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Liverpool eye ‘special’ League Cup final triumph against Chelsea

Liverpool have their sights on a “special” League Cup triumph in Sunday’s final against Chelsea as Jurgen Klopp reaches the first milestone moment of his long goodbye.

Klopp is in his last season as Liverpool’s manager after the German’s bombshell announcement that he will step down at the end of the current campaign.
Although Klopp is convinced he no longer has the energy to drive Liverpool’s relentless quest for silverware, there has been little sign of the feared decline in his side’s fortunes following his stunning revelation.

Liverpool have won five of their six matches in all competitions, scoring 21 goals in the process, since the 56-year-old revealed his plan to quit.

Extending that hot streak at Wembley this weekend would give Liverpool their first trophy since 2022 when they beat Chelsea in both the FA Cup and League Cup finals.

Klopp has won six major trophies during an iconic nine-year reign and his quadruple-chasing players are desperate to give him a silverware-filled farewell.

As well as this weekend’s date with Chelsea, Liverpool sit four points clear at the top of the Premier League, face Southampton in the FA Cup fifth round on Wednesday and take on Sparta Prague in the Europa League last 16.

“We want to make it a special day and get our first trophy of the season,” Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk said.

“The end of the season will probably be very emotional for a lot of people, including the manager, but we are not there yet.”

Klopp’s assistant Pep Lijnders echoed Van Dijk’s call to make it a day to remember for their boss.

“We’ll go for it. It’s a special game. Special games need special performances so we have to focus on that,” Lijnders said.

Lijnders insisted Klopp was always confident Liverpool’s players would keep their focus after his shock announcement.

“I think you underestimate our squad, the personalities in it,” he said.

“A lot of these boys didn’t win anything with Liverpool yet so of course they give everything despite the manager saying he is leaving. We are stable enough to deal with it.”

Lijnders’ reference to several of Liverpool’s young squad waiting to taste success underscores Klopp’s achievement in rebuilding his team after the pre-season departures of Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, Roberto Firmino and James Milner among others.

The Reds’ resolve will be tested at Wembley by a mounting injury crisis that leaves them without Alisson Becker, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Curtis Jones and Diogo Jota.

Meanwhile, Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez and Dominik Szoboszlai face late fitness tests.

But taking advantage of Liverpool’s injury woes will be easier said than done for inconsistent Chelsea.

Mauricio Pochettino’s team were one of Liverpool’s victims during their recent goal spree, losing 4-1 at Anfield in January.

Former Tottenham and Southampton boss Pochettino, yet to win a trophy in England, has been under fire from angry Chelsea fans as a troubled season threatens to spiral out of control.

With Chelsea languishing 25 points behind Liverpool in 10th place in the Premier League, a surprise win at Wembley would be a major boost to the Argentine’s job security.

Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly is expected to fly in from the United States to watch the Blues’ first cup final since he and Behdad Eghbali bought the London club from Roman Abramovich in 2022.

Boehly has spent over £1 billion ($1.26 billion) on signings in a failed attempt to recapture the Abramovich glory days.

Pochettino, whose Tottenham side were beaten by Chelsea in the 2015 League Cup final, knows how significant it would be to end the Blues’ wait for a first domestic prize since the 2018 FA Cup.

“It’s a dream for us. We have the opportunity and we’re going to fight. The team is ready and we’re going to be very competitive,” said Pochettino, who has won just one of his 13 meetings with Klopp.

“The team is awake to the competition. There was a click to change in the way we compete, that we were missing in the first half of the season.”

News

Federation Cup: GTI Thumbs Up NFF organisational Prowess, Lauds Clubs

Strategic partners to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on the President Federation Cup (PFC), GTI Asset Management and Trust Limited, has commended the high level of organisational prowess exhibited by the nation’s football-ruling body and the quality of competitiveness among clubs featuring in the ongoing 2024/2025 PFC competition.

According to GTI Head of Media and Publicity, Andrew Ekejiuba in Lagos on Friday, he commended all the clubs that registered for this year’s competition for exhibiting high level of discipline as the state finals are expected to be concluded this weekend. The contending teams are encouraged to uphold the spirit of Fair play.

“As it has been the tradition in the past, some of the big teams in this year’s edition have succumbed to the fire-power of the so-called minnows. In Abia State, a non-league club, Ahudiya Nnem FC, dumped out Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) club, Abia Warriors from this year’s edition. The Abiriba-based amateur side defeated Abia Warriors, last year’s national finalists 3-1 on penalties after the match ended one goal apiece in the regulation time in the semi-final decided at the Umuahia Township Stadium last week.

