Category: Business Day

Kylian Mbappe scored a hat-trick as Real Madrid thrashed Kairat 5-0 in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League in Kazakhstan on Tuesday.

Xabi Alonso’s side bounced back emphatically from their derby humiliation against Atletico Madrid on Saturday, travelling over 7,000 kilometres to secure a dominant victory on the road.

Mbappe opened the scoring from the penalty spot after 18-year-old goalkeeper Sherkhan Kalmurza fouled Franco Mastantuono in the box.

The Frenchman added two more to complete his treble, while Eduardo Camavinga and Brahim Díaz rounded off the scoring to send Madrid provisionally top of the group. Despite his hat-trick and a tally of 13 goals in nine games this season, Mbappe admitted he wanted even more.

‘My work is helping the team, doing what I can so that the team wins,’ he told Movistar. ‘If I have five chances, I want to score five goals, that’s why Real Madrid bought me. I’ll work to be better and more efficient in front of goal.’

Kairat, competing in the group stage for the first time after eliminating Celtic in qualifying, struggled badly, particularly with their teenage stand-in goalkeeper forced into action because of injuries to three senior shot-stoppers.

Real Madrid, however, looked every bit the European giants, led once again by Mbappe’s brilliance.

Headline fighters Brandon Glanton and Marcus Browne have promised fireworks when they clash in the cruiserweight main event of the ‘Chaos in the Ring’ card on October 1, Nigeria’s Independence Day, at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos.

The blockbuster event, organised Dr. Ezekiel Adamu, CEO of Balmoral Group, in conjunction with Amir Khan, British boxing legend, is being billed as Nigeria’s biggest boxing spectacle since the historic ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ in 1974. Marcus Browne (25-2, 16 KOs), a 2012 Olympian and former WBA interim light heavyweight champion, said the fight is another step in his mission to become a two-division titleholder.

‘I’m fully loaded and I’m ready to press the trigger,’ Browne declared at the Lagos press conference.

‘Fans should expect power boxing, fireworks, and a statement for the cruiserweight division. This fight is sentimental for me, being Liberian, I feel at home in West Africa. I’m grateful for the opportunity, and I want to put on a show for Nigeria.’ His opponent, Brandon Glanton, a heavy-handed American with a reputation for knockout power, dismissed Browne’s comments, insisting he is ready to impose himself in Lagos.

‘I’m fully prepared. I’ve got great opposition in front of me, but I’m here to show myself,’ Glanton said. ‘People know I don’t come to dance around the ring. Expect an explosive fight-I’m coming to show exactly who I am.’

Event organiser Dr. Adamu, described ‘Chaos in the Ring’ as the biggest boxing showcase in Africa since Ali vs. Foreman.

‘Our ambition is to stage a boxing spectacle that rivals Saudi Arabia’s recent mega-events while highlighting Nigeria’s unique energy and passion,’ Adamu said.

The undercard features a strong mix of local and international bouts, including Basit Adebayo vs. Tony Rashid for the WBO Africa Title, Emanuel Odiase vs. Idris Afini for the WBA Africa heavyweight crown, Dan Azeez vs. Sulaimon Adeosun in light heavyweight action, Yusuf Adeniji vs. Akimos Annang Ampiah in a featherweight clash, and Samuel Takyi vs. Fatiu Ijomoni for the WBO World Youth lightweight belt.

Leading smartphone brand, Infinix, has once again proven its dominance in the Nigerian mobile market by clinching two prestigious honors at the 2025 Edge Awards, organized by Marketing Edge and held on Friday, September 26, at the Balmoral Event Centre in Lagos. The brand won the awards for Outstanding Smartphone Launch of the Year for its Hot 60 Series, and Innovative Smartphone Brand of the Year for its Note 50 Series.

These recognitions highlight Infinix’s continued commitment to delivering cutting-edge technology, stylish design, and user-focused innovation in the Nigerian market.

Speaking on the awards, Oluwayemisi Ode, Integrated Marketing Communications and PR Manager at Infinix Nigeria, expressed gratitude to customers and stakeholders for their continued trust and support for the brand. ‘This double win is a testament to the work we put into understanding our consumers and delivering devices that not only meet but exceed their expectations. At Infinix, we believe technology should be empowering, stylish, and accessible, and these awards reinforce our commitment to that mission”. Speaking on the Marketing Edge Awards, John Ajayi, CEO and Founder, Marketing Edge Group and Edge Awards, highlighted that the award ceremony serves as a way to celebrate achievement of others and a reminder that hard work, service and innovation are rewarded. ‘As brands, agencies and personalities navigate the complexities of the Nigerian market, balancing traditional values with cutting-edge technology, this year’s EDGE AWARDS offers a prestigious platform to celebrate those who have pushed the limits of creativity and innovation with insight-driven initiatives’ he stated.

These recent awards strengthen Infinix’s position as a trailblazer in Nigeria’s highly competitive smartphone industry and a testament to its reputation as a brand that is committed to consistently delivering cutting-edge smart devices, and continues to push the boundaries of what mid-range smartphones can deliver.