Sports
Runners throng Abuja international marathon expo to collect kits

Marathon enthusiasts from within and outside the Federal Capital Territory daily throng The Pavilion, the venue of the ongoing Abuja International Marathon Expo to collect their running kits in readiness for the first international marathon in Abuja and the Federal Capital Territory.

The Expo began last Friday and registered runners from neighbouring states like Kogi State, Niger State, Nasarrawa State, Kaduna State and others were at the Expo venue The Pavilion to collect their kits.

Members of the diplomatic community were not left out as residents in the seat of power FCT and other parts of Nigeria want to be part of the race.
Grace Bassey a marathon enthusiast who came all the way from Suleja to collect her kits said she has never missed an opportunity to be part of history,
“History will be made on April 29, 2023, when the first international marathon will take place in FCT, I have never missed an opportunity to be part of history that was why I come here early to collect my kits, I don’t want to hear stories that the kits have finished. I will be running the 10km with my friends,” she expressed.
A diplomat from one of the European countries who does not want his name in print said,” Running is part and parcel of my life; I have done races around the world where I have served. It will be great to experience a marathon in Abuja.
“Abuja is a beautiful city with an excellent road network; an international marathon will showcase the city to the world”.
Abuja International Marathon the first in FCT is slated for April 29, 2023. The race is in three categories 5km Student Run, the 10km Family Run, and the 42.195 Full Marathon.
The race will start at the City Gate and finish at Eagles Square. The best entertainers in the country will entertain runners and spectators at the Finish Point.
According to Race Director Olukayode Thomas, “Registration is free, it will close April 28, 2023, the last day of the Expo”.

Sports
Real Madrid eye €45m-rated man city star

Real Madrid’s ongoing search for a quality playmaker has reportedly taken them to the Premier League, with Bernardo Silva of Manchester City emerging as a potential target.

According to a report from Real Madrid Confidencial, the Spanish giants are considering the Portuguese star as part of their plan to strengthen their midfield options.

The interest from Real Madrid in prominent footballers has been a recurring theme over the years, and their attention seems to be directed towards England this time.
Silva’s name appeared within the outlet soon after Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim shut the doors on Bruno Fernandes’ departure.
Bernardo Silva’s appeal and potential move
Silva is regarded as one of the most accomplished midfielders in European football. The 30-year-old has been a consistent performer for Manchester City, playing a crucial role in their domestic and European successes.
Now, there is a possibility that he may seek a new challenge. His contract with the English club runs until the summer of 2026, but reports suggest he could be available for a relatively modest fee this summer.
Real Madrid’s ongoing search for a quality playmaker has reportedly taken them to the Premier League, with Bernardo Silva of Manchester City emerging as a potential target.
According to a report from Real Madrid Confidencial, the Spanish giants are considering the Portuguese star as part of their plan to strengthen their midfield options.
The interest from Real Madrid in prominent footballers has been a recurring theme over the years, and their attention seems to be directed towards England this time.
Silva’s name appeared within the outlet soon after Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim shut the doors on Bruno Fernandes’ departure.

Sports
Barcelona oust Atletico Madrid to set up El Clasico Copa Del Rey final

Barcelona will face rivals Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final after Ferran Torres secured them a 1-0 win at Atletico Madrid on Wednesday, progressing 5-4 on aggregate from the semi-final tie. Record 31-time winners Barca had the better of the clash at the Metropolitano stadium after the wild 4-4 first leg draw, and defeat leaves Diego Simeone’s Atletico with little to play for in the rest of the season. By contrast the Catalans are on the hunt for a potential quadruple and are unbeaten in 2025, stretching their run to 21 games without defeat. Atletico were the last team to triumph against Barcelona, winning before Christmas to go top of La Liga, but they now trail Hansi Flick’s team by nine points with nine matches remaining. “We can’t relax, we have to keep believing and working, with humility and I’m sure good things will come,” Torres told Movistar.

“If a final is already a huge motivation, imagine playing against your most direct rival.”
Madrid ousted Real Sociedad 5-4 on aggregate as well after a 4-4 draw on Tuesday at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Flick brought winger Raphinha back into Barcelona’s starting line-up and the hosts tried to shut him down through fair means or foul.

Cesar Azpilicueta was booked for one tackle, surviving a VAR review for a potential red card, while Rodrigo de Paul was also cautioned for going in hard on the Brazilian.
Teenage winger Lamine Yamal ran the show on the other flank for Barcelona, firing wide and teeing up Jules Kounde, who bypassed Robin Le Normand with some neat juggling before lashing over.
The 17-year-old played in Torres for Barcelona’s opener with a well-weighted pass, finished clinically by the former Manchester City forward, who has earned more minutes with his recent performances.
Yamal mishit a shot himself from a good position in the box, while Atletico goalkeeper Juan Musso denied Raphinha at his near post.
Simeone brought on Alexander Sorloth among three changes at the break, after he scored three goals in the three previous meetings between these sides this season.
Perhaps convinced he would make it four in four, Sorloth fired narrowly wide early in the second half with Antoine Griezmann open and ready for a simple finish.
At the other end, Raphinha forced another save from Musso but was himself guilty of not squaring for Fermin Lopez.
Sorloth rattled home what he thought for a few seconds was an equaliser, but he had strayed offside.
With Atletico ascendant, Flick brought on top goalscorer Robert Lewandowski for Torres, but the Polish veteran struggled to get involved.
With four minutes of stoppage time added on Atletico turned the screw, with Musso coming up for a late De Paul free-kick, but Barcelona held off the hosts to progress.
“We played really bravely here, it was not easy, especially in the second half,” Flick told Barca One.
“(The job) is not done, we’re fighting, we’re trying everything to win titles and we’re in a good way, the team is doing great.”
Atletico were dumped out of the Champions League on penalties by rivals Real Madrid in the last 16 and the Copa represented their most realistic chance of silverware this season.
“We have to thank the fans who supported us, we’re as sad as them,” said Atletico defender Jose Gimenez.
“We have to lift up our heads, finish the season in the best way possible and carry on.
“We have to accept the reality, with rational thinking and knowing we’re a long way off (the top of La Liga), but we’ll try until the end.”

Sports
Liverpool set to sign potential Salah replacement

Liverpool have looked to shop in La Liga in recent years, and they could look to do so again in 2025 in their bid to replace Mohamed Salah, who could leave the club when his contract expires at the end of the season.

Last summer, Liverpool came desperately close to signing Martin Zubimendi, but after lengthy talks, he ultimately decided against a move to the now-Premier League leaders, who could now look to go for one of his Real Sociedad teammates.

According to TEAMtalk, Liverpool hold a long-term interest in Takefusa Kubo, whom they consider to be their number one option to replace Salah in the event that he does move on this summer.
Kubo has had a rather quiet season for La Real, but he has still managed to accumulate seven goals and four assists across all competitions. He produced one of his best performances of the season on Tuesday as the Basque side were heartbreakingly knocked out of the Copa del Rey at the hands of Real Madrid.
And that defeat in the semi-final means that La Real are staring down the barrel of missing out on European qualification for next season, given that they are off the pace in La Liga. And should they miss out, the report states that it would increase the chances of Kubo being sold this summer.
La Real are well-covered in the event of Liverpool, or any other club, coming in for Kubo as they have him tied down to a long-term contract with a €60m release clause. However, that could well be triggered this summer, in which case they would be powerless to stop their Japanese winger from moving on. But for now, that possibility is not considered in the offices at Donostia-San Sebastian.

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