Sports
Mané scores as Bayern Munich beat RB Leipzig for German Super Cup
Sadio Mané scored on his competitive debut for new-look Bayern Munich as they overcame RB Leipzig 5-3 in thrilling fashion on Saturday to lift the German Super Cup.
Germany teenager Jamal Musiala rifled Bayern Munich ahead after RB Leipzig had failed to clear a corner-kick after 14 minutes.
Ex-Liverpool forward Mané then tapped in on the half hour from Serge Gnabry’s pass as the Bavarians quickly got used to life without new FC Barcelona signing Robert Lewandowski.
Benjamin Pavard made it three before the interval.
The season curtain-raiser between last term’s Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich and the German Cup winners was held in Leipzig.
But the hosts did little to threaten the visitors until Marcel Halstenberg’s second-half header.
Gnabry and Christopher Nkunku then traded goals before Dani Olmo’s late strike for RB Leipzig made things interesting, only for Leroy Sané to score at the death.
“I’m really, really happy to win my first trophy with Bayern Munich. “I’m looking forward to more trophies,” Mané said later on.
Bayern Munich coach Julian Nagelsmann, formerly at RB Leipzig, started Senegal’s African Player of the Year while other new signings such as Matthijs de Ligt began on the bench.
RB Leipzig’s Domenico Tedesco meanwhile included Austria midfielder Konrad Laimer, heavily linked with a move to Bayern Munich.
But left-back Angelino was missing as he looks for another club with Hoffenheim’s David Raum set to arrive.
After a minute’s silence and applause for late Germany great Uwe Seeler, the first excitement came when Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer raced out of his box.
But he failed to clear the ball, only for his defenders to mop up for him.
Bayern Munich then took the lead but it was more to do with RB Leipzig’s casual defending than anything.
After some pinball in the box, 19-year-old Musiala pounced and made no mistake.
A lot is expected of midfielder Musiala this season —- with Bayern Munich set to play without an out-and-out striker —- and he passed his audition with aplomb.
RB Leipzig, linked in the media with former Borussia Mönchengladbach sporting director Max Eberl, thought they had soon levelled.
READ ALSO: Toyota unveils sports car concept in bid to recapture Supra sizzle
But Nkunku —- Bundesliga Player of the Season last term —- was rightly flagged offside.
Mané then made the headlines, even though in truth it was one of the easiest goals he will ever score, with two more efforts later on chalked off for offside.
Musiala took centre stage again by setting up Pavard on the stroke of half-time.
But RB Leipzig’s defending was again loose following the departure of Nordi Mukiele to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).
Substitute Andre Silva struck the bar for RB Leipzig after the break and Halstenberg went one better with his own header from a corner-kick.
But any hopes of a comeback were quickly ended by Gnabry smashing into the roof of the net.
Nkunku’s 77th-minute penalty kick and Olmo’s fine finish came too late for the Red Bulls as Bayern Munich’s defence suddenly wilted, before Sané had the last laugh on the break.
“In the first half they simply showed their strength. They were coming from everywhere, left and right,” said RB Leipzig’s Tedesco.
“We’ve got to improve and bring the lads to a good level.”
The game clashed with the first round of the German Cup, meaning that RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich take on Ottensen and Viktoria Cologne at the end of August.
Bayern Munich kick off the Bundesliga campaign at Eintracht Frankfurt on Friday.
Mohamed Salah has officially extended his stay at Liverpool, signing a new contract that will keep him at Anfield beyond the 2024-25 season.
The Egyptian forward, now 32, continues to shine for the Reds and remains central to the club’s ambitions going forward.
In another standout campaign, Salah has scored 32 goals in 45 matches across all competitions, including 27 in the Premier League, where he currently leads the goal-scoring charts.
READ ALSO: Salah Narrowing Golden Boot Gap As African Stars Excel In Europe
He’s also provided 22 assists, highlighting his all-round contribution to the team.
Speaking after putting pen to paper, Salah shared his enthusiasm for the future.
“Of course I’m very excited. We have a great team now. Before also we had a great team. But I signed because I think we have a chance to win other trophies and enjoy my football.”
Since joining Liverpool from AS Roma in 2017, Salah has established himself as one of the club’s greatest-ever players.
With 243 goals in 394 appearances, he sits third on Liverpool’s all-time scoring list.
