Author: Timi-Zacchaeus Oluwaferanmi

Remo Stars goalkeeper Kayode Bankole has expressed his excitement after receiving his first-ever invitation to the Super Eagles for Nigeria’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe. Speaking to the Super Eagles media team, Bankole described the experience as “amazing” and shared his joy at training alongside Nigeria’s top stars. “It has been great. Being in the midst of the big boys, the superstars, is an incredible feeling,” he said. Bankole, who has consistently been one of the standout goalkeepers in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), remained confident that his hard work would eventually earn him a…

The Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) has raised concerns over the safety of female footballers, stating that poor pitch conditions in major matches are putting players at risk. Recent high-profile games have highlighted the issue, sparking widespread criticism from players, coaches, and pundits. Substandard Conditions in Key Matches Arsenal suffered a 2-0 defeat against Real Madrid in the first leg of their Women’s Champions League quarter-final on Tuesday. The match, played at the Estadio Alfredo di Stefano, was marred by worsening pitch conditions. Heavy rainfall had left the hybrid playing surface in poor shape, leading to large patches of mud that…

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi has not been included in Argentina’s squad for their forthcoming World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay and Brazil. The 37-year-old returned to Miami’s starting line-up for their Major League Soccer win over Atlanta United but picked up an injury during Sunday’s game. Inter later confirmed the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has a “low-grade” injury to his adductor muscle. Messi was rested for three Miami games before coming off the bench and scoring in last week’s Concacaf Champions Cup win at Jamaican side Cavalier. Messi said in a story on Instagram, external that it was a “shame to miss two…

Galatasaray vice president Abdullah Kavukcu has confirmed that Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen will decide his next career move in April. Osimhen, currently on loan from Serie A club Napoli, has been a key player for the Turkish Super Lig champions. However, his future remains uncertain, with top European clubs, including Chelsea, Manchester United, and Arsenal, also vying for his signature. Speaking to Turkish journalist Nevzat Dindar, Kavukcu revealed: “Osimhen will tell us his decision next month. At the moment, the top five clubs in the world are also interested in him.” Despite strong competition, Galatasaray remain keen on securing Osimhen…

Newcastle United defender Kieran Trippier has revealed that he accepted a pay cut to join the club from Atlético Madrid, dismissing claims that money was his primary motivation. Trippier, 34, made this known following Newcastle’s 2-1 triumph over Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday. Speaking in an interview with CBS Sports, the England international reflected on his decision to return to the Premier League and his belief in Newcastle’s project. Sacrificing for the Bigger Picture Trippier’s move to Newcastle in January 2022 raised eyebrows, especially since the club was battling relegation at the time. Many speculated that financial…

Genk striker Tolu Arokodare has expressed his excitement after receiving his first-ever call-up to the Super Eagles for Nigeria’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe. The 24-year-old, currently the top scorer in the Belgian Jupiler Pro League with 17 goals, was initially named in the 39-man provisional squad before making the final 23-man list. Speaking to NFF TV, Arokodare admitted he was surprised but also confident that his performances would earn him national team recognition. “I knew it was coming because I was doing pretty well, and I was hoping for it,” he said. “Being in the…

The 2025 Formula 1 season kicked off in dramatic fashion with Lando Norris securing victory in an action-packed Australian Grand Prix, edging out Max Verstappen. Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton’s much-anticipated Ferrari debut saw him finish a modest 10th, raising questions about how long it will take the seven-time world champion to adapt to his new team. A Learning Curve for Hamilton Since joining Ferrari, Hamilton has emphasized the steep learning curve he faces in understanding the car, its systems, and his new team environment. Throughout the Melbourne weekend, he repeatedly referred to “building” knowledge to extract maximum performance. “I’ve learned a…

West Ham striker Michail Antonio has opened up about the horrific car crash that left him hospitalized for weeks and facing a long road to recovery. The 34-year-old footballer crashed his Ferrari into a tree in Epping Forest on a stormy Saturday in early December. Images of the wreckage shocked fans, leaving many questioning if he had survived. Antonio, speaking in an exclusive interview with BBC One’s Morning Live, described the incident as a life-changing moment. “It made me realize how close I was to dying,” he admitted. “I’ve been given another chance at life.” A Horrifying Ordeal On the…

Steven Gerrard has stepped down as head coach of Al-Ettifaq by mutual consent after 18 months at the helm. The former Rangers and Aston Villa manager, who took over the Saudi Pro League side in July 2023, departs following a string of disappointing results that have left the team hovering five points above the relegation zone. Despite signing a two-year contract extension in January 2024, which was set to keep him at the club until 2027, Gerrard’s tenure has been cut short after managing only five wins in 17 league matches this season. Al-Ettifaq currently sits in 12th place in…

Fifpro and Fifa discuss fixture congestion amid strike threats. Player representatives from Fifpro have met with Fifa to address growing concerns over fixture congestion, which has led to the threat of strike action from players. The discussions centered on the expanded 32-team Club World Cup set to take place in 2025. While Fifa President Gianni Infantino expressed a willingness to collaborate, sources indicate that mounting pressure from players and unions pushed Fifa into negotiations. Manchester City midfielder Rodri and other leading players have been vocal about the strain caused by the packed schedule. With clubs like Chelsea and Manchester City…