Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has praised Lesotho for their spirited performance while reaffirming Nigeria’s determination to finish their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign on a strong note.
Speaking during a post-match conference after Nigeria’s hard-fought encounter against Lesotho on Friday, Ekong admitted it was a difficult game and acknowledged the opponents’ effort.
“Lesotho played a great game; it wasn’t easy to come here. I can understand their disappointment and frustration because they put up a very good fight,” he said
READ ALSO:[World Cup]We Were Under Pressure, Says Chelle After Slim Win
Ahead of the crucial tie against the Benin Republic, the 32-year-old Al-Kholood centre back emphasised the team’s intent to deliver a dominant performance.
”Playing against Benin Republic, we know we have to score a certain number of goals, that’s the mindset we need to go in with. But it has always been the same: we need to win the game, and we have to win it convincingly,” he said.
Despite the mounting expectations, Ekong believes the Super Eagles are mentally and physically prepared for what lies ahead.
“It’s going to be a big test again, but now I think the team is really ready. We’ve been working on handling pressure for a long time, and we know this is the final push. We’ve worked hard to get here.
Ekong revealed that the team has been under immense pressure since the qualifiers began, but remains focused on their goal of securing a World Cup ticket.
“These kinds of games are not easy. The coach, Finidi George, explained that the pressure has been on us since March, or really, since the start of the qualifiers, and we just wanted to focus on ourselves,” he explained.
He also shed light on the team’s emotions after the match, describing the players’ hunger and commitment to success.
Molly Moorish-Gallagher has given birth to her first child and revealed her newborn baby’s sweet name.
Liam Gallagher’s daughter announced her offspirng’s arrival into the world on Instagram this afternoon, sharing a selection of snaps of her new bundle of joy with her partner, footballer Nat Phillips.
“A message to you, rudy,” the new mum captioned the collection of pictures. Molly’s mother, Lisa Moorish was a proud nan as she commented: “That last slide!!! ‘IM RUDY I’M NEW’ My beautiful grandson.” Comments have since been limited on the post.
Molly announced her pregnancy in May on social media, sharing the exciting news alongside a pregnancy emoji, writing simply: “Bulking season.”
Molly Moorish-Gallagher announced Rudy’s arrivial on social media ( instagram/@mollymoorishgallagher)
Nat Phillips looked every inch the doting dad ( instagram/@mollymoorishgallagher)
Her announcement featured a touching video of herself and Nat, currently playing for Derby on loan from Liverpool, posing together as she lovingly cradled her growing bump.
Molly also shared a “mum” mug and shared a throwback snap of herself as a youngster caring for a doll. Nat was quick to respond to his partner’s announcement, writing: “Can’t wait, love you both loads.”
New mum Molly is the oldest of rocker Liam’s four offspring. Liam had a fling with her mum Lisa while involved with his first spouse Patsy Kensit, now 57, and remained distant from his daughter for several years.
Liam and Molly now have a close relationship ( Instagram/mollymoorishgallagher)
He’s reportedly rebuilt their relationship since 2018. Liam also has son Lennon Gallagher, 25, with ex-spouse Patsy and Gene, 23, with his second wife, Nicole Appleton, 50.
Liam – who is engaged to Debbie Gwyther – has his youngest daughter Gemma Gallagher, 12, with Liza Ghorbani.
Molly first began dating footballer Nat in 2021. She confirmed their romance the next year. Since then, Liverpool star Nat has discussed Liam, who famously backs Manchester City.
Addressing playing for a competing club, Nat told the Herald in 2023: “We’ve never really got into that. We have obviously met but only a few times.”
He continued: “Every time I’ve met him, he’s been fine with me, which is ideal as a son-in-law.”
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Tries: Smith, Todaro, Pearson, Belleau 2 Cons: Smith 2 Pen: Smith
Leicester (13) 26
Northampton Saints claimed the early season bragging rights with a see-saw 32-26 victory over local rivals Leicester Tigers at Cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens.
Bolstered by the return of Fin Smith, Alex Mitchell and centurion Tommy Freeman from their post-British and Irish Lions break, Saints took an early lead through Smith, before being pegged back by Freddie Steward’s effort.
Billy Searle’s kicking kept the visitors in touch, but tries from Edoardo Todaro, Tom Pearson and a brace from Anthony Belleau put the game beyond the visitors.
