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Category: Sports

NFF Celebrates Football Investor and Philanthropist Kunle Soname on 59th Birthday

Fola Badmus04 mins

President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, has warmly felicitated with notable football investor and proprietor of a number of football clubs in the country, Hon. Kunle Soname, as the billionaire business mogul celebrated his 59th birthday anniversary on Sunday. Soname, a former Chairman of a local government in Lagos State, has gradually but steadily built a charming profile as one of the biggest investors in the beautiful game on the African continent, and indeed the universe, with a portfolio that includes proprietorship of elite League club Remo Stars (poised to win this year’s title in Nigeria), second-tier side Beyond Limits and a women’s team, Remo Stars Ladies. He also owns a Portuguese LigaPro side, Clube Desportivo Feirense. All his teams have remained very competitive in their different cadres and jurisdictions. “As a Football Federation, we are enamoured by the worthwhile investments that Hon. Kunle Soname is making in the game of football in Nigeria, Africa and the world. To be proprietor of four different clubs across continents and gender is no mean fit. We celebrate his love for the game and wish him a very happy birthday and many happy returns. “Apart from the clubs, what he has on ground at the Remo Stars Sports Institute in Ikenne-Remo marks him out as a serious and committed investor. A number of our National Teams continue to benefit from the facilities and equipment therein, and the project is still ongoing. We pray that God will grant him good health and long life to fulfil his dreams,” Gusau said. Nigeria’s age-grade National Teams, including the U20 boys (Flying Eagles) and girls (Falconets) and the U17 boys (Golden Eaglets) and girls (Flamingos), as well as the senior women team (Super Falcons) have camped and played matches at the magnificent family in the serene town in Ogun State. Only last week, Soname gifted the Flamingos the sum of four million naira after their 4-0 defeat of Algeria’s U17 girls in a FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualifying match at the Remo Stars Stadium, at the sum of one million for each goal.

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Liverpool Clinch Premier League Equal Manchester United’s Record with 20 Titles

Fola Badmus03 mins

Liverpool have been crowned Premier League champions following a dominant 5-1 victory over Tottenham at Anfield on Sunday. Arne Slot’s side needed just a point to secure the title and equal Manchester United’s record of 20 top-flight crowns. Goals from Luis Díaz, Alexis Mac Allister, Cody Gakpo, and Mohamed Salah, along with a Destiny Udogie own goal, sealed the emphatic win. “This is the most beautiful club in the world. We deserve this,” captain Virgil van Dijk told Sky Sports after the match. “We are going to enjoy the next couple of weeks and take it all in. I was desperate to win it for the fans, for the supporters around the world, and for ourselves.” Salah’s strike marked his 185th Premier League goal, making him the highest-scoring foreign player in the league’s history. With Arsenal’s 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace on Wednesday, the Gunners can no longer mathematically catch Liverpool, even with four games remaining. Liverpool now hold a 15-point advantage, having lost just twice in 34 matches this season. It caps a spectacular debut campaign for Arne Slot, who arrived from Feyenoord last summer to succeed Jürgen Klopp. Slot reflected on the team’s resilience and determination:“It was clear we couldn’t lose this game. Everyone on the bus said, ‘There’s no way we’re losing.’ They always find a way to win. I’m incredibly proud — not just of the players, but the entire staff and management. They deserve a big round of applause.” Slot also emphasized the scale of the achievement:“Let’s forget it’s only the second title in 35 years — it’s two titles in five years.” Liverpool’s triumph adds another glorious chapter to the club’s storied history, reaffirming their place among English football’s elite.

