Author: Gabby

Abia Warriors have turned to former Super Eagles goalkeeper Ike Shorunmu to lead the team for the rest of the campaign. The club’s management made the decision following the suspension of head coach Imama Amapakabo and his assistant Bethel Orji.

Both Amapakabo and Orji were told to stay away from all team activities after Abia Warriors suffered a 2-0 loss at home to Kun Khalifat FC on Sunday. That defeat ended any hopes the club had of qualifying for continental competition.

Adding to the team’s woes, Abia Warriors also fell to Ahudiyannem FC in the semifinals of the Abia State FA Cup. The Umuahia-based side will finish their season with an away match against Warri Wolves.

Galatasaray midfielder Mario Lemina has lavished praise on his teammate Victor Osimhen, calling him the most well-rounded striker in world football. In an interview on The 360 Experience with Onan Khosi, Lemina did not hold back his admiration for the Nigerian forward.

“Osimhen is the best striker on the planet,” Lemina stated, as reported by Forza Cimbom. “He is the most complete number nine I have ever come across. I genuinely believe he has no weaknesses.”

The midfielder went on to highlight Osimhen’s warrior-like mentality. “We share a great bond. Both of us crave victory intensely. When someone raises their voice on the pitch, it’s a positive signal for the squad. I appreciate that. Osimhen is a battler. His greatest asset is his hunger to compete and win,” Lemina added.

Osimhen has been in sensational form for Galatasaray, drawing attention from top clubs across Europe. The Super Eagles star continues to earn plaudits from teammates and pundits alike for his all-round game.

The Nigeria Women’s National Team, the Super Falcons, have been forced to cancel their planned training tour in the United Kingdom after their scheduled opponents, Jamaica, withdrew from the friendly match.

Initially set to take place from May 23 to 28, the tour was intended to include a training camp and a friendly against the Reggae Girlz. This was part of the team’s preparation for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) finals in Morocco.

According to reports, the cancellation stemmed from administrative issues on the Jamaican side. This is not the first time the Super Falcons have faced such a setback; last month, Cape Verde also pulled out of a double-header friendly series.

As a result, the Super Falcons will have to wait until the next FIFA women’s international window in June to secure a friendly match. Coach Justine Madugu’s team last played in March, defeating the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon 3-1 in Yaounde.

The defending WAFCON champions are expected to step up their preparations ahead of the tournament in Morocco this July.

Inter Milan icon Wesley Sneijder has shared his forecast for the Champions League final between Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain, suggesting a dominant victory for the French side.

The former Dutch midfielder, speaking to Hard Rock Bet and reported by Metro UK, highlighted Arsenal’s full-backs as a potential weakness. According to Sneijder, PSG’s strength on the flanks, particularly the left side, could prove decisive.

Arsenal secured their spot in the Budapest final by overcoming Atletico Madrid, while PSG defeated Bayern Munich. Sneijder believes the Gunners’ defense will struggle to contain PSG’s attacking threats, predicting a scoreline of 3-0 or 4-0 in favor of the Parisians.

However, he did not rule out an Arsenal victory entirely, stating that a narrow 1-0 win for Mikel Arteta’s side would be a ‘great job.’ Nonetheless, he emphasized that avoiding conceding against PSG will be extremely challenging.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has addressed the contentious VAR decision that played a pivotal role in Arsenal’s narrow victory against West Ham United. The Gunners secured a 1-0 win thanks to a late goal from Leandro Trossard, but the match ended in controversy when Callum Wilson’s equalizer was disallowed after a VAR review.

Speaking about the incident, Guardiola highlighted the challenges referees face when players engage in physical battles during set pieces. He stopped short of criticizing the decision directly, instead emphasizing the difficulty officials have in such situations.

Despite the result putting Arsenal five points clear of Manchester City with just two games remaining, Guardiola remained focused on his team’s upcoming match against Crystal Palace. He stressed the importance of concentrating on what they can control and improving their performance to stay in the title race.

The City manager’s comments come amid widespread debate over the use of VAR in the Premier League, with many questioning the consistency of decisions in high-stakes games. However, Guardiola refused to dwell on the controversy, insisting that his side must focus on their own fixtures and push for the title until the very end.

