Sports
Leverkusen Dumped Out Of German Cup By Third-division Bielefeld
Published
4 months agoon
By
Editor
German Cup holders Bayer Leverkusen suffered a shock 2-1 elimination at Arminia Bielefeld in the semi-finals of the competition on Tuesday.
Xabi Alonso’s side were heavily favoured to reach their second successive final but were outclassed from start to finish by their underdog opponents.
Jonathan Tah’s 17th-minute goal was cancelled out by a Marius Woerl strike for the hosts three minutes later.
Maximilian Grosser’s goal in first-half stoppage time would prove the difference for Bielefeld, who have now beaten four top-division opponents on their way to the final.
READ ALSO: Saka Scores On return As Arsenal Beat Fulham
Bielefeld, who have never made a German Cup final, became just the fourth third-division team to reach the showpiece event.
Should Bielefeld win in Berlin in May — they will face either RB Leipzig or Stuttgart — the club will be rewarded with a Europa League spot next season.
Leverkusen coach Alonso came into the game having never lost in 10 matches in the competition and needed just one more victory to beat Louis van Gaal’s all-time record set as Bayern Munich manager.
Everything seemed to go according to plan when Leverkusen took the lead after 17 minutes, Tah tapping in unmarked at the far post.
READ ALSO: EPL: Liverpool Open 11-point Lead After 2-0 Win Against Man City
The hosts hit back almost immediately however, Woerl taking advantage of a sloppy clearance attempt by Piero Hincapie to curl the ball home.
As the half wore on, Leverkusen were unable to make their possession count, with Bielefeld fast and threatening on the counter.
The hosts once again caught Leverkusen napping to take the lead moments before halftime, Grosser hammering in a Louis Oppie free kick from close range.
Bielefeld continued to out-energise their opponents, fighting in the duels and giving Leverkusen few chances to drag themselves back into the game.
Patrick Schick, so often Leverkusen’s late hero over the past two seasons, had a chance to level the scores while unmarked after 81 minutes but hit a header against the post.
This year’s German Cup is one of the more open in recent memory, with recent champions Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and Eintracht Frankfurt all suffering early eliminations from the competition.
On Wednesday, RB Leipzig play away at Stuttgart in the other semi-final.
Leipzig, who have won two of the past three German Cups, will be managed by interim coach Zsolt Low, who took over after Marco Rose was sacked on Sunday.
AFP
You may like
Sports
Super Falcons Players Haven’t Received Promised $100,000, Captain Ajibade Reveals
Published
4 hours agoon
August 14, 2025By
Editor
Super Falcons captain and forward, Rasheedat Ajibade, has expressed frustration over the delay in the payment of promised allowances and bonuses to the team.
She made this known during an appearance on the forthcoming episode of ‘With Chude’ hosted by popular on-air personality, Chude Jideonwo.
Ajibade said the players had yet to receive the pledged $100,000 and other entitlements, despite repeated assurances from the relevant authorities.
“We have not received our money oo. Please, they have not paid. All the promises you heard back and forth, we have not received anything,” she said.
READ ALSO:Super Falcons Coach Madugu Nominated For 2025 Ballon d’Or Award
Ajibade added that the players had been informed the money had already been allocated but insisted nothing had reached them.
“People are begging. We have not received it. When they pay it, you will see. Even our match bonuses and everything… everything is still a work in progress,” she lamented.
The 24-year-old urged the authorities to fulfill their promises, stressing that the delay was taking a toll on the players.
Following the Super Falcons’ historic 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations triumph in Morocco, President Bola Tinubu had in July 2025 announced a cash reward of $100,000 for each player, along with other bonuses, as a token of appreciation for their achievement.
READ ALSO:JUST IN: Tinubu Confers National Honours On Super Falcons
Ajibade also stated that she played for FC Robo Queens in the Nigeria Women’s Football League for 10 years without receiving a salary.
The Super Falcons captain described her spell playing football in the NWFL as “a tough moment”.
Ajibade added that she grew up in compound of almost 100 people” in the Mushin area of Lagos and had to “wash people’s toilets and bathrooms for money”.
READ ALSO:WAFCON Final: Super Falcons Produce Stunning Comeback To Defeat Morocco, Win 10th Title
The forward added that she grew up in “a compound of almost 100 people” in the Mushin area of Lagos and had to “wash people’s toilets and bathrooms for money”.
Ajibade came through the ranks of FC Robo Queens in Lagos and played for the team until she moved to Avaldsnes IL in Norway at the age of 17.
She then joined Atletico Madrid Feminino in 2021.
