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Futbol

Are Record-equalling Hibs Scotland's Third Force?

On a Saturday night in late November, as the rain teemed down at Dens Park, Hibernian players trooped off the pitch reeling from a 4-1 annihilation that kept them anchored to the foot of the Scottish Premiership. They had taken an early lead, then capitulated. Jordan Obita was sent off. Elie Youan, infamously, performed keepy-ups on his own while David Gray reorganised his depleted team. Goalkeeper Josef Bursik dallied in possession and had his pocket picked for a calamitous goal. Hibs hadn't just hit rock bottom, they'd gone practically subterranean. Back then, in a time of slapstick defending, frequent red cards and constant late concessions, it already felt like Gray's job dangled by a thread. The rookie head coach had won one of his first 13 league games at the helm. Had Hibs not rattled through managers so prolifically of late, and had Gray not been a cup-winning club totem, the owners might have pulled the trigger. Wind the clock on five months and the striking contrast would have quantum physicists scratching their heads. On Sunday afternoon, Hibs obliterated Dundee 4-0, equalling a club record unbeaten run that has stood for nearly 80 years and strengthening their grip on third place. Relegation fears, thoughts of sackings and proclamations of doom have given way to euphoria, feelgood and passport hunting in anticipation of a European adventure. With Hibs, it's seldom dull. But seldom quite this bonkers. The Hibs team that set the record 17-game unbeaten benchmark in 1948 were crowned league champions. They lost the Scottish Cup final 1-0 to Rangers before a crowd of close to 150,000 at Hampden. This was Hibs' 'Famous Five' forward line in its embryonic years, the men enshrined in club history, who delivered European giant-slayings, silverware and lore, and after whom one of the four Easter Road stands has been named. Alongside these legends, Gray's squad are the unlikeliest of heroes. It's almost laughable to compare them. Yet, avoid defeat in their first post-split fixture, and this group will have eclipsed the feats of the Five - and from the gravest of beginnings. There were two particularly compelling elements to Sunday's Dundee demolition. The resurgence of Rocky Bushiri is Hibs' turnaround in microcosm. The hulking defender was seldom used and seemingly unfancied at the start of the season. He was widely reckoned error-prone and plenty supporters would have gladly seen him moved on. Once again, though, Bushiri's name pealed around Easter Road as the DR Congo international cutely volleyed home the opener from a Martin Boyle corner. Since Hibs changed shape, Bushiri has matured into his role as the central pivot of a defensive back-three. Quick, strong and increasingly assured in possession, he has now contributed four goals, including late levellers against Aberdeen and Rangers, and a Scottish Cup winner at Ayr United while defending resolutely against the best teams in the division. He has earned cult hero status in Leith and performed so impressively that the team who hardly picked him six months ago might now struggle to retain him when his contract expires in the summer. At the other end of the park, Kieron Bowie stole the show. Two predatory finishes offered more tantalising flashes of what the 22-year-old Scotland hopeful can deliver when fully fit. Bowie's season was ravaged by a serious hamstring injury on international duty and Gray has been careful to manage his minutes since. He looks tailor-made for the Scottish game, though. A power athlete and ruthless marksman, he combines his physical stature with beguiling technical class. The marquee signing on a long-term deal from Fulham, he'll be a weapon for Hibs post-split and well beyond. The goal rush in Leith strengthened Hibs' grip on third and the promise of guaranteed European group stage football it carries. It also bolstered an already formidable goal difference, which sits 12 and 17 above nearest challengers Dundee United and Aberdeen respectively. Aberdeen's sickening late blow against Rangers - conceding in the 96th minute to draw 2-2, having been two up against 10 men - allowed Hibs to open up a three-point gap above their two prime rivals. They are set to travel to Pittodrie and welcome United to Easter Road. They should also face a trip to Celtic, and home matches against Rangers and St Mirren - now the only side Hibs have failed to beat this season. The shootout for third may be alive to the very last matchday, but right now, it's Hibs who are the team to stop.

