The Nation Newspaper

Category: Sports

  • NBPL: No mercy as Rivers Hoopers rout Kwara Falcons

    NBPL: No mercy as Rivers Hoopers rout Kwara Falcons

    Rivers Hoopers rode a wave of pinpoint shooting from deep to outclass Kwara Falcons 81-61 on Day Three of the ongoing 2025 Nigeria Basketball Premier League (NBPL) Phase Two on Tuesday.

    Kwara Falcons started hot, drilling back-to-back threes to take an early lead, but once Rivers Hoopers erased a four-point gap to tie the game at 13-13, there was no going back as the KingsMen scored four more to end the first quarter 17-13.

    With the defending champions well settled into the game, it didn’t take much time before the team got the crowd rocking in the second quarter. Mustapha Oyebanji scored fourteen (14) of his team-leading eighteen (18) points in the second quarter, shooting four threes to feed the frenzy, as the KingsMen took a fourteen-point lead with the score at 44-30 heading into the halftime break.

    Read Also: UCL: Osimhen scores as Galatasaray shock Liverpool 1-0

    The team scored five (5) threes in the second quarter and four (4) in the fourth for a total of twelve (12) overall (the highest total managed by a team in a single game at the ongoing NBPL Atlantic Conference Phase Two).

    At the end of the third quarter, the hosts had opened up a twenty-two-point advantage, much to the delight of the energetic crowd, and kept up the tempo to close out the game at 81-61.

    Amongst four KingsMen who hit double figures, Favour Komene had a memorable night as the youngster notched fourteen (14) points, with each of his four (4) threes cheered on by the crowd. Captain Victor Koko scored thirteen (13) points, and John Idoga added eleven (11).

    In the end, the defending champions put up a performance which was well pleasing, not only to the fans but also to Assistant Coach Ronald Alalibo.

    “I’m pleased, because when you make a mistake, you go back to the drawing board, you see the kind of adjustments you want to make, and you try as much as possible to effect those adjustments to enable you to perform better.

    “So far so good; it’s a learning process. Even in this game that we won, we still saw some mistakes that we made, and we’ll go back to the drawing board to make some more adjustments moving forward because we have to get better each game,” he said.

    Rivers Hoopers next play Comets by 5pm on Wednesday and will look to make it three wins from three Phase Two games.

  • NPFL threatens Wolves  on access to technical bench for suspending Napoleon

    NPFL threatens Wolves  on access to technical bench for suspending Napoleon

    The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has faulted the suspension of coach Aluma Napoleon by Warri Wolves  on the ground that it did not  adhere to procedures for contracting coaches.

    In a letter titled, “Notarization and Registration of Contracts” addressed to the club and signed by Davidson Owumi, the NPFL Chief Operating Officer, the club was mandated to ensure full compliance by submitting its contract with all of the club’s technical and management officials.

    The NPFL letter read:  “Information reaching us from the media space suggest that the Delta State Sports Commission has suspended your head coach Mr. Aluma Napoleon with immediate effect.”

    Read Also: UCL: Lookman returns with start as Atalanta beat Brugge 2-1

    The NPFL cited its Frameworks and Rules for 2025/26 in demanding compliance by Warri Wolves, stating that “you are aware that the framework and rules of the NPFL 2025/2026 season , Section B, article 6 and 11, clearly states the requirements for engagement and procedure for registration of contracts for all club officials.

     “You are however in breach of these sections as Warri Wolves FC have not submitted the contracts of its officials to the League Board. You are hereby requested to within twenty-four hours of receiving this letter, submit all relevant contracts of your technical team, including that of the assumed suspended head coach, Mr. Napoleon Aluma to the Secretariat of the NPFL”.

    The letter warned that the club may have to play its future matches without a bench on account of failure to comply with the directive.

     “Note that failure to comply with this instruction will lead to the restriction of your technical team from accessing the technical area in future NPFL matches,” the club was warned.

    Owumi, in a related statement to the NPFL Media made it clear that the Warri Wolves case is not an isolated instance. He said this applies to all clubs that are yet to domicile the contracts with their technical officials with the NPFL.

     “I must admonish all Coaches to get hold of their contracts and lodge a report with the NPFL when there is a violation of the terms. It is the responsibility of the aggrieved to petition the league at all times”, he reminded the Coaches.

