Sport Archives - Page 8 of 15

BREAKING: Dembélé Clinches FIFA Best Men’s Player Award

December 16, 2025 by admin

Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembélé has been named the FIFA Best Men’s Player for 2025 after an outstanding season with Paris Saint-Germain and the France national team. Dembélé played a pivotal role for PSG, showcasing his pace, creativity, and goal-scoring ability, while also helping France achieve strong results in international competitions, solidifying his reputation as one of the world’s top footballers. In the women’s category, Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmatí was named the FIFA Best Women’s Player for 2025, following exceptional performances for both FC Barcelona and the Spain national team. Bonmatí was instrumental in Barcelona’s success in domestic and European competitions, demonstrating creativity, vision, and leadership in midfield. Her contributions also helped Spain achieve remarkable results on the international stage, further cementing her status as one of the world’s top female footballers.

2026 WC Qualifiers: 18 Players in Camp as Super Eagles begin Morocco Final Push

November 11, 2025 by admin

The Super Eagles’ camp has officially opened in Rabat, Morocco, ahead of Thursday’s crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup CAF playoff against Gabon, with 18 players already on the ground as preparations intensify. The team confirmed the development in a post on its official X handle on Tuesday, sharing the full list of arrivals under the caption “Eagles in Camp.” Those in Morocco include Calvin Bassey, Alex Iwobi, Samuel Chukwueze, Tolu Arokodare, Olakunle Olusegun, Wilfred Ndidi, Moses Simon, William Troost-Ekong, Benjamin Fredericks, Chidozie Awaziem, Amas Obasogie, Stanley Nwabali, Semi Ajayi, Ademola Lookman, Akor Adams, Chidera Ejuke, Bright Osayi-Samuel, and Raphael Onyedika. Team officials and the first batch of players arrived at the Rive Hotel, Rabat, on Sunday afternoon, signalling the start of the final phase of preparations for the decisive fixture. The team’s media officer, Promise Efoghe, earlier confirmed that early arrivals included the trio of Bassey, Iwobi, and Chukwueze, alongside Arokodare and Olusegun. Head coach, Eric Chelle, had named a 24-man squad for the playoffs, featuring a blend of returning stars and consistent performers. Udinese goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye, and Sevilla winger, Chidera Ejuke, both earned recalls after strong club performances this season. Nigeria will face Gabon in Thursday’s semi-final clash, while Cameroon will battle the Democratic Republic of Congo in the other fixture at the El-Barid Stadium, also in Rabat. Winners of both matches will meet in the final on November 16 to determine who advances to the inter-confederation playoffs for a place at the 2026 World Cup in North America. The Super Eagles, who last featured at the global tournament in 2018, are aiming to reclaim their place on football’s biggest stage after missing out on the 2022 edition in Qatar.

EPL: Rooney Urges Chelsea Senior Players to Challenge Maresca over Constant Changes

November 7, 2025 by admin

Former Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney has urged Chelsea’s senior players to challenge head coach Enzo Maresca over his constant changes to the starting line-up. The Argentine manager made seven alterations for Wednesday’s 2-2 Champions League draw against Qarabag, marking the fifth straight match across all competitions in which he has rotated his team by at least seven players. According to BBC Sports on Friday, it was the fifth consecutive match across all competitions in which Maresca has made at least seven changes to his starting XI. “The players want to play, they want to build relationships,” the former England captain said on the Wayne Rooney Show. “When you keep chopping and changing then the players won’t be happy. I think that will come back to bite them. “If they are getting results all the time, then you can’t question it, but if they’re not, there have to be questions asked,” he said. Rooney believes it is up to captain Reece James and other experienced players in the Chelsea squad to address the issue with Maresca. “I think most clubs now have a leadership group and as a group you have to go and question the manager,” he added. “You hear people talk about ‘player power’ but this isn’t player power. “I’d be concerned if the team kept changing. If I were in that [leadership] group, I’d be speaking to my teammates, saying ‘Look, I’m not happy with this,” he said. Chelsea have made 85 changes in 16 matches this season – by far the most of any Premier League team. But, speaking after the draw in Azerbaijan, Maresca defended his rotation policy. “The [selection] is always because we think the plan with the players is the correct one,” said Maresca. “The intention was to rest Moises [Caicedo], Enzo [Fernandez], Malo [Gusto,] and more players. “They are not able to play every three days. The Club World Cup affected a lot. We tried to rotate. When we win, nobody mentions that but when we don’t, everyone is focused on that.”

