Category: Sports

Inter Lagos defeated Ranchers Bees 2-0 in their second game at the Nigeria National League, NNL, Super Four playoff.

The modest side lost to Doma United 1-0 in their opening fixture.

It was Ranchers Bees second defeat in the competition.

Qoyum Akinpelu put Inter Lagos ahead with a powerful shot two minutes after the break.

Akinpelu was brought down inside the box in the 70th minute, with captain Bayo Oyedele slotting the ball home.

They will face Sporting Lagos in their last game of the competition on Friday..

NNL: Inter Lagos pip Ranchers Bees to boost title hopes

Former Manchester United striker, Michael Owen, has criticized Arsenal’s Viktor Gyokeres following the Gunners’ Champions League triumph over Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.

Owen claimed that the former Sporting CP striker isn’t Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe, or Manchester City’s Erling Haaland, or Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane, because he has not set the place on fire.

“Gyokeres has not been a disappointment, but has certainly not set the place on fire,” Owen told talkSPORT.

“Arsenal have [Kai] Havertz, who can do a good job, and I really rate him. They also have Gyokeres and Jesus.

“But none of them are the [Erling] Haaland, or [Kylian] Mbappe, or [Harry] Kane that everyone is looking for.”

UCL: He’s not Haaland, hasn’t set place on fire — Owen criticizes Arsenal’s Gyokeres

Shooting Stars Chairman, Hon Taiwo Lekan Salami, says that his team will fight to secure a continental this season.

The Oluyole Warriors currently occupy fourth position on the league table.

Shooting Stars will do battle with Barau FC in their next league fixture in Ibadan this weekend.

Salami expressed optimism in his team’s ability to secure the needed points to achieve their target.

“We will keep working hard, we will keep believing. We are hopeful of getting another victory in the clash against Barau FC,” Salami told the club’s media.

“We will go to Minna in our last match against Niger Tornadoes to go an fight, we are ready as we are Warriors.”

DAILY POST reports that the top two teams will qualify for the CAF Champions League, while the third-place team will play in the Confederation Cup.

NPFL: Shooting Stars will keep fighting for continental ticket – Salami

Former Aston Villa and West Ham United midfielder, Nigel Reo-Coker, has warned Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta against playing ‘Premier League’s best right-back’, Jurrien Timber, in the Champions League final due to the defender’s lack of match fitness.

Reo-Coker was speaking after Arsenal booked their place in the Champions League final on Tuesday, thanks to a 1-0 victory against Atletico Madrid at the Emirates Stadium.

“That is a big call. He [Jurrien Timber] has been out for so long… are you going to put him straight in a Champions League final?” Reo-Coker said on CBS Sports.

“Right about now, for players who are fit and playing with rhythm, I don’t think you can put Timber in now, with how long he’s been out for.

“He is the best right-back in the Premier League, and I am not disputing the quality that he has.

“But now when you get to a Champions League final, you talk about momentum, fitness, players out there.”

UCL: Arsenal coach Arteta warned not to play Premier League’s best right-back in final

Former Arsenal star, Martin Keown, has picked the team he wants his old club to face in the Champions League final.

Arsenal qualified for the Champions League final on Tuesday after beating Atletico Madrid in the semi-final second leg encounter played at the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners will face the winner between Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain in the final in Budapest on May 30.

When asked which team he would like to see Mikel Arteta’s face in the Champions League final, Keown told talkSPORT, “Do you know, I think I would like to see Bayern Munich, actually.

“They have already played each other; it was a 3-1 victory, and somehow I think Arsenal might have a better chance.

“With PSG, they are just remarkable in the way they play. The philosophies of both managers are exactly the same.”

UCL Final: Martin Keown picks team he wants Arsenal to face between PSG, Bayern

Former Super Eagles coach, Jo Bonfrere, has claimed that the decision to take Ademola Lookman by Atletico Madrid manager, Diego Simeone, cost the team as they lost 1–0 defeat to Arsenal.

The LaLiga side were eliminated from the Champions League on Tuesday night on a 2-1 aggregate.

Lookman started the game at the Emirates alongside Antoine Griezmann and Julian Alvarez in attack.

But it was Arsenal who scored before the break through captain for the night, Bukayo Saka.

As Atletico fought back to equalize, Simeone pulled out Lookman in the 57th minute and replaced him with Nahuel Molina.

“I watched the match. I’m not the Atletico Madrid coach, but when Diego Simeone removed Lookman early in the second half, he took away ‘speed’ from the team,” Bonfrere told Completesports.

“Lookman had pace and was effective in one-on-one situations. But when Simeone decided to take him off in the 57th minute and replaced him with players who are more physically gifted, I knew Atletico Madrid would struggle.”

UCL: Lookman substitution cost Atletico in 1-0 defeat to Arsenal — Bonfrere

Real Madrid defender, Antonio Rudiger, slapped younger teammate Alvaro Carreras during a dressing room row, the Daily Mail reports.

It is claimed that both players had to be pulled apart during the incident at the training ground.

Rudiger “lost his mind” following their 1-1 draw with Real Betis two weeks ago.

In a statement, Carreras confirmed the clash and insisted the matter has been resolved.

The 23-year-old said: “Regarding the incident with a teammate, it was an isolated matter without importance that has already been resolved. My relationship with the entire team is very good.”

Rudiger is believed to have apologised to Carreras and taken the players out for dinner with their families last Friday.

LaLiga: Rudiger ‘slaps’ Real Madrid teammate during clash in training

Manchester United midfielder, Casemiro, has suggested who the club should appoint as permanent manager.

The Brazilian, who is set to leave Old Trafford at the end of the season, spoke during a recent interview with ESPN.

Speaking on who Man United should appoint to succeed Ruben Amorim permanently, Casemiro simply mentioned Michael Carrick.

The former Real Madrid star said, “In my opinion, Carrick completely deserves the job at Man United.

“I think he’s a guy who has already demonstrated that he has very good qualities to be a Manchester United coach. He deserves the club’s total trust.”

Carrick is currently serving as an interim manager until the end of the season following the sacking of Amorim.

EPL: Casemiro tells Man Utd who to appoint as next manager

Malawi U-20 women’s national team head coach, Maggie Chombo, has called up foreign-based duo Faith Chinzimu, and Rose Kabzere for the clash with Nigeria’s Falconets, DAILY POST reports.

The 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup second leg final qualifying round fixture is slated for the Bingu National Stadium on Saturday.

Malawi lost the first leg 2-0 at the Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne last weekend.

Versatile midfielder Chinzimu is currently on the books of Swedish club BK Häcken FF.

The 19-year-old was part of the BK Häcken’s side that won the 2025/26 Women’s Europa League.

The other invitee, Kabzere currently plays for French club, Montpellier.

Malawi are looking to qualify for the U-20 Women’s World Cup for the first time.

U-20 WWCQ: Malawi invite foreign stars for Falconets rematch

Former Netherlands midfielder, Wesley Sneijder, has claimed UEFA should have cancelled the Champions League semi-final second leg between Arsenal and Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.

Sneidjer hit out at the quality of the game, which was settled by Bukayo Saka’s first-half goal.

According to him, the level of football was far below the standard expected.

Speaking on Ziggo Sport, Sneijder said: “I said after 35 minutes, UEFA must intervene.

“They need to call London: both teams off the pitch, and tomorrow the final will be played between Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain.

“I knew this would happen, Atletico dropped back and gave away possession, and Arsenal had a lot of control over the ball.”

UCL: UEFA should have cancelled Arsenal vs Atletico at half time – Sneijder