Category: Sports

Karim Benzema’s move from Al-Ittihad to Al-Hilal has now been confirmed, in what is a big blow to Al-Nassr’s captain, Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ronaldo boycotted Monday’s Saudi Pro League clash at Al-Riyadh, as a protest over their lack of spending on transfers.

The 40-year-old is not happy that Al-Nassr is not getting as much support as the other clubs controlled by the Saudi Public Investment Fund, PIF.

Ronaldo has reportedly been aggrieved that Al-Hilal have a net spend £180 million higher than that of his own team since the 2022-23 season, when he arrived.

However, Al-Hilal have been allowed to sign Benzema, to boost their title ambitions.

They currently top the table by a single point ahead of Al-Nassr.

They are on course to hoover up a second league title in three years while Ronaldo remains without a major trophy in the Middle East.

Transfer: Ronaldo loses battle to stop Benzema’s move

Ademola Lookman has expressed his excitement after completing a move to La Liga giants, Atletico Madrid, DAILY POST reports.

Lookman’s permanent transfer from Atalanta to the Red and Whites was made official on Monday.

The Nigeria international ended his four-and-a-half year stint with Atalanta to pitch tent with Diego Simeone’s side.

Atletico Madrid beat Turkish Super Lig club, Fenerbahce to his signature.

The 28-year-old penned a contract until June 2030.

Lookman said joining Atletico Madrid is a big blessing for him.

“It’s special to be here, it’s an amazing club. It’s a blessing to be here, like I said, I’m happy to be here,” Lookman told Atletico Madrid’s official website.

“I have played in three of the top leagues before. I’m coming to another top league, to a big country also. A new language as well, is a new challenge for me, but I’m excited about it and looking forward to it.”

Transfer: Lookman delighted to join ‘amazing club’ Atletico Madrid 

Liverpool legend, Jamie Carragher has named Arsenal’s Declan Rice and Chelsea’s Moises Caicedo as the two best midfielders in the Premier League.

Carragher said this while hailing Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez as one of the best players in the Premier League.

This comes after Fernandez recently scored the winning goal in Chelsea’s Premier League dramatic 3-2 win over West Ham at the weekend.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Carragher said: “Enzo Fernandez gets the winning goal.

“A lot is spoken about the top midfield players in the Premier League, and we speak about his midfield partners [Moises] Caicedo and [Declan] Rice: who is the best out of the two of them?

“There is no doubt they are two of the best midfielders in the Premier League, but he is right up there with the best players in the Premier League.”

EPL: Carragher names two best midfielders, hails Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez

Barau FC head coach, Eugene Agagbe, has boasted about the team’s recent impressive performance in the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL.

The Maliya Boys are currently on a five- game unbeaten run in the NPFL.

Barau FC have moved out of the relegation zone following their recent impressive display in the league.

Agagbe said the team’s focus is now on the remaining fixtures as they continue to push for a stronger finish to the season.

“As I told you before, Barau FC will escape relegation within seven matches. Now we have just two match remaining from what I earlier stated,” Agagbe told Barau FC media.

“Being unbeaten in five matches is not easy. Our management, players, and fans have done well in supporting us at this moment, and I must commend them.”

NPFL: Agagbe reacts as Barau FC’s maintain unbeaten run

Plateau United technical adviser, Gbenga Ogunbote has highlighted the importance of his team’s 2-1 over Remo Stars.

Johnathan Okechukwu and Harrison Ebah netted for Plateau United, while Albert Korvah was on target for Remo Stars.

It was the Jos club’s first away win of the season.

Ogunbote’s side moved out of the relegation zone following that win.

“I’m happy with the victory because the points garnered helped the club move away from the relegation zone,” Ogunbote told Plateau United’s media.

“We have been struggling to get the away win but finally, we managed to do it.

“We were careless in the game, we could not take advantage of the one man advantage. May be it’s due to nervousness but the players were aware of the importance of the win.”

NPFL: Ogunbote reveals importance of Plateau United’s win over Remo Stars

Lazio has rejected offers from Premier League clubs, Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth for Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, DAILY POST reports.

According to transfer expert, Nicolo Schira, Lazio refused to entertain offers from Forest, and Bournemouth for the player.

Dele-Bashiru has struggled for minutes at Lazio this season, and was widely tipped to seek a move away from the Rome-based club during the winter transfer window.

The Nigeria international will, however, remain in Italy until at least the end of the season.

Turkish Super Lig, Trabzonspor were also credited with an interest in the midfielder.

Dele-Bashiru joined Lazio from Hataypsor in 2024.

He has two-and-half- years left on his contract with Lazio.

Transfer: Lazio rejects Premier League offers for Dele-Bashiru 

Power Dynamos head coach, Oswald Mutapa says his side deserved to beat Rivers United in Sunday’s CAF Champions League encounter, DAILY POST reports.

The Zambian side won the matchday four fixture 1-0.

Kondwani Chiboni scored the winning goal for the visitors in the 50th minute.

It was Dynamos’ first-ever win in the group stage of the CAF Champions League.

The win boosted their chances of making it to the knockout round of the competition.

Mutapa praised his players for fighting for the three points.

“We knew it wasn’t going to be an easy game, but we were prepared to fight for victory,” Mutapa said after the game.

“We controlled the game when we had the ball, but the last 15 minutes were more difficult. We are happy with the result.”

Power Dynamos will host Morocco’s RS Berkane in their next game on Saturday, while Rivers United will entertain defending champions, Pyramids FC of Egypt on Sunday.

CAF Champions League: Power Dynamos deserved to beat Rivers United – Mutapa

Arsenal has asked Newcastle United about signing Sandro Tonali in a stunning deadline day deal.

The Gunners are in the market on Monday, after losing Mikel Merino to a foot injury.

Merino is set to undergo surgery and may not feature again this season.

Tonali signed for the Magpies from AC Milan in the summer of 2023.

The 25-year-old has now made 67 top-flight appearances for Newcastle and is a key player under Eddie Howe.

According to Sky Sports Deutschland, Arsenal are exploring if they can land Tonali, before the window closes this evening.

Transfer deadline day: Arsenal in shock move for Tonali

Abia Warriors technical adviser, Imama Amapakabo has blamed defensive mistakes for his team’s defeat to Katsina United.

Uche Collins’ brace gave Katsina United a 2-0 win over Abia Warriors in Kano on Sunday.

The defeat extends Abia Warriors winless run to three games.

Amapakabo promised to improve on the lapses identified ahead of their next game.

“In the last three games we have conceded five goals. My concern is those goals conceded are technical mistakes,” Amapakabo remarked.

“We have to go review personals and correct the loopholes which will give us ideas on how to make up for situations like this.

“We gave a short character in training which has affected our defence line.”

Abia Warriors dropped fifth position on the league table with 38 points following the defeat.

NPFL: Amapakabo blames defensive error for Abia Warriors’ defeat to Katsina United

Ifeanyi Onyebuchi has revealed that he turned down a move to the Tunisian Premier League to remain with Rangers.

Onyebuchi said he was determined to prove his loyalty to the Flying Antelopes.

The experienced defender recently rejoined the eight-time NPFL champions for the second stanza of the season.

“Rangers is not just a club, it means a lot to me, “Onyebuchi told the Nigerian Player Gallery.

“For sure I will leave the club when the time comes but for now am going nowhere. We will see what will happen at the end of the season.

“If a better offer comes I will speak with the club and I believe I will leave happily. I want to say good bye to our fans in a respectful way at the cathedral, because they gave me everything.”

NPFL: Onyebuchi reveals he rejected foreign offers for Rangers’ return