Ground Rent Debts: We’ll step on toes, something will happen, Wike tells defaulters

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October 24, 2023

Federal Capital Territory FCT Minister, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike has warned defaulters of ground rents in the territory to immediately take steps to offset their outstanding liabilities, saying at the end of the grace period, he would match his words with actions by revoking such plots.

Wike restated this on Tuesday in Abuja at separate meetings with the President, Nigeria Union of Journalists NUJ, Chris Isiguzo and the Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, James Chrisoff.

Cautioning those who think his utterances border on the pretence of bravery, otherwise called “initial gragra” in local parlance, Wike said at the end of the ultimatum for payment, “Something will happen”.

Speaking when he received the NUJ leadership, Wike said the era of abandoned projects in the FCT was over.

He said; “Abandonment of projects as far as the FCT is concerned is a thing of the past. This would not have been possible without the president exiting us from the TSA. As I speak to you, I can tell you how much we have been able to save from the IGR. There will be continuous funding of FCTA projects”.

On ground rents, the minister said; “Some people are saying what we are doing is ‘initial gragra’, but I want to say that at the end of the day, something will happen. We will step on toes because you cannot have governance without stepping on toes. I did not make the laws but I and my colleague, the Minister of State have the political will to enforce the laws”.

Earlier, Isiguzo expressed optimism about what he called “the transformational potentials of your leadership in the FCT”.

He also requested the Minister’s support in the establishment of a Media Village as well as the forthcoming national media conference.

Receiving the Canadian top diplomat, Wike assured foreign missions and other investors of improved security in the territory, saying security agencies were working daily to ensure that security is full-proof on the nation’s capital.

Reps invite CBN governor over plans to lift forex restriction on 43 items imported items

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Mana Balagbogbo

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October 24, 2023

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The House of Representatives has resolved to invite the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) over the bank’s decision to lift the restriction on forex supply on 43 imported items. The decision was sequel to a unanimous adoption of a motion by Rep. Sada Soli (APC-Katsina state) at plenary on Tuesday.

Some of the items include rice, cement, margarine, palm kernel, palm oil products, vegetable oils, meat and processed meat products, poultry and processed poultry products, tinned fish in sauce (Geisha)/sardine, cold rolled steel sheets, galvanized steel sheets among others.

Moving the motion, Soli recalled that the CBN imposed the restrictions in June 2015 to conserve the foreign exchange reserves and promote local production of certain goods, including about 11 food items.

He recalled that on Oct. 12, the apex bank announced, among other issues, the lift on FOREX restrictions hitherto placed on 43 items. According to him, some of the items have tariffs to protect local industries, as they are part of the imports prohibition list.

Soli expressed concern that the decision of the bank will greatly affect local production of items such as rice, cement, and palm oil among others. The lawmaker said that it will force local manufacturers to hold the short end of the stick, leading to factory closure and ultimately eroding capacity to build the country’s local economy.

“Almost all the 43 items are from two critical sectors which have been identified by all policy documents from NEEDS, SEEDS to Vision 2022 as being areas that are critical to economic diversification.

“Worried that some of the listed items enjoy 60 to 70 per cent subsidy from their countries of origin, thus putting Nigeria’s local products at a comparative disadvantage and without any protection, and will lead to job losses and social exclusion;

“Also worried that the benefit of the cheaper imported inputs as stated by the CBN will give undue advantage to middlemen to drive the economy, which is inimical to our economic growth and not suitable to the current unified FOREX market in the country.

“Further worried that Nigeria will not be competitive in the African Continental Free Trade Area if our markets are flooded with imported finished goods.

“The decision followed the rising food inflation in the country which has significantly impacted the economy and the purchasing power of consumers in the country,” he said.

Soli said that lifting of the FOREX restriction on the importation of 43 items may not have meaningful impact on the rising food inflation as a result of soaring exchange rate.

In his ruling, the Speaker of the House, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas pursuant to Section 8 (4) (a) (b) and Section 5 (b) of the CBN Act, 2007 said that the CBN governor should be invited.

He mandated the Committees on Customs and Finance to interface with the governor to explain reasons for the decision.

Regulatory, Fiscal Incentives in PIA will be Seamless

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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October 24, 2023

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Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, has assured that the regulatory and fiscal incentives produced by the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) would be seamlessly delivered to boost investments in the gas industry.

Ekpo also pledged improved gas supply for industrial, power, transportation and domestic uses and the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) plant in Bonny, Rivers State.

