₦airaland Forum

Former Liverpool fullback Stephen Warnock has advised the Reds to offer Trent Alexander-Arnold a bumper pay rise in a bid to convince him to stay at Anfield.

The England international whose contract will expire this summer, is set to join Spanish giant Real Madrid.

However, Warnock told BBC Sport that Liverpool still has everything within their control to convince Alexander-Arnold before the Premier League season ends.

“I think there is an opportunity for him to stay, that he thinks: ‘if you want me you have to pay’.

“If you look at (Virgil) van Dijk and (Mohamed) Salah, their salaries are astronomically high right now. Trent is a local guy. It’s not about the money the other two are making, but he will think he should be at that level. If you can close that gap, he can stay.”

He added, “Liverpool fans will be very frustrated if he leaves as manager. He’s a player who came in for no fee (from the club’s academy) and has given you eight fantastic years.

Read Also:https://www.completesports.com/warnock-alexander-arnold-deserves-bumper-pay-rise-at-liverpool/

Nasarawa United head coach Salisu Yusuf has reacted to his team’s 1-0 loss to Kwara United, reports Completesports.com.

Emeka Onyema scored an own goal in the 64th minute after failing to properly clear out Abayomi Lawal’s effort, sealing the win for the Harmony Boys.

It was the Solid Miners first defeat in eight league outings.

Yusuf stated that his side deserved more from the game.

“We did so well in playing against their(Kwara United’s) strength. We only lost a bit of focus,”Yusuf told the club’s media.

“We scored against ourselves when the ball was lost around the middle of the field. You know it takes a lot of intelligence and calmness to proffer solution at that material time that the defender tried to prevent the ball from entering into his own net.

“The boys did well, and gave the opponents a good match today, even though we should have won this game.

“This is my first loss since I took over the helm of affairs at the club. I have been using the available players to prosecute the remainder of the games. They are good potentials, I must say.

“However, we are choosing to focus on the positives on today’s game and use this as an opportunity to regroup and come back stronger in our next two home games.”

Read Also:https://www.completesports.com/npfl-defeat-to-kwara-united-painful-nasarawa-united-boss-yusuf/

Rivers United head coach Finidi George has said his team will keep fighting to win the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, title.

The Port Harcourt club occupy second position on the table with 52 points from 30 matches.

The former champions have played one more game than leaders Remo Stars, who have 57 points.

Finidi said they will keep putting pressure on Daniel Ogunmodede’s side.

“We will keep pushing and put more pressure on Remo Stars,” Finidi told the club’s media.

“We will definitely do our own part and watch what the outcome of their postponed fixture will be but for us we want to keep winning in the remaining fixtures in the league.”

Rivers United will be up against Bayelsa United at the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa on Wednesday (today).

Read Also:https://www.completesports.com/npfl-rivers-united-will-continue-to-put-pressure-on-remo-stars-finidi/

Samuel Okon can’t hide his excitement following his remarkable debut for Shooting Stars.

Okon was on target in Gbenga Ogunbote’s side 3-1 victory over Niger Tornadoes last weekend.

The left-back was also named Man of the Match.

‘I am extremely happy for making my debut for this club, for scoring and more importantly for helping the team to win this game,”he told the club’s media.

“I believe we have what it takes to make our people happy and I am always ready to contribute my quota to ensure the team’s success.”

Okon linked up with the Oluyole Warriors from Bayelsa United during the mid-season transfer window.

Read Also:https://www.completesports.com/npfl-okon-thrilled-to-score-on-shooting-stars-debut/

Nigeria’s Flying Eagles 2025 U-20 AFCON Group B opponent Morocco beat Ghana 1-0 in a friendly game on Thursday night.

The tune-up fixture is part of preparations for Morocco and Ghana ahead of this year’s U-20 AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire.

Morocco are drawn in the same group with the Flying Eagles, Egypt and South Africa.

Ghana will battle hosts Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo and Tanzania in Group A.

The U-20 AFCON is scheduled to hold from 26 April to 18 May, 2025.

The four teams that reach the semi-finals will qualify for the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile.

Senegal’s Junior Teranga Lions are the defending champions.

