Matchday 11 of the Nigeria Women Football League Premiership delivered thrilling action across centres, with late goals, important away victories, and tightly contested fixtures shaping the latest round of matches.

In Aba, Ahudiyannem Queens secured a commanding 3–0 win over Osun Babes, thanks to a brace from Grace Aaron and a goal from Nwabueze Charles. The victory boosted their position as they continue their push in the league.

At Makwada, Adamawa Queens edged Ekiti Queens 2–1 in a closely fought encounter. Ifeoma Damien opened the scoring before Favour Godwin doubled the lead. Winifred Eyebhoria pulled one back late on, but it was not enough to deny the hosts maximum points.

Rivers Angels impressed on the road with a 2–0 win over Naija Ratels in Abuja. Early goals from Abasiofon Uwah and Grace Saliu ensured the visitors took full control of the match.

In Akure, Sunshine Queens and Delta Queens played out a goalless draw in a cautious encounter with few clear chances.

Confluence Queens and FC Robo Queens shared the spoils in Iyamho after a 1–1 draw. Oluwakemi Adegbuyi had given Robo Queens the lead before Vicental Ezeani equalised from the penalty spot just before half-time.

Another stalemate was recorded in Aba, where Abia Angels and Remo Stars Ladies settled for a 0–0 draw.

One of the most dramatic moments of the day came in Lafia, where Nasarawa Amazons snatched a late 1–0 win over Dannaz Ladies. Deborah Onyekachi scored deep into stoppage time to seal a vital victory for the hosts.

In Owerri, Edo Queens secured a narrow 1–0 away win against Heartland Queens, with Kafayat Mafisere scoring the decisive goal in the second half.

Meanwhile, Pacesetter Queens and Ibom Angels played out a 1–1 draw in Ibadan. Ibom Angels took the lead through an own goal by Olufunke Taiwo, but Olaronke Ola rescued a point for the hosts with a stoppage-time equaliser.

Matchday 11 lived up to expectations, with late winners and dramatic finishes underlining the competitiveness of the league as teams continue their battle for top positions.

ENGLAND

Even though four teams have been knocked out this week, it is all but certain that the Premier League will get an extra place.

England (23.847) already have a coefficient score pretty much the same as last season’s second-placed country (Spain, 23.892).

Nothing should be completely taken for granted, as England seemed destined to get an EPS slot in 2023-24 only to suffer a terrible set of results in the quarter-finals.

But it is going to take another very bad night on Thursday for there to be any real jeopardy.

It also helps that Bayern Munich will face Real Madrid in the quarter-finals, meaning one of England’s closest rivals will lose a team. And Barcelona must play Atletico Madrid, too.

As a picture of how far England are ahead, German and Spanish sides are effectively 18 victories behind. And Serie A can no longer catch the Premier League.

SPAIN

The Spanish league is in second place and now has more teams left in Europe (six) than any other league.

It will be a close battle as each win is worth less to the coefficient than for Germany.

The Champions League meeting between Bayern and Real Madrid could prove crucial in the race.

Spain will also be hit by their teams meeting each other.

Atletico and Barcelona will meet in the Champions League quarter-finals.

In the Europa League, Celta Vigo and Real Betis are on a collision course in the semi-finals.

GERMANY

The Bundesliga has only Bayern left active in the Champions League, and it will need a strong turnaround of results on Thursday.

Of the three German teams in action in the Europa League and Conference League, not one goes into their second leg with a lead. They all need positive results to be able to challenge Spain.

PORTUGAL

It seemed like Portugal’s chances of making the top two were effectively over when Santa Clara were knocked out of the Conference League in the qualifying rounds.

But three of their remaining four teams are still active.

However, to be in contention for second all are going to have to go very deep.

ITALY

Serie A has lost four of its seven teams and now only has a slim chance of making second place.

Bologna and Roma face each other in the Europa League last 16, so another team will go out.

At least Fiorentina won in the Conference League.

FRANCE

It has been a disappointing season for Ligue 1 teams, starting with Nice’s failure to make it through Champions League qualifying.

It did not get much better from there for Nice, as they were then eliminated from the Europa League.

France do have four teams still active but seem unlikely to bridge the gap.

POLAND

It will come as a surprise to many to find Poland so high up in the table, and they were in the top two for a while. But Poland no longer have a realistic chance.

All four of the country’s teams have been playing in the Conference League, while more than a third of their coefficient points were picked up in the qualifying rounds.

It would need both of their teams to win every remaining game.

No other country has a mathematical chance of the top two.

Senegal say they will appeal after they were sensationally stripped of the Africa Cup of Nations title on Tuesday and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) instead declared Morocco champions, two months after their chaotic final.

Several Senegalese players controversially walked off the pitch in Rabat during the final on January 18 in protest when the hosts were awarded a penalty late in second-half stoppage time.

After Senegal’s players eventually returned having been coaxed back onto the pitch by captain Sadio Mane, Morocco missed the penalty and Pape Gueye went on to score the goal in extra time that gave his team a 1-0 victory.

