Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma run between the wickets during an ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 cricket match between India and Zimbabwe, at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, in Chennai. (PTI Photo)
Sanju Samson dropped to his knees and looked up at the sky in gratitude and relief, perhaps thanking the cricketing gods at the ‘Garden of Eden’ in Kolkata, after steering India to the T20 World Cup semifinals with a five-wicket win over West Indies in what was a virtual quarter-final for both teams.India captain Suryakumar Yadav doffed his cap in honour of Sanju, after the right-handed batter played a career-defining unbeaten 97 off 50 balls on Sunday.While Sanju’s 97 in Kolkata will be remembered, his short-lived but significant innings against Zimbabwe three days prior had brought momentum to India’s T20 World Cup campaign.In the five matches before Sanju returned to the playing XI against Zimbabwe, India won four but there were clear concerns in the batting, and everyone could see it.
Trouble in top-order
India played without Samson in four out of those five matches, and their highest opening partnership in those games was 8 runs. In the only match that Sanju played, against Namibia (when Abhishek was out due to illness), Samson and Ishan Kishan had an opening stand of 25 runs in 12 balls.Apart from Ishan’s knocks against Pakistan (77 off 40) and Namibia (61 off 24), India’s top four, including Surya and Tilak Varma, were also facing a strike-rate problem in those matches, as the table below shows.
Indian top-order batters’ strike-rate in the first 5 matches of T20 World Cup
USA
Namiba
Pakistan
Netherlands
South Africa
Ishan Kishan
125
254.16
192.5
257.14
0
Sanju Samson
DNP
275
DNP
DNP
DNP
Abhishek Sharma
0
DNP
0
0
125
Tilak Varma
156.25
119.04
104.16
114.81
50
Suryakumar Yadav
171.42
92.3
110.34
121.42
81.81
Openers not providing a good start, and the middle order struggling to score runs quickly, was a double trouble for defending champions India. This was largely due to India’s batters struggling against off-spin in the tournament.With six left-handers in the top eight, India essentially invited themself to be attacked by off-spinners. And oppositions’ Erasmus, Aghas, Ayubs, and Dutts obliged.During the group stage, India faced more off-spin than any other team — 102 deliveries. Among the 13 teams that faced at least six overs of off-spin, only Nepal (5.25) and Oman (5.42) scored at a slower rate than India’s 6.23 runs per over.India’s trouble against off-spin bowling was first exposed by Gerhard Erasmus, when the Namibian skipper took four wickets, three of them left-handers, in the group-stage match. Pakistan took the cue, and their captain, Salman Ali Agha, a part-time off-spinner, took the new ball and dismissed India’s opener Abhishek Sharma caught on duck at mid-on. The trend continued in India’s last group-stage match against the Netherlands as off-spinner Aryan Dutt came to bowl the first over. He first bowled Abhishek Sharma for another duck, his third in as many matches in the tournament by then, and then sent his partner Ishan Kishan back to the dugout in the fifth over.
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It is worth noting that Abhishek had not previously shown vulnerability against off-spin; in fact, he has a career strike rate of 171.1 against off-spinners in powerplay in T20Is. However, given the slow nature of the pitches in the tournament, as compared to the IPL and T20 bilaterals India played at home in the last two years, he seemed to be out of his comfort zone against them and fell to off-spin twice in the three group-stage matches.Meanwhile, Abhishek’s opening partner Ishan Kishan, does face trouble against the off-spinners. In all T20Is, Kishan has scored against off-spinners at a mere 76.9 strike rate in the first six overs. That hasn’t changed in the T20 World Cup, despite him being in the form of his life; the southpaw has scored at just 115.8 strike rate against off-spin in the powerplay, his lowest against all kinds of bowling.In comparison, Sanju Samson has a strike-rate of 188.2 against off-spinners in the powerplay in T20Is.
‘Matlab Abhishek ki jagah khilau?’
