Sports
Enyimba, Remo Stars Kick-off Naija Super 8 Finals
Enyimba International, the 2023 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) champions, will take on the league runners-up, Remo Stars of Ikenne, in the opening match of the Naija Super 8 finals at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos on July 7.
The crunch Group A tie, scheduled to kick-off at 4:30 pm, will be broadcast live on SuperSport Football (DStv ch 205 & GOtv ch 61).
On the second matchday, wildcard team, Akwa United, will take on Yobe Desert Stars in Group B at 2pm, which will be followed by another Group B clash between South-South representatives Rivers United and North-Central zonal champions, Lobi Stars at 4:30pm.
Hostilities will continue on July 9 in Group A when Remo Stars take on Katsina United at 2pm, while Enyimba International will trade tackles with the second wildcard team, Sporting Lagos at 4:30pm. Yobe Desert Stars vs Lobi Stars will take to the field on July 10 at 2pm, followed by a South-South derby between Akwa United and Rivers United at 4:30pm.
The South-West derby between Sporting Lagos and Remo Stars will kick-start action on July 11 at 2pm, while Katsina United will square up against Enyimba International at 4:30pm. On July 12, Lobi Stars and Akwa United duel at 2pm, followed by Yobe Desert Stars vs Rivers United at 4:30pm. Katsina United vs Sporting Lagos will round up the group games on July 13 with their clash scheduled to kick-off at 4:30pm.
Group A winner will battle Group B runner-up in a semi-final clash on July 14, starting at 2pm, while the Group B winner will slug it out with Group A runner-up in the second semi-final match at 4:30pm. The tournament final will be held on July 16, starting at 5pm.
Each club will earn N3 million per match at the group stage, with semi-finalists also earning an additional N3 million. The runners-up will earn N9 million, while the winners will go home with N25 million.
All Naija Super 8 matches will be broadcast live on SuperSport Football (DStv ch 205 & GOtv ch 61). Naija Super 8 is organised by Flykite Productions in partnership with MultiChoice Nigeria and sponsors, MTN, Hero Lager, DStv, GOtv, SuperSport, Moniepoint, Pepsi and Custodian Assurance.
Sports
JUST IN: Bruno Labbadia Appointed As New Head Coach Of Super Eagles
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has officially announced the appointment of German tactician Bruno Labbadia as the new Head Coach of the Super Eagles. Labbadia becomes the 37th individual to take on the role.
NFF General Secretary Dr. Mohammed Sanusi confirmed early Tuesday morning that the Executive Committee approved the Technical and Development Sub-Committee’s recommendation to hire Labbadia, with the appointment taking effect immediately.
Born in Darmstadt, Germany, on February 8, 1966, Labbadia enjoyed a distinguished playing career, including winning the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich in 1994. His playing career saw him represent clubs such as Darmstadt 98, Hamburger SV, FC Kaiserslautern, Bayern Munich, FC Cologne, Werder Bremen, Armenia Bielefeld, and Karlsruher SC.
As a coach, he has managed notable teams including Hertha Berlin, VfB Stuttgart, VfL Wolfsburg, Hamburger SV, and Bayer Leverkusen, and he holds a UEFA Pro License.
Labbadia is the sixth German to manage the Super Eagles, following Karl-Heinz Marotzke, Gottlieb Göller, Manfred Höner, Berti Vogts, and Gernot Rohr. Notably, Höner guided Nigeria to the runner-up position at the 1988 Africa Cup of Nations, while Rohr led the team to the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
Labbadia’s immediate task involves leading the Super Eagles in two crucial Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Benin Republic on September 7 in Uyo and Rwanda on September 10 in Kigali. He will also oversee four additional qualifiers in October and November.
Sports
Germany to Take on Scotland Today in Euro 2024 Opening Game
The European Championship has returned, bringing excitement for what promises to be a thrilling experience for football fans worldwide as 24 national teams compete for the coveted trophy. All 51 EURO 2024 matches are set to be broadcast live on GOtv.
Today, three-time winners and hosts for the 17th UEFA European Championship, Germany, will take on Scotland under the bright lights of the Allianz Arena in the opening game of the tournament, setting the stage for a month of world-class football. Tune in to GO Football (channel 61) at 8pm to watch the match.
As Germany aims to reclaim the glory of their European Championship victories in 1972, 1980, and 1996, having featured in every EURO since 1972, Scotland’s ambitions are more modest. Scotland has not only failed to win any of the EUROs but has also never made it past the group stage in all their nine appearances.
However, Scotland’s journey to Euro 2024 has been marked by determination and resurgence. Under the guidance of manager Steve Clarke, the team has shown remarkable improvement, blending experienced players like Andy Robertson, Scott McTominay, and Che Adams with rising stars such as Billy Gilmour, Aaron Hickey, and others.
The captain, Andy Robertson, confirmed in an interview with Sky Sports that the team is aiming to create history. “Our aim is to be the team that creates history. We look at the group, it’s a tough group, it’s a competitive group. But we believe that we can give any team a game and if we do that and we manage to get out of the group, then we’re the first Scotland team to ever do that”, he said.
Still to come this weekend, on Saturday, Hungary will face Switzerland at 2 PM on GO Football (channel 61) as they battle it out within their group. In Group B, action kicks off with Spain taking on Croatia at 5pm on GO Football (channel 61), followed by the day’s final match at 8pm, where Italy will meet Albania, also on GO Football (channel 61).
On Sunday, Poland will battle it out with the Netherlands at 2pm, while Slovenia takes on Denmark at 5pm. The day’s action will conclude with Serbia clashing against England at 8pm. Tune in to GO Football (channel 61) to watch all the games.
Stay connected to experience the thrill of Europe’s biggest continental tournament. Download the MyGOtv app or dial *288# to subscribe, reconnect, or upgrade your package. You can also download the GOtv Stream app for nonstop sporting action.
Sports
Fiorentina, Olympiacos Set To Battle for Conference League Glory
Fiorentina will be hoping to avoid consecutive Europa Conference League final losses when they take on Olympiacos at the AEK Arena on Wednesday. The match is set to broadcast live on GOtv.Lucas Beltrán’s late equaliser against Club Brugge in the semi-final secured 1-1 draw for the Italians as they advanced to the final on 4-3 aggregate score, having won the first leg 3-2 at home. Fiorentina will hope to add a second European trophy to its cabinet on Wednesday. Tune in GO Football (ch 61) at 8pm to watch the match.Speaking with UEFA ahead of the final, Vincezo Italiano, Fiorentina’s manager, expressed delight at his team’s consecutive final appearance in a European competition and hopes the team makes up for last year’s disappointment. “I hope our efforts, our hard work, and all the detailed attention we have given to this competition will bring us the cherry on the cake,” he said.Olympiacos, on the other hand, will relish the thrill of winning their first ever European final appearance on home soil. José Luis Mendilibar, the man who led Sevilla to Europa League success last season, oversaw a 6-2 aggregate victory over Unai Emery’s Aston Villa in the semi-final to advance to the final.“We must keep a level head, treat it like any other game. The week leading up to the game will be as normal as possible. I never like to do anything differently just because it’s a big game,” Menilibar told UEFA ahead of the final. “Olympiacos have that hunger to win, and if the youngsters (Olympiacos’ UEFA Youth League winners) can do it, why can’t we? We were underdogs against Ferencváros, Fenerbahçe and especially Aston Villa, and we found a way.”Stay connected to experience the final games as the season draws to an end. Download the MyGOtv app or dial *288# to subscribe, reconnect, or upgrade your package. You can also download the GOtv Stream app for nonstop sporting action.