SPORTS
Mourinho still loved by Chelsea fans despite defeat at Stamford Bridge
On Wednesday night, Jose Mourinho’s Benfica team lost 1-0 to Chelsea in the Champions League, failing to record a victory to celebrate his return to Stamford Bridge.
Throughout the game, home fans showed their support for the former Blues manager, who guided Chelsea to three Premier League titles in two stints.
Mourinho’s name was chanted loudly on several occasions despite his team’s defeat, underlining the affection still held for him at the club.
Chelsea wins by a slim margin.
Under pressure from Alejandro Garnacho, Richard Rios, a midfielder for Benfica, turned the ball into his own net in the first half, which was the game-changing moment.
After losing to Bayern Munich, it was sufficient to give Enzo Maresca’s team their first group-stage triumph.
Although wingers Pedro Neto and Garnacho helped Chelsea create more opportunities, they were unable to establish themselves against a Benfica team that appeared dangerous on the counterattack.
In the second half, Chelsea replacement Estevao came closest to increasing the advantage with a late header, but goalkeeper Robert Sanchez was forced to deny Fredrik Aursnes.
Greetings to Mourinho
Off the field, Mourinho’s homecoming was accompanied by well-known scenes. The 62-year-old was serenaded by the Shed End and the Matthew Harding Stand during the match, and he greeted former Chelsea players and staff prior to kickoff.
At one point, as Chelsea captain Enzo Fernandez was about to take a corner, he was targeted by missiles and had to step in to calm Benfica fans.
Despite the loss, Mourinho played down the outcome and lauded his team’s performance, claiming that the disparity in resources between Portuguese and English clubs was a contributing factor.
He has only won one of his eight games as a visiting manager at Stamford Bridge.
Peter Obi, a 2023 Labour Party presidential contender and former governor of Anambra, has blasted the Nigerian government and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for not paying the Super Eagles’ outstanding allowances.
Obi called the circumstance “unfortunate” and said it was a sign of the nation’s larger governance issues.
Obi highlights governance failures
In a post on his verified X account on Wednesday, Obi expressed dismay that a nation able to fund “needless lavish spending” struggles to pay athletes who represent it internationally.
“It is deeply disappointing that our Super Eagles, who consistently bring pride to Nigeria, are yet to receive their due allowances,” he wrote.
“We have resources for wasteful spending and political patronage, yet those who serve our nation with dedication are left unpaid. This is the reality of a country struggling with accountability.”
Obi went on to say that this kind of disregard gives young people in Nigeria a concerning lesson about the importance of hard work and service. “Those who represent the nation should be paid promptly and treated with dignity.” “The government needs to improve,” he stated.
Players’ boycott in Rabat
The former presidential candidate’s remarks come amid a standoff in Morocco, where Super Eagles players and staff boycotted training on Tuesday.
The protest stems from unpaid bonuses and allowances stretching over months, with players threatening to withhold participation until the federation settles its obligations.
The situation has disrupted Nigeria’s preparations ahead of Thursday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup African playoff clash against Gabon.
According to sources, the players’ frustrations reflect not only current arrears but a longstanding pattern of financial neglect.
A history of financial disputes
The dispute mirrors repeated tensions between Nigerian footballers and administrator. Generations of players, from the 1994 AFCON champions to the 2018 World Cup squad, have faced delayed payments and broken agreements.
Former national captain Sunday Oliseh previously alleged that the NFF withheld players’ FIFA World Cup qualification bonuses in 2002.
“We had agreed to split $1 million from FIFA, but key players were removed to avoid paying what was owed,” Oliseh said.
Team captain William Troost-Ekong, however, urged calm and accuracy in reporting. “Once a resolution is found, we will confirm it. Any other statements are false. Our focus remains on the games ahead,” he said.
