Soccer Archives | Page 26 of 30

NWFL Confirms Sole Approval of ₦200,000 Best Goalkeeper of the Season Award Sponsorship

Fola Badmus4 months ago4 months ago03 mins

The Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) has officially confirmed that the only approved sponsorship for the 2024/2025 season is the End-of-Season Best Goalkeeper Award, valued at ₦200,000, and sponsored by the Judith Chime Foundation. The award will be presented at the conclusion of the ongoing NWFL Premiership Super Six, which runs from May 9 to 17, 2025, at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State. Following the review of a proposal from the Judith Chime Foundation, the NWFL approved only the goalkeeper award in accordance with its operational guidelines and commitment to professionalism. In a statement, the Chief Operating Officer of the NWFL, Ms. Modupe Shabi, expressed appreciation for the Foundation’s initiative while clarifying the league’s regulatory stance. “We sincerely appreciate the Judith Chime Foundation’s gesture in rewarding excellence among NWFL Premiership goalkeepers. However, it is important to state that only the ₦200,000 End-of-Season Best Goalkeeper Award has been formally approved for the 2024/2025 season,” Shabi said. She also commended Judith Chime, former Super Falcons goalkeeper, for her continued support for women’s football development in Nigeria. “Judith Chime has consistently demonstrated a deep passion for the women’s game. Her Foundation’s contribution reflects our shared goal of spotlighting talent and dedication within the league,” she added. To maintain the league’s standards and commercial framework, the NWFL COO emphasized that no other cash prizes or material donations have been sanctioned. “This decision is part of our commitment to protecting the integrity and value of the NWFL, especially as we continue to attract growing corporate and commercial interest,” Shabi stated. The NWFL remains open to well-structured, transparent partnerships that align with its vision for the sustainable growth of professional women’s football in Nigeria.

NFF, Ogun State Seal Pact on Football Matches and Events!

Fola Badmus4 months ago4 months ago04 mins

Ogun State, the Gateway State, has signed up to be a strategic partner of the Nigeria Football Federation in delivering events, programmes and activities of the football-governing body, in a way that will strengthen the football economy as the country strives to create a vibrant sports economy to support the New Hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. This pact was sealed in Abeokuta on Sunday after the President of NFF, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau and a delegation paid a courtesy visit to the Governor of Ogun State, His Excellency Prince Dapo Abiodun. The Gateway State, renown and applauded for the excellent serenity it offers, alongside remarkable sporting and social infrastructure, has over the years and decades played host to matches of the various National Teams, as well as matches of major tournaments that Nigeria has hosted, including the FIFA U17 World Cup finals in 2009. The State has also hosted matches of Confederation of African Football club competitions. Recently, the magnificent facility in Ikenne-Remo (Remo Stars Stadium), built by billionaire football investor and philanthropist, Hon. Kunle Soname, has played host to matches of the senior women national team, Super Falcons, and the U17 girls, Flamingos. Few days to the commencement of the 2025 National Sports Festival which the State is hosting, Gusau led a delegation of the NFF to inform His Excellency that, as a result of Ogun State’s ever-growing sporting and cultural relevance in the Nigerian, African and global context, the NFF has decided that the State host the forthcoming friendly matches of the Super Falcons against their Cameroonian counterparts, Indomitable Lionesses. The first match will take place at the Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne-Remo on Saturday, 31st May while the second match will take place at the newly-renovated MKO Abiola Sports Complex in Abeokuta on Tuesday, 3rd June. Ogun State has also been handed the hosting right for the WAFU B U17 Boys Championship that Nigeria will stage in September this year. Gusau’s delegation included the NFF 2nd Vice President/Chairman NPFL, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye and; Members of the NFF Executive Committee, Alhaji Ganiyu Majekodunmi, His Excellency Silas Agara and Ms Aisha Falode.

