Connect with us

Sports

Ten-Man Bayer Leverkusen Defeat Stuttgart To Win German Super Cup

Published

on

ADVERTISEMENT
Zoom Ad
ADVERTISEMENT
Zoom Ad

Ten-man Bayer Leverkusen beat Stuttgart 4-3 on penalties in the season-opening German Super Cup on Saturday, winning the trophy for the first time.

Victor Boniface’s 11th-minute goal was cancelled out four minutes later when Stuttgart’s Enzo Millot levelled.

Leverkusen were then reduced to 10 men shortly before half-time when Martin Terrier saw red for a dangerous tackle.

Deniz Undav gave Stuttgart the lead in the second half but Patrik Schick scored with two minutes remaining to equalise for Leverkusen and send the match to penalties.

Advertisement

Bayern Munich loanee Frans Kraetzig and Silas Mvumpa missed from the spot while Leverkusen converted all of their penalties.

“What we did in the last 10 or 15 minutes, with a man down, to score the equaliser — it was unbelievable,” Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso said after the match, praising his side’s “huge spirit”.

“I’m happy with the way we kicked off the season — we’ve got this spirit back”.

The season curtain-raiser, which puts the Bundesliga champions up against the Cup winners or league runners-up, was the first not to feature either Bayern Munich or Borussia Dortmund since 1993.

Advertisement

Stuttgart’s stunning effort last season, where the club went from a narrow relegation escape to second place ahead of Bayern, preceded a summer of upheaval as several star players left.

“Before the game, we didn’t really know where we stand this season,” Stuttgart manager Sebastian Hoeness told reporters after the game.

“So for us it was a clear sign that we’re again going in the right direction.”

Unbeaten winners of the Bundesliga and German Cup double last campaign, Leverkusen had managed to avoid any major departures and started stronger on Saturday.

Advertisement

Boniface tapped in a goal-bound header from Edmond Tapsoba after 11 minutes.

The visitors levelled just four minutes later, French Olympic silver medallist Millot cutting a pass from Chris Fuehrich through a crowded penalty area and into the bottom right corner.

The sides traded chances before off-season addition Terrier dug his studs into Ermedin Demirovic’s ankle and was swiftly sent from the pitch.

Coach Xabi Alonso hooked Boniface for Germany defender Jonathan Tah almost immediately but Stuttgart dominated before half-time, Millot and Pascal Stenzel both going inches away from scoring a second.

Advertisement

Stuttgart boss Sebastian Hoeness brought on Undav and Kraetzig from the bench and the duo combined to give the visitors the lead one minute later when the former Brighton striker tapped in on the counter.

Known for turning matches with late goals last season, Leverkusen again broke through in the dying stages, Alex Grimaldo finding Schick who powered the ball home with just two minutes remaining.

The match went straight to penalties without extra time and Leverkusen — who have not lost a match domestically since May 2023 – were faultless

AFP

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

Warning: Undefined variable $user_ID in /home/naijuinz/public_html/wp-content/themes/zox-news/comments.php on line 49

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

Sports

Dede Ayew Breaks Silence on Calls for Him to Contest GFA Presidency

Published

on

By

ADVERTISEMENT
Zoom Ad
ADVERTISEMENT
Zoom Ad

Former Black Stars captain André “Dede” Ayew has responded to growing calls for him to consider contesting for the presidency of the Ghana Football Association (GFA).

The discussion surrounding Ayew’s possible move into football administration gained attention after some football personalities and observers suggested that his extensive experience could make him a suitable candidate for the position.

However, Ayew has indicated that becoming GFA president is not currently his focus.

The former Ghana captain’s comments come after sports journalist Dan Kwaku Yeboah argued that Ayew’s long career in professional football had given him valuable experience that could potentially qualify him for a future leadership role within Ghanaian football.

Advertisement

Ayew has spent much of his career at the highest level of the game, representing clubs in different countries and competing in major international competitions with the Black Stars. He has also served as captain of Ghana’s senior national team, a role that exposed him to different aspects of football management, leadership and player relations.

Despite this experience, Ayew appears to be keeping his attention away from the GFA presidency for the time being.

His response is likely to ease some of the speculation surrounding his political or administrative ambitions within Ghanaian football. While supporters may see him as a potential future leader of the association, there has been no indication that he is preparing to launch a campaign for the position.

The debate over Ayew’s possible GFA presidency comes at a time when discussions about the future direction of Ghana football remain prominent.

Advertisement

Some football enthusiasts believe former players can bring valuable perspectives to football administration because of their direct experience on the field. Others argue that leadership of the association requires a broad understanding of administration, governance, finance and the development of football structures.

Ayew’s career gives him considerable knowledge of the game. He has played alongside and against some of the world’s leading footballers and has experienced different football systems during his time abroad.

His years with the Black Stars have also made him one of the most recognisable figures in Ghanaian football.

Nevertheless, the 36-year-old has not indicated that he intends to immediately transition from playing football into administration.

Advertisement

His latest comments therefore suggest that, for now, the possibility of contesting the GFA presidency remains a matter of public discussion rather than an announced personal ambition.

The former captain has enjoyed a distinguished international career, having represented Ghana at multiple Africa Cup of Nations tournaments and FIFA World Cup competitions. His leadership of the national team has also made him an influential figure among Ghanaian football supporters.

Calls for him to enter football administration are therefore likely to continue, particularly as the country discusses how to improve the management and development of the sport.

For now, however, Ayew’s position appears clear: he is not currently focused on pursuing the presidency of the Ghana Football Association.

Advertisement

Whether his stance changes in the future remains uncertain. His extensive experience means he could potentially play a role in football administration if he chooses to do so after his playing career.

For the moment, the former Black Stars captain has chosen to distance himself from the speculation, leaving the conversation about his possible GFA presidency as one for the future.

Continue Reading

Sports

FIFA releases 2027 Women’s World Cup playoff fixtures-See List

Published

on

ADVERTISEMENT
Zoom Ad
ADVERTISEMENT
Zoom Ad

Ghana and South Africa have discovered their opponents in the preliminary phase of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 Play-Off Tournament following Thursday’s draw in Zurich, Switzerland.

The two African nations are among six teams that will compete in the preliminary phase for places in the final phase of the intercontinental playoffs. The others are Ecuador, Uzbekistan, Papua New Guinea and Chinese Taipei.

The draw, sighted on FIFA’s website on Sunday, was held at the body’s headquarters in Zurich on August 20, 2026.

There are three groups of two teams, with each team scheduled to play three matches.

Advertisement

Full draw
Group A

Uzbekistan
South Africa

Continue Reading

Sports

Georgina Rodríguez Formally Adopts Husband Cristiano Ronaldo’s Three Older Children

Published

on

By

ADVERTISEMENT
Zoom Ad
ADVERTISEMENT
Zoom Ad

Georgina Rodríguez has initiated legal proceedings to formally adopt her husband, football star Cristiano Ronaldo’s, three older children.

The step comes shortly after the couple officially tied the knot in a private wedding ceremony.

According to reports from Portuguese media, Rodríguez is completing the necessary legal paperwork out of the public eye to be officially recognized as the mother of the children.

Before the couple began their relationship in 2016, Ronaldo welcomed his first son, Cristiano Ronaldo Jr., in 2010, followed by twins Eva Maria and Mateo in June 2017.

Advertisement

Rodríguez later gave birth to their first shared biological child, Alana Martina, in late 2017, and their daughter Bella Esmeralda in 2022. She has long maintained a close relationship with all the children, raising them alongside her own.

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2024 Naija Blitz News