The Nation Newspaper

Category: Sports

  • Saudis plan winter transfer move for Salah

    Saudis plan winter transfer move for Salah

    Mohamed Salah reported for Liverpool training on Tuesday as doubts grow about the star’s future at the Premier League champions with Saudi clubs intent on making a move for the striker in the winter transfer window.

    The 33-year-old Egypt forward was left out of Liverpool’s squad for their Champions League tie at Inter Milan on Tuesday following his extraordinary public criticism of Reds manager Arne Slot after he was left on the bench for the third consecutive game.

    Salah said after the 3-3 draw with Leeds on Sunday that he felt like he had been “thrown under the bus” by Liverpool and no longer had a relationship with Slot, sparking reports that Liverpool’s third-highest goalscorer in history could be on his way out of Anfield in January despite signing a lucrative new contract in April.

    He posted a picture of himself training alone in Liverpool’s weights room on Tuesday.

    Salah’s outburst has piqued interest in Saudi Arabia with a source at the kingdom’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) telling AFP it will do “whatever it can” to buy him.

     “We follow Salah’s position thoroughly and believe there can be a move either by loan or buying his contract,” the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

    Asked at a pre-match press conference in Milan on Monday whether Salah, who has scored 250 times for Liverpool since signing from Roma in 2017, had played his last game for the Reds, Slot replied: “I have no clue.”

    Read Also: UCL: Monaco edge Galatasaray as Balogun scores decisive 68th-minute goal

     “He has every right to feel what he feels, but he doesn’t have the right to share it with the media,” Slot added.

    The Saudi source told AFP there were “no direct negotiations or talks with the club at the moment but there will be a move at the right moment”.

    The PIF source said the Gulf monarchy wanted to sign the Egyptian winger in January to join stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo in the Saudi Pro League.

    PIF holds a 75 percent share in Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr, Al-Ahli and Al-Ittihad, but the source said it was not alone in wanting the Arab world’s biggest football star.

     “There is a competition inside the Saudi league who will bring Salah,” the source said, adding that the Al Qadsiah club backed by Saudi Arabia’s state-owned oil and gas company Aramco was also keen.

    Ronaldo plays for Al-Nassr, Salah’s former Liverpool team-mate Darwin Nunez is at Al-Hillal, another former Premier League player of the season N’Golo Kante is at Al-Ittihad, but Salah is the biggest star from an Arab country along with Paris Saint-Germain’s Moroccan defender Achraf Hakimi.

    Salah, who was not even used as a substitute at Elland Road, is set to depart for the Africa Cup of Nations after next weekend’s home Premier League match against Brighton.

  • UCL: Under-fire Alonso seeks  quick Madrid’s improvement

    UCL: Under-fire Alonso seeks  quick Madrid’s improvement

    Under-pressure Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso insisted the situation he is in can swiftly change ahead of a potentially pivotal Champions League clash against Manchester City tonight.

    Los Blancos have won just two of their last seven games across all competitions, losing 2-0 against Celta Vigo on Sunday in La Liga, with Spanish media reporting Alonso faces the sack with a defeat against Pep Guardiola’s side.

     “This is a team, a club, we are united, and when you’re Real Madrid coach you have to be ready to face these situations calmly, with unity and responsibility,” Alonso told reporters. “I am really looking forward for what’s to come, and that starts tomorrow. We know this can change, from the anger there was (on Sunday), normal, to the excitement about (facing City)…

     “For good or bad, things can change quickly in football, your perspective can change, and we’re in that moment.”

    Madrid put in one of their best performances under Alonso last week to beat Athletic Bilbao 3-0 at San Mames, before crumbling at home against Celta.

    Alonso said his team is convinced they can beat Man City and superstar striker Erling Haaland at the Bernabeu to bolster their position in the league phase table, where they are currently fifth.

    Read Also: UCL: Chelsea suffer setback as Atalanta take all three points

    “We are mentally ready for what is coming, the team is united, we are all convinced we can win tomorrow,” continued Alonso.

