Uncategorized
ANOTHER UEFA LEAGUE NIGHT OF DRAMA AS MAN U DRAMATICALLY OUST PSG
Ole Solskjær’s Midas touch at Manchester United is showing no sign of abating as the English Premiership side upturned a 0-2 home deficit to oust Paris Saint Germain on away goal rule after an incredible, but controversial 3-1 away win.
The Wednesday night match was Solskjær’s 14th win in 17 matches since he was parachuted in to replace José Mourinho in December.
He wore a bib throughout in Paris, inviting thoughts of him reprising his super-sub act of old, but he has a new role now and he seems pretty adept at it too. United will fear no one in next Friday’s draw: their manager wouldn’t allow it.
Great United! No side had ever recovered from a 2-0 home defeat in the UEFA Champions League knockout stages but Romelu Lukaku’s goal inside two minutes set the visitors on course for a famous triumph.
For Paris, it brings back painful memories of Barcelona’s remarkable ‘remontada’ two years ago. Juan Bernat’s reply restored a sense of calm but an uncharacteristic fumble from Gianluigi Buffon let Lukaku in for his second on the half-hour mark.
Still PSG rarely looked troubled at the back, Bernat hitting the post at the other end, until deep into added time Presnel Kimpembe was adjudged to have handled following consultation with VAR. Rashford did the rest.
Absolutely incredible. United are through after a fightback to rank among the club’s very finest – and they’re hardly short of those. So much credit goes to Ole Gunnar Solskjær and his charges for making this a contest to begin with, and then pulling off a result almost no one predicted. As for Paris, yet another round of recriminations is set to commence. Thomas Tuchel clearly hasn’t got their knack for European collapses out of the system just yet.
Rashford showed incredible composure from the penalty spot in second-half stoppage time, but United wouldn’t have been in that position had it not been for Lukaku, whose third double in as many appearances laid the foundations. The Belgian didn’t have many opportunities but made the most of the chances that came his way to help clinch the Red Devils’ place in the last eight.
Key stats
1: United are the first side in European Cup history to overturn a 2-0 home defeat in the knockout stages.
2: United are the first team to progress in the UEFA Champions League after losing the first leg of a knockout tie at home by two or more goals (34 previous cases).
4: United are through to the quarter-finals for the first time since 2014, a five-year absence.
11: United have won only two of their last 11 UEFA Champions League knockout phase matches.
17: At 17 years and 156 days, Mason Greenwood became the youngest player to appear for United in the UEFA Champions League, breaking the record of Gerard Piqué.
21: United have scored in 21 consecutive away matches in all competitions, equalling the club record set in 1956 and 1957 under Sir Matt Busby.
African teams will battle for the remaining qualification spots for the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup this weekend as the final round of qualifiers reaches its climax across the continent.
In Kampala, Ghana will attempt to protect a slender 2-1 first-leg advantage when they face Uganda’s U20 girls away from home.
Cameroon are also in a strong position ahead of their return-leg clash against Tanzania in Dar es Salaam after securing a 3-1 victory in the first meeting.
Meanwhile, Benin will fancy their chances of advancing when they host Côte d’Ivoire following a 1-1 draw in Abidjan.
Nigeria’s Falconets are equally close to qualification after earning a 2-0 first-leg victory over Malawi ahead of Saturday’s decisive encounter in Lilongwe.
The successful teams will join the global field for the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in Poland next year.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
The London Marathon broke the record for the highest number of finishers in a marathon, with 59,830 participants completing the course to surpass the mark of 59,226 at last year’s New York City event.
Kenya’s Sabastian Sawe shattered the world record to become the first man to run the marathon in under two hours, followed by Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha, who also breached the two-hour barrier on Sunday.
“To then break the record of the largest number of finishers in the history of marathons underlines the inspirational nature of the London Marathon. We are incredibly proud to have set a new Guinness World Record,” said Hugh Brasher, CEO of London Marathon Events.
In the women’s race, three women ran under two hours and 16 minutes in a single race for the first time ever, as Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa defended her title by shattering her own women ‘s-only world record
-Reuters
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
By George Akpayen
The finish line is now in sight in this season’s Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), and much of the talk has centred on the title race and those at the other end of the table, which surprisingly include last season’s champions Remo Stars.
