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Rice Cook Real Madrid With Stunning Freekicks To Double Fires Arsenal to 3-0 Win Over

High Stakes for English Clubs as UEFA Semi-Finals Conclude on GOtv

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The second legs of the European semi-finals take centre stage this week, with six ties across the UEFA Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League set to decide who advances to the finals. Five English clubs remain in contention, and each will be looking to complete the job or mount a comeback after the opening legs. On Tuesday, Barcelona and Inter Milan resume their heavyweight clash following a pulsating 3–3 draw at the Olympic Stadium. Xavi’s side, already crowned Copa del Rey winners and top of La Liga, were twice behind before salvaging a draw in the first leg. Inter, who eliminated Bayern Munich in the previous round, will fancy their chances at the San Siro, where the return leg promises to be just as dramatic. Arsenal will need to overturn a 1–0 deficit when they travel to Paris to face PSG on Wednesday. The Gunners were undone by a solitary goal at the Emirates last week and now face a daunting challenge against a French side that has already knocked out Liverpool and Aston Villa in earlier rounds. Arsenal, who are chasing their first Champions League final appearance since 2006, must produce a resolute performance in the French capital. In the Europa League on Thursday, Manchester United carry a commanding 3–0 lead into their second-leg fixture against Athletic Bilbao. The Reds were clinical in Spain and will look to manage the return leg at Old Trafford to book their place in the final. United’s domestic form may have faltered, but their European campaign has been efficient. Tottenham Hotspur also take a two-goal cushion into their second leg against FK Bodø/Glimt. Spurs, struggling in the Premier League, produced one of their better performances in the first leg, winning 3–1 in London. A professional outing in Norway would see them through to the final, keeping hopes of silverware and European qualification alive. Chelsea, meanwhile, are on the brink of reaching the UEFA Europa Conference League final after dispatching Djurgårdens 4–1 in the first leg in Sweden. The Blues, unbeaten in the competition this season, will aim to complete the job at Stamford Bridge and move one step closer to their first European trophy since 2021. Catch all the games on GOtv.

Egypt 2025: Kenya on Firing Line as Flying Eagles Aspire to Celebrate 100th AFCON Match

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Kenya’s Rising Stars are right in the firing line as seven-time champions and two-time runners-up Nigeria are determined to celebrate their 100th match of the U20 Africa Cup of Nations with a win in downtown Cairo on Wednesday evening. The clash, one of the closing games of group B of the ongoing CAF U20 Championship and which is scheduled to kick off 4pm Nigeria time, is on different gradients for both teams, with the Kenyans in need of a handsome win to stand a chance of progressing to the quarter finals while the Flying Eagles only require a draw. Second-placed Nigeria, on four points, will reach the last eight of the competition if they secure a draw (which will take their haul to five, and spring them to the next round irrespective of the result in the clash between first-placed Morocco and third-placed Tunisia). A win for Morocco will take them to seven points, and keep three-pointer Tunisia in third place, while a draw earns Morocco a total of five points from their three matches and keeps Tunisia at four. A win for Tunisia will take the Junior Carthage Eagles to six points and drag the Lion Cubs to third place. With 19 teams involved in the tournament, and teams drawn into three pools, the top two teams in each group, alongside the best two third-placed teams, will progress to the quarter finals. Despite their promise, the Rising Stars have failed to light up Cairo, losing a five-goal thriller to Morocco on the opening day and failing to deliver in the 1-3 loss to Tunisia on Sunday. Getting a win against Nigeria will be huge for the Kenyans, who have struggled badly over the decades against Nigeria opposition on the field of play. Their first three encounters, between 1968 and 1991, were friendly matches, with Nigeria winning twice in Nairobi and the other match (also in Nairobi) ending in a 1-1 draw. In a 1986 FIFA World Cup qualifying match in Nairobi in April 1985, goals by Fatai Amao and Rashidi Yekini, and a Hussein Khari own goal, gave Nigeria a 3-0 win. In the return leg in Lagos, Yekini and Dr Joe Masiga each scored a magnificent goal, but Dahiru Sadi and Yisa Sofoluwe added to Nigeria’s tally for a 3-1 win. Nigeria won 3-0 and 2-1 in 1988 and 1992 AFCON group phase matches respectively, and in a 1998 World Cup qualifying fixture, both teams drew 1-1 in Nairobi before Nigeria triumphed 3-0 in Lagos to qualify for France 1998. Nigeria won friendly matches in 2002, 2007 and 2011, and also beat the Kenyans home (3-0) and away (3-2) to qualify for the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals. In 2013, a 1-1 draw in Calabar and 1-0 win in Nairobi in 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers confirmed Nigeria’s undoubted superiority. In qualifying matches for the 1996 Olympic Games, both teams played a 1-1 draw in Nigeria, but the Dream Team victimised their hosts 3-0 in Mombasa. The Flying Eagles will be determined to underscore this superiority on Wednesday, in order to pop champagne in what will be their 100th match of the tournament and also stand a chance of finishing as group B winners.

