Category: Sports

Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, has said he could have captain Martin Odegaard and forward Kai Havertz available for Sunday’s trip to Tottenham Hotspur.

The Gunners are looking to bounce back from the 2-2 draw at Wolves in midweek.

Both Odegaard and Havertz were not involved at the Molineux, but could make a return to the squad in the North London Derby.

This would mean Arteta has only Mikel Merino out with a longterm injury.

“No [fresh injury concerns], nothing new,” Arteta told reporters on Friday.

“We have to wait until tomorrow [Saturday] but there is a big possibility they are available for the game [against Spurs].”

EPL: Arteta receives double injury boost ahead of Tottenham vs Arsenal clash

Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, has claimed he does not care about Arsenal dropping points in the Premier League title race.

The Gunners’ 2-2 draw at Wolves earlier this week, has handed City fresh hope as they seek to topple the leaders.

Guardiola’s men now sit only five points behind Arsenal with a game in hand.

As it stands, if City win their remaining 12 games, they will be crowned champions.

But Guardiola, speaking to reporters today, insisted his focus is on their next league fixture at home to Newcastle.

“I didn’t talk about the table, or our position or something like that. I could not care less,” Guardiola said.

“I didn’t talk about that for one second. Just Newcastle, Newcastle, Newcastle.

“If you ask me this question with two or three games left, I will have your answer. It’s 12 games left, it’s an eternity.”

Guardiola has won six titles during his decade at the Etihad.

EPL: I don’t care about Arsenal dropping points – Guardiola

Super Eagles star, Victor Boniface, has threatened legal action against a social media blogger, who made a post on X claiming that the Werder Bremen striker tested positive to cocaine and has been handed a two years ban from football.

The blogger with the X handle @YK_Milli made the post on Friday when he wrote, “Victor Boniface has now been banned from football for 2 years by FIFA after it reported he tested positive for hard drug tests, Cocaine to be precise.”

Many suspected that the news was fake and urged the blogger to take it down or be prepared for a potential legal battle.

However, the blogger remained adamant until the post caught the attention of the football star, who hinted that he was going to take legal action.

“Hope you get a better lawyer. For your sake I pray you get,” he wrote.

Boniface was ruled out for the rest of the season following knee surgery he sustained during training in December shortly after his loan move from Bayer 04 Leverkusen to Bremen.

He underwent a successful surgery earlier this year and he is currently undergoing rehabilitation at his parent club.

Victor Boniface threatens blogger with lawsuit over fake report of drug use, ban

Kun Khalifat FC forward Gabriel Lekan says the team is determined to learn from its mistakes and improve in the remaining Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) fixtures as they fight to avoid relegation.

The Owerri-based currently occupy the bottom spot on the NPFL table with 25 points.

Kun Khalifat FC have recorded six wins, seven draws and 13 defeats in 26 league matches.

Gabriel said they are focused and mentally strong to come out of their difficulties.

“I believe team is focus on relentless efforts, mental strength and learning from our failures to achieve greatness.” Lekan told Kun Khalifat media.

Kun Khalifat FC will be up against Niger Tornadoes in their next league game on Sunday.

NPFL: Kun Khalifat focus on relegation battle – Gabriel Lekan

Former Tottenham Hotspur attacking midfielder, Rafael van der Vaart has insisted that Arsenal have no world-class players in its squad.

Van der Vaart shared his thoughts on Sky Bet (via Sportskeeda) as he also acknowledged that Arsenal boasts talented individuals, but none can be considered an elite global football star.

“I agree with Wayne Rooney—Arsenal doesn’t have world-class players,” Van der Vaart said.

“Perhaps it is better to say that Arsenal have stars in their team – they’ve really good players, but nobody is world-class.

“To be a world-class footballer, it is not just about your performances; you also need the attitude on the pitch.”

Arsenal will take on Tottenham in Sunday’s Premier League North London derby.

EPL: Arsenal don’t have world-class players – Ex-Tottenham midfielder Van der Vaart

The Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, has fined Kwara United w N9 million for the crowd violence that erupted during their rescheduled matchday 22 clash against Rivers United.

The league body Chief Operating Officer, Davidson Owumi, announced the decision in a statement signed on Thursday.

According to Owumi, Kwara United breached multiple provisions of the NPFL rules and regulations after violent scenes marred the fixture at the Rashidi Yekini Mainbowl Stadium in Ilorin on Wednesday.

The report stated that Kwara United failed to provide adequate and effective security, resulting in unauthorized persons gaining access to restricted areas.
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Kwara United also failed to ensure proper conduct of their supporters, leading to the harassment, & injuries to, match officials and officials of Rivers United.

