The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Bundesliga

  • Bundesliga: Kane bags Hattrick as Bayern beat Hoffenheim

    Bundesliga: Kane bags Hattrick as Bayern beat Hoffenheim

    Harry Kane scored his second hat-trick of the season as Bayern Munich overcame a shaky start to win at Hoffenheim and continue their 100% start.

    The England captain, 32, broke the deadlock on the stroke of half-time with a clinical first-time finish from a cleverly worked low corner, and doubled Bayern’s lead from the spot after Albian Hajdari was harshly penalised for a handball.

    That broke Hoffenheim’s resistance and Kane completed his ninth Bundesliga hat-trick with another penalty, given for a foul on substitute Michael Olise after a video assistant referee (VAR) check.

    This time Kane sent home keeper Oliver Baumann the wrong way for his 13th Bayern goal in seven matches across all competitions this season – adding to his Champions League double against Chelsea on Wednesday.

    Hoffenheim had the better of the first 45 minutes, Fisnik Asllani only able to hit the post after goalkeeper Manuel Neuer passed straight to the Kosovan.

    They eventually got some reward for their efforts, former West Ham full-back Vladimir Coufal’s deflected free-kick beating Neuer to earn the Czech his first goal for the club.

    Ex-Liverpool winger Luis Diaz hit the top of the bar late on as he failed to continue his record of scoring in every Bundesliga game this season, but Serge Gnabry added a fourth for Bayern with the last kick – converting a rebound from a tight angle after Baumann saved from Joshua Kimmich.

    Nicolas Jackson made his first start since joining Bayern on an initial loan deal from Chelsea, but the Senegal striker had a very quiet game before being replaced in the 62nd minute.

  • Bundesliga, EA Sports, Okocha concludes 8-week training for Nigerian kids

    Bundesliga, EA Sports, Okocha concludes 8-week training for Nigerian kids

    The German Bundesliga, in collaboration EA Sports recently concluded an impactful eight-week football programme titled “Bundesliga EA Clinic” at the Bundesliga Common Ground facility in Ijaiye-Ojokoro, a suburb of Lagos.

    The initiative aimed not only to develop children’s football skills but also to promote personal growth, character building, and life skills on and off the football pitch. Throughout the programme, the children engaged in various training sessions and workshops focused on essential values such as teamwork, perseverance, self-confidence, creativity, responsibility, respect and FairPlay, discipline and goal setting.

    A key highlight of the closing ceremony, held in Lagos was the display of the Bundesliga Meisterschale (Championship Shield), which served as a powerful motivator for the participating children.

    Read Also: Jay Jay Okocha Stadium wears new look for NNL Super 8

    The closing ceremony was designed to be vibrant and inspiring, celebrating football’s ability to unite and empower. Okocha, reflecting on his career across Europe, praised the Bundesliga’s long-standing commitment to youth development and encouraged the children to take the life lessons they learned seriously.

    Certificates were awarded to the young participants in recognition of their involvement and growth. Okocha emphasized the importance of nurturing life skills early, noting that such experiences can play a transformative role in preparing young people for future success. He expressed confidence that the lessons from the programme would have a lasting impact on the lives of the children.

    Also in attendance was Diego Contento, a former Bayern Munich player and Bundesliga and UEFA Champions League winner.

    The Common Ground in Lagos, established by the Bundesliga in 2022, is part of a global initiative to create safe, inclusive spaces for children to play and for communities to come together. This initiative extends beyond Nigeria, with similar projects in cities such as Mexico City, Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, New York, Jakarta, Berlin, and Zabrze, reinforcing the Bundesliga’s global commitment to grassroots sports and community development.

  • Hot weekend in European football: battles of the giants in EPL and Bundesliga

    Hot weekend in European football: battles of the giants in EPL and Bundesliga

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    Liverpool vs Manchester City: a battle of tournament contenders

    In the central match of round 13, the Premier League leaders will face off. Liverpool, under the management of Arne Slot, has won 10 of its first 12 games, making it one of the best starts to a season in its history. The only setback came in the match at Anfield against Nottingham Forest, which Liverpool surprisingly lost to Nuno Espírito Santo’s team.

    Mohamed Salah has also had a royal start to the season—the Liverpool forward already has 10 goals and 6 assists in the Premier League. His phenomenal scoring form will add excitement to the top scorer race, where Erling Haaland has had little competition in the past 2 seasons.

    Rodri’s injury has made the football world recall the Cinderella story: the prince went off to treat his knee, and Manchester City turned into a pumpkin. A series of 5 consecutive losses put Pep Guardiola in an unfamiliar position—his teams have never faced such challenges before.

    Pep and Manchester City know how to take a hit and will do everything to close the 8-point gap to Liverpool. The chanting Anfield and ambitious Slot will try to finish off the wounded beast, but the English champions have the powerful Haaland and Guardiola’s tactical ideas on their side.

