Category: Sports

Emmanuel Ugwu has bid farewell to Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, side Bendel Insurance following his exit from the club.

Ugwu has completed a move to Maltese side Mosta FC.

The defender expressed gratitude to the club’s faithful for their support throughout his time in Benin City.

Ugwu made 46 appearances for the Benin Arsenals.

“Can a city, a dressing room, and a team become your home?” Ugwu wrote in his farewell message. “Yes.”

“That’s what Benin City was for me. That’s what Bendel Insurance was for me.”

“From the first minutes at the club, to settling in, to the way all my teammates made themselves available, to the thoughtfulness of the captain.

“Bendel Insurance can’t be described in words. It has to be experienced.

“Thanks, everyone. I gave my all in every minute I played, and in every training session. Always. Now a new challenge begins for me.”

NPFL: Ugwu bids farewell to Bendel Insurance after Mosta FC move

Plateau United and Mighty Jets kicked off their campaigns at the 2026 Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, Invitational Pre-season Tournament on winning notes.

In the first game of the day, Plateau United defeated last season’s runners-up, Rivers United, 1-0.

Jubril Ibrahim scored the winning goal one minute before the half-hour mark.

In the day’s second fixture, Mighty Jets also recorded a slim 1-0 victory over El-Kanemi Warriors, thanks to Usman Meyanga’s 56th-minute strike.

Meyanga benefited from an error by the El-Kanemi Warriors goalkeeper to score the decisive goal.

Action will continue in the tournament on Thursday, with Katsina United taking on El-Kanemi Warriors in the first game of the day.

Reigning NPFL champions Rangers will clash with Rivers United in the second fixture.

The Super Six Invitational Tournament was basically designed to help Nigeria’s representatives in the CAF inter-club competitions prepare adequately before their preliminary games.

NPFL Pre-Season Invitational: Plateau United, Mighty Jets begin with victories

At least four Chelsea players are training away from Xabi Alonso’s first-team group, with their futures up in the air.

They are: Nicolas Jackson, Liam Delap, Axel Disasi and Tosin Adarabioyo.

According to Sky Sports, the situation is different to last season when the likes of Raheem Sterling and Disasi were in a so-called ‘bomb squad’ of out-of-favour players.

They trained at different times and had to use the academy facilities.

This time, the separate group trains at the same time as the rest of Chelsea’s players and can use the same facilities at the club’s Cobham training ground.

Chelsea currently have over 40 senior players on their books and believe splitting the squad into two groups is necessary to maintain the quality of training sessions.

Chelsea are managing the situation carefully after FIFA introduced new rules this summer that effectively ban clubs from creating ‘bomb squads’ and trying to isolate unwanted players.

Transfer: Xabi Alonso bans five first-team players from Chelsea training

Barcelona are considering a shock return for Robert Lewandowski.

Lewandowksi only left the LaLiga champions this summer and has since signed for Chicago Fire.

But according to football transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano, Barca have now approached the MLS team for the Poland striker.

Romano wrote on X: “Barcelona are internally discussing a sensational shock return for Robert Lewandowski!

​”Understand the Barça board is considering approaching Chicago Fire for a short-term loan deal if they fail to secure their primary striker targets in the final days of the window.

“​Hansi Flick is 100% open to having Lewandowski back as an emergency option for one more season. No formal bid yet, but it is now seriously on the table as a crazy Plan B.”

Barcelona have sold Ferran Torres to Paris Saint-Germain and are finding it hard to strike a deal for Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez.

Transfer: Lewandowski in shock return to Barcelona

A former Arsenal and Chelsea star, Emmanuel Petit, has predicted the teams to finish in the top three of the 2026-27 Premier League season.

He said that Manchester United and Liverpool will fight for the fourth position in the Premier League standings.

The Premier League season kicks off on Friday, with the defending champions, Arsenal, facing Coventry City at the Emirates Stadium.

While the Gunners appear to be the most stable team in contention for the title, several other clubs have made coaching changes in recent months.

In a recent interview with Grosvenor Sport, Petit was asked to identify the clubs he believes will secure a top-four finish in the Premier League.

He responded through Metro, stating, “The fact that Chelsea is not participating in European competitions is a significant factor. Midweek matches require considerable energy and complicate the ability to maintain a consistent performance in the Premier League just three days later.

“This absence of European football will provide a substantial advantage for Xabi Alonso’s team this season. Therefore, I anticipate they will finish in the top three alongside Arsenal and Manchester City.”

Petit, who played for Arsenal from 1997 to 2000, further elaborated, “The competition for the fourth position is more challenging to forecast. It will likely be a contest between Manchester United and Liverpool. I am still eager to see Liverpool’s full strategy in the transfer market, as they currently seem to lack some key players.

“They have appointed a new manager in Andoni Iraola, and adapting to the demands of his new club after Bournemouth represents a significant transition. They need to achieve results promptly.”

