Sports
Roma keeps rolling with a 4-1 win over Monza
As is often the case this time of year, Roma’s attention is diverted between the opponent on the pitch and those on the table. Fortunately, most of the Giallorossi’s table-watching will occur tomorrow when Bologna and Atalanta square off at high noon Eastern time in a fixture that has enormous implications for Roma’s Champions League pursuit. But if the cards fall right, Roma can leapfrog Atalanta into fifth place.
Meanwhile, AC Milan did Roma a huge favor by dispatching an eight-man Lazio side yesterday, so the early portends were kind to Daniele De Rossi’s side. However, before he could fret about Sunday’s results, DDR had to get through today’s fixture, an away tilt against a surprisingly plucky Monza side, who, thanks to back-to-back wins, has climbed into 11th place after 26 rounds of play.
To combat their upstart hosts, De Rossi left nothing to chance, rolling out his heavy hitters for today’s critical match, starting Paulo Dybala, Romelu Lukaku, and Stephan El Shaarawy at the tip of a 4-3-3, with Leandro Paredes, Lorenzo Pellegrini and Bryan Cristante in midfield, and Angeliño, Rasmus Kristensen, Gianluca Mancini and Evan Ndicka in defense.
Despite the good tidings, the match got off to an inauspicious start for Roma, as Ndicka took a boot to the face in the 1st minute from Ivan Djuric. After shoving a wad of gauze up his nose, the newly crowned AFCON champion was good to go.
Roma’s first look at goal saw Bryan Cristante fire a glancing header toward the far right post, narrowly missing an early goal but nevertheless putting Monza keeper Michele DiGregorio under early pressure. The Giallorossi’s second attempt saw Lukaku and Pellegrini work a give-and-go at the edge of the box, with Pellegrini lashing onto Lukaku’s return pass, but DiGregorio read it well, making a stretched save.
The first lucky break of the evening fell in Roma’s favor in the 16th minute when Juric’s snapped shot in the area struck the right upright, sparing the capital club an early setback. With the pitch quickly tilted in the other direction, Roma appeared to seize the lead when Cristante tapped home a square ball from Dybala, only to see his goal disallowed by VAR for an offside call. Dybala was a hair’s breadth past the last defender when Angeliño played the initial ball in a three-touch sequence that led to Cristante’s would-be goal.
After struggling to break through the Monza backline for the ensuing 10 minutes, Pellegrini continued his impressive form under De Rossi when he scored a lovely left-footed goal shortly before halftime.
Lorenzo Pellegrini: 38th Minute (Monza 0, Roma 1)
First, top marks to Lukaku for somehow getting a leg to the initial entry pass and keeping it alive for Pellegrini, but after that, this was all capitano. After displaying some impressive close control amongst a thicket of players, Pellegrini did well to evade the first defender before dropping a lovely left-footer in the far post to put the Giallorossi up.
But they weren’t done yet…
VAR may have thwarted Dybala’s initial assist, but the replay gods had no say here, as La Joya played a simple square ball into the box for Lukaku, who converted with ease, notching his 10th league goal of the season. Excellent job by Dybala to carve out space here, but the real genius was the pass, which caught Lukaku perfectly in stride for a gimme goal.
Thanks to a spate of early injuries, the first half wrapped up with six added minutes, and while Roma came close to stealing a third goal, De Rossi’s men entered the dressing room with a well-earned two-goal lead.
Second Half
In a perfect world, Roma would have begun the second half baying at the moon while they sought a third goal, but Monza took the early initiative, pulling Mile Svilar off his line multiple times in the first five minutes. While they didn’t come close to scoring, it was enough to remind Roma that this match was far from over.
With the clock just shy of the hour mark, De Rossi made a pair of changes, bringing Edoardo Bove and Chris Smalling into the mix in favor of Pellegrini and Angeliño, respectively, giving Roma an ultra-defensive look for the final 30 minutes. While it wasn’t the most exciting turn of events, given how much sharper Monza looked at the outset of the second half, it was the right call by De Rossi.
However, as he’s often done the past two seasons, Dybala put Roma over the top, arching another beautiful free-kick into the back of the net.