La Liga: No Punishment for Vini Jr, Says Alonso

October 31, 2025 by admin

Real Madrid Coach Xabi Alonso has put to rest recent speculation surrounding winger Vinícius Júnior, affirming that there is “no Vini Jr case” and praising the player for his honesty and clarity with the squad. According to a Fabrizio Romano post on Friday, ” Alonso said, ‘There’s no Vini Jr case, it’s all clarified. “Vini spoke in front of all of us on Wednesday, and he’s been fantastic”. He’s been very honest and clear. Also, his statement has been powerful. The words he said to his teammates are the most important thing.” “Vinicius Jr will not be punished. The matter is closed”. “He was impeccable in his speech in front of all of us.” Vinicius Jr had issued a public apology to fans, teammates, and club officials following his reaction after being substituted during Sunday’s intense El Clásico clash against Barcelona. Also speaking on out-of-favour Real Madrid winger, Endrick, who has been reported to go on loan in January, he said, “I would have liked Endrick to have had more minutes. But some circumstances need to be right.” Endrick is expected to leave Real Madrid on loan during the January transfer window, with discussions already underway between the club and potential suitors.

EPL: Ex-Man Utd Star Backs Arsenal for Premier League Glory

October 27, 2025 by admin

A former Manchester United star, Gary Neville, has declared Arsenal the frontrunners to clinch the Premier League title this season. According to Sky Sports on Monday, Neville believes that Mikel Arteta’s squad can secure the championship without needing to amass 90 or 100 points, stressing that their current consistency will be key to success. Following their 1-0 victory against Crystal Palace on Sunday, Arsenal sit four points clear at the top of the Premier League standings. They hold a seven-point advantage over reigning champions Liverpool and are six points ahead of Manchester City, reinforcing Neville’s confidence in their title. “This has got to be them, hasn’t it? This has got to be their year. “This is the fourth season in a row I’ve backed them to win the league. They’re not much better than before, but they are consistent — and that’s what matters this season. “They don’t need 100 points or even 90 to win the league. A total in the mid or high 80s should be enough, and they can definitely achieve that.” Neville said on his podcast. Arsenal stretched their Premier League lead to four points as Eberechi Eze’s goal beat his former club Crystal Palace 1-0, while Manchester City lost 1-0 at Aston Villa on Sunday.

La Liga: ‘I am Enjoying Football at Barca’, Rashford Eyes Permanent Move

October 24, 2025 by admin

England winger Marcus Rashford has said he is enjoying his time at Barcelona as the Catalan club hold an option to make his move permanent for £28 million, a reduced fee compared with the £40 million United would demand from other potential buyers. Despite being under contract at Old Trafford until 2028, Rashford appears to have no future with the club while Ruben Amorim remains in charge. According to BBC Sports on Friday, the 27-year-old’s contract with United runs to 2028. “I’m enjoying this football club, and I think for anybody who loves football, Barcelona is one of the key clubs in the history of the game. For a player, it is an honour. “When asked if he wanted to stay in Spain, he replied, “For sure, he told ESPN. Rashford spent the second half of last season at Aston Villa, where his career was revived under Unai Emery. He took his goals tally to five in 12 games for Barcelona thanks to a double against Olympiakos in the Champions League on Tuesday. Rashford, who is set to play in his first El Clásico against Real Madrid this weekend, believes he is benefiting from a change of scenery. “People forget this, but 23 years of my life was with Manchester United. So sometimes you just need a change. I think maybe this is the case with me, and I’m enjoying everything,” he said.