  • NPFL 26: Shooting Stars duo completes successful surgeries

    NPFL 26: Shooting Stars duo completes successful surgeries

    The management of Shooting Stars Sports Club of Ibadan has confirmed that two of its players: Taye Muritala and Abdullahi Lawal who underwent successful surgeries over the weekend, are now recovering.

    According to a report from the club, the two players expected to re-join the squad during the course of the season.

    Read Also: UCL: Osimhen scores as Galatasaray shock Liverpool 1-0

    The club stated that it remains committed to the health and welfare of its players, which it places as its top priority.

    The Oluyole Warriors last weekend picked up their first away win of the ongoing 2025/26 NPFL season after staging a 2-1 comeback win over Warri Wolves in Ozoro.

    They Oluyole will next host Plateau United this weekend, in what promises to be another mouthwatering NPFL match day 7 fixture in Ibadan.

  • Ranchers Bees set to face EFCC, City FC

    Ranchers Bees set to face EFCC, City FC

    Kaduna-based NNL side, Ranchers Bees FC, will continue their build up to the upcoming Nigeria National League season with friendly games with EFCC and City FC in Abuja .

    As part of their meticulous preparations, the team has scheduled two high-profile pre-season friendly matches in Abuja with the test game against EFCC FC coming up on October 4th  before the tie with City FC the following day.

    The game would help to fine-tune the team skills and build team cohesion ahead of their NNL opener against Gombe United in November.

    Read Also: UCL: Lookman returns with start as Atalanta beat Brugge 2-1

    The team’s top hierarchies, backed by Super Eagles striker Sadiq Umar and Lawmaker Bello El-Rufai, have spared no effort in providing the necessary resources to ensure a smooth transition into the new season.

    With Sadiq Umar’s decade-long experience playing professional football in top European leagues, including Croatia, Italy, Holland, Serbia, and Spain, the team is poised to showcase a high level of professionalism.

    Football enthusiasts in Kaduna State and beyond can expect an exciting season from Ranchers Bees FC, as they aim to make a strong impression in the NNL.

  • UCL: Barca’s Yamal eyes up PSG after Ballon d’Or miss

    UCL: Barca’s Yamal eyes up PSG after Ballon d’Or miss

    Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal almost became the youngest ever Ballon d’Or winner last week at 18, and tonight’s Champions League clash against Paris Saint-Germain offers the ideal opportunity to begin stating his case for next year.

    PSG star Ousmane Dembele won the award for the best player in the world but is out injured and will miss the match at the Olympic stadium, leaving runner-up Yamal the floor.

    Last season it was the then 17-year-old who inspired Barcelona’s charge to the semi-finals, and despite two outstanding displays against Inter Milan, Hansi Flick’s side fell just short.

    They missed out on facing PSG in the final, as the French side crushed Inter to claim their first Champions League trophy.

    Yamal pledged he would bring the cup to Barcelona, who have not won it since 2015 and the days of Lionel Messi.

    Despite Yamal’s quality, already immense and still increasing, Barcelona have improved without him last season.

    Read Also: UCL: Osimhen scores as Galatasaray shock Liverpool 1-0

    In the 2024⁄25 campaign they struggled when he was absent, depending far too much on him, but they have just won five games in a row, the first four of those without the teenager.

    Yamal was sidelined with a groin issue but on his return against Real Sociedad on Sunday in La Liga made an instant impact when introduced in the 58th  minute.

    The right winger burst into the box and crossed for Robert Lewandowski to head home the winner, little over a minute after entering the fray.

    It was the perfect way to reintroduce himself, shaking the crowd out of their stupor.

    ”(Just) his presence on the pitch is a threat,” said Real Sociedad coach Sergio Francisco. “He’s showing every day he’s the best player in the world. It’s a treat to watch him.”

    Yamal’s impact against Real Sociedad was also a tonic for the club during a difficult week. They lost Joan Garcia and Raphinha to injury, the duo joining recently hurt duo Fermin Lopez and Gavi on the sidelines.

    Barcelona were also denied permission to return to their renovated Camp Nou home by the city council, despite hopes they could host the La Real game there.

     “I’m happy to have him back, he showed it directly, his outstanding strength he has to create chances, to give the last pass. It’s good to have him back,” said Flick.