CAF said that having studied Morocco’s appeal, “the Senegal national team is declared to have forfeited the match” and the result was “officially recorded as 3-0” in favour of Morocco.

The CAF Appeals Committee justified its decision by applying Articles 82 and 84 of the AFCON Regulations, which state that if a team “refuses to play or leaves the ground before the regular end of the match without the authorisation of the referee, it shall be considered (loser) and shall be eliminated for good from the current competition”.

The articles add that the team contravening the regulations “will lose its match by 3-0”.

The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) said in a statement its appeal “was never intended to contest the sporting performance of the teams participating in this competition, but solely to request the application of the competition regulations”.

“The Federation reaffirms its commitment to respecting the rules, to the clarity of the competitive framework, and to the stability of African competitions,” the statement added.

Senegal’s football authorities said they will appeal “as soon as possible” to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

“The Senegalese Football Federation condemns this unjust, unprecedented and unacceptable decision, which brings African football into disrepute,” it said in a statement.

Chaotic scenes

Minutes before the end of the match, some Senegalese supporters attempted a pitch invasion, while Senegal’s players halted the game for nearly 20 minutes to protest the late penalty awarded to Morocco.

The controversial spot-kick was awarded by Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala right at the end of the allotted eight added minutes in normal time following a VAR check for a challenge on Brahim Diaz by El Hadji Malick Diouf.

The game was goalless at the time and Diaz could have won the trophy for Morocco with the spot-kick in the 24th minute of added time at the end of normal time.

But Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy easily saved the weak attempted ‘Panenka’ chip by the Real Madrid winger, who was clearly distracted by the long delay that followed the penalty award.

The game at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium then went to extra time, and Gueye’s brilliant 94th-minute strike won it for Senegal.

Several of the team’s players posted on social media after the announcement that they had been stripped of the title.

Defender Moussa Niakhate, who plays for French club Lyon, posted a picture of himself lifting the Africa Cup of Nations trophy with a message that said “they’re mad”, in an apparent reference to CAF.

In the immediate aftermath of the final, FIFA president Gianni Infantino had condemned “some Senegal players” for the “unacceptable scenes”.

“It is unacceptable to leave the field of play in this manner, and equally, violence cannot be tolerated in our sport, it is simply not right,” Infantino, who attended the match, said.

In late January, CAF imposed a series of disciplinary sanctions, including fines amounting to several hundred thousand euros, on the federations of both countries for unsportsmanlike conduct and violations of fair play principles.

The appeal trial of 18 Senegalese supporters, imprisoned since the final and sentenced to prison terms ranging from three months to one year for “hooliganism”, which was scheduled to take place on Monday, has been postponed until March 30.

(FRANCE 24 with AFP)

Before Minnesota Vikings fans really started to dream big about the reality of signing Kyler Murray as the offseason quarterback solution, Andy Dalton twisted in the trade rumor mill. Dalton won’t be a Viking after all, but he was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles on Wednesday.

Philadelphia added a steady arm behind Jalen Hurts.

The Eagles evidently needed a stronger QB3 option behind Hurts and Tanner McKee. They got their man.

Eagles Pick Dalton in Their QB Room

It’s his sixth NFL team.

Dalton Traded to PHI

It’s a 7th-Rounder for Dalton. CBS News‘ Tom Dougerty reported Wednesday, “The Philadelphia Eagles are reportedly adding a veteran quarterback to add experience and depth behind Jalen Hurts. The Eagles have acquired 38-year-old Andy Dalton from the Carolina Panthers, according to CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the Birds are sending a 2027 seventh-round draft pick to the Panthers.”

“Dalton, a long-time starting QB who made three Pro Bowls with the Cincinnati Bengals, spent the last three seasons in Carolina. In 2024, Panthers head coach Dave Canales benched Bryce Young, who was born in Wynnewood, for Dalton after Week 2. Dalton started five games before he sprained his thumb in a car accident before Carolina’s Week 8 game against the Denver Broncos.”

Dalton will spend his 39th birthday later this fall on Nick Sirianni’s team.

Recent Production

Dalton’s recent performance provides a clear picture of his current abilities. Over the past three seasons in Carolina, despite limited playing time, he’s posted a 0.038 EPA+CPOE. Statistically, this places him alongside quarterbacks like Tyrod Taylor, Quinn Ewers, and Jake Browning, suggesting he’s a reliable, low-risk quarterback capable of managing an offense effectively.

The veteran has largely transitioned to a backup role in recent years, except for a stint as a starter in New Orleans in 2022 due to injuries. Looking at his broader career, Dalton was a primary starter from 2011 to 2020, leading his teams to an 84-83-3 record. Stylistically, he’s often compared to Kirk Cousins — a rhythm passer who excels within a structured system — though he hasn’t faced the same level of criticism.

All told, here’s Dalton’s NFL destination list:

• Cincinnati Bengals (2011–2019)
• Dallas Cowboys (2020)
• Chicago Bears (2021)
• New Orleans Saints (2022)
• Carolina Panthers (2023–2025)
• Philadelphia Eagles (2026)

Extra Insurance for Eagles

Of course, no one is challening the aforementioned Hurts for the QB1 job. If Dalton owned a time machine that could take him back to his 2015 heyday — maybe.

