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GTBank’s Masters Cup Season 5 Enters Semi Final Stage

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The semi-finals of the GTBank Master’s Cup, Season 5, kicks off Thursday, May 19, 2016 at the Onikan Stadium, Lagos with 8 first generation and missionary secondary schools in Lagos state competing for the highly coveted cup in both the male and female categories.

The prestigious secondary school football tournament is an annual football competition geared towards the development of grassroots football, the discovery of young football talents and fostering camaraderie amongst secondary school students. It also provides a platform for identifying, nurturing, grooming young and talented players as well as helping students actualize their dream of becoming professional footballers.

This season has already produced an exciting display of football skill and talent, and the semi-finals promises to raise that excitement with eye catching match ups in the male and female categories. The semi-finals will take place on Thursday, May 19 and Friday, May 20, with defending champions and three-time winners, Queens College, Yaba who breezed through the group stage of the competition without losing any match, squaring up against now face perennial rivals Ansar-Ud-Deen Girls High School, Itire who will be hoping to avenge their loss in the 2015 GTBank Masters Cup Final. On the same day, the defending champions of the male category, St. Gregory’s College, will go up against high-flying debutants Chrisland Schools who will be looking to take their fairytale run all the way to the final.

The day two of the competition will feature what has been tagged the Yaba Derby with Federal Science & Technical College, Yaba making their first appearance in the semi-finals against a Methodist Girls High School hoping to be third time lucky in this stage of the competition. Both teams recorded emphatic wins in the quarter finals to set-up what promises to be an exciting encounter. In the male category, two-time finalist, King’s College, Lagos have a date with destiny as they take on Greensprings School the highest scoring team this season with 15 goals. Greensprings School are making their first appearance in this competition and have taken everyone by surprise with their ruthlessness in front of goal coupled with their disciplined and highly technical organized playing style which has been a marvel to watch.

Commenting on the tournament, Segun Agbaje, Managing Director, Guaranty Trust Bank plc, stated that “over the years this tournament has helped participating students work towards actualizing their dream of becoming professional footballers and some of them are already making a career out of football. It has also helped them grow in personal confidence and become better team players”. “GTBank will continue to invest massively in youth development through education and sports”, he added.

Guaranty Trust Bank plc is one of the few Nigerian financial institutions that have maintained a defined Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy since its inception in 1990. The Bank actively supports in-classroom and out-of-classroom.

 

For more information on the football competition, visit www.gtbank.com/football

BIG STORY

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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BIG STORY

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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BIG STORY

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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