Edo Queens reach semi-finals in the CAF Women’s Champions League. Meanwhile, the Super Eagles qualify for AFCON 2025. In other news, Jorge Martins wins his first Championship title, and Jannik Sinner claims ATP Title win in Turin.
West African women’s football Champions, Edo Queens, secured a semi-final spot in the CAF Women’s Champions League from the death against defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns.
The Nigerian champions trailed for over 70 minutes in the game but kept the hope alive. A few minutes away from the South Africans to take over the pitch in celebration, in-form forward, Emem Essien set down the Sun of the Mamelodis with a heartbreaking equalizer in the 5th additional minute. Mary Mamudu completed the comeback win, six minutes later. With the victory, Edo Queens finished top of Group B with seven points from three matches. They will now face TP Mazembe in the semi-finals.
Earlier on Thursday, the Super Eagles of Nigeria confirmed its spot in the 2025 AFCON by holding the Cheetahs of Benin Republic to a 1-1 draw in Cote D’Ivoire. Benin Republic had taken the lead in the first half with Mohammed Tijanni’s strike and were on their way to another win, having beaten the Super Eagles 2-1 in a World Cup Qualifiers.
However, Victor Osimhen rescued a point for the Super Eagles with seven minutes left with a header off Moses Simon’s cross. According to reports, Ola Aina has been excused to return to England at the request of his club, Nottingham Forest, while Stanley Nwabali was excused to attend to family matters in the aftermath of his Father’s demise.
Matchday 12 of the NPFL was concluded with 6 home wins, 4 draws, 21 goals, and no away victories. Here are the full-time results of the games played.
In the UEFA Women’s Champions League, Real Madrid had six different scorers as they trounced Twente 7-0. Wolfsburg were also convincing Victors as Rebecka Blomqvist scored a hat-trick in their 5-0 trashing of Galatasaray. While Chelsea rallied from a goal down, see off Celtic 2-0, maintaining their perfect start under Sonia Bompastor. They are now three points clear of Madrid at the top of Group B. Lyon also posted an incredible 3-0 win at Roma to move three points clear of Roma and six ahead of Wolfsburg.
It was Derby’s delight in the Women’s Super League and big results in match week 8. Everton secured a 1-0 win in the Merseyside Derby at Goodison Park. Arsenal secured a big win against Tottenham Hotspur. Chelsea continued their super-hot form with a win against Manchester City. After game week eight, Chelsea, Man City, Brighton, and Arsenal are top four on the log. Here are the results from match week 8.
On the tracks of MotoGP, Jorge Martin claimed his first MotoGP title with a third-place finish at the season-ending race in Barcelona, although Italian challenger Francesco Bagnaia won the race, that was not enough to overhaul Martin. Martin, who will join Aprilla next season, had challenged for the title in 2023 but crashed out early in the season-ending Valencia GP.
While Francesco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez came second and third on the podium, Martin dedicated his maiden championship to the city of Valencia, which couldn’t stage the season finale due to floods in the area.
Elsewhere, Jake Paul defeated Mike Tyson with a unanimous decision in the first fight of the former heavyweight champion Tyson after 19 years. The eight-round fight at the AT&T Stadium was scored 80-72, 79-7,3, and 79-73 in favour of Jake Paul.
Paul used his youth advantage to repeatedly close the gap on Mike Tyson.
Eventually, Mike stepped up to the occasion with a few heavy body shots. Heading into the finals round, there wasn’t much strength left in Mike Tyson as he took time before getting out of his corner stool, as the bell rang, they both embraced, and Jake Paul was announced winner.
Sinner completed an incredible season as he defeated Taylor Fritz 6 4 6-4, becoming the first Italian man to claim the ATP year-end No.1 and the first player doing so without dropping a set in his games since 1986.
The 2024 Emirates NBA Cup tipped off with thrilling games. Game one delivered two blockbuster games that saw significant returns. Joel Embiid’s season debut for the Philadelphia 76ers ended in a loss to the New York Knick.
Meanwhile, Klay Thompson’s Bay Area homecoming with Dallas Mavericks was electrifying, but Steph Curry’s 35-point masterpiece sealed the Golden State Warriors 120-117 win.
Day two, Donovan Mitchell scored a season-high 37 points, Darius Garland had 29, and the Cleveland Cavaliers continued the best start in league history, improving to 14-0 with a 144-126 win over the Chicago Bulls. The game between the La Lakers and San Antonio Spurs ended 120-115, with Anthony Davis and LeBron James leading the Lakers.