Tag: General Sports

Portuguese giants Benfica have made contact with KRC Genk regarding a potential move for Tolu Arokodare as the January transfer window nears its close.

The 24-year-old Nigerian striker has been in stellar form for Genk this season, catching the attention of clubs across Europe.

Reports from Portugal via Voetbalkrant suggest that Benfica are preparing a €9 million bid (approximately N14.14 billion) for Arokodare.

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However, Genk are holding out for at least double that amount, with the club’s sporting director, Dimitri De Condé, determined to avoid repeating the mistakes made with the January 2023 sale of Paul Onuachu, which hindered their title challenge that season.

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Currently sitting atop the Jupiler Pro League, Genk is heavily reliant on Arokodare, who has scored 14 goals in 23 league appearances this season.

His departure at this stage would be a major blow to their title ambitions. Head coach Thorsten Fink is reportedly intent on keeping the striker until the summer, fearing that his loss could disrupt the team’s momentum.

Despite Genk’s reluctance to sell now, Benfica’s interest remains strong.

The Portuguese side, looking to bolster their attack, is expected to test Genk’s resolve with a late bid before the window closes.

Genk is not outright opposed to Arokodare’s departure but prefers a deal that would allow him to stay until the end of the season.

Arokodare, meanwhile, is said to be weighing his options. Although not actively pushing for a January move, he is open to either staying until the summer or making the switch to Benfica.

His strong performances this season have also sparked speculation about a possible call-up to the Nigerian national team in March.

Source: The Athletic NG

Victor Osimhen is firmly in the race for the Europa League Golden Boot after netting a late goal for Galatasaray in their 2-1 defeat to Ajax in their final group stage match.

Osimhen, 26, has been in prolific form, scored his fifth goal in six Europa League appearances this season.

Despite his efforts, Galatasaray’s unbeaten run was halted by Ajax at the Johan Cruijff Arena, as the Turkish side suffered their first loss of the season.

Osimhen, fresh off a run of three consecutive goals, had several chances in the Ajax match, including a missed header early in the first half.

However, it was in stoppage time that he showed his sharp striker’s instinct, converting a rebound to pull one back for Galatasaray.

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While Ajax took control with goals from Bertrand Traore and Kian Fritz-Jim, Osimhen’s strike was the highlight for the Turkish champions, who dominated the match with 26 shots but only managed to score once.

With 17 goals in 21 games this season, Osimhen continues to impress on multiple fronts, as he seeks to add the Europa League Golden Boot to his collection.

Currently, Olympiacos’ 31-year-old striker Ayoub El Kaabi leads the Europa League goal-scoring charts with 7 goals, followed by Barnabas Varga of Ferencvárosi with 6.

Osimhen is tied on 5 goals with Manchester United’s Rasmus Højlund and his Galatasaray teammate Yunus Akgün as the race intensifies heading into the knockout rounds.

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Despite the defeat, Galatasaray progressed to the last 16 of the competition, with Osimhen’s goal tally helping keep their European ambitions alive.

Source: The Athletic NG

The Champions League group stage has come to an end, and the teams set for the knockout rounds are now confirmed after some intense drama.

Manchester City pulled off a thrilling comeback against Club Brugge to secure their spot in the play-offs, while Aston Villa and Arsenal joined Liverpool—who had already qualified—in the last 16.

Here’s the full breakdown:

Champions League Last 16:

Liverpool, Barcelona, Arsenal, Inter Milan, Atletico Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, Lille, Aston Villa.

Knockout Phase Play-offs:

Atalanta, Borussia Dortmund, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, AC Milan, PSV Eindhoven, Paris Saint-Germain, Benfica, Monaco, Brest, Feyenoord, Juventus, Celtic, Manchester City, Sporting CP, Club Brugge.

Eliminated:

Dinamo Zagreb, Stuttgart, Shakhtar Donetsk, Bologna, Sparta Prague, Leipzig, Girona, Red Star Belgrade, Sturm Graz, Salzburg, Slovan Bratislava, Young Boys.

With the Champions League knockout rounds approaching, teams finishing between 9th and 24th will face off in two-legged play-off ties on February 11-12 and 18-19 to determine who advances to the last 16.

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The play-off draw will take place on Friday, January 31, and teams already have an idea of who they could face based on their final group-stage rankings.

Some of the most exciting matchups are ahead: Celtic or Manchester City will face defending champions Real Madrid, with the other meeting Bayern Munich.

