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Abia Warriors Head Coach, Imama Amapakabo, says his team’s emphatic 5-1 thrashing by Katsina United in Saturday’s NPFL matchday 34 clash is a “wake-up call” for his side, Completesports.com reports.

The top-three contenders suffered their worst defeat of the campaign at the hands of struggling Katsina United in a six-goal thriller at the Mohammed Bako Stadium.

Bello Lukman scored twice for Katsina United, while Mubarak Said, Nura Abdulbari, and Ahmed Taofeek also found the net for the Chanji Boys. Anthony Ijoma netted the consolation goal for Abia Warriors, taking his season tally to 11 goals.

The heavy defeat dropped Abia Warriors to fourth place, with Ikorodu City moving up to third on goal difference—both teams are tied on 53 points.

Amapakabo did not mince words in his post-match remarks, stating that it is not unusual for a team to concede five goals, especially when certain things are not done right during a game.

Recall that Ikorodu City had previously thrashed Katsina United 6-0 in a matchday 31 fixture on April 11.

“I think this 5-1 defeat by Katsina United today is a wake-up call for my team,” said Amapakabo, who led Enugu Rangers to the NPFL title in the 2015/2016 season.

“Wake-up call in the sense that it’s not over until it’s really over.

“With four games to go, like I always say, we just have to keep our heads firmly on our shoulders and work hard.”

Responding to questions on why his team collapsed unexpectedly, Amapakabo cited pitch conditions and weather as contributing factors.

“One of the things I always try to do as a human being, not just as a coach, is avoid making excuses for defeat. But there were a lot of things that went wrong today,” he said.

“Even the dustiness of the pitch was a factor, not to mention playing at 3 o’clock here in Katsina where we all know how harsh the weather can be. But would that have changed the outcome?

“The key thing is there are big lessons to take from this game.

“I’ll take it in and learn from it. Another thing is, my players coming to play on an astro-turf pitch in this kind of weather should have come with better boots.

Read Also:https://www.completesports.com/npfl-5-1-defeat-by-katsina-utd-a-wake-up-call-for-my-team-abia-warriors-coach-amapakabo/

Lyon winger Malick Fofana has admitted they made a critical mistake by easing up in Thursday’s Europa League quarter-final second leg clash with Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Lyon were on the verge of qualifying for the semi-finals after coming from 2-0 down to lead 4-2 despite having a player sent off.

But late goals in second half of extra time from Bruno Fernandes, Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire saw United stage a dramatic comeback to win the game 5-4 and advance 7-6 on aggregate.

Reacting after the disappointing defeat Fofana told French outlet Linternaute: “I think everyone is disappointed. I think we played a very good match. In the end, it wasn’t enough.

“I think we slacked off a bit and we paid dearly for it. The penalty hurt us, the [away] crowd pushed us.

“In the end, we have to be more demanding of ourselves. It’s the first time I’ve felt emotions like that and I’ll remember it for a long time.”

Real Madrid midfielder Dani Ceballos has admitted that Arsenal were superior in Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League second leg encounter at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Arsenal recorded another win in their second visit at the Bernabeu after overcoming Madrid 2-1 to go through to the semi-finals 5-1 on aggregate.

After an early penalty miss, Bukayo Saka recovered to put Arsenal 1-0 up on 65 minutes.

Vinicius Junior equalised just two minutes after Saka’s goal before Gabriel Martinelli sealed the win with a 93rd minute goal.

Speaking after the defeat Ceballos, who was a former Arsenal player, mentioned every aspects in the game that Madrid were found wanting.

“We weren’t even close,” the 2020 FA Cup winner with Arsenal said. “We lacked football, we lacked intensity, we weren’t competitive, we didn’t win duels. Arsenal were superior.”

Up next for Arsenal is a semi-final clash with Paris Saint-Germain, whom they had beaten 2-0 at the Emirates during their first meeting this season.

The other semi-finals is between former Champions League winners Barcelona and Inter Milan.

Inter edged out Bayern 4-3 on aggregate after playing 2-2 against the Bundesliga giants in the second leg at the San Siro.

Read Also:https://www.completesports.com/ucl-arsenal-were-superior-to-us-ceballos-admits/

The Nerazzuri went into the reverse fixture with a 2-1 advantage from the first leg.

Akwa United captain Jean Efala and head coach Kennedy Boboye have emerged winners of Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL , Player of the Month and Manager of the Month for March.

Efala, a goalkeeper kept four clean sheets in five matches during the period under review.

The Cameroonian beat his teammate Uche Sebastian, Liman Ahmadu of Sunshine Stars, Joseph Atule of Enyimba, Sunday Megwo of Abia Warriors and Samson Olasupo of Remo Stars to award.