At the 2023 U-20 AFCON in Egypt, the Flying Eagles finished third.

Read Also:https://www.completesports.com/u-20-afcon-morocco-prepares-for-flying-eagles-with-victory-against-ghana-in-friendly-match/

Alhassan Yusuf breezed into the Super Eagles Radisson Blu Hotel camp in Kigali on Tuesday morning, reports Completesports.com.

Head coach Eric Chelle now has the full compliment of all the 23 invited players in camp following Yusuf’s arrival.

The midfielder, who plays for Major League Soccer, MLS, club New England Revolution missed the team’s first training session on Wednesday.

The 24-year-old is expected to be part of the Super Eagles second training session later tonight.

The session on Tuesday was the Super Eagles first under Malian coach Chelle.

The Super Eagles will face the Amavubi of Rwanda in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matchday five encounter at the Amahoro Stadium, Kigali on Friday.

The three-time African champions occupy fifth position in Group C with three points from four games.

Read Also:https://www.completesports.com/2026-wcq-full-house-as-yusuf-arrives-super-eagles-camp/

Galatasaray vice president Abdullah Kavukcu has revealed that Victor Osimhen will make a decision on where he will play his football next season in April.

Osimhen is on loan at the Turkish Super Lig champions from Serie A outfit Napoli.

The Yellow and Reds are desperate to keep the 26-year-old permanently, but face competition from the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal.

“Osimhen will tell us his decision (about his future) next month,” Kavukcu told Nevzat Dindar.

“At the moment, the top five clubs in the world are also interested in him.”

Kavukcu further stated that Galatasaray have what it takes to sign the striker on a permanent basis in the summer.

“In January, there was talk of his departure but he stayed,” hd added.

“He loves Galatasaray very much.

“Although we are aiming for the title, we have not yet had any direct discussion with Victor.There is no point in talking about it now.

“Galatasaray are a top club. If it wasn’t so, Victor would not have come.

“His staying at Galatasaray is not so impossible.

Read Also:https://www.completesports.com/osimhen-will-decide-future-next-month-galatasaray-president-kavukcu/

Slavia Prague head coach Jindřich Trpišovský has praised Igoh Ogbu following the defender’s impressive display in the club’s 3-0 victory over Jablonec on Sunday night.

Ogbu opened scoring for the Red and Whites in the thrilling win.

It was the centre-back’s second goal of the campaign for the league leaders.

Trpišovský stated that the Nigerian has become a complete player.

“Igoh ​​usually defends the opponent’s best player and can be dominant in duels. He has calmed down recently, feels good and I think it was his first goal with his left foot in his career,” Trpišovský told the club’s official website.

” He timed the whole situation perfectly and solved it perfectly. He is extremely important for us and his performances definitely exceed his current price tag.

“If he played in a foreign league, his value would be much higher. He has become a complete player.”

Read Also:https://www.completesports.com/a-complete-player-slavia-prague-boss-hails-super-eagles-new-boy-ogbu/

Former Arsenal legend Martin Keown has reiterated that there is nothing wrong with the Gunners winning mentality.

He made this known amid criticisms that manager Mikel Arteta has not done enough to make the team challenge for the Premier League title.

In a chat with talkSPORT, Keown stated that the players must keep believing that they can turn things around.

“I know that the Arsenal boys haven’t won a Premier League, but I can certainly see some really good players in there.
“The defence, the goalkeeper was magnificent (against Manchester United in Saturday’s 1-1 draw), he goes from strength to strength, I don’t see a problem with the back four or the midfield.

“OK, the top of the team now is where the money will have to be spent, a new director of football is coming, so that’s where he will actively go into the market and sort that area out because it needs sorting out.

“But I don’t think it’s that desperate when we start to get people back from injury, the most important thing is the players to keep believing that they can turn things around.”

Read Also:https://www.completesports.com/keown-nothing-wrong-with-arsenals-winning-mentality/

Black Stars of Ghana and Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo has named Ola Aina as one of the three toughest defenders he has faced in the English Premier League this season.

In a chat with Bleacher Report Semenyo named Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk and Tottenham Hotspur left-back Destiny Udogie as the other two defenders who are difficult to play against.

