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Category: Soccer

“I Felt Like Quitting” – Super Eagles Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali Opens Up About Losing Both Parents

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Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali has opened up about the emotional challenges he faced after losing both of his parents within a short span. Speaking to ACL Sports while in camp with the team in Morocco ahead of their Round of 16 clash, Nwabali recalled the overwhelming grief he experienced following the deaths of his mother and father. The Super Eagles had secured top spot in Group C with nine points from three matches. He revealed that the loss hit him so hard that he briefly considered quitting football, but the support of his teammates helped him persevere. “My mom passed away on this day last year around 12 pm. I try to move on and be strong, but sometimes I feel like quitting. At one point, I even told my captain that I wanted to quit football. But with the support of some of my teammates, I was able to carry on. My mom and dad were so dear to me. Losing them has been incredibly painful. It’s not something any footballer—or any human—should have to experience: losing both parents,” Nwabali said. His father passed away in November 2025, just hours after he featured in the Super Eagles’ 1-1 draw against Benin Republic in the 2025 Nations Cup qualifiers. On January 1, he took to X (formerly Twitter) to announce the passing of his mother, describing 2025 as “the worst year of my life.” He wrote: “RIP mom, worst year of my life already,” alongside heartbreak and tear emojis, adding earlier: “A very very crazy world indeed.”

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AFCON 2025: Dessers, Alebiosu Doubtful for Mozambique Clash

Fola Badmus01 mins

Super Eagles duo of Cyriel Dessers and Ryan Alebiosu are doubtful for the Roundc of 16 tie against The Mambas of Mozambque at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2025). According to team news on the former African champions tweeter handle on Wednesday, both players sustained various degrees of injuries in the Group games of the tournament. While Dessers is scheduled for a scan today due to a thigh problem, Alebiosu susstained a deep cut on his right leg on his national team debut against Uganda. The Round of 16 match between Nigeria and Mozambique is scheduled for January 5, 2026, at the Fez Stadium, with kick-off set for 8:00 pm.

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Arsenal Thrash Aston Villa 4-1 To Go Five Points Clear At The Top

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Arsenal moved five points clear at the summit of the Premier League after a dominant second-half performance swept aside Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium, bringing the visitors’ eight-match league winning streak to an emphatic end. Villa, managed by former Arsenal boss Unai Emery, threatened to spoil the party early on and looked the sharper side before the interval. A win would have pulled them level on points with the Gunners, and their energy in midfield caused problems, particularly with Declan Rice absent. Morgan Rogers and Amadou Onana repeatedly found space through the centre as Arsenal took time to settle. Clear chances were scarce in the opening half, but the match shifted dramatically after the restart as Mikel Arteta’s side turned on the style. The breakthrough came when Gabriel reacted quickest from a corner, bundling the ball home after Emiliano Martínez failed to command his six-yard box. The Emirates erupted again moments later as Martin Ødegaard slid a precise pass into the path of Martin Zubimendi, who arrived perfectly to poke in Arsenal’s second. With Villa reeling, Arsenal pressed harder. Leandro Trossard made it three with a composed finish from the edge of the area, before substitute Gabriel Jesus added a fourth almost immediately after coming on, smashing in with his first meaningful touch. The goal marked Jesus’ first since January and underlined Arsenal’s growing attacking depth. Kai Havertz’s return to the bench after a lengthy absence further boosted the home side, while their defensive resilience remained intact deep into the contest. David Raya produced a stunning late save to deny John McGinn from point-blank range, though Villa eventually grabbed a consolation when Ollie Watkins scored from close range after Donyell Malen struck the post. The result capped a statement performance from Arsenal, who head toward the new year with momentum, firepower and a firm grip on the title race.

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Morocco 2025: Eagles Trounce Cranes, Await Lions or Mambas in Round of 16

