Sports
Liverpool Beat Real Madrid, Clinches Champions League Last-16 Spot
Liverpool has finally triumphed over Real Madrid for the first time since 2009, ending a 15-year wait with a 2-0 victory that positions them close to advancing to the Champions League last 16. Goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo marked this significant achievement, as the team celebrated its fifth straight win.
On a chilly night in Merseyside, the saying “revenge is a dish best served cold” rang true as Liverpool overcame their European rivals in a well-deserved victory. This win was particularly special given the team’s previous struggles against Madrid, which included two heartbreaking defeats in the finals of 2018 and 2022.
Although Mohamed Salah missed a penalty, Liverpool’s second-choice goalkeeper, Caoimhin Kelleher, made a name for himself by saving a penalty from Kylian Mbappe, showcasing his skills and adding to his impressive highlights.
This victory against the 15-time Champions League winners had been a long time coming, especially after suffering seven defeats and a draw in their last eight encounters. While Madrid still features stars like Mbappe and Jude Bellingham, they are not as dominant as before, though their pedigree in the competition remains strong.
Under the guidance of Arne Slot, Liverpool continued their excellent form, achieving 17 wins in 19 matches. Darwin Nunez, who has faced challenges this season, aimed to make an impact but had his early shot saved by Thibaut Courtois, with a follow-up cleared off the line.
The match saw Liverpool consistently pressuring Madrid’s defense with attempts from various players, leading to a breakthrough in the 52nd minute when Mac Allister scored the opener with a precise shot.
The turning point came in the 61st minute when Andy Robertson was penalized for a foul on Lucas Vazquez, giving Madrid a chance to level the score. However, Kelleher’s brilliant save against Mbappe lifted the spirits of the home crowd. Salah was awarded a penalty shortly afterward, but his shot went wide, creating a moment of tension in Anfield.
Fortunately, the disappointment was brief as Gakpo scored from Robertson’s cross, sealing a long-awaited victory for Liverpool. The only concerns for the team moving forward are the injuries to Conor Bradley and Ibrahima Konate as they prepare for an important match against Manchester City.
Tragedy struck in Ilorin, Kwara state capital following a 30-minute rainstorm which occurred on Monday.
An Ilorin-born Taekwondo coach and champion, identified as Musa Ismail, has been killed in a rainstorm at a badminton court in the Lower Niger River Basin Authority, in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital.
According to eyewitness accounts, a section of the newly renovated Badminton court executed by the former administration collapsed and fell on the coach.
The badminton court was completely destroyed by the 30-minute rainstorm.
Ismail, who was described as an upcoming and amiable badminton coach by some of his trainees, was said to have been crowned as the 2025 MKA Taekwondo Championship held in Ede, Osun state.
He was said to have been married for more than a year and was survived by a child.
Our correspondent gathered that Ismail played and trained at the facility with friends before the incident occurred.
Findings at the agency in Ilorin on Tuesday showed that the court had been sealed with the collapsed section visible from outside the structure.
Employees of the agency were not forthcoming when approached on the development.
Efforts to reach the leadership of the agency on the incident also proved abortive as of press time.
A member of staff, who pleaded anonymity, said that the incident happened on Monday, though the victim was not an employee of the agency.
“The incident is very tragic, it happened unfortunately during the rain on Monday but no one can speak on it except the managing director who is not around now.
“The MD will be in the office tomorrow and if you come, you will be able to speak with him,” the employee said.
Former Super Eagles Striker and Coach, Samson Siasia is set to lead the fitness program, Walkers & Joggers Lifestyle Groove which is set to take center stage at the mainbowl of the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja in May.
The event, aimed at promoting regular physical activity for participants to improve the overall well-being will have the Nigerian 1994 Nations cup winner, headlining the event. Alongside the football legend is Dr. Adeline Shuri, a renowned expert in mental health.
According to the organisers of the event, walking and jogging are two of the most accessible and effective ways to improve physical and mental health.
“One of the SYDA mandates is to promote sporting activities while assisting the government in maintaining and upgrading our sports facilities.
“The program is for every fitness enthusiast in the city of Abuja. We are looking to use this event to introduce a healthy lifestyle while making it entertaining for everyone.
This event will promote physical activity, healthy lifestyles, and community engagement,” said Segun Maku, the CEO of SYDA Lounge.
“While Mr. Siasia handles the physical aspect of things, Dr. Shuri will provide valuable insights and guidance on maintaining good mental health, which is essential for overall well-being,” he added.
The Walking and Jogging Initiative is an intiative of the Sports and Youth Development Academy (SYDA) to prioritise physical and mental health, towards creating a healthier, happier, and more productive society.
Nigerian Afrobeats singer Davido has claimed that he started his life in a one-room apartment in a public compound, known locally as a face-me-I-face-you.
The singer made the claim on a song titled CFMF, off his fifth studio album, 5ive, which was released on Friday.
He claimed that he is now living a flamboyant life due to Jesus’s divine intervention.
“Take a step and walk into my life…
Started all the way from face me I face you
Face me I face you
And now, I am living real large all thanks to Jesu
All thanks to Jesu oh,” he sings.
His claim has been met with a groundswell of doubts, especially on social media, as the singer is known to be the son of billionaire businessman Deji Adeleke.
This is not the first time Davido has attempted to paint a grass-to-grace story in his music.
On his debut 2011 single, Back When, Davido claimed many ladies rejected his advances when he had no money but began chasing him after he achieved fame and success.
The song didn’t achieve much commercial success, partly due to the doubts that greeted his claims of humble beginnings, as he was known to be from a wealthy background.
Davido finally gained widespread prominence after the release of his 2012 breakthrough single, Dami Duro, where he embraced his wealthy background and boasted that he was unstoppable as the son of a rich man.