₦airaland Forum

Stoke City have completed the signing of Nigerian-born defender Bosun Lawal from Celtic.


Lawal penned a four-year contract with the Potters.

“Bosun is a player who I’ve followed closely for a number of years,” sporting director Jonathan Walters told the club’s official website.

“After competing with several top clubs, we are proud to have secured his signature.

“Our ambitions are perfectly aligned, and we believe he possesses all the attributes to reach the very top of the game.

“He is not only a fantastic addition to our squad but also a key part of our long term vision for the Club

“We’re confident that his talent and drive will make a significant impact as we look to achieve our goals together.”

Lawal explained how conversations with some Potters’ favourites added to his enthusiasm for his Stoke City career to commence.
Read Also:https://www.completesports.com/done-deal-stoke-city-sign-nigerian-born-defender/

Nigeria’s Christianah Ogunsanya lost in the wrestling event at the ongoing 2024 Olympic Games in Paris on Wednesday.

Ogunsanya lost her second round bout in the women’s freestyle 53kg to Mongolia’s Khulan Batkhuyag.

She was trailing 3-1 in the second half, before losing via VFA.

Ogunsanya dropped to the Repechage where she has an opportunity to win bronze.

Another Nigerian athlete, Edose Ibadin finished 6th in heat 2 of men’s 800m.

Gabriel Tual of France won the race in a time of 1:45.13.

Ireland’s Mark English was second with a time of 1:45.13, ahead of Botswana’s Tshepiso Masalela who was third in a time of 1:45.58.
Read Also:https://www.completesports.com/paris-2024-olympics-ogunsanya-falters-ibadin-fumbles-in-mens-800m/

Ese Brume booked a place in the final of the women’s long jump event at the 2024 Olympic Games on Tuesday.

The 28-year-old won bronze medal in the same event three years ago in Tokyo.

Usoro qualified with a mark of 6.68m, while Ochonogor claimed her spot with 6.65m

It is the first time three Nigerians will make it to the final of the women’s long jump event in the history of the Olympics.

Read Also:https://www.completesports.com/paris-2024-olympics-brume-usoro-ochonogor-qualify-for-womens-long-jump-final/

Former Liverpool defender Steve Nicol believes Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen will score more goals for Arsenal than Kai Havertz.

Having advised the Gunners to sign the Nigerian international, Nicol, in a chat with ESPN, stated that Osimhen has the potential of converting more goal-scoring chances than the Germany international.

“If somebody said to you, you can either have [Kai] Havertz or [Victor] Osimhen. Are you really going to take Havertz?

“You are not going to take in a million years over Osimhen. So, if you can afford it, I agree with Shaka’s point.

“When it really matters and you have only one chance in a game, again the question is, is it going to be Havertz or Osimhen?

“Everybody will say he scored in the Champions League final, but the truth is he takes too many chances to score that Osimhen won’t.”

Read Also:https://www.completesports.com/osimhen-will-deliver-more-goals-than-havertz-at-arsenal-nicol/

Nigeria’s Sports Minister John Enoh has waded into controversy surrounding the exclusion of Favour Ofili from the women’s 100 metres at the Paris Olympic games.

In an outburst on her X handle on Tuesday, Ofili expressed disappointment that her name was not included in the 100m event.

She pointed accusing fingers at the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) and the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) for the omission.

In his reaction Enoh said there should be sanctions after the conclusion of a thorough investigation.

“On July 28, 2024, as Minister of Sports Development, I visited and addressed Team Nigeria athletes at the Games Village in Paris,” Enoh wrote on X. “It was a no holds barred session. Thereafter, I had my usual personal interaction with the athletes to allow them to express their concerns directly to me, which has been my tradition as Minister of Sports. In addition,i have continued to encourage athletes to reach me directly on any concerns.

“In hindsight, when Ofili had issues at the African Championships in Douala, I reached out to get her side of the story, and this time, it hasn’t been different. Favour Ofili reached me directly, expressing her concern for her races.Immediately I called Professor Ken Anugweje, the lead of the Ministerial Podium Performance Committee, to ensure that Ofili’s issues are thoroughly addressed. He got back to me shortly after to say he was in touch with the 1st Vice President of NOC, Chief Solomon Ogba, and that the matter was being handled.