Coach Boboye guided Akwa United to four wins and one draw in five matches in the month.

He beat off challenges from Rivers United coach Finidi George, Bayelsa United coach Ladan Bosso and Plateau United coach Mangut Mbwas to win the award.

It was the first time this season that a coach or player of Akwa United won the awardwhich is sponsored by League Bloggers Award, a platform that recognizes and celebrates outstanding performances in the NPFL.

Read Also:https://www.completesports.com/efala-boboye-win-npfl-player-coach-of-the-month-award/

Former Germany international Nils Petersen has disclosed that Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane is currently having a bad spell in front of goal.

The Englishman faced heavy criticism from sections of the German media following Bayern’s 2-2 draw with Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga on Saturday.

He also failed to get on the scoresheet during his side’s 2-1 Champions League quarter-final first-leg defeat to the Italians in midweek.

In a chat with Sky Germany, Petersen stated that Kane is experiencing a bit of a “form crisis” ahead of Bayern Munich’s crucial clash with Inter Milan.

“”Because he hasn’t been scoring in the last few weeks, you think about it for a second longer and say, ‘Oh, I hope it goes in now.’ Just that thought is difficult,” Petersen told Sky Germany.

“Kane is simply having a bad spell at the moment. He had some wonderful finishing moves yesterday (Saturday against Dortmund) and also against Inter.

“A goal with that quality has to come and he just doesn’t have it at the moment. He’s having a bit of a form crisis.”

Read Also:https://www.completesports.com/petersen-kane-is-having-form-issue-at-bayern-munich/

Real Madrid defender Raul Asencio has expressed optimism that Los Blancos will overturn their 3-goal deficit against Arsenal at the Santiago Bernabeu in the second leg of the Champions League.

Declan Rice scored two freekicks before Mikel Merino added the third to secure a memorable win for Arsenal over Real Madrid on Tuesday night.

However, with a mountain to climb in the reverse fixture, Asencio told the club’s website that Real Madrid will turn the game around at the Santiago Bernabeu.

“If any team in the world can turn this around, it’s us. We have to give it 100% at the Bernabéu, we’ll need our fans behind us. The team is convinced we’ll come back.

“If any team in the world can turn this around, it’s us. We have to give it 100% at the Bernabéu, we’ll need our fans behind us. The team is convinced we’ll come back.

“A little bit of everything. It was a really tough game, things just didn’t go the way we’d worked on them. We’ll focus on the positives we can take from the game, we’ve got a week of hard work ahead to turn this around. We have to shake it off and pick the team up to come back.

“We’re frustrated, it didn’t go as we expected. We’re absolutely convinced we can turn it around. This is Real Madrid. Positive mentality, and we’ll go for it.”

Read Also:https://www.completesports.com/ucl-real-madrid-will-be-too-hot-for-arsenal-to-handle-at-santiago-bernabeu-asencio/

Arsenal defender William Saliba has lauded the home supporters for their massive support against Real Madrid in Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final first leg at the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners shocked Real Madrid 3-0 in the first-leg of their Champions League quarterfinal thanks two free-kicks from Declan Rice and Mikel Merino’s goal.

Speaking with the club’s website, the France international stated that the fans gave the players lots of confidence against Real Madrid.

“Even when we were in the coach, just before going to the stadium, we saw the fans, there were a lot of them.

“It gave us a lot of confidence when you have your fans behind you like this especially in this big game in the Champions League, you have to be good.

“It’s because of them, we played so well, they pushed us, and we did well.”

He added: “Big night, big game, good atmosphere and a big win. We are so proud to win today in front of our fans, against a big team. It was a perfect night – we have to keep going like this and go there and win the game again.

“When we keep a clean sheet, we are so proud. We are happy, the whole backline did a really good job today.

“We have to be proud of all the team, every player who came in, every player who started the game was so good. We have to be proud, and we have to take this game for the next game to do the same.”

Read Also:https://www.completesports.com/ucl-arsenal-home-fans-made-huge-difference-vs-real-madrid-saliba/

Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana has disclosed that Lyon can’t stand in the way of the Red Devils in their quest to win the Europa League title.

Onana stated this ahead of Thursday’s Europa League first-leg quarter-final clash against Lyon at the Groupama Stadium.

In a chat with the club’s website, Onana stated that Man United must approach the game with a winning mentality.

“We all know the importance of this game, we will go there with the winning mentality.

“We have to go there and show who we are. If we are focused, stay compact and together and follow the game plan we will be winning the game. Of course, it’s not going to be easy but I think we are way better than them.”

Read Also:https://www.completesports.com/onana-lyon-cant-stop-man-uniteds-quest-for-europa-league-title/

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes paid homage to Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne following their final Manchester derby meeting on Sunday afternoon at Old Trafford.