With Searle’s early penalty obscured by the pre-match pyrotechnics, the first real action observed by the packed stands was the departure of referee Luke Pearce, who, suffering from a cramping calf, was replaced by Alex Thomas.
When the action resumed, it was the home team who took the initiative.
Mitchell darted down the short-side from a scrum and kicked ahead. Adam Radwan looked on helplessly as the ball bounced back over his head and was recovered by the scrum-half, who fed Smith for Saints’ first points of the day.
That lead was not to last long, however.
Emeka Ilione burst through a hole in the Northampton line, but failed to pass before he was cut down by Saints defenders.
It proved not to matter, as Saints failed to number up appropriately in defence, allowing Steward to stride over untouched in the ensuing phase.
Before he was forced from the pitch, Freeman found himself in the thick of the action for the home side’s second try.
A well-executed set-piece move saw the winger combine with Tom Litchfield to charge into Leicester territory. Freeman was eventually tackled, but the ball was recycled with Todaro the beneficiary to touch down in the corner.
With the clock in the red, the Saints struck again.
Getty Images
Saints were looking for defensive stability as the second half began, having shipped 54 points after the break in their two games so far this season.
But those familiar defensive frailties appeared once again when Harry Wells powered over from short range after successive rolling mauls in the Saints 22.
Losing the lead seemed to inspired Saints though and their next score was a vintage Northampton try.
An end-to-end counterattack involving Fraser Dingwall and Rory Hutchinson saw multiple quick off-loads as Leicester’s defence reeled.
The talismanic Mitchell eventually laid hands on the ball, feeding Belleau to fight his way through three tacklers to score in the corner.
The lead changed for the eighth time following another Searle kick, before Dingwall had a score ruled out for an earlier knock-on.
Belleau then scored his second in spectacular style – kicking over the top and regathering to score, as Tigers’ defenders watched on in desperation.
Debutant James O’Connor’s penalty brought the visitors within six, but stout home defending denied them anything more than a losing bonus point.
Northampton: Hendy; Freeman, Hutchinson, Dingwall, Todaro; Smith, Mitchell; Iyogun, Smith, Davison, Lockett, Van Der Mescht, Coles, Pearson, Chick (c).
Former Coronation Street actor Philip Middlemiss – famous for playing Des Barnes in the ITV soap – has reportedly been declared bankrupt after being unable to pay taxes
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Coronation Street icon Philip Middlemiss has reportedly been declared bankrupt(Image: ITV)
Coronation Street star Philip Middlemiss has been declared bankrupt, a report has claimed. It would make the second time the 62-year-old actor has faced bankruptcy.
The TV star is best known for playing Des Barnes in ITV’s Coronation Street between 1990 and 1998 – during which time his character was married to Denise Welch’s Natalie Horrocks and heroically died after defending his step-son, Tony Horrocks, from a drugs gang.
Middlemiss has suffered financial woes since leaving Weatherfield – losing his life savings when he attempted to make a movie in the early 2010s. And now it has been reported he has gone bankrupt a second time after failing to keep up with tax payments.
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According to The Sun, the star was taken to court by HMRC and declared bankrupt after being found to owe “a hefty five figure sum” in unpaid tax bills. The Mirror has contacted a representative of Middlemiss for comment.
His bad luck comes 13 years after he declared himself bankrupt in 2012 after plans to make a movie ended in disaster. He had been self-financing the project, but his funds ran dry before rolling was completed.
He told the Manchester Evening News previously: “It was partly-funded by myself but I didn’t have the money to fund the rest of the film.
“Filming came to a grinding halt. It was nearly three-quarters of the way along the line. It has been a difficult time. Three-and-a-half years is a long time to fund myself without any income. I have had to get money from family and friends.”
Away from Corrie, Middlemiss’s TV roles have included playing David Buckley in the ITV drama Where the Heart Is, from 2000 to 2006. He had a 10 year hiatus from on-screen acting which was broken last year when he played DI Travis Lennox on Doctors.
He is the proud father of two sons – including actor and boxer Alfie. The 22-year-old has been competing in matches in the UK – with his proud dad at the ringside cheering him on.
After watching his son win a match in December last year, the soap star wrote in an Instagram post: “So so proud, great team and phenomenal support! The journey begins.”