Mbappé Double Keeps Real Madrid’s Title Dreams Alive with 3–2 Win over Celta Vigo

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Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid — May 2, 2025 Kylian Mbappé scored twice as Real Madrid edged Celta Vigo 3–2 in a thrilling La Liga encounter, keeping their title hopes alive ahead of a crucial El Clasico showdown with leaders Barcelona next weekend. After Barcelona’s comeback win over Valladolid on Saturday, the pressure was on Carlo Ancelotti’s side to respond—and respond they did, though not without late drama. Goals from Arda Güler and Mbappé (2) put Madrid 3–0 ahead, but a spirited second-half comeback from Celta left Los Blancos clinging to the result in the dying moments. “We fell apart… it’s something we’ve experienced before and can’t let happen,” said Real midfielder Fede Valverde. “Now everything depends on El Clasico—it’s the game of the year for us.” Madrid, plagued by defensive injuries and still reeling from recent Champions League and Copa del Rey exits, were powered early by 20-year-old playmaker Güler. The Turkish talent opened the scoring in the 33rd minute with a composed finish before assisting Mbappé’s second of the night. The French striker, now on 24 league goals, trails only Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski in the scoring charts. His sharp finishing provided Madrid’s cushion—but not comfort. Javier Rodriguez and Williot Swedberg struck late for Celta, setting up a tense finale. Iago Aspas’ creativity off the bench nearly forced an equalizer, and Courtois narrowly avoided calamity with a late fumble. The win ensures Madrid remain four points behind Barça with one week to go until their season-defining clash. Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid — May 2, 2025 Kylian Mbappé scored twice as Real Madrid edged Celta Vigo 3–2 in a thrilling La Liga encounter, keeping their title hopes alive ahead of a crucial El Clasico showdown with leaders Barcelona next weekend. After Barcelona’s comeback win over Valladolid on Saturday, the pressure was on Carlo Ancelotti’s side to respond—and respond they did, though not without late drama. Goals from Arda Güler and Mbappé (2) put Madrid 3–0 ahead, but a spirited second-half comeback from Celta left Los Blancos clinging to the result in the dying moments. “We fell apart… it’s something we’ve experienced before and can’t let happen,” said Real midfielder Fede Valverde. “Now everything depends on El Clasico—it’s the game of the year for us.” Madrid, plagued by defensive injuries and still reeling from recent Champions League and Copa del Rey exits, were powered early by 20-year-old playmaker Güler. The Turkish talent opened the scoring in the 33rd minute with a composed finish before assisting Mbappé’s second of the night. The French striker, now on 24 league goals, trails only Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski in the scoring charts. His sharp finishing provided Madrid’s cushion—but not comfort. Javier Rodriguez and Williot Swedberg struck late for Celta, setting up a tense finale. Iago Aspas’ creativity off the bench nearly forced an equalizer, and Courtois narrowly avoided calamity with a late fumble. The win ensures Madrid remain four points behind Barça with one week to go until their season-defining clash.

Chelsea 3-1 Liverpool: Palmer Stars as Blues Dent Champions’ Momentum

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Stamford Bridge, London — May 2, 2025 Chelsea bolstered their Champions League qualification hopes with an impressive 3-1 victory over newly crowned Premier League champions Liverpool on Friday evening. The visitors, managed by Arne Slot, were handed a guard of honour by Chelsea before kick-off in recognition of their title triumph last weekend. However, the Reds’ celebratory mood quickly faded as they were outplayed by a Chelsea side with everything still to fight for. Enzo Fernández opened the scoring for the hosts inside the opening five minutes, capitalising on a slip from Curtis Jones and finishing off a swift counterattack led by Pedro Neto. A second came before half-time when a mix-up in Liverpool’s defence led to Jarell Quansah inadvertently turning the ball into his own net. Despite making six changes to his regular starting lineup, Slot’s side briefly threatened a comeback when captain Virgil van Dijk rose highest to head home from a corner in the second half. But any hopes of a Liverpool revival were short-lived. A misplaced pass from Dominik Szoboszlai allowed Moises Caicedo to intercept and drive forward, drawing a foul from Quansah inside the box. Cole Palmer stepped up and calmly converted the penalty, ending a 12-game goal drought and restoring Chelsea’s two-goal cushion. Palmer also struck the post earlier in the game after a dazzling solo run, underlining his importance in Chelsea’s attacking play. The win lifts the Blues closer to a coveted top-four finish, while Liverpool’s rotated side struggled to find rhythm throughout. Chelsea will now look to build on this momentum in their final fixtures, while Liverpool’s focus shifts to finishing the season strong after their title celebrations.

