Sports

Liverpool Face Sparta Prague In Europa League Last 16

Published

1 year ago

February 23, 2024

Three-time winners Liverpool were drawn to face Sparta Prague in the Europa League last 16 on Friday, while unbeaten Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen will take on Azeris Qarabag.

Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool will be strong favourites to reach the quarter-finals as they bid for a quadruple in the German’s final season before stepping down as manager.

The first leg will be played in the Czech capital on March 7, with Anfield hosting the return game a week later.

Leverkusen, led by Xabi Alonso, are unbeaten in 32 matches in all competitions this season, and will again face Qarabag, having already seen off the Azeri champions twice in the group stage.

Also renewing acquaintances will be last year’s Europa Conference League winners West Ham and Freiburg, after David Moyes’ side’s brace of victories against the Bundesliga club in Group A.

“It’s kind of stupid that you can come back against your group opponents in the round of 16,” said Freiburg captain Christian Guenter.

“You could already tell that some of us were upset.”

Seven-time European champions AC Milan continue their bid to win a maiden Europa League title against Slavia Prague after their knock-out round play-off win over Rennes.

Scottish Premiership leaders Rangers, losing finalists in 2022, take on Portuguese Primeira Liga pace-setters Benfica, still chasing a first European trophy since 1962.

Premier League club Brighton continue their first ever European adventure at last season’s runners-up Roma.

Europa League Full Last-16 Draw
Below are full fixtures for the Europa League last 16:

Sparta Prague (CZE) v Liverpool (ENG)

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Marseille (FRA) v Villarreal (ESP)

Roma (ITA) v Brighton (ENG)

Benfica (POR) v Rangers (SCO)

Freiburg (GER) v West Ham (ENG)

Sporting Lisbon (POR) v Atalanta (ITA)

AC Milan (ITA) v Slavia Prague (CZE)

Qarabag (AZE) v Bayer Leverkusen (GER)

— First legs to be played on March 7, second legs to be played on March 14

AFP

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Sports

2025 U-20 AFCON: Morocco unveils squad to face Flying Eagles, others

Published

1 minute ago

April 19, 2025

The Pledge

Nigeria’s Group B opponent, Morocco, have unveiled their squad for the 2025 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations.

Head coach, Mohamed Ouahbi, listed 26 players for the tournament.

The squad features a blend of domestic talents and overseas-based players, including Stade Rennais defender Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal and FC Twente centre-back Julien Misbahi.

Union Touarga striker Mouad Dahhak, who has impressed this season in Botola Pro 1, also earns a call-up.

Morocco will face Kenya in their opening fixture of the competition on Thursday, May 1.

Ouahbi’s side will take on seven-time champions Nigeria in their second group game three days later.

Egypt will host the U-20 AFCON from April 27 to May 18.

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Sports

Morocco 2025: We’re motivated to beat Flamingos – Algeria coach

Published

7 minutes ago

April 19, 2025

The Pledge

on April 19, 2025By Mike Oyebola

Algeria U-17 head coach Abdenor Mira says his side will give their all to get a positive result against Nigeria’s Flamingos.

Nigeria will host the North Africans in the first leg of the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup final qualifying round first leg tie at the Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne on Saturday (today).

The Flamingos are overwhelming favourites to win two-legged contest going by their pedigree.

Mira acknowledged Bankole Olowookere’s side quality but insisted that they are motivated to get a favourable result.

“We are on the ground in Nigeria after our deserved qualification against Tunisia and the second round against Botswana,” the gaffer said ahead of the game.

“We do not compare ourselves to Nigeria but we are determined after this motivation of two qualifiers. It is the third qualifying round for the World Cup. My players are aware of the mission that awaits them, they will give their all.

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Sports

Man City could have been 14th – Guardiola mocks Man Utd

Published

5 hours ago

April 19, 2025

The Pledge

LManchester City boss, Pep Guardiola, has admitted things could be worse for his team and aimed a subtle dig at fierce rivals, Manchester United.

Guardiola’s men have endured a miserable season this term.

City have long been out of the Premier League title race and are in a fight to qualify for the Champions League.

The champions currently sit in fifth place, with Aston Villa and Chelsea breathing down their necks.

Speaking to the media ahead of City’s clash against Everton this weekend, Guardiola said: “I don’t think it’s a bad thing to fight to qualify for the Champions League. We could be in a much lower position in the Premier League if you had done fewer good things than we have done in these four, five months.

“People say we are fourth now but I say yeah we could be 11th or 12th or 13th or 14th.”

Guardiola’s comments come with United currently in 14th in the table having lost 14 of their 32 matches this campaign.