The Nation Newspaper

Category: Sports

  • Guimaraes, Woltemade lead Newcastle to 2-0 victory over Nottingham Forest

    Guimaraes, Woltemade lead Newcastle to 2-0 victory over Nottingham Forest

    Bruno Guimaraes and Nick Woltemade inspired Newcastle United to a crucial victory over Nottingham Forest at St James’ Park, intensifying the pressure on Forest manager Ange Postecoglou.

    Postecoglou’s wait for a first win with Nottingham Forest continued as his side suffered another setback, following Thursday night’s Europa League defeat to Midtjylland.

    Guimaraes broke the deadlock just before the hour mark with a superb curling strike from outside the box. Forest players protested to referee Peter Bankes, claiming the Brazilian had fouled Morgan Gibbs-White in the build-up, but the goal was allowed to stand.

    Read Also: Grealish strikes late as Everton end Crystal Palace’s 19-match unbeaten run

    Before the opener, Newcastle — previously the Premier League’s lowest scorers — had struggled to break through Forest’s defence.

    However, momentum shifted as the hosts pressed for more goals. Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels pulled off impressive saves to deny Sandro Tonali, Malick Thiaw, and Harvey Barnes, while Woltemade’s thunderous effort struck the underside of the bar.

    Woltemade eventually doubled Newcastle’s lead from the penalty spot after Guimaraes was brought down in the box by Elliot Anderson, sealing the Magpies’ second league win of the season.

    As the final whistle blew, frustrated Newcastle fans chanted “you’re getting sacked in the morning” toward Postecoglou, with Forest now sitting 17th in the Premier League table.

  • Grealish strikes late as Everton end Crystal Palace’s 19-match unbeaten run

    Grealish strikes late as Everton end Crystal Palace’s 19-match unbeaten run

    Jack Grealish scored a stunning 93rd-minute winner as Everton came from behind to hand Crystal Palace their first defeat in 19 matches across all competitions.

    Daniel Muñoz had earlier given in-form Palace the lead in the 37th minute, finishing smartly from Ismaila Sarr’s pass after Tyrick Mitchell had struck the post.

    The goal looked set to secure a third consecutive Premier League victory for Palace and extend their remarkable unbeaten run.

    Read Also: Villa maintain momentum with hard-fought 2–1 win over Burnley

    Everton, however, improved after the break following the introduction of Tyler Dibling and Thierno Barry.

    Their persistence paid off in the 76th minute when Iliman Ndiaye converted from the penalty spot after Maxence Lacroix fouled substitute Tim Iroegbunam.

    With the game seemingly destined for a draw, Grealish—on loan from Manchester City—pounced in stoppage time, firing home after Dean Henderson parried Beto’s close-range header.

    The dramatic 2-1 victory ended Palace’s club-record unbeaten streak, their first loss since April 16.

  • Villa maintain momentum with hard-fought 2–1 win over Burnley

    Villa maintain momentum with hard-fought 2–1 win over Burnley

    Donyell Malen scored twice as Aston Villa stretched their winning run to four matches in all competitions with victory over struggling Burnley.

    Having created several early opportunities to take the lead at Villa Park, Unai Emery’s side eventually got their noses in front when Boubacar Kamara’s defence-splitting pass released Malen, who found the bottom corner.

    It was the Dutchman’s first goal of the season, having last netted at Southampton in April.

    Returning Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez, who pulled out of Thursday’s 2-0 Europa League win over Feyenoord with a calf problem, produced a marvellous one-handed save to tip Josh Cullen’s low shot away as Burnley sought a reply.

    Villa remained on top, though, and felt they should have been awarded a penalty when Morgan Rogers went to ground under the challenge of Axel Tuanzebe, but referee Andrew Kitchen waved away protests for a pull on the England midfielder.

    Read Also: Africa for Peace Sports Festival returns with ₦10m prize pool

    The second half was a more subdued affair, but the hosts deservedly doubled their advantage in the 63rd minute when Malen – who was about to be taken off – slammed Rogers’ pass into the far corner for his second of the afternoon.