     “We have to play at a good speed and intensity, we have to compete, of that there is no doubt.”

    Alonso said “yes” when asked if he had the support of all his players, reflected by the words of midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni, who defended his coach.

    “In the Vigo game the coach had a good plan, but it’s the players who are playing on the pitch,” said the France international.

     “If we play at our level we have more chance to win games like this, if we lose 2-0 it means we’ve had a problem on the pitch, intensity, technical errors.

     “So it’s not the fault of the coach, we have to improve and we will.”

  • Qatar affirms readiness to host FIFA Intercontinental Cup

    Qatar affirms readiness to host FIFA Intercontinental Cup

    The FIFA Intercontinental Cup Qatar 2025™ Local Organising Committee (LOC) has announced its full readiness to host the final three matches of the prestigious club competition during a press conference held in Doha.

    The tournament will be contested at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium on the 10, 13 and 17 of December, during the rest days of the ongoing FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025™, further showcasing Qatar’s capability to seamlessly stage world-class football events and reinforcing international confidence in its hosting abilities.

    Organisers highlighted that the tournament has garnered strong interest from regional and international fans alike.

    Hassan Al Kuwari, LOC Executive Director of Marketing, Promotion and Commercial, said: “Qatar’s commitment to hosting world-class tournaments stems from our belief in advancing football at every level. This includes strengthening competition within the GCC region, uniting the Arab world at the Arab Cup, supporting the development of young talent and now welcoming global champions for the FIFA Intercontinental Cup. By hosting multiple tournaments in parallel, we’re showcasing the operational excellence that embodies our nation’s vision and reflects the proud sporting legacy of the Arab region.”

    Read Also: UCL: Monaco edge Galatasaray as Balogun scores decisive 68th-minute goal

    Roberto Grassi, FIFA Tournament Lead, said: “We are here to announce our readiness to host the third tournament which Qatar is successfully delivering in a few weeks. This is a reaffirmation of the strong partnership with Qatar. We believe in Qatar’s ability to deliver the best tournaments in the world using world class infrastructure. We want to thank all the stakeholders involved in the delivery of these events and look forward to a second edition of the FIFA Intercontinental Cup, one that will echo the success of last year’s wonderful tournament.”

    Organisers also announced that the Doha Metro will be free of charge for ticketholders attending the FIFA Intercontinental Cup Final Qatar 2025™ on 17 December, which will see Paris Saint-Germain face the winner of the FIFA Challenger Cup Qatar 2025™ in the tournament’s decisive match. Throughout the competition, the metro will provide comprehensive accessibility services and direct access to Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium via Al Riffa Metro Station (Green Line).

    Fans travelling to Qatar are encouraged to explore the country’s cultural and entertainment events during their stay in Doha.

    Qatar successfully hosted the first edition of the FIFA Intercontinental Cup™ in its new format in 2024 when Real Madrid were crowned club champions in front of a sell-out crowd at the iconic 80,000-seat Lusail Stadium, host of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ Final.

    The FIFA Intercontinental Cup Qatar 2025™ serves as part of an exhilarating football calendar in Qatar, which also includes the AGCFF U-23 Gulf Cup Qatar 2025 and the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025™, showcasing the nation’s continued ability to deliver world-class sporting events.

    TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE:

    Wednesday, 10 December 2025 | 8pm, Doha time

    Cruz Azul (Mexico) v CR Flamengo (Brazil)-Ahmad bin Ali Stadium

    Saturday, 13 December 2024 | 8pm, Doha time

    FIFA Derby of the Americas Qatar 2025™ winner v Pyramids FC (Egypt)-Ahmad bin Ali Stadium

    Wednesday, 17 December 2025 | 8pm, Doha time

    Paris Saint-Germain (France) v FIFA Challenger Cup Qatar 2025™ winner-Ahmad bin Ali Stadium

  • UCL: Kounde double gives Barcelona victory at Nou Camp

    UCL: Kounde double gives Barcelona victory at Nou Camp

    Defender Jules Kounde scored twice as Barcelona fought back from a goal down to beat Eintracht Frankfurt – in Barca’s first Champions League game at the Nou Camp in more than three years.

