Author: David Great

France staged a thrilling comeback to overturn a 2-0 first-leg deficit against Croatia, ultimately winning on penalties to book their spot in the UEFA Nations League semi-finals. After a disappointing defeat in Split, Didier Deschamps’ side needed a strong response in Paris. However, they struggled to break down Croatia’s disciplined defense in the first half. Their best early chance came in the 17th minute when Aurélien Tchouaméni’s glancing header narrowly missed the target. France had another opportunity in the 39th minute when Michael Olise set up Bradley Barcola, but Croatian goalkeeper Dominik Livaković denied the PSG forward. The breakthrough finally…

Spain edged past the Netherlands in a dramatic penalty shootout, winning 5-4 after a thrilling 5-5 aggregate draw in their UEFA Nations League quarter-final at the Mestalla. The victory extends Spain’s unbeaten run to 18 matches and sets up a semi-final showdown with France. The match started with early drama as Spain earned a penalty in the sixth minute when Jan Paul van Hecke fouled Mikel Oyarzabal. The forward calmly converted, placing his shot into the bottom-right corner beyond the reach of Dutch goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen. Oyarzabal nearly doubled Spain’s lead soon after, but his goal was ruled out for…

Portugal battled their way into the UEFA Nations League semi-finals with a dramatic 5-2 extra-time victory over Denmark in Lisbon, overturning a first-leg deficit to win 5-3 on aggregate. The night began with early drama as Cristiano Ronaldo won a penalty after being fouled by Patrick Dorgu, but Kasper Schmeichel denied the Portuguese captain with a comfortable save. Ronaldo had another golden opportunity minutes later, but his close-range header was also stopped by the Danish goalkeeper. Denmark’s Rasmus Højlund, the match-winner in the first leg, tested Diogo Costa, but the Portuguese shot-stopper was equal to the effort. Portugal’s dominance paid…

Germany secured their first-ever UEFA Nations League semi-final berth after a dramatic 3-3 draw with Italy in Dortmund, progressing 5-4 on aggregate despite nearly surrendering a three-goal lead. Already holding a 2-1 advantage from the first leg, Germany came out firing, with early chances from Maximilian Mittelstädt and Leon Goretzka testing Italy’s resolve. The visitors struggled to get out of their own half, and Germany’s pressure paid off in the 30th minute when Alessandro Buongiorno brought down Tim Kleindienst in the box. Joshua Kimmich made no mistake from the penalty spot, coolly placing his shot into the bottom corner. Minutes…

The traditional ruler of Asaba, His Royal Majesty, Prof. Epiphany C. Azinge, SAN, OON, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to address critical developmental challenges in Asaba, Delta State. The monarch made the appeal during a courtesy visit to the President at the State House, Abuja. During the meeting, the Asagba congratulated President Tinubu on his assumption of office and commended his leadership in steering the affairs of the nation. He also expressed gratitude for the Federal Government’s support during the passage of his predecessor, the 13th Asagba of Asaba, acknowledging that “the representation by the Secretary to the…

The communal clashes between the Ifon and Ilobu communities in Osun State intensified on Saturday, spreading to Erin Osun. In response, Governor Ademola Adeleke has imposed a 24-hour curfew on the affected areas. Initially, a 12-hour curfew had been declared following the outbreak of violence, which displaced many residents. On Saturday, displaced individuals, including northerners, were seen leaving the conflict zone, some boarding buses in Okinni. A statement from the governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, outlined measures being taken to restore order. “Governor Ademola Adeleke has stepped up conflict de-escalation moves on the Ifon-Ilobu conflict, imposing a 24-hour curfew, mobilising a…

The Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) has disbursed a total of N1.678 trillion among the Federal Government, states, and local governments for February 2025. This was disclosed in a communiqué issued by FAAC and shared by the Director of Press and Public Relations at the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, Bawa Mokwa, on Saturday. The total revenue distributed included statutory revenue of N827.633 billion, Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue of N609.430 billion, Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL) revenue of N35.171 billion, Solid Minerals revenue of N28.218 billion, and an augmentation of N178 billion. According to the communiqué, “Total…

Legendary Fuji musician, Alhaji Musibau Alani has refuted rumours spreading on social media that he snatched Fali, the mother of famous afrobeats musician Asake from her estranged husband, Mr Odunsi, fondly called Malo. In a chat, the Stand Well Well crooner, who is Asake’s step-father confirmed that he was married to the singer’s mother in a union that produced three kids, two of which are late, but denied snatching her from any man. Following heated allegations of neglect from Mr Odunsi against Asake, social media was agog with rumours that Alani was responsible for the breakup between the singer’s parents.…

Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has urged the Federal Government to enact legislation prohibiting open grazing across Nigeria. Speaking at the Benue Livestock Summit 2025 in Makurdi on Friday, Alia emphasized that ranching remains the most effective method of animal husbandry globally. He called on the Minister of Livestock Development to lead efforts in passing a law that would ban open grazing and promote the establishment of ranches nationwide. “I also wish to reaffirm our administration’s commitment to the Prohibition of Open Grazing and Ranches Establishment Law 2017 (as amended),” Alia stated. According to him, Benue aims to integrate into…

A former councillor from Ifon Orolu in Osun State, identified as Azeez, has been killed amid renewed clashes between Ifon and Ilobu communities over a long-standing boundary dispute. Details of his death remain unclear, but a resident of Ifon, speaking anonymously for safety reasons, confirmed that Azeez died early Friday at the Osun State University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo. The conflict, which has intensified in recent days, has led to several houses being set ablaze. Media aide to the Olufon of Ifon, Yusuf Adekunle, accused Ilobu residents of orchestrating the attacks. “The deceased is Hon Azeez, ex-councillor. Ilobu people have made…