Category: Sports

Nigerian winger, Sani Buhari, has joined Spanish Segunda Division club Real Valladolid, DAILY POST reports.

Buhari joined the White and Violets on a free transfer after severing ties with Armenian club FC Pyunik.

The 22-year-old signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with Real Valladolid.

The speedy winger will team up with another Nigerian, Ibrahim Alani, at the club.

He could make his debut for Fran Escribá’s side against Leganes Saturday.

Real Valladolid are currently 18th in the 22-team Segunda Division with 33 points from 29 matches, two points above the relegation zone.

Nigerian winger, Buhari, joins Spanish Segunda Division club, Real Valladolid

Former Real Madrid manager, Zinedine Zidane has conveyed his joy regarding midfielder Federico Valverde following his hat-trick against Manchester City.

The Uruguayan international netted all three goals for Los Blancos, leading them to a 3-0 victory over the English team in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16.

Club icon Zidane was present at the Bernabeu as Valverde stole the spotlight in the crucial match. When questioned post-game, he expressed his happiness for the 27-year-old midfielder after his impressive goalscoring display.

“I am very pleased for Valverde,” he remarked (via @MadridXtra on X). Federico Valverde donned the Real Madrid captain’s armband and rose to the challenge in the absence of top scorer Kylian Mbappe, who is sidelined due to injury.

The midfielder delivered three precise finishes that would have made Mbappe, or any other forward, proud, securing the win for his team.

Valverde joined Los Blancos in 2016 and made his debut two years later after progressing through the youth ranks and spending time on loan. He became a regular in the first team under Zidane in 2019 during the Frenchman’s second tenure with the Spanish club.

Before facing Manchester City, Federico Valverde had only scored three Champions League goals in his previous 75 appearances in the tournament. His hat-trick astonishingly matched that total in just 45 minutes of play at the Bernabeu.

UCL: Zidane excited over Valverde’s hat-trick against Man City

Chelsea star, Pedro Neto has said the Paris Saint-Germain ball boy apologised to him at least 35 times after their Champions League defeat to the French champions.

Paris Saint-Germain played Chelsea at the Parc des Princes in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16.

Neto said that he expressed regret after pushing the ball boy during the 5-2 loss.

Neto faced criticism and backlash from PSG players after he caused the ball boy to fall towards the advertising boards. The ball was out of play in the final moments of the match, and Neto attempted to retrieve it quickly.

The ball boy had already collected the ball and was waiting for the player to take it. Instead, the Portuguese player became physical with the young boy.

In a post-match interview, Neto acknowledged his errors and expressed that he was ‘truly sorry’.

“I want to come forward and address the incident that occurred on the pitch; I wish to apologise to the ball boy,” he told TNT Sports.

“I had already spoken with him; the emotions of the game, with us trailing, made me eager to retrieve the ball, and I gave him a slight push. I realised that I had hurt him and immediately apologised; that is not my character. I gave him my shirt because such behaviour is unacceptable, so I am genuinely, truly sorry.”

Neto also presented the ball boy with his jersey and mentioned that the boy apologised to him 35 times.

“I also gave him my shirt,” Neto remarked. “He was pleased to receive the shirt and apologised approximately 35 times.”

PSG ball boy said sorry to me 35 times – Chelsea’s Pedro Neto

Real Madrid goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois has refuted claims that his teammates conspired to have Xabi Alonso dismissed.

He spoke following Real Madrid’s 3-0 victory at home against Manchester City in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 on Wednesday.

Alonso joined the Santiago Bernabeu last summer after a successful period with Bayer Leverkusen and initially had a promising start in the Spanish capital before Los Blancos experienced a downturn in performance.

Despite recovering to reach the Supercopa de Espana final, a 3-2 defeat to arch-rivals Barcelona ultimately resulted in Alonso’s dismissal amid allegations of unrest and discord within the dressing room.

“No player set up Xabi Alonso,” Courtois stated (according to Madrid Xtra). “I believe we performed well. They claimed we disliked tactics and videos. … look, I had Antonio Conte who conducted an hour of training every day, and I was present and didn’t mind it because we are professionals and my work is the priority.

“I think the initial months with Xabi were VERY POSITIVE, and then we encountered a slump. This is part of football.”

Alonso, who has been without a managerial job since leaving Los Blancos in January, concluded his tenure at the Bernabeu with a record of 24 victories in 34 matches across all competitions, suffering six defeats.