The winners will then face either Atletico Madrid or Bayer Leverkusen in the last 16. Juventus and AC Milan could meet, while Paris Saint-Germain will battle either Monaco or Brest!

Who’s facing who in the last 16?

Liverpool and Barcelona, who both finished at the top of their groups, will not meet until the final. The Reds will play either Monaco, Brest, PSG, or Benfica, with Barcelona facing one of the same teams.

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Arsenal will face either Feyenoord, Juventus, AC Milan, or PSV Eindhoven, while Aston Villa, having secured a top-eight finish, will take on Sporting CP, Club Brugge, Atalanta, or Borussia Dortmund.

The last-16 ties will take place on March 4-5 and 11-12, with the exact matchups revealed during the draw on February 21.

That day will also determine the path to the final, as the quarterfinal and semifinal draws will take place.

Source: The Athletic NG

Super Eagles midfielder Raphael Onyedika expressed his excitement after scoring his first-ever goal in the UEFA Champions League during Club Brugge’s 3-1 defeat to Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday.

Onyedika’s goal, which came just before halftime, gave the Belgian side a 1-0 lead.

While Manchester City dominated possession, Brugge kept pace with nearly the same number of shots on goal.

However, Manchester City responded strongly in the second half, with Mateo Kovacic, Joel Ordonez (own goal), and Savinho scoring to secure the comeback win.

Super Eagles’ Raphael Onyedika describes scoring against Man City as an “amazing feeling.”

Also, he discusses his Champions League goals, his future amid transfer speculation, the Super Eagles, and the upcoming World Cup qualifiers… stay tuned! #UCL pic.twitter.com/qWA35RsjFu

— Shina Oludare (@sportingshina) January 29, 2025

Despite the loss, which meant Club Brugge had to settle for qualification to the Champions League playoffs rather than a win, Onyedika couldn’t hide his joy over his personal achievement.

“I don’t know how to put it, but it’s an amazing feeling to score my first goal in City’s stadium. I’m so proud,” Onyedika told Shina Oludare.

Reflecting on the match, Onyedika admitted the challenge of holding onto the lead against EPL Champions Manchester City.

“We knew it would be difficult after we got the first goal, we were a bit sloppy. And when we conceded the first goal, they had more momentum and energy, so it was much more difficult for us because of our mistakes.”

Though Brugge lost the match, they still secured a spot in the Champions League knockout stage, where they will face either Borussia Dortmund or Atalanta.

Manchester City will play Real Madrid or Bayern Munich in the round of 16.

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Looking forward, Onyedika remains determined to continue his strong performances as Club Brugge prepares for the next stage of the competition.

The Champions League playoff draw will take place on Friday, January 31.

Source: The Athletic NG

Rivers United and Enyimba quest for the Nigeria Premier football league (NPFL) title was dealt a setback today as they were both held to draw at home by Bendel Insurance and Heartland on match day 20.

In Port Harcourt, Bendel Insurance took an early lead in the 6th minute through Meyiwa Oritseweyinmi.

Rivers United responded ten minutes before halftime with a stunning 25-yard strike from Ubong Friday, leveling the score.

Just five minutes into the second half, Uche Collins put Bendel Insurance back in front.

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However, the home side quickly found their equalizer, with Handsome Surveyor scoring in the 52nd minute to make it 2-2.

The draw sees Rivers United drop to third place in the standings with 35 points from 21 matches, now seven points behind leaders Remo Stars.

In other action, Enyimba were held to a 1-1 draw by Heartland in the ‘Oriental Derby.’

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Heartland took the lead in the 18th minute when Daniel Ekpo converted a penalty after being fouled in the box.

Enyimba responded ten minutes into the second half with an equalizer from Joseph Atule, leaving the game tied at 1-1.

The result leaves Enyimba in eighth place with 28 points from 20 matches.

Elsewhere, Niger Tornadoes moved up to seventh with a 2-1 victory over Kwara United, while Katsina United secured a last-minute penalty to defeat Plateau United, moving five points clear of the relegation zone.

Remo Stars continued their impressive form with a hard-fought 3-2 win over Abia Warriors, taking their points tally to 42. With Shooting Stars trailing by six points in second place, Remo now look in control of the title race as they secured a fourth consecutive league win.

Nigeria Premier football league 2024/2025 season returns this weekend with match day 22.

Source: The Athletic NG

Napoli have rejected an initial €65 million offer from Galatasaray for Victor Osimhen, with club president Aurelio De Laurentiis insisting the Nigerian striker will only leave for the full €75 million release clause.

