After more than 48 hours of intense battle against Boko Haram fighters, Nigerian troops yesterday took over Bama, the second…
Browsing: AFP
At least 58 people were today killed in Maiduguri, Borno State capital, following three bomb blasts, including one by a…
Four US lawmakers visiting Nigeria called on Sunday for a special fund for victims of the Boko Haram insurgency that has claimed thousands of lives and seen the abduction of dozens of schoolgirls. “Today we call upon the government of Nigeria to establish…
Sri Lankan spin great Muttiah Muralitharan announced on Wednesday he will join the Australian coaching team for their series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates. The world’s leading Test wicket taker is already working with Australia’s top…
In a classroom at a school for the blind in Mali’s capital Bamako, pupils quietly follow a French lesson taught in braille but it is clear they are impatient to get outside to play football. On the school grounds is a dusty red dirt pitch where three…
An explosion ripped through a football viewing centre in Damaturu, northern Nigeria on Tuesday, police and residents said, as fans gathered to watch the World Cup. The blast at the Crossfire venue, in the Nayi-Nawa area of the state capital of Yobe,…
The UN’s cultural organisation on Tuesday urged Iraqis to protect the country’s heritage amid heavy fighting, warning that destroying religious sites would amount to war crimes. UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova expressed concern at “renewed human…
The Football Association has reacted to speculation about striker Wayne Rooney’s place in the England team by explaining that he trained with back-up players at his own request on Monday. Playing in an unfavoured left-sided role, Rooney produced a subdued…
Sunderland signed former Manchester City goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon on a free transfer on Monday. Black Cats boss Gus Poyet swooped for the 27-year-old Romanian, whose contract was not renewed by Premier League champions City at the end of the season…
Nigeria and Iran became the first sides to draw at the 2014 World Cup as they played out a turgid 0-0 draw in Curitiba on Monday. In stark contrast to the attacking nature of the tournament so far, neither side showed much creativity and the final whistle…
Nigeria and Iran played out the first draw of the 2014 World Cup in a drab 0-0 affair in Curitiba on Monday. A tournament that had been spoiling fans in Brazil with goals and excitement was due a dull match and these two sides delivered on that. Nigeria…
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal aim to end a run of three defeats by Germany in major tournaments when their World Cup clash takes centre-stage Monday. Ghana play the United States in a second Group G game, while in Group F, Iran take on Nigeria. Germany…
Spaniard Marc Marquez won his seventh straight race on Sunday as he took the honours in a thrilling Catalunya MotoGP ahead of Italian Valentino Rossi and Honda teammate and compatriot Dani Pedrosa. The runaway championship leader and defending world…
Wayne Rooney may have been staunchly defended by England coach Roy Hodgson after the opening 2-1 defeat by Italy in the World Cup, but his performance attracted criticism from former top players and coaches. Some like former England coach Graham Taylor…
Lionel Messi will be attempting to cement his legacy as an all-time great when Argentina tackle Bosnia-Hercegovina in their World Cup Group F opener in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday. Trophies, plaudits and individual honours have rained down upon the record…
Switzerland will look to justify their top seed tag which raised many eyebrows ahead of the draw for the World Cup finals when they take on South American side Ecuador in Brasilia on Sunday in their opening Group E clash. While outside Switzerland there…
Nigeria’s main opposition party has taken up the issue of insecurity, slamming President Goodluck Jonathan’s party for failing to stem the rising violence, ahead of what it calls “watershed” elections next year. Africa’s most populous country and biggest…
Germany aim to prevent Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo claiming another goal-scoring feat when the sides meet in the World Cup on Monday. The 29-year-old Ballon d’Or winner is Portugal’s all-time top scorer and the first player to score 40 goals…
Two months since the kidnapping of more than 200 Nigerian schoolgirls, the teenagers appear no nearer being found and freed, despite international support and media attention. As interest in the girls’ plight tails off after a viral social media campaign…
Everton academy manager Alan Irvine has agreed a 12-month rolling contract to become West Brom’s new head coach, the Premier League club announced on Saturday. The 55-year-old Scot replaces Spaniard Pepe Mel who was sacked after Albion narrowly avoided…