Category: Sports

Manchester City’s Rodri has escaped a ban from the Football Association, FA, after he lashed out at referees in their 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur last month.

Rodri was furious after Dominic Solanke’s first goal was not disallowed.

The Spanish midfielder admitted the charge against him and has now been fined £80,000.

Rodri was also warned about his future conduct following a hearing.

This news is a big boost for Pep Guardiola’s team, as they seek to close the gap on Premier League leaders Arsenal.

The two teams are set to face off in the Carabao Cup final next season.

EPL: Rodri receives £80,000 fine, escapes ban

Osun United head coach, Akinade Onigbinde, says his team will not give up on their push for promotion this season.

The Omoluabi giants defeated Conference B leader Akwa United 1-0 in a keenly contested matchday 13 encounter in Osogbo on Saturday.

Osun United are on a three-game unbeaten run in the Nigeria National League,NNL.

Onigbinde commended his players for their resilience in the victory.

“it’s not over until it’s over, we vowed to continue fighting for glory.” Onigbinde told Osun United’s media.

Osun United will be up against Calabar Rovers in their next game in Calabar.

NNL: Osun United won’t relent in promotion chase – Onigbinde

Kun Khalifat FC technical adviser, Obinna Uzoho, has singled out veteran goalkeeper, Chijioke Ejiogu for praises following his side’s victory over Bayelsa United.

The 41-year-old shot stopper made a return to the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, after three years absence.

Ejiogu helped the Owerri-based club to a 1-0 win over Bayelsa United at the Dan Anyiam Stadium on Sunday.

Uzoho believed that the goalkeeper’s experience will play a key role in his team’s push for survival.

“Ejiogu is here to help with his leadership and experience in goal as we have been working with him for the past weeks,” Uzoho told Puyaka.

“He really gave a very good account of himself in the win over Bayelsa United.”

NPFL: Uzoho hails Ejiogu’s impact in Kun Khalifat FC’s win over Bayelsa United

Super Eagles media officer, Promise Efoghe, has denied reports linking Éric Chelle to Moroccan club, Wydad Casablanca.

According to a report on Morocco’s television, Le7TV, Chelle is close to agreeing a contract with Wydad Casablanca.

Le7TV claimed the Malian will replace the current handler of the team, Amine Benhachem.

Efoghe, however, claimed that the story is false.

Chelle has consistently been linked with top clubs and countries in Africa and Europe after guiding the Super Eagles to third position in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

The 48-year-old has a contract with the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, until January 2027.

Super Eagles deny Chelle’s rumoured agreement with Moroccan club Wydad Casablanca

Victor Osimhen is at the risk of one-match ban in the UEFA Champions League, DAILY POST reports.

Osimhen is one of the eight Galatasaray players who must avoid a booking in Tuesday’s Round of 16 first leg tie against Liverpool.

Another yellow card will see the Nigeria international miss the second leg at Anfield.

Osimhen was booked in the second leg of Galatasaray’s playoff tie with Juventus.

The 27-year-old has managed seven goals, and two assists in eight appearances in the Champions League this season.

Osimhen at risk of Champions League suspension

Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, has admitted that the Premier League title is not in their hands.

City are currently seven points behind leaders Arsenal, having played a game less than the Gunners.

Guardiola’s men were held to a 2-2 draw at the Etihad by Nottingham Forest in the last game, as Arsenal won 1-0 at Brighton.

Speaking ahead of their Champions League last-16 game at Real Madrid, Guardiola demanded the right mindset from his players.

He said: “It’s a pity that the Premier League is not in our hands, that was a big drop against Nottingham Forest.

“Don’t think about it much. Just recover, go to Madrid, make a good selection.

“Hopefully we can behave, I’m not talking win or lose, behave in the way who we are.

“It’s always my focus when we play in the big stages against big teams, it’s not win or lose, it’s be who we are as individuals and as a team.

“After that you can win or lose, you never know. But that is the main, main target I have in my mind. The players know it, I say it to them all the time.”

EPL: Title not in Man City’s hands – Guardiola admits

Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, side, Wikki Tourists have declared Isah Aliyu Ndala Absent Without Official Leave, AWOL.

