Trendbrio.com

News and Entertainment Update

Live
World
US Offers $10 Million Reward For Information On Iran’s New Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei 01
02
News
Shi’ite Group Stages Pro-Palestine Quds Day Protest In Bauchi, Backs Iran Amid Rising Tensions
03
News
Dangote Refinery Raises Petrol Ex-Depot Price To ₦1,175 Per Litre
04
News
NDPC Warns Content Creators Over Filming Nigerians Without Consent For Social Media Content
05
Soccer
Sports
Pep Guardiola Wins Barclays Manager Of The Month For February, 12th Career Honor

Category: Soccer

Manchester City Complete Antoine Semenyo Transfer From Bournemouth On Five-And-A-Half-Year Deal

Wale busari05 mins

Manchester City have officially announced the acquisition of Ghanaian attacker Antoine Semenyo from AFC Bournemouth, securing his services on a long-term contract. The Premier League champions confirmed that the 26-year-old has signed a five-and-a-half-year agreement that will keep him at the Etihad Stadium until 2031. “Manchester City are delighted to confirm the signing of Antoine Semenyo from AFC Bournemouth. The 26-year-old has penned a five-and-a-half-year deal, which will see him stay at the Etihad Stadium through to 2031.” Semenyo joins City after a standout spell at Bournemouth, where his explosive pace, power and consistency saw him emerge as one of the league’s most threatening forwards. “Semenyo has enjoyed a meteoric rise to become one of the Premier League’s most feared forwards.” He featured 110 times for the Cherries after arriving midway through the 2022/23 season, quickly becoming a key figure in their attack. Born in London to Ghanaian parents, Semenyo began his career at Bristol City before gaining experience on loan at Bath City, Newport County and Sunderland. Those spells helped shape his development before he made his breakthrough in the Premier League. Primarily operating from the left side of an attacking midfield setup, his performances at Bournemouth attracted strong interest, with City eventually moving to complete the transfer. Speaking on his move, Semenyo described joining Pep Guardiola’s side as a major milestone in his career. “I am so proud to have joined Manchester City. I have watched City over the last decade under Pep Guardiola, and they have been the dominant team in the Premier League as well as achieving amazing things in the Champions League, FA Cup, and League Cup. “They have set the highest of standards, and it’s a club with world-class players, world-class facilities, and one of the greatest managers ever in Pep. “I have so much scope for improvement, so to be at this club, at this stage of my career, is perfect for me. It’s a real privilege to be here.” The Ghana international also expressed confidence that his peak years are still ahead. “My best football is yet to come, I am sure of that. And City are in a great position – still involved in four competitions. I really feel I can help them have a strong second half of the season. “The Etihad is my new home. I can’t wait to play in front of the fans here, and I hope to show everyone what I can do.” City’s Director of Football, Hugo Viana, revealed that Semenyo was the club’s priority target during the January transfer window. “Antoine is a really exciting signing for the football club. He made it clear to us immediately that it was City he wanted to join. “He has huge quality. Two great feet, pace, power, a habit of influencing games, and, importantly, real room for growth and development. “We are constantly watching players all over the world. Antoine was the one we most wanted. He has shown he can perform in the Premier League. He is humble, hard-working, professional, and totally focused on being a better footballer. He is ideal for us.” Semenyo is available for immediate selection and could feature in City’s Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg clash against Newcastle next Tuesday.

Read More

Real Madrid And Barcelona Set For Spanish Super Cup Final After Convincing Semi-Final Wins

Wale busari02 mins

Real Madrid and Barcelona are set to face off in the Spanish Super Cup final after both teams secured impressive semi-final wins in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Los Blancos reached the final with a 2-1 victory over Atletico Madrid. Federico Valverde opened the scoring with a spectacular free-kick just 77 seconds into the match, and Rodrygo extended the lead in the second half with a composed finish after a slick run past Atletico’s defense. Alexander Sorloth pulled one back for Atletico, but it wasn’t enough to stop Carlo Ancelotti’s side from advancing. Barcelona stormed into the final with a dominant 5-0 win over Athletic Club, demonstrating their attacking strength under Hansi Flick and leaving no doubt about their readiness for the clash with their historic rivals. Sunday’s El Clasico in the Spanish Super Cup promises high drama, with Real Madrid chasing a 14th title and Barcelona looking to continue their dominant run. The tournament continues to be hosted in Saudi Arabia until at least 2029, following an agreement with the Spanish Football Federation.

