Sport Archives - Page 9 of 16

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.

FIFA U-20 World Cup: Nigeria Draw Colombia 1-1, Advances to Knockout Round

October 6, 2025 by admin

Nigeria’s Flying Eagles have advanced to the Round of 16 at the ongoing 24th FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile, following a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Colombia in the early hours of Monday. At the Estadio Fiscal de Talca, the seven-time African champions delivered a spirited performance, with goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt making crucial saves in the 23rd and 26th minutes to keep the scores level during a tense opening period. Despite Colombia’s early pressure, the Nigerians were the more enterprising side, with Tahir Maigana, Kparobo Arierhi, and Suleman Sani constantly troubling the South American defence and striking the upright on several occasions. Colombia broke the deadlock in the 51st minute through Kener Gonzalez, who converted from Neyser Villareal’s assist. Undeterred, the Flying Eagles piled on relentless pressure, and defender Odinaka Okoro came close with a header in the 76th minute. Nigeria’s persistence paid off in the 86th minute when captain Daniel Bameyi calmly slotted home from the penalty spot after a Colombian defender handled Maigana’s goal-bound effort. The Nigerians nearly clinched a late winner, but Arierhi’s shot in the 89th minute was blocked inside the area. The result means Nigeria will now face Argentina at the Estadio Nacional Julio Martinez Pradanos in Santiago on Wednesday a repeat of the quarter-final clash from the last U20 World Cup hosted by Argentina, where the Flying Eagles triumphed 2–0 in San Juan. Elsewhere, Colombia will meet South Africa, while Norway takes on Paraguay in other Round of 16 fixtures.

Man City’ll Not See ‘best’ Rodri Until Next Season – Guardiola

October 3, 2025 by admin

Pep Guardiola believes Manchester City will have to wait until next season to see the best of Rodri again as the Spanish midfielder slowly finds his feet after knee surgery. The 2024 Ballon d’Or winner missed last weekend’s 5-1 win over Burnley due to pain in the knee — 12 months after he suffered anterior cruciate ligament damage. The 29-year-old made his return in May but has suffered a series of minor setbacks. “Rodri is an outstanding player, everyone knows it,” said Guardiola on Friday. “Maybe he struggled to understand it’s not about six months or 12, the World Cup will be the best Rodri, and next season will be the best Rodri. This year is how to handle it. “One year he has been out. The body changes, the rhythm changes, it’s a question of time; if he’s healthy, he will be back.” To cover Rodri’s absence, City splashed out £50 million ($67 million) on Nico Gonzalez in January, but he has struggled to match the levels of his compatriot. The former Barcelona midfielder replaced Rodri for the final 30 minutes of Wednesday’s 2-2 Champions League draw at Monaco and conceded a late penalty that cost City victory. “He’s learning and improving. We need him”, said Guardiola, referring to Gonzalez. “Rodri can’t sustain the rhythm for games for 90 minutes. He made an incredible effort in the week with Manchester United, Napoli, and especially Arsenal. “I try to protect my players. Sometimes I want the best players there, but I have to protect the players.” Despite dropping two points in Monaco, a draw extended City’s unbeaten run to six games in all competitions. City suffered their first trophyless campaign for eight years last season, and Guardiola is encouraged by the progress he sees after refreshing his squad with several younger players. “The happiest feeling is how we have improved. I love that feeling. And the feeling that I think we can do better,” he said. “That is the feeling that I like as a manager. The feeling we are creating again — the tempo, the pace. “Everything is a little bit more fluid and consistent. But we can do better, and I love that.” City, who sit five points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool, travel to Brentford on Sunday. AFP

13 Super Eagles Players Arrive Camp for World Cup Qualifiers

September 2, 2025 by admin

The number of players in the Super Eagles’ camp has increased to 13, as Nigeria intensifies preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and South Africa. This follows the arrival of nine more players at the team’s camp in Ikot Ikpene on Tuesday, according to Promise Efoghe, the team’s media officer. The new arrivals include Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Ola Aina, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Moses Simon, Chidozie Awaziem, Adebayo Adeleye, and Benjamin Fredericks. They joined the quartet of William Troost-Ekong, Amas Obasogie, Felix Agu, and Raphael Onyedika, who checked into camp on Monday. Efoghe confirmed to the News Agency of Nigeria that out of the 23 players who were invited for the double-header fixtures, only 13 had arrived, with 10 more players still being expected. “A total of 13 players are currently in camp, and we are expecting the rest of the squad to arrive later today and early tomorrow,” Efoghe said. He also shared details of the team’s upcoming media engagements. “There will be a press conference with the coaching staff and selected players on Wednesday at the training pitch of the Godswill Akpabio Stadium,” Efoghe stated. “For Friday, the pre-match press conference will holbe held the same venue, and the first 15 minutes of the team’s training session will be open to media coverage.” Players still beiexpected to be included arealkeeper Stanley Nwabali; defender Bruno Onyemaechi; midfielders Wilfred Ndidi and Frank Onyeka; and forwards Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, Cyriel Dessers, Christantus Uche, and Tolu Arokodare. Nigeria will host Rwanda on Friday at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, in a Matchday 7 fixture. They will then travel to Bloemfontein to face South Africa on Monday, in a Matchday 8 encounter. The Super Eagles currently sit third in Group C of the African qualifiers with two points from two matches, behind leaders South Africa (four points) and Rwanda (also four points but with an inferior goal difference). Only the top team in the group will qualify automatically for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, jointly hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Full 23-Man Squad: Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Amas Obasogie (Singida Black Stars, Tanzania); Adeleye Adebayo (Volos FC, Greece). Defenders: William Troost-Ekong (Al-Kholood, Saudi Arabia); Calvin Bassey (Fulham, England); Ola Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece); Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes, France); Felix Agu (Werder Bremen, Germany); Benjamin Fredericks (Dender FC, Belgium). Midfielders: Alex Iwobi (Fulham, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford, England); Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas, Turkey); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio, Italy); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Christantus Uche (Getafe, Spain). Forwards: Ademola Lookman (Atalanta, Italy); Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray, Turkey); Moses Simon (Paris FC, France); Cyriel Dessers (Rangers, Scotland); Tolu Arokodare (KRC Genk, Belgium). (NAN)

