Kepa kept clean sheet as Chelsea thrashed Tottenham.

Tottenham Hotspur’s week went from bad to worse as they succumbed to a disappointing 0-3 defeat to local rivals Chelsea at home on Sunday evening in the Premier League.

Kepa Arizabalaga started in pole for Chelsea, his first appearance since keeping the penalties shootout during the UEFA Super Cup against Villarreal.

Showing good intensity in the first half to keep his Chelsea side in the game as the two teams went in at half-time at 0-0.

Thomas Tuchel’s side were dominant in the second half after N’Golo Kante came on for Mason Mount at halftime and Chelsea took total control of the midfield.

Marcos Alonso had a volley saved, then moments later his corner is headed home by Thiago Silva.

Eric Dier brilliantly cleared off the line Alonso’s effort in the 53rd minute.
Four minutes later, N’Golo Kante saw his shit deflects off Eric Dier, hits the post and goes in.

Tottenham hoping on final whistle at this as Chelsea kept coming stronger with threatening chances, but Antonio Rudiger said it’s not over yet when completed the rout for Chelsea two minutes into added time.

Chelsea are now joint top of the league with 13 points from a possible 15 to start the season.

Hellas Verona handed Jose Mourinho his first Roma defeat.

Jose Mourinho suffered his first defeat since returning to coach in Italy as his AS Roma side were beaten 3-2 by Hellas Verona in a thrilling Serie A encounter on Sunday.

The Giallorossi had taken the lead through Lorenzo Pellegrini’s sensational back-heel flick, but Verona turned it around on the debut of their new coach Igor Tudor.

Lorenzo Pellegrini had given the visitors a halftime lead with a sublime back-heel flick.

However, the home side went ahead early in the second half as goals from Antonin Barak and Gianluca Caprari edged Verona 2-1 in front.

Roma levelled in the 58th minute through Ivan Ilic’s own goal.

Five minute later, Faraoni scored a spectacular winner, ensuring Verona beat Roma for the first time in Serie A in almost 25 years.

“The lads put in an extraordinary performance. It wasn’t an easy game, but we kept the same intensity for the whole game and I am really happy.” – Igor Tudor told DAZN.

Mou revealed some of the tactical keys to the match, insisting Tudor had not surprised Roma, they just didn’t react the right way.

“We put the effort in, I cannot complain about that, but we lost too many individual duels. Hellas had more intensity. Now I need a few hours in front of the video replays to work out what just happened.” – Mourinho told DAZN

Roma currently sit fourth on the log with nine points while Verona moved out of the bottom three and up to 14th.

ABC: Morocco and Mali end campaign in a stalemate draw.

Morocco’s Atlas Lionesses and the Female Eagles of Mali fought out the first stalemate of the maiden edition of Aisha Buhari Invitational Women’s Tournament at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena on Sunday.

The last meeting between Morocco and Mali was on 14th June 2021 at the Stade du FUS, and the Atlas Lionesses 🇲🇦 won 3-2.

Having won their opening game against Cameroon, Morocco looked more impressive against a Mali team that conceded two late minute goals in their opening game against Nigeria.

Moroccan coach, Reynald Pedros made four changes to the side that defeated Cameroon 1-0 on Thursday with Boukhami Siham, Badri Najat, Salmi Rania, and Mssoudy Sanaa replacing Jraidi Ibtissam, Amani Salma, Nakkach Elodie Nahla, and Hassani Marwa respectively.

Mali’s coach, Mohamed Houssein Sallaum started the game with the same side that suffered a 2-0 defeat to Super Falcons of Nigeria on Wednesday.

Mali, determined to make something out of their last match of the tournament, looked up to the France –based Aissata Traore most of the time, with her efforts nearly paid off in the 32nd minute as she beat three defenders but couldn’t get past Errmichi in goal.

A defensive mistake from Boukhami Siham gave Kone Oumou the chance to score the opening goal in the 52nd minute but her effort went wide.

Morocco’s goalscorer against Cameroon, Tagnaout Fatima missed narrowly with the net gaping after a good run and cross by Mssoudy.

The Atlas Lionesses finished their campaign with four points having a win and a draw after two games, and immediately flew out of Lagos aboard an Air France flight to Paris, to connect Casablanca on Monday morning.

Mali gained one point from their two games, and will now focus on next month’s 2022 AWCON qualifying fixtures.

DONE DEAL: Naija Ratels Unveil Seven New Players Ahead Of New Season.

Newly promoted NWFL Premiership side, Naija Ratels FC on Saturday unveiled seven new players ahead of the new 2021/22 Premiership season.

