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The Confederation of African Football will on Wednesday announce its decision on the botched AFCON qualifying Group D between Libya and Nigeria, which was scheduled for Benina Martyrs Stadium on October 15, PUNCH Sports reports.
According to Libya Al-Ahrar Channel, the apex continental football body will announce the final decision regarding the players’ ordeal during the first leg in Nigeria in October, which ended 1-0 in favour of the Super Eagles and the reverse fixture that would have held at the 10,550-capacity, Libya’s first all-seater stadium.
The outlet also revealed that the Libyan Football Federation submitted all the documents it collected with a specialised lawyer assigned by the body to supervise the Libyan file with the Confederation of African Football.
A day after the botched encounter, CAF delisted the fixture from its calendar after announcing its cancellation hours before kick-off, with the matter referred to the Disciplinary Committee for consideration.
In its statement on Monday, the Libyan Football Federation denounced the measures taken by the Nigerian side regarding the team’s refusal to play its match against Libya. The Federation confirmed that it would take all legal measures to preserve the interests of the national football team.
Nigeria had arrived for the match on Sunday, October 14, only for their flight to be diverted to Al Abraq International Airport, which is about three hours away by road to Benghazi, the venue of the match. The Libyan authorities held them captive for approximately 17 hours, leaving them traumatized as they flew back to their home country.
Nigeria lodged a complaint with CAF lamenting their ordeal, and the Libyan Federation said that the Nigerians did not cooperate with them in any way, whether in the first or second leg, indicating that their experience is a child’s play compared to theirs while in Nigeria for the first leg.
CAF had described what happened to the Nigerian team in Libya as “extremely dangerous,” noting that it had contacted the Libyan and Nigerian authorities after reporting that the latter had been subjected to worrying conditions for hours at the airport. It referred the matter to its disciplinary committee to investigate and take appropriate action against those who violated the regulations.
Kano Emirates tussle took a new twist as Governor Abba Yusuf presented the Staff of Office to the reinstated Emir of Gaya, Alhaji Aliyu Ibrahim Abdulkadir, marking a new development in the Emirates tussle.
The governor confirmed this through a post on his social media page, sharing accompanying pictures. The ceremony was graced by the presence of the 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, and Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso.
Governor Yusuf used the occasion to urge the emir to lead with integrity, simplicity, and honesty.
Liverpool legend, Jamie Carragher, has revealed that Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund has really impressed him with his performance in the Red Devils’ Europa League 3-3 draw against Porto this season.
Carragher believes the Denmark international is finally ‘starting to look a player’ after his £72million move to the Premier League club last year.
Recall that Hojlund scored in Man United’s Europa League draw against Porto this month, and then netted a goal in their Premier League 2-1 victory over Brentford on Saturday.
Speaking about the attacker, Carragher told Sky Sports:
“Hojlund, I think he’s starting to look a player.
“I was really impressed with him in Porto a couple of weeks ago; he put a real shift in.
“There is real talent in the front three, but the man who gets the winning goal, I think he is starting to look a player.”
NPFL: Ahmed Musa’s return to Kano Pillars ignites interest of top Nigerian players in local football
Super Eagles forward Ahmed Musa’s recent return to the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) has influenced some top Nigerian players to declare their intention to play in the Nigerian top-flight league in the future.
The former CSKA Moscow star has drawn headlines in recent weeks due to his performances for Kano Pillars in the NPFL.
Musa, alongside Shehu Abdullahi, who has played for the Super Eagles in the past, returned to NPFL club Kano Pillars on a free transfer in October.
The former Leicester City star has been impressive for the Sai Masu Gida so far this season.
The 32-year-old scored a brace against Sunshine Stars earlier this month.
He also netted a goal in Kano Pillars’ 4-3 away victory over Enugu Rangers, and just over the weekend, he provided an assist in his side’s 1-1 draw against Kwara United.
Musa has now registered three goals and two assists in four appearances for Kano Pillars.
His exploits so far in the Nigerian domestic league have made some top Nigerian players express their interest to also have a taste of the local league in the future.
Former Super Eagles striker Brown Ideye is on the verge of joining NPFL club Rivers United.
Ideye, who has played for clubs in Europe such as West Brom, Malaga, Göztepe, Dynamo Kyiv, and Olympiacos, started training with the Port Harcourt club a few days ago.
Rivers United head coach Finidi George revealed that Ideye is likely to join the club.
“He has that hunger; we have seen Ahmed Musa, and if he’s willing to do that, I think we will welcome him [Ideye],” Finidi said.
Also, some current Super Eagles stars like Alex Iwobi, Maduka Okoye, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, and Frank Onyeka recently revealed the NPFL clubs they would like to play for if the opportunity comes.
“I will join Musa at Kano Pillars,” Iwobi said when asked about his preference. On his part, Okoye said, “The only option for me is Enugu Rangers. The Flying Antelopes is my team. Some Nigerians already know; it is my father’s club. It is where we are from; it is where my roots are from. If I’m coming one day to the NPFL, it would be Enugu Rangers.”
When asked for his choice, Dele-Bashiru said, “If I had to, the club I know the most is Kano Pillars, so maybe I would go there.”