The Bauchi Elephants said that Ndala failed to return to the club after permission to go on trial abroad.

Wikki Tourists consider the action a breach of contractual and professional obligations expected of all registered players of the club.

They have notified the league body and other relevant authorities regarding the player’s status in accordance with applicable regulations governing player conduct and contractual compliance.

Wikki Tourists said that the player is still under contract with the club.

Ndala was a regular feature in Wikki Tourists’ team before leaving for trials.

NPFL: Wikki Tourists declare Aliyu Ndala missing

Former Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa scored the winning goal as Kano Pillars recorded a 1–0 victory over local rivals Barau FC at the Sani Abacha Stadium on Sunday.

Musa hit the target for Kano Pillars three minutes before the hour mark.

The hard-earned victory lifted Kano Pillars to 15th position on the table with 35 points from 29 games.

Finidi George’s Rivers United held on to top spot after a 3–1 win over Bendel Insurance at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt.

After a goalless first half, the hosts came alive after the break, scoring through Chigioke Mbaoma, Wisdom Samuel, and Samson Obi.

The former champions top the standings with 52 points from 27 matches.

In Enugu, champions Remo Stars dropped to the bottom spot after a 4–1 defeat to Rangers.

Kenneth Igboke scored twice for Rangers, with Chidozie Iwundu and Wisdom Ebirim also on target.

Remo Stars got their goal through Franck Kingue.

Full Results

Kano Pillars 1-0 Barau FC
Plateau United 3-0 Niger Tornadoes
Rangers Int’l 4-1 Remo Stars
Abia Warriors 2-0 Shooting Stars
Warri Wolves 2-1 Enyimba FC
Rivers United 3-1 Insurance
Katsina 1-2 Kwara United
Nasarawa United 1-0 Ikorodu City
Kun Khalifat 1-0 Bayelsa United

NPFL: Musa nets winner for Kano Pillars, Rivers United maintain top spot

Beşiktaş vice-president Hakan Daltaban has protested the decision to let Victor Osimhen off the hook in the Istanbul derby with Galatasaray.

The Black Eagles were defeated 1–0 by the title holders in their Turkish Super Lig encounter on Saturday night.

Osimhen’s 41st-minute strike proved decisive as Galatasaray snatched an important victory that boosted their chances of winning a fourth consecutive league title.

The Yellow and Reds finished the game with 10 men after Leroy Sané was sent off for a second bookable offence in the 62nd minute.

Osimhen, who received the game’s first booking after six minutes, escaped a second yellow for deliberately kicking the ball away following a stoppage in play.

Daltaban was surprised Osimhen was not punished for the incident.

“The captain has the authority to speak on behalf of the team. The referee gave our captain a yellow card for his protest. That was the correct decision. Osimhen, who didn’t receive a second yellow card after his first, kicked the ball after the game had stopped,” he told the club’s official website.

Turkey: Beşiktaş chief blasts referee after Osimhen escapes red in Istanbul derby

Former France international, Patrice Evra has slammed Manchester United legends Paul Scholes, Gary Neville and Roy Keane while defending caretaker manager Michael Carrick.

Evra, a former Manchester United left-back, criticized Scholes, Neville and Keane over an ‘unnecessary and negative analysis’ they made about Carrick.

Carrick has won seven out of his first eight games for the Red Devils since he was appointed on an interim basis.

But after Newcastle United defeated Man United at St James’ Park last week, Scholes took a dig at Carrick.

Similarly, Neville and Keane had also criticized Carrick in the past, as they suggested that Man United should not appoint him as permanent manager at the end of the season.

Evra is not pleased with the three former Man Utd players over their comments on Carrick.

The Frenchman told Stake, as quoted by Metro UK: “I hope Paul Scholes’ Instagram story is fake. To be honest, I’m not surprised at that from Scholesy.

“I really don’t understand the lack of support behind Michael Carrick. He is one of us, and he is doing very well. There has been negative analysis from Scholesy, but also from Roy Keane and Gary Neville.

“It annoys me because we want to be in the top four, and those comments are unnecessary, but this is what you do when you work in TV. You can’t be positive, you have to be negative.”

EPL: Negative analysis – Evra slams Scholes, Neville, Keane as he defends Carrick