SuperSport viewers on DStv and GOtv can look forward to a thrilling weekend of European football action, as your Channel of Champions broadcasts live action from the Premier League, La Liga and Serie A from Saturday 4 to Monday 6 July 2020.
This round of action in the Premier League is headlined by the meeting of Tottenham Hotspur and Everton in London on the evening of Monday 6 July, with both teams continuing their push to move up the table and end the season on a high. The match will air live at 8pm on DStv Supersport 3
Tottenham still have an outside chance of reaching the top four – and guaranteed entry into the UEFA Champions League with it – and midfielder Erik Lamela insists that this remains their ambition despite looking sluggish since the restart. “No we have to aim for the top four, try to win every game. There are plenty of opportunities ahead. We have to take it game by game but that is our plan,” said the Argentine.
Sunday’s meeting of Liverpool and Aston Villa at Anfield is set to have an Egyptian taste to it, with the Reds boasting Mohamed Salah and the Lions able to field his compatriots Ahmed Elmohamady and Mahmoud ‘Trezeguet’ Hassan. It’s desperate times for Villa as they look to claw their way up the log and avoid relegation, but Jurgen Klopp’s side are unlikely to be in a generous mood. The match will kick off at 4:30 pm on DStv Supersport 3.
This weekend of La Liga action is headlined by Real Madrid’s trip to Estadio San Mames to face Athletic Bilbao. The Sunday game will air live on DStv SuperSport 7 and on GOtv SuperSport Select 4 at 1pm. Los Blancos are in the midst of a tough title tussle with arch rivals Barcelona, but Zinedine Zidane’s side are showing signs of being able to withstand the pressure and possibly win a first title since 2016-17.
Bilbao were able to hold Real 0-0 when the teams met at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu back in December last year, but going a step further and defeating the capital giants has proven difficult for the Basque club in recent years: their last win in the rivalry was back in March 2015 and that was one of just two victories over Real in the decade spanning 2010 to the end of 2019.
Another key clash sees Barcelona head to Estadio De La Ceramica on Sunday to take on Villarreal, with the Yellow Submarine invigorated since the restart and chasing a place in next season’s UEFA Europa League. The match will air 9pm on DStv SuperSport 7 and on GOtv SuperSport Select 4 . Much of this new ‘oomph’ has come from the feet of Nigerian winger Samuel Chukwueze, whose skill and pace have been one of the highlights in La Liga since the resumption in June.
The pick of weekend Serie A matches is definitely the Turin derby between Juventus and Torino at the Allianz Stadium on Saturday 4 July. The match will air at 4:15pm on DStv SuperSport 9 and on GOtv SuperSport Select 5. The ‘Derby della Mole’ (named after the Mole Antonelliana, a major landmark in the city and the architectural symbol of the Piedmontese capital) will see Juve continue their push to retain the Serie A crown, though the loss of the Coppa Italia final to Napoli in June was a major blow to their morale.
Juventus’ title rivals Lazio and Internazionale face home matches of their own, with their former taking on Milan later Saturday at 8:45pm on DStv SuperSport 9 and on GOtv SuperSport Select 5 and the latter hosting Bologna at 4:15pm in Sunday’s late afternoon kick-off. The match will air on DStv SuperSport 9 and GOtv SuperSport Select 5.
Don’t miss the conclusion of the 2019-20 football season on DStv and GOtv. Visit www.dstv.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 DStv Now.
Tottenham Hotspur v Everton
Liverpool v Aston Villa
A series of top-flight games involving elite European teams across various football competitions will be aired live on GOtv this weekend.
The games, scheduled to hold from July 3 to July 5, will be broadcast live on SuperSport Select 2 to GOtv Jolli and GOtv Max subscribers, and on SuperSport Select 4 and SuperSport Select 5, exclusive to GOtv Max subscribers.
