Category sport-news

Cole Palmer returned with a much-needed goal as Chelsea beat Everton 2-0 in the Premier League on Saturday to end a run of four games without a win in all competitions.

Victory at Stamford Bridge lifted Chelsea back into the top four.

Injury-plagued attacking midfielder Cole missed Chelsea’s loss away to Atalanta in the Champions League on Tuesday as part of his recovery from a two-month spell on the sidelines.

Palmer was initially troubled by a groin problem and then fractured his toe after stubbing it on a door at home.

The 23-year-old made his first start for the Blues since September in last weekend’s goalless draw at Bournemouth.

The England international broke the deadlock against Everton in the 21st minute at Stamford Bridge.

READ ALSO: Champions League: De Ketelaere Inspires Atalanta Fightback To Beat Chelsea

Malo Gusto played in Palmer with a fine pass, and he beat fellow England international Jordan Pickford at the goalkeeper’s near post.

Everton dominated possession, with Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez saving well from Jack Grealish.

All of Everton’s pressure failed to yield an equaliser, and Chelsea, against the run of play, doubled their lead in first-half stoppage-time when a counter-attack ended with Gusto turning in a cut-back from Pedro Neto.

Everton had a chance to make it 2-1 when Carlos Alcaraz curled in a cross to the back post, only for the unmarked Grealish to divert the ball well wide.

Chelsea almost added a third when Reece James’s quick free-kick was only just tipped over the bar by Pickford.

Nigerian sports fans experienced a year of sharp contrasts in 2025. There were sweet victories, and several bitter losses overshadowed the moments of triumph, making it a bittersweet year for the sports industry.

The women’s national team, the Super Falcons, arguably gave Nigerian sports fans the greatest joy in 2025, winning a record-extending 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title in Morocco. Just as Nigerians were relishing the Super Falcons’ historic feat, the women’s national basketball team, D’Tigress, had an astonishing run at the Women’s AfroBasket 2025, winning an unprecedented fifth consecutive title in the Ivory Coast and seventh in total.

But if Nigerian sports fans had thought it was going to be an all-blissful year, they were mistaken. They were hit by the heavy blow of missing out on the biggest sporting event in the world — the FIFA World Cup — for the second consecutive time, having also missed out in 2022.

READ ALSO: Super Falcons Make Phenomenal Comeback Against Morocco To Lift 10th WAFCON Title

What followed were the failures of the national male and female football U-20 and U-17 teams in the competitions they participated in, as well as the failure of the men’s senior basketball team in the AfroBasket 2025, and the poor performance of Nigerian athletes at the Tokyo 2025 World Athletics Championships.

Let’s dive in and look at the 2025 sports moments that shook the country, captivated the world, and guaranteed their place in the history books.

1. Fantastic Falcons

The Super Falcons went to Morocco with one thing in mind: Mission X, a campaign to win Nigeria’s 10th WAFCON title. It was a mission accomplished in grand style, bringing joy to millions of Nigerian sports fans.

Nigeria kick-started their campaign by defeating Tunisia 3–0 in a Group B encounter, courtesy of goals from Asisat Oshoala, Rinsola Babajide, and Chinwendu Ihezuo.

After that emphatic win over the Carthage Eagles, the Falcons faced Botswana, needing three points to reach the knockout stage.

An 89th-minute close-range strike from Ihezuo broke the Southern Africans and earned victory for Nigeria. Algeria put up a defensive masterclass to hold the Nigerians to a scoreless draw at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca.

Nigeria dispatched Zambia 5–0 in the quarter-final and edged South Africa’s Banyana Banyana 2–1 in the semi-final to set up a mouth-watering final with host Morocco.

After going behind 2–0 in the first half, the Falcons turned things around in the second half with goals from Esther Okoronkwo, Ijamilusi, and Jennifer Echegini. The win made it a perfect 10-in-10 in finals for Nigeria, reinforcing their stranglehold on women’s football across the continent.

2. Historic D’Tigress

The D’Tigress seemed inspired by the historic feat of the Super Falcons and went ahead to make their own history, making Nigerians even happier.

The D’Tigress started their campaign with a commanding 92–45 victory over Rwanda, followed by a 60–55 win against Mozambique. Nigeria then dispatched Cameroon 83–47 in a dominant quarter-final performance.

The D’Tigress fought hard to beat Senegal 75–68 to earn a final berth against Mali. Nigeria edged out Mali 78–64 in a tense showdown, displaying resilience and composure to claim their seventh AfroBasket title.

3. Super Eagles’ World Cup Disaster

The most heartbreaking event in Nigerian sports in 2025 was the disastrous World Cup qualifying campaign by the Super Eagles, which ended in a 2–1 play-off defeat to DR Congo in November.

Nigeria had lost the sole automatic ticket in Group C to South Africa but managed to reach the African play-off after beating Benin 4–0 in the final group game in Uyo.

The Super Eagles beat Gabon 4–1 in the semi-final of the play-off to book a spot in the final against DR Congo. The game ended 1–1 after normal and extra time, but during penalties, the Leopards of DR Congo overpowered the Super Eagles 4–3 to claim Africa’s sole ticket to the intercontinental play-offs billed for March next year.

