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Honey Badgers, Ibom Angels Join NWFL Premiership

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Honey Badgers and Ibom Angels have secured promotion to the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Premiership following their victories in the NWFL Championship playoff matches held yesterday at the UJ Esuene Stadium, Calabar, Cross River State.
The Benue State-based Honey Badgers made history with a 1-0 win over Pelican Stars, securing their first-ever promotion to the country’s top-flight.
A second-half goal from Hellen Daniel proved to be the difference for Honey Badgers, who displayed resilience and composure throughout the match. Both teams started brightly, with the Badgers missing an early chance to take the lead. Moments later, their goalkeeper Stella Okereke made a crucial save to deny Pelican Stars an opening goal.
The hosts pressed hard in search of the opener, but Honey Badgers’ defense held firm. The breakthrough came in the 67th minute when Daniel converted a chance to give the visitors the lead. Despite relentless support from the home crowd, Pelican Stars couldn’t find an equalizer as the Badgers held on for the win.
This victory marks a significant milestone for Honey Badgers as they prepare to make their debut in the NWFL Premiership. The team will join Ibom Angels, who also earned promotion earlier in the day with a 2-0 win over Osun Babes in another playoff match.
Ibom Angels dominated their match against Osun Babes, scoring through Abasiofon Uwah and Ijeoma Onweagba. Uwah gave the Uyo-based side an early lead in the 10th minute, while Onuma doubled the advantage in the 61st minute with a long-range effort. Osun Babes earned a penalty late in the game, but Kafayat Bashiru missed the spot-kick.
The victory sees Ibom Angels return to the NWFL Premiership just a season after their relegation in 2021. This marks the second consecutive season in which Ibom Angels have secured immediate promotion back to the topflight, showcasing their resilience and strong team spirit.
Meanwhile, Chosen Generation Angels and Heroes Queens retained their NWFL Championship status after winning their respective relegation playoff matches. Chosen Generation Angels narrowly edged Kaduna Queens 1-0, with Kafayat Anifowoshe scoring the only goal in the 35th minute. Kaduna Queens were relegated to the third tier despite a strong second-half showing.
Heroes Queens defeated DreamStar FC Ladies 1-0 in the Lagos derby to maintain their place in the NWFL Championship. Ebube Umejiaku scored the decisive goal in the 55th minute, condemning Dreamstar to relegation. The loss marked the end of Dreamstar Ladies’ three-year stint in the second tier after their relegation from the Premiership in 2021.
With the conclusion of the NWFL playoffs, Honey Badgers and Ibom Angels are set to compete in the 2024/2025 NWFL Premiership season, while Chosen Generation Angels and Heroes Queens will continue in the NWFL Championship. Kaduna Queens and DreamStar FC Ladies will face the challenge of rebuilding in the third tier.
NWFL Chairman Nkechi Obi congratulated Honey Badgers and Ibom Angels on their promotion to the elite league, noting, “Their hard work and determination have paid off.” She also commiserated with Osun Babes and Pelican Stars, acknowledging their efforts throughout the season.
Obi further expressed her gratitude to the Cross River State government for successfully hosting the 2024 NWFL Championship, emphasizing, “This event plays a vital role in promoting women’s football in Nigeria.”

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Tottenham’s Miserable Run Continues  

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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.

 

 

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City Survive Leeds’ Challenge At Elland Road 

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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.

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PSG Extend Lead In Ligue 1 

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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.

 

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