Category: Sports

Victor Osimhen has expressed his delight after captaining the Super Eagles in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Group C encounter against the Cranes of Uganda, DAILY POST reports.

Osimhen was officially appointed the Super Eagles vice-captain few days to the start of the AFCON.

The Galatasaray striker led the team in the 3-1 win over Uganda after head coach, Éric Chelle opted to rest captain Wilfred Ndidi.

It was the first time the 27-year-old will be given the honour.

Osimhen confessed it was a dream come true for him to captain the Super Eagles.

“It’s a dream come true for me because I grew up watching the Super Eagles,” the forward said after the game.

AFCON 2025: Osimhen delighted to captain Super Eagles against Uganda 

Aston Villa’s manager, Unai Emery, has talked about why he didn’t shake hands with Arsenal’s manager, Mikel Arteta, after Villa lost 3-1 to the Gunners on Tuesday night.

The Gunners moved five points ahead of the other Premier League teams again, thanks to a fantastic second-half performance in north London.

Villa might have closed the gap at the top if they had won the match, which was tied 0-0 at halftime.

In the second half, the host team played better than they did in the first period, and Gabriel Magalhaes scored the first goal just three minutes into the second half.

Martin Zubimendi, Leandro Trossard, and Gabriel Jesus each scored goals that helped their team take a large lead in the standings.

In the final moments of the game, Ollie Watkins managed to score a goal that only served as a consolation for Unai Emery’s side.

After the final whistle, Arteta, who couldn’t hide his happiness about the win, didn’t shake hands with Emery.

In his press conference after the game, Emery, who had previously coached Arsenal after Arsene Wenger left the club, spending 18 months at the Emirates, said he was waiting for Arteta but his fellow Spaniard was already celebrating his team’s win.

“After the game ends, I usually quickly shake hands and then leave. Of course Arteta was happy and was with the coaches, and I can’t wait for him. I was there but no problem. I came along to my dressing room,” he  said.

EPL: Why I didn’t shake hands with Mikel Arteta after Arsenal’s 4-1 win – Villa boss, Unai Emery

Uganda goalkeeper, Denis Onyango has insisted that Nigeria ‘punished’ his team because they were desperate for goals.

Onyango was unable to save Uganda as Nigeria defeated them 3-1 in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, encounter on Tuesday.

Uganda had needed a win against Eric Chelle’s side to stand a chance of qualifying for the Round of 16 stage.

But a brace from Raphael Onyedika and a goal from Paul Onuachu ensured the Super Eagles eliminated the Cranes from the AFCON.

Speaking to reporters at his post-match interview, Onyango also hailed the Super Eagles as a quality team.

“We were desperate for goals, and Nigeria punished us,” Onyango said.

“They are a quality side,” the Mamelodi Sundowns shot-stopper added.

Meanwhile, more AFCON final Group game fixtures will take place today.

Ivory Coast will face Gabon, Mozambique will clash with Cameroon, Sudan will take on Burkina Faso, and Algeria will square off against Equatorial Guinea.

AFCON: Why Nigeria punished us – Uganda goalkeeper, Denis Onyango

Super Eagles midfielder Raphael Onyedika has explained how he was able to score two goals in Nigeria’s 3-1 victory over Uganda.

He also hailed Samuel Chukwueze who helped set up both of his goals in Nigeria’s 3-1 victory against Uganda in the final Group C match at the Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON,  in Morocco on Tuesday evening.

The Club Brugge midfielder netted twice in the second half and was awarded Man of the Match for his excellent performance at the Fez Stadium in Morocco.

After the game, Onyedika praised Chukwueze’s performance and explained that the goal-scoring combination was something they had practiced during training.

“It’s exactly what we train for, so it’s just a matter of seconds. You have to make a decision, and sometimes when you decide, it doesn’t happen right away, but you just have to be ready,” he said.

“I know Samuel really well, and every time he dribbles, he always looks for the first person and then cuts back. I try to stay in that position as much as I can, and today I was in a good spot again.”

The Club Brugge midfielder was happy to win the Man of the Match award and said it was the result of all his hard work over the years.

“I feel really happy and I can’t explain why.  This is the moment I’ve been working for my whole life, and I’m really happy it finally happened,” he said.

Nigeria won their match and finished first in Group C with nine points, which allowed them to move on to the next round.

How I scored two goals against Uganda – Onyedika

Manchester United’s former player, Rio Ferdinand has changed his prediction on who will win the Premier League title this season.

The competition is getting more intense with Arsenal, Manchester City, and Aston Villa all fighting for the top spot.

Arsenal, who have not won the Premier League since 2004, have been the main contenders for most of the season after starting off very strongly.

The Gunners have come in second place in each of the past three years, but they have one of the strongest teams in the league thanks to a great summer of player signings.

Even though they had many injuries, Mikel Arteta’s team won hard against Brighton and defeated Aston Villa 4-1 on Tuesday, which means they will start the New Year at the top of the league table.

Pep Guardiola’s team had a tough season and did not defend their title last year, but they look more energized now after spending a lot of money in January and during the summer.

Ferdinand thinks that because City had won eight games straight in every competition, the team might be gaining positive momentum, which could be helping them more than Arsenal, who he thought would win the title at the beginning of the season.