“Van Dijk was tough when we played them [against Liverpool] home and away,” Semenyo said.

“I think Udogie as well. He is a tough player to come up against. Ola Aina is also up there. I think those three.”

Aina has been a key figure in Forest’s backline, and has played over 2,500 minutes across all competitions, and has helped his side keep 12 Premier League clean sheets.

The Nigeria international lead his squad with 30 interceptions, a stat that ranks him joint-26th across the entire Premier League.

The 28-year-old, who has two goals, one assist in 28 league appearances this season, put in one of his best performance when Nottingham Forest defeated Manchester City 1-0.

The right-back won four ground duels, making three clearances (including two-headed clearances), and recovering the ball four times.

Read Also:https://www.completesports.com/aina-among-toughest-defenders-ive-faced-ghana-international/

Was SSC Napoli right to loan Victor Osimhen to Galatasaray? In this video, we break down the controversial transfer of the Nigerian superstar from Serie A champions Napoli to the Turkish Süper Lig. Osimhen’s 19 goals in 24 games for Galatasaray and Romelu Lukaku’s impact at Napoli raise big questions: Did Antonio Conte make a smart move? Can Galatasaray win the Süper Lig title? And will Napoli regret triggering Osimhen’s €80M release clause?

We compare stats, league standings, and tactical decisions behind Osimhen’s loan, featuring insights on Barış Alper Yılmaz, Dries Mertens, and José Mourinho’s Fenerbahçe resurgence. With Napoli leading Serie A and Galatasaray dominating Turkey, was this a win-win or a career misstep for Osimhen?

Who do you think was the worst signing? Let us know in the comments!

Read Also:https://www.completesports.com/victor-osimhen-to-galatasaray-did-napoli-make-a-huge-mistake-serie-a-vs-super-lig-analysis/

Former Nigeria international Ifeanyi Udeze has urged Ola Aina to leave Nottingham Forest if a Champions League club show interest in him this summer.

Aina has been impressive for Forest who are pushing for a Champions League qualification spot.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s men are currently in third position and gave their qualification hopes a boost with a win against Manchester City at the weekend.

The Super Eagles defender’s contract will end in the summer and has been attarcting interest.

Speaking on Aina situation at Forest, Udeze urged him to move if the opportunity comes.

“Ola Aina should leave Nottingham Forest if a Champions League club come for him,” he said on Brila FM. “If I’m Aina I will leave because if he stays at Forest and they play in the Champions League what now happens in the next season if they don’t make it to the Champions League.

“So for me I think he should leave if a team in the Champions League come for him.”

Read Also:https://www.completesports.com/aina-should-leave-forest-if-ucl-club-come-for-him-udeze/

Music star Flavour N’Abania has lauded Rangers’ academicals initiative, reports Completeports.com.

The Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, champions launched the U-10, U-13 and U-15 academicals initiative last year.

The aim was to discover and nurture youngsters that will graduate into the main team.

The screening exercise started in Enugu in September 2024.

Flavour, during a visit to Rangers General Manager, Amobi Ezeaku in his office on Thursday commended the management for the laudable project.

He also promised to contribute his quota to the success of the programme.

“I am really impressed with the youth team programme that your team initiated for the discovery and development of young talents within the state & beyond,” Flavour said.

” I love it and will contribute my quota towards making it a huge success.”

Read ALso:https://www.completesports.com/music-superstar-flavour-supports-rangers-academy-programme/

This video showcases the trending stories making the rounds over the weekend on Complete Sports, they are the Editors “Pick of the week” You can click on the link to read the full story.

Read Also:https://www.completesports.com/who-is-going-to-enjoy-a-new-manager-bounce-between-nigeria-and-rwanda/

Rivers United head coach, Finidi George says his side won’t give up on their fight to win the title.

The Port Harcourt club currently occupy second position on the table with 43 points, 11 points adrift leaders Remo Stars.

With 11 games remaining before the end of the campaign, Finidi insisted that his team can still claim the top prize.

