SPORTS
Mane Strikes Twice as Imperious Bayern Crush Bochum 7-0
Champions Bayern Munich demolished hosts VfL Bochum 7-0 on Sunday, with new signing Sadio Mane scoring twice, to maintain their perfect start to the season.
The Bavarians are two points clear at the top with nine points from three league games.
They have now scored a league-record 15 goals in their three games even though top striker Robert Lewandowski left this season to join FC Barcelona.
On Sunday they went on a first-half rampage, scoring four times in 38 minutes to kill off the game.
“We wanted to make sure in the opening 30 minutes the opponent knew it would be a tough match,” Bayern Coach Julian Nagelsmann told a news conference.
“We are not setting ourselves any limit and are trying to deliver performances such as these as well.
“The energy currently in the team was not always there in such a way last season.
“That’s something very comfortable to know. In the second half we still tried to win the game and solidify our plays.
“It’s early in the season. We have played dominant matches so far, but there are always things to improve.
“Every player played really well. It won’t be easy picking a team for next weekend,” said Nagelsmann.
The visitors took a fourth-minute lead through Leroy Sane with their first attack of the game.
New signing Matthijs de Ligt got onto the scoresheet with his first ever effort on goal for Bayern, heading in a corner at the far post in the 25th minute.
Kingsley Coman’s shot from close range after Bochum failed to clear just past the half-hour mark made it 3-0.
It all but put the game beyond doubt, before Mane completed the first-half frenzy with his second goal of the season – a low shot from a tight angle in the 42nd minute.
Bayern eased off the gas after the break, but the Senegal international added another with a penalty on the hour.
Cristian Gamboa, under pressure from Sane, scored an own goal, piling further misery on the hosts.
Substitute Serge Gnabry make it look so easy when he thundered in a low shot off the post to make it 7-0.
Title rivals Borussia Dortmund conceded three goals in the last minutes against Werder Bremen on Saturday as they suffered a shock 3-2 loss that left them on six points.
Borussia Moenchengladbach are in second place on seven, along with Union Berlin and Mainz 05. (NAN)
The Lagos Boxing Hall of Fame (LBHF) monthly tournament returns on Saturday, celebrating founder Wale Edun’s 70th birthday marked on Monday, April 20.
“This special edition honours our founder’s enduring legacy,” said Mr David Mohamed, LBHF Director, in a statement issued on Thursday.
The tournament will be held at Agege Stadium in Lagos State.
Founded in 2010 by Edun, LBHF is widely regarded as Nigeria’s and Africa’s longest-running amateur boxing tournament.
Until Tuesday, Edun was the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, before resigning his post on health grounds.
“The initiative provides a platform for young boxers to train and gain exposure,” Mohamed said, noting its role in grassroots boxing development.
As a non-profit organisation, LBHF has nurtured talents who have achieved national and international success.
“This edition doubles as a tribute to Edun, whose vision has shaped many boxing careers,” Mohamed added.
Action begins with Fatade Juwon facing Abiodun Yusuf in the men’s 50kg category.
Tajudeen Yekini will then confront Adele Faruq in the 55kg division.
In the men’s 60kg category, Tajudeen Rasheed meets Ogunleye Aliazeem, while Mosuru Adedeji battles Innocent Prosper.
Exhibition bouts will feature Princess Adeola against Zainab Ibrahim in the women’s 28kg category, and Adeseye Kalid versus Saliu Razak in the men’s 34kg division.
The sole women’s main-card clash will see Oluwatoyin Amirat face Aminashaun Raheemo in the 48kg division.
Wahab Ramadan will meet Lawal Opeyemi in the men’s 70kg bout, before Makinde Mohamed faces Ibadiaro Idris in the 75kg category.
The event concludes with Lawal Mohammed against Oluwapo Oluwaseun in the men’s 80kg title bout.
Over the years, LBHF has developed talents like Taiwo “Esepo” Agbaje, producing fighters who have represented Nigeria with distinction.
“This celebration reinforces our mission to sustain boxing as a pathway for young Nigerians,” Mohamed said.
English and Italian football giants Manchester City, Chelsea, Inter Milan and Juventus will square up for pre-season friendlies in Hong Kong in August, the clubs announced yesterday.
Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, currently arm-wrestling Arsenal for the Premier League title, will take on Inter Milan on Saturday, August 1, spearheaded by their Norwegian goal machine Erling Haaland.
The match will kick off the “Hong Kong Football Festival” at the city’s futuristic 50,000-seat Kai Tak stadium.
The gleaming arena opened a year ago, featuring a roof that can be closed and air-conditioning to combat the fierce summer heat and humidity in Hong Kong.
Chelsea will play Juventus on Wednesday August 5 to round off the mini-tournament.
Lagos State will host the second edition of the National School Volleyball Championships from April 21 to April 24 at the Teslim Balogun Stadium.
President of the Nigeria School Sport Federation (NSSF), Olabisi Joseph, said in a statement on Monday that schools from across the country had converged for the four-day tournament.
She said the competition meant for secondary schools is organised by the NSSF in collaboration with the Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF), with support from the Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC).
Joseph said the annual tournament aims to develop volleyball in the school system and identify outstanding athletes who will represent Nigeria at the International School Sport Federation (ISF) events.
She expressed delight at the growing interest among schools nationwide and urged participants to be worthy ambassadors of their institutions.
“In Nigeria, we are blessed with an abundance of talent in the school system.
“Volleyball, being one of the popular sports in schools, has ignited healthy rivalry among students.
“Sports stimulates learning, so we are building a total child through events like this,” she said.
Joseph added that standout athletes from the Lagos championship would be shortlisted to compete at the ISF World School Volleyball Championship in China.
She described the event as a unique opportunity for young players to showcase their skills before global scouts.
“Teams from Lagos, Osun, Rivers, Bayelsa, Adamawa, Ogun, Taraba, Bauchi and other states are competing for honours, with NVBF technical officials on ground to scout for talent.”
The maiden edition of the National School Volleyball Championships was held in Abuja, where host teams won both the boys’ and girls’ categories.
Outstanding players from the FCT, Plateau and Kaduna states later represented Nigeria at the 2025 ISF World School Volleyball Championships in China.
The World School Volleyball Championship is scheduled to be held from July 1 to July 10 in China.
APC Adopts Charter of Equity in Imo
ShareFrom Marcel Duru, Owerri The former Commissioner in Imo state on Environmental Transformation and General Supervisor and coordinator of All...
Ex-Zamfara Kaura, Declares Intention for Second Turn
ShareFrom Ifeanyichukwu Nwannah, Gusau A former Zamfara Senator, Tijjani Yahaya Kaura has declared his intention to contest for Zamfara North...
Tinubu Assigns Kalu to Lead Abia APC, Yari, Bamidele, Others Senate Return Ticket
ShareBy Eze Okechukwu, Abuja President Bola Tinubu has entrusted Senator Orji Uzor Kalu with the responsibility of coordinating the activities...
Kano Gov Warns over Branded Underwear
ShareFrom Aliyu Askira Kano Kano governor Abba Yusuf yesterday expressed displeasure over the display of branded underwear (pants) by some...
Kaduna Youths Move to Purchase Nomination Form for Dankasuwa Ahead Chikun 2027 Elections
ShareBy Agbo Emmanuel, Kaduna Youth groups and grassroots stakeholders in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State have intensified support...
Ekiti 2026: Tight Security at Oyebanji Campaign Flag-off
ShareThere is tight security at the Ekiti Parapo Pavilion, Ado-Ekiti, venue of the flag-off of re-election campaign of Gov. Biodun...
Kano ADC Candidate Forum Demands INEC Chairman Resignation over Alleged Partisanship
ShareFrom Rabiu Sanusi, Kano The African Democratic Congress (ADC) Candidate Forum in Kano State has called for the immediate resignation...
Uba Sani Orders Immediate Completion of Western Bypass
Share From Agbo Emmanuel, Kaduna The Kaduna State Government has issued a firm directive for the immediate acceleration and completion of...
Lagos, Rivers, Kaduna States Emerge Nigeria’s Most Indebted Sub-nationals
ShareBy Tony Obiechina, Abuja Lagos, Rivers and Kaduna states have emerged as Nigeria’s most indebted subnational governments, according to the...
Yusuf Commends Success of Cash Transfer Programme in Kano
ShareFrom Rabiu Sanusi, Kano Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf has lauded the House Prosperity and Empowerment-Cash Transfer program...