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Chikere, Bariyana Win Diette-Spiff’s Golf Tourney

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Two invited professionals, Golden Chikere and Helen Bariyana at the weekend emerged winners of the Men and Ladies Guest categories, respectively, of the one day golf tournament  to mark the 70th birthday celebration of the first Military Administrator of Rivers State, King Alfred Diette-Spiff in Port Harcourt.

Chikere hit a net score of 66 to emerge tops in the men’s category while Bariyana scored 86, net, to win the ladies.

In the Veteran’s category, former Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Sir Gabriel Toby ?? 85 net score to finish runner up to Professor S.J. Cookey who scored 83.

Also, Hon. Justice Oniyangi achieved a net score of 83 to finish tops in the Special Guest’s category and was trailed by C. Ngoka, 84 and former Military Administrator of Rivers State Col. Musa Shehu, 85 net.

The men seniors’ category saw C. Anukam clinching the best gross scores with 88. Chief C.U. Okwute won the best net scores with 71 net, while Admiral O.P Finesi 75 net and Peri Okonny 76 net finished first and second runners up, respectively, for men.

In the Ladies Seniors, R. Briggs scored 75 net to overcome F. Barber, 83.

Meanwhile, S.U. Amadi and Mrs E. Ogan won the best scores for men and ladies with 76 and 91 scores, respectively.

Ekiro Akudihor hit 70 net to top the men’s net scores, while John Izim scored 71 and beat Uzo Ezennaka, also 71, to the second spot on count back.

In the Ladies net category, S.Cole-kotas recorded 69 net to beat J. Nule 70.

Earlier, in the morning session of the one-day event, Rivers State Governor, Rt Hon Chibuike Amaechi , who teed off the tourney  said that it was an honour for him to walk where King Diette-Spiff walked.

He expressed gratitude for the Amanyanabo  of Twon-Brass for the foundation he laid for the state when as a young naval officer at 24, he was appointed to administer the then newly created state.

“From the records, he performed and so we are happy with him and that is why we have set out to celebrate him”, said Amaechi.

Two other administrators who succeeded Diette-Spiff, Colonel Musa Komo (rtd) and Colonel Shehu Musa (rtd) also had good words for the Amanyanabo. According to Komo, “we had the good fortune of building on existing structures and were thankful that the celebrant invested resources in developing human capacity and infrastructure to make the state truly functional.  A lot of those structures are still standing today”.

The Chairman of the Planning Committee of the celebration and Chief Of Staff, Rivers State Government House, Chief Tony Okocha explained that they chose Golf to celebrate Diette-Spiff because he has been an avid golfer all his life, “and it was deemed vital to celebrate him with the sport he loves”.

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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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