    The visitors went ahead in the 21st minute when Ansgar Knauff raced on to Nathaniel Brown’s pass, held off Alejandro Balde and slotted the ball past Joan Garcia.

    England forward Marcus Rashford, on as a half-time substitute, made an instant impact as his cross from the left was headed in by Kounde in the 50th minute.

    Read Also: UCL: Chelsea suffer setback as Atalanta take all three points

    The France defender scored his second three minutes later, this time connecting with Lamine Yamal’s delivery when unmarked six yards out.

    The victory takes five-time European champions Barca on to 10 points from their six matches and, with two games to go, still in contention to claim a top-eight place that would see them jump straight into the last 16 and avoid the play-off round.

    Hansi Flick’s side play at Slavia Prague on 21 January and end their league phase campaign at home to Copenhagen a week later.

    Meanwhile, Eintracht Frankfurt, seventh in the German Bundesliga, are in serious danger of being eliminated from European competition as they only have four points from their opening six matches.

    BBC

  • UCL: Monaco edge Galatasaray as Balogun scores decisive 68th-minute goal

    UCL: Monaco edge Galatasaray as Balogun scores decisive 68th-minute goal

    Folarin Balogun scored for the third Champions League game running to take Monaco to victory over Galatasaray.

    In a game in which both sides missed numerous golden opportunities, Balogun’s scrambled 68th-minute effort proved decisive in the principality. 

    It had seemed like being one of those days for Monaco and, in particular, USA international striker Balogun as he failed to convert a number of clear chances, while captain Denis Zakaria also saw a tame penalty saved. 

    But Balogun eventually bundled the ball in with his knee after a corner was headed into the six-yard box and that was enough to secure Monaco’s second win of the league phase. 

    Read Also: UCL: Chelsea suffer setback as Atalanta take all three points

    The first big chance of the game fell to Galatasaray but, with the goal at his mercy, former Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan blazed over from six yards out. 

    Baris Alper Yilmaz then took down a long ball, shrugged off his defender but hit the outside of the post with just the goalkeeper to beat. 

    Two minutes later, Balogun headed over from close range for Monaco and the hosts missed a number of glaring chances in the second half too. 

    Zakaria bobbled his penalty down the middle, allowing goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir to save with his legs, after former Liverpool forward Takumi Minamino had been brought down by ex-Tottenham defender Davinson Sanchez. 

    Balogun then scuffed a shot wide after Minamino had teed him up for a tap-in and thumped over the bar after running clear on goal. 

    The misses did not prove costly, though, as he converted from defender Thilo Kehrer’s knockdown to earn Monaco the three points that draw them level with Galatasaray on nine.

    BBC

  • UCL: Szoboszlai’s late penalty lifts Liverpool to crucial win at Inter

    UCL: Szoboszlai’s late penalty lifts Liverpool to crucial win at Inter

    Dominik Szoboszlai’s 88th-minute penalty gave Liverpool a crucial win against Inter Milan in the Champions League.

    Much of the build-up to the clash was dominated by the exclusion of Mohamed Salah from the Reds squad after he claimed the club had “thrown him under the bus” and his relationship with manager Arne Slot had broken down.

    And with the Egypt forward left back in Liverpool, Szoboszlai stepped up to take the decisive late spot-kick after Alessandro Bastoni was adjudged, following a video assistant referee (VAR) check, to have tugged at the shirt of Florian Wirtz in the box.

    Inter keeper Yann Sommer dived the right way, but the power of the penalty proved too much and Liverpool held on for a welcome three points after a turbulent few days at the club.

    After a worrying run of nine defeats in 12 games, Slot’s side are now unbeaten in four.

    The Reds have 12 points from their six Champions League ties and victory here propelled them into the top eight of the league phase, where automatic qualification to the last 16 is guaranteed.

