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SWAN, Others Say Eagles’ Defeat Of Squirrels Exciting

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The Lagos chapter of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) and other stakeholders at the weekend congratulated the Super Eagles for their 1-0 win over the Squirrels of Republic of Benin.
The newsmen report that substitute, Paul Onuachu scored in added time to give the Eagles victory at Stade Charles de Gaulle in Porto Novo.
Commenting on the victory, Chairman of Lagos SWAN, Debo Oshundun, commended the efforts of the team and described it as brilliant.
“It is a good thing that we won against the Benin team, although we have already qualified judging from the result from the Lesotho versus Sierra-Leone match.
“The fact that we are able to defeat a team that had not lost in front of their home fans for eight years is quite commendable, and it will serve as a morale-booster.
“The team now has enough confidence to face Lesotho.
“We are also excited because the Super Eagles will be playing in Lagos after almost 20 years of not playing in Lagos.
“The result means that the team is coming back to Lagos with a lot of good tidings and we are looking forward to receiving them,’’ he said.
Oshundun also said all hands were on deck for the successful outing of the Super Eagles against Lesotho tomorrow.
“We are much happy for Tuesday’s match, and the Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC), Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and others are well prepared for the match.
“We want the Eagles to cap it all with a resounding victory against Lesotho and they should not be complacent because beating Benin is not a reason to be complacent.
“Every match is important, because if Lesotho comes to Lagos to pick a point off us, it will put a dent on our reputation and FIFA ranking.
“The Lesotho match should also be an opportunity for the coach to test new players as well,’’ he said.
The Secretary of Lagos SWAN, Bunmi Ogunyale, also commended the team for a good outing against the Squirrels, adding that the win would improve the team’s FIFA ranking.
“I want to believe that the team did a very good job because it was not easy breaking the jinx in Porto Novo after eight years of an unbeaten streak.
“The win will help the Super Eagles’ ranking in the next FIFA rankings and by the time we also win against Lesotho, more points would have been gained.
“We know that FIFA rankings now decide the draws for the World Cup qualifiers. So, we need more points in order to avoid the top teams in the qualifiers,’’ he said.
Former Super Eagles’ Media Officer, Toyin Ibitoye, on his part said that the win was a big one.
He said it could bring more positive results for the Super Eagles in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers and the AFCON.
“The win in Benin is a big one indeed and a morale-booster for Nigeria, especially being the first loss to the visiting team in a long run of eight years.
“We need to commend Gernot Rohr for the changes he made which are perfect. We also need to commend the goalscorer, Paul Onuachu, for the winning goal.
“We have qualified for AFCON and we are looking ahead for a good game on Tuesday, and also looking for a good outing in AFCON next year which we pray will be better than that of 2019.
“We are also looking ahead to the World Cup qualifiers in June. This team comes with a lot of promise and they can do the nation proud,’’ he said.

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Tottenham’s Miserable Run Continues  

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Relegation-threatened Tottenham’s miserable 2026 continued as their winless run extended to 10 league games with Fulham gaining a deserved victory to boost their hopes of qualifying for European football.

Fulham, who scored twice in the opening six minutes in their 2-1 win over Spurs in November, again got an early goal with Harry Wilson netting in the seventh minute.

However, the goal was controversial as new Spurs boss Igor Tudor felt it should have been disallowed as home striker Raul Jimenez pushed Radu Dragusin as they challenged for a Kenny Tete cross, before Oscar Bobb picked out Wilson to volley home from six yards out.

Tottenham had a similar goal ruled out last week in their 4-1 loss to Arsenal for a foul by Randal Kolo Muani on Gunners defender Gabriel but, following a check from the video assistant referee (VAR) Craig Pawson, Fulham’s goal was allowed to stand, much to Tudor’s fury.

Spurs, though, had no excuses for the 34th-minute second goal with Alex Iwobi left with space to shoot home superbly from 18 yards out, with the ball going in off the inside of the post after a neat exchange with Wilson.

 

 

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City Survive Leeds’ Challenge At Elland Road 

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Antoine Semenyo scored just before half-time as title-chasing Manchester City escaped Elland Road with victory over an energetic Leeds United.

The hard-earned outcome narrowed Arsenal’s lead to two points at the top of the Premier League.

City travelled to West Yorkshire without their Leeds-born star striker Erling Haaland who was injured in training, and it looked for large periods in the first half that they would rue not having their top goalscorer available.

