Headlines
Colourful Opening Ceremony Heralds AFCON 2019 as Egypt Pip Zimbabwe 1 – 0
Hosts Egypt on Friday evening got their campaign on track with a 1-0 win over Zimbabwe at the Cairo International Stadium in the opening game of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.
The game started shortly after a colourful opening ceremony that showcased the rich history of the North African country.
The Pharaohs were unconvincing despite the win, secured courtesy of a Mahmoud Trezeguet 41st minute strike. They had two great chances to take the lead in the opening five minutes but Zimbabwe’s goalkeeper Edmore Sibanda pulled off two stunning saves to keep his side in the game.
Liverpool star Mohammed Salah got the first chance to test Sibanda before the goalkeeper tipped Marwan Mohsen’s header over the crossbar.
But the Pharaohs were lucky not to have fallen behind in the 37th minute, when a great ball in found KhamaBilliat in the Egyptian box, but the onrushing Mohamed El Shenawi, in goal for the hosts, thwarted the dangerous striker’s effort, spilling it out for a corner. Zimbabweans breached their defence for the first time, but fail to hit target. It was a missed opportunity for the Warriors.
Egypt finally broke the deadlock through Trezeguet in the 41st minute, with Sibanda finally beaten after some poor defensive work by the Warriors.
Among the dignitaries present at the opening ceremony at the Cairo International Stadium were the Egyptian president Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi – the only person who delivered a message of welcome.
“I welcome all of you, our dear African brothers, in your second homeland, Egypt, wishing you happiness,” Al-Sisi said, while declaring the continent’s top football showpiece open.
The other African president at the event was Mozambique’s Filipe Nyusi. FIFA president Gianni Infantino was also present along with CAF president Ahmad Ahmad. Other big wigs of CAF and the Egyptian FA were also present.
Nigerian musician Femi Kuti performed the official song of this year’s AFCON, along with Egypt’s Hakim and Ivory Coast’s DobetGnahore.
The official song, titled ‘Metgameen’, translates as ‘We Are Together’.
The Punch
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.
