Connect with us

Sports

Crown FC Battle-Ready For 2020/2021 NNL Season – GM

Published

on

The Acting General Manager of Crown FC of Ogbomoso, Oyekunle Oyeleye, last Wednesday, expressed the readiness of his team for the 2020/2021 Nigeria National League (NNL) season.
The Media Officer of the Ajilete Warrior, Tunji Alabi, in a statement in Lagos, said the 2020/2021 NNL season would start on Sunday January 31 after it was put on hold for over 12 months.
Oyeleye said the NNL side was poised to conquer all foes in the second tier of Nigeria’s football league.
“We are fully prepared and battle ready, because we had more than enough time to prepare for this season, having kicked the ball last on December 16, 2019.
“We have prepared well for the in-coming season. And with the quality of signings we’ve made, we are good to go.
“We are confident that our sound preparations will be shown in the results of our games.
“I promise our fans that by God’s grace we will perform wonderfully well in all our matches, beginning from this weekend,” he said.
On the arrival of a former national beach soccer team captain, Isiaka Olawale, to the camp of the Ajilete Boys, Oyeleye expressed optimism that the veteran midfielder would bring his wealth of experience to bear on the team.
“Olawale will make a positive impact on our club. He is a legend, and having somebody like him in a team like ours will no doubt boost the image of our club.
“Aside that, Olawale is still as skillful as he was in those days. As soon as he came around, his family wanted him here because his family is based in Ilorin, a city just 35 minutes drive from Ogbomoso.
“He is one of the players we have signed,” Oyeleye said.
He added, “Aside Olawale, we also have quite a number of other experienced players who have featured in the NPFL, including some returning players.
“I believe with such players and the inputs of the club’s technical crew, Crown will be going to places.”
The 38-year-old, Olawale signed for the Crown FC after spending four seasons with El Kanemi Warriors.
“I am assuring our fans that playing our home matches at the LAUTECH pitch instead of our traditional ground at Soun Township Stadium, currently under renovation, will not have adverse effects on the team’s performance.
“We feel comfortable playing at the LAUTECH pitch, and we believe, we will get expected results there, with the support of all stakeholders,” he assured.
The Tidesports source gathered that the Ajilete Boys, whose ambition is to return to the NPFL, will play host to Jossy FC from Enugu this weekend in the 2020/2021 NNL opener.

Continue Reading

Sports

Tottenham’s Miserable Run Continues  

Published

on

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.

 

 

Continue Reading

Sports

City Survive Leeds’ Challenge At Elland Road 

Published

on

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.

Continue Reading

Sports

PSG Extend Lead In Ligue 1 

Published

on

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.

 

Continue Reading

Trending