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Barc Focuses On Retaining Euro Crown

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With Real Madrid crushing virtually all before them and holding a ten-point lead over Barcelona in Spain, the UEFA Champions League has assumed greater importance for the Catalan side, who are on course to reach the quarter-finals.

Barcelona entertain Bayer Leverkusen at the Nou Camp today holding a 3-1 lead from the first leg.

Jose Mourinho has converted Real into a formidable force in his second season in Madrid and they have now won 20 out of 21 games domestically with the only defeat coming against Barcelona at the Bernabeu.

The reigning Champions League and La Liga winners have failed to show the same consistency, dropping too many points away from home but they know that in a one-off match, they are still capable of beating anybody.

“It is going to be very tough for us to win the league but now we must concentrate on Bayer Leverkusen. It has been a difficult season for us with so many injuries which has meant that we have not been able to play at 100 per cent but little by little we have been improving”, said Adriano.

The Brazilian utility player has been involved more than expected recently due to the number of absentees in Pep Guardiola’s squad which has been criticised for being under strength.

In the 3-1 weekend win over Sporting Gijon, he played at left-back with Eric Abidal lying in the treatment room but he has also featured in midfield and in a more attacking role.

“It was an important game for us against Sporting like all of them at the moment as we were able to put the pressure on Madrid, who played afterwards, and we will keep battling in every match until the end of the season trying to pick up as many points as possible.

“In the Champions League now, we play Bayer Leverkusen at home after a good win in Germany but they are a strong side as they showed at the weekend with a victory over a team like Bayern Munich which shows what they are capable of.”

Seydou Keita made a notable return to the team after his participation in the CAF African Cup of Nations, playing a key role in the victory by helping to set up the first goal for Andres Iniesta and then scoring the second himself.

Barcelona played the majority of the second half without Gerard Pique, who was red-carded and there was bad news for Alexis Sanchez, who limped off and is expected to be out of action for over two weeks.

Guardiola heaped praise on Keita, an under-stated member of the squad who can be relied upon when given his chance in the team. “One of the best things that I have experienced since being coach of Barcelona is the possibility to have got to know him and I congratulate him for all that he has done for us,” he said.

“In recent seasons, we have won because we have deserved it. You always have to play well to win and we did so after we were down to ten men and drawing the  Madrid.

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FOOTBALL FANS FIESTA IN PH IS TO PROMOTE PEACE, UNITY – Oputa

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Port Harcourt the capital city of Rivers State will be at the centre stage in Nigeria as Port Harcourt Arsenal Community will hold her maiden edition of Football Fans Fiesta (FFF).

The Fiesta scheduled to hold on the 13th December, 2025, at Eddiz wine bar GRA, promises to be all football fans carnival in the State , as there will be a lot of fanfares.

The Coordinator of Port Harcourt Arsenal Community (PHAC), Ugochukwu Oputa has said that the forthcoming Football Fans Fiesta was basically to promote peace, unity and love among football fans in irrespective of the cub.

He stated that sports is a catalyst to bring peace, love and Unity in any given society, hence the occasion was initiated.

Oputa said this in an interview with sports journalists in Port Harcourt yesterday, saying that arrangements are on top gear for a successful programme.

” This event is for all football fans irrespective of your club. It is basically to promote peace, love and Unity among fans.

“It is like stating the obvious that football is the catalyst of peace and unity in the world. So the Port Harcourt Arsenal Community want to use this avenue to bring people together and foster friendship.

“There is no gate fee, but it is expected to put on jersey of your club as to make the event look unique” Oputa said.

The Coordinator used the forum to advice football fans in the world to love one another, and equally urged fans that will attend the occasion to be of good conduct and behaviour.

