Author: Promise Oluwarotimi
Former two-time UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has set his sights on a showdown with undefeated star Khamzat Chimaev, following the Chechen fighter’s dominant victory over Robert Whittaker in October. Adesanya, who is gearing up to face Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Fight Night 250 in Saudi Arabia on February 1, was impressed by Chimaev’s performance and believes a fight between them would be an exciting matchup. “I was surprised by the way Khamzat ran through Rob, that was crazy. That made me want to fight him. I was like, ‘okay, this guy’s actually really, really good,'” Adesanya said on…
Super Eagles striker Paul Onuachu is on the verge of signing a three-year deal with 16-time Süper Lig champions Beşiktaş, despite strong interest from Trabzonspor. According to reports in the Turkish media, Onuachu is set to make a high-profile return to Turkish football after a standout spell with Trabzonspor. The Nigerian forward’s impressive performance during his season-long loan spell with the Black Sea Storm, scoring 17 goals and providing four assists in 31 appearances, has left a lasting impression, with Süper Lig clubs now competing for his signature. Beşiktaş appear to be leading the race for the Nigerian striker,…
Newly crowned African Player of the Year, Ademola Lookman, has seen his market value skyrocket to €55m, according to reliable players’ statistics and valuation website, Transfermarkt. The Nigerian forward’s stock rose by €15m, leapfrogging Bayer Leverkusen’s Victor Boniface (€45m) to become Nigeria’s current second most valuable player behind Victor Osimhen (€75m). Lookman’s meteoric rise in the last two seasons has cemented his place among Nigeria’s most valuable footballers. As of the end of 2023, Lookman was valued at €30m. However, an outstanding 12 months saw him gain €25 million in market worth, representing a remarkable 83.33 per cent increase.…
Stand-in Head Coach Daniel Ogunmodede has announced an 18-man squad for the Super Eagles B’s African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifier against Ghana’s Black Galaxies on Sunday. The team, which includes experienced players like Rabiu Ali, Sadiq Ishmael, and Stephen Manyo, will face the Black Galaxies in Accra, Ghana, with the winner on aggregate advancing to the 8th African Nations Championship in Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda. The Super Eagles B, with Ogunmodede and Coaches Fidelis Ilechukwu and Olatunji Baruwa in charge, had staggered training sessions over three weeks from the month of October, before a final training camp commenced at…
Former two-time UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has been tipped as the favorite to defeat France’s Nassourdine Imavov in their upcoming main event clash at UFC Fight Night 250 in Saudi Arabia. According to bookmakers, Adesanya is slightly favored to emerge victorious in what will be his first non-title bout since defeating Anderson Silva in February 2019. The Nigerian-New Zealander will headline the UFC’s debut show in Saudi Arabia at the ANB Arena, Riyadh on February 1. Adesanya, 35, boasts an impressive 24-4 record with 16 knockout victories to his name. Despite consecutive losses to current champion Dricus du…
The Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) has unveiled a 15-player squad for the 2025 ICC U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup, scheduled to take place in Malaysia from January 18 to February 2, 2025. The team, captained by Lucky Piety, features a mix of experienced and young players, including Shola Adekunle, Peculiar Agboya, Anointed Aikigbe, Lillian Ude, and Christabel Chukwuonye. Other players are Kehinde Amusa, wicket keeper Deborah Bassey, Bieni Jessica, Omosigbo Eguakun, Victory Igbinedion, Naomi Memeh, Beauty Oguai, Inyene Umoh and super bowler Peace Usen. The squad remains unchanged from the qualifiers in Kigali, Rwanda, where Nigeria secured their spot…
Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen praises Anthony Nwakaeme his compatriot on social media after their teams clashed in the Super Lig on Monday. Galatasaray, with Osimhen on the bench, edged Trabzonspor 4-3 in a thrilling Turkish Super Lig encounter. Osimhen, who is on loan from Napoli, made a late appearance in the game, coming on in the 75th minute to add some firepower to Galatasaray’s attack. The Nigerian striker’s presence paid off, as the Lions scored a 98th-minute winner to seal the victory. Nwakaeme, 35, played the entire 90 minutes for Trabzonspor and had a decent game. After the match, Osimhen…
In-form newcomers Ikorodu City have received a stern punishment by the NPFL due to the unacceptable behaviour of their fans during the 1-1 draw with Remo Stars in the Southwest derby on Sunday. The disciplinary action comes after a thorough investigation into the incidents that marred their recent NPFL match, following the assault on Remo Stars assistant coach, Mr. Sulaimon Kamil. Ikorodu City Fined: NPFL Slam the Hammer On the New Boys The statement from the governing body read: “You are in breach of Rule B13.52 of the Framework and Rules of the Nigeria Premier Football League, in that on…
Trabzonspor is set to make a fresh bid for Nigerian striker Paul Onuachu, offering €8m plus another player in a desperate attempt to finalize the transfer before the Turkish transfer window closes. Despite facing challenges pursuing the prolific forward, the Black Sea club remains determined to push the deal through. Onuachu, who scored 17 goals in 25 matches last season, is surplus to the requirements at Southampton, and Trabzonspor is looking to capitalize on the situation. Trabzonspor President Ertuğrul Doğan expressed the club’s commitment to the transfer, stating, “We made the biggest offer to his club regarding Paul Onuachu. We…
Nigeria’s U-17 girls’ team, the Flamingos, secured a thrilling 3-2 victory over Ivory Coast on Monday, thanks to a hat-trick from scoring sensation Harmony Chidi, to finish top of Group B in the WAFU B U-17 Girls’ Cup. The Flamingos, who had already thrashed Niger Republic 9-0 in their opening match, completed the group campaign with maximum points and an impressive 12 goals scored while conceding only two. Ivory Coast, who had beaten Niger Republic 5-0, finished second in the group with three points and seven goals scored, three conceded. Chidi, who had previously netted 13 goals in the team’s…