Author: Opalim Lifted

Five-time winners Barcelona came from behind to earn a slender advantage over Paris St-Germain in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final in France. Xavi’s side were in danger of being overawed by a hostile Parisian crowd, but the Barcelona boss used his bench to magnificent effect to turn the tie in their favour. Brazil winger Raphinha gave them the lead, sweeping home a loose ball for his first Champions League goal after Gianluigi Donnarumma could only parry a low cross. PSG responded immediately after the break, though, with Ousmane Dembele firing into the roof of the net after…

Atletico Madrid moved closer to returning to the Champions League semifinals with a 2-1 win over Borussia Dortmund in the first leg of the quarterfinals on Wednesday. Atletico took a first-half lead with goals by Rodrigo De Paul and Samuel Lino and outplayed Dortmund during most of the match, but the German team stayed alive thanks to a late goal by substitute Sébastien Haller. In the final minutes, Dortmund hit the woodwork twice. Germany will host the second leg next Tuesday. Atletico hasn’t made it to the last four since 2017, when it lost to city rival Real Madrid. The…

Colombian singer Shakira has declared her American counterpart, Beyonce, “the queen” of pop. She noted that Beyoncé has done a lot for women of colour in the US and around the world, and for women in general. The ‘Hips Don’t Lie’ crooner spoke in the latest episode of her show, Shakira Radio Station, on Apple Music. “She [Beyoncé’] is the queen. I mean, this is just so incredible—what she does for minorities in the US and around the world, what she’s done for women of colour, what she’s done for women in general. The purpose that her life and her…

The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has expressed regrets that the region voted for President Bola Tinubu in 2023. Tinubu, who ran on the All Progressives Congress (APC) platform, polled the most votes from the region among the three leading candidates in the 2023 presidential election. In an interview with the Guardian Nigeria on Tuesday, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, spokesman for the forum, said going forward, the region will prioritise unity and consensus in selecting a candidate for the highest office in the land. Quizzed on the recent visit and donations by Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the…

Jackie Chan has reassured fans after concerns were raised about his appearance in photographs published earlier this year. The actor and stuntman, known for films including Police Story, Rush Hour, and Who Am I?, was pictured with greying hair, prompting fans to speculate about his health. Jackie Chan has now addressed the concerns on social media, sharing a series of photos reflecting his career in celebration of his 70th birthday earlier this week. He said his elderly appearance earlier this year was, in fact, part of his look for a film role. “Not so long ago, a lot of friends…

Holders Manchester City and Real Madrid shared six goals in a thriller to leave their Champions League quarter-final evenly poised after the first leg at the Bernabeu. Pep Guardiola’s side took the lead in the second minute when Bernardo Silva cleverly snuck a 25-yard free-kick around the wall and past Andriy Lunin. Two deflected strikes brought 14-time European Cup winners Madrid level. Eduardo Camavinga’s long-range effort hit Ruben Dias and spun into the far corner of Stefan Ortega’s goal, before Rodrygo got in behind the City defence and poked home via Manuel Akanji’s heel. City were dominant in possession throughout…

Leandro Trossard’s second-half equalizer gave Arsenal a 2-2 draw with Bayern Munich in the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals on Tuesday after Harry Kane had scored against his old rival yet again. Trossard rolled in a low shot in the 76th minute to make sure Bayern didn’t come away from the Emirates Stadium with another big win after Kane had put the German club ahead from the penalty spot in the first half. The hosts had taken a 12th-minute lead through Bukayo Saka and dominated the early stages until former Arsenal player Serge Gnabry made it 1-1 in…

A Sokoto cleric reportedly led Eid-el-Fitri prayers on Tuesday, contrary to the Sultan of Sokoto’s, Sa’ad Abubakar order. The Sultan ordered the observation of Eid-el-Fitri on Wednesday, Chronicle NG reported. The statement confirmed that the council has acknowledged the report following the absence of the crescent moon and officially designated Wednesday as the commencement of Shawwal 1445AH, as stated in a press release in Sokoto on Monday evening. The statement reads, “His Eminence, the Sultan felicitates the Nigerian Muslim Ummah and wishes them Allah’s guidance and blessings. “The Sultan, while urging the Muslim Ummah to continue to pray for peace,…

A social media influencer has criticized the constant rise in the price of goods and described Nigerians as the government’s worst offshoots. He noted that the current market price for goods has not reflected the drop in dollar rates. In an “X” post, Babatunde Olusola wrote, “1 dollar is now at N1,172, but prices of goods are still up; things are still very expensive. Olusola added, “As much as the government is bad, we, the people, aren’t different; we are even worse than the government.” In reaction to Olusola post, an “X” user, @pabloLIGHT1, said, “People insult the government, and…

The Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, has declared Wednesday, April 10, as Eid-el-Fitri day. Professor Sambo Junaidu, Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs to the Sultanate Council, signed a press release containing this information. The statement confirmed that the council has acknowledged the report and officially designated Wednesday as the commencement of Shawwal 1445AH, as stated in a press release in Sokoto on Monday evening. “His Eminence, the Sultan felicitates the Nigerian Muslim Ummah and wishes them Allah’s guidance and blessings. “The Sultan, while urging the Muslim Ummah to continue to pray for peace, progress, and the development…