4. D’Tigers AfroBasket Fail

Nigeria’s men’s basketball team, D’Tigers, only managed to secure fifth place at the 2025 FIBA AfroBasket, held in Angola from August 12 to 24.

They exited the competition in the quarter-finals following a 91–75 defeat to Senegal, who later claimed the bronze medal. Host nation Angola emerged champions after a commanding 70–43 victory over Mali in the final, securing their 12th AfroBasket crown.

5. Flying Eagles World Cup Fiasco

Six-time champions Argentina ended Nigeria’s campaign at the FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile, posting a 4–0 win in the Round of 16. The loss brought an end to Nigeria’s tournament run, eliminating the two-time silver medallists.

6. Tokyo 2025 Poor Outing

Nigeria had a poor showing at the Tokyo 2025 World Athletics Championships, securing only one silver and one bronze medal. Tobi Amusan won Nigeria’s only silver medal in the women’s 100m hurdles with a strong time of 12.29 seconds, while Ezekiel Nathaniel earned bronze in the men’s 400m hurdles, setting a new Nigerian record of 47.11 seconds.

Although Kanyisola Ajayi fell short of winning a medal, he became the first Nigerian man in years to reach the 100m final, clocking 9.93 seconds. Nigeria finished 27th on the medal table with two medals.

While not particularly impressive, it was an improvement from the previous World Championships, where Nigeria had won no medals.

7. Flamingos Crash Out Of World Cup

The Nigerian U-17 women’s team, the Flamingos, failed once again in their quest to win the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. They reached the Round of 16 as one of the best third-placed teams, but Italy scored early to take a 1–0 first-half lead and added three second-half goals, aided by goalkeeping errors, resulting in a 4–0 defeat and elimination.

Angry spectators broke down barricades and stormed the pitch at a stadium in India after football star Lionel Messi, who is on a three-day tour of the country, abruptly left the arena.

As a part of a so-called GOAT Tour, the 38-year-old Argentina and Inter Miami superstar touched down in the eastern state of West Bengal early Saturday, greeted by a chorus of exuberant fans chanting his name.

Hours later, thousands of fans wearing Messi jerseys and waving the Argentine flag packed into Salt Lake stadium in the state capital Kolkata, but heavy security around the footballer left fans struggling to catch a glimpse of him.

Messi walked around the pitch waving to fans and left the stadium earlier than expected.

Frustrated fans, many having paid more than $100 for tickets, ripped out stadium seats and hurled water bottles onto the track.

Many others stormed the pitch and vandalised banners and tents.

“For me, to watch Messi is a pleasure, a dream. But I have missed the chance to have a glimpse because of the mismanagement in the stadium,” businessman Nabin Chatterjee, 37, told AFP.

Before the chaos erupted, Messi unveiled a 21-metre (70-foot) statue which shows him holding aloft the World Cup.

He was also expected to play a short exhibition game at the stadium.

Another angry fan told the Press Trust of India (PTI) that people had spent “a month’s salary” to see Messi.

“I paid Rs 5,000 ($55) for the ticket and came with my son to watch Messi, not politicians. The police and military personnel were taking selfies, and the management is to blame,” Ajay Shah, told PTI.

State chief minister Mamata Banerjee said she was “disturbed” and “shocked” at the mismanagement.

“I sincerely apologise to Lionel Messi, as well as to all sports lovers and his fans, for the unfortunate incident,” she said in a post on X, adding that she had ordered a probe into the incident.

Messi will now head to Hyderabad, Mumbai and New Delhi as part of the four-city tour.

His time in India also includes a possible meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Messi won his second consecutive Major League Soccer Most Valuable Player award this week after propelling Inter Miami to the MLS title and leading the league in goals.

Mohamed Salah has been included in Liverpool’s squad for their Premier League match at home to Brighton on Saturday following talks with manager Arne Slot, according to several British media reports.

READ ALSO: Salah Opens Door To Liverpool Exit With ‘Thrown Under The Bus’ Rant

Both the BBC and Sky said the decision was made with Slot, who had made it clear he would have the final say on whether to recall Salah, wanting to act in the best interests of the club.

The Dutchman had previously said he would speak to Salah on Friday morning following the Egypt striker’s outburst last weekend that raised doubts about his Anfield future and saw him omitted from the squad that travelled to Italy for a Champions League win over Inter Milan in midweek.

Under The Bus

Salah accused Liverpool of throwing him “under the bus” after he was left on the bench for last week’s 3-3 draw at Leeds — the third match in a row that he did not start.

He also said he had no relationship with Slot when he spoke to reporters after the match at Elland Road.

On Tuesday, Liverpool won 1-0 at Inter Milan, while the 33-year-old Salah posted a picture on social media of himself alone in a gym at the club’s training ground.

“I will have a conversation with Mo this morning — the outcome of that conversation determines how things will look tomorrow,” Slot told his pre-match press conference.

