Ronaldo scores as Real sink Schalke

Cristiano Ronaldo ended a three-game goal drought as holders Real Madrid won 2-0 at Schalke 04 on Wednesday to take a big step towards the Champions League quarter-finals and equal the competition record with a 10th straight win.

The world player of the year headed in after 26 minutes for his 73rd Champions League goal with Real's first chance and he set up Marcelo to make it seven wins for the Spanish side in seven Champions League games this season and 10 in a row.

Real's victory was nowhere near as emphatic as last season's 6-1 romp at Schalke at the same stage of the competition but it was a much-needed confidence boost for Carlo Ancelotti's team after a lacklustre start to the year in Spain.

"Anything can happen in the Champions League. We are humble and we know that to get through we have to work hard like we did today," Marcelo told Spanish television. "We have a two-goal advantage but the tie is not over.

"Cristiano is not obsessed with scoring. Goals come when the team works together," he said of his team mate.

Looking to become the first team to retain the Champions League title, Real, eliminated from the King's Cup this month and crushed 4-0 by Atletico Madrid in La Liga, host Schalke in the second leg on March 10.

The Germans fielded five defenders and were on the back foot from the start but coach Robert Di Matteo's disciplined 5-3-2 system proved effective.

Schalke gradually grew in confidence and created good chances for Dennis Aogo and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar.

But Ronaldo put Real ahead, ending his mini lean spell with a glancing header from Daniel Carvajal's cross to take his competition tally to 73, two short of the record held by Barcelona's Lionel Messi.

Schalke keeper Timon Wellenreuther, making his competition debut, did well to deny Karim Benzema and Ronaldo, parrying a curling free kick in the 34th.

Schalke's game plan collapsed when Huntelaar, back in action despite serving a suspension in the Bundesliga for a red card, limped off with a leg injury.

Real were almost punished by 19-year-old Felix Platte who replaced Huntelaar and struck a shot against the crossbar 15 minutes from time.

"The quality made the difference," Schalke coach Di Matteo said.

"They have superb players and that is why they are the title holders. They had one chance and scored two goals."

Brazilian Marcelo ended any lingering German hopes with a powerful shot 11 minutes from the end after good work from Ronaldo to keep Real firmly on course for a record-extending 11th triumph in Europe's premier club competition.

Schalke win right tonic for Real - Carlo

Real Madrid's 2-0 Champions League success at Schalke 04 on Wednesday was the perfect tonic for the holders after a difficult start to the year, according to coach Carlo Ancelotti.

Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo ended a brief goal drought with Real's opening goal in the last 16, first leg in Gelsenkirchen and Brazil fullback Marcelo cracked in a second to put the La Liga giants within touching distance of the quarterfinals.

The comfortable victory helped dispel doubts about their form after they were knocked out of the King's Cup and thrashed 4-0 in La Liga by their city neighbours Atletico Madrid in recent weeks.

"We needed a game like that, with that kind of attitude and performance," Ancelotti told a news conference.

"And everything worked out well in the end," added the Italian, who led Real to a record-extending 10th European crown in his first season in charge in 2013-14.

"The team were serious and efficient and the opposition were pegged back from the start. Once we got the first goal, we controlled the game."

Real's next outing is a La Liga match at struggling Elche on Sunday, when Ronaldo will have a chance to show he really does have his scoring touch back.

The Fifa Ballon d'Or winner had drawn a blank in three consecutive matches before Wednesday and had come under fire for throwing a birthday party hours after the humbling La Liga reverse at Atletico.

"It's normal that when Cristiano scores 60 goals a season and then goes for three or four weeks without scoring people speculate that something's wrong," Ronaldo's Real and Portugal teammate Pepe told reporters.

"But I just focus on the work that he always does to help the team," added the centre back.

"He is like he always is. Happy, encouraging his teammates and that is what we ask for, that he transmits his happiness to the dressing room."

Real are a point clear of Barcelona at the top of La Liga with just over half the season played. Barca, who have a superior goal difference, can climb above their great rivals if they avoid defeat at home to Malaga on Saturday.

Ronaldo is back - Ancelotti

Cristiano Ronaldo was all smiles when he left the pitch following Real Madrid's 2-0 Champions League round of 16 first leg win at Schalke 04 on Wednesday, safe in the knowledge that his goal-scoring form was back.

The Portuguese world player of the year had not scored for three games which must feel like an eternity for the prolific Ronaldo.

