Sports

Francis Uzoho has been reinstated as the first-choice goalkeeper of the Super Eagles by head coach Eric Chelle, following the current inactivity of Stanley Nwabali. Uzoho plays as a goalkeeper for Cypriot First Division club Omonia Nwabali is presently without a club after ending his deal with Chippa United, creating uncertainty ahead of the national team’s return to action later this month. With preparations underway, Chelle moved quickly to name Uzoho as his preferred option between the posts. Uzoho previously served as second-choice goalkeeper during the last Africa Cup of Nations, where Nigeria secured a third-place finish. Meanwhile, Chelle appears unconvinced about Maduka Okoye, who reportedly declined a call-up for the tournament after being informed he would not be gu...

Super Eagles forward, Tolu Arokodare, has admitted that adapting to life in the Premier League has been tougher than he expected. Arokodare moved to Wolverhampton Wanderers from Belgian outfit KRC Genk last summer after an impressive goal-scoring campaign in Belgium. However, instead of competing at the top end of the table, he has found himself battling relegation. Wolves are currently rooted to the bottom of the league standings with 16 points from 30 games, securing only three victories so far this season — including a 2-1 triumph over Liverpool FC on Tuesday night, March 3. In an interview with Het Nieuwsblad, the 23-year-old spoke candidly about the difficulty of the transition. “The two leagues are similar — physical, intense, and fast-paced. But in the Premier League, yo...

Manchester United head coach, Michael Carrick, has claimed they could make a late surge for the Premier League title. United came from behind to beat Crystal Palace 2-1 on Sunday, which put them in third place in the league, behind Arsenal and Manchester City. The Red Devils’ next game is at Newcastle and they are currently 13 points off first place. Despite an impressive run of six wins and one draw, Carrick has admitted that they must be “realistic”. “You cannot rule anything out in football, but we have to be realistic,” Carrick said. “Above us now there are two fantastic teams. “Of course, I’m being realistic about it. We have to win a lot of football matches for that to happen.”

United States President, Donald Trump, has stated that he is unconcerned about whether Iran competes at the 2026 World Cup, despite mounting tensions in the Middle East. The United States will co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19. Iran secured qualification for the tournament prior to the recent escalation of tensions in the region. Responding to questions about Iran’s involvement, Trump told Politico: “I really don’t care. I think Iran is a very badly defeated country. They’re running on fumes.” His comments follow a series of US and Israeli strikes on Iran and subsequent retaliatory actions by Tehran targeting US-allied Gulf states. The conflict has intensified in recent weeks, raising concerns over the stability of several global e...

Nigeria’s Nigeria women's national football team bounced back in style on Tuesday night, defeating the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon 3-1 in Yaounde to level their two-match friendly series. Three days after suffering a slim loss at the Military Stadium, the nine-time African champions returned to the same venue with renewed intensity and purpose. Cameroon once again drew first blood, netting in the seventh minute to briefly raise fears of a repeat outcome. However, Nigeria responded with composure and authority. In the 32nd minute, Chinwendu Ihezuo restored parity, rising above the defence to head home a precise delivery from Rinsola Babajide. The equaliser steadied the Falcons and swung momentum in their favour. Babajide then turned scorer just before halftime, capitalisin...

Real Madrid CF have announced that Rodrygo has sustained a severe knee injury that will sideline him for the rest of the season and rule him out of this summer’s World Cup with Brazil. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the club confirmed: “Following the tests carried out today on our player Rodrygo by Real Madrid’s medical services, he has been diagnosed with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament and a tear of the lateral meniscus in his right leg.” The 25-year-old attacker picked up the injury during Monday’s 1-0 La Liga home defeat to Getafe CF. Although Rodrygo came on as a second-half substitute and finished the match, further medical examinations the next day revealed the seriousness of the damage. An ACL rupture typically keeps players out for several months, with rehabilita...

World football governing body, FIFA, has officially begun the final 100-day countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup but has remained silent on the pending disciplinary case involving Nigeria and DR Congo. In a post shared on its official 𝕏 account on Tuesday, FIFA announced: “The biggest-ever @FIFAWorldCup is just 100 days away! 48 teams. 104 games. 11 June to 19 July.” The organisation added that June 11, 2026, will signal “the opening scene to the greatest show in the world,” with Mexico scheduled to take on South Africa in the tournament’s opening match. However, despite the celebratory tone, there was no reference to Nigeria’s protest following its controversial elimination from the qualifiers. The controversy dates back to November 2025 when Nigeria’s Super Eagles were defeat...

Captain and forward for Al-Nassr, Cristiano Ronaldo, has left Saudi Arabia for Madrid, Spain, following escalating tensions in the Middle East after US-Israeli strikes in Iran. According to the Daily Mail on Tuesday, the 41-year-old departed Riyadh late at night aboard his £61 million ($81 million) Bombardier Global Express 6500 private jet. His reported departure follows regional strikes. The US embassy in Riyadh was hit by two drones overnight, and Iranian state media reported that a command and staff building in Bahrain had also been destroyed. Cristiano Ronaldo’s jet. Photo credit: Daily Mail “Riyadh, where Ronaldo lives with his partner Georgina Rodriguez and their five children, has been affected by attacks linked to the regional conflict,” the report said. F...

Football activities across parts of the Middle East have been thrown into disarray following escalating hostilities involving the United States, Israel and Iran, leaving several Nigerian players uncertain about their immediate future. The Qatar Football Association confirmed the suspension of all domestic fixtures from Sunday, while Iran’s Persian Gulf Pro League and the Israeli Premier League have also paused matches amid growing regional tensions. The Asian Football Confederation has equally postponed club championship play-offs scheduled in affected zones. Elite Round of 16 fixtures in the continental Champions League have been rescheduled, and the Finalissima — billed for March 27 in Doha between European champions Spain and Copa America winners Argentina — now hangs in the balan...