Author: Gabby

Enyimba’s captain, Chinedu Ufere, has passionately called on his teammates to secure victory in the upcoming President Federation Cup. The team is set to battle Gombe United in the Round of 32 on Monday, with Ufere emphasizing the importance of the competition as a pathway to continental football.

Speaking through the club’s media channel, Ufere highlighted that winning the Federation Cup is Enyimba’s primary route back to the CAF Confederation Cup. He stressed that the squad must treat each match as a final and replicate their recent stellar performance at home in the NPFL to overcome Gombe United.

“In the Federation Cup, we face Gombe United in the next round, and we will give our all to bring the team back to where it belongs—on the continent,” Ufere stated. “This is our only chance, and we cannot afford to be complacent. We are going all out, because every game is a final.”

The captain further urged his colleagues to maintain the same commitment they demonstrated in their last home fixture, believing that such dedication would put the trophy within reach. “If we show the same level of commitment in the upcoming games, winning the title is certainly possible,” he added.

The President Federation Cup champion earns the right to represent Nigeria in the CAF Confederation Cup next season, making this encounter critical for Enyimba’s continental aspirations.

The UEFA Technical Observer Group has officially announced the Champions League Team of the Season following the conclusion of the 2025/26 campaign. The selection features a strong presence from Paris Saint-Germain, who claimed the title after a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Arsenal in Budapest.

In total, five PSG players earned spots in the elite XI, while Arsenal contributed three representatives. Bayern Munich also secured two places, and Atletico Madrid had one player recognized for his outstanding performances throughout the tournament.

The goalkeeping position went to Arsenal’s David Raya, who delivered a series of impressive displays between the posts. The defensive line consists of Marcos Llorente from Atletico Madrid, PSG’s Marquinhos and Nuno Mendes, alongside Arsenal’s Gabriel. This back four was praised for their consistency and resilience during the competition.

In midfield, the selection includes Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise, Arsenal’s Declan Rice, PSG’s Vitinha, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia from the French champions. The attacking duo features PSG’s Ousmane Dembele and Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane, both of whom were instrumental in their teams’ deep runs.

The Team of the Season reflects the standout individuals who made a significant impact in Europe’s premier club competition, with PSG’s triumph heavily influencing the final lineup.

Following a disappointing end to the 2025/26 Nigeria National League (NNL) season, Lobi Stars have announced the departure of 18 players from their squad. The club failed to earn promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), finishing outside the qualification positions.

The list of released players includes Orya Joseph, Daniel Abah, Atavti Samuel, Eyigege Pius, Achiv Douglas, Eru Jackson, Amia Kenneth, Ingbila Henry, Ofem Emmanuel, Itim Paul, Yanmar Moses, Iorliam Eric, Bello Raji Egigogo, Edeh Chukwuebuka, Amara Christian, Ifeanyi Ezema, Jonathan John Abu, and Okoh Chukwuma.

In contrast, the Pride of Benue have retained 17 players for the upcoming 2026/27 campaign. Among those staying with the team are Kumaga Suur, Kwambe Solomon, Odinaka Francis, Akile Monday, Iteji Jimmy, Onah Peter, Agugu Benjamin, Foga Dominic, Imenger Barnabas Jnr, Kongbenda Joseph, Uja Manasseh, Sunday James, Atsaka Daniel, Egiga Valentine, Afeez Yusuf, Azeez Tijanni, and John Akende.

Lobi Stars’ failure to secure promotion was a major setback for the club, which had aimed to return to the top flight. The squad overhaul reflects a strategic shift as they prepare for another season in the NNL.

Liverpool icon Jamie Carragher has shared his perspective on why Paris Saint-Germain managed to overcome Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League final held on Saturday. The match saw Arsenal take an early lead through a superb strike from Kai Havertz during the first half. However, PSG leveled the score in the second period after Ousmane Dembele converted from the penalty spot. The game ultimately went to a penalty shootout, where the French side emerged victorious after both Eberechi Eze and Gabriel missed their attempts from the spot.

Speaking on Sky Sports News, Carragher pointed out that Mikel Arteta’s squad lacks sufficient quality in the attacking department, a deficiency that proved costly against the Parisian outfit. He noted, “That has always been the critique of Arteta’s Arsenal. I believe the approach they took last night was nearly the only strategy they could employ to have a chance against PSG.” He added, “PSG didn’t perform well in the first half. Were they vulnerable? Yet, that’s the nature of Arsenal.”

Carragher emphasized, “What I will mention, and I have repeated this throughout the season—and I thought this flaw would prevent Arsenal from winning the league, but it didn’t—is that they lack sufficient firepower up front. Arsenal are exceptional, arguably the best team globally at defending their own penalty area, and their two center-backs delivered outstanding performances last night. Even though they are champions of England, they desperately need better attackers.”

Enyimba International FC’s striker, Nelson Sule, has assured fans of the team’s full preparedness for their President Federation Cup Round of 32 encounter against Gombe United. The match is scheduled to take place in Makurdi on Monday.

In a statement relayed by Completesports, Sule emphasized that the squad is taking the competition one game at a time and is not succumbing to pressure. “We are focused and ready for Monday’s game. Our approach is to work hard and secure the win against Gombe United,” the forward declared.

Despite a lackluster league campaign, Sule called on supporters to maintain their faith in the team. “We urge all Enyimba fans to keep believing in us and praying for us. We promise not to disappoint them,” he added.

The People’s Elephant are determined to advance in the cup competition and redeem themselves after a difficult season in the Nigeria Professional Football League. The fixture against the Savannah Scorpions represents a crucial opportunity for the team to shift focus and deliver a positive result for their loyal followers.

Lobi Stars have made significant changes to their technical bench as they prepare for the upcoming Nigeria National League (NNL) campaign. The club, which fell short of securing promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) last term, is aiming to bounce back stronger.

In a move to strengthen the team’s foundation, assistant coaches Benjamin Kude and Mathias Asongu have been shifted to the club’s U-19 feeder team. They will collaborate with Stephen Waghbo, who has been assigned from the Benue State Sports Council.

Meanwhile, former Lobi Stars goalkeeper Jighjigh Ahungwa has taken up the role of goalkeeper coach. This appointment is part of the club’s strategy to enhance its developmental framework.

Additionally, ex-defender Odeh Ogah has been appointed as Assistant Team Manager for the U-19 side. The management believes these adjustments will foster a more competitive and disciplined squad capable of meeting the challenges of the new season.

Nigerian music star David Adeleke, widely recognized as Davido, has shared his intention to regain ownership of his music masters from Sony, his international record label, prior to his retirement. In a candid discussion on The Long Form podcast, the artist highlighted the critical role of ownership in the music business. He explained that his goal is to secure his masters and then allocate the royalty streams from his songs to his children after he steps away from the industry.

Davido stated, ‘I have a favorable recording contract, but what truly matters is possession of the work. I aim to retrieve my masters from Sony shortly. Once I do, I can assign specific tracks to each of my kids, ensuring they continue to benefit from royalties long after I stop making music.’ He further emphasized the need for artists to take the commercial aspects of their careers seriously, noting that understanding the business side is as important as creative output.

The singer’s remarks come amid ongoing discussions in the industry about artist rights and fair compensation, with many musicians advocating for greater control over their intellectual property. Davido’s proactive approach serves as a model for upcoming artists, underscoring the value of long-term planning and financial literacy in music.