Author: Chronicle Editor

Arsenal’s pursuit of striker Dusan Vlahovic, 21, has been further complicated by Juventus presenting Fiorentina owner Rocco Commisso with a competing offer for the Serbia international. (Times) Meanwhile, Vlahovic has been accused of ignoring the club’s calls by Fiorentina chief executive Joe Barone following the Gunners’ reported bid for the Serie A forward. (Metro) Liverpool are monitoring Eduardo Camavinga’s situation at Real Madrid having been admirers of the 19-year-old French midfielder for some time. (El Nacional – in Spanish) England midfielder Jesse Lingard, 29, is looking for a loan move away from Manchester United in the January transfer window but…

Sergio Ramos scored his first Paris St-Germain goal as they overcame Reims to continue their dominance of Ligue 1. Mauricio Pochettino’s side had laboured a little until Marco Verratti fired in off the post moments before half-time – his first league goal since 2017. Ramos forced a save then converted the rebound after the break and a Wout Faes own goal made the win certain. Danilo side-footed a fourth via a deflection and PSG now sit 11 points clear at the top of the Ligue 1 table. The win owed much to Verratti’s accurate opener as Reims had been competitive…

Tunisia upset 10-man Nigeria to set up a quarter-final tie against Burkina Faso at the Africa Cup of Nations. Youssef Msakni beat Super Eagles keeper Maduka Okoye with a long-range effort two minutes into the second half. Nigeria’s task was made harder when Alex Iwobi was sent off following a video assistant referee review. The West Africans were the only side to win all three group games in Cameroon, but were largely subdued against a Tunisia side hit by Covid-19. Nigeria forward Umar Sadiq fired across goal and wide in injury time after Moses Simon had earlier had an effort…

Two second-half goals, including a brilliant strike from Hakim Ziyech, helped Chelsea beat Tottenham for the third time in three weeks. After a goalless first half, Ziyech scored within two minutes of the restart, superbly curling the ball into the top corner from 20 yards after a fine run from Callum Hudson-Odoi. The hosts doubled their lead eight minutes later when defender Thiago Silva headed in from Mason Mount’s excellent free-kick delivery. In the first half, Tottenham thought they had taken the lead as Harry Kane slotted the ball past Kepa Arrizabalaga, but the goal was ruled out as the…

Pays condolence visits to late Gov Akala’s family and Olubadan Palace Vice President Yemi Osinbajo says the Late Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oba (Dr.) Oladunni Oyewumi, Ajagungbade III, was not just a much loved and respected monarch, an astute statesman, and a great leader among Yoruba Obas, he strongly believed in a united Nigeria and the immense benefits therein. Prof. Osinbajo stated this on Sunday in Oyo State, where he attended the thanksgiving service held in honour of the late Oba at the First Baptist Church, Ogbomoso. The Vice President, who was accompanied by the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, also…

Arsenal missed out on a chance to return to the Premier League’s top four after they were held at the Emirates Stadium by bottom club Burnley. Forward Alexandre Lacazette went closest for the Gunners, poking an Emile Smith Rowe cutback narrowly wide midway through the second half. Smith Rowe also forced a fine diving stop from Burnley keeper Nick Pope in the second period while Martin Odegaard was denied by the stopper’s feet with a powerful effort in the first half. A draw for Burnley ended a run of three straight defeats with the Clarets now four points off safety…

Liverpool boosted their hopes of catching Manchester City in the Premier League as they mixed early class with late resilience to hold off Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. Less than 24 hours after league leaders City dropped points for the first time since October, Jurgen Klopp’s side were sharp and ruthless early on to take the game away from their hosts. The intensity of their press and crisp use of the ball overwhelmed Palace and Virgil van Dijk rose to deliver a bullet header for their opener before Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain finished a sweeping team move for their second. Palace, though,…

President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday morning charged the Super Eagles squad at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon to keep on winning. Buhari, in a video call with the team ahead of their round of 16 clash against Tunisia tonight, said the Nigerian government will continue to support them. Speaking from the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the President spoke with coach Augustine Eguavoen, team captain Ahmed Musa, Amaju Pinnick, President of Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), and Nigerian Ambassador to Cameroon, Gen Abayomi Olonisakin (retd). Mentioning two of the players, Kelechi Iheanacho and Moses Simon, by name, President Buhari urged…

Senate President Ahmad Lawan expressed sadness over the unfortunate incident at Garin Alkali in Bursari Local Government of Yobe State in which a motor driver was reportedly shot dead. The incident ignited violent protests in the neighbouring town of Gashua, the headquarters of Bade Local Government on Saturday. Lawan sympathises with the family of the victim and calls for a thorough investigation into the incident with a view to bringing whoever has a hand in the killing to book. “I am deeply saddened by the tragic news at Garin Alkali on Saturday and the violent reactions that followed it. The…

Heavy gunfire has been heard at several barracks in Burkina Faso’s capital Ouagadougou, and at a nearby air base. The government has denied reports of a coup or that President Roch Kaboré has been detained. The defence minister said the crisis had been contained, though there was still shooting at some barracks. The government has faced growing discontent over its failure to quell an Islamist insurgency that has devastated the West African state since 2015. On 11 January, it said that 10 soldiers had been arrested over an alleged coup plot. The government has also repeatedly cut internet services, and…