Arteta salutes injury-hit Arsenal’s survival spirit
Mikel Arteta praised Arsenal’s refusal to let their Premier League title challenge be ruined by injuries after they survived another debilitating 24 hours to beat Brighton 2-1 on Saturday. Ben White and Cristhian Mosquera were also ruled out, so Myles Lewis-Skelly came in at left-back and England midfielder Declan Rice started at right-back. Hailing Arsenal’s spirit and togetherness in adversity, Arteta said: “What I like is that we are having a lot of issues and we are dealing with it in an incredible way. That is the spirit and that is how much our players want it. We were a big threat but the margin of victory should have been much bigger,” Arteta said.
Source:The Guardian
December 28, 2025 04:03 UTC
Adeleye tips Super Eagles for victory against Tunisia in Fez
Super Eagles goalkeeper Adebayo Adeleye has backed Nigeria to maintain their winning start at the Africa Cup of Nations as they prepare to face Tunisia in a crucial group stage clash at Fez Stadium on Saturday, PUNCH Sports Extra reports. “I think we did a great job in the game,” Adeleye said. “The most important thing is to win the game, and I am very happy we won. “For me, it was okay, and I believe my time will surely come as well.”Adeleye earned his Super Eagles debut in 2023. Tunisia also started their campaign strongly with a 3–1 win over Uganda and will be targeting another statement result.
Source:Punch
December 28, 2025 03:57 UTC
Police nab suspected robber, recover stolen motorcycle in Ibadan
In a swift and daring operation, the Oyo State Police Command has apprehended a suspected robber and recovered a stolen motorcycle following a late-night attack on two residents in the Olorunda Aba area of Ibadan. During the chase, one suspect abandoned the stolen motorcycle and fled into nearby bushland. The Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Femi Haruna, commended the officers for their professionalism and swift action. He directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for detailed follow-up. The Oyo State Police Command reiterated its determination to combat armed robbery and to reinforce its commitment to protecting lives and property across the state.
Source:The Guardian
December 28, 2025 03:43 UTC
Seven dead, four injured in Yobe accident
Seven people, including two children and the driver, died when a Sharon bus lost control and veered off the 200km Gombe-Potiskum road, crashing into the bush in Yobe State. Four other passengers sustained injuries in the accident on Friday. The Police Motor Traffic Department promptly mobilised to the scene, evacuating the deceased and the injured to the State Specialist Hospital, Potiskum, for treatment and deposition. Sadly, two of the injured later succumbed to their injuries at the hospital. The Commissioner of Police, Emmanuel Ado, expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
Source:The Guardian
December 28, 2025 02:15 UTC
Peter Obi set to join ADC as party plans 2026 convention
A former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, is set to formally join the African Democratic Congress amid ongoing consultations ahead of the 2027 general elections. Speaking with Sunday PUNCH, the party source said, “We are aware that Peter Obi is making plans to declare for the ADC on December 31 in Enugu. That must have informed his decision.”But the ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said he could not confirm Obi’s planned defection. He said, “Don’t forget that by June or July, at the latest, we must have a presidential candidate. “Once a presidential candidate emerges and you see people also coming up to contest the governorship election, it will change the momentum,” he stated.
Source:Punch
December 28, 2025 01:00 UTC
Afcon 2025: Nigeria hold off Tunisia fightback to secure last-16 place
It was Nigeria’s second win in Group C and ensures they will top the standings, even with one first-round fixture still to play. Their six-point haul is three more than second-placed Tunisia, with Tanzania and Uganda on one point each. Osimhen had a series of narrow misses from as early as the eighth minute as Nigeria came out of the starting blocks swarming all over Tunisia. Tunisia won a fortunate penalty with five minutes left as the ball hit Bright Osayi-Samuel’s hand as he was trying to head clear. It is a first point for both sides in their pool after they opened their 2025 campaign with defeats by Tunisia and Nigeria respectively.
Source:The Guardian
December 28, 2025 00:37 UTC
Naoya Inoue vs. Alan Picasso: CompuBox Punch Stats
Naoya Inoue cruised to another commanding points win , this time at Alan Picasso's expense, during a dominant Riyadh Season debut with a Junto Nakatani-shaped showdown on tap for 2026 after the pair recorded contrasting victories abroad Saturday atop The Ring V card. Ring and undisputed junior featherweight champion Inoue (32-0, 27 KOs) bossed proceedings from the off, connecting on 158 more punches than Picasso (32-1-1, 17 KOs), had a 161-63 edge in jabs landed, 60 more power shots (167-107) and 30 more to the body (96-66). Inoue averaged 27 punches landed per round, while Picasso could only muster half that tally (14) per frame over 12, with 120-108, 119-109 and 117-111 the final scores after 36 minutes.
Source:Punch
December 28, 2025 00:10 UTC
Mane rescues AFCON draw for Senegal against DR Congo
Sadio Mane’s equaliser earned 2022 champions Senegal a 1-1 draw with the Democratic Republic of Congo in their heavyweight Africa Cup of Nations clash on Saturday. Both teams have four points but Senegal have a superior goal difference before their final group match against Benin on Tuesday. Sebastien Desabre’s Congolese side were seeking revenge after a dramatic defeat in the last meeting of the nations, in World Cup qualifying in September. DR Congo were therefore forced to settle for second place but can still make the World Cup if they win a one-off play-off against either New Caledonia or Jamaica in Mexico in March. It was a 10th AFCON goal for former Liverpool superstar Mane, who is appearing at his sixth tournament.