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News_Naija

Borderless Travels Is Launching May 18th, 2025 Heres Why It Matters

We’re proud to announce that Borderless Travels, the newest entrant into the online travel agency space, is officially launching on May 18th, 2025. But make no mistake, we’re not just another OTA. We’re a culture-driven, innovation-led platform engineered to redefine the African travel narrative with seamless digital bookings, curated destination experiences, and unbeatable discounts on flights and stays. At our core, Borderless Travels is built to challenge the status quo and elevate it. We are here to innovate for convenience and advocate for travelers, especially those who’ve long endured the shortcomings of fragmented and outdated travel services in Nigeria. More than 16 million Nigerians travel by air both domestically and internationally each year and they deserve nothing less than exceptional service at every step of their journey. Why Build an OTA Now? Many have asked: why invest in building a full-scale Online Travel Agency when we already have a separate product (Manilla Pay) in development that enables users to pay for flights with crypto? The answer is simple – access and flexibility. While we’re bullish on digital assets, we believe travelers deserve to choose how they pay, whether through traditional fiat or digital currencies. However, convenience in payment methods is only one layer of the problem we set out to solve. A Solution Born From Real Travel Experiences Having traveled extensively and listened to the stories of friends and colleagues, the founder saw one consistent issue that stood out: lack of competent travel advisory. Many agencies fail to provide updated visa application guidance, leading to rejections that derail important trips. Minor errors by agents have cost people business opportunities, missed industry events, and even life milestones. In addition, many travelers fly blind into their destinations with no information on local culture, safety, transport, or lifestyle. Add to this the inflated cost of bookings, especially with offline agencies, and the urgency for change becomes clear. Borderless Travels exists to solve these problems through technology, accuracy, and intentional customer experience. Reimagining Nigeria as a Global Travel Destination In 2023, Nigeria recorded just 1.2 million international arrivals, compared to: The disparity is clear but we see opportunity, not limitation. Yes, safety concerns exist, but Nigeria also has vibrant, peaceful cities brimming with untapped tourism potential. Lagos, for example, hosted tens of thousands of visitors during the unofficial national wanderlust event tagged “Detty December” in 2024, with zero major incident reports. With our launch, we’re initiating the Visit Nigeria Campaign, collaborating with verified tour operators and premium hospitality providers to give foreign visitors a secure, enriching experience in cities like Lagos and Abuja complete with guided city tours and immersive local experiences. Powered by Industry-Leading Tech and Trusted Partners The Borderless platform is integrated with a Global Distribution System (GDS) that connects to over 450 airlines, serving thousands of destinations worldwide. Backed by seasoned travel consultants and round the clock support, we provide a robust and secure ecosystem for travelers. Interestingly, Borderless is an accredited IATA travel agency, a member of NANTA & certified by NCAA.. From: …Borderless is designed to serve both outbound and inbound travelers across Nigeria and Africa. Our accommodation inventory includes personally vetted apartments, boutique hotels and 5 star hotels across Nigerian cities, and we’re actively onboarding new properties in top African destinations. Every property on our platform is bookable with no additional agency fees, giving users both peace of mind and value. A Launch Gift From Us to You As we countdown to May 18th, We want to invite you to join the Borderless waitlist. The first 1,000 members will receive 30% off their first booking and you can use your discount voucher anytime you want. This is no gimmicks, just real value (T&Cs apply). Click here to join the waitlist and secure your discount voucher in advance: https://www.borderless.travel This is just the beginning. In the weeks ahead, We will be sharing more on how to leverage Borderless Travels to unlock the cheapest fares, the most authentic experiences, and a frictionless way to explore Africa and beyond. Let’s change the way the world sees and experiences African travel.

