Category: Sports

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

Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle, has praised Lucky Emmanuel and Ayobami Junior’s performances in Shooting Stars’ 3–2 win over Nasarawa United.

Chelle was in the stands at Lekan Salami Stadium on Sunday for the matchday 36 Nigeria Premier Football League fixture.

The coach singled out forward Junior as one of the standout performers but said he still has areas to improve.

“Lucky scored twice, but I wanted to watch Ayobami Junior,” Chelle told Shooting Stars media.

“He did well with the ball. He is very good.

“When without the ball, he needs to work harder to help the team. The players gave everything throughout the encounter.”

Emmanuel scored a brace for Shooting Stars in the win.

Chelle is expected to attend Tuesday’s clash between Ikorodu City and Wikki Tourists.

NPFL: Chelle praises Shooting Stars duo after win over Nasarawa United

Nasarawa United technical adviser, Mbwas Mangut, says his team will not give up on their target of securing a continental place.

The Solid Miners suffered a setback in their push for a continental spot with a 2–1 defeat to Shooting Stars in Ibadan.

Nasarawa United dropped to seventh position on the league table following the defeat.

They have two matches left to achieve their objective.

Mangut assured that they will fight with purpose until the end of the season.

“Like I said before, the league is still open to teams in the top six positions,” Mangut told the club’s media.

“We will fight till the end of the season, with the hope of achieving our set goals.”

Nasarawa United will take on Plateau United in Lafia this weekend.

NPFL: Nasarawa United won’t give up on continental ticket – Mangut

Shooting Stars goalkeeper, Godgift Elkannah, has tendered an unreserved apology for his mistake in the 3–2 win over Nasarawa United.

Elkannah’s mistake gifted the Solid Miners the equaliser in the game.

The shot-stopper was unhappy with his performance in the keenly contested encounter.

Elkannah, however, expressed gratitude to his teammates for their determination in securing the victory.

“I feel so bad that I made a costly mistake in the game against Nasarawa United,” Elkannah told 3SCfanstv.

“I have never made this type of mistake in my entire career, but I still give glory that we were able to get the victory in the game.”

Shooting Stars currently occupy fourth position on the NPFL table.

NPFL: Shooting Stars goalie apologises for error in win over Nasarawa United

Taiwo Awoniyi has reacted to Nottingham Forest’s stunning victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

A second-string Forest side defeated Chelsea 3–1 to move closer to Premier League survival.

Awoniyi, who made his 100th appearance for the Tricky Trees in the game, bagged a brace and also won a penalty.

It was the Nigeria international’s first brace in the Premier League since May 2023, which, incidentally, was also against Chelsea.

The 28-year-old said they worked hard for the victory.

“We came here with the mentality to win, good ball from [Dilane] Bakwa [for his goal] as well and the way we started the game, we had more of the ball, brilliant from the team,” the striker told Sky Sports, via the BBC.

EPL: Awoniyi reflects on Nottingham Forest’s victory over Chelsea

Taiwo Awoniyi bagged a brace as Nottingham Forest defeated Chelsea 3–1 at Stamford Bridge.

Awoniyi opened the scoring for the Tricky Trees with a superb header from Dilane Bakwa’s cross after two minutes.

The visitors were awarded a penalty in the 20th minute after Awoniyi was fouled inside the box by Malo Gusto.

Igor Jesus sent Robert Sanchez the wrong way to double Forest’s lead.

Chelsea were awarded a penalty late in the first half following a foul on Jesse Derry.

Cole Palmer’s effort was, however, saved by Matz Sels.

Forest netted their third of the game early in the second half, with Awoniyi slotting home from Morgan Gibbs-White’s cross.

The 28-year-old has now scored four goals and registered one assist in 14 league appearances for Forest this season.

Joao Pedro reduced the deficit for Chelsea in stoppage time.

EPL: Awoniyi bags brace as Forest stun Chelsea 3-1 at Stamford Bridge