By the end of the group stage, it was clear that India’s two left-handed openers had a difficult match-up against off-spin.It was evident that South Africa will use their off-spin options if Ishan and Abhishek open the innings for India in their first Super 8 clash. India captain Suryakumar Yadav was asked in the pre-match press conference whether India would look to bring back right-handed Sanju Samson vs South Africa in the top order to counter the off-spin threat? To which he replied, “Matlab Abhishek ki jagah khilau? (Should I play him instead of Abhishek?)”, “matlab Tilak ki jagah khilau? (You mean in place of Tilak?).“Suryakumar Yadav was seen smiling sarcastically while replying to the journalist as if the suggestion was out of context.But the story repeated, as predicted, and South Africa captain Aiden Markram himself came to bowl with the new ball and dismissed opener Ishan Kishan for a duck. India lost the match by 76 runs, which left them in a do-or-die situation.
How fortunes changed for India?
India’s next Super 8 match was against Zimbabwe in Chennai, and in came Sanju Samson back in the playing XI. He opened the innings with Abhishek and provided India a brisk opening stand of 48 runs. More importantly, with Sanju as an opener, India succeeded in keeping the off-spinner away from the new ball. By the time Sanju was dismissed in the fourth over, India were 48, and Abhishek Sharma was set at the crease. Sanju scored 24 off 15 balls and fulfilled the task brilliantly that he was entrusted with, and was lauded by head coach Gautam Gambhir and support staff after his dismissal. Sanju’s presence did wonders for India in the match. Opener Abhishek Sharma, who had scored just 15 runs before that in the tournament, including three ducks, came back to form and scored a half-century. India scored 256 in the first innings and crushed Zimbabwe by 72 runs. India finally had a convincing win in the tournament, and a campaign that once seemed on the verge of derailment found its momentum. Sanju Samson had turned it around through his 15-ball 24-run knock.Against West Indies on Sunday, India chased down their highest-ever target (196) in Men’s T20 World Cup history, bettering their previous record of 173 against South Africa in 2014.Sanju Samson’s 97 in the chase was the second-highest score for India at the men’s T20 World Cup, behind only Suresh Raina’s 101 against South Africa in 2010. It was the highest for India in a chase at the T20 World Cup, bettering Virat Kohli’s 82 not out against Australia in 2016 and Pakistan in 2022.India captain Suryakumar Yadav, who just a few days ago questioned “kiski jagah khilau?”, bowed down to Samson in appreciation.The 97 in Kolkata will be remembered. It secured the semifinal spot and will sit high among India’s best T20 World Cup knocks. But it was Samson’s 15-ball 24 against Zimbabwe in Chennai that brought India’s T20 World Cup campaign to life, and they are now looking like the formidable side that they are, going into the semi-final.
Welbeck has impressed this season and is currently the club’s top goalscorer with 11 goals in 30 appearances, the latest coming in Sunday’s 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest.
His performances have put him in contention for an England recall in the lead up to this summer’s World Cup, with boss Thomas Tuchel revealing before the qualifiers in November he gave serious consideration to handing Welbeck a place in his squad.
Tuchel names his next squad – the last before selecting his World Cup party – later this month.
Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler has made clear his desire to ensure Welbeck stays at the club in recent weeks.
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Welbeck joined Brighton in October 2020 after leaving Watford and has since scored 48 goals in 191 appearances.
The team from Morphettville led by Gordon Richards and Damien Moyle hold a Plan B ready if showers materialise across the weekend as predicted.
They have nominated Tapinforpar for The Dominant Advantage Handicap (1400m) over Morphettville Parks track this Saturday, although Richards views the weather prognosis unfavourably.
Assuming the rain does come, Richards stated Tapinforpar is set to be scratched in favour of the Murray Bridge program a Saturday hence.
Nevertheless, current arrangements target Saturday, with Richards reporting the gelding in excellent shape for his 1400m tilt.
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“This prep has been really good,” Richards said.