Read Also:https://www.completesports.com/paris-olympics-sports-minister-enoh-reacts-to-ofilis-omission-from-100m/

The Paris Olympics commenced on the 26th of July with the opening ceremony showcasing the rich cultural charm and history of the country. And while there is some backlash and debates on the ceremony, the soccer’s group stage has kicked off. The men’s grouper stage will be held with four groups with 16 nations in total competing for a ticket to the knockout stage.

To advance to the knockout stages, teams must finish in the top two places in their respective groups. As of July 29th, several group-stage matches have already been played, including the ones with Span in Group C. The Spanish U23 became the first team to advance to the quarterfinals, ahead of all other teams, with back-to-back wins over Uzbekistan (2-1) on the 24th and the Dominican Republic (3-1) on the 27th.

Scoring against the Dominican Republic were Fermín López, Alex Baena, and Miguel Gutiérrez Ortega, while the goals against Uzbekistan were scored by UD Almería defender Marc Púbil and Real Sociedad’s Sergio Gomez. Each of these players has played in the national youth team at various ages and is expected to play an important role for the national team in the near future. With the memory of a glorious victory at the EURO earlier in July still fresh, our expectations are high to see the U23 team bring us another victory at the Olympics.

Japan hit another victory with the following game against Mali on July 27th, leading them to qualify themselves for the knockout stages, and this time Yamamoto followed up the previous game by scoring again to snatch an important point.

Read Also:https://www.completesports.com/olympic-mens-soccer-japan-scores-powerful-advancement-to-knockout-stage/

Victor Osimhen could now consider a move to Saudi Arabia with his transfer to Paris Saint-Germain set to hit the brickwall.

The Nigeria international has been heavily linked with a move to Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain.

However talks between Napoli and PSG has now stalled, with the latter making it clear they are not activating his €130m release clause.

The Nigeria international turned down a move to Saudi Arabia last summer but could now be heading to one of the clubs in the country this summer, according to transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano.

“Paris Saint-Germain won’t pay the clause and talks are in stand-by at current conditions, no chance to include Kang-in Lee.

“Osimhen could also consider Saudi League bids, as Napoli want Lukaku to replace him.”

Read Also:https://www.completesports.com/osimhen-to-consider-bid-from-saudi-clubs/

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has expressed its full support for the Girls Play Sports Football Tournament, an initiative birthed by the Honorable Ayo Omidiran and organized under the auspices of the Ayo Omidiran Foundation.

During a courtesy call by the Tournament’s Organising Committee to the NFF Headquarters in Abuja on Monday, Secretary General Dr. Sanusi Mohammed, representing NFF President Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau, stressed the significance of the tournament.

Dr. Sanusi stated, “The NFF, under the leadership of Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau, is committed to making it mandatory for all Premiership clubs to establish women’s football teams. This initiative comes at the right time for the advancement of women’s football in Nigeria and aligns with its FIFA-funded Talent Development Scheme.”

While hailing Honorable Omidiran on the initiative, the NFF scribe emphasized the importance of perseverance despite criticism, noting, “You’ll face opposition when you start promoting women’s football, but you have to remain focused. Critics may have the loudest voices, but the silent supporters are many. Your next step is to work closely with the NFF Technical Department to ensure the success of this program.”

Honorable Omidiran, CEO and Founder of the Ayomidiran Foundation, expressed her gratitude to the NFF for their support, admitting that, “Organizing a competition like this would not be complete without the official recognition and backing of the NFF. The Ayomidiran Foundation has always been dedicated to the development of women, particularly through sports. Football has opened many doors for young girls, and it is essential to provide them with opportunities to excel.”

“Many of our girls playing football internationally are now the breadwinners for their families. We want to encourage more girls to see sports as a viable career path. By the end of this tournament, we hope to have opened new opportunities for many young girls.”

Read Also:https://www.completesports.com/nff-endorses-girls-play-sports-football-tournament/

England manager Gareth Southgate has tendered his resignation from his position a few days after the Three Lions’ Euro 2024 final loss to Spain.

Recall that the Three Lions lost 2-1 in Berlin on Sunday, their second consecutive Euros final defeat, having been beaten on penalties by Italy at Wembley three years ago.

And in a statement on the England national team’s official website, Southgate wrote:

“As a proud Englishman, it has been the honour of my life to play for England and to manage England. It has meant everything to me, and I have given it my all,” Southgate said in a statement.

them has been proud to wear the three lions on their shirts, and they have been a credit to their country in so many ways,” he added.

