Category: Sports

Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, has leapt to the defence of out-of-sorts Bukayo Saka.

Saka was singled out by fans and pundits for criticism, following the Gunners’ 2-2 draw with Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League on Wednesday night.

The England winger was taken off by Arteta in the 60th minute and replaced by Noni Madueke.

Madueke eventually won the penalty that Kai Havertz converted to help Arsenal avoid defeat.

But speaking to the media on Friday, Arteta insisted that he fully trusts Saka.

He said: “We fully trust him and love him. What he’s doing for us, for this club, is just incredible at his age and he’s continued to have that massive impact for us.

“He can have an individual performance that is not probably a reflection of his level, like every human, every player in the world.

“But overall when you look at his strength and the impulse he has in the team, it’s just incredible.”

EPL: It’s just incredible – Arteta speaks on Saka’s poor form

Paul Onuachu is aiming to become Trabzonspor’s all-time top scorer in a single season in the Turkish Super Lig, DAILY POST reports.

Onuachu has already scored 20 goals in 22 league appearances for the Black Sea Storm this term.

The Nigeria international will become the most prolific scorer in Trabzonspor history should he score six goals before the end of the season.

Former Georgia international Shota Arveladze currently holds the record.

Arveladzehe netted 25 goals in the 1995/1996 season.

Norway international Alexander Sorloth is second on the list with 24 goals.

Turkey: Onuachu on track for new goals record

The Nationwide League One, NLO, has issued a final warning to participating clubs ahead of the 2026 season.

The NLO stated that registration for the new season will close on Saturday, 14 March 2026, at 12:00 midnight.

According to a statement released by the NLO, any club that failed to complete their financial obligations by the deadline will face immediate exclusion from the league.

The NLO Secretariat does not have the authority to extend the deadline, as it is a fixed mandate set by the Congress, the league’s highest decision-making body.

“Any club in violation of these payment requirements will be officially assumed to have withdrawn their participation from the league,” the statement read.

“To avoid penalties, clubs must ensure all payments are processed and confirmed before the deadline.”

The league groupings will be released based on full payments.

NLO set March 14 deadline for 2026 season registration

Major League Soccer, MLS, club Houston Dynamo have completed the signing of Ibrahim Aliyu from Columbus Crew, DAILY POST reports.

Aliyu penned a contract through 2026 with the option of another year.

The 24-year-old previously played for Houston Dynamo from 2023 to 2025 before leaving for Columbus Crew.

The striker scored 12 goals and registered nine assists in 90 appearances during his first stint with Dynamo.

Aliyu also won the 2023 U.S. Open Cup title with the club.

On the international level, he represented Nigeria at the 2019 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations.

Transfer: Nigerian forward completes move to MLS club Houston Dynamo

Rivers United technical adviser, Finidi George is staying positive despite his team’s defeat to Shooting Stars.

The Pride of Rivers were defeated 2-1 by Shooting Stars in Ibadan on Thursday.

Sodiq Ibrahim and Qamar Adegoke were on target for the Oluyole Warriors, while Wasiu Falolu grabbed the only goal for Rivers United.

Finidi promised that his team will bounce back from the defeat.

“We lost ,come back to make a few corrections, we just have to continue to encourage the players to express themselves properly before the next game,” Finidi told Rivers United’s media.

“We are quite optimistic as the season proceeds.”

Rivers United remain at the top of the league table with 52 points despite the loss.

NPFL: Finidi vows Rivers United will bounce back from Shooting Stars defeat

Ex-England striker, Michael Owen, has claimed Liverpool is the best team in the Premier League.

Liverpool are enduring a difficult campaign this season, having clinched the title in Arne Slot’s first year.

Right now, the Reds are in sixth place, 19 points behind the league leaders Arsenal.

Arsenal sit seven points ahead of second place, Manchester City, but they’ve already played one more game than them.

“Personally, I think Liverpool are the best team in the Premier League,” Owen said.

“Some people might find it surprising, but they were really strong last season.

“They’re not playing as well right now. But if you imagine the best version of every team in the Premier League and compare them, I believe Liverpool are the best.”

