Sports
Nigeria Premier League Begins Against Odds
Certainly, the 2010/2011 Nigeria Premier League season would begin tomorrow in all centres across the country.
The league had faced several postponements due to the crisis in the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) which led now been resolved based on a gentleman’s agreement.
The reinstatement of the Aminu-Maigan led board had to the setting up of the Referees’ Appointment Committee and other bodies responsible for the effective monitoring of the league.
Despite the positive development, stakeholders are still concerned over the many problems which had affected the poor standard of the league.
Among them is the absence of a title sponsor for this season after telecommunications giant, Globacom pulled out of a deal to renew its sponsorship of the league.
The absence of a sponsor, means the league board would be lacking the financial power to properly administer its secretariat.
Most leagues in the world depend on the proceeds of sponsorship, endorsements, branding and TV rights, to survive.
Another major problem is the lack of interest by fans in attending league matches. Poor attendance during league matches in recent history has been due to insecurity at league venues and poor officiating by referees.
Most fans who had unwillingly visited league venues have had cause to complain on how referees openly favour home teams.
Besides, fans prefer to sit in the comfort of their homes to watch European league matches.
To reverse the trend, the Rivers State Commissioner for Sports, Boma Iyaye and other sports personalities have advocated a change in the timing of the league.
The Commissioner, when asked on how the interest of Nigerians in the league can be revived said matches should be played in the evening under floodlights.
The absence of strong followership for the league has led to the loss of revenue for clubs, which could have been ploughed into infrastructure development and improvement of player’s welfare.
The whole problem confronting the growth of our league to other leagues especially in Africa is the problem of leadership, said John Amaowoh, a journalist and soccer enthusiast.
“Just like the larger political terrain, our football has been infested with characters that are fit only for school sports and their end interest is not for the advancement of the league, but how they can share in the booty that comes into the system,” he said.
Amaowoh believes that ex-internationals should be given the chance to manage football for the country, noting that politicians are interested in their personal gains.
On his part, Mainayo Igani, said until the body responsible for the appointment of referees is independent, the issue of fair officiating would be a mirage.
Igani noted that a situation where referees who are sent to officiate a match are being pampered by the state football association was unhealthy.
“The referees committee has to be independent to guarantee fair officiating, a situation where they are being treated by state Football Associations as demi-gods when they are sent down is not good,” he said.
The chairman of the Sharks FC Supporters Club also called on fans not to intimidate referees during league games.
The league opens this weekend with Kaduna United entertaining neighbour, Kano Pillars with both sides looking for a positive start to the new season.
Kano Pillars are without their prized striker, Ahmed Musa who notched in 18 goals last season that propelled the team to second place but officials of the team are upbeat that the opening match would be competitive.
All other teams would play on Sunday, with Rivers State-owned teams Dolphins FC and Sharks FC eyeing the league title.
Sharks would lock horns with JUTH FC at home, but would be banking on their devastating form at the continental level to get the three points at stake.
Akonte Samuel/Grace Nwaimo
Relegation-threatened Tottenham’s miserable 2026 continued as their winless run extended to 10 league games with Fulham gaining a deserved victory to boost their hopes of qualifying for European football.
Fulham, who scored twice in the opening six minutes in their 2-1 win over Spurs in November, again got an early goal with Harry Wilson netting in the seventh minute.
However, the goal was controversial as new Spurs boss Igor Tudor felt it should have been disallowed as home striker Raul Jimenez pushed Radu Dragusin as they challenged for a Kenny Tete cross, before Oscar Bobb picked out Wilson to volley home from six yards out.
Tottenham had a similar goal ruled out last week in their 4-1 loss to Arsenal for a foul by Randal Kolo Muani on Gunners defender Gabriel but, following a check from the video assistant referee (VAR) Craig Pawson, Fulham’s goal was allowed to stand, much to Tudor’s fury.
Spurs, though, had no excuses for the 34th-minute second goal with Alex Iwobi left with space to shoot home superbly from 18 yards out, with the ball going in off the inside of the post after a neat exchange with Wilson.
Antoine Semenyo scored just before half-time as title-chasing Manchester City escaped Elland Road with victory over an energetic Leeds United.
The hard-earned outcome narrowed Arsenal’s lead to two points at the top of the Premier League.
City travelled to West Yorkshire without their Leeds-born star striker Erling Haaland who was injured in training, and it looked for large periods in the first half that they would rue not having their top goalscorer available.