Fola Badmus05 mins

A strike by Paul Onuachu and a brace by midfielder Raphael Onyedika lifted a remarkably different Nigeria team to a 3-1 win over Uganda in their final Group C encounter at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco.   Onuachu, starting ahead of Akor Adams as Coach Eric Chelle made several changes to the squad that defeated Tanzania and Tunisia in their earlier games, connected perfectly with a pass from the left by Fisayo Dele-Bashiru in the 28th minute to give Nigeria the lead, only two minutes after veteran goalkeeper Denis Onyango had stopped a point-blank effort by the Trabzonspor of Turkey forward.   Before then, Nigeria had dominated play extensively, and as early as the 9th minute, Samuel Chukwueze’s shot came off the defensive wall after good work by Simon Moses. A teasing pull-out by Chukwueze in the 25th minute narrowly missed the head of Onuachu.   Moses himself came close with four minutes left in the first period, as his shot came off the wall after the Eagles poured forward in numbers once more.   In the second half, Rogers Mato came close to connecting with a good cross but missed. Nigeria regrouped and sustained the pressure on their opponents, who had won four of their previous eight encounters before Tuesday evening’s match in Fès.   Wing-back Bruno Onyemaechi side-netted in the 51st minute, and six minutes later, goalkeeper Salim Omar, who had come in for the injured Onyango, was red-carded after punching the ball outside his box as Victor Osimhen, Nigeria’s stand-in-captain, loomed towards goal.   Midfielder Raphael Onyedika, playing his first game at this AFCON, scored Nigeria’s second in the 62nd minute after connecting well with a pass by Samuel Chukwueze. Chukwueze and Raphael recreated a similar process four minutes later, leading to Onyedika, who plays his club football in Belgium, scoring his second and Nigeria’s third.   In the 70th minute, Paul Onuachu’s header was a little too high, and five minutes later, Rogers Mato scored at the other end as Uganda finished well from a brilliant team move.   Victory gave the Eagles the maximum nine points from their three matches, and they will now certainly meet the third-placed team in Group F, with both third-placed finishers in Groups A (Comoros) and B (Angola) already eliminated. This could be any of Cote d’Ivoire’s Elephants (Cup holders), Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions or the Mambas of Mozambique.   That match comes up on Monday, 5th January in Fès.   Tanzania’s gutsy 1-1 draw with Tunisia saw the Taifa Stars reach the knockout stage for the first time in their history. They will play host nation Morocco in the Round of 16.

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Onuachu And Onyedika Fire Nigeria To 3-1 Win Over Uganda, Maintain Perfect Record In AFCON Group C

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Paul Onuachu and Raphael Onyedika starred as Nigeria defeated Uganda 3-1 to secure all nine points in Group C of the AFCON qualifiers. Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle made several changes to his starting lineup, handing starts to Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC), Ryan Alebiosu (Blackburn Rovers), Igoh Ogbu (Slavia Prague), Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio), Paul Onuachu (Trabzonspor), and Moses Simon (Paris FC). In the absence of Besiktas midfielder Wilfred Ndidi, Galatasaray forward Victor Osimhen captained the team. The breakthrough came in the 28th minute when Onuachu scored his first goal for Nigeria in four years, assisted by Dele-Bashiru. In the 50th minute, Chidozie Awaziem missed a close-range chance from a corner, and a minute later, Bruno Onyemachi nearly doubled the lead, firing into the side netting after Osimhen missed a header. Uganda was reduced to 10 men in the 56th minute when substitute goalkeeper Salim Jamal Magoola handled Osimhen’s goal-bound shot outside the penalty area. Nigeria extended their lead in the 67th minute when Club Brugge midfielder Raphael Onyedika scored with an assist from on-loan Fulham winger Samuel Chukwueze. Five minutes later, Chukwueze again impressed on the right wing, setting up Onyedika to complete his brace. Uganda pulled a consolation goal in the 75th minute through Rogers Mato, who finished off Allan Okello’s through pass. Osimhen was substituted in the 87th minute for Sevilla striker Adams Akor after being denied a first-half goal due to an offside call. Earlier, Super Eagles legend Kanu Nwankwo, popularly known as Papilo, sent prayers and support to the team ahead of their final Group C match, praising the players for their performance against Tunisia and celebrating their connection to the iconic Super Eagles anthem from the early 1990s.

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Lazio Coach Maurizio Sarri Undergoes Successful Heart Surgery

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Lazio head coach Maurizio Sarri has successfully undergone heart surgery after being diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, the club has confirmed. The 66-year-old underwent a catheter ablation procedure in Rome on Monday to treat the irregular heartbeat, a condition that can increase the risk of stroke. Sarri is expected to return to his coaching duties in the coming days, with assistant coach Marco Ianni overseeing training in his absence. Lazio said the operation, performed by Professor Andrea Natale and attended by club doctor Italo Leo, was “carried out with a positive outcome.” Sarri, who managed Lazio between March 2021 and June 2024, returned for a second spell in June. He could be back in the dugout when Lazio host Napoli at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday.

