Author: Gabby

Liverpool star Mohamed Salah has shed light on the reasons behind his decision to turn down Jose Mourinho’s instructions during his stint at Chelsea. The Egyptian forward clarified his stance in a recent interview, revealing that despite respecting Mourinho, he felt compelled to carve his own path.

Salah disclosed that the Portuguese manager had wanted him to remain at Stamford Bridge or go on a temporary move to a club within the United Kingdom. However, Salah had other ideas, as he was determined to leave England and set his sights on a move to Italy, forgoing any loan spells that would bring him back to Chelsea.

In his own words, Salah recalled the conversation: ‘I hold a lot of respect for Jose. He is one of the finest managers I have ever worked with. I don’t want people to view this as criticism of him, because it’s not. He asked me to either stay or go out on loan somewhere in the UK, with the intention of returning. I said no. I felt the time was right for me to leave. There was a lot of pressure on me, and I wanted to experience football in Italy, not just go on loan and come back.’

Salah made his debut in the Premier League under Mourinho’s guidance in 2014, but found first-team opportunities limited. After leaving Chelsea, he initially joined Fiorentina on loan before making a permanent switch to Roma in 2015. His subsequent move to Liverpool has seen him become one of the world’s most prolific attackers, cementing his legacy with numerous accolades.

Malawi’s head coach, Maggie Chombo, remains optimistic about her team’s chances of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, despite a two-goal loss in the first leg against Nigeria’s Falconets.

The Young Scorchers were defeated 2-0 at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne on Saturday. The first goal came early in the second half when an own goal by Maureen Kenneth put Nigeria ahead in the 46th minute. Kindness Ifeanyi, who came off the bench, doubled the lead for the home side in the 57th minute.

Speaking after the match, Chombo expressed confidence that her team can turn the tie around. She noted that a single goal conceded disrupted their concentration and allowed Nigeria to score twice. However, she highlighted that the return leg will be played on their home turf, giving them a similar advantage. “We believe we can do the same as they did at home,” she said.

The second leg is scheduled for Saturday, 9 May, at Bingu National Stadium in Malawi.

Manchester United’s captain, Bruno Fernandes, etched his name into the club’s history books following a thrilling 3-2 Premier League triumph over Liverpool at Old Trafford. The Portuguese playmaker achieved a remarkable milestone by creating 120 chances in the league this season, surpassing the previous record of 119 he set during the 2022-23 campaign.

According to statistics from OptaJoe, Fernandes has now produced more opportunities than any other Manchester United player in a single season since detailed records began in 2003-04. His relentless creativity was on full display against Arne Slot’s side, contributing to goals from Matheus Cunha, Benjamin Sesko, and Kobbie Mainoo.

The midfielder has also excelled in consistency, registering at least five chances created in 14 different Premier League matches this term. This feat places him second only to former Arsenal star Mesut Özil, who achieved 15 such games during the 2015-16 season.

Fernandes’ historic performance underscores his pivotal role in Manchester United’s campaign, as the Red Devils continue to push for a top-four finish and silverware.

Manchester United’s interim manager, Michael Carrick, achieved a notable Premier League milestone following his team’s thrilling 3-2 win against Liverpool at Old Trafford on Sunday evening. The victory, secured by goals from Matheus Cunha, Kobbie Mainoo, and Benjamin Sesko, propelled Carrick into an exclusive club of managers who have excelled in their early home matches.

Data from OptaJoe reveals that Carrick is now the sixth manager overall and the first English manager to secure eight or more wins in his first nine home games in the Premier League. This feat matches the achievement of Antonio Conte during the 2016-17 season, who also recorded eight victories in his opening nine home fixtures.

Carrick assumed the temporary managerial role until the end of the season following the dismissal of Ruben Amorim earlier this year. The record underlines the positive impact he has had on the team since taking charge, with the Red Devils showing resilience and attacking flair against a strong Liverpool side.

Rangers International have taken a significant step towards securing their ninth Nigeria Premier Football League crown after securing a dominant 2-0 result away to Bayelsa United. The victory, achieved at the Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa, saw the Flying Antelopes score in both halves to claim all three points.

Coach Fidelis Ilechukwu’s squad now sits comfortably at the top of the standings with 62 points from 36 matches, strengthening their grip on the league lead. The win was a crucial one in the title race.

Meanwhile, in Port Harcourt, Rivers United keep the pressure on the league leaders with an emphatic 3-0 triumph over Abia Warriors. Despite a frustrating opening period, the home side exploded after the interval, netting three goals to secure the victory. Wasiu Falolu broke the deadlock in the 50th minute, with Timothy Zachariah and Bello Babatunde adding further strikes for Finidi George’s team.