    Odds: W1 – 2.172, X – 3.955, W2 – 3.2

    Borussia Dortmund vs Bayern: Der Klassiker in all its glory

    Bayern Munich has gone unbeaten in 11 league games and heads into the German football giant clash as the leader. Vincent Kompany’s combination football has taken hold on the Alpine horizon of Munich, giving fans hope after the dull era of Thomas Tuchel.

    Bayern Munich’s main weapon in attack remains Harry Kane—the England captain has 14 goals and 6 assists in 11 matches. The Bayern forward is confidently on track to win the Golden Boot once again.

    Borussia is adapting to Nuri Şahin’s demands, but the team lacks consistency. Big wins over Leipzig and Freiburg are followed by losses to Mainz and Augsburg. Dortmund is 10 points behind Bayern, and the Der Klassiker could be a great opportunity for it to close the gap.

    Borussia and Bayern have scored a total of 58 goals in 11 games, so their clash is sure to delight fans of exciting football and a total of over 2.5 goals betting.

    Odds: W1 – 4.58, X – 4.635, W2 – 1.72

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  • Boniface listed for Bundesliga Rookie of Season

    Boniface listed for Bundesliga Rookie of Season

    Inform Super Eagles striker Victor Boniface has been nominated for the Bundesliga Rookie of the Season.

    He has already won the Bundesliga Rookie of the Month Award four straight times this season. He also scooped the Bundesliga Player of the Month once.

    He scored 20 goals and provided 10 assists in 32 assists in his debut season in the Bundesliga.

    Read Also: Boniface makes Bundesliga Team of Season

    Only on Sunday, Boniface who got his 21st game of the season and 12th  Bundesliga goal as he scored his side’s second goal from the spot in the added time of the first half  in the win  against Bochum. His club Bayer Leverkusen won the Bundesliga title for the first time in their history and they are also closing in on the Europa League and the German Cup.

    He will battle Xavi Simons (RB Leipzig), Ian Maatsen (Borussia Dortmund) and Maximilian Beier (Hoffenheim) for the Rookie of the Season Award.

  • Four Nigerian players who won German Bundesliga title

    Four Nigerian players who won German Bundesliga title

    Bayer Leverkusen’s decisive 5-0 win over Werder Bremen on April 14, resulted in the German team securing their inaugural Bundesliga title.

    Under the guidance of Xabi Alonso, Leverkusen showcased exceptional form throughout the season, remaining unbeaten across all competitions.

    Critical to their success are standout performers like Nigerian talents Nathan Tella and Victor Boniface.

    Boniface notably netted the opening goal in the triumphant match against Bremen.

    The German Bundesliga has welcomed Nigerian talents, with 42 players from Nigeria leaving their mark on the league’s history. 

    Read Also: Victor Boniface: I enjoy working with Xabi Alonso

    Among these luminaries are renowned figures like Austin Jay Jay Okocha and Sunday Oliseh.

    The Nation highlights four Nigerian players who have won the Bundesliga title.

    Pascal Ojigwe

    Ojigwe was the first Nigerian to win the Bundesliga after playing a role in Kaiserslautern’s 1997/98 season triumph. Although he made few appearances in that campaign, it was enough to earn him a medal.

    Sunday Oliseh

    The second Nigerian player to ever win the Bundesliga was Sunday Oliseh. 

    The former Super Eagles captain had more impact in Dortmund’s 2001/02 season success. 

    Oliseh bossed the midfield for Dortmund in the early 2000s, making him one of the finest African players to play in Germany.

    He is also one of the few Nigeria players with over 100 appearances in the Bundesliga.

    Victor Boniface

    The Super Eagles star was a real deal in his first season in Germany. 

    Despite suffering an injury in the middle of the campaign, Boniface still managed to score 10 Bundesliga goals in 17 matches to lead Alonso’s men to victory. 

    He scored in his first Bundesliga start after recovering from injury as the new German champions walloped Werder Bremen.

    Nathan Tella

    Nathan Tella is probably the most underrated Bayer Leverkusen player this season. 

    The English-born Nigerian came up for the club in crucial moments, scoring very important goals leading to the team’s success. 

    He also joined the club last summer from Southampton FC.

  • Leverkusen on verge of clinching first Bundesliga title

    Leverkusen on verge of clinching first Bundesliga title

    Bayer Leverkusen are just three points from a first Bundesliga title after a 1-0 win at Union Berlin on Saturday, with Bayern Munich letting a two-goal lead slip in a 3-2 loss at Heidenheim.

    Bayern were cruising at half-time thanks to strikes from Harry Kane and Serge Gnabry but conceded three times in the second half, losing their second match in a row.

    Florian Wirtz converted a penalty deep into first-half stoppage time as Leverkusen were made to work hard in the German capital against 10-man Union, extending their unbeaten run this season to 41 games.

    Read Also: Leverkusen one win away from Bundesliga glory after win in Berlin

    Xabi Alonso’s side need just three points from their remaining six matches to clinch a first league title in the club’s history.

    Bayern, on a streak of 11 straight Bundesliga titles, could relinquish their crown next week in between the first and second legs of their Champions League quarter-final against Arsenal.

