Rangers International came from behind to beat Enyimba 2-1 in a tense Nigeria Premier Football League Matchday 35 Oriental derby at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium.
The match started slowly, but Rangers soon began to control the game. Ikechukwu Mgbemena tested Enyimba goalkeeper Kelvin Ogunga with a long-range effort.
The home side continued to push forward, with Oputa Chibueze delivering dangerous crosses and Waheed Adebayo trying his luck from outside the box.
Advertisement
Despite the pressure, clear chances were few. Adebayo missed a big chance after beating several defenders, while Enyimba’s Williams Wonah made a strong run but was stopped at close range.
Enyimba took the lead early in the second half against the run of play. Wonah scored from distance with their first shot on target, the first time Rangers had gone behind at home this season.
Rangers reacted quickly. Chidozie Iwundu, who had earlier hit the post from a free-kick, scored the equaliser in the 61st minute after a poor clearance by Enyimba. It was his ninth goal of the season.
Advertisement
The comeback was completed when substitute Igwilo Chimobi sent in a cross, and Ifeanyi Onyebuchi headed home to give Rangers the lead.
Adebayo missed a late chance to make it 3-1, but Rangers held on to secure the win and end a three-match winless run.
The victory moves Rangers to the top of the NPFL table with 59 points.
Enyimba, whose three-game unbeaten run ended, remain 12th with 43 points. Rangers will next travel to face Bayelsa United, while Enyimba will host Remo Stars in their next match.
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. (0) tracks the play and stays engaged defensively during a postseason matchup Jan 13, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, as Minnesota battles the Los Angeles Rams in an NFC Wild Card game with Pace active around the ball throughout the high-stakes playoff setting. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.
The Minnesota Vikings opted to tender linebacker Ivan Pace Jr., a restricted free agent, last month, and about six weeks later, the man has locked in his fourth season in Minnesota.
Minnesota got one linebacker move done early.
Pace Jr. won’t be going anywhere, signing his tender this week and adding depth to Minnesota’s 2026 linebacking corps.
Advertisement
Pace Jr. Still Matters in Minnesota’s Linebacker Mix
He’s the single, somewhat young LB in Minnesota.
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. (0) kneels quietly in the end zone during pregame moments, locking in mentally before kickoff Dec 25, 2025, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, as the Vikings prepare for a high-profile matchup against the Detroit Lions on a nationally watched holiday stage. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.
Officially Back for Year No. 4
It’s draft week, and Pace Jr. back in the fold means the Vikings don’t urgently need an extra off-ball linebacker, though one couldn’t hurt.
NBC Sports‘ Josh Alper wrote Monday, “Linebacker Ivan Pace has signed a contract with the Vikings for the 2026 season. Pace’s agents Drew Rosenhaus and Kyle Lincoln said that Pace has signed the restricted free agent tender the team used on him earlier this offseason.”
Advertisement
“The Vikings tendered Pace at the right of first refusal level, which would have given them a chance to match any outside offer sheet without entitling them to any compensation if Pace moved on. Pace is now set to make $3.52 million for the coming season.”
It’s worth noting that Monday’s development was the expected outcome, making the news a formality for most Vikings fans.
Career So Far
Eric Wilson’s rise to late-career stardom did Pace Jr. no favors last offseason. As Wilson gained traction, Brian Flores increasingly relied on him, rapidly shifting the depth chart and significantly reducing Pace Jr.’s snaps, quickly leading to his demotion.
Advertisement
Pace’s early struggles with missed tackles in 2025 created an opening, which Wilson capitalized on with steady, reliable play. Consequently, the team’s defensive rotation solidified. While Pace’s opportunities didn’t vanish entirely, they were less consistent.
The ripple effect was evident in the numbers. Pace’s Pro Football Focus grade plummeted to 42.3 in 2025, a stark contrast to the 77.1 mark he posted after starting 27 games across 2023 and 2024. Such a steep decline made Pace Jr.’s future in Minnesota feel up in the air heading into the 2025 offseason.
Despite this, Minnesota retained the advantage. As a restricted free agent, it’s easy to keep such players, and that’s what the Vikings did with Pace Jr., evidently betting on a resurgence.
The easiest way to think of Pace Jr. so far? Fantastic in 2023 as a rookie, decent in 2024, and forgettable in 2025.
Advertisement
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. (0) reads the offense and leans toward the backfield, anticipating the next move Nov 17, 2024, at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee, as Minnesota’s defense reacts to Tennessee’s second-half adjustments with Pace actively diagnosing plays from his interior position. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images.
Our Kyle Joudry wrote about Pace Jr. on Monday, “What has been discouraging is that Pace hasn’t fully been able to build off of that early promise. As a sophomore, Pace functioned alongside Blake Cashman as the LB2. Still a starter, Pace started taking a smaller bite of the pie, limited to a smaller percentage of the defense’s snaps.”
