In a night of high stake drama, Inter Milan beat visiting Barcelona Football Club of Spain to reach the final of the UEFA Champions League.
The Italians won by 7 -6 goals on aggregate.
As in the first leg in Spain last week, both teams had tied at three goals apiece at the end of 90 minutes of play before going into extra time of 30 minutes.
Inter had shot into lead and led by two unreplied goals until the break.
On resumption, Barca swept through the Inter defence line to level scores before taking the lead just three minutes to go.
But just when everyone thought the deal was done and Barca had carried the day, Inter swung play and netted the equalizer , thus ending the tie on a note of three goals apiece on the night and six- all on aggregate over the two legs.
In extra time , Inter netted in the eighth minute and held on to secure victory, in spite of the incessant pressure by Barca frontline led by magical teenager, Lamine Yamal.
Egypt 2025: Flying Eagles battle Kenya for quarter-finals place
By Orkula Shaagee
Kenya’s Rising Stars are right in the firing line as seven-time champions and two-time runners-up Nigeria are determined to celebrate their 100th match of the U20 Africa Cup of Nations with a win in downtown Cairo today.
The clash, one of the closing games of group B of the ongoing CAF U20 Championship and which is scheduled to kick off 4pm Nigeria time, is on different gradients for both teams, with the Kenyans in need of a handsome win to stand a chance of progressing to the quarter finals while the Flying Eagles only require a draw.
Second-placed Nigeria, on four points, will reach the last eight of the competition if they secure a draw (which will take their haul to five, and spring them to the next round irrespective of the result in the clash between first-placed Morocco and third-placed Tunisia).
A win for Morocco will take them to seven points, and keep three-pointer Tunisia in third place, while a draw earns Morocco a total of five points from their three matches and keeps Tunisia at four. A win for Tunisia will take the Junior Carthage Eagles to six points and drag the Lion Cubs to third place.
With 19 teams involved in the tournament, and teams drawn into three pools, the top two teams in each group, alongside the best two third-placed teams, will progress to the quarter finals.
Despite their promise, the Rising Stars have failed to light up Cairo, losing a five-goal thriller to Morocco on the opening day and failing to deliver in the 1-3 loss to Tunisia on Sunday.
Getting a win against Nigeria will be huge for the Kenyans, who have struggled badly over the decades against Nigeria opposition on the field of play.
Their first three encounters, between 1968 and 1991, were friendly matches, with Nigeria winning twice in Nairobi and the other match (also in Nairobi) ending in a 1-1 draw. In a 1986 FIFA World Cup qualifying match in Nairobi in April 1985, goals by Fatai Amao and Rashidi Yekini, and a Hussein Khari own goal, gave Nigeria a 3-0 win. In the return leg in Lagos, Yekini and Dr Joe Masiga each scored a magnificent goal, but Dahiru Sadi and Yisa Sofoluwe added to Nigeria’s tally for a 3-1 win.
Nigeria won 3-0 and 2-1 in 1988 and 1992 AFCON group phase matches respectively, and in a 1998 World Cup qualifying fixture, both teams drew 1-1 in Nairobi before Nigeria triumphed 3-0 in Lagos to qualify for France 1998. Nigeria won friendly matches in 2002, 2007 and 2011, and also beat the Kenyans home (3-0) and away (3-2) to qualify for the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals.
In 2013, a 1-1 draw in Calabar and 1-0 win in Nairobi in 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers confirmed Nigeria’s undoubted superiority. In qualifying matches for the 1996 Olympic Games, both teams played a 1-1 draw in Nigeria, but the Dream Team victimised their hosts 3-0 in Mombasa.
The Flying Eagles will be determined to underscore this superiority on Wednesday, in order to pop champagne in what will be their 100th match of the tournament and also stand a chance of finishing as group B winners.
Yobo urges Simon to consider Premier League move
Former Super Eagles captain, Joseph Yobo has advised Moses Simon to consider a move to the Premier League.
Simon has been linked with a move to Premier League club, Everton.
The Nigeria international has one year left on his contract with Nantes and is reportedly not willing to sign an extension.
The 29-year-old showed impressive displays for the Canaries this season despite their struggles.
Simon has registered seven goals and nine assists in 30 league appearances for Antoine Kamboure’s side.
Nantes, who are battling to escape the drop, sit in 15th position on the table with 32 points from from 32 games.“
I don’t know the truth about the reports that he wants to leave Nantes, but if he were to leave, it would have to be for the Premier League, which is where he plays next,” Yobo was quoted by Africa Foot.
Oborevwori receives National Sports Festival’s Torch of Unity, says Delta future of Nigerian sports
From Omo Obazee Asaba
Ahead of the 22nd National Sports Festival, the Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori yesterday, received the Torch of Unity from the National Sports Commission.
The festival is slated to hold in Abeokuta, Ogun State from the 16th to 30th May, 2025.
Governor Oborevwori, who was represented by his Deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme, highlighted the importance of peace and unity.
He urged Delta athletes as defending champions to adequately prepare themselves for the festival, and uphold the spirit of excellence.
“Our young athletes and the entire sporting community in Delta State, as the defending champions, I charge you to uphold the spirit of excellence and discipline.
“You are the pride of our state and the future of our great nation.
“Delta State has consistently remained at the forefront of sporting excellence in Nigeria.
“We are immensely proud of our legacy, hosting and triumphantly winning the 2022 edition of the National Sports Festival, and nurturing some of the finest athletes who continue to make us proud on both national and global stages.
“Let this moment also serve as a powerful reminder that, despite our diverse cultures and backgrounds, we are united by the Nigerian spirit, stronger together, and driven by common dreams and aspirations.
“I commend the National Sports Commission and Ogun State, the host of the 22nd National Sports Festival, for sustaining this noble tradition and for continuing to promote the ideals of national unity and sporting excellence.
“As we receive this torch today, may it ignite in us a renewed sense of hope, passion, and national pride. Be assured that Delta State will continue to support and invest in sports as a catalyst for growth, transformation, and unity.” Oborevwori stated.
Earlier, the Chairman, Delta State Sports Commission. Mr. Onoriode Oborevwori, in an address, lauded government’s contributions to the development of sports in the state, noting that the torch represents peace, unity and true spirit of sportsmanship.
Mr Oborevwori noted that, Delta State is fully prepared, as the athletes are already in training camps, across various cities getting ready to make Delta State proud once again at the festival.
According to him; “We are proud to be the defending champion of this great event.
“Over the years, Delta has shown strong commitment to sports development and we will continue to support our athletes, coaches and youths who find purpose and pride through sports.”
Leader of the National Sports Commission delegation, Mrs. Ikana Mbora, noted that President Tinubu on March 25 2025 in Abuja, flagged off the National Sports Festival, with the essence that, the National Sport Commission take the torch round the 36 States of the federation including Abuja, as well as to preach unity, saying that sport remains a unifying factor to Nigerians.
Mrs. Ikana Mbora, who urged State government to create the awareness in the youths by investing in them, noted that the festival will hold from May 16 to 30, 2925 at Abiokuta, Ogun State.
She disclosed that, the team has gone through almost all the state of the federation, including, the North East, North Central, North West, South East, saying the team is currently in South South, and have torched Cross River, Akwa-Ibom, Rivers, Bayelsa, and now in Delta State.