In a statement, the Spokesman for the Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Gas), Louis Ibah, said Ekpo, spoke at the Third Biennial International Conference on Hydrocarbon Science and Technology (ICHST) 2023 in Abuja, Monday.

The Nigerian LNG plant operate below its installed capacity due to gas supply issues, adding that the local gas market has been grossly under-tapped due to infrastructural and pricing issues, says the spokesman.

FG Grants First Oil Exploration Licence Under PIA

He listed some of the factors stifling effective gas utilisation for exports and local consumption to include inadequate infrastructure, sabotage of crude oil and gas pipelines, unclear regulatory environment and inability to optimise value from the country’s abundant gas reserves.

“The ministry has identified these challenges and is working assiduously with the Ministry of Petroleum Resources (Oil) to ensure the security of supply to the NLNG plants and increasing gas penetration and utilisation by local users for power, transportation, industrial and domestic purposes,” Ekpo said.

He further explained that the Ministry of Petroleum Resources (Gas) is also working with relevant regulatory agencies like the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) to ensure that the robust regulatory and fiscal incentives produced by the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) are seamlessly delivered.

Ekpo urged experts and stakeholders in the industry to focus on tackling the issues of energy transition, sustainability and security to guarantee that Nigeria maximises the value of its abundant gas resources while ensuring access to affordable, sustainable energy for all citizens.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

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Olasunbo Okoromi

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October 24, 2023

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October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a yearly initiative to increase public understanding of this challenging disease. Every year, groups of people, organizations, and towns come together to support the many people suffering from breast cancer. The theme of this year’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month is Thrive365.

Experts say, the incidence of breast cancer, the most common cancer among women worldwide, has increased in Nigeria and currently makes up around 23% of all new cancer cases in the country.

According to Cancer.Net, Breast Cancer is the most prevalent disease diagnosed globally, female breast cancer has now surpassed lung cancer. In 2020, there were reportedly 2,261,419 new cases of breast cancer in women worldwide.

Breast cancer is the type of cancer that affects more women in the United States than any other, with the exception of skin cancer. Every year, 1 in 3 new cases of female cancer are caused by the condition.

It is anticipated, in the United States, that 297,790 women will receive an invasive breast cancer diagnosis in 2023, while 55,720 women will receive an non-invasive breast cancer diagnosis. Since the middle of the 2000s, invasive breast cancer in women has grown by about 0.5 percent annually. This is probably brought on by an increase in general female obesity, a decline in fertility rates, and a rise in the average age of first pregnancies. Invasive breast cancer will be identified in 2,800 men in the United States in 2023, according to estimates.

Currently, in the U.S, there are more than 3.8 million women who have breast cancer or have survived it.

In 2023, it is expected that there will be 43,700 breast cancer-related fatalities in the United States alone with 43,170 women and 530 men. Female breast cancer is the sixth most common cause of mortality in the world. In 2020, an estimated 684,996 women across the world died from breast cancer.

When it comes to the rate of survival for breast cancer, Doctors can assess a patient’s likelihood of surviving breast cancer using a variety of statistics. These are referred to as survival rates. The relative survival rate is a particular kind of survival statistic. It is frequently used to forecast potential life expectancy effects of cancer. The relative survival rate examines the likelihood that someone with breast cancer would live a specific amount of time following their first diagnosis or the beginning of therapy in comparison to the anticipated survival of individuals with similar characteristics who do not have this cancer.

Every five years, experts measure the relative survival rate statistics for breast cancer. This means that the estimate might not account for improvements in breast cancer diagnosis or treatment made during the previous five years.

Hence, the need to follow the three pillars of action for achieving mortality reduction which are:

Health Promotion for Early Detection: Public health education to improve awareness of the signs and symptoms, and of the importance of early detection and treatment.

Timely Diagnosis: Public and Health Worker education on signs and symptoms of early breast cancer so women are referred to diagnostic services when appropriate.

Comprehensive Breast Cancer Management: Because cancer management requires some level of specialized care, establishing centralized services, treatment for breast cancer can be optimized.

To Reduce the Risk of Breast Cancer, here are useful tips to consider:

Maintain a healthy weight

Stay physically active

Avoid harmful use of alcohol

Breastfeed your Baby

Quit tobacco use and avoiding exposure to tobacco smoke

Avoid prolonged use of hormones

Avoid excessive exposure to radiation

Onyenezide Replaces Ayinde In Super Falcons Squad For Ethiopia Clash

By

Emenike Agu

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October 24, 2023

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Falconets midfielder Esther Onyenezide will replace Halimatu Ayinde in Nigeria’s Super Falcons squad for the Paris 2024 Olympics Qualifier Vs Ethiopia.

A Super Falcons delegation of home-based players and technical and backroom staff from Nigeria flew into Addis Ababa on Sunday, October 22.

Nigeria will face Ethiopia in Wednesday’s first leg encounter at the Abebe Bekila Stadium in Addis Ababa.

The Super Falcons will host the second leg of the second-round fixture at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abuja on Tuesday, 31st October 2023.

To reach this round, Ethiopia’s Lucy whitewashed the Chadian Women’s National team 10-0 on aggregate in the first round while the Super Falcons were drawn bye in recognition of their place as the continents best female national team.

Aside the replaced Halimatu Ayinde, Midfielder Regina Otu, who missed the FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in Australia and New Zealand in the summer, and defender Osinachi Ohale who plays for Pachuca FC of Mexico, have been ruled out of the fixture.

Another World Cup star, Christy Ucheibe, of Portuguese club SL Benfica, is also out of the encounter.

The winner on aggregate will face the winner of the fixture between Cameroon and Uganda.

The Indomitable Lionesses drew a bye, while Uganda overpowered Rwanda 4-3 on aggregate in the previous round.

At New Maracana Stadium, Minister Canvasses Support For Grassroots Development

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Emenike Agu

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October 24, 2023

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New Maracana Stadium, Ajegunle, Lagos State

Sports Development Minister, John Owan Enoh, has called for more private sector participation in the provision of facilities nationwide, saying that the Federal Government would support every initiative supporting the development of the nation’s sports sector.

The minister, who was thrilled by facilities at the new-look Maracana Stadium, Ajegunle, Lagos State, at the weekend, said the current administration would enter into private-public sector partnerships with individuals or organisations eager to contribute to the growth of the sector.

The Minister, who toured the facility alongside the Oniru of Iru, HRH Abdulwasiu Omogbbolahan Lawal; Chairman, Ajeromi Ifelodun Council, Fatai Ayoola; Olu of Iwa and Apapa kingdom, Oba Mohammadu Oluwa; Lagos State Commissioner of Youth and Social Development, Mobolaji Ogunlende, as well as the chairman of the Nathaniel Idowu Foundation, Chief Yemi Idowu and other dignitaries, described the edifice as a showcase of what sports should be.

He said: “The Maracana Sports Complex, for me, is both a showpiece and a showcase and this is the way our sports should go. I now understand why people kept talking about this place.

“It’s also quite astonishing that you can find something positive, something that you can showcase to the rest of the country located here at Ajegunle; it speaks volume”.

“This shows what you can achieve by having sufficient will, commitment and passion. I have been told that this place used to be a dumpsite. So, there’s a lot about here. Not just the fact that it is in Ajegunle but located in a former dumpsite.

“I have seen so many kids here today. I mean this complex provides an opportunity for young kids to come to engage, be happy and to play goodwill. This is the future for our sports development policy, and I thank Yemi Idowu, I thank the chairman of this Local Government, who has been very supportive.

“When we talk about promoting Private Public Partnerships, this is it. I have been told how the Lagos State government has provided the enabling environment to get this happen. So, when you have the government making things happen and you find willing people who have passion to develop the sport, this is what you find,” the minister said.

In his remarks, HRH Abdulwasiu Omogbbolahan Lawal, whose idea it was to site the complex in Ajegunle, commended the Nathaniel Idowu Foundation for keying into the idea, while also eulogising the minister for visiting the edifice.

Also speaking on the complex, Yemi Idowu, whose foundation, Nathaniel Idowu Foundation, sponsored the reconstruction of the facility, commended the host community for supporting the project.
“We are grateful to have the Sports Minister here and all the dignitaries. Ajegunle is a lovely place and I’m so proud we have this facility here. I love Ajegunle and the reason we chose here is because Ajegunle has got the heartbeat and the children are here.

“They are ready and they have received us. The Royal father, the local government. Everyone has been part of this and that is why it had to be Ajegunle. We are on a long journey and this is the beginning. We’ve got infrastructure for football in place, there’s the hostels. Other facilities like the swimming pool, table tennis, tennis and basketball will come on board.

“We will have a recreation hall, a canteen, kitchen and all of these are still coming. We believe that the more we have such facilities inside here, the less social vices we will have outside,” Idowu said.

26 Clubs Chase Laurels As NBBF Men’s Premier League Begins In Four Cities

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Emenike Agu

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October 24, 2023

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The delayed 2023 NBBF Premier Basketball League dunked off in four cities at the weekend with 26 clubs fighting for Final Eight tickets.

The host cities are Abuja, Asaba, Lafia and Ibadan. 14 of the clubs are in the Savannah Conference, while 12 are in the Atlantic Conference. Each of the conferences are divided into A and B.

In Group based in Abuja are Kano Pillars, Nigeria Customs, Nigeria Army, Niger Potters, Nile University, Bauchi Nets and Kada Stars, while Group B comprises Benue Braves, Correctional, Gboko City Chiefs, Gombe Bulls, Mark Mentors, NSCDC Defenders and Plateau Peaks. They are playing in Lafia.

In Asaba are Rivers Hoopers, Delta Force, Police Batons, Lagos Legends and Lagos Raptors, while defending champions, Kwara Falcons, are in the Ibadan centre alongside Hoops and Reads, Lagos Islanders, Impressions, Comets, Ondo Raiders, Invaders and Oluyole Warriors in Ibadan.

Lagos Legends and Delta Force will open the competition in the Asaba centre with the game between Lagos Raptors and Police Batons coming immediately after.

The matches of the Ibadan centre began at the weekend with defending champions, Kwara Falcons, defeating Comets 60-55, just as Hoops and Reads beat Ondo Raiders 78-49, while Oluyole Warriors edged out Impressions 48-42 points.
The top two teams in each of the groups will advance to the Final Eight in Lagos next month.

The winner of the 2023 NBBF Premier League will represent Nigeria at the 2024 Basketball Africa League (BAL) in Kigali, Rwanda.

Exploring Ras Bir Beach In Djibouti

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Angel Gimalo

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October 23, 2023

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Ras Bir Beach is a small secluded beach that is located in the vicinity of the small port town of Obock on the northern shore of the Gulf of Tadjoura, in the northeastern part of the Republic of Djibouti.

The beach itself might not be that famous, however, there are no people that would be swimming in the sea, and in addition it is surrounded by tall cliffs that give an impressive and unique landscape view.

At one part of the beach, there is very nice sand beach where people could go in for a dip in the turquoise water, while on the other one are several small huts accompanied by a larger one where the locals can sit and hide from the scorching sun.

Also Read: https://ln247.news/fifa-museum-presents-new-exhibition-designing-the-beautiful-game/

Even though people are just stopping by here on their way to the Ras Bir Lighthouse which is just down the road, it must be noted that during sunsets here, the water color is quite interesting as it changes colors when the sun is slowly setting behind the hills.

Always Visit: http://www.ln247.news

All in all, it might not be worth spending entire day at Ras Bir Beach, but it is definitely worth seeing the other side of Djibouti that not a lot of people could experience while visiting this secluded country at the horn of Africa.

MORE ABOUT DJIBOUTI…

Djibouti, officially the Republic of Djibouti, is a country in the Horn of Africa, bordered by Somali to the south, Ethiopia to the southwest, Eritrea in the north, and the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden to the east.

The country has an area of 23,200 km2 (8,958 sq mi).

In antiquity, the territory, together with Ethiopia, Eritrea and Somaliland, was part of the Land of Punt. Nearby Zeila, now in Somaliland, was the seat of the medieval Adal and Ifat Sultanates.

In the late 19th century, the colony of French Somaliland was established after the ruling Dir Somali sultans signed treaties with the French, and its railroad to Dire Dawa (and later Addis Ababa) allowed it to quickly supersede Zeila as the port for southern Ethiopia and the Ogaden.

It was renamed the French Territory of the Afars and the Issas in 1967.

A decade later, the Djiboutian people voted for independence.

This officially marked the establishment of the Republic of Djibouti, named after its capital city.

The new state joined the United Nations in its first year.

Live Camera Update For 300 Roads Launched In Lagos

By

Angel Gimalo

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October 22, 2023

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The Lagos State Governor, Mr Jidesanwoolu, has launched the lagostraffic961 ‘Live Camera Update’ Project at the station’s premises, Radio House, Lateef Jakande Road, Agidingbi, Ikeja.

The ‘Live Camera Update’ will cover over 300 roads and highways in the state (in the first instance and up to 3000 later) and will also help in capturing happenings in Lagos which is in line with the Lagos Smart City project.

Also read: https://ln247.news/exploring-nigerias-capital-city-abuja/

This project is aimed at delivering timely, accurate, detailed and above all real-time traffic information to the motoring public and commuters within and outside the State.

The Governor was represented by the Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi.

How Will This Work?

Traffic surveillance cameras work by using a combination of image capture and video recording technologies.

These cameras are strategically placed at various locations on roads and highways to monitor and record traffic conditions in real-time.

Image capture technology involves the use of high-resolution cameras that capture still images of the traffic scene.

These cameras are equipped with lenses that can zoom in and out to capture clear images of vehicles, license plates, and other relevant details.

The cameras are often equipped with infrared sensors to ensure visibility in low-light conditions.

Video recording technology is also employed to capture continuous footage of the traffic flow.

This involves the use of cameras that record video at a specific frame rate, typically 30 frames per second.

The recorded video can be stored locally on the camera or transmitted to a central monitoring station for further analysis.

In recent years, there have been advancements in traffic surveillance camera technology.

For example, some cameras now have built-in artificial intelligence capabilities that can automatically detect and track vehicles, pedestrians, and other objects of interest.

This allows for more efficient monitoring and analysis of traffic patterns.

Furthermore, some cameras are equipped with advanced analytics software that can detect and alert authorities to specific events, such as accidents, traffic congestion, or suspicious activities.

This helps in improving response times and overall traffic management.

Overall, traffic surveillance cameras play a crucial role in monitoring and managing traffic conditions.

They provide valuable data for traffic engineers, law enforcement agencies, and city planners to make informed decisions and improve the efficiency and safety of road networks.

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Lagos Smart City

The Smart City project is led by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, assisted by several individuals and organizations in both the public and private sectors.

The government has assigned a budget of 250 million nairas (around $640,000) toward research on tech infrastructure in Lagos.

This will be under the management of the Lagos State Science, Research and Innovation Council, which will invest in fields such as AI, robotics, biomedical informatics and sustainable energy.

The Smart City project aims for multi-level integration, with the government providing funds and direction for the private sector.

This strategy aims to improve tech infrastructure in Lagos and increase the city’s productivity.

Enyimba FC Vs Wydad Casablanca: Africa Football League Quater-final First Leg Preview

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Emenike Agu

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October 22, 2023

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Nigerian club, Enyimba FC will lock horns vs Wydad Casablanca of Morocco in a Africa Football League quater-final first leg clash on Sunday, October 22.

TIME: That match will kick-off by 7pm

VENUE: The 30000 capacity, Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo the Akwa Ibom State capital is venue for the Enyimba FC Vs Wydad Casablanca showdown.

Enyimba FC have adopted the nearby venue for it’s Africa Football League campaign after it’s home ground in Aba fell short of approved standard.

FORM GUIDE: The People’s Elephants have had a poor start to the 2023/2024 season, with one win in their last four games in all competitions.

The Nigeria Premier Football League champions were knocked out of the CAF Competition by Al Ahly Benghazi on (4-3) aggregate, while their domestic campaign has yielded one win in two games. A 3-2 win over Akwa United FC of Uyo on whose home ground they will face Wydad on Sunday evening.

Enyimba Aba are one of the most successful teams in Africa and are well prepared to take on the best team in Morocco.

For Wydad Casablanca, their pedigree as three-time African Champion plus twenty-two domestic league titles makes them a giant in Africa.

Just months ago, the Moroccan club failed to retain the CAF Champions League last season as they were overthrown by Al Ahly.

Wydad Casablanca have lost once since the season began, scoring thirteen times while conceding four goals

The Red Castle are a very organized and disciplined team, and with their recent performances, they’ll definitely give Enyimba FC a good game in Uyo.

WHAT HAS BEEN SAID: Both teams have talked tough ahead of the match which is the third game of the maiden Africa Football League campaign.

Enyimba FC Head Coach, Finidi George says his players are not under pressure and so will do their best to make the fans proud.

For the visitors, the fact that no home team has won in the AFL yet is enough boost to play their game against the People’s Elephants, according to their Coach, ‘ Wydad is ready for the Enyimba FC challenge ‘.

PREDICTION TIPS: The Elephants have just a win in their last four, while Wydad Casablanca have been in blistering form, scoring three times in each of their last three games.

Despite their slow start to the season, Enyimba are cut out for games like this. They will likely dominate this fixture; however, the Red Castle are not one of the sides to be intimidated on the road.

The Elephants conceded twice in their most recent game, and we are confident they won’t be able to shut out the visitors so expect both teams to score in a match that could go either way.