Author: David Great

Tottenham Hotspur claimed a hard-fought 1-0 victory against EFL Cup holders Liverpool in the first leg of their semi-final clash, securing just their second clean sheet in 12 matches and gaining a crucial edge in the tie. New signing Antonin Kinský made his debut in goal, the second Spurs goalkeeper to do so in consecutive matches, as manager Ange Postecoglou continued to navigate an injury-hit squad. Despite these challenges, Tottenham started brightly against the Premier League leaders. However, their momentum was disrupted when Rodrigo Bentancur was stretchered off after a lengthy stoppage. Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah had a rare chance midway…

The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) has expanded its collection with 20 new Nigerian words and expressions in its latest update. Among the newly added terms are “japa,” “agbero,” “eba,” “419,” and “abi,” which reflect the vibrant linguistic and cultural heritage of Nigeria. These entries, rooted in Pidgin English, street slang, and local cultural expressions, signify the growing global recognition of Nigerian English. Interestingly, some terms, including “japa” and “jand,” are listed as both nouns and verbs, demonstrating their versatile usage in everyday conversations. Pronunciation guides have also been included to help non-Nigerians accurately pronounce the words. Kingsley Ugwuanyi, a Nigerian…

Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr is available to play in the Spanish Super Cup, despite his recent two-match suspension, and on Wednesday manager Carlo Ancelotti continued to defend his player despite the club losing their appeal. Vinicius was sent off for slapping Valencia goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski in Friday’s LaLiga match, and after an appeal, the Spanish FA suspended the striker for two league games, clearing him for Thursday’s Super Cup semi-final against Mallorca. Ancelotti had been confident of winning the appeal, believing it to be a yellow card offence, and also said that Vinicius is under enormous mental stress due…

West Ham United have sacked head coach Julen Lopetegui, the Premier League club said on Wednesday, with the London side 14th in the standings after 20 matches. “The first half of the 2024-25 season has not aligned with the club’s ambitions and the club has therefore taken action in line with its objectives,” West Ham said in a statement. “The Board would like to thank Julen and his staff for their hard work during their time with the Hammers and wish them every success for the future. The process of appointing a replacement is underway,” the West Ham statement said.…

Residents and a local traditional ruler reported on Tuesday that gunmen kidnapped at least 46 persons, including women and children, during an assault on Gana town in northwest Zamfara state, Nigeria. At around 2200 GMT on Sunday, dozens of gunmen on motorcycles opened fire on the neighbourhood, setting fire to multiple homes and businesses, according to locals. The attack comes after a similar mass kidnapping in the state last month. Zamfara police spokesperson Yazid Abubakar was not available for comment when he was contacted. Attempts to reach him via text message and phone call failed. Armed gangs, referred to as…

Alexander Isak scored his 50th goal for Newcastle United as Eddie Howe’s side took a huge step towards the League Cup final with a 2-0 victory at Arsenal on Tuesday. Isak struck shortly before halftime in the first leg of the semi-final at a chilly Emirates Stadium and then had a big role in Newcastle’s second scored by Anthony Gordon after the break. Arsenal were left to rue their failure to convert several good chances with Gabriel Martinelli denied by the woodwork in the first half and Kai Havertz missing a golden opportunity. In-form Newcastle, who have not won a…

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has named Eric Chelle as the new head coach of the Super Eagles, succeeding Augustine Eguavoen, who served in an interim capacity. Chelle, 47, takes over immediately and will lead Nigeria through the remainder of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Chelle’s appointment was approved by the NFF Executive Committee following a recommendation from the Technical and Development Sub-Committee during its meeting on January 2, 2025, in Abuja. A former centre-back for RC Lens, Chelle earned five international caps for Mali between 2004 and 2006. He holds dual Malian and French citizenship and spent his…

Brazilian forward Neymar said reuniting with his former Barcelona teammates Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez at Inter Miami is an interesting prospect and did not rule out a move to the United States as his Al-Hilal contract winds down. Once one of football’s most feared forwards, Neymar struck up a lethal partnership with Messi and Suarez to lead Barcelona to a historic treble before his record-breaking 222 million euros ($230.39 million) move to Paris St Germain in 2017. “Obviously, playing again with Messi and Suarez would be incredible. They are my friends, we still speak to each other,” Neymar told…

Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, marked his 62nd birthday in a reflective manner by visiting the grave of his late father, Alhaji Kabiru Yusuf, at Dandolo Graveyard in Kano. The visit, described as deeply emotional, was a tribute to his father, who played a pivotal role in shaping the governor’s values and commitment to public service. In a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawaki Tofa, Governor Yusuf paid glowing tributes to his father, describing him as an exemplary leader. “My father lived an enviable life that typified service leadership, character, humility, and uncompromising commitment to the…

Tottenham Hotspur are a dangerous opponent and Liverpool will have to work to prevent them from enforcing their style of play when the sides meet in a League Cup semi-final first-leg clash, manager Arne Slot said on Tuesday. Liverpool and Spurs employ aggressive and attacking brands of football, with the last match between the sides in December resulting in a thrilling 6-3 win for the Merseyside club. With both teams having scored more than 40 goals in the Premier League, another goalfest could be on the cards. “We expect before we go into the game is that two teams have…