“The squad we took to Germany is full of exciting young talent and they can win the trophy we all dream of. I am so proud of them, and I hope we get behind the players and the team at St. George’s Park and the FA who strive every day to improve English football, and understand the power football has to drive positive change.

“My special thanks go to the backroom staff who have provided the players and me with unstinting support over the last eight years. Their hard work and commitment inspired me every day, and I am so grateful to them – the brilliant ‘team behind the team’.
Read Also:https://www.completesports.com/southgate-steps-down-as-england-manager/

Former Italy international Fabio Cannavaro has disclosed that Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen is more clinical in front of goal than Romelu Lukaku.

He stated this while weighing into the choice of Osimhen and his potential replacement, Lukaku.

Speaking with Football Italia, Cannavaro stated that the Nigerian international touches two balls and scores three goals.

“If Napoli can hold onto Osimhen and Kvara, it would be very advantageous. Last year, I studied it very carefully: they are very strong,” Cannavaro said.

“Osi touches two balls and scores three goals. He is unpredictable and needs fewer chances than Lukaku. Conte always puts the players in their place, but the added value is Oriali, who will free him from dirty work, allowing him to focus on the team"

Read Also:https://www.completesports.com/osimhen-more-clinical-in-front-of-goal-than-lukaku-cannavaro/

Nigeria’s Falconets will take on Australia and Mexico in friendlies ahead of the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.
The friendly matches will be played in Colombia next month.

The Falconets recently set up camp in Abuja to prepare for the biennial competition.

Chris Danjuma’s side will travel to Colombia next month for the final leg of their preparation.

32 players are currently fighting for a place in the team, while only 21 will make the final squad.

The Falconets will face former world champions Germany, Venezuela and Korea in the group stage.

Colombia will host the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup from August 31 to September 22, 2024.

Read Also:https://www.completesports.com/colombia-2024-falconets-to-face-australia-mexico-in-friendlies/

Nigeria defender Chidozie Awaziem has been linked with a move to Major League Soccer (MLS) club, FC Cincinnati.

FC Cincinnati and Boavista are already in talks to get the deal done, according to reports.

A move to FC Cincinnati will see Awaziem link up with another Nigerian, Obinna Nwobodo.


The versatile defender was close to leaving Boavista for French club, Nantes last summer but both clubs failed to reach an agreement.

The 27-year-old spent the 2020/21 season on loan at Boavista from another Portuguese club FC Porto.

The move was made permanent the following season.

Awaziem was however loaned out twice to Turkish club Alanyaspor and Croatian outfit Hadjuk Split.

The centre-back made 27 league appearances for Boavista last season.
Read Also:https://www.completesports.com/mls-club-fc-cincinnati-interested-in-awaziem/

Jennifer Echegini has announced her departure from Italian club Juventus after six months.

“I wanted to take this moment and share my gratitude for the time we have shared. Despite all that may have been said I’m extremely grateful to have been part of this family,” she wrote on Instagram.

“Living and playing in Turin has been an amazing journey filled with a lot of growing and learning for me. I will cherish these memories and carry them on to my next journey.

“Thank you to my teammates and coaches for making me feel part of the family. Working alongside dedicated and inspiring women has been the most rewarding experience. I wish you all the best in your future endeavors.

“Lastly, thank you for your unwavering support throughout the season.”

The 23-year-old registered 10 goals and one assist in 16 appearances for Juventus

She is in Super Falcons’ squad for the 2024 Olympic Games which will be hosted in Paris, France.

Source: https://www.completesports.com/super-falcons-midfielder-echegini-announces-departure-from-juventus/

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has provided an insight on why the European champions didn’t Victor Osimhen last summer.

Los Blancos were among the clubs linked with Osimhen, who enjoyed a stellar campaign with Napoli in the 2022/23 season.

The Nigeria international registered 26 goals in 32 league appearances for the Partenopei during the title winning campaign.

The 25-year-old was last summer seen as a direct replacement for Karim Benzema, who left for Saudi club, Al Ittihad.

the forward scored 15 goals in 25 league appearances for Napoli last season.

He is expected to leave Napoli this summer.

