Author: David Great

Darwin Nunez scored a late goal on his debut as Liverpool drew first blood in this season’s rivalry with Manchester City with a 3-1 win in Saturday’s Community Shield. Trent Alexander-Arnold opened the scoring, firing Juergen Klopp’s side ahead in the 21st minute of the 100th edition of the annual clash between league champions and FA Cup winners. City’s new Norwegian signing Erling Haaland, brought in from Borussia Dortmund, missed two chances to mark his debut for the champions with a goal but Pep Guardiola’s side were missing their usual fluency. It was another new striking addition who brought City…

The increase in the pump price of petrol have caused some federal and state civil servants have appealed to both governments to increase workers salary to reduce their hardships. The workers, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in separate interviews on Friday in Katsina, said the appeal was necessary because prices of goods and transportation had also skyrocketed. Malam Abdullahi Balarabe, a Federal Government worker in Katsina, said that following the hike in fuel price, prices of goods had also doubled. Balarabe said what he normally bought for N200 was now being sold for between N300 and…

Gabriel Jesus scored a hat-trick on his first appearance at Emirates Stadium as Arsenal beat Sevilla 6-0 in the Emirates Cup. Bukayo Saka struck twice, with the Gunners 4-0 up inside 19 minutes against the La Liga side. Eddie Nketiah rounded off the win after a flowing counter-attack move. Elsewhere, Manchester United were beaten 1-0 by Atletico Madrid in Oslo, with Joao Felix scoring late on before a red card for United’s Fred. The Gunners’ victory ends a successful pre-season campaign, during which Brazilian Jesus scored seven goals after his £45m move from Manchester City. It was Saka who opened…

Tee Mac Omatshola Iseli has made a U-turn on comments he made against Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, that he is 83. Tinubu’s age has been a mystery for many, with close allies claiming that the former Lagos governor is in his 80s. In a Facebook post, Tee Mac said Tinubu is his in-law and that he is not fit to lead Nigeria but he has since said that he was misquoted. “My attention has been drawn to a post that has gone viral on social media regarding a private banter with a Facebook acquaintance on…

Real Madrid have enquired about the availability of Chelsea’s Albania striker Armando Broja, 20, who impressed on loan at Southampton last season. (Standard) Leicester City’s England midfielder James Maddison, 25, is set to be offered an improved deal following his impressive form last season. (Mail) Bayern Munich’s France full-back Benjamin Pavard, 26, would be willing to join Chelsea if they made a serious offer. (Bild) Chelsea’s Germany forward Timo Werner, 26, has accepted a 50% pay cut to rejoin RB Leipzig – and a loan fee with a purchase clause is being discussed. (Bild – in German) Barcelona’s Memphis Depay, 28, is among Juventus’ options for a new attacking option along with Werner and Atletico Madrid’s Spain striker Alvaro Morata,…

Austin Avuru, founding CEO of Seplat Energy has called off the planned retirement dinner which was to feature the unveiling of his books following an injunction by an Abuja High Court presided over by Justice SB Belgore. An e-message signed by the respected oil and gas expert informed invited guests that “this event has been suspended by an Abuja High Court injunction. Our lawyers are at work and, when we are permitted, we shall re-assemble at a later date.” The message concluded with “sincere apologies to our invited guests and dignitaries for untold inconveniences and arrested expectations. Very warm regards.”…

Suspected bandits on Saturday killed three police officers and five vigilantes in an ambush in Ajaokuta, Kogi state, multiple sources say. The killings was uncovered when suspicious movements were reported at the Ajaokuta police station. According to a witness, the locals had reported at the Divisional Police Headquarters that some people were using their farms for criminal activities. The DPO then deployed his men and some vigilantes with a view to repelling an impending attack. The witness said that unknown to them, the hoodlums had laid ambush for the policemen and vigilante and that they opened fire on sighting them.…

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, has approved the posting and appointment of some top officers to command, instructional and staff positions across formations and units. The appointments were announced in a statement issued by the Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, on Thursday in Abuja. Nwachukwu said the new postings and appointments were done in an effort to reposition the army for operational efficiency. According to him, those affected in the redeployment include some Principal Staff Officers of the Army Headquarters, General Officers Commanding, Corps Commanders, Commandants of training institutions, Brigade Commanders, Commanding Officers, amongst others.…

Manchester City could abandon their plans to sign Brighton and Spain left-back Marc Cucurella, 24, until next summer and instead target Benfica’s Spanish defender Alex Grimaldo, 26, and Stuttgart and Croatia’s Borna Sosa, 24. (Mail) Everton have approached Paris St-Germain over re-signing 32-year-old Senegal midfielder Idrissa Gueye, with talks set to continue over the next few days. (Fabrizio Romano) Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo, 37, has urged Manchester United to set a transfer fee so he can accept an offer tabled by another club. (Sun) Ronaldo’s representatives have held talks with Sporting Lisbon, his first professional club. (Athletic – subscription required) Nuno Tavares will undergo a medical with Marseille on Friday after the French side agreed a…

…proceeds on annual recess till Sept. 20 The Senate, on Wednesday, resolved to summon the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, to educate and inform senators in a closed session on the reasons for the rapid depreciation of the value of the naira. It also mandated the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions to assess the impact of CBN intervention funds meant to support critical sectors of the economy. The resolutions were reached by lawmakers after the upper chamber considered a motion sponsored by Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi (APC – Ekiti North). The motion…