The Nation Newspaper

Category: Sports

  • Forest sack Postecoglou after 39 days in charge

    Forest sack Postecoglou after 39 days in charge

    Nottingham Forest head coach Ange Postecoglou was sacked just 17 minutes after the side’s 3-0 defeat by Chelsea at the City Ground on Saturday.

    The Australian’s dismissal – 39 days after his appointment on 9 September – means Postecoglou’s stint at Forest is the shortest permanent managerial reign in Premier League history.

    The former Tottenham boss failed to win any of his eight matches in charge of Forest, with two draws and six defeats across all competitions.

    Read Also: Aiyegbeni, Oshaniwa berate NFF for blaming  Ekong, Dessers for Super Eagles’ woes 

    Forest collected just one point from Postecoglou’s five Premier League matches in charge, leaving the side one point above the relegation zone in 17th on his departure and in the bottom three following the day’s later games.

    “Nottingham Forest Football Club can confirm that after a series of disappointing results and performances, Ange Postecoglou has been relieved of his duties as head coach with immediate effect,” a Forest statement read.

    “The club will make no further comment at this time.”

    It is understood Forest would like to make a quick appointment, having already considered Sean Dyche while there is also long-term interest in Fulham’s Marco Silva, the Portuguese having worked under Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis at Olympiacos, who he also owns.

  • Mateta net shat-trick for Crystal Palace

    Mateta net shat-trick for Crystal Palace

    Jean-Philippe Mateta yesterday scored a hat-trick, including a stoppage-time penalty, as Crystal Palace fought back from two goals down to draw with Bournemouth in a six-goal thriller at Selhurst Park.

    In an incredible finish, Mateta completed his treble in the 97th minute after Marc Guehi had been wrestled to the ground by Bournemouth’s Bafode Diakite as a left-wing corner was being taken.

    There was still time for further drama but Mateta, who has now scored seven goals for the Eagles this season, blazed a potentially match-winning chance over the bar in the ninth minute of stoppage time.

    Teenage striker Eli Kroupi, 19, had earlier scored twice on his first Premier League start as Bournemouth were on course for a victory that would have taken them temporarily top of the table.

    Read Also: Jalla kicks over undue  FIFA ‘s intervention in NFF’s electoral process

    Mateta scored twice in a five-minute spell to make it 2-2, before Ryan Christie restored Bournemouth’s lead in the 89th minute, but it was not enough for the victory.

    It continued a great spell in Mateta’s career as he made his France debut on 10 October against Azerbaijan and then scored his first international goal three days later in a 2-2 draw with Iceland.

    Palace are now eighth in the Premier League, while Bournemouth are fourth.

  • Onyedika on radar of Galatasaray, Frankfurt

    Onyedika on radar of Galatasaray, Frankfurt

    Super Eagles midfielder Raphael Onyedika has been reported as a top transfer target for Turkish champions Galatasaray and Eintracht Frankfurt.

    According to Sky Sports, Frankfurt are interested in the Club Brugge defensive midfielder, and he is on their shortlist.

    The interest is particularly because Hugo Larsson’s future remains uncertain.

    Read Also: Jalla kicks over undue  FIFA ‘s intervention in NFF’s electoral process

    Frankfurt appear to be mainly considering Onyedika as a replacement for him, and it also appears that Frankfurt will only take action if Larsson left.

    Onuachu top scorer in Turkey after Trabzonspor match winner

    Paul Onuachu is now the leading scorer in the Turkish Super Lig after he fired his seventh goal of the season for Trabzonspor to win 2-1 at Rizespor.

  • Gusau: Super Eagles will qualify for World Cup ticket

    Gusau: Super Eagles will qualify for World Cup ticket

    NFF president Ibrahim Gusau has expressed confidence Nigeria will qualify for the 2026 World Cup via the Playoffs, while also backing Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle.

    On Tuesday, the Super Eagles kept World Cup hopes alive when they qualified for the continental Playoffs next month in Morocco, where they will battle Gabon, DR Congo and Cameroon for a ticket to next year’s Intercontinental Playoffs in Mexico to produce two more qualifiers for the Mundial.

