Atletico Madrid, qualify for final

Sporting Lagos head coach, Jeffrey Buter, believes his players can raise their level after the win over Ranchers Bees in the opening game of the Nigeria National League, NNL, Super Four playoff tournament.

The modest club edged Ranchers Bees 1–0 on Monday at Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne.

Sporting Lagos will face Doma United in their next game on Wednesday.

Buter said the team will adopt a different approach in the next match.

“We did our analysis for the game against Ranchers Bees because we didn’t play in the same conference, and it was well executed,” Buter told the club’s media.

“Every game is different, likewise opponents too, but for us, we don’t play with one game plan.

“We play what we expect from the opposition team.”

“I think we can do a lot better and improve on our game from the first game.”

NNL: Sporting Lagos will improve from opener – Buter

Former Manchester United goalkeeper, Peter Schmeichel, and former Arsenal winger Freddie Ljungberg have named their PFA Player of the Season.

Speaking to Viaplay, Schmeichel picked Arsenal’s David Raya as the player who should win the PFA Player of the Year award, saying he has been outstanding.

On his part, Ljungberg went for Manchester City attacker Erling Haaland.

Speaking on the player to win the PFA Player of the Year award this term, Schmeichel said, “There is one outstanding candidate, and that is Arsenal’s goalkeeper, David Raya.

“If you take him out of Arsenal, Arsenal are nowhere near that first position they’re in now.”

Also speaking, Ljungberg said, “I would probably go with Haaland. He has scored really important goals.”

EPL: Peter Schmeichel, Freddie Ljungberg name PFA Player of the Season winner

Shooting Stars forward Lucky Emmanuel has said the two goals he scored against Nasarawa United will lift his confidence ahead of the final games this season.

Emmanuel scored twice in Shooting Stars’ 3-2 win over Nasarawa United at Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasinga, Ibadan on Sunday.

The goals took his tally to five in the NPFL this season.

“My goals against Nasarawa United will bring the confidence back,” Emmanuel told 3SCfanstv.

“It’s been a while without a goal but this helps me better as we look to the end of the campaign.”

“We really needed the goals and I’m privileged to be in a position to help the team in order to achieve our season objectives.”

Emmanuel said he hopes to add to his tally when Shooting Stars face Barau FC next in Ibadan.

“I’m hopeful will try and add to my goal tally in the game against Barau FC.”

NPFL: Goals against Nasarawa United will boost my confidence – 3SC’s Emmanuel

Manchester United midfielder, Casemiro, has admitted that it’s very annoying when everyone talks about whether Santos forward Neymar will play for Brazil at the 2026 World Cup.

According to Casemiro, it’s very clear that the former Barcelona star doesn’t have to prove anything to anyone, suggesting that the 34-year-old has to go to this year’s World Cup if he deals with his fitness issues.

“It is annoying because everyone talks about it, and everyone asks about it. I am sincerely a friend of Neymar,” Casemiro told ESPN when asked about Neymar’s situation.

“I am a guy who has played with Neymar since I was 12, and so, it goes like this: Is Neymar going or not? And everyone fixates on that.

“I think it is very clear, especially in my opinion. Neymar doesn’t have to prove anything to anyone.

“Ancelotti (Brazil coach) and everyone else made it very clear, it’s the physical issue, because in terms of talent, we don’t even have to talk here about the great player he is.”

Brazil will face Morocco, Haiti, and Scotland in Group C when the tournament begins next month.

World Cup 2026: It’s annoying, very clear – Casemiro on Neymar playing for Brazil

Ademola Lookman will look to end his goal drought against Arsenal when Atlético Madrid do battle with the Gunners on Tuesday night, DAILY POST reports.

The UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg fixture will hold at the Emirates Stadium.

Both teams battled to a 1-1 draw in the first leg last week.

Lookman failed to score or register an assist in six previous meetings against Arsenal.

The 28-year-old impressed in the first leg, registering four shots, with two on target.

The winner will face either Paris Saint-Germain or Bayern Munich in the final in Budapest on May 30.

UCL: Lookman hungry to end goal drought against Arsenal

Kun Khalifat FC has credited youngsters Ajibola Emmanuel and Nnorom Mmesoma for their roles in the club’s push to avoid relegation from the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL.

Mmesoma scored in Kun Khalifat’s 2-1 win over Kano Pillars on Sunday at Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri.

The Owerri-based club said the pair are driving their survival battle.

“Ajibola Emmanuel and Nnorom Mmesoma, our wonder kids, keep doing the impossible,” Kun Khalifat FC posted on social media.

The matchday 36 victory moved Kun Khalifat to 17th place on the NPFL table.

Kun Khalifat will face Abia Warriors and Wikki Tourists in their final two games of the campaign.

NPFL: Kun Khalifat hail youngsters Emmanuel, Mmesoma for positive impact

Former Cameroon defender, Lauren, has tipped Arsenal to beat Atletico Madrid in their Champions League semi-final second leg and qualify for the final.

The tie is finely balanced after the 1-1 draw in the first leg.

If the Gunners are able to eliminate the LaLiga side, they will be playing in only their second final in the history of the club.

That would be a potential clash between either Paris Saint-Germain of Bayern Munich in Budapest.

“We have a big chance to win against Atletico Madrid, to reach the final, and also to be able to win the league by the end of the season. It’s very important,” Lauren told Hayters.

“Viktor Gyokeres is scoring goals, Bukayo Saka is back in the team and scoring goals. Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Martinelli can do it as well.”

UCL: Lauren predicts Arsenal vs Atletico Madrid semi-final second leg

Former Manchester United striker, Wayne Rooney, has said Arsenal will go on to win the Premier League title, after Manchester City dropped points against Everton.

City were held to a 3-3 draw at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Monday night.

The result means Pep Guardiola’s men are now five points behind Arsenal, but they have one game in hand.

Rooney believes the Gunners will beat West Ham this weekend and go on to be champions.

He said on BBC Sport: “No, I’m concerned for West Ham. I just think Arsenal are efficient and professional.

“I just think they will win every game. So obviously, with the result tonight, that means they will win the league.”

EPL: They’re efficient and professional – Rooney names team to win title

The Nigeria Nationwide League One, NLO, has imposed indefinite suspensions on officials and players of Ahudiyanem FC for misconduct in the clash against Right 2 Win.

Ahudiyanem’s trio, Anayo Chukwujekwu, Christopher Onu, and Emmanuel Ibeh, alongside the team manager and head coach, were accused of bringing the game into disrepute.

The culprits have been barred from league activities pending a final decision by the disciplinary committee.

Ahudiyanem FC supporters have also been suspended by the league body.

In addition, Ahudiyanem FC have been fined N500,000 and directed to submit a written assurance guaranteeing the safety of match officials after reports of threats during the incident.

The NLO clarified that no points were awarded to Right 2 Win FC, noting that the match was not officially abandoned by officials despite the disturbances.

NLO: Ahudiyanem FC players, officials suspended for misconduct