Leandro Paredes offered a nice bluff while Monza was arranging their wall, but there was never any doubt that this was Dybala’s attempt. And with a simple swing of his left leg, Dybala put this match to bed, scoring his fourth goal this week and seventh in his last five league matches.
Despite being down three goals, Monza continued to come at the Giallorossi, peppering the Roma backline with six shots in the first 25 minutes of the half, stretching the backline at the edges and nearly catching Svilar out of position a few times.
Liverpool claimed a well deserved 1-0 win over Real Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday morning AEDT as the biggest storyline heading into the match did not materialise until the 81st minute.
All eyes were on Trent Alexander-Arnold’s return to Anfield following his free transfer to Madrid in the off-season, with his mural defaced ahead of the match, but the right-back only appeared off the bench to boos from the stands.
Arne Slot’s side looked back to their fluid best and would have won by far more had Thibaut Courtois not pulled off a string of remarkable saves.
Ultimately, the Madrid goalkeeper was eventually beaten just after the hour mark with the Belgian powerless to keep out Alexis Mac Allister’s bullet header after a pinpoint free-kick delivery from Dominik Szoboszlai, who again was immense in midfield for the Reds, after a careless foul from Jude Bellingham on Ryan Gravenberch.
Prior to that, Courtois made a remarkable six big saves to deny Liverpool. Three times he kept out Szoboszlai from outside the box, once he denied Mac Allister and then both Hugo Ekitike and Virgil van Dijk with close range headers from corners.
The Reds thought they may have had a penalty on the cusp of half-time when Eder Militao blocked a strike with his arms, but after a VAR check he was ruled to have been in a natural position.
It is uncertain whether Nigerian striker Victor Boniface has moved on from his failed attempt to join the Saudi Arabian league last season, where he could have become one of the highest-earning African players in the world.
Since recovering from his injury, things have not gone well for the Super Eagles striker.
He missed the opportunity to play for Italian giants AC Milan after failing a medical exam following a proposed move from Bayer Leverkusen.
Werder Bremen head coach Horst Steffen expressed clear frustration after Victor Boniface failed to deliver in their 1-1 Bundesliga draw against Mainz.
Following a promising full debut against Union Berlin, expectations were high for the 24-year-old, Nigerian striker, but his performance fell flat at the Weserstadion.
Boniface, who started up front for Bremen, registered no shots on target, no assists, and completed just over half of his passes.
The Super Eagles striker’s display was rated a disappointing 5, describing him as largely anonymous throughout the match.
The 24-year-old forward’s struggles made public Werder Bremen’s difficulties in breaking down Mainz’s compact defensive structure.
According to German outlet BILD, Steffen was honest in his post-match comments, saying:
“He tried to hold onto the ball up front. Today I thought to myself: come on, he can do even better.”
The coach’s remarks underlined growing concerns about Boniface’s adaptation and form since joining on loan from Bayer Leverkusen.
Boniface’s fitness and form under review Boniface’s recent form in the Bundesliga has been far from ideal.
The Nigerian forward has made seven league appearances for Werder Bremen, and has registered 255 minutes of play without a goal, as seen on Transfermarkt.
While Boniface has one assist to his name this season, the lack of end product and visible sharpness has drawn increasing scrutiny from the coaching staff.
Reports suggest that Boniface is still regaining full fitness after a series of injury setbacks and is carrying a bit of extra weight, limiting his pace.
Steffen previously criticised the striker’s tactical discipline after a 3-0 defeat to Freiburg, saying:
“He was too ‘everywhere’ for me. He should definitely be more centrally located. It wasn’t how I wanted it.”
Despite these struggles, the Werder boss has maintained that Boniface is still in transition and needs time to rediscover his top form.
Sports
(Video): Osimhen Buried Ayodele’s Prophecy; What Nigerian Prophet Said About Galatasaray Striker
Galatasaray’s in-form striker, Victor Osimhen, is making headlines as he emerges as one of the most prolific scorers in the world, showcasing his impressive talents while wearing the colors of the Turkish champions.
This remarkable performance comes in stark contrast to the predictions made by the well-known Nigerian prophet, Primate Ayodele.
Primate Ayodele has garnered a reputation for his predictions spanning both the political arena and the world of sports. His forecasts often spark interest and debate among fans and analysts alike. Notably, he gained attention last season when he made bold predictions regarding Liverpool’s match, which ultimately did not come to fruition.