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Morocco 2025: Eagles Dread Difficult Customers, Cranes of Uganda

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Nigeria and Uganda clash on Tuesday evening in a match tendered on different perspectives for both teams as three-time champions Nigeria conclude their group phase account at the ongoing 35th Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco.   The Cranes, eternal difficult jobs for the Super Eagles since their first meeting in an AFCON semi-final duel in Kumasi 47 years ago, need a win to stand any chance of enjoying the cold climate of Morocco beyond Tuesday evening, while the Super Eagles, already qualified for the Round of 16 no matter the tremor anywhere on the park, need a draw simply to assure top-table finish in Group C.   Veteran goal-tender Denis Onyango and team-mates have themselves to blame for being stuck on one point to the final day of the group phase. After the expected manhandling by Tunisia, and falling behind to Tanzania in their second match, Nigeria-descent Uche Ikpeazu rose from the bench to give them an equalizer against the Taifa Stars. The game fell into their hands to pick up the three points, but Allan Okelo blasted the ball away from goal from a penalty kick.   The only route left for them is to put a sword through the Eagles. With the Nigerians intent on sustaining a winning mentality, determined to maintain their great form and put fear into the hearts of other possible contenders for the trophy, that is unlikely to happen.   Nigeria’s prolific goalscorer Victor Osimhen has netted only once in this tournament, but the man who succeeded him as Africa Player of the Year (and who teamed up with him to create a Super Eagles’ terror attack at the last competition in Cote d’Ivoire), Ademola Lookman, has again opted to take Africa’s biggest football championship by storm.   Lookman has netted two goals this term (adding to his three from the 2023 finals), and has made two assists (adding to one from last term). He looks like a man-on-a-mission. His goals have been unstoppable left-footed missiles.   Another big hurdle the Cranes will have to deal with is that Osimhen, now on 32 goals in 48 matches for Nigeria, is committed to presenting himself a special birthday gift, having turned 27 on Monday. Such a man (and being Osimhen in this case) will be difficult to contain.   In addition, Nigeria’s midfield has come into its own, with Wilfred Ndidi playing a true captain’s game in the Eagles’ first two matches, and Alex Iwobi simply magnificent. Frank Onyeka reminded all of his abilities when he starred against the Tunisians, and there are still Raphael Onyedika and Tochukwu Nnadi yet to be tested.   Nigeria is the country with the most appearances in the AFCON knockout rounds in history, having done so here for the 19th time, and the victory over Tunisia was the Eagles’ 35th group-stage win in the history of the competition. Nigeria have lost only one of their last 16 AFCON group-stage games – defeat to Madagascar in Egypt after they already qualified for the Round of 16.   Uganda will look to the history of contests between both nations and be hopeful.   In eight previous encounters, the Cranes have lost only twice, winning four times, with the other two games ending in a draw. Five of the matches have been competitive, and Ugandans cannot forget how their star forward Philip Omondi scored the winner to ensure a 2-1 defeat for Nigeria in the 1978 AFCON semi-finals. Uganda have won two of the three international friendly matches, with the other ending in a draw.   Uganda have progressed beyond the AFCON group stage only twice previously, in 1978 in Ghana and 2019 in Egypt.   Ikpeazu will probably start as Belgian tactician Paul Put throws his aces up from the get-go. There are also James Bogere, who earned the Cranes a second penalty against Tanzania, Okello and Denis Omedi, who scored against Tunisia and assisted the equalizer against Tanzania on Sunday.   Nigeria, now on 149 goals in 106 AFCON matches, will aim for a milestone 150th goal, and more, when the game commences at the Complexe Sportif de Fès at 5pm on Tuesday.   At his pre-match press briefing on Monday, Coach Eric Chelle said: “The competition is not only for the starting 11; everybody deserves a chance to play and show what they can offer the team. Sometimes a player who makes a cameo appearance can change the outcome of games and even win a tournament. For me, I want to present the best team every time.”   Captain Ndidi: “The atmosphere in the team is good. Everyone is excited and confident, but the previous games are in the past. The focus is one the next game.”   SUPER EAGLES, CRANES IN HISTORY   14 Mar 1978: Uganda 2-1 Nigeria (AFCON semi: Kumasi) 26 Sep 1981: Nigeria 0-1 Uganda (Friendly: Lagos) 29 Aug 1992: Nigeria 2-0 Uganda (AFCONq: Lagos) 17 Jul 1993: Uganda 0-0 Nigeria (AFCONq: Kampala) 24 Mar 2007: Nigeria 1-0 Uganda (AFCONq: Abeokuta) 02 Jun 2007: Uganda 2-1 Nigeria (AFCONq: Kampala) 25 Mar 2015: Nigeria 0-1 Uganda (Friendly: Uyo) 20 Nov 2018: Nigeria 0-0 Uganda (Friendly: Asaba)  