This weekend’s broadcast begins with the LaLiga encounter between Atletico Madrid and Mallorca at the Wanda Metropolitano on Friday. The game kicks off at 9pm and is live on SuperSport Select 2 and 4.
Atletico, managed by Diego Simeone, are battling to clinch the third automatic qualification spot for the UEFA Champions League in Spain, while Mallorca are fighting an uphill battle to survive relegation.
Manchester United will continue their chase for a top-four spot in the Premier League when they host Bournemouth at Old Trafford on Saturday. The game will be broadcast at 3pm and air live on SuperSport Select 2.
Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s United have enjoyed a resurgence since the resumption of the league, with the Red Devils aided by the return of Paul Pogba and the sizzling form of January signing, Bruno Fernandes. Bournemouth, on the other hand, are having their top-flight status heavily threatened as they languish in the 19th position. The Cherries, led by Eddie Howe, have lost all three of their games since the league’s resumption.
A fierce football rivalry will be rekindled in the Serie A on Saturday when defending champions, Juventus host Torino in the Turin Derby (Derby della Mole). The game will be aired live at 4:15pm on SuperSport Select 5.
Juventus are continuing their match towards a ninth consecutive title and have extended their lead atop the table from one to four points. Manager Maurizo Sarri will bank on the in-form duo of strikers, Cristiano Ronaldo and Paolo Dybala to deliver the goals for the Old Lady in order to win his first league title. Meanwhile, Torino are currently placed 13th but are not in a comfortable position as they are just six points above the relegation zone. Il Toro’s manager, Moreno Longo, will hope that his charges get a favourable result over their city rivals to help steer the remainder of their season.
Also in the Serie A on Saturday, twelfth-placed Sassuolo entertain relegation-threatened Lecce at the Mapei Stadium – Città del Tricolore at 6:30pm on SuperSport Select 2 and 5, while title-chasing Lazio host AC Milan at the Rome’s Stadio Olimpico at 8:45pm on SuperSport Select 5.
It is fifth position against sixth on Sunday in the Serie A as Napoli host Roma at the San Paolo Stadium. The game kicks off at 8:45pmon SuperSport Select 5.
Do not miss the conclusion of the 2019-20 football season on GOtv.
For more details on these matches and other LIVE sporting action, visit www.supersport.com and follow the social media updates on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook using the hashtag #LiveSportReturns.
To renew your subscription or switch your packages, visit www.gotvafrica.com or download the MyGOtv app from the iOS and Android store to find out more and for self-service options.
Boxing in Nigeria is set to receive a huge boost following the completion of an international standard boxing facility, the Mojisola Ogunsanya Memorial/GOtv Boxing Gym, which is expected to be commissioned soon. Located in a serene location in Lagos, the boxing gym is the brainchild of Mr. Adewunmi Ogunsanya, Chairman, MultiChoice Nigeria and GOtv Boxing.
The multimillion-naira gym, funded by Ogunsanya, is conceived as a pre-bout preparation facility for local and international boxers coming to fight in Nigeria as well as an academy for nurturing young and promising boxers to stardom.
The facility, which has a hostel to accommodate 30 boxers at a time and located in an expansive compound, is fitted with modern training equipment such as a standard ring, thread mills, punching and speed bags, double-end bags, wrecking ball snatchers, sparring mitts, focus mitts and bar bells among others.
The gym will also provide boxers with gears such as hand wraps, gum shields and mitt gloves. Boxers will be supervised by some of the most accomplished boxing coaches in the country
Being residential, it is fully air-conditioned and has an assortment of leisure facilities, including satellite television facilities and board games. Boxers in training and their coaches will also be fed throughout their stay in the facility.
Giving reasons for setting up the gym, Ogunsanya said it is a continuation of the efforts, which began in 2014, at reviving the sport in Nigeria.
“We are happy about the progress Nigerian boxing has made since the intervention through GOtv Boxing Night began in 2014.
“But there is a need to accelerate the progress by ensuring we address the dearth of training facilities in the country.