‎Three points and three goals shall be deducted from Kwara United’s accrued points and goals for assaults on match officials.
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‎Kwara United will also play their remaining home matches at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta.
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‎The club have 48 hours from the date of notice to appeal these sanctions.

NPFL: Kwara United fined N9m, banished to Abeokuta

Ademola Lookman cannot hide his excitement after making his UEFA Champions League debut for Atletico Madrid, DAILY POST reports.

Lookman featured in Diego Simeone’s side 3-3 draw with Club Brugge on Wednesday night.

The 28-year-old scored the LaLiga giants second goal of the game.

The Nigeria international has so far scored three goals and registered two assists in four appearances across all competitions since joining Atletico earlier this month.

Lookman expressed happiness with his personal achievement, while turning attention to the decisive second leg at the Metropolitano Stadium next week Tuesday.

“Happy to make my debut in the Champions League for this club. 90 minutes to play for it all at the Metropolitano,” Lookman wrote on X.

Lookman proud to make Atletico Madrid UCL bow

The Nigeria Women Football League, NWFL, has imposed a ₦2.5 million fine and a three-point deduction on Osun Babes Football Club after their scheduled league fixture against FC Robo Queens failed to take place in Lagos.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the league confirmed that the match, billed for Wednesday at Onikan Stadium, could not commence due to the visiting side’s failure to meet kit requirements.

The NWFL said Osun Babes, listed as the away team, did not present an alternative jersey set with properly displayed player names and numbers despite a confirmed colour clash with the home team.

League officials subsequently awarded a walkover to FC Robo Queens in accordance with the competition’s regulations.

NWFL Media Director, Samuel Ahmadu, explained that the club’s actions breached Article 10.3 of the league’s regulatory framework.

The provision requires visiting teams to deploy their second-choice colours whenever there is a kit conflict with the host club.

The statement also noted that Article 10.5 mandates the away side to change kits if the home team appears in its registered first-choice colours.

It added that Osun Babes FC also contravened Article 14.7 after failing to honour the fixture without force majeure or any acceptable explanation.

“As stipulated by the rules, Osun Babes have been fined ₦1,000,000 for the jersey infraction and ₦1,500,000 for failing to fulfill the fixture, bringing the total sanction to ₦2,500,000,” NWFL said.

Commenting on the enforcement, NWFL Chief Operating Officer, Modupe Shabi stressed that compliance remains mandatory for all clubs.

“The NWFL remains committed to upholding the highest standards of professionalism and compliance.

“Our regulations are clear, and all clubs are expected to meet their obligations fully to protect the integrity and credibility of the league,” she added.

The league body also reminded Premiership teams to strictly observe operational rules to avoid similar disciplinary measures in future fixtures.

NWFL sanctions Osun Babes FC over kit breach, walkover

Former Arsenal star, Paul Merson has predicted the Premier League matches taking place this weekend and on Monday.

Chelsea will host Burnley on Saturday evening at Stamford Bridge, while Manchester City will clash with Newcastle United at the Etihad Stadium later in the evening.

On Sunday, Tottenham Hotspur will welcome Arsenal at home, while Sunderland will face Fulham.

On Monday, Manchester United will tackle Everton at Goodison Park.

Stating his prediction, Merson told Sportskeeda:

Aston Villa 2-0 Leeds United
Brentford 2-1 Brighton & Hove Albion
Chelsea 3-0 Burnley
West Ham United 2-1 Bournemouth
Manchester City 2-1 Newcastle United
Nottingham Forest 0-2 Liverpool
Crystal Palace 2-0 Wolves
Sunderland 1-1 Fulham
Tottenham Hotspur 0-1 Arsenal
Everton 1-2 Manchester United

EPL: Paul Merson predicts Tottenham vs Arsenal, Chelsea against Burnley, other fixtures

Nasarawa Amazons coach, Christopher Danjuma, has criticized Sunshine Queens’ tactics in their 1-0 loss in Akure.

Danjuma insisted that the Sunshine Queens technical crew’s approach to the game does not portray the true meaning of football.

He said that football is meant to entertain, develop players for the national team, and assess the credibility of coaches.

Lucky Victory’s goal for Sunshine Queens ended Nasarawa Amazons unbeaten run in the league this season.

“As for me in the game against Sunshine Queens, I didn’t see any criteria that portrays good football by the host,” Danjuma told The hope newspaper.

Nasarawa Amazons occupy second position in the Group B table with 15 points from eight matches.

NWFL: Danjuma slams Sunshine Queens tactics in Nasarawa Amazon’s defeat