Sports
BREAKING: Arsenal route to Champions League final confirmed as Mikel Arteta learns round of 16 opponents
Arsenal will face PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League round of 16, it has been confirmed.
The draw for the last-16 was held in Nyon, Switzerland on Friday, with the Gunners one of eight seeded teams after they finished in the top eight of the league phase.
With the Champion League now using a bracket system, just like in major international tournaments, Arsenal and the 15 other clubs still in the competition now know their possible route to the final, which will be played in Munich on May 31.
Arsenal were drawn on the silver side of the draw and will face PSV in the last-16. The Dutch side knocked Juventus out 4-3 on aggregate in the play-off round so will be a stern test for Mikel Arteta’s Squad.
Elsewhere in the round of 16, Aston Villa were drawn against Club Brugge, Borussia Dortmund were drawn against Lille, Atletico Madrid were drawn against Real Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen were drawn against Bayern Munich, Feyenoord were drawn against Inter, PSG were drawn against Liverpool and Barcelona were drawn against Benfica.
With Arsenal on the silver side of the draw, the Gunners know that they will face one of Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid in the quarter-final, should they progress past PSV. The first leg of the quarter-final would be played at Emirates Stadium. Arsenal’s possible semi-final opponents include one of Liverpool, PSG, Club Brugge or Aston Villa.
As Arsenal were seeded for the draw, they will play at home in the round of 16 second leg. The first legs of the round of 16 will be played on March 4 and March 5, and the second legs will be played on March 11 and March 12.
Each club plays once on a Tuesday and once on a Wednesday.
Sports
Mohamed Salah quitting Liverpool after nine historic years
Salah, who joined Liverpool from AS Roma in June 2017, recently signed a two-year contract extension but will now depart following an agreement with the club. The Egyptian forward was instrumental in Liverpool’s recent Premier League title success under manager Arne Slot, contributing 29 goals and 18 assists during the campaign.
Mohamed Salah has announced he will leave Liverpool at the end of the season, bringing an end to a remarkable nine-year career at Anfield.
The 33-year-old Egyptian international confirmed the decision via a video message shared on his social media accounts.
Salah, who joined Liverpool from AS Roma in June 2017, recently signed a two-year contract extension but will now depart following an agreement with the club.
A statement on Liverpool’s official website read:
“Mohamed Salah is to bring the curtain down on his illustrious career with Liverpool at the end of the 2025/26 season. The forward has reached an agreement with the Reds that will see him close a remarkable nine-year chapter at Anfield.”
The Egyptian forward was instrumental in Liverpool’s recent Premier League title success under manager Arne Slot, contributing 29 goals and 18 assists during the campaign.
However, he has struggled to replicate that form this season, registering just 11 goal involvements, including five league goals.
Sports
NBF Kida’s board to remain in office until October , says FIBA
In a letter signed by FIBA secretary general Andreas Zagklis, the world governing body outlined its position following weeks of disputes and petitions from stakeholders over the legitimacy of the current board and the timing of elections.
Photo: D’Tigers against Guinea during the 2027 FIBA World Cup qualifier | Photo Credit: FIBA
FIBA has confirmed that the current board of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBF) led by Musa Kida will remain in office until October 2026.
In a letter signed by FIBA secretary general Andreas Zagklis, the world governing body outlined its position following weeks of disputes and petitions from stakeholders over the legitimacy of the current board and the timing of elections.
After reviewing the situation, FIBA confirmed that the current board’s mandate remains valid until October 15, 2026, effectively dismissing calls from some stakeholders for an immediate dissolution of the leadership.
FIBA explained that it had reviewed extensive correspondence from various parties and taken into account its previous involvement in governance issues affecting Nigerian basketball, which have historically intensified during electoral periods.
“Over recent weeks, FIBA has received extensive correspondence from various stakeholders regarding the governance of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) and the timing of its upcoming elections,” the letter, addressed to Kida and secretary general Olabisi Afolabi-Oluwayemi, read.
“As you are well aware, since 2017 FIBA has closely monitored the governance issues of NBFB, which tend to become very contentious during the electoral year.”
The governing body also referenced past sanctions imposed on Nigeria, including the withdrawal of the women’s national team from the World Cup and disciplinary measures taken before the situation was stabilised in 2022 through its intervention.
Sports
Int’l friendlies: 15 players open Eagles camp in Turkey
The early arrivals include midfielders Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Alex Iwobi, defenders Emmanuel Fernandez, Semi Ajayi, Bruno Onyemaechi and Bright Osayi-Samuel, as well as forwards Moses Simon, Paul Onuachu, Philip Otele and Collins Yira Sor.
The Super Eagles’ camp in Antalya, Turkey, opened yesterday with fifteen players as preparations begin for this month’s international friendlies against Iran and Jordan.
The national team camp officially opened on Tuesday, with coaches and team officials arriving earlier in the day at noon to put finishing touches to arrangements ahead of the players’ arrival.
Providing an update, Super Eagles media officer Promise Efoghe confirmed that 15 players had reported to camp following the late arrival of forward Samuel Chukwueze and goalkeeper Maduka Okoye.
He said that an advance delegation, which departed Nigeria on Monday, had already set the groundwork for a smooth camping exercise.
The group included assistant coaches Daniel Ogunmodede and Fidelis Ilechukwu, alongside medical staff and the kit manager, all tasked with ensuring that facilities and logistics were in place.
The early arrivals include midfielders Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Alex Iwobi, defenders Emmanuel Fernandez, Semi Ajayi, Bruno Onyemaechi and Bright Osayi-Samuel, as well as forwards Moses Simon, Paul Onuachu, Philip Otele and Collins Yira Sor.
Goalkeepers Francis Uzoho and Adebayo Adeleye have also linked up with the squad, while midfielder Frank Onyeka completes the list of players already in camp.
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