European football expert, Andy Brassell has snubbed Cristiano Ronaldo and named Bernardo Silva as Portugal’s best player.

Silva currently plays for Manchester City, while Ronaldo plays for Al-Nassr.

Speaking to talkSPORT, Brassell said: “Roberto Martinez does have options. But there is so much quality in that Portuguese squad, I think people understand if he takes those options.

“I think Cristiano Ronaldo realises now that sometimes he will start, sometimes he will be a squad player and that is just the way he is going to have to live with.

“It’s interesting because when you think about criticising Ronaldo two or three years ago, you would have been treated completely heresy in Portugal. Whereas now, I think people understand that Bernardo Silva is their best player.”

The Round of 16 matches in the ongoing 2024 JOF U-13 Football Championship were concluded at the weekend with results showing teams that have qualified for the quarter-finals of the grassroots sports competition.

The weekend matches were decided at two centres, Oshodi and Lekki playgrounds. At Oshodi Centre, Latoyam FC from Coker beat Arsenal Academy, Alimosho 4-3 with penalties after they had played a barren draw in the regulation time. Young Boys from Ojo got the best out of Orelope FC of Ajah in a 4-2 scoreline.

Zamadek from Lagos Island also qualified after beating Ultimate Villa of Ikorodu in an easy ride game that ended 3-0. Amezon Boys of Ikoyi won their penalty against Omo Babes 4-3 after the game ended 2-2 draw in regulation time.

At Lekki centre, Strong Dove from Orile Iganmu claimed victory over Adamu Boys of Idi Araba with a 1-0 win. Ajiran Boys lost 3-2 to Solution Babes from Apapa.

Botife Babes from Abule Egba were too much for Ikosi Babes from Ketu as they defeated their opponents 2-1. HB Utility from Ilupeju had a narrow win over Yinka Academy of Badagry in a 1-0 game.

The competition, which enters its 5th edition this year, is solely sponsored by JOF Nigeria Limited, a manufacturing company and supply chain service provider based in Lagos State.

The sponsor, JOF Nigeria Limited, is planning a glamourous final ceremony which will be held in May at a more conducive venue outside the usual Campos Mini Stadium on Lagos Island where the four previous final ceremonies had been held.

QUARTERFINAL TEAMS

HB Utility
Botife Babes
Solution Babes
Strong Dove
Amezon Boys
Zamadek
Young Boys
Latoyam FC

The organisers of Premium Trust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon, Nilayo Sports Management Limited has announced the official route for the 21 kilometres race scheduled to hold on April 20, 2024, in the country’s capital celebrating some top Nigerian iconic figures/ head of states that have one way or the other contributed immensely to the development of the country since Nigeria’s independence in 1960.

The Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer of Nilayo Sports Management Limited, Chief Bukola Olopade, has disclosed that, the start point of the Premium Trust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon is the Abuja City Gate, the entrance to the new Federal Capital Territory which the Nigeria government moved to in 1991.

The race continues straight down and turn right into Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway straight up to Apo Roundabout and turn left Muritala Mohammed Way.

From the Muritala Mohammed Way, the race continues straight up to Asokoro Roundabout. The runners continue by turning right into the Yakubu Gowon Way, and move straight down to the AYA Roundabout and turn left into President Goodluck Jonathan Expressway.

The runners will continue straight down and turn right into Shehu Shagari Way, go straight down and turn left into into Constitution Avenue. From the Constitution Avenue, the race continue down and turn left into the Mohammed Buhari Way and continue straight down to turn left into the Moshood Abiola Road, where they will continue straight down and make a U-turn on Moshood Abiola Road, to turn right into the finish point at the Old Parade Ground.