Kenya’s Emmanuel Naibei and Ethiopia’s Meseret Dinke, have emerged champions of men’s and women’s categories of the sixth Lagos City Marathon respectively.
This is the fourth time a Kenyan is emerging the winner of the men’s 42km marathon, while the Ethiopian reclaimed her title.
Naibei on Saturday ran an unofficial time of 2:14:10 to win the star prize of $30,000
Meganews gathered that Naibei’s 2:14:10 is the second-fastest in the history of the Lagos Marathon.
In the women’s category, Dinke reclaimed her title, making it the fourth time an Ethiopian will be winning the female race.
DStv and GOtv customers can look forward to the latest edition of La Liga‘s most famous rivalry – and arguably the greatest club game in all of world football – ‘El Clasico’, as Real Madrid host Barcelona at Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano at 8pm on Saturday 10 April 2021 on SuperSport La Liga (DStv channel 204 & GOtv channel 32).
As ever, this game could play a key role in determining the order of finishers at the top of La Liga, with both Los Blancos and the Blaugrana hungry to challenge Atletico Madrid in what has become a three-horse race for the title.
Real Madrid have shown an improved fluidity in their play in recent times, with manager Zinedine Zidane able to get a tune out of his experienced players, and a three-point haul in this clash will be expected for the capital city giants.
“We’re playing well. We’ve regained confidence and you can see it on the pitch,” said ‘Zizou’. “They [Barcelona] are a great team. We’re the ones who have to go out and take it to them on the pitch and we have to do it in the manner in which we’ve been doing it.”
Barca, meanwhile, have continued on their upward development under manager Ronald Koeman, with club legend Carles Puyol backing the current team to take the club back to the top of Spanish football.
“Barça have good players, a good team and in recent years we have won many titles,” said Puyol. “These players deserve credit and that we trust them. From the outside it looks the players are happy with Koeman, who is a legend of the club, he is doing a good job, he deserves respect and trust, then at the end of the season the assessments will be made.”
Key players
Luka Modric – Real Madrid’s midfield maestro has remained one of the top playmakers in the game even at the age of 35, with his ability to dictate the play proving to be a key driving force for Los Blancos as they look to defend their La Liga title.
Lionel Messi – As one of the game’s all-time greats, Lionel Messi deserves to be considered a key player for this El Clasico, though he will be determined to break a goal drought in this rivalry which stretches back almost three years.
Head-to-head stats
In head-to-head stats, Real Madrid and Barcelona have met in 245 official matches across all competitions, with Los Blancos claiming 97 wins compared to 96 for the Blaugrana, while 52 games have been drawn.
When the teams met earlier this season, at the Camp Nou in October 2020, Real claimed a 3-1 away win thanks to goals from Federico Valverde, Sergio Ramos and Luka Modric.
Battles to watch
Zinedine Zidane v Ronald Koeman – Two legendary players turned managers, Zidane and Koeman have both erred on the side of a cautious approach in their tactical set-up. Yet there is one major difference in their philosophies: the Real manager puts his faith in experienced veterans, while the Barca man is more than willing to let youthful players prove themselves.
Sergio Ramos v Antoine Griezmann – Real’s wily captain remains one of the best centre-backs in the world, but a re-jigged formation for Barca is beginning to bring the best out of Griezmann, who will fancy his chances of finding the back of the net.
Ferland Mendy v Sergino Dest – Two of the lesser known players for their respective teams, Mendy and Dest have nonetheless shown great form in both attack and defence in recent weeks, and their battle out wide should have a major influence on the game.
Our viewers on DStv and GOtv can see all their favourite stars from the African continent dominating La Liga pitches across Spain.
Don’t miss the 2020-21 football season on SuperSport on DStv and GOtv. Visit www.dstvafrica.com and www.gotvafrica.com to subscribe or upgrade, and join in on the excitement. And while you’re on the move, you can stream matches on the DStv App which is free for download on the Apple and Google Play store and can be used on up to 5 devices.
Rilwan ‘Real One’ Oladosu and Rilwan ‘Baby Face’ Babatunde emerged winners of World Boxing Federation (WBF) titles at the GOtv Boxing Night 22 on Friday at the Rowe Park Sports Centre in Lagos.
Real One defeated Emmanuel ‘Akufo Addo’ Quartey of Ghana in a ninth round knockout to become the WBF world super featherweight champion. His performance also earned him the Mojisola Ogunsanya memorial trophy and N1 million cash for the best boxer of the night.
Tanzania’s Mkalekwa Salehe Omari was defeated via a 12th round knockout by Baby Face, who emerged the WBF world welterweight champion.
