The Atlas Lions of Morocco have secured a place in the quarter final stage at the on-going Africa Cup of Nations 2021 in Cameroon.
Morocco came from a goal down to defeat Malawi 2-1 in a match played at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaounde.
Coach Vahid Halilhodzic’s Atlas Lions started on a high, but it was Gabadinho Mhango who struck early for the Malawi Flames after only seven minutes.
Mhango made no mistake from outside the box when he curled in a shot that beat Morocco’s goalkeeper Yassine Bounou to the top corner.
But the early goal was a wake-up call for the Moroccon team as they responded and attacked in numbers to try and level matters. Imran Louza and Yousesef En-Nesyri all had their shots blocked by the Malawian goalkeeper Charles Thom who kept ghis team in the game.
But with two minutes of added time to the break En-Nesyri made it 1-1 when he nodded in a well taken Sofiane Boufal corner kick.
The Malawi Flames cushioned a lot of pressure as the Atlas Lions dominated most of the play in the first half with seven shots on target against Malawi’s one.
In the second half the Malawi team tried to regroup and made early attempts through Gerald and Phiri Gomezgani Chirwa, but their attempts missed the target.
After a lot of pressure on the Malawian defending line, Morocco scored to make it 2-1 after 70 minutes. Defender Achraf Hakimi beautifully curled in a free kick that beat the Flames’ goalkeeper Charles Thom. The Atlas Lions did not stop pushing forward as they continued creating more scoring opportunities.
It was all celebrations by the Moroccan team after the final whistle as they booked a place in the quarter final. Morocco will wait to face the winner between Cote d’Ivoire and Egypt in the quarter final.
At the 2019 AFCON held in Egypt, the Atlas Lions were ejected in the round of 16 by Benin in penalty shoot-outs after a 1-1 draw. Morocco have also lifted the AFCON trophy once in 1976.
The Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final due to be held at the Olembe Stadium on Sunday will be moved after a fatal crush outside the ground on Monday.
At least eight people were kilkled and 30 injured as fans struggled to get access to a match between hosts Cameroon and Comoros in Yaounde.
All Nations Cup matches will remember victims with a minute’s silence.
The Confederation of African Football and world governing body Fifa have sent condolences to the affected families.
Two children, aged eight and 14, were among the dead, and seven people were seriously injured in the crush.
Caf president Patrice Motsepe visited injured supporters in hospital and the scene outside the Olembe Stadium on Tuesday, and later said he was “sad and hurt” by the incident.
Motsepe added that Caf must take responsibility for the crush along with the local organising committee and the Cameroonian government.
“We have a duty to find out exactly what happened and more importantly to put in preventative measures to ensure that what happened never happens again,” he said.
“There were deficiencies, weaknesses, failures, things that should have been foreseen.
“When people lose their lives you must be angry and demand explanations and guarantees that it will never happen again.”
The Olembe Stadium, newly constructed to host the tournament, has a capacity of 60,000 but was not meant to be more than 80% full because of Covid-19 restrictions.
However, match officials were quoted as saying that as many as 50,000 people were trying to attend Monday’s match.
The ground held the opening ceremony and is due to host a semi-final and the Nations Cup final on Sunday, 6 February.
Sunday’s quarter-final is now set to be played at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaounde instead.
Condolences paid by Cameroon squad and Fifa
Cameroon captain Vincent Aboubakar issued a statement on behalf of the squad, saying the Indomitable Lions “deeply wail” after hearing about fatalities and injuries.
“To the families of the victims, [we] extend their heart-felt condolences and wish a speedy recovery to the injured,” Abubakar sais
“The Indomitable Lions urge the football fans in Cameroon and Africa to be highly disciplined and responsible within and outside the stadiums so that football matches in general and the 2021 Nations Cup remain festive moments.
“[We] also call for the preservation of security, brotherhood and shared happiness in the stadiums.”
Football’s world governing body Fifa has sent its “deepest condolences” to families and friends of the victims of a crush outside a stadium at the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.
“Fifa sends its deepest condolences to the families and friends of the victims who lost their lives following the tragic incident that took place at Olembe Stadium,” the statement from FIFA said
“The thoughts and prayers of the global football community are with the victims, the ones who have been injured in this incident, and all the staff of both Caf and the Cameroonian Football Association (Fecafoot) at this difficult moment.”
Cameroonian President Paul Biya ordered an investigation into the “tragic incident”, while Caf is in in “constant communication” with the Cameroonian government and the local organizing committee and has also launched its own investigation.
‘Families will cry’ – Djemba-Djemba on difficult evening for Cameroon
Former Cameroon midfielder Eric Djemba-Djemba attended the last-16 game, which Cameroun won 2-1 and said news of the incident was “heart-breaking”.
“It is very shocking as people were coming to the stadium to watch football, and people have died,” the 40-year-old, who had a spell at Manchester United from 2003 to 2005, told the BBC World Service.
“We were inside and suddenly we heard people had died outside the stadium.
“It is the worst possible news because Cameroon did everything to play the tournament in Cameroon and built big stadiums. I think for me it is very sad.
