Arsenal and Real Madrid will each be without a key player for the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final clash next month. Raheem Sterling of Arsenal and Aurelien Tchouameni of Real Madrid are both suspended due to yellow card accumulations.

Sterling received a booking in the final moments of Arsenal’s 2-2 draw with PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday night, a match that saw him provide two assists. This caution means he will miss the upcoming fixture against Real Madrid. Prior to the match, Sterling, Gabriel Martinelli, and Jurrien Timber were all at risk of suspension due to previous bookings. However, Martinelli and Timber avoided cautions as they started on the bench and played only a few minutes at the Emirates.

On the other hand, Real Madrid’s midfielder, Aurelien Tchouameni, will also be unavailable for the first leg in North London. Tchouameni received a yellow card during their last-16 second-leg match against Atletico Madrid, leading to his suspension.

The last encounter between these two teams was in 2006, when Arsenal secured a 1-0 aggregate victory, thanks to a remarkable goal from Thierry Henry.

Both teams will need to adjust their strategies to compensate for the absence of these influential players in the upcoming quarter-final match.

Last Updated on March 13, 2025 by news

Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen has expressed his eagerness to commence training under the newly appointed Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle, as Nigeria prepares for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe. The team is set to reconvene this weekend, marking the first interaction between many players and the Malian tactician.

In January, Chelle embarked on a European tour, meeting with prominent Nigerian internationals such as Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, and Moses Simon. Osimhen, who has been in stellar form for Galatasaray, shared his insights on these developments.

“I’ve spoken to him a couple of times and clearly understand the objectives he has set for himself and for the players,” Osimhen told BBC Sports Africa. He emphasized the collective responsibility required to achieve success, stating, “It takes more than a coach to win football matches. Players must also be at their best, show commitment, and bear in mind that we can all fly together to reach our goal.”

The Super Eagles have yet to secure a victory in the current qualifiers, currently sitting fifth in Group C. Osimhen acknowledged the challenges ahead and the necessity for unwavering determination to secure a spot in the upcoming World Cup.

“It’s a dream of every footballer to play at the World Cup, and with our situation in the group, I am desperate, like other players, to make it to the 2026 tournament,” he remarked. Reflecting on past disappointments, Osimhen added, “We suffered a big disappointment in 2022, and we simply can’t let it happen again to us, the country, and our generation.”

The upcoming fixtures against Rwanda and Zimbabwe are pivotal for Nigeria’s qualification aspirations. The Super Eagles aim to rejuvenate their campaign, with Osimhen’s leadership and Chelle’s strategic guidance at the forefront.

As the team assembles under new management, the synergy between the coach and players will be crucial. Osimhen’s enthusiasm to work under Chelle underscores a collective ambition to restore Nigeria’s prominence on the global football stage.

In conclusion, the Super Eagles’ journey towards the 2026 World Cup is set to begin anew, with Osimhen’s commitment and Chelle’s fresh perspective offering renewed hope for Nigerian football fans.

Reference: https://dailypost.ng/2025/03/13/2026-wcq-osimhen-desperate-to-start-training-under-chelle/

Last Updated on March 13, 2025 by news

Premier League clubs Wolverhampton Wanderers and Leicester City are actively pursuing Nigerian striker Rafiu Durosinmi. The 22-year-old forward currently plays for Czech club Viktoria Plzeň and has attracted attention from several top European teams following his impressive performances after returning from a significant injury layoff.

Durosinmi was close to securing a €9 million transfer to Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt last summer. However, the move fell through due to an undisclosed issue discovered during his medical examination. Since his return to action last month, Durosinmi has scored five goals and provided one assist in ten appearances across all competitions for Plzeň.

According to Football Insider, scouts from both Wolves and Leicester City attended Plzeň’s recent UEFA Europa League match against Lazio, where Durosinmi found the net in a 2-1 loss. The Nigerian striker has two years remaining on his contract with the Czech club.

Durosinmi’s market value currently stands at €4 million, according to Transfermarkt. His recent performances have heightened interest from clubs seeking to bolster their attacking options.

Wolves have been monitoring Durosinmi closely and have reportedly held talks with Viktoria Plzeň regarding a potential transfer. The Czech club is seeking a package worth £10 million for the Nigerian forward. However, personal terms are reportedly a stumbling block in negotiations.

Leicester City are also keen on the young striker and are monitoring his situation closely. The Foxes are looking to strengthen their attacking lineup and view Durosinmi as a promising addition.

As the summer transfer window approaches, both Wolves and Leicester City are expected to intensify their efforts to secure Durosinmi’s signature. The Nigerian striker’s performances in the coming months will likely play a crucial role in determining his next career move.

Source: DailyPostNG

Last Updated on March 11, 2025 by news