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Back in a 1999 column, my former boss Bill Simmons introduced the "Ewing Theory." It came from a friend of his who believed that Patrick Ewing’s teams — at both Georgetown and with the New York Knicks — strangely played better whenever Ewing was injured or stuck on the bench with foul trouble, as Simmons later explained in an ESPN piece. Ewing, a star center drafted No. 1 overall by the Knicks in 1985, had a long, impressive career. Unfortunately, it unfolded alongside the dominance of Michael Jordan, meaning Ewing's Knicks won plenty of games but never captured an NBA title. In 1999, during the Eastern Conference finals, Ewing tore his Achilles. The eighth-seeded Knicks were tied 1-1 with the second-seeded Indiana Pacers, and most expected the Pacers to cruise to the NBA Finals. Instead, Simmons published his column introducing the Ewing Theory — and right on cue, the Knicks won three straight to clinch the series. Over the past 25 years, the Ewing Theory has been mocked and misunderstood. Critics quip: Oh, so it’s better not to have great players? They point out that the Knicks haven’t been back to the Eastern Conference finals since Ewing left. And they question why Simmons chose Ewing in the first place. But the name wasn’t really the point. As Simmons explained in a 2013 update, the Ewing Theory isn’t about tearing down a player — it’s about what happens when a team recalibrates after losing a star. Sometimes a player is overrated. Sometimes his absence gives other players a chance to thrive in a better-fitting system. And sometimes, losing a centerpiece forces everyone to step up, rediscover urgency, and rebuild momentum — transforming the team in the process. Sound familiar? Imagine if the world’s supposed best soccer player changed clubs over the summer, only for his new team to get worse while his old team thrived without him. Well, that’s exactly what's happened with Kylian Mbappé after his move from Paris Saint-Germain to Real Madrid. So, ahead of the upcoming El Clásico — the Copa del Rey final between Real Madrid and Barcelona (streaming live on ESPN+) — let’s dive into how Mbappé’s departure hurt Madrid, why PSG improved without him, and what it all might say about Mbappé as a player.

How Kylian Mbappé made Real Madrid worse

Fola Badmus24 mins

Back in a 1999 column, my former boss Bill Simmons introduced the “Ewing Theory.” It came from a friend of his who believed that Patrick Ewing’s teams — at both Georgetown and with the New York Knicks — strangely played better whenever Ewing was injured or stuck on the bench with foul trouble, as Simmons later explained in an ESPN piece. Ewing, a star center drafted No. 1 overall by the Knicks in 1985, had a long, impressive career. Unfortunately, it unfolded alongside the dominance of Michael Jordan, meaning Ewing’s Knicks won plenty of games but never captured an NBA title. In 1999, during the Eastern Conference finals, Ewing tore his Achilles. The eighth-seeded Knicks were tied 1-1 with the second-seeded Indiana Pacers, and most expected the Pacers to cruise to the NBA Finals. Instead, Simmons published his column introducing the Ewing Theory — and right on cue, the Knicks won three straight to clinch the series. Over the past 25 years, the Ewing Theory has been mocked and misunderstood. Critics quip: Oh, so it’s better not to have great players? They point out that the Knicks haven’t been back to the Eastern Conference finals since Ewing left. And they question why Simmons chose Ewing in the first place. But the name wasn’t really the point. As Simmons explained in a 2013 update, the Ewing Theory isn’t about tearing down a player — it’s about what happens when a team recalibrates after losing a star. Sometimes a player is overrated. Sometimes his absence gives other players a chance to thrive in a better-fitting system. And sometimes, losing a centerpiece forces everyone to step up, rediscover urgency, and rebuild momentum — transforming the team in the process. Sound familiar? Imagine if the world’s supposed best soccer player changed clubs over the summer, only for his new team to get worse while his old team thrived without him. Well, that’s exactly what’s happened with Kylian Mbappé after his move from Paris Saint-Germain to Real Madrid. So, ahead of the upcoming El Clásico — the Copa del Rey final between Real Madrid and Barcelona (streaming live on ESPN+) — let’s dive into how Mbappé’s departure hurt Madrid, why PSG improved without him, and what it all might say about Mbappé as a player.

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European Dreams, FA Cup Glory: All to Play for This Weekend on GOtv

Fola Badmus13 mins

The Premier League resumes this weekend with Chelsea hosting Everton in Saturday’s early kick-off at 12:30 PM. The game, which will be broadcast live on GOtv, will see Chelsea attempt to revive their ambition of a top-five finish and a possible Champions League spot. The Blues could climb the table if they win and other results go their way. Newcastle United, who dropped points in last weekend’s clash with Aston Villa, host bottom-placed Ipswich Town at 3:00 PM. Newcastle remain fifth and will be looking to return to form, while Ipswich will be relegated if they lose. Manchester United, without a win in four league games, visit Bournemouth on Sunday at 2:00 PM. The Red Devils, now 14th, have struggled for consistency and face a Bournemouth side pushing for a top-half finish. Sunday’s headline fixture sees Liverpool host Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield at 4:30 PM. Liverpool are just one point away from the title after Arsenal dropped points in the 2–2 draw against Crystal Palace on Wednesday. Spurs, currently 16th, have had a disappointing campaign and go into the match on the back of a 1–2  loss to Nottingham Forest. Elsewhere, Brighton host West Ham, Southampton face Fulham, and Wolves meet Leicester City in the Saturday 3:00 PM kick-offs. This weekend also features the semi-finals of the FA Cup. Crystal Palace take on Aston Villa on Saturday at 5:15 PM, while Manchester City face Nottingham Forest on Sunday at 4:30 PM. City’s only remaining shot at silverware this season comes in the FA Cup, following years of dominance across multiple competitions. All the matches will be broadcast live on GOtv channels 65 and 66.

