Sports

Leverkusen Set New 33-Match Unbeaten Record, Go 11 Points Clear

Published

10 months ago

February 24, 2024

A long-range shot from Robert Andrich took Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen to a 2-1 home win against Mainz on Friday, setting a new German record of 33 games unbeaten.

Andrich’s goal was helped by a goalkeeping mistake from Mainz’s Robin Zentner, who allowed the ball to slip through his hands and into the net.

Leverkusen were nervy and made a number of uncharacteristic errors, but the victory takes them 11 points clear of Bayern Munich in their bid for a first-ever Bundesliga title.

“We have to be honest and say we didn’t play a great game and were a bit lucky to win, but we won’t complain about the three points,” Andrich told DAZN.

Bayern, who announced their plan to part ways with coach Thomas Tuchel in the summer on Wednesday, host RB Leipzig on Saturday.

Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen, who have won 29 and drawn four of their 33 games this season, broke the record set by Hansi Flick’s Bayern between 2019 and 2020 — a run which included a Champions League victory.

The week had been dominated by talk of Alonso’s future, amid links to Liverpool to replace Jurgen Klopp, along with the upcoming vacancy in Munich.

Alonso had shut down the rumours, saying any discussion of a return to the clubs he represented during his playing career was “only hypothetical”.

After the match, Andrich told DAZN “we don’t know anything about it, but we take it in our stride.”

“It’s like rumours about a player. As long as everything works well in the dressing room, they can talk about what they like outside of it.”

Granit Xhaka got the hosts off to the best possible start, thumping in a dipping rocket from the edge of the box after just three minutes, his first goal in Leverkusen colours.

“I was under a lot of pressure from my teammates, who reminded me I hadn’t scored a goal yet,” Xhaka told DAZN.

“I’m more than happy and I hope there’s more to come.”

Leverkusen’s elation was short-lived however, with second-bottom Mainz striking back just four minutes later.

Nadiem Amiri, who started the season at Leverkusen before moving to Mainz in search of game time, was the architect of the equaliser, floating in a free kick which rebounded for Dominik Kohr to head in.

Nerveless during their stunning run this season, the goal sucked the momentum out of Leverkusen’s game, with the side’s normally crisp passes missing the target.

The pressure showed as Jeremie Frimpong and Alonso both saw yellow late in the first half having objected to a decision not to call a foul against the Dutch winger.

Mainz had a golden chance to take the lead early in the second half when the normally reliable Edmond Tapsoba passing directly to Lee Jae-sung, but the midfielder blasted over with the goal beckoning.

With just under 20 minutes remaining, midfielder Andrich took a speculative long shot from outside the box.

Zentner, who had impressively kept Leverkusen at bay throughout the match, made a meal of a routine save, allowing the hosts to reclaim the lead.

Late in the match, Mainz were reduced to 10 men, Jessic Ngankam shown a straight red for sinking his studs into Xhaka’s calf, just 15 minutes after coming on.

The decision snuffed out Mainz’s hopes of a comeback and ensured Leverkusen took another major step to a first-ever league crown.

AFP

Sports

Sad! Two months after dad’s demise, Super Eagles goalie, Nwabali announces mum’s death

Published

20 hours ago

January 2, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Barely two months after losing his father, Super Eagles and Chippa United goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, has lost his mother.

The South Africa-based goalkeeper shared the heartbreaking news via X on Wednesday.

“Rip mom, worst year of my life already,” the goalkeeper posted with tears and heartbreak emoji on New Year’s Day.

“A very very crazy world indeed,” he posted before sharing the news.

The Nigeria Football Federation sent soothing words to the goalkeeper.

“Our heartfelt condolences to Stanley Nwabali on the loss of his mother. Stay strong, Stanley. Sending you strength and support during this difficult time. You are not alone; we are all with you.”

Nwabali’s father’s passing was announced in November, a few hours after the goalkeeper was in goal for the Super Eagles in their 1-1 draw against the Benin Republic during their penultimate 2025 AFCON qualification match.

Although he did not disclose the cause of his mother’s death, it must have come as a rude shock to him, having shared a 2024 recap video in the wee hours of New Year’s Day.

“2024 was a good year, we’re doubling everything in 2025. Thank you Chippa United FC. Thank you Super Eagles. Thanks to all my fans. Let’s do more!” he wrote.

The player has been receiving condolences messages after announcing the sad news.

“So sorry for your loss. May God comfort you and your family,” journalist Latifat Adebayo-Ohio commented.

A fan, Hillary Remy also wrote, “So sorry for your loss. May God strengthen you and all your family members.”

“Accept my heartfelt condolences chief,” wrote Adewale Damilare.

Sports

Arsenal wallop Brentford 3-1 at home

Published

1 day ago

January 1, 2025

Austin Ojomah

Arsenal came from behind in Wednesday to beat Brentford 3-1.

Having been rocked by Bryan Mbeumo’s early goal, Mikel Arteta’s side very nearly went two behind when David Raya let Keane Lewis-Potter’s shot squirm through his fingertips.

But the Spanish goalkeeper scrambled superbly to hook the ball off his own line, and barely 60 seconds later, Gabriel Jesus latched on to a rebound to nod home an equaliser.

Brentford came into the game with somewhat of an injury crisis as Thomas Frank had near enough a full Premier League team out on the sidelines.

However, it was the hosts, boosted by the availability of goalkeeper Mark Flekken, who took the lead through Bryan Mbeumo’s early strike (13).

Frank was asked about potential interest in the forward from Premier League clubs ahead of the game and the Brentford boss laughed off suggestions the 25-year-old could leave the club this month. Mbeumo showed once again how crucial he is to this Brentford side, nestling a low strike past David Raya at his near post for his 11th league goal of the season.

It is regularly said football is a game of fine margins. It proved to be the case again in this match as Raya inexplicably let Keane Lewis-Potter’s shot slip through his fingers. The ball bounced agonisingly towards goal but Raya reacted quickly and leapt back to claw the ball off the goal line.

Sports

‘After earning millions as a footballer – but I ended up with only £597 in the bank’

Published

1 day ago

January 1, 2025

Naijablitznews

Asamoah Gyan went from earning a staggering amount of money in the Chinese Super League to having just £597 in his bank account.

The 39-year-old Ghanaian striker started his career at Liberty Professionals in 2003 before being snapped up by Udinese for an undisclosed fee later that year. Gyan spent five years with the Italian club, including a loan spell with Modena between 2004 and 2006, before Rennes signed him.

After netting 14 goals in 51 games for the French side, Sunderland shattered their club-record transfer fee to bring Gyan to Wearside for £10million in 2010. However, his stint in the North East was brief – he was loaned out to Al Ain in 2011 before a permanent deal was struck the following year.

In the United Arab Emirates, Gyan raked in a reported £160,000 per week – three times what he was earning with the Black Cats in the Premier League.

His hefty salary was certainly justified as he scored an impressive 112 goals in 107 matches.

In 2015, Gyan further boosted his wealth by securing a move to Shanghai SIPG under ex-England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson. And Gyan was said to be the eighth highest-paid footballer globally at the time, pocketing a cool £227k per week.