Read Also:https://www.completesports.com/ancelotti-reveals-reason-for-not-signing-osimhen/

Victor Osimhen is expected to start the pre-season with Napoli next week as no club has yet made concrete offers for him.

New Napoli coach Antonio Conte could meet Osimhen in Castel Volturno next week as no European club has yet made a formal offer to secure the striker’s services.
Osimhen has a €130m clause included in his contract with the Partenopei but despite rumours linking Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United with the 25-year-old, there are still no official bids on Napoli’s table.

No club seems willing to pay €130m for Osimhen, and it may be difficult to find suitable candidates even if club owner Aurelio De Laurentiis lowers the price to €100m.

Now Football Italia is reporting that Conte is prepared to part company with the Osimhen, but if no club steps up over the next few days, he will have to start the pre-season with Napoli on Thursday, July 11, 2024.

According to Il Corriere dello Sport, Arsenal prefer Viktor Gyökeres to Osimhen even if they also consider the Sporting striker’s €100m clause too high.

On their part, Chelsea have changed their transfer targets after the appointment of the Italian Enzo Maresca, while Manchester United have set their sights on Joshua Zirkzee and will continue relying on ex-Atalanta ace Rasmus Hojlund, especially after Erik ten Hag was confirmed in charge at Old Trafford.

Read Also:https://www.completesports.com/osimhen-to-start-pre-season-with-napoli-next-week/

Nigeria goalkeeper Ojo Olorunleke has been unveiled by his new Sudanese club Al Merreikh.

The 28-year-old also officially signed a two-year contract with the Red Devils.

The shot stopper ended his three-year stay with former Nigeria Premier Football League champions Enyimba to pitch tent with Al Merreikh.

The goalie won the NPFL title with the People’s Elephant two seasons ago.

It is the first time he will be playing for a club outside Nigeria.

Olorunleke previously played for Kano Pillars, Sunshine Stars, Akwa United and Abia Warriors

He was Nigeria’s third choice goalkeeper at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire.

Read Also:https://www.completesports.com/sudanese-club-al-merreikh-unveil-super-eagles-goalkeeper/

Nigeria forward, Henry Onyekuru is set to make a return to Turkey with Gaziantep, reports Completesports.com.

Onyekuru once had spells in the Turkish Super Lig with Galatasaray and Adana Demirspor.

The 27-year-old could now return to familiar territory less than a year after moving to Saudi Arabia.

According to reports emanating from Turkey, Gaziantep are desperate to add the versatile striker to their squad ahead of the 2024/24 season.

Gaziantep are however still awaiting the forward’s consent.

His Saudi club, Al Feiha are reportedly willing to sanction the move.

Onyekuru scored 10 goals in 24 league appearances for Al Feiha last season.

Read Also:https://www.completesports.com/onyekuru-set-for-turkish-super-lig-return/

Former Super Eagles forward, Peter Odemwingie has graduated from golf school, reports Completesports.com.

Odemwingie graduated as a PGA member in May.

“I’m proud because I challenged myself not only to apply effort in a sport but also academically,” he told the PGA official website.

“I hope my story motivates people to follow suit, whether that’s through The PGA or any other form of studies.”

The 42-year-old made 65 appearances for the Super Eagles.

Odemwingie represented Nigeria at two FIFA World Cups and won an Olympic medal in 2008.

He scored over 30 Premier League goals for West Bromwich Albion and also represented Cardiff City and Stoke City.

Read Also:https://www.completesports.com/odemwingie-graduates-from-golf-school/

Getafe president Angel Torres has disclosed that Real Madrid had the chance to sign Marc Cucurella before his move to the Premier League.

Recall that the Spaniard left Getafe for England, signing for Brighton and then moving on to Chelsea.

However, in a chat with AS, Torres stated that he offered Cucurella to Real Madrid but he was rejected.

“I’m not surprised by the good Euros that Cucurella is doing.

“I offered him to Real Madrid when I was here and it was close to being done.”

Cucurella is being linked with a move to Spain this summer, with Real Madrid, Barcelona, and other clubs circling.

Read Also:https://www.completesports.com/torres-i-offered-cucurella-to-real-madrid/

President of Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau will on Thursday at the NFF Secretariat, Abuja inaugurate the Federation’s Futsal and Beach Soccer Sub-Committee.