“We have talented boxers, who are disadvantaged by the inadequacy of training facilities and proper grooming. We believe that this gym will go a long way in addressing that challenge and help to bring our boxers to par with their colleagues abroad,” Ogunsanya said.
Jenkins Alumona, CEO, Flykite Productions, organisers of GOtv Boxing Night, commended Ogunsanya for his commitment to the growth of Nigerian boxing.
GOtv, promoted by MultiChoice, has been the biggest supporter of the sport in Nigeria over the last six years through GOtv Boxing Night, which has revived the sport by providing regular bouts through which boxers have earned considerably bigger remunerations and benefitted from exposure to international audience via SuperSport, which broadcasts the event live to 49 African countries.
GOtv Boxing Night also gave rise to GOtv Boxing NextGen Search, an initiative to identify and nurture deserving talents to full professional status.
A reliable source close to the companies attributed the development to the rising cost of international sports rights and the continually falling value of the naira against other major currencies.
“It is becoming impossible to maintain many of these sports rights, especially the EPL, for Nigeria. The recent fall of the naira against the dollar has equally not helped matters,” the source said.
The company’s annual report, published at the end of last month, showed a gaping hole in its Nigerian operations, a situation the source attributed to the cost of EPL rights, as well as those for other competitions such as the UEFA Champions League to Nigeria, which is charged separate to the rest of Africa.
“Rights for the African continent used to be bought singly, but this changed in 2007 when a competitor, backed by the federal government, forced the EPL to excise Nigeria from the rest of Africa. Now, the cost of the rights for Nigeria has risen to almost the same with the rest of the continent put together, while the number of subscribers Nigeria is only about one quarter of the rest of the continent,” the source said.
The decision to reconsider the continued purchase of the EPL rights, THISDAY learnt, was not exactly new.
Two years ago, the source said, MultiChoice almost did not renew the rights because the company was having difficulties justifying the huge cost when placed side by side with what its subscribers were able to pay as subscription when compared with the rest of Africa.
According to it, “The cost of subscription in Nigeria continues to lag behind what is paid in the rest of Africa, especially in the face of the falling value of the naira. The company is approaching a situation in which it may be forced to choose between continuing to broadcast the EPL and its business survival.”
MultiChoice pays about $250 million dollars for the rights to the EPL and about 100 million Euros for the UEFA Champions League, another football property the company may have to jettison if it wants to stay in business, explained the source.
MultiChoice Nigeria, according to the group’s annual report available on the company’s website https://www.multichoice.com/, is only managing to break even in spite of rising subscriber numbers that keep it only second to South Africa in subscriber count.
The results show that percentage increase in expenses exceed a percentage increase in revenues, an indication that while it is spending more on its operations, it is not making enough to keep up.
This, the source said, is attributable to the high cost of content like the EPL and UEFA Champions League.
Attempts to reach MultiChoice Nigeria for comments on this failed, as the company’s communication department continued to decline comments on its business relationship with content providers. First published in This Day.
The Confederation of African Football Executive Committee on Tuesday announced the postponement of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.
It said the competition will now hold in Cameroon in January 2022.
The decision was reached after the committee met via video-conference to discuss the future of competitions and other related issues amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“After consultation with stakeholders and taking into consideration the current global situation, the tournament has been rescheduled for January 2022.
“The date for the final tournament and the remaining matches of the qualifiers will be communicated in due course,” the football body said in a statement.
CAF also rescheduled the finals of the African Nations Championship 2020, shifting it to January 2021 also in Cameroon.
“The CAF Executive Committee is satisfied with t the Cameroonian authorities for their commitment towards the hosting of the two competitions. Cameroon is ready to host either competition and are within schedule,” CAF President, Ahmad Ahmad said.
The statement reads “The Total CAF Champions League and Total CAF Confederation Cup, will resume in September with a Final Four (4) format. Semi-Final matches will be played in a single match.
