Super Eagles striker Tolu Arokodare was on target as Wolves lost 2-1 to Arsenal in Saturday’s Premier League game.

The Nigerian international, who was making his 12th appearance, netted his first Premier League goal for Wolves this ongoing season.

Read Also:Serie A: Lookman Plays 90 Minutes In Atalanta Win Vs Cagliari

Arsenal dominated possession throughout but struggled to break their defensively disciplined opponents down.

That was until midway through the second half, when a Sam Johnstone own goal from a Bukayo Saka corner broke the deadlock.

Wolves thought they had snatched a point when Tolu Arokodare headed in a 90th-minute equaliser but Rob Edwards’ spirited side were hit with a late sucker punch to remain 13 points adrift of safety.

SOURCE PAGE

ABS FC forward Jamiu Sa’ad has expressed his desire to help the club secure promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL.

DAILY POST recalls that ABS last played in the NPFL in 2010.

Sa’ad, who has scored three times in the Nigeria National League, NNL, said he is determined to increase his goal tally and help the club achieve its target.

“I’m grateful for the goals so far, but I want to score more,” Sa’ad told ABS FC Media.

“My focus is to stay consistent and keep delivering for the team every game. Our main target this season is to promote to the NPFL.

“That is the dream for everyone at the club, and I’m ready to give everything to help us achieve it.”

SOURCE PAGE

Galatasaray head coach Okan Buruk has praised Victor Osimhen for his performance in the club’s 4-1 win over Antalyaspor.

Osimhen scored Galatasaray’s third goal of the game in the 56th minute.

Leroy Sane, Burak Yilmaz and Mauro Icardi were also on target for the Yellow and Reds in the away win.

Osimhen has so far scored 12 goals in 16 appearances for the Turkish Super Lig champions this season.

Read Also:Turkey: Osimhen On Target In Galatasaray’s Win Over Antalyalspor

Buruk highlighted the forward’s role in the win.

“Sané’s, Osimhen’s, and Barış’s performances; with Torreira and İlkay’s contributions in midfield, and adding the defense as well, overall we had a very good team performance” Buruk was quoted by the club’s official website.

“In this intense fixture schedule, there will be times when we need to calm the game down a bit and keep possession of the ball. We did this better after scoring the third goal in the second half. At the end of the day, we secured a very valuable victory. I thank my players.”

“I also want to thank our fans who always support us. There was incredible support at the airport, in front of the hotel, and at the stadium. They were with us today as well.”

By Adeboye Amosu

SOURCE PAGE

Chelsea eased back onto the winning path in the Premier League with a 2-0 victory over Everton at Stamford Bridge.

During the Premier League game in West London, Chelsea set the tone early and never really loosened their grip. The breakthrough arrived in the 21st minute when Cole Palmer timed his run perfectly to meet Malo Gusto’s pass and steer the ball home.

The hosts continued to play with purpose and were rewarded again deep into first-half stoppage time. This time, Gusto completed a fine all-round display by finishing off a move started by Pedro Neto, giving Chelsea a commanding lead at the interval.

Everton showed greater urgency after the restart and enjoyed spells of pressure, reflected in their seven corners compared to Chelsea’s four. Iliman Ndiaye and Jack Grealish were at the heart of Everton’s attacking efforts, but clear chances went begging and Chelsea’s back line remained composed. In the end, the difference lay in Chelsea’s sharpness before the break, with Gusto’s goal and assist proving decisive.

The result lifts Chelsea back to the Premier League top four temporarily. Everton, sitting seventh, saw their hopes of closing the gap on the European spots take a dent.

At Anfield, Liverpool also recorded a timely 2-0 win over Brighton, a match shaped by early drama and a notable tactical call from manager Arne Slot.

Hugo Ekitike struck almost immediately, finding the net inside the opening minute to give the hosts a flying start. Moments later, Liverpool were forced into an early change when Joe Gomez went off injured, prompting Slot to introduce Mohamed Salah in the 26th minute.

It was a significant moment, marking Salah’s first appearance since he criticised the club, saying he felt the Premier League giants “have thrown him under a bus”. His presence instantly lifted the crowd and sharpened Liverpool’s attacking edge.

Brighton threatened in patches and forced Liverpool to stay alert, but struggled to make their chances count. Salah tested the visiting goalkeeper just before the hour mark, and seconds later Liverpool doubled their lead. From the resulting pressure, Salah delivered the assist as Ekitike rose highest to head home and complete his brace.

