Sports
CL Quarter-Final: Chelsea Face Real Madrid, Manchester City Play Atletico Madrid
…Liverpool face Benfica, as Villarreal ambush Bayern Munich
Joel Ajayi
Defending champions Chelsea have been drawn against 11-time winners Real Madrid in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
The Blues will host their former manager Carlo Ancelotti, who won the double at Stamford Bridge, in what is a repeat of last year’s semi-final, that Thomas Tuchel’s side won.
Elsewhere the other tie of the round sees Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, last year’s runners-up, face Diego Simeone and Atletico Madrid, who knocked out City’s rivals Manchester United in the last 16.
It will be just the fourth and fifth time that Guardiola and Simeone have faced off against each other and the first time City and Atletico have played against each other.
Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool will face one of the surprise packages, Benfica, while the other unexpected name, Villarreal, meet Bayern Munich.
Should they get through Liverpool will face the winner of the Villarreal and Bayern whilst the other semi-final could see a Madrid derby or Chelsea against City depending on the outcome.
The first legs of the quarter-finals will take place on April 5/6, with the return legs set for the following week.
QUARTER-FINAL DRAW IN FULL
Chelsea v Real Madrid
Manchester City v Atletico Madrid
Villarreal v Bayern Munich
Benfica v Liverpool
Sports
Speaker House Reps, Abbas, Others Thumbs NFF President Over NFF-FIFA Players’ Hostel and New Training Pitches
…Says It Will Boost Nigeria’s Economy
By Joel Ajayi
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, has commended the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau, for initiating the NFF-FIFA Players’ Hostel and new training pitches, describing it as a transformational project that will boost Nigeria’s economy.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, Speaker Abbas praised the initiative and pledged the National Assembly’s full support.
“This is a noble project, and the National Assembly will give it full support. I congratulate the National Sports Commission and the Nigeria Football Federation, and I thank FIFA for agreeing to fund this project,” he stated while cutting the ceremonial tape.
He also assured the House of Representatives’ support for the visionary leadership of Engineer Ibrahim Musa Gusau and the NFF in other key areas where assistance is required.
Leading the FIFA delegation, Gelson Fernandes (Deputy Chief Member Associations Officer/Regional Director, Africa) reiterated FIFA’s commitment to funding the project, emphasizing that infrastructure development has been a priority since the tenure of President Gianni Infantino began.
Expressing his excitement, NFF President Ibrahim Gusau stated that the hostel and training pitches will serve all Nigerian national teams, leagues, and academies.
“Indeed, my joy knows no bounds. From the day my Executive Committee and I were sworn into office in Benin City on Friday, 30th September 2022, I was determined to push this project forward as a legacy for Nigerian football.
“For sustained success, we must provide a conducive environment, infrastructure, equipment, and support systems that enable players and officials to perform at their best.
“Building a players’ hostel and having new training pitches will not only enhance team management but also reduce costs, allowing us to invest more in grassroots development programs.”
Several dignitaries present at the event applauded Gusau’s leadership, determination, and commitment to football development in Nigeria.
The event was well attended by local and international stakeholders, including sports enthusiasts, who witnessed the groundbreaking ceremony of the NFF-FIFA Players’ Hostel and Training Pitches.
In addition to the hostel, the project includes:Two new training pitches (one synthetic and one natural grass). Reconstruction of the existing synthetic pitch.
Also, Spectators’ sitting terraces with 1,838 seats.Two dressing rooms for players, each accommodating 27 players.Two dressing rooms for officials.
The construction is expected to last 24 months and is fully funded by FIFA under its FIFA Forward 3.0 programme.
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