Author: Opalim Lifted

The federal government of Nigeria has commended the Super Eagles for their performance and resilience at the tournament despite their defeat. On Wednesday, the Atlas Lions of Morocco defeated the Super Eagles of Nigeria on penalties to reach the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Mohammed Idris, minister of information and national orientation, conveyed the message in a statement on Thursday. He said the team demonstrated character, teamwork, and resilience, qualities he described as deeply important to the nation. The minister said the players’ effort and commitment throughout the competition earned them the respect and gratitude of…

Substitute Jefte Betancor scored twice as second-tier Albacete pulled off a dramatic 3-2 victory over Spanish giants Real Madrid on Wednesday, eliminating them from the Copa del Rey at the round-of-16 stage on Alvaro Arbeloa’s managerial debut. On a misty night at the Carlos Belmonte stadium, the energetic 17,000-strong crowd created an electric atmosphere as Albacete stunned the European powerhouses, who had sacked manager Xabi Alonso earlier in the week. Former Real defender Arbeloa, who was handed the reins in the wake of Alonso’s dismissal, selected a largely second-string side and they struggled to impose themselves on their lowly opponents,…

Goalkeeper Robert Sanchez made errors that contributed to two of Arsenal’s three goals in a dramatic Carabao Cup semi-final first leg – but Alejandro Garnacho scored twice to keep Chelsea in the tie. Sanchez failed to claim Declan Rice’s corner, allowing Ben White to head in Arsenal’s seventh-minute opener from close range – and the goalkeeper let a cross squirm through his fingers shortly after half-time for Viktor Gyokeres to make it 2-0. Garnacho pulled one back 12 minutes into the second half, but Martin Zubimendi’s brilliant shimmy and finish restored Arsenal’s two-goal advantage. The former Manchester United winger then…

Hosts Morocco survived a nervy night in Rabat to see off Nigeria 4-2 on penalties to reach the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Youssef En-Nesyri stroked the winning spot-kick into the bottom-left corner after Yassine Bounou saved from Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyemaechi. In a game of few chances a shootout looked a likely outcome from early in proceedings. Tournament top scorer Brahim Diaz squandered Morocco’s best opening just before the half hour, misjudging a header from Achraf Hakimi’s right-wing cross, with the Real Madrid forward’s effort coming more off his shoulder. Nigeria’s star forwards Victor…

The trial of former National Security Adviser, Colonel Sambo Dasuki (retd), took a decisive turn on Wednesday as the EFCC detailed how billions meant for election security allegedly flowed from government coffers to private companies and individuals. Testifying before Justice C.O. Agbaza of the FCT High Court in Maitama, Abuja, the first prosecution witness, Dr Michael Adariku, said investigators traced substantial transfers from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) to Acacia Holdings Limited and other beneficiaries. Led by Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, the EFCC investigator told the court that funds were paid into Acacia Holdings’ UBA account, including transactions…

Burkina Faso have sacked coach Brama Traore and his coaching staff after their last-16 exit at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The country’s football federation (FBF) said the decision was taken following results “deemed to fall far short of the objectives set for the national team” before the finals in Morocco. The Stallions had been targeting a place in the semi-finals but lost 3-0 to defending champions Ivory Coast in the first knockout round. “This poor performance has caused deep disappointment among supporters, stakeholders in national football, and governing bodies,” said FBF chairman Oumarou Sawadogo. Traore, 63, had…

Visa applications from Nigeria, Russia and at least 73 other countries will no longer be processed by United States embassies and consulates as Washington moves to tighten immigration screening over concerns about welfare dependence. The US Department of State has directed consular officers to pause visa processing for the affected countries from January 21, pending a broad reassessment of screening and vetting procedures. The directive was contained in an internal memo first reported by Fox News. Under the instruction, visa officers are to refuse applications using existing provisions of US immigration law while the review is ongoing. The pause applies…

The Defence Minister, Lt.Gen. Christopher Musa (rtd), has warned Sheikh Ahmed Gumi and other persons in the country against including bandits in northern brotherhood. General Musa on Wednesday in Maiduguri via a statement declared: “A friend of a thief is a thief,” warning Nigerians against supporting terrorists and bandits in any form. He said that the warning statement is neither accidental nor symbolic; explaining that it is a clear response to narratives previously promoted by Sheikh Gumi, who described bandits’ hiding in the bush as “our brothers” and argued that society cannot do without them. General Musa’s message draws a…

Nigeria’s cities are on course for an unprecedented population surge, with an additional 140.3 million people expected to settle in urban areas over the next 25 years, more than double the country’s current city population. By 2050, Nigeria’s urban population is projected to reach about 264 million, placing enormous pressure on infrastructure but also positioning cities at the heart of future economic growth. Despite the scale of the challenge, the World Bank projects Nigeria’s economy will grow by 4.4 per cent in 2026 and sustain that momentum in 2027, according to its latest Global Economic Prospects report. This outlook follows…

The federal government has hired a lobbying firm in a $9 million contract to assist in communicating its actions on protecting Christians in Nigeria to the United States government. According to the lobbying contract document filed with the US Department of Justice, Aster Legal, a law firm in Kaduna state, hired the services of DCI Group on behalf of Nuhu Ribadu, the national security adviser. DCI Group is a US-based public affairs and lobbying firm. The agreement was signed by Oyetunji Olalekan Teslim, the managing partner of Aster Legal, and Justin Peterson, managing member of DCI group, on December 17,…