Sports

UWCL: Barca Start Champions League Defence Hoping To Refine Perfection

Published

2 years ago

November 13, 2023

Women’s Champions League holders Barcelona kick off their trophy defence this week, aiming to become only the fourth team to win the competition in consecutive years

Led by Ballon d’Or holder Aitana Bonmati and two-time winner Alexia Putellas, as well as other World Cup conquering stars, Barcelona are tasked with refining perfection.

Jonatan Giraldez’s side came from two goals behind to beat Wolfsburg in June in Eindhoven, clinching their second Champions League win.

They have reached four of the last five finals, winning twice, and can dream of extending their dominance in Bilbao next May.

Only traditional giants Lyon and Wolfsburg, as well as Sweden’s Umea, have won the Champions League in consecutive years.

Barcelona lifted a treble last season — Spain’s Liga F, the Champions League and the Spanish Super Cup — but were disqualified from the Copa de la Reina.

Coach Giraldez wants the team to go one better this season and win everything, starting with their opener against Benfica on Tuesday.

“There’s no need to look at where the ceiling is (for this team), but instead to get up every day to work and improve,” he said last week.

“It is very difficult to match and surpass last year’s performance, but we have to work for it.

“We won three of four titles, so there is still room for improvement and we have to work for that.”

Barcelona face familiar opponents in the group, in Swedish champions Rosengard and Portuguese champions Benfica, both of whom were also in their group last season, and German side Eintracht Frankfurt.

“They are team that we know because we played against Benfica and Rosengard last season in the group stage,” said Giraldez in October.

“Eintracht, meanwhile, are a very strong side — I had the chance to watch them live last season against Wolfsburg, before the Champions League final.”

Barcelona’s squad looks as strong as ever, with Salma Paralluelo starting the season in spectacular form.

The Spanish forward, who finished third in the Ballon

d’Or, smashed in four goals against Sevilla earlier in November as she began her campaign to win the trophy currently held by Bonmati.

The playmaker showed supporters the golden ball before the Sevilla match and also paraded it before Barcelona’s men’s team beat Alaves in La Liga on Sunday.

There was no debate over the women’s Ballon d’Or — Bonmati was the outstanding candidate.

– Putellas recovery –

Bonmati’s sublime midfield performances ease pressure on Putellas, who is still looking for her top level after a long-term knee injury.

“The surgeon told me I won’t get cleared to play and (be able to) perform straight away, but that it’s a process,” said Putellas in October.

“They told me a year and a half, and that’s in December.”

Barcelona do not have a clear outstanding option for centre-forward, and Putellas may end up taking on the role as a false nine.

Those three Spanish players are key element’s of Giraldez’s side, but the supporting cast is remarkably strong with explosive winger Caroline Graham Hansen to England duo Keira Walsh and Lucy Bronze, and Swedish dynamo Fridolina Rolfo.

Patri Guijarro, who netted twice in the win over Wolfsburg, and Mapi Leon, are two other key pillars, who missed Spain’s World Cup triumph in the fight over improving conditions for the team.

If there is one significant doubt about the Catalans, it is their track record against record eight-time winners Lyon.

The two sides have met four times with Lyon triumphing on every occasion, scoring 10 goals to Barcelona’s three.

The French side beat Barca in the 2022 and 2019 finals, as they won five titles in a row between 2016 and 2020.

Barcelona should fly through the group stage — they scored 15 against Benfica in two games last season, and 10 against Rosengard — and will be keeping a close eye on the French giants after that.

Sports

Tobi Amusan Clinches Silver At World Championships In Tokyo

Published

11 hours ago

September 15, 2025

Editor

Tobi Amusan clinches silver at World Championships in Tokyo
Nigeria’s sprint queen, Tobi Amusan, delivered a sensational performance in the women’s 100m hurdles final at the Tokyo 2025 World Championships, clinching silver with a blazing 12.29s finish.

The 28-year-old sprint icon delivered a powerful race from start to finish but was narrowly beaten to the line by Switzerland’s Ditaji Kambundji, who stormed to gold in a national record time of 12.24s.

Grace Stark of the United States secured bronze with 12.34s, while Masai Russell came fourth in 12.44s.

Tobi Amusan, who made history in 2022 by becoming the first Nigerian and African to win the 100m hurdles world title in Oregon, was aiming to reclaim her crown.