“Manchester United has demonstrated faith in Michael Carrick, and I expect them to be in contention. However, the pressures of returning to the Champions League and the requisite squad rotation indicate that they are still in need of additional players.

“Manchester United must address their defensive issues. Ultimately, I foresee the top four comprising Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City, and Manchester United.”

EPL: Emmanuel Petit names teams to finish top three this season

Niger Tornadoes have appointed Hassan Mohammed as head coach of the club’s feeder team, DAILY POST reports.

The appointment was confirmed by the club’s chairman Dr. Abubakar Abdullahi Kuso.

Mohammed will be assisted by Tukur Mohammed, Evans E. Mensah, Lawal Kuta, Isah Mustapha and Usman Mohammed Sani.

Nmaliman Abdullahi and Mohammed A. Hassan have been named team coordinators.

Danjuma Mohammed Yewa will serve as trainer, while Ali Kotoko will take charge as goalkeeper trainer.

The feeder team serves as the developmental side for the senior team, with a focus on grooming young players for Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, action.

DAILY POST reports that Niger Tornadoes are currently undergoing restructuring following the appointment of a new management team.

NPFL: Niger Tornadoes names new head coach for feeder team

Former Chelsea star, Joe Cole, says Arsenal can only secure the Premier League title this season if they manage to sign Victor Osimhen.

Speaking on the Dressing Room podcast, Cole asserted that Arsenal needs to acquire the Galatasaray striker in order to defend their Premier League championship.

He said, as quoted by Metro, “I’m going to put an asterisk on this. I think Manchester City win the title if they[Arsenal]don’t bring in a number nine because I still think that will be a problem for them.

“Therefore, I am predicting Manchester City to clinch the league ahead of Arsenal, but if they sign Victor Osimhen, I would change my prediction. As it stands, my choice is Manchester City.”

Osimhen, who is set to turn 28 in December, has established himself as one of the premier number nines globally after leading Napoli to the Serie A title in 2023. He has contributed to his club’s success with two Turkish league titles and one Turkish cup to date.

The Nigerian international has scored 61 goals in 75 appearances for Galatasaray, also providing 16 assists. The former Lille striker is contracted with Galatasaray until June 2029.

EPL: Joe Cole names club to win title if Arsenal fail to sign Victor Osimhen

Arsenal legend, Paul Merson, has predicted Arsenal to ‘comfortably’ win the Premier League title this season.

Merson also backed Liverpool to finish in second place behind Arsenal and Chelsea to finish in third position this term.

According to him, Manchester City (fourth), Tottenham Hotspur (fifth) and Manchester United (sixth) will complete the top six positions in the Premier League table.

He gave his prediction in his column for Sky Sports ahead of the Premier League opening fixtures this weekend.

Merson said, “I just can’t see anybody stopping Arsenal. They will win it quite comfortably. I don’t see a single weakness in them regarding the Premier League.”

EPL: Paul Merson names title winners, teams to finish top six this season

Former Bolton Wanderers and West Ham United manager, Sam Allardyce, has predicted that Manchester City boss, Enzo Maresca, will win the Premier League in his first season but would be sacked if he fails.

He believes that Arsenal will not be able to defend their Premier League title this season.

Mikel Arteta’s squad, which ended a 22-year wait for the championship in May, is widely regarded as the frontrunners for the Premier League title following an impressive 85-point performance in the 2025-26 season.

They demonstrated their prowess with a 3-0 victory over rivals Manchester City in the FA Community Shield on Sunday.

However, Allardyce has unexpectedly endorsed Manchester City to secure their 11th top-flight league title in the 2026-27 season.

The former England manager expressed his views on the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast.

He said, “Manchester City. I think Enzo Maresca is going to have a great first season. If he doesn’t, he will be out.”

Liverpool icon Phil Thompson responded with surprise, stating, “I wasn’t anticipating that; it’s astonishing. I am supporting Arsenal… as they appear to be more stable than the other potential title contenders.”

EPL: Allardyce names manager to be sacked if he fails to win title this season

Arsenal are set to carry out a double raid on Manchester United as they target James Scanlon and Habeeb Ogunneye.

The UK Telegraph reports that the Gunners are currently working on transfers for the two youngsters.

Scanlon is a 19-year-old winger, while Ogunneye is a 20-year-old defender.

Arsenal have embarked on an aggressive youth recruitment drive and are understood to be confident that deals for both players can be agreed this summer.

Scanlon joined United from Derby County in 2021 and has already made 24 international appearances for Gibraltar, the country of his mother’s birth. He spent the second half of last season on loan at Swindon Town.

Ogunneye played 21 matches on loan at Newport County last season before being recalled in January. The London-born defender has been involved in multiple first-team matchday squads at United, including the FA Cup semi-final victory over Coventry City in 2024.

Transfer: Arsenal set to sign two Man Utd players