    Lesley Ugochukwu nodded home his first Burnley goal to reduce the arrears with 12 minutes left, but Emery’s men held on to clinch back-to-back league successes after their winless start to the campaign.

    Villa are in 13th spot, while Scott Parker’s side are third from bottom after a fifth game without a league victory.

  • Adesoji Tayo is new NTTF President

    Adesoji Tayo is new NTTF President

    Dr Adesoji Tayo has been elected as the President of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF).

    The former Vice President took over from Engr Ishaku Tikon who paddled the canoe of the federation for eighth years.

    Read Also: NFF to review Chelle’s contract next month

    The Oyo State Table Tennis Association chairman was declared winner after his close opponent Khamisu Ahmed of Gombe State stepped down to be named the Vice President.

  • Africa for Peace Sports Festival returns with ₦10m prize pool

    Africa for Peace Sports Festival returns with ₦10m prize pool

    The second edition of the Africa for Peace Sports Festival is set to launch on November 15, 2025, bringing a celebration of sports, unity, and peace to Delta State.

    Held in honor of the International Day for Tolerance, this year’s festival features a dynamic lineup of competitions aimed at promoting community engagement, talent discovery, and peaceful coexistence.

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

    Participants will compete in events such as gym contests, Scrabble, snooker, table tennis, and mini football, while chess and fussball will be featured as exhibition games.

    A total prize pool of N10 million, along with other incentive awards, will be up for grabs, making this edition the most exciting yet.

  • Onumonu bows out of football at 31

    Onumonu bows out of football at 31

    Nigeria international Ifeoma Onumonu has brought the curtain down on her playing career, announcing her retirement from professional football at the age of 31, Soccernet.ng reports.

    The Super Falcons forward confirmed her decision in an emotional statement on Instagram, reflecting on a journey that began in childhood and stretched across two decades.

    “It is with a heart full of gratitude that I bid farewell to my playing career on the pitch,” Onumonu wrote.

    Born in California, Onumonu fell in love with the game at just eight years old while turning out for a local youth side called Magic.

    “All I wanted to do was run as fast as I could and score,” she recalled. “I didn’t much care about winning or losing; I just loved playing. I loved discovering what my body could do and what I could do with the ball.”

    Read Also: NFF to review Chelle’s contract next month

    That passion carried her from youth football in the United States to the top of the women’s game.

    At club level she played for Montpellier in France and across the National Women’s Soccer League with stints at Portland Thorns, Boston Breakers, Utah Royals, Reign FC and Gotham FC.

    Internationally, she committed to Nigeria in 2021, featuring at the Olympics, the FIFA Women’s World Cup, and the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. She was part of the Falcons’ record-extending 10th continental title win.

     “I had the profound pleasure of lifting an NWSL championship trophy, representing Nigeria at the Olympics and a World Cup, and helping to lift the African Cup of Nations trophy with the Super Falcons for a historic 10th time.”

  • Onuachu bags goal of the month award

    Onuachu bags goal of the month award

    Paul Onuachu has bagged the Goal of Month for August in the Turkish Super Lig.

    The Super Eagles striker won the top prize for his header against Samsunspor in a Week 4 clash.

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

    His award was presented to him by the Trabzonspor Vice-President Zeyyat Keftas before their home game against Kayserispor on Friday.

  • 2nd Annual Charity Cup empowers youths, vulnerable

    2nd Annual Charity Cup empowers youths, vulnerable

    Founder of Nonso Ezeagu Foundation (NEF), organizer of the Annual Charity Cup, Nonso Ezeagu says the annual football tournament is aimed at empowering the youths and the vulnerable. 

    Ezeagu stresses that the rationale behind the annual tournament was to unite the youths, and to keep them off the streets and out of crime.

    “As we all know, football has the potentials of uniting communities, even when you may have had quarrel with people, but once its football time, all the acrimony would easily be forgotten, and you will see the same people discussing and analyzing football together,” He averred.

