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Liverpool take first step towards UEFA Champions League final after beating Villarreal

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By Derrick Bangura

Liverpool wore down Villareal 2-0 in a UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg tie on Wednesday to keep their bid for four season titles alive.

Pervis Estupinan deflected team captain Jordan Henderson’s cross into his own net in the 53rd minute and Sadio Mane got the second two minutes later.

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The result left the six-time winners well-placed for the return leg in Spain on Tuesday.

Villarreal, who had stunned Juventus and Bayern Munich in the previous rounds, had frustrated Liverpool in the first half before being well beaten.

They created no serious scoring opportunity with just one attempt, compared to Liverpool’s 20.

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Jürgen Klopp’s Reds have already won the League Cup, are in the FA Cup final against Chelsea and trail Manchester City by one point in a fierce Premier League title duel.

Should they reach the Champions League final on May 28 in Paris, Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City could also be their opponents there.

This was after Manchester City beat Real Madrid 4-3 in a thrilling other first-leg semi-final on Tuesday.

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“They are a very organised team and we knew they would make it difficult.

“It was just important that we kept going and believed that we would eventually break them down. We did that with two good goals,” Henderson said.

But he warned that “the game is still alive and it will be tough in Villarreal.”

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Villarreal defender Pau Torres shared this view, insisting that “there’s a lot of football left in this semi-final yet.

“We go home beaten by two goals but we stay confident. Should we score in the first 10 minutes next week we are back in the tie,” he said.

Mane had two early chances as Liverpool made their presence felt.

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The first was when he was not able to properly control a ball headed on by Ibrahima Konate.

He then did not manage to head on target when completely unmarked off Mohamed Salah’s cross from the right.

Villarreal sat deep giving the hosts little space as Liverpool mainly tried their luck from a distance.

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Thiago Alcantara came closest in the 42nd minute when his long-range drive crashed against Villarreal’s right post.

Fabinho had a goal five minutes after the restart disallowed because Virgil van Dijk was offside before heading on the ball.

Liverpool were finally awarded for their efforts three minutes later.

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That was when Henderson’s cross bounced of Estupinan’s foot and high over goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli into the far left corner.

And Anfield rejoiced again 120 seconds later when Salah picked out Mane who beat Rulli for 2-0 with a low shot.

Villarreal were now in danger of falling apart against the relentless Reds.

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Andy Robertson was offside before volleying home and Luis Diaz aimed inches right.

The visitors settled down again in the later stages but created no danger up front and face an uphill battle to reverse matters at home next week.

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Tinubu arrives Katsina to receive Buhari’s body for burial

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President Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday arrived in Katsina to receive the remains of the former President Muhammadu Buhari, who passed away in London on Sunday at the age of 82.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Vice-President Kashim Shettima departed London in the early hours of Tuesday with the remains of Buhari back to Nigeria.
On arrival at the Umaru Musa Yar’adua Airport Katsina, Tinubu was received by Gov. Dikko Radda,  former Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, governors, Chairman of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, and Speaker of the House of Representatives,  Tajudeen Abbas.
Others are Ministers, former governors, former and serving Senators, Alhaji Dahiru Managl,  former Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Working Committee (NEC), amongst others.
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“He Never Turned His Back on the Needy” — Tributes Pour In Ahead of Buhari’s Burial

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Just hours before the burial of former President Muhammadu Buhari, heartfelt tributes have continued to pour in from beneficiaries of his many charitable deeds, with many describing him as a man who never turned his back on the needy.

Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday, Aminu Daura, a respected community elder, recalled how Buhari consistently provided foodstuffs during Ramadan for families, friends, widows, and orphans in his hometown.

“He never made noise about it, but many homes had food on their tables during fasting period because of him,” Daura said.

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Abdullahi Sani, a physically-challenged man who received a tricycle from the Buhari Foundation in 2021, was overcome with emotion while speaking to NAN.

“I can move around and feed my family today because of Baba Buhari. I pray to Allah to reward him for giving hope to people like me,” he said, in tears.

Hajiya Fatima Yahaya, another resident, remembered Buhari’s acts of kindness during festive seasons.

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“Even after he left office, his aides ensured that the usual support still reached us every year. He always remember his people,” she said, referring to his distribution of Sallah rams and food items to indigent families during Eid celebrations.

Other residents of Daura also shared memories of how the late former president quietly paid school fees and medical bills for struggling families, actions rarely publicized.

“Some of us benefited from his silent interventions. He was a true father and a great figure in the society,” said Ali Saidu.

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On Monday night, Imams across various mosques in Daura held special Qur’anic recitations, praying for the forgiveness of Buhari’s sins and his eternal peace.

The Chief Imam of Daura Central Mosque, Sheikh Musa Kofar Barau, described Buhari as a humble leader whose legacy of service and compassion would remain alive in the hearts of the people.

Buhari is scheduled to be buried later on Tuesday in his hometown of Daura, Katsina State, in line with Islamic rites. The community is bracing to welcome thousands of mourners from across Nigeria and beyond.

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King Mohammed VI Mourns Buhari, Praises Legacy of Nigeria’s Former Leader

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His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco has extended heartfelt condolences to President Bola Tinubu, the family of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, and the entire Nigerian people following Buhari’s death.

In a message of sympathy, the Moroccan monarch described the passing of the former Nigerian leader as a “sad occurrence,” expressing deep sorrow over the loss.

King Mohammed VI hailed Buhari as “an illustrious leader who worked untiringly to serve his country’s best interests and lead his people toward further progress and prosperity.”

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He added: “Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the bereaved. I share your grief and want you to know how much I appreciated the working sessions I had with the deceased.”

Reflecting on their bilateral engagements, the king noted that his collaboration with Buhari led to the launch of promising development projects, “ushering a new era grounded in friendship and close cooperation between our two sister nations.”

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