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Morocco 2025: Flamingos Set to Grab World Cup Ticket in Blida

Fola Badmus14 mins

Nigeria’s U17 girls, Flamingos, are firm and ready to pick the ticket for the country’s eighth appearance at the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup, despite the predictably-cold atmosphere of the Stade Mustapha Tchaker in Blida (outside Algiers), on Friday night. Friday’s encounter against their Algerian counterparts is the final leg of a final qualifying round fixture, with the Flamingos, bronze-medallists from the 2022 finals in India and quarter-finalists from the last edition in the Dominican Republic, holding on to a 4-0 first-leg advantage. The Federation Algerienne de Football (FAF) has scheduled the match to kick off at 8pm, at a time that the winds will begin to blow in stronger from the Mediterranean Sea. However, the Flamingos, who arrived in Algiers in the early hours of Wednesday aboard a Turkish Airline flight from Istanbul, are highly inspired by the imminence of another FIFA World Cup ticket as well as further financial windfall from the Nigeria Football Federation and billionaire business mogul Kunle Soname. Soname gifted the young players and their officials the sum of N4million (one million naira for every goal) following their commanding win over the North Africans at the Remo Stars Stadium on Saturday, while the NFF gave out the sum of N2million (five hundred thousand naira for every goal). President of NFF, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau and Hon. Soname have both confirmed that the same financial incentives are in place for the second leg in Blida on Friday. “Our objective is clear – to win the FIFA World Cup ticket. That is the big motivation. Yet, we have been further incentivized by the monetary rewards. My girls will go all out on Friday night,” Head Coach Bankole Olowookere said. Olowookere, who led the Flamingos to their last two World Cup ventures, will most likely rely on first-leg two-goal heroine Queen Joseph, lone-goal scorer Zainab Raji and Kaosarat Olanrewaju to start at the fore, with Shakirat Moshood, Muinat Rotimi and Philomena Isaiah supplying the passes from the midfield. Goalkeeper and captain Christiana Uzoma and defenders Azeezat Oduntan, Hannah Ibrahim, Christiana Sunday and Jumai Adebayo are also likely to start. The Confederation of African Football has selected Cameroonian official Marie Noelle Etong to be the referee, with her compatriots Marcelle Teikeu and Innocentia Ntangti as assistant referee 1 and fourth official respectively, while Chadian Ngarassoum Victorine will be assistant referee 2. Oumou Souleymane Kane from Mauritania will be commissioner and Sabelo Maphosa-Sibindi from Zimbabwe will be in the role of referee assessor.

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Nottingham Forest Trials For 3 Nigerian Players

Fola Badmus03 mins

Nottingham Forest, currently sitting fourth in the English Premier League table with 60 points, is set to give three Nigerian players from Unicorns Football Club of Ilorin a chance to shine. Left winger Olamide Sunday Olasehinde, central defender Sulyman Kehinde Quadri, and midfielder Sanni Sukanmi Adebayo have arrived in the UK for a two-week trial with the club. Unicorns FC CEO Victor Awoniyi expressed his excitement about the trials and plans to utilise this opportunity to showcase the country’s abundant football talents. The trio’s trial is part of a larger trend, with Unicorns FC having successfully sent no fewer than nine players abroad in the last one year. Secretary of the team, Suleiman Atunrase accompanied the players during their stay in the UK, allowing them to focus on the game. This opportunity comes as English football continues to attract top talents worldwide. Nottingham Forest striker, Taiwo Awoniyi who expressed delight at the opportunity, said representing Nigeria in major international tournaments, such as the Under-15 and Under-17 World Cup, was a pivotal moment in his career. He, however, recognised that many young talents in Nigeria are not as fortunate. “With Nigeria’s vast pool of talented individuals, making it to the national team is a remarkable achievement. “By creating opportunities for these young talents, we are not only giving them a chance to showcase their skills but also making their dreams a reality,” Awoniyi said. He further explained that providing platforms for young talents to develop and grow is essential in nurturing the next generation of football stars. “It’s a privilege to be part of initiatives that help young players achieve their goals and pursue their passions,” Awoniyi added. He concluded by saying arrangements are also in top gear to send more players across Europe for a chance to achieve their dreams.