Though she fell just short of gold, her silver medal further cements her status as one of the sport’s all-time greats, adding to her world record (12.12s), multiple Diamond League titles, and Commonwealth Games gold.

After missing the final at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Amusan’s performance in Tokyo is a resounding response to critics and proof that she remains among the world’s best.

Nigeria’s medal hopes in Tokyo are not over yet.

Ezekiel Nathaniel advanced to the semifinals of the men’s 400m hurdles after running 48.37 seconds in the heats.

The 21-year-old, one of Africa’s fastest-rising hurdlers, kept his composure in a competitive race and will look to qualify for the final on Wednesday as he sets his sights on a podium finish.

Sports

Idahosa Hails Insurance 1-0 Thrashing Of Niger Tornadoes

Published

2 days ago

September 14, 2025

Editor

Edo State deputy governor, Hon. Dennis Idahosa has hailed Bendel Insurance over their 1-0 victory against Niger Tornadoes in the week 4 fixture of the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL).

In a press statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Friday Aghedo The deputy governor described the match played at the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium, Benin on Saturday as a “hard fought victory” for the Benin Arsenals.

Idahosa said he was pleased with the players’ performance, who needed an extra time of six minutes to scored the goal that made the difference in the game.

He said the players should be motivated with the victory to enhance their performance in subsequent matches for the season.

“Though there is room for improvement, but am not the less impressed with their performance in the game against the Niger team.

“With their display, it is clear that Bendel Insurance this year and this season will do extremely well. We will be here to support and encourage them,” he stated.

Idahosa who noted that though his presence might not be the key determinant of this match result, however asserted, “They played passionately, but, if my presence would encourage them, I would be coming every now and then.”

He congratulated the Edo State Sports Commission Chairman, Hon. Desmond Amadin Enabulele for doing a wonderful job.

Similarly, Enabulele said that Insurance made their hunger for victory known right from the very first minute of the game.

According to him, “From the very first minute, Bendel Insurance FC played the Match, it was clear that they were going to win.

“Today, the boys did not only show that they were ready for Continental play this season, but they showed what they are made up of. I was impressed with their good ball possession from the blast of the whistle.”

Sports

Enabulele Applauds Team Edo Deaf Athletes For Performance At W’Africa Championship

Published

3 days ago

September 12, 2025

Editor

Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Hon. Amadin Enabulele, has commended Team Edo deaf athletes who represented Nigeria at the just-concluded West Africa Deaf Athletics Championship in Abuja.

At the close of the championship, Nigeria secured six gold medals in total, with Team Edo contributing three gold and four silver medals.

Enabulele, in a statement signed by his Media Officer, Edoko Wilson Edoko, and made available to newsmen in Benin on Friday, described the athletes’ performance as outstanding and a source of pride for both Edo State and Nigeria.

“I am particularly thrilled by Deborah Ighawuanre’s exceptional performance in the female category, winning two gold medals at the championship,” Enabulele said.

He also commended the exploits of other Edo athletes, including Victory Odokara, who clinched gold in the women’s 400m event; Okpaise Nathaniel Junior, who won two silver medals in the men’s category; and Assurance Omoria, who claimed silver medals in both the 100m and 400m events.

Enabulele emphasized that the team’s success reflects the outcome of targeted investment and support from the state government.

“This feat is a clear testament to Governor Monday Okpebholo’s unwavering commitment to grassroots sports development in Edo State,” he stated.

The sports commission chairman who expressed optimism about the future of the athletes, said: “Our athletes have distinguished themselves at this championship, and I am confident these victories will inspire even greater performances in upcoming competitions.”

Enabulele disclosed in the statement that four of the seven athletes selected to represent Nigeria at the upcoming Deaflympics, scheduled for November 2025 in Tokyo, Japan, are from Edo State.

Adding his voice in the statement, Dr. Sunny Aimufua, Head Coach of the Edo Deaf Athletics Team, praised the athletes for their dedication and resilience.

“The athletes have made Edo State proud, and we are committed to doing even more in future competitions. I must commend Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele for his dynamic leadership and unwavering support for deaf sports.”

The West Africa Deaf Athletics Championship was organized to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of ECOWAS, bringing together top deaf athletes from across the sub-region for a historic and highly competitive event in Abuja.