The Nation Newspaper

Category: Sports

  • Joao Pedro ends goal drought as Chelsea win at Spurs

    Joao Pedro ends goal drought as Chelsea win at Spurs

    Joao Pedro ended his 10-game goal drought to give Chelsea a deserved victory as Tottenham were booed off after another dismal home performance.

    The 24-year-old Brazilian has been struggling for both fitness and form but confidently chipped in the winner after persistent pressing by Moises Caicedo forced defender Micky van de Ven into a mistake inside his own box.

    Pedro could have scored three by half-time but for two fine saves by Italian keeper Guglielmo Vicario who saved low to his right and then reacted quickly to tip away a volley.

    But in the end, that solitary goal was enough to beat a Spurs side that lacked creativity and registered just three shots on goal.

    Spurs were poor in attack with only Mohamed Kudus having efforts of any kind, shooting over in the 33rd minute from long range, before finally testing goalkeeper Robert Sanchez in the fifth minute of first-half added time.

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    Chelsea should have won by more though. Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandez wasted good opportunities, while Vicario again denied Pedro, while substitute Jamie Gittens blazed a close-range effort over the bar.

    But the Blues have risen to fourth, level with Spurs on 17 points, but behind their London rivals on goal difference.

    However, Spurs’ home form is punishing them. They have just three wins in their past 19 games at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium across former manager Ange Postecoglou and now Thomas Frank’s tenure.

    BBC SPORTS

  • Bundesliga: Bayern beat Leverkusen to extend winning start to 15

    Bundesliga: Bayern beat Leverkusen to extend winning start to 15

    Bayern Munich continued their impeccable start to the Bundesliga season with victory over Bayer Leverkusen to move five points clear at the top.

    It was a ninth consecutive league win, and 15 in all competitions, for Vincent Kompany’s men, with the defending champions proving impossible to stop so far.

    Serge Gnabry marked his 250th Bundesliga appearance with the opening goal in the 25th minute, slotting past Leverkusen goalkeeper Mark Flekken.

    Six minutes later, Nicolas Jackson netted his first league goal for the club since joining on loan from Chelsea in the summer.

    An own goal from Loic Bade compounded Leverkusen’s misery as their impressive run of 37 Bundesliga away games without defeat was ended in emphatic fashion.

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    Jackson also had a goal disallowed for offside and headed another effort over the bar in a good performance leading the line, with Harry Kane given a rare rest.

    The England captain, Michael Olise and Luis Diaz started on the bench and came on as part of a triple substitution in the 59th minute.

    By that stage, Bayern were in complete control of the contest and moved five points clear of second-placed RB Leipzig with the success, while Leverkusen remain fifth.

    Attention turns to the Champions League for both sides as Bayern travel to Paris St-Germain on Tuesday, 4 November (20:00 GMT), while Leverkusen visit Benfica on Wednesday (20:00 GMT).

    BBC SPORTS

  • EPL: Arsenal extend lead at top after win against Burnley

    EPL: Arsenal extend lead at top after win against Burnley

    Premier League leaders Arsenal continued their impressive start to the season with a comfortable win at Burnley to make it nine consecutive victories in all competitions.

    Goals from Viktor Gyokeres and Declan Rice sealed the win – their fifth in a row in the league – as Mikel Arteta’s side moved seven points clear at the top, albeit having played a game more than some of their rivals.

    It was an impressive victory against a Burnley side that can often prove difficult to break down and had recorded back-to-back victories before facing the Gunners.

    But no side has scored more goals from set-pieces than Arsenal this season and it was from one that they took the lead, Gyokeres firing in from close range from Rice’s corner.

    Burnley goalkeeper Martin Dubravka produced a one-handed save to deny Bukayo Saka, before Leandro Trossard had an effort cleared off the line.

    But Arsenal got their second before the break when Rice powerfully headed in Trossard’s chipped ball.

    Burnley saw more of the ball after the break and went close to getting a goal back when Florentino Luis headed over from close range, before Marcus Edwards struck the post from a free-kick with the last action of the match.

    That late chance aside it was largely a trouble-free afternoon for Arsenal as they recorded an eighth win in 10 Premier League games this season. 

    Defeat for Burnley means they are 17th, four points clear of the bottom three.

