Author: Timi-Zacchaeus Oluwaferanmi

Former Nigerian international Dimeji Lawal has expressed strong confidence in the Super Eagles squad released for next month’s decisive 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, stating that the team has enough quality to secure vital victories over Rwanda and South Africa. Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle unveiled a provisional 31-man list on Friday, with Nigeria set to host Rwanda in early September before travelling to Bloemfontein to face South Africa on September 9. The two fixtures are being widely described as make-or-break games for Nigeria’s World Cup qualification hopes. Currently, Nigeria sits fourth in Group C with seven points, trailing…

Arsenal have been dealt a significant blow ahead of their showdown with Liverpool on Sunday, with Bukayo Saka ruled out for up to four weeks after sustaining a hamstring injury in the 5-0 demolition of Leeds United at the Emirates. Club captain Martin Odegaard is also a major doubt after suffering a shoulder injury during the same match, leaving Mikel Arteta with big selection questions as the Gunners prepare for one of the season’s toughest away trips. Saka, 23, was withdrawn early in the second half after scoring Arsenal’s second goal on Saturday. Initial scans suggest the winger could miss…

Bayer Leverkusen’s new era under Erik ten Hag began in disappointing fashion as his side slipped to a 2-1 home defeat against Hoffenheim.

Napoli began the defence of their Serie A crown with a commanding 2-0 victory away at Sassuolo, as Scott McTominay and debutant Kevin De Bruyne found the net in an assured opening display for Antonio Conte’s side. A champion’s start The reigning champions wasted little time in stamping their authority. After just 17 minutes, Napoli took the lead through McTominay, who continued where he left off last season. The Scottish midfielder, recently shortlisted for the 2025 Ballon d’Or after a stellar campaign, rose highest to meet Matteo Politano’s precise cross and powered a header past the Sassuolo goalkeeper. It was…

Arsenal delivered a statement performance at the Emirates, thrashing Leeds United 5-0 in front of 60,110 fans. New £60m signing Eberechi Eze was unveiled before kick-off, and the atmosphere carried through as Mikel Arteta’s side put on a show. Jurrien Timber opened the scoring with a header before assisting Bukayo Saka for the second just before half-time. Viktor Gyökeres, Arsenal’s £64m striker, netted his first league goals, including a stoppage-time penalty won by 15-year-old debutant Max Dowman, who became the Gunners’ second-youngest player in history. The afternoon wasn’t without concern, as both captain Martin Ødegaard and Saka were forced off…

Nigeria international striker Victor Boniface is on the verge of sealing a move to AC Milan, with the forward completing the final stages of his medical tests in Italy this weekend. The 24-year-old, who currently plays for Bayer Leverkusen, arrived in Milan on Friday to undergo the first part of his medical assessment at the club’s facilities and later at the offices of CONI, the Italian Olympic Committee, as is required for all new arrivals in Serie A. He continued the process on Saturday with more detailed checks at the Galeazzi Hospital in Milan, where Milan’s trusted orthopaedic surgeon was…

Chelsea’s summer clear-out has reached new heights after the club agreed to sell Portuguese defender Renato Veiga to Villarreal in a deal worth up to £26 million. The transfer takes the Blues’ total income from player sales to more than £250m during a busy and financially strategic transfer window. Veiga Set for Villarreal Switch Veiga, 22, will sign a seven-year contract with the Spanish side once he completes his medical on Thursday. Villarreal’s deal is close to their transfer record, underlining their faith in the young defender. Chelsea bought Veiga from FC Basel in 2024 for £12m, meaning the club…

Ademola Lookman has finally returned to Atalanta training in Bergamo after a turbulent week dominated by speculation, controversy, and broken negotiations over a potential move to Inter Milan. The Super Eagles forward had been absent from team activities for several days, reportedly without permission, in what many interpreted as an attempt to force through a transfer. The 27-year-old’s absence quickly became one of the most talked-about stories in Italian football. Lookman released a strongly worded statement during his stand-off, accusing Atalanta of reneging on promises and failing to treat him with the respect due to a professional athlete. “I have…

Chelsea have placed as many as nine players on the transfer list as the summer window heads into its final two weeks, with Raheem Sterling headlining the group of potential departures. The decision marks one of the boldest squad-trimming exercises in the club’s recent history, as the Blues look to balance their books and reshape Enzo Maresca’s squad. Sterling’s Uncertain Future Sterling, 30, is at the centre of the transfer drama. The England international has two years remaining on his £325,000-per-week contract but has fallen completely out of Chelsea’s first-team plans. After an underwhelming loan spell at Arsenal last season,…

The 2025-26 Premier League season begins on Friday with defending champions Liverpool hosting Bournemouth. While Egypt’s Mohamed Salah aims for a fifth Golden Boot alongside new teammates Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz, a fresh wave of African talent will be making headlines. With the Africa Cup of Nations (21 December – 18 January) set to disrupt the campaign, many of the continent’s best will have a major say in how the season unfolds. Mbeumo’s big stage at Old Trafford Cameroon’s Bryan Mbeumo was the headline African transfer of the summer, swapping Brentford for Manchester United in a £65m deal. After…