Nnadozie’s Penalty Heroics End Paris FC’s Trophy Drought

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Nigerian international Chiamaka Nnadozie etched her name into Paris FC’s history books on Saturday night with a match-winning performance that clinched the club’s first major trophy in nearly two decades, as they edged city rivals Paris Saint-Germain 5–4 on penalties to lift the 2025 Coupe de France Féminine. Held at the Stade de l’Épopée in Calais, the tightly contested final ended goalless after 90 minutes of high-intensity action. But it was the 24-year-old goalkeeper’s heroics in the shootout—including two stunning saves—that sealed a historic night for Paris FC. Nnadozie denied Korbin Albert and Jade Le Guilly from the spot, delivering the decisive blow in sudden death and sparking wild celebrations among her teammates and the travelling fans. It marked Nnadozie’s first club silverware in Europe since her move from Nigeria’s Rivers Angels five years ago, where she had already won multiple domestic titles and shone for the Super Falcons on the continental stage. Tactical Battle Ends in Stalemate The final showcased top-quality football, with both sides creating chances. Paris FC nearly struck early, with Gaëtane Thiney narrowly missing the target in the fifth minute, followed by an incisive cross from Elisa de Almeida that just evaded Romée Leuchter. PSG responded with pressure of their own, led by Grace Geyoro and Marie-Antoinette Katoto, but Paris FC’s defensive line, marshaled by Griedge Mbock, held firm. Thiney had a goal ruled out for offside in the 27th minute as the intensity of the derby grew. Both goalkeepers were called into action throughout the match. Nnadozie made a crucial stop in stoppage time, acrobatically tipping Melween’s curling strike over the bar, reaffirming her status as the standout performer on the night. Nnadozie the Shootout Star The shootout began with Théa Gréboval converting for Paris FC. After early exchanges, PSG gained the upper hand when Clara Mateo struck the post. But Nnadozie turned the tide with a full-stretch save to deny Albert, and later stopped Le Guilly in sudden death to seal the 5–4 win. The result ended a 19-year trophy drought for Paris FC, whose last Coupe de France title came in 2005. It was a particularly emotional farewell for Gaëtane Thiney, playing her final cup match, and a crowning achievement for head coach Sandrine Soubeyrand, who steered the team through a formidable cup run. A Rising Legacy Nnadozie’s performance adds to an already glowing résumé. In the 2023–24 UEFA Women’s Champions League, she saved five penalties in eight matches, including key stops against Arsenal, Wolfsburg, and World Cup winner Olga Carmona of Real Madrid. Her international form has been just as commanding. She famously denied Christine Sinclair at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup to help Nigeria earn a crucial draw, and has produced match-saving penalty stops in the Africa Women Cup of Nations qualifiers and 2019 World Cup. With her latest heroics, Chiamaka Nnadozie has not only delivered a long-awaited trophy to Paris FC but also cemented her reputation as one of the world’s top goalkeepers, continuing to elevate African excellence on the global stage.

Victor Osimhen Breaks Personal Goal Record with Brace in Galatasaray’s 4–1 Victory

