The “will he, won’t he?” debate about whether Cristiano Ronaldo will attempt to play in a fifth World Cup in four years’ time can start in earnest following Portugal’s elimination from Russia 2018 at the round-of-16 stage by Uruguay. It has already begun for Lionel Messi, who was also given his boarding pass for a flight home on Saturday when Argentina fell to a 4-3 defeat vs. France in Kazan — but the two superstars have wholly different issues to consider before making a decision regarding their international future. Messi came to life in Argentina’s do-or-die group game against Nigeria,…
Author: David Folami
Croatia’s coach and captain hailed their “fantastic” World Cup so far and said they were ready to beat Denmark on Sunday. “We’ve played fantastically in the group stage. We must be proud of that. But for this new game, we must forget all that went before,” captain Luka Modric, a 12-year-old when Croatia reached the semifinals in France in 1998, said. “It is a stern test for us, but it is high time that this generation hurdles this obstacle which we haven’t hurdled since 1998. I expect us to be capable of doing that … we are full of self-confidence.”…
Zlatan Ibrahimovic and San Jose’s Chris Wondolowski each scored twice on Saturday night as the LA Galaxy and the Earthquakes settled for a 3-3 draw in a match played at Stanford Stadium. Ibrahimovic’s goals marked his eighth and ninth of season since he made his Galaxy debut on March 31. He’s scored twice in four separate games for L.A., which has lost just once in its last six MLS matches and improved its all-time record at Stanford Stadium to 1-4-2. Meanwhile, Wondolowski’s pair of goals pushed him to 140 in his MLS career as San Jose drew a third straight…
Dele Alli is backing striker Harry Kane to get the better of their Tottenham Hotspur teammate Davinson Sanchez in their World Cup last-16 clash against Colombia on Tuesday. “I think he [Sanchez] is a great player, I don’t think any player is perfect, we know things, we know how he plays and he has a lot of strengths. We’re going to look to do as well as we can to exploit his very few weaknesses,” Alli told a news conference on Saturday. The 22-year-old Sanchez has just completed his first season in the Premier League after joining Spurs in a…
Danilo will be available to face Mexico in their World Cup last-16 clash, but Marcelo’s status is in doubt and Douglas Costa is out, according to the team doctor. Rodrigo Lasmar said on Saturday that Danilo has recovered from a thigh injury, but that teammate Marcelo, who suffered a back spasm just moments into Brazil’s final group game against Serbia, is recovering well but is not quite 100 percent fit. Juventus winger Costa is recovering well, said Lasmar, but will not be fit for Monday’s match in Samara. “Danilo is fit to play. He trained today and is available for…
Colombia held out hope that James Rodriguez would be fit to take on England on Tuesday after MRI scan results released on Saturday showed minor swelling but no serious injury to his right soleus calf muscle. James, who left Thursday’s 1-0 win over Senegal after 30 minutes with muscle pain in his left calf, did not participate in training sessions on Friday or Saturday. After being substituted for Luis Fernando Muriel, James was seen punching the turf in frustration before looking upset as he went straight to the dressing room. “The situation is tough for the team — it is…
France showed their strength of character as they came from 2-1 down to beat Argentina 4-3 in a thrilling World Cup round-of-16 tie on Saturday, coach Didier Deschamps said. “We were up against a highly experienced Argentina team but we showed we were there and the team showed they had character,” he told a news conference. “When we were 2-1 down it was not easy, but we kept fighting. The mentality in this group is excellent.” After opening the scoring with an Antoine Griezmann penalty, France wasted chances and were punished by goals from Angel Di Maria and Gabriel Mercado…
Bukola Saraki has called for the sack of non performing security chiefs. Saraki said this while reacting to the killings in various parts of the country allegedly carried out by Fulani herdsmen. According to reports, the Senate President made the call in Kwara state where he went to visit communities hit by rainstorm. “This is not something to be politicised. If somebody is not capable and cannot do what he has to do, let others have the opportunity to do it.” The Senate President also accused the security agencies in the country of refusing to work together. “We have had…
Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has vowed that those involved in the Bodija market mayhem which led to the burning down of a police station would be arrested and prosecuted. There was mayhem at the Bodija market in Ibadan on Thursday as suspected hoodlums allegedly clashed with some police officers. The crisis led to the killing of no fewer than two traders and the razing of the police station in the market. Ajimobi condemned the lawlessness of the butchers which led to loss of lives and property. “Our effort is to provide clean and healthy environment. We don’t want…
The chairman of the Plateau state branch of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Mohammadu Nura has said that its members did not attack anybody in Plateau state. According to Nura, 19 of their members were killed and the whereabouts of 73 others are unknown. He claims that the corpses being paraded are that of Fulani herdsmen and not residents of the affected areas. Speaking to The Cable, He said “As at now, we have been able to bury 19 persons of our own in different places. We have declared 73 persons missing. We have not seen them…
Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State on Saturday ordered the immediate re-opening of Bodija market in the state. Ajimobi stated that adequate security measures had been put in place by the government to ensure people go about their normal businesses as well as forestall further crisis. “Our government will not hesitate to close the market for unhygienic and unsanitary conditions. “We will also not hesitate to close it in case of violent and chaotic conduct, including such acts that may threaten the security of not just the market but the entire state,” he said. He, however, urged the people to…
Gen Tukur Buratai has said that the killings going on in various parts of the country are being sponsored by forces against Nigeria. He also added that external and internal forces are behind the killings in Plateau, Benue, Zamfara, Taraba and other parts of the country. He also urged Nigerians to unite to be able solve the current challenge, which he described a serious. “The Nigerian Army is not sleeping. We are continuously exploiting all the linkages and leads towards addressing the security challenges. “We shall get to the roots of the entire crisis militarily. “Therefore, we must be tolerant…
Rabiu Kwankwaso has said that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will easily defeat President Buhari in the 2019 presidential elections. Kwankwaso revealed that he will be joining the PDP, added that he can beat Buhari in the upcoming presidential elections, if the PDP gives him the chance. He said “I’m a free man now and available to try my luck elsewhere but I know that PDP is the biggest party and as long as they follow democratic principle, Buhari will easily be defeated, but if they handpick and force any candidate on the party, they will fail. “I can guarantee…
Mr Mansur Liman, the Director-General, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), has advised media professionals and media organisations to support the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the success of general elections in 2019. He said that INEC could not achieve successful elections without the necessary support of the media in terms of giving objective, accurate and effective reports on electoral activities. “Information is very vital and the role that the media is going to play in the next general elections is as important as what INEC is doing, because people need to get the right information for the process…
The All Progressives Congress (APC) says the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s call on INEC to cancel its just concluded National Convention showed that it is ignorant of electoral rules and internal party operations. Malam Bolaji Abudullahi, the party’s National Publicity Secretary made the call in a statement on Thursday in Abuja. ”We read with dismay, but without surprise PDP’s statement calling on INEC to annul the results of the highly successful National Convention of our party held last Saturday” he said. This he explained, was provided that where a candidate had emerged by consensus for an elective position, a yes…
Victor Ndoma-Egba, Secretary, All Progressives Congress (APC) National Convention, says the emergence of Adams Oshiomhole as the party`s National Chairman through affirmative vote is constitutional. Ndoma-Egba said that whoever was not satisfied with the process could go to court to seek redress, adding that the APC Constitution and the Electoral Act were clear on the issue. He added that though most aspirants at the convention were unopposed and elected through affirmative vote, the party met every legal requirement. He said that though the party had some challenges during the convention, they were brought under control in record time. “The response…
President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday, June 28, met with Fuji musician, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, also known as K1 De Ultimate, at the State House, Abuja. The Personal Assistant to the President on New Media, Bashir Ahmad, announced the meeting on Twitter. Although the details of their meeting was not disclosed, K1 is a known supporter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Buhari administration. He had recently endorsed the President’s 2019 re-election bid at a recent event in Lagos. The singer composed a special song titled ‘Sai Baba’ in which he showered praises on Buhari and mocked his critics.
Aremu Afolayan is convinced that actors that own houses in choice areas in Lagos State, did not do so merely by acting. According to him, acting in the Nigerian movie industry, Nollywood does not earn you enough to buy a house in places like Lekki. He said this during a recent chat, noting that Nigerians are quick to believe everything they see on social media. He added that most actors seen driving big cars and owning mansions likely got them from influential people. “By the way, I live my life, people tend to think that I am the richest Yoruba…
Wizkid has announced that he has been booked for performances for the next three years. In a post on his Twitter page, the Pop star who has been performing at various stages across the world, says in his tweet, ”Booked for 3 years”. Wizkid, who sold out the O2 Arena in May, and also performed at the One Africa Music Festival is presently concluding works on his third studio album, Made In Lagos. The singer has also earlier hinted that he will be performing at concerts in Haiti, Canada and Jamaica. Wizkid is a fixture in the Nigerian pop music…
The countdown to the 6th annual Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards has begun. The nominees were announced via a televised broadcast on all Africa Magic channels on DStv and GOtv on Saturday, June 30, by Ghanaian actress and TV host, Joselyn Dumas, and Nigerian comedian and actor, Bovi. The nominees include “Tatu,” “Alter Ego,” Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Toyin Aimakhu, Odunlade Adekola among others. Best Actor in a comedy Kalu Ikeagwu- Dr Meekam IK Ogbonna – Excess Luggage Blossom Chukwujekwu – The Big Fat Lie Odunlade Adekola – A Million Baby OC Ukeje – Potato Potahto Jimmy Olukoya – Guyn Man Best…