Soccer Archives | Page 5 of 30

Saka Out for ‘Couple of Weeks’

Fola Badmus3 weeks ago3 weeks ago03 mins

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says it is a “concern” Bukayo Saka has suffered two hamstring injuries in eight months. The winger missed three-and-a-half months of last season following surgery on his right hamstring in December. Saka has now been sidelined for “a couple of weeks” with another problem – this time in his left leg – during his side’s win against Leeds on Saturday. Arteta confirmed the 23-year-old will not require surgery as it is “not as bad as the previous one”. “He felt something, so he will be out for a couple of weeks,” said the Gunners boss on Friday. “But it is obviously a concern, a big one, especially when we talk about a sprinter and a player that gets into that zone very often in a football match, who needs that burst, that change of rhythm of pace to be as threatening as possible.” On Thursday, the club confirmed Germany forward Kai Havertz will undergo knee surgery, but will not be out for a significant amount of time. Arteta said it was “very unfortunate” for Havertz, but surgery was “the right thing to do”. “The doctors advised and he was very convinced at the end that it was the quickest and the best way to resolve that issue,” he explained. Arsenal’s injury troubles mean they are currently without Saka, Havertz, midfielders Martin Odegaard and Christian Norgaard, defender Ben White and forward Gabriel Jesus. The Gunners, who have finished runners-up in each of the past three Premier League seasons, visit defending champions Liverpool on Sunday (4:30pm), with both sides having started the new campaign with successive wins.

Besiktas Part Ways With Ole Gunnar Solskjær

Fola Badmus3 weeks ago3 weeks ago02 mins

Besiktas have parted ways with Ole Gunnar Solskjær following their defeat by Swiss side Lausanne in the Conference League play-offs on Thursday night. The former Manchester United player and manager took charge of the Turkish club in January and steered them to a fourth place finished last season. In a shock statement following the game, the club said “Our contract with manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær has been terminated following a decision made at a board meeting. “Following the meeting, our chairman, Serdal Adalı, thanked Solskjaer for his services to date.” Besiktas were knocked out of the Europa League qualifiers by Shakhtar Donetsk. Besiktas played St Patrick’s Athletic in their third round tie and were whilst they took a 4-1 lead in the first leg Stephen Kenny’s side gave them a scare in the second leg going 2-0 up before Besiktas found their feet and claimed the win 7-3 on aggregate. Former Borussia Dortmund player and manager Nuri Sahin has been linked with the role.

Chelle Picks Ekong, Osimhen, 21 Others For 2026 W/Cup Qualifiers

Fola Badmus3 weeks ago3 weeks ago03 mins

Captain William Ekong, midfielders Alex Iwobi and Raphael Onyedika, and forwards Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen have been included in Nigeria’s final list of 23 players for next month’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Rwanda and South Africa. Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali also makes the final cut, just as defenders Calvin Bassey, Olaoluwa Aina and Bright Osayi-Samuel, midfielders Wilfred Ndidi, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Frank Onyeka, and forwards Simon Moses, Samuel Chukwueze and Cyriel Dessers. Greece-based goalie Adeleye Adebayo returns to the group, alongside Unity Cup sensations Felix Agu and Benjamin Fredericks, and forwards Christantus Uche and Tolu Arokodare, who both impressed in the friendly with Russia in Moscow on 6th June this year. The Super Eagles confront the Amavubi of Rwanda in a Matchday 7 encounter at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo on Saturday, 6th September before flying to Bloemfontein to take on South Africa’s Bafana Bafana in a Matchday 8 fixture on Tuesday, 9th September. FINAL LIST OF 23 SUPER EAGLES FOR RWANDA & SOUTH AFRICA Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania); Adeleye Adebayo (Volos FC, Greece) Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood, Saudi Arabia); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece); Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes FC, France); Felix Agu (Werder Bremen, Germany); Benjamin Fredericks (Dender FC, Belgium) Midfielders: Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (SS Lazio, Italy); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Christantus Uche (Getafe CF, Spain) Forwards: Ademola Lookman (Atalanta BC, Italy); Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey); Simon Moses (Paris FC, France); Cyriel Dessers (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Tolu Arokodare (KRC Genk, Belgium)