Efforts to resolve the crisis
As of Wednesday morning, NFF president Ibrahim Gusau was scheduled to meet with the players in Rabat. The meeting follows consultations with the National Sports Commission (NSC), which said it had released funds to cover outstanding obligations for the World Cup playoff.
In a tense Premier League match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Matthijs de Ligt scored long into stoppage time to give Manchester United a point.
After late goals from Mathys Tel and Richarlison reversed Bryan Mbeumo’s header in the first half, it appeared that the Red Devils would lose to Spurs once more under Ruben Amorim.
However, De Ligt’s header from a Bruno Fernandes corner in the 96th minute made sure United extended their winning streak to five games.
Drab first half sees Mbeumo break the deadlock
The match began with chaos as United goalkeeper Senne Lammens miscontrolled a backpass, conceding a corner within the opening minute.
That early scare set the tone for a sluggish first half dominated by misplaced passes and wasted chances.
His decision to bench Destiny Udogie and Wilson Odobert in favour of Djed Spence and Richarlison raised eyebrows, and it showed.
United capitalised on Spurs’ hesitancy in the 32nd minute. Pape Sarr failed to clear his lines, allowing Amad Diallo to recycle possession and find Bryan Mbeumo, who headed home to give United the lead.
Spurs fans responded with boos at halftime as their side registered just 0.07 expected goals in the opening 45 minutes.
Frank’s substitutions shift things
Spurs returned from the break with renewed intensity after Frank introduced Odobert for Randal Kolo Muani. The change paid immediate dividends as the home side pressed relentlessly.
Cristian Romero tested Lammens with a flicked header, while Joao Palhinha drew another fine save from the Belgian keeper. Brennan Johnson thought he had equalised soon after, but his strike was ruled offside following Richarlison’s mistimed pass.
United retreated deeper as Spurs pressed higher, and their resistance finally broke when substitute Mathys Tel controlled Udogie’s cross and fired home to make it 1–1.
Moments later, the stadium erupted when Richarlison flicked in Odobert’s effort to give Spurs a 2–1 lead in the 90th minute, seemingly sealing the win.
De Ligt rescues United at the death
Just when defeat appeared certain, United’s persistence paid off. In the sixth minute of stoppage time, Bruno Fernandes delivered a pinpoint corner, and De Ligt rose highest to head home and silence the home crowd.
The dramatic draw extends United’s unbeaten streak to five matches, while Spurs will rue their missed opportunity to claim a statement victory against their old rivals.
Erling Haaland returned to scoring form with a decisive brace as Manchester City defeated Bournemouth 3-1 to reclaim second place in the Premier League and close the gap on leaders Arsenal to six points.
Pep Guardiola’s men were looking to bounce back after last weekend’s 2-0 loss to Aston Villa, a match that saw Haaland fail to score for only the second time this season.
The Norwegian responded emphatically, proving once again why he remains City’s most lethal weapon.
Early scare, swift response
Bournemouth thought they had the perfect start when teenager Eli Junior Kroupi found the net after just 44 seconds, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.
City capitalised soon after, as Rayan Cherki’s clever header released Haaland, who calmly slotted past Djordje Petrovic in the 17th minute to make it 1-0.
The hosts’ lead was short-lived, though, as Tyler Adams pounced on a poor punch from Gianluigi Donnarumma to smash home an equaliser, his first goal in English football.
Haaland restores control
City’s dominance soon resurfaced. Cherki again combined brilliantly with Haaland, who rounded the goalkeeper and finished with composure for his 13th league goal of the campaign and 26th across all competitions.
The striker came close to a hat-trick before the break but was denied by Petrovic’s sharp save.
O’Reilly seals the win
After Kroupi forced Donnarumma into another stop, City struck the killer blow on the hour mark. Midfielder Nico O’Reilly surged forward and buried a low shot into the corner to seal an assured victory for Guardiola’s side.
The win puts Manchester City back on track after their stumble at Villa Park, while Bournemouth’s run hits a temporary setback despite another spirited performance.