Category: Sports

Nigeria’s Super Falcons secured a 2-0 victory over Comoros in the first leg of their second-round qualifying tie for the 2028 Olympic Games in Ikenne on Friday.

Despite dominating the first half, the 10-time African champions struggled to break down their opponents before the interval.

However, the hosts found the breakthrough just two minutes into the second half, with Michelle Alozie putting Nigeria ahead.

The goal marked her second for the Super Falcons.

Nigeria doubled their advantage in the 60th minute through Uchenna Kanu, who made no mistake in converting Jennifer Echegini’s corner kick to give the hosts a comfortable lead.

The Super Falcons will now look to complete the job when both sides meet in the return leg at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne next Tuesday.

2028 Olympics Qualifier: Super Falcons beat Comoros 2-0 in first leg

Chelsea boss, Xabi Alonso, has predicted his side’s Premier League clash with Bournemouth on Saturday.

Speaking to reporters at his pre-match press conference on Friday, Alonso insisted that Chelsea’s clash with Bournemouth will be an intense, high-tempo game and very demanding.

According to the Spaniard, the visitors have a clear idea of what they do with their current manager.

“It will be a tough test,” Alonso said of Chelsea’s clash against Bournemouth.

“It will be so intense, a high-tempo game and very demanding. They have a clear idea of what they do with Marco and previously with Andoni [Iraola].”

Chelsea currently sit in the 10th position on the Premier League table, while Bournemouth occupy the 17th place.

 EPL: They’ve clear idea – Alonso predicts Chelsea vs Bournemouth clash

Cristiano Ronaldo put his national team woes behind him as he scored for Al-Nassr in their 3-0 win over Diriyah on Friday.

The 41-year-old opened the scoring in the 23rd minute of the Saudi Pro League fixture.

It was Ronaldo’s 980th career goal for club and country.

Ronaldo has now taken another step towards the 1,000-goal landmark he has been pursuing.

It was also his fourth goal in the league this season.

Al-Nassr doubled their advantage in the 35th minute when Samú Costa headed home João Félix’s corner, giving the hosts a two-goal lead before half-time.

Kingsley Coman added a third goal in the 77th minute.

Ronaldo scores 980th career goal as Al-Nassr thrash Diriyah

England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford has insisted that his teammate Harry Kane fully deserves to win the 2026 Ballon d’Or.

Kane was recently shortlisted among 30 players to compete for the Ballon d’Or this year.

The England captain will battle the likes of Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal and Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe for the award.

“I would love nothing more than to see him lift the Ballon d’Or. I think it would be a credit to him and his family and all the work they have done,” Pickford said of Kane, as captured by @iMiaSanMia via Bavarian Football Works.

“It will be great for Harry if he gets it. It could be a great couple of months for the skipper, and it’s fully deserved. Hard work pays off, that’s the message.”

Kane netted 73 goals for club and country last season, winning the Bundesliga title and the European Golden Shoe.

Ballon d’Or 2026: ‘He fully deserved it’ – Pickford on award winner

Victor Osimhen provided an assist on his return to action as Galatasaray defeated Kasimpasa 3-1 in an Istanbul derby.

Osimhen, who was injured one month ago in another Istanbul derby against Istanbul Basaksehir, replaced Deniz Gul in the 77th minute.

The Nigeria international teed up Mario Lemina for Galatasaray’s third goal deep into stoppage time.

The 27-year-old has so far registered six goals and three assists in five league appearances for the Yellow and Reds this season.

Osimhen is now expected to start Galatasaray’s UEFA Champions League clash against Barcelona next Tuesday.

The win lifted Galatasaray to first position in the Turkish Super Lig table.

Turkey: Osimhen grabs assists in Galatasaray’s derby win over Kasimpasa 

Chelsea will have at least five key players fit and available against Bournemouth after they overcame fitness concerns.

Moises Caicedo has made his return from a calf injury, after playing in a behind-closed-doors friendly during the international break.

Caicedo has featured for only 14 minutes so far this season.

Joao Pedro, Reece James and Cole Palmer have all trained after pulling out of international duty.

Marco Palestra could make his debut for the Blues, having been sidelined with a thigh injury since pre-season.

However, Jamie Gittens is still out for several weeks, after picking up an ankle injury playing for England U21s.

EPL: Chelsea receive injury boost over five players ahead of Bournemouth clash

Former England goalkeeper, Paul Robinson, has picked Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane to win the Ballon d’Or this year.

According to Robinson, the competition for the Ballon d’Or this year is stiff, adding that no player has figures like Kane.

Kane was included in the 30-man nominees for the Ballon d’Or after scoring 73 goals in 65 appearances for club and country last season.

The former Tottenham Hotspur star is expected to face strong competition from Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe and Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal for the award.

Speaking to BBC Sport (as captured by @iMiaSanMia), Robinson said, “If Harry Kane doesn’t win the Ballon d’Or, it is a travesty this year, surely.

“The competition is stiff, but there is nobody who has got figures like him,” he stated.

Kane won the Bundesliga title with Bayern Munich and the European Golden Shoe.

Ballon d’Or 2026: ‘Competition is stiff’ – Robinson picks player to win award

Super Falcons interim head coach, Augustine Eguavoen has said it is important for his team to respect Comoros in their 2028 Olympic Games qualifying fixture.

The 10-time African champions will face Comoros in the first leg of the second qualifying round tie at the Remo Stars Sports Complex, Ikenne on Friday (today).

The reverse fixture will be held at the same venue next Tuesday.

Comoros were ruthless in the previous round, thrashing Sudan 30-0 on aggregate.

Nigeria are however, overwhelming favourites to win the tie going by their pedigree and quality of players in both teams.

Eguavoen expressed confidence in the ability of his team to scale through the hurdle but warned they must not underestimate their opponent.

“I believe no team can come here and survive. But we are not looking down on anyone. We’re not looking down on our opponents, really, with all respect. We stick to our game plan and just make sure we deliver,” Eguavoen told reporters.

2028 Olympics Qualifier: Super Falcons must respect Comoros – Eguavoen 

Former Manchester United midfielder Anderson has named the player who won’t make the 2026 Ballon d’Or final top three.

The winner of the Ballon d’Or will be announced in less than two weeks in London.

Thirty players have already been shortlisted for the award, and Anderson believes Barcelona’s Raphinha won’t make the final top three because of his performances for Brazil.

Unfortunately, Raphinha was not included in the 30-man nominees for the Ballon d’Or.

“I think he [Raphinha] has to be [in Ballon d’Or top 30]. But I don’t think he would be in the final three,” Anderson said, as quoted by GOAL.

“If he is doing well in the national team for Brazil, I think he is there. There is a difference between him and the other players, because Yamal does amazing in the national team for Spain.

“Mbappe does amazing for France, and Kane does amazing as well for England. That is the only difference for Raphinha and these players.”

Ballon d’Or 2026: Ex-Man Utd midfielder Anderson names player who won’t make final top three

Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, has said he and the club won’t make any comments until the Manchester City case is resolved.

An independent commission found City guilty of 114 out of 115 Premier League financial charges covering the 2009–10 through 2017–18 seasons

Arteta worked as an assistant coach to Pep Guardiola for almost four years at the Etihad.

When asked about the situation at City during his Friday press conference, he said, “I fully understand the question but it’s very important that we respect the process, the timelines and the ongoing process that’s not resolved – because it’s been appealed.”

“And my position – and the club’s position – is to not make any further comments until it’s resolved.”

EPL: Arteta reveals stance on Man City’s guilty verdict