Former Chelsea and Manchester United boss, Jose Mourinho, has slammed his critics following Benfica’s victory over Real Madrid in the Champions League group stage match on Wednesday night.

He said he hopes his critics were not committing suicide jumping off balconies when they saw his team’s performance against the Spanish big teams.

Benfica defeated Real Madrid with a score of 4-2 and advanced to the Champions League knockout play-offs.

The game in Lisbon was really thrilling, and Real Madrid scored first when Kylian Mbappe netted in the 30th minute.

Andreas Schjelderup and Vangelis Pavlidis both scored goals, giving the home team a 3-1 advantage, but Mbappe then scored to cut Real’s deficit to just one goal.

The Spaniards needed to draw the game in order to have a chance of advancing to the top eight in the Champions League.

Benfica thought they were already in the top 24 and would make the play-offs, but after seeing other results, they needed one more goal to improve their goal difference and make it through.

Raul Asencio and Rodrygo received red cards towards the end of the game for Real Madrid.

In the last few minutes of the game, Benfica earned a free-kick just before the match ended.

Their goalkeeper, Anatoliy Trubin, left his goal to get the ball and headed it into the net, scoring the key fourth goal in the 98th minute.

Benfica are 10 points behind the leading team in the Primeira Liga, Porto and for this Mourinho has been facing some pressure, but he took the opportunity to address the criticism following their fantastic victory.

The former Chelsea manager said to reporters, “The only thing I want it to do is bring a little respect. I hope they are not committing suicide or jumping off the balconies. Calm down.

“Benfica will lose, and they’ll have another chance to beat us. The only thing I need is a little respect. The team is the same.”

Coventry City are leading the race for the signature of Brentford star Frank Onyeka, DAILY POST reports.

According to BBC football journalist, Nizaar Kinsella, Coventry City want to wrap up the deal before the end of the current transfer window.

Onyeka has struggled for regular playing time at Brentford this season,

The Nigeria international has made nine appearances across all competitions for the Bees, and is yet to start a game in the Premier League.

The 28-year-old is desperate for more regular playing time, hence his desire to seek a move elsewhere.

Brentford are reportedly open to either selling or loaning him out.

Onyeka spent last season on loan with Bundesliga outfit, Augsburg.

Sky Bet Championship clubs Birmingham City and Sheffield United have also been linked with a move for the midfielder.

Former Anambra State governor and Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has criticised the delay in paying Super Eagles players their allowances, describing it as a reflection of misplaced priorities in governance and a stain on Nigeria’s national values.

“You cannot expect excellence from those who represent your country while failing to honour clear commitments made to them,” Obi said in reaction to the controversy. “When we neglect people who give us pride on the global stage, we diminish our national values.”

His comments come as Nigeria’s national football team continues an impressive run at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), lifting spirits at home and earning admiration across the continent. However, reports that players are yet to receive agreed match bonuses and allowances have cast a shadow over the team’s campaign, just days before a crucial quarter-final encounter.

According to sources familiar with the team’s preparations, the allowances were agreed upon before the tournament began but have not been fully paid. While officials have attempted to downplay the issue, critics warn that the uncertainty risks distracting players at a decisive stageof the competition and undermining morale within the camp.

The situation has sparked widespread criticism from sports analysts, fans and civil society observers, many of whom describe the delay as an avoidable embarrassment for Africa’s most populous nation. They argue that the controversy is particularly troubling at a time when the Super Eagles’ success has provided a rare sense of unity and optimism in a country grappling with economic hardship and social tension.

Beyond football, the issue has reignited debate about government spending priorities. Commentators have pointed out that Nigeria has, in recent years, written off trillions of naira in debts owed by government agencies and politically connected entities, while committing vast sums to large-scale projects often criticised as wasteful or self-serving. Against this backdrop, the inability or unwillingness to promptly pay relatively modest match bonuses to national athletes has struck many Nigerians as both ironic and unacceptable.

Sports administrators maintain that efforts are underway to resolve the matter, but the delay has already generated negative headlines and intense backlash on social media. Fans have expressed frustration that a team representing the nation on a major continental stage is once again facing financial uncertainty, a problem they note has recurred across multiple tournaments and administrations.

For the players, the timing could hardly be worse. With a quarter-final match looming, focus and cohesion are critical. Former internationals have warned that unresolved off-field issues can affect on-field performance, even among seasoned professionals. “At this level, preparation is not just physical and tactical,” one former Super Eagles star said. “Peace of mind matters.”

Analysts say the episode reflects a broader governance challenge. Nigeria’s repeated struggles to honour agreements with its athletes have, in the past, led to strikes, protests and, in some cases, international embarrassment. Each incident, critics argue, chips away at the country’s credibility and sends a discouraging message to young talents aspiring to represent the nation.

As the Super Eagles continue their quest for continental glory, many Nigerians are urging authorities to act swiftly, settle outstanding obligations and allow the team to focus solely on football. They insist that honouring commitments to national representatives is not merely a contractual obligation, but a matter of national pride and respect.

For a country eager to project competence, unity and professionalism on the global stage, observers say resolving the allowance issue promptly would be a small but significant step toward breaking a cycle of avoidable embarrassment