    “We have started preparations (World Cup Playoffs), but the most important thing is the commitment and zeal of the players,” Gusau said while expressing his confidence in Nigeria featuring at next year’s World Cup.

    Read Also: W’Cup 2026: Toro hails NFF, stakeholders for Super Eagles’   playoff spot

    “They have now realised that going to the World Cup is important to their careers, more than even how Nigerians look at it.

    “The team spirit from our last two matches, they are ready to be at the World Cup, so I don’t have any element of doubt (to qualify for the World Cup).

    “We are getting all the cooperation we need for the government to ensure we are ready for the Playoffs and I know we will move on to the Intercontinental Playoffs.”

    He said coach Eric Chelle has justified his appointment as Super Eagles coach by winning four of six World Cup qualifiers.

    “Had we had a little resemblance of that record, we would not have been where we are today,” he said.

  • Osimhen rested ahead Champions League clash

    Osimhen rested ahead Champions League clash

    Turkish champions Galatasaray rested Victor Osimhen for yesterday’s Super Lig game against city rivals Basaksehir in Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League clash against Norwegian champions Bodo/Glimt in view.

    Osimhen’s direct rival, Mauro Icardi, instead started for Gala, with Osimhen coming in in the 79th minute of the match.

    Read Also: NFF D-License coaching course takes off in Abuja

    Earlier this week, the Super Eagles star fired a hat-trick in a 4-0 home win over Benin to keep alive Nigeria’s hopes of playing at next year’s World Cup in USA, Canada and Mexico.

    Galatasaray hope to build on their famous win over Premier League champions Liverpool with a win over Bodo/Glimt midweek in the UEFA Champions League.

  • Iwobi breaks Nigeria’s Premier League appearance record

    Iwobi breaks Nigeria’s Premier League appearance record

    Alex Iwobi yester night made history as Nigerian with most appearance in the Premier League when Fulham welcome his former club Arsenal to the Craven Cottage.

    Iwobi played for 90 minutes as Arsenal ran away with a late goal.

    Iwobi has amassed 299 appearances in the English top-flight till date.

    Read Also: W’Cup 2026: Toro hails NFF, stakeholders for Super Eagles’   playoff spot

    The versatile midfielder beat Shola Ameobi to the appearance record.

    The 29-year-old moved on top of the appearance record after  featuring against Arsenal.

    Iwobi racked up the 299 appearances for three different clubs, Arsenal, Everton, and Fulham.

    He made his Premier League debut for Arsenal against Swansea City on October 27, 2015.

  • Arsenal beat Fulham 1-0, return to EPL top

    Arsenal beat Fulham 1-0, return to EPL top

    Arsenal returned to the Premier League summit with a narrow 1-0 win over Fulham at Craven Cottage. Leandro Trossard netted the decisive goal just before the hour mark, converting from close range after Bukayo Saka’s corner was flicked on by Gabriel.

    Fulham started brightly, with Harry Wilson and Raul Jimenez threatening early, and Riccardo Calafiori saw a fine strike ruled out for offside. Arsenal gradually took control, with Viktor Gyokeres and Saka forcing saves from Bernd Leno.

    Read Also: Sodje urges NFF to rally support for Labbadia

    The breakthrough came via a set piece — Saka’s improved delivery found Gabriel, whose touch allowed Trossard to finish at the back post. The victory sees Mikel Arteta’s side leapfrog Manchester City, who had briefly gone top after beating Everton 2-0.

  • EPL: Mateta hat-trick grabs Palace draw with Bournemouth

    EPL: Mateta hat-trick grabs Palace draw with Bournemouth

    Jean-Philippe Mateta scored a hat-trick, including a stoppage-time penalty, as Crystal Palace fought back from two goals down to draw with Bournemouth in a six-goal thriller at Selhurst Park.

    In an incredible finish, Mateta completed his treble in the 97th minute after Marc Guehi had been wrestled to the ground by Bournemouth’s Bafode Diakite as a left-wing corner was being taken.

    There was still time for further drama but Mateta, who has now scored seven goals for the Eagles this season, blazed a potentially match-winning chance over the bar in the ninth minute of stoppage time.

    Teenage striker Eli Kroupi, 19, had earlier scored twice on his first Premier League start as Bournemouth were on course for a victory that would have taken them temporarily top of the table.

