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Celtic vow to break 10-year Champions League spell against Lazio

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Once feared as a fortress of European football, Celtic are aiming to end a 10-year wait for a Champions League win at home when Lazio visit Parkhead on Wednesday 4 October 2023.

Brendan Rodgers wasted no time on his return as the Hoops’ manager in revealing his ambition to finally make a mark on the Champions League.

CELTIC RECORD ALONGSIDE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
In domestic football, Celtic remain in a class of their own, having won 11 of the last 12 Scottish Premiership titles and four domestic trebles in the past six seasons.

But Rodgers was in charge during his first spell at the club the last time the Hoops won a game in Europe’s elite competition in 2017 away to Anderlecht.

After failing to qualify for the next four seasons, Celtic collected just two points from six games on their return to the Champions League last season under Ange Postecoglou despite some impressive performances.

The reality facing Rodgers was laid bare in a 2-0 defeat to Feyenoord two weeks ago.

After a bright start, the visitors were undone by red cards to new signings Gustaf Lagerbielke and Odin Thiago Holm, whose inexperience showed on their Champions League debuts.

Celtic’s business model of hoovering up young talent from around the globe at bargain prices to be developed and sold on at big profits has been highly successful for the club’s bank balance.

FINANCIAL CONCERN IN THE PREVIOUS SEASON
Financial results for last season revealed a club record pre-tax profit of £40.7 million ($50 million) for the 2022/23 season and £72 million of cash in the bank.

Rodgers could be forgiven for wishing he had, therefore, been handed more significant funds to strengthen his squad in the transfer window, especially after suffering a number of injuries to key players early in the season.

“If you look at the strategy of the club, it’s signing the younger players to develop and improve,” said the Northern Irishman. “You need quality, and you need experience, and that will obviously help and support potential that you have.

“So that’s something that hopefully, over the course of my time here, the squad can regenerate into that way.”

After spending most of his managerial career in the Premier League, Rodgers is having to readjust to living within the constraints of a budget in the small pond of Scottish football.

But he still believes Celtic are capable of far more than they have shown in recent times in European football.

The Scottish champions have not won a knockout tie beyond the qualifying stage in any European competition since 2004, during which time local rivals Rangers have reached the UEFA Cup and Europa League finals.

RODGERS WANTS TO MAKE AN IMPACT IN EUROPE
“We want to see if we can make an impact in Europe,” added Rodgers. “It’s always a challenge at the really highest level, but we want to go in there and see if we can progress and show our good side.”

Lazio’s own troubles give Celtic some encouragement – as does recent success against the Italians. Four years ago, they beat the Biancocelesti home and away in the Europa League group stages.

Lazio arrived in Glasgow sitting just outside the Serie A relegation zone, having won just two of their opening seven league games of the season.

And they only salvaged a point at home to Atletico Madrid in their opening Champions League game thanks to a remarkable stoppage time equaliser by goalkeeper Ivan Provider.

Maurizio Sarri’s men appear there for the taking, but that requires Celtic to rise to the Champions League challenge for the first time in a long time.

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Nigeria Premier League

NPFL: Rangers In Ijebu Ode To Humble Sunshine At Home Ground 

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Reigning NPFL champions, Rangers International F.C are already in the ancient city of Ijebu-Ode, Ogun state flly set to maintain the fine form that has seen the team win three matches out of four played since its ouster from the money-spinning, CAF Champions league as they engage Sunshine Stars F.C of Akure at their adopted ground.

Dipo Dina International Stadium, Ijebu-Ode, would be hosting this match day 6, NPFL 2024/2025 fixture which will be the twentieth time that both sides would be clashing in the top flight with the ‘Flying Antelopes’ enjoying an edge with eight victories as against four for the ‘Owena Whales’ with seven encounters ending in draws in the first nineteen matches.

Still basking in the win over Abia Warriors in an ‘Oriental Derby’ at the weekend in Enugu, the coach Fidelis Ilechukwu led side will be hoping to push for a good result against the coach Kennedy Boboye’ wards who are very strong at their adopted home ground with Chinedu Nwosu, Seth Mayi and others firing from all cylinders for the Akure side.

With the expected presence of reliable midfielder, Kazeem Ogunleye, Isaac Saviour and Ugwueze Chinemerem in the middle of the pack to service the attacking line, the visitors are in for a real deal as they target to improve on their 4th position on the log while the home side will be looking to catch up with the early pace setters.