“He won first-up over 1200 (metres) at Gawler and then I thought he was caught in the wrong part of track second up and it could have been a bit of the ‘old’ second-up syndrome as well, but he didn’t get beaten very far.
He ran well the other day, but being a big horse, he had trouble negotiating through the field and then he dived late.”
Richards allowed that Tapinforpar may fare better on Morphettville’s more open expanse than at Parks, but appreciates the 1400m.
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“We’ve got him out over a mile a couple of times and he tends to over-race early and then doesn’t have the finish,” Richards said.
“The only place they have 1400-metre races is at Murray Bridge or the inner track here at Morphettville.
Murray Bridge is alright, he has raced well up there before, and our intentions were if he didn’t draw a barrier this week, we would go to the Bridge next week.
He’s drawn a good barrier, but having said that, I don’t know what’s going to happen with the rain.
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It might throw everyone’s plans into confusion.”
As Richards put it, Tapinforpar’s last preparation fell short, owing to damp surfaces.
Now, Tapinforpar has regained his dependable streak this campaign, poised for a win to breach $300,000 prizemoney.
Richards persists with jockey Connor Murtagh after his first mount on the gelding last start.
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“He’s consistent, but you seem to go up in the ratings when you run seconds or thirds without getting a picture on the wall,” Richards said.
“We’ve stuck with Connor because he rode him well the other day and the horse seemed to respond to him and he’s learned a bit about the horse also.
We’re hoping that will pay a dividend.”
Head to the betting sites for competitive racing betting markets on The Dominant Advantage Handicap.
Man Utd youngster Chido Obi was forced off the pitch after suffering a head injury playing for the U21s on Monday.
Manchester United youngster Chido Obi was substituted just a few minutes into the Under-21s’ game against Chelsea due to a head injury. Obi pressed the Chelsea goalkeeper from kick-off, and the clearance struck his head.
The youngster received medical attention and was substituted after a lengthy delay. Obi was applauded by fans as he got to his feet, and Under-21s interim manager Adam Lawrence checked if he was ok.
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It remains to be seen whether the head injury keeps the youngster out of the FA Youth Cup quarter-finals against Sunderland on March 18.
The Premier League and FA have rules on how to deal with head injuries, which outline clear ‘return to play’ guidelines for players who are suspected of having suffered a concussion. Those rules state that no player will be allowed to return to a competitive game for at least six days.
After that, players are allowed to progress by a step every 24 hours. The steps are: No physical activity, light aerobic exercise, sport specific exercise, non-contact training drills, full contact training, and then return to play (after an all-clear from the club’s medical officer).
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Obi will be assessed in the coming days, and he may face a nervous wait to see whether he passes the concussion protocols in time to feature in the Youth Cup quarter-finals at Old Trafford.
Naturally, his unsavoury behaviour outside the ring has resulted in a prolonged spell of inactivity, which is also why the WBA no longer considers him an active champion.
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The 31-year-old’s last outing saw him make a successful WBA title defence, boxing to a controversial draw against Lamont Roach in March 2025, before inking a deal to face Jake Paul in an exhibition match.
Due to allegations of domestic violence, though, Davis was ultimately removed from the event and replaced by Anthony Joshua, who scored a sixth-round finish over Paul in December.
As for the vacant WBA lightweight title, boxing journalist Dan Rafael reported via social media on Monday that the organisation will order a clash between Floyd Schofield and Lucas Badhi.
“Letters expected to go out this week but [the WBA] told me [on] Sunday it will order Floyd Schofield-Lucas Bahdi [for the] vacant 135[lb] title.”
Schofield has not fought since his blistering first-round finish over Tevin Farmer in June, when the 23-year-old cemented himself as the WBA’s leading lightweight contender.
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Placed just behind him in the rankings is Bahdi, another unbeaten operator, who comes off a unanimous decision victory over Roger Gutierrez in August.
As per the WBA’s rules and regulations, both parties will be given a 30-day negotiation window once their world title fight is ordered, with their matchup heading to a purse bid hearing if a deal cannot be reached.