SuperSport viewers can look forward to seeing one of Africa’s top footballing sons, Algerian midfielder Ismael Bennacer, in action as the return of Serie A continues this weekend on DStv and GOtv
Bennacer has experienced his share of ups and downs in his first season with Milan, having joined from Empoli in mid-2019. The 22-year-old was on a major high after being the key player in Algeria’s 2019 Africa Cup of Nations triumph, but life with the Rossoneri has not been quite as rosy.
Nonetheless, the Fennec Foxes midfielder has still put together a solid Serie A campaign and Milan have a chance at salvaging a place in next season’s UEFA Europa League if they can finish 2019-20 strongly.
And Bennacer himself remains very much a sought-after commodity, with media reports in recent weeks linking him with a move to the likes of Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, and the Manchester clubs.
However, the Algerian does not appear interested in speculation over his future and has assured Milan fans that his ambition is to bring trophies back to the San Siro: “If I think of the history of this great club and I pull on that jersey, I just want to fight hard and give my all. I want to win everything with Milan,” said Bennacer.
He added that playing alongside the legendary Zlatan Ibrahimović has been a privilege and learning experience.
“Zlatan is that kind of player who always helps you to give your best, because he wants perfection and you have to seek it if you want to be the best. You can’t make a mistake with Zlatan around, and that’s fine with me, as it encourages me to keep getting better,” explained the Bennacer
The talented midfielder will be seen in action when Milan host Roma for a Round 28 match in Serie A on Sunday 28 June at the San Siro Stadium. The match will air live on SuperSport 9 on DStv and SuperSport Select 5 on GOtv.
Don’t miss the conclusion of the 2019-20 football season on DStv and GOtv. Visit www.dstv.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 DStv Now.
Liverpool have been crowned Premier Leaguechampions, ending the club’s 30-year wait for a top-flight title.
The Reds’ top spot finish was confirmed on Thursday evening after second-place Manchester City failed to beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
The result leaves Jurgen Klopp’s men 23 points ahead of Pep Guardiola’s side with just 21 left to play for.
Owner John W Henry tweeted: ‘This was a season for the ages and for the faithful of Liverpool Football Club. It has been an incredible year of magnificent achievement culminating tonight in capturing the Premier League title.’
Klopp broke down in tears as he spoke to Sky Sports in a special championship programme.
He said through tears: ‘I am completely overwhelmed. I never knew it would feel like this. It’s more than I ever dreamed of.
‘It is for you [fans] out there. I hope you stay at home. Celebrate at the front of your house.
‘This is for Kenny – you had to wait. Stevie you too. I know how much this means to everyone.’
It is confirmation of what has been apparent for a long time, given Liverpool’s dominance during the campaign, of which there was further evidence on Wednesday evening when they thrashed Crystal Palace 4-0.
Klopp’s men have lost just once all season – a 3-0 defeat by Watford at Vicarage Road back in February – and have dropped points on only two other occasions during the campaign.
They won each of their opening eight fixtures in the Premier League this term before being held to a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford by rivals Manchester United in October.
After that blip, they embarked on an incredible run that saw them pick up three points in all of their next 18 top-flight fixtures.
The German has transformed the club since leaving Borussia Dortmund to take over and has now ensured legendary status with supporters.
Former Liverpool boss Graeme Souness was full of praise for his old side after the championship was confirmed.
‘They’ve been fabulous, this team. It’s not just about this season. This is a special team,’ he said on Sky Sports.
‘This is a team going forward that will come very, very close to winning it again, and the big one – the European trophy.
‘You can’t say you’re going to dominate. But this is a really, really special team. This is a team no one enjoys playing against. You have to prepare to go to war with them.
‘When you combine that effort with the qualities they have, they’re some team. They’re not a team I would have particularly enjoyed playing against.’
The Reds’ triumph is a monumental moment for the fan-base.
