Sports

Europe Watch: Osimhen, Iheanacho Shine As Adams Nets Brace

Published

2 years ago

October 2, 2023

Club football had the weekend spellbinding for football fans with Nigerian players plying their trade abroad on parade for their respective clubs.

Some were on the scoresheet, others nicked assists while others put in some good shift.

Let’s take a look at them:

Saturday

Sadiq Umar was handed another start in Real Sociedad’s hosting of Athletic Bilbao. He shone for his team and capped his stellar performance with an assist to Take Kubo’s goal in the 48th minute. He was hooked off in the 61st minute of the game.

Victor Osimhen netted again for Napoli in the 51st minute after he was released through goal by Kvaratskhelia when the defending champions visited Leece and won by four goals to none.

Victor Boniface started for Bayern Leverkusen as the Xabi Alonso-led team thrashed Mainz away from home. Although he didn’t score, he inspired his team to a 3-0 win.

Chidozie Awaziem played the entire minutes for Boviasta in the tensive 2-2 home draw against Famalicao.

Joe Aribo was an 85th minute substitute for Southampton when they defeated Leeds United at home in a 3-1 win.

Jamilu Collins was on the field throughout Cardiff City’s win when they hosted Motherham at home. Cardiff won by two goals to one.

Cyrill Dessers played until the 84th minute for Rangers FC when they suffered a 3 – 1 home loss to Aberdeen FC. He made way for Adam Lovelace.

Nottingham Forest’s Taiwo Awoniyi was substituted for Chris Wood in the 1-1 draw against Brentford at home. On the other hand, Frank Onyeka was a 64th minute substitute for Brentford.

Wilfred Ndidi and Kelechi Iheanacho put in a great show for Leicester City as they humiliated Blackburn Rovers away from home. Ndidi created a assist for Vardy while Iheanacho converted from the spot in the 82nd minute.

Gift Oban was a 68th minute substitute for Gent when they played a 1-1 away draw at RWD Molenbeek.

Rapheal Onyedika starred for Club Brugge at home in a 1-1 draw versus St.Truidden. He was, however, substituted for Eder Balanta in the 46th minute.

Troost-Ekong played the entire minute for PAOK FC in a 2-2 away draw versus Parathinaikos.

Tyrone Ebuehie traveled together with the rest of the Empoli squad and played the entire minutes in the 3 – 0 loss to Bologna.

Udinese hosted Genoa and played a 2-2 draw. Isaac Success played for the home side until the 68th minute when he was hooked off for Thauvin. Maduka Okoye didn’t make it from the bench again.

At Atalanta, Ademola Lookman started for the home side when they hosted Juventus but could only last 65 minutes as he was subbed off for Luis Muriel.

Akor Adams fired a brace in for Montpellier when they won away from home at Lorient.

Nantes suffered a 1- 3 loss away from home to Rennes. Simon Moses could not prevent the loss despite playing the entire minutes.

Kenneth Omerou-led Kasimpasa’s back-line again as they fought a win away from Fatih Karahgmunuk.

Sports

FIFA rankings: Super Eagles Drop To 45th, Remain Sixth In Africa

Published

33 minutes ago

September 18, 2025

Editor

Nigeria’s Super Eagles have slipped one place in the latest FIFA World Rankings, falling from 44th to 45th globally while maintaining sixth position on the African continent.

The new rankings, released via FIFA’s official X handle on Thursday, reflect the team’s continued struggles under Coach Eric Chelle amid a stuttering 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.

This marks a second consecutive decline after the Nigerian side dropped from 43rd to 44th in August and also slipped out of the top five nations in Africa on the back of poor outings in recent international matches.

Despite Nigeria’s setback, several African teams made progress. Morocco remains the continent’s highest-ranked side, sitting 11th in the world after winning eight of their last nine matches. Senegal, Egypt, Algeria and Côte d’Ivoire complete Africa’s top five.