CBS’s long-running partnership with the Masters (rightfully) earns the plaudits as golf TV’s most prominent handshake agreement, but it’s certainly not the only one.
NBC’s partnership with the Ryder Cup has lasted three decades, and on Monday afternoon, the network and the PGA of America announced it would continue into a fourth, announcing a media rights extension that will carry through the 2033 Ryder Cup at the Olympic Club in San Francisco.
The partnership extension — which included an associated agreement with USA Sports, the current owners/operators of Golf Channel — prolongs the PGA of America’s long-term partnership with NBC, the network which played a considerable role in building out the Ryder Cup from one of golf’s proudest exhibitions into a commercial and economic behemoth capable of sustaining two of golf’s largest governing bodies, the PGA of America and the DP World Tour.
Few golf fans know that the Ryder Cup owes a debt of gratitude to golf’s friends at Major League Baseball, and its network partners at NBC, for infusing a jolt of energy and financial viability into the event. After all, it was former MLB commissioner Bart Giamatti who opened the door for the Ryder Cup on NBC by splitting from the network in the winter of 1988 — and it was NBC who seized the newfound window of opportunity by signing a shrewd agreement with the Ryder Cup in 1990, paving the way for the famed War by the Shoreto capture the hearts and minds of golf fans nationwide, dramatically expanding the economic impact of the Cup in the process.
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As GOLF.com first profiled back in 2023, an up-and-comer in Dick Ebersol’s NBC Sports department was the first network executive to see the potential in the Ryder Cup as a TV venture. His name was Jon Miller, and he intuited an opportunity in NBC’s golf coverage. At the time, the network had lots of PGA Tour telecasts, but no major championships. While the Ryder Cup wasn’t a “major” in the traditional sense, it provided many of the components that made for compelling golf (and sports) television: two heated rivals, a pesky group of American underdogs, and a vaunted collection of European villains who’d won three straight editions of the Cup.
The Cup also had something compelling for NBC: a dearth of traditional TV partners capable of NBC’s broad cultural impact. The potential partnership was beneficial on both sides of the negotiating table: a new TV property for Ebersol’s (suddenly beleaguered) sports department, and a new TV partner for the PGA of America.
Ebersol loved Miller’s idea, and before long the contract was in ink. When the American side won in dramatic fashion the following fall at Kiawah Island, the Cup was a sports sensation, and NBC’s agreement went from ink to stone.
While NBC’s domain over the Cup might not be considered as ironclad or as vast as CBS’s with the Masters (which will enter a seventh decade in 2026), the network and the PGA of America have maintained a close relationship in the decades since that first Ryder Cup. While the rights to the Ryder Cup could go anywhere — especially as a one-off event with huge commercial potential — it is a testament to the strength of the relationship and the residual goodwill from that first leap in 1990 that NBC remains the partner of choice.
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For NBC, the announcement provides an interesting window into the latest shape of the network’s golf partnerships, which have come under increased scrutiny as Peacock continues to add sports programming by the truckload. NBC’s growth strategy in the age of streaming appears to be predicated upon the strength of sports TV rights, which have proven to be one of the few consistent vectors of attention in an increasingly fractured media economy — and the explosion of new rights to NBC (including, ironically, the return of Major League Baseball) has led some to question the long-term viability of golf on the network.
The PGA of America deal will give NBC the rights to the Cup through 2033, extending a year beyond NBC’s existing deal with the USGA, which will provide U.S. Open coverage through 2032, and three years beyond the network’s existing deal with the PGA Tour, which ends in 2030.
The US-Israel war with Iran has caused many sporting events in the region to be postponed. The conflict is also affecting other events farther afield, largely by forcing changes to travel arrangements. Some questions cannot yet be answered.