2026 WAFCON: Super Falcons to Go Hard on She-Cheetahs, as Lionesses Face Tough Task

Fola Badmus3 weeks ago3 weeks ago05 mins

The race for tickets to next year’s Women Africa Cup of Nations, also to be staged in Morocco just as the last two editions, will be concluded in October with Cup holders and 10-time winners Nigeria up against the She-Cheetahs of Benin Republic, and Cameroon’s Indomitable Lionesses up against a mountain. The Lionesses, runners-up in 2014 in Namibia and in 2016 when Cameroon hosted (both times beaten by Nigeria in the final), must negotiate a tricky fixture against Algeria’s Lady Fennecs in the final qualifying fixture set for 20th – 28th October. Algeria is noted as a rising power in women’s football in the continent, as the Lady Fennecs finished in second place behind eventual winners Nigeria in their group in Morocco in July this year. They defeated Botswana by a lone goal, and drew 0-0 with both Tunisia and Nigeria to reach the quarter-finals. They took Ghana’s Black Queens to the rubber in their quarter-final clash before eventually bowing out 2-4 after a penalty shootout. The Indomitable Lionesses also failed to qualify for this year’s finals staged in Morocco, and lost 0-2 to Nigeria in a friendly match played in Abeokuta weeks before the finals. Benin Republic will host the first leg against Justine Madugu’s Falcons, before Nigeria play host to the return leg. Both matches have to be concluded within the window of 20th – 28th October. To reach the final round of the qualification series, Benin Republic defeated Sierra Leone’s senior women’s team 5-2 on aggregate, winning 2-1 in Togo and 3-1 in Monrovia, as both teams had to play their home matches on away ground due to absence of any CAF-approved match venue in both countries. Senegal’s Lionesses, who reached the quarter-finals in Morocco last month before losing to South Africa on penalties after 0-0 in regulation and extra time, face a daunting task against Cote d’Ivoire senior girls in the final round. The winners of 11 final qualifying fixtures will join hosts Morocco in the final competition that has been scheduled for March 2026, and from where all four semi-finalists will pick tickets to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in Brazil. Two additional slots are available for Africa through a play-off tournament, as was the case before the 2023 finals in Australia and New Zealand. Just as was the case in Down Under, the final competition in Brazil (set for 24 June – 25 July 2027) will have 32 teams. However, world football-ruling body FIFA has increased the numbers of teams for the final competition to 48, starting with the 11th edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2031, to be co-hosted by Mexico and the United States of America. 2026 WOMEN AFCON FINAL ROUND FIXTURES Angola Vs Malawi DR Congo Vs South Africa Tanzania Vs Ethiopia Namibia Vs Zambia Burkina Faso Vs Togo Algeria Vs Cameroon Egypt Vs Ghana Kenya Vs Gambia Benin Republic Vs Nigeria Cape Verde Vs Mali Senegal Vs Cote d’Ivoire

Crystal Palace Manager Glasner Urges Board to Sign New Players Amid Eze Exit

Fola Badmus4 weeks ago4 weeks ago02 mins

Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has issued a stark warning to the club’s board, urging immediate reinforcements to avoid slipping into a Premier League relegation battle. With star midfielder Eberechi Eze reportedly on the verge of a £67.5m transfer to Arsenal, Glasner expressed concern about the club’s lack of attacking options ahead of their upcoming clash with Nottingham Forest, live on Super Sunday. Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Glasner said: “Before we arrived, if I’d asked you who the most important players in Crystal Palace’s attack were, your answer would have been Eze and Olise. Now, both are either gone or unavailable — and they need to be replaced.” The Austrian continued: “I wouldn’t be sitting here if this club had been very successful before. For two years in a row, Palace have battled relegation — even with these two top stars. If we don’t act now and do the right things, then I’m worried. Things can go very quickly in the wrong direction in the Premier League. Especially when I see what’s happening around us.” Palace’s situation is increasingly precarious as they prepare for life without their most creative force. Michael Olise is still recovering from injury, and with Eze’s departure imminent, Glasner is calling for urgent signings before the transfer window closes.