De Bruyne announced on Friday that he will be leaving City at the end of this season following ten highly successful years at the club.

He joined the Blues from Wolfsburg in 2015 and has made north of 400 appearances, winning 16 major honours in the process.

Sunday’s stalemate in M16 marked the Belgian’s final taste of an all-Manchester affair before exiting the club at the end of this season.

And for fellow playmaker Fernandes, De Bruyne will leave the Premier League having made the division “better”, admitting he has secured his place in Premier League history.

“De Bruyne made the Premier League better,” Fernandes told Sky Sports (via Manchester Evening News). “If City is where he is, and Man United hasn’t won many trophies in this period it’s because of Kevin De Bruyne, and he deserves all the credit.

“He’s done fantastic. Ten years in the Premier League is a lot. They have decided to part ways. I don’t know from which side, but Kevin keeps being world-class, and it was a pleasure to to watch him so close. It was a pleasure to play against him.

“He’s going to stay in the history of the Premier League, not only of Man City.”

The City ace, who will turn 34 in June, has scored four goals and registered seven assists for Blues this season.

He has been directly involved in more than 270 goals throughout his City career.

Read Also:https://www.completesports.com/de-bruyne-reason-man-united-have-not-won-lots-of-trophies-this-period-fernandes/

Marcus Rashford will have to consider taking a wage drop if he is to seal a permanent move to Aston Villa, sources have told Football Insider.

Football Insider revealed on Monday (31 March) that Villa face paying £130million over five years in wages and transfer fee if they sign Rashford at his current £350,000-a-week salary.

The 27-year-old is currently on loan with the Midlands giants – who negotiated the option to buy him from Man United for £40million.

Rashford’s current wage would break the salary structure at Aston Villa – but the player is keen to play regularly away from Old Trafford and will have to consider dropping his demands.

Villa could also follow in the footsteps of Chelsea and Man City by handing the England international a longer-term contract to spread the cost.

Rashford, 27, opened his account for Unai Emery’s side with a brace in the 3-0 win over Preston in the FA Cup quarter-final on Sunday (30 March).

He has also contributed four assists in 10 appearances for Villa, who are currently covering the majority of his wage while the forward is on loan.

Emery has insisted he doesn’t want to “waste time” talking about the potential for Rashford to stay with a lot still to play for before the summer transfer window opens.

Read Also:https://www.completesports.com/rashford-to-consider-pay-cut-to-seal-aston-villa-permanent-move/

Leicester have broken the Premier League record for conceding the first goal on 25 occasions out of their opening 30 matches, talkSPORT reports.

The Foxes fell behind to champions Manchester City after just four minutes on Wednesday night in their 2-0 away defeat.

And it was Jack Grealish that broke the deadlock – his first Premier League goal since the Citizens’ 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace in December 2023.

The England international was picked out by Savinho from 12 yards out, with Grealish firing into the bottom left corner.

Things got worse for Leicester in the 29th minute at the Etihad after Omar Marmoush doubled the hosts’ lead.

The Egyptian – signed during the January transfer window – smashed in from close range following an error from goalkeeper Mads Hermansen.

For Leicester, it’s now a record-extending 37 goals shipped in from a Premier League side on the road this campaign.

The 2015/16 top-flight champions remain the only side in the division to fail to keep a clean sheet away from home.

Read Also:https://www.completesports.com/leicester-break-unwanted-premier-league-record-in-2-0-loss-to-man-city/

Former Cyrstal Palace owner Simon Jordan believes Manchester United loanee Marcus Rashford is playing good football under Aston manager Unai Emery.

Recall that Rashford netted a brace to help Villa overcome Preston North End in the FA Cup at the weekend.

Reacting to Rashford’s display, Jordan told the White and Jordan show that the England international is enjoying the best of football under Emery than Ruben Amorim at Old Trafford.

“The player took it upon himself to announce to the world via his PR representative Henry Winter that he wasn’t very happy at Man United and wanted a new opportunity,” Jordan told the White and Jordan show.

“So you’ve got a manager now that’s going ‘Right, I’ve come in mid-season, I’m shaking it up a little bit, I’ve got problems. What I need is everyone alongside me. I don’t need him going and doing what he wants to do, which is going and having an interview with the media to impart his particular brand of wisdom’.

“I could have bet you, and in fact I did, any money in the world that would see Rashford come alive for Villa. Fantastic. Wait until Villa have got to write a cheque out. I think Villa are too canny and too wise to fall into this trap.”

Read Also:https://www.completesports.com/rashford-playing-good-football-under-emery-at-aston-villa-jordan/

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.”

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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/