Sports
Chelsea Rout Man United, Crowned Women’s Super League Champions
Chelsea were crowned Women’s Super League champions for a fifth successive season as boss Emma Hayes bowed out in style with a title-clinching 6-0 rout of Manchester United on Saturday.
Hayes’ side went into the last day of the season ahead of second-placed Manchester City on goal difference in a thrilling finish to the title race.
Chelsea raced into a four-goal lead by half-time at Old Trafford and, with City unable to match that spree in their 2-1 win at Aston Villa, the silverware was destined for Stamford Bridge once again.
Level on points with City, the Blues finished on top with a +53 goal difference compared to City’s +46.
“What a wonderful performance. The hardest thing to do is five in a row because people take their eye off the ball,” Hayes said.
“I can’t say it’s my most enjoyable title. It’s definitely been the toughest without doubt, for that reason probably the sweetest.”
It was a fitting finale for Hayes, who was saying farewell to the club she has brought so much success during 12 years in charge.
Hayes is leaving to take over as United States Women’s boss after winning seven Super League titles, five FA Cups and two League Cups.
“Great memories, listening to the fans, the connection with the players. I just haven’t got any more to give, I know that,” Hayes said.
The 47-year-old’s legacy is not just the silverware in Chelsea’s trophy cabinet, but also her key role in helping the huge growth in popularity of the women’s game in Britain.
“Everyone said girls can’t play, nor can they fill stadiums, nor can they get paid, nor can they create history,” Hayes said.
“Not only are we not going away but we are going to fill them every week. Women’s football now is a serious business and that for me is what it’s about.”
No mercy
City had hoped to spoil Hayes’ leaving party by winning the title for the first time since 2016.
But Chelsea had spent 153 days on top of the table, compared to 64 for City, and they rounded off their seventh title in eight seasons in blistering fashion.
Chelsea made a dream start against Women’s FA Cup winners United in the second minute as Guro Reiten’s cross picked out Mayra Ramirez and she rose highest to head home.
Six minutes later, Hayes was punching the air in delight as Johanna Kaneryd clipped a composed finish past United keeper Mary Earps.
Over at Villa Park, Mary Fowler gave City hope with a powerful strike in the 21st minute.
But Ramirez ensured Chelsea would not have to worry about being caught by City.
Surging away down the right flank, Ramirez’s pin-point cross was tapped in by Sjoeke Nusken in the 43rd minute.
And Ramirez waltzed through the hapless United defence and smashed a thunderous drive into the roof of the net in first-half stoppage time.
Hayes’ team showed no mercy and Melanie Leupolz scored their fifth in the 47th minute with a close-range effort.
Their title hopes gone, City conceded a 67th-minute equaliser to Rachel Daly before Lauren Hemp at least ensured the visitors finished on a winning note.
Fran Kirby, making her final Chelsea appearance after nine years, capped her own farewell with the sixth goal in the 85th minute as the title celebrations started in earnest.
AFP
Sports
CAF Confederation Cup: Enyimba bow out after defeat to Zamalek
Enyimba have been eliminated from this year’s CAF Confederation Cup following a 3-1 loss to holders Zamalek in Cairo.
Forward Seifeddine Jaziri bagged a brace for Zamalek, while Mustafa Shalaby scored the other goal.
Enyimba got their goal through Ifeanyi Ihemekwele.
Enyimba finished third in Group D with five points from six games.
Another Egyptian club, Al Masry, joined Zamalek in the quarter-finals of the competition after they beat Black Bulls of Mozambique 3-1 to record nine points.
No Nigerian club has won the CAF Confederation Cup in the past.
News
Haaland signs 10-year contract with Manchester City
By Francesca Hangeior.
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has signed a new 10-year contract that will keep him at the club until the summer of 2034, the club announced on Friday.
The 24-year-old Norwegian, who joined City from Borussia Dortmund in 2022, has been a pivotal figure in the club’s recent successes.
His initial contract was set to expire in 2027, but the new deal reflects the club’s confidence in Haaland’s importance to their future.
“Erling Haaland has signed a new 10-year Manchester City contract, keeping him at the Club until the summer of 2034,” the statement said.
Reflecting on the new contract, Haaland expressed his delight at extending his stay.
“I am really happy to have signed my new contract and to be able to look forward to spending even more time at this great club.
“Manchester City is a special club, full of fantastic people with amazing supporters, and it’s the type of environment that helps bring the best out of everybody,” he said.
Haaland thanked his teammates, manager Pep Guardiola, and the City staff, stating, “They have made this such a special place to be, and now I am City no matter what. I want to keep developing, keep working to get better, and help us achieve more success going forward.”
Since his arrival, Haaland’s impact has been nothing short of extraordinary. In his debut 2022/23 season, he scored 52 goals across all competitions, the highest-ever tally by a Premier League player in a single season, breaking the previous league record of 36 goals.
His goals were instrumental in City’s historic treble-winning campaign, which included the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League titles.
In addition to collective success, Haaland garnered numerous individual accolades in his debut season, including the PFA Player of the Year, Premier League Player of the Year, Young Player of the Year, and the Football Writers’ Association Player of the Year awards.
Despite an injury that sidelined him for nearly two months during the 2023/24 season, Haaland continued his prolific form, scoring 38 goals in 45 appearances, including 27 in the Premier League, securing a second consecutive Golden Boot.
Sports
SAD: Footballer slumps, dies during match in Osun
By Francesca Hangeior.
Osun State Police Command has confirmed the death of Adeyemi Adewale, a football player for the Ilesa West Local Government Area team, who slumped during a match in Osogbo, the state capital.
Adewale, 29, was participating in the Adeleke Memorial Cup Final match at the Ataoja School of Science on Thursday when he collapsed on the field.
Efforts to save him proved futile as he was rushed to the Osun State University Teaching Hospital, where doctors confirmed him dead upon arrival.
Spokesperson for the Osun Police Command, Yemisi Opalola, confirmed the incident in a statement, adding that investigations into the circumstances surrounding the death have commenced.
“Today, (Thursday) while the Adeleke Memorial Cup Final match was going on at Ataoja School of Science, one Adeyemi Adewale ‘M’ 29yrs, a player of Ilesa West Football team, slumped on the pitch.
“He was rushed to the Osun State University Teaching Hospital, where he was later confirmed dead by a doctor,” the statement said.
The remains of the deceased have been deposited at the teaching hospital’s morgue.
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