Sports
Real Out To Thwart Bayern’s Dreams

Secondary school football players struggling for honour during a soccer event in Port Harcourt, Rivers State recently.
Bayern Munich’s UEFA Champions League defence reaches a crucial juncture in today’s semi-final first leg at Real Madrid.
The Bavarian giants are bidding to become the first team to defend Europe’s premier club competition since Milan did so in 1990.
Pep Guardiola’s men secured the Bundesliga crown last month, allowing them to turn their full attention to lifting the Champions League trophy once again.
Nine-time winners Real – who will be hoping key men Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale are passed fit – do not have the same luxury and are involved in a three-horse race, with city rivals Atletico and Gerardo Martino’s Barcelona, for La Liga glory.
Real were not in action at the weekend, but Bayern beat Eintracht Braunschweig 2-0.
Captain Philipp Lahm felt that the win, which came after back-to-back Bundesliga defeats, was crucial ahead of their crunch clash in Madrid.
“We did very well, especially in the second half. It’s important we set off for home feeling good, and that’s exactly what we’re doing,” Lahm told the club’s official website.
“(Against Real it will be) sensational. I’m really looking forward to it. We’ll see two massive games.
“On Wednesday (today) we’ll show we’re always up for it in the important games. But it’s still 50-50.”
Bayern, who have won the competition five times, is set to welcome Manuel Neuer back from a calf problem after the Germany goalkeeper missed the last two matches.
Bayern will have happy memories of facing Real in the Champions League, with a 3-1 penalty shootout win securing their place in the 2011-12 final.
The Germans won the first leg 2-1 thanks to goals from Franck Ribery and Mario Gomez, and although Ronaldo struck twice in the early stages of the second leg, an Arjen Robben penalty forced extra time.
The tie was eventually decided by a penalty shootout, with Neuer Bayern’s hero as he saved from Ronaldo and Kaka, while Sergio Ramos’ miss allowed Bastian Schweinsteiger to strike the winning penalty.
The two sides have met five times in the semi-finals of the competition, with Bayern winning four – in 1976, 1987, 2001 and 2012 – while Real’s sole success came in 2000.
Real has not won the competition since 2002, but will take heart from the fact they are unbeaten in their last 17 home matches in Europe.
In fact their last Champions League defeat at Santiago Bernabeu came when Guardiola steered Barcelona to a 2-0 success in the 2010-11 semi-finals.
Bayern are unbeaten in their last 10 away Champions League matches and know if they can extend that run they will take a big step towards next month’s Lisbon final.
Sports
Amusan places third in Diamond League opener
The Nigerian, who arrived in China fresh from winning gold at the African Senior Athletics Championships in Ghana earlier on Wednesday, clocked a season’s best of 12.41s behind Olympic champion Masai Russell and Bahamian star Devynne Charlton.
Russell produced a dominant display to win the race in a meeting record and world-leading time of 12.25s, improving on her previous world lead of 12.40s.
Charlton, the reigning world indoor champion, finished second in 12.38s in one of her strongest outdoor performances to date.
Amusan, whose world record of 12.12s remains the fastest time ever run in the event, improved significantly from her previous season’s best of 12.84s set during her victorious outing at the African Championships in Accra.
The 29-year-old was competing in a stacked field that included reigning world champion Ditaji Kambundji of Switzerland, Jamaican pair Megan Simmonds and Ackera Nugent, China’s Wu Yanni and Americans Tonea Marshall and Danielle Williams.
Kambundji, who won the world title in Tokyo last year with a Swiss record 12.24s, finished fifth in 12.82s, while Jamaica’s Nugent placed sixth in 12.98s.
Marshall and Williams failed to finish the race.
Following Amusan’s victory in Accra, the three-time Diamond League final winner expressed gratitude to her supporters while insisting she remained determined to achieve more success this season.
“Beyond grateful to God, my team, supporters, and everyone who continues to believe in me through every season. Historic feeling. Still hungry for more. The mission continues,”
Sports
Falcons To Tackle Senegal in Pre-WAFCON friendly
The 10-time African champions are scheduled to take on the Teranga Lionesses on June 5 and 8 at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State, in what will form a key part of their build-up to July’s continental tournament.
The fixtures were confirmed on social media platform X by Super Falcons Show, which announced the details of the encounter and venue.
“Nigeria’s senior women’s national team, the Super Falcons, will take on Senegal Women’s National Team in a double-header international friendly scheduled for June 5 and 8,” the post read.
“Both matches will be played in Ikenne, Nigeria.”
The friendlies come after Nigeria’s proposed training tour of the United Kingdom, which included a planned match against Jamaica, was cancelled due to scheduling complications linked to FIFA’s official women’s international window. The timing meant clubs would not have been obliged to release players.
With that tour shelved, the Senegal fixtures now offer a timely opportunity for coach Justine Madugu and his technical team to assess squad options, test tactical systems and strengthen team cohesion ahead of the WAFCON campaign and longer-term qualification targets for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Senegal are expected to provide a competitive regional test, with their physical style and disciplined organisation likely to offer Nigeria a different tactical challenge across both matches.
The Super Falcons, who have dominated African women’s football for decades, will be aiming to use the double-header to fine-tune preparations as they pursue another continental title in Morocco next year.
Sports
Okpekpe Road Race Unveils Partners, Appoints Dr. Bojuwoye
Dr Bojuwoye, a seasoned medical professional with extensive experience in road running events across Nigeria, is expected to bring added value to the race through his expertise.
As medical director, his responsibilities will include overseeing emergency medical response, coordinating first aid stations along the course, ensuring athlete safety, and supervising medical volunteers and paramedics.
His role is critical in safeguarding the health of both elite and recreational runners, as well as spectators.
In addition to unveiling its new medical director, the organisers also announced five corporate partners for the 2026 edition.
The Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN), Petralon Energy, Razzl Drink, Dan Oil, and Carloha Motors have joined as sponsors, reflecting the race’s growing appeal across diverse sectors of the Nigerian economy.
The Okpekpe race, organised by Pamodzi Sports Marketing Company, has steadily risen in prominence since becoming the first road race in Nigeria to earn World Athletics label status in 2015.
It has since advanced to Gold Label Race status, attracting elite athletes from around the world and cementing its reputation as one of Africa’s benchmark road-running competitions.
Edo State, under the leadership of Governor Monday Okpebolo, has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the race, citing its role in promoting tourism, community pride, and international recognition for the region.
Race Director Zack Amodu noted that the new partnerships underscore the event’s stature and its impact beyond sport.
We are delighted to welcome DBN, Petralon, Razzl, and Carloha Motors as partners for the 11th edition. Their support, alongside the backing of Edo State, not only strengthens the race but also reinforces its role as a platform for promoting excellence, youth empowerment, and community development,’ Amodu said.
Beyond its sporting significance, the Okpekpe International 10km Road Race has become a catalyst for social, health, and economic benefits.
It encourages fitness and healthy lifestyles, fosters social cohesion by bringing communities together, and generates economic activity through tourism, hospitality, and local commerce.
The event also showcases Edo State’s cultural vibrancy while contributing to Nigeria’s growing reputation in global athletics.
The 11th edition is expected to draw elite athletes, local participants, and international attention, further consolidating Nigeria’s place on the global athletics calendar.
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