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Wednesday, June 26, 2019

LIVE: Nigeria Vs Guinea

LIVE: Nigeria Vs Guinea

Published: June 26, 2019
LIVE: Nigeria Vs Guinea

Hoping that Super Eagles of Nigeria will become the first team to qualify for the knockout stage at the 32nd Africa Cup of Nations staged in Egypt should they secure all three points against Syli Nationale of Guinea.
1’ — Guinea Kick off Guinea gets the game underway.
2’ — Akpeyi makes save Half Chance! Akpeyi is forced to an early save
3’ — Blocked! Iwobi's shot is blocked Alex Iwobi is found in the box but his shot is blocked from close range.
6’ — Ighalo fluffs his line Ahmed Musa embarks on a dashing run in the left flank and finds Ighalo in the box but his first touch is poor and the goalkeeper gathers.
10’ — BIG CHANCE for Guinea Naby Keita plays a defense splitting pass to Sory Kaba but Balogun covers up well and makes the tackle. Nice tackle by the defender. Few seconds later, Akpeyi gathers well from a Kamano shot
15’ — Both teams beginning to settle into the game after a nervy start After 15 minutes played, the score line still remains 0-0
20’ — Free-kick to Guinea goes just inches high Kamano with a curling strike but it goes inches high and doesn’t trouble Akpeyi
24’ — Half Chance! Aina strikes from yards out Ola Aina fires from yards out but his effort is easily gathered by the Guinea goalkeeper
27’ — Yellow card to Falette for a foul on Ighalo Guinea's Falette is booked for a foul on Odion Ighalo
32’ — BIG CHANCE! Ighalo misses after a pass from Moses Simon
What a chance! Nigeria get the first big chance of the game as Moses Simon plays Odion Ighalo through on goal. The striker fires into the side net when he could have passed to Ahmed Musa who was free.
37’ — Chance! Iwobi forces a save from Ibrahim Kone Alex Iwobi with a fierce shot from the edge of the box but Guinea goalkeeper Ibrahim Kone is equal to the task as he parries it away to safety
40’ — Half chance for Guinea! Akpeyi gathers well Ibrahima Cisse with a fierce shot from distance but Akepyi gathers well.
45’ — One Minute of added time to be played 
One minute of added time to be played and once again Naby Keita is down again but he gets up and looks fine to continue.
45’ — Half time: Nigeria 0-0 Guinea
The referee signals the end of the first half. Both teams have created chances with Ighalo coming close for Nigeria and Sory Kaba going close for Guina. Still all to play for in the second half.
46’ — Second half gets underway Nigeria gets the second half underway with Odion Ighalo
46’ — Second half gets underway Nigeria gets the second half underway with Odion Ighalo
47’ — Penalty appeal for Nigeria! Moses Simon appeals for a penalty after he claims his cross hit Sylla's hand but the referee waves play on.
48’ — For the third time in this match, Naby Keita is down again with an injury Again, Naby Keita is down and needs treatment. This will be the third time he will be needing medical attention. He looks good to continue the game though.
50’ — Nigeria with sleek passes Nigeria showcase high level of sleek passes in the edge of Guinea box but Ighalo's attempt to find Musa is intercepted by the Guineans. That's better from the Super Eagles.
55’ — Moses Simon miscalculates
Moses Simon tries to get a corner kick from a tight angle but he is crowded and kicks the ball out for a corner.
57’ — Great spell from Nigeria as Omeruo shows good skills .
Nigeria who have seven corner kicks in this game have a good spell with the but Omeruo's cross in the box doesn't trouble the goalkeeper. He however showed great skills to beat his marker. Top class from the defender.
61’ — Ahmed Musa with a dashing run but the final pass is missing
Ahmed Musa embarks on a dashing run as he beats two Guinea players but his final pass to Ighalo is intercepted. Big chance there for Nigeria!
62’ — Iwobi's shot is saved Alex Iwobi tries a curling shot from distance but Ibrahim Kone is equal to the task and parries away. Nigeria have come alive in Alexandria, Egypt.
65’ — Yellow card to Seka Seka is booked for a foul on Odion Ighalo at the edge of the box. Free-kick to Nigeria and a golden opportunity.
67’ — Ibrahim Kone saves Etebo's free-kick Etebo takes the free-kick for Nigeria but it doesn't trouble the goalkeeper who parried away.
68’ — CHANCE for Nigeria! Ahmed Musa tries to pick out Ighalo but falls short again Ahmed Musa again tries to pick out Ighalo but his cross is intercepted. Nigeria edging closer
71’ — Substitution for Guinea, Naby Keita coming out is injured and is replaced by Alhassane Bangoura Naby Keita is injured and is replaced by Alhassane Bangoura
73’ — GOALLLL! Kenneth Omeruo gives Nigeria the lead Goal! Kenneth Omeruo gives Nigeria the lead. Nigeria 1-0 Guinea