The committee has as chairman, Otuekong Nse Essien with the Chairman of Chairmen of Nigeria Football, Alhaji Ahmed Yusuf (Fresh) as vice chairman. The members are Aminu Mohammed Inuwa, Hon. Suleiman Yahaya-Kwande, Hajji Liameed Gafaar, Mr. Richard Jideaka and Yabagi Alhaji Baba. Abubakar D. Umar (Barde) is secretary.

The Futsal and Beach Soccer Sub-Committee is responsible for the organization of all futsal and beach soccer competitions and deals with all matters relating to futsal and beach soccer.

Nigeria has been a continental, and to some extent global, power in beach soccer in previous years, with the Supersand Eagles winning the Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations in 2007 and 2009 and reaching the quarter-finals of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Italy 13 years ago.

Mauritania will host the Supersand Eagles on a day between 19th and 21st July, with Nigeria hosting the return leg a week later.

Read Also:https://www.completesports.com/nff-to-inaugurate-futsal-beach-soccer-committee-thursday/

Nigerian rapper, Tobechukwu Ejiofor, aka Illbliss, has described the Super Eagles display against Benin as lethargic and inconsistent.

Recall that Nigeria lost 2-1 to Benin in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers on Monday.

The Super Eagles is yet to win a match in the qualifiers and remains 5th in Group C with 3 points.

Reacting via his official X handle, IIibliss stated that the team’s display is a reflection of the Nigerian government.

“The Super Eagles is a reflection of the government.

“Lethargic. Inconsistent. Confused…”

Read Also:https://www.completesports.com/2026-wcq-super-eagles-are-lethargic-inconsistent-rapper-iiibliss/

Chelsea have now agreed personal terms with Crystal Palace forward Michael Olise and will now discuss scheduling payments for his release clause, according to GIVEMESPORT sources.

Olise enjoyed an impressive 2023/2024 campaign with the Eagles and is now attracting interest from multiple clubs.

With a release clause in his contract, it could be difficult for Oliver Glasner’s side to keep hold of him in the summer transfer window.


Sources have confirmed to GIVEMESPORT that Chelsea have verbally agreed personal terms with Olise after originally doing the same last summer.

It’s understood that Chelsea are now speaking to Crystal Palace regarding the scheduling of payments for his release clause as they push ahead to secure his signature.

It’s still possible that another club enters the race and beats Chelsea to the signing of Olise, with Manchester United still keen, and the Red Devils could present an offer on the table for the Palace star.

A deal isn’t close just yet, but it’s a big step forward for the west London outfit as they look to bring Olise to Stamford Bridge.

Nothing has been officially signed by Olise, who has been described as ‘sensational’, or Chelsea, but there is a verbal agreement between the two parties.

Chelsea and United aren’t the only clubs that are interested in signing Olise this summer, but it appears that Enzo Maresca’s side are doing everything they can to convince him to make the short trip across London.

Read Also:https://www.completesports.com/chelsea-agree-personal-terms-with-crystal-palace-for-olise/

Tickets to access the Godswill Akpabio Stadium for Friday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying cracker between Nigeria’s Super Eagles and South Africa’s Bafana Bafana will go on sale from Thursday morning.

While tickets for the popular stands will sell for N1,000 each, tickets to the VIP areas will go for the sum of N3,000 each.

NFF’s Head of Marketing and Sponsorship, Mr. Alizor Chuks, told thenff.com that tickets will go on sale at a number of designated points including Comfort FM Radio Station (Ikot Akpanabia), Inspiration FM Radio Station (Udo Udoma Street), Memories FM Radio Station (Ernest Bassey Street), De-Choice Shopping Mall, as well as a number of fuel stations and eateries that will be announced later in the day.

The objective is to have as many sales points as possible away from the stadium, and ensure that sales are concluded by Friday evening before the game commences.

Friday’s potentially-explosive game will kick off at 8pm.

Read Also:https://www.completesports.com/2026-wcq-tickets-prices-for-super-eagles-vs-bafana-bafana-announced/

Tottenham star Yves Bissouma was left in total shock after he was robbed of his luxury wrist watch worth £260k by two assailants.

According to The Sun, the Tottenham star, who joined the club in 2022 after completing a £25million transfer from Brighton, was arriving at the five-star Majestic Barriere hotel on the French Riviera when the incident occurred.

Bissouma, 27, was ‘pounced on by two hooded men as he got out of his car’ on the Promenade de la Croisette, a road that runs parallel to the hotel and the seafront.