In other fights at the event saw William ‘Kaki’ Amosu defeat Sikiru ‘Lion’ Ogabi in a national welterweight challenge duel, while Sikiru ‘Omo Iya Eleja’ Sogbesan saw off Yusuf ‘Innocent’ Ogunbunmi via split decision in a national featherweight challenge bout.
Also, Isaac ‘I-Star’ Chukwudi defeated Taiwo ‘Gentle Boy’ Olowu in the welterweight category with Sulaimon “Olags” Adeosun defeating Femi ‘Small Tyson’ Akintayo in the super middleweight clash.
Segun ‘Success’ Olanrewaju knocked out Timothy ‘Nsiefinagaije’ Gonze in their cruiserweight clash.
The 22nd edition of the GOtv Boxing Night held at the Mobolaji Johnson Indoor Sports Hall of Rowe Park, Yaba, Lagos.
Real One, Baby Face Go for WBF World Titles as GOtv Boxing Night 22 Holds Today
Two of Nigeria’s best boxing talents, Rilwan “Real One” Oladosu and Rilwan “Baby Face” Babatunde, will, today, take their first steps into the ranks of the global boxing elite when they fight for World Boxing Federation (WBF) world titles at GOtv Boxing Night 22.
Oladosu will take on Ghana’s Emmanuel “Afuko Addo” Quartey for the WBF world super featherweight title, while Babatunde will face crack Tanzanian boxer, Mkalekwa Salehe Omari, for the WBF world welterweight title.
The seven-bout event, which is scheduled to hold at Lagos’ Rowe Park Sports Centre, will be open to only 150 fans in fulfilment of COVID-19 physical distancing requirement. Fans coming for the show are expected to come to the venue with their face masks.
The event will be broadcast live on GOtv channel 34 and DStv channel 209.
In addition to the two international bouts, there will be five others across weight divisions.
In the light heavyweight division, Timothy ‘Nsiefinagaije’ Gonze will take on Segun “Success” Olanrewaju in a challenge duel. The super middleweight category will see Femi “Small Tyson” Akintayo take on Sulaimon “Olags” Adeosun. Another super featherweight match-up will see Yusuf “Innocent” Ogunbunmi face Sikiru “Omo Iya Eleja” Shogbesan. Also, in the welterweight category, Sikiru “Lion” Ogabi will face William “Kaki” Amosu, while Isaac “I-Star” Chukwudi will swap punches with Taiwo ‘Gentle Boy’ Olowu.
The best boxer of the night, to be selected by journalists, will go home with N1million cash prize attached to the Mojisola Ogunsanya Memorial Prize for the award.
GOtv Boxing Night 22 was initially scheduled to hold on 1 January but had to be postponed, following a resurgence in COVID-19 infection figures in the country.
Anambra State-based heavyweight boxer, Timothy ‘Nsiefinagaije’ Gonze, has boasted that everyone will enjoy his fight at GOtv Boxing Night 22 except his opponent, Segun “Success” Olanrewaju. Gonze, who is scheduled to make his bow at GOtv Boxing Night on 2 April, said he is delighted to be part of the event for the first time and he is ready to show the national, sub-regional and continental boxing audiences what he can do.
Speaking from his base on Thursday, the boxer said his opponent will not last the distance.
“Olanrewaju is a good boxer, but I’m better. He will not last the distance. That fight will be enjoyed by everyone who watches it except my opponent, who will be in pains for the few rounds he will last,” he raved.
Gonze, who has had two previous fights, winning both by technical knockout, said he is particularly thrilled at being chosen to fight at GOtv Boxing Night.
“It is important to thank the sponsors, GOtv, and organisers, Flykite Productions, for making this possible. It shows that they cast their nets far and wide to provide Nigerian boxers with opportunity and exposure. I intend to seize this chance with both hands and make it count,” he said.
GOtv Boxing Night 22 will be headlined by two World Boxing Federation (WBF) title fights featuring Rilwan “Baby Face” Babatunde and Rilwan “Real One” Oladosu against opponents from Ghana and Tanazania.
Babatunde will take on Tanzania’s Mkalekwa Salehe Omari for the WBF International welterweight title, while Oladosu will fight for the WBF Intercontinental super featherweight crown.
Flykite Productions, organisers of GOtv Boxing Night, have announced that a total of 150 fans will be allowed at the event scheduled to hold at the Mobolaji Johnson Indoor Sports Hall of the Rowe Park Sports Hall in Lagos. This decision to allow a limited number of fans is in line with COVID-19 safety protocols.
