Sports
Parents Praise Promasidor for Cowbell Football Academy
By Dipo Olowookere
Parents of participants at the 2017 Cowbell Football Academy (CFA), organised by Promasidor Nigeria Limited, have commended the company for sustaining the project, which helps to build children’s skills and motivates them towards the world’s most popular sport.
Cowbell Football Academy, which is open to children between the ages of five to 17, is in its fifth year.
The 2017 summer camp edition will run till Saturday, August 12 at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.
Commenting on the initiative, Mr Dada Ajai-Ikhile, an advertising practitioner, whose child attends Grace High School, Gbagada, Lagos, said Promasidor has done well in ensuring that children learn the rudiments of football at an early age, which inspires their interest in the game.
He said that CFA was sure to produce a pool of professional footballers that would make the country proud in future.
According to Mr Ajai-Ikhile, the initiative is the most balanced approach to giving children an opportunity to express their passion for football.
“It is balanced because the pressure is not too much on them to learn since it is held during the summer school holiday.
The teachings at the academy together with the talent they already have and the knowledge from the school will help any of them to pursue a career in football,” he said.
Mr Ajai-Ikhile disclosed that his son’s passion for the game has grown to the extent that he now wants to be a professional footballer.
“I am deliberately guiding him through proper planning, and with the skills acquired at the academy, l believe he can realise his desire,” he said.
Obayemi Praise, whose children attend Ostria Private School and Deeper Life High School at the academy, said she was quite impressed with what Promasidor has done with the annual initiative, which has helped to build up children’s interest in football.
“The coaches are putting in their best to enhance the skills of the children and my sons are keen on becoming professional footballers in future, after attaining tertiary education,” she said.
This view was also shared by Mr Chukwuka Udeh, who has his ward from Ireland, Umeh Kingsley, at the academy. He poured encomiums on Promasidor for providing the opportunity to improve the children’s skills and for designing a career path for them.
“The training is all-encompassing as it is on the fundamentals of the sport,” he said.
Former national football team stars, including Segun Odegbami, Mutiu Adepoju and Henry Nwosu as well as the coordinator of the programme, Godwin Dudu-Orumen took the children through the nitty-gritty of the game.
On the opening day of the camp, Odegbami motivated the children to develop interest and skills for football. He told them how he combined engineering studies with football successfully in his formative years.
In his remarks, Dudu-Orumen, Chief Executive Officer of Multisports Services & Entertainment Limited, said the 125 participants at this year’s CFA are being taught character building, individual technical development, small-side games, team competition, mental training, goal keeping training, fun games and more.
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By Dipo Olowookere
Manchester United centre-back, Harry Maguire, has signed a new contract with the football club for an additional year.
He will remain at the Theatre of Dreams until June 2027, with the option for a further year, a statement from the Red Devil said.
“Representing Manchester United is the ultimate honour. It is a responsibility that makes me and my family proud every single day.
“I am delighted to extend my journey at this incredible club to at least eight seasons and continue to play in front of our special supporters to create more amazing moments together.
“You can feel the ambition and potential of this exciting squad. The determination throughout the whole club to fight for major trophies is clear for everyone to see, and I am confident that our best moments together remain ahead of us,” the club’s former captain stated.
“Harry represents the mentality and resilience required to perform for Manchester United. He is the ultimate professional who brings invaluable experience and leadership to our young, ambitious squad.
“Harry, like everyone at the club, is completely determined to help Manchester United to achieve regular and sustained success,” the Director of Football at Manchester United, Mr Jason Wilcox, was quoted as saying in the statement.
The Three Lions defender has made 266 appearances and won the Carabao Cup and Emirates FA Cup since joining the club in 2019.
European club football enters its decisive quarter-final phase in the UEFA Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League. With semi-final places on the line, the first-leg fixtures promise high-intensity clashes. All matches will be broadcast live on SuperSport, available on DStv and GOtv.
Champions League: Heavyweights Collide
At 8:00 PM, Real Madrid host Bayern Munich in the standout tie of the round. Both sides were emphatic in the previous stage, with Madrid dismantling Manchester City and Bayern delivering a dominant performance against Atalanta. The match airs live on SS Premier League (GOtv Ch. 65, DStv Ch. 203).
Madrid arrive off a disappointing domestic setback, while Bayern continue to show resilience and attacking firepower. The Bernabéu will be central to Madrid’s hopes against a side currently scoring with ease.
Also at 8:00 PM, Sporting Lisbon face Arsenal in Lisbon, live on SS Football Plus HD (DStv Ch. 202). Arsenal come into the tie under pressure following consecutive cup losses in the Carabao and FA Cups, while Sporting are full of confidence after an impressive run of form. With momentum firmly on the Portuguese side, this fixture presents a significant test of Arsenal’s mentality.
At 8:00 PM on Wednesday, Barcelona welcome Atletico Madrid in what promises to be a tightly contested tactical encounter. The game will be shown live on SS Premier League (GOtv Ch. 65, DStv Ch. 203). Barcelona claimed a recent league victory between the sides, but Atletico have already proven their ability to disrupt them this season. Expect a high-stakes contest between two teams who know each other well.
Also at 8:00 PM, Paris Saint-Germain take on Liverpool in Paris, live on SS Football Plus HD (DStv Ch. 202). PSG have emerged as one of the competition’s most dominant sides, carrying strong momentum into the tie. Liverpool, meanwhile, arrive under pressure following a heavy domestic defeat and will need a significant improvement to remain competitive heading into the second leg.
Europa & Conference League: Thursday Night Stakes
While the Champions League dominates midweek headlines, Thursday brings its own high-stakes quarter-final action across the UEFA Europa League and UEFA Conference League.
In the Europa League, Bologna host Aston Villa in a compelling first-leg encounter, live on SS La Liga (GOtv Ch. 62, DStv Ch. 204) at 8:00 PM, . Aston Villa have impressed throughout the competition and arrive well-rested, while Bologna’s path to this stage has been defined by resilience and high-intensity performances. The contrast in preparation could shape the outcome.
Also at 8:00 PM, FC Porto face Nottingham Forest, with the match airing on SS Premier League (GOtv Ch. 65, DStv Ch. 203). Porto will look to assert themselves at home after previous meetings between the sides, while Forest have already demonstrated their ability to navigate difficult knockout ties.
For the Conference League, Crystal Palace take on Fiorentina at Selhurst Park, live on SS Football (GOtv Ch. 61, DStv Ch. 205) at 8:00 PM. Palace continue their pursuit of European silverware against a Fiorentina side balancing continental ambition with inconsistent domestic form. The hosts will aim to build a first-leg advantage before the return fixture in Italy.
Quarter-Final Fixtures – First Legs
UEFA Champions League
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Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich – Tue, 8:00 PM (SS Premier League)
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Sporting Lisbon vs Arsenal – Tue, 8:00 PM (SS Football Plus HD)
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Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid – Wed, 8:00 PM (SS Premier League)
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Paris Saint-Germain vs Liverpool – Wed, 8:00 PM (SS Football Plus HD)
UEFA Europa League
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Bologna vs Aston Villa – Thu, 8:00 PM (SS La Liga)
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FC Porto vs Nottingham Forest – Thu, 8:00 PM (SS Premier League)
UEFA Conference League
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Crystal Palace vs Fiorentina – Thu, 8:00 PM (SS Football)
Follow the Action
Catch all the UEFA Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League action live on SuperSport on DStv and GOtv. Matches are also available to stream via DStv Stream and GOtv Stream. Manage or upgrade your subscription via the MyDStv or MyGOtv apps, visit www.dstv.com or www.gotvafrica.com, or dial *288# to stay connected.
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