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UCL: Bayern Must Target Mbappe, Coman Warns

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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.”

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European Giants Circle For Osimhen

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Victor Osimhen will be the centre of attention as several of Europe’s biggest clubs send scouts to yesrerday’s Intercontinental Derby between Galatasaray and Fenerbahce, with the Nigerian forward set to play a decisive role in the Super Lig title race

Representatives from Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Arsenal and Juventus were expected to be present at Rams Park, underlining the scale of interest in both the fixture and its standout performers.

Reports in Turkish media indicate that the derby will serve not only as a key moment in the domestic title race but also as a platform for transfer discussions and strategic collaborations between clubs.

According to those reports, top European sides have secured places at the stadium with a dual purpose.

“Europe’s leading representatives will be present at the stadium within the framework of both player transfer and cooperation,” ,” Milliyet reported.

“Real Madrid, Barcelona, among many clubs, including Bayern Munich, Arsenal, Napoli and Juventus, have made reservations for today’s match.”

Osimhen was expected to be among the primary players under observation, alongside teammates Baris Yilmaz and Gabriel Sara, with scouts closely monitoring their performances in one of the most high-profile fixtures in Turkish football.

The report further noted, “Victor Osimhen, Yilmaz and Sara were at the top of the watch list and that the interest would mainly be in these players.”

It also highlighted broader discussions beyond player recruitment, stating, “Apart from this, ideas will be exchanged for strengthening relations between the clubs and new joint agreements.”

The Nigerian striker’s presence came at a crucial point in the season, with Galatasaray holding a four-point lead over second-placed Fenerbahce and knowing that victory would all but secure the league title with three matches remaining.

Osimhen recently returned from injury, making a brief appearance in the cup defeat to Genclerbirligi after missing four games, a period during which Galatasaray’s form showed signs of inconsistency.

His absence coincided with a mixed run of results in April, where the league leaders recorded two wins, one draw and one defeat, including a loss to Trabzonspor and a draw at home to Kocaelispor.

Defensively, Galatasaray have also shown vulnerability, conceding in each of their last six matches across all competitions, a concern ahead of a fixture that could define their campaign.

The derby follows disappointment in the Turkish Cup, where Galatasaray suffered a shock 2-0 home defeat to Genclerbirligi, while Fenerbahce were also knocked out after a 1-0 loss to Konyaspor

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Tennis Event Boosts Grassroots Development Push

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A tennis tournament held in honour of Olusola Odumosu, Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps FCT Command, has been described as a major step towards grassroots sports development and youth engagement.

The three-day competition, staged at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, began midweek , last week and ended on Friday, attracting young players across different categories.

On the court, top-ranked player Canice Abua won the men’s singles title after a hard-fought 7-5, 6-4 victory over Lucky Danjuma, who is ranked fourth nationally.

In the boys’ category, Unity Alex defeated Khaleed Dalha in straight sets to win the title, while Salvation Alex triumphed over Opeyemi Olademeji to win the girls’ singles event.

Odumosu, who marked his birthday with the event, said the initiative was designed to uncover young talent and strengthen the foundation of tennis development in Nigeria.

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W/Cup Qualifier: Flamingos In Impressive Opener

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Nigeria’s U-17 women’s team, the Flamingos, opened their preparations for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers with a dominant 6-0 victory over Generation Next in Abuja as head coach Akeem Ishola Busari continues to shape his squad.

The emphatic win came during a 60-minute friendly at the Goal Project at the weekend, where the Flamingos took control early and led 4-0 at half-time before the match was halted in the 54th minute due to heavy rain.

Goals were spread across the squad, with Shavih Istifanus opening the scoring inside the first minute, followed by a brace from Tobiloba Sarafa in the 10th and 23rd minutes.

Harmony Chidi added the fourth in the 28th minute, while Aminat Adebisi struck just before half-time and Precious Paul completed the scoring early in the second half.

The match forms part of a busy training camp in Abuja, where Busari has invited 36 players as Nigeria step up preparations for their second-round qualifier against Guinea.

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