JUST IN: Real Madrid Win La Liga Title

Published

1 year ago

May 4, 2024

Real Madrid won La Liga on Saturday after beating Cadiz 3-0 before Girona defeated last year’s champions Barcelona 4-2 to seal Los Blancos’ triumph.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side did their homework against the Andalucian stragglers to virtually guarantee a record-extending 36th Spanish title, confirmed when Barcelona dropped points at Montilivi.

Girona’s dramatic victory saw the Catalan minnows qualify for the Champions League for the first time in their history.

Brahim Diaz netted in the 51st minute to put Madrid ahead and then set up Jude Bellingham for the second, with Joselu tapping home a third to leave Madrid on the cusp of the title.

“We leave our skins out there on the pitch to live moments like today’s, we are so close to the league,” Joselu told Real Madrid TV.

“There are young players who are very hungry for titles, veterans who are delighted to be here… and these are special moments.”

Ancelotti played a heavily rotated side ahead of the Champions League semi-final second leg against Bayern Munich on Wednesday.

The coach selected only captain Nacho Fernandez from the starting line-up that earned a 2-2 draw in Bavaria this week.

Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois started for the first time after a nine-month lay off after a knee injury and kept a clean sheet.

Madrid midfielder Luka Modric became the oldest player to appear for the club in La Liga, at 38 years and 238 days, breaking late Hungarian great Ferenc Puskas’ record from 1965 by five days.

Madrid striker Joselu came close to reaching a dangerous cross and Chris Ramos fired off target for the visitors in an otherwise slow start at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Ruben Sobrino barged his way past Eder Militao on the counter-attack after half an hour but Nacho slid in well to thwart him as he prepared to shoot.

The visitors, 18th and still battling to stay up, shaded the first half, although Dani Ceballos had a shot blocked after Cadiz goalkeeper Jeremias Ledesma went walkabout at a corner.

– ‘Waiting for this day’ –

Courtois made a superb save to deny Ramos early in the second half and his team took the lead immediately afterwards.

The Cadiz striker shook free of Nacho and ran in on goal but Courtois produced a superb save.

Moments later Diaz sent Madrid ahead, receiving from the evergreen Modric on the edge of the area, turning slickly and curling an effort into the top corner.

“Thibaut is the best in the world, he’s had a terrible season and we were waiting for this day to come,” added Joselu.

Bellingham, on as a substitute for Turkish teenager Arda Guler, added the second soon after entering the fray.

Modric and Diaz combined well, with the latter squaring for Bellingham to put the finishing touch on a fine team move.

It was the England international’s 18th league goal of the season, keeping him in contention to finish as the top scorer.

Madrid put the cherry on their cake after a superb run by Nacho.

Poised to depart at the end of the season, the Spaniard was hailed by the Bernabeu after setting up Joselu for a simple finish in stoppage time.

Los Blancos could celebrate after Girona came from behind twice to defeat Barcelona for the second time this season in a thrilling derby.

Barcelona took the lead through Andreas Christensen but La Liga’s top scorer Artem Dovbyk levelled with his 20th goal of the campaign.

Robert Lewandowski’s penalty sent Barcelona ahead but substitute Portu made a huge impact in the second half for Girona.

The winger netted the equaliser and then set up Miguel Gutierrez to put Girona ahead.

Portu sensationally volleyed home the fourth to ignite Girona’s tiny Montilivi stadium and get the party started.

Okpebholo Bags SWAN Governor of the Year Award

Published

16 hours ago

October 29, 2025

Editor

National Leadership of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has named the governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, as the Distinguished Governor of the Year in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the development of sports in Nigeria.

The award will be formally presented to the governor on Friday, October 31, during SWAN’s 60th Diamond Jubilee Anniversary.

Edo State Chairman of SWAN, Comrade Kehinde Osagiede, disclosed this on Tuesday in Benin when he led members of his executive on a courtesy visit to the State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Prince Kassim Afegbua.

Osagiede said the visit was aimed at officially introducing the Edo SWAN Executive — which assumed office about a year ago — to the commissioner and to strengthen collaboration between the association and the state government.

“Governor Monday Okpebholo was carefully selected for this honour because of his remarkable contributions to sports development in Nigeria within his first year in office.

“We also came to congratulate you, Mr. Commissioner, on your well-deserved appointment, and to inform you, as the spokesperson of the state government, about the forthcoming award to the governor,” he said.

He further assured that the Edo SWAN chapter would continue to collaborate with the state government to promote sports development across the state.

In his response, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Prince Kassim Afegbua, thanked SWAN for the recognition accorded Governor Okpebholo and for its support towards sports promotion in Edo State.

Afegbua, who disclosed that the governor was currently on official duty in Ekiti State, promised to brief him about the honour.

