Author: Opalim Lifted

Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd), has dispelled the rumour making the rounds on social media that he was dead, saying he is still very much alive and well. A personal aide to General Gowon, Adeyeye E. Ajayi, disclosed this on Monday amid confusion occasioned by the social media report on the purported death of the former Head of State. Ajayi quoted Yakubu as saying, “I am still around and well. I am not in a hurry.” Earlier in the day, there was confusion over the fate of the former Head of State, with social media abuzz with…

Major international air carriers suspended flights to or from Tel Aviv after a surprise attack by Hamas militants on Israel over the weekend, saying they were waiting for safety conditions to improve. About 50% of scheduled Tel Aviv flights did not operate on Sunday, and a third were cancelled on Monday as of 6:41 p.m. (1541 GMT) in Israel, according to Flightradar24, a flight tracking website. US airlines United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and American Airlines suspended direct flights to Israel on Sunday after the Federal Aviation Administration urged airlines to exercise caution. Many European airlines have also cancelled flights,…

Saudi Arabia announced it took the second step to bid for the 2034 World Cup by submitting a letter of intent to host the event to the world soccer governing body, FIFA, on Monday. “Last week we announced our ambitions to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup, and this official submission continues our journey to make the dreams of our people a reality,” Yasser Al Misehal, President of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation SAFF, said in a statement. “We are extremely committed to presenting the most competitive bid possible that will also help unite the world through football,” he added.…

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) GCEO, Mallam Mele Kyari, has projected that Nigeria will start exporting refined petroleum products by 2024. The NNPC boss made the declaration on Monday at the 2nd edition of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) Energy and Labour Summit in Abuja, where he said that the country will soon be self-sufficient in product production. Speaking on the theme “Petroleum Downstream Deregulation and Utilisation for a Sustainable Energy Future in Nigeria”, Kyari also justified the federal government’s rationale for fuel subsidy removal, adding that without the move, the NNPCL…

Fans will be able to buy an AC Milan goalkeeper kit with Olivier Giroud’s name printed on the back, the Serie A club said after the striker’s heroics in goal in a 1-0 win at Genoa on Saturday. Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan was shown a red card late in stoppage time, and Giroud took his place, making a brilliant save to deny George Puscas just before the final whistle. Milan also added Oliver to the list of first-team goalkeepers on their website. “Last night Olivier became part of Milan history by courageously defending the AC Milan goal in the final…

The looming fuel scarcity in Kano has continued to bite hard as motorists struggle to buy the premium commodity. The long lines noticed across a few outlets in the metropolis a few days ago eventually snowballed into full-scale scarcity as independent marketers shut down business. Checks on filing stations along Murtala Mohammad Way, Ibrahim Taiwo Road, Zoo Road, BUK Road, Katsina Road, Maiduguri Road, and Zaria Road, all within the metropolis, indicated a total shutdown of businesses. Incidentally, a few marketers who dispense the product outside the metropolis sell it for between N640 and N650 per litre. Expectedly, the ugly…

Manchester City suffered their first Premier League defeat to Arsenal in eight years on Sunday to drop to third in the standings, but midfielder Bernardo Silva said the loss was “not the end of the world”. After a closely fought match at the Emirates, substitute Gabriel Martinelli struck late to secure a 1-0 win as Arsenal moved level on 20 points with league leaders Tottenham Hotspur. Champions City has 18 points. City, who have lost their last two Premier League games, were involved in an intense two-way title race with Arsenal last season, in which City were trailing before Arsenal…

Sevilla sacked head coach Jose Luis Mendilibar on Sunday following a run of just two wins from their opening eight games of the La Liga season. The 62-year-old Basque manager helped steer Sevilla away from relegation when he was appointed in March. He also led them to a seventh Europa League title, earning qualification for this season’s Champions League. Sevilla will host league leaders Real Madrid on October 21 before facing Arsenal in the Champions League. “Sevilla have decided to relieve Jose Luis Mendilibar of his duties as the club’s head coach following the results at the start of the…

The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has postponed all matches scheduled in Israel during the next fortnight amid increased tensions in the region. More than 600 Israelis have been killed in attacks from Gaza since Saturday, the government said. UEFA said Israel’s Euro 2024 qualifier against Switzerland on Thursday is among the matches postponed “in light of the current security situation”. European football’s governing body says new dates will be arranged. The associations said they will assess the situation over the coming days to see whether Israel’s European Championship qualifier in Kosovo can still take place on October 15.…

Lewis Dunk scored a dramatic equaliser for Brighton to deny Jurgen Klopp three points on his eighth anniversary as Liverpool boss. In an absorbing encounter, Simon Adingra fired past Alisson to give Brighton the lead after catching out Alexis Mac Allister, who was making his first return to his former club. Klopp’s side levelled when Dunk’s misplaced pass ended with Darwin Nunez setting up Salah to sweep home, before Liverpool’s Egyptian forward struck from the penalty spot in first half stoppage time. It was awarded after Pascal Gross dragged Dominik Szoboszlai down by his collar. Liverpool missed a golden chance…