But Ghana international Semenyo stretched to convert Rayan Ait-Nouri’s fizzed low ball into the penalty area for his sixth City goal since joining from Bournemouth in January.

Leeds will be wondering how they did not score after making a sprightly start and giving City real cause for early concern.

Meanwhile , a clinical Liverpool performance helped them beat battling West Ham in the Premier League and move level on points with fourth-placed Manchester United.

The hosts were 3-0 up at the break thanks to goals from Hugo Ekitike, Virgil van Dijk and Alexis Mac Allister.

West Ham pulled one back early in the second half through Tomas Soucek before Cody Gakpo restored Liverpool’s three-goal lead in the 70th minute.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side scored again through Taty Castellanos, but an Axel Disasi own goal ensured Liverpool hit five goals in a league game for the first time this season.

Bayern Rebound To Overcome Dortmund In Bundesliga (5)

Harry Kane scored two second-half goals as Bayern Munich came from behind to beat Borussia Dortmund in a thrilling match and move 11 points clear at the top of the Bundesliga.

The England striker took his tally to 45 goals in all competitions this season as Bayern became the first team to inflict a home league defeat on Dortmund.

Kane, who passed 500 A clinical Liverpool performance helped them beat battling West Ham in the Premier League and move level on points with fourth-placed Manchester United.

The hosts were 3-0 up at the break thanks to goals from Hugo Ekitike, Virgil van Dijk and Alexis Mac Allister.

West Ham pulled one back early in the second half through Tomas Soucek before Cody Gakpo restored Liverpool’s three-goal lead in the 70th minute.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side scored again through Taty Castellanos, but an Axel Disasi own goal ensured Liverpool hit five goals in a league game for the first time this season.

All three of the Reds’ first-half goals came from set-pieces – with Arne Slot’s side now leading the table in 2026 when it comes to goals from set-plays (excluding penalties).

In the fifth minute, Ryan Gravenberch teed up Ekitike, who finished smartly to beat Mads Hermansen at the near post for his 16th goal of the season.

West Ham threatened to equalise, but against the run of play Liverpool doubled their advantage when Van Dijk headed in Dominik Szoboszlai’s corner.

The visitors failed to take advantage of Liverpool’s complacency with Konstantinos Mavropanos, Jarrod Bowen and Soucek all wasting chances.

And just before half-time, Mac Allister’s superb volley took a deflection and ended in the back of the net. That was the cue for sections of the travelling support to head for the exits.

 Nico Schlotterbeck’s opener.

Dortmund thought they had snatched a point when Daniel Svensson’s thumping volley sent Signal Iduna Park into pandemonium.

But that was until Joshua Kimmich’s strike three minutes from time kept Bayern in pole position to win a 14th title in 15 seasons.

Schlotterbeck headed Dortmund ahead in the 26th minute when he rose highest in a crowded penalty area to connect with Svensson’s free-kick from the left.

Dortmund had the chance to double their lead later in the half when Fabio Silva squared the ball to Maximilian Beier, who was denied by the onrushing Jonas Urbig.

Despite dominating possession in the first half, Bayern – playing with a front three of Kane, Michael Olise and Luis Diaz – were unable to test Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel.

But Kane equalised early in the second period with a poacher’s effort from inside the area at the end of a slick move involving Kimmich and Serge Gnabry.

Both teams missed chances before Kane scored a penalty – a record 10th in a Bundesliga season – after Josip Stanisic was floored by Schlotterbeck.

Dortmund levelled when Svensson volleyed past Urbig, but Kimmich all but ended their hopes of winning a first title since 2012.

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PSG Extend Lead In Ligue 1 

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Paris St-Germain stretched their lead at the top of Ligue 1 to four points by claiming a narrow win at Le Havre.

The defending champions hoped to take advantage after second-placed Lens drew at Strasbourg on Friday, and Bradley Barcola gave them a deserved lead shortly before half-time.

PSG had chances to extend their lead and substitute Desire Doue had a late penalty saved by Le Havre goalkeeper Mory Diaw.

Lee Kang-In had an effort saved by Diaw before his right-wing cross was headed home by Barcola for his ninth goal of the season.

Moments later Lee fired wide when through on goal, before PSG winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia fired against a post just after half-time.

Keeper Matvey Safonov made a fine save from Issa Soumare to keep PSG in front, while Diaw denied substitutes Nuno Mendes, Ibrahim Mbaye and Doue.

Diaw parried Doue’s spot-kick low to his right after Doue was brought down by Lucas Gourna-Douath with 11 minutes left.

 

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