Category: Sports

Gateway FC forward Nnachi David is adamant that the team will come good next season, DAILY POST reports.

The Abeokuta-based club defeated Inter Lagos 2–1 in their final match of the 2025–26 Nigeria National League (NNL) season.

David said the result was a proof of the footballing identity they built this season.

“Our win against Inter Lagos is a testament to the quality football we play,” David told Sportslighthub.

Gateway FC registered 18 points from 16 matches in the NNL Conference A.

They were relegated to the Nationwide League after an underwhelming campaign.

David expressed dissatisfaction with the position of the team on the table.

“Just that we were unfortunate to end the season in that position.”

NNL: Gateway FC will come good next season – David

Former England striker, Gary Lineker, has predicted that Manchester City will beat Arsenal in the Premier League this weekend.

Lineker has consistently backed the Gunners to end their 22-year wait for the title.

But following a 2-1 defeat at home to Bournemouth and City’s 3-0 thrashing of Chelsea, he has changed his mind.

“I’ve been telling everyone I know that Arsenal will be fine and that they’re not going to choke,” Lineker said on The Rest Is Football podcast.

“But they’re stuttering, they’ve lost their form at the moment and we know how important momentum is.

“And all the momentum now is with Man City. It’s so tough to call now but if you said you need to put your life on the line, which I’d hate to have to do under these circumstances, I’d probably now go City because I think they will win next week.”

EPL: Gary Lineker changes title prediction ahead of Man City vs Arsenal clash

Benfica manager, Jose Mourinho, has said he will also stay at the club if it is their wish.

Mourinho has a contract with the Portuguese club until 2027.

But the 63-year-old has been linked with a move away this summer.

Following the 2-0 win over Nacional on Sunday, Mourinho has insisted he has no personal demands from Benfica.

“It all depends on the club’s wishes,” Mourinho said.

“My desire to stay at Benfica isn’t conditional on anything from my part; it doesn’t depend on investment in the team.”

Mourinho’s deal also contains a clause that would allow him or the club to terminate the contract in May.

Mourinho gives condition to stay at Benfica

Malawi has named 29 players in its squad for the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup final qualifying round tie against the Falconets of Nigeria.

Twenty-one players were retained from the squad that defeated Guinea-Bissau in the third round.

Head coach Maggie Chombo is expected to reduce the number before the clash with Nigeria next month.

Malawi will travel to Nigeria for the first leg on May 2.

They will host the second leg at the Bingu National Stadium on May 9, 2026.

The winner on aggregate will qualify for the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, scheduled to take place in Poland from August 27 to September 26.

U-20 WWCQ: Malawi names squad for Falconets showdown

The Nigeria National League, NNL, clash between Osun United and Sporting Lagos has been postponed.

The encounter was billed to be played on Wednesday 15th April, will now take place on Thursday 16th April, 2026 in Osogbo.

The reason for the shift in date wasn’t stated by the Sporting Lagos.

“Our game against Osun United formerly scheduled for Wednesday 15th April has been moved to Thursday 16th April,” Sporting Lagos wrote on their social media.

Sporting Lagos must win the encounter to secure promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL.

The modest club are being trailed by Akwa United who will take on Solution FC in their final game of the season.

Sporting Lagos occupy the top spot on the NNL Conference B table with 33 points while Akwa United are on 32 points.

NNL: Osun United vs Sporting Lagos get new date

Chelsea manager, Liam Rosenior, has explained why his team lost 3-0 against Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday.

Three goals from Jeremy Doku, Nico O’Reilly and Marc Guehi gave Pep Guardiola’s side the victory against the Blues at Stamford Bridge.

Speaking at his post-match interview after the game, Rosenior admitted that Chelsea didn’t perform well in the second half against the Cityzens.

“In the second half, the performance was nowhere near what we wanted. There was no frustration with the first half; we were organised and very difficult to break down.

“Cucu’s goal is an inch. I still don’t know how close it is, but they have made the decision.

“The reality now is there are too many times we go a goal down, and it’s quickly followed by another and that can’t happen,” he said.

Chelsea remain in sixth position with 48 points from 32 games after losing against City at home.

EPL: Why we lost 3-0 against Man City – Chelsea manager, Liam Rosenior

Rivers United returned to the summit in the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, courtesy of 1-0 home victory over Plateau United at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt on Sunday.

Wisdom Samuel’s 11th minute strike separated both teams on the night.

Finidi George’s side top the standings with 58 points from 34 matches.

At the Bako Kotangora Stadium, Minna, Rangers were held to a 0-0 draw by Niger Tornadoes.

Rangers now sit in second position with 56 points.

Wikki Tourists recorded the only away win of the day, beating Bayelsa United 1-0 at the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa.

Imamu Bala netted the winner for the the visitors in the 67th minute.

Full Results
3SC 0-0 Kwara Utd
Barau 2-1 Remo Stars
Tornadoes 0-0 Rangers
Enyimba 3-0 Katsina Utd
Bayelsa Utd 0-1 Wikki
Ikorodu City 3-0 Kano Pillars
Rivers Utd 1-0 Plateau Utd
Kun Khalifat 3-0 Wolves

NPFL: Rivers United return to summit, Wikki Tourists win away

Former Nigerian goalkeeper, Emmanuel Babayaro, has explained why Brentford defender Michael Kayode is prioritising playing for Italy over Nigeria.

Kayaode had recently expressed his desire to represent the senior national football team of Italy while also acknowledging his home nation, Nigeria.

Speaking about the Nigeria Football Federation’s efforts to convince Kayode, Babayaro suggested that the young defender is drawn to Italy because of the country’s richer footballing heritage and greater global appeal.

“We need to pay more attention to production. A lot of these players, their first instinct is that they would rather be with their adopted countries, the places where they think the football is bigger,” Babayaro said on the ATHLST podcast.

“So more often than not, them coming back to say they are going to play for Nigeria is as a result of missing out on selection in their adopted countries. That means us taking the leftovers.”

Why Kayode prefers to play for Italy over Nigeria – Babayaro

Enyimba Football Club of Aba, on Sunday, defeated Katsina United Football Club of Katsina in Week 34 of the Nigerian Premier Football League game at Aba Stadium.

Enyimba took the lead in the 23rd minutes with Stanley Dimgba scoring the first goal.

In-form player, Chidera Michael doubled the lead for the host team in the 31st minutes, sending the home fans into jubilation.

In the second half, Katsina United players upped the ante in their quest to equalize the score line and the pressure resulted in Enyimba conceding a penalty in the 72nd minutes.

Uche Collins stepped up to take the spot kick for Katsina United but the penalty was saved by Enyimba Goal Keeper, Kelvin Ogunga.

In the 79th minutes, Enyimba extended its lead courtesy of third goal scored by Wonah Williams.

With the 3-0 victory, Enyimba has now accumulated 43 points and climbed to 12 the position of the NPFL table.

NPFL: Enyimba beat Katsina Utd 3-0, climb to 12th position

Heartland head coach Emmanuel Amuneke, has reacted on his team’s failure to secure promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL.

Amuneke said that they will reflect on their performance in the season and build on the successes for the next campaign.

Heartland beat Crown FC 1-0 in the final game of the 2025-26 NNL season.

The Naze Millionaires recorded 27 points from 16 matches.

“We will go back and reflect on our performance throughout the season before we can move forward,” Amuneke told Puyaka.

“We will continue to rely on the process in other to achieve our objectives in the future.”

NNL: Amuneke reflects on Heartland’s failed promotion bid