A Spurs statement read: “We are aware of the incident that took place and we will continue to check on the welfare of Yves and his family.”

French police are said to have since opened an enquiry into the incident, while Bissouma and his wife have since returned to England early from their trip.

Read More:https://www.completesports.com/bissouma-robbed-of-luxury-watch-by-two-gangs/

Arsenal’s hopes of signing Victor Osimhen this summer could see the Gunners swapping Emile Smith Rowe and Takehiro Tomiyasu with Napoli for the Nigerian.

The Premier League giants are in search of a top striker this summer with many believing it is the only missing piece in Mikel Arteta’s team.

Osimhen is regarded as one of the best strikers in Europe and has been linked with a potential move to the Emirates for quite some time.

The top scorer in 2022/23 Serie A season has a £110m release clause and Corriere dello Sport, via Daily Mail, and Transfer News claim there has been little indication that any club will be willing to meet that price.

Transfer News and the Mail report states that Osimhen is keen on a move to the Premier League and the north London outfit have ‘resurfaced’ with their interest.

Their source claims one way around the price tag could be a swap deal with Napoli picking out two Arsenal players.

One is Tomiyasu, who the Italian side wanted to sign back in January before he put pen to paper on a new deal.

The other is Smith Rowe, who only started three top flight games last season but remains a popular and highly-rated figure at the Emirates.

Chelsea are another club in the mix but Osimhen is said to be waiting for an offer from Arsenal.

The Gunners have also been strongly linked with other strikers in the form of Benjamin Sesko and Alexander Isak since their season came to a close.

Read Also:https://www..completesports.com/napoli-target-two-arsenal-stars-on-potential-swap-deal-for-osimhen/

The Super Eagles will train once on Tuesday as they intensify preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Benin Republic.

The session, according to the team’s media officer, Promise Efoghe will commence at 4pm.

It will hold at the practice pitch of the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.

It will be a closed door session with no access to the media and members of the public.

Read Also:https://www.completesports.com/2026-wcq-super-eagles-to-train-once-tuesday/

Ademola Lookman has been included in the final Serie A Team of the Week for the season.

The final Team of the Week for the Serie A campaign, was compiled by whoscored.com and posted on their X handle.

The Super Eagles star is the only Atalanta player who made the list which also had AC Milan’s Rafael Leao and Juventus duo Alex Sandro and Federico Chiesa.

Lookman’s inclusion in the list is not unconnected to his impressive performance in Atalanta’s 3-0 home win against Torino, in their final league game of the season.

The Europa League final hat-trick hero scored one of the goals in the comfortable win.


The 26-year-old ended the 2023/24 league campaign with 10 goals, six assists in 30 games.

Also, he scored 16 goals, provided seven assists in 44 games in all competitions in the just concluded season.

Up next for Lookman is the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Benin Republic in June.

The Super Eagles are third in Group C on two points after two games played so far.

Read More:https://www.completesports.com/lookman-makes-serie-a-team-of-the-week-3/

Rangers legend Arthur Numan has backed Cyriel Dessers to help the Light Blues win the Scottish Cup.

Phillipe Clement’s side will face their Glasgow rival in the final of the competition at the Hampden Park on Saturday.

The two teams have met four times this season with Celtic winning thrice and the other game ending in a draw.

Numan, who won four Scottish Cups during his five-years in Glasgow between 1998 and 2003, believes his former side have what it takes to lift the trophy.

The former defender believed Dessers can help the Gers win the game.

“So I hope that Dessers can be that man and score the winning goal. I think that could be (a big turning point for him), because he has scored a lot of goals, but if he scores the winner in a cup final against Celtic then people will always remember that and it will give him a lot of confidence as well for season,” Numan told Stv.

“It will also give the team a belief that they can go and win the league next season.”

Dessers has scored 22 goals across all competitions for the Gers this season.

Read Also:https://www.completesports.com/dessers-can-fire-rangers-to-scottish-cup-glory-numan/

Super Eagles head coach, Finidi George has said it is important for the Super Eagles to beat South Africa in their next game in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier.

The former African champions are still looking for their first win in the qualifying series after drawing their opening two games against Lesotho and Zimbabwe.

The Super Eagles will host Bafana Bafana in a matchday three encounter at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo on Friday,June 7.