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Futbol

FA Cup Finalists Man Utd Want Wembley 'revenge'

Manchester United boss Marc Skinner says his side want "revenge" against Chelsea when the two sides meet in next month's FA Cup final. United beat rivals Manchester City in Sunday's semi-final to secure a trip to Wembley for the third successive year. While they go into the game as holders, United tasted defeat by Chelsea in their maiden FA Cup final appearance in 2023, before making a triumphant return to Wembley 11 months ago, beating Tottenham 4-0 to claim their first major piece of silverware. "It's pretty good right?" Skinner said after Sunday's victory at Joie Stadium. "As managers we're not usually allowed to show emotion but I'm really happy with the players. "There is a massive challenge ahead of us, we have played Chelsea in the final before and we want to get revenge." Before the sides meet at Wembley on 18 May, they have a Women's Super League fixture to contend on 30 April. Skinner's side retain an outside chance of catching runaway leaders Chelsea in the title race, who sit six points clear with four games to play. United will be aiming to use their varied FA Cup final experiences to go one better against Chelsea at Wembley. "I'm not even bothered who the favourites are," said Skinner. "I thought we were excellent against Chelsea in the previous final so we have to come up big again. "I'm just going to make sure my team is as prepared as they can be and they can show their experience. If they can do that we can beat anyone, I've no doubt about that." Eleven of the players that were involved in the 2023 final loss to Chelsea remain part of the current squad. Former United goalkeeper Siobhan Chamberlain says that the rematch will be a chance for them to "redeem themselves". "They lost their first FA Cup final to Chelsea at Wembley, now they have the chance to redeem themselves and get one over on Chelsea and prevent that quadruple," she told BBC Sport. Former Manchester City forward Ellen White added: "It's going to be really exciting. "Chelsea want the quadruple, United want to retain the trophy. It's going to be really exciting especially for the neutral." After playing a starring role in Tottenham's run to a first FA Cup final last season, on-loan Grace Clinton was forced to watch from the sidelines at Wembley as her parent club Manchester United claimed the trophy. This time round she is hoping to play a major role, having scored the crucial second goal against City on Sunday. "We want to win trophies at this club so it's really exciting and hopefully I finally get to play," the midfielder told BBC Sport. "It [being ineligible last season] was a weird feeling. I couldn't really explain it." The combative midfielder was taken off in the second half against City to avoid a second yellow card, a chance manager Skinner was not willing to take. "I couldn't risk her potentially not being part of the final again because she doesn't deserve that," said the United boss. "Before she came off, I thought she was the best player on the park. Her duelling, her work out of possession and her ability to change the game with her dribbling." It was fitting that Clinton and Celin Bizet, who were both on loan at Tottenham last season, scored the goals to send United back to Wembley. "Clinton has come back to Manchester United and really worked on her development, her physicality in both boxes," added White. "Also her scoring ability. She can score from pretty much anywhere. I feel she has really stamped her authority to play in that midfield."

