Sports Archives | Page 68 of 72

Butler-Oyedeji wins PL2 Player of the Month for August

Our Reporters8 months ago8 months ago02 mins

Nathan Butler-Oyedeji has been named the Premier League 2 Player of the Month for August. The 21-year-old Arsenal forward won the award after he contributed to six of his side’s 11 goals, scoring four times and assisting twice in his three PL2 matches to take the Gunners top of the table. “It feels good. It feels like an honour,” Butler-Oyedeji told the club’s official website. “I’m happy to win the award and, most importantly, help my team-mates through the month of August. “I just try to get my head down and I have good players playing the chances through to me. My focus from the start of the season has been to be a bit more productive and deadly in front of goal. “Everyone’s on the same page. Everyone knows what they’re doing, like one vehicle, selfless and playing for the team and that shows in the results.” Butler-Oyedeji’s impressive month began with a goal against Manchester United, before netting twice at Wolverhampton Wanderers and then ending the month with another versus Aston Villa. His form not only enabled Arsenal to win all three matches in August, but means he is the current leading PL2 scorer. Butler-Oyedeji topped an eight-man shortlist that was selected by the Premier League’s Football Development Panel.

Haaland nets Premier League player award for August

Our Reporters8 months ago8 months ago03 mins

Erling Haaland has won the Premier League Player of the Month award for August following his electric start to the season for Manchester City, while Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has snared the Manager of the Month gong.Haaland, after a summer of rest, roared into life at the outset of the domestic league season, banging in consecutive hat-tricks to sit on seven goals after just three games.The Norwegian – if he can stay fit – already appears the early favourite to win the Premier League Golden Boot with his nearest current challengers – Mo Salah, Noni Madueke, Bryan Mbeumo and Luis Diaz – already four back, on three goals each.Haaland – as part of a City team that have made an ominous, 100% start to their 2024/25 Premier League campaign – scored in the opening-day win over Chelsea, before grabbing trebles against first Ipswich, and then West Ham.While on Norway duty in the recent UEFA Nations League international break, Haaland added another strike to his already bulging season tally against Austria.The other nominees on the list had been Salah, Mbeumo, Amadou Onana, Cole Palmer, David Raya, Bukayo Saka and Danny Welbeck.City’s next test is a home meeting with Brentford on Saturday, before they host Inter in their opening UEFA Champions League tie of the season, a mouthwatering repeat of the 2023 final, which City memorably won in Istanbul.The Citizens then play Arsenal at the Etihad on September 22 in a match that could already hold big implications for the title race.

Jackson extends Chelsea contract until 2033

Our Reporters8 months ago8 months ago01 mins

Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson has penned a two-year contract extension that ties him to the club until 2033 at Stamford Bridge, the Premier League side announced on Friday. The 23-year-old joined Chelsea from Villareal in June 2023 on an eight-year deal and went on to score 17 goals in all competitions last season. He has begun this campaign with two goals in four appearances. “I am feeling very good and am very happy to sign a new contract and stay at the club,” Jackson said in a statement. “It feels great the club has confidence in me. I am working very hard. I am very happy to extend my contract and stay here for many years.”

CR7 celebrates one billion social media followers

Our Reporters8 months ago8 months ago02 mins

Cristiano Ronaldo on Thursday thanked his supporters after reaching the milestone of one billion social media followers across all platforms. The Al Nassr captain has 638 million followers on Instagram, 170m on Facebook and 113m on X, previously known as Twitter. The 39-year-old recently launched his YouTube channel, “UR · Ronaldo,” that became the fastest channel to hit 1m subscribers on the platform and has now reached over 60m. “We’ve made history — 1 BILLION followers! This is more than just a number — it’s a testament to our shared passion, drive, and love for the game and beyond,” Ronaldo wrote on Instagram. “From the streets of Madeira to the biggest stages in the world, I’ve always played for my family and for you, and now 1 billion of us stand together. “You’ve been with me every step of the way, through all the highs and the lows. This journey is our journey, and together, we’ve shown that there are no limits to what we can achieve. Thank you for believing in me, for your support, and for being part of my life.” Ronaldo, who earlier this month became became the first men’s player in history to score 900 goals in official matches, is not wanting to slow down. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner added: “The best is yet to come, and we’ll keep pushing, winning, and making history together.”

