The Nation Newspaper

Category: Sports

  • Osimhen wants Onyedika at Galatasaray

    Osimhen wants Onyedika at Galatasaray

    Victor Osimhen has been trying to convince fellow Super Eagles star Raphael Onyedika to join him at Galatasaray.

    Voetbalnieuws.be has reported that Galatasaray are interested in defensive midfielder Onyedika.

    While Onyedika was previously linked with a transfer to the Premier League, Galatasaray are mentioned as a potential destination.

    According to Turkish media, Onyedika is the top priority for the club from Istanbul.

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    Coach Okan Buruk has admired the 24-year-old midfielder for some time, and Victor Osimhen is also advocating for the transfer. Osimhen might personally attempt to convince Onyedika, as they are acquainted through the Nigerian national team.

    However, Club Brugge’s technical director, Dévy Rigaux, recently expressed hope that Onyedika would sign a new contract and remain for years, adding that a transfer is not currently part of the club’s plans.

  • Chukwueze happy with life at Fulham

    Chukwueze happy with life at Fulham

    Fulham and Super Eagles winger Samuel Chukwueze has revealed his delight with the way he’s gotten off to a good start at the Craven Cottage, Soccernet.ng reports.

    The 26-year-old was a deadline day loan recruit from AC Milan, but injury problems saw him limited to very few minutes, considering he had to represent Nigeria on International duty three times.

    However, the one-time FIFA U-17 World Cup winner has found his creative feet again of late, and has four goal contributions in his last three games for Marco Silva’s side, including a brace against Manchester City.

    Read Also: Nigeria v. Gabon: NFF Protests FIFA official appointments for W’ Cup Play-off

    The former Villareal man filled the headlines after his brace on Erling Haaland’s Premier League centurion goal marker.

    Still, he’s delighted to have found his scoring touch again and thanked Fulham’s coach for pushing him to be a better footballer.

    “I think I’m happy, very happy about the form I’m in and everything,” the one-time UEFA Europa League winner said in an interview on Fulham’s official website.

    “I think the most important thing is the coach who’s been pushing me more to work hard and remain focused, no matter the impact on the game.

    “Every game is a new game, whether or not I get assists, I just have to keep my feet ready, whether ten or twenty minutes, I have to be ready to give everything.

  • N4m up for grabs as Ikoyi Club Tennis Masters begins

    N4m up for grabs as Ikoyi Club Tennis Masters begins

    The organisers of the Ikoyi Club Tennis Masters Tournament have earmarked N4 million as the prize money for this year’s edition.

    ‎The Chairman of the tennis section of Ikoyi Club, Diran Famakinwa, stated this at a briefing, highlighting the activities for the second edition of the tournament.

    ‎The tournament, which is in collaboration with MegaMound Investment Limited, is endorsed by the Nigerian Tennis Federation.

    Read Also: NFF, Osimhen, Iwobi paid emotional tributes to Troost-Ekong

    ‎According to Famakinwa, the male and female champions will receive N500,000 each, while the runners-up in both categories will go home with the sum of N350,000 each, with the remaining money to be shared among the semi-finalists and other participants.

    ‎Sixteen players, which includes the eight top ‎male and eight top female players, will feature in the one-week event, which started on December 5, and run till Saturday, December 13.

    ‎The female final will be held on Friday, December 12, while the male final will take up on Saturday, December 13.

  • Mactay Golfers Pro-Am debuts in Ikoyi

    Mactay Golfers Pro-Am debuts in Ikoyi

    MacTay Professional and Amateur Golf tournament marks its debut with the successful hosting of its maiden edition at the Golf Section Ikoyi Club 1938.

    The 18-hole competition, which featured professional and amateur golfers, was also used to showcase the youth development initiatives being embarked upon by MacTay Group.

    Themed “Heritage of Champions,” the tournament brought together elite professional golfers and dedicated amateur players of Ikoyi Club in a spirited Pro-Am format that honoured the Club’s legacy of excellence, discipline, and sporting mastery.

    Read Also: Nigeria, Egypt friendly in doubt as NFF shift camp to Morocco

    Meanwhile, Mike Makinde has emerged winner of the maiden tournament, shooting a 67-net score to win by 3 shots over the hard-hitting Ikoyi Club 1938 Vice Chairman, Bolaji Martins who carded 90 gross for 70 net to duck in the second position.

    Femi Feyide was further down on the winners’ chart after 71-net, while Sunkanmi Iyiola, with a score of 74-net completed the top 4 in the net category for men.

    Tim Ayomike won in the Gross category after carding 75 followed by Paul Tijani in the second position.

  • Team integrity tops medals table at 14th NNPC sports fiesta 

    Team integrity tops medals table at 14th NNPC sports fiesta 

    The 14th NNPC Ltd. Sports Fiesta came to a thrilling end on Saturday at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, with the Company’s Team Integrity topping the final medals table to win the overall best team of the week-long tournament.

    Team Integrity, featuring sportsmen and women from the Company’s Port Harcourt & Benin Zones, emerged the winner with a total of 31 gold, 18 silver and 21 bronze medals, while also winning nine trophies overall.

