Sports

Cristiano Ronaldo, playing against Nigeria for the first time in his glittering career, did not get on the score sheet as Portugal narrowly defeated Super Eagles 2-1 in an international friendly match on Wednesday. Akor Adams had restored parity after Pedro Neto gave Portugal the lead in the first half, but Francisco Conceicao scored a second half winner to seal the win for the European side. Portugal rounded off their preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where they will face Nigeria's conquerors en route to the mundial, Democratic Republic of Congo; Uzbekistan; and Colombia in the group stage. Nigeria…

To the delight of many, Pope Leo XIV kicked off the Barcelona leg of his week-long visit to Spain with a few words in Catalan, calling on the faithful who had gathered in the city’s cathedral today “to build harmony and communion beyond all polarisation." The Catholic Pontiff’s familiar and commendable plea for people to set aside their differences may, however, have come a little late. Three days earlier, while chatting to journalists on the flight to Spain, Pope Leo had made an awkward confession. Asked whether he supported Real Madrid or their Catalan rivals FC Barcelona, he had artfully…

As the World Cup kicks off 11 June, hospitality and food service workers in several US cities hosting World Cup games also seek a bite of the massive, low hanging financial pie inherent in the mundial. They have warned of looming labour disputes and possible strikes ahead of the largest single sport tournament in the world. Cashiers, dishwashers, cooks, bartenders, concessions workers and food attendants at Los Angeles' SoFi Stadium, could walk off the job at any time. Diaspora research, demographic reports, and workforce data estimate that thousands of Nigerians work in the US hospitality and leisure sector. About 2,000…

By Sylvia Kodilichukwu, Enugu Reward for honest hard work came as Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State gifted players and management of Rangers International Football Club with plots of land and the sum of N150 million for winning the 2025/2026 NPFL title. Mbah announced the gifts during a dinner reception he hosted in honour of the players, technical crew and management of the team at Government House, Enugu, on Tuesday night. Rangers FC won the league for a record-equaling ninth time and also for a second time in three years under the Mbah administration following a 2-1 win over Ikorodu…

Paris police deployed thousands of officers to control crowds at some of the city’s hotspots, using teargas and arresting more than 130 people, after Paris Saint-Germain (PSG)'s win over Arsenal in Saturday’s Champions League final. By 9pm BST (9pm Nigeria time), police had made more than 130 arrests, Paris police said. A police spokesperson told Reuters that six vehicles and two storefronts had been damaged. Footage aired on the news channel BFM showed scenes of tensions and brief skirmishes around PSG’s Parc de Princes stadium in western Paris, where more than 40,000 people watched the club win its second consecutive…

By David Hytner, at the Puskas Arena, Budapest It was a showpiece that held the football world in its grip, the tension mounting exponentially, everything on the line. For Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), there was the opportunity to make it clear that this is a dynastic team; the rarity of retaining a Champions League title -something only Real Madrid has accomplished. For Arsenal, it was simple. Never mind the Invincibles. They stood to be immortal, a first triumph in this competition to follow their first Premier League triumph in 22 years; the thing that has changed everything about the mood around…

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In a rather surprise move today that could be music to the ears of the Liverpool fan base, including those in Nigeria, Arne Slot has been relieved of his appointment as Liverpool manager after two seasons in charge. The Dutchman, 47, guided the Reds to their 20th league title in his debut season but they have struggled during his second year, finishing fifth in the Premier League. Recently departed Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola is the leading contender to replace Slot. "That this was a difficult decision for us to make as a club goes without saying. The contribution Arne has…

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Time: 5:00pm Nigeria Time Today's eagerly-awaited Champions League (CL) final between Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in Budapest is the classic clash of styles. Arsenal boast the best defensive record in the competition, having conceded fewer goals (six) and kept more clean sheets (nine) than anyone else. The big question is, though, will Mikel Arteta's men be able to contain one of the most talented attacking teams in European football history? PSG have already scored 44 times on their path to the Puskas Arena and, given they dismantled Inter's brilliant backline in last year's tournament-decider in Munich, the reigning champions…