The event will also be broadcast live on DStv channel 209 and GOtv channel 34. Four other bouts are scheduled for the event. They are the super featherweight clash between Yusuf “Innocent” Ogunbunmi and Sikiru “Omo Iya Eleja” Shogbesan, super middleweight clash between Femi “Small Tyson” Akintayo and Sulaimon “Olags” Adeosun, and two welterweight clashes featuring Sikiru “Lion” Ogabi against William “Kaki” Amosu and Isaac “I-Star” Chukwudi against Taiwo ‘Gentle Boy’ Olowu.
Flykite Productions, organisers of GOtv Boxing Night, have announced that a total of 150 fans will be allowed into the Mobolaji Johnson Indoor Sports Hall of the Rowe Park Sports Hall, Lagos, venue of GOtv Boxing Night 22 holding on Friday. The decision to allow a limited number of fans is in line with COVID-19 safety protocols.
The event, which hosts seven bouts, including two World Boxing Federation (WBF) world title fights, had initially been billed to be held behind closed doors.
Speaking in Lagos yesterday, Jenkins Alumona, Flykite CEO, explained that physical distancing requirements and other safety measures will be fully implemented at the venue.
“We have decided to allow fans to watch the event at the venue. However, a limited number of fans, specifically 150, will be allowed in to ensure that the physical distancing measure is enforced to the hilt. As much as we want fans to witness the event, we can only allow a few. So, the first 150 to arrive will be admitted. We will not exceed that figure because that is the proper thing to do. As such only 150 tickets at N1,000 each will be available for purchase. Fans who do not make the cut will watch from home, as the event will be broadcast live on DStv channel 209 and SuperSport Select 2 channel 34 on GOtv,” he said.
The main bouts at the event will see Nigeria’s Rilwan “Real One” Oladosu take on Ghana’s Emmanuel “Afuko Addo” Quartey for the WBF world super featherweight title, while his compatriot and Rilwan “Baby Face” Babatunde, will face Tanzania’s Mkalekwa Salehe Omari for the WBF I world welterweight title.
In the light heavyweight division, Timothy ‘Nsiefinagaije’ Gonze will duel with Segun “Success” Olanrewaju in a challenge duel. The super middleweight category will see Femi “Small Tyson” Akintayo take on Sulaimon “Olags” Adeosun.
Microbiology graduate, Sikiru “Omo Iya Eleja” Shogbesan, will face Yusuf “Innocent” Ogunbunmi in the super featherweight category. The welterweight division is the most represented. In addition to the world title fight, the division will see two other clashes, featuring Sikiru “Lion” Ogabi against William “Kaki” Amosu and Isaac “I-Star” Chukwudi against Taiwo ‘Gentle Boy’ Olowu respectively.
The best boxer on the night will win a cash prize of N1million attached to the Mojisola Ogunsanya Memorial Trophy given to the awardee.
Howard Goldberg, President of World Boxing Federation (WBF), has arrived Nigeria for the 22nd edition of GOtv Boxing Night slated for Friday, April 2.
Goldberg arrived on Thursday to enable him observe the mandatory quarantine period for travellers coming into the country.
Excited to be in the country and looking forward to a superlative evening of top-notch boxing, Goldberg praised the efforts of the organisers of the event and opined that a top-class boxing promotion like the GOtv Boxing Night is opening up bright and talented Nigerian boxers to the world.
GOtv Boxing Night 22 will feature a total of seven bouts, including 2 WBF title fights. Nigeria’s Rilwan ‘Babyface’ Babatunde will face Mkalekwa Salehe Omari of Tanzania in the WBF International welterweight title bout, while Emmanuel Quartey of Ghana will square up against another Nigerian, Rilwan ‘Real One’ Oladosu in the WBF Intercontinental super featherweight title encounter.
Other fights of the night include the national welterweight challenge bout between Sikiru Ogabi and William Amosu, both boxers being graduates of the GOtv Boxing NextGen Search. They will be having their maiden professional boxing experience come April 2.
Other star boxers on the roll are Isaac Chukwudi, Femi Akintayo, Taiwo Olowu, Prince Timothy Gonze, Sikiru Shogbesan, Segun Olanrewaju, Sulaimon Adeosun and Yusuf Ogunbunmi.
Nigeria will be one of the participating teams at next year’s Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon – but that ticket was secured three hours before a 1-0 win over Benin Republic in Porto Novo sealed a double over the Beninoise and ended an 8-year unbeaten run for the Squirrels at the Stade Charles de Gaulle.
Substitute Paul Onuachu secured all the points with a powerful header three minutes into added time, ensuring that the Squirrels will have to avoid defeat away in Freetown on Tuesday to be sure of a place in Cameroon. The Eagles had edged the Squirrels 2-1 when both teams met in Uyo 16 months ago.
