Category: Sports

Kwara United technical adviser, Ashifat Suleiman, has expressed disappointment with his team’s defeat to Bendel Insurance.

Kwara United were defeated 2-0 by Bendel Insurance at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium on Saturday.

Akpan Emmanuel and Kayode Oke were on target for Bendel Insurance in the game.

Suleiman admitted that his team did not plan for a defeat in the encounter.

“We came here to pick at least a point, but it is disappointing that we lost,” Suleiman reacted in a chat with the club’s media.

“We will go again in the second round and surely make up for the lost points.”

Kwara United will do battle with Bendel Insurance in the reverse fixture in Ilorin when the second round commences in January.

NPFL: Suleiman disappointed with Kwara United’s defeat to Bendel Insurance

Nigeria’s Super Eagles will return to training tonight ahead of their final group game against the Cranes of Uganda at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

The session will hold at the Sardienne Complex. It will start at 5pm local time.

The Super Eagles observed Sunday as rest day following Saturday’s thrilling 3-2 win over the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia.

Head coach Éric Chelle is expected to rest some of his key stars including Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Wilfred Ndidi, and Alex Iwobi for the clash with Uganda.

It will be an opportunity for the fringe players to stake claim for a starting berth.

Tuesday’s encounter between Nigeria and Uganda will hold at the Complexe Sportif de Fès.

AFCON 2025: Super Eagles return to training ahead Uganda clash 

At least three countries have been eliminated from the ongoing 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, in Morocco after failing to register a single point in the group stage so far.

The three countries are Botswana, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.

Despite having one final game to play in the group stage fixtures this week, the aforementioned countries will pack their bags and leave Morocco irrespective of the outcome of their last group stage matches.

Botswana is currently in the bottom position in Group D  with zero points after suffering consecutive defeats in their opening two matches.

They were beaten 3–0 by Senegal before losing 1–0 to the Benin Republic.

The Zebras still have a final group fixture against DR Congo on Tuesday; the results elsewhere in their group have already confirmed their elimination from the competition.

Similarly, Equatorial Guinea also suffered two defeats in Group E.  They lost 2–1 against Burkina Faso in their first game before losing 1–0 to Sudan, leaving them without a point.

Also, Gabon bowed out early in Group F after back-to-back defeats. They lost their first game 1–0 against Cameroon before falling 3–2 to Mozambique in their second game.

Gabon sits bottom position in the group and are mathematically eliminated.

They will play for pride when they face Ivory Coast on Wednesday in their last group fixture.

AFCON: 3 countries eliminated from tournament

Cranes of Uganda striker, Ivan Ahimbisibwe believes they can create an upset by getting a win against the Super Eagles of Nigeria, DAILY POST reports.

Paul Put’s side will face their highly fancied opponent in their last group game at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Fès on Tuesday.

Uganda must win the game to have any chance of progressing to the Round of 16 having managed just two points from their opening two games against Tunisia and Tanzania.

The Super Eagles will be looking to secure their third win of the AFCON 2025 finals.

Ahimbisibwe declared that they will do their best to win the game.

“We expect to have a good game against Nigeria. We believe in ourselves and come with a good mentality and try to win,” Ahimbisibwe told reporters.

AFCON 2025: Uganda will fight to beat Super Eagles – Ahimbisibwe

Algeria captain, Riyad Mahrez is the top scorer at the ongoing 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, in Morocco.

This comes after the former Manchester City winger scored the only goal in Algeria’s 1-0 win against Burkina Faso on Sunday.

The 34-year-old former Leicester City star has three goals to his name so far in the competition.

Behind Mahrez on the goal scorers chart include the likes of Senegal striker Nicolas Jackson and Tunisia star Elias Achouri, and Nigeria’s Lookman Ademola.

AFCON top scorers ahead of final Group stage fixtures taking place this week, from Monday to Wednesday:

Three goals – Riyad Mahrez

Two goals – Nicolas Jackson and Elias Achouri, Lookman Ademola, Amad Diallo (Ivory Coast), Mohamed Salah (Egypt), Brahim Diaz (Morocco) and Lassine Sinayoko (Mali).

One goal – Lyle Foster (South Africa), Semi Ajayi (Nigeria), Marvin Anieboh (Equatorial Guinea) and Victor Osimhen (Nigeria).