For Onyeka, he picked Enyimba, saying, “My state has a good team, Enyimba, so obviously I would like to play for Enyimba, but again, you never know. Some players would say they wish to play for one team and end up playing for another team.”
In the past, former Super Eagles players have had to return to end their playing careers in the Nigerian domestic league.
Among notable names who returned to the NPFL after their playing days in foreign leagues include Mobi Oparaku, Okechukwu Uche, and the late Rashidi Yekini.
Oparaku was at Gateway from 2005 to 2008 before he left for Enyimba in 2008 and eventually departed from the club in 2010.
For Uche, he signed for Ocean Boys in 2007 and Bayelsa United in 2008, while Yekini played for Julius Berger in the 2002-2003 season and joined Gateway in 2005.
Speaking with DAILY POST on the subject matter, assistant coach of Yaba FC Ahmed Omale commended Musa for deciding to return to Kano Pillars to play in the NPFL.
Omale also noted that it was a thing of joy for Super Eagles players to express interest in the NPFL.
According to him, it would boost the league’s reputation in Africa and the world at large.
“Well, it is a thing of joy for Super Eagles players to express their interest to play in the Nigerian domestic league. Ahmed Musa and Shehu Abdullahi have opened the door for this generation of players we have in the Super Eagles. Honestly, it is a good one and a welcome development,” Omale said.
“It brings a lot of positivity to the league. It would definitely boost the league’s reputation in Nigeria, Africa, and the world at large.
“People would like to watch these players who they watched during their peak in Europe. That is one of the things I like about Brazilian players. The majority of them like to go back to their country to play in their domestic league towards the end of their professional career.
“I remember Ronaldinho, Marcelo, David Luiz, and even Thiago Silva; there are a lot to mention. They all went back to play in their country’s domestic league after so many years in Europe.”
He added, “It is a way of giving back to the country. So I must commend Musa for taking this decision. Like they say, ‘there is no place like home.’
“I know he is approaching the end of his professional career as a footballer, but at the same time, he is doing fantastically well at Kano Pillars. If he continues with his impressive form, who knows, he may get a recall to the national team for the 2025 AFCON.
“I also want to use this opportunity to call on other Nigerian players playing abroad to always try to come back home and upgrade the local league by playing for a domestic club after they have achieved everything in Europe.”
Also, speaking with DAILY POST, Idris Musa Adinoyi, the captain of Dawaki Rangers FC, said Musa’s return to the NPFL shows the growth the Nigerian league has experienced over the past couple of seasons.
Adinoyi said: “This shows the growth the NPFL has experienced over the past couple of years and would definitely come with a boost to the quality of football, popularity, and commercials that come with the influx of internationally known players.
“I think there’s always a great feeling that comes with showcasing one’s talents wherever the opportunity takes them. I’m very happy for him [Ahmed Musa] as he actually gets to experience this phase of his career in his homeland and a place he sincerely adores.
“Not to place any single player above others in a team, but with his vast experience internationally, many players in his present club stand to benefit from having such a level of experience among their ranks.
“It’s not so long ago when Ahmed Musa had to endure a spell without being contracted to any club, and for him to come back with such exceptional performances is definitely a wonderful feeling, and he deserves every bit of those moments.”
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has revealed that he revoked the land allocation previously granted to construction giant Julius Berger in Abuja’s Katampe District.
Speaking during the official flag-off ceremony for the design and construction of 40 judges’ quarters in Abuja, Wike explained that he had been searching for land for the project when he discovered the Julius Berger site.
Upon further inquiry, he found that the land had been allocated to the company 15 to 20 years ago but had remained undeveloped.
The event was attended by key figures, including Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun and President of the Court of Appeal Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem.
Talking in the direction of the Chief Judge, he said, “My Lord, let me bring to your notice. You have seen this land here. When we were looking for where to get land to build. I was driving around looking for empty land and I got here and saw this empty land.
“I saw the big post: ‘Julius Berger’. I didn’t talk. I called the director of lands (and asked him): who owns that land? And he said: Julius Berger. When was it allocated? He said about 15, 20 years ago. 15, 20 years ago? Nothing has been done? I didn’t bother.
“So, I invited the MD (Managing Director of) Julius Berger. He came and we had dinner. I didn’t talk about the land. The next day, he was in the office and he saw the revocation letter as a matter of public interest.
“He called me and said but I had dinner with you. I said yes; we had dinner but we didn’t discuss the land.
“How will the government allocate land for more than 20 years for organisations to develop and they did not develop it? Thank God they did not develop it and now we can have it.”
Nigerian music icon Wizkid has achieved a remarkable milestone on Spotify with his latest single, “Piece of My Heart,” amassing an impressive 1.01 million streams on its first day.
This achievement marks the highest first-day streams for any song from the Grammy-winning artist.
Released over the weekend, the track features American singer-songwriter Brent Faiyaz, which has heightened anticipation among fans.
The Chart wrote: “Piece of My Heart” with Brent Faiyaz recorded 1.01 million streams on its first day of release on Spotify Nigeria.