  • EPL: Amad’s late goal earn Man Utd point in Forest thriller

    EPL: Amad’s late goal earn Man Utd point in Forest thriller

    Amad Diallo lashed home a thunderous 81st-minute volley to earn Manchester United a point in a thrilling Premier League encounter with Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.

    The visitors thought they were heading for a fourth straight win and second spot in the table after Casemiro headed them into a half-time lead from a corner Forest were convinced should not have been awarded.

    But the game turned on its head in the space of two second-half minutes as Forest skipper Morgan Gibbs-White outmuscled Amad to reach Ryan Yates’ deep cross from the right.

    From their next attack, Forest scored again. Once more they created problems for United with a cross from the right as Nicolo Savona reacted fastest when Igor Jesus’ header bounced off bodies into the six-yard area, keeping his composure to beat United keeper Sanne Lammens.

    But in addition to improving their actual play, Ruben Amorim’s United also seem to have got stronger mentally and, rather than crumble to defeat, fought their way back into the game.

    Bruno Fernandes struck the base of a post before Amad brilliantly latched on to a looping clearance just outside the area and volleyed first time past Matz Sels.

    Amad might have won it at the end but deep into stoppage injury time his shot was cleared off the line by Murillo.

  • Gombe raps football administrators over  longstanding  misuse of FIFA funds

    Gombe raps football administrators over  longstanding  misuse of FIFA funds

    By Victor Oguntade

    Former Gombe State Football Association Chairman, Alhaji Gara Gombe, has accused the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and its supervising sports body  of decades-long financial mismanagement, calling for a comprehensive probe into FIFA and CAF funds received by Nigeria since 1986.

    Speaking  recently  on the Channels Television’s flagship current affairs programme, Sunrise Daily, Gara reacted to the House of Representatives’ decision to launch a special audit into the alleged mismanagement of $25 million received by the NFF from FIFA and CAF between 2015 and 2025.

     “I thank the Federal House of Representatives for waking up from their slumber,” Gara said. “This matter of accountability, not only in the NFF but generally in sports, has been a recurrent issue. Many of us have been shouting for over 25 years calling for accountability.”

    He argued that the proposed period of investigation — 2015 to 2025 — is insufficient, urging lawmakers to extend the probe as far back as 1986.

    “It is not far enough. They should go back from 1986 to date,” Gara insisted. “We have been saying that these FIFA funds need to be accounted for.”

    Gara recalled a past incident in which FIFA’s audit revealed that over $800,000 was unaccounted for by the NFF. According to him, officials had withdrawn the funds from the Central Bank of Nigeria, exchanged them at the black market for a higher naira value, and failed to account for the proceeds.

     “FIFA said in their report that they cannot account for where the money went. Less than three weeks later, the wife of a serving minister died, and the NFF donated ₦25 million to her burial committee,” Gara alleged.

    He described corruption in Nigerian sports administration as deep-rooted and widespread, implicating not only football administrators but also government officials and lawmakers.

     “It is a complete chain of conspiracy — in the National Assembly, the Presidency, the Ministry of Sports, and the NFF,” he said. “We have former federation presidents who have built factories and mansions, yet no one is asking where the money came from.”

    Gara stressed that the NFF has “a case to answer,” adding that other sports federations and the Nigerian Olympic Committee should also be investigated.

    “It’s not only about football. All 28 to 30 federations, including the Olympic Committee, receive subventions from both local and international bodies. We must ask them to account for every naira and dollar.”

    When asked about solutions to curb corruption in sports, Gara advocated for a gradual withdrawal of government funding and greater private sector participation.

    Read Also: Reps to probe alleged misuse of FIFA grants by NFF

     “Funding sports should be a private sector affair. Because there is no accountability, the private sector has withdrawn. Someone collected ₦3 billion from SuperSport to manage football and there is nothing to show. The person is walking freely — in fact, promoted,” he said.

    He also called for regular publication of audited financial reports and stronger oversight from the National Assembly.

    Gara further alleged that the current legislative probe might be politically motivated, describing it as a possible “witch hunt” against the present NFF leadership.

     “If it is not a witch hunt, why have they not spoken all this while, only now? Most of the funds in question came during Amaju Pinnick’s tenure, and he is walking freely,” he argued.

