Sports
Osimhen, Kvaratskhelia fire Napoli past Cagliari
Osimhen, Kvaratskhelia fire Napoli past Cagliari
Victor Osimhen and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia combined to give Napoli a 2-1 win over struggling Cagliari on Saturday and send their side into Serie A’s Champions League places.
The inspiration behind last season’s stunning league title triumph, Napoli’s attacking stars struck a goal each as the reigning champions moved up to fourth.
Kvaratskhelia swept home the decisive strike in the 75th minute, six minutes after Osimhen’s headed opener and shortly after Leonardo Pavoletti had equalised for the away side.
Walter Mazzarri’s side are two points ahead of fifth-placed Roma and Bologna, who face off on Sunday, following their third home win of what has been a troubled league season to date.
And Matteo Politano insisted that Napoli’s title defence is not over even though they are 11 points behind Inter Milan ahead of the league leaders’ match at Lazio on Sunday night.
“We’re slowly recovering some ground,” Politano told DAZN.
“We’ll keep taking it one game at a time but we want to fight for the Scudetto. There’s still a long way to go.”
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Claudio Ranieri’s Cagliari stay 16th, one point above the relegation zone and Empoli who are at Torino in Saturday’s late match.
Napoli won a match whose kick-off was delayed by 30 minutes after strong winds in Naples led to concerns over stadium safety.
Turnstiles at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona were left closed longer than usual while inspections to the ground’s roof were carried out.
No major damage was found, and once the match got underway Napoli pushed forward but struggled to break down resilient Cagliari.
After a series of wasted half chances Amir Rrahmani headed onto the base of the post just before the half hour, but Cagliari were in the game and dangerous on their forays forward.
Osimhen opened the scoring in the 69th minute when he powered a header through the hands of Cagliari’s despairing goalkeeper Simone Scuffet.
It was Osimhen’s second in as many games in all competitions as he looks to have fully recovered from his hamstring injury.
Napoli fans will be hoping that reports of Osimhen reaching an agreement to extend his contract to 2026 are accurate, as the 24-year-old is nearing a new deal which takes his salary to 10 million euros a year and has a release clause set at around 130 million euros.
Pavoletti, who shot Cagliari out of the relegation zone last weekend, bundled in his fourth goal of the campaign three minutes later.
But the home crowd was soon back on their feet for Kvaratskhelia’s winner, which came after superb hold-up play from Osimhen led to the Nigerian drilling over a low cross which his Georgian strike partner crashed in off the post.
That was Kvaratskhelia’s first home goal since late September and gave Napoli their second straight win in Naples after beating Braga midweek to reach the Champions League knockouts.
Osimhen, Kvaratskhelia fire Napoli past Cagliari
Sports
Eric Chelle Requests $130,000 Monthly, Lists 19 Conditions to Extend Super Eagles Contract
Eric Chelle Requests $130,000 Monthly, Lists 19 Conditions to Extend Super Eagles Contract
Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle has reportedly presented a 19-point contract proposal to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) as part of negotiations to extend his tenure with the national team. The proposal, formally submitted on January 22, 2026, includes a $130,000 monthly salary, provisions for his technical staff, and a wide range of operational and logistical demands aimed at enhancing his working conditions and technical autonomy.
Chelle, a Franco-Malian tactician, who signed a two-year deal with the NFF in January 2025, had previously been linked with European club opportunities, including Olympique de Marseille. The contract extension proposal follows Nigeria’s strong performance at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, where Chelle guided the team to a third-place finish.
The proposed 19 conditions go beyond salary. They include the provision of a private SUV with a chauffeur and security, a secure residence with 24-hour electricity, a furnished office with internet access and projector for tactical analysis, and flight tickets for his wife and two children. Chelle also requests GPS tools, customized training equipment, and the authority to choose international friendly matches.
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On the technical side, the proposal seeks full control over player selection and call-ups, authority to travel abroad to monitor Nigerian players, and attendance at local league matches to identify talent for the senior team and age-grade squads (U23, U20, U17). Chelle also asks for official contracts for his staff, on-time salary payments, inclusion of his personal assistant in the bonus and allowance structure, and monthly meetings with all national team coaches.
Reports indicate that the proposal reflects Chelle’s aim for greater professional autonomy, operational support, and long-term stability while building a competitive Super Eagles squad for upcoming international fixtures, including 2026 World Cup qualifiers. The NFF has yet to confirm whether it will accept or reject the terms, amid ongoing discussions over budgetary constraints and logistical feasibility.