78’ — Substitution! Alex Iwobi Out, Samuel Chukwueze In Alex Iwobi is replaced by Villareal youngster Samuel Chukwueze
80’ — Akpeyi on holiday this second half With 10 minutes left to play, Nigeria's goalkeeper Akpeyi has not been troubled at all this second half.
81’ — Substitution for Guinea, Kamano Out, Bengali-Fode Koita Kamano who was very lively in the first half but was quiet in the second half comes out for Bengali-Fode Koita. Guinea have now taken out their two biggest stars in Kamano and Keita. Can they find a way back in this game?



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85’ — Guinea pilling pressure with five minutes left to play Guinea pressing forward and trying to get an equalizer.
88’ — Substitution for Nigeria! Onuachu In, Ighalo Out With two minutes left in the clock, Ighalo is replaced with Onuachu. Man of the match award will be going to Kenneth Omeruo.
90’ — Free-kick to Guinea in dangerous position but comes to nothing Guinea gets a free-kick in a good position but Bangoura's cross is poor and the Nigeria can now forge forward with the ball. Three minutes of added time to be played.
92’ — Substitution! Nigeria make their final change Samuel Kalu comes in for Moses Simon.

93’ — Full time: Nigeria 1-0 Guinea Full time: Nigeria 1-0 Guinea.

 The referee blows the final whistle and Nigeria secure all three points to become the first nation to qualify for the knockout stage at AFCON 2019.
President Buhari Has Revealed Why He Dealt With Onnoghen

President Buhari Has Revealed Why He Dealt With Onnoghen

Published: June 26, 2019

Buhari Says He Sacked Onnoghen For Possessing Undeclared Foreign, Local Currencies

Why I dealt with Onnoghen - Buhari declares

President Muhammadu Buhari has revealed why he sacked the retired Chief Justice of the Federation (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, saying that he dealt with him for having in his possession undeclared foreign and local currencies.

 Nigerian Tribune reports that made the disclosure this on Tuesday, June 25, while receiving some Yoruba leaders led by Asiwaju Bola Tinubu at the presidential Villa, Abuja.

 It was gathered that the president said he had to do what he did to the former CJN even though reluctantly.
He said: “But anybody who cannot account for what he has and for refusing to declare it, we will have to do something about it. I will tell you as, that was why I had to deal though reluctantly with the former Chief Justice because there were millions of dollars, euros not to talk of naira which were not declared.
 “I wonder what sort of conscience some of us have. How can you seat and preside over and lock people up for years and even sentence some to death and yet you are not doing what the constitution said you should do by occupying that vital institution.

“So, I stopped getting worried so much, sorry to admit it, when I found out that I could play hoop, step and jump. What I mean is that if it is America, they will do it this way.

If it were in Europe, they will do this way but if you go there after 250 to 400 years, how old are we? So I realize that I don’t want to go back to into detention again." 

Buhari, who recalled how as a military leader, he clamped suspected looters into detention until they proved themselves innocent, said that these days, suspects deny their property until they are shown their bank accounts. He maintained that he had decided that property seized from suspects would be sold and the money kept in the treasury to prevent future administrations from returning them to their owners.

