Ikorodu City have moved to the top of the Nigeria Premier Football League after a 2-0 home win over Niger Tornadoes at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos. The Lagos side are now on 41 points, level with Rivers United but ahead on goal difference, although Rivers United have four games in hand.
Joseph Arumala was the hero for Ikorodu City, scoring twice. He opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 33rd minute and sealed the victory with a second goal in the 88th minute to complete his brace.
Nasarawa United missed the chance to go top after a 1-1 draw at home to Bayelsa United in Lafia. Victor John put Nasarawa ahead in the 7th minute, but Energy Otunuya equalised for Bayelsa United in the 37th minute, leaving Nasarawa on 41 points from 25 games and dropping them to third place.
In Aba, Abia Warriors’ poor home form continued as they were held to a goalless draw by Rangers International in an Oriental derby. Abia Warriors slipped to fifth on 39 points, hurting their top-three hopes, while Rangers stayed fourth with 40 points.
Bendel Insurance boosted their push for a continental spot with a 2-0 win over Enyimba in Benin City. The result lifted Insurance to sixth place on 37 points, while Enyimba dropped to 13th with 31 points.
Kun Khalifat secured back-to-back home wins with a 2-0 victory over Shooting Stars at the Dan Anyiam Stadium. James Ekebuike scored in the 24th minute and Blessed Iyamu added a second in the 47th minute, but Kun Khalifat still sit bottom in 20th place with 25 points as Shooting Stars fell to seventh with 35 points.
In Kano, Pillars earned a vital 1-0 win over Remo Stars to aid their survival fight. Luis Dadong scored the only goal in the 57th minute, moving Kano Pillars to 17th with 28 points, while Remo Stars remained 19th on 26 points after suffering their 15th defeat of the season.
El-Kanemi Warriors held Warri Wolves to a goalless draw in Ozoro after soaking up heavy pressure. El-Kanemi climbed to eighth with 35 points, while Warri Wolves are 10th with 34 points.
There was late drama in Bauchi where Wikki Tourists and Katsina United drew 3-3 before the match was stopped in the 78th minute due to crowd trouble. Jonathan Mairiga, Jibrin Nasiru from the penalty spot, and Ibrahim Shuaibu scored for Wikki, while Uche Collins netted a hat-trick for Katsina United, and the game will be completed today.
Plateau United grabbed a late 1-0 win over Kwara United in Jos thanks to an 88th-minute goal from Sadiq Yusuf. Plateau United are now 12th with 33 points, while Kwara United remain 18th with 27 points after playing the last half hour with 10 men following the sending off of Mustapha Salisu.
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Real Madrid in negotiations to buy Leipzig’s Diomande, source reveals
Real Madrid have opened talks with RB Leipzig over a move for Ivorian winger Yan Diomande, according to a source at the German club. The source told AFP that negotiations between both clubs are ongoing, with Real Madrid pushing to complete one of the summer’s biggest transfers. ESPN reported that Madrid expect to finish a deal in the coming hours, while other reports say Leipzig had earlier rejected an opening bid before fresh talks resumed. Diomande, 19, is understood to have given the green light to a move to the Spanish giants, and Madrid are said to have raised their offer to around €120 million including bonuses. Leipzig, however, is reportedly holding out for a fee closer to €130 million, and the German club has also considered keeping him for another season on loan.sports.yahoo+2 The Ivorian winger has attracted interest […]
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Xenophobia: Minister meets S’African envoy after Tinubu snub
Tinubu had been expected to hold talks with the special envoy sent by President Cyril Ramaphosa, but Presidency sources said he directed the team to meet Enikanolaiye instead, in what has been widely interpreted as a diplomatic snub. The President’s stance follows fresh outbreaks of violence in South Africa, where Nigerians and other African nationals have been targeted in what Abuja describes as “Afrophobic attacks”.naijanews+4 During Monday’s meeting in Abuja, Enikanolaiye delivered a strong message on behalf of the Nigerian government, demanding urgent and concrete action from Pretoria to stop recurring assaults on its citizens. He told Lamola that official records show at least 98 Nigerians have been killed in mob and hate-related incidents in South Africa since 2022, and accused local authorities of failing to adequately prosecute perpetrators or dismantle networks behind the violence.nairametrics+1 The minister also raised concerns […]
How PFIPC was created — Accountant‑General
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Police arrest woman for cutting off boyfriend’s manhood in Kano
Police said the incident happened at Durbar Hotel in Badawa, where Idris allegedly attacked her boyfriend with a sharp knife after reportedly discovering his plans to marry another woman. The suspect, who hails from Maigatari Local Government Area of Jigawa State, was said to have lured the victim to the hotel before the attack. Spokesperson for the Kano State Police Command, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Monday. He said the Divisional Police Officer for Badawa led a team of detectives to the scene, where the suspect was arrested and the knife used in the attack was recovered as an exhibit. The victim was rushed to Abubakar Imam Urology Hospital, where he is currently receiving medical treatment for his injuries. Kiyawa added that detectives have begun a full investigation into the incident, and the […]
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Real Madrid in negotiations to buy Leipzig’s Diomande, source reveals
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Infantino slams World Cup critics for spreading hate
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Messi leads Argentina against Spain in blockbuster World Cup final
Lionel Messi is set to lead Argentina against Spain in a blockbuster FIFA World Cup final. Argentina booked their place in the showpiece after a dramatic semi-final comeback, with Messi once again playing a decisive role in the team’s attack. The veteran captain did not score in the semi-final but created both goals as Argentina turned the game around late to reach the final. Spain, meanwhile, arrive with a strong defensive record and will be hoping to stop Messi and the defending champions from making history. The final promises a huge battle between two of football’s biggest nations, with Argentina aiming to retain the title and Spain seeking another world crown. Fans around the world are expecting a high-quality contest as Messi chases one more major trophy in what could be one of the biggest matches of the tournament.
Messi aims for another World Cup milestone
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Messi leads Argentina against Spain in blockbuster World Cup final
Lionel Messi is set to lead Argentina against Spain in a blockbuster FIFA World Cup final. Argentina booked their place in the showpiece after a dramatic semi-final comeback, with Messi once again playing a decisive role in the team’s attack. The veteran captain did not score in the semi-final but created both goals as Argentina turned the game around late to reach the final. Spain, meanwhile, arrive with a strong defensive record and will be hoping to stop Messi and the defending champions from making history. The final promises a huge battle between two of football’s biggest nations, with Argentina aiming to retain the title and Spain seeking another world crown. Fans around the world are expecting a high-quality contest as Messi chases one more major trophy in what could be one of the biggest matches of the tournament.
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