“Therefore, with the state finals slated for this weekend, fans are expected to look out for more surprises,” Ekejiuba said. “The PFC (formerly Federation Cup) is the oldest domestic football competition in Nigeria and GTI Group is committed to improving Nigerian football at all levels. We will continue to energise the competition as strategic partners to NFF and also make the competition more attractive.”

Meanwhile some finalists have emerged in the men and women categories for the PFC state finals to be decided this weekend. In Cross River State, Rovers United will be battling E World FC in the men’s final slated for E. J Esuene Stadium Calabar by 3pm on Saturday, while in Sokoto State, Sokoto United will square up against Sokoto North FC also in the men’s final on Sunday at Giginya Memorial Stadium Sokoto by 4pm.

From Rivers State, Rivers United will lock horns with Willbros FC in the men’s final game, while defending champions Rivers Angels will tackle Sporting Angels FC in the women’s final. Both matches will be played at Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt on Saturday, February 22, 2025.

News

Organisers Unveil Nominees For 11th Nigeria Pitch Awards In Lagos

Nominees for the annual Nigeria Pitch Awards were unveiled at a Thursday ceremony in Lagos, southwest Nigeria. Expectedly, the nomination list is packed full of notable Nigerian footballers who have made significant impacts in their careers both for themselves and the nation in the year 2024.

Clubs, coaches, administrators, state governments and governors are not left out as the Nigeria Pitch Awards recognise, celebrate and honour those who have contributed in no small ways to the country’s football development.

President of the Nigeria Pitch Awards, Shina Phillips, told newsmen in Lagos at the BON Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos on Thursday, that the awards processes right from voting make it unique and standout, adding that “from inception, our intention was to create an award platform that has a unique character of its own; a character moulded by our core values of transparency, credibility and integrity. To achieve this, we have followed a carefully laid out award process which brings together a College of Voters comprising some of Nigeria’s most knowledgeable, experienced and professional sports journalists and an independent collation body. As organizers, we are very proud of and deeply appreciative of our College of Voters whose decisions year after year have shown them to be true and selfless patriots.

“The award process has been designed in such a way that it will not only be transparent but also sustainable. This is why the award process transcends organizers’ personal influence while putting the responsibility of deciding winners in the hands of professional journalists with many years of experience, knowledge and expertise in reporting and analysing football. We are sure that our College of Voters will always make the best possible decisions in the interest of our football. In the same vein, our independent vote collation body is a vastly experienced and professional player in Nigeria’s accounting and auditing sector. SIAO Partners which has over two decades of experience in accounting, prides itself as Nigeria’s largest indigenous professional services firm,” he said.

Representative of SIAO Partners, Oluwadare Ojelade further reiterated the integrity of the voting process, which he said gone through a painstaking independent and transparent process determined solely by the voters who are mainly sports editors, correspondents and reporters.

According to Ojelade, voting for the 11th Nigeria Pitch Awards began on 25 November 2024 and ended on 18 January 2025, while collation of the votes by the auditing firm, SIAO Partners, was done between 6-31 January when the nominees emerged.

FULL LIST OF THE NOMINEES

QUEEN OF THE PITCH

Rasheedat Ajibade Atlético de Madrid Femenino

Asisat Oshoala Bay FC

Chiamaka Nnadozie Paris FC

KING OF THE PITCH

Victor Osimhen Galatasaray S.K

Ademola Lookman Atalanta BC

William Troost-Ekong Al-kholood FC

GOALKEEPER OF THE YEAR

Maduka Okoye Udinese Calcio

Stanley Nwabali Chippa United

Kayode Bankole Remo Stars

DEFENDER OF THE YEAR

Ola Aina Nottingham Forest FC

William Troost-Ekong Al-kholood FC

Calvin Bassey Fulham FC

MIDFIELDER OF THE YEAR

Alex Iwobi Fulham FC

Frank Onyeka FC Augsburg

Wilfred Ndidi Leicester City FC

STRIKER OF THE YEAR

Victor Osimhen Galatasaray S.K

Victor Boniface Bayer 04 Leverkusen

Ademola Lookman Atalanta BC

TEAM OF THE YEAR

Remo Stars FC

Rangers International FC

Edo Queens

COACH OF THE YEAR

Moses Adukwu Edo Queens FC

Fidelis Ilechukwu Rangers International FC

Daniel Ogunmodede Remo Stars FC

SAM OKWARAJI AWARD

Segun Odegbami Nigerian Ex-International

Ahmed Musa Kano Pillars FC

Kunle Soname Bet9ja

STATE WITH THE BEST GRASSROOTS FOOTBALL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