“We will fight. In this league, anything can happen. We had a bad run in two or three games, which held us back. But we will fight till the end. Nothing is easy at this point. Nobody knows what is going to happen,” Finidi said.

“We see Remo up there, but they might lose a game and that might affect them. That was what happened to us. We lost a game and we started struggling, but I think we are getting back into our form, which is good for us toward the end of the league.

“Remo are doing so well, but a lot can happen in 11 games. So, we will be focused on each game as it comes. We are not looking at Remo.”

Rivers United will host Niger Tornadoes in their next game on Sunday.

Read Also:https://www.completesports.com/npfl-rivers-united-wont-give-up-on-title-chase-finidi/

Warriors of Zimbabwe head coach Michael Nees believes Nigeria’s Super Eagles are beatable in Uyo.

The Super Eagles will host Zimbabwe on matchday 6 in Group C of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

When both teams clashed on matchday 2 in Kigali in November 2023, the game ended 1-1 with Kelechi Iheanacho drawing the Eagles level.

After four rounds of fixtures played the AFCON 2023 runners-up are fifth on three points while Zimbabwe are bottom on two points.

Also, the Eagles have drawn two of their home games in the campaign (1-1 vs Lesotho, 1-1 vs South Africa).

Looking ahead of this month’s clash Nees is confident his side can add to the Eagles’ poor home form.

“Everybody knows Nigeria are better than their current position and our positions are similar,” the 57-year-old German said on Brila FM.

Looking ahead of this month’s clash Nees is confident his side can add to the Eagles’ poor home form.

“Everybody knows Nigeria are better than their current position and our positions are similar,” the 57-year-old German said on Brila FM.

“For Nigeria to turn things around they have to perform but I believe they are beatable in Uyo.”

The Eagles are unbeaten against Zimbabwe in their last seven clashes, recording four wins and three draws.

Also, the first and only time the Eagles lost to Zimbabwe was in 1981, which was a 2-0 defeat in a friendly game.

Read Also:https://www.completesports.com/2026-wcq-super-eagles-beatable-in-uyo-zimbabwe-head-coach/

Real Madrid star Vinicius has reiterated that has has never dreamed of winning the Ballon d’Or award.

The Brazilian international stated this amid his inability to win the award last term despite his achievements with Real Madrid, where he won the Champions League and La Liga trophies.

In an interview with TribalFootball, Vinicius said that he prefers winning titles with Real Madrid to Ballon d’Or.

“People vote for what they believe. I have my thoughts on it, as do my teammates, and people give me such great support to keep going.

“I’ve never dreamed about winning it, but of course when you’re that close, you really want to get it.

“I’ll have other opportunities to win awards and titles with this club, which is the most important thing. I’ve won two European Cups and I’m here to win many more.”

Read Also:

Former Nigeria international Ifeanyi Udeze has admitted that the Super Eagles always find it difficult to beat Rwanda away.

Udeze said this as the Super Eagles get set to face Rwanda in continuation of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Rwanda, who are top in Group C, will host the 2023 AFCON runners-up on March 17, 2025, in Kigali.

The Amavubi are on seven points and are four points ahead of fifth-placed Super Eagles in the standing.

For new head coach Eric Chelle and his players to stand a chance of qualifying for next year’s World Cup, they must win their remaining six games, and one of the fixtures is away to Rwanda whom they have never beaten at their backyard.

In three previous trips to Rwanda, the Eagles have only managed draws, scoring just once in the encounters

Udeze was in action when the Eagles played 1-1 with Rwanda in Kigali during the 2006 World Cup qualifiers.

Ahead of this month’s match, Udeze said he hopes things would be different this time.

“We always find it difficult to beat Rwanda away,” the Korea/Japan 2002 World Cup star said on Monday’s edition of Sports Machine on Brila FM.

“I remember during my time in the Super Eagles we drew away to them but I hope things will be different this time around because if we want to be at next year’s World Cup we need to win the rest of our games and one of the must win games is away to Rwanda.”

Meanwhile, the Rwanda Football Association (RFA) on Sunday announced the appointment of Algeria’s Adel Amrouche as Amavubi’a new head coach.

Amrouche took over from German coach Torsten Spittler.