Iranian women kick off Women’s Asian Cup campaign
The 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup kicked off on Sunday – a day after the US and Israel began launching airstrikes on Iran, but also a long way away from the conflict, in Australia. On Day 2 of the tournament, on Monday, all eyes were on the Iranian team, one of 12 taking part in the Women’s Asia Cup. The Iranian women took to the pitch as scheduled and there appeared to be no outward sign of the conflict raging in their homeland. South Korea dominated the football match from the outset, perhaps to have been expected given that they sit at 21st in the FIFA women’s rankings, well above Iran at 68. South Korea won easily 3-0.
Formula 1: Australian GP to go ahead.
Formula 1 motor racing officials have sought to play down the impact of the US-Israel war with Iran on the 2026 season, which is to open with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on Sunday, March 8.
“Our next three races are in Australia, China and Japan and not in the Middle East ― those races are not for a number of weeks,” an F1 spokesman said. “As always, we closely monitor any situation like this and work closely with relevant authorities.”
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Australian Grand Prix and Formula 1 officials say next weekend’s opening race is a go despite having to make some quick travel rearrangementsImage: Chris Putnam/ZUMA/IMAGO
However, the conflict has the series scrambling to rearrange travel plans.
Travis Auld, managing director of the Australian Grand Prix, estimated that the number of people linked to the race who had to make alternative plans was around 1,000.
He said instead of flying to Australia via Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Doha, many had opted for Singapore or Hong Kong.
Meanwhile, tire supplier Pirelli has said that its testing of wet weather tires planned for the Sakhir circuit in Bahrain over the weekend had been scrapped for safety reasons.
Cricket: English team’s match canceled, alternative T20 travel plans
Sunday’s match between the England Lions developmental team and the Pakistan Shaheens in Abu Dhabi was cancelled, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced Saturday.
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“The safety and security of our teams and staff is our top priority,” the ECB said in a statement.
The England Lions, a developmental team, saw their match in Abu Dhabi called off on the weekendImage: Richard Wainwright/AAP/IMAGO
It also announced that while it was delaying the departure of the England women’s team to Abu Dhabi next week, the men’s team, currently playing in the Twenty20 World Cup, would travel from Sri Lanka to Mumbai for Thursday’s semifinal against India as planned.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) said on Saturday said it was working on alternate flight plans for visiting players and officials seeking to return home from the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, due to the conflict.
Euroleague Basketball announced the cancellation of the adidas NextGen EuroLeague qualifying tournament in Abu Dhabi, citing safety concerns.
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The eight-team competition was called off during the second quarter of the opening match between Monaco and Aris Thessaloniki.
“After careful evaluation and ongoing consultation with relevant authorities and stakeholders, it was determined that cancelling the event is the most responsible course of action at this time,” the league said in a statement on Sunday.
Domestic football leagues suspended, ‘Finalissima in doubt’
Several football associations in the region have announced that they have suspended play over the conflict. Among these were the Qatar FA, which postponed all matches from Sunday, and the Persian Gulf Pro League, Iran’s top flight. The Israeli Premier League has also suspended play for the time being.
Also on Sunday, Asian soccer’s governing body postponed continental club championship playoffs scheduled in the Middle East for this week, saying AFC Champions League Elite Round of 16 games would be rescheduled.
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The ‘Finalissima’ between Spain and Argentina is scheduled for March 27 in Lusail Stadium in Doha, QatarImage: David Ramos/Getty Images
Meanwhile the “Finalissima” match slated for March 27 in Doha is in doubt. The contest is to pit European Championship winners Spain against Copa America champions Argentina.
Paralympics: Iranian, Israeli athletes qualified
One athlete each has qualified from Iran and Israel to represent their countries at the Paralympic Games in Milan Cortina, which open on Friday, March 6. Iran’s Abolfazl Khatibi is a 23-year-old para-cross-country skier, while Israel’s Sheina Vaspi, 24 is a para-alpine skier, who competed at the 2022 Paralympics in Bejing four years ago. It’s not clear how the conflict could affect their participation.
Men’s football World Cup: Will Iran participate?