Taiwo Awoniyi in induced coma after surgery

Fola Badmus4 months ago4 months ago05 mins

Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi has been placed in an induced coma after urgent surgery on a serious abdominal injury sustained in Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Leicester. Awoniyi had surgery on Monday evening and while there is no suggestion his condition is life-threatening, it could have been if left untreated. The coma has been induced to restrict his movement and regulate his heart rate in order to aid his recovery, with further treatment expected on Tuesday. The 27-year-old slid into the post late in Sunday’s match, in a passage of play after Anthony Elanga had been clearly offside, before continuing to play after several minutes of treatment. This injury has placed renewed scrutiny on the Premier League’s regulation to continue play in the case of goalscoring opportunities even if a player is noticeably offside in the build-up. Owner Evangelos Marinakis confronted head coach Nuno Espirito Santo on the pitch after the game, which the club have claimed was regarding the medical team’s treatment of Awoniyi. In a statement released on Monday, Forest said: “The seriousness of Awoniyi’s injury is a powerful reminder of the physical risks in the game and why a player’s health and well-being must always come first. “This principle is not just policy for us, it is the deeply held belief and conviction of our owner. To Marinakis, this isn’t just a club, it’s family, and he instils that message in all of us. “That is why he was so personally and emotionally invested in the situation. His reaction was one of deep care, responsibility and emotional investment in one of our own. “He didn’t just see it as an isolated incident, but something that reflected the values and unity of the entire team.” The club then went on to praise their owner’s character and behaviour, saying: “In moments like that he demonstrates his leadership, not just through words, but through action and presence.“When he saw our player clearly in discomfort it became increasingly difficult for him to stay on the sidelines. “It was instinctive, human, and a reflection of just how much this team and its people mean to him. He would do the same again if such an unfortunate event were ever to reoccur. “There was no confrontation, with Nuno or others, either on the pitch or inside the stadium. There was only shared frustration between all of us that the medical team should never have allowed the player to continue.” The statement finished with a plea which appeared to target Gary Neville, who had called for Nuno to resign on Sunday after Marinakis’s on-pitch outburst. They said: “In light of this, we urge former coaches and players, and other public figures in the game, to resist the urge to rush to judgment and fake news online, especially when they do not have the full facts and context. “Baseless and ill-informed outrage for the purposes of personal social-media traction serves no one, least of all the injured player. We call on these influential voices to show the same respect for player welfare that they often demand from others. Let concern come before commentary.”

Atlanta Through The UEFA Champions League As They Beat Roma

Fola Badmus4 months ago4 months ago02 mins

Atalanta clinched a spot in the UEFA Champions League on Monday, defeating Roma 2-1 and securing their place in Serie A’s top four. The win, which moved Atalanta to third, came thanks to a 76th-minute goal from Ibrahim Sulemana. With two matches left in the season, Atalanta is now seven points ahead of fifth-placed Lazio. The match saw Ademola Lookman put Atalanta ahead early, before Bryan Cristante equalized for Roma in the 32nd minute. However, Sulemana’s late strike ended Roma’s 19-match unbeaten streak and dashed their hopes of catching Lazio and Juventus, who currently occupy the fourth spot. Roma will still fight for a Champions League spot, but face a tough challenge next weekend against AC Milan, while Juventus hosts Udinese. Reaching the Champions League would be a huge triumph for Ranieri as Roma looked like relegation candidates when he came out of retirement in November to take charge of his boyhood club for the third time. Gasperini has been tipped to take over Ranieri after nine hugely successful years in the Atalanta dugout, winning the Europa League last season.

Lamine Yamal: Barcelona don’t fear Real Madrid like other teams

Fola Badmus4 months ago4 months ago07 mins

Lamine Yamal has told ESPN that Barcelona don’t fear Real Madrid like other teams do after the Catalan club won a fourth consecutive Clásico to move to the brink of the LaLiga title. Yamal, 17, scored Barça’s second goal as they recovered from conceding two early Kylian Mbappé strikes to win a remarkable game 4-3 at the Olympic Stadium, moving seven points clear of Madrid with just three matches to play. Barça, who lost all three Clásico’s last season, have now beaten Madrid four times since the start of the campaign, twice in LaLiga and in both the Spanish Supercopa and Copa del Rey finals. “It doesn’t feel good when Madrid beat you,” Yamal told ESPN after the victory. “It’s true we didn’t beat them last year, we suffered, and this year we gave everything to turn it around. “We don’t have that fear of them that maybe other teams have against them. So we gave it our all. We feel like we’re better than every other team, that’s the mentality we go out with. “I think that’s how you have to play against them. You have to show up like you’re the better team and enjoy yourself, that’s it.” Barça coach Hansi Flick praised Yamal’s mature performance in helping the team come from two goals behind for the seventh time this season, saying “believe me, he’s definitely not a kid.” Yamal then kept a promise to swap shirts with former Barça forward Thierry Henry, who joined the Blaugrana in 2007, the same year the teenager was born. Henry had asked Yamal for his shirt during a recent interview, with the Barça winger saying he would give him one if he received one in exchange. Lamine Yamal insists that Barcelona aren’t afraid of Real Madrid like other teams. Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty ImagesBarça’s brilliance in attack with Yamal has often contrasted with problems in defence, with the team having to come from behind on several occasions this season. In the last month alone, they have found themselves two goals down against Inter Milan twice, Celta Vigo and now Real Madrid. Forward Dani Olmo said they know they have elements of their game to improve, but insists there is an unerring conviction that they can always find their way back into matches. “At the end, we need to control it a little bit more, the first minutes, because in the last games we concede a lot of goals,” Olmo told ESPN. “But we know we are going to come back. We know our power in offence, but sometimes we need to control more this situation better. “We cannot concede every game the first goal or two goals or whatever. We have to keep working on that, but at the end, very happy for the win, it was very important.” After opening up a seven-point lead at the top of the table, Barça could win the league as early as Wednesday, if Madrid drop points against Mallorca, or on Thursday, when they travel to city rivals Espanyol. Meanwhile, goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny has confirmed he’s received an offer to extend his contract, which expires this summer, by an additional two years. Szczęsny — who came out of retirement last October when Marc-André ter Stegen, who is now fit again, got injured — says he will take some time to think about the decision with his family. “I won’t hide that I have an offer to stay at Barça for two more years,” he confirmed to Canal Plus. “I have asked for time to think about it. I need to make the decision with my family based on what’s best for us. “My partner makes most of the life decisions, I have no shame in admitting that. In football, I make [career] decisions as a professional, but this is an unusual situation. “We decided to come here for a year to fulfil a dream and then get back to playing golf, so I don’t know what will happen now. I am honest about that.”

