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Arsenal squandered Champions League spot after loss to Newcastle United

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Ben White score own gaol
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Arsenal’s Champions League hopes suffered a major blow as Newcastle powered their way to a deserved win at a raucous St James’ Park.

Newcastle’s Bruno Guimaraes condemned the Gunners to a costly 2-0 defeat with an 85th-minute strike after Ben White’s own goal had put the Magpies ahead in front of a crowd of 52,274.

As a result, Arsenal will go into Sunday’s final round of fixtures two points behind their North London rival Tottenham, who are fourth on the table and with their fate out of their own hands.

Victory was no more than Eddie Howe’s side deserved as they bounced back from successive defeats to Liverpool and Manchester City to take their tally to 46 points, the most they have collected since returning to the Premier League in 2017.

Arsenal, were first to threaten when Granit Xhaka fed Eddie Nketiah, who cut inside from the left, but saw his right-foot shot blocked.

Callum Wilson’s pace made life difficult for Arsenal and White had to block a Sean Longstaff cross and a Joelinton shot within seconds as the home side pushed for the opener.

Bukayo Saka threatened on 21 minutes and the England international’s second strike forced keeper Martin Dubravka into another save before Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsdale produced a solid 37th-minute stop from Allan Saint-Maximin.

Martin Odegaard then flashed the ball across the Magpies’ penalty area, but the Gunners fell behind on 55 minutes.

Saint-Maximin played Joelinton into space down the left and he crossed to the near post, where White could only guide the ball into his own net.

Newcastle Utd celebrate White’s own gaol

As the visitors chased an equaliser, Wilson sent a 63rd-minute snapshot just over, Ramsdale palmed away Jacob Murphy’s shot and was relieved to see Wilson’s late lob from 40 yards drop just wide.

The keeper dived bravely at Wilson’s feet with five minutes remaining, but the rebound fell perfectly for Guimaraes, who wasted no time to seal the points.

Mikel Arteta was fumed after witnessing his team throwing away a whole season’s hard work in a woeful 2-0 defeat at St. James’ Park.

Mikel Arteta

With his team’s Champions League dram almost over, Arteta could not hide his exasperation anymore.

“Normally, I will always defend my players. Not tonight, it is too difficult. We didn’t compete. We never got into the game. We lost every duel. They were comfortably better than us.

“I am incredibly disappointed. It’s a very painful one. It was in our hands, it’s not in our hands now. We have to put our head down and swallow all the poison that we feel,” He told a press conference

Arteta’s anger was echoed by Granit Xhaka, who pulled no punches during an explosive post-game interview. The Arsenal midfielder declared the Gunners didn’t deserve a spot in Europe’s showpiece event next season.

Granit Xhaka 

“From the first minute to the 90th we didn’t deserve to be on the pitch today,” he told Sky Sports. “What happened was a disaster performance and like this you don’t deserve to play Champions League, you don’t even deserve to play Europa League. It’s very hard to take at the moment. I don’t know why we’re not doing what the coaches ask for.”

“If someone isn’t ready for this game, stay at home. It doesn’t matter the age. If you’re not ready or you’re nervous, stay on the bench, stay at home, don’t come here. We knew this game was maybe the most important for us but, with a performance like this, it’s not acceptable.”

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MOB UNITY CUP FINAL SET FOR JUNE 8 AT OLUYEMI KAYODE STADIUM

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The grand finale of the highly celebrated MOB Unity Cup has been scheduled to take place on Monday, June 8, 2026, at the newly renovated Oluyemi Kayode Stadium in Ado-Ekiti.

The decision was reached during a meeting of the tournament’s Organising Committee held in Ado-Ekiti on Wednesday, June 3, 2026.

According to a press statement issued by the Chairman of the Media and Publicity Committee, Mr. Toyin Ayoola, football fans are in for an exciting double-header as the competition reaches its climax in both the male and female categories.