“It will be difficult (for people to focus back on the tournament) because families will cry. Some people go to the stadium to support Cameroon, to support their team play, but it is the worst thing to happen to Cameroon.”
Ivory Coast coach Patrice Beaumelle, whose side face Egypt in the last 16 on Wednesday, also sent his condolences to victims’ families.
“The team is trying to stay focused on football although as human being they cannot be indifferent,” Beaumelle said.
The INTERPOL Cybercrime Unit NCB Abuja has arrested 12 alleged members of a prolific Cybercrime network as part of a Nigeria Police Operation coordinated with the INTERPOL.
The suspects were said to be members of ‘Silver Terrier’, a network known for business E-mail compromise (BEC) scams, which have defrauded thousands of companies globally.
Their arrest was sequel to an intelligence-led operation according to local media.
The ten days operation, which took place between December 13 to 22, 2021, where the INTERPOL Cybercrime Officers NCB Abuja simultaneously carried out the Operations in Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Lagos Island, in Lagos State and Asaba in Delta State, arrested targeted suspects identified, ahead of time with intelligence provided by the INTERPOL Cybercrime Directorate in Singapore.
“Field operations were preceded by an intelligence exchange and analysis phase, where the Cybercrime Unit of the NCB Abuja used INTERPOL’S secure global communication network – i24/7 to work with the Police Forces across the globe and also help in the investigation of BEC scams linked to Nigeria,” the report said.
“Preliminary analysis confirms that the suspect’s collective involvement in BEC criminal schemes associated with more than 50,000 victims. One of the suspects arrested has in his possession more than 800,000 potential victims’ domains credentials on his laptop.
“Another suspect had been monitoring conversation between 16 companies and their clients and diverting funds to Silver terrier whenever the companies’ monetary transaction is about to be made.
“Operation Falcon ii sends a clear message that Cybercrime will have serious repercussions for those involved in BEC Fraud, particularly as we continue our onslaught against the threat actors, identifying and analyzing every Cyber trace they leave.
“The vice president of INTERPOL and Head of National central Bureau Abuja, AIG Umar emphasized that at this time of increased threats, members of the public, businesses and organization are reminded to protect themselves from online scams by the following advice featured in INTERPOL’s #JustOneClick, #WashYourcyberHands, #OnlineCrimeIsRealCrime and #BECareful campaigns.”
Referees are ‘SPOILING’ the Africa Cup of Nations and have turned it into an ‘absolute JOKE’ as fans are left furious at the number of red cards… with 13 sending offs as many as the last four tournaments COMBINED! according to UK DailyMail report.
Read more,
There has been a number of contentious red cards given at Africa Cup of Nations
So far, AFCON has produced 13, as many as the last four tournaments combined
Fans have been left furious and have accused referees of ‘spoiling’ the event
Cape Verde pair Patrick Andrade and Vozinha became the latest to be sent off
The Africa Cup of Nations has been labelled an ‘absolute joke’ because referees are ‘spoiling’ the tournament with red cards.
Fans angrily took to social media after Cape Verde’s last-16 defeat to Senegal was overshadowed by the fact they were reduced to nine men.
Midfielder Patrick Andrade was sent off midway through the first half before goalkeeper Vozinha was also sent off following a collision with Liverpool‘s Sadio Mane.
Cape Verde had two players sent off in their Africa Cup of Nations last-16 loss to Senegal
A total of 13 red cards have been shown so far, as many as the last four tournaments combined
Fans have been furious at the officiating and the decisions to continually hand out red cards
Another disgruntled follower of the tournament wrote: ‘These referees at AFCON 2021 have given me more than enough reason to discontinue watching the tournament. Officiating at its lowest.’
The dismissal of Vozinha was the 13th so far in this instalment of the tournament, as many as in the previous four AFCONs combined.
d.
Twitter has been awash with vitriol directed towards referees for their decision making so far
Cape Verde controversially had goalkeeper Vozinha sent off for an innocuous challenge
Many of the red cards have been awarded after the fact following the use of the video assistant referee (VAR).
‘AFCON referees should be reminded that they don’t have to issue a red card every time they visit the VAR monitor,’ another angry fan tweeted.
Another added: ‘These referees at AFCON believe visiting a monitor is red card offense, they don’t challenge the VAR decision, pathetic #AFCON2021.’
The decision to send off Vozinha proved highly contentious in Tuesday night’s Senegal-Cape Verde knockout tie, which Senegal won 2-0.
Memes became popular but there was an overwhelming sense of anger towards the referees
All five of the last-16 matches has seen a red card, with the group stage also littered with reds
Vozinha and Mane collided in what appeared to be a 50-50 clash of heads but in a blink of an eye the Blue Sharks found themselves down to nine men.
‘#AFCON2021 refereeing is ridiculous,’ another tweet read. ‘The underdogs are always crippled by the decision of the referees. #SENCPV no red card for the keeper.’
The two dismissals in the Senegal-Cape Verde game mean there has now been at least one sending off in all five of the knockout matches played so far.
Across those five games, seven red cards have been shown.
The Lagos State Chairman of the Association of General and Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria, Dr. Makinde Akinlemibola says the proposed increase in the tariff of private health insurance scheme is necessary to reflect the current economic changes and reality.
