Category: Sports

Liverpool manager, Arne Slot, is likely to be without Hugo Ekitike for their Premier League trip to Arsenal on Thursday.

Ekitike is struggling with a muscle problem and did not play in the 2-2 draw with Fulham last weekend.

The Frenchman is now a big doubt for the heavyweight clash against the league leaders.

“He has not trained with us till now – let’s see if he can today,” Slot told reporters on Wednesday.

“I said two days ago before Fulham that he will not be out for long, but as the games come so fast, he is in between training with the team, or it may take him a few days extra.”

Liverpool go into the match 14 points behind Arsenal.

EPL: Arne Slot confirms major injury blow ahead of Arsenal vs Liverpool clash

Ryan Alebiosu is set to return to training with the Super Eagles after recovering from a leg injury, DAILY POST reports.

Alebiosu has been sidelined since picking up the injury in Nigeria’s last group game against Uganda

There were initial fears that the injury could rule him out of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations

DAILY POST learnt the injury has healed well, which has put the defender in contention to play for Nigeria again in Morocco.

Panathinaikos of Greece forward, Cyriel Dessers has already been ruled out of the competition with a thigh injury.

The Super Eagles will continue their preparation for the quarter-final clash with Algeria tonight.

AFCON 2025: Alebiosu set to return to Super Eagles training 

Former Super Eagles striker, Odion Ighalo has provided the qualities that differentiate Victor Osimhen from Akor Adams.

Both players have demonstrated their skills for Nigeria at the ongoing AFCON in Morocco so far, playing pivotal roles in the team’s impressive 4-0 triumph over Mozambique in the Round of 16 on Monday.

Despite their combined success, Ighalo insisted that Osimhen’s playing style differentiates him from Adams.

Speaking on SuperSport, the former Manchester United striker stated, “Not every striker have speed. Victor is a different kind of striker to Akor.

“He’s the kind of striker that likes to keep the ball, bully and fight.

“If you see the game [against Mozambique] every time, he always tries to fight, and when he gets the chance, he shoots.”

AFCON: ‘He likes to bully, fight’ – Ighalo on Victor Osimhen, Akor Adams

Nigeria’s Super Eagles have raked in $80,000 for their efficiency in front of goal at the ongoing 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, DAILY POST reports.

The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, promised the team $5,000 per goal during the group stage.

The team earned $40,000 for the eight goals they  scored  in their three group games against Tanzania, Tunisia, and Uganda.

For the Round of 16 encounter against the Mambas of Mozambique, they got $40,000 for the four goals scored.

Nigeria will take on the Desert Foxes of Algeria in a quarter-final fixture at the Marrakesh Stadium on Saturday.

They will fly out of Fès for the game on Thursday.

AFCON 2025: Super Eagles earn $80,000 goals bonus 

Daniel Gothom has been named Akwa United’s Player of the Month for December, DAILY POST reports.

Gothom won the highest number of votes from fans, club officials and his teammates.

The striker impressed throughout the month, featuring in all of the club’s matches.

Gothom netted two crucial goals that secured victory for the Promise Keepers in the clash against Osun United and First Bank respectively.

Meanwhile, midfielder Michael Okenwa won the Goal of the Month award.

Okenwa’s stunning acrobatic strike against First Bank which extended Akwa United’s lead in their 3-1 away victory in Lagos was voted as the best in the month.

Both players have been presented their awards.

NNL: Gothom, Okenwa win Akwa United POTM, GOTM award for December 

Ademola Lookman has said he is not thinking about winning the Most Valuable Player, MVP, or top scorer award at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, DAILY POST reports.

Lookman has clearly emerged as one of the leading candidates for both awards after impressing in three outings for the Super Eagles in Morocco.

The 28-year-old has already scored three goals and registered five assists for Éric Chelle’s side in the competition.

Only Morocco’s playmaker Brahim Diaz (four) has scored more goals than him at AFCON 2025.

The 28-year-old, however, has more goals involvements than any other player in the competition.

Lookman already earned a place in Group Stage Best X1.

The winger stated that his main focus is for the team to win the title.

“Personally I’m just thinking about the team, now we are in the quarter-finals our next opponent is going to be another strong team. We scored four goals, another big performance for the team so that’s what I care about,” he said after Nigeria’s win against Mozambique.

AFCON 2025: Lookman not interested in individual honours

Chelsea interim coach, Calum McFarlane has hailed three Blues players for keeping the team together after Enzo Maresca departed from the Premier League west London club.

Speaking after Chelsea’s recent Premier League 1-1 draw with Manchester City, McFarlane lauded Reece James, Tosin Adarabioyo, and Enzo Fernandez for their leadership and unifying influence in the Blues’ squad.

“I think it is a good moment to speak about the players. This is not an easy job,” McFarlane told reporters after the match.

“There is a lot of change that has gone on. Enzo was incredibly successful with this group. Some of them were shocked by the decision to sack Maresca.

“The character that they have shown today. Reece is a big one. Reece, Tosin  and Enzo have really dragged the group together.”

Chelsea’s next Premier League tie is against Fulham on Wednesday.

Chelsea coach, McFarlane hails 3 players for keeping team together after Maresca’s departure

Super Eagles winger, Moses Simon, has risen to the defence of Victor Osimhen saying he is “a fighter” who wants the best for the team.

Simon, has, however, warned the Galatasaray striker that he also needs his teammates to shine.

Osimhen clashed with Ademola Lookman in frustration, after he didn’t pass the ball to him, during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations last-16 clash with Mozambique on Monday.

The 27-year-old was eventually replaced by Simon, after he gestured to the bench to be taken off.

“He is always a fighter in the team. Of course, he will still fight for us,” Simon told Soccernet about Osimhen.

“We need him and the team needs him and I believe he also needs us.”

Head coach of the team, Eric Chelle, has promised to deal with the issue within the dressing room.

AFCON 2025: Always a fighter – Moses Simon reacts to Osimhen’s clash with Lookman

Owen Hargreaves, former Manchester United midfielder, has urged Marcus Rashford to return to Old Trafford following the dismissal of Ruben Amorim as manager.

Before Amorim’s sack on Monday, the Portuguese had last year motivated United’s hierarchy to send Rashford out on loan to Barcelona.

“Everybody was surprised by United’s decision to sack Amorim,” Hargreaves, a former Bayern Munich player, told TNT Sports.

“I hope that Marcus Rashford comes back to Man United because he is a special player.

“I don’t know what happened between Rashford and Ruben Amorim, but the player [Rashford] shouldn’t have been in a position he shouldered all the weight for everything.”

EPL: Owen Hargreaves urges Man Utd forward to come back after Amorim’s sack

Strasbourg manager, Liam Rosenior, has confirmed he is set to replace Enzo Maresca at Chelsea.

Rosenior revealed this during a press conference on Tuesday.

According to him, there is a verbal agreement with the Blues, as it is “an opportunity I cannot turn down”.

“It looks like I am going to be the next manager of that football club (Chelsea),” he added.

The 41-year-old will become Chelsea’s fourth permanent boss since BlueCo took control in 2022.

The Premier League club are yet to make Rosenior’s appointment official, but he was in London on Monday to finalize an agreement.

Rosenior has now said he had wanted to announce the news himself in Strasbourg because of his relationship with the Ligue 1 side.

“Everything is agreed and it will probably go through in the next few hours,” he said.

“I’m here because I care about this club and I felt it was right to answer your questions physically here today before I move on.”

EPL: Why I accepted to replace Maresca as Chelsea’s next manager – Liam Rosenior