He put Real ahead in Gelsenkirchen, taking his Champions League goal tally to 73, two short of Lionel Messi's record, before setting up Marcelo for the Spanish side's second goal late in the game.

"He scored, he played well and gave an assist. Cristiano is back," a relieved Real coach Carlo Ancelotti told reporters.

"Today we needed a game like that, with this attitude, a good game. Everything went well."

Eliminated by Atletico Madrid in the King's Cup, crushed 4-0 by their city rivals in La Liga to see their lead cut to one point, Real bounced back with a lacklustre 2-0 win over Deportivo La Coruna last week. But with their fans' jeers and whistles growing louder by the week, it was Ronaldo who took charge with a match-winning performance, helping Real notch a record-equalling 10th Champions League victory in a row.

"Look at his quality," Schalke 04 coach Roberto Di Matteo said.

"He goes into the box once and scores a goal. Then he sets up the second. The quality made the difference tonight."

With Real chasing an 11th European Cup and attempting to become the first team to successfully defend their Champions League title, Ronaldo's goals will be key.

"Cristiano is not obsessed with scoring," Marcelo said. "Goals come when the team works together."

Hosts Niger eliminated, Nigeria held

Zambia beat Niger 2-1 at the Seyni Kountche Stadium in Niamey, a result which saw the hosts of the 2015 CAF U17 championships crash out of the tournament.

Patson Daka rammed home with just six minutes inside this tense and hotly contested clash before Wayne Museba headed Musonda Siame's corner in the 17th minute.

Zambia, who lost their opener 0-1 to Guinea were full of drive and fought bravely in the second half to hold off a young Menas charge. But a 65th minute volley by Malick Saidou Gonda gave Niger a huge lifeline and they poured forward in search of second. Zambia held firm and in the closing stages Patson Daka and Enock Mwepu could have added a third but their efforts went wide off the goal.

Niger, losers of their opener, 0-2 against Nigeria, went also close with Ibrahim Issoufou but with only Zambia goalie Daniel Sikanyika go beat, blasted his effort wide.

With the second straight loss, Niger can longer qualify to the semifinals at the end of their final group A clash against Guinea who have four points. Nigeria, also on four points, play Zambia at the Stade Municipal with the winner of the clash guaranteed a place in the last four and a place at the Fifa Under-17 World Cup Chile in October.

Niamey, football and more

The sprawling Stade Seyni Kountche Stadium, sitting right in the middle of Niamey, the capital of Niger Republic is witnessing it’s first ever major African tournament and there is excitement in the air.

Nigeriens love their football. They really do. Whenever the Junior Mena play, the roads leading into the stadium and the stadium terrace is laced with the orange and green of the country.

Both young and old look to be fascinated with the game and the Africa Junior Championship taking place in Niamey has been the focal point for most locals in the cosmopolitan city.

Niamey is surprisingly cool since the competition started. Temperature here can rise up to 48 degrees, but it’s been a bit friendly to the young players on parade at the tournament. Though CAF had to adjust the times for some matches, the weather has been good.

“You (the visiting countries) have brought good luck to us, the weather has been clement since the competition started, it has not been as harsh as it use to be,” Issa Yousofou, a local merchant told supersport.com in Niamey.

Nigerian supporters

“It’s been fun all the way, the only sore point is the performance of the Junior Mena, but asides that we are loving every minute of the competition.

Niger is an enigma of sorts. Though French is the official language, Hausa is widely spoken here, probably second to Fulfulde (language spoken by the Fulani). There a strong French influenced culture here with Coffee vendors and French inspired couture.

The architecture is a mix of modern and old as new architectural masterpieces lie side by side with per-colonial buildings etched in mud. The sight is truly one to behold.

Moussa Maazou is god.

The name might not ring a bell to an average football fan, but Maazou, captain of the Niger senior national team-Mena, is worshiped here with his shirts seen on many young Nigerien fans here in Niamey.

The tall lanky striker has been a journey man in Europe playing for teams like Lokeren, Zulte Waregem in Belgium and Bordeaux in France.

He is their version of Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Changchu Yatai has been one of the country’s most successful exports to Europe and has continued to inspire many Nigerien youths to aim for greatness.

“Maazou is an icon here, he is the poster boy of Nigerien football,” Mamadou Fouseyni, a staff at the Ministry of Sports in Niamey told supersport.com.

“We want our youth to emulate him. He has been able to put Niger on the world map and we are hoping these set of young players will tow in the same line.