As Osimhen continues to shine on the pitch, the clash between his rising prominence and Ayodele’s predictions presents a compelling narrative for football enthusiasts.
The leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, issued a prophecy against the Super Eagles striker to have a rethink on his move to Galatasaray Football Club in the Turkish Süper Lig from Napoli.
Victor Osimhen, who worked hard to secure his permanent move to Galatasaray, has faced criticism from Primate Ayodele in a viral video that circulated on several social media platforms since Monday. The seer declared that the striker made the worst mistake of his life by joining Galatasaray, claiming that this decision would only bring him misery.
The prophet who had also warned Osimhen against joining Chelsea in the English Premier League last year stated that his move to the Turkish club would lead to his downfall.
Addressing the player directly, Primate Ayodele said:
“Osimhen, that four years deal is failed. That four years deal, you will not enjoy it. Osimhen, Who gave you that advice? You better have a rethink, Osimhen. Your ruin and wretchedness is about to befall you. I am telling you!”
But Osimhen’s recent dazzling performances in the colours of Galatasaray have cast doubt on the authenticity of the trending prophecy.
At a roaring RamsPark in Istanbul, the Nigerian striker reaffirmed his status as one of Europe’s most lethal forwards, scoring twice to inspire Galatasaray to a commanding 3–1 victory over Bodø/Glimt in the UEFA Champions League.
The result not only gave the Turkish giants back-to-back European wins, their first such streak in nearly a decade, but also etched Osimhen’s name in club history books, as he became the sole holder of the record for goals in the most consecutive European games for Galatasaray.
Osimhe’s superlative display has set the world ablaze again, with Barcelona reportedly interested in the Galatasaray striker, according to Mundo Deportivo. Any possible move for the 26-year-old depends on the Blaugrana’s financial situation and sporting director Deco has cooled expectations in that regard, with Gala having spent €75 million to sign the Nigeria international in the summer.
In response to the recent developments surrounding Osimhen, following a grim prediction by a Nigerian prophet, one of his closest friends (name withheld) stated that the lanky striker is concentrating on football rather than an already dismissed prophecy.
“Victor is focused and ready to do something greater for Gala, as you can see so far. As for me, the guy has already buried any doom prediction, and very soon everyone will see if the prophecy is true or false. Victor is made by football and his fans, not by a prophet on social media.”
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is increasingly mired in turmoil, with crises escalating daily.
Recent reports from a credible source have unveiled a shocking development: two influential governors from northern states, who currently serve within the PDP, are poised to defect ahead of the pivotal 2027 election.
The party’s predicament is further reflected in the exodus of members, as disheartened individuals abandon ship for the All Progressives Congress, African Democratic Congress, and Labour Party. This mass departure stems from deep-seated, unresolvable issues that have left the opposition party floundering and its leadership in disarray.
As if the situation could not become any more dire, a federal high court in Abuja has delivered a substantial blow by halting the PDP’s much-anticipated national convention, originally scheduled for November 15 and 16 in the vibrant city of Ibadan, Oyo State. This legal setback has only deepened the party’s woes, casting a shadow over its future.
In a judgment delivered on Friday, James Omotosho, presiding judge, held that by failing to conduct valid state congresses before moving to hold a national congress, the party breached provisions of the 1999 constitution, guidelines of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as well as its own constitution.
A source, who requested anonymity, disclosed that two Northern governors have decided to defect shortly after the Bayelsa state governors were reportedly set to join the APC on Monday.
Douye Diri, governor of Bayelsa, will officially join the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday, TheCable understands.
Sources informed TheCable that President Bola Tinubu, APC governors, and members of the party’s national working committee (NWC) will receive Diri into the ruling party.
Sources familiar with the backroom manoeuvring said Diri, who resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on October 15, has been engaged in discreet negotiations with APC figures to finalise his defection plan.
A party source said the delay in Diri’s formal defection was to ensure the “seamless integration of the PDP bloc into the APC’s Bayelsa structure” and to “prevent internal friction” ahead of the 2027 elections.
The defection is one of the most significant political realignments in the south-south since 2023, signalling APC’s renewed push to expand its base in the oil-rich zone hitherto dominated by the PDP.
