Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after the club confirmed he has broken a bone in his right foot. Germany international Kroos, 26, suffered the injury during Sunday’s 3-0 La Liga win at home to Leganes although it was only diagnosed after he had joined up with his country ahead of their World Cup Qualifier on Nov. 11 against San Marino and friendly against Italy on Nov. 15. While Madrid have not given any expected time on the sidelines, the former Bayern Munich player looks set to be unavailable Madrid’s La Liga derbi at…
Author: David Folami
Jose Mourinho’s team selection was heavily criticised before Sunday’s game at Swansea but dissent reduced as Manchester United won 3-1 against the poorest team they have faced so far this season. Victory was needed, as were the fine goals scored by a side that had managed only 13 in their previous 10 Premier League games. For once, United looked the sum of their individual parts and the biggest names played well. Paul Pogba, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Wayne Rooney were all in need of a good performance and they delivered. Pogba looks happier running from deep than playing further upfield and…
Liverpool have confirmed that Kevin Stewart, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Ben Woodburn have all signed long-term contracts at the club. Sources told ESPN FC on Monday that the trio were close to putting pen to paper on those deals, before the club officially announced the news on Tuesday morning. Sources said that Stewart and Alexander-Arnold have signed contracts that will keep them at Liverpool until 2021, while 17-year-old Woodburn is now under a three-year deal — the maximum length for a player of his age. Speaking to Liverpool’s official website, manager Jurgen Klopp said the new deals show the “clear pathway”…
Barcelona teammates Lionel Messi, Javier Mascherano and Neymar flew into Belo Horizonte together on Tuesday on Neymar’s private jet ahead of becoming rivals in this week’s key World Cup qualifier between Argentina and Brazil. None of the players spoke to the waiting media in the Brazilian city, instead dodging through security and making their way to their respective national teams’ hotels. All three featured in Barca’s hard-fought 2-1 win over Sevilla on Sunday, but will be on opposing teams on Thursday at the Mineirao, where Brazil were beaten 7-1 by Germany in the 2014 World Cup semifinal. The game is…
Lionel Messi is becoming more and more like a midfielder all the time, according to his Barcelona teammate Denis Suarez. Messi masterminded his side’s comeback against Sevilla on Sunday, scoring an equaliser just before half-time and then creating the winning goal for Luis Suarez after the break. For large parts of the game he dropped deep to get on the ball, with one Spanish television commentator saying he was doing the work previously done by Xavi Hernandez as well as his own. And Suarez, who re-joined the club this summer after spells with Sevilla and Villarreal, has noticed that Messi’s…
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has said that Manchester has been the best city he has lived in so far — beating the likes of Paris, Milan and Barcelona. Manchester United striker Ibrahimovic, 35, joked that he does not have high expectations though, coming from Sweden. Speaking about Manchester, Ibrahimovic told Inside United: “I heard a lot of things that the city is this, the city is that, the weather is like this and the weather is like that, but so far everything has been good. The city is the best city so far. “I come from Sweden, I don’t have big expectations…
Manchester United defender Matteo Darmian has told Sky Sport Italia it is “too early” to be thinking about the transfer window and he does not believe manager Jose Mourinho wants to offload him. Darmian had not played a minute of Premier League football this season until a defensive injury crisis at United led to him starting in the 0-0 draw against Burnley on Oct. 29. He played as a right-back in that game but was switched to left-back for the 3-1 win at Swansea on Sunday after Chris Smalling and Luke Shaw told Mourinho they did not feel fit enough…
Ondo State governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko has said that governorship elections in the state cannot take place without the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Mimiko made the comment on Sunday, November 6, during a PDP stakeholders meeting in Akure, the state capital. “I don’t know how they will do it, it is impossible for them to deny us our right,” he said according to Punch. “Justice will stand and Jegede will contest this election. Election can’t take place in Ondo State without the PDP. “I had to see the President in my capacity as the Chief Security Officer in Ondo State,…
Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi has described Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole as one of the best products of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Amaechi also said that the APC is proud of Oshiomhole adding that he is admired by the people of Edo and Nigerians as a whole. The minister made the comments during a send-off party organized for Oshiomhole who will soon be vacating the office. “We are proud of him because he has done APC proud not only in Edo State but in the South-South,” Amaechi said. “He is one of our best and we are grateful…
Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai has said that some Nigerians are still supporting the activities of terrorist sect, Boko Haram. Buratai made the comment on Monday, November 7, during an interview with journalists, while attending a seminar on the Boko Haram insurgency. “It’s a challenge for all of us to ensure that the fight against insurgency receives total support from everybody,” he said according to Daily Trust. “We need to work together and synergize together, fighting insurgency in Nigeria is a situation whereby, they have melted into the society and we have some elements within the society…