Elsewhere, defending champions Remo Stars suffered a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Enyimba in Aba. Victor Mbaoma had given Remo Stars the lead in the 21st minute against his former club, but Stanley Dimgba and Chidera Michael turned the game around for the hosts to claim maximum points.

Other results from the matchday saw Barau beat El-Kanemi 3-0, Tornadoes and Kwara United play out a 2-2 draw, Kun Khalifat edge Kano Pillars 2-1, Wolves defeat Plateau United 1-0, and 3SC overcome Nasarawa United 3-2.

FC Robo Queens have once again etched their name in the history books by securing their 15th Lagos State Women’s Federation Cup title, a feat never before achieved in the competition’s history. The thrilling final took place on Sunday at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Onikan, where Robo Queens dominated Ghetto Tigers with a resounding 4-0 victory.

Under the guidance of coach Emmanuel Osahon, the team displayed exceptional skill and determination, leaving no doubt about their superiority on the pitch. This triumph marks a remarkable recovery for Robo Queens, who were eliminated from last year’s tournament by Unification Ladies FC. The team’s resilience and hard work have paid off, propelling them to this historic milestone.

Both finalists, Robo Queens and Ghetto Tigers, have now secured their spots in the upcoming 2026 Women’s National Federation Cup. This achievement is particularly sweet for Robo Queens, as their last appearance in the final was in 2021, where they fell to Bayelsa Queens. The previous year’s champion, Rivers Angels, were dethroned, making way for Robo Queens’ triumphant return to the pinnacle of Lagos women’s football.

The People’s Elephant, Enyimba FC, secured a vital 2-1 victory against Remo Stars at their home ground in Aba on Sunday, boosting their campaign while intensifying the relegation worries for the defending champions.

Under the tactical direction of new head coach Emmanuel Gustavo, Enyimba started aggressively, with Stanley Dimgba squandering a promising opportunity in the opening minutes. Remo Stars responded with well-organized attacks, breaking the deadlock in the 21st minute to take an early lead.

However, Enyimba quickly found their rhythm. Dimgba made amends for his earlier miss by leveling the score in the 28th minute, injecting energy into the home side. The decisive moment came in the 49th minute when Chidera Michael found the back of the net, sending the Enyimba supporters into wild celebrations.

This result lifts Enyimba to 11th place in the NPFL standings with 46 points, while Remo Stars drop to 18th position with 43 points after 36 matches. The league’s reigning champions now face a precarious battle to avoid relegation, as their poor form continues to haunt them.

Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle was spotted at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan on Sunday, closely observing the NPFL matchday 36 battle between Shooting Stars and Nasarawa United. The encounter ended 3-2 in favor of Shooting Stars, pushing them into third place on the league table.

The Malian tactician, 48, has been on a scouting spree as he prepares to assemble a squad for the upcoming 2026 Unity Cup. He previously stated his intention to include a substantial number of domestic-based players in the invitational tournament roster.

Chelle is scheduled to continue his talent hunt on Tuesday, when he will attend the game between Ikorodu City and Wikki Tourists at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos. His final list for the Unity Cup is expected to be announced next week.

The Super Eagles are set to face Zimbabwe in the semi-final of the competition on May 26 at the Valley. The match will be a key opportunity for Chelle to evaluate his selected players under competitive conditions.

Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville has thrown his weight behind Michael Carrick as the ideal candidate to take over the managerial reins on a permanent basis, citing the calmness and reliability he has brought to Old Trafford.

Neville believes Carrick has emerged as the frontrunner for the role after guiding the Red Devils to a Champions League spot, sealed with a dramatic 3-2 triumph over Liverpool at home on Sunday. Since stepping in for Ruben Amorim in January, Carrick has overseen a remarkable turnaround, winning 10 of his 14 matches in charge.

“There aren’t any other serious contenders in the conversation right now. He’s placed himself at the top of the list with his performances,” Neville told Sky Sports after the game. “What Manchester United desperately need is some consistency. They’ve lacked that in recent years, but Carrick would bring that because everyone in the squad trusts him.”

The Nigerian entertainment scene was buzzing with reactions after streamer Carter Efe defeated street-pop star Portable in a celebrity boxing match held in Lagos. The event, which followed weeks of online taunts, ended with Efe taking the victory and a N50 million prize.

Many celebrities took to social media to mock Portable’s defeat. Music video director TG Omori shared a clip of the fight on X, writing, ‘They hit Portable, he spun 360, and Carter Efe burst out laughing—I’m dead.’ Rapper Zlatan also chimed in, saying, ‘Portable? The guy who drank Lacoco? Carter Efe, your N10 million cash prize is waiting.’

Comedian Cute Abiola created a skit showing Portable angrily calling his spiritualist after the loss. Ubi Franklin simply posted the match video with laughing emojis. The online mockery highlighted how the celebrity community turned the fight into a source of entertainment.