 

Tonye Orabere

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Obagi Emerges OML 58 Football Cup Champions

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 The annual NNPC/TEPNG OML58 host communities cup 2025 edition draw its curtains closed last Saturday, with Obagi Community defeated hard fighting Akabta community 1-0, to lift the trophy.
The final which was held at  Obite Civic Centre (field) saw Chiefs, community leaders,  youths,  including the Total Energies JV Asset Deputy Managing Director, Mr. Olivier Cassasoles and people from all works of life in attendance.
Speaking at the event Mr. Cassasoles revealed that three best players in previous tournaments have been sponsored into a football academy within Nigeria.
He stated that  all participants are winners, as he reiterated that the tournament is aimed at promoting peace, cooperation among host communities.
He expressed gratitude for the peaceful organisation and conduct of both officials and players during the final of NNPC/TEPNG OML58 host communities cup for 2025.
On his part the Chairman of the Central  Organising Committee(COC), Mr. Saheed  Ogunsanya said Ubeta and Ubio will not be participating in the next edition as they violated  rules of the tournament.
Ogunsanya praised all the teams for their sportsmanship, stressing that this year edition was a success hence it maintained age grade of under 18 years.
He disclosed that two players have been picked from the tournament and they will be sent to football academy, while underscoring importance of the event to sports and youth development in the host communities.
This is the first time Obagi Community emerged champions of the competition since its commencement 22 years, as 18 communities participated in tis years edition.
At the end of the competition Obinna Godstime, emerged the highest scorer with 11 goals and Most Valuable Player( MVP) of the tournament.
while Michael Charles, from Obobru community became best goalkeeper of the tournament
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Niger Delta Games: Sports Facilities In Edo Excites Ikpokpo

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Consistent with its project execution routine, Dunamis-Icon Limited, Project Consultants of the Niger Delta Games, has concluded the first phase of physical inspection and evaluation of facilities for the event, 24 hours after the presentation of the hosting right to Edo State was performed.

The project management team was guided round select facilty locations in Benin City by Desmond Amadin Enabulele, Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, and the team leader, Sir Itiako Ikpokpo expressed satisfaction with the sports infrastructure assets of the host.

“Edo is a ready-made choice based on all the factors that are necessary to host this kind of big event. We are expecting over 3000 athletes coaches, alongside journalists and technical officials, with an approximate number of people outside spectators in the range of 5000. So, we need facilities that work for the games itself”, Ikpokpo explained.

He commended the Edo State Government for the good state of facilities at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, and promised that the state will be assisted with the renovation of some of the facilities as may be necessary to ensure good competition experience for the athletes.

“I have been to the iconic Ogbe Stadium and must commend the Edo State Government for maintaining the facilities there. We are also considering taking some events to the University of Benin, so that people in that part of the city can also feel and enjoy the fun. Where need be, we will also see how to assist the state and the University of Benin to add value to some of the sporting facilities”.

Dunamis Icon Limited is the franchise rights owner to the games conceived and designed to provide a platform for unity and integration, and identifying and grooming talented youths from the region into national and international stars.

The NDDC as the flagship interventionist agency for the nine states that make up the region, is the prime sponsor of the games as part of their strategic focus on youth engagement and human capital development.

The inspection tour began at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, after a brief meeting with Enabulele and the Sports Commission team at his office.

Areas inspected include the stadium’s main bowl, the tartan track, the state box, the VIP lounges and other key areas like the ceremonial room, the media studio and other indoor facilities.

Other facility locations assessed are the Wire Road Sports Centre being listed to host basketball and volleyball games, the University of Benin Sports Complex, and the Etete Sports Centre.

In the entourage of Dunamis-Icon were the Project Director, Mr Fred Edoreh; Director of Facilities and Equipment, Dr Emmanuel Ochuko Igbigbisie; the head of Communications, Harry Iwuala; Head of Transport and Logistics, Israel Umueri Afoke. Others are Theresa Ineke, Head of Secretariat, Godwin Enakhena, the Head of Scouting, Mr. Edi Lawani, the Head of Culture Affairs and Entertainment and Elder Siegha Porbeni of the Technical Department.

The Edo Sports Commission Chairman was also supported by Hon. Frank Ilaboya and Mrs Sabina Chikere, Executive Directors, with Mr Baldwin Bazuaye (MON) also in the company.

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