EPL: Michael Owen snubs Arsenal, Man City, names best team

Nigeria’s T’Digress lost 77-60 to South Korea in their second game at the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament.

Korea won the keenly contested first quarter 20-16.

Nigeria fought back in the second quarter, fighting to draw 16-16 but the Korea went into the half time break with a four-point lead.

Korea seized the initiative again in the third quarter edging it 22-19.

The Asians champions took apart the D’Tigress in the fourth quarter, winning it 19-9.

D’Tigress, who whitewashed Colombia 70-37 in their first game, will next face Philippines on Saturday.

FIBA WWQ 2026: Gallant D’Tigress fall 77-60 to Korea

UEFA on Thursday announced the Champions League Team of the Week, showcasing standout performances from the first leg of the Round of 16 fixtures played on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively.

This week’s team features two players each from Real Madrid, Galatasaray, and Bayern Munich after their impressive displays for their clubs.

The selected players include the likes of Thibaut Courtois, Federico Valverde from Real Madrid, along with Ismail Jakobs and Mario Lemina from Galatasaray, and Bayern Munich’s Josip Stanišić and Michael Olise.

Recall that Real Madrid secured a commanding 3-0 victory over Manchester City, Bayern Munich thrashed Atalanta 6-1, and Galatasaray defeated Liverpool 1-0.

The second leg of the Round of 16 fixtures is set to take place next week.

Below is the complete Champions League Team of the Week:

Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid)
Josip Stanišić (Bayern Munich)
Robin Le Normand (Atletico Madrid)
Robert Andrich (Bayer Leverkusen)
Ismail Jakobs (Galatasaray)
Federico Valverde (Real Madrid)
Mario Lemina (Galatasaray)
Sondre Brunstad Fet (Bodø/Glimt)
Michael Olise (Bayern Munich)
Julián Alvarez (Atletico Madrid)
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Paris Saint-Germain)

UEFA includes two Real Madrid, Galatasaray, Bayern Munich players in Champions League team

Former Chelsea striker, Didier Drogba, has sent his felicitations to Galatasaray star, Victor Osimhen, after the club’s fans unveiled a tifo of his mother.

Ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League clash with Liverpool, the home supporters unwrapped a huge banner that had images of Osimhen, his daughter and his late mum.

Drogba himself featured for the Turkish side as his career wound down and knows all about the incredible passion of the Cim-Bom fanbase.

Drogba shared a picture that had the tifo with the caption, “Told you, you have an army of Lions with you, Victor Osimhen. Condolences and stay strong.”

In a recent interview with The Player’s Tribune, Osimhen spoke about losing his mother at a tender age and growing up with his father.

This led to conversations among Galatasaray fans on social media, and they came up with the idea to pay tribute to his upbringing.

Turkey: You’re surrounded by lions at Galatasaray – Drogba tells Osimhen

Ex-Super Eagles head coach, Jo Bonfrere, has claimed that FIFA’s delay in delivering a verdict on the appeal submitted by the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, accusing the Democratic Republic of Congo of fielding ineligible players, could mean nothing significant in the complaint.

The 79-year-old stated this in an interview with Complete Sports.

“I think FIFA do not seem to have found any wrongdoing by DR Congo in the petition. That could be the reason they are still investigating,” Bonfrere said.

“Otherwise, I think it is quite enough time for FIFA to investigate the allegation and come up with a verdict.

“FIFA, still investigating Nigeria’s protest till now may show they have not seen anything wrong with DR Congo,” he explained.

“I think it is enough time for them to resolve the matter and release their verdict so the issue can rest.

“But keeping quiet – or should I say still investigating it – less than two weeks before the play-off kicks off could mean they have not found anything wrong with DR Congo.”

The intercontinental play-off is scheduled to take place in Mexico from 23–31 March 2026, with the 2026 FIFA World Cup set to run from 11 June to 19 July 2026 across Mexico, the United States, and Canada.

2026 World Cup: FIFA could throw out Super Eagles’ appeal against DR Congo – Jo Bonfrere