Sports

Real Madrid Get New Manager

Published

6 months ago

May 25, 2025

Real Madrid appointed Xabi Alonso to replace Carlo Ancelotti as coach on Sunday, with the Spaniard to take over from June 1 and lead the team at the Club World Cup.

“Xabi Alonso will be the Real Madrid coach for the next three seasons, from June 1, 2025 until June 30, 2028,” said Real Madrid in a statement.

With veteran Italian coach Ancelotti taking the reins of the Brazilian national team, Madrid secured a deal with former midfielder Alonso, whom they have been linked with for months.

Alonso, 43, leaves German side Bayer Leverkusen at the end of the Bundesliga season after finishing second.

“Alonso is one of the biggest legends at Real Madrid and in world football,” continued Los Blancos’ statement.

“He wore our shirt in 236 games between 2009 and 2014. During that time he won six trophies.”

Alonso will be officially presented on Monday at 1030 GMT.

The Spaniard coached Leverkusen to a league and German Cup double in the 2023-2024 campaign, with his team unbeaten in the top flight, making him a target for Europe’s top clubs.

Basque coach Alonso had an agreement with Leverkusen to allow him to depart if one of his former sides, including Madrid, Liverpool and Bayern Munich, wanted to hire him.

Ancelotti’s Madrid endured a disappointing campaign, winning the European Super Cup and Intercontinental Cup but suffering Champions League quarter-final elimination by Arsenal.

Barcelona beat Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup and Copa del Rey finals and then reclaimed the Liga throne from their arch-rivals, meaning they failed to win a major trophy.

Madrid added French superstar Kylian Mbappe last summer but Ancelotti found it hard to include him in the team alongside Vinicius Junior without destabilising it.

Mbappe netted 31 La Liga goals which should earn him the European Golden Shoe, but Alonso’s main job will be to restore the team’s solidity without compromising the attack.

After losing two matches in the whole of the previous campaign, this season Madrid slumped to 14 defeats.

– La Decima –

Alonso will replace one of the most successful managers in Madrid’s history, despite their struggles this season.

Ancelotti, 65, took Los Blancos to 15 trophies during two spells at the club, spanning six years.

The Italian won three Champions League trophies in Madrid, including La Decima — Madrid’s 10th — in 2014, with Alonso as part of his squad, although he was suspended for the final.

Alonso was also coached by Pep Guardiola, Jose Mourinho and Vicente del Bosque among others and is considered tactically adroit and an excellent organiser, which could be ideal for a Madrid side that has lacked balance.

The midfielder won two European Championships and the 2010 World Cup with Spain as he helped La Roja dominate the international game.

After retiring from playing in 2017 he coached Real Madrid and Real Sociedad at youth level before being appointed by Bayer Leverkusen in 2022.

Real Madrid have already signed defender Dean Huijsen from Bournemouth this summer and Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold is expected to follow, with his contract coming to an end at Anfield.

Madrid are trying to bring in the England international before the Club World Cup this summer, which will be Alonso’s first chance to win silverware.

Real Madrid face Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal in Miami on June 18 in their opening match at FIFA’s lucrative summer tournament, which will be the first look at Alonso’s side.

Sports

NPFL26: Bendel Insurance Beat Kano Pillars 3-2

Published

23 hours ago

November 15, 2025

Editor

Bendel Insurance jinx of inconsistent and goal drought in the current Nigeria Premier Football League season were on Saturday evening broken at the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium in Benin as they defeated Kano Pillars 3-2 to move a step out of the deep.
‎
‎The Benin Arsenals returned to winning ways with a remarkable 3-2 comeback
‎victory over the sai Masu Gida side with goals from Kayode Oke, Emmanuel Dung and Akpan Emmanuel who handed
‎ Kennedy Boboye his first maximum points since joining Insurance over a month ago.
‎.
‎Kayode Oke opened scoring for Insurance in the 17th minute, but veteran midfielder Rabiu Ali got an equalizer for the visitors from the penalty spot in the 34th minute.

READ ALSO:Bendel Insurance Head Coach Suspended
‎
‎Four minutes later, Chiedozie Okorie gave Pillars the lead in the halftime of the match day 13 encounter under the rain.
‎
‎Insurance returned for the second half with double substitution and mounted much pressure on the visitors and got rewarded for their efforts with a spirited comeback when Emmanuel Dung powered an equalising goal for Insurance in the 77th minute with a rocket strike from the edge of the box to send the already agitated home fans into wild jubilation.
‎
‎As time drifted away from the regulation mark, Emmanuel Akpan sealed the victory with a stoppage-time strike in the 88 minutes.

