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Beating Barca would make us Newcastle Legends – Howe

March 9, 2026 by admin

Eddie Howe has urged his players to become Newcastle legends by emulating the club’s famous 1997 Champions League win over Barcelona when they face the Spanish giants in the last-16 first leg. Newcastle host the La Liga leaders on Tuesday in a potentially life-changing moment for Howe’s side. Fans still talk in reverential tones about Faustino Asprilla’s hat-trick and Keith Gillespie’s brilliant performance in the Magpies’ 3-2 win over Barca in the Champions League group stage 29 years ago. Howe, then starting his playing career at Bournemouth, watched that remarkable match on television as a teenager. Now, Howe and company have a chance to etch their own names in the annals of Newcastle history by defeating Hansi Flick’s star-studded team. “Yes, I watched the game. I was very focused on my playing career. But you couldn’t watch that moment. It was one of those legendary games,” Howe told reporters on Monday. “Of course, we want people in future years to be talking about this team. Tino Asprilla gets a hat-trick from those Keith Gillespie deliveries on the right. “I’d want our players to be talked about the same way in 20 or 30 years.” Newcastle have made it to the Champions League last 16 for only the second time. Howe is well aware of the magnitude of the achievement after he arrived at Newcastle in 2021 with the club in disarray. Together with the financial muscle provided by Newcastle’s Saudi owners, Howe has transformed the club from laughing stock status. – ‘A moment for us to grab’ – Newcastle won their first trophy in 56 years when they shocked Liverpool in the League Cup final last season. Beating Barcelona would be an even greater feat for Howe, who urged his players to seize what could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. “There are only 16 teams left, and we are one of them. It is very much an opportunity to grab a moment that we may never get again. You don’t know what life brings tomorrow, let alone future seasons,” Howe said. “We don’t want to kick ourselves, we don’t want to waste the opportunity and think what ifs. “So this is a moment for us to grab. In my time here, just over four years, we have worked to get to this point. “As long as we perform to our maximum, we have to accept the result.” Having labelled the Barca game as the biggest match in Newcastle’s history, Howe said adopting an underdog mentality could help stun the five-time European champions. “That’s very much the mentality we need, rising to the occasion, embracing the size of the game,” he said. “The underdog role to a degree in my time here has helped us in my time here, when we have been in that situation when we felt the odds were stacked against us. “We are going to need to use every psychological tool because there’s no denying we are playing a very good team, an outstandingly well-coached team. “All our Champions League games have been a great rehearsal for this moment.” Newcastle have already faced Barca this season, losing 2-1 at home in the group stage thanks to a Marcus Rashford double. “When you are playing the very best teams, you take a lot of that with you going forward,” Howe said. “We can take a lot from the performance. Hopefully, we can learn lessons from that tie.” AFP

UCL: Atlético Progress to last 16 after 4-1 Win over Club Brugge

February 24, 2026 by admin

Alexander Sørloth scored a hat-trick as Atlético Madrid defeated Club Brugge 4-1 in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League knockout play-off on Tuesday, progressing 7-4 on aggregate. Atlético created the first clear opportunity when Giuliano Simeone connected with a cross, but no foul was awarded after a VAR check involving goalkeeper Simon Mignolet. The hosts took the lead midway through the first half after Sørloth turned Brandon Mechele and his shot went past Mignolet. Brugge responded before the break. Mechele flicked on a corner into the path of Joel Ordóñez, who scored to level the tie on aggregate again. The visitors nearly added another soon after, but Jan Oblak saved Hugo Vetlesen’s effort to keep the score level at half-time. Atlético regained the lead early in the second half through Johnny Cardoso, whose strike from outside the box beat Mignolet. Brugge continued to press, but Oblak dealt with their attempts, including a long-range effort from Christos Tzolis. Sørloth scored his second after a move involving substitutes Ademola Lookman and Antoine Griezmann, before completing his hat-trick late on from a corner to confirm Atlético’s progression. Atlético are now unbeaten in regulation time in their last 20 Champions League knockout matches, recording 13 wins and seven draws. They will face either Liverpool or Tottenham Hotspur in the Round of 16, with the draw scheduled for Friday.

