Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

NFF President Urges Enyimba Players To Focus Beyond Finances After CAF Confederation Cup Qualification. Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President, Ibrahim Gusau, paid a surprise visit to Enyimba’s dressing room on Sunday, following their dramatic victory over Etoile Filante in the final qualifying match of the CAF Confederation Cup (CAFCC) in Uyo. The People’s Elephant secured their spot in the group stage after a tense 3-2 penalty shootout win, which came after a goalless draw in both legs of the tie. Gusau, while congratulating the team on their hard-fought win, also shared words of wisdom with the players, advising them…

Enugu Rangers Eliminated From CAF Champions League After Sagrada Esperança Defeat. Enugu Rangers have been knocked out of the CAF Champions League following a 3-1 defeat to Angola’s Sagrada Esperança, resulting in a 3-2 aggregate loss. Despite holding a slim advantage from the first leg, Rangers were unable to maintain their lead, ending their campaign in disappointing fashion. The Nigerian side entered the second leg with high hopes after a 1-0 victory at home, but Sagrada Esperança turned the tide on their home turf, producing a dominant performance that saw them progress to the next round. The defeat means…

NPFL Warns Infinix Phones Over Unauthorised Exploitation Of League Assets. The Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) has issued a stern warning to Infinix phones, accusing the mobile brand of exploiting the league’s assets without proper authorisation. The NPFL has made it clear that only brands officially affiliated with the league are allowed to participate in activities or display their products at match venues. This warning follows an incident where Infinix, who sponsored Enyimba FC’s Man-of-the-Match award last season, was reportedly seen during Plateau United’s home game against Niger Tornadoes in Jos, attempting to present a similar award. The NPFL…

The Friedkin Group Completes Takeover Of Everton Football Club, Securing Financial Future. In a landmark deal for Everton Football Club, The Friedkin Group (TFG) has reached a total agreement to purchase the club, acquiring all shares previously owned by Farhad Moshiri. The takeover also includes significant investment aimed at reducing the club’s mounting debt, signalling a major step towards securing Everton’s financial stability and future. This acquisition, confirmed by both Blue Heaven Holdings and The Friedkin Group, is seen as a critical moment in the club’s history. Moshiri, who has been a key figure in Everton’s ownership since 2016,…

Marc-André ter Stegen Suffers Serious Knee Injury, Ruled Out For 7-8 Months. FC Barcelona have confirmed that goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen has sustained a complete rupture of the patella tendon in his right knee. The injury occurred during Barça’s 5-1 victory over Villarreal yesterday. The German shot-stopper is set to undergo surgery today and will face a lengthy recovery period, with the club estimating his absence from the squad for the next 7 to 8 months. Ter Stegen has been a key figure for Barcelona, and his injury presents a significant blow as the team moves forward in…

Late Gabbia’s Header Seals Dramatic Derby Win For AC Milan. Matteo Gabbia scored a late winner to give AC Milan a 2-1 victory over fierce rivals Inter in a thrilling Milan derby, easing the pressure on under-fire manager Paulo Fonseca. Gabbia’s 89th-minute header broke a run of six consecutive derby defeats for Milan and handed Inter their first home league loss in a year. AC Milan took an early lead through Christian Pulisic, but Inter levelled before the half-hour mark thanks to Federico Dimarco. The Inter wing-back became the first Milan-born player to score in the Derby della Madonnina…

Arteta Praises Ben White’s Resilience After Gritty Display Against Manchester City. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has praised defender Ben White’s resilience following the team’s hard-fought match against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday. Despite concerns over White’s fitness, Arteta was left impressed by the player’s dedication and willingness to push through adversity. “We didn’t want to play him but we had to,” Arteta admitted. “I spoke to him; I wanted to protect him. He won’t ever tell you that he’s not fit!” The Arsenal boss described White as a player who will “run through a brick…

NPFL: Away Teams Dominate As Plateau United, Kano Pillars Suffer Home Defeats (Govima Sports Report). In an extraordinary round of Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) matches held on Sunday, 22nd September, away teams stole the spotlight, marking a rare occurrence in the league where home victories were entirely absent. This shift further demonstrates the competitive nature and improvement of the NPFL. One of the standout results came as Plateau United were stunned at home, losing 2-1 to Niger Tornadoes. The match at the New Jos Stadium saw Niger Tornadoes display grit and determination, coming from behind to secure an…

Enyimba Fortunate To Reach Confederation Cup Group Stage – Olanrewaju. Yemi Olanrewaju has admitted that Enyimba were fortunate to secure their place in the CAF Confederation Cup group stage, following a tense 3-2 penalty shootout victory against Burkina Faso’s Etoile Filante. The two-legged preliminary round contest ended 0-0, forcing the Nigerian champions to rely on penalties to advance. Despite playing at home in the second leg at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Enyimba were unable to convert several clear chances during regulation time. Reflecting on the performance, Olanrewaju acknowledged the need for improvement as the team moves forward in…

Late Stones Equaliser Denies Arsenal Victory In Dramatic Clash At Etihad. John Stones’ last-gasp equaliser salvaged a 2-2 draw for Manchester City in a chaotic and controversial showdown against Arsenal at Etihad Stadium. In a pulsating encounter, the Gunners were moments away from securing a memorable victory after a resilient defensive display, despite playing with ten men for much of the match. Arsenal found themselves down to ten players after Leandro Trossard’s controversial second yellow card for time-wasting just before half-time. Despite this setback, Mikel Arteta’s side showcased extraordinary determination, with their defensive unit holding firm in the face…

Victor Boniface’s Late Heroics Secure Dramatic Win For Bayer Leverkusen. Nigerian striker Victor Boniface scored a stoppage-time winner to give Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen a thrilling 4-3 victory over Wolfsburg on Sunday. The match, packed with drama and late goals, saw Leverkusen come from behind to claim all three points. Boniface, who entered the game with just 22 minutes remaining, scored the decisive goal in the 93rd minute, securing an incredible comeback for Leverkusen. Wolfsburg had earlier taken a 3-2 lead after scoring twice in quick succession just before the end of the first half. As tensions rose,…

Lobi Stars And Nasarawa United Suffer Home Defeats In Thrilling NPFL Encounters (Govima Sports Report). In an exciting round of Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) fixtures at Lafia City Stadium, both Lobi Stars FC and Nasarawa United faced narrow but disappointing defeats on home turf. Rivers United and El-Kanemi Warriors emerged victorious, making the afternoon one to forget for the home fans. Lobi Stars FC 0-1 Rivers United Lobi Stars FC put up a spirited fight but were edged out by Rivers United in a tight contest. The match remained goalless in the first half, with both teams struggling…