Sports

Brahim Diaz Shines as Real Madrid Thrives Without Bellingham in Dominant Victory

Published

2 years ago

November 9, 2023

Brahim Diaz embraced the opportunity to demonstrate his depth and brilliance, stepping into the shoes of Real Madrid’s big man, Jude Bellingham. The match against Braga on Wednesday night demonstrated that there is life without Los Blancos’ main player this season.

Jude Bellingham, consistently overshadowing Brahim Diaz with his stellar performances, was rested for the match, providing the Spaniard the chance he had been patiently waiting for. Diaz not only lived up to the occasion but left an indelible mark on the game, contributing significantly to Real Madrid’s commanding 3-0 triumph.

The visitors initially had an opportunity to take the lead when Lucas Vazquez fouled Cristian Borja in the box, resulting in a penalty. However, reserve goalkeeper Andriy Lunin made a crucial save to deny Braga the early advantage.

Undeterred by an earlier disallowed goal, Brahim Diaz demonstrated composure and skill to open the scoring for Real Madrid. Capitalizing on Rodrygo’s cutback, the attacking midfielder ghosted into the box, securing a well-deserved 1-0 lead.

In the second half, Diaz had another chance to find the net but was thwarted by an exceptional save from Matheus. However, Vinicius made no mistake, converting a smooth counter-attack to extend Real Madrid’s lead to 2-0 after 58 minutes. The third goal came shortly after, with Rodrygo gracefully chipping the ball over Matheus, sealing a comfortable victory for Los Blancos.

Brahim Diaz’s standout performance underscores the squad’s depth and resilience, proving that even in the absence of key players like Jude Bellingham, Real Madrid has the talent and capability to secure convincing wins on the pitch.

News

Napoli Blocks Turkish Move for Osimhen

Published

5 hours ago

May 21, 2025

Samson Adeyanju

By Njoku Chijioke

Napoli has rejected a move by Turkish giants Galatasaray and Fenerbahce to land Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen, signaling the club’s firm stance on the forward’s future.

Though figures behind the offer remain under wraps, sources close to the deal suggest the Italian side is not ready to part with their star man unless a compelling package is presented.

Osimhen has drawn attention from several European heavyweights this transfer window, with his name topping many wish lists.

Napoli’s refusal to engage with the Turkish bid sends a strong message – the Nigerian forward is not going anywhere cheaply.

The club is believed to be holding out for a much larger deal or eyeing a strategic replacement before entertaining any sale talks.

As speculation swirls, all eyes remain on Osimhen and what could become one of the summer’s most-watched transfer sagas.

Sports

Chelle Shakes Up Eagles Squad, Drops Osimhen, Lookmam

Published

5 hours ago

May 21, 2025

Samson Adeyanju

By Adenike Lawal

In a move that has stunned fans and analysts alike, Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has left out top strikers Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman from Nigeria’s squad for the upcoming Unity Cup friendlies against Ghana and Russia.

The Nigeria Football Federation confirmed the surprise exclusions on Wednesday, with no official reason given for the absence of the high-flying forwards despite their strong performances at club level.

Chelle’s selection signals a major shift in attacking strategy as the team prepares for two high-profile clashes.

However, there is good news for some as goalkeeper Maduka Okoye returns to the lineup, joined by Frank Onyeka, Kelechi Iheanacho, and veteran skipper Ahmed Musa, who is expected to anchor the squad with his experience.

The omissions have sparked intense debate, with many questioning the timing and tactical reasoning behind sidelining two of Nigeria’s most potent attacking threats.

News

Falcons Set for Showdown with Cameroon

Published

9 hours ago

May 21, 2025

Samson Adeyanju

By Njoku Chijioke

Nigeria’s Super Falcons are primed for two high-profile friendly clashes against the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon as part of their buildup to the 2024 Women Africa Cup of Nations.

Coach Justine Madugu has named a strong 23-player squad featuring top stars like Rasheedat Ajibade, Chiamaka Nnadozie, Michelle Alozie, Toni Payne, and Rinsola Babajide.

The matches will hold on May 31 at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne and on June 3 at the MKO Abiola Sports Complex in Abeokuta.

With Nigeria drawn in a challenging AFCON Group B alongside Tunisia, Algeria and Botswana, the double-header against Cameroon offers a vital chance for tactical fine-tuning and team chemistry.

Players are expected to report to camp at the Am2pm Hotel in Ijebu-Ode on May 26 ahead of the fixtures.