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

    The CEO noted that he was motivated into giving back to the society from what God has blessed him with, adding that it was also a way of saying thank you to the Almighty who has provided all the resources.

    Ezeagu expressed that some of his class friends and family have supported in making this year’s edition a reality, saying that he is also grateful to the Mayor of Aguata LGA, who out of his ver busy schedule, carved out time to grace the occasion.

    On his part, the Mayor of Aguata Local Government Area, Dr. Chibueze Oforbuike, who declared the tournament open, commended NEF for the huge resources expended in putting smiles on the faces of people, notwithstanding the current economic realities.

  • E1 Lagos GP: Team Rafa edges Team Brady in qualifying session

    E1 Lagos GP: Team Rafa edges Team Brady in qualifying session

    Team Brazil by Claure Group surged to pole position in a thrilling qualifying session ahead of the E1 Lagos GP presented by FirstBank, as the world’s first all-electric raceboat Championship makes history this weekend with its debut on the African continent.

    The tropical waters of the Lagos Lagoon are hosting the pioneering race series, marking a major milestone for Nigeria as it continues to build its reputation as a global destination for world-class sporting events.

    The dramatic qualifying session ended with Team Brazil by Claure Group securing the top spot, ahead of Team Rafa and Aoki Racing Team, setting the stage for a high-stakes showdown tomorrow.

    The two points awarded to Team Rafa for second place in qualifying sees Rafael Nadal’s E1 team reclaim the Championship lead from Team Brady by a single point. The NFL legend’s team suffered technical difficulties which ended their hopes of challenging for pole position.

    Read Also: NFF confirms Super Eagles friendlies in US

    The Championship battle hangs in the balance and a win tomorrow could prove decisive as Team Brady fights to defend its crown.

    Rodi Basso, founder and Chief Executive Officer of E1 said: “The warm welcome we have received in Lagos has been incredible. The people and passion of Nigeria has made this historic E1 Lagos GP presented by FirstBank possible, and I feel a great sense of pride that we have made racing here a reality.

    “Our ambition is to build a motorsport legacy in Africa. This weekend’s race is just the beginning and today’s qualifying sessions have provided a thrilling taste of what’s to come on race day tomorrow.”

    Sunday’s race is expected to draw thousands of spectators to the waterfront as excitement builds across Lagos. African football icon Didier Drogba and his partner Gabrielle Lemaire, instrumental in bringing E1 to the continent, will attend to support his team, Team Drogba Global Africa, as the Championship continues its groundbreaking journey.

    Championship Standings: Team Rafa – 136 pts, Team Brady – 135 pts, Aoki Racing Team – 125 pts, Team Blue Rising – 114 pts, Westbrook Racing – 82 pts, Team AlUla Championed by LeBron James – 79 pts, Team Drogba – 66 pts, Team Brazil by Claure Group – 51 pts and Team Miami – 32 pts.

  • WCQ: Fresh injury hits Nigeria as Agu limps out in Bundesliga clash

    WCQ: Fresh injury hits Nigeria as Agu limps out in Bundesliga clash

    Super Eagles defender Felix Agu could miss Nigeria’s upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers next week, as he suffered an injury in Werder Bremen’s 1-0 win over St. Pauli on Saturday, Soccernet.ng reports.

    On Friday, Agu was one of the 23 players called up to the Super Eagles squad ahead of the World Cup Qualifiers against Lesotho and Benin next week.

    Read Also: GTI seeks investors’ partnership after successful NFF’s AGM

    The 26-year-old left-back has been a regular for Werder Bremen this season, and he started for them once more in their Bundesliga fixture against St. Pauli at the Weserstadion.

    Agu had a really good showing in the first half, but he had to be helped off just before halftime, as he sustained an injury and could not continue.

    Although the extent of the injury has not been confirmed, it is highly unlikely that Agu will be available for the Super Eagles by next week.

    The former Osnabruck man has a bad injury history, so for him to have to leave a game, it must have been a serious problem.