Category: Sports

Ekpemandu Christopher Chijioke has been appointed as the new team manager of Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, side Kun Khalifat FC.

Ekpemandu takes over from former Enyimba and Remo Stars defender, Ifeanyi Anaemena.

Aneamena recently left the post following a troubled campaign.

Kun Khalifat have been looking to reset their structure and improve on‑field performances, making Ekpemandu’s appointment a key part of that overhaul.

They currently occupy 19th position in the NPFL table with 28 points from 27 matches.

Kun Khalifat FC will square up with Enyimba in an Oriental Derby this weekend.

NPFL: Ekpemandu takes over as Kun Khalifat FC team manager after Anaemena’s exit

Eleven players are now in the Super Falcons camp in Yaoundé ahead of the friendlies against the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon, DAILY POST reports.

The camp opened on Tuesday following the arrival of head coach Justine Madugu, his assistants, and backroom staff.

Among the early arrivals in camp are captain Rasheedat Ajibade, Monday Gift, Demehin Tosin, and Christy Ucheibe.

Other players in camp are Ngozi-Okobi Okeoghene, Ogbonna Glory, Christopher Precious, Omewa Joy, Onyenezide Esther, Oloko Fatima, Nkwocha Favour.

14 more players are still being expected in camp.

The players will observe their first training session later tonight.

The first friendly will hold on Saturday, while the two countries will do battle again next week Tuesday.

Nigeria and Cameroon will use the friendlies as part of their preparations for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.

Eleven players arrive Super Falcons’ Yaoundé camp for Cameroon friendlies

Inter Miami captain, Lionel Messi, has revealed that he turned down the opportunity to play for the Spanish national team.

Messi, speaking on the Miro de Atras podcast, claimed he was approached during his early years at Barcelona.

However, according to the 39-year-old, his heart was always set on representing Argentina.

Messi left Argentina for Catalonia as a boy for Barca’s academy.

“There was a moment when something was mentioned from Spain,” he said.

“I’d been in Barcelona since I was very young, so it wasn’t strange. But my desire was always to play for Argentina.”

Messi reveals why he snubbed Spain

Nigeria’s Super Falcons have settled down in Yaounde ahead of their double-header friendlies against the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon, DAILY POST reports.

The African champions landed in the Cameroon’s capital on Wednesday.

Head coach Justine Madugu, his assistants, other backroom members, as well as two home-based players, Anderline Mgbechi, and Fatima Oloko made the trip from Abuja.

The foreign-based professionals are expected to start arriving camp on Wednesday (today).

Nigeria will take on their eternal rivals in the first friendly on Saturday.

The second friendly will also hold in Yaounde next week Tuesday.

Friendlies: Super Falcons settle down in Yaounde ahead Cameroon double-header

Inter Milan manager, Cristian Chivu has explained why Bodo Glimt eliminated his team from the UEFA Champions League this season.

The Norwegian side secured a 2-1 victory at San Siro during the second leg of their Round of 16 playoff on Tuesday, advancing with a 5-2 aggregate score after their 3-1 win in the first leg.

However, speaking to journalists after the game in Italy, Chivu admitted that Inter lost energy against the visitors and conceded two goals in the second half.

“We tried to unlock Bodo Glimt in every way. Assuming we scored 1-0 first, we would’ve put them in a difficult situation. They defended with a tight block, closing the spaces well.

“In the second half of the match we lost energy and made the mistake that cost us the goal. Then we lost the distance and conceded the second goal. Congratulations to Bodo Glimt,” Chivu said.

UCL: Why Bodo Glimt eliminated us – Inter Milan manager Cristian Chivu

Ademola Lookman provided an assist as Atletico Madrid strolled into Round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League following a 4-1 win over Club Brugge at the Metropolitano Stadium on Tuesday night.

The LaLiga giants won the playoffs tie 7-4 on aggregate.

Lookman was named among the substitutes by head coach, Diego Simeone.

The tricky winger replaced Alex Baena in the 70th minute.