The seven new players unveiled include 11-year-old Mirable Amedu from Naija Ratels academy, Fakiyesi Abisola, and Mbah Chidinma from New Generation Football Academy, Omede Regina from Adamawa Queens, Precious Daniel (WACO), Sandra Adugbe, Lakeside Queens Academy, and Adesina Itunuoluwa.

Unveiling the players in Abuja, Edeh said the seven new players, most of them still in their teens, were carefully scouted from the grassroots in line with the traditions and policy of the club.

“Our vision is to discover and groom young players; we discovered these players from our grassroots pre-season.

“My dream is to give these young girls the opportunity to play football, which they have been yearning for,” he said.

“We have a very young player here called Mirabel, she is just 11 years old and she has also been placed on scholarship up to University level; a record for the league.

“We are not only developing the players for the club, but for national teams when the need arises,” he added.

Edeh said other young players would also be placed on scholarships, as part of efforts to ensure the girls combined their budding football career with a sound education.

The team’s Head coach, who is also the coach of the Flamingos, the national U-17 women’s team, Bankole Olowookere said the team is fully ready for the season, and to ‘ruffle the feathers’ of established teams in the league. He insisted that that football was no longer played by big names, but by young dynamic players with a good team chemistry.


“We have been training hard for the new season and I can tell you that we are not scared of any big name, we are a young side ready to take the league by storm,” he said

Remembering our heroes – NFF to honor Super Falcons class of ’99.

Just as the Green Eagles class of 1980 were honoured at the first edition of the NFF Football Awards in 2018, the Super Falcons class of 1999 will be recognized and celebrated at the third edition of the award holding at the Banquet Hall of Eko Hotels & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos on Monday evening.

The team captained by Florence Omagbemi reached the quarter finals of the FIFA Women’s World Cup staged in the United States of America.

The 20-woman squad: Florence Omagbemi, Ann Chiejine, Yinka Kudaisi, Martha Tarhemba, Adanna Nwaneri, Eberechi Opara, Kikelomo Ajayi, Stella Mbachu, Rita Nwadike, Gloria Usieta, Marvis Ogun, Prisca Emeafu, Judith Chime, Nkiru Okosieme, Maureen Mmadu, Florence Iweta, Nkechi Egbe, Patience Avre, Mercy Akide, Ifeanyi Chiejine.

Fifteen members of that 1999 squad including their Coach, Ismaila Mabo, will be on ground on Monday night. Eight of them will be jet in from the United States of America. Sadly, attacking midfielder Ifeanyi Chiejine will not be available as she passed away last year.

The first edition of the awards held in February 2018 was attended by FIFA President Gianni Infantino and then CAF President Ahmad, and the Green Eagles which won Nigeria’s first AFCON title, were specially recognized.

The second edition held in April 2019, saw notable football and political bigwigs, as the 1994 class of Super Eagles, which won Nigeria’s second AFCON title and played at the FIFA World Cup for the first time were honoured.

This year edition will be attended by the Secretary General of FIFA, Ms Fatma Samoura.

There will also be post-humous awards for late Prince Larry Eze and late Ms. Henrietta Ukaigwe for their contributions to women football development.

Premier League: Africa win over the Palace as the trio of Salah, Mane, Keita, helped Liverpool beat Crystal Palace.

It was an all African affair on the score sheet for Liverpool when they welcomed Crystal Palace to the Anfield on matchday five.

Liverpool remain unbeaten in the league this season, winning four of its five games in the league and conceded only once.

Sadio Mané hit the centurion after netting the opening goal of his side’s 3-0 home win against Crystal Palace. He got to the milestone at Anfield – in his 224th appearances for the Reds in all competitions – by converting from close range in the 43rd minute after Salah’s header from a corner was parried out by goalkeeper Vicente Guaita.

The Senegalese has scored 10 of his 100th goal against Crystal Palace, and become the first Liverpool player to score in nine successive Premier League games against a single opponent.

Egyptian forward, Mohammed Salah, doubled the lead in the 78th minute, taking his tally to four league goals this season to move joint top in the competition’s list of top scorers.

Naby Keita sealed the day becoming the third African on the score sheet for tonight. Scoring a screamer in the 89th minute with a volley from the edge of the area after the ball was punched clear by Guaita, the Guinean wrapped up the game.

Though the scoreline did not do enough justice to the game, Palace hit the post inside the opening two minutes through Wilfried Zaha, and Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker was also called upon to make saves against Conor Gallagher and substitute Odsonne Edouard shortly before Palace defense were left off guard.

Joao Félix was sent off after receiving two yellow cards in the space of ten seconds against Athletic Bilbao.

Joao Félix was sent off with the second yellow card for addressing the referee of the match against Athletic Club, Jesús Gil Manzano, “with his index finger on his temple as a sign of disagreement after being cautioned,” according to the collegiate recorded in the minutes.