Chelsea’s Champions League Hopes Hang in the Balance Ahead of Decisive Clash

Fola Badmus4 months ago4 months ago02 mins

As the Premier League season nears its conclusion, Chelsea’s quest for a Champions League spot remains uncertain. Currently fifth in the standings, the Blues are level on 63 points with Newcastle United and Aston Villa, making their upcoming fixture against Newcastle at St. James’ Park crucial. Under manager Enzo Maresca, Chelsea have found form, winning their last five matches, including a notable 3-1 victory over Liverpool. Key players like Cole Palmer, Moisés Caicedo, and Nicolas Jackson have been instrumental in this resurgence. However, Newcastle’s strong home record, with five consecutive wins at St. James’ Park, poses a significant challenge. The Magpies have also been in impressive form, securing seven wins in their last ten league games. The Premier League is set to have six clubs in the 2025/26 Champions League, thanks to an extra spot awarded due to English clubs’ performances in European competitions. With Liverpool, Arsenal, and Manchester City already securing their places, the battle for the remaining spots intensifies. Chelsea’s fate hinges on their performance against Newcastle and the outcomes of other contenders’ matches. A victory would bolster their chances, but a loss could see them overtaken by rivals. The stakes are high, and the Blues must deliver a strong performance to secure their place in Europe’s elite competition.

Egypt 2025: Flying Eagles Set Up Quarterfinal Clash Against Senegal

Fola Badmus4 months ago4 months ago02 mins

Nigeria’s Flying Eagles will on Monday, May 12 slug it out with the defending champions Senegal in the quarter-final stage at the ongoing CAF U20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt. Senegal sealed a tense 2-0 win over DR Congo to finish second in their group and set up a high-stakes clash with Nigeria in the last eight. Goals from Cheikh Thiam and Ibrahima Dieng ensured the Young Teranga Lions edged past DR Congo on goal difference, keeping their title defence alive. Nigeria, who finished second in Group B with five points after drawing 2-2 with Kenya in their final group match, now face one of the tournament’s most formidable teams. Senegal’s win, coupled with Ghana’s 1-0 victory over Central African Republic, confirmed the standings in Group C, with Ghana finishing top on seven points and Senegal second with four. The quarter-final meeting between Nigeria and Senegal promises to be one of the tournament’s standout fixtures. While the Flying Eagles boast a rich history with seven U20 AFCON titles, they now face a team with recent pedigree and strong momentum. Both sides come into the tie unbeaten in their last two matches. Nigeria showed resilience against Kenya, twice coming from behind, while Senegal proved clinical under pressure against a spirited DR Congo side.

Trump Says Some Undocumented Immigrants May Stay Based on Employer Recommendations

Trump: 2026 World Cup Could End Russia War

Fola Badmus4 months ago4 months ago02 mins

Donald Trump has suggested playing at the 2026 World Cup could be an “incentive” for Russia to end its war with Ukraine. Ever since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, the national football team has been banned from competing at international competitions by Fifa and Uefa. With the conflict in Ukraine still raging – despite Trump’s claims he would end the war on “day one” of being in office – Russia will not be playing at the 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico. On Tuesday, the first meeting of the Trump administration’s 2026 World Cup taskforce took place, with Trump speaking to reporters alongside Fifa president Gianni Infantino. The US president was unaware that Russia were banned from the tournament, telling a reporter who asked for his position on the Russia ban: “I didn’t know that, is that right?” “That is right,” said Infantino. “They are banned for the time being from playing but we hope that something happens and peace will happen so that Russia can be readmitted.” Trump then added: “That’s possible. Hey, that could be a good incentive, right? “We want to get them to stop. We want them to stop. Five thousand young people a week are being killed – it’s not even believable.” This isn’t the first time Trump has made questionable statements about the World Cup. Earlier this year, he claimed the political tensions between the US and their co-hosts Mexico and Canada could make the tournament ‘more exciting.’