Fans can expect an energetic atmosphere at the Dipo Dina Int’L Stadium, even as Rangers’ latest attacking sensation, Silas Nenrot said, “I am really glad to be in Rangers. A very big club with high prospects. I want to be part of history by making a big contribution towards retaining the trophy won last season and this starts with this weekend’s game in Ijebu-Ode. Sure, the league is a marathon but we have our eyes on getting the maximum points because we have being working so hard and I believe that with the help of my team mates, we can achieve our goal.”

In the run-up to this weekend’s fixture, Rangers have scored in four consecutive league matches while keeping three clean sheets but their opponent, who have won two league matches out of the five they have played, losing two and ending the other in a draw, the visitors will want to continue in their new found form and make their push for a successful title defense, realisable.

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First-ever Corporate Stars League Kicks Off Oct 19

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Anticipation is high as the inaugural edition of the Corporate Stars League launches in Abuja, featuring eight teams. The event is set to begin on October 19, 2024, with draws held on Wednesday, in Abuja.

Speaking at the event, Olumide Aturu, Managing Director of 5Star Consultancy Limited, emphasized the importance of the Corporate Stars League:

“We noticed a gap in the corporate space, and we believe the Corporate Stars League will bring professionals together to relive memories, network, and foster camaraderie.”

Mouktar Ahmed from the National Pension Commission (NPC) shared his enthusiasm, stating the league provides a fun and networking opportunity, adding that sports are integral to NPC’s ecosystem. “When the chance to participate came up, management was fully on board.”

Williams Agbara from MTN expressed their eagerness to participate, stating they aim to showcase their skills and compete for the top spot. Similarly, Labadan Yunusa from the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority highlighted how the league fosters connections across sectors, creating relationships that would otherwise be difficult to form.

The event also served as a platform to raise awareness on mental health. Jakpo Ukueku educated attendees on how sports offer an avenue to connect, share, and improve mental well-being.

The league will run from October 19 to November 30, concluding with a gala night, and is expected to open new opportunities for the participating organizations.

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Jigawa Governor Approves New Appointments At Jagawa Golden Stars 

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Governor Malam Umar A. Namadi, has approved the appointment of Muhammad Barde Zakar as Technical Assistant to the Governor on Sports Development.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Secretary to the Government of Jigawa State Malam Bala Ibrahim.

Similarly, the Governor has approved the appointments of new Management crew for Jigawa Golden Stars Football Club.

“The appointment is coming as part of His Excellency’s commitments to ensure continued success and growth of the Jigawa Golden Stars Football Club” The SSG said.

The SSG listed the composition of the newly appointed Management crew are as follows:

1. Gambo Umar Labbo – Chairman

2. Engineer Idris Zangi – Vice Chairman

3. Abdulmajid Auwal Ali – Team Manager

4. Baba Garba – Asst. Team Manager

5. Hauwa Garba – Welfare

6. Ado Mato Gwaram – Coach

7. Sabo Abdullahi – FA Representative

8. Ibrahim Isyaku – PRO

9. Dodo Isah – Member

10. Jafaru M. Shu’aibu – Member

11. Abdulkadir Kalla – Member

12. Ali M. Ibrahim – Club Secretary

“Furthermore, as part of his efforts to improve the home-based players confidence in the State, the Governor has also approved the establishment and appointments of the Management crew for Junior Golden Stars (Danmodi Strikers) which will serve as feeder team for Jigawa Golden Stars main team with purely Jigawa State indigenes” the statement said.

Malam Bala Ibrahim said, those appointed as pioneer Management crew of the newly established Junior Golden Stars (Danmodi Strikers) are as follows:

1. Ibrahim Auwal Kwiachiri – Chairman

2. Babangida M. Shalla – Team Manager

3. Hassan Magaji – Welfare

4. Nura Arma Maigatari – Coach

5. Muhammad Ado – Asst. Coach

6. Suleiman Isyaku – PRO

7. Sabo Saleh Gantsa – Member

8. Ibrahim Jibrin – Secretary

The statement further explained that, the new Management Crews have been carefully selected based on merit, competence and experience.

“While congratulating the appointees it is hoped that, they will bring a wealth of knowledge and experiences that will be instrumental in managing and overseeing the affairs of the Clubs” the SSG said.

He disclosed that, the rationale behind the formation of the new Management crew is poised to implement initiatives that will enhance the Golden Star’s performance, attract private sponsorships and increase community involvement in Sports development statewide as well as to provide stability, continuity, crucial for long term success and resilience in line with Governor Malam Umar Namadi vision.

The SSG stated that, the Management Crews are expected to collaborate closely with the State Ministry of Information, Youth, Sports and Culture and other stakeholders in the Sports industry to promote the Clubs.

All the appointments take immediate effect.

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