Marcus Rashford is here, welcomed by Barcelona fans as though a marquee player he is, maybe just in name but formerly in abilities , and Joan Laporta has successfully gaslit fans into falling for his compensation in a messy situation. The club had a considerably long list of options and alternatives, but after everything failed, Marcus Rashford, who had been extending a come-and-get-me plea for a while now, became their saving grace. Things Fell Apart With Priorities Barcelona had made Nico Williams their priority left-wing signing all summer. The 22-year-old Spaniard had even sent his agent to meet with sporting…
Author: Kehinde-Hassan Afolabi
For the third time in only five games so far in the ongoing Women’s European Championship, England have been behind heading into the crucial stages, but they’ve so far been able to do the required, and now secured their place in the final. The Lionesses have become the first defending champions of the tournament to go all the way into the final since Germany in 2013, and if history is to repeat itself on Sunday, they will be crowned champions for the second time in their history. In the five previous instances where the defending champions have reached the Women’s…
Newcastle United’s project appears to be heading south despite their headstart. They’ve gotten almost everything under their control, except one they couldn’t afford, pull. Champions League football gives you pedigree. Prestige. Power. It opens doors to a level of player otherwise unreachable, and often unattainable without it. Add money into the mix, and most clubs swim in options, surrounded by superstars who view the project as desirable. But at Newcastle United, the formula isn’t quite computing as expected. Despite finishing in the Premier League top five, earning themselves a spot in Europe’s premier club competition, and flaunting state-backed financial muscle,…
Asisat Oshoala was a target of critics during Nigeria’s win over Zambia in the ongoing WAFCON tournament. Despicable behavior from some so-called fans of the Nigeria Super Falcons marred what should’ve been a night of undiluted celebration, as the team demolished Zambia 5-0 in the quarter-finals of the ongoing Women’s AFCON in Morocco. While the Super Falcons put on a vintage display, some fans shamefully turned to social media, not to praise the win, but to taunt Asisat Oshoala, unarguably the greatest player in the history of African women’s football. The final whistle hadn’t even gone off before the phrase…
Super Falcons secured easy passage into the semi-finals of the Women’s AFCON, where they await the winner of the clash between South Africa and Senegal after dismantling Zambia 5-0 in the first quarter-final match of the tournament. The result is the biggest win in a knockout match in the Women’s AFCON since Nigeria’s 6-0 win over Zimbabwe in the semi-finals almost 25 years ago November 2000. Even by their standards, not many saw this coming. But perhaps, the masterminds knew all along. In a pre-match interview with Biola Solace-Chukwu, goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie declared: “We are promising you guys (Nigerians) nothing…
Chloe Kelly was rotting on the Manchester City bench before the turn of the year, who could have thought that the following seven months or thereabouts would bring her closer to the limelight, for all the right reasons? And how did it happen? Not content with a bench role at a club where she was once the star, she made the decision to join Arsenal, where many would have thought she was in for even fiercer competition for a place. But she is tough, made so by what she has passed through. One could guess how she has come to…
Super Falcons are not having it easy in Morocco. Three games in, and they have gone from good to fair, and then not good enough — but Justin Magudu must find a way to get his minions inspired again ahead of a decisive quarter-final against what will be their toughest opponent so far. The Nigerian contingents, on a mission to reach double digits of crowns in the CAF premier women’s competition, sealed progression from Group C relatively unscathed, following wins over Tunisia and Botswana, before a stalemate in their final group clash with Algeria. Their performances, however, have left a…
The FIFA Club World Cup has been around for a while, but it was in this just concluded extended format that continents actually clashed like it was really meant to be. It really was a battle of the world as clubs from different continents went head to head on multiple occasions, in the battle for supremacy. Europe came out on top and justified the status they have been placed by football’s governing body, as the best footballing planet in the world as it boasted three of the four semi-finalists and the two finalists. Nevertheless, other countries, most notably Brazil, showed…
FIFA Club World Cup 2025 in Statistics The inaugural 32-team FIFA Club World Cup tournament has come to a close as Chelsea reign supreme following a shocking 3-0 win over PSG Paris Saint-Germain in Sunday’s final. First of its kind, and not expected to be perfect, but the tournament had plenty of down sides, from the inability to fill stadiums to the impressive numbers, here is the FIFA Club World Cup in statistics. FIFA Club World Cup 2025 in Statistics Tournament Size & Scale 32 teams took part in the the FIFA Club World Cup 2025. A new record as…
Liverpool returned to the pitch for the first time since the heartbreaking loss of their former forward Diogo Jota, in a preseason opener that ended in a 3-1 win over Preston North End in Deepdale. The Reds were visibly emotional ahead of kickoff, as they paid tribute not just to Jota but also to his younger brother, André, with both tragically passing away in an accident in Spain earlier this month. In a powerful gesture of loyalty and respect, the club announced the retirement of the No. 20 shirt worn by Jota, and several reports have confirmed the club’s intent…