According to Akinlemibola, the present tariff of health insurance can no longer provide adequate health services for the people.
LN247News had reported on Tuesday that a Health HMO had flayed the proposed tariff hike.
The Managing Director, Ultimate Health HMO, Lekan Ewenla, had described as ill-timed the proposed tariff increase in the private health insurance scheme.
According to the HMO boss, the proposal by the AGPMPN is not achievable and capable of disrupting the operations of the organised private sector.
However, speaking with Pressmen in an interview, the Lagos state chairman of AGPMPN also clarified that the last time there was an increase in the tariff was 10 years ago.
“The last time there was an increase in tariff was about 10 years ago for example. That was when the capitation was increased from N500 to N750 naira.
“Look at the rate of naira depreciation from then till now. The majority of the medications are imported, the ones not imported have most of the raw materials for their productions imported,” he said.
Speaking further Akinlemibola said, “The major personnel used by providers to run the scheme, that is doctors and nurses, are hard to come by now. Where you are fortunate to get them, the remuneration required to keep them has tripled,” he explained.
Akinlemibola, however, stated that the association has the best interest of the people at heart while insisting that the health insurance scheme is still the cheapest means of accessing good health care in the country.
He urged the government and the regulatory bodies to do more to ensure the provision of quality healthcare services at all times.
Akinlemibola, however, assured the association was ready to negotiate but noted that “reason and fairness would be the watchword throughout this negotiation.”
Republican lawmakers in South Carolina introduced legislation to make it illegal for employers to ask about coronavirus vaccination status, saying it’s private medical information.
The bill’s author said the legislation is needed because unvaccinated individuals are suffering real-world consequences.
“We have people in South Carolina that are losing their jobs because they have to report to their employer that they’re unvaccinated,” bill sponsor Rep. Mike Burns told Fox News Digital. “We also have people who are having their insurance rates put in a different category. They’re charging up to an extra $100 a week more than the vaccinated people. It is absolutely insane to do this kind of thing.”
The legislation, H. 4848, was introduced on Jan. 20. The bill would make it a criminal offense for any employer, business, nonprofit or public entity to ask about someone’s COVID-19 vaccination status.
Over 33,000 have signed a petition to stop foreign institutions from demanding an English proficiency test, the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) from Nigerians.
Checks by The Nation show the petition on change.org titled “Stop asking Nigerians to write IELTS” has 33,800 signatures as at the time of filing this report.
IELTS is one of the world’s known English language tests for work, study and migration. It is an international standardised test of English language proficiency.
Annually, thousands of young Nigerian migrants take IELTS tests physically in different locations all over Nigeria as part of the requirements to secure admissions into universities overseas or work abroad.
Correspondents learnt the test costs over N80,000 per time and expires after two years.
One has to re-sit if they have not been successful with their applications for UK scholarships.
The Danish health minister, Magnus Heunicke said its government plans to lift Covid restrictions on February 1.
“I would like… Covid-19 to no longer be categorised as a disease dangerous to society as of February 1”, Heunicke wrote in a letter to lawmakers, proposing the de facto lifting of all domestic restrictions, such as mask-wearing and early closings for bars and restaurants etc.
The government’s decision, which is subject to parliamentary approval, will be the most far-reaching easing of curbs seen among the Nordic countries.
People won’t be needing to present vaccine passes upon entry of restaurants, Commuters can take the bus without having to wear a face mask and shops can lift limits on customer numbers etc.
In addition, while the number of people hospitalised with a Covid infection continues to rise, the Danish Health Authority said 35 percent of those who were actually in the hospital are for ANOTHER DIAGNOSIS.
Troops of 401 Special Forces Brigade in conjunction with 19 Brigade Baga while on offensive clearance operations between Cross kauwa and Gudumbali in Borno State have neutralised terrorists and destroyed the purported Islamic State – West Africa Province (ISWAP) Caliphate.
The achievement was recorded on Tuesday. Meanwhile, in the early hours of today 26 January 2022, troops of 25 Task Force Brigade Damboa, Borno State, destroyed and burnt identified BokoHaram/ISWAP Night Market at Gumsuri.
ISWAP is a splinter group of Boko Haram. It has been two decades since Mohammed Yusuf founded the group that became known as Boko Haram, and over a decade since its violent attacks reached the scale of an insurgency.
ISWAP terrorists align ideologically with IS, and has also adopted many of its technologies and tactics.
The global benchmark, the Brent crude oil is bullish in the London session on Wednesday, as geopolitical tensions in Europe especially and the Middle East raised supply concerns.
Both benchmarks were initially bearish in the Asian session in what was perceived as profit-taking, ahead of updates from the U.S. Federal Reserve and U.S. oil inventory data. Oil prices hit seven-year highs last week on worries that supplies could tighten due to Ukraine-Russia tensions.
U.S. President, Joe Biden stated on Tuesday he would consider personal sanctions on President Vladimir Putin if Russia invades Ukraine, while Western leaders stepped up military preparations and made plans to shield Europe from a potential energy supply shock.
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