Arsenal’s Kai Havertz maintained his impressive start to the season with the opening goal in a 2-0 home victory against Paris St Germain which kick-started the London club’s Champions League campaign on Tuesday.

After drawing away to Italian side Atalanta in their opening game the onus was on Mikel Arteta’s side to deliver a home win against last year’s semi-finalists and they delivered.

German forward Havertz headed his side in front after 20 minutes with his fifth goal of the season and 15 minutes later Bukayo Saka’s free kick somehow found its way into the PSG net to put the hosts in complete control.

PSG, who won their opening game against Girona, struck the woodwork in each half and played with more urgency after the interval but could have few complaints about the outcome.

Victory propelled Arsenal into the top eight of the new 36-team league phase with their next match at home to Shakhtar Donetsk after the international break. PSG will seek to bounce back in their next match at home to PSV Eindhoven.

Such is the confidence sweeping through Arsenal at the moment that a home game against seasoned European opposition managed by Luis Enrique held no fears.

They almost made the perfect start in route-one fashion as a long clearance by keeper David Raya skimmed off the wet turf and Gabriel Martinelli almost nicked it past Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Arsenal took the lead in the 20th minute as Trossard was allowed too much time on the left and his lofted ball was perfect for the late run of Havertz who nodded past the out-of-position Donnarumma into an empty net.

Nuno Mendes struck a left-footed shot against the post as PSG responded but Arsenal soon doubled their lead.

Havertz’s goal extended PSG’s run without a clean sheet away from home in the Champions League to 20 — a sorry sequence starting four years ago.

And the way they conceded again in the 35th would not have looked out of place on a local park pitch.

Saka curled a free kick from the right into a crowded penalty area and the ball evaded everyone and left Donnarumma red-faced as it nestled into the net.

PSG’s hopes of mounting a second-half comeback were hardly helped by Luis Enrique’s decision to omit forward Ousmane Dembele from the squad for disciplinary reasons. (Reuters/NAN)

The Nigerian Army on Friday won the Nigerian Armed Forces Games 2024, with a total of 264 medals.The Nigerian Army won the games with 172 gold, 60 silver and 32 bronze medals, clinching the first position in the games held in Kaduna.The Nigerian Air Force came second with 33 gold, 103 silver and 51 bronze medals, making a total of 187 medals.

The Nigerian Navy came third position with a total of 129 medals, consisting of 18 golds, 43 silvers and 68 bronze. Report says that no fewer than 1,600 athletes from the tri-service participated in the games, which had the theme “Enhancing Military Professionalism Through Sports”.Speaking at the closing ceremony, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, said the event brought together the finest men and women of the armed forces.According to him ,they showcased not just their physical prowess but the spirit of unity, discipline, and camaraderie that defines the Nigerian military.Musa explained that the occasion, which saw over 1,600 athletes from the Army, Navy, and Air Force, was essential in preparing Nigeria’s team for the Africa Military Games, scheduled for November 2024 in Abuja.The CDS added that there has been more to the games than merely an athletics festival.“They are a reminder that we, as members of the Armed Forces, are bound by a shared commitment to excellence, resilience, and teamwork-qualities that are as vital on thebattlefield as they are on the playing field,”he said.Speaking further, Musa said the games also reminded the armed forces that the physical and mental well- being of soldiers was crucial.He equally said that in the face of the nation’s ever-evolving security challenges, ensuring that armed forces men and women were in peak condition was not just a matter of pride, but a necessity for operational effectiveness.According to the CDS, the athletes’ participation in the games reinforced the vital connection between fitness, readiness, and overall military performance.Musa commended the athletes for their dedication, determination, and sportsmanship throughout the competition.“You have displayed the same values that make our military strong;perseverance, discipline, and respect for one another.”Each of you is a winner for the bravery and work you put into every event, regardless of whatever position you finished,”he added.The Defence chief thanked the Gov. Uba Sani for theimmense support received from the state during the conduct of thegames and the organisers, sponsors, among others who also contributed to its success.To the families of the servicemen and women, he also thanked themfor their unwavering support.“Behind every soldier is a family that has made sacrifices, let us remain steadfast in our collective goal of defending the sovereignty and integrity of Nigeria, while upholding the values of honor, courage, and loyalty,”he said.Sani, who was the Special Guest of Honour, said the timing of the competition was not only apt but key to facilitating the readiness of the personnel to combat the myriad of contemporary security challenges bedeviling the country.Sani was represented by the state’s overseeing Commissioner for Internal security and Home Affairs, Mr Samuel Aruwan.He said that in maintaining a fighting force like the Armed Forces of Nigeria, the essence of physical fitness underscored the need for the personnel to always engage in sporting activities. Sani said that such events were being organised to promote and inculcate core values of integrity and excellence as well as effective service deliverables.“Given the various security challenges facing our country, the men and women of our armed forces must keep fit physically, mentally and emotionally to cope with the enormous demands and challenges of our values and aspirations as a nation,”he said.Sani called on the military personnel to intensify their fight against security threats to ensure a free, safe and egalitarian Nigeria and African continent.“It is therefore pertinent that you always conduct yourselves in amanner befitting of military personnel when discharging your duties in line with the ethics and ethos of the military profession,” he said.(NAN)

The Nasarawa United FC of Lafia, on Saturday, suffered its first home defeat in the Match Day three of the 2024/2025 Nigeria Professional Football League season.

The club was humbled by the visiting El-Kanemi Warriors FC 4-3 at the Lafia Township Stadium.

Nasarawa Utd, who just returned to the league from relegation, have two points in three matches.

The team drew their first two matches against Shooting Stars FC of Ibadan in Lafia and Niger Tornadoes FC in an away match.

In a post-match interview, the team’s Technical Adviser, Kabir Dogo, said that the team could win anywhere in a football game.

Dogo pointed out that they know their players better now and promised to re-strategise for the games ahead.

On his part, Coach Aliyu Zuberu of El-Kanemi Warriors said he was greatly excited with the three away points.

Zuberu also said that the team would take every match seriously to enable them to win the league at the end of the season.

Meanwhile, visiting Rivers United FC also defeated Lobi Stars FC of Makurdi 1-0.

The match was played at the Lafia Township Stadium, the adopted home ground for the Makurdi side. (NAN)