Sport

LaLiga and AJEAST Nigeria, the makers of Big Cola, have announced the signing of an agreement under which the multinational beverage company has become LaLiga’s latest regional partner in Nigeria.

The strategic partnership was announced at a press conference in Lagos, on Thursday. Gregory Bolle, LaLiga’s Head of global partnership sales; Mr. Theo Williams, Country Director of AJEAST Nigeria; and Perpetual Ohiri, Marketing Manager Big Cola Nigeria, took center stage at this event. Philip Diwan, CEO of Legacy Sports, Javier Del Rio, LaLiga’s Delegate in Nigeria, and LaLiga Ambassador Mutiu Adepoju were also among those in attendance.

Argentine soccer player Lionel Messi has won a European Union court battle to register his surname as a trademark to sell sports equipment and clothing. The football star may register his name as a trademark for sports equipment and clothing, the EU's second-highest court said, as he was famous enough to overcome phonetic similarities with Spanish bicycle clothing brand Massi.

Real Madrid moved a step closer to a third straight Champions League title after substitute Marco Asensio hit the winner in a 2-1 semi-final, first-leg victory at Bayern Munich on Wednesday. The 22-year-old came off the bench to finish a counter-attack and complete the holders’ comeback win, giving Real the advantage for the return game in Madrid next Tuesday.

Liverpool midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will miss the rest of the season as well as the Russia 2018 World Cup, the club announced on Wednesday. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the midfielder was forced out from the field after 18 minutes of Liverpool’s 5-2 victory in the Champions League semi-final first leg at Anfield on Tuesday.

Liverpool took a big step towards the UEFA Champions League final with a 5-2 win over AS Roma in their semifinal, first leg at Anfield on Tuesday. Two late Roma goals, however, will give the Italians, who came back from 4-1 down to beat Barcelona in the previous round, some hope of an upset in the return game next Wednesday.

Midfielder Mikel Obi says the Super Eagles will be at their best for the prestige international friendly match against England at Wembley Stadium in London on June 2. “There will be no option for us other than to give our best with the FIFA World Cup fast approaching. The match comes up only two weeks before our first match at the FIFA World Cup.