In the women’s final, Golden Queens of Ado-Ekiti will battle Oba Ademola Ajakaye Memorial Queens of Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government for the coveted title. The match is scheduled to kick off at 2:00 p.m.

The men’s final will see NYSC Football Team of Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government, popularly known as the Samba Boys, face Delight Football Club of Ado-Ekiti in what promises to be a thrilling encounter. The match, alongside other closing ceremonies, will commence at 4:00 p.m.

Speaking during the committee meeting, the Acting Chairman of the Organising Committee, Hon. Gbenga Banji, explained that the adjustment in the original date and venue arrangements was necessitated by the extensive renovation and upgrading works currently being carried out at the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium.

It will be recalled that Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji initiated the comprehensive renovation of the stadium over a year ago with the aim of transforming the facility into one of the finest sporting arenas in Nigeria.

The MOB Unity Cup final will be among the first major sporting events to be staged at the stadium since the commencement of the renovation project.

Sponsored by the Senate Leader, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, the championship was established to promote grassroots sports development across Ekiti State while complementing the efforts of the state government in youth empowerment and talent discovery.

Over the years, the competition has produced several promising football talents who have gone on to feature prominently in domestic leagues and international football competitions.

The stakes are high for this year’s finalists, with the champions in both categories set to receive a cash prize of ₦1 million and the tournament trophy. The runners-up will take home ₦750,000, while the third-place teams will be rewarded with ₦500,000 each.

As anticipation builds ahead of the final, football enthusiasts across Ekiti State are expected to troop to the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium to witness the crowning of new champions in one of the state’s most prestigious grassroots football competitions.

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Team Nigeria Shines With 9 Gold Medals at African Cycling Championship

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Nigeria's Cyclists
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Team Nigeria delivered an outstanding performance at the 2026 Confederation of African Cycling Para-Track and Track African Championships, winning a total of 16 medals in Abuja.

The championship, held at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium Velodrome, featured cyclists from across Africa, including Egypt, Kenya, South Africa, Algeria and host nation Nigeria.

Nigeria finished top of the medals table with nine gold, five silver and two bronze medals after two days of competition.

Egypt came second with 14 medals, while Kenya finished third with nine medals. South Africa and Algeria completed the top five standings.

The Nigerian cyclists impressed home fans with strong performances in speed, endurance and technical events throughout the championship.

Organisers also received praise for the quality of facilities at the Abuja velodrome, which successfully hosted the continental competition.

More than 100 cyclists from eight African countries participated in the championship, competing for medals and continental ranking points.

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Tinubu Approves Nigeria’s Bid to Host 2026 CAF Awards

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved Nigeria’s bid to host the 2026 edition of the prestigious CAF Awards ceremony, in a move aimed at strengthening the country’s position in African football administration and international sporting events.

The approval was confirmed in a statement issued by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), which also disclosed that the President endorsed Nigeria’s proposal to host the 48th CAF Ordinary General Assembly scheduled to hold later this year.

President Tinubu announced the approvals during the ongoing Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi, Kenya, after a high-level meeting with Patrice Motsepe, President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

Other prominent personalities present at the meeting included Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, acting CAF General Secretary Samson Adamu, NFF President Ibrahim Gusau, and former NFF President Amaju Pinnick.

The CAF Ordinary General Assembly, expected to hold in October, is one of the continent’s most important football gatherings. The event traditionally brings together presidents of CAF’s 54 member associations, officials from the six zonal unions, and top football administrators from across Africa to deliberate on key issues affecting the game on the continent.

Similarly, the CAF Awards remains one of Africa’s biggest football events, celebrating outstanding footballers, coaches, clubs, officials, and other stakeholders who have distinguished themselves during the year.

Nigeria previously hosted the CAF Awards ceremony on January 6, 2017, when Algerian star Riyad Mahrez won the Men’s African Player of the Year award, while Nigerian forward Asisat Oshoala clinched the Women’s Player of the Year prize.

CAF is expected to announce the final host city for both the General Assembly and the 2026 CAF Awards ceremony in the coming months.

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