Read Also:https://www.completesports.com/2026-wcq-beating-rwanda-away-always-difficult-for-super-eagles-udeze/

Cyriel Dessers is excited with the chance to work with Rangers legend Barry Ferguson, reports Completesports.com.

Ferguson was named Rangers’ interim manager this week following the sacking of Belgian Philippe Clement.

The 47-year-old masterminded the Light Blues thrilling 4-2 victory over Kilmarnock at the Rugby Park on Wednesday night.

Dessers bagged a brace for Rangers with Vaclav Cerny and Nedim Bajrami also on target for the Scottish Premiership giants.

The Nigeria international said Ferguson’s appointment bodes well for the rest of the season.

“I’ve seen him (Ferguson) in the Hall of Fame, obviously,’ Dessers was quoted by Daily Mail.

‘I know what he did for the club – five league titles, five Scottish Cups, all these things, so that speaks for itself.

“He’s a big name at this club, a big personality and it’s good that he’s around now.

‘‘He knows the club through and through, he knows what the fans want, what the club is all about and he’s just trying to bring that to us.

‘Obviously some (of the current players) have been around for a long time, they know this as well, but I think it’s good to hear it from him (Ferguson) as well.

‘He’s a Rangers legend. In all the staff, I think we have some players who have been very important for Rangers.

‘They know the club, they know the little things, they know how the fans feel. That’s also what they try to bring to the group, that’s what we try to take from them, learn from that and try to take it and convert it on to the pitch.’

Read Also:https://www.completesports.com/dessers-thrilled-to-work-with-rangers-legend-ferguson/

Newly appointed Rangers head coach Barry Ferguson has kind words for Cyriel Dessers as he begins his reign at the Ibrox.

Dessers has been widely criticised by a large section of the Rangers fans despite his impressive goal return for the Gers.

The Nigerian has scored 18 goals and registered six assists in 40 appearances for the Gers this season.

The striker was linked with a move away from Rangers last month after losing his place to Hamza Igamane.

The 30-year-old however opted to stay with the Scottish Premiership giants after talks with former head coach, Philippe Clement.

“Listen, he’s scored two goals in two games, 22 goals last year and I don’t think you can get rid of him,” Ferguson was quoted by Rangers Review.

“I know Rangers still need in my eyes another number nine to come in for competition, but I like the big man’s attitude, sometimes he lacks that bit of quality, but if he had that quality he’d be playing somewhere else in a different league.”

Read Also:https://www.completesports.com/you-cant-get-rid-of-him-new-rangers-boss-lavishes-praise-on-dessers/

Enyimba will be without striker Ifeanyi Ihemekwele and defender Imo Obot when the People’s Elephant take on Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) in today’s [Wednesday’s] NPFL matchday 26 fixture at Enyimba International Stadium Aba, Completesports.com reports.

Ihemekwele, who has scored five goals in the ongoing 2024/2025 NPFL season, dislocated his ankle joint during Sunday’s Abia State FA Cup final against Ahudiyannem FC at the Umuahia Township Stadium. According to Enyimba coach Stanley Eguma, the forward is expected to be sidelined for ‘a while’.

Similarly, Super Eagles B Team left-back Obot sustained a knock in Enyimba’s matchday 24 fixture—a 1-0 victory over Rivers United in Aba. It was his stunning free-kick that secured all three points for the nine-time NPFL champions against Finidi George’s side.

“Ihemekwele will not play. Obot will also not play,” Eguma confirmed to Completesports.com on Wednesday morning.

“Ihemekwele dislocated his ankle joint in the FA Cup match on Sunday in Umuahia. He underwent an X-ray on Tuesday, but I am yet to receive feedback from the medical team on his condition.

“The same goes for Imo Obot. He suffered a knock injury against Rivers United. Although the medics have cleared him, he has informed me that he is still experiencing pain, so he will not be available for the match against 3SC.”

The 22-year-old Obot is part of the Super Eagles B Team that recently secured qualification for the 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN).

Enyimba currently sit 10th in the NPFL table on 34 points from 25 matches, while Shooting Stars occupy second place with 41 points.

