SPORTS
Diri Proposes New Stadium for Bayelsa United FC

From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has disclosed that his administration is considering constructing a new stadium following the promotion of the state-sponsored football team, Bayelsa United, to the elite Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL).
Diri stated this on Tuesday night at a dinner in honour of the management and players of Bayelsa United FC.
Last Saturday, the team emerged champions of the Group B2 Southern Conference of the 2021/22 Nigerian National League (NNL) after defeating Cynosure of Abakaliki, Ebonyi State 2-0 in their last game at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex in Yenagoa.
The governor said although the Samson Siasia complex, which hosts both Bayelsa United and Bayelsa Queens, which also won the 2021/22 Nigerian Women Fooybal League (NWFL), will be re-modelled ahead of the new season, there was need for a stadium of international standard in the state.
He expressed the commitment of his administration in making Bayelsa a hub of sports in Nigeria.
He added that the state would soon organise a sports festival to complement its sports development policies and that the government had received positive responses from corporate organisations.
Diri congratulated Bayelsa United for surmounting all the odds that prevented it from gaining promotion to the elite league in the past seven years.
The governor noted that the victory has opened a new chapter for the team and the sports-loving people of the state, which he said would now witness top class football in the premier league.
He charged the team to remain focused and to target winning the NPFL trophy as well while assuring it of the state government’s continuous support, including further training for the technical crew and beefing up of the squad.
He announced the approval of the sum of N10 million as motivation to the team.
His words: “I like to join all Bayelsans to congratulate you and welcome you to the elite division of the Nigerian Professional Football League. Last year, when you contested for the FA Cup now renamed AITEO Cup, you were called giant killers because you were in the lower league. But you defeated clubs in the premier league to win the trophy.
“From then on, the sign was that we can do better. At the end of the day, you made yourselves and the state proud by winning that coveted AITEO Cup.
“Going forward, we have decided to ensure that our past glory is returned to our state. Sports is a veritable tool for youth development and we all know that football is like the king of sports.
“I like to inform you that this is the beginning of a new dawn of your footballing career. We want to signpost you to win the Nigerian Professional Football League so you can represent this country again on the continent.
“If the technical crew needs to go for refresher courses, please let us know. We are prepared to send you to anywhere. Whatever you need to beef up this team, we will provide the resources.
“I am happy to hear that we have 75 per cent of Bayelsans in the team. But I do not mind if you bring in international players.”
In his remarks, Deputy Governor Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo commended Governor Diri for the team’s victory, saying it was another feather to his cap in sports development and that it was the beginning of more laurels for the state.
Senator Ewhrudjakpo noted that the governor’s passion for sports had resulted in the state recording numerous achievements in just two and a half years in office.
Earlier in his address, the chairman of Bayelsa United, Mr. Ebiki Timitimi, while appreciating the governor for the financial support to the team, noted that frequent pep talk through phone calls boosted the morale of the players.
Mr. Timitimi equally expressed gratitude to the deputy governor, who supervises sports, for being a pillar of support to the team wherever they travel for matches.
SPORTS
PSG Edge Liverpool on Penalties to Reach Champions League Quarters

Paris Saint-Germain have knocked top seeds Liverpool out of the Champions League to reach the quarter-finals, 4-1 on penalties.
The feat was achieved thanks to two saves from goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
The Italy international saved spot kicks from Darwin Nunez and Curtis Jones, while Vitinha, Goncalo Ramos, Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue converted for PSG who remain in the hunt for a first title in the elite event.
The last 16 tie was locked at 1-1 after PSG had cancelled out their 1-0 home defeat from last week through Dembele in the 12th minute at Anfield.
Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Inter Milan also reached the quarter-finals on Tuesday.
The other four last 16 return legs are on Wednesday.(dpa/NAN)SPORTS
Kwara United Clinch 2025 State FA Cup