Liverpool were ruthless, converting their only two shots on target into goals. Brighton, despite enjoying plenty of possession and creating openings, managed just one effort on target and were left frustrated by their lack of cutting edge.

The win has pushed Liverpool up to the 6th spot on the Premier League table pending the outcome of other Matchday 16 games. As for Brighton, they are currently occupying the 9th spot.

© 2025 Naija News, a division of Polance Media Inc. Contact us via [email protected]

SOURCE PAGE

Legendary wrestler, Undertaker, has reacted to John Cena’s decision to retire from the sport.

Cena is set to step aside after 23 memorable years of fighting.

The 17-time champion meets Gunther in the main event of Saturday Night’s Main Event at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.

Undertaker wrote on X: “‘Nice job’
“Those were the words I said to you 23 years ago when you debuted. Now, on the day of your final match, I say again…nice job.

“Hustle, loyalty, and respect is more than just a catchphrase. For 23 years you have lived by those words. Your passion for our business and dedication to our fan base is unmatched.

“To have shared the ring with you and have been a part of your journey has been an honour. As your in-ring career winds down, be proud of the body of work and the memories you’ve created.

“Enjoy the last ride tonight my friend and one final time…nice job.”

SOURCE PAGE

Bendel Insurance extended their unbeaten streak to five games after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Rangers at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City on Saturday.

Both teams fought hard in the first half, failing to hit target despite creating a couple of chances.

‎Promise Anyanwu gave Insurance the lead nine minutes from time.

Read Also:NWFL: Ekiti Queens Banished To Abeokuta, Fined N2.5m

Rangers however fought back deep into stoppage time after Chidozie Iwundu’s free kick was diverted into the net for an own goal.

Insurance moved to 14th position on the table with 20 points from 17 matches.

Rangers remain in fourth position with 26 points from same number of matches.

The remaining matchday 17 games will be played on Sunday.

By Adeboye Amosu

SOURCE PAGE

Real Madrid coach, Xabi Alonso, has confirmed that Kylian Mbappe is fit and available for Sunday’s La Liga trip to Alaves, offering a timely lift as the Spanish giants look to halt a worrying slide in form.

Kylian Mbappe sat out Wednesday’s Champions League defeat to Manchester City, a result that deepened Madrid’s troubles and left them with just two wins from their last eight matches in all competitions. The downturn has intensified pressure on Alonso, with his future under growing scrutiny.

“We’ve got Kylian back, he’s ready to play, and tomorrow we’ll see and decide (if he starts), that’s good news obviously,” Alonso told reporters on Saturday.

Madrid heads to Vitoria with their resources stretched. Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dani Carvajal and Eduardo Camavinga remain sidelined through injury, while Fran Garcia, Alvaro Carreras and Endrick are suspended. There is, however, a boost at the back, with defender Dean Huijsen expected to return for a fixture that could prove pivotal for the coach.

“Evidently, despite the players we’ve got out, we have strong enough players and a strong enough team,” Alonso added.

Real Madrid currently sits four points adrift of La Liga leaders Barcelona, a gap that reflects a season that has drifted off course in recent weeks. Yet Alonso believes the adversity could still forge a more resilient side if results begin to turn.

The coach said, “We are having difficulties, but we can grow, if we can get past these tough times, change the dynamic, maybe in a few weeks we’ll look back and think ‘we went through a lot, but it made us stronger’.”

© 2025 Naija News, a division of Polance Media Inc. Contact us via [email protected]

SOURCE PAGE

Former France international, William Gallas has picked Arsenal to win this season’s Premier League title.

Gallas also tipped Manchester City, Chelsea and Aston Villa to finish in the top four this season.

According to him, Liverpool and Manchester United will miss out in the top four because they are struggling.

“I am sure Arsenal will be there [top four], Manchester City will be there, Chelsea will be there,” Gallas told OLBG.

“Now the fourth one, right now Liverpool, they’re struggling. Manchester United as well.

“Maybe Aston Villa because they look very strong, especially after what they did against Arsenal. So, yeah, I think I will go for Aston Villa.

“Arsenal, Man City, Chelsea and Aston Villa [are my top teams].”

SOURCE PAGE

President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Ibrahim Gusau, has said Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle’s mandate for the 2025 AFCON is to reach the final.

After the disappointment of not qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, attention of Nigerian football fans is the 2025 AFCON which will kick off on December 21 in Morocco.

The Super Eagles are in Group C with AFCON 2004 champions Tunisia, Uganda and Tanzania.

Ahead of the tournament, Gusau

“The mandate is for him to get to the final of the tournament.”

