Sports

Osimhen Hits Hat-Trick as Galatasaray Crush Antalyaspor

Published

10 months ago

March 15, 2025

By Emmanuel Ogbodo

Victor Osimhen delivered a masterclass performance on Friday night, scoring a hat-trick as Galatasaray cruised to a commanding 4-0 victory over Antalyaspor at Rams Park.

The Nigerian forward opened the scoring in the 30th minute, finishing off a precise pass from Álvaro Morata.

Morata doubled the lead from the penalty spot just before halftime, and Osimhen struck again in stoppage time, capitalizing on an assist from B. Yılmaz. He sealed his hat-trick in the 52nd minute after a well-placed pass from Y. Akgün.

The emphatic win cements Galatasaray’s grip on the Turkish Süper Lig title race, extending their points tally to 71.

The league leaders remain unbeaten, boasting 22 wins and five draws, with a 10-point cushion over Fenerbahçe, who have played two games fewer.

Osimhen’s latest heroics take his league tally to 20 goals in 22 appearances, making him the league’s top scorer.

Since joining on loan from Napoli after the fourth match of the season, he has netted 26 goals and provided five assists across all competitions in 30 appearances.

The match also marked a milestone for head coach Okan Buruk, who celebrated his 100th game in charge. Before kickoff, he was honored with a commemorative plaque.

Galatasaray made several second-half substitutions, with Roland Sallai, Dries Mertens, and Mario Lemina replacing Yunus Akgün, Lucas Torreira, and Osimhen in the 68th minute.

Antalyaspor’s only real threat came in the 73rd minute when Van de Streek’s shot was denied by goalkeeper Fernando Muslera.

Galatasaray will now shift focus to their upcoming clash against Beşiktaş, looking to extend their unbeaten run and tighten their grip on the league title.

News

CAF, PUMA Unveil Special Gold ITRI Ball for AFCON 2025 Final

Published

41 minutes ago

January 16, 2026

Samson Adeyanju

By Samuel Adeola

The Confederation of African Football (CAF), and its technical partner, PUMA, have unveiled a special gold-accented edition of the official match ball, ITRI, for Sunday’s TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 final in Morocco.

Hosts Morocco will face Senegal at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah, with kick-off scheduled for 8:00pm local time.

CAF said in a statement on Friday that the commemorative ball was designed to honour the two finalists. The ITRI ball, used throughout the tournament, draws inspiration from traditional Moroccan zellij designs, featuring star shapes, floral patterns and circular symmetry.

Built on PUMA’s Orbita 6 technology, CAF noted that the ball blends cultural heritage with innovation while meeting elite performance standards.

CAF and PUMA had earlier unveiled the ITRI ball as the official match ball for AFCON 2025.

News

Anthony Joshua Returns to Gym Weeks After Fatal Lagos-Ibadan Crash

Published

46 minutes ago

January 16, 2026

Samson Adeyanju

By Samuel Adeola

Former heavyweight boxing champion, Anthony Joshua, has returned to training weeks after a fatal car crash that claimed the lives of two of his close friends.

The accident occurred on December 29, 2025, at the Makun area along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, leaving the boxer visibly shaken.

A video shared on social media on Friday showed Joshua back in the gym, engaging in light workouts, including riding an exercise bike and spending time around a swimming pool.

Joshua also posted a clip on his Snapchat story showing the elapsed time on a cardio machine, captioned “FIGHTERS,” which fans have interpreted as a subtle signal of his gradual return to focus and recovery.

News

AFCON 2025: Super Eagles Fall to Morocco on Penalties

Published

2 days ago

January 15, 2026

Samson Adeyanju

By Samuel Adeola

Nigeria’s quest for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title ended in heartbreak on Tuesday night as the Super Eagles lost 4-2 on penalties to host nation Morocco in the semi-final at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat.

The encounter ended goalless after 120 minutes, with both sides cancelling each other out in regulation time and extra time.

Nigeria remained solid defensively, with goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali making key saves, while Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman led the attack.

The match was decided in the shootout after missed chances from Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyemaechi proved costly.

Morocco converted four penalties, with Youssef En-Nesyri scoring the decisive kick to seal victory.

The defeat brings Nigeria’s impressive AFCON campaign to an end, while Morocco advance to the final on home soil.

The Super Eagles will now turn their attention to the third-place playoff.