Sport
Edo Queens Awarded N100 Million for Winning WAFU B Champions League Qualifiers
The Edo Queens football team has been awarded N100 million for their victory in the 2024 WAFU B CAF Women’s Champions League qualifiers.
The announcement was made by Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, during a grand reception held in Benin City to celebrate the team’s achievement.
Governor Obaseki expressed his pride in the team’s performance, describing the moment as part of a broader season of celebration for Edo State, which marked its 33rd anniversary.
He praised the players for their dedication, saying, “You have all done exceptionally well. This is truly our season of celebration. As we celebrate Edo at 33, you have given us the best present, and I couldn’t be more proud.”
Reflecting on the state of women’s sports in Edo before his administration, Obaseki noted the lack of recognition and respect for female athletes in the past. “Before we came into power, Edo women’s contributions in sports were largely overlooked.
They were not given a chance. But thankfully, that has changed now,” he said. He credited his administration for understanding the importance of sports in youth development, highlighting the positive impact of the investments made over the last eight years.
Governor Obaseki congratulated the Edo Queens for their remarkable victory, encouraging them to aim even higher as they prepare to compete in the CAF Women’s Champions League. “You have made Edo proud, and you have made Nigeria proud.
I challenge you to go on and win the CAF Champions League,” he stated. While withholding details of future rewards, he assured the team that their efforts would continue to be recognized, announcing the immediate N100 million reward for their accomplishment.
Moses Aduku’s team earned the prestigious honor by defeating Beninoise club Ainonvi FC 3-0 in the final match, held at the Stade de la Paix on Sunday.
The victory secured the Edo Queens’ place in the upcoming CAF Women’s Champions League tournament, where they will represent Nigeria later in the year.
Obaseki emphasized his administration’s commitment to supporting the youth through sports, acknowledging the contributions of the Edo Queens in putting the state on the map in African women’s football.
“The investment we’ve made in the past years is now paying off, and we’ll continue to encourage and support our youth to achieve even more,” he said.
Galatasaray forward Alvaro Morata has hailed his teammate Victor Osimhen as one of the best strikers in world football.
Both players found the back of the net as Galatasaray cruised to a 5-1 victory over Eyupspor at the Recep Tayyip Erdogan Stadium on Sunday. Morata, who came off the bench, bagged a brace while Osimhen added a goal and an assist to his tally.
Osimhen, currently on loan from Napoli, has been a standout performer for Galatasaray this season, stepping up in the absence of injured captain Mauro Icardi. The Nigerian star has so far notched 31 goals and seven assists in 36 appearances across all competitions for Okan Buruk’s side.
Speaking after the win, Morata praised the 26-year-old, describing him as not just a brilliant footballer but also a great person. “Osimhen is a great person and one of the best centre-forwards in the world,” Morata said via the club’s website.
Lionel Messi had to watch from the sidelines as Inter Miami collapsed from a two-goal advantage to suffer a 4-3 defeat against FC Dallas on Sunday. Messi, along with Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, and Luis Suarez, was rested for the game as manager Javier Mascherano kept his key players fresh for their upcoming CONCACAF Champions Cup clash.
Without their stars, Miami slipped to their first loss of the 2025 MLS season, throwing away a 3-1 lead and dropping to fifth place in the Eastern Conference with 18 points. After the final whistle, Mascherano took the blame for the defeat, admitting his decisions cost the team. “It’s tough,” he said.
“For 65 minutes we were in control and had turned the game around, but I misread the situation. I made some wrong calls and couldn’t guide the players the way I should have.”
Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has admitted he was left hurt after his side’s painful loss to Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final on Saturday night.
Ancelotti watched his team battle hard but fall short as Barcelona edged a 3-2 win to lift the trophy. Goals from Pedri, Ferran Torres, Aurélien Tchouaméni, and Kylian Mbappé saw the match locked at 2-2 after full-time, before Jules Kounde grabbed the winner for Hansi Flick’s side in extra time. After the match, Ancelotti said it was tough to accept because Real Madrid had fought till the end.
“We dominated the second half and gave everything. I can’t fault the players, they did their best,” he said. “I’m hurt because we were so close to winning.” He added that the team would now turn their full focus to La Liga, where they are currently second, trailing Barcelona by four points.
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