Buhari added: “Now, what I do is when a person cannot justify what he has or fails to declare as the constitution specifies, some of them swear to Almighty God that their property doesn’t belong to them until we show them their bank accounts and their companies then we have some peace.

 “So, we are recovering as much as we can under the system and this time around I said the properties will be sold and the money put in the treasury.
 “The last time they were giving back their properties but this time around whoever comes after me no matter how generous he is, he cannot take money from the treasury give it to individuals. It will be impossible.”

The president also recalled that his campaign promises and the effort his administration had made to meet them with success. Buhari thanked the group for the visit.

Speaking on behalf of the group, Chief Olabiyi Durojaiye, told the president his group helped to elect him into office. He added that they were proud of their contributions to his victory. He said the group made some requests of the president on security, education, youth employment, federalism, power supply and agriculture.

Speaking on the security, Durojaiye said: “The huge cost not-withstanding, it may be considered worthwhile to take a bold step in combating crime and improving on security by improving on the apparent shortage of the manpower in the Nigeria Police Force and by extending control of the Police from the state to local government level."

Recall that President Buhari had suspended Onnoghen as Chief Justice of Nigeria in January and replaced him with Ibrahim Tanko Mohammed. Buhari said he removed Onnoghen based on an order of the Code of Conduct Tribunal dated January 23, 2019.

After a long court battle, Onnoghen resigned as CJN and turned in his resignation letter to President Buhari, a day after the National Judicial Council (NJC) recommended his compulsory retirement for misconduct.
(Legit)
Here Is The Super Eagles 'starting XI' Against Guinea In AFCON 2019

Here Is The Super Eagles 'starting XI' Against Guinea In AFCON 2019

Published: June 26, 2019

Nigeria vs Guinea: Super Eagles possible starting XI against Syli Nationale 

Here is the Super Eagles 'starting XI' against Guinea in AFCON 2019

Super Eagles of Nigeria will on Wednesday, June 26, continue their campaign at the 2019 African Nations Cup with an encounter against the Syli Nationale of Guinea.

Odion Ighalo came off from the bench in the second half to score the winning goal for Nigeria in their first game against Burundi.
 
And even after the game, Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr confirmed that Burundi were very tough for his wards.



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Nigeria are topping Group B with 3 points after their first win in Egypt and they are prepared for their next game.

We will however take a look at the Super Eagles players who played against Burundi and see how many could return to first team against Guinea.

Eagles team vs Burundi 
Daniel Akpeyi, Shehu Abdullahi, Troost Ekong, Kenneth Omeruo, Ola Aina, Wilfred Ndidi, Samuel Chukwueze, Mikel, Onuachu, Etebo and Iwobi.
These players all tried their best against Burundi in Super Eagles's first game at 2019 Nations Cup, but some of them will not start against Guinea due to changes Gernor Rohr will make.

1. Shehu Abdullai out and Chidozie Awaziem in Bursaspor FC defender Shehu Abdullahi sustained an injury against Burundi and had to leave the pitch in the first half.
The former Kano Pillars star has not trained with Super Eagles since then and he is expected to be replaced with Chidozie Awaziem.



2. Onuachu out and Odion Ighalo in After scoring the winner against Burundi in the first game, many Nigerians questioned Gernot Rohr to explain the rationale that made Onuachu to start ahead of Ighalo.
 And due to the calls, Odion Ighalo is expected to lead Nigeria's attack on Wednesday, June 26, against Guinea.

 So as the case may be now, only two players are expected to be out from the Super Eagles team that defeated Burundi.

