Sports
Europa League: Benfica, Chelsea Go For Continental Glory
Benfica and Chelsea go head-to-head for UEFA Europa League glory when the sides meet at the Amsterdam Arena today.
Rafael Benitez’s men go into the final as favourites and could become the first team to win Europe’s second-tier competition having lifted the UEFA Champions League the season before.
Benfica, meanwhile, will need to recover from their demoralising last-gasp defeat to title rivals Porto last Saturday if they are to stand any chance of victory.
Jorge Jesus’ men were minutes away from sealing a 1-1 draw at the Estadio do Drago which would have maintained their two-point lead at the top of the Portuguese standings with just one game remaining.
But 19-year-old striker Kelvin’s 91st-minute goal swung the momentum in the favour of Porto and left Jesus – who dropped to his knees in anguish as the strike hit the back of the net – needing to rally his troops urgently.
His team have lost just four fixtures all season, with three of those coming in European competition, as they bid to win the UEFA Europa League for the first time in their history.
Chelsea have also never won this tournament before, but were in a similar position ahead of their historic victory over Bayern Munich last May.
The London club have no domestic commitments to worry about for the remainder of the season, after they all but sealed their place in the top four with a 2-1 win over Aston Villa last time out.
And Benitez need not start Frank Lampard as his brace against Paul Lambert’s men ensured he surpassed Bobby Tambling as the club’s all-time leading goalscorer.
The Spaniard may not get the luxury of choice with centre-back John Terry, however, after he was stretchered off against Villa with an ankle injury.
“It is my ankle. I’m going to get it scanned. I don’t know if I’ll be fit for Wednesday at the moment,” the former England captain told the Daily Mirror.
Demba Ba will be unable to feature due to his participation in the competition with Newcastle earlier in the season, but Chelsea have an otherwise fully-fit squad to choose from.
Benfica also have no new injury worries, though the scars from their defeat to Porto may be more mental than physical.
The two teams last met in the quarter-finals of last season’s UEFA Champions League, with Chelsea winning 1-0 in Portugal and 2-1 at Stamford Bridge on their way to overall victory.
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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