During his time at Anfield, he’s helped the team win seven major honours, including the Premier League and Champions League.
Reflecting on his journey so far, Salah added: “It’s great, I had my best years here. I played eight years, hopefully it’s going to be 10. Enjoying my life here, enjoying my football. I had the best years in my career.”
His continued presence at the club is expected to be a huge boost for new manager Arne Slot, who is preparing for his first full season at the helm.
Salah’s leadership, experience, and consistent output will be vital as Liverpool chase more silverware.
Individually, Salah’s accolades include three Premier League Golden Boot awards, two PFA Players’ Player of the Year titles, and two FWA Footballer of the Year honours.
With a heartfelt message to the supporters, Salah said, “I would like to say to [the fans], I am very, very happy to be here. I signed here because I believe we can win a lot of big trophies together. Keep supporting us and we’ll give it our best, and hopefully in the future we’re going to win more trophies.”
Southampton have parted ways with manager Ivan Juric following the club’s relegation from the Premier League, the club confirmed in a statement released Monday.
The decision comes just 24 hours after the Saints were officially condemned to the drop with a 3-1 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur.
The loss cemented Southampton’s place at the bottom of the table, sealing their relegation with seven games still to play – a new Premier League record for the earliest demotion, surpassing Derby County (2008) and Huddersfield Town (2019), who both went down with six matches remaining.
READ ALSO: Real Madrid Coach, Ancelotti In Legal Battle Over Tax Fraud Charges
Juric, 49, was appointed in December to replace Russell Martin, inheriting a side already entrenched in relegation danger.
However, his tenure failed to inspire a turnaround, yielding just one league victory – away at Ipswich in February – in 17 matches. Southampton have lost 25 of their 31 Premier League fixtures this season, including seven of their last eight.
“We can confirm that we have today reached an agreement with our men’s first-team manager, Ivan Juric, to end his spell at the club,” Southampton said in a club statement.
“Ivan came to Southampton at a tough time and was tasked with trying to improve a squad in a difficult situation. Unfortunately, we haven’t seen performances progress the way we had hoped, but we would like to thank Ivan and his staff for their honesty and hard work as they fought against the odds to try and keep us up.”
Simon Rusk will take charge as interim manager for the remainder of the season, supported by former Southampton midfielder Adam Lallana.
With their return to the Championship now confirmed, the club emphasized the importance of providing clarity as they prepare for a crucial summer of rebuilding.
“We remain incredibly grateful for the ongoing support of our fans. Their continued dedication and passion, despite what has been a very tough season, is remarkable and is appreciated by everyone at the club,” the statement added.
“Despite the challenges that relegation will bring, our goal is to restore a sense of pride for them in their team and club once again.”
Southampton earned promotion to the Premier League last season through the Championship play-offs but have endured a torrid campaign in the top flight.
Abia State took its turn to play host to the Niger Delta Sports Festival (NDSF) torch tour in brief ceremonies at the Umuahia Township Stadium and at the Government House.
The state Commissioner for Youth and Sport, Hon Nwaobilor Ananaba Nwadinma received the torch at the Umuahia Township Stadium before leading Team Abia to the Government House where it was presented to the Executive Governor of Abia State, Dr Alex Otti.
On arrival at the Government House, Team Abia was treated to a sumptuous dinner with the governor.
ALSO READ: NDDC Is Creating Equal Opportunities Through NDSF – Iyaye
The team then proceeded to the governor’s yard, where the torch was lit and presented to the governor by the commissioner to the admiration of everyone who witnessed the lighting of the torch.
In his speech the governor charged Team Abia to go and conquer in Uyo and come back to receive a state reception.
Gov Otti expressed appreciation to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for initiating the sports festival, which he noted will go a long way to create unity, spot and harness untapped talents in the Niger Delta states.
2027: Okpebholo Banks On Edo, Delta States To Swing Tinubu’s Reelection
Police Arrest Two For Alleged Vandalism At Defunct Aba Textile Mills
Oyo Police Arrest Three Over Hijacking Of Petrol-Laden Truck
Gabonese Voters Head To Polls In First Presidential Election Since 2023 Coup
‘Hands Off Our Campus!’ — NANS Warns SSANU Over Protest Threats At FUOYE