His win percentage of 70.59 is superior to his record at Bayer Leverkusen (62.86%), where he secured a domestic double (2023-24).

Midfielder Federico Valverde achieved his first career hat-trick as Los Blancos made significant progress towards advancing to the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

The second leg will take place at the Etihad on Tuesday.

LaLiga: We performed well – Courtois on Real Madrid players setting Alonso up

Kun Khalifat FC goalkeeper, Chijioke Ejiogu, has called for support from the club supporters ahead of their final rounds of matches in the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, season.

Kun Khalifat FC are currently battling to avoid relegation in the NPFL.

The Owerri-based club occupy 18th position on the NPFL table with 32 points from 29 matches

Kun Khalifat FC have suffered only one defeat in their last five matches.

“Imolites came out this weekend and we felt their support, just want to say thank you for being there throughout the game,” Ejiogu told the club’s media.

“We want you to continue to support us throughout the season.”

Kun Khalifat FC will slug it out with Bendel Insurance in a matchday 30 fixture in Benin City this weekend.

NPFL: Ejiogu rallies Kun Khalifat fans in relegation battle

Niger Tornadoes technical adviser, Majin Mohammed is optimistic in his side’s ability to turn around their poor run of form in the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL.

The Ikon Allah Boys have managed only one win from their last nine NPFL matches.

Mohammed’s led technical crew have been issued ultimatum to improve the team’s performance or face the exit door.

Niger Tornadoes will face Kano Pillars and Rivers United in back-to-back home fixtures in Minna.

Mohammed acknowledged his team’s struggle and admitted that they must take collective responsibility to turn things around.

“There are no more excuses. It is time for everyone to roll up their sleeves and show their true loyalty to the team,” Mohammed told Niger Tornadoes media.

“It is time for the most experienced players in the team to demonstrate their leadership.

“Every player must play for the badge and for the fans who have remained solidly behind the team, Every top team experiences periods like this. What matters is how we react and come out of it.”

NPFL: Mohammed urges Tornadoes players to improve performance

Arsenal boss, Mikel Arteta has identified forward Kai Havertz as an honest and humble player.

Arteta expressed his admiration for the Germany international, stating, “You can’t help but love Kai.”

“It is impossible not to love Kai,” the Spaniard told TNT Sports. “He so humble, honest and hard-working.

“When you meet his family, you quickly understand how he was raised and what truly matters to him.

“In terms of character, it is difficult to find anyone better than Kai in the football world.”

‘It’s impossible not to love him’ – Arteta on humble, honest Arsenal player

Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta has revealed that former Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso played a pivotal role in his decision to bring in defender Piero Hincapie last year.

The Gunners successfully fended off interest from Tottenham Hotspur to secure the signing of Hincapie on loan from Bayer Leverkusen last summer.

The Premier League leaders have the option to finalize the transfer for £45 million this upcoming summer.

In an interview with TNT Sports, Arteta said ahead of Arsenal’s Champions League tie with Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday night, “Before we signed Hincapie, I asked Xabi [Alonso] to describe him in one word, and he said, ‘He’s a warrior.’

“He will play through brick walls for you, and he is one of the most competitive players that I have had.

“He has an aura, a charisma – a really special character.”

UCL: Arteta reveals player Alonso convinced him to sign for Arsenal

African champions D’Tigress thrashed Colombia 70–37 in their opening fixture at the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup qualifying tournament.

Rena Wakama’s side dominated the game, leading for three quarters.

D’Tigress led 18–12 in the opening quarter, but Colombia rallied in the second quarter.

Nigeria fought back to win the third and fourth quarters.

The West Africans will face Korea in their next game on Thursday.

They will also come up against the Philippines, France, and Germany.

D’Tigress maul Colombia In 2026 FIBA World Cup qualifiers opener

Barcelona winger, Lamine Yamal has reached the milestone of 50 career goals faster than both Argentina captain Lionel Messi and Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Spain international could also double his tally by the time he reaches their age, when they scored their 50th goal.

According to MisterChip, Yamal’s goal against Athletic Club weekend was his 50th goal (44 for Barcelona and six for Spain).

This means that Yamal reached the milestone over 2 years faster than Messi and 3 years faster than Ronaldo.

Messi was 20 years and 315 days when he scored his 50th goal, while Yamal is just 18 years and 237 days old.

Ronaldo, meanwhile, was 21 years and 297 days old when he reached the milestone.

UCL: Lamine Yamal outshines Messi, Ronaldo’s record