The head coach of the Super Eagles, Eric Chelle, has confirmed that he presented specific conditions to the Nigeria Football Federation regarding a new contract.
Chelle has been locked in negotiations with the National Sports Commission, NSC, since he led the team to a third-place finish at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in January.
However, some of the details were leaked to the media.
Reports claimed Chelle asked for €130,000 monthly alongside improved working conditions.
Chelle has now confirmed the circulated docuement is authentic and questioned how it became public.
“Today, if I’m being honest, I don’t really know. The first question I ask myself is how this document could have ended up in the media.
“That’s the question I’m asking myself,” he said in an interview with histoiresdefootpodcast.
Chelle also explained that the salary figure was in dollars, not euros.
And according to the Malian, the amount would cover the wages of his technical crew.
Italian football agent, George Gardi, has revealed the reason Ademola Lookman did not team up with Victor Osimhen at Galatasaray.
Recall that Galatasaray were keen to sign Lookman from Atalanta in the last two transfer windows.
Osimhen even revealed that he was talking to his fellow Nigerian international teammate to join him at Galatasaray.
However, Lookman ended up joining Atletico Madrid in the January transfer window.
Speaking on the development, Gardi, who played a role in many important transfers for Galatasaray, said that Lookman could have joined Osimhen at Galatasaray after his deal to join Inter Milan collapsed, but Atalanta refused to let him go.
“Especially with top-level players, sometimes transfers don’t fall through. There are endless variables,” Gardi told Tuttosport.
“Last summer, after his [Ademola Lookman’s] deal with Inter fell through, I tried for Lookman; I wanted to emulate the Osimhen operation.
“A loan with a purchase option. But his club didn’t want to let him go. I tried again in January, but this time the demands from the Bergamo club were too high.”
Thierry Henry, an Arsenal F.C. legend, spoke in pidgin English on Wednesday night while addressing Victor Osimhen, the striker for Galatasaray S.K.
This comes after Osimhen led Galatasaray to beat Juventus in the Champions League Round of 16 playoff on Wednesday night.
Osimhen was on the scoresheet as Galatasaray lost 3-2, but the Turkish Super Lig champions advanced to the Round of 16 stage on a 7-5 aggregate victory.
Recall that Galatasaray had won 5-2 in the first leg in Turkey last week.
However, speaking on CBS Sports after the game, Henry said to Osimhen in pidgin English: “Victor, how body? Body dey?
Osimhen replied: “Body dey fine.”
Osimhen will now hope to lead Galatasaray to victory when they face Alanyaspor in the Turkish Super Lig clash on Saturday.
Former Odion Ighalo, who previously played for Manchester United, has voiced his belief that Ademola Lookman will flourish under the guidance of Diego Simeone at Atlético Madrid.
Describing Simeone as an astute and tactical manager, Ighalo believes that Lookman’s transition to one of Spain’s premier clubs will significantly enhance his development as a player.
Since his recent move from Atalanta on a four-and-a-half-year contract, Lookman has made a strong impression, registering four goals and two assists in just six appearances for Atlético.
“Playing under Diego Simeone’s guidance will benefit Lookman because Simeone is a tactical and intelligent coach.
“I see this [Lookman’s move from Atalanta to Atletico] as a good step forward in his career,”Ighalo stated in an interview with Winwin.
Lookman is expected to play a key role when Atletico Madrid host Club Brugge in the return leg of their Champions League Round of 16 playoffs in mid-week.
Arsenal reasserted control of the Premier Leaguetitle race with a commanding 4-1 win over Tottenham in the north London derby, restoring their five-point lead at the top of the table.
The result came amid mounting criticism following a midweek collapse against Wolverhampton Wanderers, while Manchester City had trimmed the gap with a win over Newcastle United.
Against that backdrop, Arsenal delivered a statement performance driven by Eberechi Eze and Viktor Gyokeres.
Eze sets the tone
Eze opened the scoring in the 32nd minute, finishing from close range after sustained pressure inside the Tottenham area.
It was a decisive intervention in a fixture that carried added narrative, given his near move to Spurs before completing a £60 million switch from Crystal Palace to Arsenal in August.
Eze celebrates his goal against Tottenham – Getty image
Tottenham responded quickly through Randal Kolo Muani, who levelled two minutes later with an individual effort.
However, Arsenal regained control just after the interval when Gyokeres struck from 20 yards, restoring the visitors’ advantage with a precise right-footed finish.
Eze extended the lead in the 61st minute, reacting quickest to a loose ball in the box and sweeping past Guglielmo Vicario to make it 3-1.
Gyokeres answers critics
With Tottenham chasing the game under interim manager Igor Tudor, Arsenal maintained composure rather than retreating.
Gyokeres added a fourth in stoppage time, overpowering Archie Gray before finishing emphatically to complete his brace.
The Swedish forward’s double offered a timely response to recent criticism, while Eze’s performance marked a significant return to form.
Prior to the derby, he had started only four of Arsenal’s previous 15 league matches, despite featuring regularly.
Under the watch of England head coach Thomas Tuchel, Eze delivered when Arsenal required a little bit of clarity on their title stance.
Fulham ended a three-game losing run with a 3-1 win at the Stadium of Light, courtesy of performances from Alex Iwobi and Raúl Jimenezthat lifts them back into the top half of the Premier League standings.
The first half lacked real intensity, with both sides struggling to establish control.
However, the game pivoted in the 54th minute when Iwobi’s delivery from a corner found Jiménez, who rose highest to head Fulham into the lead.
Seven minutes later, Jiménez extended the advantage from the penalty spot after Sunderland conceded a foul inside the box.
