Nigeria Premier League

Osimhen, Oshoala Make 2023 Ballon d’Or Nomination List

Nigerian Super Eagles star Victor Osimhen and Super Falcons’ Asisat Oshoala have been nominated for the 2023 Ballon d’Or.

It is an exceptional first time that two Nigerian players have been nominated for this prestigious award in the same year.

Osimhen had a phenomenal season with Napoli during his last break; Thanks to this, the Neapolitan club won the first Serie A championship in over 30 years. The Nigerian finished the season as Italy’s top scorer with 26 goals, a feat never before achieved by an African player, and started the new campaign brilliantly with three goals in three games.

Osimhen’s exploits are not just down to his club as he has also done great things in the green and white colours of Nigeria, earning him a national honour bestowed on him by the government of Muhammadu Buhari.

Osimhen was a key player for the Super Eagles, helping them qualify for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in one game. He is also the qualifying series’ top scorer; stressed his key role in the campaign.

Other contenders for the 2023 Ballon d’Or include Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Robert Lewandowski, Erling Halland, Mohamed Salah and Bukayo Saka,

Meanwhile, Oshoala has been in equally impressive form for years since Barcelona Femeni who she helped achieved a historic treble that culminated in the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
The 28-year-old, who scored 21 goals in 28 appearances for Barcelona last season, has also been fantastic for the Super Falcons national team.

Oshoala, despite her injuries, helped the Super Falcons reached the Round of 16 at the last World Cup in New Zealand and Australia.

World Women’s Champion Aitana Bonmati, Golden Boot winner Hinata Miyazawa and Colombian teenager Linda Caicedo were also on the nomination list alongside Oshoala.
Full list of Men’s Ballon d’Or nominees:

André Onana – Manchester United/Cameroon
Josko Gvardiol – Manchester City/Croatia
Karim Benzema – Al Ittihad

amal Musiala – Bayern Munich/Germany
Mohamed Salah – Liverpool v Egypt

Jude Bellingham – Real Madrid v England

Nigeria Premier League

Rangers’ Coach Rues Defeat At El-Kanemi, Says My Boys Lost Concentration When It Mattered

Rangers International FC’s coach, Fidelis Ilechukwu, attributed his team’s 2-1 defeat to El-Kanemi Warriors FC in Maiduguri on Wednesday to lapses in concentration within his defence.

The NPFL matchday 21 clash saw El-Kanemi secured the win at the El-Kanemi Stadium, Maiduguri.

Ilechukwu, who also serves as an assistant coach for the Nigerian national team, acknowledged his players’ overall performance but highlighted two critical moments of defensive inattentiveness that allowed El-Kanemi to score.

He expressed confidence in the team’s ability to bounce back, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a positive mindset and focusing on future achievements.

He described the current situation as a temporary setback and reassured fans that Rangers would soon return to winning form while urging his players to remain confident as they prepare for their next game against the high-scoring Ikorodu City.

El-Kanemi’s goals came from Nasiru Salihu, who scored in the 18th and 73rd minutes. Isaac Saviour scored the lone goal for Rangers in the 63rd minute.

Despite Rangers’ efforts to equalize, including the introduction of former World Cup star Michael Uchebo, El-Kanemi’s goalkeeper, Abine George, made crucial saves in extra time to secure the victory.

The win moved El-Kanemi Warriors into 4th place on the league table, while Rangers dropped to 6th.

Rangers will face Ikorodu City, who are currently 5th with the same number of points, at home on Monday, February 3, 2025, at 4:00 pm at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu.

Nigeria Premier League

Ogunmodede reflects on Emo Stars’ win over Abia Warriors

Emo Stars technical adviser Daniel Ogunmodede admitted his side was fortunate to secure a 3-2 victory over Abia Warriors in Ikenne on Wednesday.

Abia Warriors took a 2-0 lead in the first half, with goals from Ayodele Eziekel and Anthony Ijoma. However, Emo Stars responded with three goals from Olamilekan Adebayo, Jabbar Malik, and Franck Mawuena to clinch the win.

Ogunmodede acknowledged that his team had underestimated their opponents but managed to turn things around. “The game was tense and shocking in the first half on our home ground. Not every time you will be lucky against a great team we played against,” he said in the post-match interview.

“We underestimated the qualities of our opponent, and we were punished for it. But luckily, we identified the problem and readjusted to get the victory.”

Emo Stars will now aim to build on this win as they continue their campaign

Nigeria Premier League

Kano Pillars eye maximum points in midweek showdown with Ikorodu City

Kano Pillars are determined to secure all three points in their upcoming fixture against Ikorodu City in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

The Sai Masu Gida will face Ikorodu City at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos on Wednesday.

Usman Abdallah’s side is upbeat and focused ahead of the match, with the players in high spirits.

“Done and dusted with the shake-ups ahead of our NPFL25 Matchday 21 clash against Ikorodu City this Wednesday at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos,” Kano Pillars wrote on X.

“The boys are in high spirits and determined to secure maximum points as we aim to continue our impressive run this season.”

Kano Pillars currently sit in eighth place on the league table with 28 points.