Author: David Great

Manchester United and Barcelona contested a thrilling first-leg draw at the Nou Camp to leave their Europa League play-off tie finely poised. Having previously met in two Champions League finals – both of which Barca won – the sides are on the path to recovery in trying to reach those heady heights again. This encounter in Europe’s secondary competition was another step on that road back to the top. Xavi’s men grabbed the opener when Marcos Alonso headed in at the back post from Raphinha’s corner, but United responded immediately through the in-form Marcus Rashford as he slipped in a…

Salernitana sacked head coach Davide Nicola for the second time in a month on Wednesday with the Serie A club bringing in former Portugal midfielder Paulo Sousa as his replacement. Nicola was first relieved of his duties on Jan. 16, a day after Salernitana lost 8-2 at Atalanta, but club president Danilo Iervolino decided to give him “another chance” two days later. Nicola’s second spell came to an end after three defeats in four league games left the team 16th and four points above the relegation zone. Sousa, who was head coach of Poland in 2021, will begin his tenure…

The Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday re-arraigned the quartet of Mark Obisean, Olumide Mcintouch, Bolaji Bakare and Goodluck Bazunu before Justice I.O. Ijelu of the Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos on an amended 11-count charge bordering on purchase of forged bank notes and possession of forged United States dollars travellers cheque. One of the counts reads: “Mark Obisean, Olumide Mcintouch, Bolaji Bakare, Goodluck Bazunu, and Josiah Ntekume (at large) sometime in 2018 at Lagos within the Ikeja Judicial Division, received and have in your possession forged United States Dollars…

Notorious leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Simon Ekpa has stated that a letter from the Finnish government ordering him to end sit-at-home is fake. Ekpa, who has been accused of masterminding killings in Nigeria and crippling economic activities throughout the South East through sit-at-home mocked those who were sharing the order. “My attention has been drawn to the fake letter being shared by desperate Nigeria criminals. Please disregard it, Nigeria is known for forgery, scam, internet fraud, crimes and that’s why we are fighting to exit such evil foundation, a country that its citizens make living…

Actress Oluwadarasimi Omoseyin, who was charged by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) with spraying fresh naira notes during a party, received temporary relief when she was admitted to bail in the amount of N5 million with one surety in the same amount. The actress was charged by the EFCC on February 13 with tampering with a sum of N100,000.00 issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) by dancing on it at the said occasion. The case was heard in a courtroom presided over by Justice Chukwuejekwu Aneke. The actress’s offense by the prosecutor, S. I. Sulaiman, was…

Chelsea owner Todd Boehly has met with Paris St-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi in Paris to discuss a possible summer transfer move for 31-year-old Brazil forward Neymar. (Le Parisien – in French) Argentina forward Lionel Messi, whose deal with PSG runs out in the summer, is unsure about signing a contract extension with the French champions, which could open the door to the 35-year-old moving to MLS side Inter Miami. (L’Equipe, via Mail) Arsenal are monitoring the situation of Manchester United’s England forward Marcus Rashford, 25, amid uncertainty over his contract at Old Trafford. (Football Insider) Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has asked the club to sign 24-year-old Spanish midfielder Martin Zubimendi from Real…

Karim Adeyemi scored a brilliant solo goal to condemn Chelsea to defeat in their Champions League last-16 first-leg tie at Borussia Dortmund. The Premier League side rued missed chances as Joao Felix shot over from a good position and then hit the crossbar in the first half. Reece James also forced two fine saves out of Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel in the second half as the visitors grew in confidence against the hosts, who were themselves struggling to create many chances. But Chelsea were undone on the counter midway through the second period when Adeyemi broke from inside his own…

Manchester City returned to the top of the Premier League for the first time since November as they leapfrogged leaders Arsenal with a vital victory at Emirates Stadium. The reigning champions turned on the power in the second half in the biggest game of the domestic season as Arsenal paid a heavy price for individual errors. Takehiro Tomiyasu’s poor backpass allowed Kevin de Bruyne to loft a finish over Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale after 24 minutes but Arsenal deservedly drew level three minutes before half-time, Bukayo Saka scoring from the spot after City goalkeeper Ederson fouled Eddie Nketiah. City, lacking…

Amnesty International has urged security agencies and the Nigerian government to uphold human rights as the presidential and national assembly elections due to take place on 25 February. The not-for-profit organisation noted that the elections must be free from further violence and intimidation and effective measures must be in place to protect all participants and prevent human rights violations. Amnesty International noted that political parties, politicians, security forces and interest groups must refrain from condoning, or engaging in, violence or incitement that could deprive people of their human rights. Osai Ojigho, Director of Amnesty International Nigeria in a statement on…

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos state has warned against the rejection of old naira notes, noting that, anyone that rejects the notes will face prosecution. In a statement on Wednesday, Gbenga Omotoso, the information commissioner stated that the governor urged citizens to shun mischief that could cause hardship. “The Lagos State Government wishes to put on record the patience and calmness of Lagosians following the controversy generated by the naira shortage crisis,” the statement said. “The State Government has joined the dispute at the Supreme Court, which today adjourned the hearing of the matter till February 22. When the matter…