Category: Sports

Four Super Eagles stars, Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen, Akor Adams and Wilfred Ndidi, have been rated among the top ten best players at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, tournament in Morocco, so far.

This comes ahead of the AFCON quarter-final stage fixtures starting from Friday.

According to football statistics platform WhoScored, Lookman currently tops the AFCON best players’ ratings chart with an impressive score of 8.81.

The Atalanta forward is ahead of second-position Egypt captain Mohamed Salah, who has a rating of 8.23.

In third place is Senegal forward Sadio Mane, who has a 7.82 rating, while Nigeria striker Osimhen ranks fourth on 7.61.

In fifth place is another Nigeria’s Adams, who has a 7.59 rating, while Nigeria captain Ndidi is in sixth position with the same rating as Adams.

Completing the remaining top 10 are Ivory Coast’s Yan Diomande in 7th position on 7.58 rating, followed by Algeria captain Riyad Mahrez in 8th position on 7.55 rating.

Ivory Coast’s Amad Diallo is in 9th place with a 7.54 rating, and finally Morocco’s Brahim Diaz on 10th position with a 7.54 rating, also like Diallo.

AFCON: 4 Super Eagles stars rated among top 10 best players [Full list]

The duo of Adekunle Mojeed and Adegbite Seye are on the verge of securing a move to Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, giants Enyimba.

Adekunle and Adegbite are currently on the books of Nigeria National League, NNL, side Crown FC.

The nine-time NPFL champions are reported to be in talks with Crown FC to finalise a move for the players.

Both players are understood to be in Aba to sort out personal terms with the Enyimba.

The duo are expected to reunite with their former tactician Ayodeji Ayeni at Enyimba.

Ayeni joined the People’s Elephant towards the end of the NPFL first stanza.

NPFL: Enyimba set to sign Crown FC duo

Cyriel Dessers has expressed disappointment with his injury-induced exit from the ongoing 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, DAILY POST reports.

Dessers was forced to return to his Greek club, Panathinaikos last week after picking up a thigh injury in training with the Super Eagles.

The striker failed to make an appearance for the Super Eagles in Morocco before leaving camp.

The 31-year-old is expected to be sidelined for around three months.

Dessers took to the social media to express his frustration.

“Unfortunately I sustained an injury at AFCON. It’s extremely difficult to accept that I will miss the remainder of the tournament and an important period at Panathinaikos,” the striker wrote.

The former Rangers star will be rooting for the Super Eagles to get a win in their Round of 16 encounter against Algeria on Saturday.

He is expected to get a medal should the Super Eagles emerge champions in Morocco.

AFCON 2025: Dessers laments injury-induced exit 

Eric Chelle has marked his one year anniversary in charge of the Super Eagles of Nigeria, DAILY POST reports.

The Malian was appointed Super Eagles head coach on January 7, 2025.

Chelle’s appointment divided opinion among the Super Eagles’ faithfuls but he has steadily won over some of his critics especially with his team’s impressive displays at the ongoing 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Under the 48-year-old’s tutelage, the Super Eagles have suffered just one defeat in 16 games, with 10 wins, and five draws.

The West Africans have also scored 34 goals, and conceded 15.

Chelle will look to guide the Super Eagles to another win when they take on the Desert Foxes of Algeria in the quarter-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on Saturday.

Chelle marks one year in charge of Super Eagles 

Real Madrid midfielder, Jude Bellingham has named four Los Blancos players who need to step up in Kylian Mbappe’s absence.

Bellingham spoke ahead of Real Madrid’s Supercopa de Espana tie with Atletico Madrid on Thursday night.

Mbappe didn’t board the plane to Saudi Arabia for the Atletico Madrid clash because of a knee injury.

However, Bellingham said the likes of Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo and Gonzalo Garcia, alongside himself, must step up in the absence of injured Mbappe.

The England international said (as per Madrid Xtra): “It’s down to players like myself, Vini, Rodrygo and Gonzalo to step up in the absence of Kylian’s huge influence.

“We have to do that not just with goals, but with our all-round play. I’m sure if we do that, there will be a lot of opportunities to score for whoever.”

Mbappe has been Real Madrid’s best player so far this season, scoring  29 goals and providing 3 assists in 24 games.

Mbappe: Bellingham names four Real Madrid players who need to step up

Liverpool manager, Arne Slot, is likely to be without Hugo Ekitike for their Premier League trip to Arsenal on Thursday.

Ekitike is struggling with a muscle problem and did not play in the 2-2 draw with Fulham last weekend.

The Frenchman is now a big doubt for the heavyweight clash against the league leaders.

“He has not trained with us till now – let’s see if he can today,” Slot told reporters on Wednesday.

“I said two days ago before Fulham that he will not be out for long, but as the games come so fast, he is in between training with the team, or it may take him a few days extra.”

Liverpool go into the match 14 points behind Arsenal.

EPL: Arne Slot confirms major injury blow ahead of Arsenal vs Liverpool clash

Ryan Alebiosu is set to return to training with the Super Eagles after recovering from a leg injury, DAILY POST reports.

Alebiosu has been sidelined since picking up the injury in Nigeria’s last group game against Uganda

There were initial fears that the injury could rule him out of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations

DAILY POST learnt the injury has healed well, which has put the defender in contention to play for Nigeria again in Morocco.

Panathinaikos of Greece forward, Cyriel Dessers has already been ruled out of the competition with a thigh injury.

The Super Eagles will continue their preparation for the quarter-final clash with Algeria tonight.

AFCON 2025: Alebiosu set to return to Super Eagles training 

Former Super Eagles striker, Odion Ighalo has provided the qualities that differentiate Victor Osimhen from Akor Adams.

Both players have demonstrated their skills for Nigeria at the ongoing AFCON in Morocco so far, playing pivotal roles in the team’s impressive 4-0 triumph over Mozambique in the Round of 16 on Monday.

Despite their combined success, Ighalo insisted that Osimhen’s playing style differentiates him from Adams.

Speaking on SuperSport, the former Manchester United striker stated, “Not every striker have speed. Victor is a different kind of striker to Akor.

“He’s the kind of striker that likes to keep the ball, bully and fight.

“If you see the game [against Mozambique] every time, he always tries to fight, and when he gets the chance, he shoots.”

AFCON: ‘He likes to bully, fight’ – Ighalo on Victor Osimhen, Akor Adams

Nigeria’s Super Eagles have raked in $80,000 for their efficiency in front of goal at the ongoing 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, DAILY POST reports.

The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, promised the team $5,000 per goal during the group stage.

The team earned $40,000 for the eight goals they  scored  in their three group games against Tanzania, Tunisia, and Uganda.

For the Round of 16 encounter against the Mambas of Mozambique, they got $40,000 for the four goals scored.

Nigeria will take on the Desert Foxes of Algeria in a quarter-final fixture at the Marrakesh Stadium on Saturday.

They will fly out of Fès for the game on Thursday.

AFCON 2025: Super Eagles earn $80,000 goals bonus 

Daniel Gothom has been named Akwa United’s Player of the Month for December, DAILY POST reports.

Gothom won the highest number of votes from fans, club officials and his teammates.

The striker impressed throughout the month, featuring in all of the club’s matches.

Gothom netted two crucial goals that secured victory for the Promise Keepers in the clash against Osun United and First Bank respectively.

Meanwhile, midfielder Michael Okenwa won the Goal of the Month award.

Okenwa’s stunning acrobatic strike against First Bank which extended Akwa United’s lead in their 3-1 away victory in Lagos was voted as the best in the month.

Both players have been presented their awards.

NNL: Gothom, Okenwa win Akwa United POTM, GOTM award for December