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Worldnews

Eubank Jr Vs Benn: Fight Time, Undercard, How To Watch Or Stream, History

Al Jazeera’s lowdown on the boxers, the family rivalry fuelling the bout, the controversies and fight night details for the all-British showdown in London. A decades-old boxing rivalry between two families is set for a revival when Conor Benn takes on Chris Eubank Jr in a grudge match that has been over two years in the making. The British fighters will finally meet in the ring after their initial bout in 2022 was cancelled amid controversial circumstances. Here’s everything you need to know about the fight: The fight is on Saturday, April 26 . The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, United Kingdom, will host the fight. The first fight is expected to begin at 18:00 GMT Al Jazeera Sport will provide live text updates and photo coverage of the undercard and main fight from 17:45 GMT. The fight will be livestreamed pay-per-view on DAZN. While organisers have not revealed the figures, the total purse is believed to be $23m with a 60-40 split of the main fight tilted towards Eubank Jr. Son of British boxing great and former middleweight boxing champion Chris Eubank, Eubank Jr is a professional boxer from Hove, a southern seaside town in the UK. Since making his professional debut in 2011, the 35-year-old is the International Boxing Organization’s (IBO) reigning middleweight champion and has also previously held the IBO’s super middleweight title and the World Boxing Organization ‘s interim middleweight title. Fighting with an orthodox stance, Eubank Jr is the top-ranked middleweight boxer in the UK and third in the world. Benn, too, has boxing flowing through his blood as his father Nigel Benn was a two-weight champion in the 1990s. Based in the East London suburb of Ilford, the 28-year-old turned professional in 2016. While Benn has yet to lose a professional fight, the boxer has faced a fair share of controversy, having failed a doping test in 2022. The then-rising star of British boxing was suspended by the UK’s anti-doping agency for using clomifene, a fertility drug deemed prohibited. His suspension was in November 2024. Saturday’s bout is a battle of second-generation contenders, reviving the Benn v Eubank feud in which the rivals’ fathers battled it out in two ferocious contests in the early 1990s. The pair’s first gruesome fight took place in November 1990, which Eubank won by total knockout in the ninth round. A much-anticipated rematch was set up three years later and ended in a draw, leading to both men retaining their respective belts. Nearly 22 years on, the progenies were meant to face off until Benn’s doping violation put off the fight, which was titled, ‘Born Rivals’. Despite the history, the fighters insist they have not been urged by their fathers to revive the rivalry. Both senior fighters have been seen making cordial public appearances in recent years. Eubank Jr smashed an egg into Benn’s face during a news conference in February. As the fighters faced off on stage, Eubank Jr pulled an egg from his pocket and smashed it against Benn’s face, sparking a brawl as promoter Eddie Hearn and Benn’s father, Nigel, tried to get at Eubank and his team. Eubank Jr, who was fined $129,000 by the British Boxing Board of Control, had already made a reference to two drug tests Benn failed in 2022, which led to a two-year battle with anti-doping authorities. “Apparently, egg contamination was the reason for his two failed drug tests. So I contaminated him with an egg,” Eubank Jr posted on X. He defended his actions two days later at a second media event and said: “Did I cross the line? During this whole process, I think many lines have been crossed.” Benn responded on X, saying: “That’s the only shot you’ll land on me … two rounds you are finished.” Eubank Sr labelled his son a “disgrace” for his pre-fight antics. Since the bout will be fought at middleweight – 160lbs (71.5kg) – Benn must move up from his welterweight division – 147lbs (66kg). Meanwhile, Eubank Jr fights at middleweight, but since the boxers cannot weigh more than 170lbs (77kg) on fight night, he will have to drop from his 180lbs (81kg). But Eubank Jr has said he will fight with the precision of a “matador” and treat Benn like a “bull” and has no intention of backing down. “This fight isn’t about size or weight, it’s about skill and dedication, it’s about expertise and all of those areas I excel in. I have many years of experience over Conor Benn, and that will be the deciding factor on the night,” he said on Tuesday. “I’m a complete fighter. I’ve been doing this for so long now, I’ve forgotten more things than he even knows, and that will show on the night. “The procedure will be parliamentary, everything will go the way I want it to go, I will be like a matador in the ring, and Conor Benn will be the bull.” Benn will treat the fight as another opportunity to continue his unbeaten run. “It’s always personal. People say it’s business. This is not business, it never is,” he said in the media events leading up to the fight. “If you’re trying to put your hands on me and render me unconscious, then it’s not business, and this is personal.” The former champion has distanced himself from the fight propped on the legacy of his rivalry with Benn senior. Eubank believes the fight will put his son’s life at risk, especially as he will have to move down in the weight division. “My son probably walks around at around 180lb [81.6kg], and he has to boil himself down to 160lb [71.5kg],” he said in an interview with British tabloid The Sun last week. “People don’t understand what it means for Junior to get down to 160lb, at his age. They don’t understand the drying out. “I know what that feels like. I know about the dehydration and the damage it does to fighters.” The 58-year-old said it was “absolutely crazy” that his son agreed to the fight, which is touted to revive the decades-old rivalry. Follow Al Jazeera English:...