‎It was Insurance second victory and first for coach Kennedy Boboye in the current football season.

The Benin Arsenals now move up to 17th on the table with 12 points.

READ ALSO:Enabulele Congratulates Bendel Insurance For Pre-Season Tournament Performance
‎
‎Speaking during a post match media conference, coach Kennedy Boboye said that he was relieved to have his first maximum points as Vendel Insurance Manager after five matches -one loss, one win and three draws so far.
‎
‎He said that he remains focused and determined to get out of the red zone.

‎”I am relieved and happy we got the victory we have been looking for and I must give it to my players,fans and the supporters club who are always there for us irrespective of the results we posted.
‎I dedicate the victory to them,” he said.
‎

Sports

Arsenal’s Gabriel Injured In Senegal Friendly

Published

24 hours ago

November 15, 2025

Editor

Arsenal’s defensive rock, Gabriel Magalhães, limped off during Brazil’s 2-0 friendly win over Senegal at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

This injury is going to be a major headache for Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta, who still has many players out injured.

The 27-year-old Brazilian center-back was forced to depart in the 64th minute, clutching his right thigh and groin area following a seemingly innocuous challenge. He was replaced by Flamengo’s Wesley.

This comes at the worst possible time for the Premier League leaders, who face Tottenham in the North London Derby on November 23, barely a week away, followed by Champions League and league tests against Bayern Munich and Chelsea.

Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti later confirmed it was a muscular issue but offered no timeline, stating: “We’ll have to wait and see on the extent—it’s too early to say.”

Sports

One Year Of Sports Excellence Under Governor Okpebholo’s Leadership

Published

4 days ago

November 13, 2025

Editor

By Edoko Wilson Edoko

The Edo State Sports Commission has celebrated one year of steady progress and transformation under the leadership of His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, the Executive Governor of Edo State. The past year has seen significant reforms, innovation, and achievements across all levels of sports in the state.

Led by Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele, the Commission has revived Edo’s sporting heritage and re-established the state as a dominant force in Nigerian sports — fulfilling Governor Okpebholo’s vision of a vibrant, talent-driven, and development-oriented sports ecosystem.

At the 2025 National Youth Games in Asaba, Team Edo achieved its best performance yet, finishing among the top teams with 33 gold, 18 silver, and 28 bronze medals. The state also finished third at the maiden Niger Delta Sports Festival in Uyo, winning 89 medals, and recorded a 302-medal haul at the 22nd National Sports Festival in Abeokuta.

Hon. Enabulele credited these achievements to Governor Okpebholo’s commitment to athlete welfare and grassroots sports development.

Edo athletes also shone internationally. Seven Edo Queens FC players were called up to the U-20 Super Falconets, while five female rugby players represented Nigeria at the World Rugby League Series in Canada. Para-athletes and deaf athletes brought home several medals from regional and continental championships, including 17-year-old Ojieabu Favour Omo, who won six medals at the African Para-Cycling Track Championship in Cairo.

Team Edo dominated several national competitions, including para-powerlifting, karate, badminton, swimming, and kung fu tournaments. The state also hosted the South-South Zonal Eliminations for the National Sports Festival, earning praise for its professionalism.

The Commission deepened the link between education and sports through the Governor’s Cup, rewarding winning schools with new buses, and introduced the Under-17 Chess Tournament to promote intellectual sports. Plans for an Edo Indoor Cricket Complex are also underway.

Edo Queens FC maintained their regional dominance as WAFU B Champions, while Coach Moses Opuamowei Aduku’s leadership of the Super Falconets further underscored Edo’s excellence.

Governor Okpebholo was honoured by the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) as Distinguished Governor of the Year for his contributions to sports development. Hon. Enabulele also received the SWAN Diamond Jubilee National Award for exemplary leadership.

The Commission has expanded Edo’s sports structure with the inauguration of the Armwrestling Association Board and continued medal-winning performances in taekwondo, powerlifting, and athletics.

“As our Governor marks one year in office, Edo’s sports continue to soar,” Hon. Enabulele said. “Our goal is to make Edo a model for sports governance and athlete development in Nigeria. With the Governor’s support, we are confident of achieving even greater success.”

Edoko Wilson Edoko is the Media Officer to the Executive Chairman of Edo State Sports Commission.