EPL: Injury Rules out Man United’s Martínez of Everton clash

February 23, 2026 by admin

Man United defender Lisandro Martínez will miss the Premier League fixture against Everton on Monday evening due to calf discomfort. As reported by Fabrizio Romano on X, “Lisandro Martínez will miss tonight’s game vs Everton with calf discomfort. Medical tests show a minor issue, and he’s expected back in training this week, as The Athletic reports. United have 7 wins in 18 games without him, 5 in 9 when he started.” Medical examinations have confirmed the issue is minor, with no serious damage detected. The Argentine defender is expected to return to training later this week. The 28-year-old’s absence represents a setback for Manchester United, who have experienced mixed results without him in the lineup. United have won seven of 18 matches when Martínez has not featured, compared to five victories in nine games he has started. Although the problem is not thought to be long-term, Martínez will sit out the Everton clash as a precaution while the club manages his recovery.

Ronaldo to Boycott Al-Nassr Match

February 2, 2026 by admin

Reports have emerged that Cristiano Ronaldo would not be featuring in today’s league match despite being fully fit. It was not the first time the five-time Ballon d’Or winner had taken such a stance. Ronaldo is regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, but his illustrious career has also been marked by moments of controversy. The Portuguese forward, who will clock 41 by February 5, 2026, has never been shy about expressing frustration when situations at his clubs have not met his expectations. According to Planet Football on Monday, Ronaldo currently playing for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, has once again found himself in the spotlight in February 2026. February 2026 – Al-Nassr Ronaldo will be left out of Al-Nassr’s Saudi Pro League fixture against Al-Riyadh today, a decision confirmed by reports from transfer expert Fabrizio Romano. Despite being available for selection, the forward did not feature amid growing dissatisfaction with the club’s direction. Planet Football said, “Sources close to the situation indicated that Ronaldo was unhappy with how Al-Nassr were being supported by the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), which owns a majority stake in the league’s four biggest clubs — Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr, Al-Ahli, and Al-Ittihad. Ronaldo reportedly believes that Al-Nassr have not been backed to the same extent as rivals Al-Hilal, who are leading the table and are close to signing Karim Benzema.” Still in pursuit of his first league title with Al-Nassr, Ronaldo is said to be frustrated by a quiet January transfer window and fears the championship may be slipping out of reach. While Al-Nassr are expected to cope without him against lower-ranked opposition, the move was widely interpreted as a clear message of protest. October 2022 – Manchester United Ronaldo’s second spell at Manchester United came to an abrupt end following a breakdown in his relationship with manager Erik ten Hag. Tensions reached a boiling point during a Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur, when Ronaldo refused to come on as a late substitute. Feeling disrespected, he left the bench before the final whistle, walking down the tunnel as the match was still in progress. The incident sparked widespread criticism and dominated headlines. Ronaldo later admitted he regretted his actions during a televised interview with Piers Morgan, though he maintained that he felt provoked by the manager’s decision. “I regret leaving the stadium,” Ronaldo said. “But at the same time, I felt provoked. It’s not acceptable for me to be put on for three minutes. I know what I can give to a team.” He played only two more league matches for United before his contract was terminated by mutual consent in November 2022. August 2021 – Juventus Ronaldo’s first refusal came as he pushed for a move away from Juventus in the summer of 2021. He asked not to be selected for the club’s opening home game of the season against Empoli, making clear his intention to leave. Juventus lost the match 1–0, and Ronaldo completed his return to Manchester United just days later. Then-manager Massimiliano Allegri confirmed Ronaldo’s stance, stating that the forward no longer wished to play for the club. Despite falling short of Champions League success, Ronaldo’s time in Turin was productive. He scored 101 goals in 134 appearances and won five trophies during his three seasons in Italy.