Ferdinand said on his YouTube channel that he predicted Arsenal would finish first before any game started, but if he were betting right now, he would choose City.

“I want Arsenal to win the title, but with how things are going right now, Manchester City might just end up winning it,” he said.

Heading into the New Year, Arsenal have a tough month ahead in the league, with games against Liverpool, Chelsea, and Manchester United in January.

Ferdinand thinks the Gunners’ chance to win the title will depend on how they play and how well they can get good results against the teams that are lower in the league.

He said, “I think Arsenal had a good lead, but now some teams have caught up again.”

“I think you have to smell blood. You’ve been near enough in the last few seasons and just missed out, so I think you need to sense the opportunity early and take it head-on.”

EPL: Rio Ferdinand changes title prediction after recent results

Abia Warriors earned a well‑deserved 1‑0 victory over Plateau United on Sunday in Jos, according to technical adviser Imama Amapakabo.

Taheer Abubakar’s lone goal secured the three points for Abia Warriors at the New Jos Stadium.

Amapakabo added that Plateau United were predictable throughout the match.

“Every victory is exciting because it’s been a while since we had a three-game winning streak. It’s an exciting feeling, as we needed to end the first round on a positive note,” Amapakabo remarked.

“Plateau United were too predictable because they were waiting for my team to make mistakes instead of trying to create something themselves,” he added.

The victory lifted Abia Warriors to second position on the league table with 33 points from 19 matches.

NPFL: Abia Warriors’ win over Plateau United well deserved – Amapakabo

Super Eagles players will receive $30,000 each for reaching the Round of 16 at the ongoing 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, DAILY POST reports.

According to SCORENigeria, the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, initially proposed $15,000 per player but the offer was rejected by the players.

The two parties then settled for $30,000, an improvement on what they earned at the last AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire.

They have also reached agreement on bonus for the latter  rounds of the competition.

The Super Eagles booked a spot in the knockout round after a nervy 3-2 win over the the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia last Saturday.

Eric Chelle’s side will take on the Cranes of Uganda in their last group game on Tuesday (today).

AFCON 2025: NFF doubles Super Eagles’ bonus 

The identities of two men who died in a car accident involving British-Nigerian boxer, Anthony Joshua, have been confirmed.

MatchRoom CEO, Eddie Hearn, took to his Instagram post to reveal their names.

Hearn wrote: “With profound sadness it has been confirmed that two close friends and team members Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele have tragically passed away.”

Joshua and Ayodele had known each other even before his boxing career began, while Sina was his strength and conditioning coach.

The men were driving along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, when their SUV rammed into a stationary vehicle on the busy road.

Although Joshua sustained minor injuries.

He has been confirmed to be in stable condition.

Anthony Joshua accident: Identities of people who died in crash confirmed

A Galatasaray fan, Hussein was at the Sardienne Complex, Fès, Morocco on Monday to watch Victor Osimhen in Super Eagles’ training, DAILY POST reports.

The Super Eagles returned to training on Monday after observing Sunday as rest day following their 3-2 victory over the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia.

Hussein stormed the Super Eagles’ training ground with a Galatasaray flag to offer support for Osimhen.

He was well received by  Osimhen’s Super Eagles teammates and staff.

It would be recalled that some Napoli fans also visited the Super Eagles hotel in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire during the last AFCON to offer support for the 27-year-old.

Osimhen has scored once and provided one assist in two games for the Super Eagles at AFCON 2025.

The striker is expected to be rested for tonight’s clash with the Cranes of Uganda.

AFCON 2025: Galatasaray fan storms Super Eagles’ training for Osimhen 

Manchester United  legend, Peter Schmeichel hopes his old team will continue their good recent performance and achieve a much better result in the Premier League this season.

The last campaign was a big setback for the Red Devils because they ended up in 15th place in the top league and did not win any trophies.

That has left them without any European competitions this season, and after a surprising early departure from the Carabao Cup at the hands of Grimsby Town, they now have just the league to focus on.

Ruben Amorim’s team is currently sixth in the league, just three points behind the fourth place.

A victory against Newcastle United last time means they are now tied on points with Chelsea, who are in fifth place, so there’s some positive feeling coming back to Old Trafford.

Iconic goalkeeper, Schmeichel, is not getting too excited, but he believes they can keep up their current level and end the season in a similar position as they are right now.

“I think fifth or sixth. Fifth place is good, but they’re competing with a few other clubs that are also doing really well,” the Dane said on ViaPlay.

“But I think that’s the level Manchester United are at. With the signings of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, they should be able to finish around fifth or sixth,” he said.

When asked if he would be happy with that position, he said, “If fifth place gives them a chance to play in the Champions League, I would be very happy.”

However, it is still uncertain whether fifth place will be enough for a spot in the Champions League next season.

Schmeichel was with Liverpool’s former star Jan Molby, who was not very confident about United’s chances of getting back into European competitions next season.

“I think they’re pretty capable of finishing somewhere between fifth and tenth,” said the former midfielder.

“I think that’s the issue with Manchester United’s season. You keep thinking about the next game, and if they win, it’s a good season, but if they lose, you’re back to where you started.”

EPL: Schmeichel, Jan Molby predicts where Man United would finish this season