    Coming second is Team Sustainability, featuring sportsmen and women from NNPC’s Abuja and Kaduna zones, winning a total of 15 gold, 26 silver and 23 bronze medals. 

    Team Excellence, featuring sportsmen and women from the Company’s Lagos and Warri zones emerged third, with a total of 13 gold, 16 silver and 19 bronze medals.

    Speaking at the closing ceremony of the fiesta, the Group CEO, NNPC Limited, Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari described the performance of the athletes as a brilliant reminder that NNPC Ltd can win on the field and in the marketplace through the virtues of resilience, teamwork and excellence.

    Chief Corporate Communications Officer

    NNPC Ltd, Mr. Andy Odeh made this known in a press statement.

    He added that NNPC Ltd looks forward to defending its legendary status as the team to beat during the forthcoming 20th Nigeria Oil & Gas Industry Games (NOGIG) in February 2026, adding that there was ample evidence the athletes emerging from the Fiesta will carry the Company’s winning legacy forward.

    “Let the discipline you showed throughout these games elevate our performance; let the unity you built here strengthen our teamwork; let the excellence you demonstrated become our daily standard,” the GCEO noted.

    Also speaking at the closing ceremony, the Executive Vice President, Business Services, Sophia Mbakwe, said from what she saw at the week-long fiesta, “NNPC Ltd is not just going to participate at the forthcoming NOGIG, it is also going to make an impression.”

    Read Also: Nigeria must come first, COAS charges officers, soldiers

    This 14th edition of the NNPC Sports Fiesta, which has as its theme “Energy In Motion: Compete, Connect & Celebrate”, saw a total of 450 athletes participating, symbolizing NNPC Ltd’s belief in the integral role of physical well-being in enhancing organizational productivity among employees.

    During the keenly contested fiesta, the sportsmen and women competed in 13 sports, namely football, basketball, volleyball, chess, squash, scrabble, 8-ball pool, golf, tennis, table tennis, badminton, swimming and athletics. 

    The fiesta also served as a platform for selecting NNPC Ltd’s potential flagbearers at the forthcoming NOGIG Games, where the Company will defend its title of overall winner, a feat it has maintained over the years. 

    The NNPC Ltd has been a serial winner of the NOGIG Games, which also features other participating teams from the International Oil Companies (IOCs) operating in Nigeria and key agencies under the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources.

    During the last edition of NOGIG held in 2024 at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, NNPC Ltd emerged the overall winner of the tournament, carting home 50 laurels, which included 20 gold, 9 silver and 21 bronze medals.

  • EPL: Chelsea’s Delap injured in drab goalless draw at Bournemouth

    EPL: Chelsea’s Delap injured in drab goalless draw at Bournemouth

    Chelsea striker Liam Delap injured his shoulder during a drab 0-0 draw at Bournemouth in the Premier League.

    Delap appeared to dislocate his shoulder after pulling down Bournemouth defender Marcos Senesi while defending a corner.

    The England Under-21 international was replaced by teenager Marc Guiu after a series of physical duels with Senesi, who also later went off injured after overstretching for the ball in the second half.

    Both sides struggled in attack despite Chelsea recalling forward Cole Palmer, and the draw was a fair result. Palmer lasted 58 minutes in his first start since 20 September, having suffered a groin injury before fracturing his toe in an accident at home in November.

    Bournemouth thought they had scored in the fifth minute when forward Antoine Semenyo reacted quickest to finish from close range after Evanilson’s blocked attempt. However, Evanilson was marginally offside in the build-up and the goal was ruled out by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR).

    The hosts were the better side in the first half, with Semenyo showing why there is transfer interest from top clubs in January, by forcing a save with a long-range effort and almost setting up a tap-in for Evanilson.

    Marcus Tavernier and Alex Jimenez then came close for Chelsea before Marc Cucurella headed just over from Pedro Neto’s cross in the 21st minute. Delap then had a shot blocked before going off injured.

    Chelsea began to dominate after the break, with Alejandro Garnacho heading against the post. But most of their efforts came from outside the box, including shots from Neto, Palmer, Guiu and Enzo Fernandez.

    Both teams made attacking changes, with Bournemouth introducing attacking midfielders David Brooks and Amine Adli alongside striker Enes Unal, while Chelsea brought on Joao Pedro and Estevao Willian.

    Bournemouth held on comfortably but rarely threatened in the second half, apart from Semenyo’s dribble and shot that drew a good save from goalkeeper Robert Sanchez. Senesi’s withdrawal also disrupted their momentum.

    Andoni Iraola’s side will be pleased despite being now six matches without a win, while Chelsea are winless in three, denting talk of a potential title challenge.

  • EPL: Man City win to move two points of Arsenal

    EPL: Man City win to move two points of Arsenal

    Manchester City blew the Premier League title race wide open by capitalising on leaders Arsenal’s defeat in comfortably dispatching Sunderland at Etihad Stadium.

    Pep Guardiola’s side had seen the Gunners suffer a last-gasp loss against Aston Villa at lunchtime on Saturday and ensured there was no slip-up of their own by swatting aside the visitors to move to within two points of the top.