However, there is another race shaping up among the leading top scorers this season, and this could see as many as six or more players going head-to-head in the final six matchdays.
Top contenders in the race for the battle for the golden boot are Enugu Rangers’ striker, Godwin Obaje and Ikorodu City winger Joseph Arumala, who have scored 11 goals apiece.
On the tails of the top-two scoring individuals are Victor Mbaoma (Remo Stars), El-Kanemi Warriors midfielder Daddy Abdulrahman, Katsina United’s Uche Collins and Emeka Obioma of Abia Warriors, all on 10 goals each.
THE PERFORMANCE BREAKDOWN
Out of the top-six leading scorers, Obaje, Arumala and Mbaoma have more direct goal involvement. Obaje and Arumala have 11 goals and two assists each, while Mbaoma has 10 goals and assists from 23 appearances, which is the least number of matches featured in among the leading scorers. Mbaoma missed most of the early parts of the season due to bruised ribs.
El-Kanemi Warriors midfielder Abdulrahman has made the most appearances among the top-six scorers and has a 12-goal direct involvement (10 goals + two assists).
Obioma is however, the only top-six scorer who is yet to register an assist this season after 26 appearances for Abia Warriors.
Interestingly, Collins is the only top-six scorer who has netted a hat-trick this season so far.
THE CHASING PACK
There is also the chasing pack in the race for the Golden Boot. One of them is Plateau United winger Temitope Vincent Adebayo, who has scored nine goals. Sodiq Ibrahim (3SC), Enyimba striker Chidera Michael, and Igbunu Evwierhurhoma of Warri Wolves.
The variety of players in the chasing pack also makes the race intriguing as they have been consistent goal scorers in recent matchweeks. They are definitely breathing down the necks of the frontrunners.
There are also the outsiders in the race. Jonathan Mairiga of Wikki Tourists, Chidozie Iwundu (Rangers) and Bendel Insurance duo of Kayode Oke, 3SC’s Qamar Adegoke and Alex Oweilayefa – all on eight goals. On seven goals is Kano Pillars legend Rabiu Ali.
WORTHY MENTION
However, Iwundu deserves a big mention among the top scorers as he is the top-scoring defender. He has made 29 appearances for Rangers and has been booked three times and sent off once.
Iwundu’s goalscoring form from his centre-back role has also been important for his club in their title aspirations this season, and his team will hope his form can continue into the final six matchdays.
No doubt, there will be twists and turns for individual glory in a race that is still wide open. Fixture difficulty, favourable run-in, struggling defences and hunger in front of goal are surely going to be among the factors that would decide who wins this race in an unpredictable league. At this point, nothing is guaranteed as all top marksmen are odds-on to claim the top individual prize.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
Host CAF General Assembly For Third Time, CAF Awards For Seventh
Atlas Lions Embrace AI As Google Gemini Becomes Official Partner
NPFL at 36: Why Nigeria’s League Top Scorers Rarely Become Super Eagles Legends
Breaking! Uzoho suspended from Super Eagles’ next match with Sierra Leone
No longer Super League as CAF changes name of its new clubs competition
NIGERIAN FOOTBALL CHIEF EXECUTIVE, SANUSI CHARGES NIGERIAN COACHES TO BE UPRIGHT, DILIGENT
- World Cup4 days ago
FIFA Plans Three Opening Ceremonies in All Host Nations for 2026 World Cup
- World Cup3 days ago
United States Unveils Hollywood-Style FIFA World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremony
- World Cup4 days ago
Mexico president wavers on plan to cut school year by 40 days for the World Cup
- World Cup5 days ago
Burna Boy Joins Shakira for Official 2026 World Cup Song ‘Dai Dai’
- World Cup1 week ago
Despite 2026 Absence, Nigeria Still Leads Africa’s World Cup Winners’ Chart
- Premier League4 days ago
Man United’s Fernandes and City’s Shaw win FWA Footballer of the Year awards
- Nigerian Football4 days ago
Sporting Lagos Crowned 2026 NNL Champions After Dramatic Super Four Finale
- Premier League1 day ago
Arsenal survive huge scare to edge towards title