Edo

Lagos

Delta

FOOTBALL PITCH OF THE YEAR

Remo Stars Stadium Remo, Ogun State

Mobolaji Johnson Sport Arena Onikan, Lagos State

Godswill Akpabio Int’l Stadium Uyo, Akwa Ibom State

FOOTBALL FRIENDLY GOVERNOR OF THE YEAR

His Excellency, Babajide Sanwo-Olu Lagos State

His Excellency, Umo Eno Akwa Ibom State
His Excellency, Godwin Obaseki Former Governor, Edo State

CORPORATE SPONSOR OF FOOTBALL AWARD

GTI Financial Financial Services

MTN Nigeria Telecom

Bet9ja Sport Betting

SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD

George Aluo Chairman NNL

Hon. Kunle Soname Chairman, Remo Stars

Ahmed Musa Kano Pillars FC

FOOTBALL JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR – PRINT

Charles Diya New Telegraph

Abiodun Adewale Punch Newspapers

Johnny Edward The Nation Newspapers

FOOTBALL JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR – TV

Mozez Praiz Supersport

Blessing Nwosu Silverbird TV

Cecilia Omorogbe Channels TV

FOOTBALL JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR – RADIO

Micheal Obasi Hot FM Abuja

Chuma Nnoli Nigeria Info FM

Olawale Adigun MainlandFM

Anthony Bekederemo Brila 88.9 FM

FOOTBALL JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR – ONLINE

Niyi Busari BSN Sports Concept

Samuel Ahmadu Savid News

Kunle Solaja Sports Village Square

News

Lagos FA Gets New Secretary, Yusuf Lawal

*Promises Victory For Team Lagos At 2025 NSF Zonal Elimination

The newly redeployed Secretary of the Lagos State Football Association (FA), Mr. Yusuf Akolade Lawal, has vowed to lead Team Lagos to victory in the 2025 National Sports Festival Zonal Elimination, building on his past successes in boxing. His new designation is part of the strategic redeployment exercise initiated by the Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC) aimed at strengthening leadership and expertise across different sporting disciplines in the state.

Yusuf brings a proven track record of success to his new role. His redeployment comes after a successful tenure as the Secretary of the Lagos State Boxing Association, where he played a pivotal role in Team Lagos’ historic four-gold-medal haul at the 2024 National Youth Games. His leadership and strategic acumen were instrumental in nurturing and developing young boxing talents, culminating in the donation of a multimillion-naira boxing gym by Yucateco Boxing Promotions to the Lagos State Sports Commission. This facility will serve as a hub for training and developing future boxing champions.

Speaking on his new role, Yusuf expressed confidence in Team Lagos’ ability to excel at the Zonal Eliminations, particularly in football, where the team aims to secure qualification for the 22nd National Sports Festival, scheduled for May 16–30, 2025.

“I am honoured to serve as the Secretary of the Lagos State Football Association and will bring the same winning approach that delivered an unprecedented four gold medals for Team Lagos in boxing at the National Youth Games 2024 to football. Team Lagos is not just going there to participate; we are competing to win at the National Sports Festival. Our athletes are well-prepared, and with the support we are getting from the Lagos State Sports Commission and other sports stakeholders, we will make Lagos proud and ensure the state remains a dominant force in Nigerian sports,” Yusuf stated.

Yusuf’s emergence as the new Lagos FA Secretary came on the back of the recent internal redeployment exercise at the Lagos State Sports Commission, which took place on February 10, 2025, and saw 55 Sports Officers reassigned across various sporting disciplines, many of whom had served as secretaries for 5 to 10 years in a single sport. This initiative, backed by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, aligns with the Lagos. State Government THEMES+ development framework and LSSC’s broader vision of expanding knowledge, promoting adaptability, and developing multi-disciplinary expertise among its workforce.

The Lagos State Sports Commission, under the leadership of Director General Mr. Lekan Fatodu, has put comprehensive measures in place to ensure Team Lagos dominates at the Zonal Eliminations. From intensive training camps to top-notch welfare and strategic logistical support, the Commission is committed to providing everything needed for success.

Speaking on Yusuf’s reassignment and Team Lagos’ preparations, Mr. Fatodu reaffirmed his confidence in Yusuf’s capabilities and the team’s readiness:

“Yusuf Lawal has proven himself as a dedicated and results-driven sports officer. His transition to football is part of the Commission’s development-oriented effort to replicate success across multiple disciplines. We have left no stone unturned in preparing Team Lagos for the 2025 National Sports Festival, from top-tier training camps to technical support, premium welfare, and the full backing of the sports-loving Governor of Lagos, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, our athletes are primed for success.”

The 2025 National Sports Festival Zonal Eliminations will take place simultaneously across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones from February 23 to 28, 2025. In the South-West zone, Lagos will compete against Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, and Ekiti across eight team sports, including football, basketball, hockey, cricket, handball, volleyball, abula, and beach volleyball.