Defending champions Kwara United triumphed 5-4 on penalties over Abubakar Bukola Saraki (ABS) Ilorin FC, following a 1-1 draw in regulation time, to claim the 2025 Kwara FA President Federation Cup.
The match, held at the Rashidi Yekini Main Bowl in the George Agbazika Innih Stadium Complex, Ilorin, saw ABS FC take the lead in the 21st minute.
A defensive lapse by Kwara United allowed Boluwatife Ajina to score, putting the Saraki Boys ahead.
ABS FC dominated much of the game, with Kwara United finding it difficult to breach their defence.
In the second half, Coach Tunde Sanni made tactical changes, introducing Ismaila Gatta, Shola AbdulRaheem, and Junior Aimufua for Wasiu Jimoh, Issa Gatta, and Akanni Akeem.
The substitutions paid off, as Kwara United increased pressure and were rewarded in the 80th minute when Kabiru Mohammed was fouled in the box, earning a penalty.
Ismaila Gatta stepped up and converted the spot-kick confidently, levelling the scores at 1-1.
With the game tied at 1-1, the match proceeded to a penalty shootout.
The decisive moment came when the ABS goalkeeper missed a sudden-death penalty, allowing Kabiru Mohammed to seal the win with the final kick.
Sanni, in his post-match remarks, expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance, calling the win a morale booster ahead of their next NPFL fixture against Abia Warriors on Wednesday.
Moje Queens defeated Kwara Ladies United 4-3 on penalties in the women’s final after a 2-2 draw in regulation time. (NAN)
SPORTS
Arsenal Crush Manchester City to Stay in Title Hunt

Arsenal delivered a statement of intent in the Premier League title race with a 5-1 hammering of champions Manchester City to close the gap at the top to six points on Sunday.
Captain Martin Odegaard fired Arsenal into a second-minute lead and City were finished off in ruthless fashion after the break with teenagers Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri both on target for the rampant Gunners.
Erling Haaland’s 55th-minute equaliser, his 250th senior career goal, had briefly raised City’s hopes, but they could have no complaints as any lingering chance of winning a fifth successive title surely disappeared into the north London night.
Arsenal are now 14 games unbeaten in the league and have 50 points from 24 games with leaders Liverpool on 56 from 23.
Manchester City are a distant fourth with 41.
Arsenal have been accused of being over-reliant on set-piece goals this season but on Sunday they played with fluency and flare to rack up their biggest home win of the league season.
“It was a top game, a top performance and with the fans and the atmosphere it can’t be better, so very happy.
“In the end, I think we got what we deserved, “Odegaard said
City, whose six-game unbeaten run in the league had suggested they were returning to form, were generally second-best apart from a lively spell before halftime when Arsenal keeper David Raya was forced into a couple of crucial saves.
“It is difficult. I think all of us don’t take losing well,” City defender John Stones said. “It is hard to put into words straight after a game like that.
“How we played in the last 30 minutes was not acceptable.”
Sloppy City gifted Arsenal the lead when Manuel Akanji was put in trouble by teammate John Stones and was dispossessed before Kai Havertz calmly set up Odegaard to sweep home from close range despite an attempted block by Stones.
With City at sixes and sevens, Arsenal thought they had made it 2-0 shortly afterwards when Gabriel Martinelli lifted a shot past Stefan Ortega but was adjudged to be offside.
City were spared further punishment when they again lost the ball playing out from the back and Havertz, with the whole goal to aim at, somehow dragged his shot wide.
Haaland touched the ball only six times in the first half but came alive in the 55th minute to head in Savinho’s cross.
For a moment it looked as though Arsenal’s earlier misses might haunt them but 38 seconds after the restart Phil Foden gave the ball away and Thomas Partey’s shot deflected off Stones to leave Ortega with no chance.
With their tails up, Arsenal looked to rub City’s noses in the dirt and Lewis-Skelly took a pass from Declan Rice before sending a right-footed shot past the diving Ortega.
Havertz made up for his earlier miss with a clinical finish from Gabriel Martinelli’s pass after a counter-attack.
The party was already in full swing when substitute Nwaneri left Ortega for dead with a sublime curling finish after a long passing move.
Arsenal will now try to overturn a 2-0 first-leg deficit in Wednesday’s League Cup semi-final at Newcastle United.
While City will have to dust themselves down as a seismic Champions League playoff against Real Madrid looms. (Reuters/NAN)