    Read Also: UCL: Chelsea suffer setback as Atalanta take all three points

    Inter dropped down to fifth, on the same points tally, as they suffered a first home defeat in 19 matches in the competition – since February 2022.

    Liverpool thought they had taken a 32nd-minute lead when Ibrahima Konate headed in from a corner.

    But referee Felix Zwayer disallowed the goal after a lengthy VAR check as the ball struck the arm of striker Hugo Ekitike before the ball found Konate to nod in from close range.

    Curtis Jones, Szoboszlai and Ekitike all forced Sommer to make saves in an opening half where Inter lost Piotr Zielinski and Yann Aurel Bisseck to injuries.

    The disallowed goal seemed to spark the hosts and Nicolo Barella came close as his free-kick went narrowly wide, before Lautaro Martinez’s header was kept out by Alisson Becker.

    The game looked to be heading towards a goalless draw which would have been a first under Slot’s tenure, but Wirtz – who replaced Alexander Isak in the 68th minute – made the most of Bastoni’s pull.

    Szoboszlai’s calm finish for his second goal in successive games ensured that, for the fourth time in four years, Liverpool would be leaving the San Siro with success.

    BBC

  • UCL: Chelsea suffer setback as Atalanta take all three points

    UCL: Chelsea suffer setback as Atalanta take all three points

    Chelsea’s hopes of qualifying automatically for the Champions League knockouts were dealt a blow as Atalanta came from behind to win in Bergamo.

    Both sides went into this game with identical records in the league phase of this year’s tournament, having won three, drawn one and lost one to sit on 10 points.

    For large parts there was little to separate them in this game, too, although Chelsea got their noses in front in the first half when Joao Pedro turned in Reece James’ cross.

    But Atalanta always looked a threat going forwards, with former Charlton and Everton attacker Ademola Lookman causing problems.

    James shot wide in the second half but Atalanta upped the pressure and deservedly levelled when ex-West Ham striker Gianluca Scamacca headed in a cross.

    Read Also: 2025 AFCON: Chippa United raises  the alarm on Nwabali’s fitness for Super Eagles

    Alejandro Garnacho drove a strong effort straight at the goalkeeper but Atalanta got the winner late on when the Blues defence backed off Charles de Ketelaere, who took full advantage with a driven strike.

    Chelsea tried to rescue a point late on but a superb save by Marco Carnesecchi denied Pedro.

    The result means Chelsea drop out of the top eight – the places that qualify automatically for the knockouts – to 11th with two league phase games remaining.

    Atalanta, meanwhile, leap up to third, three points ahead of the Blues.

    This was a hugely disappointing result for Chelsea as even a draw was keeping them well placed to secure the top-eight finish they need to avoid the lottery of the play-offs.

    But they let their concentration slip in defence with seven minutes remaining and Atalanta took full advantage.

    The Italians are in good form at the moment so this was always going to be a difficult test for the Blues, but they will be frustrated to be leaving with nothing after taking the lead.

    But the bigger picture is that this continues Chelsea’s concerning run of form in all competitions.

    Since beating Barcelona 3-0 at the end of November they are now without a win in their last four games.

    BBC

  • 2025 AFCON: Chippa United raises  the alarm on Nwabali’s fitness for Super Eagles

    2025 AFCON: Chippa United raises  the alarm on Nwabali’s fitness for Super Eagles

    Super Eagles first-choice goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, is facing serious uncertainty ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco following a worrying update on his fitness status.

    Chippa United head coach, Vusimuzi Vilakazi, confirmed that Nwabali is currently battling two injuries — an ankle issue and a more concerning hand injury that reportedly “needs an operation.”

     Both problems were reportedly aggravated during his recent national team duties with the Super Eagles.

    According to Vilakazi, the 28-year-old shot-stopper “could miss out” on the continental tournament, with his availability now described as a “huge doubt.”

    Nwabali has not featured for Chippa United since Nigeria’s AFCON playoff clash against DR Congo last month — the match that ended in penalty heartbreak for the Super Eagles. His continued absence from club action, coupled with medical assessments pointing to the possibility of surgery, has heightened concerns about his readiness for the AFCON campaign which starts in Rabat on December 21st.

