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NPFL: Finidi Unhappy With Rivers United’s Draw With Abia Warriors
Rivers United technical adviser Finidi George can’t hide his disappointment following his side’s away draw against Abia Warriors.
The former Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, champions were held to a 1-1 draw by Imama Amapakabo’s side at the Umuahia Township Stadium on Sunday.
Rivers United scored the game’s opening goal through Maclyn Biokpo three minutes from time.
Suraj Lawal however equalised for Abia Warriors deep into stoppage time.
Read Also:NPFL: Mohammed Disappointed With Tornadoes’ Loss To Kwara United
Finidi lamented his team’s failure to protect their lead.
Finidi Rues Draw In Umuahia
“It’s just concentration, we need to get the players stronger mentally to be able to manage games when the match is almost over,” Finidi told Rivers United’s media.
“It’s not a physical thing about managing games, it’s just unfortunate how the goal was conceded.
“We came to Umuahia not to lose or maybe the players were not even sure if we can get a victory from this game but overall its a sad one.”
By Adeboye Amosu
Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt
The 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, has ended its ‘Invitation Football Competition 2025’ held at the premises of the Division headquarters in Port Harcourt, in Rivers State.
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) the Division, Major General Emmanuel Emekah, speaking at the end of the match, said the primary aim of hosting the “GOC Division Invitation Football Competition 2025” was to engage the minds of the youths.
Noting that “an idle mind is devil’s workshop”, Major General Emekah said it was necessary to employ none kinetic approach to engage the mind of the young officers.
The GOC who doubles as the Land Component Commander, Joint Task Force, South South, Operation Delta Safe, emphasised on the importance of physical fitness to Nigerian Army, expressing satisfaction with the tournament.
“What we try to do is to keep our youths busy and that is the primary reason we are doing this. We conduct both kinetic and non-kinetic operations and this is one of the non-kinetic.
“This will help to keep their minds fit, physical fitness is important and if you’re physically fit, it will keep your brain and mind at alert,” he noted.
He stated further that “From here we spot talents that will project beyond the barracks. Today’s match was quite impressive, but they will do better in subsequent competition.
“This is an invitational tournament. There is no need for a winner or loser. They did not show the spirit behind the competition because it is supposed to be a novelty match. I however congratulate you for winning”, Maj Gen. Emekah hailed the winning team.
Python 6 Division Football Club defeated Ugboro FC, a visiting team from Cross River State 4 -1. Trophy and cash were presented to winning teams in the week- long tournament.
Wayne Rooney has accused Egyptian International, Mohamed Salah of damaging his own reputation at Liverpool after the forward publicly claimed he had been “thrown under the bus” by the club.
Mohamed Salah’s comments came after Liverpool’s dramatic 3-3 draw with Leeds United, where he was left on the bench once again. The Egyptian said his relationship with head coach Arne Slot had collapsed, a statement that has sparked questions over his future at Anfield.
Rooney, speaking on his podcast, urged Slot to show leadership by removing Salah from the squad for upcoming matches, including Tuesday’s Champions League trip to Inter Milan and the home game against Brighton.
“Arne Slot has to show his authority and pull him in and say, ‘you are not travelling with the team, what you said is not acceptable, ’” Rooney said. “Take yourself off to AFCON and let everything calm down. If I were him, there would be no way he would be in the team.”
Rooney went further, saying Salah now faces a choice between resolving his issues with Slot or preparing to walk away from the club where he has become a modern icon.
“It needs to be sorted out quickly either way,” he added.
Salah signed a two-year extension in April but has endured a difficult start to the season. He has five goals in nineteen games and has been left out of the starting line-up for three matches in a row, a situation that has fuelled his frustration.
His remarks have already drawn interest from abroad. Reports in England claim Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal are ready to make a move in January and believe they can tempt Liverpool into a cut-price deal for the 33-year-old. Salah has scored 250 goals in 420 appearances since joining Liverpool, making him one of the most prolific players in the club’s history.
Al Hilal, now coached by Simone Inzaghi, are expected to face competition from clubs in Europe. GiveMeSport also reports that MLS side San Diego is exploring a potential offer as they prepare for their entry into the league.
According to BBC Sport, Liverpool are keeping an open mind on Salah’s future ahead of the January window. The forward is also said to be open to a new challenge.
