Sports
UCL: Bayern Must Target Mbappe, Coman Warns
Bayern Munich star Kingsley Coman believes his side will have to keep Kylian Mbappe under wraps if they hope to overcome Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final.
The Bundesliga giants go into Sunday’s clash in scintillating form, having dispatched Barcelona 8-2 in the quarters before breezing past Lyon with a 3-0 victory on Wednesday.
But PSG is not lacking in confidence either, with Mbappe’s return ahead of schedule from injury boosting their hopes after reaching their first-ever Champions League final with wins over Atalanta and RB Leipzig in the past week.
The France striker and Neymar will be key to the Parisians’ hopes in Lisbon’s Estadio da Luz and his international team-mate warned that Bayern will have to be wary of his talents.
“I have played with him several times, so I will try to give any advice I can give,” Coman told reporters when quizzed on Mbappe, yesterday.
“There is also video and the instructions from the coaches. He is a player who creates, a little bit like Lionel Messi whom we already faced.
“He can make the difference in a match and we will try to keep him as quiet as possible.”
Bayern, of course has no shortage of stars in their own ranks, boasting in Robert Lewandowski the Champions League’s top scorer for 2019-20, with Serge Gnabry currently in third place in the standings behind Erling Haaland.
But it is in defence where the side’s latest gem has emerged: left-back Alphonso Davies, who at 19 has been in spectacular form throughout his first full season at the Allianz Arena.
“He wasn’t a left-back at the start, that’s why he took longer [to come to prominence],” Coman said of his team-mate.
“I think he’s the best in his position right now and I hope he will demonstrate it on Sunday.”
Coman missed out on France’s 2018 World Cup victory after being left out of Didier Deschamps’ final squad due to injury concerns.
But as he gears up to take on PSG, he insists that triumphing in the Champions League cannot be compared to success at international level.
“The two competitions are not linked. The disappointment of the World Cup has long passed. They are two completely different things,” he added.
“I would still like to win the World Cup, but today I am with my club. I want to win the Champions League and I hope we will lift the cup on Sunday.”
The National Division One and Division Two Volleyball Leagues organised by the Volleyball Federation of Nigeria and sponsored by Alex Otti has kicked off in Umuahia, Abia State.
The Championship features 34 teams from across the country, with about 22 States already participating in activities lined up for the ten-day event.
Addressing journalists at the Umuahia Stadium, the Referee Coach for the tournament and Vice Chairman Nigerian Volleyball Referees Association, Mohamed Mohamed, assured of fair officiating in the competition and advised the athletes to be more disciplined in the field of play, saying that volleyball is known to be a disciplined sport.
He also commended Governor Alex Otti for sponsoring the tournament for the second time.
“Last year, we were here, and we so appreciate the Abia State Government for sponsoring such a competition. The same thing happened this year too, we are here again.
The Coordinator, Lagos Women Run, Tayo Popoola, has stated that the All Women 10km Race aims to connect through their communities, while creating empowerment opportunities.
The 10th edition with the theme: “One Run, a thousand Opportunities,” will come up on the November 8th, 2025, with the start point at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere and end at the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Arena, Onikan.
This year’s edition of the Lagos Women Run marks a significant milestone, celebrating the program’s journey, the vibrant city of Lagos, and the incredible women who have been part of it since its inception.
It will focus more on empowering women, acknowledging their dedication, and ensuring the program’s sustainability by providing participants with opportunities they deserve.
Popoola added that the race has achieved remarkable success in making women happy and uncovering talents, serving as a platform for participants to train for bigger road races, which fosters a strong sense of community, allowing women of all ages to connect, network, and celebrate themselves.
The event’s non-discriminatory nature makes it a level playing ground, open to everyone regardless of social status, by promoting general well-being among women.
The Franco-Malian tactician made the bold declaration whilst speaking to Nigerian legend Segun Odegbami on 90 Minutes with Mathematical on Eagle7FM on Saturday, expressing gratitude to fans for their support.
“Thanks to the fans. Thanks to Nigeria. I am so happy that I have brought back the smiles on their faces,” Chelle said.
“We beat Benin because the fans pushed the players. I ask them this: They have to do this (for the playoffs)… I plan to do my best for Nigeria, and Inshallah, we will go to the FIFA World Cup.”
Chelle, who took charge of a struggling Nigerian side in January, has transformed the team’s fortunes after inheriting a squad on the brink of disaster. Nigeria were winless in their first four qualifiers, with three draws and one defeat threatening to derail another World Cup dream.
Under his leadership, the Super Eagles rallied to win four and draw two of their last six games, collecting 14 points from a possible 18. The highlight came earlier this month in Uyo, where Nigeria swept past Benin Republic 4-0 in a statement victory that reignited national belief.
However, the revival was not enough to seal automatic qualification. Nigeria finished among the four best runners-up in Africa and must now navigate a continental playoff in November for a spot in next March’s intercontinental tie.
The first challenge is a one-legged showdown with Gabon, with Cameroon or DR Congo potentially waiting beyond.
Chelle’s message to his players was uncompromising, saying, “Qualifying for the FIFA World Cup is not a war, but it is like a war… My players need to have a warrior state of mind… They have to be like sharks.”