Even as the women were playing their opening match at the Women’s Asian Cup, the big question on football fans’ minds all over the world is whether the Iranian men would do the same at this summer’s World Cup.
Iran’s group matches are all scheduled to be held in the United States, with two matches in Los Angeles and one in Seattle.
The president of Iran’s FA now says he can’t yet say whether the team will take part.
Boxing fans remain hopeful that a rematch between Devin Haney and Ryan Garcia could be on the horizon, for what would now be a welterweight world title unification bout. Should that happen, two division conqueror Zab Judah forecasts a one-sided ‘destruction’.
Haney and Garcia remain as fierce rivals, following on from their controversial 2024 encounter, where Garcia missed weight and then tested positive for performance enhancing drugs, after handing Haney a first career defeat.
The result was overturned to a no-contest and fans continue to debate whether Garcia would have had the same overwhelming success in the fight, if not for his unfair advantages.
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Now, with Garcia joining Haney as a welterweight world champion last month, talk of a second meeting between the Californian duo is rife, for what would be one of the most high-profile events of the 2026 calendar.
Amid the speculation, Judah, who is the godfather of Haney, told MillCity Boxing that ‘The Dream’ will ‘destroy’ Garcia when the time is right.
“I know one thing, when the opportunity presents itself and Devin does make the decision that he wants to get back into the ring with Ryan Garcia, I can promise y’all, we are going to destroy him. I can promise you all.
“But, it has got to be up to Devin to say, ‘I am ready to do this’. Once he says that, it is over. Devin makes his own decisions, he knows what he wants.”
Michael Freedman joins others in scrutinising Randwick’s track rating before Apocalyptic takes on Tempted during the Surround Stakes.
The Group 1 filly triumph winner will start irrespective, but Freedman admits his belief would lessen if deterioration exceeds Friday’s soft 7 substantially.
“I’m looking forward to seeing her back there. I am just keeping an eye on the weather,” Freedman said.
“Anything in the soft range would be OK, but if we got into that heavy range it may change things a wee bit.
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“You probably can’t not run because she has never been on heavy. But I get the feeling she wouldn’t want it too wet.”
Last spring’s three-time Princess Series conqueror Apocalyptic resumed odds-on but trailed Savvy Hallie home second in the Light Fingers Stakes (1200m).
Freedman considered the run “good enough” in a race suited to leaders, with the three-year-old thriving in the interim.
Savvy Hallie and Tempted oppose again in the Surround Stakes (1400m), unverified at the trip.
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However, the trainer highlights strengths in both, aligning with punter preference for $1.60 market leader Tempted’s recent races.
“I know a few people have queried Tempted at 14 (1400 metres), but to my eye she looks like she’d run it out pretty solidly,” he said.
“She’s run second in an Everest and was obviously impressive first-up. She’s the one that’s got the really good from going into it.”
Unconvinced Apocalyptic relishes deep mud, Freedman trusts Manaal fully for the Guy Walter Stakes (1400m), boasting three wins from five on soft/heavy.
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Runner-up fresh in the Triscay Stakes (1200m), she rates prominently at Randwick weight-wise.
“She’s a terrific mare. She’s always thereabouts,” Freedman said.
“She has a slightly tougher draw than what she’s had the last few, but if we do get a bit of rain and the track is genuinely soft, it might offset that.”
“It was a pretty ordinary set up for him two weeks ago, unfortunately, and it doesn’t look much better for him this week if we don’t get a lot of scratchings,” Freedman said.
Punters should check the betting sites for Surround Stakes specials this weekend.
Chido Obi suffered a head injury at the beginning of Man Utd U21s’ 2-0 defeat against Chelsea in the Premier League 2.
21:10, 02 Mar 2026
Chido Obi was pictured by Manchester United’s photographer walking out at Leigh Sports Village to play for the Under-21s on Monday, but his face was buried into the turf around 90 seconds later.