Read More

Arsenal Miss Chance To Extend Premier League Lead After Goalless Draw With Liverpool

Wale busari02 mins

Arsenal were held to a 0-0 draw by Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium on Thursday, missing the opportunity to stretch their Premier League lead to eight points. Liverpool, who have struggled for consistency this season, produced a composed performance that ended Arsenal’s five-match winning streak. The closest either side came to breaking the deadlock was when Liverpool right-back Conor Bradley cleverly chipped Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya following a mix-up with center back William Saliba, only for the ball to bounce off the crossbar. Arsenal managed just four shots on target and looked unusually disjointed, leaving home fans frustrated. Despite the setback, the Gunners still head the table, maintaining a six-point advantage over second-place Manchester City and third-place Aston Villa with 17 games remaining. Both City and Villa drew on Wednesday against Brighton and Crystal Palace, respectively, keeping Arsenal strong favorites for their first league title since 2004. Liverpool remain in fourth place, extending their unbeaten league run to 10 games. The defending champions looked more solid at the back but lacked firepower up front, missing injured strikers Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike, while Mohamed Salah is away with Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations. Adding to their concerns, Bradley had to be carried off on a stretcher in stoppage time with a suspected ankle injury, casting a shadow over Liverpool’s performance.

Read More

AFCON 2025: Wilfred Ndidi Vows to Pay Super Eagles’ Unpaid Bonuses If Government Fails

Wale busari03 mins

Super Eagles captain Wilfred Ndidi has pledged to personally cover outstanding match bonuses for players and officials at the ongoing 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco if the Federal Government does not fulfil the payments before Saturday’s quarter-final clash with Algeria. Ndidi made the commitment in comments shared by BBC journalist Oluwashina Okeleji on Thursday, despite assurances from the Federal Government that the funds would be released between Thursday and Friday. “I have been encouraging the team to stay focused and continue training for the Algeria game. I’ve been doing this since our second match,” Ndidi said. “I have now assured the players and staff that I will personally pay the bonuses if the authorities fail to do so before Saturday.” He stressed that financial distractions must not affect the team’s performance, noting that he does not want unresolved bonus issues to disrupt preparations. Reports had earlier surfaced that players and officials were considering refusing to travel to Marrakech or attend training sessions over unpaid bonuses for their group-stage matches and the round of 16. In response, the Minister of State for Finance, Doris Uzoka-Anite, announced that group-stage bonuses had been released and had passed all regulatory approvals. She added that new measures had been introduced to prevent further delays. According to her, the Federal Government and the Central Bank of Nigeria have streamlined foreign exchange processes to ensure timely payments, with transfers to players’ domiciliary accounts already underway and expected to reflect between Thursday and Friday. The Super Eagles arrived in Marrakech on Thursday and trained ahead of Saturday’s quarter-final against Algeria. Nigeria are chasing a fourth AFCON title, having previously won the tournament in 1980, 1994, and 2013.

Read More

Super Eagles Set to Receive Outstanding AFCON Match Bonuses

Wale busari01 mins

The Federal Government has confirmed that the Super Eagles’ match bonuses for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations have cleared all necessary regulatory approvals. Minister of State for Finance Doris Uzoka-Anite said in a statement on Thursday that the payments would begin reflecting in the players’ domiciliary accounts “starting today or tomorrow.” The announcement comes after the Super Eagles threatened on Wednesday to boycott their travel to Marrakesh for their quarter-final match over unpaid allowances. Nigeria is set to face Algeria on Saturday in Marrakesh, about five hours from their base in Fez. Players and officials had insisted they would not make the trip until all outstanding bonuses were settled. The Eagles have yet to receive match allowances for the four games they have played so far in the tournament.

Read More

Manchester City Held 1-1 By Brighton As Arsenal Eye Eight-Point Lead

Wale busari01 mins

Manchester City’s struggles in the Premier League continued as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Brighton at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday, allowing leaders Arsenal to strengthen their advantage. Despite creating numerous opportunities, City lacked the clinical edge to secure all three points and were punished in the second half when Brighton struck unexpectedly after a quiet period. Erling Haaland’s 150th goal for the club gave City the lead late in the first half, seemingly setting them on track to close the gap on Arsenal to three points before the Gunners faced Liverpool on Thursday. However, Kaoru Mitoma had other plans, scoring from almost nothing to leave City scrambling in the final stages. Brighton held firm to deny City, meaning Arsenal could extend their lead at the top to eight points with a win over Arne Slot’s Liverpool.

