Category: Sports

Nwosu’s Double Powers Bendel Insurance To 4 – 2 Rout As Enabulele Hails Roaring Benin Titans

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Bendel Insurance FC continued their impressive start to the 2026/27 Euromatch NPFL campaign, roaring to a thrilling 4- 2 victory over Kun Khalifat FC at the iconic Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City. Bendel Insurance 4-2 Kun Khalifat The Benin Arsenal wasted little time announcing their intentions, with Alex Oweiyalefa heading home the opener in the fifth minute before Suraju Lawal doubled the advantage in the 19th minute, setting the tone for a dominant first half display. Insurance came out firing after the interval, with Chinedu Nwosu striking almost immediately after the restart to make it 3-0 in the 46th minute, further extending their control over the match. Kun Khalifat missed a penalty before eventually converting another spot kick to pull one back, but the home side refused to surrender their dominance, with Nwosu completing his brace in the 66th minute to restore Insurance’s three goal advantage. The visitors grabbed a late second goal to add some respectability to the scoreline, but Insurance held firm to seal a convincing win that sent their supporters into wild celebrations at the final whistle. Reacting to the victory through his Media Aide, Edoko Wilson Edoko, Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Hon Amadin Desmond Enabulele, hailed the team for what he described as a powerful statement of intent, commending the management, technical crew led by Coach Kennedy Boboye, and the players for their determination and attacking quality. Enabulele particularly praised Oweiyalefa, Lawal and Nwosu for their goals, saying the performance demonstrated growing confidence within the squad and reflected renewed ambition to restore Bendel Insurance to its rightful position among Nigeria’s leading clubs. He urged the team to remain focused, disciplined and consistent, declaring that the Benin Insurance FC are roaring again and calling on players to keep the winning fire burning while encouraging fans to continue turning out in support of the team, especially at home matches. Following the win, Bendel Insurance moved to third position on the NPFL table with six points from three matches, behind leaders Doma United and Barau FC, bouncing back strongly after a defeat to Nasarawa United in their previous outing to keep their campaign firmly on track. By Asiwaju Adekunle Saheed.

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Okpebholo Throws Open The Gates For Edo Queens, Hands Champions N50 Million Hero’s Welcome

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By Asiwaju Adekunle Saheed. Edo erupted in celebration as the victorious Edo Queens returned home to a hero’s welcome, with Governor Monday Okpebholo receiving the WAFU B champions in Benin City and announcing a N50 million cash reward for the team. The atmosphere was electric as the Queens, who successfully defended their WAFU B Women’s Champions League qualifying title in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, arrived at the Benin Airport to a colourful reception by government officials, sports administrators and jubilant fans, before embarking on a victory parade through Airport Road to Osadebey Avenue. The triumph secured Edo Queens a place in the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League in South Africa, after the Nigerian champions defeated Ghana’s Ampem Darkoa Ladies in a dramatic final that went all the way to penalties. Speaking at the reception, Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Hon Amadin Desmond Enabulele, described the feat as another historic milestone in the state’s sporting resurgence, attributing the team’s back to back successes to the commitment of players and coaches alongside sustained investment by the state government. He singled out several players for their outstanding performances, applauding Doosuur Atume, Esther Chioma Moses, Oluwakemi Adegbuyi and assistant captain Valentina Uroko, while praising Coach Moses Aduku as one of the finest female football coaches in Nigeria. With Aduku away on national duty with the Falconets, Bendel Insurance FC head coach Kennedy Boboye stepped in to lead the team to another continental triumph. Enabulele also praised Edo APC Chairman, Chief Jarrett Tenebe, for his consistent support of the team, describing the gesture as one rooted in gratitude rather than politics, and disclosed that six Edo players currently feature in Nigeria’s Falconets squad at the FIFA Women’s Under 20 World Cup in Poland, alongside seven Edo players in the country’s Under 19 girls’ cricket team that has qualified for its own World Cup. Governor Okpebholo, addressing the players, praised their fighting spirit and said he had remained confident they would overcome Ampem Darkoa Ladies in the final, recalling the dramatic penalty shootout and singling out the goalkeeper’s composure as the turning point that shifted momentum in Edo’s favour. The high point of the reception came when the governor announced the N50 million cash reward, assuring the players of continued government support and more opportunities to excel as they now turn their attention to the continental stage in South Africa.

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Martin Ødegaard Settles A Fiery London Derby As Arsenal Edge Past Chelsea

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By Asiwaju Adekunle Saheed Arsenal defeated Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium in a fiery London derby, with Martin Ødegaard scoring the decisive goal in a match that swung on moments of composure amid chaotic spells of pressure from both sides. Arsenal 2 – 1 Chelsea Declan Rice was instrumental in calming his teammates during the tensest periods of the match, helping Arsenal see out the win despite sustained late pressure from a determined Chelsea side. Chelsea’s new coach Xabi Alonso admitted his side felt the pain of the defeat, describing it as a lesson for his rebuilding squad as they continue adjusting to his methods early in the season. The result keeps Arsenal firmly in contention at the top of the table, while Chelsea will need to regroup quickly if they are to avoid falling further behind in the early standings. For Alonso, the derby defeat offers a clear marker of the work still required to shape Chelsea into the side he envisions, even as encouraging signs emerged in patches of the performance.