Source:The Guardian
December 27, 2025 23:44 UTC
Super Eagles beat Tunisia 3-2 to qualify for AFCON round of 16
The Super Eagles were cruising to victory when leading 3-0 through goals from Osimhen, captain Wilfred Ndidi, and Ademola Lookman. But Tunisia refused to surrender in the top-of-the-table Group C clash, and Montassar Talbi and Ali Abdi scored to set up a tense finish. Nigeria have six points, Tunisia three, and Tanzania and Uganda one each, with the final round of group matches set for Tuesday. The showdown was the seventh time the Super Eagles and the Carthage Eagles had faced each other at an AFCON. Tunisia pulled one goal back with 16 minutes remaining.
Source:Punch
December 27, 2025 23:27 UTC
FG graduates over 7,000 forest guards, begins immediate deployment
The Federal Government has graduated over 7,000 newly recruited Forest Guards drawn from seven frontline states, with immediate deployment ordered to strengthen internal security and reclaim Nigeria’s forests from criminal elements. The initiative, coordinated through the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), is aimed at denying terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and other criminal groups access to forested and hard-to-reach areas used as hideouts. Addressing participants at the ceremonies, the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, described the initiative as a major step toward restoring state authority and protecting vulnerable communities. He said, “These Forest Guards are not just uniformed personnel. The Forest Guards are indigenous to their respective local government areas, a factor the government said would enhance terrain familiarity, intelligence gathering and community trust in tackling banditry, kidnapping and illegal exploitation of forest resources.
Source:The Guardian
December 27, 2025 22:52 UTC
Lagos Blue Line increases daily trips to 54 for Wizkid concert
Lagos Blue Line train heads to Mile 2 Terminal during its commercial launch. Photo: Pius Utomi Ekpei / AFPLagos Blue Line train heads to Mile 2 Terminal during its commercial launch. In a notice shared on its official X account, LAMATA said the Blue Line will increase services from its regular 22 Sunday trips to 54 train trips for the day. LAMATA said normal weekday operations on the Blue Line, comprising 90 daily train trips from 6:30 a.m., will resume on Monday. Passengers are expected to use existing stations along the Blue Line corridor under normal operating conditions.
Source:The Guardian
December 27, 2025 22:44 UTC
Ronaldo reaches 956 career goals as Al Nassr beat Al Akhdoud 3–0
Cristiano Ronaldo continued his remarkable scoring run as he netted twice in the first half to lead Al Nassr to a comfortable 3–0 victory over Al Akhdoud, taking his career goal tally to 956. The Al Nassr captain opened the scoring with a composed finish, before adding his second before the break to put his side firmly in control. The brace underlined Ronaldo’s enduring influence and clinical edge, even at this stage of his illustrious career. Al Nassr dominated the contest throughout, limiting Al Akhdoud’s attacking threat and controlling possession across the pitch. With Ronaldo continuing to deliver decisive performances, Al Nassr’s title ambitions remain firmly on track.
Source:Punch
December 27, 2025 22:37 UTC
Cancer patient who rejected blood transfusion, AuntieEsther, dies
A social media user and cancer patient, Mensah Omolola, popularly known on X as AuntieEsther. A social media user and cancer patient, Mensah Omolola, popularly known on X as AuntieEsther, who sparked widespread debate after rejecting a blood transfusion recommended as part of her treatment has died. God bless.”However, the situation took a controversial turn when Obi-Dickson revealed that AuntieEsther’s church had warned her of possible disciplinary action, including disfellowship, if she accepted a blood transfusion. According to him, doctors offered two options: a transfusion-supported treatment that was well within the donated funds, or a more expensive and prolonged alternative that avoided blood transfusion. Meanwhile, #AUNTYMUSE_ clarified that AuntieEsther’s position against blood transfusion had been stated clearly from the beginning, even before the fundraising started.
Source:Punch
December 27, 2025 21:57 UTC
Junto Nakatani vs. Sebastian Hernandez: CompuBox Punch Stats
Nakatani (32-0, 24 KOs) found a frequent home for his uppercut early and outlanded Hernandez 142-94 over the first six rounds. However, the unbeaten Mexican standing opposite him was edging closer and making him work tirelessly to maintain such a pace, which showed in the second-half punch stats. Hernandez threw considerably more (568-409) and outlanded the Japanese star 179-155 over the final six rounds, leaving a debate over the judges' scorecards as to who prevailed. Gary Kitanoski and Mike Hayel both had it 115-113 for Nakatani, closer and deservedly so in direct contrast with Nawaf Almohaimeed's wild 118-110 score.
Source:Punch
December 27, 2025 21:50 UTC
US airstrike in Nigeria sketchy — Daniel Bwala
The Special Adviser on Public Communications and Media to Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Daniel Bwala, has described the airstrikes launched by the United States on ISIS-linked terrorists in Sokoto as sketchy. They may not have specific authorization by Congress to fight terrorist organizations that are designated as such in Nigeria,” said Bwala. The terrorist organisation’s goal is to establish a so-called Islamic caliphate governed by its extreme interpretation of Islamic law. These terrorist organisations coordinate attacks on Christian communities and churches. Trump threatened military intervention in Nigeria if the West African country failed to address the Christian genocide.
Source:The Guardian
December 27, 2025 21:48 UTC