Possible lineups against Guinea below:
Daniel Akpeyi, Chidozie Awaziem, Troost Ekong, Kenneth Omeruo, Ola Aina, Wilfred Ndidi, Samuel Chukwueze, Mikel, Odion Ighalo, Etebo and Alex Iwobi.
(Legit.ng)

Tuesday, June 25, 2019

2019 AFCON: Algeria Beat Kenya 2-0

2019 AFCON: Algeria Beat Kenya 2-0

Published: June 25, 2019
Riyad Mahrez led Algeria to a comfortable 2-0 victory over Kenya as they opened their Africa Cup of Nations finals campaign on Sunday in Cairo.
It was a competent display in this Group C match.
2019 AFCON: Algeria beat Kenya 2-0

Team captain Mahrez netted the second goal just before half-time after striker Baghdad Bounedjah had opened the scoring with a 34th minute penalty kick.

Kenya midfielder Dennis Odhiambo gave away the spot kick with an errant tackle on Youcef Atal.

Atal had made a run down the right wing before cutting inside and forcing the Kenyan into a clumsy attempt to stop him.

Mahrez netted the second nine minutes later as he ghosted unmarked into the penalty area to lash in a pass that was pulled back from the byline.

Mahrez’s powerful shot took a deflection off Kenya full-back Aboud Omar as it flew into the net.

It was as much as Algeria deserved with an overwhelming showing against the Kenyans, who looked largely outclassed on their return to the finals for the first time in 15 years.

Algeria’s strong pressing forced Kenya to constantly turn over possession and never gave them an opportunity to create any chances.

Kenya’s only promising attack came with just six minutes left when Ayub Timbe’s run down the right wing set up a chance for Michael Olunga.

But he was thwarted by the Algerian defence.

Earlier on Sunday, Senegal beat Kenya’s neighbours Tanzania 2-0 in the opening Group C match at the same venue in another one-sided meeting.


Keita Balde put them ahead in the first half and Krepin Diatta rifled a shot through a crowd of players for the second just after the hour to confirm Senegal’s dominance.

Algeria and Senegal meet next in Cairo on Thursday.

Waiting For National Air Carrier

Waiting For National Air Carrier

Published: June 25, 2019
In 2003, the Olusegun Obasanjo administration liquidated Nigeria Airways, the government-owned national carrier, because it had failed as a business.
Waiting for National Air Carrier
However, succeeding administrations and aviation stakeholders feel the country needs a flag carrier to market itself globally.  Based on need, administrations after Obasanjo’s have made efforts to set up a national air carrier.

The history of a national airline began in 1958 with the establishment of defunct Nigeria Airways Ltd. The company was founded by the Federal Government after the dissolution of West African Airways Corporation (WAAC).

It retained the name, WAAC Nigeria, until 1971 when it was rebranded Nigeria Airways, the name it had until it wound up in 2003.

Nigeria owned 51 per cent of shares in the company up to 1961 when it boosted its participation to 100 per cent and made it the national carrier.

At the time of dissolution, the airline’s headquarters was at Airways House in Abuja..

It concentrated operations at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, and engaged in domestic and international operations.

Its international destinations were mainly in West Africa. The airline also had points in Europe, North America and Saudi Arabia.

The airline was managed by a number of foreign companies, including British Airways, the Dutch company, KLM and South African Airways.

Plagued by mismanagement, corruption and overstaffing, the company  had a debt of 528 million dollars and poor safety record at the time of liquidation.

It had one aircraft flying domestic routes and two leased aircraft for  international operations. Nigeria Airways was succeeded by Virgin Nigeria and its ground facilities were taken over by Arik Air, a local private operator.

After assuming office in 2015, President Muhammadu Buhari set up a committee headed by the current Rector of Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria, Mr Mohammed Abdulsalam, to establish a national carrier.

In August 2018, the proposed carrier was unveiled by the immediate past Minister of State for Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, during the Farnborough International Air Show in London as Nigeria Air.

The unveiling was after the transaction advisers completed the Outline Business Case (OBC) Report and the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission reviewing and issuing OBC Certificate of Compliance.

But the project meant to take off in December, 2018, was suspended by the president in September, 2018. The government said the action was for strategic reasons.


Sirika said the president wanted the Viability Gap Funding for the project to be provided for in the 2019 Appropriation and the National Assembly approved N47 billion for it.

