NIGERIA

Super Eagles head coach, Jose Peseiro believes the team’s striker, Victor Osimhen has the quality to play for the likes of Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Manchester United and Manchester City.

Osimhen was top scorer in Serie A last season with 26 goals from 32 league appearances.

The player has started the new season on an impressive note, with five goals from seven games.

Nigerian international, Victor Osimhen, says he has “unwavering” love for the club and urged “unity” among its fanbase.

The Serie A club were criticised for sharing a video on TikTok appearing to mock the Nigerian for missing a penalty last week, but they “never meant to offend” the Super Eagles striker.

After scoring in Napoli’s four-nil win at Lecce, Osimhen reiterated his love for Napoli on Instagram.

Rivers United are through to the group stage of the CAF Confederation after beating Etoile Filante of Burkina Faso two-nil at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt.

Both teams battled to a goalless draw in the first leg two weeks ago, as Rivers United won the second qualifying fixture two-nil on aggregate.

Stanley Eguma’s side were made to work hard for their victory after missing two spot kicks in the encounter.

Akwa United head coach, Fatai Osho, has blamed mistakes for his team’s loss to Bayelsa United in their Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, opening day fixture.

The Prosperity Boys defeated Akwa United 5-3 at the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa.

Bayelsa United forward Robert Mizo netted an hat-trick in the encounter.

Shooting Stars technical adviser, Gbenga Ogunbote has assured that the players will improve on their finishing.

Ogunbote emphasised that more still needs to be done on his team’s marksmanship.

The former Remo Stars coach admitted that converting two goals in their matchday one opener shows signs of improvement.

Shooting Stars defeated Plateau United 2-1 at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan.

Niger Tornadoes head coach, Abdulazeez Abara has commended the officiating at his team’s matchday one encounter against Abia Warriors.

The Ikon Allah Boys suffered a 1-0 defeat in their clash against Abia Warriors at the Umuahia Township stadium.

John Peter got the lone goal in the second half of the encounter.

Tunisian Premier League side, Esperance Sportive de Tunis, have completed the signing of former Flying Eagles midfielder, Onuche Ogbelu.

Ogbelu penned a three-year contract with the Blood and Gold.

The four-time African champions announced the player’s arrival on their official website.

ENGLAND

Ten-man Nottingham Forest fought back from a goal down to draw with Brentford as Nicolas Dominguez’s first goal earned the hosts a point.

After a tame first half, the game sparked into life early in the second when Moussa Niakhate was sent off having stood on the heel of Yoane Wissa.

From the resulting free-kick, Brentford captain Christian Norgaard put his side ahead as he powered in a header from Mathias Jensen’s delivery for his first goal of the season.

Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper and Brentford boss Thomas Frank have been left frustrated with refereeing decisions on another controversial day of Premier League football.

Cooper was unhappy with Moussa Niakhate’s red card, while Frank felt Brentford should have had a penalty.

The game at the City Ground ended 1-1, with both bosses left frustrated.

Darren England has been replaced as the fourth official for Sunday’s Premier League game between Nottingham Forest and Brentford after his error as the video assistant referee during Liverpool’s defeat at Tottenham.

England failed to overturn an incorrect decision on the pitch to disallow a Luis Diaz goal for offside as the Reds were beaten 2-1.

Dan Cook was assistant VAR for the game and he has been replaced as assistant referee for the game between Fulham and Chelsea on Monday.

Liverpool says it is “unacceptable” that referees’ body PGMOL categorised the VAR error in their 2-1 defeat to Tottenham as a “significant human error”.

The team said it was clear that the correct application of the laws of the game did not occur, resulting in sporting integrity being undermined.

Liverpool said they would explore the range of options available given the clear need for escalation and resolution.”

Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta has praised the “empathy” of his players after a first goal for Kai Havertz that he hopes will “change everything” for the forward.

The £65m summer signing from Chelsea had not registered a goal or assist in his first nine games for the Gunners but finally hit the target as he converted a penalty in a four-nil victory over Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.

Manchester City boss, Pep Guardiola has offered his congratulations to ‘incredible guy’ Tommy Fleetwood for his role in Europe’s Ryder Cup success on Sunday.

