Author: Idris Abdullahi

Manchester United’s 2023/24 season has featured plenty of drama, even after the first international break. They suffered a 3-1 defeat to Arsenal just before the break, and a public dispute erupted between manager Erik ten Hag and Jadon Sancho. Additionally, Antony faces abuse allegations in Brazil. Ten Hag aims to shift the focus to their upcoming tough matches, including encounters with Brighton and Bayern Munich. Despite their shaky start this season with two wins and two losses in the Premier League (PL), they secured both victories at home. They have maintained an unbeaten record at Old Trafford since September 2022.…

The Confederation of Africa Football has appointed Guinean referee Naby Laye Toure to officiate Rivers United’s Confederation Cup match against Etoile Filante of Burkina Faso. The game will take place at the Stade Municipal Stadium in Yamoussoukro on Sunday. Toure will receive assistance from his fellow countrymen Mamady Tere as Assistant Referee 1 and Moussa Traore as Assistant Referee 2. Abdoulaye Manet from Guinea will serve as the Fourth Official, and Mamby Diaby from Mali will take on the role of Match Commissioner. The match is scheduled to kick off at 8 p.m. Nigerian time. The second leg of this…

Abubakar Bala, the head coach of Nigeria Premier Football League club Lobi Stars, has stepped down from his role. This decision comes after a disagreement with the club’s vice chairman, Dominic Iorfa. Dailystand recalls that Bala assumed the position at Lobi Stars in July, taking over from the previous coach, Mohammed Babaganaru, whose contract was not renewed. However, Bala also managed another NPFL team, Niger Tornadoes, in the previous season. As a result of Bala’s departure, Lobi Stars are now in the process of selecting a new head coach ahead of the 2023–24 NPFL season. However, the NPFL board has…

After President Bola Ahmed Tinubu named Olayemi Michael Cardoso as the new Governor of Nigeria’s Central Bank, here’s a brief look at Cardoso’s background. Cardoso is from Lagos State and holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration and Management from Harvard University. In 1999, he served as the first commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget in Lagos State when civilian democracy returned under Governor Tinubu’s leadership. Cardoso also had a successful banking career, working at institutions like Chase Bank, Citibank, and Citizens International Bank. He held key roles as vice president at Citibank and executive director at Citizens International Bank.…

In a friendly match, Rivers United secured a remarkable comeback victory against a determined Heartland side at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt. The final score was 2-1 in favour of Rivers United. The match-drama started with an early strike by Heartland in the first half, putting Rivers United on the back foot despite their dominance in the initial stages of the game. However, the tides shifted in the second half as Alex Oyowah’s powerful header and Yao Benard’s last-minute strike propelled Rivers United to a well-deserved win, delighting their fans. Stanley Eguma’s squad, determined and resilient, turned the…

Sean Strickland caused a major upset in Sydney, Australia, on Saturday, winning the middleweight title at UFC 293. The 32-year-old American combined constant forward movement with strong defense and precise strikes. He defeated Israel Adesanya with a unanimous score of 49-46. In the first round, Strickland landed a perfect right cross that sent Adesanya to the canvas, looking for a finish. Although he couldn’t secure a knockout, Adesanya managed to survive until the end of the round. Throughout the following rounds, Strickland consistently outperformed Adesanya, maintaining a lead. After the match, Adesanya congratulated his victorious opponent with tears in his…

Super Eagles vice captain William Troost-Ekong, expressed the team’s determination to conclude their 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign on a high note. They are set to face Sao Tome and Principe in their last match of the qualifiers at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo today, Sunday. The Jose Peseiro-led team has already qualified for the 2023 competition in Cote d’Ivoire and is in first place in Group A with 12 points after five games. Even though the outcome of this match won’t affect their qualification, Troost-Ekong revealed that the Super Eagles are eager to deliver an…

Former Big Brother Naija housemate, Mike Edwards has challenged “All Stars” housemate Pere Egbi to a boxing match once he leaves Biggie’s House. This unanticipated challenge sparked the interest of fans, who are now debating if these two rivals will indeed face off. Mike tweeted from his X handle with confidence, “I’m challenging Pere to a boxing match when he gets out. I think that’s an even match-up. “The General vs The President. What do you guys think?” During a heated dispute with Doyin, Pere accidentally damaged a part of Biggie’s wall, making headlines because of his military training overseas.…