    City initially found it difficult to make inroads against the Sunderland’s low block and were frustrated by a solid five-man backline.

    Having kept the hosts at bay, the visitors saw the game snatched away in the space of four first-half minutes, courtesy of goals from City’s two centre-halves.

    The Black Cats defenders sat back on Ruben Dias and it proved fatal as the Portugal international strode forward and unleashed a thunderous 30-yard strike, which took a deflection off Dan Ballard and swerved into the top corner.

    The hosts doubled their advantage on 35 minutes when Josko Gvardiol leapt highest to power home an unstoppable header from Phil Foden’s inswinging corner and give the hosts a comfortable half-time cushion.

    City sought to add to the scoreline in the second half and Jeremy Doku’s low curling effort struck the post, while Foden’s first-time follow-up was brilliantly blocked.

    Erling Haaland’s hooked shot was cleared off the line by Lutsharel Geertruida, before Rayan Cherki provided a sublime assist for Foden to head in the third goal.

    Chances were at a premium for Sunderland in the opening period, with Enzo le Fee shooting into side-netting, but they did have better opportunities in the second half.

    City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma made a big save to deny Wilson Isidor after Dias’ mistake, while captain Granit Xhaka’s thumping low effort beat the Italy international but cannoned against the post.

    Sunderland saw Luke O’Nien sent off in injury-time for a nasty, studs-high challenge on Matheus Nunes, with the yellow card upgraded to a red after referee Andy Madley reviewed the challenge on the pitchside monitor.

    BBC

  • EPL: Buendia scores in last minute as Villa beat Arsenal

    EPL: Buendia scores in last minute as Villa beat Arsenal

    Emi Buendia scored with the last kick of the game as Aston Villa stunned Arsenal to move three points behind the Premier League leaders.

    Leandro Trossard’s sixth goal of the season looked to have earned a point for Arsenal after he cancelled out Matty Cash’s opener.

    But Buendia struck in the 95th minute as Unai Emery’s side moved into second in the table.

    Arsenal, who blew Bayern Munich and Tottenham away last month, suffered their first defeat in the league since losing 1-0 at Liverpool in August.

    Villa Park erupted after substitute Buendia scored to give Villa their seventh straight game in all competitions.

    Eberechi Eze had a goal disallowed for offside before the hosts took a first-half lead when Arsenal – especially Eze – switched off to allow Cash to drill in at the far post.

    Arsenal emerged re-energised after the break when Mikel Arteta introduced Viktor Gyokeres and Trossard, who levelled with his 50th Premier League goal, having already gone close.

    Emi Martinez brilliantly tipped Martin Odegaard’s shot over as Arsenal looked for a winner, but Buendia stole the points in dramatic style, curling in after Arsenal failed to clear.

    BBC

  • Nigeria, Egypt friendly in doubt as NFF shift camp to Morocco

    Nigeria, Egypt friendly in doubt as NFF shift camp to Morocco

    Nigeria’s preparations for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations have been thrown off balance after a late FIFA directive forced the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to redraw its pre-tournament plans, Soccernet.ng reports.

    This new development could also potentially see Nigeria cancel the much-anticipated friendly with Egypt.

    Originally, European clubs were obliged to release players on 8 December, giving national teams sufficient time to train and organise friendlies. Instead, a new FIFA circular issued this week now permits clubs to retain their African players until 15 December, seven days later than planned.

    The Super Eagles were initially scheduled to open camp in Cairo on 10 December, four days before facing the Pharaohs in an international friendly at the Cairo International Stadium.

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    That match was planned as the first of two tune-up games ahead of the AFCON, with Nigeria expected to fly to Morocco immediately afterwards to settle into their tournament base.

    But the entire arrangement has now been disrupted by FIFA’s unexpected decision to shift the mandatory release date for Africa-bound players.

    Accordingly, a new training schedule has now been drawn up. Under the revised plan, the Super Eagles will open camp on 14 December, just one week before AFCON 2025 kicks off. The camp, originally set for Cairo, will also be relocated to Morocco, the tournament host nation.

  • Eze crowned November Player of the Month

    Eze crowned November Player of the Month

    Arsenal player Ebere Eze has won our Player of the Month award for his exploits in November.

    The forward polled 35% of the votes to scoop the prize, beating Declan Rice, Leandro Trossard, and Jurrien Timber to complete a double as he also won our Emirates Goal of the Month for his third goal against Tottenham Hotspur in our 4-1 derby day success.

    That means he has won back-to-back awards, having also claimed October’s top strike for his effort against Crystal Palace.

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    Ebere started all four of our Premier League games during November, and after coming off the bench against Slavia Prague, he was also selected from the start against Bayern Munich when he grabbed an assist with an inch-perfect ball over the top to find Gabriel Martinelli, who slotted home our third on a memorable night at Emirates Stadium.

    He also became just the third Gunner player to register a treble in a competitive derby between the clubs, following in the footsteps of Ted Drake and Alan Sunderland, and the first player to do so in 47 years.