Remarkably, 3SC coach Gbenga Ogunbote previously served as Enyimba’s technical head from 2016 to 2017, while Eguma was Rivers United’s head coach during the same period.

Read Also:https://www.completesports.com/npfl-enyimba-suffer-double-injury-blow-ahead-3sc-clash/

Former Super Eagles midfielder Sunday Mba has said Chelsea will be a good destination for Ademola Lookman.

Lookman was close to joining Paris Saint-Germain from Atalanta last summer, but the move fell through.

The talented winger is widely expected to quit the Bergamo club for one of the European heavyweights at the end of the current season.

The 27-year-old was recently linked with a move to Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur.

Mba, a member of Nigeria’s 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winning squad however stated that Chelsea should be his next home.

“If I was a sporting director or manager at Chelsea, I would push for Lookman. I think it would be a win-win situation for both parties, given the nature of the player,” he told Africafoot.

“Chelsea should be Lookman’s next home because the style of play suits what Enzo Maresca looks for in his strikers. He’s fast, technically gifted, can dribble, create chances and score a lot of goals. With all due respect, most Chelsea strikers struggle to bring out two of those qualities.”

Read Also:https://www.completesports.com/mba-advises-lookman-to-join-chelsea/

Kano Pillars have extended the suspension of their technical adviser Usman Abdallah until after the matchday 28 fixture against Kwara United.

Abdallah was recently suspended by the club’s management following the team’s poor run and fallout with the supporters.

The decision was reached during a management meeting held at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kofar Mata on Sunday.

The extension followed a request from the club’s
disciplinary committee chaired by Alhaji Muhammad Danjuma Gwarzo.

As a result, Chief Coach Ahmed Garba Yaro Yaro will lead the team in the upcoming fixtures against Akwa United on Wednesday and Rangers this weekend.

Yaro Yaro will also take charge of the matchday 28 fixture against Kwara United pending further decisions regarding Abdallah’s return.

The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, has announced that midnight on Tuesday, 25th February 2025 will be the deadline for registration, for those who desire to participate in the four-month CAF B-License Coaching Course that will run between April and August this year.

The course, according to the NFF Technical Director, Coach Augustine Eguavoen, is designed to enhance the capacity of Nigerian coaches and prepare them for current and future challenges, and is for both men and women coaches.

“As I stated some weeks ago, the CAF B-License course is part of NFF’s strategic effort to build the capacity of coaches across the country, and will be done in modules. It will run between 7th April and 25th August 2025, and to be eligible, a candidate must be an active coach, possess a CAF C-License certificate that has been put to use in the past two years, must be able to read and write in the English language, have basic computer skills and a laptop, have a valid G-mail account, and must submit a medical certificate that proves he/she is physically and mentally fit to undertake the course.

“The response has been pretty awesome, and that is why we now have to bring the deadline forward. The new deadline is midnight of Tuesday, 25th February 2025 for intending participants.”

Read More;https://www.completesports.com/nff-sets-deadline-for-caf-b-license-coaching-course-registration/

Nigerian midfielder Mukhtar Adam has completed his move to Norwegian club, ODDS BK, reports Completesports.com.

Adam linked up with ODDS BK from Nigeria National League, NNL, club Sporting Lagos.

The youngster, who has been on trial at Odd for a period of time, signed a contract until 2027.

“I am incredibly happy and excited. This is a moment I have been waiting for my whole life, and it is the biggest moment of my career so far,” he told the club’s official website.

The transition from football in Nigeria to Norwegian football has been an exciting challenge, but he already feels at home at the club.

“Football is football, but the tactics and the way of playing here are a little different from what I am used to” he added.

“I hope to adapt quickly, because I already feel that this is a step up from football in Africa. My teammates and the coaching staff have been fantastic with me – they have helped me both on and off the pitch. I really feel at home here.”

Adam described himself as a player with a great work ethic, someone who always wants to learn and develop.

“I am calm under pressure, strong in the duel game and good in tackling. I am always working to improve, and I look forward to contributing to Odd in the future,” he stated.

Head coach Knut Rønningene sees great potential in the young Nigerian, but empasised that the club should give him time to develop.

