Sports
Newcastle end 70-year trophy drought, beat Liverpool in Carabao Cup final

Newcastle United on Sunday defeated Liverpool 2-1, securing their first major trophy since 1955.
The Magpies in a historic Carabao Cup final at Wembley Stadium defeated the Reds to clinch the first silverware of the 2024/25 football season, ELANZANEWS reports.
The EFL match began with both teams displaying cautious play.
Newcastle broke the deadlock just before halftime when defender Dan Burn headed in a goal from a corner in first-half stoppage time.
In the second half, Newcastle continued their dominance.
Alexander Isak doubled their lead in the 52nd minute, capitalizing on a defensive lapse by Liverpool.
Liverpool struggled to respond effectively, with manager Arne Slot making several substitutions, including introducing Curtis Jones and Darwin Núñez, but they failed to penetrate Newcastle’s resolute defense.
However, Federico Chiesa pulled one back in th injury time (90+4) with all hopes high but to no avail to the Premier League table toppers.
The final whistle confirmed Newcastle’s 2-1 victory, ending their 70-year wait for a major trophy, The Guardian reports.
The win is also Eddie How’s first cup win as a manager.
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe praised his team’s performance, saying, “This is a dream come true for the club and the fans. The players showed incredible heart and determination to achieve this historic win.”
Liverpool manager Arne Slot, visibly disappointed, admitted, “We weren’t good enough in the critical moments. Newcastle deserved the win; they were the better team on the day.”
Burn, van Dijk comments
Dan Burn, who opened the scoring for Newcastle, expressed his emotions post-match, saying, “To score in a final and help the club end this long wait is beyond words.
“This is for the fans who have stood by us all these years.”
On the other hand, Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk, despite the disappointment, demonstrated great sportsmanship, congratulating Newcastle players and acknowledging their impressive performance.
Sky Sports analyst Gary Neville, known for his emotional commentary, was visibly moved during the match, stating, “I’m almost crying seeing what this means to Newcastle fans. This is what football is all about—moments like these.”
Former Newcastle striker and club legend Alan Shearer joined in the celebrations at Wembley, expressing his joy.
“This is the moment we’ve all been waiting for. It’s been a long journey, but this victory shows the strength and passion of this club,” he said during a post-match interview.
Fans around the world echoed similar sentiments, flooding social media with tributes to the players and the manager, celebrating the end of a 70-year wait for silverware.
Sports
Taekwondo Champion Killed in Kwara Rainstorm

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.
Sports
Samson Siasia to Lead Jogging Initiative at SYDA Lounge MKO Abiola Stadium, Abuja

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.
Entertainment
I started my life in face-me-I-face-you apartment – Davido

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.