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German Cup: Boniface seal Leverkusen comeback win over Cologne

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2 months ago

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Patrik Schick scored the equaliser deep into stoppage time and Victor Boniface got the winner as title holders Bayer Leverkusen fought from two goals down to beat second division Cologne 3-2 in extra time on Wednesday

The hard fought win shoots Leverkusen into the German Cup semi-finals on Wednesday.

Cologne seemed to be heading towards a huge upset in the western German derby match when Damian Downs opened the scoring late in the first half after some poor defending, and then fed Linton Maina for 2-0 in the 54th minute.

But Schick pulled one back in the 61st after being superbly set up by former Cologne academy player Florian Wirtz, and forced extra time with a header into the bottom left corner six minutes into stoppage time.

Attacking partner Boniface then beat a defender to a cross from the left by Alejandro Grimaldo, who had hit the crossbar in the first half, to volley home the winner in the 98th minute.

Cologne thought that they had levelled for 3-3 in the 111th from substitute Imad Rondic but the goal was nullified upon review because he was marginally offside.

“That’s the Cup, situations like these can happen there,” leverkusen’s managing director for sport Simon Rolfes told Sky TV.

Cologne goalkeeper Marvin Schwäbe told broadcasters ARD: “We can be very proud. Of course you want to win after leading 2-0. We knew it would be a huge task. We had to defend for a long time, you can see their quality.”

It was a lucky escape for Leverkusen who had also scored at the death on several occasions last season en route to a historic unbeaten Bundesliga and Cup double.

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Cologne’s game plan of soaking up Leverkusen’s pressure and hitting them on the break worked well for large parts of the game before the brave second division leaders had to concede defeat against the holders who had beaten record Cup winners Bayern Munich in the previous round.

VfB Stuttgart beat Augsburg 1-0 in the first quarter-final on Tuesday.

The other games are third tier Arminia Bielefeld v Werder Bremen on Feb. 25 and Leipzig v Wolfsburg on Feb. 26.(dpa/NAN)

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Virgil van Dijk signs new two-year deal with Liverpool

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April 17, 2025

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Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has committed his future to the Premier League club by signing a new two-year contract on Thursday.

The Dutch centre-back follows Mohamed Salah in ending months of speculation by extending his stay at Anfield.

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NPFL: Kano Pillars beat Lobi Stars 2-0 in Kano

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4 days ago

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April 14, 2025

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Kano Pillars Football Club on Sunday defeated visiting Lobi Stars of Makurdi 2-0 in the ongoing 2024/2025 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).

The match day 33 which was played at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kofar Mata was watched by a large number of spectators.

Ahmed Musa opened scoring for the hosts in the 55th minute, sending the home fans into wild jubilation.

Naziru Ibrahim sealed the victory with a stoppage-time penalty, after a Lobi defender was penalised for a handball in the box.

The result boosts Pillars chances of finishing at the top of the table, while Lobi Stars continued to struggle with inconsistent away form.

Speaking after the match, Pillars coach, Usman Abdullah, commended his team’s performance and urged them to be focused in their remaining fixtures.

Abdullah said he was pleased with the result, especially the two goals, which he described as vital in the club’s push for a top-of-the-table finish.

“We are happy with the win and the two goals. This victory will go a long way in helping us achieve our target of finishing at the top,” he said.

Looking ahead to their next fixture, the coach said his side would intensify preparations for their clash against Enyimba in Aba.

According to him, the team hope to secure at least a point, citing Enyimba’s recent struggles at home as a possible advantage.

“Enyimba are not playing very well this season, and their loss at home gives us hope. We will prepare well and aim to get something from that game,” Abdullah added.

Also speaking, Lobi Stars Head Coach, Tope Bulus, commended his players for their performance in spite of their loss.

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Bulus, who recently took charge of the team, said he was impressed with the level of improvement and commitment shown by the players.

“I am satisfied with the way the boys played today. This is just my fourth game in charge, and I can see that they are beginning to blend well and understand the system,” he explained.

The coach noted that although the result was not favourable, the performance gave him hope for better outcomes in future fixtures.(NAN)

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‘He Brought Joy To Millions,’ Tinubu, NFF Pay Tribute To Late Christian Chukwu

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6 days ago

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April 12, 2025

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President Bola Tinubu and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have joined the long list of people, especially in the football family, in paying tribute to late Super Eagles hero Christian Chukwu, who died on Saturday.

“Chairman,” as the late Nigerian football icon was called, died at 74, throwing family, friends, and the entire nation into mourning.

In his tribute to the former centre defender, Tinubu, in a statement by his spokesman Bayo Onanuga, hailed the patriotism of Chukwu.

“Christian Chukwu was more than a footballer and coach. He was a symbol of excellence and patriotism. He brought joy to millions, mentored a generation of footballers, and stood as a pillar of Nigerian brand and sportsmanship on and off the pitch,” Tinubu was quoted as saying.

“His legacies will continue to live on in the trophies he won, the lives he touched, and the exciting moments he provided to football fans and spectators on the field and in the technical area. We are forever grateful for his contributions to the sport we all love, and we will always remember him with great respect and admiration.”

President Tinubu eugolised the former Rangers defender as a trailblazer whose career was defined by passion, discipline, and commitment to national pride.

He consoled the family of the bereaved, praying for the repose of his soul and comfort for those Chukwu left behind.

NFF mourns as ‘Chairman’ Christian Chukwu, 1980 AFCON-winning captain, dies at 74

The Nigeria Football Federation has expressed deep sorrow after it was confirmed that Christian Chukwuemeka Chukwu, who captained Nigeria’s 1980 Africa Cup of Nations-winning squad pic.twitter.com/8UMRatCivF

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On its part, the NFF, in a statement on its official X handle, said Chukwu’s death is a big loss to the country’s football fraternity.

“We have lost a good and great man. Chukwu was the definition of a strong, dedicated, and disciplined leader on and off the field. He was not nicknamed ‘Chairman’ for nothing. He embodied strength, vision, and consistency,” the General Secretary of the football body said.

“We pray that the Almighty will grant his soul eternal rest, and also grant the family and friends he has left behind, and Nigeria football’s fraternity the fortitude to bear this big loss.”

Chukwu captained Nigeria to their first Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) trophy in 1980 and was also a former coach of the side between 2002 and 2005. He led the Super Eagles to a third-place finish at the 2004 edition of the continental competition in Tunisia.

He devoted his club career to Enugu Rangers, where he won multiple national titles and led the club to continental glory with their 1977 African Cup Winners’ Cup triumph.

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