The Portuguese international entered the field after 60 minutes and saw two yellows for a ‘burst’, at 79 minutes, first for hitting an opponent in the face, in a disputed move.

Then the cameras picked up quite clearly that the player said “you are crazy” to the referee up to three consecutive times. Hence, picking up his second yellow card in the same minute.

Though yet to be verified in the arbitration act, the Portuguese could be spared a more serious sanction. However, it is clear that Joao Félix will not be able to play next Tuesday against Getafe and his sanction is pending to go through the Competition Committee of the Spanish Football Federation, which will meet in the next few days for matchday 6.

Emmanuel Dennis scores the opener in Watford 3-1 away win over Norwich.

Settling in perfectly in the Premier League, Emmanuel Dennis opened the scoring for Watford in their 3-1 away win match against Norwich City.

The Nigerian international headers Watford in front in the 18th minute following a brilliant cross in from the right by Kiko Femenia, he steals in in front of the defender and beats Tim Krul to nod into the bottom left corner to give the visitors the lead.

He become only the second player to score both Watford’s first home goal and first away goal in a Premier League season, after Etienne Capoue in 2016-17.

Watford have scored only four goals this season, Emmanuel Dennis has been involved in three of them. Scoring one and assisting one against Aston Villa.

The Hornets cruise to victory at Carrow Road thanks to an Ismaila Sarr brace and a header from Emmanuel Dennis.

Zaidu Sanusi blocked from joining Premier League on deadline day.

Nigeria international and Porto left back, Zaidu Sanusi saw his dream move to one the most watched leagues blocked on deadline day.

The 24-year-old left back was reportedly on the verge of joining WestHam United during the transfer window but was blocked by Sergio Conceicao, according to his agent.

O Jogo (print edition, September 1st) claimed that Hammers boss David Moyes tried to bring the Porto ace to the London Stadium on deadline day in order to provide more competition for Aaron Cresswell.

West Ham were reported to have failed to meet Porto’s asking price for the Super Eagles defender. (Record (print edition September 6th, page 9).

However, it appears that this may not have been the case.

According owngoal, Sanusi’s agent claimed that Porto manager Conceicao changed his mind and denied his client of a move.

“We got the message the coach (Conceicao) wanted him to stay. It was unexpected as we thought he had one foot out of the club. He made it clear Zaidu is part of his plans and Wendell, the new left-back, isn’t coming in to take his spot. He explained how he believes the competition for a starting berth will improve Zaidu in the long run. Conceicao was also clear he sees Ivan Marcano as a centre-back, even though he played him more as a left-back recently. It’s a fresh start for Zaidu and he has to pick up pace again to make the spot his, like it has always been. He’s up for the challenge and hopefully he will triumph.” 

Despite Sanusi’s huge release clause, it is believed that he was available for around £17 million in the summer (Record).

With the signing of Brazilian left back Wendell, pushing him down the pecking order, Sanusi is yet to feature in the Primera Liga this season, despite playing 25 times last season.

With transfer window now closed in all leagues across Europe, Sanusi, who has £50m release clause has now been handed another opportunity to put his career at FC Porto back on track after making a return back in the squad as he started against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.

“I missed Elizabeth Addo” – Mercy Tagoe

Mercy Tagoe’s Ghana played South Africa on Friday at the ongoing Aisha Buhari Invitational Friendly, in their opening Group-B encounter and the South Africans won thanks to goals from Hildah Magaia, Thembi Kgatlana and Sibulele Holweni.

The gaffer couldn’t hide her feelings when asked if she misses the team captain, Elizabeth Addo, who missed out on the call up.

“To be honest, I missed my players not just Ama Pele but all the players we couldn’t have with us due to some reasons,” she told Molatsportgist during the post match conference.

Reports has it that, Elizabeth Addo was dropped out of the team for ‘publicly’ demanding more competitive friendlies from the Ghana FA.

In the post dated June 14, 2021, Elizabeth Addo pleaded with the FA and the Ministry of Youth and Sports to learn from their opponents and arrange high profile friendly games as part of preparations for the AWCON qualifiers.

Tagoe continued, “This is a new team of young players supported with some players who have been with us for a while, and this is the best opportunity for me to test their abilities and see what they can offer”

” I am not embarrassed with the result. This is the first match we are playing in a while and it is an avenue to observe and prepare better for the future.” She concluded.

Despite the loss, the Black Queens coach Mercy Tagoe-Quarcoo praised Banyana Banyana in a very strange manner while highlighting the difference in the two sides.

“Oh they are marvelous team. They are a team that has gone to a World Cup and back just recently, can never compare to a team that has stayed home.

“South Africa used to be our girlfriends. We used to use them anyhow we wanted. Now they have also come up.”

Ghana will next face the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon on Monday.