The home side won 16-5-11.5 after producing a dominant opening set of singles performances on Sunday, with Fleetwood securing the Cup-winning point in his match against Rickie Fowler.

Europe’s win came after their harrowing Whistling Straits defeat two-years ago, as they thrashed an American team who constantly found themselves trying to regain ground throughout the competition.

Mia Fishel has scored on her debut as Chelsea women began their title defence with an entertaining derby victory over Tottenham at Stamford Bridge.

American forward Fishel, who moved to London from Mexican club Tigres this summer, headed home on 28 minutes from Niamh Charles’ inch-perfect cross into the box.

Lauren James poked in following a scramble in the area six minutes after half-time to double Chelsea’s lead on the opening day of the Women’s Super League season.

Tottenham pulled one back in the 76th minute when Martha Thomas pounced on a Zecira Musovic blunder, but could not find an equaliser despite piling the pressure on the home side.

Miri Taylor’s second-half strike gave Liverpool women a shock victory away at Arsenal in front of a record Women’s Super League crowd at Emirates Stadium.

January signing Taylor pounced from Missy Bo Kearns’ cross to slot in the only goal of the game shortly after half-time, rewarding a resilient and organised performance from the injury-hit visitors, who won away from home in the WSL for the first time first time since January 2020.

OTHER LEAGUES

Former Ibrox striker, Kenny Miller, says Rangers parting company with manager Michael Beale would be premature, but there is “not too much room for error.

Saturday’s three-one defeat by Aberdeen left Rangers seven points adrift of Celtic, who won at Ibrox last month, and three points behind unbeaten St Mirren who will host Beale’s side next.

Despite the league season being just seven games old, Miller said Rangers must win in Paisley.

RKC Waalwijk say their goalkeeper Etienne Vaessen “had a good night and continued his recovery” after he was knocked unconscious during a match against Ajax.

The game was abandoned in the 84th minute after the Dutchman, collided with Ajax forward Brian Brobbey.

He lay motionless as he was treated on the pitch but regained consciousness while being taken off on a stretcher.

The Jacksonville Jaguars has kicked off this year’s National Football League international series with a comfortable win over the Atlanta Falcons at Wembley.

A crowd of eighty-five thousand, seven hundred and sixteen watched the Jaguars charge into a 17-0 lead after two first-half touchdowns.

The Falcons replied with a Drake London touchdown at the start of the third quarter, before the Jags stretched their lead with a field goal.

OTHER SPORTS

In Golf, Luke Donald has endured a rollercoaster of emotions as Europe regained the Ryder Cup in dramatic fashion in Rome.

With Europe needing four points from Sunday’s 12 singles matches to beat the United States, Tommy Fleetwood won the 11th game to pass the 14½ required.

And with hundreds of fans crammed round the edge of the 18th green, Ireland’s Shane Lowry wrapped up a 16½-11½ win.

Rory McIlroy says Europe were given extra fire in the bellies to seal Ryder Cup victory from what he believed was disrespect shown towards them by American caddie Joe LaCava.

McIlroy, was a key figure as Europe beat the United States in Rome.

It came after a row between McIlroy and LaCava over the American’s on-course celebrations continued in a car park.

In Rugby, Australia kept their slim hopes of reaching the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals alive with a physical win over Portugal in their final pool match.

The Wallabies beat an impressive Portugal 34-14 to go second in Pool C.

But third-placed Fiji need just one point from their own match against Portugal next week to overtake Australia and advance instead.

In Boxing, Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez has defended his undisputed super-middleweight title by beating Jermell Charlo on points.

Canelo, secured a unanimous 119-108, 118-109 and 118-109 win over the American to retain his WBO, WBC, WBA and IBF belts at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The Mexican knocked Charlo down in the seventh round on the way to a 60th win in 64 fights.

Results of the Matches Played over the Weekend.

IN ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE

Aston Villa 6 – 1 Brighton

Bournemouth 0 – 4 Arsenal

Everton 1 – 2 Luton

Manchester United 0 – 1 Crystal Palace

Newcastle 2. – 0. Burnley

West Ham 2. – 0. Sheffield United

Wolves 2 – 1 Manchester City

Tottenham 2. – 1. Liverpool

TODAY’S THOUGHT

The only way to prove you are a good sport is to lose.” – Ernie Banks