© 2025 Naija News, a division of Polance Media Inc. Contact us via [email protected]
The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, has confirmed the international friendly between the Super Eagles and Pharaohs of Egypt will hold on Tuesday, 16 December.
Nigeria and Egypt were earlier scheduled to clash on Sunday, 14 December.
The decision by world football-governing body, FIFA that cubs can hold on to their players until Monday, 15 December before they are released for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations necessitated the postponement.
Aside from the postponement, the game will now be a practice match in order to allow the two teams to make use of more than five substitutes in the encounter.
The game will hold at the Cairo International Stadium.
It will kick-off at 8pm Nigerian time .
The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, on Monday announced a new date for the pre-2025 Africa Cup of Nations friendly between the Super Eagles and Pharaohs of Egypt.
According to the NFF, the friendly which was earlier scheduled to hold on Sunday, 14 December has now been shifted to Tuesday, 16 December.
The NFF declared that FIFA’s decision that clubs can hold on to their players until Monday, 15 December before they are released for AFCON 2025 in Morocco necessitated the postponement.
Read Also:AFCON 2025: Super Eagles Vs Egypt Friendly Get New Date
Aside from the postponement, the game will now be a practice match in order to allow the two teams to make use of more than five substitutes in the encounter.
The game slated for the Cairo International Stadium will kick off at 8pm Egypt time (7pm Nigeria time).
The Super Eagles are drawn in Group C of the AFCON 2025 finals alongside 2004 champions Tunisia, 1978 runners-up Uganda, and Tanzania.
Nigeria’s first match is on Tuesday, 23 December against Tanzania’s Taifa Stars at the Complexe Sportif de Fes, where they will also tackle Tunisia’s Carthage Eagles (Saturday, 27 December) and the Cranes of Uganda (Tuesday, 30 December).
By Adeboye Amosu
SPORT
Xabi Alonso Blames Injuries, Referee Decisions After Real Madrid’s Shock Home Loss To Celta Vigo
Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso offered a blunt assessment of his team’s 2-0 defeat to Celta Vigo, pointing to a mix of tactical disruption, red cards and refereeing decisions that left his side four points behind LaLiga leaders Barcelona.
Two second-half goals from Williot Swedberg stunned the Santiago Bernabeu crowd on Sunday, as Celta Vigo punished Madrid’s mistakes and capitalised on moments of uncertainty. The hosts were reduced to ten men following red cards shown to Fran García and Álvaro Carreras, further complicating Madrid’s response.
Alonso admitted that Real Madrid never reached the rhythm he expected, especially after Éder Militão suffered an injury that forced an early reshuffle.
“We’d planned the match after the Bilbao game to play at a good pace and put pressure on a good side. We were lacking in some areas, and the injury disrupted our plans. We struggled to react; almost the best reaction was when we were down to ten men,” he said after the match.
The Spaniard also turned his frustration towards referee Quintero González, arguing that several decisions unsettled his players.
“The referee’s decisions have driven us crazy. The referee was itching to give the card to Álvaro Carreras. The refereeing has been very poor. The time-wasting, overall I didn’t like the refereeing,” Alonso said.
© 2025 Naija News, a division of Polance Media Inc. Contact us via [email protected]
Maduka Okoye will be released by Udinese for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after their Serie A clash with champions Napoli on Saturday, DAILY POST reports.
Okoye was earlier expected to link up with his international teammates in camp on Monday (today).
The Federation of International Football Association, FIFA, has however ruled that clubs can keep players until December 15.
Udinese head coach Kosta Runjaic confirmed the goalkeeper will leave for international duty after Napoli’s visit to the Bluenergy Stadium this weekend.
“We’re considering this issue. After Napoli, we’ll probably no longer have Rui Modesto, Okoye, Bayo, and Zemura, but we’ve known about it for some time,” Runjaic was quoted by the club’s official website.
The 25-year-old will be making his second AFCON appearance in Morocco.
He was Super Eagles’ first choice goalkeeper at the AFCON 2021 finals in Cameroon.
Eric_Chelle_Reactsto_Nigeria_Performance_SportPremi
The upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco has put Nigeria’s Super Eagles under intense scrutiny as head coach Eric Chelle prepares to finalize his 28-man squad.
