Football News

 Chelsea 1 - 1 Arsenal: Che holds on for draw despite Moises Caisedo's first-half red card in stormy London derby. Report and free match highlights as Chelsea and Arsenal play out a fiery 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge; Moises Caicedo was sent off in the first half for Chelsea but Trevoh Chalobah put the 10 men in front; Mikel Merino equalised for Arsenal Chelsea held on for a 1-1 draw against Premier League leaders Arsenal despite Moises Caicedo's first-half red card in a fiery London derby at Stamford Bridge Caicedo had a yellow card upgraded to a red following a VAR check for a studs-up challenge on Mikel Merino as he became the fourth Chelsea player to be sent off this season. Despite being reduced to 10 men, Enzo Maresca's side went in front straight after half-time when Trevoh Chalobah flicked a Reece James corner beyond David Raya with a near-post header. Arsenal found a leveller when Bukayo Saka twisted and turned on the right-hand side of the Chelsea box and dug ou...

Chelsea VS Arsenal: Enzo Maresca must come up with answers to key questions to pass toughest test. Chelsea can close Arsenal's lead at the top of the table when they meet at Stamford Bridge - but Blues boss Enzo Maresca has key calls to make for derby showdown; Watch Chelsea vs Arsenal live on Sky Sports Premier League from 4pm on Sunday; kick-off 4.30pm Chelsea host Arsenal on Sunday, as the Gunners' nearest challengers in the early Premier League standings. This will be the Blues' toughest examination yet - and there are intriguing questions for head coach Enzo Maresca to answer… How do you break down the Premier League's best defence? Chelsea have scored 41 goals in 19 games this term - only Arsenal can better that total across all competitions among Premier League teams. Yet, how Maresca sets up his attack this weekend and who he selects to start feels like a crucial call, given the Gunners' extraordinary defensive quality. Cole Palmer shoul...

Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest LIVE Premier League football returns to Merseyside today as reigning champions Liverpool host Nottingham Forest in an important fixture at both ends of the table. The Reds have endured a difficult start to the defence of their crown and go into this game trailing leaders Arsenal by eight points following defeat to Manchester City before the international break. Arne Slot has made it clear his side simply must start winning games in order to start climbing the table, though while Alisson Becker is back in contention after missing the last seven games, the Dutchman has been handed a double injury blow with Florian Wirtz and Conor Bradley ruled out which means at least two changes to the team that started that loss at the Etihad Stadium. Etihad Stadium. Forest, meanwhile, won the corresponding fixture last season, are unbeaten in three games across all competitions under new boss Sean Dyche, and can move out of the bottom three if results go t...

 CAF Award 2025: Full List of winners Moroccan international Achraf Hakimi has won the CAF 2025 African Footballer of the Year award, following an outstanding season with both club and country. The 27-year-old beat Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah and Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen to the prestigious honour, cementing his status as one of Africa’s top football talents. In other award categories, Nigeria and Brighton goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie won the CAF Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year for the third consecutive time while Ghizlaine Chebbak of Morocco clinched the CAF Women’s Player of the Year. Full List of CAF Award Winners Men’s Categories African Player of the Year: Achraf Hakimi (Morocco / Paris Saint-Germain) – Winner 2nd: Mohamed Salah (Egypt / Liverpool) 3rd: Victor Osimhen (Nigeria / Galatasaray) Goalkeeper of the Year: Yassine Bounou (Morocco / Al Hilal) – Winner Munir Mohamedi (Morocco / RS Berkane), Ronwen Williams (South Africa / Mamelodi Sundowns) Interclub Player of t...

CAF Awards 2025: How Africa’s top men’s players, coaches and teams made the shortlist CAF PLAYER OF THE YEAR Mohamed Salah (Egypt / Liverpool) Salah helped guide Liverpool to the Premier League title in the 2024/25 season and was unstoppable with 29 goals and 18 assists in 38 starts in the competition for a total of 47 goal contributions. He also helped Egypt to FIFA World Cup 2026 qualification. Achraf Hakimi (Morocco / Paris Saint-Germain) Right-back Hakimi was outstanding as Paris St Germain lifted the UEFA Champions League title and also won the French Ligue 1, Coupe de France and UEFA Super Cup, along with reaching the final of the FIFA Club World Cup. He also helped Morocco to FIFA World Cup 2026 qualification. Victor Osimhen (Nigeria / Galatasaray) Striker Osimhen continues to be a prolific goalscorer for Galatasaray and managed 37 in 41 appearances in the 2024/25 season. He has kept up that form into the new campaign. CAF GOALKEEPER OF THE YEAR Munir Mohamedi (Morocco / RS Ber...

  NFF Issues Heartfelt Apology To Nigerians NFF President, Ibrahim Musa Gusau The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), has issued an apology to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR), the Federal Government and to millions of Nigerians, following the Super Eagles failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. In a statement obtained from NFF’s X handle,  the body said Sunday’s loss to DR Congo in the Africa Play-off Final in Rabat remains a moment of profound sadness for Nigerian football. “The NFF, the technical crew and the players understand the gravity of this moment. We understand the expectations Nigerians rightly hold,” NFF said. “Throughout the long journey of this qualification campaign, we were privileged to receive enormous support from the Federal Government.” “Through the National Sports Commission, the National Assembly, key Ministries, Departments and Agencies, our diplomatic missions, the media and, above all, the passionate fans whose devotion remains unmatched any...

Could Benzema return to Europe - and Real Madrid? "Karim Benzema is keeping his options open! The 37-year-old striker has ruled out hanging up his boots at the end of the season, instead hinting at a possible return to Europe - with Real Madrid a tantalizing prospect.  Currently plying his trade at Al Ittihad in Saudi Arabia, Benzema's contract is up for renewal in June, and he's admitted to receiving enticing offers from European clubs. With a soft spot for Real Madrid's president Florentino Perez, a Bernabeu return isn't entirely out of the question.  "For the moment, I'm very happy here; they show me a lot of affection," Benzema said in a recent interview, leaving the door open for a dramatic comeback." "My contract here is nearing its end, that’s true. I still can’t say whether I’ll stay or leave; it depends on many things. I’ll be 38 in December. “I see myself playing football for another two years. Physically, I’m fine, I work hard, an...

How Nigeria's 2026 World Cup hopes were ended by DR Congo on penalties amid ‘voodoo’ allegations N igeria were eliminated from World Cup qualifying in dramatic circumstances  Nigeria World Cup hopes ended. Nigeria will not play the 2026 World Cup after they loses to DR Congo 4-3 on penalties in a qualifying play-off. Nigeria: 3 (Scored: Onyemaechi, Adams, Ejuke; Missed/saved: Simon, Ajayi. Bassey,  DR Congo: 4 (Scored: Mayele, Sadiki, Mbemba, Balikwisha; Saved: Moutoussamy, Tuanzebe. Nigeria's Frank Onyeka scored early (3’) before Meschak Elia equalised (32’) as the match finished 1-1 over 120 minutes. DR Congo held their nerve in the shootout in Rabat, Morocco and progress to the inter-confederation play-offs in March 2026. After the match, Nigeria manager Eric Chelle confronted several DR Congo staff members and had to be separated. Chelle then alleged DR Congo players had used ‘voodoo’ during the penalties, something a DR Congo representative later denied. Nigeria manager E...