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Napoli trounce Liverpool 4-1 in Champions League opener

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2 years ago

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Napoli claimed a stunning 4-1 win over last season’s beaten finalists Liverpool in their opening Champions League group game on Wednesday, as a worrying start to the campaign continued for Jurgen Klopp’s side.

Liverpool were swept away by a whirlwind first-half performance at the Stadio Maradona from Napoli, who were deservedly three goals to the good at the break.

Piotr Zielinski got the ball rolling from the penalty spot in the fifth minute and two more beautifully worked strikes from Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa and Giovanni Simeone on his Champions League debut left Jurgen Klopp’s side staring at a humiliating defeat.

Poland midfielder, Zielinski, then added the fourth almost immediately after the restart to ensure Napoli got off to a dream start to Group A.

Luciano Spalletti’s team, who are back in Europe’s top competition after a two-season absence, are second but level with Ajax who performed a demolition job of their own against Rangers.

Napoli built on a strong start to their domestic season which has them second after five games in Serie A and will be encouraged by strong performances from new arrivals, in particular firecracker winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

Georgian Kvaratskhelia has already won over Napoli supporters with his exciting wing play and eye for goal, and although he was only on the field for less than an hour he did considerable damage.

Liverpool, meanwhile, are kept off the bottom by the Scots and now turn their attentions to trying to improve on seventh place in the Premier League.

Backed by a typically raucous crowd, Napoli came haring out of the traps and could easily have been ahead with less than a minute on the clock.

The lively Victor Osimhen broke onto a long ball from Giovanni Di Lorenzo and nudged it past the onrushing Alisson Becker, but took the ball too wide and instead of trying to lay up his arriving teammates shot off the near post.

They were deservedly ahead shortly afterwards when James Milner handled Zielinski’s low shot and allowed the Pole to rifle home the opener.

Napoli would have been further ahead had Osimhen taken a leaf out of Zielinski’s book in the 18th minute, but instead he wasted his chance from the spot with a fancy run-up after an on-field review of Virgil van Dijk’s clumsy challenge on the Nigerian by referee Carlos del Cerro Grande resulted in another penalty.

However, Liverpool were a shambles at the back, constantly caught napping on passes over the top and bewildered by Kvaratskhelia, whose 28th-minute shot was kicked off the line after Osimhen nicked the ball away from Joe Gomez.

And three minutes later Anguissa gave the hosts a lead which more reflected the run of play.

The Cameroon international played a simple one-two with Zielinski to find himself all alone with Alisson before rolling in the second, and from there Liverpool collapsed.

A dream opening half ended with Simeone in tears after making it three just seconds after replacing injured Osimhen, tapping in a simple finish after the irrepressible Kvaratskhelia caused more havoc on the left flank.

Simeone then turned provider for Zielinski to ensure it was a memorable night for the hosts a minute after the break, a first effort denied by Alisson before a follow-up finish was dinked over the Brazilian.

Luis Diaz pulled one back two minutes later but it was all the Reds could conjure up as Napoli shut up shop and saw out a memorable win.

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Excitement builds for 2024 Emirates Global Hotel Amateur Open Golf Championship in Ilorin

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20 hours ago

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May 6, 2024

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Over 145 golfers are set to participate in the 2024 Emirates Global Hotel Amateur Open Golf Championship in Ilorin from Friday to Saturday.

Dare Akanbi, a member of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), informed reporters on Monday in Ilorin that the field consists of 124 males and 21 females.

Akanbi disclosed that the golfers represent various clubs including Ibom Golf Club, Ikeja Golf Club, Abeokuta Golf Club, and Tiger Golf Club, among others.

“The event is an annual championship introduced by the Chairman of Emirate Global Hotel, Hon. Lambe Akanbi, demonstrating his support and passion for golf and his commitment to nurturing the sport,” Akanbi remarked.

“We have finalized arrangements for the 2024 edition, which will feature 124 male and 21 female participants, with an additional 11 on standby due to late registration,” he added.

The championship is scheduled to Tee-off at 6:30 a.m. on Saturday, with the official Tee-off slated for 9:00 a.m. The closing ceremony will take place in the evening, during which winners will be announced and rewarded.

Akanbi noted that the championship, which does not have any age bracket, offers prizes and souvenirs for winners, as well as consolation prizes for all participants. The tournament includes different categories, including 1, 2, 3, 4, and Senior Veterans.

Among the notable golfers expected to compete in the championship are Lanre Sagaya, Otunba Olusola Adekanola, and Owolabi Olajide, among others.

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Chelsea thrash West Ham to move above United

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2 days ago

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May 5, 2024

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Chelsea thrashed West Ham 5-0 to move above Manchester United into seventh place and keep their hopes of European qualification on Sunday.

Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino is fighting to convince the club’s co-owner Todd Boehly to give him a second season in charge after his troubled debut campaign.

Pochettino admits it is “not his decision” if he stays, but securing a place in Europe could be enough to avoid the sack.

Cole Palmer put Chelsea ahead in the 15th minute with his 21st league goal of the season, the forward firing home after West Ham failed to clear.

Conor Gallagher doubled Chelsea’s advantage after 30 minutes with a blistering volley after West Ham’s Kurt Zouma deflected the ball towards the midfielder.

Noni Madueke bagged Chelsea’s third six minutes later as the winger turned in Thiago Silva’s header from close range.

Nicolas Jackson piled on the misery for woeful West Ham in the 48th minute with a tap-in from Madueke’s cross.

The Senegal striker was on target again with 10 minutes left.

The lopsided nature of defeat did little to quell speculation over the future of West Ham boss David Moyes, who has come under fire from fans for his perceived negative game plans.

Ninth-placed West Ham has reportedly held talks with former Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui and could opt to move on from Moyes, whose contract expires at the end of the season.

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Dominican Republic 2024: Burkinabe Under 17 girls to host Flamingos on neutral ground

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3 days ago

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May 4, 2024

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The Nigeria’s Under 17 female football team,the  Flamingos will  play their away match against their Burkinabe counterparts in the  2024 FIFA Under 17 Women’s World Cup qualifying fixture on a neutral ground in Bamako, Mali.

Ademola Olajire, Director of Communications at the  Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) stated this in a statement  on Friday.

The world body insisted that the Burkinabes cannot play in Ouagadougou due to the poor state of their home venue.

The decision has seen the Burkinabes opt for the Malian capital, where they will host the Flamingos on  May 11  from 4 pm Mali time, 5pm Nigeria time.

The return leg will come up at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on  May 18   from 4.30 pm Nigeria time.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has appointed Suavis Iratunga from Burundi as referee for the match that will take place at the March 26 Stadium.

Her compatriots Fides Bangurambona, Alida Iradukunda and Joselyne Nsabimana as assistant 1, assistant 2 and fourth official respectively.

Oumou Souleyman Kanefrom Mauritania will be commissioner while Aya Irene Ahoua from Cote d’Ivoire will be the referee assessor.

The  return leg in Abuja, will have Aline Umutoni from Rwanda as  the referee, with her compatriots Alice Umutesi and Sandrine Usenga as assistant 1 and assistant 2 respectively.

 Ethiopian Raya Sisay will be the fourth official, with Naa Odofoley Nortey as commissioner and Senegalese Fatou Gaye as referee assessor.

The Flamingos’ delegation to Bamako will leave Abuja on Wednesday  for Bamako for the encounter.

The FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2024 will take place in the Dominican Republic from  Oct. 16 to Nov.3.

This will be the first time that the Dominican Republic will host a FIFA tournament.

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