“I think the next time I speak about Mo should be with him and not in here. You can keep on trying but there is not much more to say about it.

“After the Sunderland game (a 1-1 draw on December 3 in which Salah came on as a second-half substitute) there were a lot of conversations between his representatives and ours, between him and me,” he said.

Slot batted away further questions from reporters about the forward, but said, “I have no reasons not wanting him to stay, and that is a little bit of an answer to your question.”

Salah, who signed a new two-year contract at Liverpool in April, which made him one of the highest-paid players in the Premier League, is due to join the Egypt squad for the Africa Cup of Nations after Saturday’s Brighton game at Anfield.

The length of his absence depends on how far Egypt goes in the competition in Morocco, with the final taking place on January 18.

Salah, third in Liverpool’s all-time scoring charts with 250 goals in 420 appearances, has won two Premier League titles and one Champions League triumph during his spell on Merseyside.

He scored 29 Premier League goals last season as Liverpool romped to a 20th English league title, but has managed just four league goals in 13 appearances this season.

Liverpool are 10th in the table after a shocking run, with two wins in their past 10 Premier League games.

Salah has been linked with a move to the lucrative Saudi Pro League.

Mikel Arteta said Friday that Gabriel Jesus has the qualities to be Arsenal’s first-choice striker following the return of the Brazil international after 11 months on the sidelines.

The 28-year-old on Wednesday played his first minutes for the club since suffering a knee injury in January, coming on as a substitute in the Gunners’ 3-0 win against Club Brugge in the Champions League.

Jesus will have to compete with Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz, currently sidelined with a knee injury, to be the focal point of Arsenal’s attack.

Arsenal boss Arteta also has a host of other options in attacking positions including Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze, Gabriel Martinelli, Noni Madueke and Leandro Trossard.

The Spanish manager, whose team host bottom side Wolves on Saturday, was asked at his pre-match press conference whether Jesus could push to be the club’s number one striker.

READ ALSO: Jesus Added To Arsenal’s Champions League Squad

“Yes, a player of his quality, a player that has given us so much and he comes with the energy that he came with the other day,” he said.

“He’s certainly a player that has to be pushing and aiming for that, that’s for sure.”

Arteta was also asked if he would think about selling the former Manchester City star, given his wealth of attacking options, but quashed the idea.

“Gabriel has a lot to offer to the team and he’s proven that straight away in the first minute that he was available to play,” he said. “He’s put so much to be in this position again and now the focus is to be with us.”

The Arsenal boss insisted the “goals will come” for struggling Gyokeres, who has scored just once in the Premier League since mid-September.

Arteta said the team and the 27-year-old forward, who joined the club from Sporting Lisbon in July, had to adapt to each other.

“We have to put the player in the best possible condition to explode and fulfil his potential, and then there are certain things that within the role, in the manner that we play, have to be fulfilled, and that’s a combination of both,” he said.

He added: “It took him a while at the beginning because it’s a different league, different demands, he had no pre-season, and now he’s starting to get some momentum. The goals will come and we’re going to be very pleased with him.”

Arsenal are two points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League ahead of the visit of Wolves, who have lost their past eight league games.

Arteta was non-committal on the potential return of several first-choice players for the game, including central defender William Saliba and midfielder Declan Rice.

He said both men would be assessed ahead of the match at the Emirates, adding there was also uncertainty over the fitness of Jurrien Timber and Trossard.

NBA legend Michael Jordan reached a settlement in his antitrust case against NASCAR on Thursday, ending a federal lawsuit that had threatened to upend the sport.

Jordan’s 23XI Racing and the Front Row Motorsports teams had both sued NASCAR after refusing to sign the circuit’s new charters, the rules which guarantee teams entry to races and share of prize money.

Front Row and 23XI alleged the charters were unfair and did not give the teams enough rights or money.

The suit accused NASCAR and the racing circuit’s chief executive, Jim Franc, of operating without transparency, stifling competition, and controlling the sport in ways that unfairly benefit them at the expense of team owners, drivers, sponsors, partners, and fans.

However, in a joint statement issued on Thursday, the warring factions announced a settlement had now been reached, which would see NASCAR issue an amendment to existing charter holders. The financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

“From the beginning, this lawsuit was about progress,” Jordan said in a statement.

READ ALSO: Chris Paul Axed By Los Angeles Clippers

“It was about making sure our sport evolves in a way that supports everyone: teams, drivers, partners, employees, and fans,” added Jordan, who had testified in court last week after the trial got underway.

“With a foundation to build equity and invest in the future and a stronger voice in the decisions ahead, we now have the chance to grow together and make the sport even better for generations to come,” Jordan said.

Front Row and 23XI were the only two NASCAR teams out of 15 that did not sign the new charters at the heart of the dispute.

NASCAR chief executive France said Thursday’s agreement ensured the future of the circuit for “generations to come.”

“We worked closely with race teams and tracks to create the NASCAR charter system in 2016, and it has proven invaluable to their operations and to the quality of racing across the Cup Series,” France said.

“Today’s agreement reaffirms our commitment to preserving and enhancing that value.”