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El Kanemi Warriors Draw First Blood In Continental Clash With Real Bamako

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By Asiwaju Adekunle Saheed El Kanemi Warriors earned a crucial first leg victory in the CAF Confederation Cup, defeating AS Real Bamako in Maiduguri in a result that strengthens Nigeria’s continental presence in this season’s competition. El Kanemi Warriors 1 – 0 AS Real Bamako Coach Aliyu Zubair said his side would not relax despite the advantage, insisting the team will fight to the last whistle in the return leg as they look to secure passage to the next round. The win adds to a growing list of positive results for Nigerian clubs on the continental stage this season, with El Kanemi now holding a slender but valuable cushion heading into the second leg. Zubair’s men will need to manage the away trip carefully, knowing that a single slip could hand the tie back to the Malian side on home turf. For now, the Maiduguri faithful have reason to celebrate, with the team’s continental campaign still very much alive after a disciplined defensive display backed by a clinical finish at the right moment.

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Inter Erase A Two Goal Deficit, Roma Steal Late Drama, Aubameyang Shocks Villarreal

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By Asiwaju Adekunle Saheed Serie A delivered fireworks over the weekend as Inter Milan overturned a two goal deficit to beat Napoli, with Lautaro Martínez inspiring the comeback in a result that has reshaped the early title conversation. Inter Milan 3 – 2 Napoli In Rome, AS Roma scored twice in the final minutes to defeat Atalanta, sending the Olimpico crowd into raptures and handing the club a dramatic three points that few saw coming with ten minutes left on the clock. AS Roma 2 – 1 Atalanta In Spain, Deportivo La Coruña stunned Villarreal, with Pierre Emerick Aubameyang netting the winner deep in stoppage time to secure a result that will be remembered as one of the weekend’s biggest surprises. Deportivo La Coruña 3- 2 Villarreal In England, Manchester City’s new coach Enzo Maresca guided his side to victory over Coventry, with new signing Enzo Fernández impressing on his debut, while Tottenham were held to a goalless draw by Nottingham Forest and Newcastle shared the points in a 2 2 draw with Bournemouth. Manchester City 1 – 0 Coventry | Tottenham 0 – 0 Nottingham Forest | Newcastle 2 – 2 Bournemouth Across all three leagues, the weekend underlined just how unpredictable the early rounds of the season have been, with late goals and comebacks defining the storylines from Milan to Vigo.

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Ilenikhena Stuns Ronaldo’s Al Nassr, Osimhen Eases Fears With Return To Champions League Squad

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By Asiwaju Adekunle Saheed Nigerian striker George Ilenikhena lit up the Saudi Pro League with a brace as Al Ittihad defeated Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr, a performance fans have already hailed as a breakthrough moment for the young forward, with many calling him Nigeria’s next big star. Al Ittihad 3 – 1 Al Nassr Victor Osimhen, meanwhile, has been officially included in Galatasaray’s UEFA Champions League squad, easing recent fears around his fitness after a groin scare and boosting the Turkish side’s attacking options heading into the continental campaign. Alex Iwobi marked his 100th Premier League appearance for Fulham, joining a select group of Nigerian internationals to reach the milestone in England’s top flight, a quiet but significant landmark in his career. Elsewhere across Europe, Semi Ajayi helped Hull City keep a clean sheet against Aston Villa, while Tolu Arokodare scored his fifth goal of the season for Ajax, continuing an impressive run in the Eredivisie. Together, the results paint a picture of Nigerian talent making steady waves across multiple European leagues, from the Gulf to the Netherlands, even as attention remains fixed on Osimhen’s fitness ahead of Nigeria’s AFCON qualifiers.

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Edo Queens Fight Back From The Brink, Beat Ampem Darkoa On Penalties To Rule WAFU B

