Author: Timi-Zacchaeus Oluwaferanmi

Sunderland’s long wait for a Premier League Tyne-Wear derby ended in unforgettable fashion as the Black Cats not only beat Newcastle United, but did so with a moment of theatre that will live long in local folklore. A scrappy contest at the Stadium of Light was settled by an own goal from Nick Woltemade, but the decisive strike was almost secondary to what followed. At full-time, Sunderland’s players and staff gathered on the pitch to recreate a photograph Newcastle had taken nearly two years earlier, after their 3-0 FA Cup victory over the Black Cats. This time, the roles were…

St Mirren produced one of the greatest upsets in modern Scottish cup history as they swept aside holders Celtic 3-1 at Hampden Park to lift the League Cup for only the second time in their history. In front of nearly 50,000 fans, the Paisley club combined fearless attacking with disciplined organisation to overwhelm a Celtic side already reeling from a difficult start under new manager Wilfried Nancy. Goals from Marcus Fraser and a superb second-half double from Jonah Ayunga sealed a famous triumph and sparked scenes of jubilation among the black-and-white faithful. The final could hardly have begun in more…

Harry Kane’s late penalty spared Bayern Munich an embarrassing home defeat as the Bundesliga leaders were held to a dramatic 2-2 draw by bottom club Mainz 05 at a packed Allianz Arena. On an afternoon that underlined both Bayern’s dominance of the league and their occasional vulnerability, Vincent Kompany’s side were forced to dig deep to avoid a shock loss against opponents fighting for survival. While the draw moved Bayern nine points clear at the summit, it felt more like a warning than a statement. Bayern started with authority and control, pinning Mainz back and circulating the ball with confidence.…

Dominic Calvert-Lewin maintained his impressive scoring run as Leeds United claimed a hard-earned 1-1 draw against Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium, denying the Bees another valuable home victory. In a match short on clear-cut chances but rich in tension, the Leeds striker struck late to cancel out Jordan Henderson’s opener and ensure Daniel Farke’s side left west London with a point that could prove vital in their battle to stay clear of relegation. The first half was cagey, with both teams prioritising structure over adventure. Brentford, so often fluent on home soil, struggled to find rhythm against a disciplined…

As the 35th Africa Cup of Nations kicks off in Morocco on 21 December, anticipation is building across the continent. With the final set for 18 January in Rabat, millions of fans are gearing up for a month of fierce competition, electrifying talent and rising stars hoping to etch their names into African football history. Morocco, hosting the tournament for the first time since 1988, enter with enormous expectations. The Atlas Lions haven’t lifted the trophy since 1976, and with home support behind them, the pressure is immense. Meanwhile, Egypt talisman Mohamed Salah arrives with a point to prove, looking…

Liverpool manager Arne Slot is preparing for crunch talks with Mohamed Salah on Friday as tensions between the club and their long-serving forward dominate the build-up to Saturday’s Premier League match against Brighton at Anfield. With speculation mounting about Salah’s future and the forward set to leave for the Africa Cup of Nations on Monday, this latest chapter has added significant strain to an already unsettled week for the Reds. The situation escalated after Liverpool’s 2–2 draw at Leeds, where Salah, speaking in the mixed zone, claimed he had been “thrown under the bus” and insisted he had “earned his…

The Football Association is under mounting pressure to intervene after supporters’ groups condemned the “scandalous” ticket prices for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The Football Supporters’ Association (FSA) and Football Supporters Europe (FSE) have jointly called for an immediate suspension of ticket sales while they seek urgent talks with Fifa. Fifa’s newly released pricing structure has sparked widespread anger among fans, particularly in England and Scotland, where loyal travelling supporters say they feel “stabbed in the back”. Prices for the tournament have soared to unprecedented levels, with even the cheapest tickets for marquee group…

Wayne Rooney has opened up about the darkest period of his early career, revealing he and his family received death threats after his move from Everton to Manchester United in 2004. The former England captain, now 39, spoke candidly on BBC Sport’s The Wayne Rooney Show, describing the emotional turmoil that surrounded his £27m transfer at just 18 years old. Rooney’s switch from his boyhood club came after he rejected a record-breaking contract offer from Everton. The reaction from a section of the fanbase was immediate and severe. “I got death threats,” he said. “My parents’ house was getting spray…

Wilfried Nancy has been Celtic manager for barely a week, yet he already finds himself at the centre of a storm. Two games, two defeats, and a club jolted from the optimism that accompanied Martin O’Neill’s farewell just days earlier — this is the brutal reality Nancy has walked into as he prepares for Sunday’s Premier Sports Cup final against St Mirren. For Stephen Robinson, the St Mirren manager, the past week has undoubtedly offered encouragement. When O’Neill departed on a wave of gratitude, Celtic looked settled, stable, and assured. Now they appear shaken. Where O’Neill brought pragmatism and calm,…

Ivory Coast have announced their 26-man squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, marking the dramatic return of Wilfried Zaha while leaving out breakout 2023 star Simon Adingra in one of the headline decisions by head coach Emerse Fae. The Elephants, defending champions after their remarkable triumph on home soil two years ago, will head to Morocco with a blend of experience, Premier League presence and emerging talent. Zaha’s inclusion stands out most—his first call-up in nearly two years. The 33-year-old has rediscovered form this season with Charlotte FC in Major League Soccer while on loan from Turkish giants…