For some of the older members, they had become used to being the dominant force across the 1970s and 1980s.
There was a run in between the 1972-73 and 1990-91 seasons in which Liverpool only failed to finish first or second in the league once; more recent seasons have been tougher.
Despite their dominance in the 1980s, they have surprisingly been without the title for 30 years – a major bug-bear for fans.
In those three decades, the club went on to win three FA Cups, four League Cups, the Champions League twice and a UEFA Cup.
Football fans on DStv and GOtv will witness the continued return of live sport across the globe, with the Premier League, LaLiga, Serie A, FA Cup, EFL Championship.
The games, scheduled to hold from 24-28 June, will be broadcast live on SuperSport to DStv and GOtv subscribers this weekend
The midweek action commences on Wednesday with fascinating game lies in prospect in the Premier League as Liverpool host Crystal Palace at the Anfield Stadium. The game kicks off at 8:15pm and will be aired live on SuperSport 1 and 3 to DStv subscribers
Other key matches for the day include Atalanta v Lazio at 8:45pm, live on SuperSport 9 on DStv and SuperSport Select 5 on GOtv: and Real Madrid v Mallorca at 9pm live on SuperSport 7 on DStv and SuperSport Select 4 on GOtv
More football action comes on Thursday from the Premier League and LaLiga, with the respective top games being that of Chelsea and Manchester City, which will air at 8:15pm live on SuperSport 3 on DStv; and Real Betis v Espanyol at 9pm, live on SuperSport 7 on DStv and SuperSport Select 4 on GOtv
The weekend games start on Friday with action from England’s second tier, the EFL Championship, with Brentford and West Bromwich Albion battling it out at 8:45pm live on SuperSport 3 and 11 on DStv and on SuperSport Select GOtv 3.
Defending Serie A champions, Juventus will also be in action at home to Lecce at 8:45pm on SuperSport 9 on DStv and SuperSport Select 5 on GOtv. Also, Sevilla and Real Valladolid will face-off in La Liga at 9pm. The match will air live on SuperSport 7 on DStv and SuperSport Select 2 and 4 on GOtv.
Football fans will be in for further action on Saturday with the resumption of the FA Cup. Norwich City host Manchester United at Carrow Road for the first three quarterfinal clashes this weekend. The game will be aired live on at 5:30pm on SuperSport 3 on DStv.
Other matches schedules for the day include a crunch match for promotion hopefuls, Leeds United against Fulham in the EFL Championship. The match will air live on SuperSport 3 and 11 and SuperSport Select GOtv 3 at 3pm. There is also a Midlands derby between Aston Villa and Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League at 12:30pm on SuperSport 33on DStv and SuperSport Select 2 on GOtv.
Celta Vigo host LaLiga title contenders, Barcelona at 4pm. The game will be aired on SuperSport 7 on DStv and SuperSport Select 4 on GOtv. Serie A cclash title hopefuls, Lazio host Fiorentina. The match will air live at 8:45pm on SuperSport 9 on DStv and SuperSport Select 5 on GOtv.
The FA Cup completes its quarterfinal stage with three matches on Sunday. Sheffield United and Arsenal battle it out at 1pm on SuperSport 3 on DStv, Leicester City versus Chelsea at 4pm on SuperSport 3, and Newcastle United versus Manchester City at 6:30pm on SuperSport 3 on DStv and SuperSport Select 2 on GOtv.
Other games on Sunday include an EFL Championship match between Nottingham Forest and Huddersfield Town at 2:15pm, live on SuperSport 11 on DStv and SuperSport Select 3 on GOtv; a Premier League clash between Watford and Southampton at 4:30pm on SuperSport 4 on DStv; Parma v Inter Milan in Serie A at 8:45pm on SuperSport 9 on DStv and SuperSport Select 2 and 5 on GOtv; and a key LaLiga clash between Espanyol and Real Madrid at 9pm on SuperSport 7 on DStv and SuperSport Select Go 4).