He urged sports journalists in the state to give balanced and positive coverage to the activities of Bendel Insurance Football Club, Edo Queens, and other sporting programmes initiated by the state government.

“The Edo State Government will continue to partner with SWAN to advance sports development in the state,” the commissioner assured.

Sports

Deputy Gov Pledges Support For Edo Queens

Published

1 day ago

October 28, 2025

Editor

Edo state deputy governor, Hon. Dennis Idahosa has pledged continued government support to the victorious Edo Queens FC.

The deputy governor made this pledge when he received the team in government house following their impressive third-place finish at the 2025 1st Governor Douye Diri Women’s Preseason Football Tournament in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Friday Aghedo, Idahosa was presented with the team’s third-place trophy during the visit to the state government house.

He praised the players for their determination and exceptional performance throughout the week long football fiesta, which ran from October 18 to 25, 2025.

He said the government led by Sen. Monday Okpebholo will continue to do all that is necessary to encourage the team for greater success.

“We are here as a government to always encourage you, and we appreciate this cup you have presented to me on behalf of my principal,” Idahosa stated.

The Deputy Governor also lauded the Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Hon. Desmond Amadin Enabulele, along with the board members, civil servants, technical crew, and Head Coach Mr. Moses Aduku, for their tireless efforts behind the scenes.

“The Edo Queens FC have made us proud again. On behalf of Governor Monday Okpebholo, I congratulate you all. You are great ambassadors of our state,” he added.

Idahosa further applauded Enabulele’s leadership for guiding both Edo Queens and Bendel Insurance FC to prominence, noting Bendel Insurance’s fifth-place finish last season and expressing optimism for even greater achievements in the currentseason.

In his remarks, Enabulele explained that the Bayelsa preseason tournament served as a valuable testing ground to assess and strengthen the squad ahead of the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) season.

“Team Edo did very well. We were the only side that did not concede a goal throughout the tournament,” he noted.

Edo Queens Head Coach, Moses Aduku, while unveiling the team’s new slogan, said, “Second is not an option.”

He expressed confidence that Edo Queens FC would build on their preseason form to challenge for top honors when the new league season begins.

Sports

[FULL LIST] U-17 W’ World Cup: Nigeria Face Italy As Knockout Stage Begins

Published

4 days ago

October 26, 2025

Editor

The knockout phase of the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup is set to kick off in Morocco, with Nigeria’s Flamingos drawn against Italy in one of the standout Round of 16 fixtures.

The match is scheduled for Tuesday, October 28, at the Stade Olympique de Rabat, with kickoff at 8:00 p.m. Nigeria.

Their qualification follows an emphatic 4–0 victory over Samoa in Rabat on Saturday.

The Flamingos will now aim to build on their impressive group-stage campaign as they continue their push for a historic first world title.

Host nation Morocco will also be in action the same evening, taking on South Korea at the Mohammed VI Football Academy Pitch 2 in Sale, where home fans are expected to create a charged atmosphere in support of the Atlas Lionesses.

Earlier on Tuesday, Brazil will battle China PR, while the United States square off against the Netherlands, both matches slated for 4:30 p.m. in Sale.

The game continues on Wednesday, October 29, with Mexico facing Paraguay at 4:30 p.m., while defending champions Spain meet France in a mouthwatering all-European clash at the same time and venue.

Later that night, Canada will take on Zambia, and Japan, one of the tournament’s top contenders, will lock horns with Colombia to round off the Round of 16 fixtures.

All matches will be staged across venues in Rabat and Sale, with global coverage available via major sports networks and FIFA’s digital platforms.

As the competition enters its decisive stage, only four wins now separate the remaining 16 teams from lifting the prestigious U-17 Women’s World Cup trophy.

Eight winning teams in the round of 16 will move to the quarter-final stage starting Saturday, November 1, 2025.

Full Round of 16 Fixtures
Tuesday, October 28, 2025

Brazil U17 vs China PR U17 – 4:30 PM (Mohammed VI Football Academy Pitch 3, Sale)

United States U17 vs Netherlands U17 – 4:30 PM (Mohammed VI Football Academy, Sale)

Italy U17 vs Nigeria U17 – 8:00 PM (Stade Olympique de Rabat, Rabat)

South Korea U17 vs Morocco U17 – 8:00 PM (Mohammed VI Football Academy Pitch 2, Sale)

Wednesday, October 29, 2025

Mexico U17 vs Paraguay U17 – 4:30 PM (Mohammed VI Football Academy Pitch 3, Sale)

Spain U17 vs France U17 – 4:30 PM (Mohammed VI Football Academy, Sale)

Canada U17 vs Zambia U17 – 8:00 PM (Mohammed VI Football Academy, Sale)

Japan U17 vs Colombia U17 – 8:00 PM (Venue TBC)