Author: Tahir Ahmed

By Abubakar Ojima-Ojo The UEFA Champions League (UCL) enters its penultimate stage, where the supposed best four teams in Europe slug it out for a chance to win the most coveted trophy in club football. These teams have scaled every hurdle and challenge put before them, and now they must face one another. It is time for teams to go beyond just brilliance and reach for grit, hunger, and concentration as the season grinds towards an excruciating end. Arsenal demolished ragged Real Madrid in the quarter-final and will face Paris Saint-Germain, which narrowly edged past Aston Villa. Barcelona overcame Borussia…

By Abubakar Y Ojima-Ojo The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas,on Monday, warned that wealthy individuals are turning political parties into personal investment thereby undermining the democratic process. Speaking at a technical workshop on the Political Parties Bill (HB1862) in Abuja, Abbas highlighted the absence of ideological foundations in Nigerian political parties, describing them as vehicles for power control rather than democratic institutions. The workshop, organised by Yiaga Africa and The Kukah Centre with funding from the European Union, focused on addressing gaps in political party regulation. Represented by Rt. Ishaya David Lalu, Abbas stressed that democracy…

By Abubakar Y Ojima-Ojo Liverpool made easy work of Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on Sunday to clinch a first title since 2020 and only their second in 35 years. The Reds, 15 points clear of second-placed Arsenal with four games left, are now level with bitter rivals Manchester United as the joint most successful club in English top-flight history. The Reds’ last title, five years ago, was slightly anticlimactic as it came during the Covid-19 pandemic, meaning Anfield was nearly empty when the trophy was presented due to restrictions. Tens of thousands of fans swarmed around Anfield in the build-up…

By Abubakar Y Ojima-Ojo Bologna sealed their place in the Italian Cup final for the first time in 50 years with a comfortable 2-1 win over Empoli on Thursday, completing a dominant 5-1 aggregate victory in the semi-finals and igniting dreams of long-awaited silverware. Vincenzo Italiano’s side, one of the most in-form teams in Italian football, made light work of their opponents and will now face AC Milan in the final on May 14 in Rome. With a 3-0 lead from the first leg, Bologna rotated heavily, making seven changes from the team that recently defeated Inter Milan in Serie…

By Abubakar Y Ojima-Ojo Bayern Munich’s striker Harry Kane’s long wait for a major team honour could finally come to an end this weekend, as the club stands on the brink of reclaiming the Bundesliga crown. Should Bayern defeat sixth-placed Mainz at home on Saturday, and nearest challengers Bayer Leverkusen fail to beat Augsburg, the German title will be heading back to Munich — and into Kane’s hands for the first time. The Bavarians currently hold an eight-point lead at the top with four matches to play, meaning their grip on the title is firm. For Kane, the prospect of…

By Abubakar Y Ojima-Ojo Atletico Madrid comfortably saw off city rivals Rayo Vallecano with a 3-0 victory in La Liga on Thursday, bouncing back from their shock defeat to Las Palmas last weekend. Meanwhile, Real Betis delivered a crushing 5-1 win over Real Valladolid, sealing the latter’s relegation back to the Segunda Division. Although Atletico’s title hopes are all but over, trailing league leaders Barcelona by 10 points with just five games to play, they produced a dominant performance in the Madrid derby. The hosts made a flying start at the Metropolitano, taking the lead within three minutes. Giuliano Simeone,…

By Abubakar Y Ojima-Ojo Olympique de Marseille are already planning for the future as they look to return to the Champions League, despite the French team’s absence from European football this season. Currently sitting second in Ligue 1 with just four matches remaining, recent inconsistent form has prompted head coach Roberto De Zerbi to take drastic measures. Marseille had lost five of their last seven matches before hammering bottom-placed Montpellier 5-1 last weekend. However, with only four points separating them from the chasing pack, De Zerbi is leaving nothing to chance. In a bid to refocus and unite the squad…

By Abubakar Y Ojima-Ojo Liverpool are on the verge of securing a record-equalling 20th English league title and could clinch it this Sunday with just a point at home to struggling Tottenham. Arne Slot’s side need only a draw at Anfield to move 13 points clear of second-placed Arsenal, who have just four matches left to play, making it mathematically impossible for them to catch up. Meanwhile, Chelsea and Newcastle will be hoping to strengthen their bids for Champions League qualification as several of their rivals, including Manchester City, Nottingham Forest, and Aston Villa, are tied up with FA Cup…

By Abubakar Y Ojima-Ojo Nigeria’s U-20 national team, the Flying Eagles, secured a 2-1 victory against Egypt in a friendly match in Cairo on Tuesday, boosting their preparations for the 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The tournament, hosted by Egypt, is set to run from 27 April to 18 May. Nigeria, seven-time champions, opened the scoring in the 10th minute when Kparobo Arierhi calmly finished a precise pass from Bidemi Amole. Egypt levelled the score in the 65th minute through Ahmed Kaabaka, but Nigeria restored their lead in the 83rd minute after Precious Benjamin converted a penalty, awarded…

By Abubakar Y Ojima-Ojo Juventus are shifting their transfer focus to Atalanta’s Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman as reports intensify that Napoli’s Victor Osimhen has agreed personal terms with Manchester United, according to sources in Turkey and Nigeria. Osimhen, currently on loan at Galatasaray from Napoli, is expected to be sold this summer, potentially for less than his €75m release clause. With the 27-year-old striker seemingly headed to the Premier League, Juventus are now targeting Lookman to bolster their attacking options, Italian outlet *Calciomercato.com* reports. Lookman, also 27, has emerged as a prime candidate following his impressive performances for Atalanta, where…