Brown Ideye Retires From Professional Football

Fola Badmus4 weeks ago4 weeks ago03 mins

2013 Africa Cup of Nations winning Super Eagles’ striker, Brown Ideye has announced his retirement from professional football. The former West Bromwich Albion forward made the annoucement on his X handle on Wednesday. Ideye wrote; “After much thought and consideration with mixed emotions, I’ve decided to retire from professional football. I will first like to thank God for the talent and the long career I’ve enjoyed. “I thank my family and friends for their unwavering love, support and understanding till this day. This game made me and gave me everything -incredible joy, sad days, the opportunity to travel and see the world, lifelong friendships and so many unforgettable memories. “To all the Agents who worked tirelessly and negatiated with clubs for my dreams to come true -thank you. To all the sports journalists who spent long hours days and night covering and highlighting my career, I owe you a depth of gratitude. “To every club I’ve had the honour of wearing their jersey and representing, every coach and teamate who pushed and rooted for me to be better, and every fan who supported me through highs and lows -thank you. “Thank you, Nigeria, for the opportunity you gave me to wear the national colour and be among the Super Eagles. Though my time as a pro-player has come to an end, football will always be a part of my life as I enter my next chapter. “Thank you all for being a part of this journey and I look forward to still seeing you on these football streets.” Some of the notable club Ideye starred are; Bayelsa United, Ocean Boys, Sochaux, Dynamo Kyiv, West Bromwich Albion, Olympiacos, Tianjin Teda, Malaga, Goztepe and Enyimba. Ideye won 28 national team caps and scored six goals.

Salah Wins Record Third PFA Player of The Year Award

Fola Badmus1 month ago1 month ago03 mins

Mohamed Salah has become the first three-time winner of the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) Player of the Year award with the Liverpool forward eclipsing two-time winners Cristiano Ronaldo, Thierry Henry and Gareth Bale by claiming the 2025 award. Salah, who was previously voted the Player of the Year in 2018 and 2022, emerged as the winner from a six-player shortlist including Liverpool teammate Alexis Mac Allister, Chelsea’s Cole Palmer, Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes, Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice and Newcastle striker Alexander Isak. Salah received the PFA trophy at a gala presentation in Manchester on Tuesday, with the Egypt international winning the award, as voted by his fellow players, after scoring 29 goals in Liverpool’s Premier League title winning campaign last season. The 33-year-old’s goal in Liverpool’s 4-2 win against Bournemouth in the opening game of the 2025-26 league season last Friday took him to 187 Premier League goals, moving him into joint fourth position in the all-time standings alongside former Newcastle and Manchester United forward Andy Cole. Salah had previously been one of seven players to have won the PFA Player of the Year award on two occasions. Alongside Salah, Henry (2003 & 2004), Ronaldo (2007 & 2008) and Bale (2011 & 2013) were joined by Kevin De Bruyne ( 2020 & 2021), Alan Shearer (1995 & 1997) and former Manchester United striker Mark Hughes (1989 & 1991) on the list of double winners. Liverpool also dominated the PFA Premier League Team of the Year with four players — Salah, Mac Allister, Virgil van Dijk and Ryan Gravenberch earning selection. For the first time since 2017, no Manchester City player was selected for the team of the year.

NCAA Bans Flight Mode, Orders Shutdown of Phones

Fola Badmus1 month ago1 month ago03 mins

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has directed that all passengers must now completely switch off their mobile phones and electronic devices during aircraft take-off and landing. The directive was issued by the Director General of NCAA, Capt. Chris Najomo, at the National Civil Aviation Security Committee Meeting on Tuesday in Abuja. Najomo explained that the new regulation replaces the long-standing practice of using “flight mode,” stressing that only a full shutdown of devices will now be permitted. He said, “All mobile phones, I repeat, all mobile phones and other portable electronic devices should be switched off during at least the critical phase of flight on all Nigerian airlines. Switched off.” “There’s nothing like anything like flight mode any longer. Must be switched off. Nigerian air operators are therefore required to amend their operations manual to reflect this requirement and submit to the NCA for approval, if different from this resolution. He further disclosed that the decision is part of broader measures to unify aviation safety regulations and curb rising cases of unruly passenger behaviour across the nation’s airports. “The era of business as usual is over,” Najomo declared, noting that tougher enforcement would follow to ensure compliance. Najomo stated that the Authority remains committed to enforcing stricter compliance from both airlines and passengers, while also rolling out public awareness campaigns to educate travelers on their obligations. “We’re going to go on air. We’ll make sure that we take all these preambles of informing passengers, going further of their responsibilities, and going further, things will not be as usual as what it is. If you’re unruly, you’re unruly. “So, you see, we have a new beginning from where we are. It will not be as business as usual. I can assure you that. It will not. And I want to also tell the airline operators here, we are going to start checking that you would do the adequate training.”