Sports
Arsenal, Munich Battle For Q’Finals Today
Arsenal fans are hoping for a miracle ahead of their Champions League clash against Bayern Munich, as Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben look unlikely to feature.
The Gunners will have to overturn a daunting 3-1 first-leg defeat to progress to the quarter-finals but Bayern have not lost at home by more than one goal for 25 months and 52 games.
The German giants are a staggering 20 points clear at the top of the Bundesliga.
But Olivier Giroud insists Arsenal can make it: “In football you never know. We need to believe and stay focused.”
Bayern are without suspended midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger and defender Jerome Boateng, while Ribery is also out after injuring his left ankle in Saturday’s 3-2 win over Fortuna Dusseldorf. Robben is also doubtful with a calf strain.
Toni Kroos and Thomas Muller put Bayern 2-0 ahead in the first leg after just 21 minutes at the Emirates, before Lukas Podolski pulled one back for the hosts. The Germans then added another through Mario Mandzukic.
“We need to score an early goal,” Giroud says. “But we need to correct our bad defensive behaviour as well.”
Arsenal must win by three clear goals or win 3-1 and then triumph in the penalty shoot-out.
Giroud says Bayern’s attacking approach will give Arsenal the chance to come back into the tie: “I like to play against German teams because they are attacking all the time. There, I get myself more possibilities to score. It will be an interesting game for sure.”
The Bayelsa State government, yesterday, announced that the marathon will be held on Saturday, April 4, 2026.
The inaugural race is owned by the Bayelsa State Government and will be organised by Nilayo Sports Management Limited, a sports management company.
Under the theme “The Reveal,” the race represents a bold unveiling of Bayelsa’s immense human and cultural potential to the international community, inviting the world to witness the resilience, grit, and talent rooted in the heart of the Niger Delta.
According to the organisers, the race will be flagged off at 9:30 a.m., at the Opolo Roundabout, guiding participants through a carefully designed 10-kilometre route that highlights the scenic beauty and vibrant atmosphere of Yenagoa.
The course will culminate at Peace Park Square, where athletes will cross the finish line into a grand celebration of endurance, unity, and community spirit.
To elevate the experience for runners and spectators alike, the finish venue will host a high-energy post-race concert featuring performances from top A-list artistes, blending sport and entertainment in a festival-style atmosphere.
The organisers directed all registered participants to collect their race bibs and kits at the designated Peace Park Square between March 30 and April 3, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily.
The race, according to them, is currently on track for World Athletics accreditation, underscoring the commitment of both the Bayelsa State Government and Nilayo Sports Management Limited to delivering an event that meets the highest global standards.
The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, on Friday continued the Commission’s nationwide appreciation tour with a visit to Abeokuta, where outstanding junior athlete, Majekodunmi Afusat Bisola, was presented with a cheque of N3 million.
The presentation forms part of the NSC’s initiative to recognise and reward exceptional junior athletes who distinguished themselves in 2025 and contributed significantly to Nigeria’s medal haul.
Majekodunmi delivered an impressive run of performances on the track. At the last edition of the National Sports Festival, she stormed to gold in the 400m and the 4x400m relay. She replicated the double triumph at the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Junior Championship, in Abeokuta, before emerging as one of the standout stars at the African Youth Games in Luanda, Angola.
Speaking during the presentation, Olopade explained that the Commission deemed it necessary to extend financial appreciation to grassroots athletes after elite performers had earlier received grants running into thousands of dollars.
“A few weeks ago, after paying grants to our elite athletes, we agreed tthere was a need to also appreciate these young, budding talents who made Nigeria proud last year,” he said.
He disclosed that of the 376 medals recorded by Nigerian athletes in 2025, more than 200 were won by grassroots talents, underscoring the importance of sustained investment in youth development.
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