For the full football experience, reconnect or subscribe to any of these packages; DStv Premium, Compact Plus, Compact, Confam and Yanga, and GOtv Max and Jolli for selected matches.
Also,visit www.dstvafrica.com and www.gotvafrica.com and download the MyDStv app or MYGOtv app from the iOS and Android store for self-service options. You can also stream matches on DStv Now.
Manchester City’s Phil Foden and Riyad Mahrez scored two goals apiece as the hosts crushed a woeful Burnley 5-0 in the English Premier League (EPL) at The Etihad stadium on Monday.
Manchester City showed their impressive strength in depth, making eight changes but were still too strong for the visitors.
The win leaves second-placed City 20 points behind runaway league leaders Liverpool with eight games remaining.
Burnley Manager Sean Dyche could only name seven of the allowed nine substitutes, two of them goalkeepers, with his inexperienced bench without four regulars who have not signed contract extensions and it was a long night for the Clarets.
Phil Foden opened the scoring in the 22nd minute, drilling a low shot past keeper Nick Pope after a short-corner routine.
Riyad Mahrez made it 2-0 with a superb finish, collecting a long pass from Fernandinho and then jinking past the Burnley defence before firing home.
City made it 3-0 just before the break when a VAR review ruled that Burnley’s Ben Mee had fouled Sergio Aguero inside the box and, while the Argentine striker went off injured, Mahrez converted from the spot.
Burnley’s defending was then sloppy at a corner again, with Foden left free to cleverly pick out Bernardo Silva who put a ball across the face of goal for David Silva to slide home six minutes into the second half.
The outstanding Foden made it 5-0 in the 63rd minute, finishing off a sweeping counter-attack.
Last week, we were thrilled at the return of live sports to our screens with LaLiga reminding us how much we missed watching our favourite players, and the exhilarating feeling of cheering on our team to be victorious in their matches.
Well, this week, we have more LIVE action to be excited about.
- GOtv football fans got to witness the resumption of Premier League this Wednesday, which kicked off with a catch-up fixture with Aston Villa hosting Sheffield United in Birmingham. The match ended with a goalless draw, 0-0. Fans will also watch the first full round of Premier League from June 20th, with matches such as Brighton & Hove Albion vs Arsenal airing this Saturday, 20th June at 3pm and Newcastle United vs Sheffield United this Sunday, 21st June at 2pm. Catch these matches on SuperSport Select 2 (channel 32), available on GOtv Max & Jolli.
- Live LaLiga matches featuring Athletic Bilbao vs Real Betis and Atletico Madrid vs Real Valladolid will both air this Saturday, 20th June at 4pm and 9pm respectively. Catch these matches and more on SuperSport Select 4 (channel 34), available on GOtv Max.
- Viewers get to see one of Africa’s top footballing sons, Gabonese striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in action as Arsenal takes on Brighton & Hove Albion.
- Did you know Serie A Kicks off this Saturday, 20th June with Torino hosting Parma at 6:30pm on SuperSport Select 5? Well, now you do! This match will be the first of four postponed games on the opening weekend. After the catch-up games, the 27th round of action will be played with matches schedules from Monday to Wednesday, such as Bologna vs Juventus at 8:45pm on 22nd June, Verona vs Napoli at 6:30pm and Genoa vs Parma at 8:45pm, both on 23rd June. You can catch all these matches on SuperSport Select 5 (channel 36), available on GOtv Max.
- That’s not all! GOtv customers also get to watch other LIVE sports such as WWE SmackDown at 1am on Saturday, 20th June. You can catch other WWE live action on SuperSport Select 5 (channel 36).
For more details on these matches and other LIVE sporting action, visit www.supersport.com and follow the social media updates on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook using the hashtag #LiveSportReturns.
To renew your subscription or switch your packages, also visit www.gotvafrica.com or download the MyGOtv app from the iOS and Android store to find out more and for self-service options.
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