The Mexican forward converted from the spot, putting Fulham firmly in control.
Sunderland reduced the deficit in the 76th minute through Enzo Le Fée, also from the penalty spot, briefly raising hopes into the home side.
Alex Iwobi – Getty image
Iwobi’s goal seals result
Any prospect of a comeback was extinguished in the 85th minute.
A quick transition, initiated by Harry Wilson, released Iwobi on the left side of the penalty area.
The Nigerian international finished decisively, driving a left-footed effort into the bottom corner beyond Robin Roefs to restore Fulham’s two-goal cushion.
The result represents a necessary correction for Marco Silva’s side after a dip in form. Fulham now sit 10th, stabilising their league position heading into the next phase of the campaign.
For Sunderland, the defeat marks a third successive league setback, raising questions about their ability to sustain early-season momentum.
Sevilla sealed a narrow 1-0 away win over Getafe in La Liga on Sunday, with Akor Adams providing the decisive assist in a tightly contested encounter at the Coliseum.
The result offers Sevilla a timely lift as they look to stabilise their domestic campaign after an inconsistent run of performances.
Breakthrough after stalemate
The first half produced few clear opportunities, with both teams struggling to create space in a compact midfield battle.
Getafe enjoyed spells of possession but failed to convert territorial advantage into clear chances.
The decisive moment arrived in the 64th minute. Adnan Januzaj worked the ball into the penalty area, finding Adams in a central position.
The Nigerian forward showed composure under pressure, laying the ball into the path of Djibril Sow, who finished clinically past the goalkeeper to give Sevilla the lead.
The goal shifted the contest, forcing the hosts to push forward in search of an equaliser.
Game management seals points
Getafe’s task became more difficult following the dismissal of Djene earlier in the first-half, playing large portion of the game with 10 men.
Sevilla responded by tightening their defensive structure rather than extending their advantage, prioritising control over risk.
The visitors managed the closing stages well, limiting Getafe’s opportunities and preserving the narrow lead until full-time.
La Liga leaders Real Madrid suffered a damaging 2-1 defeat away to Osasuna, conceding late to hand momentum in the title race to their rivals Barcelona.
Madrid remain top of the table, but Barcelona can move into first place with victory on Sunday.
Osasuna strike before the break
The hosts created the clearer openings in a subdued first half. Thibaut Courtois was forced into action early, pushing away a close-range header following a well-rehearsed set piece.
Ante Budimir then headed against the post with Courtois beaten, underlining Osasuna’s early threat.
The breakthrough came when Budimir reacted quickest to defensive hesitation, rounded Courtois and was brought down.
Real Madrid suffer title blow in Osasuna defeat – Getty image
After a VAR review confirmed sufficient contact, the striker converted the penalty to give the Pamplona side a deserved lead.
Madrid struggled to impose themselves after the interval but found a response just past the hour mark.
Vinicius levels, late blow follows
A driving run from Federico Valverde shifted things. The midfielder surged forward and cut the ball back for Vinicius Junior, who finished confidently from inside the area to make it 1-1.
The equaliser appeared to signal a familiar Madrid turnaround. Instead, defensive lapses resurfaced in stoppage time.
Raul Garcia cut inside, evaded challenges and fired past Courtois in the 92nd minute to seal victory for Osasuna.
The result tightens the title race and raises questions over Madrid’s defense at a critical stage of the campaign.
Burnley struck deep into stoppage time to secure a 1-1 draw against 10-man Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, compounding the hosts’ issues with discipline and game management.
Substitute Zian Flemming headed home from a James Ward-Prowse corner in the 93rd minute after Chelsea had been reduced to 10 men following Wesley Fofana’s dismissal.
Chelsea had appeared in control for much of the contest and took the lead inside four minutes when Joao Pedro converted from close range after good work by Pedro Neto.
10-man Chelsea draw Burnley – Getty image
Red card shifts tide
The hosts created further opportunities, with Cole Palmer unable to capitalise on a defensive error and Burnley goalkeeper Martin Dubravka making key interventions.
Burnley’s first-half threat was limited, though Lesley Ugochukwu fired over from a corner awarded after goalkeeper Robert Sanchez was penalised for holding the ball beyond eight seconds under updated enforcement guidelines.
The turning point arrived in the 72nd minute when Fofana received a second yellow card, leaving Chelsea to protect a narrow advantage.
Within minutes, Burnley began to apply sustained pressure, with Josh Laurent testing Sanchez from distance.
Late blow for Blues
Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior introduced defensive reinforcements, while Burnley boss Scott Parker responded with attacking changes.
The gamble paid off in stoppage time as Flemming rose unmarked to head in Ward-Prowse’s delivery. Substitute Jacob Bruun Larsen nearly completed the turnaround moments later.
Chelsea supporters reacted with boos at full-time. The draw means the Blues have now dropped 19 points from winning positions in the league this season and accumulated six red cards, the highest tally in the division.
Chelsea move up to fourth, albeit having played more games than several rivals.
Burnley remain second bottom, eight points from safety, but leave west London with a valuable point.
Former Super Eagles striker Odion Ighalo has said he would have preferred Victor Osimhen to complete a move to Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League.
Osimhen was chased by several top clubs last summer and Al Hilal sent a €70 million offer to Napoli for him.
However, the 27-year-old ended up signing for Turkish giants Galatasaray.
Speaking with Winwin, Ighalo also conceded he understands why Osimhen decided to move to Turkey.
He said: “For me, I wished he had gone to Al-Hilal, but Galatasaray is a big club, the biggest in Turkey, and they participate in the Champions League and perform well.
“Perhaps not now, but after the end of his experience with Galatasaray, he can still move to Al-Hilal later.”