Lawmaker Slams Delay in Probe of $25m FIFA-CAF Grants to NFF

January 15, 2026 by admin

More than two months after the House of Representatives resolved to probe the use of financial grants advanced to the Nigerian Football Federation for the development of football in the country, the House Committee on Sports has yet to submit reports on its findings. The PUNCH had reported in October 2025 the resolution of the House to investigate financial grants to the nation’s football governing body totalling $25m from 2015 to 2025. The resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance at a plenary last year, co-sponsored by a Lagos lawmaker, Adedayo Adesola, and his Rivers State counterpart, Felix Nwaeke. Titled “Motion to stop further misuse of FIFA and CAF grants by Nigerian Football Federation,” Adesola, who represents Apapa Federal Constituency, Lagos State, had noted that the alleged mismanagement of grants by the global football governing bodies was largely responsible for the poor outings in recent times by Nigeria’s national teams. It would be recalled that a few months ago, ex-Super Eagles captain, Sunday Oliseh, accused the NFF of stifling the growth of football in Nigeria through the misappropriation of grants from the Federation of International Football Association and the Confederation of African Football, citing the questionable handling of $1m the NFF received from FIFA to prepare the Super Eagles for the 2002 World Cup. Between 2015 and 2025, the NFF allegedly received development funds in excess of $25m from FIFA and CAF, with no proportional investment to justify the huge amount of money. On October 28, 2025, the House, rather than constituting an ad hoc committee to probe the allegations as requested in the motion, resolved to commit the prayers to the Committee on Sports for recommendations to the House for further legislative actions. The committee, which had four weeks to submit its report, failed to do so before the House adjourned for the Christmas and New Year break in December 2025. Speaking exclusively with PUNCH Online on Thursday, Adesola, a member of the All Progressives Congress, wondered why nothing had been heard of the assignment before the House adjourned for the Christmas holidays. He said, “Nigerians are interested in knowing the outcome of the committee’s findings. It’s over two months now since the Committee on Sports was given the assignment. So, where are we? What are the findings?” The lawmaker noted that the failure of the Super Eagles to qualify for the World Cup holding in the United States of America, Canada and Mexico had cost the nation huge earnings in appearance fees and other opportunities too numerous to mention. “Nigerians are addicted to football. It is a game that knows no tribe or religion. However, the management of football in our beloved country has left much to be desired in recent years. “We are missing the World Cup this year for reasons that are largely administrative. It is difficult to highlight what we have missed given our inability to qualify for the tournament. “The leadership of the committee should let Nigerians know the details of its findings on the alleged mismanagement of the $25m. The earlier this is done, the better,” he added. In December 2016, FIFA sent an audit query over the mishandling of a $1.1m development grant to the NFF and reported that $802,000 lacked proper documentation, prompting the then Sports Minister, Solomon Dalung, to order an independent audit and ask the NFF to account for receipts and disbursements. The intervention of the federal lawmaker is likely to fuel further inquiries in the House ahead of the National Assembly’s resumption on January 27, 2026.

AFCON 2025: Nigeria Remains Proud of you, FG Tells Super Eagles

January 15, 2026 by admin

The Federal Government has commended the Super Eagles for their performance at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, assuring the team that Nigerians remain proud of them despite their semi-final exit from the tournament. In a statement released on Thursday by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, the government praised the players for representing the country with pride, dignity and resilience throughout the competition. “Nigeria remains proud of you,” Idris said, noting that the Super Eagles displayed character, teamwork and commitment even in defeat. He said the players’ conduct and fighting spirit embodied the values associated with the national colours, stressing that the team’s effort mattered as much as the final result. “Even in defeat, you showed character, teamwork and resilience, and those qualities matter deeply to the nation you represent,” the minister said. According to Idris, the Super Eagles reminded Nigerians that playing for the country goes beyond winning matches, describing the green and white jersey as a symbol of courage, unity and perseverance. “You reminded us that wearing the green and white is about courage, unity and never giving up. Football has its highs and lows, but your effort and commitment throughout this tournament have earned the respect and gratitude of Nigerians at home and abroad,” he said The minister urged the team to remain united, learn from the experience and return stronger, assuring them of the nation’s continued support. “Hold your heads high, stay united and return stronger. Nigeria is grateful for the joy and hope you gave us during this competition, and the nation stands with you, always,” Idris added. The Super Eagles were knocked out of the tournament on Wednesday after losing 4–2 in a penalty shootout to host nation Morocco, following a goalless draw after extra time at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium. The semi-final was keenly contested, with Morocco enjoying more of the attacking initiative, registering 16 shots to Nigeria’s two. Both sides, however, were kept in the game by impressive goalkeeping displays from Nigeria’s Stanley Nwabali and Morocco’s Yassine Bounou. Nigeria’s key attackers, Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, found it difficult to break through the hosts’ defence, as Morocco secured a place in the final via penalties.