Sweden Confirm Potter as New Manager

October 20, 2025 by admin

Former Chelsea and Brighton manager Graham Potter has been officially appointed as the new head coach of the Sweden men’s national football team, the Swedish Football Association confirmed on Monday. According to Fabrizio Romano’s X post on Monday, “Graham Potter, new head coach of Sweden until March 2026, as an initial short-term contract with World Cup mission. Deal agreed last week and signed in the last 24h as former West Ham manager returns immediately.” He replaces Jon Dahl Tomasson, who was dismissed earlier this month following Sweden’s dismal start to World Cup qualifying, sitting bottom of Group B with just one point from four matches. PUNCH Online had reported that West Ham United sacked Potter following a disappointing run of form stretching from the second half of last season into the start of the 2025/26 campaign. Potter is no stranger to Swedish football. He began his managerial career in Sweden with Östersunds FK, transforming the small-town club from the fourth tier to the Allsvenskan and European competition in just over seven years. His success there earned him a move to England, where he later managed Swansea City, Brighton, and Chelsea.

LIVE UPDATES: Nigeria 3 vs Benin 0 — Another Osimhen’s Header Denied by the Cheetah’s Goalkeeper

October 14, 2025 by admin

The Super Eagles are locking horns in a decisive 2026 World Cup qualification against the Cheetahs of the Benin Republic at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo. In a post on Super Eagles X’s handle on Tuesday, the Eagles announced four changes from their previous win over Lesotho, with Wilfred Ndidi named captain for the game. The Nigeria Football Federation also confirmed that Moses Simon will make his 85th international appearance, while Victor Osimhen partners Akor Adams in attack. “Four changes from our win over Lesotho. Ndidi leads the team tonight. Simon makes his 85th appearance. Osimhen partners Akor Adams up front,” the post read. Nigeria’s Line-up vs Benin Republic: 23. Stanley Nwabali (GK); 2. Benjamin Fredrick, 3. Zaidu Sanusi, 4. Wilfred Ndidi (C), 6. Semi Ajayi, 9. Victor Osimhen, 11. Samuel Chukwueze, 15. Moses Simon, 17. Alex Iwobi, 20. Akor Adams, 21. Calvin Bassey. Substitutes are: Adebayo, Ekong, Arokodare, Onyeka, Onyemaechi, Abdullahi, Obasogie, Uche, Moffi, Olusegun. As the match kicked off, Victor Osimhen scored in the third minute courtesy of an assist from Samuel Chukwueze. The Cheetahs of the Benin Republic are also pushing for an equaliser in the 12th minute of the match, but the attack was stopped by Calvin Bassey. As of 14 minutes into the game, ball possession is Nigeria 58% and Benin 42%. While both teams are on one short on target each. In the 22 minutes, Osimhen almost converted the cross made to him in the box, but unfortunately was defended by a calm Beninoise defender. In the 38th minute, Osimhen doubles the lead courtesy of another Samuel Chukwueze’s cross into the box. It is now 2-0 in favour of the Super Eagles. The Egyptian referee who serves as the first official for the game has added five minutes of extra time. Benin Republic began the kick off into the second half to put pressure on the Super Eagles. Osimhen, again, again and again. The Super Eagles forward hit a hat-trick in the 51st minute. The Super Eagles come knocking on the Cheetahs’ door again in the hunt for a fourth goal, but the effort was wasted by Wilfred Ndidi in the 68th minute.

