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Nigeria Premier Football League Matchday 27: Full Round-Up

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Matchday 27 of the 2025/26 Nigeria Premier Football League saw key results as teams battled for points at both ends of the table.

Abia Warriors 1-0 Kwara United

Casmir Azubuike’s 29th-minute speculative cross secured all three points for Abia Warriors, ending their five-game winless run. Kwara United dominated possession in the second half, but Abia Warriors’ defence, led by stand-in captain Emmanuel Ogbuagu, held firm. The Warriors will face El-Kanemi Warriors next Sunday.

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Wikki Tourists 2-1 Remo Stars

Wikki Tourists claimed a narrow victory over Remo Stars to strengthen their league position.

Warri Wolves 0-0 Barau FC

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Both sides shared the points after a goalless draw.

Kun Khalifat FC 2-0 Niger Tornadoes

Kun Khalifat secured a 2-0 win over Niger Tornadoes.

Katsina United 0-0 Rangers International

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Rangers International and Katsina United played out a 0-0 draw.

Plateau United 4-1 Shooting Stars

Plateau United recorded the biggest win of the round, defeating Shooting Stars 4-1.

Nasarawa United 1-0 Bendel Insurance

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Nasarawa United edged Bendel Insurance 1-0 to pick up three points.

Kano Pillars 3-0 El-Kanemi Warriors

Kano Pillars impressed with a 3-0 win over El-Kanemi Warriors.

Ikorodu City FC 1-1 Bayelsa United

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Ikorodu City and Bayelsa United shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw.

Rivers United 1-1 Enyimba FC

Enyimba FC, under new Head Coach Emmanuel Gustave Deutsch, drew 1-1 with Rivers United. Abiodun Joseph scored for Enyimba before Rivers United equalised.

With the season entering its decisive phase, Matchday 27 results have intensified the race at both the top and bottom of the NPFL table.

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Cavaliers Exposed Again in Loss to Shorthanded Thunder

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23 February 2026

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Jan 19, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) drives to the basket against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Ajay Mitchell (25) during the second half at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn ImagesJan 19, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) drives to the basket against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Ajay Mitchell (25) during the second half at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

It’s irresponsible to speak in broad generalities when discussing a team’s performance, but it’s happened too many times for it to be a fluke. The Cleveland Cavaliers have a culture of playing soft in big games.

Leading the way in the NBA Sunday slate, the Cavs were looking to build off their seven-game win streak by beating up on an injured Thunder team in Oklahoma City. This wasn’t just some role players out for the Thunder, either; they were missing Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams, arguably the two best players on the Thunder.

For the third time in a row, the Thunder absolutely dominated the Cavs. Culturally, something is off with Cleveland when they face OKC. They play such a scared style of basketball, and put themselves behind the eight ball time and time again. They fell behind 28-5 in this one and showed some grit to take the lead at times in the second half, but lost it with a terrible 4th-quarter performance.

It wasn’t all on the Cavs; the refs missed some crucial calls that flipped momentum in this one, the most egregious being a goaltend by Chet Holmgren that turned into a three on the other end for the Thunder.

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However, it would be beyond stupid to blame this loss on the refs. Donovan Mitchell had a solid game, but has continued to find his jumper in big games for Cleveland, finishing 0/6 from three. He and James Harden both finished with 20 points apiece, but they combined for 8 turnovers, allowing the Thunder’s defense to control the pace from start to finish.

Once again, the biggest issues for Cleveland came from the front court. Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen were thoroughly outphysicalled by Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein. Those two were a +17 and +23, respectively, and that’s exactly what you saw while watching the game.

They provided way more defensive rim protection for the Thunder and took over the game late in the 4th quarter when it was needed. Both Holmgren and Hartenstein took turns picking on Jarrett Allen, and he looked like he didn’t belong on the court because of it. Cleveland continues to struggle with physical centers, and it showed up as a massive issue in the 4th quarter of a very winnable game.

Another flaw that has plagued the Cavs all season is their three-point defense. They are 27th in the NBA in opponent three-point percent, and the Thunder took advantage of that weakness, knocking down twenty-one from beyond the arc.

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Cleveland had been one of the hottest teams in the league going into this one, but they went away from everything that made them the hottest team in the league. They settled for way too many threes; the guards did not apply enough consistent rim pressure; and the bigs were forgotten about once OKC started knocking down some shots.

I’ll never understand how a team can look so impressive some nights, then immediately regress to the same flawed version of themselves that we see every time an opponent is chippy with them. I’m not sure if there is a fix for that type of mental issue without having to reconstruct the roster in the offseason.

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UEFA suspends Prestianni after accusation he racially abused Vinicius Junior

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23 February 2026

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NYON, Switzerland (AP) — UEFA said on Monday it has provisionally suspended Benfica player Gianluca Prestianni for one match following accusations he racially abused Vinícius Júnior.

The decision means that Prestianni will miss Wednesday’s second leg of the Champions League playoff between Real Madrid and Benfica. Madrid won the first match in Lisbon last Tuesday with Vinícius scoring a second-half winner for a 1-0 victory.

The game was halted for nearly 10 minutes after the Brazil forward scored and celebrated by the Benfica corner flag, upsetting local fans and players. After being confronted by Prestianni, Vinícius accused the Argentine player of calling him “monkey.” Prestianni has denied racially insulting Vinícius.

The anti-racism protocol was activated but no further action was taken during the match as there was no evidence against Prestianni, who covered his mouth with his shirt while talking to Vinícius. The Madrid forward was shown a yellow card after his celebration.

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3 Reasons why this is the perfect time for Charlotte Flair to betray Alexa Bliss

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28 minutes ago

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23 February 2026

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Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss formed an unlikely alliance last year, and it has been fruitful for them. Not many expected The Queen to work side by side with another star, but she has surprised many by forming a successful team with Bliss.

However, all good things must eventually come to an end, as cracks have started to form in the friendship between Flair and Bliss. Given The Queen’s history, it’s more than likely that she would be the one to turn on Little Miss Bliss.

With Elimination Chamber coming up, now would be the perfect time for Flair to betray her partner. Let’s look at three reasons for it.

WWE Just Spoiled Masked Man’s Identity? Check Here!

#3. The “Royal” mishap

Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair had an unfortunate accident at the Royal Rumble. During the titular women’s match, Flair eliminated Bliss. While it looked unintentional, one can never be sure when it comes to The Queen.

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The mishap in Saudi Arabia has caused friction between the two. While they are still together, it might not last long. With growing tensions, now would be the perfect time for the Triple H-led creative team to have Charlotte betray Alexa.

#2. Alexa Bliss has qualified for the Women’s Elimination Chamber Match; Charlotte Flair has not

After failing to win the 2026 Women’s Royal Rumble, Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair attempted to punch their WrestleMania 42 ticket by potentially winning the Women’s Elimination Chamber Match.

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However, while Bliss successfully qualified for the gimmick match, Flair didn’t. This could escalate the tensions between them, especially if Little Miss Bliss rubs it in The Queen’s face. The natural progression of this storyline would be to have Charlotte turn on Alexa.

#1. The Queen could take her partner’s place in the Women’s Elimination Chamber Match

Charlotte Flair has a special relationship with gold, which likely trumps any other relationship she has, including the one with Alexa Bliss. With the Five Feet of Fury competing in the Women’s Elimination Chamber Match, The Queen isn’t someone who would sit on the sidelines and watch.

Flair could find a way in the match at any cost. If she has to take out her partner to make it inside the steel structure on February 28, then that’s what she will do. Jealousy would be the driving factor behind the 14-time Women’s Champion’s actions.