AFCON 2025: Five African Player of the Year Stars Storm Semi-Finals

January 13, 2026 by admin

The CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 has reached a defining stage, with the semi-finals set to showcase not just elite teams but elite individuals. As the top two countries will be decided between four contenders on Wednesday, five former African Player of the Year winners are poised to take centre stage. Their presence elevates the spectacle, with their influence on the pitch proving decisive through goals, assists, leadership, and momentum. From explosive forwards to commanding leaders and a dynamic defender, these stars have so far shaped matches and carried the hopes of their nations. Victor Osimhen – Nigeria Nigeria’s path to the semi-finals has been driven by Victor Osimhen, the 2023 African Player of the Year. He has scored four goals and provided two assists, ranking among the tournament’s leading scorers. His pace, physicality, and movement have stretched defences, while his knockout-stage contributions underscore his reputation as a big-game performer. Osimhen sets the tone for Nigeria’s aggressive approach as they chase a fourth continental title. Ademola Lookman – Nigeria Ademola Lookman, 2024 African Player of the Year, has been Nigeria’s creative engine, contributing three goals and four assists. Operating across the frontline, Lookman’s sharp decision-making and direct runs have unlocked organised defences, giving the Super Eagles variety in attack. His consistency ensures Nigeria are not reliant on a single source of inspiration. Mohamed Salah – Egypt Egypt’s talisman, Mohamed Salah, who won the African Player of the Year in 2017 and 2018, has again risen to the occasion, scoring four goals and providing one assist. Salah’s composure in high-pressure situations has been crucial in guiding the Pharaohs through tight knockout matches. Beyond statistics, his leadership has shaped a disciplined and resilient side, now two wins away from an eighth AFCON crown. Sadio Mané – Senegal Senegal’s hopes rest on Sadio Mané, a two-time African Player of the Year. He has contributed one goal and three assists, but his influence extends far beyond goal involvement. Mané’s work rate, positional intelligence, and ability to draw defenders have created opportunities for teammates. His presence blends youth with experience at the sharp end of the tournament, critical as Senegal pursue another continental title. Achraf Hakimi – Morocco Achraf Hakimi, recently crowned African Player of the Year, overcame an early tournament injury to return for Morocco’s semi-final push. He has provided one assist from right-back while anchoring a defence that has kept multiple clean sheets. Hakimi’s energy, leadership, and ability to influence play from deep positions have been a timely boost for the hosts, whose ambitions are fuelled by his presence. Senegal face Egypt at 5 pm, and host Morocco will battle Nigeria at 9 pm on Wednesday.

AFCON 2025: CAF Launches Probe Into Quarter-Final Misconduct Involving Nigeria, Algeria, Cameroon, Morocco

January 12, 2026 by admin

The Confederation of African Football has launched an investigation into alleged misconduct by players and officials during the CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2025 quarter-final clashes between Cameroon and Morocco, as well as Algeria and Nigeria. The probe follows reports of confrontations with referees and disruptions in post-match areas. According to a statement posted on CAF’s official website on Monday, the continental football governing body has collected match reports and video evidence suggesting potentially unacceptable behaviour and has referred the matters to the Disciplinary Board for further review. “CAF has referred the matters to the Disciplinary Board for investigation and has called for appropriate action to be taken if the identified persons are found guilty of any wrongdoing. “CAF is also reviewing footage of an incident involving members of the media who allegedly misbehaved in the mixed zone area,” the statement read. In the quarter-final fixtures over the weekend, Nigeria secured a 2-0 victory over Algeria in Marrakech, with goals from star striker Victor Osimhen and forward Akor Adams propelling the Super Eagles into the semifinals. However, the match ended in chaos as Algerian players confronted match officials on the pitch, leading to scuffles and an attempted pitch invasion by fans that was thwarted by stadium security. The Algerian Football Federation has since lodged a formal complaint with CAF. They cited controversial refereeing decisions by Senegalese official Issa Sy, including a denied penalty for an alleged handball in the Nigerian box during the first half. Separately, Morocco advanced with a 2-0 win over Cameroon, but the match was also marred by refereeing disputes. Cameroon’s team felt aggrieved over two potential penalties not awarded, both involving Moroccan defender Adam Masina. Morocco’s coach, Walid Regragui, dismissed suggestions of home-team bias in a post-match press conference. CAF stressed its commitment to maintaining professional conduct at all events. “CAF strongly condemns any inappropriate behaviour which occurs during matches, especially those targeting the refereeing team or match organisers. “Appropriate actions will be sought against anyone whose behaviour is not consistent with professional conduct at CAF events,” it added.