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Mentality, Resilience, and Redemption: Harry Maguire Reflects On His Man United Journey Ahead of 2025 Finale

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In a revealing interview ahead of Manchester United’s final match of 2025, Harry Maguire opens up about the “sink or swim” mentality required to survive at Old Trafford and his winning heroics at Anfield this season. Stream the clash between United and Wolves live tomorrow night at 22:15 on Showmax Premier League.     29 December 2025- As Manchester United prepare to walk out at Old Trafford for their final fixture of 2025 against Wolves tomorrow night, centre-back Harry Maguire has opened up about the “sink or swim” reality of life at the world’s most scrutinised club.     In a deep-dive interview, Maguire speaks candidly about his six-year journey—a path marked by heavy responsibility, tactical shifts, and a hard-earned “redemption” that has defined his current campaign.     The Final Hurdle of 2025: “We Have the Foundations” With United facing Wolves tomorrow, 30 December, at 22:15, the focus is firmly on ending the year with momentum. Maguire believes the team has found its footing after a turbulent period. “I do feel like we’ve got the foundations now to go and have a successful season, and it’s up to us to go and do it now,” Maguire says of the current squad. “Since Ruben [Amorim] came in, I’ve always thought he is an excellent manager and he just needed things to click.” “I still think there are games this season where we’ve let ourselves down a little bit; I believe we should have more points than what we’ve got at the moment. However, we’re not in a terrible position, and I see it going in a good direction—in the right direction.”     The Scrutiny of a Giant: “Sink or Swim” Reflecting on his time at the club, Maguire notes that the intensity of the Premier League is magnified tenfold at Manchester United. “You quickly realise things can turn real quickly when you’re at this club,” he admits. “You obviously know it’s a big club, but you don’t understand how big the analysis and the scrutiny is on everything you do.” “Every tackle, every misplaced pass seems to be analysed. I’ve been really good at ignoring all that, whether it’s good or bad.” “You need to handle the defeats well, but you also need to handle the victories well, because you can get pushed up really high, as if you’re one of the best players in the world, and you know what’s going to happen—they’re going to try and knock you back down.”     The Captaincy and the Hardest Days Maguire speaks with honesty about his three-year tenure as captain, particularly the dip in form during his third season following the high-profile arrivals of Cristiano Ronaldo, Raphael Varane, and Jadon Sancho. “The expectation was to challenge and really kick on, and it just never happened. It never clicked,” he reflects. “I was the captain, I was the face, and I faced the media after every defeat.” “It’s tough when you feel like you’re repeating yourself to six or seven cameras, and you have to be careful what you say because it’s going to get analysed.” “I felt like during that bad period, I was always trying to look after others and I maybe took my eye off myself in terms of my own performances. That’s probably where the dip came in.”     The Amorim Era and “The Anfield Moment” A major highlight of this season was Maguire’s winner at Anfield—a goal that secured his place in United folklore. “If that happened five or six years ago, I wasn’t experienced enough to realise how big the moment was,” Maguire says. “But for it to happen this season, when I’m experienced and I know how much it means… it’s a special moment.” “I scored the header, and I didn’t know where I was in the stadium—I ended up running to the [Liverpool] fans instead of our fans. For us to stay resilient and show that spirit… I don’t think I’ll ever forget that one.” On the current manager, Maguire is equally full of praise. “I think Ruben’s record should be judged on this season; this is where he’s had his time to work and he’s picking his team up.” “I want to be part of this successful club, and when I see it going in the right direction, of course I want to be part of it.”     A Message to the Future Despite the highs and lows, Maguire remains unwavering in his commitment. “I’m a lot stronger mentally now. I’ve learned an awful amount about myself. My worst time wasn’t as bad as what was in my head, and the best time wasn’t as good as what was in my head. I try to remain focused and look forward.”

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