“With a cap charge sitting at $3,520,000, Ivan Pace operates in a middle-class range for NFL linebackers, albeit on the lower end. Essentially any path forward is possible, meaning an extension or a trade could occur. Or, perhaps, the Vikings let him function in a prove-it year to see if he can reclaim some former magic while demonstrating improvement.”
The Vikings’ LBs before the Draft
With Pace Jr. back in the mix, the Vikings don’t have to panic about ILBs in the draft. Here’s the group:
Blake Cashman
Eric Wilson
Ivan Pace Jr.
Jacob Roberts
Josh Ross
Wilson and Cashman will be 30 or older during the 2026 regular season. Pace Jr. will turn 26 shortly before Christmas. Minnesota picking an off-ball linebacker somewhere early in the draft cannot be ruled out, but having Cashman, Wilson, and Pace Jr. around doesn’t mandate it.
The Flores defense will just flow much better if Pace Jr. can turn the clock back to 2023.
Advertisement
Getting Rid of Kobe King and Austin Keys
Still, the Vikings, under former general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, who has since been fired, made some curious ILB decisions down the stretch of 2025. The club drafted King from Penn State in Round 6 last year. Out of the blue, it released him in October. He stayed in the Twin Cities for about six months altogether. King remains with the New York Jets after New York grabbed him from the waiver wire.
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. (0) scoops up a fumble and races 36 yards for a touchdown, turning defense into points Oct 20, 2024, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, as Andrew Van Ginkel and Byron Murphy Jr. move ahead to block during a decisive fourth-quarter play against Detroit. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.
On Keys, the Vikings scooped him from undrafted free agency — like Pace Jr. — and he contributed on special teams. But like King, the Vikings cut him on New Year’s Eve, and he was claimed by the Arizona Cardinals the next day.
Before too long, probably from the draft or undrafted free agency, Minnesota will need a couple of depth linebackers to replace King or Keys, making the case for dropping in the first place all the more confusing.
Flores’s defense ranked third in the NFL last year per DVOA.
The filly Snitzel Dancer proved trainers Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou right by notching her stakes debut win in the Group 3 $250,000 James HB Carr Stakes (1400m).
Ryan expressed confusion over Snitzel Dancer’s two early-season Warwick Farm runs.
But her rebound success at Hawkesbury led Ryan and Alexiou to target the Carr Stakes.
“This filly shows us a lot at home so we couldn’t work out what happened in those two Warwick Farm runs,” Ryan said.
Advertisement
“It’s possible she just doesn’t like Warwick Farm because she was back to her best at Hawkesbury.
“I know she was big odds today but we were confident she would run very well. I told the owners she would finish top three.”
Kerrin McEvoy guided the $21 Snitzel Dancer to a strong finish, winning by near a length from resilient Plaintiff ($2.15 favourite) who had a wide passage with cover and placed second closely, while Karinska ($7.50) overcame interference to grab third half a length away.
Snitzel Dancer has now qualified for the stable’s Brisbane winter carnival squad, per Ryan, with the Group 1 Queensland Oaks in sight.
Advertisement
“We will go to perhaps the Guineas against the boys or the Bracelet on the Gold Coast, because I’ve always believed this filly will run 2000 metres.
“The Oaks is only 2200m, but we’ll just see how she’s going. We won’t stretch her too far.
“It’s good to see her live up to what she’s shown all the way along.”
McEvoy feels Snitzel Dancer can handle extended journeys.
Advertisement
“She hit the line strongly late and will get 1600m at least,” McEvoy said.
“I think she’ll stay further because she’s such a nice attitude. She’ll keep developing and no doubt strengthen a bit more.
“If Gerald and Sterling want to head towards the Oaks, then it’s worth a try because she’s a promising filly who is only going to get better.”
Plaintiff aimed for a perfect record and Jordan Childs praised her.
Advertisement
“She has gone extremely well,” Childs said.
“We had a nice run in transit, got into the three wide moving line and travelled up like the winner. “She probably just didn’t quicken up as good as she did the other day, being fresh. This was her first go 1400m I thought it was a good run.”
Gujarat Titans vs Mumbai Indians LIVE Score | GT vs MI LIVE Updates, IPL 2026: MI Star Scalps 2 Wickets In 1 Over, GT 5 Down; Tilak Varma Slams Record 100
Myles Garrett and his girlfriend, Chloe Kim, are enjoying their downtime away from their respective sports. On Sunday, the three-time Olympic snowboarder posted a photo on her Instagram Story of her laying next to Garrett.
Kim smiled in the photo and used just a simple caption to proclaim her excitement in the moment.
