Headlines
Super Falcons Play Korea in Do or Die Match
Nigeria’s Super Falcons face a daunting task of progressing to the Round of 16 of the Women’s World Cup in France when they face Korea Republic at the Stade des Alpes in Grenoble, on Wednesday.
The Falcons were beaten 3-0 in their opening match by Norway and are well aware that another defeat could be fatal to their hopes of progressing to the next round.
Francisca Ordega, who was slammed for her hairdo and make-up after the first game on Saturday, is still hopeful that the Nigerians will qualify from the group.
“Our plan is to qualify for the next round,” Ordega told FIFA.com.
“We don’t want to go home, so the next two games are very, very important. We are going to fight. We are going to do everything we can to go through.”
Falcons vice-captain Asisat Oshoala urged her teammates to remain focused ahead of the crunch clash.
“Everyone, just keep being yourself, put in more effort, stay concentrated on the pitch; it has to be 100 per cent on the pitch. Just stick to the game plan and always remember where you are supposed to be at every point in time,” Oshoala said in her post-match interview on Tuesday.
Coach Thomas Dennerby will be without defender Faith Michael for the game. The Pitea IF of Sweden defender was injured in a clash with goalkeeper Tochukwu Oluehi during Saturday’s 3-0 loss to Norway and will take no further part in the championship.
In Michael’s absence, Chidinma Okeke, who featured for Nigeria at the 2018 U-20 Women’s World Cup, will start at right-back.
Okeke was impressive against the Norwegians when she replaced Michael in the 53rd minute on Saturday.
“It changes our plans a bit definitely because her (Michael) speed is very useful when you play with three in the backline. We will see what will happen about that,” Dennerby said in his post-match interview on Tuesday.
Korea Republic have never faced Nigeria at this level and they are without a win in their last four matches. Striker Jung Seolbin is aware of the threat the Falcons can pose.
“African players are very flexible and they also seem to perform well under the hot weather,” Seolbin told FIFA.com ahead of the game.
“Speed could be another factor for us in this match because I think they’re even faster than European sides we’ve faced before.”
Also, Korea winger Lee Geummin was more specific about their opponents on Wednesday, stating clearly that they were not good as the Falcons.
“Nigerian defenders are quick, skillful with their feet, and calm under pressure, but I also saw they lose in one-on-one situations and their defensive organisation is not that solid.
“They’re good individually, but not so much as a whole team.”
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.
