Sports

Who are the Standouts in Scoring – The Champions League 2017

Published

9 years ago

February 18, 2017

Each season, the Champions League sees a new list of star players, especially in terms of goals. So, who are managing to stand out in the 2017 season and are poised to finish at the top of the list? We’ll take a look at a few of the top scorers in the league so you know who to watch out for, and who is worth finding a bookie and placing bets on.

The Latest Round-of-16 Results

It’s official, the latest round-of-16 results are in and we’ve got the list of the top goal scorers. Many of the names will come as no surprise, while others may manage to be a bit unexpected. What might really interest you is how many players are tied for fourth place.

Lionel Messi – Continues to Deliver

Sitting comfortably in first place with 10 goals is Lionel Messi. Anyone who knows Messi knows that him being at the top of the list is no fluke. He consistently manages to get on the list and follow through for Barcelona time and time again. There’s a good chance he’ll be adding to his goal total as early as next week.

This 29 year old forward is the captain of Argentina’s national team and has often been called one of the greatest players of all time – in the whole world. That is super-star status to its fullest.

Edison Cavani – Bringing Home the Goals for PSG

Edison Cavani is currently sitting in second place with seven goals this season. Born in Uruguay he plays for Paris Saint-Germain as well as his country’s national team. This 30 year old striker isn’t letting his age slow him down, as he’s playing in peak form it seems. Together with his wingers – Julian Draxler and Angel Di Maria – the trio is said to be a fearsome attacking combo.

Look for him to continue to shine through the rest of the season and even help his club to be a serious Champions League contender.

Robert Lewandowski – a Formidable Advisory

Sitting in third on the charts is Robert Lewandowski with an impressive five goals so far. Lewandowski is a 28 year old striker who was born in Poland. He plays for Bayern Munich in Germany, and is also the captain of the Poland national team.

He’s actually been throwing out the challenges to Arsenal as of late, warning the club that if Bayern Munich continues to play at the top of their game, then Arsenal is in for a real competition. If anyone can stand behind his words with actions, it’s Lewandowski.

Fourth Place – a Seven Way Tie

As mentioned, fourth place is where it gets really busy with seven star players sliding into the slot. Each of the players has four goals this season. You’ve got Mesut Ozil who plays for Arsenal, Riyad Mahrez who plays for Leicester City, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang with Borussia Dortmund, Karim Benzema with Real Madrid, Arda Turan who plays with Barcelona, Dries Mertens with Napoli, and rounding out the list is Andre Silva with Porto.

What’s interesting is just how many different clubs are represented in the top four list. Of course, Barcelona has a real edge thanks to two of its players showing up on the list (Messi and Arda Turan).

Moving Forward

As the season continues to play out, expect for these players to add even more to their goal totals and possibly move around in their ranking. Each of the clubs is sure to make the most of their top scorers, giving them plenty of playing time and opportunity to get more goals.

Sports

Nigeria To Host Commonwealth Fencing Championships

Published

3 days ago

April 10, 2026

The Tide

Pics 1: Fencing in action.

President of the Nigeria Fencing Federation, Adeyinka Samuel, has said the country will host a unique 2026 Commonwealth Fencing Championships as the first sub-Saharan nation to stage the tournament, Tidesports source reports.

The championship will be held in Lagos from August 9 to 14, with the federation announcing that Rugby School Nigeria will host the event.

The Commonwealth Fencing Federation formally awarded the hosting rights for the 2026 championships to Nigeria in March 2025.

“It is the third international tournament the country will host, having also become the first to stage a junior épée World Cup, which was held in Lagos in December 2024. Nigeria also hosted the 23rd African Fencing Championships last year.

Nigeria’s hosting will be unique in several ways. First, it will be the inaugural edition on African soil, giving it historic significance. Second, we are integrating development initiatives such as an international training camp to foster technical exchange. Finally, the event will showcase African hospitality, culture, and energy, offering athletes a rich experience beyond the competition,” Samuel said on Wednesday.

“Preparations have advanced steadily across competition planning, venue readiness, logistics, athlete services, and partnerships.”

He also noted that over 24 Commonwealth nations have already registered.

“We are organising a pre-championship international training camp in Lagos to unite athletes ahead of the competition. Everything is moving in the right direction, and our focus is on delivering a world-class event that reflects Nigeria’s ability to host major international tournaments.”