He also said a viability gap funding of 155 million dollars was required in line with the OBC to enable the airline to begin operations before private equity funds would be introduced.

Sirika said Nigeria needed a national carrier to fully utilise its Bilateral Air Services Agreements (BASA), currently under-utilised by indigenous airlines due to low capacity.

He said Nigeria had BASA with 83 countries, many of which had been reviewed to create opportunities for domestic carriers but that only 10 per cent were active.

According to Sirika, no domestic airline has evolved to fill the vacuum left by Nigeria Airways due largely to wrong business models, low capitalisation and poor governance structure.

The position is shared by aviation industry stakeholders, who allayed the fears of private airline operators on the future of their businesses. They said rather than run domestic airlines out of business, the national carrier would help them grow.

They said the national carrier would facilitate and promote the development of the tourism sector considering the enormity of work the government had done in the aviation sector.

They further said a national carrier would stimulate competitiveness in  air fares within and outside the country and help Nigeria derive  comparative advantage on competitive routes where BASA existed.

The agreement allows international commercial air transport between territories and Nigeria is currently at disadvantage being unable to reciprocate the preponderance of such agreements which only a national carrier can do, stakeholders said.

Sirika said the carrier would give impetus to the emergence of Nigeria as a hub for West and Central Africa by promoting reliable air transport services.

He added that the carrier would support the growth of the aviation industry and domestic airlines through infrastructure, traffic and routes expansion as well as manpower development.

Stakeholders say the business should be private sector driven with government only having a venture interest of five to 10 per cent.

Retired Group Capt. John Ojikutu,  an Aviation Safety Expert, said that Nigeria would not be able to utilise its BASA without a national carrier and advised against using any private airline as national carrier.

Ojikutu,  Chief Executive Officer of Centurion Aviation Security and Safety Consult, said government should not control more than 10 per cent equity in the company.

“Let us have a national carrier that you and I will buy into while bringing in technical partners that would buy at least 30 to 40 per cent of the stake.

“Federal and state governments must not have more than 10 per cent which should be shared between them so that government control would not be more than that.\

“Credible Nigerians should partner and not have more than 15 to 20 per cent  and the remaining should go to ordinary Nigerians through public offer,’’ he said.

Ojikutu advised against partnership with international airlines that would compete with Nigeria on international routes or seek technical assistance from  airlines flying into Nigeria.

“Let them go to Australia, Canada and America not Europe, not Africa, not Middle East,’’ Ojikutu said.

Mr Isaac Balami, an Aircraft Engineer and Chief Executive Officer of 7Star Global Hangar Ltd, said government should do everything possible to push the project through as soon as possible.

Balami said the defunct Nigeria Airways was doing well at some point and was even the first African airline to land in the U.S. “but for the lack of vision and focus we lost it.

“With about N47 billion approved in the 2019 budget for the national carrier, I believe there is hope for the industry in Nigeria and the next minister should ensure that the national carrier comes on board shortly because the president is willing to support it,’’ he said.

In its first tenure, the Buhari administration achieved some milestones in the aviation sector, especially in the area of infrastructure development, safety and security at the airports.



The first major action taken by the government was the closure of the runway of Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja, for six weeks to enable its rehabilitation. The contract, awarded to Julius Berger Plc at the cost of N5.8 billion, was delivered a day before the deadline.

The rehabilitation work started on March 8, 2016, while all flight operations were relocated to Kaduna International Airport.

Before the movement to Kaduna, government completed the terminal building which was abandoned in 2012 within two months for the airport to be able to receive international flights.

In 2017, Abuja and Lagos airports were certified by NCAA after they had met International Civil Aviation Organisation safety standards for the first time in Nigeria’s aviation history.

In 2018, the Abuja airport was voted the best improved airport in safety” by Airports Council International, Africa Region, following an extensive evaluation process that considered entries from other African countries.

Also, the new international terminal buildings in Port Harcourt and Abuja airports were completed in 2018, while work is progressing at airport terminal buildings in Lagos, Kano and Enugu.