Goal mouth action between Nigeria and Guinea

Cuisine

For the uninitiated, Niamey might not be your favourite destination for a sumptuous meal, but that will be riding the tide. The cuisine here is as good as any within the West African coast.

The restaurants and local barbecue vendors can be compared favourably to most West African countries. The food is quite tasty with spices derived from natural sources the main attraction for many tourists and visitors.

Niamey doesn’t sleep literally. For a perceived conservative society, business goes on well into the wee hours of the morning and security here is top notch.

The Junior Mena disappointment might have taken the shine off the competition for the football crazy fans of Niamey, but a lot said this is not the case as they will continue to throng the stadium to cheer the teams and enjoy the football on display.

Stade General Seyni Kountche,Niger

“It’s sad we were eliminated, but we will continue to go watch the games. It’s not all the time we get to watch a competition like this on our soil,”Aboubakar Gagari, an AS Douanes of Niamey supporter told supersport.com.

“We will support the teams, but I want Guinea to lift the trophy. I’ve adopted them since our team (Niger) have been eliminated.

Niamey might not be your favourite holiday or football destination, but it certainly has a lot to offer for anyone looking to have an alternative feel of how passionate fans can be about the beautiful game.

Benito won't resign

Niger Under-17 coach Francisco Castano Benito says he won’t resign despite his team being eliminated from the on-going 11th CAF Junior Championship in Niamey, Niger Republic.

Benito has insisted that despite the setback, he hopes to continue with the Young Mena whom he believes are the future of Nigerien football.

Niger lost two consecutive matches-a 2-0 reversal against the Golden Eaglets of Nigeria and a 2-1 loss to the Young Chipolopolo of Zambia meant their Fifa 2015 Under-17 World Cup hopes went up in smoke.

“We tried our best but it wasn't good enough, I would say this young team has the potential to lead Niger into the future,”he told supersport.com

“The game against Zambia wasn't easy, we made the same mistakes against Nigeria. This team is young, but I can see the potentials already.

The Spain-born coach also reiterated his desire to continue with the team and says he isn't thinking about resigning but rather looking forward to the next game

“No, I’m not even thinking of that. We still have a game to go and we want to go out with our heads high,”he said when he was asked if he would resign”Benito affirmed.

“We want to give the Nigerien fans something to cheer about in our last game against Guinea. They deserve it for their support.

“The team needs to be kept together whether I’m here or not, there are potentials in this team and I believe they will be the future of the game here (Niger).”

Niger is rock bottom of Group A of the Africa Junior Championship with no points after consecutive losses to Nigeria and Zambia. Nigeria and tops with four points, same with Guinea, but the Eaglets are ahead on goals difference.

Bayern held goalless by Shakhtar

Bayern Munich's attacking ambitions were curtailed by an organised Shakhtar Donetsk who held them to a goalless draw in their Champions league last-16 first leg on Tuesday with Xabi Alonso sent off for the Germans in the second half.

Alonso, who was making his 100th Champions League appearance, was dismissed with 25 minutes remaining following a second booking from Spanish referee Alberto Undiano Mallenco.

Bayern, who trounced Hamburg 8-0 in the Bundesliga on Saturday, were stifled by a Shakhtar side, playing their first competitive game in two months.

Shakhtar's solid rearguard display maintained their chances of reaching the Champions leaguequarterfinals for the second time while Guardiola's Bayern will need to adopt a less cautious approach in the return leg in Munich on March 11.

Bayern came into the clash full of confidence and were quickly on the front foot with Arjen Robben, Franck Ribery and Thomas Mueller creating good chances.

Robben out-muscled Shakhtar defender Vyacheslav Shevchuk in the penalty area and fedThomas Muller, whose shot rolled along the goalline, before being cleared to the relief of the home supporters.

It was a scrappy game undermined by a number of niggly fouls with tempers flaring on several occasions.

Mueller spurned a glorious chance after 30 minutes when he fired a volley over the bar after being superbly set up by Ribery.

BOILED OVER

Emotions boiled over in the second half with Brazilian midfielder Douglas Costa booked for lashing out at Ribery before Alonso, who had already been yellow carded in the first half, was sent off on 65 minutes for upending Alex Teixeira.

This forced Bayern onto the back foot and left them trying to hit Shakhtar on the break with quick counters.

Bayern boss Guardiola tried to inject some attacking impetus by bringing on Robert Lewandowski, but both sides appeared happy to settle for a draw as the game drew to a close.