“It sets a new record for the biggest first-day streams by any song in Spotify Nigeria— surpassing @asakemusik and @wizkidayo’s “MMS” (870K) and “IDK” with @Zlatan_Ibile (626K).”
Wizkid breaks his record he previously shared with Asake for their chart-topping single “MMS” off Asake’s “Lungu Boy” album.
With this feat, “Piece of My Heart”, an R&B-infused and mid-tempo track becomes Africa’s first song to surpass 1 million opening day streams on Spotify.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the soul-stirring track released on Friday is the lead single from Wizkid’s upcoming album ‘Morayo’, which is set to drop on November 22.
“Piece of My Heart”, a scintillating collaboration, showcases the perfect blend of Wizkid’s Afrobeats sound with Brent Faiyaz’s R&B flair.
The track, produced by P2J and Dpat, features smooth and heartfelt lyrics that convey unshakable love, passion and devotion.
Faiyaz delivers an emotional chorus, “Nothing can tear us apart, you’ve got a piece of my heart,” while Wizkid’s compelling vocal style adds depth to the emotional message.
The song is already generating buzz among music lovers, especially among Wizkid fans, as it sets the tone for what is to come from the album “Morayo.”
Auwalu Sankara, Commissioner for Special Duties, has been suspended by Jigawa State Governor Malam Umar Namadi. According to the Daily Trust, the suspension is being implemented in order to facilitate an inquiry into claims made by the Kano State Hisbah.
Secretary to the Government of Jigawa State, Malam Bala Ibrahim, made this known in a statement on Saturday. The state administration justified the suspension by saying it was necessary to conduct a comprehensive inquiry to guarantee openness and safeguard the credibility of state officials. You may remember that Sankara was apprehended by the Kano State Hisbah Board while he was in an unfinished building with a married woman.
Hisbah, also known as the Sharia police, made the statement after receiving multiple complaints over Sankara's alleged misbehavior and after conducting intelligence tracking. The couple's husband, Nasiru Bulama, filed complaints with various agencies, including the DSS and the Kano State Police Command, which led to the public to learn about the accusations. Bulama said that Sankara had an extramarital affair with his wife, the mother of his two children.
The commissioner, however, issued a statement on Friday night denying the accusations and calling them spiteful, inaccurate, and lacking any basis. Sankara asserted that the charges were an effort to discredit him. In response, Sankara stated, "I have been made aware of a recent media report that claims the Kano Hisbah Command has arrested me, Auwal D. Sankara, Commissioner for Special Duties in the Jigawa State Government, on charges of having an affair with a married woman."I would like to make it clear that these accusations are completely unfounded, with no basis, and intended to discredit me.
Some political factions have devised this lie to bring disrepute upon me, and I implore the public to ignore it.I would never do anything to challenge the sacredness of marriage, as a married guy I hold it in the highest regard. I will never budge from standing firm in my commitment to the ideals and beliefs I represent.I intend to hold whoever is involved for disseminating this misinformation and trying to hurt me to account for their actions; I am not laughing this off.
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has confirmed the arrest of Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, at the Seme border while attempting to leave the country.
According to a statement issued by DCI KT Udo, Service Public Relations Officer, Bobrisky was intercepted by immigration authorities due to his attempted exit from Nigeria.
The NIS stated that Bobrisky is a person of interest in recent issues of public concern and is currently undergoing interrogation.
The statement reads: “In keeping with its commitment to securing the borders, Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) intercepted Okuneye Idris Olanrewaju otherwise known as Bobrisky at the Seme Border over an attempt to Exit the Country.”
“The Service wishes to inform the public that OKUNEYE IDRIS is a person of interest over recent issues of public concern. He is undergoing interrogation and will be handed over to the appropriate Authorities for further action.”
“The Service assures the public that it will continue to be civil and professional in its statutory responsibility of manning the
Country’s Borders.”
Petroleum marketers have resumed importing petrol to supplement the country’s fuel supply, following the inability of the Dangote Refinery to meet demand.
Four vessels carrying 123.4 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) arrived at Nigerian seaports between Friday, October 18, and Sunday, October 20.
POLITICS NIGERIA reported earlier that the failure of the 650,000 barrels per day Dangote Refinery to meet its promised production target raised concerns about fuel scarcity.
Oil dealers had earlier disclosed that the refinery was producing only 10 million litres of petrol daily, far below its initial promise of 25 million litres.
It is understood that the federal government’s full deregulation of the downstream oil sector has created room for PMS imports. Dealers took advantage of the fair market price to import about 141 million litres of PMS in September.
According to a document obtained from the Nigerian Port Authority, the four vessels berthed at the Apapa port in Lagos and the Calabar port in Cross River State.
35,000 metric tonnes of PMS arrived at Apapa port on Friday, October 18; 37,000 metric tonnes of fuel arrived at Apapa port on Friday, October 18; 10,000 metric tonnes of fuel arrived at Apapa port on Friday, October 18 and 10,000 metric tonnes of fuel arrived at Calabar port on Sunday, October 20, findings by Punch Newspaper revealed.
Using the conversion rate of 1,341 litres to one metric tonne, the total importation stands at approximately 123.4 million litres of petrol.