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Naija Super 8: Sporting Lagos shock Remo Stars, Katsina United dump out Enyimba

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Newly promoted Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) sides, Sporting Lagos, and Katsina United, produced resolute performances to defeat league 2023 league champions and runner-up, in their Naija Super 8 Group B encounters, at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos, on Tuesday.

Katsina United defeated Enyimba International 2-1, while Sporting Lagos snatched a late 2-1 win over Remo Stars of Ikenne. The defeat ended Enyimba’s participation in the tournament, while Remo Stars’ hope of qualification hangs in the balance.

In the fierce South-West derby, Remo Stars asserted their authority on the game, and opened the scoring in the 17th minute through Frank Muawena. The Ikenne boys had two opportunities to double their lead within five minutes, but failed to make them count.

Few minutes later, they were punished. Saturday Okon received a brilliant pass behind Remo Stars defence, rounded the goalkeeper and slotted the ball into an empty net, to draw Sporting Lagos level in the 27th minute.

Isaac James came close to restoring Remo Stars’ lead with a looping header in the 61st minute. The striker had another opportunity in the 70th minute, but dragged his shot wide from close range. The NPFL runner-up mounted pressure on the Sporting Lagos goal, but were repelled by resolute defending and some brilliant goalkeeping.

Just as the game looked set for a draw, a long ball down the field caught Remo Stars’ defence napping. A clumsy challenge by Victor Collins in the box gifted Sporting Lagos a penalty in the 88th minute. Having missed a penalty in their previous match against Enyimba, Chiemeka Nwokeji managed to convert from a rebound, after his initial kick was saved by the goalkeeper. Sporting Lagos finished the match with ten men, after goalkeeper, Christian Nwoke, received his second yellow card for time wasting.

Reacting to the defeat, Remo Stars coach, Daniel Ogunmodede, lamented the loss of concentration that cost his team. He said: “We dominated the game. Every moment was ours. Unfortunately, we couldn’t take our chances. A little lack of concentration from our centerback allowing the ball to bounce in the box, led to the penalty. Kudos to Sporting Lagos, they didn’t want to lose and luckily they got the win.”

Commenting on the big victory, Sporting Lagos coach, Paul Offor said his team will not get carried away with the results they have achieved in the competition. “This competition is a great opportunity for us as a team that just qualified for the NPFL to play teams like league champions, Enyimba and runner-up, Remo Stars. Today, we played a team that didn’t allow us to play out from the back the way we like to do. So we suffered a lot coping with the press.

“We will have to work on this because this is the kind of opposition we will be facing every week in the league. We can’t get carried away with the results we’ve achieved against the two big teams. We have a lot of work to do. We could have lost, but somehow we are able to stay in the game to snatch the win,” he said.

With both side knowing a defeat is not an option, the first half between Katsina United and Enyimba produced little goal-mouth action. The second half started on an attacking note. Following a sweet counter attack, new signing, Ibrahim Yahya, produced a beautiful curling shot from the edge of the box to put Katsina United ahead in 53rd minute. Five minutes later, another counter attack by Katsina United led to a penalty, which was coolly dispatched by Nazifi Yahaya.

Enyimba pulled a goal back through a well-taken freekick by Fatai Abdullahi in the 89th minute, but Katsina United held on to secure their first win in the tournament.

An elated Katsina United coach, Usman Abdallah said “Enyimba came all out and we came all out. We had to win to stay in the competition and we got it. The boys did really well. This tournament is a good one for us. It gives exposure to our players. You can see how determined they are, knowing the world is watching them.”

Katsina United are top of the table on goal difference with four points from two games. Sporting Lagos are second with four points from two games. Remo Stars are third with four points from three matches, while Enyimba ammased just one point from their three games.

Action will continue in Group B on Wednesday when Lobi Stars take on Akwa United at 2pm and Rivers United face Yobe Desert Stars at 4:30pm.

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.

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JUST IN: Bruno Labbadia Appointed As New Head Coach Of Super Eagles

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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.

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Germany to Take on Scotland Today in Euro 2024 Opening Game

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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.

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Fiorentina, Olympiacos Set To Battle for Conference League Glory

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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.

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