Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

Ghana Triumphs Over Nigeria Via Shootout To Win Inaugural WAFU-B U-17 Girls’ Cup.   Hosts Ghana clinched the maiden WAFU-B U-17 Girls’ Cup title on Sunday, edging Nigeria 5-4 in a dramatic penalty shootout after an entertaining 2-2 draw at the Ghanaian Centre of Excellence in Prampram, near Accra. The match proved a thrilling contrast to the goalless African Nations Championship qualifier played by both nations’ senior home-based teams in Accra earlier in the day. The young talents lit up the tournament’s finale with determination and skill, keeping fans on the edge of their seats. Ghana started strongly, with…

Super Lig: Osimhen Shines With Brace In Galatasaray’s Dominant Victory. Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen delivered a stellar performance on Sunday, scoring twice as Galatasaray secured an emphatic 5-1 victory over Kayserispor in the Turkish Super Lig. Osimhen wasted no time making his mark, converting a penalty in the 4th minute to give Galatasaray an early lead. However, Kayserispor’s Bahoken equalised ten minutes later, setting up what seemed to be a competitive encounter. The visitors regained their advantage in the 29th minute through Yilmaz, and Yunus Akgün extended the lead to 3-1 midway through the second half, showcasing Galatasaray’s…

NPFL Round-Up: 3SC Ends Rangers’ Unbeaten Run, As Sunshine Stars secure Crucial Win. Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan ended Rangers International’s impressive 10-match unbeaten run with a narrow away victory in an NPFL Matchday 18 encounter at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu. The decisive moment came in the 27th minute when Ikouwem Utin found the net for Gbenga Ogunbote’s side. Rangers had an opportunity to salvage a draw late in the game, but they missed a crucial penalty five minutes from time, leaving the home fans disappointed. In Lafia, Rivers United managed to secure a hard-fought…

SERAP Criticises Proposed ₦9.4 Billion Allocation For Refreshments And Travels In 2025 Budget. The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas to reduce the proposed ₦9.4 billion budget for refreshments, travels, and catering materials for the presidency. SERAP also urged a review of the ₦344.85 billion budget allocated to the National Assembly, suggesting the savings be redirected towards addressing Nigeria’s budget deficit. In a letter dated 21st December 2024, signed by SERAP Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation expressed concerns over what it described as “unnecessary…

Customs Intercepts Smuggled Petrol, Sells To Oyo Residents At ₦630 per Litre. The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has sold approximately 20,000 litres of seized petrol to residents of Ibadan, Oyo State, at ₦630 per litre. The sale, conducted on Saturday at Afoo Filling Station in the Masfala area, was part of efforts to deter smuggling and make fuel accessible to the public during the festive season. The petrol, intercepted by operatives of Operation Whirlwind in the Oyo/Osun axis, included a tanker and 30 kegs containing 25 litres each. Comptroller Hussein Ejibunu, the national coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, revealed that…

403 Stranded Nigerians Safely Repatriated From Niger Republic. The Federal Government has successfully facilitated the return of 403 Nigerians, including children and infants, who were stranded in Niger Republic. The group, comprising 52 households, arrived in two batches and was received at the Nigeria Immigration Service Training School in Kano. The Federal Commissioner for the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), Hon. Aliyu Tijani, represented by the Commission’s State Coordinator, Mrs Lubah Liman, confirmed the details during a reception for the returnees. The group included 165 males, 56 females, and 182 children and infants. The first…

NANS Urges Federal Government To Address Hunger Crisis Amid Stampedes. The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has called on President Bola Tinubu to take immediate action to address the worsening hunger crisis in the country, which has led to tragic stampedes during the distribution of palliatives. In a statement issued on Sunday in Abeokuta, Ogun State, and signed by the Clerk of the Senate, Abdul-Yekinn Odunayo, NANS described the recent stampedes as a “national embarrassment.” The student body pointed to incidents in Ibadan, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, and Anambra State, where lives were lost, including those…

Red-hot Liverpool Demolish Spurs 6:3 To Extend Premier League Lead. Liverpool extended their lead at the top of the Premier League to four points with a commanding 6-3 victory over Tottenham Hotspur, showcasing their attacking prowess in a ruthless display at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The Reds, led by manager Arne Slot, were in scintillating form, capitalising on every defensive frailty in an injury-depleted Spurs side. Luis Díaz opened the scoring in the 23rd minute with a well-timed header from Trent Alexander-Arnold’s pinpoint cross. Alexis Mac Allister doubled the lead with another header 13 minutes later, putting Liverpool firmly…

Bournemouth Humiliate Manchester United With A Stunning 3-0 Victory. Manchester United were booed off the pitch after a crushing 3-0 home defeat to high-flying Bournemouth, marking their third loss in four Premier League matches under manager Ruben Amorim. The result leaves United languishing in 13th place during the festive season, while Bournemouth climb to an impressive fifth, keeping their European ambitions alive. Dean Huijsen opened the scoring for the visitors in the 29th minute, capitalising on Manchester United’s well-documented frailty at set-pieces. Justin Kluivert doubled the lead from the penalty spot after being tripped by Noussair Mazraoui, and…

Gabriel Jesus Shines As Arsenal Thrash Crystal Palace. Gabriel Jesus delivered a masterclass performance as Arsenal stormed to a 5-1 victory over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, moving to within three points of Premier League leaders Liverpool. The Brazilian striker, who netted a hat-trick against Palace in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals midweek, added two more to his tally, taking his goal count against the Eagles to five in just seven days. Arsenal started strongly, opening the scoring in the sixth minute when Bukayo Saka’s deflected cross fell to Jesus, who struck powerfully past Dean Henderson at the near…

Sorloth’s Late Strike Against Barcelona Sends Atletico Madrid To The Top Of La Liga. Alexander Sorloth came off the bench to deliver a dramatic injury-time winner as Atletico Madrid staged a comeback to defeat Barcelona and climb to the top of La Liga. Barcelona took the lead in the 30th minute when Pedri linked up brilliantly with Gavi before slotting a composed finish past Jan Oblak. Despite dominating large spells of the match, Hansi Flick’s side could not convert their chances, allowing Atletico to claw their way back into the game. Rodrigo De Paul capitalised on a defensive error…

Oleksandr Usyk Defeats Tyson Fury Again To Retain Heavyweight Titles. Oleksandr Usyk has once again proved his dominance in the heavyweight division by defeating Tyson Fury on points in their highly anticipated rematch in Saudi Arabia. The Ukrainian retained his WBA (Super), WBC, and WBO titles with a unanimous decision at Riyadh’s Kingdom Arena. In a close contest, the judges scored the fight 116-112 in favour of the 37-year-old champion. This victory extends Usyk’s professional record to 23 wins, maintaining his undefeated status and cementing his legacy as a generational great. The fight saw Fury, 36, showcase some of…