Author: Gabby

The African champions, Nigeria’s Super Falcons, triumphed 2-1 over Senegal in an international friendly held at the Remo Stars Sports Complex in Ikenne on Friday.

Nigeria dominated from the opening whistle, but it took until near the half-hour mark before they broke the deadlock. Asisat Oshoala, a former African Women’s Footballer of the Year, calmly slotted home a penalty in the 32nd minute to open the scoring.

Just before halftime, Everton midfielder Toni Payne doubled Nigeria’s lead. She finished off a brilliant assist from right-back Shukurat Oladipo, driving the ball home with precision. Shortly after, captain Rasheedat Ajibade came close to adding a third, but her effort was saved by the Senegalese goalkeeper.

After the break, the match slowed down as Super Falcons coach Justine Madugu introduced several substitutes. Oshoala and Folashade Ijamilusi had Nigeria’s best opportunities in the second half, but they failed to convert. With four minutes left, Sokhna Nogaye pulled one back for Senegal with a long-range strike.

Both teams are set to meet again in a second friendly on Monday, also taking place in Ikenne.

Manchester City’s Spanish midfielder Rodri has tipped his national teammate Lamine Yamal to claim the Ballon d’Or in the coming years. Speaking during an interview with DAZN, the 29-year-old didn’t hold back in his praise, labeling the Barcelona winger an ‘animal’ on the pitch.

Rodri, who famously beat Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior to win the 2024 Ballon d’Or, expressed confidence in Yamal’s future. He stated, ‘One day he will win a Ballon d’Or because he is an animal. He is the present and future of Spanish football.’

The City star also highlighted Yamal’s maturity despite his young age. ‘Players of that caliber, who are unique in the world, will always have media repercussions. But he’s very mature and very focused for only 18 years old,’ Rodri added.

Yamal came close to winning the 2025 Ballon d’Or, finishing just behind PSG’s Ousmane Dembele. Despite the narrow miss, Rodri’s endorsement underscores the growing belief that the teenager is destined for the top individual honor.

Ismael Garcia Gomez, the assistant head coach of Galatasaray, has placed Victor Osimhen in the upper echelon of global forwards. In a recent interview, the coach singled out the Nigerian star as one of the top five strikers currently in world football.

Gomez highlighted several key attributes that set Osimhen apart, including his exceptional physical prowess and relentless work rate. He noted that Osimhen excels not only in scoring but also in pressing and defensive contributions.

Since his move from Napoli to Galatasaray, Osimhen has delivered consistently impressive performances. His displays have attracted interest from several elite European clubs, with Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Barcelona, and Chelsea all reportedly monitoring his situation ahead of the summer transfer window.

Speaking to Marca, Gomez remarked that Osimhen’s impact goes beyond mere goal-scoring. He emphasized the striker’s ability to unsettle opposing defenses even when not directly involved in the play, describing him as a player of extremely high caliber.

John Obuh, the chairman of Abia Warriors FC, has shared an ambitious roadmap for the club’s progression, as reported by DAILY POST. He emphasized that their primary goal is to establish a premier football institution capable of competing on the biggest stages.

Obuh highlighted that the organization’s strategy revolves around fostering excellence and nurturing emerging talent. “Our Vision. Our Pride. The Future of Nigerian Football,” he declared in a statement issued following the conclusion of the 2025/26 NPFL campaign.

“We are dedicated to achieving greatness both on and off the field through discipline, honesty, creativity, and a robust winning mentality. Our mission is to compete, grow, and motivate through top-tier football.”

DAILY POST notes that Abia Warriors previously featured in the CAF Confederation Cup two seasons ago. However, the Umuahia side fell short of securing a continental berth in the most recent season.

Yaya Toure, the iconic former midfielder for Manchester City and Barcelona, has officially accepted a position as the head coach of Slovan Bratislava, marking a significant step in his coaching career.

The Ivorian legend, now 43, will be joined by former Celtic and Swansea City defender Darren O’Dea, who will serve as his assistant. According to Sky Sports, the deal has been finalized.

Toure’s coaching journey includes a previous role as assistant coach for the Saudi Arabian national team and a spell working with Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League.

During his playing days, Toure was a key figure in Manchester City’s rise to dominance, winning three Premier League titles. At Barcelona, he added a UEFA Champions League trophy and two La Liga championships to his collection.

His appointment at Slovan Bratislava signals a new chapter for the Slovakian club as they look to build on their domestic success with a coach of Toure’s caliber.

The head coach of Sunshine Stars U-19, Nike Ayeni, has declared his team fully prepared for their upcoming President Federation Cup encounter against Barau FC. The Round of 16 showdown is scheduled for Saturday at the Bwari Township Stadium in Abuja.

In a pre-match statement, Ayeni emphasized the squad’s unwavering determination to secure a positive result. He stated, “Our players understand the importance of this fixture and are ready to give their absolute best. We are committed to fighting tirelessly until we emerge triumphant on Saturday.”

The Akure-based outfit is brimming with motivation as they aim to advance to the quarter-finals of the prestigious competition. Ayeni highlighted the team’s high morale and focus, noting that they are leaving no stone unturned in their preparations.

Barau FC, known as the Maliya Boys, will pose a formidable challenge, but Ayeni remains confident in his side’s ability to deliver. Victory in this match would propel Sunshine Stars U-19 one step closer to silverware in this year’s tournament.

AC Milan’s Portuguese winger Rafael Leao has indicated a desire to leave Serie A this summer, with the Premier League and La Liga emerging as his preferred destinations. The 25-year-old, who has been a key player for the Rossoneri since joining from Lille in 2019, admitted in an interview with SportTV that he is seeking a new challenge outside Italy.

“I want a new challenge out of Serie A. I follow the Premier League with great attention,” Leao stated. “If I have the opportunity to play there or in LaLiga, I would be really happy because my talent would be exalted there. Let’s see what will happen this summer.”

According to reports, AC Milan are prepared to listen to offers for the Portugal international, who has netted 80 goals in 291 appearances for the club. Leao’s comments suggest he is keen on a move to either England or Spain, where he believes his abilities would be showcased more prominently.

The winger’s potential transfer has attracted interest from several top clubs, with his pace and dribbling making him a sought-after asset. As the summer window approaches, Leao’s future at San Siro remains uncertain, but his public statements indicate a clear desire for a change of scenery.

Nigerian rapper Illbliss has urged citizens to embrace inclusivity and reject divisive rhetoric targeting non-indigenous residents in their states. Speaking on the Outside The Box podcast, the artist behind ‘Aiye Po Gan’ highlighted the significant role of Igbo traders and entrepreneurs in shaping Lagos’ economy.

Illbliss pointed out that Igbos have been instrumental in driving commerce and trade within Lagos, questioning how the state would function without their contributions. He expressed dismay over lingering tribalism and religious intolerance, calling them obstacles to national progress.

“I often wonder what Lagos would look like if all Igbos were asked to leave. Their input to the economy is undeniable,” he stated. “Yet, I hear comments like, ‘If you’re not from Lagos, go back to your state.’”

The rapper lamented that decades after independence, Nigeria still grapples with ethnic and religious divisions, making him question whether the country should have remained united. “We have no business being this divided. We should be accommodating one another, but sadly, tribalism persists,” Illbliss added.