    Read Also: Osimhen wants Onyedika at Galatasaray

    With the tournament rapidly approaching, the Super Eagles technical crew will be anxiously monitoring the situation, as Nwabali’s impressive performances earlier in the qualification cycle had solidified him as Nigeria’s leading option between the sticks.

    For now, the goalkeeper faces a race against time — and Nigeria faces the possibility of heading into AFCON without one of its most reliable performers.

    Adeleye Adebayo, Francis Uzoho, Amas Obasogie, and Ebenezer Harcourt and Maduka Okoye are the other goalkeepers invited by Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle in the provisional 54 man list he is expected to prune down to 28 in the next few days.

  • Super Eagles’ final squad  to be unveiled Thursday

    Super Eagles’ final squad  to be unveiled Thursday

    NFF confirms Cairo for pre-AFCON friendly  

    By Tosin Osinowo

    The Super  Eagles’ final squad  for the 35th Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco will not be unveiled  until the Confederation of African Football (CAF)  deadline of   Thursday, December 11, even as the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) confirmed yesterday that  the  postponed national team’s  pre-AFCON friendly match against Egypt will hold in Cairo on December 16.

    Sources close coach Eric Sekou  Chelle  told our correspondent  last night  the  final 25-man  squad for  the AFCON  would  not be released until  Thursday as the Franco-Malian  trainer finalizes  the eagerly awaited list.

    “ The final squad for the AFCON  will be out on Thursday, December 11,” the source told NationSport.

    In a related development, the  NFF  has given the raison d’être for the postponement of the pre-AFCON friendly between Nigeria and Egypt.

    According to the NFF, the decision by world football-governing body, FIFA, that Clubs can hold on to their players until Monday, 15 December 2025 before they are released for the 35th  Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco  necessitated the shift in plans.

    Read Also: Osimhen wants Onyedika at Galatasaray

    “Seven-time winners Egypt and three-time winners Nigeria were scheduled to clash in a tune-up game in Cairo on Sunday, 14 December, in line with an earlier regulation that ruled that players be released earlier. The game has now been moved to Tuesday, 16 December as a result of the regulation,” the NFF said. “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, which will kick off at 8pm Egypt time (7pm Nigeria time) at the Cairo Stadium.”

    The Super Eagles are in Group C of the 35th  Africa Cup of Nations 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).

    The Pharaohs, who hosted the finals in 2019, are in Group B alongside 1996 hosts and winners South Africa, 2010 hosts Angola, and Zimbabwe. Their matches will be at the Stade d’Agadir. 

  • Joshua to pocket N135 Billion for Jake Paul fight

    Joshua to pocket N135 Billion for Jake Paul fight

    Anthony Joshua has revealed he will NOT be earning a career-high purse against Jake Paul.

    Joshua will take on YouTuber Paul in Miami next Friday in a controversial heavyweight showdown. Joshua has not fought since he was badly knocked out by Daniel Dubois at Wembley 15 months ago and views his meeting with Paul as a tune-up for a potential clash with Tyson Fury next September.

    Joshua is expected to earn as much as £70million ( currently about ₦135,250,907,890.39), just days before Christmas with Netflix splashing out on what promises to be one of the most-watched fights in boxing history.

    Read Also: Chukwueze happy with life at Fulham

     But the former two-time heavyweight world champion has admitted it won’t be a record pay-day. When asked by TMZ if this would be his biggest purse to date, Joshua said: “Unfortunately not.”

    Joshua also admitted he can’t afford to be taken many rounds by Paul, and that he needs to knock out the social media star. “I really understand where they’re coming from. I understand. I get it,” he said of those who have demanded he stops Paul early.

    “I know the expectations and demands these fans have. And I respect it. If I didn’t respect it, I’d be honest with you and say, ‘No they’re talking rubbish,’ but I do. I do get it because I hold myself in that same regard, so I need to [KO Jake] and that’s my intention, to seek and destroy.”