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Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen etched his name into Galatasaray history on Saturday, scoring twice in their emphatic 4–1 win over Sivasspor in the Turkish Süper Lig. The brace not only powered the league leaders to another commanding victory, but also marked a career milestone for the 26-year-old forward. Osimhen’s goals in the 15th and 31st minutes lifted his season total to 33 goals across all competitions, surpassing his previous best of 31 set during his breakout 2022/23 campaign with Napoli. His relentless form has been key in Galatasaray’s pursuit of a third consecutive league title, with 24 of those goals coming in the league alone. Galatasaray head coach Okan Buruk lauded Osimhen’s all-round contribution, calling him “a rare talent” and praising his work ethic and leadership. “We are fortunate to have him,” he said, underlining the Nigerian’s impact since arriving on loan from Napoli. After the match, Osimhen emphasized team success over individual glory. “Breaking my own record is special, but I’m more focused on helping the team win trophies,” he told NTV Spor. His performance, combined with goals from Lucas Torreira and B.A Yilmaz, saw Galatasaray stay eight points clear of rivals Fenerbahce, coached by Jose Mourinho, with a game in hand. The Nigerian Football Federation also celebrated his achievement on X, adding to the accolades for the former CAF African Footballer of the Year, who now stands as one of Europe’s most feared finishers.

Barca Considers Ademola Lookman Move

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Barcelona are reportedly considering making a move for Atalanta BC attacker Ademola Lookman during this summer’s transfer window. The 27-year-old has been in excellent form for Atalanta during the 2024-25 campaign, making 37 appearances in all competitions, scoring 18 goals and registering seven assists in the process. Lookman has 13 goals and five assists in 28 Serie A matches this term, while he also impressed in the Champions League, scoring five goals and registering two assists, before the Italian team were eliminated by Club Brugge in the knockout round playoffs. The forward’s future is currently the subject of much speculation, with Arsenal and Manchester United both believed to be considering making a move for him during this summer’s transfer window. According to Fichajes, Barcelona are also in the hunt, with the Catalan outfit giving serious consideration to making an offer. The report claimed that Lookman may be available for as little as €35m (£30m), which would represent a bargain considering his quality, and his arrival would give Barcelona a different option in the final third of the field. Lookman was born in London, coming through the youth system at Charlton Athletic before representing their first team on 49 occasions, scoring 12 times, and his form earned him a switch to Everton. The Nigeria international found it difficult to make his mark for the Toffees, scoring just four times in 48 appearances, before having an unsuccessful spell at RB Leipzig, spending time out on loan with Fulham and Leicester City. Lookman has finally realised his potential at Atalanta, though, representing the Italian side on 115 occasions, scoring 50 goals and registering 24 assists in the process. The attacker is capable of playing in a number of different positions, but he has mainly operated as a second striker, scoring 12 times and registering four assists in 25 outings while starting in the position behind the main forward. As well as Arsenal and Man United, Chelsea and Liverpool are believed to be keen on Lookman, with his bargain price making him a very attractive proposition during the summer market. Lookman is entering his prime, and his previous experience of English football should stand him in good stead. The forward is a different player to the one who left Everton in 2019 and then spent time on loan at Fulham and Leicester. Much will come down to which club shows the strongest interest, as Lookman will want to be an important player at this stage of his career, and it is difficult to imagine him becoming a starter at Barcelona, especially not next season.

‘Chairman’ Christian Chukwu Can Never be Forgotten – Gusau

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President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau has declared that late former Green Eagles’ captain ‘Chairman’ Christian Chukwuemeka Chukwu is a man that can never be forgotten. Gusau spoke Friday afternoon in Enugu when a delegation from the NFF and FA Chairmen from the South East zone paid a condolence visit to Chukwu’s family. Gusau, who spoke through the NFF 1st Vice President, Chief Felix Anyansi-Agwu, described Chukwu as a diligent and patriotic on-field leader who served the country with all his heart and mind, and every ounce of his energy. “The late Chukwu gave his all for the country. He served Nigeria with all his heart and he is a hero even in death. One thing is clear: Chukwu can never be forgotten given how well he served the country and his achievements both as a player and as a coach,” Gusau stated. The NFF President noted that the visit was not just a condolence visit but one the football-ruling body made in order to be intimated, first-hand, plans being put in place by the family ahead of Chukwu’s burial, and for the family and the soccer house to be on the same page. “We want to be on the same page with the family and know what plans they are putting in place. Chukwu is a hero and the NFF will participate fully in his burial,” Gusau assured. Chukwu’s son, Emeka, while responding on behalf of the family commended the NFF leadership for the visit even as he disclosed that the family will soon make public the programme of the final burial rites for the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations-winning team captain and Most Valuable Player. Also on the delegation were Member of the NFF Executive Committee and Chairman of the Nigeria National League Mr. George Aluo; Chairman of Enugu State Football Association Barrister Tony Ugwu; Imo State FA Chairman, Barrister Ifeanyi Dike and; Anambra State FA Chairman Mr. Chikelue Iloenyosi.