Earlier this year, the actor’s 48-year-old wife Leanne Davis shared a glowing birthday wish to the TV star. Sharing a string of loved up snaps of them together on Instagram – including one where Middlemiss was dressed in drag – she posted a gushing tribute.
Leanne wrote: “Happy birthday to my favourite person on the whole planet Have the best day darling. Thank you for making this journey of life so much fun – a little nerve wracking at times but always a laugh to be had and no one else I would rather do it all with.”
The life coach added: “Wishing you the best year of your life ahead. Love you beyond words can say.”
Former Lostprophets paedo singer Ian Watkins has reportedly been killed behind bars after being stabbed by another inmate at Wakefield Prison, dubbed the ‘Monster Mansion’
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Former Lostprophets frontman and convicted paedophile Ian Watkins has reportedly died(Image: PA)
The disgraced former singer of the Welsh rock band Lostprophets, Ian Watkins, has been stabbed to death in prison. It has been reported he was murdered in jail in a knife attack by another inmate.
He is said to have had his throat slashed after inmates at Wakefield Prison were released from their cells yesterday. A Prison Service spokesperson said: “We are aware of an incident at HMP Wakefield which took place this morning.
“We are unable to comment further while the police investigate.” A statement from West Yorkshire Police added: “At 9.39am this morning (Saturday), police were called by staff at HMP Wakefield reporting an assault on a prisoner.
“Emergency services attended and the man was pronounced dead at the scene a short time later. Detectives from the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team are investigating and inquiries remain ongoing at the scene.”
Watkins suffered severe but non-life threatening injuries after being taken hostage in 2023. He was beaten and stabbed by three inmates at Wakefield, dubbed the “Monster Mansion”. In 2013, the Welsh native, 48, pleaded guilty at Cardiff Crown Court to 13 child sex offences. He also admitted to the rape and sexual assault of a child who was under the age of 13.
Watkins also admitted conspiring to rape a child, three counts of sexual assault involving children, seven involving taking, making or possessing indecent images of children and one of possessing an extreme pornographic image involving a sex act on an animal.
Sentencing Mr Justice Royce said the case broke ‘new ground’ and ‘plunged into new depths of depravity’. He said Watkins had a ‘corrupting influence’ and had shown a ‘complete lack of remorse’. He added Watkins posed a significant risk to the public in particular to women with young children.
The musician was later handed an extra 10 months after he was discovered to have a mobile phone in his possession while behind bars. Initially, he denied having a three-inch GSTAR phone in his cell. As the verdict was read out, Watkins claimed that “known murderers” in his prison told him to keep an eye on the phone after chucking it on his bed.
During the hearing, Judge Rodney Jameson QC said: “I am very conscious of the fact you are serving a very long time and you will be well into middle age by the time you are released.
“The fact of the matter is if there is not an appreciable penalty for having had a mobile phone in these circumstances then of course you would draw from that the lesson you could have another one and that is not a position I would want to encourage.”
Speaking about possible repercussions, he said: “Chances are someone would sneak up behind me and cut my throat. It’s not like one-on-one. Stuff like that, you don’t see it coming.”
He was said to be sharing his wing with murderers, killers, rapists and paedophiles, who he described as “the worst of the worst”. Asked to describe his music career during an earlier appearance, Watkins told the court his band had sold between five and ten million records across the world between 1999 and 2012.
Watkins said the Lostprophets had toured all over the world, headlining at Wembley Arena and the MEN Arena in Manchester.
Last year, it was reported Watkins was paying for protection in prison after being stabbed with a “sharpened toilet brush”. Jonathan Levi and Emma French explained in their book, Inside Wakefield Prison: Life Behind Bars in the Monster Mansion, that rough justice is “particularly likely” to be “meted out” to paedophiles in prison.
The convicted sex offender reportedly had “access to money” and “spent his time” buying both protection and friendships after the attack in 2023, which was reportedly over a £900 drugs debt.
A prisoner revealed to the authors: “He is hated by many, but as HMP W is mixed, i.e. VPs and high-level gangsters, drug importers and organised crime, they just take money off him (Watkins) for his safety.”
They continued: “He has spent thousands on protection. The recent stabbing was a reminder that he needs to pay. He took an amount of spice off a prisoner with a prison value of £150.