Lesotho slipped to 153rd place, while Benin Republic, Nigeria’s upcoming opponent, climbed to 93rd. South Africa’s Bafana Bafana, who held the Super Eagles to a 1-1 draw in June, rose to 55th, strengthening their bid for World Cup qualification.

Zimbabwe had the biggest slide down the ranking table, dropping nine places to 125th position in the world.

The rankings highlight Nigeria’s struggle to regain form on the global stage as key rivals continue to surge ahead.

Similarly, the Super Falcons of Nigeria remain 36th best in the world], while the Spanish female national team replaced the USA at the top of the women’s ranking.

Sports

Edo Sports Commission Liaises With Education Ministry To Support President Unity Cup, Other

Published

18 hours ago

September 17, 2025

Editor

Edo State Sports Commission has expressed readiness to liaise with the state Ministry Education in giving the necessary backing to this year’s President Unity Cup and Chief of Naval Staff Tournament.

Executive Chairman of the commission, Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele, expressed the commission’s readiness on Wednesday when he played host to national leadership of the Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria (YSFON), led by its National Secretary, Mr. Patrick Okpavuerhe.

He expressed the commission’s readiness after the YSFON National Secretary requested Edo State to host this year’s President Unity Cup, scheduled for September 25 to October 1, 2025, or alternatively, the Chief of Naval Staff Tournament.

Represented by Executive Director representing Edo Central at the commission, Barr. Anthony Ikuenobe, Enabulele assured the YSFON members of the commission’s readiness to collaborate.

“The Commission will review past correspondences and liaise with the Ministry of Education to support these tournaments.

“Edo remains committed to youth and grassroots sports development,” Ikuenobe said.

Earlier, Okpavuerhe commended Hon. Enabulele for his remarkable strides in youth sports development, particularly Edo’s impressive record in grassroots football.

According to him, the decision of Edo to host any of the tournaments “was taken during our last Central Working Committee meeting in recognition of Edo’s outstanding contributions to grassroots sports.”

He explained that the President Unity Cup, first held in 1982 after former President Shehu Shagari donated the trophy, has become a platform to celebrate President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and Nigeria’s independence through sports, fostering national unity.

Founded in 1965, YSFON also highlighted its successful organisation of the Under-14 Boys and Under-17 Girls Chief of Naval Staff Tournament, which has been held since 1999 but never hosted in Edo State.

“We are requesting Edo’s support in providing logistics upon approval. Our plan is to host the Chief of Naval Staff Tournament in Benin City, using the President Unity Cup as a test run,” Okpavuerhe added.

Also speaking, Alhaji Ahmed Abdullah, YSFON’s National Welfare Officer and Acting National Organising Secretary, also praised Edo’s strong showing at the recently concluded National Youth Games in Asaba, describing the state as “one of Nigeria’s foremost promoters of grassroots sports development.”

Others present at the meeting included Mr. Kali Gwegwe (Vice President, YSFON South-South Zone), Mr. Osagiede Osamudiamen (Chairman, Edo State YSFON), Mr. Harrison Iyonmana (Secretary, Edo State YSFON), and Mr. Benmore Omoregieva (Welfare Officer, Edo State YSFON).

Sports

Edo Cricket Association Presents Indoor Facility Designs To Sports Commission Boss

Published

18 hours ago

September 17, 2025

Editor

The Edo State Cricket Association on Wednesday formally presented the proposed structural and mechanical designs for an Indoor Cricket Facility in Edo State to the Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele.

The presentation marks a significant step in advancing cricket infrastructure in the state, aligning with Edo’s broader vision of strengthening grassroots sports development.

Those present at the presentation include: Theophilus A. Ibodeme (High Performance Coach and Manager), Osasu Agbonwanegbe (Senior Special Assistant to the President/Chairman, Nigerian Cricket Federation), Esosa Aghohowa (Technical Assistant/Coach) and Afari Abdulhamid (Coach/Field Officer).