Galatasaray, who currently have Osimhen on loan until the end of the season, submitted their first official bid to Napoli in hopes of securing a permanent transfer before the January window closes.

According to Corriere dello Sport, Napoli swiftly rejected the offer, maintaining their position that the player will only be sold for the full value of his clause.

Osimhen has been in sensational form for Galatasaray, scoring nearly a goal per game in the Turkish Süper Lig.

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His performances have prompted the Turkish champions to seek a permanent deal, but their €65 million bid fell €10 million short of Napoli’s asking price.

The intricacies of Osimhen’s contract come into focus here. His original release clause was set at €130 million but was renegotiated last summer when he signed a new deal with Napoli before moving to Turkey on loan.

The new agreement allows Galatasaray an exclusive option to sign him for €75 million in January—€6 million less than any other club would need to pay to acquire him mid-season.

For clubs outside of Galatasaray, Osimhen’s release clause in January stands at €81 million, but this drops to €75 million for all suitors starting in the summer.

Napoli are not in a rush to sell, particularly given Osimhen’s continued high-level performances, and De Laurentiis is prepared to wait until the summer when more suitors and potentially higher offers are expected.

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Premier League giants Chelsea, Arsenal, and Manchester United remain keen on Osimhen, with former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel reportedly helping to persuade the striker to prioritize a move to Stamford Bridge.

Meanwhile, Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has urged the club to push for Osimhen’s signature during the winter transfer window.

Source: The Athletic NG

Arsenal icon Robert Pires has called on Mikel Arteta to make a decisive move for Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen, believing the Super Eagles forward could be the key to the club’s Premier League title aspirations.

Pires, a vital member of Arsenal’s Invincibles squad, emphasized the need for a top-tier, clinical striker to help the Gunners reclaim the Premier League title, which they last won in 2004.

Despite finishing as runners-up to Manchester City in the past two seasons, Arsenal currently sit second in the table, six points behind leaders Liverpool.

While their defense remains one of the league’s best, their attack has been under the microscope, with injuries to Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus further highlighting the need for a prolific forward.

Arteta has publicly expressed his intention to strengthen his attacking options, with links to players like Alexander Isak and Benjamin Sesko.

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However, Pires believes that Osimhen, who is currently on loan at Galatasaray from Napoli, is the ideal player to elevate Arsenal’s frontline.

In an exclusive interview with the Daily Mail, Pires made it clear that Osimhen should be Arteta’s primary target.

“Victor Osimhen,” Pires stated. “He has a great profile to play for Arsenal, alongside players like Gabriel Martinelli, Martin Ødegaard, Kai Havertz, and Bukayo Saka. 

“But I’m not the owner or manager – I’m just an Arsenal fan who will always support them. If we could bring in one player though, it would have to be Osimhen.”

Pires also reflected on the attacking options available to Arsenal during his playing days, comparing them to the current squad.

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He highlighted the difference between his time, when he played alongside world-class forwards like Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp, and Nwankwo Kanu, and the present-day team.

“Of course, I respect the decisions of Mikel Arteta and Arsenal,” he said. “But in my time, I played with Henry, Bergkamp, and Kanu, so we had three real strikers. It was easier to score goals back then. But maybe this is just the new football, and we have to adapt to the philosophy.”

Osimhen was heavily linked with a Premier League move last summer, with Chelsea making an aggressive push for his signature.

The 26-year-old has continued to impress in Turkey, scoring 12 goals in 15 Super Lig appearances and 16 goals in 20 matches across all competitions.

His form has reignited speculation about his future, with reports suggesting he included a break clause in his loan deal, which could allow him to leave in January if a major European club comes calling.

Source: The Athletic NG

Victor Boniface highly anticipated transfer to Saudi Arabian powerhouse Al Nassr has been dramatically derailed after the club chose to secure Aston Villa’s Jhon Duran in a stunning €77m deal.

Al Nassr’s swift pivot to the Colombian striker effectively ended their pursuit of Boniface, who had been in advanced talks with the club.

Despite a Al Nassr delegation being stationed in Germany to finalize the deal, the transfer has now fallen apart.

In a fast turn of events, the Riyadh-based side quickly wrapped up terms with Duran, leaving Boniface’s future uncertain.

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The 21-year-old forward is now set to join Cristiano Ronaldo and other big names at Al Nassr, with a medical scheduled for Thursday.