“Because it was Watkins, he was told he owed £900. He was high and refused to pay; therefore, he was stabbed in the side using a sharpened toilet brush.”
In July, Watkins former bandmate Lee Gaze broke his years of silence as he said it was “painful” to reflect on the past. The guitarist opened up about the band’s legacy on X, revealing the deep impact Watkins’ crimes had on him and the devastation of how the band’s journey ended.
He wrote: “It’s been 13 years since my band ended in the most unimaginable circumstances and it’s still painful to think about. Things could’ve been so different.
“I don’t talk about it much, but I put everything into that band, and it should’ve lasted a lifetime. I never really wronged anyone my whole life so it seemed like the ultimate punishment.”
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Gaze has since joined forces with No Devotion, sharing the stage with American singer Geoff Rickly from Thursday and fellow ex-Lostprophets mate Stu Richardson. Former bandmates Mike Lewis, Luke Johnson and Jamie Oliver were once part of the band before their departure.
If you’ve been the victim of sexual assault, you can access help and resources via www.rapecrisis.org.uk or calling the national telephone helpline on 0808 802 9999
Bristol Bears fought back to pip Exeter Chiefs 18-14 in a fiercely fought West Country derby at Ashton Gate.
A Tom Jordan penalty and Viliame Mata’s score put the Bears 8-0 up, but Henry Slade crossed and, after Jordan was shown a red card, Ben Hammersley’s try made it 14-8 to Exeter at the break.
Bears started the second half better and took back the lead moments after returning to full strength as Gabriel Oghre dotted down.
Exeter piled on the pressure, but saw a Harvey Skinner try overturned with 10 minutes left before Sam Worsley kicked a last-gasp penalty to seal Bristol’s second Prem win of the season.
The sides shared 24 tries in their two meetings last season, and piled up 90 points the last time they met at Ashton Gate.
Chiefs fail to take their chances as Bears roar back
England prop Ellis Genge’s return gave the Bears some relief from relentless early season injury woes, and he forced the penalty for Jordan to boot the Bears ahead within 90 seconds.
The visitors boasted almost 90% territory in the opening 20 minutes but ferocious home defence kept them pointless, with Slade also missing a makeable penalty.
By contrast, the Bears were clinical with their sparse attacking possession as the game burst into life after a slow-burning first 26 minutes.
Exeter’s defence lost its shape as the ball was worked quickly to the right and Mata stepped away from two challenges to run in.
But Chiefs hit back immediately, as breaks from Skinner and Will Goodrick-Clarke pulled Bears out of shape, and Slade finished off a two-on-one.
Rob Baxter’s side then hit the front two minutes after Jordan was shown a red card for putting a shoulder into Ross Vintcent’s head.
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Bears survived the rest of Jordan’s red card without further damage and began to put Exeter’s defence under sustained pressure.
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and Steve Varney did well to hold up Oscar Lennon over the line, but the visitors had no answer to a powerful driving maul as Oghre peeled off to dot down.
Just moments after wrestling back the lead, Bristol were a man down again as Max Pepper saw yellow for a deliberate knock-on.
Genge then walked gingerly off the pitch, 64 minutes into his return, as Bears were forced to defend their line under almost incessant pressure before the game’s turning point in the 71st minute.
Bristol looked to be staring down the barrel when Skinner forced his way over for a score, with Fitz Harding shown a yellow card as the hosts coughed up a succession of penalties.
‘That’s one of the highlights of my time here’ – reaction
Bristol Bears director of rugby Pat Lam told BBC Radio Bristol:
“Talk about real fight from this group, real Bears character.
“We talked at half-time about what we needed to do in the next 10 minutes [after Tom Jordan’s red card] and the boys executed it so well.
“That is probably one of the highlights of my time here. I’m so proud of the boys.
“It wasn’t pretty, we missed opportunities, but the guts were unbelievable.
“The forwards can see the issues with the backs and they said to the backs ‘don’t worry we’ll give you the platform’ and they certainly did that.”
Exeter Chiefs director of rugby Rob Baxter told BBC Radio Devon:
“I’m less annoyed with the end than I am the 15 minutes after half-time.
“We zombie-walked our way into going behind. The period when we should take control of the game, we come out after half-time we should be energised and Bristol are down to 14 men.
“But they take the game by the scruff of the neck and we just kept giving away penalties until Bristol pretty much walk it over the try line.
