Author: Timi-Zacchaeus Oluwaferanmi

Vice President Kashim Shettima has announced immediate federal government intervention and called for a thorough review of fuel transportation safety protocols across Nigeria.  This was revealed by his spokesperson, Stanley Nkwocha, in a condolence message shared on his X page on Wednesday. The devastating tanker explosion, which claimed over 100 lives, occurred in Majiya town, Taura Local Government Area. Speaking on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, Shettima expressed deep sorrow for the families who lost loved ones in the tragedy and prayed that Almighty Allah grants them the strength to endure the loss. Shettima said, “My heart aches for those…

Bayer Leverkusen forward Victor Boniface has emerged as one of the top-rated 23-year-olds in Europe’s elite leagues, following a stellar start to the 2024/25 Bundesliga season. The Nigerian international has continued his fine form from last season, scoring four goals and providing one assist in just six league matches for the reigning German champions. With an impressive WhoScored rating of 7.34, Boniface is currently the highest-rated 23-year-old in the Bundesliga and among Europe’s brightest young talents. This rating reflects his consistent performances and growing influence on the pitch. His early contributions have been crucial in maintaining Leverkusen’s strong league position.…

Super Eagles and Orlando Pirates centre-back Olisah Harold Ndah is set to miss the remainder of 2024 season after suffering a serious tibia fracture during a league match against Polokwane City. The 26-year-old sustained the injury late in the game last month, just after helping his side secure a 3-0 victory. Ndah’s injury comes as a significant blow to both his club and country. Having recently returned to the Super Eagles squad after over two years, following impressive performances at Orlando Pirates, his absence will be deeply felt. The Buccaneers have already noticed the impact of his absence, missing him…

Super Eagles and Bayer Leverkusen forward, Nathan Temitayo Tella, has expressed his frustration over his lack of playing time this season. Despite being a key contributor to Leverkusen’s successful Bundesliga and DFB Pokal campaign last season, the 25-year-old winger has struggled to secure regular minutes under manager Xabi Alonso. Tella, who joined Leverkusen from Southampton last year, played an important role in the squad’s double-winning season, scoring six goals and providing five assists across 37 appearances. However, much of his involvement came from the bench as he played second fiddle to Jonas Hoffman and Jeremie Frimpong in the right-wing and…

South Korean footballer Hwang Ui-jo has issued a public apology after admitting to secretly recording sexual encounters with his partners without their consent. The 31-year-old striker, who currently plays for Turkish club Alanyaspor, expressed his regret during his first court appearance in Seoul on Wednesday, where he is facing charges of illegal filming. Hwang, who had been a prominent figure in South Korean football and recently played for Nottingham Forest in England, admitted to filming the intimate encounters on four separate occasions between June and September 2022. Prosecutors revealed that two women were unknowingly recorded during these interactions. In court,…

Mauricio Pochettino’s tenure as manager of the United States men’s national team suffered an early setback as his side lost 2-0 to rivals Mexico in an international friendly at Estadio Akron. The match, which also marked the farewell of Mexico’s legendary midfielder Andrés Guardado, saw the hosts put in a dominant performance to claim victory, ending the USA’s seven-match unbeaten streak against their regional rivals. Pochettino, who took charge of the U.S. team after Gregg Berhalter’s departure earlier this year, had enjoyed a winning start in his new role just days before, with a 2-0 victory over Panama. However, his…

Lionel Messi once again proved why he remains one of the greatest footballers of all time, as he led Argentina to a resounding 6-0 victory over Bolivia in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. The 37-year-old football icon delivered a masterclass performance at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires, scoring his 10th international hat-trick and assisting two more goals. The win propelled Argentina to the top of the South American qualifying group, three points clear of second-placed Colombia. Argentina’s victory came despite a somewhat rocky campaign so far, which included a defeat to Colombia and a draw against Venezuela in…

Former Barcelona and Spain defender Gerard Piqué has joined a growing list of voices speaking out against the increasing demands placed on football players due to congested fixture schedules. Speaking at *The Summit*, part of Leaders Week London, Piqué urged football’s governing bodies to reduce the number of matches and reconsider the introduction of new competitions to protect player welfare. Piqué, now 37 and retired since 2022, criticized FIFA and UEFA for adding more tournaments and expanding existing ones, such as FIFA’s new 32-team Club World Cup and the upcoming 48-team World Cup in 2026. He also took aim at…

Eric Cantona has launched a fiery criticism of Manchester United’s decision to allow Sir Alex Ferguson to step down from his ambassadorial duties at the club. The legendary former Manchester United forward took to social media, calling the move “scandalous” and expressing his frustration over what he sees as a lack of respect for Ferguson. Ferguson, who turns 83 in December, is reportedly stepping back from his ambassadorial role due to the time-consuming nature of the position. The decision comes amidst a series of cost-cutting measures implemented by Manchester United, driven in part by their financial losses and efforts to…

A representative for French football star Kylian Mbappé has condemned recent reports in the Swedish media alleging the Real Madrid forward is suspected of rape. The reports, citing police documents and filed criminal reports, have ignited a media frenzy, which Mbappé and his legal team have labeled as “totally false and irresponsible.” Several Swedish outlets, including public broadcaster SVT and CNN affiliate *Expressen*, reported that Mbappé was under suspicion after visiting a nightclub and staying in Stockholm on October 10. Swedish police indicated that “reasonable grounds” exist, meaning specific circumstances suggest involvement in a crime. In response, Mbappé took to…