The last two tournaments hosted by Nigeria were held at Charterhouse Lagos, and Samuel explained the choice of Rugby School Nigeria for this championship.

“The venue was selected for its modern, state-of-the-art facilities and its proximity to hospitality, tourism, and entertainment hubs. This ensures athletes and officials will enjoy excellent accommodation, transport, and leisure options during their stay.”

While thanking the private sector for its support in organising the championship, the president also called for greater government intervention in the fast-growing sport.

“The private sector has shown encouraging support, with institutions like Rugby School Nigeria and companies such as Flour Mills of Nigeria backing the championships. However, stronger government involvement is needed. Hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Fencing Championships is a milestone achievement, and we believe institutional support will help Nigeria maximise the opportunity and deliver a truly memorable event.”

Sports

Full Draw For 2026 U-17 AFCON

Published

3 days ago

April 10, 2026

The Tide

The Confederation of African Football has announced the draws for the 2026 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations, set to take place from 13 May to 2 June 2026 in Morocco.

The final draw was concluded at CAF Headquarters in Cairo, Egypt, on Wednesday and posted on the body’s website.

Notably, hosts Morocco will face a North African showdown in Group A, drawn alongside Tunisia, Egypt, and Ethiopia.

Only the top two teams from each group will advance to the quarter-finals, making Group A particularly competitive.

Group B features former champions Côte d’Ivoire and Cameroon, alongside Uganda and debutants DR Congo.

In Group C, 2015 and 2017 champions and last year’s runners-up, Mali, will meet Angola, Mozambique, and Tanzania.

Group D is led by 2023 champions Senegal, who will face South Africa (2015 runners-up),

The eight quarter-finalists from the tournament will automatically qualify for the 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar.

The teams finishing third in each group will contest two play-off matches to determine the final two qualifiers, bringing the total number of African representatives at the global finals to ten nations.

2026 CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations – Groups:

Group A: Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Ethiopia
Group B: Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Uganda, DR Congo
Group C: Mali, Angola, Tanzania, Mozambique
Group D: Senegal, South Africa, Algeria, Ghana

Tidesports source reports that Nigeria will not feature at the tournament for the second consecutive edition.

The Golden Eaglets suffered a 2-0 defeat to rivals Ghana in the semi-finals of the WAFU Zone B qualifiers in September 2025, dashing their hopes of advancing to the finals.

Sports

Eagles To Open 2026 For Unity Cup

Published

3 days ago

April 10, 2026

The Tide

The Super Eagles of Nigeria will begin their title defence at the 2026 Unity Cup with a semi-final clash against Zimbabwe on May 26 at The Valley in South London, Tidesports source reports.

The four-nation tournament, which also features Jamaica and India, returns to its historic venue after the success of the 2025 edition in Brentford, where Nigeria emerged champions.

The competition, scheduled to run from May 26 to 30, blends elite football with cultural celebration, bringing together Afrocentric and global diaspora communities.

Nigeria’s opening fixture against Zimbabwe serves as a rematch of their recent encounters in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, setting the stage for a highly competitive contest.

The winner will progress to the final on May 30, while the second semi-final between Jamaica and India will be played a day later.

President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Ibrahim Gusau, expressed confidence in the Super Eagles’ chances while acknowledging the quality of the opposition.

“The Nigeria Football Federation is pleased with another opportunity to see the Super Eagles compete at the highly exciting and entertaining Unity Cup Tournament,” Gusau said.

“As perennial champions, the Super Eagles will look to retain their title again this summer, even as they will not underrate the other participating teams viz India, Jamaica and Zimbabwe. The tournament promises to be explosive and that is the setting in which the Super Eagles thrive best.”

The Unity Cup will culminate in a finals day featuring both the third-place play-off and the final, alongside a festival atmosphere that includes cultural showcases, food exhibitions, and live performances.

Zimbabwe Football Association president Nqobile Magwizi described his nation’s participation as a landmark moment, highlighting the opportunity to compete on an international stage in England for the first time.

“The Unity Cup represents far more than a celebration of football and culture, it is a powerful platform that reflects Zimbabwe football’s growing ambition to compete, perform, and excel on the global stage,” Magwizi said.

With Nigeria seeking to retain their crown and rivals eager to make their mark, the opening clash against Zimbabwe is expected to set the tone for what promises to be a fiercely contested and culturally vibrant tournament.