But Ghana international Semenyo stretched to convert Rayan Ait-Nouri’s fizzed low ball into the penalty area for his sixth City goal since joining from Bournemouth in January.
Leeds will be wondering how they did not score after making a sprightly start and giving City real cause for early concern.
Meanwhile , a clinical Liverpool performance helped them beat battling West Ham in the Premier League and move level on points with fourth-placed Manchester United.
The hosts were 3-0 up at the break thanks to goals from Hugo Ekitike, Virgil van Dijk and Alexis Mac Allister.
West Ham pulled one back early in the second half through Tomas Soucek before Cody Gakpo restored Liverpool’s three-goal lead in the 70th minute.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side scored again through Taty Castellanos, but an Axel Disasi own goal ensured Liverpool hit five goals in a league game for the first time this season.
Bayern Rebound To Overcome Dortmund In Bundesliga (5)
Harry Kane scored two second-half goals as Bayern Munich came from behind to beat Borussia Dortmund in a thrilling match and move 11 points clear at the top of the Bundesliga.
The England striker took his tally to 45 goals in all competitions this season as Bayern became the first team to inflict a home league defeat on Dortmund.
Kane, who passed 500 A clinical Liverpool performance helped them beat battling West Ham in the Premier League and move level on points with fourth-placed Manchester United.
The hosts were 3-0 up at the break thanks to goals from Hugo Ekitike, Virgil van Dijk and Alexis Mac Allister.
West Ham pulled one back early in the second half through Tomas Soucek before Cody Gakpo restored Liverpool’s three-goal lead in the 70th minute.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side scored again through Taty Castellanos, but an Axel Disasi own goal ensured Liverpool hit five goals in a league game for the first time this season.
All three of the Reds’ first-half goals came from set-pieces – with Arne Slot’s side now leading the table in 2026 when it comes to goals from set-plays (excluding penalties).
In the fifth minute, Ryan Gravenberch teed up Ekitike, who finished smartly to beat Mads Hermansen at the near post for his 16th goal of the season.
West Ham threatened to equalise, but against the run of play Liverpool doubled their advantage when Van Dijk headed in Dominik Szoboszlai’s corner.
The visitors failed to take advantage of Liverpool’s complacency with Konstantinos Mavropanos, Jarrod Bowen and Soucek all wasting chances.
And just before half-time, Mac Allister’s superb volley took a deflection and ended in the back of the net. That was the cue for sections of the travelling support to head for the exits.
Nico Schlotterbeck’s opener.
Dortmund thought they had snatched a point when Daniel Svensson’s thumping volley sent Signal Iduna Park into pandemonium.
But that was until Joshua Kimmich’s strike three minutes from time kept Bayern in pole position to win a 14th title in 15 seasons.
Schlotterbeck headed Dortmund ahead in the 26th minute when he rose highest in a crowded penalty area to connect with Svensson’s free-kick from the left.
Dortmund had the chance to double their lead later in the half when Fabio Silva squared the ball to Maximilian Beier, who was denied by the onrushing Jonas Urbig.
Despite dominating possession in the first half, Bayern – playing with a front three of Kane, Michael Olise and Luis Diaz – were unable to test Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel.
But Kane equalised early in the second period with a poacher’s effort from inside the area at the end of a slick move involving Kimmich and Serge Gnabry.
Both teams missed chances before Kane scored a penalty – a record 10th in a Bundesliga season – after Josip Stanisic was floored by Schlotterbeck.
Dortmund levelled when Svensson volleyed past Urbig, but Kimmich all but ended their hopes of winning a first title since 2012.
Paris St-Germain stretched their lead at the top of Ligue 1 to four points by claiming a narrow win at Le Havre.
The defending champions hoped to take advantage after second-placed Lens drew at Strasbourg on Friday, and Bradley Barcola gave them a deserved lead shortly before half-time.
PSG had chances to extend their lead and substitute Desire Doue had a late penalty saved by Le Havre goalkeeper Mory Diaw.
Lee Kang-In had an effort saved by Diaw before his right-wing cross was headed home by Barcola for his ninth goal of the season.
Moments later Lee fired wide when through on goal, before PSG winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia fired against a post just after half-time.
Keeper Matvey Safonov made a fine save from Issa Soumare to keep PSG in front, while Diaw denied substitutes Nuno Mendes, Ibrahim Mbaye and Doue.
Diaw parried Doue’s spot-kick low to his right after Doue was brought down by Lucas Gourna-Douath with 11 minutes left.
