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Palace stun Liverpool to Win Charity Shield 

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Crystal Palace started the new season with a suddenly familiar feeling, basking in trophy glory as triumphant underdogs at Wembley.

The FA Cup holders beat Premier League champions Liverpool 3-2 on penalties after a 2-2 draw to win an enthralling Community Shield yesterday.

Goalkeeper Dean Henderson was the shootout hero for Palace as he saved from Alexis Mac Allister and Harvey Elliott, while Mohamed Salah sent his kick over the bar.

It allowed 21-year-old midfielder Justin Devenny, sent on as a stoppage-time substitute, to smash the winning penalty past Alisson.

Palace, who had not won a major trophy in their history until this year, have now earned two in three months at Wembley, having snatched the first at Manchester City’s expense.

They are also the first club to win the Community Shield on their debut in the match for 50 years, since Derby County in 1975.

Spot-kicks provided a thrilling conclusion to one of the most exciting season openers in years, in which the drama started in just the fourth minute.

Four of Liverpool’s five major summer signings started, and two of those players combined to brilliant effect in the early moments at sun-drenched Wembley.

Florian Wirtz, Liverpool’s £116m record signing, fed Hugo Ekitike on the edge of the box and the French striker turned and struck a low right-foot shot into the far bottom right corner, beyond the diving Henderson.

Palace were undaunted and deservedly equalised 13 minutes later when Jean-Philippe Mateta slotted in from the spot after Virgil van Dijk fouled Ismaila Sarr. Mateta would also score in the shootout later.

But soon after, yet another Liverpool newcomer stepped up as right-back Jeremie Frimpong jinked into the Palace box and chipped what looked like a cross over Henderson, the ball hitting the far post and bouncing in.

Liverpool were made to pay when Ismaila Sarr was played onside by Frimpong and finished clinically in off the post.

Palace felt they should then have had a penalty when Mac Allister appeared to handle a cross, but the on-field decision was upheld by the video assistant referee (VAR), before Devenny was inches away from scoring the winner in the final seconds.

However, Palace’s Northern Ireland midfielder would soon have his moment in the sun.

A big moment is coming for Palace today, when they will discover from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) whether their appeal against demotion from the Europa League has been successful.

But there was no evidence of the ‘Sunday scaries’ – that dread of what lies in wait on Monday – for the Eagles.

Just as in the FA Cup final against Manchester City, Oliver Glasner’s team refused to take a step backwards against one of English football’s heavyweights.

Manager Glasner looked to recapture the glorious feelings stoked by their last visit to Wembley, naming the same starting XI he chose for the cup final.

For a while, the magic seemed to be absent.

Two moments of sluggish defending in wide areas cost Palace in the first half, while Henderson perhaps should have moved his feet quicker in reaction to both goals.

But they rode out the Liverpool storm, led once again by captain Marc Guehi who as ever put every ounce of sweat and blood into his performance. Palace will be desperate for him to stay, amid links to Liverpool this summer.

The first came thanks to good team play off the left wing, the position where Jota served Liverpool so well for five seasons.

The second goal came after Liverpool fans stood and applauded in memory of their former player.

Jota would have been proud of the confidence and impudence that Frimpong showed in beating Palace full-back Tyrick Mitchell. He would have enjoyed the end result too, whether Frimpong meant it or not.

Ultimately, though, Liverpool were not quite able to win their 17th Community Shield.