Chelle is expected to announce the roster this week, ahead of the tournament kicking off later this month.
His initial 54-man provisional squad drew mixed reactions, with critics urging for more players to be given international opportunities. The decision by FIFA to shorten preparation time to just about a week has complicated squad selection, limiting the possibility of a full overhaul.
Chelle, according to SCORENigeria, plans to bring in “four or five new players” to refresh the team.
Among those likely to be included are Ryan Alebiosu, the Blackburn Rovers’ promising right-back and Arsenal academy graduate making waves in the English Championship.
Others Ebenezer Akinsanmiro, the 21-year-old defensive midfielder on loan to Pisa from Inter Milan who is seen as part of the team’s future, especially as Nigeria transitions after missing out on World Cup qualification.
There is also Igoh Ogbu, the Slavia Praha’s central defender with previous national team exposure who could get another shot given injuries and absences in defense while experienced Trabzonspor’s striker, Paul Onuachu who is the Turkish Super Lig’s top scorer this season with 11 goals, expected to be recalled to provide more attacking options alongside Victor Osimhen.
But significant absences may include injured Ola Aina as well as Bright Osayi-Samuel who has been struggling for playing time at Birmingham City.
The final squads must be submitted by Thursday, which adds urgency to Chelle’s decision-making.
The AFCON 2025 will provide an important platform for emerging Nigerian players to prove themselves on a big stage while also testing the blend of youthful energy and experienced stars like Onuachu and Osimhen. Fans and stakeholders await the final squad announcement amid hopes for a strong showing in Morocco.
Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso has downplayed growing speculation about his potential sack following the club’s surprise 2-0 home defeat to Celta Vigo on Sunday.
The match, played at the Santiago Bernabeu, saw Real Madrid slump to a disappointing loss courtesy of two goals from Swedish youngster Williot Swedberg. The result sparked immediate speculation in the Spanish media over Alonso’s future at the helm.
However, in his post-match press conference, Alonso made it clear that he was not distracted by the reports, insisting that his sole focus remains on Real Madrid’s next game, a crucial UEFA Champions League tie against Manchester City.
“Rumours I’m getting fired? I’m not thinking of that, I’m just thinking of Wednesday’s game,” the Spanish tactician said.
Despite the pressure, Alonso struck a note of optimism and solidarity within the team. “We are all united,” he added, suggesting there is no internal crisis despite the recent result.
Naija News reports that with the defeat, Real Madrid now sit four points behind arch-rivals and current LaLiga leaders, Barcelona. The result has intensified scrutiny on Alonso, who joined Madrid after a successful stint with Bayer Leverkusen.
The upcoming clash against Manchester City in the Champions League is now seen as crucial for Alonso, both to reassert control over Madrid’s season and to silence growing criticism.
© 2025 Naija News, a division of Polance Media Inc. Contact us via [email protected]
Atalanta head coach, Raffaele Palladino has discussed Ademola Lookman’s impending departure for international duty.
Lookman is expected to be named in Super Eagles’ squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations this week.
The former African Footballer of the Year will link up with his international teammates in camp next week Monday.
The 28-year-old will be away for one month should Nigeria go all the way to the final of the competition.
Atalanta will also lose defender Odilon Kossounou to Cote d’Ivoire.
Palladino expressed disappointment with the duo impending absence.
“We are losing two important players for us [Lookman and Kossounou], strong and decisive, but we are regaining Kolasinac and Scalvini, who are equally important,” he told reporters.
Real Madrid legend Guti believes Kylian Mbappe has the potential to win the Ballon d’Or award.
Guti was speaking about the claims of Spain coach Luis de la Fuente that Yamal can reach the heights of Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
While acknowledging the youngster’s immense talent, Guti highlighted the sheer consistency required to sit at the table of the big three.
Read Also:Turkey: Dennis On Target In Göztepe’s Loss To Trabzonspor
“Wow. I see him as a fantastic player and a potential Ballon d’Or winner, but you’re talking about three players who are the best in the world,” Guti told AS.
“Maradona won the World Cup in Mexico without having a great team, and Messi and Cristiano won by scoring 50 goals over ten years.
“That’s going to be very difficult for just anyone to achieve. I see Kylian as closer to achieving it than Lamine.”