The completion of work at Port Harcourt ended years of national embarrassment. Before the completion, airlines operated from makeshift tents after fire destroyed the old terminal building.

The situation led to the rating of the airport as the worst airport by a group called ‘Sleep in Airport’.

In the last days of its first tenure, the administration inaugurated numerous projects across airports starting with an Aviation Security Training School and Aviation clinic built by Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria in Lagos.

The government also inaugurated NAMA’s radio communication equipment, remodelled office building and centrex building, CAT II Instrument Landing System and Doppler very High Frequency Omini Directional Range and Instrument Landing System in Lagos.



It also inaugurated Secure Aviation Data Information System installed by Nigeria Meteorological Services (NiMet) at MM2 and NiMet Clinic at its   training school in Oshodi, Lagos.

The government inaugurated a re-modelled terminal building which was started in 2012 at the Ibadan airport and also Category Two Instrument landing System in Benin Airport.

In Abuja, the government installed a 10mw independent power plant to augment the existing power supply to the airport.

It also inaugurated the North-West Regional offices for NiMet and Accident Investigation Bureau, General Aviation Terminal  and NAMA’s Doppler very High Frequency Omini Directional Range at Aminu Kano International Airport.

The administration inaugurated new terminal buildings at Musa Yar’ƀdua International Airport, Katsina, and Maiduguri International Airport as well as the newly established Katsina Meteorological Institute by NiMet.



The government also inaugurated remodelled classrooms, college automated centre, airfield lighting laboratory and advanced guard security system as well as NiMet’s automated weather station at NCAT, Zaria.

Sirika said the government would continue to invest in the upgrade of aviation infrastructure and facilities to make them meet International  Civil Aviation Organisation standards.

He said the government executed 134 aviation projects between 2015 and 2019 out of 157 projects earmarked.

He said  some projects were inherited from the previous administration while majority were initiated and completed by the administration.

Stakeholders say the benefits of the sector can only be realised with a national carrier.

Sunday, June 23, 2019

Super Falcons Refuse To Leave Their Hotel In France Until Their Share Of The Fifa Money Is Paid

Super Falcons Refuse To Leave Their Hotel In France Until Their Share Of The Fifa Money Is Paid

Published: June 23, 2019
Super Falcons refuse to leave their hotel in France until their share of the FIFA money is paid

Nigerian Super Falcons players staged a sit-in protest last night, refusing to leave their hotel in France until all of their outstanding bonuses are paid, following the team's elimination from the Women's World Cup.

The players told ESPN they are owed bonuses from two games, against Gambia and Senegal, from as far back as two years ago, amounting to 2 million Nigerian naira (about $5,600 U.S.), but they have been paid only half of that. They also say they are owed five days of daily allowance while at the World Cup.

 "They paid us 1 million [naira] and said that is all. We want them to pay the balance. Part of that money is from two years ago, the other is from three years ago. And they are also owing us five days' daily allowance here in France. 

  Before the World Cup, we asked them for a meeting so that we could discuss our World Cup bonuses, like they did with the men's team last year. They ignored the letter and nobody said anything about it until now"  one player told ESPN.

 The players are also demanding their share of the World Cup participation fee from FIFA, even though the tournament's organisers are not scheduled to pay those until September.

Nigeria Football Federation president Amaju Pinnick told ESPN that all the outstanding allowances have been paid.  "We have paid them everything they are being owed," he said.

 "The only thing outstanding is the participation fee from FIFA, which is not expected to come until after the tournament. But they insist that they want to get paid, as they have spoken to players from Cameroon and France, who told them they have already been paid."

It is not the first time Nigeria's women team has staged a protest over bonuses. After winning the 2016 African title in Cameroon, the squad returned home and staged a public demonstration on the streets of the capital, Abuja, to demand payment of their outstanding allowances. 

In 2004, the team also sat in for three days at their hotel in South Africa after winning the African title until the allowances were settled.
(LIB blog)