The West Africans will be up against neighbours Benin Republic at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium, Abidjan three days later.

Finidi insisted it is important for the Super Eagles to get their campaign back on track with a win against South Africa.

“We know Nigerians would love the team to win all the time, and we’ll just get the players focused on the game, one game at a time. We focus on the South African game and see how we can win that one before we talk about the Benin Republic game. For me, as a coach, it’s either you have a good result, or you don’t have a good result,” Finidi said in an interview with Eagle FM.

“One cannot be scared in life. Like I said, going through life is difficult, you walk through it with the difficulties that you know you’ll encounter. So that’s how I look at life and approach it that way, and football will not be any different. We will do our job and make sure we get the best out of that game, and apart from that, nothing else.’

Read More:https://www.completesports.com/2026-wcq-super-eagles-must-beat-south-africa-finidi/

Formula One legend Lewis Hamilton has predicted that Arsenal will wrestle the Premier League title from Man City next season.

Recall that the Gunners have narrowly lost the league title twice to Man City.

City have been absolutely dominant in the top-flight under Pep Guardiola, with Sunday’s win over West Ham clinching the trophy for the fourth straight year.

Guardiola’s side are the first English side in history to achieve that feat with City having now remarkably landed six of the last seven Premier League titles.

Hamilton, who is a big Arsenal fan, thinks it will be third time lucky for Mikel Arteta’s men at the end of the 2024-25 season.

“Proud of this team. It’s ours next season,” Hamilton posted alongside a picture of Arsenal players.

Read More:https://www.completesports.com/arsenal-not-man-city-liverpool-will-win-epl-title-next-season-hamilton/

Former Nigerian international Victor Ikpeba has charged Finidi George to get the best out of the players ahead of the team’s 2026 World Cup qualifier against South Africa next month.

Recall that the former Enyimba coach was unveiled on Monday by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and he’s expected to take over from Jose Peseiro, who left the job after taking Nigeria to the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

Speaking on Monday Night Football on Super Sports, the Atlanta Olympic gold medalist appealed to Nigerians to support Finidi in his quest to qualify the team for the 2026 World Cup.

He also warned new Super Eagles assistant coach Daniel Amokachi to ensure there is harmony within the team.

“Finidi has been given the opportunity to manage one of the most demanding footballing nations when it comes to football in Africa.

“There is pressure, and I wish him well. The likes of Amokachi, Benjamin James, I know him well because I was with him in Germany. He has brought his own assistant.

“What we need now within the coaching crew is trust and working together in harmony for the success of this great nation.

“We have the potential, and it is for Finidi to get the best from these players. I absolutely wish them well, and we can’t wait for the game Uyo against South Africa on June 7. They have to go out there and step up their game because I do believe that we can get the victory againstSouth Africa.”

Read also:https://www.completesports.com/2026-wcq-finidi-must-get-the-best-from-super-eagles-players-ikpeba/

Aston Villa are confident they can beat Premier League heavyweights Arsenal and Manchester United in securing the signing of Crystal Palace star Michael Olise, FootballTransfers can exclusively reveal.

According to FootballTransfers, Olise aims to join a Champions League team next season and secure a spot as a regular starter, prioritising his playing time over sitting on the bench.

This development would undoubtedly be a big blow to Arsenal, who value the Olise highly.

But the prospect of regular game time is diminished at the Emirates due to established players like Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard having already cemented their roles in similar positions.

As for United, their probable lack of European football makes securing Olise’s signature highly unlikely.

The uncertainty over the Red Devils’ managerial situation also counts against them, particularly as Unai Emery has recently signed a new contract with the Birmingham outfit, meaning they can offer stability the Old Trafford side cannot.

Given Olise’s desire to compete in the Champions League and secure a starting position, inside sources at Villa Park reveal that sporting director Monchi is confident in persuading the player to choose Villa over Arsenal and Man Utd.

Villa are known to be after a natural wide attacker in the summer and Olise would fit the bill perfectly for the Champions League-bound Birmingham side.

Data analytics experts SciSports indicate that the 22-year-old has the potential to become a key player at Villa Park and would very quickly challenge the likes of Leon Bailey to earn substantial game time.

Read More:https://www.completesports.com/aston-villa-confident-of-signing-nigerian-forward-ahead-of-man-united-arsenal/