    Despite his scepticism, Gara declared his full support for the House of Representatives’ investigation as long as it aims to ensure accountability and not target individuals unfairly.

     “They have my full backing, but if it is just to witch-hunt somebody, I will not support it,” he said.

    Gara Gombe, a long-time sports reform advocate, is a former Secretary of the Nigeria Football Stakeholders’ Forum and remains a vocal critic of corruption in Nigerian sports administration.

  • Lagos Legends end Rivers Hoopers one-year unbeaten runs in NPBL

    Lagos Legends end Rivers Hoopers one-year unbeaten runs in NPBL

    Defending champions Rivers Hoopers suffered a narrow 79-80 loss in overtime to Lagos Legends in a Day Five encounter at the ongoing 2025 Nigeria Premier Basketball League (NPBL) Final Eight Playoffs on Friday night.

    Heading into the encounter which took place at the Basketball Stadium on 59 Niger Street, Port Harcourt Township, Rivers State, both teams were riding on a wave of four straight victories at the Playoffs and were eager to preserve their unbeaten record.

    Lagos Legends started brightly, as they enjoyed a 9-4 lead (which was their biggest lead all game) inside the opening four minutes of a first quarter which saw the game tied at various intervals, with momentum swinging back and forth as both teams scored twenty-two (22-22) points each.

    The intensity continued into the second quarter with neither side willing to give anything away in a contest which was rightly billed as the star match of Day Five. However, Legends squeezed their noses in front at 41-40 heading into the halftime break.

    The physical and tactical battle continued into the second half, and again there was nothing to separate both sides as the game stretched into overtime with the score at 71-71.

    Read Also: Rivers Hoopers whip Hoops & Read to get NBPL Play-Offs  underway

    Having lost 89-70 to Rivers Hoopers during the Inter-Group Phase, Lagos Legends were out to get their pound of flesh and had to work hard to do so, as the hosts lost a league game for the first time since November 2022.

    Despite the defeat, Hoopers Head Coach Ogoh Odaudu praised his team’s performance on the night.

    “Today’s game was really intense. I think they [the players] did well, [but] fatigue is actually setting in. And when you’re that tired, you start to have a couple of mental lapses, and that’s what happened today. But of course we’ve been getting better day by day. Every game we’ve played, we’ve gotten better, and we are a work in progress. We’re going to get a well-deserved rest, then we’ll come back and start getting ready for the final four. It’s not a problem at all. One of two things must happen every time you play a game; you either win, or you lose. We lost today, so that’s it.” he said.

    Isaiah Williams scored a game-leading twenty (20) points and was one of five KingsMen to hit double figures. The rest were Victor Sunday, who had fifteen (15) points, John Idoga dropped ten (10) points, while Buchi Nwaiwu finished with a double-double of twelve (12) points and eleven (11) rebounds.

    Peter Olisemeka, who also had a double-double of thirteen (13) points and eleven (11) rebounds, said the players have given their all on court but must now regroup and come back stronger.

    “To be honest, we played as hard as possible. We had lapses, but right now, the most important thing for us as a team is to regroup and come back. I wouldn’t really say it’s a loss; I think that it’s a lesson, so we learn and we move on. Fix the things we need to build and get ready for the final four.” Olisemeka added.

    Rivers Hoopers will next be in action by 3pm on today, 1st November, 2025, when they take on Nile University Spartans.

    Day 6 – Saturday, 1st  Nov.

    11:00am: Nigeria Customs vs Hoops & Read

    1:00pm: Gboko City Chiefs vs Kwara Falcons

    3:00pm: Rivers Hoopers vs Nile University

    5:00pm: Lagos Legends vs Kano Pillars

    All games will be played at the Basketball Stadium, #59 Niger Street, Port Harcourt, Rivers.

  • London derby tops EPL  MatchDay 10 coverage  on SuperSport

    London derby tops EPL  MatchDay 10 coverage  on SuperSport

    The Premier League enters its tenth week, with title ambitions, survival battles and managerial pressure brewing.

    League leaders, Arsenal, play at Burnley  today at 4:00 PM. The match, as every other game of the weekend, will be live on DStv and GOtv. Mikel Arteta’s side sit top with eight consecutive victories and six clean sheets in all competitions. Scott Parker’s Burnley, buoyed by a 3–2 win at Wolves, will hope to frustrate the leaders at home. The fixture airs on SS Football (GOtv Ch. 61, DStv Ch. 205).