“Adam is an exciting player with good qualities. He has shown a lot of good things during the trial period, and we have great faith that he can develop further with us. At the same time, we will give him the time he needs to adapt to our way of playing,” said Rønningene.

Read Also:

Nigerian striker Bamidele Yusuf, has reached double figures of goals in the Serbian topflight, netting his 10th goal of the 2024/25 season for Vojvodina in their 1-1 draw away at FK Železničar Pančevo on Monday night.

Yusuf opened the scoring 30 minutes into the game and his goal almost propelled Vojvodina to a priceless away win but the hosts snatched a point in stoppage time through Petar Gigic’s equaliser.

Now on 10 goals, the 23-year-old sits second behind Red Stars’ Cherif Ndiaye who has 14 goals this season on the league’s scorers chart.

Aside from his 10 goals, Yusuf also has two assists this season and his goal contributions in the Serbia topflight rank him among the highest-scoring Nigerians in Europe.

Only Victor Osimhen (14 league goals) and Tolu Arokodare (15 league goals) have scored more than Yusuf (10) this season.

Yusuf plays as a left winger, but he can also cover the position behind the attacker, making him an additional reinforcement and competition for his club and the Super Eagles – if he gets a call-up.

Thanks to his impact, his club have moved to fifth in the Serbian topflight with 33 points after 23 games.

Read Also:https://www.completesports.com/yusuf-bags-10th-goal-of-the-season-in-serbia/

Earlier this season, the striker weighed his chances of becoming the highest goal scorer of the Serbian topflight this season.

“I have big chances to become the top scorer of the league this season. I just need to keep working hard game by game and after the end of the season, we will see,” he said.

Yusuf joined Vojvodina as their sixth signing in the summer of 2024 from Radnički Niš, where he spent six months, and showed quality with an impressive return of six goals and five assists in 16 matches.

Before arriving in Serbia, this Nigerian player played for Portuguese side Estoril and Spartak Trnava in Slovakia where he first plied his trade after arriving in Europe from Nigeria in 2020.

Galatasaray captain Fernando Muslera says the Turkish Super Lig champions are lucky to have Victor Osimhen in their team.

Osimhen scored twice in Galatasaray’s 2-1 victory over Caykur Rizespor on Monday night.

The 26-year-old has scored 14 goals in 18 league appearances for the Yellow and Reds this season.

Muslera praised the Nigeria international for his impressive display in the game.

” He really puts in a lot of effort and fights every minute. He never gives up. We are all grateful to play with a player like him.

“We knew we would achieve something as a result of supporting him. Today, he scored the goals that brought us victory. The second half allowed us to find ourselves even better and to score very effectively from a dead ball.”

Galatasaray will now shift attention to Thursday’s UEFA Europa League play-off second leg tie against AZ Alkmaar.

Read Also:https://www.completesports.com/galatasaray-lucky-to-have-osimhen-muslera/

Atletico Madrid remain interested in signing Leicester City Nigerian midfield star Wilfred Ndidi, according to Caught Offside sources.

Ndidi was close to leaving Leicester in the January transfer window but the club decided to keep the player in order to fight for their survival in the league this season.

Atletico are still interested in signing the 28-year-old midfielder at the end of the season.

Ndidi is starting to get more minutes for Ruud Van Nistelrooy’s side recently after overcoming a hamstring injury earlier in the season.

He has also attracted interest from Real Betis and AS Monaco, who are keen on a loan deal.

Monaco have made an offer to Leicester for £18 million plus an obligation to buy with additional payments of £2 million.

However, despite their struggles financially, the 2015/2016 Premier League champions decided not to allow him leave in the recently closed January transfer window.

Although Ndidi’s playing time has been limited this season, the club sees him as valuable for the depth he provides to the squad.

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Arsenal star Bukayo Saka is expected to be sidelined for another EIGHT weeks, compounding the Gunners’ injury nightmare.

Saka, 23, torn his right hamstring during the Gunners’ 5-1 win away to Crystal Palace on December 21. The England international has been sidelined ever since and during his extended absence, two of his Arsenal team-mates and fellow attackers have been ruled out for the rest of this season.