    Despite his age, Yamal has made over 100 appearances for Barcelona, scoring 27 goals, and winning two La Liga titles since his debut at 15 in 2023.

    The Spain international, who won Euro 2024 with his country the day after his 17th birthday, is often compared to eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and Barcelona all-time great Lionel Messi.

    Yamal inherited his iconic number 10 shirt at the start of this season, also worn by Diego Maradona and Ronaldinho among other historic Barca stars.

    Only time will tell whether Yamal will be able to reproduce Messi’s longevity, but thus far he has risen to meet every challenge he has faced since his debut at just 15.

    The Argentine did not win the Ballon d’Or until he was 22, with Brazil great Ronaldo the youngest ever winner at 21.

    Yamal may have missed out this year, but if he wins the award in 2026 or 2027, he will still claim that record, as he has done so many others.

     “You have to climb to get to the top,” said Yamal on Instagram after missing out in Paris, and facing PSG may be the first rung on the ladder.

    UCL: TODAY’S MATCHES

    Qarabağ vs. Copenhagen

    Saint-Gilloise vs.  Newcastle

    Arsenal vs.  Olympiakos

    Barcelona vs. PSG

    Leverkusen vs.  PSV

    Dortmund vs. Athletic Club

    Monaco vs. Man City

    Napoli vs. Sporting CP

    Villarreal vs. Juventus

  • UCL: Osimhen scores as Galatasaray shock Liverpool 1-0

    UCL: Osimhen scores as Galatasaray shock Liverpool 1-0

    Liverpool suffered their second successive defeat as Galatasaray inflicted a Champions League loss on a thunderous night in Istanbul.

    Head coach Arne Slot left talisman Mohamed Salah on the bench after Liverpool lost at Crystal Palace, but the Premier League champions failed to fire amid a constant cacophony of noise at RAMS Park.

    And, to add to Liverpool’s misery, goalkeeper Alisson went off injured in the second half after pulling off a superb save from Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen.

    Osimhen gave Galatasaray the lead after 16 minutes when French referee Clement Turpin adjudged that Dominik Szoboszlai had fouled Baris Alper Yilmaz.

    Read Also: UCL: Lookman returns with start as Atalanta beat Brugge 2-1

    The goal came just 17 seconds after former Tottenham Hotspur defender Davinson Sanchez had cleared off the line from Cody Gakpo.

    Slot introduced Salah and Alexander Isak just after the hour in an attempt to salvage something but it was to no avail.

    Liverpool thought they would get the chance to rescue a point when referee Turpin pointed to the spot after Ibrahima Konate went down, but the decision was overturned following a video assistant referee review.

  • UCL: Kane continues fine scoring run as Bayern win again

    UCL: Kane continues fine scoring run as Bayern win again

    England captain Harry Kane continued his incredible goalscoring run with two goals as Bayern Munich crushed Pafos in the Champions League.

    Kane, 32, has now scored 102 goals in 105 games for the German giants following his £86.4m move from Tottenham in August 2023.

    He has 17 goals in nine club matches in 2025-26, including 11 in his past five appearances, as well as one goal for England in their 5-0 thrashing of Serbia this month.

    The Cypriot side were playing their first ever home game in the main phase of the Champions League but it only took the German champions 15 minutes to take the lead when Kane finished well with a first-time shot after being set up by Michael Olise.

    Read Also: UCL: Mourinho’s return to Stamford Bridge ends in frustration

    Raphael Guerreiro doubled Bayern’s advantage five minutes later following good work from Nicolas Jackson, with the Senegal striker then grabbing his first goal for Bayern since his loan move from Chelsea after another Olise assist.

    Kane made it 4-0 after only 34 minutes with a left-footed strike from six yards, although the hosts got a goal back just before half-time through Mislav Orsic’s excellent curled 20-yard effort.

    But Bayern restored their four-goal advantage midway through the second half when Olise fired into the roof of the net from a tight angle to seal the convincing victory.

    Bayern, two points clear at the top of the Bundesliga, have now won all nine of their matches this season, scoring 35 goals in the process and have two victories from two in the Champions League.

  • UCL: Mourinho’s return to Stamford Bridge ends in frustration

    UCL: Mourinho’s return to Stamford Bridge ends in frustration

    Jose Mourinho’s latest return to Stamford Bridge ended in frustration as Chelsea secured a narrow Champions League victory over his new club Benfica thanks to Richard Rios’ first-half own goal.