Arsenal Academy Chief Per Mertesacker Confirms Exit

January 12, 2026 by admin

Former Arsenal and Germany defender Per Mertesacker has announced that he will step down as Head of Arsenal’s Academy at the end of the season. According to Fabrizio Romano’s X handle on Monday, Mertesacker was quoted as saying, “Arsenal is and will always be a very special club to me, so this was a difficult decision. I am very thankful for the trust the club put in me.” Since taking over the academy, Mertesacker has been instrumental in developing young talents, helping to strengthen Arsenal’s pipeline of players for the first team. The club has yet to announce a replacement, but Mertesacker’s departure marks the end of an important chapter in Arsenal’s youth development programme. Mertesacker joined Arsenal in 2011 from Werder Bremen and quickly became a key figure in the heart of the defence. The tall, commanding centre-back was known for his aerial ability, reading of the game, and calmness on the ball, making him a reliable presence at the back. During his playing career at the club, Mertesacker made over 170 Premier League appearances and scored 9 goals, many of them crucial headers from set-pieces. He won three FA Cups (2013–14, 2014–15, 2016–17) and three FA Community Shields (2014, 2015, 2017), often captaining the team and mentoring younger players. After retiring in 2018, Mertesacker immediately joined Arsenal’s coaching staff. He eventually became Head of the Academy, where he oversaw the development of young talent and helped integrate promising players into the first team.

Akinyele Constituency I Aspirant Hafeez Amuda Empowers Students, Women, PDP Leaders …T Talent Football Team Wins Maiden Kingsway U-17 Female Football Competition

December 22, 2025 by admin

The Kingsway Health and Outreach Foundation on Friday, December 19, 2025, empowered young girls, secondary school students and women in Akinyele Local Government Area of Oyo State, as it hosted the maiden edition of the Kingsway Under-17 Female Football Competition and Empowerment Programme. The event, which was held at IDC School, Apapa, Moniya, Ibadan, attracted political leaders, party elders, community stakeholders, youth and women representatives. Attendees converged to witness a programme that blended sports development, educational support, women empowerment and grassroots engagement. As part of the initiative, the foundation distributed writing materials and learning instruments to secondary school students across the local government area. The programme was hosted by the Executive Chairman of Akinyele Local Government, Hon. Akinwole Akinleye, alongside Dr. Hafeez Amuda, popularly known as Kingsway, founder of the Kingsway Health and Outreach Foundation and an aspirant for the Oyo State House of Assembly, Akinyele Constituency I. Speaking at the grand finale, Dr. Amuda described the initiative as a deliberate effort to use sports as a tool for empowerment, discipline and social cohesion, particularly for the girl child. According to him, the U-17 female football competition was designed to create opportunities for young girls, encourage teamwork, build confidence and promote healthy lifestyles, while also steering them away from social vices. “This programme goes beyond sports. It represents people-focused leadership, leadership that engages our youths positively, empowers women, supports education and strengthens community unity,” Dr. Amuda said. He added that grassroots sports remain one of the most effective platforms for talent discovery and youth development, stressing that young girls deserve equal opportunities to explore and maximise their potential through sports. Dr. Amuda explained that the distribution of learning materials was part of the foundation’s ongoing commitment to supporting educational development, noting that access to basic learning tools plays a crucial role in academic performance and students’ self-confidence. “Supporting education is supporting the future. These materials may appear small, but they make a significant difference in the learning process of our children,” he said. Mr. Obatowa JP, representing the Commissioner for Education, Hon. Olusegun Olayiwola, said the Oyo State Government was pleased with programmes that support educational development at the grassroots. “The government is happy with initiatives like this. When individuals support education, it shows a clear commitment to the future of our children. The governor appreciates programmes that promote learning and youth development,” he said. He added that individuals and organisations that consistently support education are recognised by the government, noting that such efforts align with the vision of Governor Seyi Makinde on inclusive development. He also commended the Kingsway Health and Outreach Foundation for complementing government efforts in education and youth development. Some of the student beneficiaries described the support as timely and impactful. One of the beneficiaries, Bolatito, said the learning materials would help her improve in mathematics and other subjects. “It will help me to do better in my subjects and calculations, especially mathematics. I will use the instrument during calculations and examinations,” she said. Another beneficiary, Samuel Paul Oreofe, also commended the foundation for the gesture. “This is a nice idea. We thank him for the gift. God will bless him. It will help in calculations and improve our intelligence for education,” he said. The football competition climaxed with an exciting final match, as T Talent Football Team emerged winners of the maiden edition of the Kingsway U-17 Female Football Competition. The winning team received medals and cash prizes, while other participating teams were also recognised for their efforts.