Rasheedat Ajibade Signs for Paris Saint-Germain Until 2027

August 26, 2025 by admin

Paris Saint-Germain have strengthened their forward line with the signing of Nigerian international Rasheedat Ajibade. Announcing the signing in its blog post on Tuesday, PSG said Ajibade’s contract will run until 30 June 2027. The Club said, “Paris Saint-Germain is delighted to announce the arrival of Nigerian striker Rasheedat Busayo Ajibade, who has joined the club on a deal that runs until 30th June 2027.” The 25-year-old, born on 8 December 1999 in the Mushin district of Lagos, arrives from Atlético de Madrid, where she has played since 2021 after a two-year spell in Norway with Avaldsnes IL. In the 2024–25 season, Ajibade made 25 appearances, scoring eight goals and supplying three assists. She was crowned as Nigeria’s NFF Young Player of the Year in 2018 after emerging from FC Robo Queens. As captain of Nigeria, Ajibade has twice led the Super Falcons to continental glory at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, having done so in 2018 and in 2024. The forward also featured as a regular starter for her side at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup and at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, and, with over 30 caps under her belt already, now represents a central figure in Nigerian football. Commenting on the deal, Ajibade said, “I’m deeply honoured to be joining Paris Saint-Germain, a top-drawer club in Europe. “This is a major step for me, and I’m committed to giving my all to help PSG win titles and to inspire young footballers, be they in Nigeria or elsewhere.” Punch

… Eagles Coach Defends 4-0 Defeat

August 14, 2025 by admin

Nigeria Super Eagles B coach Eric Chelle insisted that his squad selected for the African Nations Championship in Zanzibar featured the best players from the Nigeria Premier Football League, even as the team suffered a humiliating 4-0 defeat to Sudan, PUNCH Sports Extra reports. Chelle stood by his decisions, stressing that the team selection was made in good faith and based on merit. “Even if the outcome was disappointing, the squad was chosen to represent the best of the league,” he added. The Franco-Malian coach explained that the current squad differed significantly from what he initially envisioned for the tournament. “Maybe five players left the camp or never came at all. They left to play in another league. So the team was not like we imagined. But the reality for me is it was the best player in the league,” Chelle said, defending his selection. The defeat means Nigeria are eliminated from the 8th CHAN edition after Sudan raced to a 2-0 lead before half-time, followed by two further goals in the second half, leaving the Eagles bottom of Group D. The Sudanese team capitalised on Nigeria’s defensive lapses, with Yagoub Omer scoring twice in the second half to complete the rout, leaving Nigeria’s hopes of advancing dashed. Chelle acknowledged that the Eagles started the match well, but mistakes soon piled up. “The players were focused, and we scored a goal, but after that we made a lot of mistakes and gave up the game in the second half. Four goals, four mistakes for me,” he said, reflecting on the performance. He broke down the errors that led to the rout. “We cannot play games like that and lose because we made a lot of mistakes during these two games. The first goal against Senegal was a mistake. In this game, the first two goals were mistakes, and after that the other two goals were due to mistakes in positioning,” he explained. Chelle also highlighted the challenge of competing at this level. “It’s difficult at this level of competition. We need to be more focused,” he said, urging the team to learn from the experience. Nigeria will now exit the competition, with their final Group D match against Congo next week serving only as a formality.

Breaking: 3SC Lose Assistant Coach, Akin Olowokere

August 11, 2025 by admin

Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan has lost one of its technical staff and Assistant Coach, Akin Olowokere. ‎Olowokere slumped and died on Monday morning during a training session at Ikenne, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State on Monday morning. ‎He was one of the new technical and backroom team unveiled by the club. ‎Others unveiled by the club included: ‎- Ayeoba Adedeji Gabriel – Assistant Coach ‎- Shakiru Lawal – Assistant Coach ‎- Gopar Cornelius – Goalkeeper Trainer ‎- Grace Towobola – Strength & Conditioning Coach ‎- Tammy Tamuno – Team Manager / Team Scout ‎- Habeeb Opeyemi – Psychologist ‎- Jesse Afuye – Match Analyst ‎- Lawrence Adedeji – Coaching Officer Akin Olowokere was the former head coach of Ekiti United. He resigned his appointment due to personal reasons.