    Such is the affection Chelsea fans have for Mourinho they serenaded him before and during the encounter.

    Mourinho, who replaced former Wolves boss Bruno Lage 12 days ago, responded by waving to both ends of the ground.

    But he would doubtless have preferred Benfica not to provide a present to their hosts as Colombian midfielder Rios could not get out of the way when Alejandro Garnacho sent Pedro Neto’s-far post cross fizzing back into the six-yard area, giving goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin no chance of keeping the ball out.

    Read Also: UCL: Lookman returns with start as Atalanta beat Brugge 2-1

    Their was frustration for the Blues though as well, with substitute Joao Pedro sent off in the sixth minute of stoppage time for a second yellow card, Chelsea’s third red card in four games.

    Although they dominated possession and had more shots than their opponents, Chelsea hardly threatened the Benfica goal, with Garnacho wasting a couple of opportunities on his second start for his new club.

    Teenage substitute Estevao Willian did eventually force Trubin into a decent save near the end as he stretched for a header.

    It was Chelsea’s first victory in the Champions League since March 2023.

    More importantly, it ended a poor sequence of results in a month where their only victory came in the EFL Cup at League One Lincoln and provides Enzo Maresca some breathing space before Saturday’s Premier League encounter with Liverpool.

  • UCL: Kylian Mbappe reaches 60 goals in Kairat rout

    UCL: Kylian Mbappe reaches 60 goals in Kairat rout

    Kylian Mbappe scored a hat-trick and reached 60 Champions League goals as Real Madrid thrashed Kairat Almaty in Kazakhstan.

    The France captain slotted a penalty into the bottom corner early on after home goalkeeper Sherkhan Kalmurza came flying out of his area and took out Franco Mastantuono.

    He doubled his tally in the 52nd minute when he latched on to Thibaut Courtois’ ball over the top and dinked it over Kalmurza.

    In the 67th minute Valeri Gromyko appeared to be fouled by Dani Ceballos, with a penalty awarded to Kairat, but the decision was overturned after a VAR check.

    Read Also: World Cup 2026: ‘Sorry’ SAFA  to appeal  Bafana’s docked points

    Despite missing an excellent chance to seal his hat-trick when he sent the ball wide with the goal gaping, Mbappe did eventually finish from close range to complete his treble.

    Substitutes Eduardo Camavinga and Brahim Diaz both scored to complete the rout in the closing stages.

    Camavinga headed home from close range and Diaz slotted into the bottom corner from Gonzalo Garcia’s pass as Kairat fell to their heaviest defeat in European competition.

    It was a much-needed win for Xabi Alonso’s side after a 5-2 humbling by city rivals Atletico Madrid in La Liga on Saturday.

    Mbappe’s goals were his 58th, 59th and 60th in the Champions League and meant he overtook former Bayern Munich striker Thomas Muller to become the sixth highest scorer in the competition’s history.

  • UCL: Lookman returns with start as Atalanta beat Brugge 2-1

    UCL: Lookman returns with start as Atalanta beat Brugge 2-1

    Ademola Lookman made his first start of the season for Atalanta as the Italians came from behind to beat Club Brugge in the Champions League.

    The England-born Nigeria winger was left out of the Italians’ squad for the first three Serie A games of the season after handing in a transfer request at the start of August.

    Lookman was reported to have been a target for Inter Milan but a move failed to materialise.

    He looked sharp on his return to the first-team fold and had an early shot blocked, but it was Belgium’s Club Brugge who took the lead against the run of play when Christos Tzolis curled in a fine effort just before half time.

    Read Also: World Cup 2026: ‘Sorry’ SAFA  to appeal  Bafana’s docked points

    Atalanta dominated the second half and substitute Davide Zappacosta went close with a low drive that flew just wide of the target.

    They got the equaliser their dominance deserved when Nordin Jackers was adjudged to have brought down Mario Pasalic inside the box, and Lazar Samardzic stepped up to convert the penalty.

    That prompted an open end to the game as both sides had chances to snatch a winner, but it was Atalanta who got it as Pasalic headed home with three minutes left.

    The result secured Atalanta their first win in this season’s Champions League while it was Club Brugge’s first loss after thrashing Monaco 4-1 in their opener.