When asked if Chelle gets to the final whether it means he has delivered, Gusau replied: “Yes.”

There were lots of reactions after the announcement of the final 18-man Super Eagles squad for the AFCON.

The inclusion of certain players was questioned, leading to claims that the NFF influenced the selection of players in the final squad.

Reacting to the claims, Gusau denied that he or NFF had anything to do with the final list of the Super Eagles for the 2025 AFCON.

“Any national coach can be asked privately if me, Ibrahim Gusau as NFF president has ever called them to say this is a player that must be taken into a team. I have never done that,” he said.

“I know quite well few days ago the technical committee has been speaking with Eric Chelle and when people are talking I want them to be careful about what is going on especially in social media because there are a lot of interest. The environment is highly polluted, every area of football sector, you will find a lot of agents roaming about in that sector.

“If you are a player in Serie A and sit on the bench and hardly play 20 or 25 minutes and someone plays in a league where he plays week in week out and performing well, then how can someone who sits on the bench in Serie A be invited?

“I think the coaches have a mandate and football now is scientific and every coach has a pattern of play he wants to play. So we have people who go out to talk without making proper investigation to know why but because of certain interest. And like I said the environment is highly polluted because of this agent issues and which comes from all sectors be it the coaches, media people who are now agents, so they can talk anyhow when it comes to selection of players. Unfortunately for them this players are known by everybody and whose information can be gotten.

“So I don’t have and I will never have any input or interest in telling the coach which player he is going to invite. Since I became president I have never even stayed in one hotel with the senior national team whenever they go because I don’t want to distract the coach and I don’t want any distraction with the players, I want them to concentrate and do their job, so I have never done that and I will never do that.”

SOURCE PAGE

Scenes of chaos unfolded at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium in India, earlier today, December 13, after Lionel Messi’s much-anticipated appearance ended abruptly, leaving thousands of fans furious and disappointed.

Supporters who had paid as much as 12,000 rupees to see the Argentina captain ripped up plastic seats, hurled bottles and stormed the pitch after the football icon was escorted away barely 20 minutes into the event.

Lionel Messi, in India as part of his promotional GOAT tour, emerged onto the pitch to wave at the crowd but was largely hidden behind a heavy entourage of officials, celebrities and security personnel. When it became clear that his appearance was over and that no exhibition match would take place, tempers flared inside the packed stadium.

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee said she was “deeply disturbed and shocked” by the disorder, as footage showed fans tearing down banners, smashing chairs and running onto the field.

Local media reported that many in the crowd had expected far more than a brief walkaround. The 2022 World Cup winner was widely believed to be taking part in a short exhibition game, according to AFP.

One fan, speaking to Indian news agency ANI, voiced the frustration shared by many in attendance, saying: “Only leaders and actors were surrounding Messi… Why did they call us then… We have got a ticket for 12,000 rupees, but we were not even able to see his face.”

Another supporter told the Press Trust of India that the cost of attending had been enormous for ordinary fans. “I paid Rs 5,000 for the ticket and came with my son to watch Messi, not politicians. The police and military personnel were taking selfies, and the management is to blame,” the fan said.

Lionel Messi was accompanied during his short visit by Inter Miami teammate Luis Suarez and fellow Argentina international Rodrigo de Paul. Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan also met the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner earlier in the day.

Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal, is known for its deep football culture despite India being largely dominated by cricket. Huge crowds regularly attend local derbies, and anticipation around Messi’s visit had reached fever pitch. Fans travelled from across the country, chanting his name, wearing Argentina jerseys and donning “I love Messi” headbands.

In the early hours before the event, thousands lined the streets and gathered outside Messi’s hotel in the hope of catching a glimpse of him.

Messi’s India tour had begun in Kolkata with the unveiling of a 70-foot statue of the player, built over 27 days by a 45-member crew. Due to security concerns, Lionel Messi appeared virtually at the unveiling.

Following Saturday’s unrest, Banerjee announced an official enquiry and apologised to Lionel Messi and sports fans. “The committee will conduct a detailed enquiry into the incident, fix responsibility, and recommend measures to prevent such occurrences in the future,” she said on 𝕏.

A police official confirmed that the event’s “chief organiser” had been arrested, AFP reported, adding that authorities would also examine how ticket refunds could be arranged. The All India Football Federation said it had no involvement in the privately organised event.

Watch the video of the riot at Lionel Messi’s event below:

© 2025 Naija News, a division of Polance Media Inc. Contact us via [email protected]

SOURCE PAGE