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

AFCON 2025: Lookman Scores Winner As Super Eagles Start Campaign With 2–1 Victory Over Tanzania

Published

2 days ago

December 23, 2025

Editor

Ademola Lookman scored what proved to be the decisive goal as Nigeria beat Tanzania 2-1 in their opening game at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Super Eagles came into the match as heavy favourites to win and dominated the opening exchanges.

After coming close a few times, the three-time champions took the lead through Semi Ajayi.

The ball was recycled following a corner-kick, before Alex Iwobi crossed it into the area for Ajayi to head home.

Tanzania equalized after Charles M’Mombwa found himself unmarked inside the area.

But two minutes later, Nigeria struck the winner through Lookman, who took a few touches and finished with his left foot.

Sports

JUST IN: Dembélé Named FIFA Best Men’s Player, Bonmatí Wins Women’s Award

Published

1 week ago

December 16, 2025

Editor

Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembélé has been awarded the FIFA Best Men’s Player for 2025, following a season in which he contributed significantly to both his club and the France national team.

Dembélé, known for his pace, creativity, and goal-scoring ability, played a central role in Paris Saint-Germain’s campaigns across domestic and European competitions. His performances for the national team also helped France secure notable results in international fixtures.

Speaking on the recognition, Dembélé said, “It is a great honour to receive this award. I could not have achieved this without my teammates at PSG and in the national team, whose support has been invaluable.”

In the women’s category, Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmatí was named FIFA Best Women’s Player for 2025. Bonmatí was influential in Barcelona’s domestic and European campaigns, providing leadership, vision, and creativity in midfield. She also played a key role in Spain’s international successes.

“This award reflects the hard work of my teammates and coaches,” Bonmatí said. “I am grateful for their guidance and support throughout the season.”

The announcements reaffirm FIFA’s recognition of individual excellence in football while highlighting the contributions of players to both club and country.

Sports

Court Fixes Date To Hear Sala Compensation Dispute

Published

2 weeks ago

December 9, 2025

Editor

A commercial court examining the long-running dispute between Cardiff City and French club Nantes over compensation for the death of Emiliano Sala in a plane crash said Monday it would give its decision on March 30 next year.

Sala, a 28-year-old Argentine striker, died when the light aircraft taking him to the Welsh capital came down in the English Channel on January 21, 2019, two days after he had signed for the then-Premier League side. He and pilot David Ibbotson were killed.

The Welsh club took the case to the Nantes commercial court in 2023 to claim compensation for loss of income and other damages suffered by the club as a result of the player’s death.

Following an analysis conducted by an expert appointed by Cardiff City, the club estimated their losses at over 120 million euros ($139.5 million). Lawyers for both clubs made their cases at Monday’s hearing.

The Welsh club argue that Nantes, through their intermediary, agent Willie McKay, were the organisers of the private flight on which the footballer was travelling and that, if the transfer was effective at the time of the accident according to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), it is the organisation of this flight that is at issue.

Cardiff City’s lawyer, Olivier Loizon, told the court Monday, Willie McKay “could not have been unaware of the illegality of the flight”, and argued that the agent had acted with “negligence”.

“Whatever the ultimate cause of the accident, (Sala) should not have been on the flight,” he added.

Nantes’ lawyer, Jerome Marsaudon, insisted Monday the only agent authorised by the club in connection with the transfer was Mark McKay, the son of Willie McKay.

The elder McKay “was simply helping his son, given his extensive experience”, the lawyer said.

“It is sad to see that Cardiff have exploited this tragedy and turned it into a genuine legal farce,” he added. “Nothing in this case justifies holding FC Nantes liable.”

Prior to the start of the hearing, a Nantes representative said the club “have no doubt that Cardiff’s claims will be rejected outright, just like all the others”.

In another case related to the dispute between the two clubs, CAS ruled in 2022 that Sala’s transfer had definitely been finalised at the time of his death.

In 2023, world football’s governing body FIFA ordered Cardiff to pay Nantes the balance of Sala’s transfer fee, which at the time amounted to just over 11 million euros out of a total of 17 million euros.