Salah Scores Twice as Egypt Qualify for 2026 World Cup

October 8, 2025 by admin

Liverpool star Mohamed Salah scored twice to help Egypt beat Djibouti 3-0 in Casablanca on Wednesday and qualify for the 2026 World Cup. The 33-year-old has now netted nine times in a marathon qualifying campaign that began two years ago, and victory for Egypt gave them an unassailable five-point lead over Burkina Faso in Group A. Twice African Footballer of the Year, Salah helped Liverpool win the Premier League a record-equalling 20th time last season, and captured the Golden Boot award with 29 goals. But the Egypt captain has lost his spark with Liverpool this season, scoring just three goals in nine matches in all competitions. After Ibrahim Adel put Egypt ahead on eight minutes against opponents 158 places lower in the world rankings, Salah netted six minutes later and again on 84 minutes. While Egypt have won the Africa Cup of Nations a record seven times, they have been less successful in the World Cup, qualifying just four times in 15 attempts — in 1934, 1990, 2018 and now 2026. Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey was among the goals as Ghana trounced the Central African Republic 5-0 in Meknes, and need one point from their final Group I match at home to Comoros to qualify. Mohammed Salisu, Alexander Djiku, captain Jordan Ayew and Kamaldeen Sulemana were the other scorers for the Black Stars, who led 1-0 at half-time. Ghana have 22 points and a vastly superior goal difference than Madagascar, who are three points behind. Mali, seeded to win the group, are out of contention with 15 points. Cape Verde came from two goals behind in Tripoli to draw 3-3 with Libya and edge closer to a first World Cup appearance. The island nation of about 550,000 inhabitants off the coast of Senegal will clinch first place in Group D if they defeat Eswatini in Praia on Monday. Known as the Blue Sharks, the Cape Verdeans are two points ahead of Cameroon, who beat Mauritius 2-0 in Saint-Pierre with Manchester United striker Bryan Mbeumo scoring. Cape Verde have 20 points after nine rounds, two more than Cameroon, the eight World Cup appearances in an African team. – Disastrous start – Roberto Lopes, a defender with Republic of Ireland club Shamrock Rovers, conceded a first-minute own goal as Cape Verde made a disastrous start. Telmo Arcanjo levelled for the islanders before goals either side of half-time from Ezoo el Mariamy and Mahmoud al Shalwi gave the Mediterranean Knights a 3-1 lead. Sidny Cabral reduced the deficit and Willy Semedo equalised on 82 minutes to set up a tense finish as Cape Verde sought a fourth goal and qualification. A match-winner did not materialise, but they will be expected to beat Eswatini, who remained winless in the group after surrendering a two-goal advantage in a 2-2 draw with Angola in Lobamba. Cameroon had to secure maximum points in Mauritius to keep alive their hopes of overtaking Cape Verde, but needed 92 minutes to ensure success. Dynamo Moscow midfielder Nicolas Moumi Ngamaleu put the Indomitable Lions ahead on 57 minutes and Mbeumo struck in added time with his fourth goal of the qualifying campaign. Cameroon complete their schedule at home to Angola in Yaounde and must win to have any hope of automatic qualification. Should Cape Verde come first, Cameroon would hope to finish among the four best-ranked runners-up and qualify for play-offs in November. The winners of the African mini-tournament, comprising single-match semi-finals and a final, advance to six-nation inter-continental play-offs next March with two World Cup places up for grabs. Eswatini looked set to end an eight-match winless run in the mini-league when South Africa-based Justice Figuareido pounced on long passes to score twice in the second half. Angola, with French coach Patrice Beaumelle in charge for the first time after the sacking of Portuguese Pedro Goncalves, halved the deficit through Jonathan Buatu. Then, slack Eswatini marking at a corner enabled Papel Ary to head the equaliser with 10 minutes of regular time remaining. AFP

FIFA U-17 World Cup: Flamingos Depart for Morocco Wednesday

October 7, 2025 by admin

Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, will depart Abuja in the early hours of Wednesday, October 8, as they begin their final preparations for the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco. According to a report obtained from the NFF’s website on Tuesday, led by Head Coach Bankole Olowookere, the team will camp in Casablanca, where they are scheduled to play two crucial international friendlies against New Zealand and Paraguay before moving to Rabat for the tournament proper. “While in Casablanca, the Flamingos will intensify their build-up with two high-profile international friendlies — first against New Zealand on October 10, followed by a clash with Paraguay on October 14. “The team will then move into the official FIFA hotel in Rabat on October 15, where all participating teams will be housed for the competition,” the report stated. The Flamingos have been drawn in Group D, alongside Canada, France, and Samoa. Nigeria will kick off their campaign against Canada on Sunday, October 19, before facing France three days later — both matches scheduled for 8 p.m. Nigerian time at the Football Academy Mohammed VI (Pitch 2) and Football Academy Mohammed VI (Pitch 1) in the city of Sale. Their final group stage encounter will be against Samoa on October 25, with kickoff set for 5 p.m. at the Football Academy Mohammed VI (Pitch 3) still in Sale. Olowookere’s side heads into the tournament full of confidence, having played 10 tune-up matches, scoring an impressive 44 goals without conceding any. Their dominant form in camp so far, coupled with a well-balanced squad, underscores their determination to go one step further than their quarter-final finish at the last edition in the Dominican Republic.