The embattled Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Timi Frank has dismissed reports of his suspension by the party. Frank, who spoke to newsmen on Sunday, November 6, 2016, said he still remains the party’s spokesman till a convention is held. He said an attack on him, is an attack on the youths of Nigeria, adding that “It is not possible to suspend me because the zonal level lacks the mandate.” Frank also said “I also want to make it very clear to you that I still remain in charge as the acting publicity secretary of…
There are strong indications that the former Minister of state for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro might be invited by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) again. According to Punch, an EFCC source revealed that it was discovered during an investigation, that Obanikoro was involved in an alleged N400m scam. The source said “As part of investigations into the billions disbursed by Nenadi Usman during the build-up to the 2015 elections, we interrogated a suspect at our office. The suspect told us that he handed over N400m to Obanikoro in the presence of some PDP members. “So, Obanikoro will be invited…
The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has warned the Federal Government against increasing the price of fuel. The General Secretary of NLC, Dr. Peter Ozo-Eson, said it will be insensitive for the government to increase fuel price during this economic down-turn. According to Punch, some filling station in Lagos and Ogun states, have started selling fuel at N150. Ozo-Eson also said “Well, we have been clear on this matter from the beginning that once you submit the determination of the prices of the products to the market, the way they are doing it in an import regime, that will devalue the…
The Minister of state for petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu has revealed that the Federal Government will review the pricing template of fuel, to avoid any future increase. The minister said this at an award ceremony organised by Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN). In a related development, the Senate has called on the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) to provide daily records of the sale and production of crude oil and gas. The committee Chairman, Senator Tayo Alasoadura said the data will give lawmakers an idea of what is going on the oil and gas industry.…
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has revealed why the Federal Government could not employ the 200,000 graduates in October as promised. Osinbajo attributed the delay in engaging them, to the unavailability of the mobile devices meant for the graduates, Punch reports. Speaking to newsmen, Osinbajo’s spokesman, Laolu Akande, said “The programme should have commenced as at October 31, 2016, but is delayed on account of the fact that we are trying to get as many of the equipment that we require.” Osinbajo also stated that N-Power was put together as a volunteer scheme that will “create temporary opportunities for young graduates,…
Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti state has revealed why he visited a former Governor of the state, Engr. Segun Oni. Governor Fayose, through his Chief Press Secretary, Idowu Adelusi, said the visit was not a political move. Fayose also said “Leadership comes first; Ekiti comes first and leadership is about sacrifice to make for the purpose of unity and development of his people. That is exactly what I am doing here. “There is a difference between leadership and politics. To me, Ekiti comes first, every leader willing to make Ekiti first, I will visit him. I am the governor of…
Outgoing Governor of Edo state, Adams Oshiomhole has said that the incoming administration of Godwin Obaseki, will improve the quality of education in the state. The Edo Governor also revealed that his administration will employ more teachers before he leaves office. Oshiomhole said this at an event organised by the “We Care Trust Foundation”, a pet project of the First Lady of the state, Iara Oshiomhole. According to Vanguard, he also said “My take away from this meeting is that the Commissioner for Education, before he retires next week, must between now and Tuesday, give me a list of Mathematics…
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has linked more Supreme Court Justices to corrupt practices in an ongoing probe into the affairs of Nigeria’s judiciary. The probe was sparked by an October raid carried out by the Department of State Services (DSS) on some judges across the country, including Supreme Court Justices, Inyang Okoro and Sylvester Ngwuta. “From our findings so far, there is much rot in the Judiciary,” an EFCC source told The Nation. “More Supreme Court Justices have questions to answer on suspicious funds in their accounts. We cannot give you their names but it is certain…
President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday arrived Benin airport to begin a two-day working visist to Edo. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Buhari, who arrived at about 10;43a.m aboard Air Force flight 5N-FGW, was received by Gov. Adams Oshiomhole. He inspected a guard of honour mounted by military personnel before he proceeded to the palace of the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare N’gidigan II, on a courtesy visit. NAN reports that some of the diginatries at the airport included Chief John Oyegun, the APC National Chairman, Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, Mr Godwin Obaseki, the state governor-elect, service…
President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday in Benin inaugurated the remodeled 200-bed capacity ultra modern central hospital. Buhari, who said he was impressed with the edifice, noted that it was ”the best way to do things and the best thing to do for the people” by any government. While commending Gov. Adams Oshiomhole’s efforts at uplifting the lives of the people, Buhari said “I respect his sacrificing his personal comfort to constructing the edifice”. He said that he was in the state for the third time to inaugurate projects executed by the governor. Earlier, Oshiomhole said that since the hospital was…