Author: David Great

Morocco caused the latest shock at a World Cup that has been full of surprises by beating Belgium thanks to late goals by Abdelhamid Sabiri and Zakaria Aboukhlal. Belgium keeper Thibaut Courtois was at fault for the first goal, inexplicably allowing Sabiri’s in-swinging free-kick to beat him at his near post with 17 minutes to go. But the whole Belgium side paid the price for a ponderous performance, with Morocco capping a magnificent second-half display when Aboukhlal fired Hakim Ziyech’s cutback into the roof of the net in stoppage time. That sparked wild celebrations in the stands of Al Thumama…

Costa Rica put a huge dent in Japan’s hopes of reaching the World Cup last 16 when they rebounded from their 7-0 hammering by Spain to claim a surprise 1-0 victory in Group E on Sunday. The door was ajar for Japan to seal their place in the knockout round after their historic opening win over Germany on the same day as Costa Rica’s collapse. But Keysher Fuller’s curling 81st-minute effort, Costa Rica’s first shot on target in the tournament, rocked Japan and put their hopes of progression in peril. When Fuller’s left-footer crept into the top of the net…

By Bright Okuta Supporters of presidential candidates seeking approval in the 2023 presidential election seem to have one thing in common and that is referencing Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to bolster their candidates’ chances. Six months after the APC primary election, Vice President Osinbajo’s name is still floating in the tongues of political campaigners and observers in Nigeria. As the campaign for the 2023 presidential election takes its turn, many Nigerians are talking about the Vice President’s impact on the 2023 politics. Supporters of the All Progressives Congress candidate are making moves to get Osinbajo into the campaign train of…

Protests in China against heavy COVID-19 curbs spread to Shanghai on Sunday, with demonstrators also gathering at one of Beijing’s most prestigious universities after a deadly fire in the country’s far west sparked widespread anger. The wave of civil disobedience, which has included protests in Urumqi where the fire occurred as well as elsewhere in Beijing and in other cities, has reached unprecedented levels in mainland China since Xi Jinping assumed power a decade ago. In Shanghai, China’s most populous city, residents gathered on Saturday night at Wulumuqi Road – which is named after Urumqi – for a candlelight vigil…

Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo, 37, has been offered a three-year deal worth £186m by Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr. (CBS) Bayern Munich have joined the race to sign West Ham and England midfielder Declan Rice, 23. (El Nacional, via Fichajes – in Spanish) Tottenham are yet to open talks with England captain and forward Harry Kane over a new contract, with his current deal due to expire in the summer of 2024. Spurs will have to offer the 29-year-old an “extraordinary” deal to keep him. (Football Insider) Manager Erik ten Hag has asked Manchester United to make a January signing to replace Ronaldo after his departure. The club’s shortlist…

A 19-year-old US woman will not be able to see her father’s execution after a judge upheld a Missouri law that states she is too young. Kevin Johnson faces execution on Tuesday for the killing of a police officer in 2005 when he was 19. He requested that his daughter, Khorry Ramey, attend his execution. The American Civil Liberties Union had filed an emergency motion on her behalf, arguing that the state law violated her constitutional rights. They said that the age requirement in the Missouri law – barring anyone under the age of 21 from witnessing an execution -…

The All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, delivered another gaffe on Saturday when he referred to the Permanent Voter Card (PVC) used to vote as “APV”. Tinubu who was speaking at the grand rally in Lagos state added to his collection of slur and errors as questions to continue about his mental and physical fitness. The former two-term Lagos governor while speaking at the rally made the mistake of saying APV instead of PVC and an attempt to correct himself made the matters worse as he he referred to PVC as APC, the acronym of his party. Addressing…

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), has directed passport offices across the country to work on Saturdays to clear the backlog of passport applications. In a statement issued by the public relations officer, Mr. Tony Akuneme, in Abuja on Saturday, he said holidays will be exempted. Akuneme said that the Comptroller-General, Mr. Isa Jere, who gave the directive also approved the deployment of the Passport Controller in Ekiti to Jigawa, while the one in Ondo was moved to NIS Zonal office in Ibadan. The NIS spokesman stated that going forward, the CG will hold officers accountable for any acts of indiscipline…

Lionel Messi thumped in a 64th minute goal and Enzo Fernandez added another late in the game to give Argentina a 2-0 victory over battling Mexico in their World Cup Group C match on Saturday and reignite their tournament hopes. Messi, who equalled Diego Maradona’s Argentina record of 21 World Cup matches, was nowhere to be seen for more than an hour before picking up an Angel Di Maria pass, finding just enough space and rifling in with his left foot from 20 metres. Substitute Fernandez made sure of the three points when he curled a superb shot into the…

An emotional Robert Lewandowski scored his first World Cup goal as Poland brought Saudi Arabia back down to earth with a bump on Saturday with a 2-0 Group C victory that rejuvenated their tournament campaign. Poland’s record scorer, who missed a penalty in their opening stalemate with Mexico and drew a blank in Russia four years ago, was visibly moved after finally finding the net, wiping his eyes as team mates piled on top of him. The striker had pounced on a mistake in the 82nd minute to double Poland’s advantage after Piotr Zielinski had given them a first-half lead…