British-Nigerian boxer, Anthony Joshua, has expressed his desire to witness a boxing match between football legends Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Joshua, aged 33, envisions their personal rivalry extending into the realm of combat sports, favouring Ronaldo, the Portuguese star, to triumph over the Argentine. In a recent interview posted on YouTube, Joshua was asked to name two non-boxers he’d like to see engage in a fight solely based on their personalities. He promptly suggested ‘Ronaldo versus Messi,’ thereby introducing one of modern football’s fiercest rivalries to a new arena. When asked about his prediction for the winner, Joshua confidently…

Manchester United, commonly referred to as Man United or United is an English professional football club based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester. They participate in the Premier League, the highest level of English football competition. The club, founded in 1878 as Newton Heath LYR Football Club, changed its name to Manchester United in 1902. In 1910, they relocated to their current stadium, Old Trafford. Manchester United’s domestic record is impressive, with 20 league titles, 12 FA Cups, and six League Cups. Additionally, they hold a record 21 FA Community Shields. They have won the European Cup/UEFA Champions League three times,…

After years of conflict, professional footballer Sergio Ramos has issued a video apology to Sevilla supporters in an effort to mend relations. In 2005, for a transfer fee of €27 million, Ramos departed Sevilla for Real Madrid, sparking tensions with the Sevillistas. Then Sergio Ramos stated in his statement that he wanted to stay in Sevilla. However, the Former President of Sevilla, Jose Maria del Nido, accused Ramos of lying and stated that he voluntarily paid his release clause. Ramos maintains that the sale was mutual. In 2018, Ramos scored two goals against Sevilla while celebrating provocatively in front of…

The Chelsea Football Club was founded in 1905 in Fulham, West London. They compete in the Premier League, the highest English division, at Stamford Bridge. The club claimed its first League title in 1955 and its first FA Cup in 1970. In 2022, they became the third English club to capture the Club World Cup, having won their first European trophy, the Cup Winners’ Cup, in 1971. Chelsea has accomplished an unprecedented feat by winning all three main European club competitions prior to 1999 twice. Additionally, they are the only London club to have won both the Champions League and…

Lazio has blamed Manchester United for its failed attempt to sign Mason Greenwood, who opted to sign with Getafe on the final day of the transfer window. The 21-year-old forward Mason Greenwood has officially joined Getafe in La Liga. While there is no transfer fee, Getafe will pay a portion of his salary during the loan period. Initially, it appeared that Greenwood would play in Serie A, as Lazio expressed significant interest in him on the transfer deadline. Claudio Lotito, the president of Lazio, maintained until the very end that Greenwood was anxious to join the team. ‘I tried until…

Barcelona has unveiled its squad list for the upcoming clash against Osasuna. The club’s recent signings, Cancelo and Felix, have found their place on the roster. Barcelona fans are in for an exciting showdown as the team prepares to take on Osasuna. The squad announcement has brought anticipation and curiosity to new heights with the inclusion of the club’s latest signings, Cancelo and Felix, on the roster. Cancelo is slated to take up the No. 2 shirt, adding to the intrigue surrounding his performance, while Balde has been assigned the prestigious No. 3 jersey. As the team gears up for…

Maurizio Sarri, the former Chelsea manager now leading Serie A side Lazio since 2021, expressed his displeasure at a fan who shouted “Forza Napoli.” Sarri had previously coached Napoli for three years, from 2015 to 2018. However, his reaction to the chant was swift and not in good spirits, as he raised his middle finger at the fan. The incident quickly made the rounds on social media, with some users reacting with amusement and surprise. Lazio, under Sarri’s management, has had a challenging start to the season, facing consecutive losses against Lecce and Genoa. Nevertheless, they had an impressive 2022–23…

Manchester City’s coach, Pep Guardiola, will be absent from the team until after the next month’s international break due to undergoing successful back surgery. Guardiola had been dealing with severe back pain, prompting his trip to Barcelona for the emergency procedure. The surgery took place at the Hospital Quiron, and he will now recover in Spain. In his absence, assistant manager Juanma Lillo, who rejoined the club this summer, will handle his duties. Lillo’s first match as head coach on the touchline will be this Sunday as Manchester City faces Sheffield United in the Premier League. The club expressed well…