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By Asiwaju Adekunle Saheed Edo Queens produced a sensational comeback in Ouagadougou on Saturday night, edging unbeaten Ghanaian champions Ampem Darkoa Ladies on penalties after a thrilling draw to lift the 2026 WAFU B Women’s Champions League qualifying title and secure their place in the CAF Women’s Champions League. Edo Queens 2 2 Ampem Darkoa Ladies (Edo Queens win 4 1 on penalties) The final was packed with drama, resilience and late heroics, as Edo Queens twice fought back from behind before keeping their nerve in a decisive shootout. Ampem Darkoa struck as early as the second minute through Beline Nyarko, only for Edo Queens to respond almost immediately, with Doosuur Anastasia Atume restoring parity in the fourth minute. Nyarko struck again from the penalty spot in the 74th minute to put the Ghanaian champions back in front, but Edo Queens refused to surrender. With defeat staring them in the face, Oluebube Umejiaku delivered a dramatic equaliser deep into stoppage time, forcing the final into a shootout. From the spot, the Queens were ruthless. Defensive duo Valentina Uroko and Ifeoma Ikenokwalu showed remarkable composure in converting their penalties, with Ikenokwalu striking the decisive kick as Edo Queens converted all four of their attempts, while Ampem Darkoa missed twice, handing the Nigerian champions a commanding shootout victory. The triumph crowns Edo Queens as WAFU B champions and guarantees their participation in the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League. The campaign also produced individual honours, with winger Oluwakemi Adegbuyi named WAFU B Player of the Tournament, while Atume claimed the Golden Boot award, capping a remarkable run that saw the Nigerian side emerge as the dominant force in the zone. Reacting to the triumph, Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele, through his Media Aide, Edoko Wilson Edoko, congratulated the players, technical crew and officials of Edo Queens, describing the victory as a historic achievement for Edo State and Nigeria. Enabulele dedicated the triumph to Governor Monday Okpebholo, commending him for his unwavering support for sports development and his commitment to repositioning Edo State as a leading sports destination. He also praised the players for their fighting spirit, noting that coming from behind twice in the final reflected the character, discipline and resilience that have become synonymous with Edo sports, and commended the technical crew led by stand in coach Kennedy Boboye for their tactical discipline and ability to keep the team focused throughout the competition, particularly during the difficult moments of the final. With the WAFU B crown secured, Edo Queens now turn their attention to the CAF Women’s Champions League in South Africa, where Enabulele expressed confidence the team would continue to make Edo State and Nigeria proud on the continental stage.

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Isak Fires Liverpool To Life, Maresca’s City Grind Past Coventry As PSG Wobble Again

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By Asiwaju Adekunle Saheed Liverpool’s new manager Andoni Iraola celebrated his first Premier League victory in style after Alexander Isak struck twice inside the opening nine minutes to secure a win away at Ipswich Town. Ipswich Town 0 – 2 Liverpool Manchester City, now under the guidance of Enzo Maresca, edged past Coventry with new signing Enzo Fernández shining on his debut, as Maresca’s possession heavy approach continues to draw early comparisons to the Guardiola philosophy, albeit with sharper vertical transitions. Manchester City 1- 0 Coventry Chelsea remain under pressure as their rebuild continues, with supporters eager to see how the club responds when they face Arsenal in tomorrow’s London derby. PSG’s troubles deepened after a defeat to Monaco left Luis Enrique’s side winless in three matches, a worrying run that comes despite the manager recently signing a contract extension through 2030. PSG 1- 2 Monaco Tottenham Hotspur stunned fans by omitting Richarlison from their Premier League squad altogether, a decision that has fuelled fresh speculation about a possible move to Trabzonspor or a club in Saudi Arabia. Across the continent, the early rounds of the season are already reshaping expectations, with new managerial appointments at Liverpool and City drawing particular scrutiny as both sides search for early momentum.

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Rivers United Roar, Barau FC’s Atule Puts The League On Notice With A 20 Goal Promise

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By Asiwaju Adekunle Saheed Rivers United opened Matchday 2 of the Nigeria Premier Football League with a commanding win over Plateau United, showing sharper finishing under new coach Finidi George in a result fans in Port Harcourt have hailed as an early sign of intent for the season. Rivers United 2- 0 Plateau United Barau FC’s Joseph Atule has quickly become one of the league’s headline acts after declaring his ambition to score 20 goals this season, a bold target that has already set tongues wagging following his brace in a victory over Nasarawa United. Barau FC 3 – 1 Nasarawa United Ikorodu City and Doma United also picked up wins on the day, joining Rivers United at the top of the table as the early pace setters of the new campaign. Bendel Insurance are expecting a defensive boost with the return of goalkeeper Amas Obasogie, whose availability had been delayed by paperwork issues that kept him out of recent fixtures. At the other end of the table, Nasarawa United coach Mbwas Mangut lamented what he described as unlucky finishing, after his side struggled to convert their chances and now sit bottom of the log following two games without a win. With the season still young, the gap between the early risers and strugglers is already taking shape, setting up an intriguing race in the weeks ahead as more clubs find their rhythm.

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Alvarez Breaks Silence on Arsenal Deadline Day Collapse, Leaves Door Open for January

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Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez has addressed the collapse of his proposed move to Arsenal on transfer deadline day, insisting he never rejected the Gunners and that his representatives worked until the final moments to complete a deal. Alvarez said his agent explored a genuine move to Arsenal given the strong relationship between both parties, but the transfer could not be finalised before the deadline due to factors beyond their control, stressing that the interest was mutual and real. The Argentine praised Arsenal’s project, manager and style of play, revealing that his representatives remain open to a future move and that he believes the club could return with an offer in January. Alvarez said he remains focused on his current spell at Atletico Madrid for now, but confirmed he would be ready to consider joining Arsenal should a suitable proposal arrive when the transfer window reopens. By Asiwaju Adekunle Saheed

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