AFCON top scorers ahead of final Group stage fixtures this week

Plateau United will miss the service of eight players in their matchday 19 fixture against Abia Warriors.

The absentees are Harrison Ebah, Dawa Victor, Daniel Solomon, Alukam Elvis, and Amah John.

Others are Enewarikpemi Timi, Ahmed Farouk and Rotshak John.

All the players are currently battling with different degrees of injuries.

Plateau United expressed optimism despite the injury worries.

“Setbacks remain part of the journey, but the spirit in camp is strong, the focus is clear, and the target remains unchanged,” Plateau United stated in response to the injury list.

“All eyes forward. One final push to close the year with purpose.”

Plateau United will trade tackles with Abia Warriors at the New Jos Stadium on Sunday (today).

NPFL: Plateau United to miss eight players against Abia Warriors

Katsina United have announced a change in the venue of their next two home fixtures in the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL.

The Chanji Boys next two home fixtures against Kun Khalifat FC and Plateau United will be played at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano.

According to reports, Katsina United’s original ground Muhammad Dikko Stadium is unavailable for the fixtures.

Katsina United will return to their ground for the matchday 24 fixture against Abia Warriors.

“Katsina United Fc next two home matches will take place at the Sani Abacha Stadium Kofar Mata Kano,” Katsina United announced in a statement on Saturday.

“The next two home matches against Kun Khalifa and Plateau United Fc will take place in Kano before we come back to Muhammadu Dikko Stadium Katsina to face Abia Warriors in MD 24.”

Katsina United will lock horns with Kun Khalifat FC in a matchday 19 fixture at the Dan Anyiam Stadium on Sunday(today).

NPFL: Katsina United to play next two games in Kano

Kenneth Omeruo has urged Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle to work on the team’s “leaky defence”, DAILY POST reports.

The Super Eagles have let in three goals in their opening two games at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

The three-time African champions conceded once in their first game against Tanzania, while the defence was breached twice on Saturday night versus Tunisia.

Omeruo said it is important for the defence to be  solid in subsequent games.

“The defence is still porous, and it is important we stop conceding,” Omeruo said during his post-match analysis on Afrosports.

”It is something the coach must work on  in subsequent games. The attack we know is solid but we can’t keep on conceding goals like we have done so far.”

AFCON 2025: Omeruo urges Chelle to work on Super Eagles’ ‘leaky defence’ 

Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, has admitted that his team want to “win badly”, as they continue to lead the way in the Premier League title race.

The Gunners were to forced to ground out another narrow victory, as they beat Brighton 2-1 at the Emirates on Saturday.

Captain Martin Odegaard had opened the scoring in the first half with a low drive.

Arteta’s men doubled their lead immediately after the break, thanks to an own goal from Georginio Rutter.

But Brigton pulled one back through Diego Gomez and also most got an equalizer, but were denied by an excellent David Raya save.

When asked about the nervy atmosphere inside the stadium after Brighton’s goal back, Arteta said: “That’s a willingness to win! We all want to win so badly.

“Now I don’t want to lose what I have and we have to play to continue to score and show that composure and that ability and we should have scored the third one.

“We have two massive chances to put it to 3-1 and then it would have been different. We haven’t, so we have to suffer a little bit more.”

The result means Arsenal continue to maintain a two-point lead at the top over Manchester City.

EPL: We want to win badly – Arteta fires title warning to Man City

Super Eagles attacker, Ademola Lookman, has sent a message to Nigerian fans following their 3-2 win over Tunisia on Saturday night.

Lookman provided two assists and netted one to earn himself the Man of the Match in the 3-2 win over the Carthage Eagles.

Nigeria has made it to the round of sixteen with the win and will play Uganda in a game that is no longer of much importance to the team.

Lookman has been outstanding so far in the competition, having won the game against Tanzania for Eric Chelle’s side.

Speaking after the game against Tunisia, Lookman said, “We’re in the right direction. I think today we’re outstanding from the first half into the second half, and then, you know, they had a spell in which they scored two goals.

“But apart from that, we were very good today.”

Asked if he had any particular message to the  Nigerian fans, he added, “Keep supporting us.

“We really need you. So keep on being behind us. Keep on driving us and yeah, keep supporting us. Thank you.”

AFCON: Ademola Lookman sends message to Nigerians after Super Eagles 3-2 win over Tunisia