Lookman teed Alexander Sørloth for Diego Simeone’s side third goal six minutes later.

The Nigeria international has now registered four goals, and three assists in seven matches across all competitions for the Rojiblancos.

Sørloth netted a hat-trick for Atletico, while Johnny Cardoso scored the other goal

Club Brugge got their goal through Ecuadorian defender Joel Ordóñez.

UCL Playoffs: Lookman grabs assist in Atletico Madrid’s win over Club Brugge

Victor Osimhen has declared that he is fit and ready for Galatasaray’s clash with Juventus, DAILY POST reports.

The Nigeria international missed Okan Buruk’s side Turkish Super Lig clash with Konyaspor last weekend due a slight knee problem.

After missing Sunday’s session, Osimhen trained fully with his teammates on Monday, and Tuesday.

The powerful striker has already been included in Galatasaray’s squad for the UEFA Champions League playoffs second leg tie.

Osimhen confirmed he is ready for action again after the minor injury setback.

“My knee is fine, thank you,” Osimhen told Sky Sport Italia.

“I have a little pain in my knee, that is the reason why I didn’t play the last league game, but thanks to the medical team, I am back with the squad and looking forward to facing Juve.”

UCL Playoffs: ‘My knee is fine’ – Osimhen declares ahead Juventus vs Galatasaray

Former Real Madrid striker, Michael Owen has insisted that Arsenal’s Viktor Gyokeres has many weaknesses in his game.

Owen spoke after the Sweden international netted two goals in Arsenal’s 4-1 Premier League victory over Tottenham during the North London derby on Sunday.

Speaking on Premier League Productions, the former England international said: “I like this Viktor Gyokeres in so many aspects, but I think he’s got so many weaknesses as well.

“What you cannot question with this Gyokeres is his work rate. He is a fantastic runner and one of the very best finishers in the Premier League.”

Gyokeres made the switch to Arsenal from Sporting Lisbon last year.

Arsenal’s next game is against Chelsea in the Premier League this weekend.

EPL: Arsenal’s Gyokeres has many weaknesses – Michael Owen

Former Chelsea midfielder, John Obi Mikel has claimed that his old club is five steps backwards under manager Liam Rosenior.

The Nigerian also insisted that the Chelsea hierarchy made a mistake parting ways with Enzo Maresca, adding that they made a ‘crazy’ decision.

Speaking on the Obi One Podcast, Obi Mikel said: “Man United being above Chelsea, given how they started the season, is just incredible, it’s awful to see. I don’t see any consistency at Chelsea.

“We had Enzo Maresca, and I think it was a massive mistake to sack him. I still believe that, I still stand by that.

“It’s ridiculous. A manager who won us the Club World Cup and Conference League, we had some sort of identity with the way we played.

“For the club to sack him is absolutely crazy. We have gone five steps backwards. Yes, Liam has come in, and he’s won games, but there is absolutely something that is missing. Something is not quite right.”

EPL: Chelsea five steps backwards under Rosenior – Obi Mikel

Italy legend Gianluigi Buffon has pointed out that Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen has failed to score a goal in his last two matches for the Turkish Süper Lig champions.

Buffon made the comments while discussing Galatasaray’s Champions League Round of 16 playoff second-leg tie with Juventus on Wednesday.

Recall that Galatasaray defeated the Serie A giants 5-2 in the first leg in Turkey last week.

When asked if he believes there is a possibility of a comeback for Juventus against Galatasaray, Buffon told La Gazzetta: “I think that if Juventus had their full squad, they would have had a reason to believe in themselves and put up a fight in this match.

“Because in my opinion, they could have won by two or three goals. But they’re coming from a defeat against Como, and they have some deficiencies in their squad.

“There is another point that makes me doubt. Galatasaray scored five goals in the first match, and Osimhen didn’t score (laughing). Sooner or later… He already made two assists. These kinds of situations are one of the few things I believe in football. We are talking about a player who hasn’t scored in two matches.”

UCL: Osimhen hasn’t scored in two matches – Buffon on Juventus, Galatasaray second leg