News
West Ham Thrash Gent To Reach Semi-finals
West Ham booked a Europa Conference League semi-final meeting with Dutch side AZ Alkmaar after a rousing comeback against Gent at London Stadium.
Michail Antonio scored twice, with Lucas Paqueta converting a penalty to make amends for his part in the visitors’ 26th-minute opener.
Skipper Declan Rice added a brilliant third, finding the net with a low shot at the end of a surging run that started in his own half.
It was too much in the end for Gent, who were outclassed after taking the lead on aggregate through Hugo Cuypers’ first-half strike.
Jarrod Bowen had a goal disallowed for handball, denying West Ham a fifth for only the second time in their European history.
As it is, they have a fifth semi-final to look forward to and retain the chance to emulate the 1965 European Cup Winners’ Cup-winning side, and also to end a major trophy drought stretching back to 1980 and the FA Cup triumph against Arsenal.
For manager David Moyes, it also means what has at times been a torturous season could end in glory, although the Scot will be acutely aware European success would have to be accompanied by Premier League survival.
Bad start, brilliant ending
If there was a benefit for West Ham in going behind, it came through Sunday’s thrilling comeback against Premier League leaders Arsenal and the knowledge their task was recoverable.
Nevertheless, no-one will get too much pleasure from watching the replay of Gent’s goal, which was a catalogue of home errors.
It started with Paqueta needlessly giving the ball away deep inside his own half.
Gift Orban’s attempt to find a Gent team-mate only resulted in him rolling a wayward pass straight across the penalty area where Matisse Samoise ran on to it completely unmarked.
Samoise’s shot was awful – it bounced straight into the ground, yet no West Ham player reacted as it fell straight into Cuypers’ path.
The Belgian’s effort lacked power and, standing on the goalline, Nayef Aguerd should have kept it out. Instead, he could only help the ball in with his chest.
For 11 minutes, it threatened a sad end to West Ham’s European dream.
Instead, it sparked another memorable night.
The equaliser was routine as Antonio steered a near-post Bowen free-kick into the net.
The goal that put the Hammers in front was anything but as, at one point, Moyes had his head in his hands believing Said Benrahma should be taking the second-half spot-kick.
Fortunately, Paqueta kept his nerve to make amends for his earlier error and from then on West Ham’s semi-final place was never seriously threatened.
Rice can join West Ham legends
Who knows where Rice will be this time next year.
He remains under contract at West Ham until 2024 with the option of another season – and club sources are adamant they want to keep him.
Yet strong rumours of a summer move to Arsenal persist and while West Ham could secure a third successive European campaign, it will not be in the Champions League, which is where the 24-year-old really should be playing.
His goal tonight was special.
Winning a tackle 10 yards inside his own half, Rice exchanged passes with Paqueta before driving deep into Gent territory.
At one point, Rice looked around searching for support.
Finding none, and with the visitors inexplicably standing off him, the midfielder kept going before delivering a precise left-footed strike across goalkeeper Davy Roef and into the far corner.
It was superb stuff, underlining Rice can be more than just the covering midfielder his England performances have seen him tagged.
World Cup winner Bobby Moore and club legend Billy Bonds are the only West Ham captains to lift major trophies for the club.
For Rice to add his name to that list would be a significant achievement.
Fitness meets cultural expression as GOOD SWEAT prepares to bring its CULTURE RUN experience to Lagos on Saturday, October 31, 2026.
Designed around the connection between physical wellness and cultural identity, CULTURE RUN offers participants an opportunity to embrace an active lifestyle while celebrating the richness of African culture. The event brings together fitness enthusiasts, culture lovers, and individuals looking for a refreshing way to connect through movement and shared experiences.
The run is scheduled to begin at 4:30 PM, setting the stage for an evening that extends beyond fitness. At 6:00 PM, participants can look forward to the CULTURE PARTY, the event’s post-run celebration.
Adding to the experience is a distinctive dress code that encourages attendees to wear their regular running kits with a touch of cultural wear. This creative blend of athletic apparel and traditional-inspired fashion gives participants an opportunity to express their individuality while celebrating their cultural roots.
The event will take place at Bistrot Samantha’s, located at 7/12 Rumen’s Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.
With its combination of fitness, fashion, culture, and social interaction, CULTURE RUN aims to create an experience that extends beyond the running track, bringing people together through a shared appreciation for wellness and cultural expression.
As Lagos continues to embrace lifestyle experiences that combine fitness with social engagement, CULTURE RUN offers an opportunity for participants to stay active, celebrate their heritage, and connect with like-minded individuals in a vibrant setting.
EVENT DETAILS
Event: CULTURE RUN
Presented by: GOOD SWEAT
Date: Saturday, October 31, 2026
Run Time: 4:30 PM
Post-Run Party: 6:00 PM
Dress Code: Running kit with a touch of cultural wear
Venue: Bistrot Samantha’s
Address: 7/12 Rumen’s Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria
itel, the technology empowerment brand for masses, officially unveiled its new product A300+, brand’s first interactive dual-screen smartphone in its price range. itel A300+ comes with a comprehensive set of features — a 7000mAh marathon battery, IP65 military-grade durability, and satellite communication capability, demonstrating that innovation and complete product strength can coexist at an accessible price point.
A First-of-Its-Kind Rear Screen Experience: Interactive Innovation for a New Generation
itel A300+ coming with an interactive rear display is a rare feature in this price category, designed to deliver a smart entertainment experience for young generations. Far from being a cosmetic gimmick, the rear screen provides practical functions built around real everyday scenarios. Users can frame selfies using the higher-quality rear camera with a live preview on the back screen, glance at incoming messages and alerts without waking the main display, and play, pause, or skip tracks directly from the rear screen. The rear display also supports customizable clocks, photos, and designs, giving users a personal window to express their individual style. Complementing the rear screen, the A300+ features a 6.78-inch immersive punch-hole main display, offering a cleaner, more expansive viewing experience for streaming, gaming, browsing, and social media.
Performance and Value in Balance: Delivering Fresh Technology Despite Industry Pressure
Even amid rising industry costs, itel has chosen to bring fresh technology to its products while continuously improving performance and keeping pricing accessible. The A300+ is powered by a 7000mAh marathon battery engineered for long-term reliability, supporting up to 1,200 charging cycles — far exceeding the industry standard, and designed to retain healthy capacity. AI Charging Protection intelligently manages charging patterns to reduce battery degradation, while Smart Power Management optimizes power consumption across apps and hardware to extend usage time between charges.
The device also features 300% ultra-volume DTS stereo speakers, delivering rich, room-filling sound for music, videos, FM radio, and everyday entertainment. Built to withstand daily life and beyond, the A300+ carries IP65 water and dust resistance certification and meets military-grade durability standards, resisting splashes, dust, and accidental drops. Notably, the A300+ includes satellite communication capability, ensuring users can still send basic messages via satellite when cellular networks are unavailable — a safety net in remote areas, during natural disasters, or in other critical situations, setting it apart in its price segment.
The A300+ is built on a clear product philosophy, rather than relying on a single headline feature, it combines its key strengths into one complete product story. The rear screen captures attention first, while battery life, durability, and practical usability make the overall value proposition convincing. With the A300+, itel once again demonstrates its commitment to using innovation to meet the needs and desire for novelty among young users in emerging markets.
The itel A300+ is available in two variants: the 64GB ROM and 128GB ROM and they are both available in all phone retail stores in Nigeria or via online store HERE
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