  • Jamilu Collins’ goal fails to save Paderborn from Bayern Munchen

     

    Super Eagles left back Jamilu Collins was on target for his bundesliga side Paderborn but it was not enough to stop the side from going down 3-2 to bundesliga giants Bayern Munchen.

    Bayern grabbed two goals in 55 minutes thanks Serge Gnabry and Philippe Coutinho respectively.

    Paderborn first goal to reduce the tally came in the 68th minute through Kai Pröger but celebration over the goal did not last long before Robert  Lewandowski netted the third goal for the visitors.

    The game was heading for a 3-1 victory for Bayern before Jamilu Collins scored in the 84th minute to leave the score line at 3-2.

    Paderborn versus Bayern in the bundesliga

    The 25 year old who made Super Eagles national team debut in an international friendly against Libya at the Uyo Stadium, is set to feature in another high profile friendly after being named in the 23-man squad to face Brazil.

    Taiwo Awoniyi who was in action for Manz for about 14 minutes also suffered a lone goal defeat in the hands of visiting Wolfsburg.

    Both Paderborn and Manz occupy the bottom of the ladder in the 18-team Bundesliga log with only six matches played so far in the new season

     

     

     

     

  • Awoniyi, Jamilu Collins lose  at home to Mgladbach/Freburg

     

    Mainz Loanee  Taiwo Awoniyi was in action for 25 minutes Saturday as Bundesliga side Mainz were humbled at home by visiting Borussia mgladbach.

    The Nigerian was ushered into the pitch in the 65th minute as substitute for consolation goal scorer Robin Quaison.

    The Swede had opened scoring for the homers in the 18th minute of the game to the delight of supporters who saw the early lead as an indication that it would be a day of bountiful harvest.

    But the reverse turned out to be the case as the visitors leveled in the 31st minute thanks to Stefan Lainer.

    Borussia mgladbach doubled the lead in the 77th minute just within 12 minutes of action for Awoniyi. The situation rather than improve for Awoniyi and his teammates got worse with a third goal for the visitors two minutes later.

    SC Paderborn ace Jamilu Collins

    Attempts by the homers to remedy the situation proved abortive. Mainz enjoyed a minimal possession advantage in the ratio of 51 to 49 which nonetheless failed to produce an advantage in the score line.

    Super Eagles left back Jamilu Collins equally had a bad day as his SC Paderborn were equally beaten by the same margin at home by Freiburg.

    Collins was in action for the entire duration of the game which saw SC Paderborn shoot into the lead as early as the third minute through Streli Mamba.

    The early lead however came to nothing after the visitors earned and converted a penalty in the 21st minute followed by two more goals scored in the 40th and 90th minutes respectively.

    Awoniyi and his teammates will now be hoping to earn a point when they face Bayern Munich away next Saturday while Collins and teammates will look forward to the tie against Obafemi Martins former club Wolfsburg on the same day.

  • Jay Jay Okocha, Bundesliga partner Lagos SWAN

    Nigerian football legend, Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha accompanied by representatives from the German Football League, Bundesliga, paid a courtesy visit to the secretariat of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (Lagos State Chapter) on Thursday to initiate a partnership with the Association and sporting press to promote and increase the followership of the German league in Nigeria.

    Manager international Marketing, Bundesliga International Daniel Donaldson said the Bundesliga has enjoyed huge followership in Nigeria following the exploits of former Super Eagles captain in the Bundesliga.

    Speaking during the visit, Donaldson said Okocha and other Nigerian exports have all created a market in Nigeria with a deliberate effort to take the relationship to greater heights.

    “We know Nigeria’s love for the Bundesliga since the days of Okocha and we want to rekindle that love for the league by partnering with the Lagos SWAN to help promote the league.

    “We hope to provide human and material resources to aid the media tell the Bundesliga stories, exposing members of the association to international media trainings to improve their techniques and methods delivery.”

    In his response, the Lagos SWAN Chairman, Debo Oshundun pledged the total support of the association to lead the Bundesliga movement.

    “We appreciate the Bundesliga and Okocha for the visit today. I am pleased to let you know that Lagos SWAN which boasts of over 300 members is throwing its weight behind this partnership.

    “With the partnership between Bundesliga, Startimes and Lagos SWAN which is the most vibrant sporting press in the country, you can be rest assured of the maximum awareness for the Bundesliga going forward,” Oshundun said.

  • Wasteful Bayern stumble in title race as Dortmund win late

    Champions Bayern Munich stumbled to a 1-1 draw at Freiburg to hand the Bundesliga top spot back to Borussia Dortmund, who beat Wolfsburg 2-0.

    Bayern, who had won 13 of their previous 14 league games, cancelled out Lucas Hoeler’s third minute goal with Robert Lewandowski’s 199th Bundesliga goal in the 22nd minute.

    Read also: Rashford, Martial give sloppy Manchester United win over Watford

    But the Poland striker’s sensational volley was not enough and he wasted a bagful of golden scoring chances in the second half, including a point blank header, and even hit the woodwork in stoppage time.

    Bayern are on 61 points, two behind Dortmund whom they will meet next week.