    At the same time, Nottingham Forest host Manchester United. Sean Dyche’s Forest remain in the drop zone after a 2–0 defeat to Bournemouth, while Rúben Amorim’s United are on the rise after three consecutive league wins, capped by a 4–2 victory over Brighton.

    The London derby at 6:30 PM sees Tottenham host Chelsea. Thomas Frank’s Spurs are flying high in third after a 3–0 win over Everton, although they were knocked out of the Carabao Cup following a 2–0 defeat to Newcastle. Chelsea, reeling from a 2–1 league loss to Sunderland, edged Wolves 4–3 in the Carabao Cup and will be desperate for a response to stay within reach of the top half.

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    Later at 9:00 PM, Liverpool face Aston Villa at Anfield in a pressure-filled encounter. Arne Slot’s champions have lost four straight league matches, the latest a 2-3 defeat to Brentford. They also suffered a 0-3 Carabao Cup loss to Crystal Palace in midweek. Villa, fresh from a 1–0 win over Manchester City, will back themselves to extend Liverpool’s slump.

    Tomorrow’s action concludes with Manchester City hosting Bournemouth at 5:30 PM. Pep Guardiola’s side will aim to recover from their defeat to Villa and maintain pressure on Arsenal, having beaten Swansea in the Carabao Cup earlier in the week. Bournemouth, the surprise of the season in second place, will relish the challenge of facing the champions at the Etihad.

    All other Premier League fixtures air live on SS Premier League (GOtv Ch. 65, DStv Ch. 203).

  • NPFL’: Rivers United, Nasarawa United lock horns in top clash with fiery other  Matchday 11 ties

    NPFL’: Rivers United, Nasarawa United lock horns in top clash with fiery other  Matchday 11 ties

    As Matchday 11 unfolds across various centres, the NPFL continues to deliver  unpredictability and rising competitiveness. With the spotlight on Rivers United’s survival instincts and Nasarawa United’s title defence in Port Harcourt, alongside Niger Tornadoes’ test against Abia Warriors in Minna, this weekend promises goals and shifting fortunes writes TUNDE LIADI

    This weekend,attention shifts to two high-stakes fixtures — Rivers United’s must-win encounter against table-toppers Nasarawa United in Port Harcourt, and Niger Tornadoes’ home showdown with title-chasing Abia Warriors in Minna.

    While the traditional heavyweight clash between Enyimba and Kano Pillars would ordinarily headline any NPFL weekend, both clubs’ struggles this season have dimmed the spotlight on them. Instead, the race for supremacy and redemption elsewhere has taken centre stage.

    Rivers United find themselves in a precarious position ahead of their clash with league leaders Nasarawa United. The Pride of Rivers were held to a goalless draw by Ikorodu City in a rescheduled midweek fixture, a result that has left their fans restless and coach Finidi George searching for solutions.

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    Currently sitting ninth on the table with 13 points, Rivers United must rediscover their winning touch to avoid slipping further down the standings. Finidi, who has yet to find consistency since taking over, knows that only three points will calm growing concerns within the camp.

    Nasarawa United, meanwhile, arrive in Port Harcourt as the team to beat. The Solid Miners’ impressive form this season has them at the summit of the NPFL table, though their four-point cushion has now been reduced to just one. Any slip-up in this fixture could see them surrender top spot to either Abia Warriors or Warri Wolves if results go their way.

    Another mouthwatering clash is on the cards in Minna, where Niger Tornadoes welcome Abia Warriors. Both sides have been among the league’s most consistent performers in recent weeks, setting the stage for a fiercely contested tie.

    The Ikon Allah Boys are brimming with confidence after a solid run of results, and victory over Abia Warriors would strengthen their push towards the top spot. Tornadoes have found stability at home, combining disciplined defending with swift counterattacks that have unsettled opponents.

    In Ilorin, Kwara United will host Remo Stars in a clash between two sides searching for redemption. Both teams have endured disappointing continental outings — Kwara United were eliminated from the CAF Confederation Cup by Ghana’s Asante Kotoko, while Remo Stars suffered a heavy 7–1 aggregate defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns in the Champions League.

