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Foremost financial institution, Guaranty Trust Bank is set to hold the finals of the GTBank-Lagos State Principals Cup on Thursday 19th July at the Agege Stadium, Lagos. The prestigious tournament, now in its 9th year promises to be a thrilling encounter between the four qualifying teams as they stake their claim as ultimate champions of the football competition.

Considered one of the most followed grassroots football tournaments in Secondary schools, this year’s finals will kick off with a match between the qualifying teams in the female category; IsaleEko Senior Grammar School, Lagos Island and Girls High School, Agege.

In the male category, defending champions of the competition, Ijaiye Housing Estate Senior Grammar School will face arch-rivals St. Finbarr’s College, Akoka. Both teams will meet after a thrilling encounter atthe Semi Finals in which St. Finbarr’s College romped to a 2-0 win against Egan Senior Grammar School, Alimosho,to finish top of Group B. Except for St. Finbarr’s College which finished 2nd in 2015, two out of the four finalists have won the trophy in the past.

After the face off on Thursday, winners will be rewarded with the sum of N1,000,000.00, N750,000.00 and N500,000.00 and N250,000.00 for the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4thplace winners respectively in both male and female categories.

Commenting on the Finals of the 2017 GTBank Lagos State Principals Cup, SegunAgbaje, the MD/CEO of Guaranty Trust Bank plc, stated that, “We are delighted to see schools aiming for their first ever trophies in this competition; it emphasizes the growing stature of the GTBank-Lagos State Principals Cup as a platform for the cultivation of dreams through hard work and discipline.”

Over the years, the GTBank-Lagos State Principals Cup has propelled the professional careers of several talented and now renowned players like Stephen Odey, who captained his alma mater- Dairy Farm Senior Secondary School to victory in the 2012 edition of the competition and is now a player in FC Zurich. Esther Adeboye, one of the Most Valuable Players in the 2014 Competition from State High School, Alimoshoalso joined the National Female U-17 Team – The Flamingoes – that represented Nigeria at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.

Guaranty Trust Bank, a youth oriented brand, maintains the lead in providing support for education and sports to enable young boys and girls explore their talents and reach for their dreams. It is one of the few Nigerian financial institutions that have maintained a defined Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy, most especially in sports education. The Bank actively supports in-classroom and out-of-classroom educational programmes, infrastructure development, students’ scholarship and teachers training across Africa.

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JUST IN: Super Eagles Qualify For 2025 Africa Cup Of Nations

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Nigeria’s Super Eagles have officially qualified for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with two games remaining in the qualification series.

With 10 points, the Super Eagles have secured a top-two finish in their group, especially after Libya’s unexpected 1-0 victory over Rwanda in Kigali.

The team will next face Benin Republic’s Cheetahs in Abidjan on Thursday, before concluding their campaign against Rwanda at home.

Neither Rwanda (5 points) nor Libya (4 points) can surpass Nigeria in the standings, ensuring their qualification.

The 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations will be held in Morocco from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.

The Super Eagles, three-time African champions, reached the final in the last edition hosted in Côte d’Ivoire.

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SPORT: Madrid Eye Ademola Lookman As Vinicius’ Replacement

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Spanish giants Real Madrid have entered the race for in-form Ademola Lookman, with the UEFA Champions League holders keen to bring the Nigerian to Santiago Bernabéu as a potential replacement for “Vinicius Junior.”

Lookman has been in scintillating form since joining Atalanta from RB Leipzig in 2022 for €9.35m plus bonuses, netting 39 goals and providing 23 assists in 90 competitive appearances for the Italian side, and has attracted the interest of several top European clubs.

The 27-year-old came close to joining Paris Saint-Germain in August, with “Sports Zone” reporting that he had reached a personal agreement with the French giants.

Last season, Lookman played 45 matches, scoring 17 goals and recording 10 assists. His standout moment came in the UEFA Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen, where he netted a brilliant hat-trick to secure the trophy for Atalanta.

He has shown no signs of slowing down this season, contributing seven goals and five assists from 12 appearances.

Though Atalanta managed to retain the Nigerian during the summer transfer window, they could soon be forced to cash in on him, with several top clubs competing for his signature following another stellar season.

Madrid are preparing for the possible departure of their star forward “Vinicius,” with Al-Hilal reportedly planning a record-breaking €300m bid for the Brazilian, a transfer fee that could surpass Neymar’s €222m move to Paris Saint-Germain from Barcelona in 2017.

According to Spanish outlet “Fichajes” via “El Futbolero,” the Saudi Pro League club are eyeing “Vinicius” as a marquee signing and potential replacement for Neymar, who could depart Al-Hilal by season’s end.

Los Blancos have turned their attention to Lookman as a strong candidate to fill the void should the deal for the Brazilian go through.

“Faced with uncertainty over ‘Vinícius Jr.’s’ contract renewal, the Merengues have set their sights on a promising Serie A talent. Ademola Lookman, a winger for Atalanta, has emerged as one of the main options to take the Brazilian’s place should he decide to leave the Santiago Bernabéu,” the website wrote.

“Lookman’s qualities make him an ideal candidate to strengthen Real Madrid’s attack. His versatility to play on both wings, his speed, and his dribbling ability make him an extremely dangerous player in one-on-one situations. In addition, his ability to link up with his teammates and create dangerous plays makes him a perfect complement to Carlo Ancelotti’s style of play.”

According to Transfermarkt, the Nigerian is valued at €60m, a fee Madrid will have no problem paying.

At the recent Ballon d’Or Ceremony in Paris, Lookman was ranked 14th best player in the world and is also considered the favourite for the 2024 CAF Men’s Player of the Year award.

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BREAKING: CAF Slams Libya $50,000 Fine, Awards Super Eagles 3 Points

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The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has imposed a $50,000 fine on Libya over the “inhumane treatment” inflicted on the Nigerian national team, while awarding the Super Eagles three points and three goals.

This was revealed by Super Eagles captain, William Troost-Ekong, in a post on his X handle on Saturday.

The decision follows CAF’s investigation into Libya’s maltreatment of the Super Eagles upon their arrival in the North African nation for the return leg of the African Cup of Nations qualifiers.

“CAF awards three points and three goals to Nigeria. Libya fined $50,000.

“Plane was diverted 300km from scheduled airport even when the pilot told them he was low on fuel.

“One step closer to our target AFCON 2025,” Troost-Ekong wrote.

 

More to come…

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