Sports
NPFL: Teams Battle For Points In Wk26
As the 2016 Nigeria Professional Football League goes into week 26 matches today across the country, it will be battle royal as teams battle for crucial points to shore up their fortunes. In Jos, Plateau United’s title credentials will be in for a major test against Nasarawa United today.
The Peace Boys hold a five-point lead over El Kanemi Warriors and MFM FC at the summit. Coach Kennedy Boboye have the luxury of calling on the trusted Dele Ajiboye, Daniel Itodo, Emeka Umeh, Golbe Elisha, Hamisu Saleh, Philip Azango and Owolabi Hamzat to perform the magic.
For coach Kabiru Dogo, he is confident of grabbing a good result at the Rwang Pam Stadium, following a deserved 1-0 win over Enyimba the last time out. His faith is hinged on the Jos connection he’s got in the team like Anyu Ishaya, Emmanuel Makama and Abdulbasit Shittu.
Enugu Rangers Vs FC IfeanyiUbah
Looking for goals? Look no further than the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium where Enugu Rangers – an attacking minded side – face FC IfeanyiUbah, whose have produced 29 goals in total this season.
The Oriental Derby should certainly live up to it billing as the two sides have promised a positive brand of football ahead today’s meeting.
This week’s match-up is especially enticing since it pits veteran defender Okey Odita against the dreaded Godwin Obaje.
Enyimba FC Vs El Kanemi Warriors
The form of Mfon Udoh, who has struck 10 goals this term, is cause for optimism as Enyimba welcome El Kanemi Warriors to the UJ Esuene Stadium.
El Kanemi are five places and three points better than the People’s Elephant after they thumped Remo Stars 2-0 in Maiduguri and Enyimba will want to close up on them.
MFM FC Vs Sunshine Stars
It has been a superb season for MFM, but a win over Sunshine Stars rekindles their hopes of winning the Nigeria Professional Football League title
With 13 matches to go, the Owena Whales are placed 17th, 10 points behind third-placed MFM who have 40 points.
Continent football will not be coming to Akure next season and Duke Udi, newly appointed as the handler of side, is saddled with the sole responsibility of avoiding the drop.
The reverse was a slim 1-0 victory for the Olukoya Boys, with Stephen Odey finding the back of the net at the Akure Township Stadium.
Wikki Tourists Vs Lobi Stars
Wikki Tourists were fortunate to nick a 0-0 draw away to FC IfeanyiUbah. They have 31 points from their 25 matches so far and are 16th in the table, one place ahead of the danger zone.
Lobi Stars earned a vital win in their last league fixture as they edged past Rivers United 1-0 thanks to Imenger Nanen’s late strike in Makurdi.
The Pride of Benue are the better of the two sides considering their head-to-head record as they have seven wins in 17 outings to the Bauchi Elephants’ six.
Sports
Tottenham’s Miserable Run Continues
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.
Sports
City Survive Leeds’ Challenge At Elland Road
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.
Sports
PSG Extend Lead In Ligue 1
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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