Championship: Lampard hails ‘outstanding’ Onyeka after Coventry City’s win over Middlesbrough

Akwa United Chairman, Joseph Eno, has expressed optimism that his team will secure qualification to the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL.

The Promise Keepers currently top their group with 19 points from nine matches.

Eno believes that with collective efforts from stakeholders, the team can achieve their target.

“With the support of the government, our fans, and dedicated stakeholders, Akwa United is firmly on course for a swift return to the Nigerian Premier Football League,” Eno told the club’s media.

Akwa United will square up with Rovers FC in their opening fixture of the second stanza.

The second stanza is expected to commence on February 14th, 2026.

NNL: Akwa United eye swift return to NPFL

Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, has admitted that his team want to “win badly”, as they continue to lead the way in the Premier League title race.

The Gunners were to forced to ground out another narrow victory, as they beat Brighton 2-1 at the Emirates on Saturday.

Captain Martin Odegaard had opened the scoring in the first half with a low drive.

Arteta’s men doubled their lead immediately after the break, thanks to an own goal from Georginio Rutter.

But Brigton pulled one back through Diego Gomez and also most got an equalizer, but were denied by an excellent David Raya save.

When asked about the nervy atmosphere inside the stadium after Brighton’s goal back, Arteta said: “That’s a willingness to win! We all want to win so badly.

“Now I don’t want to lose what I have and we have to play to continue to score and show that composure and that ability and we should have scored the third one.

“We have two massive chances to put it to 3-1 and then it would have been different. We haven’t, so we have to suffer a little bit more.”

The result means Arsenal continue to maintain a two-point lead at the top over Manchester City.

EPL: We want to win badly – Arteta fires title warning to Man City

Fulham midfielder, Alex Iwobi has given Manchester City star, Phil Foden a ‘big respect’ over his challenge on Calvin Bassey during both sides’ recent Premier League tie.

Iwobi also questioned referee Paul Tierney’s decision not to send Foden off after his challenge on Bassey.

Recall that Man City defeated Fulham 3-0 at the Etihad Stadium, but the second-half challenge by Foden on Bassey left the Nigerian defender in considerable pain.

However, Iwobi was not happy with the officiating by Tierney as he suggested that Foden should have been given a red card instead of a yellow card.

“Calvin’s challenge, big respect to Phil Foden, but ref [referee], surely, what is going on there? I have heard and seen online that people are saying it should have been a red,” Iwobi said on his podcast, Alexander Yaa Digg.

“Don’t get me wrong, Phil Foden, I like him, big baller, but that challenge was a bit mad. It’s what it is. The game is done and we can’t dwell on it.”

EPL: Alex Iwobi gives Foden big respect over challenge on Calvin Bassey