The Nigeria Football Federation’s Refereeing Development Committee has taken disciplinary action against referee Yakubu Adamu, barring him from officiating any league or football-related activities. According to an announcement on the official X handle of the Nigeria Premier Football League, Adamu was punished for awarding a penalty during the match between Rangers International and Bendel Insurance that violated the Laws of the Game.

The committee determined that the official’s call directly influenced the final result of the encounter. Additionally, it was stated that Adamu’s conduct brought the sport into disrepute. In the matchday 37 fixture, Rangers secured a 2-1 victory, thereby retaining their position at the summit of the NPFL standings.

With the season reaching its climax, the Flying Antelopes and Rivers United are set to contend for the championship on the concluding matchday. Rangers will travel to face Ikorodu City, while Rivers United will host Katsina United at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt.

Joe Cole, the former Chelsea midfielder, has outlined a transfer strategy for his old club that prioritizes experience over youth. Under BlueCo’s ownership, the Blues have focused on acquiring young talent, but Cole believes this approach has left the squad short on leadership. He suggests Chelsea should target three seasoned players, all over 30, to provide immediate support.

Among his recommendations is Robert Lewandowski, the 35-year-old Barcelona striker. Cole envisions the Polish star bringing his goal-scoring prowess to Stamford Bridge, potentially on a one-year contract. He argues that Lewandowski could easily handle 35 games per season while mentoring younger forwards like Joao Pedro and Liam Delap.

Cole also points to John Stones, the Manchester City defender, as a prime candidate. The 31-year-old is reportedly set to leave the Etihad at the end of the season, and Cole believes his experience would be invaluable to Chelsea’s defensive line.

In addition, Cole has renewed his call for Jordan Henderson, whom he previously suggested last summer—a suggestion that was met with laughter. Now playing for Brentford, Henderson’s impact is clear, according to Cole. He emphasized that the 35-year-old midfielder sets the tone and elevates those around him, despite not always making headlines. Cole stressed that Chelsea’s young players lack such guidance, highlighting the need for seasoned professionals who can provide intangible qualities off the pitch.

The Blues currently sit ninth in the Premier League table, and their European qualification hangs in the balance. Cole’s advice comes as Chelsea prepare for an FA Cup final against Manchester City, following a 1-1 draw with Liverpool. The addition of experienced heads, he believes, could steady the ship for the upcoming season.

Following the abrupt cancellation of their UK training camp, Nigeria’s Super Falcons have swiftly arranged a new friendly against a fellow WAFCON 2026 competitor. The team, led by coach Justine Madugu, originally planned to face Jamaica at the end of the month as part of their build-up to the African championship. However, administrative hurdles forced the Caribbean side to withdraw.

In response, the Nigerian women’s national team will now host a two-legged friendly series against one of the qualified teams for the upcoming Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. The matches are scheduled for the international window from June 7th to 14th, giving the Falcons valuable preparation time.

The Super Falcons are gearing up for WAFCON 2026, set to take place in Morocco from July 25th to August 16th. Nigeria aims to secure an unprecedented 11th continental title. They have been placed in Group C alongside Malawi, Zambia, and Egypt, and these friendlies will be crucial in fine-tuning their tactics and squad cohesion.

Manchester United icon Paul Scholes has called on the club to secure the signature of Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson when the transfer market reopens this summer. The former midfielder expressed his belief that Anderson could form an impactful partnership with Kobbie Mainoo in United’s engine room for the upcoming season.

Speaking on TalkSPORT’s morning show, Scholes shared his admiration for the young talent, noting he has followed Anderson’s progress since his time at Newcastle. However, the ex-England star emphasized that United require more than just one addition in the middle of the park. He stated that while Anderson would be a valuable acquisition, he hopes to see a double act of Anderson alongside Mainoo anchoring the midfield next term.

The Red Devils are expected to reinforce their midfield department in the summer transfer window, especially with Casemiro set to leave the club at the end of the current campaign. This impending departure opens the door for fresh recruits to step into the engine room. Scholes’ recommendation points to a young, dynamic pairing that could energize United’s play from the center of the pitch.