Headlines
AFCON 2019: Eagles of Nigeria Dare Lions of Cameroon in Renewed Rivalry
Nigeria and champions Cameroon, two of Africa’s most successful teams, will go head-to-head vying for a place in the quarter-finals of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Alexandria on Saturday (today), in a potentially explosive tie.
Both sides finished second in their respective groups, which means a victory for any of the team will see a possibility of them facing Egypt in the quarter-final, if the hosts beat their last 16 foes South Africa in Cairo.
The Super Eagles have come under harsh criticisms back home, having been unconvincing so far in this tournament, and a shock 2-0 defeat to Madagascar didn’t help matters either.
But the three-time winners of the tournament would be hoping to bounce back with a win over their eternal rivals, who beat the Eagles thrice in previous finals to emerge champions.
Like Nigeria, Cameroon will feel that they should have topped their group after collecting four points from their opening two games, but their final match against Benin, which ended 0-0, saw Ghana’s Black Stars climb to top of Group F on superior goals.
The Indomitable Lions remain unbeaten in their seven outings so far this year and were last beaten in the competition in 2015, but three of their last four games have ended in draws. And their second-place finish leaves them with a much more difficult route through the rest of the competition.
Nigeria are expected to welcome some key first-team players back into their starting XI for this match after naming a second-string side against Madagascar.
Arsenal’s Alex Iwobi, Leicester City’s Wilfred Ndidi and Chelsea loanee Kenneth Omeruo are among the names likely to return.
Moses Simon should also regain his place, while Daniel Akpeyi will expect to be recalled in goal, after keeping clean sheets in the opening two group games.
Ajax goalkeeper Andre Onana is also yet to concede in this summer’s tournament and will retain his gloves for the Lions.
Seedorf made four changes for their final group game against Benin and could welcome Clinton N’Jie and Gaetan Bong back into this starting XI for this one.
Cameroon have not beaten Nigeria in any competition since 2000, when they claimed one of their five Africa Cup of Nations trophies with a penalty shootout victory in the final.
Indeed, the Indomitable Lions have only beaten Nigeria four times in 22 previous meetings, but remarkably, three of those victories have come in the final of this competition.
More recently Nigeria have won four and lost none of the last five contests, including a 5-1 aggregate triumph to seal their place at the 2018 World Cup.
Headlines
Abiola Cannot Be Recognised As Former President; He Was Never Sworn-in – Gen Ishola Williams
By Eric Elezuo
One of the prime actors of the June 12, 1993 incidents, General Ishola Williams, has said that much as Chief MKO Abiola wrong was created having won the election, and denied victory, he cannot be recognized as a former President of Nigeria.
Gen Williams made his revelation while speaking as a guest on Channels television socio-political programme, Inside Source.
He maintained that only those who were sworn in that recognised as former presidents, and Abiola was never sworn in.
“Abiola cannot be recognised as former president because he was never sworn in.
The General, who said that he resigned from the army as a result of the wholesome reception given to General Sani Abacha, when he overthrew Chief Ernest Shonekan-led Interim National Government, contrary to expectation, also picked flaws in the narratives given by former Military President Ibrahim Babangida, in his recently launched book, A Journey In Service.
Williams rose in the army to become the Commandant of Army Signals, Commander of Training and Doctrine (TRADOC) and Chief of Defence Training and Planning, from where he resigned.
Headlines
Breaking: Supreme Court Recognises Martin Amaewhule As Rivers Assembly Speaker, Orders CBN to Stop Releasing Funds to State
By Eric Elezuo
The Supreme Court of Nigeria has in its ruling on Friday recognised Hon Martins Amaewhule as the authentic speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, mandating him to urgently resume sitting with elected members of the assembly.
The apex court also ordered the Central Bank of Nigeria to stop releasing to the Rivers State government until a proper assembly is constituted.
Details soon…
Tension escalated at the Lagos State House of Assembly on Thursday as impeached Speaker Mudashiru Obasa made a dramatic return to reclaim his position.
Accompanied by heavily armed men, Obasa stormed the Assembly complex in a bold move that has thrown the State’s legislature into turmoil.
In a stunning turn of events, security details assigned to the substantive Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mojisola Meranda, were abruptly withdrawn on Thursday morning, clearing the path for Obasa’s controversial comeback.
Sources revealed that the Inspector General of Police (IGP) ordered the withdrawal of all security operatives attached to Meranda, leaving her exposed in the midst of an intensifying power struggle.
The Speaker’s Special Adviser on Information, Mr. Victor Ganzallo, expressed concern over the security vacuum created by the withdrawal of personnel.
“In the early hours of Thursday, we woke up to the startling news that all security details assigned to Madam Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, had been withdrawn.
This includes the police and DSS officers, leaving her exposed to threats amid the ongoing speakership crisis,” Ganzallo stated.
He further called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, as the State’s Chief Security Officer, to intervene urgently to prevent a complete breakdown of law and order within the Assembly.
“The withdrawal of security personnel has left the Assembly naked and vulnerable at a critical time. Urgent action is needed to restore order,” he pleaded.
With the speakership battle taking a dramatic new turn, political watchers are keenly observing how the crisis will unfold in the coming days.