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Osimhen Fires Galatasaray Reaches to Turkish Cup Final

Fola Badmus04 mins

Nigerian international striker Victor Osimhen delivered a stellar performance for Galatasaray, scoring one goal and providing an assist in their emphatic 5-1 victory over Konyaspor in the Turkish Cup semifinal clash at the Konya Buyuksehir Belediye Stadium. Osimhen, who has been a key figure for Galatasaray this season, spearheaded their attack as they aimed to secure a coveted spot in the Turkish Cup final. The 26-year-old forward wasted no time in making his mark, opening the scoring in the 26th minute. He demonstrated his aerial prowess by rising highest to meet a well-delivered cross from teammate Dries Mertens, powerfully heading the ball into the net to give Galatasaray a 1-0 lead. Osimhen had another opportunity to extend the lead in the 32nd minute, but Konyaspor goalkeeper Deniz Ertas pulled off a fine save to deny the Nigerian. However, Ertas was unable to prevent Lucas Torreira from doubling Galatasaray’s advantage just before halftime, with the Uruguayan midfielder finding the back of the net in the 43rd minute to make it 2-0. Galatasaray continued their dominance after the break, and just two minutes into the second half, Osimhen turned provider. He displayed excellent vision and technique to play a precise pass to Roland Sallai, whose subsequent shot took a deflection before finding the back of the net, extending Galatasaray’s lead to 3-0. Konyaspor briefly offered a glimmer of hope when Pedrinho pulled a goal back in the 53rd minute, reducing the deficit to 3-1. However, Galatasaray quickly extinguished any hopes of a comeback, striking twice more through Sallai and Yusuf Demir to seal a comprehensive 5-1 victory. Osimhen’s overall contribution to Galatasaray’s dominant performance was significant. Throughout the match, he registered an impressive three successful dribbles, had six attempts on goal, created two key passes for his teammates, and won seven of his eleven duels. Galatasaray now await the outcome of the other Turkish Cup semifinal between Trabzonspor and Goztepe on Thursday to discover their opponents in the final. While the Lions may harbor hopes of facing Goztepe, perceived as potentially easier opposition, Victor Osimhen’s consistent form suggests he will be a crucial asset for Galatasaray regardless of who they face. Having not lifted the Turkish Cup trophy since 2018, Galatasaray will be determined to go all the way this season, and with Osimhen leading their attack, their chances of success look promising.

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Transfer Window Heats Up: Major Moves Brewing Across Europe

Fola Badmus04 mins

Manchester United have drawn up a two-man wishlist of Newcastle United’s Bruno Guimarães and Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton as they aim to strengthen in midfield, TEAMtalk reports. Bruno, who scored in Newcastle’s 4-1 win over Man United earlier this month, has a contract at St James’ Park that runs until 2028, while Wharton is committed to Selhurst Park for a further year. Christian Eriksen is expected to leave Old Trafford in the summer, but the Red Devils could struggle to offload Casemiro due to the Brazilian’s large wages. Arsenal and Aston Villa are among the clubs that have held exploratory talks about Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Matheus Cunha, reports Sky Sports, who add that Saudi Arabian clubs are also willing to trigger the 25-year-old’s release clause. They also reference interest from Manchester United who, sources have told ESPN, are exploring the possibility of triggering Cunha’s release clause. Real Madrid’s defeat to Arsenal in the Champions League has shifted their focus to the transfer window, reports AS. As such, Los Blancos are looking at AFC Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen at centre-back and Real Sociedad’s Martín Zubimendi in midfield. Both players being worth €60m complicates things — as does Bayer Leverkusen wanting €150m for Florian Wirtz — and Real Madrid could have to offload players to make a move and prefer to focus on players whose contracts are coming to an end. Real Madrid will announce a contract extension for Vinícius Júnior at the end of this season, according to Cadena SER. The Brazil international’s deal — which currently runs until 2027 — will be extended by another two or three years, the radio station reported on Tuesday. Interest from Saudi Arabia was not, in the end, tempting for Vinícius, according to SER, with the player having doubts over moving to the Saudi Pro League on a five-year deal. He would only have considered a switch to Saudi for two years, at the most. Espanyol goalkeeper Joan García — who’s been LaLiga’s standout keeper this season — has offers from the Premier League, the Bundesliga, and other LaLiga clubs, Cadena COPE reports, although he hasn’t received an approach from Real Madrid. García, 23, will be available on a €25m release clause this summer, or 15 million if Espanyol are relegated, which now looks unlikely. According to COPE, García’s agents are waiting to see if an offer arrives from Madrid before taking a decision on where his future lies.

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