The submission has sparked debate among football stakeholders, with analysts divided over whether the NFF can meet all the demands, balancing the need for continuity with Chelle against financial realities.
Eric Chelle Requests $130,000 Monthly, Lists 19 Conditions to Extend Super Eagles Contract
Sports
Ademola Lookman Scores Historic Goal as Atletico Madrid Draw 3–3 With Club Brugge
Ademola Lookman Scores Historic Goal as Atletico Madrid Draw 3–3 With Club Brugge
Ademola Lookman etched his name into UEFA Champions League history on Wednesday as Ademola Lookman scored for Atletico Madrid in a thrilling 3–3 draw against Club Brugge at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid.
Lookman, the Nigerian international winger, became the first Nigerian to score for Atletico Madrid in a UEFA Champions League group-stage match, highlighting his growing influence at the Spanish La Liga club. The goal came during a pulsating encounter that saw both sides trade leads in an end-to-end battle.
Atletico Madrid initially surged ahead through early strikes, but Club Brugge responded with quick counterattacks to equalize twice. Lookman’s historic goal temporarily put the hosts in front, only for Club Brugge to equalize late in the game, ensuring a dramatic 3–3 finish.
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The result keeps Atletico in contention for progression from Group D, but it also underscores the challenges facing Diego Simeone’s side in balancing domestic and European commitments. Lookman’s performance, however, has been widely praised by pundits, with analysts noting his pace, vision, and finishing ability as key assets for Atletico Madrid’s attack.
For Lookman, this goal adds to a growing reputation as a breakthrough Nigerian talent in Europe, joining the ranks of compatriots who have made their mark in top-tier European competitions. Fans and media alike celebrated his contribution, highlighting the significance of his milestone in both club and international football history.
Ademola Lookman, who previously played for clubs in the English Premier League, moved to Atletico Madrid in January 2026. Known for his speed, dribbling, and versatility on the wings, Lookman has steadily adapted to the Spanish game, making appearances in La Liga, Copa del Rey, and UEFA Champions League matches.
This Champions League goal marks a historic first for a Nigerian player at Atletico Madrid, reflecting the increasing presence of Nigerian talent in elite European competitions.
Ademola Lookman Scores Historic Goal as Atletico Madrid Draw 3–3 With Club Brugge
Sports
Arsenal Blow Two-Goal Lead as Bottom Club Wolves Hold Gunners to 2–2 Draw
Arsenal Blow Two-Goal Lead as Bottom Club Wolves Hold Gunners to 2–2 Draw
Arsenal surrendered a commanding two-goal advantage to settle for a damaging 2–2 draw against last-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers in a dramatic Premier League encounter at Molineux on Tuesday night.
The Gunners looked firmly in control early on, racing into a 2–0 lead and appearing set to claim all three points. However, a spirited second-half comeback from Wolves denied the title chasers victory and reignited questions over Arsenal’s consistency at a crucial stage of the season.
Arsenal struck first inside the opening minutes through Bukayo Saka, who capitalised on early pressure to put the visitors ahead. The lead was doubled shortly after the break when Piero Hincapié finished clinically following a set-piece situation, seemingly putting the game beyond the struggling hosts.
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But Wolves responded almost immediately. Hugo Bueno reduced the deficit with a long-range effort that shifted momentum and lifted the home crowd. Arsenal, who dominated possession for large spells, failed to regain control as defensive lapses and dropped intensity invited pressure.
Deep into stoppage time, substitute Tom Edozie completed the comeback, firing home a dramatic 94th-minute equaliser that sparked wild celebrations at Molineux. A late deflection off an Arsenal defender wrong-footed the goalkeeper, sealing a point that felt like a win for the league’s bottom side.
The result represents a significant setback for Arsenal’s title hopes, as dropping points against the Premier League’s last-placed team allowed rivals to close the gap at the top of the table. For Wolves, the draw offered a rare positive moment in a difficult campaign, underlining their resilience despite their position.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta cut a frustrated figure after the match, with the failure to protect a two-goal cushion once again proving costly in a high-stakes title race.
Arsenal Blow Two-Goal Lead as Bottom Club Wolves Hold Gunners to 2–2 Draw
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