Sports
UCL: Guardiola Returns To Camp Nou A Foe …As Barca Hosts Bayern
Former Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola makes his return to the Camp Nou to night targeting a repeat of the sides’ UEFA Champions League semi-final of 2013.
Bayern cruised to a dominant 7-0 aggregate success two years ago under Guardiola’s predecessor Jupp Heynckes, before going on to complete a famous treble.
For Guardiola, Bayern can only lift two titles this term and to do so they will need to arrest stuttering form against a Barca side full of confidence.
While Guardiola’s men were dumped out of the DFB-Pokal semi-finals by Borussia Dortmund before losing 2-0 to Bayer Leverkusen, Barca put eight past Cordoba to keep their treble hopes on course.
Javi Martinez made his long-awaited return from a knee injury at the BayArena and is focused on helping shackle Barca’s free-scoring front trio of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez.
“The knee is good. Leverkusen was a good test for me and now I’m ready to help my team in the next game,” he told reporters ahead of today’s first leg.
“Whether I play or not depends on the coach. Stopping Messi, Neymar and Suarez will be very difficult.
“But we are not afraid. If we want to win, we can’t allow ourselves to be afraid. We have a big heart and we have a big goal.”
Robert Lewandowski is set to feature with a mask after sustaining multiple injuries against former club Dortmund although Franck Ribery (ankle) remains doubtful.
Guardiola’s former Barca team-mate Luis Enrique has one worry – having seen Jordi Aba train alone on Monday – as he seeks to ensure the four-time winners reach their eighth final.
The pair both coached at Barca B after their playing careers ended with Luis Enrique making a strong start in his bid to emulate Guardiola’s 14-trophy at the Camp Nou helm.
Victory to night would set Barca on course for their first Champions League final appearance since 2011 and the Liga leaders could hardly be in better form.
Winning 15 of their last 16 games in all competitions and with Messi taking his tally for the season to 40 at the weekend, Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu played down the importance of Guardiola’s return.
“There’s no favourite. It’s an open tie against a great team that has a coach who knows us very well,” Bartomeu told Tidesport Source.
“It is necessary to honour Pep and I believe it has to be spontaneous. We won’t organise anything. There’ll be no video or anything.
“He comes with all the honours but also to win. After the game we can salute him.
“I believe the relationship between Guardiola and the board ended well. The doors of Barca are open when he wants to come back. I think he will one day.”
A Glo league action recorded during Rangers home lose to Taraba United Fc this season.
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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