In recent months, the PDP has been hit by a wave of high-profile defections, including several lawmakers in the national assembly, weakening its influence.
The exodus has not been limited to the national assembly. This year alone, the PDP has lost at least four sitting governors — Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom), Peter Mbah (Enugu) and Diri (Bayelsa).
The gale of departures has cut the party’s governorship count to eight, amid growing speculation that Agbu Kefas, governor of Taraba, will be the next to cross over to the APC.
Recent insights from reliable sources suggest that Liverpool’s ongoing struggle with poor performance is linked to a significant disagreement between star forward Mo Salah and the club’s head coach, Arne Slot.
This discord appears to have impacted team dynamics and cohesion, contributing to the team’s inability to secure favorable results on the pitch.
The Reds’ struggles continued as they were beaten 3-0 by Crystal Palace at Anfield. Before that, they had lost four straight Premier League games, falling to seventh place on the table seven points behind league leaders Arsenal.
Slot made ten changes to the starting lineup that lost to Brentford in their previous league match, but the result didn’t improve.
According to the source, there appears to be tension between the coach and Mohamed Salah regarding selection decisions. Both parties seem to be struggling to find a common ground in their approach.
Mohamed Salah has already given an insight into Arne Slot’s likely reaction to Liverpool’s poor run of form. The Reds have lost six of their last seven games in all competitions after being knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Crystal Palace on Wednesday.
A much-changed Liverpool side exited the competition with a whimper courtesy of an Ismaila Sarr brace and a late goal from Yeremy Pino. However, it was merely a continuation of the slump that has seen Slot’s side lose their last four Premier League matches.
The reigning champions have now fallen to seventh in the table and face a tricky test against Aston Villa at Anfield on Saturday, with games against Real Madrid and Manchester City following next week. There will be plenty of eyes on how Liverpool fare this weekend as Slot looks to overcome the first major issue of his tenure.
Last season, the new Liverpool boss only added Federico Chiesa to his squad as the Reds dominated the Premier League. Liverpool’s subsequent big-money signings have led to problems with the team rediscovering the same balance.
Salah previously explained how Slot reacted to setbacks following a 3-1 home win over Southampton in March. Liverpool had fallen behind just before the break, much to the manager’s frustration, before Darwin Nunez’s equaliser and two penalties from Salah secured three points. Slot will likely have a similar reaction to his side’s recent run of defeats.
Salah admitted that the Liverpool boss had been angry with his players after struggling to create chances against Southampton and conceding moments before the interval. “It was a bit of frustration. His head was going for us,” Salah admitted.
“We were sloppy and slow in the first half. I don’t think we played good today. If you want to win the Champions League or Premier League you have to win these games like that.”
In his post-match press conference, Slot shared that he had called out his players in the dressing room. “I don’t think I was wrong this time if I said at half-time that energy levels were far, far, far too low, and that is what I had to change and that’s why we made three substitutions,” he said.
The Super Falcons of Nigeria on Tuesday qualified for the Women African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON) coming up in Morocco next year, as reported by newsdiaryonline.
The Super Falcons played 1:1 draw with their Benin Republic counterpart in the second leg of the qualifier at the MKO Abiola Sports Complex, Abeokuta
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Nigerian defender Ashleigh Plumptre scored in the 11th minute, heading the ball home from a corner kick.
The goal compounded the woes for the Amazon, who had previously lost the first leg 2 goals to nil in Lome.
During the second half, the Beninoise came out more impressive and were rewarded in the 61st minutes through a direct free kick from Yasminath Djibril , beating Nigeria’s goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the duo of Deborah Abiodun and Esther Okoronkwo sustained injuries and were substituted during the match.
Speaking at the post match press conference, Super Falcon’s Coach , Justine Madugu, said that though the team played below expectations, he was, however, happy for the qualification.
“In terms of results, sometimes there can be off days, there can be bad days and we want to consider today’s match from this perspective.
“The performance is not what we need but we expected it.
“It didn’t come so much as a surprise because even, at the press conference yesterday, we knew it was going to be a tough game,” he said.
The 10th time African champion will be hoping to make it 11th time at the 2026 tournament in Morocco.
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