Author: Chronicle Editor

Nigeria and Argentina will face off in a crucial encounter, with a trip to the knockout stage on the line for both teams. Argentina, with just one point so far, is hanging on by a thread and looking to avoid a shocking early exit from the tournament. Nigeria, on the other hand, has an advantage over Argentina in terms of points but has lacked consistently so far in the Group Stage. Team News Nigeria switched to a 3-5-2 formation for the 2-0 win against Iceland, and could name an unchanged line-up. Left wing-back Bryan Idowu was replaced by Tyronne Ebuehi…

A US border security chief says he has temporarily stopped launching criminal prosecutions of migrants who illegally enter the country with children. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner Kevin McAleenan told reporters in Texas the prosecution referrals were suspended last week. He said it followed an order last week by President Donald Trump calling for an end to migrant family separations. But Mr Trump had suggested the families would instead be detained together. The Republican president bowed to public pressure last Wednesday, signing his executive order to “keep families together” in migrant detentions. Mr McAleenan maintained that the Trump administration’s…

President Muhammadu Buhari has explained to members of Urhobo Progress Union that it is impossible to make ministerial appointments on tribal basis. President Buhari told the traditional rulers and opinion leaders drawn from the union on Monday that, “it is not possible to make each tribal group (a minister) because I suspect they are around 250″. “Two hundred and fifty ministers will be too cumbersome to handle, so it is limited by the constitution. So the only thing we can do is to pick one person per state.” Buhari thanked the nation for ensuring peaceful coexistence between the law enforcement…

On Wednesday, 20 June 2018 President Muhammadu Buhari signed into law, the 2018 appropriation bill after the National Assembly had passed it on the 16 May 2018. As is the custom previously, the leaders of the legislative arm of the government always witnessed the President’s assent into the Bill thereby making it an Act. Unfortunately, for the first time since the inception of this administration on 29 May 2015, neither of the leaders of the two chambers of the National Assembly – the Senate President and the Speaker, House of Representatives – were in attendance when the Executive arm, led…

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo says the federal government is building an enabling business environment in its journey of national transformation. Prof Osinbajo noted that the signing of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) has made it easier to do business in Nigeria. At the launch of the 2018 Executive Order (EO1) report of PEBEC at the Banquet Hall in the State House, Abuja he explained that the six directives contained in the Executive Order addresses limitations identified in the civil and public service systems. He noted that it also tried to address the issue of transparency; default Approval, which…

Ricardo Quaresma scored a screamer as Portugal progressed to the World Cup knockout stages after drawing with Iran in a game full of VAR controversy. Cristiano Ronaldo missed a penalty for Portugal and was shown a yellow card after a lengthy VAR review for a possible red card. Iran scored a late penalty, given after another video review, and could have snatched a winner in stoppage time which would have seen them through at Portugal’s expense. READ: Iago Aspas rescues Spain in cracker against Morocco Ricardo Quaresma put Portugal in front with a sensational goal at the end of the…

Iago Aspas scored a stoppage-time equaliser – with the aid of VAR – as Spain scraped an unconvincing draw with Morocco to top Group B and secure a last-16 tie against World Cup hosts Russia. Despite their poor showing Spain have finished a World Cup group stage unbeaten for the first time since 2006. Youssef En-Nesyri – who plays in Spain for Malaga – looked to have won it for Herve Renard’s side when he powered in a superb header from fellow substitute Faycal Fajr’s corner. But Aspas flicked in Dani Carvajal’s low cross to make it 2-2, with referee…

Nigeria have no sympathy for the struggles of Argentina striker Lionel Messi at the World Cup and will do everything they can to bring his tournament to a premature end when the teams meet in St Petersburg on Tuesday. Argentina, bottom of Group D, need victory to progress to the knockout stages and must also hope Iceland do not beat Croatia, because that could send them out anyway, depending on goal difference. Nigeria, second in the group, will advance if they beat Argentina, while a draw may also prove to be enough even if third-placed Iceland beat Croatia. The match…

Mohamed Salah scored his second goal of the World Cup but Egypt ended their campaign pointless with defeat by Saudi Arabia at Volgograd Arena. The Liverpool forward gave Egypt the lead with a brilliant lob over keeper Yasser Al-Mosailem in the 22nd minute. Egypt’s Essam El Hadary, 45, became the oldest player to feature at a World Cup and saved Fahad Al Muwallad’s penalty. However, he could not stop Salman Al Faraj’s spot-kick and was beaten again by Salem Al Dawsari with seconds left. El Hadary makes history, saves pen… but ends up on losing side It was an opening…

Russia’s impressive start to the World Cup took a downward turn as they had a man sent off and were easily defeated by Uruguay, whose victory means they top Group A, and leaves the hosts entering the last 16 as group runners-up. There was a party atmosphere around the scorching Samara Arena before kick-off, with fans having travelled from all over the country keen to share in the good feeling surrounding their national team. Russia had scored eight goals in sweeping victories over Saudi Arabia and Egypt and were already guaranteed to progress, but they went behind in their final…