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

Liverpool Vs Arsenal: Gunners Seek 1st EPL Win At Anfield Since 2012

Published

22 hours ago

August 31, 2025

Editor

Arsenal head to Anfield this Sunday—seeking a first Premier League win there since 2012—a victory will bolster their title pursuit.

Currently unbeaten in two league matches, Arsenal boast of the division’s best defensive record; Liverpool, the defending champions, have conceded goals early this season.

Liverpool, unbeaten at home in August since 2015, have scored in 36 successive league matches—a potential new record.

Arsenal’s injury list is mounting– Saka, Havertz, Odegaard and Jesus are either out or doubtful.

New 68 million pound signing, Eberechi Eze, may debut.

Mikel Arteta praised Eze’s “special aura” at training; he is expected to spark creativity amid absentee worries.

Liverpool offer positive fitness news; Mac Allister is training again; no new concerns reported by manager Arne Slot.

Arteta says the fixture is “defining” for perception as much as league position; he urges belief through adversity.

Slot admits Arsenal pose a serious threat—particularly from set-pieces—but insists his side is fully prepared.

The Anfield record speaks volumes: League meetings have ended in draws lately.

Arsenal are winless there in 12 league trips—and have not won since 2012.

Head-to-head balance remains tight; in 244 meetings, Liverpool lead 95–83 in wins; 66 ended level.

Recent league matches at Anfield have mostly ended in stalemates, including a 2‑2 draw in May 2025 when Arsenal came from two down.

A draw may be respectable; a loss, predictable under circumstances; a win, however, will irreversibly shift the narrative in Arsenal’s favour.

As the players emerge onto that famed Anfield turf, this fixture transcends tactics; it will come down to mindset, belief—and perhaps a debut that sparks hope.

Game day may well redefine Arsenal’s season.

(NAN)

Sports

Chelsea Vs Barcelona, Arsenal Vs Bayern — UEFA Releases Fixture Date, Time

Published

2 days ago

August 30, 2025

Editor

Chelsea vs Barcelona, Arsenal vs Bayern — UEFA releases fixture date, time
UEFA has officially released the full fixtures, dates, and kick-off times for the 2025/26 Champions League league phase, setting the stage for blockbuster matches involving Europe’s biggest clubs.

The schedule follows the draw held on Thursday, 28 August 2025, which determined the opponents for all 36 participating clubs under the new league-phase format.

According to the schedule, Chelsea will host Barcelona on Tuesday, 25 November 2025, in one of the standout ties of Matchday Five, with kick-off set for 21:00 CET. Arsenal, on the other hand, will face German giants Bayern Munich on the same matchday, also on Wednesday, 26 November 2025, at 21:00 CET.

In Matchday 1, Bayern Munich will host Chelsea at the Allianz Arena in a repeat of the 2012 Champions League final, where the Blues won 4-3 on penalties. On Wednesday, October 1, 2025, Barcelona will welcome PSG in the standout fixture for MatchDay 2.

Matchday 4 features another high-profile fixture as Paris Saint-Germain host Bayern Munich on Wednesday, 5 November. On the same night, Liverpool renew their fierce rivalry with Real Madrid at Anfield, with kick-off time set for 21:00 CET.

Now in its second year running, the Champions League is being played under UEFA’s new “league phase” format, which replaced the traditional group stage. Instead of eight groups of four, all 36 participating teams are placed in a single league table, each playing eight different opponents, four at home and four away.

The top eight sides qualify automatically for the round of 16, while teams finishing 9th to 24th will contest a play-off round to secure their spot in the knockouts.

Opening Champions League fixtures (1900 GMT unless stated)

Tuesday, September 16

Athletic Bilbao (ESP) v Arsenal (ENG) (1645 GMT)

PSV Eindhoven (NED) v Union Saint-Gilloise (BEL) (1645 GMT)

Juventus (ITA) v Borussia Dortmund (GER)

Real Madrid (ESP) v Marseille (FRA)

Benfica (POR) v Qarabag (AZE)

Tottenham Hotspur (ENG) v Villarreal (ESP)

Wednesday, September 17

Olympiacos (GRE) v Pafos (CYP) (1645 GMT)

Slavia Prague (CZE) v Bodo/Glimt (NOR) (1645 GMT)

Ajax (NED) v Inter Milan (ITA)

Bayern Munich (GER) v Chelsea (ENG)

Liverpool (ENG) v Atletico Madrid (ESP)

Paris Saint-Germain (FRA) v Atalanta (ITA)

Thursday, September 18

Club Brugge (BEL) v Monaco (FRA) (1645 GMT)

FC Copenhagen (DEN) v Bayer Leverkusen (GER) (1645 GMT)

Eintracht Frankfurt (GER) v Galatasaray (TUR)

Manchester City (ENG) v Napoli (ITA)

Newcastle United (ENG) v Barcelona (ESP)

Sporting (POR) v Kairat Almaty (KAZ)

Sports

West Ham Reject Chance To Sign Andre Onana On Loan

Published

2 days ago

August 30, 2025

Editor

West Ham United have reportedly turned down the opportunity to sign Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana on loan, according to The Guardian.

The Hammers are in the market for a new goalkeeper after summer signing Mads Hermansen, who joined from Leicester City, has struggled to impress. However, the club made it clear that Onana, who has fallen out of favour at Old Trafford, is not seen as an upgrade on their current options.

The 29-year-old Cameroon international lost his starting spot to Altay Bayindir this season under new United manager Ruben Amorim, and he was offered to West Ham as a potential solution. But the London club rejected the deal.

Onana returned to action in midweek against Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup but endured another difficult night as United crashed out to the League Two side. He was partly at fault for the Mariners’ second goal after failing to deal with a cross, and United eventually lost 12-11 on penalties after a 2-2 draw.

West Ham, meanwhile, are actively exploring other targets. Talks are reportedly ongoing with Hull City goalkeeper Ivor Pandur, while the club has also revived its interest in Botafogo’s John Victor, having reached an agreement in principle for the Brazilian during the summer.

Manager Graham Potter is under pressure to resolve the club’s goalkeeping issues, with Hermansen conceding eight goals in just two league appearances, including three from set pieces against Chelsea last weekend. Backup option Alphonse Areola also failed to impress in a 3-2 Carabao Cup defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers.