Argentina 2023: Gusau Charges Flying Eagles To Go For Semi-Final Ticket

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June 4, 2023

Israel produced one of the biggest wins in its football history on Saturday, stunning Brazil 3-2 in extra time to qualify for the semi-finals of the Under-20 World Cup.

A tightly contested encounter saw Israel come back from behind twice before grabbing the shock victory through Dor Turgeman’s brilliant solo strike.The Israelis will face either Uruguay or the United States in the semi-finals.

After a scoreless first half at the Bicentenario stadium, Brazil, five-times winners of the tournament, broke through in the 56th minute on Marcos Leonardo’s superbly-taken, first-time left-foot shot.

Anan Khalaili brought Israel level, rising at the back post to angle home a header from a pinpoint El Yam Kancepolski cross in the 60th minute, delighting a largely pro-Israel crowd in the stands.

But Israel’s hopes dimmed just 20 seconds into extra time, when Andrey Santos set up Matheus Nascimento to restore Brazil’s lead.

Just two minutes later, however, Hamza Shibli equalized, tapping in a low ball from Ilay Feingold at the back post to make it 2-2.

The decisive goal came, near the end of the first period of extra-time, when Turgeman collected the ball on the edge of the box, jinked cleverly past two defenders and then fired past Kaique Pereira.

Ilay Madmon and Ahmad Ibrahim would both miss penalties for Israel in the second period of extra-time, but Ofir Haim’s side were able to hold on.

“When I was a kid, I used to play a lot in the neighbourhood, outside my house and I used to always try to pull off things like that, so I think the goal came from there,” said Turgeman.

“I’m really thrilled and proud of it. I’m so emotional. I’m very happy that I’ve made all Israelis happy. This is huge for my country. It’s unbelievable.”

Brazil were fancied by many pundits to continue their excellent record in this tournament and Tay Abed said they knew the odds were stacked against them.

“We knew before the game that nobody was giving us a chance, But we believed in ourselves. Brazil are a fantastic team, one of the best in this tournament. But we went out to play with our hearts, play with passion,” he said.

Abded said the Israeli team now believed they could go all the way.

“We’re taking it step by step,” said Abed. “We’ve now reached the semi-finals. If we keep playing like this, with the passion and the heart, we can do it,” he said.

Israel are the first debutants to reach the semi-finals of a FIFA Under-20 World Cup since Senegal in 2015.

The senior Israeli national team has only once qualified for the World Cup finals, going out in the group stage in the 1970 World Cup in Mexico.

Nigeria Vs Korea Marks 40th Anniversary Of Flying Eagles At U20 World Cup

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June 4, 2023

4 June 1983: Monterrey – Soviet Union 0-1 Nigeria
4 June 2023: Santiago – Korea Rep ?-? Nigeria

It is on this day 40 years ago that the Flying Eagles defeated the Soviet Union in Monterrey in the U20 World Cup. It was also Nigeria’s first outing in a FIFA organised tournament as the featuring at the 1968 and that of 1980 Olympics were under the auspices of the IOC.

Symbolically, the Nigeria – Korea Republic quarter-final duel at the Santiago del Estero Stadium offers a perfect anniversary package.

It will be the Flying Eagles’ 61^st match in the series as the 2-0 defeat of Argentina was Nigeria’s milestone 60^th match.

Man City Defeats Manchester United 2-1 To Win FA Cup

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June 4, 2023

Gundogan’s two perfect volleys hand Manchester City the second trophy of the season as they chase a historic treble

The double is in Manchester City’s kitty, courtesy of two goals from captain Ilkay Gundogan . The German midfielder scored his first after just 16 seconds on the clock and the second on 51 minutes, both wonderfully executed volleys.

His first was with his right foot, which made history as the fastest-ever opening goal in an FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium, and the second was with his left foot.

Erik Ten Hag gave Fred a starting berth while Pep Guardiola continued with Stefan Ortega in goal for the league champions, and the German goalkeeper created the first goal. A long ball was helped on by Erling Haaland, and despite Raphael Varane’s attempted headed clearance, the ball fell perfectly for Gundogan, whose volley left David de Gea stranded. And what a goal it was!

United midfielder Casemiro could have been in trouble in the 12th minute, but his stamp on Manuel Akanji, which VAR checked, was deemed no offence.

Haaland sent a fierce drive over the United goal as City sought a second goal. But United got lucky when Aaron Wan Bissaka’s header was adjudged to have been handballed by Jack Grealish.

Referee Paul Tierney did not blow for any infringement but was called to the monitor some moments later, and after his observations, he gave United a penalty.

Captain Bruno Fernandes calmly rolled the ball past Ortega for the equaliser. The rules of the game say, “A player is considered to have made their body unnaturally bigger when the position of their hand or arm is not a consequence of, or justifiable by, the player’s body movement for that specific situation.” Grealish did that to thwart a goal-scoring move.

It was against the run of play, but United had grown back into the game at that stage with Marcus Rashford getting more on the ball.

The second half was just five minutes gone when Fred gave away a free kick near the box, and Kevin De Bruyne found Gundogan, who executed another fantastic volley to beat De Gea. Ten Hag sent on Alejandro Garnacho, Wout Weghorst, and Scott McTominay, as they chased the equaliser.

They almost got it two minutes into added time when Varane’s header was scrambled off the line for a corner kick. United finally ran out of time as City won the second of three trophies on their horizon. Guardiola has so much gratitude to offer to Gundogan, the late season ‘Zidane’, who has scored six goals in his last six City appearances.

What is now left in the season is the UEFA Champions League final, as they confront Inter Milan next Saturday in Istanbul.

Oshoala Wins Second Champions League Trophy With Barcelona

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June 4, 2023

Oshoala was not available to face Wolfsburg through injury, but the Nigerian star did enough with five Champions League goals to aid in winning the title

Though Azizat Oshoala was not in action for Saturday’s final, she joined her Barcelona teammates to celebrate another UEFA Champions League title.

FC Barcelona Femini beat Wolfsburg 3-2 in the UEFA Champions League final at the Philips Stadion in Eindhoven, Netherlands, on Saturday to make it two titles in three years for the Spanish club.

Unlike their first Champions League title, which they won emphatically, Barcelona had to dig deep this time to be crowned queens of Europe.

The game unfolded dramatically, with the Catalans conceding first in the third minute of the game before Wolfsburg doubled their lead in the 37th minute.

Barcelona created chance after chance, but inexplicably, they could not convert them.

Comeback

They, however, hit the right note in the second half; pulling one goal back just three minutes after the restart.

Patricia Guijarro kicked off the revival for Barcelona with a crucial goal. Moments after the first goal, Guijarro brought the Blaugranas back to level with another goal in the 50th minute.

Fridolina Rolfo then scored what proved to be the winning goal in the 70th minute, courtesy of an assist from Mariona Caldentey.

This year’s final was the first before a sold-out crowd in the history of the Women’s Champions League and attracted the biggest crowd ever to a women’s soccer match played in the Netherlands.

Trophies galore

Before this latest feat, Barca had already been crowned La Liga champions once again this season, winning 29 out of 31 games, and scoring 118 goals.

Oshoala and her teammates also won the Spanish Super Cup, defeating Real Sociedad 0-3 in the final.

Though the injured Oshoala was not available to face Wolfsburg, the Nigerian star had done well enough with five Champions League goals this season.

In the league, Oshoala, even though she was hampered by injuries, still scored 21 goals.

The goals scored by Oshoala this term in the domestic and Champions League are her best tallies since joining the Spanish giants.

NPFL Super-Six Day 1: Rivers United Take Early Lead

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June 4, 2023

The victory recorded by Stanley Eguma’s men was the only one on the opening day of action

Defending champions Rivers United have started brightly at the ongoing NPFL Super Six Playoff in Lagos as they piped Sunshine Stars 1-0 at the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Complex on Saturday.

The victory recorded by Stanley Eguma’s men was the only one on the opening day of action as the two other fixtures ended in stalemates.

Rivers United took centre stage after the explosive encounter between Enyimba and Remo Stars ended in a 2-2 draw.

Like the earlier game before theirs, the Rivers United and Sunshine Stars tie also failed to produce any goal in the first half.

However, in the second half, Rivers United were handed a lifeline when they were awarded what looked like a soft penalty.

Mark Gibson was adjudged to have been brought down in the box and it was defender Chidiebube Duru who took the kick.

Duru sent the keeper the wrong way in the 63rd minute to give the reigning champions the breakthrough.

While Sunshine Stars came close to an equaliser on a number of occasions, Rivers United held on to their slim advantage until the final whistle.

Bendel Insurance and Lobi Stars played out a barren draw during the day’s last fixture.

Five goals were scored on the opening day of action at the Super-Six playoffs.

As already stated, the first and second-placed teams at the end of the playoffs will represent Nigeria in the CAF Champions League, while the third-placed team will get a ticket to the Confederations Cup.

MATCHDAY 1 Results:

* Enyimba 2-2 Remo Stars.

* Rivers Utd 1-0 Sunshine Stars.

* Bendel Insurance 0-0 Lobi Stars.

Table

1. Rivers Utd – 3pts

2. Lobi Stars – 1pt

3. Enyimba – 1pt

4. Remo Stars – 1pt

5. Insurance – 1pt

6. Sunshine – 0pt.–

FG Sets Age Limit to National Common Entrance Exams

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June 3, 2023

NECO Re-Schedules 2023 Common Entrance Exams

The federal government of Nigeria has issued strict measures to prevent underage children from participating in the National Common Entrance Examination (NCEE) for admission into all the federal unity colleges of the country.

Permanent secretary at the federal ministry of education, David Adejo gave the directive on Saturday, June 3, 2023 in Abuja while monitoring the conduct of the NCEE into the 110 federal government colleges across the country.

Adejo in his statement explained that the government has directed the National Examinations Council (NECO) to put strict measures in place to prevent underage children from registering for the examination, including making birth certificate compulsory as a registration requirement.

He maintained that it was unacceptable for candidates less than eleven years to take the examination. He insists that to get into secondary school, a child should be at least 12 years old.

“This year, I have advice for parents and I beg you, take this advice to any single home you know. We are killing our children by allowing underage children to write the common entrance examination,” he said.

Furthermore, he said; “I saw children that I know that are not up to 10, and three of them accepted that they are nine years old. We are doing many things; one, we are teaching the children the wrong values. Education is not about passing exams. Education is teaching, learning and character formation.

I beg the parents, let these children do the exams when they should. We don’t get value by pushing your child too far. Most of the times if a child starts too early, he or she will have problems later in life.”

He reiterated that education is designed in such a way that at any particular stage in a child’s life, there are messages his or brain can take and understand and be able to use.

Hence, according to him, parents by allowing their underage children to write such examinations are encouraging education that is just reliant on reading textbooks and passing examinations.

“We are getting to a stage where education is what you can use your knowledge to do for the society. You put a small child to go through all the rigours, by the time he finishes secondary, getting to university becomes a problem.

I had that experience with a friend. Till date that friend did not get into a university, simply because he was put into school earlier than the age that he was supposed to be put into school.

Let our children get to an appropriate age before writing this exam and we are going to make sure NECO puts in place appropriate checks.

“We didn’t want to get to where we will say bring a birth certificate but that is the stage we are going to now. When registering, also upload the child’s birth certificate, so that at our own end, we are able to cut some of these things,” he said.

Meanwhile, the permanent secretary revealed that a total of 72,821 candidates sat for the examination held on Saturday.

Tinubu To Improve Welfare, Security of Nigerians

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June 3, 2023

Minimum Wage: Pres. Tinubu Promises A Review

President Bola Tinubu has stated that his administration will focus on improving the welfare and security of Nigerians by implementing economic policies that prioritise the needs of the people.

The president made this known at a meeting with the Progressive Governors Forum, led by its chairman, Gov. Hope Uzodinma of Imo, at the State House on Friday in Abuja.

Tinubu said that the federal and state governments would work together on the minimum wage review.

He also encouraged the governors to use their positions to make a positive impact on the lives of the people, recognising that they were chosen among millions of citizens in their respective states.

“This meeting is not strange to me, and the content of the meeting is so valuable. The camaraderie is very stimulating. This is about the Nigerian project, not Bola Tinubu,’’

He also mentioned that the various exchange rates would be consolidated, emphasising that governance is a continuous process.

“I have inherited the assets and liabilities of my predecessor.

“As progressives and thinkers under the umbrella of the All Progressives Congress, you have a role to play in educating our people and making sure we manage ourselves,’’ the President said.

He lauded the APC feat of having a majority in the National Assembly and some Houses of Assembly, saying, ‘’It will make it easier to develop policies that will directly impact the economy and the people.”

“If we work together, the Nigeria of our dreams is not far away. Rest assured that we will not have multiple exchange rates anymore. You asked for this meeting, and I had to set aside time to be here.

“We have a political party that we will need to manage, whichever way, we have inherited assets and liabilities, and we cannot complain,’’ he stated.

Tinubu expressed his willingness to maintain an open-door policy, which would enable him to attend to issues, deliberate, and collaboratively find solutions to the challenges faced by the country.

“It is in our hands, and I am ready to work and listen at any time,’’ he added.

Vice President Kashim Shettima urged the governors to support the president as he addresses economic challenges, such as the oil subsidy and various exchange rates.

“Let us rally around the President and not bulge. There are vested interests that may want to resist the subsidy removal. Its removal will free resources for the development of your states,” he added.

Earlier, Uzodinma pledged the support of the PGF to the President, recognising that the initial decisions already portend good intentions for the economy.

“We are here today as members of the APC to fraternise with you as our leader, and congratulate you on your election as President, and Commander-in-Chief.

“We are using this opportunity to express our support for you at this trying time in our history,’’ he said.

He also acknowledged that the President has started well by prioritising the economy and the welfare of the people, with a genuine purpose. He also expressed confidence in the President’s ability and excellent track record.

Police Presents N61 M To Deceased Officers’ Families

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June 3, 2023

Police Arrest Notorious Kidnapper In Nasarawa

The Nasarawa State command of the Nigeria Police Force, has presented cheques worth N61 million to families of officers who died on duty in the state.

In a statement made available to our correspondent in Lafia on Saturday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ramhan Nansel, he said the Commissioner of Police, Maiyaki Baba, presented the cheques on behalf of the Inspector-General of Police, Alkali Baba.

According to the statement, a total of 106 deceased officers’ families benefitted from the gesture.

The statement reads, “The Commissioner of Police, Maiyaki Baba has presented cheques on behalf of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Alkali Usman Baba, psc (+), NPM, NEAPS, fdc, CFR, to the families of decease Police officers/officers who sustained injuries in the course of discharging their duty, and urged them to judiciously use the money to better their lives.

“The cheques presented worth sixty one million, twenty two thousand, sixty three naira, sixty nine kobo (#61, 022, 063, 69) to one hundred and six (106) families of Police operatives who died while in active service.

“The gesture is an initiative of the Inspector-General of Police IGP Family welfare scheme, Group Personal Accident and Group Life Assurance aimed at improving living standard of the families of Police operatives that lost their lives in the line of duty and Police personnel who sustained varying degree of injuries in the course of the discharge of their duties.

“While presenting the cheques, the Commissioner of Police sympathized with the beneficiaries and appreciated the Inspector-General of Police for his love, service to humanity and his contribution to support the families of officers’ who died in active service and officers who sustained injury as a result of accident or any inherent hazard of the police job that was experienced in the course of discharging their duties.”

Petrol: IPMAN Rejects New NNPCL Prices

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June 3, 2023