Read More

Four Away Victories Mark Competitive 2025/26 NWFL Premiership Return

Fola Badmus04 mins

The 2025/26 Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Premiership returned from the festive break with an action-packed Matchday Five, as nine fixtures were played across the country on Wednesday, January 7, 2026. In Lagos, FC Robo Queens extended their perfect start to the season with a narrow 1–0 victory over debutants Ahudiyannem Queens. Opeyemi Ajakaye struck within seconds of kickoff, a goal that proved decisive as the Lagos side recorded their fifth consecutive win – the longest active winning run in the league. Ahudiyannem Queens remain in search of their first NWFL Premiership victory. At Iyahmo, Osun Babes secured a vital 1–0 away win against Confluence Queens, compounding the hosts’ difficult start to the campaign. Naimot Kazeem netted the winner in the 62nd minute to claim maximum points for the visitors. Former champions Rivers Angels continued their impressive form with a commanding 3–0 victory over Adamawa Queens in Makwada. Forward Abasiofon Uwah delivered a standout performance, scoring all three goals in the second half to become the first player this season to register a hat-trick. In Ikenne, Nasarawa Amazons ended Remo Stars Ladies’ unbeaten run with a hard-fought 1–0 win at Remo Stars Stadium. Ayatsea Hembafan’s early strike in the 11th minute, which came off the post before crossing the line, proved enough to separate the sides. Abia Angels recorded a comfortable 2–0 victory over Sunshine Queens, with goals from Ekezie Onyedikachi and Winner David securing all three points. In Asaba, Delta Queens also claimed a 2–0 home win against Dannaz Ladies, courtesy of goals from Amarachukwu Onuorah and Rita Tsebee. Defending champions Bayelsa Queens edged Ibom Angels 2–1 in a closely contested South-South derby. First-half goals from Kesiena Ojiyovwi and Janet Akekeromowei laid the foundation for victory, despite a second-half response from Helen David. Elsewhere, Ekiti Queens, playing at their adopted home ground in Abeokuta, secured a 1–0 win over Naija Ratels FC, with Ismail Zainab scoring the decisive goal in the 73rd minute. The only stalemate of the round occurred in Ibadan, where Pacesetter Queens and Heartland Queens played out a goalless draw. As Matchday Five concludes, the NWFL Premiership continues to build momentum, with early title contenders asserting their credentials while several sides look to regroup ahead of the next round of fixtures.

Read More

Morocco 2025: Marrakech Set For a War Like No Other

Fola Badmus05 mins

Saturday’s third quarter-final of the 35th Africa Cup of Nations is certainly the pick of the last-8 clashes, as Nigeria’s Super Eagles and the Fennecs of Algeria clash for the 23rd time at senior level, since their first encounter at the 2nd All-Africa Games in Lagos 55 years ago.   Games between both teams over the past five-and-half decades have been laced with thrills and frills, shocking scorelines, drama, end-game flips, stunning comebacks, awesome performances by star players, and a bit of infamy.   The encounter in Marrakech will be the 10th time that both countries will clash in African football’s biggest championship, with Nigeria having won only three of the previous nine duels. Algeria have won four, and the other two have ended in stalemates.   One stalemate was the infamous clash of Bouake in 1984, when both teams were suspected to have ‘reached an accord’ to play a scoreless draw in order for both teams to qualify to the semi-finals, and get Cup holders Ghana eliminated.   Nigeria defeated Algeria to win their first AFCON trophy on home soil in 1980, and 10 years later, Algeria defeated Nigeria to win their first AFCON on home soil!   Marrakechi, Morocco’s fourth largest city, is set to host a massive showdown that will create its own story as a chapter in the book of one of African football’s greatest rivalries.   FIFA World Cup Do-Me-I -Do-You   NIGERIA VS ALGERIA (10 October 1981): The highest-stakes confrontations between Nigeria and Algeria have been in FIFA World Cup qualifying series, starting with the shocking defeat of then reigning African champions Nigeria by the Fennecs in Lagos in October 1981.   Before the match, a couple of decisions by then NFA (including an increase in match ticket price) did not go down with the players. A couple of retired players were brought back to the team, creating discontent and disharmony. Algeria ran away with a 2-0 win, both goals scored in the first half.   ALGERIA VS NIGERIA (30 October 1981): In Constantine three weeks later, not much could be rescued. The Eagles lost 1-2 and crashed out of the race.   NIGERIA VS ALGERIA (03 July 1993): Visitors Algeria raced to an early lead through striker Abdelhafid Tasfaout, but Nigeria clawed their way back starting with Jay Jay Okocha’s free-kick, and an imperious Rashidi Yekini display, to win 4-1.   ALGERIA VS NIGERIA (08 Oct 1993): Algeria fought hard to stop Nigeria’s bid for a first-ever FIFA World Cup ticket, but failed. Finidi George’s first-half goal was enough for a 1-1 finish and Nigeria’s ticket to USA 1994 was assured.   NIGERIA VS ALGERIA (03 July 2004): Joseph Yobo rose above everyone else at the far post to score Nigeria’s only goal in Abuja in a 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifier.

Read More