Author: Opalim Lifted

Daniel Munoz’s deflected strike was enough for Colombia to beat DR Congo and secure their place in the World Cup knockout stage. Roared on by the vast majority of the crowd in Guadalajara, Colombia missed a host of chances before Crystal Palace wing-back Munoz broke the deadlock in the 76th minute. Juan Fernando Quintero’s clever pass found its way to Munoz and his left-footed shot took a touch off the defender to wrong-foot DR Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi and sneak in at the near post. A second straight win puts Colombia top of Group K and clinches their place in…

Nasir El-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna state, has indicated his intention to file a no-case submission after the Department of State Services (DSS) closed its case in his ongoing trial over alleged breach of national security. At the proceedings on Tuesday, Oluwole Aladedoye, counsel to the DSS, informed the court that the prosecution would not be calling additional witnesses. Aladedoye said the agency was satisfied that the evidence already presented before the court was sufficient to establish the offences against the ex-minister. Following the announcement, Paul Erokoro, counsel to El-Rufai, told the court that the defence would be filing a…

Croatia remain in contention for a last-32 spot at the World Cup after beating Panama in Toronto to register their first points in Group L. A win on Saturday against Ghana, who earlier drew 0-0 with England, will confirm Croatia’s place in the knockout phase. Substitute Ante Budimir’s goal nine minutes into the second half eliminated England’s final group opponents Panama, who have lost their first two matches. Panama’s pace in attack had caused problems for the 2018 runners-up during a goalless first period, and Croatia boss Zlatko Dalic reacted to his side’s disappointing first-half display by making two attacking…

England were unable to repeat the flowing football that overpowered Croatia in their first World Cup game as they were held to a draw by Ghana at Boston Stadium. Thomas Tuchel’s side knew victory would confirm a place in the last 32 – but they were left frustrated by the stubborn resistance and organisation from Ghana. England took 57 minutes to muster a shot on target and once again lived dangerously in defence, surviving anxious moments when Ghana hit them on the counter-attack as the contest became a disjointed affair. Tuchel turned to Bukayo Saka, whose minutes are being managed…

Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player to score in six World Cups as his double helped Portugal thrash Uzbekistan. The 41-year-old made history when he opened the scoring in the sixth minute, sweeping in a low half-volley at the near post from Joao Cancelo’s cross from the right. Ronaldo’s strike also meant he became the second oldest man to score at a World Cup, behind Cameroon’s Roger Milla, who was 42 when he found the net against Russia in 1994. Portugal were criticised following a 1-1 draw against DR Congo in their opening game of the tournament, but they stepped…

The Chairman of the Taraba State Environmental and Sanitation Agency, Illiya Kefas, has defended the decision to reduce the monthly allowance of street sweepers under the Operation Keep Taraba Clean programme from N15,000 to N10,000. Speaking on Tuesday, Kefas said the controversial reduction was an internal administrative decision by the agency and not a directive from Governor Agbu Kefas. “The arrangement was an internal decision to sustain the activities of the agency and not a directive from the governor,” he said. His clarification followed comments made a day earlier in which he linked the reduction to resource management challenges arising…

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has presented Certificates of Return to winners of the bye-elections conducted on June 20, 2026, in Rivers, Enugu, Nasarawa, Ondo and Kano states. The certificates were presented on behalf of the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), by the Supervising National Commissioner for Rivers State, Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu. The commission disclosed this in a statement posted on its official X account on Tuesday. Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Agbamuche-Mbu congratulated the winners and urged them to justify the confidence reposed in them by their constituents through effective representation. “The most important responsibility is to…

The federal government has directed security agencies and regulators to crack down on hoarding, illegal diversion, and speculative storage of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), commonly known as cooking gas, as prices of the product continue to soar across the country. Speaking at an emergency stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja, Ekperikpe Ekpo, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), said the Department of State Services (DSS), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the Nigeria Police Force would be involved in tackling practices contributing to higher prices. He directed the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to intensify market…

At least 18 persons have been killed by gunmen in separate attacks on Kawel and Kopkon communities, in Mushere district, Bokkos LGA of Plateau state. Security sources told Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication, that troops of Sector 5, under Operation Enduring Peace, responded to the coordinated attacks at about 1:20am on June 20. The sources said the assailants invaded Kawel and Kopkon villages, shooting sporadically, before fleeing the scene as security forces made their way in. Upon arrival, troops discovered 12 bodies in Kawel village and six bodies in Kopkon village. The sources noted that troops immediately launched an offensive…

The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and Transparency International Nigeria (TI-Nigeria) have described the acquittal of former petroleum minister Diezani Alison-Madueke by a United Kingdom court as a setback for global anti-corruption efforts, while calling on Nigerian authorities to strengthen domestic accountability mechanisms. In a statement signed by Executive Director Auwal Ibrahim Musa, the organisation said it respects the unanimous verdict delivered by a jury at the Southwark Crown Court in London after 46 hours of deliberation. However, it argued that the outcome should serve as a wake-up call for Nigeria to improve its anti-corruption framework and ensure justice…