Sports

Europe Watch: Osimhen, Boniface, Payne, Others Shine

Published

2 years ago

August 29, 2023

League football across Europe is gradually taking shape for the 2023–24 season, with Nigerian players plying their trade in different leagues across the world.

Victor Osimhen scored the opening goal in Napoli’s 2-0 win over Sassuolo in the Serie A, while German Victor Boniface scored a brace in Leverkusen’s 3-0 win over Borussia Monchengladbach in the German Bundesliga.

There were other Nigerian players for their respective clubs across the world.

Let’s take a look at them.

Saturday

In the Premier League, Taiwo Awoniyi and Ola Aina starred for Nottingham Forest on Saturday. The former scored a goal, while the latter came in later as a substitute.

Frank Onyeka and Calvin Bassey made it to the squad that played against Arsenal, although the latter saw himself red-carded after a foul on Eddie Nketiah in the 82nd minute of the encounter.

In the Championship, Wilfred Ndidi and Kelechi Ihenacho started for Leicester City in the 2-1 win against Rotterdam. Ihenacho provided an assist for the opening goal in the clash.

Victor Boniface inspired Bayern Leverkusen to a 3-0 victory versus Borussia Monchengladbach with a superb brace in the Bundesliga.

In Italy, Samuel Chukweze was introduced in the 66th minute of Milan’s 4-1 win over Torino to enjoy a home debut for his new team.

Sports

JUST IN: Full Draw For 2026 World Cup Group Stages Confirmed

Published

1 day ago

December 5, 2025

Editor

The draw for the group stage of the 2026 World Cup has been conducted.

It took place at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., with US President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino in charge.

There will be 48 teams at next year’s tournament, to be played across the United States, Mexico and Canada.

All the participating countries were grouped into 12 groups of four.

Here is the full draw:

Group A: Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, Winner Play-off D
Group B: Canada, Winner Play-off A, Qatar, Switzerland
Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland
Group D: United States, Paraguay, Australia, Winner Play-off C
Group E: Germany, Curaçao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador
Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Winner Play-off B, Tunisia
Group G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand
Group H: Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay
Group I: France, Senegal, Winner Play-off 2, Norway
Group J: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan
Group K: Portugal, Winner Play-off 1, Colombia, Uzbekistan
Group L: England, Croatia, Panama, Ghana

Sports

EPL: Mikel Obi Reveals Why Chelsea Failed To Beat Arsenal in 1-1 Draw

Published

4 days ago

December 2, 2025

Editor

Former Super Eagles midfielder, John Mikel Obi, has claimed Chelsea failed to defeat Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday, because of an early red card to Moises Caicedo.

The two London rivals played out a pulsating 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge.

Caicedo was sent off in the 38th minute following a VAR check.

But it was Chelsea who took the lead after the break, thanks to Trevor Chalobah’s header.

But the Gunners equalized through Mikel Merino.

So far this season, Chelsea have received seven red cards in 20 games across all competitions this season.

“That’s four red cards this season; it’s not good enough. I’ve spoken about it; the manager needs to talk with the players, because it’s costing us games as well,” Mikel Obi said on his podcast.

“If you look at that game, if we finished with eleven men, I think we could’ve won. Maybe not easily, but comfortably, we could’ve secured a win.”

Sports

EPL: Slot Reveals When Salah Will Leave For AFCON

Published

4 days ago

December 2, 2025

Editor

Liverpool manager, Arne Slot, has revealed that Mohamed Salah was “not happy” to be dropped for their 2-0 win at West Ham on Sunday.

Salah was named on the bench at the London Stadium for the Premier League fixture.

Slot took the bold decision, as he looked to arrest a poor run of form, that saw the Reds lose nine of 12 matches.

Salah was not summoned from the bench for the entire 90 minutes, as goals from Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo sealed victory.

“It was a normal reaction for a player who is good enough to play for us,” Slot said.

“I say that mildly as he’s been so outstanding for this club and will be in the future. He wasn’t happy he wasn’t starting but he wasn’t the only one.”

Salah could yet return to the starting line-up as Liverpool host Sunderland in the Premier League on Wednesday night.

The 33-year-old will remain available for the next four matches, before he leaves to join Egypt’s squad for the African Cup of Nations.

“It’s 15 December,” Slot confirmed.

“But always in these situations there is the player and the national team involved and there are always talks about what is best for all three of us.”