Thanks for the submission!
Advertisement
“yay!!” Kim said.
•
Advertisement
(Image via Instagram/@chloekim)
Looking to predict NFL playoff Scenarios? Try our NFL Playoff Predictor for real-time simulations and stay ahead of the game!
Kim and Garrett have shown support for each other since debuting their relationship in 2025. The Olympian was spotted at several Cleveland Browns games throughout the regular season.
The reigning NFL defensive player of the year made the trip to Milan, Italy to support Kim at her third Olympic games. She won the silver medal in the halfpipe event.
Chloe Kim shared heartfelt post for Myles Garrett for first Valentine’s Day
Just two days after she claimed her third Olympic medal, her first silver, Chloe Kim celebrated her first Valentine’s day with Myles Garrett. She shared a carousel of photos of their relationship and expressed her gratitude for him.
Amongst the photos, she included a glimpse of Myles Garrett wearing a shirt that read, “I heart my Super Hot Beautiful Girlfriend so please stay away from me,” to which the Olympian revealed she bought him.
Advertisement
“blinked and suddenly I had a Valentine ❤️ and yes I bought him the shirt,” Kim said.
Kim and Garrett debuted their relationship in May while attending the Crunchyroll Anime Awards. In a recent interview the snowboarder revealed that they were introduced by a mutual friend, who happened to her physical therapist. She was unaware at first that Garrett was a football player until after she attended an NFL game.
Mar 14, 2026; Cleveland, OH, USA; Toledo Rockets guard Leroy Blyden Jr. (2) dunks against the Akron Zips during the first half of the men’s Mid-American Conference Championship at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Kansas snagged MAC Freshman of the Year point guard Leroy Blyden Jr. from Toledo in the transfer portal.
He made the All-MAC Third Team in 2025-26 after averaging 16.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.8 steals while shooting 40.7% from 3-point range in 34 games (32 starts) for the Rockets.
Blyden visited St. John’s but opted to join the Jayhawks, who previously received a transfer commitment from Utah forward Keanu Dawes.
Blyden was runner-up to Michigan freshman Trey McKenney for Michigan’s Mr. Basketball honor in 2025.
Matt Fitzpatrick thoroughly enjoyed silencing a rowdy group of American golf fans after his playoff victory over World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler at the RBC Heritage on Sunday.
The Englishman began the final round of the PGA Tour signature event with a three-shot cushion over Scheffler, but as is often the case, the best player in the world refused to go away. Fitzpatrick carded his lone bogey of the afternoon on the 72nd hole to fall back to 18-under and into a playoff against the American, who posted a bogey-free round of 67 on Sunday.
Matt Fitzpatrick plays from the rough during the first round of the British Open at the Royal Portrush Golf Club, Northern Ireland, July 17, 2025.(Francisco Seco/AP)
As Fitzpatrick’s par putt from just inside 25 feet slid past the cup on the final hole, chants of “USA-USA-USA” broke out among the crowd on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. The 31-year-old is no stranger to hearing it from American fans, having represented Europe in the Ryder Cup four times.
Fitzpatrick drew something not only from his experiences competing in the Ryder Cup, but also from winning the biennial event in 2023 and 2025, a fact he was sure to remind folks of after defeating Scheffler on the first playoff hole on Sunday.
Matthew Fitzpatrick hits from the bunker at the Ryder Cup, Sept. 28, 2025, in Farmingdale, New York.(Robert Bukaty/AP)
“Americans are incredibly patriotic, and I think that was amazing,” Fitzpatrick said when asked if he thought the “USA” chants were strange. “I guess the only issue is they just have shorter memories because we won in October.”
While walking off the 18th green after making a birdie to win the playoff, Fitzpatrick put his finger to his ear to playfully taunt the pro-American crowd.
Aside from the Europeans taking down the Americans in dramatic fashion, the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black will be remembered for the fan experience getting out of hand. Fitzpatrick and his European teammates were berated by fans throughout the three-day event in New York, and while the majority agrees things crossed the line at the Ryder Cup, it certainly wasn’t the case during the closing moments at the RBC Heritage.
“No, it didn’t get out of line in terms of no one was shouting on backswings or anything like that, which was great. I’m all for it. I love the people – they’re supporting Scottie; that’s great,” Fitzpatrick explained. “You want golf to have an atmosphere in my opinion. I grew up watching football. I’m paid so much money to be out there in front of those crowds, having them chanting at you every week, it’s a great feeling.
“However, there’s no better feeling than coming out on top against that. There isn’t a better feeling.”
Matt Fitzpatrick acknowledges the crowd during The 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush Golf Club on July 17, 2025, in Portrush, Northern Ireland.(Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Fitzpatrick’s victory on Sunday marked his second RBC Heritage title and his second win in his last three starts on Tour after winning the Valspar Championship in March. The Englishman won the RBC Heritage in 2023 in a playoff over Jordan Spieth.