Arsenal secured a determined 1-0 win over Crystal Palace, keeping their perfect season record intact. This victory marked only the second time since January that an away team took three points from Selhurst Park. Recalling their successful opening day at Selhurst Park last season, Arsenal aimed for a repeat to begin this year’s campaign away from home. The North London team had the highest number of away points in the Premier League during the 2022–23 season. Declan Rice set up Eddie Nketiah for a right-footed shot in the tightly contested first half, but it hit the post and missed the…

Tottenham Hotspur secured their first win under the era of new boss Ange Postecoglou against Manchester United at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium after failing to win in their last four meetings. Despite a 1-0 win against Wolves on the opening weekend, Manchester United’s performance was not up to par, as acknowledged by their manager Erik ten Hag. United started strongly, and Bruno Fernandes attempted an inventive Rabona pass to an unmarked Marcus Rashford in the box, but Rashford’s header missed the target. Fernandes had a chance to score 10 minutes before halftime, but his header from a perfect cross by…

Super Eagles striker Taiwo Awoniyi continued his impressive form, scoring his second goal of the season out of two matches for Nottingham Forest. They secured their first league victory on Friday night, defeating newly promoted Sheffield United 2-1. Awoniyi has been on fire, finding the net in his last six Premier League matches for Forest. This remarkable streak makes him the Nigerian player with the longest consecutive scoring run. However, Mohamed Salah and Emmanuel Adebayor, both of whom have seven-game streaks, are the only players to have surpassed Awoniyi with this record. Notably, Awoniyi also became the second Forest player…

Barcelona might face a late challenge in their bid to get Manchester City’s defender Joao Cancelo on loan. The Catalan team has been linked with Cancelo since July, but they’re still talking to his representatives. Instead of contacting Manchester City directly, Barcelona opted for agent Jorge Mendes to handle the negotiations. Reportedly, the contract terms between Cancelo and Barcelona are settled, but it’s not clear if City will accept a loan-to-buy option. As the potential deal reaches a critical point, Barcelona had hoped to have an easy transfer, but things could change. A recent update from The Athletic UK states…

Former Napoli manager Luciano Spalletti, aged 64, has been appointed as Italy’s national team manager. He led Napoli to their first Serie A title in 33 years last season and took a break from the game, even with a year left on his deal. In a statement released, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) president, Gabriele Gravina, confirmed the appointment, expressing happiness that Spalletti accepted the role. Spalletti’s experience and energy will be crucial for Italy’s upcoming challenges. “His enthusiasm and ability will be fundamental for the challenges that await Italy in the coming months.” Daily Stand recalls that the former…

Bayern Munich has decided not to sign David de Gea after the Spaniard’s proposed move fell through. Bayern was interested in the goalkeeper as a free agent after he left Manchester United this summer. According to Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg, the German club’s U-turn on De Gea was due to the club manager, Tuchel, who vetoed it. ‘FC Bayern will also not sign David De Gea. It’s decided. Tuchel has vetoed it, especially since a return of Manuel Neuer is expected within the next few weeks. Part of Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg tweet Daily Stand recalls that Manchester…

Former Manchester City player Riyad Mahrez scored his debut goal for Al-Ahli as they secured a 3-1 victory over Al-Khaleej, maintaining their perfect record in the Saudi Pro League. The match took an early turn in favour of Al-Ahli when Brazilian defender Roger Ibanez, who recently moved from Serie A’s Roma, found the net within the first ten minutes. Not long after, Mahrez, former Manchester City player, extended the lead with a skilful finish from inside box eighteen just before halftime. After the first-half break, Mansour Hamzi entered the game for Al-Khaleej and scored a consolation goal with former Chelsea…

In the race for men’s coach of the year, UEFA’s technical study group and club coaches selected a shortlist. The top three nominees were voted on by a jury of club coaches and national team coaches, along with journalists from European Sports Media (ESM). The finalists for the award are: Guardiola, Spalletti, and Inzaghi compete in the managerial category. Pep Guardiola’s Achievements Daily Stand recalls that Guardiola led Manchester City to a third Premier League title, an FA Cup, and their first Champions League trophy with a captivating style of play. Luciano Spalletti Achievements Spalletti led Napoli to their first…