Sports
Enabulele Celebrates Edo Deputy Governor on Birthday
Published
3 days agoon
August 12, 2025By
Editor
The Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele, has congratulated the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, on the occasion of his birthday.
In a statement issued on Monday through his Media Officer, Edoko Wilson Edoko, Enabulele described Idahosa as a true democrat, a results-driven leader, and a high-flyer.
“You have continued to distinguish yourself in all your endeavours. Even as a young legislator, your impactful representation and laudable stewardship exemplify the true definition of a performer, earning you the admiration of many,” he said.
Enabulele further noted that Idahosa’s life is a testament to the importance of loyalty and respect, particularly in his current role as a supportive Deputy Governor. “You have stood firmly behind your boss, and that epitomizes true leadership,” he stated.
READ ALSO: Cristiano Ronaldo Officially Engaged, Set To Get Married
“As you celebrate another milestone, I join family, friends, and well-wishers across the globe in acknowledging your humility, commitment, and determination to ensure Edo State continues to rise under Governor Okpebholo’s SHINE Agenda,” Enabulele added.
He commended the Deputy Governor’s unwavering dedication to nation-building, his vision for a better Edo, and his commitment to advancing and safeguarding the interests of all Edo people, regardless of status or circumstance, describing these qualities as “worthy of emulation.”
“We pray that Almighty God continues to grant you wisdom, good health, sound mind, happiness, and joy as you celebrate another year,” the statement concluded.
Sports
Edo SWAN Felicitates Deputy Governor On Birth Anniversary
Published
3 days agoon
August 12, 2025By
Editor
The Leadership of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Edo State chapter, has felicitated with deputy governor of the state, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, on his birth anniversary.
A felicitation message jointly signed by Comrade Kehind Osagiede and Comrade Idahosa Moses, Edo SWAN Chairman and Secretary, on behalf of all sports writers in the state said, ”all of us at SWAN in Edo state are delighted over this milestone and wish that many more celebrations come your way now and always.”
The duo, in the message, while describing the deputy governor as a man of “honour, candour and commitment to public good as you have aptly demonstrated in the task of sports and youths development in Edo state,” acknowledged his support and encouragement to the body since he assumed office.
READ ALSO: Use Edo By-election As Template For APC’s Victory In 2027, Idahosa Urges Residents
The message reads: “Your dedication to serving the people of Edo State and your insightful contributions to good governance is highly commendable
“Today, we celebrate a visionary leader who is propelling the sports sector to unprecedented heights.
“As you celebrate this special day, we wish Your Excellency good health and fulfillment in all your aspirations.”
- NNPCL Reduces Fuel Price After Dangote Refinery’s Adjustment
- I’m Being Impersonated – Goodluck Jonathan Disowns Social Media Account
- Police Recruitment: PSC Moves To Stop Hijack Of Exercise By Politicians
- JUST IN: Canadian Court Declares APC, PDP Terrorist Organisations
- N5bn Damage: NNPCL Secures Appeal Court Victory Against Ararume
- US Approves Sale Of Bombs, Others Worth $346m o Nigeria
- Lagos Woman Remanded For False Foreign Currency Declaration
- Super Falcons Players Haven’t Received Promised $100,000, Captain Ajibade Reveals
- Why New Lagos Tenancy Bill – Lawmaker
- Delta Gov’s Aide Offers Freed Ibom Air Passenger N500,000 Job, Luxury Trip
Trending
- Metro3 days ago
BREAKING: EFCC Arrests Tambuwal Over Alleged N189bn Fraud
- News3 days ago
JUST IN: Ibom Air Passenger Charged To Court Over ‘Unruly’ Act, Remanded In Prison
- News1 day ago
JUST IN: Ibom Air Passenger Breaks Silence After Release
- Metro4 days ago
Our Children Wrote A Letter Disowning Me After My Husband Accused Me Of Dating Another Man —Wife
- Metro3 days ago
NDLEA Arrests 46 Suspects, Seizes 40,000 KG Of Drugs
- News3 days ago
Ibom Air Passenger Emmason: Why Kwam1 Was Not Charged In Court — NCAA
- News3 days ago
Tinubu Makes New Appointments, Abiola’s Daughter In List
- Entertainment3 days ago
VeryDarkMan Reacts To Visions Of His Death
- Metro4 days ago
EFCC Raids Obasanjo’s Hotel, Arrests Suspected Internet Fraudsters At Pool Party
- Headline4 days ago
PHOTOS: US Soldier Searching For Her Nigerian Father