Boniface, whose move was once thought to be a done deal, must now return to Bayer Leverkusen and refocus on his Bundesliga career.

Bayer Leverkusen Director Rolfes spoke on the deal early today.

“There have been talks, but we are happy that he will be training with us today. I assume that he will stay. He feels comfortable here, his attitude towards the club is unchanged.”

The Nigerian star had been excused from training as talks heated up, but now, he faces a major setback in his career ambitions.

Boniface, who previously played for Norwegian club Bodo/Glimt, made the switch to Leverkusen from Belgium’s Union Saint-Gilloise in 2023.

The 24-year-old, whose contract with Leverkusen runs through 2028.

During his debut season, he was instrumental in Leverkusen’s success, helping the club win the Bundesliga, German Cup, and German Super Cup in 2024.

He netted 21 goals and provided 10 assists in 34 appearances for Xabi Alonso’s side.

However, a hamstring injury in November, along with ongoing fitness issues, has limited Boniface to 15 appearances this season, in which he has scored eight goals.

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Boniface was set for a life changing transfer move to Al Nassr after he reportedly agreed to a 3 year contract worth €15 million annually ( about 25 billion naira)

Will the 24-year-old rebound from this transfer disaster? Only time will tell as he looks to reclaim his starting role with Leverkusen.

Source: The Athletic NG

Dr Patrice Motsepe, President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), and Patrick Pouyanné, Chairman and CEO of TotalEnergies, have finalized a historic three-year extension of their partnership.

The agreement, announced just a day after the Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 Final draw, will see TotalEnergies continue as the primary sponsor for 12 major CAF events from 2025 to 2028.

The renewed partnership includes high-profile tournaments like the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2024, TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025, and the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda in 2027.

Additionally, the energy giants will support the CAF African Schools Football Championship from 2025, a key initiative aimed at fostering football development among young boys and girls across the continent.

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CAF President Dr. Motsepe expressed his enthusiasm.

“CAF is excited to continue its partnership with TotalEnergies and its Chairman and CEO Patrick Pouyanné, whom I respect and have known for many years. This partnership contributes to the development and global competitiveness of football in the 54 African countries whose Football Federations are Members of CAF.”

The South African billionaire further outline CAF’s initiatives to develop football on the continent.

“CAF has introduced several projects over the past few years to develop the game, including the TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, TotalEnergies CAF U-23 Africa Cup of Nations, and the TotalEnergies CAF Futsal Africa Cup of Nations. This partnership plays a significant role in advancing these initiatives.”

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Patrick Pouyanné, Chairman and CEO of TotalEnergies, emphasized the company’s long-standing commitment to Africa.

“TotalEnergies has been present in Africa for over 90 years, and we are proud to continue supporting the continent’s football growth.

This partnership goes beyond sponsorship—it’s about empowering the next generation of African footballers and enhancing the global visibility of the sport in Africa.”

With over 90 years of experience in Africa, TotalEnergies remains dedicated to supporting the continent’s sports and energy sectors while leading the charge in energy transition.

Source: The Athletic NG

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially unveiled the list of candidates who will contest in the upcoming elections, with several key figures vying for various positions.

Former Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president Amaju Melvin Pinnick has made the final list for the FIFA Elective Council, a key position in the governance of African football.

Other candidates vying for seats on the FIFA Elective Council include Morocco’s Fouzi Lekja, Senegal’s Augustin Senghor, and Zambia’s Andrew Kamanga, among others.

However, one high-profile name, Samuel Eto’o, the president of the Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT), is notably absent from the list.

Eto’o, who had previously expressed interest in running for the position of CAF president alongside incumbent Patrice Motsepe, was excluded from the elections.

His exclusion was attributed to ethical concerns surrounding his convictions in Spain, along with a lack of clearance from FIFA.

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Additionally, Seidou Mbombo Njoya, another potential candidate from Cameroon, failed to gain support from the Cameroonian Football Association (Fecafoot), which did not submit his documents for consideration.

In a significant development, current CAF President Patrice Motsepe has been cleared and will run unopposed for a second term.

This marks a crucial moment for African football, as Motsepe’s leadership is set to continue without challenge, ensuring stability at the helm of the continental football body.

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As the elections approach, no candidate from Cameroon will be involved in the decision-making process at CAF, adding an interesting dynamic to the race.

The election will determine key leadership roles for the future of African football, with Motsepe continuing as president for a second term by default.

Source: The Athletic NG