Following his unanimous decision defeat to Conor Benn last Saturday, Regis Prograis has considered how a clash between ‘The Destroyer’ and Ryan Garcia might unfold.
The two-time world champion faced Benn on the undercard of Tyson Fury vs Arslanbek Makhmudov, announcing his retirement shortly after losing their contest at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Fighting at a catchweight of 150lbs, this was Benn’s first outing since his middleweight rematch with Chris Eubank Jr, which saw him claim a dominant points victory in November.
The American secured his world title at 147lbs in February, dethroning Mario Barrios with a unanimous decision victory after scoring a first-round knockdown.
In doing so, Garcia claimed his first win since stopping Oscar Duarte in 2023, which was followed by his controversial clash with Devin Haney in 2024.
Despite managing to edge a majority decision on the night, ‘King Ry’ was ultimately handed a year-long ban – and had his career-best triumph overturned to a no-contest – after it emerged that he had twice tested positive for banned substance ostarine.
Advertisement
Similarly, Benn twice tested positive for clomifene in 2022, a few months after his last welterweight outing saw him stop Chris van Heerden in the second round.
With Benn now looking to return to 147lbs and face Garcia, though, Prograis has offered his take in an interview with Fight Hub TV.
“Ryan is fast. Ryan might catch him, but I think that Conor could catch Ryan [as well].
“Conor does have some power, and Conor reminds me of me when I was younger. I was just a dog – I came to fight and I was unpolished.
“That’s what Conor is. He’s strong; he’s going to come to fight; he has a chin; he’s durable.
Advertisement
“With Ryan, it would be interesting. It depends [on] who catches who first.”
Indeed, both Benn and Garcia appear to carry plenty of power, but have not engineered any stoppages since 2022 and 2023, respectively.
A new name has entered the spotlight for Mumbai Indians as 21-year-old Danish Malewar made his IPL debut against Gujarat Titans in the 2026 season clash at the Narendra Modi Stadium.Born on October 8, 2003, in Nagpur, Malewar is a right-handed top-order batter who also bowls right-arm leg-spin. He has been steadily building a reputation in domestic cricket, particularly for his consistency in the longer format and his aggressive intent in white-ball cricket. His rise earned him an IPL contract with Mumbai Indians, who secured him at his base price of INR 30 lakh.
Watch
IPL 2026: ‘It’s the nature of the game’ – Varun Chakaravarthy on pitch, pressure & KKR win
Malewar’s cricketing journey began early at the City Gymkhana Academy under coaches Swaroopraj Shrivastava and Nitin Gawande. Joining at just seven years old, he quickly progressed through the ranks and was representing Vidarbha at the Under-14 level by the age of 12.His breakthrough came in the 2024–25 Ranji Trophy season, where he played a key role in Vidarbha’s title-winning campaign. Malewar amassed 783 runs in nine matches at an impressive average of 52, including two centuries and six fifties, finishing as the team’s third-highest run-getter.He has also shown his prowess in the shortest format. In the Vidarbha T20 League, he emerged as the second-highest run-scorer, piling up 318 runs at an average of 79.5 and a strike rate of 161.42, underlining his ability to shift gears.Malewar’s debut comes at a crucial time for Mumbai Indians, who are struggling in IPL 2026 with four consecutive losses after their opening win and currently sit near the bottom of the table. With senior players under pressure, the franchise has turned to fresh talent in search of a turnaround.Facing a confident Gujarat Titans side led by Shubman Gill, who opted to bowl first after winning the toss, Malewar now has an early opportunity to showcase his potential on one of the biggest stages in franchise cricket.
The protracted disagreement over the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final between the Senegal national football team and the Morocco national football team is likely to drag on for months, with proceedings at the Court of Arbitration for Sport still ongoing.
Legal experts in sports say the arbitration could last between nine and twelve months. Without a fast-tracked process, a final decision may only arrive after the 2026 FIFA World Cup, prolonging uncertainty over who should officially be crowned champions of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The delay is largely due to the complicated nature of the case, as CAS judges aim to carry out a detailed review and deliver a solid legal ruling. It is understood that Morocco has chosen the standard arbitration route instead of an expedited hearing, a decision seen as a way to strengthen its legal arguments.
Advertisement
This has led to a rare situation in African football. While officials have provisionally acknowledged Morocco as winners, the trophy is reportedly still in Dakar and linked to Senegal. The unusual arrangement has continued to stir debate and confusion among supporters and stakeholders across the continent.
Until CAS reaches a final verdict, the dispute over the AFCON final will remain unresolved, leaving the competition’s official outcome uncertain.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login