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Copa Clasica Holds Today, As Real Hosts Barca

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Real Madrid and Barcelona resume their historic rivalry today when the two teams meet in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals.

Barcelona travel to the Bernabeu for the first leg before hosting the return leg next week. With the Spanish giants both battling in the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League,  which resumes in February, and for top spot in La Liga, the season promises combat on three fronts.

In the league at the weekend the pressure was already starting to show for both teams. However, Real had to come from behind to secure a 2-1 win at Mallorca on Saturday, with late goals from Gonzalo Higuain and Jose Callejon ensuring the result. And, a day later, Barcelona stuttered as they dropped a two-goal lead against Betis before claiming a 4-2 victory.

Barcelona have already triumphed at the Bernabeu back in December with a resounding 3-1 league victory. Cristiano Ronaldo’s performance in the match sparked debate, but the Portuguese international has said such games against Barça are not a problem for him.

“Before matches, I am relaxed, pressure means nothing to me and I don’t feel any more against Barça,” Ronaldo said.

For Barcelona’s midfielder Xavi Hernandez, matches against Real are a highlight. “I like playing in the Bernabeu, it’s a special stadium and a historical game which makes us motivated and makes for an intense match,” he said.

“Madrid don’t change, they play a direct game with three or four players who can hit you on the counter attack, they are also dangerous from dead balls and we have to be alert in defence,” he continued. “However, we do not hold back, we’ll play our usual game to attack and score goals and be as brave as we have been in recent years in the Bernabeu.”

Real have injury doubts over Sami Khedira and Pepe, but expect to welcome back Angel Di Maria, who has been very important for them this season. Barcelona, meanwhile, are without long-term casualties Ibrahim Afellay, David Villa and Pedro Rodriguez. In addition, Seydou Keita will be absent at the CAF African Cup of Nations with Mali.

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CAFCC: Enyimba International In Pot 3 For Draws

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African soccer governing body has released the pots for the qualified teams for the group stage of the Confederation Cup, Tidesports sources reports.
Enyimba International is among the 16 qualified teams for the group stage of the competition.
The People’s Elephant was placed in pot 3 alongside ASJaaraf, CS Constantine; Bravos Do Maquils, Lunda Suliat, Orapa United, Black Bulls, and Stellenbosch. Pot 1 consists of Zamalek, RS Berkane, Simba SC, and USM Algers while Pot 2 has ASEC Mimosa, Stade Malien, Al Masry, and CS Sfaxien.

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AFCON 2025 Qualifiers : Super Eagles Host Libya, Oct 11

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The Super Eagles of Nigeria will host the Mediterranean Knights of Libya in a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matchday three encounter at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo on Friday, October 11.
The two teams will clash in a matchday four encounter at the Tripoli International Stadium four days later.
The Super Eagles started their qualifying campaign with a 3-0 home win against the Cheetahs of Benin Republic.
The three-time African champions were held to 0-0 draw by the Amavubi of Rwanda in their second group game.The West Africans occupy top spot in Group D with four points from two games.
Libya are bottom of the group after amassing one point from two games.
Only the top teams in each group will advance to the tournament proper in Morocco beginning in December 2025.
Meanwhile, Libya has opted to host Group D leaders Nigeria at the Martyrs of Benina Stadium, in their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying Matchday 4 encounter. The facility is located in the city of Benina, some 19 kilometres outside the country’s second city, Benghazi.
Known previously as Hugo Chávez Stadium, the stadium is a 10,000-capacity facility with an artificial turf.
Both countries will do a Matchday 3 battle at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo on Friday, 11th October, before the clash in the city at the edge of the Mediterranean Sea on Tuesday, 15th October.
While the match in Uyo will kick off at 5pm, the battle in Benina will commence at 8pm Nigeria time.
Libya remain bottom of Group D after two rounds of matches, following a 1-1 at home to Rwanda (a game that was played at the Tripoli International Stadium) and a 1-2 loss to the Cheetahs of Benin Republic in Abidjan.
Nigeria tops the pool with four points, after a 3-0 spanking of Benin Republic in Uyo on Matchday 1 and a scoreless draw with Rwanda’s Amavubi in Kigali on Matchday 2.

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NYG: Kano Athletes Protest Over Allowances In Asaba

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Kano State athletes, who participated in the concluded 8th edition of the National Youth Games (NYG) in Asaba, Delta State, last Friday called on Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to address the issue of their poor camp allowances.
The athletes, speaking anonymously, expressed dissatisfaction with the daily allowance they received, claiming it was significantly lower than that of their counterparts from neighbouring Northwestern states.
“We were given less than N20,000 for ten days, while athletes from Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara received N50,000. Jigawa athletes were paid the highest, receiving N80,000,” one of the athletes said.
Despite the disparity in allowances, the athletes secured five gold, three silver, and one bronze in the competition.
They urged the governor to intervene and resolve the issue.
Also, the athletes commended the Kano State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Mustapha Rabiu Kwankwaso, for supporting other athletes representing the state in sports like football and basketball and hoped for similar support.
The objective of the National Youth Games, initiated by former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2013, is to promote unity, peace, and understanding among youths while addressing issues of restiveness and unemployment across the country.

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