Gabriel Jesus suffered an ACL injury last month, a blow which is set to keep him out for much of 2025. And following a trip to Dubai for some mid-season warm-weather training, it’s emerged that top goalscorer Kai Havertz will miss the remainder of the campaign, having undergone hamstring surgery. Gabriel Martinelli is also out for around a month after picking up an injury against Newcastle.

Now the Sun report (via Mirror) that Saka is likely to be out until mid-April, longer than anticipated. That means Mikel Arteta is without four forwards and only has Leandro Trossard, Raheem Sterling and teenager Ethan Nwaneri available ahead of Saturday’s trip to Leicester.

Arsenal opted not to sign a forward during the winter transfer window, although it wasn’t for a lack of trying. Arteta confirmed earlier this month that the Gunners did go hunting for a new addition but were left ‘disappointed’.

“We had a clear intention which is obvious,” Arteta, whose side are seven points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool, told reporters. “There is a window open to explore the possibilities to improve our squad with players that can impact it.

We haven’t achieved it. So we are disappointed in that sense but as well we are very aware that we only want to bring certain kind of players. We have to be very disciplined with that as well and I think we were.

“I wouldn’t like to go into too much detail. We couldn’t do it for certain reasons and we have to accept it, that’s it. It was a combination of things.”

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When Mohamed Salah created Liverpool’s equaliser against Everton, he wrote his name into the Premier League record books.

The Egyptian’s cross for Alexis Mac Allister at Goodison Park was his ninth assist away from home in 13 Premier League matches this season to go with 14 goals on the road in the 2-2 draw.

According to premierleague.com, that combined total of 23 goal contributions in away Premier League matches surpasses Andy Cole’s record tally of 21 from 1993/94.

He also struck to put Liverpool ahead with his 22nd league goal of 2024/25, making it the ninth Premier League match in which Salah has both scored AND assisted this season.

That extended his own Premier League record for the most appearances both scoring and assisting inside a single campaign – no other player has done it more than seven times.

It is Salah’s 14th assist in just 24 matches in the Premier League this season and he could well break the all-time assist record for a top-flight campaign.

The record is jointly held by Arsenal’s Thierry Henry and Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne, who provided 20 assists each in 2002/03 and 2019/20 respectively.

Meanwhile, the Reds are now seven points ahead of Arsenal in the league table courtesy of the draw with the Toffees.

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Declan Rice has said there is still a long way to go in the Premier League title race.

Arsenal are in second place on 50 points and are six points behind leaders Liverpool who can go nine points clear if they beat Everton in their game in hand today (Wednesday).

After exiting the Carabao Cup and FA Cup the Premier League and UEFA Champions League are the competitions left for Arsenal to land a silverware this season.

When asked how Arsenal are feeling about the Premier League title race Rice said:
“There’s still a really long way to go. The manager said in a press conference the other week, no matter what, the only thing we can worry about is ourselves. But at the end of the season, we will be there.

“We can only keep believing in what we believe in, work on what we’re working on and have full trust in the manager, players and everyone around us that we can achieve great things. It’s down to us to get that over the line. Big things are coming. We need to stay positive and keep going.”

Meanwhile, Mikel Arteta and his Arsenal players are in Dubai for warm weather training.

The Gunners will be back in the Premier League with a trip to the King Power to face Leicester City.

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Super Eagles forward Kelechi Iheanacho believes the quartet of Mikel Obi, Pep Guardiola, Yaya Toure, and Brenda Rodgers have played a huge part in influencing his football career.

The Nigerian international who recently joined Middlesbrough on loan from Sevilla in the January transfer window made this known in a chat with TheBoroOfficial.

“Biggest influence on my career? There are quite a couple. So many people helped me throughout my career, obviously, managers as well, [Manuel] Pellegrini, Brendan Rodgers, and Pep Guardiola.

“Players as well Clichy, Kompany, Yaya Toure, obviously, and Jamie Vardy as well. There is a lot to be mentioned.

“A lot of people have helped me throughout my career even in the [Nigerian] national team as well, John Mikel Obi, so many coaches have helped me as well, so that’s them.”

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