Sports
Liverpool triumph over Real Madrid in Champions League showdown
Liverpool triumph over Real Madrid in Champions League showdown
Liverpool produced a commanding performance on Wednesday night, defeating defending champions Real Madrid 2-0 at Anfield to solidify their position atop the Champions League table.
The Reds started aggressively, with Darwin Núñez testing Thibaut Courtois in the 4th minute. The Madrid goalkeeper showcased his class, making a superb save to deny Núñez’s low drive destined for the bottom right corner.
Courtois continued his heroics in the 23rd minute, thwarting another chance from Núñez, who pounced on a rebound inside the box but failed to beat the Belgian shot-stopper.
Liverpool’s relentless pressure persisted, and Núñez came close again in the 33rd minute with a glancing header that narrowly missed the left post. Despite their dominance, the first half ended goalless.
The second half brought heightened drama. In the 49th minute, Mohamed Salah’s penalty appeal was waved away by referee François Letexier, despite protests from Liverpool players.
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Moments later, Liverpool broke the deadlock. In the 52nd minute, Conor Bradley delivered a precise pass to Alexis Mac Allister, who coolly slotted the ball into the bottom left corner, giving Liverpool a 1-0 lead.
Madrid had a golden opportunity to equalise in the 60th minute when they were awarded a penalty after Andrew Robertson’s foul. Kylian Mbappé stepped up, but Caoimhín Kelleher made a sensational save, diving to his right to deny the Frenchman.
Liverpool had their own chance to double the lead from the spot in the 70th minute after Ferland Mendy’s foul inside the box. However, Salah’s penalty struck the left post, keeping the scoreline intact.
Cody Gakpo sealed the victory in the 77th minute. The Dutch forward connected with Andrew Robertson’s lofted pass and beat Courtois with a well-placed header into the right side of the net, making it 2-0.
Madrid pressed in the final minutes, but Kelleher was outstanding, making crucial saves to deny Lucas Vázquez and Brahim Díaz in stoppage time.
Liverpool’s dominance, coupled with stellar goalkeeping, ensured their victory and maintained their unblemished Champions League campaign.
The win not only reaffirmed their top-table status but also showcased their intent to reclaim European glory.
Liverpool triumph over Real Madrid in Champions League showdown
Sports
Napoli put fresh hurdles before Galatasaray to grab Osimhen
Napoli put fresh hurdles before Galatasaray to grab Osimhen
Victor Osimhen’s much published move away from Napoli is still hanging in the balance after the Serie A side made additional demands on Galatasaray before they would approve his transfer to the Turkish champions.
Besides Galatasaray paying the balance of 35 Million Euros next year, Napoli have also asked that they get 20% of the transfer fee in the event that Osimhen joins another club.
According to Football Italia, the Osimhen’s transfer saga is reminiscent of last summer’s when the ‘Nigeria international’s future was dominating headlines with very little genuine progress’, to the degree that he handed in a medical note to avoid attending pre-season duties with Napoli.
While Galatasaray have agreed to pay the full €75m asking price, the clubs reportedly continue to haggle over the payment structure.
The latest reports are that Galatasaray have offered to pay €40m upfront with another €35m in instalments, but that Napoli turned that down.
But transfer pundit Matteo Moretto claimed that the Partenopei want the full €35m by the end of 2026 plus a percentage of the sell-on fee.
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Giving further details, Yagiz Sabuncuoglu in Turkey noted that the percentage is 20 per cent, an unusually large amount for a player with Osimhen’s transfer history and pedigree.
In a related development, Victor Osimhen reportedly missed Napoli’s first pre-season yesterday after he handed in a sick note while he waits for the completion of his permanent transfer to Galatasaray.
As the deal has not yet been officially completed, Osimhen remains a Napoli player.
However, the 26-year-old did not report for the first day of Napoli’s pre-season training under Antonio Conte .
Osimhen spent last season on loan at Galatasaray, scoring 37 goals and providing eight assists in 41 official appearances.
Napoli have tried repeatedly to make Osimhen reconsider the proposal from Al-Hilal, but he is refusing to even consider the Saudi Pro League at this point.
Napoli put fresh hurdles before Galatasaray to grab Osimhen
Sports
Super Eagles legend Kadiri Ikhana critically ill
Super Eagles legend Kadiri Ikhana critically ill
Kadiri Ikhana, a revered former Super Eagles defender and 1980 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) champion, is battling for his life at the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital in Auchi, Edo State.
The 68-year-old legend, affectionately known as “Kawawa”, was rushed to the hospital in critical condition and is currently undergoing emergency blood transfusions and intensive care. His health reportedly deteriorated rapidly, prompting his transfer from a previous facility.
News of his worsening condition was shared by ex-international and former captain, Segun Odegbami, on Monday morning.
Austin Braimoh, former Chairman of the South-South Police Service Commission, is currently footing Ikhana’s escalating medical bills to keep the football icon alive.
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Ikhana’s legacy in Nigerian football is immense. As a soldier-turned-athlete, he was a defensive pillar in Nigeria’s historic 1980 AFCON victory over Algeria in Lagos – the country’s first continental title. At club level, he was a standout figure for Bendel Insurance FC during their golden era in the late 1970s.
Post-retirement, Ikhana emerged as one of Nigeria’s most successful coaches, famed for nurturing young talent and clinching domestic titles with multiple clubs. His services to the nation earned him the prestigious Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) honour. He later served as an ambassador for Air Peace, staying active in promoting football.
His current plight has reignited calls for better healthcare and welfare support for retired Nigerian athletes. The football community is still mourning the recent death of former Super Eagles goalkeeper Peter Rufai, who passed away just two weeks ago.
The alarming trend of neglect facing Nigeria’s football heroes has triggered widespread criticism, with fans and stakeholders urging the government and football authorities to act.
Super Eagles legend Kadiri Ikhana critically ill
Sports
WAFCON: Super Falcons secure top spot in Group B despite draw against Algeria
WAFCON: Super Falcons secure top spot in Group B despite draw against Algeria
The Fennecs of Algeria held Nigeria’s Super Falcons to a 0-0 draw in their last group game of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
Justine Madugu’s side finished first in Group B with seven points after three games.
The nine-time winners will meet Zambia’s Copper Queens in the quarterfinals on Friday.
Nigeria dominated possession, but Algeria held solid at the back.
Ifeoma Onumonu and Jennifer Echegini both came close to opening the scoring for Nigeria in the first half.
The Super Falcons struggled to generate scoring opportunities in the second half.
Algeria finished second in the group, with five points from three matches.
Tunisia and Botswana played to a 1-1 tie in the other group game.
WAFCON: Super Falcons secure top spot in Group B despite draw against Algeria
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