All sports stories from Naija – Latest from the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Nigerian Super Eagles and Super Falcons preparations for the FIFA World Cups, and the Nigeria athletes compete at the Commonwealth Games, Olympics and the IAAF World Championships.
21 February 2011 After round 21 of the Absa Premiership Orlando Pirates remained on top of the log with both Kaizer Chiefs and Ajax Cape Town closely on their heels. It was another action packed weekend in the PSL with games averaging 2.75 goals per game. In total 22 goals were scored in the eight matches taking place, but there…
19 February 2011 Carlo Ancelotti insists success in the Champions League can salvage Chelsea's season after their hopes of winning the FA Cup for a third successive season ended with a penalty shoot-out defeat against Everton. Ancelotti's Cup holders crashed out 4-3 on penalties after drawing 1-1 with Everton in Saturday's fourth round replay at Stamford Bridge. With Chelsea currently…
20 February 2011 African Nations Championship goals were scarce in Sudan on Saturday as Angola and Tunisia reached the semi-finals while defending champions Democratic Republic of Congo fell by the wayside. Angola booked a semi-final showdown against Sudan next Tuesday with an 8-7 penalty shootout victory over Cameroon after neither team managed to find the net during 120 minutes of…
20 February 2011 The fairy tale run of Bukola Babes in the Nigeria Premier League was cut short when Dolphin defeated them 2-0 to open up a seven-point lead on top of the championship. Dolphin stay atop of the NPL with 36 points from 16 matches as Bukola Babes unbeaten run of eight matches was brought to an end in…
18 February 2011 The fairytale winning run of South Africa in the African Nations Championship ended Friday as they fell 2-0 to Algeria in Sudan. Abdelkader Laifaoui broke the quarter-final deadlock from a penalty one minute before half-time and Hocine Metref added a second goal three minutes into stoppage time on an artificial Khartoum Stadium pitch. Algeria will return to…
19 February 2011 Super Eagles latest addition Joel Obi has admitted his priority is to establish himself in the first team of Italian champions Inter Milan. The 19-year-old midfielder, who shone like a million stars on his Eagles debut against Sierra Leone recently, told MTNFootball.com he wishes to be playing week in, week out at Inter. I want to be…
17 February 2011 Serie A title-chasers Napoli will travel to Spanish opponents Villarreal next week with their Europa League hopes in the balance after they were held 0-0 in their last 32 first-leg clash. It will not be the ideal scenario for the former Italian champions -- playing in only their second European campaign in 16 years -- as days…
18 February 2011 Two matches stand out in this weekends Nigeria Premier League clashes leaders Dolphin host third-placed Bukola Babes and Sunshine Stars tackle Kano Pillars at home. Dolphin will be favourites to beat Bukola Babes and maintain a four-point lead at the top of the NPL, but then are up against a hungry, glory-seeking club who have not lost…
18 February 2011 Michael Essien is promising a future return to international football, after more than a year without playing for Ghana, but suggested it will not be against England at Wembley next month. The Chelsea midfielders return, after requesting a break to concentrate on his club career, has been the subject of intense speculation in recent days but Essien…
17 February 2011 Arsene Wenger insisted Barcelona remained favourites to progress to the Champions League quarter-finals after Arsenal came from behind to score a dramatic 2-1 victory over the Spanish giants. A goal apiece from Robin van Persie and Andrey Arshavin in the final 12 minutes sealed a memorable win for the Gunners after a largely dominant Barcelona had taken…
17 February 2011 Nigeria Premier League champions Enyimba have continued their surge up the table after a first win over local rivals Heartland in three years in Aba. A fifth minute goal by skipper of the day Josiah Maduabuchi Wednesday in a rescheduled game has catapulted The peoples elephant to sixth place with 25 points from 15 matches. Left back…
17 February 2011 South Africa's Development Team is full of confidence as they prepare for their 2011 African Nations Championship quarterfinal with Algeria in Khartoum on Friday. South Africa and Cameroon were the only two teams in the group stages of the tournament who won all their matches, and coach Simon Ngomane says his side will be ready for the…
15 February 2011 Tunisia scored late in each half to triumph 2-0 against Senegal Tuesday in a top-of-the-table African Nations Championship Group D clash and secure a quarter-finals place. Angola also advanced to the knockout stage in Sudan by coming from behind against lowly Rwanda to win 2-1 and snatch second spot on the final standings after another dramatic day…
15 February 2011 Inter Milan coach Leonardo has leapt to the defence of striker Samuel Eto'o after the Cameroon captain was heavily criticised in some quarters for his performance against Juventus. Eto'o missed a sitter from five yards, hitting the bar with an open goal to aim at while also completely missing an attempted volley as Inter rallied late on…
16 February 2011 Angola coach Lito says it was his side's mental strength that saw them to victory over Rwanda on Tuesday, a result which cemented their place in the quarterfinals of the 2011 African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Sudan. Angola beat the Rwanda 2-1, having come from behind, which coupled with Tunisia's 2-0 victory over Senegal, allowed the Palancas…