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Niger Delta

Royal Father Endorses PH Arsenal Community, Pledges To Support

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The Amanyanabo of Koniju town, in Okrika Local Government Area, Rivers State, His Royal Majesty, King Winston Odiye Alamina Oputibeya XII, has expressed satisfaction over the activities of Port Harcourt Arsenal Community.
He further said that bringing Arsenal fans together for a common purpose, which is love, unity, and peace, is commendable and pledges to support the community in his own little way.
HRM Oputibeya said this when some members of the community, led by Ugochukwu Oputa, paid him a courtesy visit in his house in Port Harcourt yesterday.
According to him, he started supporting and following Arsenal Football Club some decades back, saying that anybody who loves good football must love Arsenal because players in Arsenal play good football.
“I was longing to meet leaders of the community to also be part of it because I like their organizational structure and I love Arsenal.
“The activities of the Port Harcourt Arsenal Community for me are satisfactory; that is why I am associating with it.
“I would like members to conduct themselves in a civil manner because football fans all over are the progress of their club and love,” he said.
Earlier, the coordinator of the Port Harcourt community, Ugochukwu Oputa, thanked the royal father for accepting the community, assuring that the group will do her best to get recognition and connection with Arsenal FC in London.
Oputa narrated the activities lined up by the community on Saturday, saying that everything had been put in place for the street procession.
In his vote of thanks, a member of the Arsenal Community, Com. Tonye Orabere also thanked the Amanyanbo for his magnanimity and pledged to assist the community. He prays God to continue to bless him.
Tonye Orabere
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Sports

PH To Host 2026 NWFL Super Six

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The Nigeria Women Football League has announced Port Harcourt as the host city for the 2026 Premiership Super Six, marking the first time the season-ending tournament will be held in Rivers State.

In a statement released by the league, the competition is scheduled to take place from Friday, June 5 to Sunday, June 14, 2026, with six clubs set to battle for the league title at the end of the 2025/26 season.

NWFL Chief Operating Officer, Modupe Shabi, said the choice of Port Harcourt reflects the Rivers State Government’s continued support for women’s football and its successful hosting of the league’s Annual General Assembly last year.

The Super Six tournament will feature the top three teams from Group A and Group B of the regular season competing in a round-robin format, with each club playing five matches over nine days.

Qualified teams for the competition include defending champions Bayelsa Queens, Edo Queens, Rivers Angels, Robo Queens, Nasarawa Amazons, and debutants Abia Angels.

The NWFL Premiership has produced four different winners in the last five editions, with Rivers Angels winning in 2021, Bayelsa Queens claiming the title in 2022 and 2025, Delta Queens triumphing in 2023, and Edo Queens emerging champions in 2024.

The league also urged participating clubs to comply with all competition regulations and directives ahead of the championship. The Super Six will determine Nigeria’s representative for the WAFU-B qualifiers for a place at the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League and ultimately the 2027 FIFA Women’s Champions Cup.

Teams are expected to arrive on Friday, June 5, when the draw ceremony and pre-match meeting will also take place. Matchdays are scheduled for June 6, 8, 10, 12, and 14, with rest days in between before the tournament concludes with the trophy presentation ceremony.

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Khana, Akpajo All-Stars Set For Friendly  Match ” Morrow” 

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Khana All Stars FC in the Khana Local Government Area, Rivers State, will tomorrow host Akpajo All Stars in a friendly football match at the Ken Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic, Bori, football pitch.
The return leg of the friendly game promises to be exciting and entertaining as both teams are prepared.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Tidesports yesterday in Port Harcourt, the chairman of Khana All Stars FC, Saro Tap-le, said preparations for the game are in top gear.
According to him, they will use the match to honour and decorate their patron, the Chairman of Khana LGA, Dr. Bariere Thomas.
He said the encounter won’t be an easy one, knowing that Akpaoju All Stars are coming with full force to win the match.
“We played in Akpajo before, and they hosted us well, so tomorrow is our day to host them back. We are doing everything possible to give them a good fight. All arrangements for hosting them are in top gear.
“There is no cause for alarm. We are doing our best to host them in a big way. It is an All-Stars game, so winning is not the most important thing. What matters is the relationship we will create.
“You know, in the first encounter they defeated us 2-0, so tomorrow we will do our best to ensure we repay the scoreline.
“I think my teammates are training very hard for the game. Despite the fact that it’s not all about winning, we are going to surprise them,” Saro Tap-le stated.
Kiadum Edookor
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