Ikorodu City captures new Centre back

Our Reporters8 months ago8 months ago01 mins

Ikorodu City Football Club of Lagos has announced the signing of new centre back Somto Nnoli. Somto joins from Royal Trust Football Club and will look to help shore up the defense of the side in the new football season. The centre back, who can also feature as a defensive midfielder, joined the Premier League new entrant on a two year deal till 2026.

Sporting Lagos goalie joins Danish club on loan

Our Reporters8 months ago8 months ago01 mins

Sporting Lagos FC goalkeeper Christian Nwoke has joined Danish second division side, Aarhus Fremad on a loan deal. The Lagos-based club posted this on its social media fields on Friday. The posted stated; Sporting Lagos and Aarhus Fremad are excited to announce the loan of goalkeeper Christian Nwoke. “This move is a significant milestone in our partnership and a glimpse of what’s to come, as we stay committed to being a pathway for nurturing talent. “And we couldn’t be prouder that Christian, with his standout performances — from season-defining penalty saves to game-changing moments — is leading the way. “Have a great one, Spiderman!” Aarhus Fremad plays in the Danish 2nd Division, the third tier of the Danish football league system. The club competed in the lower divisions of Danish football until 1997, when the club miraculously reached the Danish Superliga after nine promotions in 13 seasons.

Randy Waldrum resigns as Super Falcons coach

Our Reporters8 months ago8 months ago01 mins

Randy Waldrum has resigned as the coach of the Super Falcons. In a letter dated September 12th, Waldrum cited health issues with his wife as the reason for his resignation from the job. “It’s been a very difficult few weeks following the Olympics, with my wife’s health issues, and the worries that obviously come with that. “After much thought and consideration, I am hereby resigning my position as Head Coach of the Super Falcons. “This will allow the NFF ample time to find the next manager to take over this incredible squad,” Waldrum stated. Waldrum was appointed the head coach of Nigeria women’s national team on October 5, 2020, barely three years after turning down the role.

Colombia 2024: Falconets crash out of World Cup

Our Reporters8 months ago8 months ago03 mins

Reigning vice champions Japan edged Nigeria 2-1 in the Round of 16 at the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup finals in Colombia on Friday morning, ending the promising journey of the Falconets. A goal in each half, first by Miyu Matsunaga and then by Maya Hijikata, meant that Olushola Shobowale’s composed finish one minute into time-added-on was too little too late in driving rain at the Estadio Metropolitano de Techo in Bogota. The tenacious Maya Hijikata came close in the 13th minute, almost capitalizing as goalkeeper Faith Omilana came out to punch the ball from a cross, but Comfort Folorunsho was on the line to rescue the situation. Japan’s famed electric pace and clever flicks and chips were countered by Nigeria’s fit-fighting approach and positional play. But in the 18thminute, Japan came close again when Uno Shiragaki and Manaka Matsukubo missed getting a touch on the ball as Rio Sasaki carved open Nigeria’s defence from a free kick on the right. The East Asians would go in front in the 33rdminute, as Matsunaga headed home a cross by Rihona Ujihara. Four minutes before the break, Nigeria could have levelled when Rofiat Imuran’s in-swinger from the left rattled goalkeeper Akana Okuma, but Maya Hijikata cleared the ball off the line. Hijikata made it two for Japan in the 66th minute when she drove the ball into the net after a cross from the right by Chinari Sasai. Omilana punched over fierce shots by Matsunaga and Suzu Amano in the 77th and 86th minute respectively, but Nigeria made it a tense finish when Shobowale coolly slotted in a cross from the left by substitute Goodness Osigwe. Japan will face Spain in the quarter-finals, in a re-match of the final match of the last edition in Costa Rica two years ago.