    Mateta scored twice in a five-minute spell to make it 2-2, before Ryan Christie restored Bournemouth’s lead in the 89th minute, but it was not enough for the victory.

    Read Also: EPL: Mateta strikes late as Palace deny Chelsea victory

    It continued a great spell in Mateta’s career as he made his France debut on 10 October against Azerbaijan and then scored his first international goal three days later in a 2-2 draw with Iceland.

    Palace are now eighth in the Premier League, while Bournemouth are fourth.

    The Cherries would have moved top with the three points, though they would have then been ousted if Arsenal, who began the day top, avoided defeat in their late game at Fulham.

    BBC

  • EPL: Haaland scores as Man City beat Everton to go top

    EPL: Haaland scores as Man City beat Everton to go top

    Erling Haaland netted twice to continue his sensational goalscoring streak and help move Manchester City top of the Premier League with victory over Everton.

    Haaland scored a hat-trick for Norway during the recent international break and his second-half double against the Toffees at Etihad Stadium took his tally to a remarkable 23 goals in only 13 games for club and country this season.

    The 25-year-old had been kept quiet in the first half but came alive with his first opportunity of the contest, powerfully heading in from Nico O’Reilly’s cross.

    Five minutes later he converted again, sweeping home from Savinho’s cutback, which took a slight deflection off Everton defender James Tarkowski.

    Up until that point, it was David Moyes’ side who had been carving out the better opportunities, but the inability to take their chances proved costly.

    Read Also: Haaland hat-trick helps Norway sink Israel

    The visitors were on a high following their last-gasp victory over Crystal Palace before the international break, and had Iliman Ndiaye causing all sorts of problems for the City backline.

    The Senegal international, who scored here last season, intercepted Nathan Ake’s poor pass but his low cross towards the back post could not be converted by Beto, while a weaving run and thunderous shot was brilliantly tipped over by Gianluigi Donnarumma.

    At the other end, Everton’s Jake O’Brien was fortunate not to score an own goal when he inadvertently directed a header against his own crossbar.

    City had created half-chances in the first half, with Savinho scuffing straight at Jordan Pickford from close range and seeing another effort batted away by the England international, before Haaland stole the show once again.

    BBC

  • Full List: EPL Managers with shortest spells

    Full List: EPL Managers with shortest spells

    The Premier League is often described as one of the most cutthroat environments in world football — and once again, it has lived up to its reputation.

    Nottingham Forest’s decision to sack Ange Postecoglou after just 39 days in charge has added a new chapter to the league’s long history of managerial turmoil. The Australian coach, known for his attacking style and previous success at Celtic and Tottenham, arrived at the City Ground with high expectations. 

    But a string of poor performances saw Forest act swiftly — making Postecoglou the second-shortest serving manager in Premier League history.

    Here’s a look at the top five shortest managerial spells in the Premier League era:

    1. Sam Allardyce – Leeds United (30 days)

    Brought in during the 2022/23 season to save Leeds from relegation, Allardyce lasted just a month. Four games, no wins, and a 19th-place finish saw both parties part ways swiftly.

    2. Ange Postecoglou – Nottingham Forest (39 days)

    Appointed with hopes of steadying the ship at Forest, Postecoglou’s tenure never took off. A series of uninspiring displays and mounting pressure led to his dismissal less than six weeks into the job.

    3. Javi Gracia – Watford (69 days)

    The Spaniard’s second stint in the Premier League ended almost as quickly as it began. Tasked with rescuing Watford in 2023, Gracia couldn’t turn the tide and was swiftly replaced.

    Read Also: EPL managers sympathise with Ten Hag after Man United sacking

    4. René Meulensteen – Fulham (75 days)

    After replacing Martin Jol in December 2013, Meulensteen managed only a handful of wins before being shown the door in February 2014 as Fulham battled relegation.

    5. Frank de Boer – Crystal Palace (77 days)

    Perhaps the most infamous case, De Boer’s Palace tenure in 2017 lasted just four league games — all defeats without scoring a single goal. The Dutchman’s philosophy clashed with the club’s direction, leading to a swift exit.