    Kwara United, currently 11th with 13 points, will take confidence from their hard-fought goalless draw away to Rangers last weekend. Remo Stars, sitting 17th  with 10 points but with three outstanding games, must begin their recovery now if they are to avoid further descent into crisis.

    In Benin City, Bendel Insurance host Warri Wolves in a South-South derby that also marks new coach Kennedy Boboye’s first home game in charge. The Edo Arsenal earned a commendable draw in Owerri against Kun Khalifat last weekend, and Boboye has promised fans a winning display at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.

    However, Warri Wolves, who are fourth on the table with 17 points and boast three away wins from five, are proving one of the most dangerous travellers in the league. Another away success would send a strong message to their title rivals.

    In Ibadan, Shooting Stars will look to bounce back after Wikki Tourists ended their five-match unbeaten streak last weekend. The Oluyole Warriors, now sixth with 15 points, face Katsina United at the Lekan Salami Stadium, hoping to reignite their top-four ambitions.

    Up north in Maiduguri, El-Kanemi Warriors host Rangers International in a tricky encounter. Rangers, fresh from a frustrating home draw with Kwara United, will seek to return to winning ways.

    Ikorodu City welcome Kun Khalifat to Lagos, while in Yenagoa, Bayelsa United face Plateau United under intense pressure. Reports suggest the “Prosperity Boys” are under a stern ultimatum to improve results or face sweeping changes.

    In Kano, Barau FC will aim to bounce back against Wikki Tourists after recent setbacks, while in Aba, Enyimba face a resurgent Kano Pillars in what could have been the headline match of the weekend under different circumstances.

    For Enyimba coach Stanley Eguma, the game carries extra significance — he reportedly begins a two-match ultimatum to save his job. A victory over the struggling Sai Masu Gida could offer the respite he desperately needs.

  • Nnadozie beaten to WSL Save of the Month

    Nnadozie beaten to WSL Save of the Month

    Brighton & Hove Albion’s Nigerian international Chiamaka Nnadozie has missed out on the Women’s Super League Save of the Month award for October 2025.

    The WSL announced that Arsenal goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar claimed the accolade for her remarkable save against Brighton & Hove Albion.

    During the match, the Seagulls delivered a cross from the right for Carla Camacho, who fired towards goal, but Van Domselaar reacted superbly, diving to her right to tip the effort past the post.

    Other contenders for the monthly honour included Manchester United’s Phallon Tullis-Joyce, Everton’s Emily Ramsey and Leicester City’s Janina Leitzig.

    Read Also: NFF chieftains commend Salami on revival of Shooting Stars

    Nnadozie earned her nomination thanks to a brilliant stop against Tottenham Hotspur, further underlining her impressive start to life in England.

    Since joining Brighton from Paris FC in the summer, the 2024 WAFCON winner has featured in six league matches, keeping two clean sheets and conceding just five goals.

    The Nigerian goalkeeper has made 24 saves in the WSL so far this season, including 14 from inside the box—a tally bettered only by Leicester City’s Janina Leitzig (29).

  • Lookman makes Serie A TOTW

    Lookman makes Serie A TOTW

    Super Eagles attacker Ademola Lookman has been named in the Serie A Team of the Week for gameweek nine, Soccernet.ng reports.

    Lookman ended his five-month goal drought in Atalanta’s Serie A fixture against AC Milan on Tuesday. The Super Eagles star scored in the first half of the game, as he beat Mike Maignan with a wicked piledriver from inside the box. That goal eventually helped his side secure a 1-1 draw.

    That goal was Atalanta’s first goal at their home since the start of October. It took them to ninth on the Serie A table.

    Read Also: Ballon d’Or: NFF congratulates Nnadozie, Madugu

    Aside from his goal, Lookman had a really lively game, with three successful dribbles, 84 percent pass accuracy, and three key passes.

    Per Sofascore, the Super Eagles star was the highest-rated Atalanta player on the pitch.

    Following his performance, the Serie A have now included Lookman in their Team of the Week. This is an honour for the best players in their different positions for the gameweek.

    Ademola Lookman had a slow start to the campaign, as he fell out with the club due to their refusal to let him leave last summer. He missed the first few games, but it seems that he is slowly returning to his best.