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The start of the match was marred by Obi suffering a head injury. The youngster pressed the Chelsea goalkeeper from kick-off, but the clearance struck his head, and he required attention from the medical staff.
Obi received medical attention for around five minutes and he was applauded by fans as he stood to his feet. Lawrence asked whether he was ok as he went straight down the tunnel to the dressing room.
The Premier League and FA have rules on how to deal with head injuries, which outline clear ‘return to play’ guidelines for players who are suspected of having suffered a concussion. Those rules state that no player will be allowed to return to a competitive game for at least six days.
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After that, players are allowed to progress by a step every 24 hours. The steps are: No physical activity, light aerobic exercise, sport specific exercise, non-contact training drills, full contact training, and then return to play (after an all-clear from the club’s medical officer).
Obi will be assessed in the coming days, and he may face a nervous wait to see whether he passes the concussion protocols in time to feature in the FA Youth Cup quarter-finals on March 18.
The 18-year-old dropped down to play for the Under-18s in the Youth Cup, the pinnacle of academy football, in the fourth round of the competition. Obi scored the match-winner, and he was on the scoresheet again as the U18s won against Oxford City to reach the quarter-finals.
Obi has predominantly played U21 football this season. The decision to play him in the Youth Cup has enhanced the U18s’ chances of winning the competition, so it will be a huge blow if he’s facing a spell on the sidelines due to the head injury he suffered at Leigh Sports Village.
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Michael Carrick attended alongside Steve Holland, Darren Fletcher and Jason Wilcox. Last month, Carrick was asked about his continued support for the youth system, and he recalled a memory of when a West Ham first-team coach travelled to watch him when he was a teenager in their academy.
Carrick added: “We want players to come through the system and try and get into the first-team, being around it. So, it’s important that me and the staff support that as much as we can.”
The 44-year-old has not attended academy games for good PR. Carrick genuinely cares about the youth system and has attended almost every U18/U21 fixture since his interim appointment.
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Carrick’s presence at youth matches demonstrates there is a pathway to the first-team, although his attendance appeared to be used as extra motivation for Chelsea on Monday night.
When Chelsea captain Shim Mheuka opened the scoring, he celebrated by knee sliding in front of where Carrick was sitting. The youngster looked up to the stands as if to say, ‘are you not entertained?’
Leo Cardoso celebrated in the same corner when he extended Chelsea’s advantage to 2-0 before half-time. Chelsea’s team was full of talented players who have trained with their first-team at Cobham, and they were a cut above for most of the game, despite heading into the fixture two points behind United.
It was hard not to shake the feeling that Obi’s substitution had a huge bearing on the game. The youngster is the academy’s talisman, and Chelsea sensed an opportunity when he was forced off.
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It was a shame that Obi was denied the opportunity to audition again in front of Carrick and his backroom staff. The Dane made seven appearances for the first-team last season, but he has only been included in a single matchday squad in the Premier League (Wolves on December 30) this term.
Carrick will have been made aware of Obi’s talent, though. The youngster enjoyed a freakish debut season at United after signing from Arsenal, and coaches believe the sky is the limit for him.
For now, Obi will have to be nursed back to full health after his head injury. It would be a huge blow for the U18s if he’s ruled out of the Youth Cup quarter-finals at Old Trafford later this month.
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Ihotu John Rebecca allegedly kidnapped along Benin Expressway
Reports have emerged alleging that Nigerian footballer Ihotu John Rebecca was kidnapped along the Benin Expressway, a route in Edo State, Nigeria that has long been associated with security concerns.
According to circulating information, the incident is said to have occurred over the weekend, with flyers showing the player in her number 33 jersey already spreading across social media. The situation has prompted concern among fans and members of the football community, who are calling for urgent action.
As of now, there has been no official confirmation from the police, the NWFL, or her clubregarding the alleged incident.
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The development comes amid growing frustration over safety on the highway, which has witnessed multiple reported kidnapping cases in recent times.
At the time of writing, the situation remains unverified, and updates are expected once official statements are released.