Instead, the Eagles are hedging their bets if injuries arise. Vikings fans know all about those at the quarterback spot after J.J. McCarthy and Carson Wentz fell injured last year, paving the way for rookie Max Brosmer to see action in a handful of games. Incidentally, Brosmer played dreadfully. The Eagles want to avoid that kind of situation.

McKee will likely remain the QB2 — he has decent upside — but Dalton will be there in a pinch if the injuries mount. NFL teams are becoming increasingly aware of the backup quarterback spot during roster building. Passers are frequently hurt, and it feels like such incidents have become more common in recent years.

Meanwhile, the Eagles know firsthand what a competent backup quarterback can provide; Nick Foles guided them to a Super Bowl in 2017 when Wentz went down.

SI.com‘s Eva Geitheim on the Dalton trade, “The trade for Dalton makes sense because Eagles often have a stacked quarterback room, and he gives them needed depth. Two years ago, Philadelphia had both McKee and Pickett behind Hurts.”

“This past season, the Eagles had McKee, Sam Howell — who they traded for last August — and rookie Kyle McCord on the roster/practice squad. With McCord leaving for the Packers and Howell joining the Cowboys this offseason, the Eagles needed a third-string quarterback, and have secured one in Dalton.”

Philadelphia Free Agency Transactions

The Eagles started free agency quietly but have picked up the pace in recent days. To date, they’ve added these newcomers and signed these extensions:

• Marquise Brown (WR) KC → PHI
• Grant Calcaterra (TE) PHI → PHI
• Arnold Ebiketie (ED) ATL → PHI
• Braden Mann (P) PHI → PHI
• Johnny Mundt (TE) JAX → PHI
• Jonathan Jones (CB) WAS → PHI
• Tariq Woolen (CB) SEA → PHI

And the players who’ve left Philadelphia:

• Reed Blankenship (S) PHI → HOU
• Nakobe Dean (LB) PHI → LV
• Kylen Granson (TE) PHI → TEN
• Sam Howell (QB) PHI → DAL
• Azeez Ojulari (ED) PHI → ATL
• Jae’lan Phillips (ED) PHI → CAR
• Matt Pryor (G/T) PHI → ARI
• Brett Toth (G) PHI → SF
• Joshua Uche (ED) PHI → MIA

The Eagles are also in the market for a prominent pass rusher, which could land them at the doorstep of the Vikings with a Jonathan Greenard trade, according to the rumor mill.

FC Barcelona produced a dominant display to knock out Newcastle United from the UEFA Champions League, with Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski both scoring twice.

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe had urged his players to be brave at the Nou Camp, and his side responded well in an entertaining first half.

Barcelona took an early lead when Raphinha finished neatly after a quick exchange with Fermin Lopez. However, Newcastle replied almost immediately as Anthony Elanga tapped in from close range following a cross from Lewis Hall.

The home side went ahead again through Marc Bernal, but Newcastle showed great spirit to level once more. Harvey Barnes found Elanga at the back post, and the winger finished first-time to make it 2–2.

Barcelona regained the lead just before the break when Lamine Yamal converted a penalty after a VAR review penalised Kieran Trippier.

Despite trailing 3–2 at half-time, Newcastle were still in the tie. But the second half told a different story.

Barcelona took control shortly after the restart as Fermin Lopez finished off a fine pass from Raphinha to extend the lead. Lewandowski then scored twice, first with a header and then with a powerful finish, putting the result beyond doubt.

Raphinha completed his brace later on, taking advantage of a defensive error to seal a comprehensive win for the Spanish side.

Newcastle, who had shown promise in the first half, were undone by poor defending after the break and were left to reflect on missed opportunities.

Barcelona now move on to the quarter-finals, where they will face either Atletico Madrid or Tottenham Hotspur.

The Los Angeles Lakers are rolling as the playoffs near, and while Luka Doncic deservedly gets the headlines, it may be Deandre Ayton who has been most key to the recent run.

During a losing streak about a month ago, Ayton was highly criticized for his dismissiveness toward the role the team needed him to play

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“They’re trying to make me Clint Capela,” Ayton was quoted as saying. “I’m not no Clint Capela!”

But after “looking in the mirror,” Ayton has come around and is on board with the team’s plan, as reported by Dan Woike of The Athletic.

“And I’ve completely … I bought in. Completely, like 110 percent. I hope you see the work,” he said.

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What Changed for Deandre Ayton?

Ayton told The Athletic Monday that the key was removing an emphasis on scoring.

“I scratched that, I took that out. I said … when it comes to scoring, we don’t need that,” he said. “We need you to put that energy what you have for offense and into defense.

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“I just started looking in the mirror and said ‘Yo bro, … you’re not that guy. You don’t need to be on this team doing that at all. This team, you came here to be the effort guy and close out possessions, rebound. Run the damn floor hard as hell, make bigs work, make superstars work.’”

So far, it’s been a big success.

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“And I’m having fun with it, I’m not gonna lie,” he added.