Author: Chronicle Editor

Former Super Eagles forward Yakubu Aiyegbeni who played mostly in England and made a name with Portsmouth and Everton FC has retired from professional football on his 35th birthday. Aiyegbeni, who also played for Middlesbrough and Blackburn Rovers, made 250 Premier League appearances and scored 96 goals in a career spanning 20 years. He however also featured three times for fourth-tier side Coventry City this year before being released. “I will like to officially announce my retirement from professional football today,” Aiyegbeni said on Wednesday. Read Also Nigeria ranks third in open defecation – UNICEF The powerful striker scored 21…

Willian scored twice as Chelsea progressed to the last 16 of the Champions League with a comfortable victory against 10-man Qarabag. Forward Willian had scored just one goal prior to this game this season – against Everton in the League Cup – but played a pivotal role in this win for the Blues, also winning two penalties. After former Birmingham City midfielder Michel hit the bar for Qarabag, Chelsea were awarded their first spot kick when Rashad Sadygov was adjudged to have pulled down Willian inside the area. Sadygov was subsequently sent off and Eden Hazard sent the goalkeeper the…

The United Nations Children Funds (UNICEF) says Nigeria is ranked third among the countries of the world where people still practise open defecation. Mr Zaid Jurji, the UNICEF Chief of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in Nigeria, made this known on Wednesday in Katsina when he paid courtesy visit to Governor Aminu Masari. “The situation of sanitation in Nigeria is alarming. Nigeria is third worldwide when it comes to open defecation, one-third of the population practise it. “Nigeria is a heavy weight country, not only in Africa, but worldwide. READ: Nigerian Army makes three languages compulsory for officers “It does…

The Nigerian Army has given its personnel one year to learn and be proficient in the three major Nigerian languages – Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa. “Invariably, by December 2018, all Nigerian Army personnel are expected to learn the three major Nigerian languages. “The standard of proficiency to be attained is the basic level. Certificated proficiency level will attract Language Allowance,” according to a statement issued by the Army Spokesman, Brig.-Gen Sani Usman. Usman said that the ability to speak the three major languages would be an added advantage to those applying for recruitment or commissioning into the army. READ: Facebook…

Facebook will open a community hub space in Nigeria next year to encourage software developers and technology entrepreneurs and become the latest technology giant to pursue a training programme in fast-growing Africa. The US social media company said the centre would host an “incubator programme” to help develop technology start-ups, while it will also train 50,000 Nigerians in digital skills. Africa’s rapid population growth, falling data costs and heavy adoption of mobile phones rather than PCs is attracting technology companies looking to attract more users. Facebook did not provide details of the period over which its planned training would take…

Jose Mourinho insists his decision to omit Henrikh Mkhitaryan from Manchester United’s match-day squad against Newcastle United was based purely on form. With Paul Pogba, Marouane Fellaini and Zlatan Ibrahimovic fit again, the Armenian playmaker was forced to watch from the stands as United returned to winning ways with a stylish 4-1 victory. Mkhitaryan had played at least 45 minutes in each of United’s 11 prior Premier League matches but after a hot start to the season, when he managed a goal and five assists in his first five games, his form has dipped since. And Mourinho has warned Mkhitaryan…

Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann has admitted a move to Manchester United remains “a possibility”. The France international was repeatedly linked with a move to Old Trafford last summer and was quoted as saying his chances of going there were “six out of 10”. He ultimately extended his contract in Spain instead but speaking in his new biography, ‘Behind a smile, the life of the Little Prince told by himself’, he concedes a move remains in his thoughts. Griezmann, whose form has dipped in recent weeks, said: “In June, I extended my contract. I’m linked to the club until 2022.…

Sevilla have confirmed their head coach has been diagnosed with cancer after coming from 3-0 down to draw with Liverpool in the Champions League. Spanish media say Eduardo Berizzo, who is suffering with prostate cancer, told his players at half-time in Tuesday’s game at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan. Sevilla’s players rushed to Berizzo after Guido Pizarro scored an injury-time equaliser in the 3-3 draw. A club statement wished the 48-year-old Argentine a “speedy recovery”. READ: Victor Moses – the asylum-seeking orphan who conquered the Premier League It added: “The medical services of Sevilla FC report that the coach of the…

Former vice president of Zimbabwe, Emmerson Mnangagwa, who is expected to be sworn in as president following the resignation of Robert Mugabe, will return home on Wednesday, a ruling party ZANU-PF official said. Mugabe resigned as Zimbabwe’s president on Tuesday, a week after the army and his former political allies moved to end four decades of rule by a man once feted as an independence hero who became feared as a despot. Mnangagwa, whose sacking this month prompted the military takeover that forced Mugabe out, was expected to land in Zimbabwe at 1130 GMT, Larry Mavhima, an ally of the…

The Lagos State Police Command says Nigerian musician Damini Ogulu popularly known as Burna Boy is still on the run after he was asked to report himself. In a statement signed by ASP Olarinde Famous-Cole, Police Public Relations Officer for the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Police Command, Famous-Cole noted that he is “yet to report himself to the police and still on the run.” Lagos Police noted that was contrary to reports making rounds on the Internet that the musician has honoured police invitation. “The Command would also like to inform the public that only Burna Boy’s father, one…