Group mates Sierra Leone and Lesotho ended their encounter in Maseru scoreless, sending Nigeria through to the finals before they took the turf at a venue where Benin Republic had not witnessed defeat since losing 1-3 to Algeria in a 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying match on 9th June 2013.
The result in Maseru guaranteed Nigeria her 19th appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations, in the competition’s 33rd finals. Only seven-time winners Egypt (24 previous finals); two –time winners Cote d’Ivoire (23 previous finals); four-time winners Ghana (22 previous finals); five –time winners Cameroon (19 previous finals) and; 2004 champions Tunisia (19 previous finals) have been at the AFCON more times than Nigeria, who have won the competition three times.
Two unfashionable draws against Sierra Leone in November were the only games that Nigeria played in a pandemic-ravaged year 2020, stimulating Technical Adviser Gernot Rohr to demand for victory in order to restore a winning mentality into his group ahead of the World Cup qualifyingrace starting in two months.
There was not much to cheer in a tepid first half, which saw only Henry Onyekuru’s snap header pushed out by the impressive goalkeeper Saturnin Allagbé as the major talking point. Not a hugely interesting afternoon for a sparse crowd of just 200 people, a restriction forced on the host nation by CAF as part of coronavirus –curtailing measures.
Former U17 World Cup winners Kelechi Iheanacho, Victor Osimhen and Samuel Chukwueze led the fore for Nigeria, assisted by Henry Onyekuru, but the Super Eagles did not exactly press for an avalanche of goals on an afternoon they already knew their flight to Cameroon was booked.
Two minutes into the second half, Chukwueze and Onyekuru failed to decide on who was better –placed to strike in the box, with Onyekuru eventually sending the ball sky-high. Five minutes later, the hosts came very close when William Ekong allowed an onrushing defender to get a leg to the ball and heave it above goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, missing the net by inches. Osimhen, all strength and purpose, shot narrowly over the sticks in the 54th minute, and then struck the upright two minutes later as Nigeria switched into second gear.
In the 62nd minute, Okoye flung himself full –length to thwart a glancing header from slipping into the net, and in the 90th minute, Osimhen forced a good save from Allagbé with a powerful header.
Onuachu, on the field for 20 minutes after replacing Iheanacho, was gifted a gold –plated opportunity to score only his second goal for Nigeria as the ball rose high in the box following Victor Osimhen’s attempt from a Samuel Chukwueze’s corner kick.
The Eagles returned to their Golden Tulip Hotel in Cotonou after the match and will be back in Lagos on Sunday to begin preparation for Tuesday’s final-round game against Lesotho at the Teslim Balogun Stadium.
(R)Tanzanian boxer, Mkalekwa Salehe Omari, and his trainer, Emmanuel Mlundwa, on arrival at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, yesterday. Mkalekwa is billed to fight Nigeria’s Rilwan “Baby Face” Babatunde for the WBF International welterweight title at GOtv Boxing Night on 2 April
International football continues this weekend as SuperSport continues to provide the best football viewing experience for GOtv Max customers. The road to Qatar for European nations begins this continues this weekend on SuperSport, running from Saturday, 27 to Wednesday, 31 March 2021
The top match from Saturday, 27 March is the clash between Netherlands and Latvia. The always-entertaining Netherlands will back themselves to beat Latvia in Amsterdam, which will be showing live at 6pm on SS La Liga (channel 32). While Belgium will also have a tough game away to the Czech Republic and customers can watch live at 8:45pm on SS Football (channel 31).
Sunday, 28 March is headlined by Kosovo facing Sweden at 7:45pm live on SS Select 1 (channel 33) and earlier in the day, Denmark will be playing against Moldova at 5pm on SS La Liga (channel 32).
The qualifiers continue into Tuesday, 30 March and Wednesday, 31 March, with headline matches including Gibraltar vs Netherlands at 7:45pm, showing on SS La Liga (channel 32), and Spain vs Kosovo at 7:45pm live on SS La Liga (channel 32).
GOtv customers on Jolli and Jinja can take advantage of the ‘GOtv Dey Your Side’ offer, which sees them pay for the Jolli package at N2,460 and automatically get upgraded to the GOtv Max package worth N3,600.
GOtv Max comes fully packed with over 75 world class channels such as SuperSport La Liga, ESPN, BET, M-Net Movies 4, StarLife, Cartoon Network, Investigation Discovery and much more. To take advantage of this offer, visit www.gotvafrica.com or any MultiChoice/dealer office or download the MyGOtv app from the iOS and Android store.
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