Author: Chronicle Editor

Cristiano Ronaldo won the battle between two of Europe’s in-form strikers as Portugal defeated Mohamed Salah’s Egypt 2-1 in Zurich. The European champions trailed until the 90th minute before Ronaldo scored twice to steal victory. Salah opened the scoring after the interval with a sweet left-footed drive from outside the area. It was a beauty of a goal and Salah appeared to have settled the tie but Ronaldo had other ideas. But Ronaldo made it 43 goals in 40 appearances this term as Portugal lay down a marker before the World Cup. READ: Italy pay tribute to Astori before 2-0…

The actions of mankind could lead to the extinction of half of African birds and mammals by the end of 2100, a UN-backed study has said. The report conducted by 550 experts from around the world said reduced biodiversity could affect people’s quality of life. It also found 42% of land-based animal and plant species in Europe and Central Asia have declined in the last decade. The findings come after the death of the last male northern white rhino. Despite the bleak findings, the study also pointed to some successes in reversing declines in wildlife. The study by the Intergovernmental…

By SKC Ogbonnia The latest Transparency International (TI) report disrating Nigeria’s war against corruption did not come as a surprise. But the report did not tell the whole story. The truth is that President Muhammadu Buhari has done a commendable job on the war against corruption compared to the situation under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). At least, unlike in the past, corruption is not being advertised as a way of life. Corrupt politicians, for instance, are being paraded back and forth to police cells by the anti-corruption agency. The optics alone is a measurable deterrence and, of course, miles…

Former President, Goodluck Jonathan has returned to Sierra Leone to observe the country’s presidential run-off polls scheduled for Tuesday. Jonathan, who is leading the Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa (EISA) Election Observation Mission, arrived Freetown on Friday. Mr. Ikechukwu Eze, the spokesman to the former president, said Jonathan also led EISA to the first round of the elections on March 7. In the elections, none of the candidates polled required 55 per cent of votes to win at the first ballot. The run-off is between opposition leader Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone People’s Party, SLPP, and All…

President Muhammadu Buhari has assured the parents of one of the abducted Dapchi schoolgirls of her safe return back to her home. Leah Sharibu was kidnapped along with the 110 Dapchi schoolgirls from Government Girls Technical College, Dapchi, Yobe state but was not released because she refused to convert from Christianity to Islam. Taking to his Twitter page to react to the clamour for her safe return, Buhari tweeted, “It is disheartening that one of the girls, Leah Sharibu, remains in captivity. “Let me assure that I am as committed to her freedom as I was to the girls’ freedom…

Facebook ended the week $58bn lower in value after its handling of a historic data breach. Its founder Mark Zuckerberg apologised for data breaches that affected 50 million users. The apology did not stop investors from selling shares in Facebook, with many wondering just how bad the damage would be for the social network. The breach was called a “light bulb” moment for users, spawning the social media trend #deletefacebook. All the negative headlines led to some advertisers saying “enough is enough”. Shares in the social media company fell from $176.80 on Monday to around $159.30 by Friday night. Will…

Italy paid tribute to the late Davide Astori as they lost 2-0 to Argentina on an emotional night in Manchester. The message “Davide with us forever” adorned the Azzurri shirt in their first match since the Fiorentina captain’s death on 4 March. Italy will wear the same inscription on their kit when they face England on Tuesday (20:00 BST). Serie A fixtures were postponed after the death of the 31-year-old defender, capped 14 times by Italy. Before kick-off, the stadium observed a minute’s silence as a further mark of respect towards Astori. READ: Victor Moses score from the spot as…

Nigeria began its preparation for the 2018 World Cup in Russia with a 1-0 over at the Municipal Stadium in Wroclaw thanks to Victor Moses’ 61st minute strike from the spot. Moses converted the spot kick after he was brought down in the box to give the Super Eagles the only goal of the game in match that looked pretty much a dress rehearsal for the World Cup. Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr made the most difficult call between the sticks, as he eventually went for Francis Uzoho. The selection earned the youngster his first full debut for the Super…

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo says that no fewer than 7.4 million pupils are benefitting from the National Home Grown School Feeding Programme, NHGSFP, of the Federal Government. Osinbajo, represented by Mr Boss Mustapha, Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF), made the disclosure at a National Symposium on NHGSFP on Friday in Abuja. The symposium, organised in partnership with the National Social Investment Office, was in honour of the African Day of School Feeding. NHSGSP is one of the pillars of the social investment efforts of the Federal Government. READ: Three killed in Trebes supermarket hostage-taking “I am amazed at…

DStv and GOtv subscribers will have front row seats to watch the Nigerian friendly matches in preparation for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia which kicks off June 14. The Nigerian friendly matches are exclusive to SuperSport, the world of champions. Starting this evening, the Nigeria versus Poland, friendly match, which will be played at the Municipal Stadium, Wroclaw in Poland, will kick off at 8.45 pm. DStv subscribers will watch the match on SuperSport 9, while the match will be available to GOtv subscribers on SuperSport Select 1. READ: Juventus pick Darmian over Bellerin, as Pirlo gets first…