Author: Vincent Osuwo

President Volodymyr Zelensky rejected Russia’s claims that Ukraine carried out a drone strike on one of President Vladimir Putin’s residences and accused Moscow of attempting to obstruct peace negotiations. Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov asserted that Kyiv initiated an overnight assault with 91 long-range drones targeting Putin’s official residence in the northwestern Novgorod region of Russia. Russia announced it would reassess its stance in peace talks. The location of Putin during the alleged attack remains uncertain. Zelensky rejected the assertion as “standard Russian falsehoods,” aimed at providing the Kremlin with a reason to persist in its assaults on Ukraine. He…

Lazio manager Maurizio Sarri has undergone a minor heart operation. The ex-Chelsea manager was found to have atrial fibrillation, an issue that influences the heart’s rhythm, with Italian sources stating it was a standard procedure. The club anticipates that the 66-year-old will resume his usual responsibilities in the coming days. In June 2025, Sarri was named manager of Lazio for the second time. Lazio are in eighth place in Serie A, having secured six victories from 17 games, and will face Napoli at home on Sunday (11:30 GMT). Sarri started coaching at minor Italian clubs while also working as a…

South Africa secured their spot in the knockout round of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with a thrilling 3-2 win against Zimbabwe in Marrakech. In a seesaw match, Oswin Appollis’ late penalty allowed Bafana Bafana to secure second place in Group B, trailing Egypt, who had drawn their last game 0-0 against Angola, while Zimbabwe was eliminated in fourth. South Africa got off to a rapid start against their rivals, taking the lead after seven minutes when Tshepang Moremi’s shot deflected off Divine Lunga to sail over the helpless goalkeeper Washington Arubi. Zimbabwe reacted impressively, as Tawanda Maswanhise…

Mali secured their position in the round of 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) following a challenging yet uninspired scoreless match against Comoros in Casablanca. Both teams struggled to create distinct chances, and it wasn’t until the 42nd minute that either had a shot on goal. Kamory Doumbia was the nearest to scoring, despite being unaware of the powerful shot from Eagles colleague Nathan Gassama that hit his shin and narrowly deflected past the post 10 minutes after halftime. El Fardou Ben was replaced and had Comoros’ top opportunity, as his left-footed shot from an angle forced…

Morocco dominated Zambia to clinch first place in Group A of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), marking the return of captain Achraf Hakimi from injury. The Atlas Lions, possessing a mere two-point advantage over second-placed Mali after securing four points from their initial two matches, began with determination in Rabat, with Ayoub El Kaabi scoring in the ninth minute following a short corner play. Brahim Diaz doubled the score to 2-0 halfway through the period, finishing off Abde Ezzalzouli’s low delivery from the middle of the box for his third goal in the finals. El Kaabi scored a stunning…

Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has denied promising President Bola Tinubu to “hold down” the Peoples Democratic Party ahead of the 2027 presidential election. The denial comes amid rising tensions inside the PDP, which erupted last week after Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde accused Wike of promising Tinubu that he would keep the opposition party down for him. During an end-of-year media talk on Monday, Wike dismissed Makinde’s allegation as a transparent lie, implying that the Oyo State governor was “frustrated” and lacked the nerve to openly declare his presidential ambitions. “Seyi Makinde has never called me…

Reno Omokri has criticized Nigerians’ use of social media to “de-market” the country following the car accident involving ex-world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua in Ogun State. The British-Nigerian boxer escaped with injuries in a tragic collision on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway Monday morning, but unsubstantiated social media reports about a lack of emergency service have generated unfavorable international headlines about Nigeria. Omokri claimed in a statement via X on Monday that headlines from India and Australia highlighted Nigerian X users, stating that first responders failed to assist Joshua and depicting the situation as typical of a “failed state.” “Instead of…

President Bola Tinubu has expressed sympathy with world heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua, following a road accident on the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway that claimed two lives and left the boxer injured. In a message to Joshua on X on Monday, the president described the incident as a tragic loss that has cast a shadow over the season, while praying for the repose of the deceased and a speedy recovery for the boxer. “I extend my deep sympathies to you following the tragic accident on the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, which claimed two precious lives and caused you injuries,” Tinubu said. “This immense tragedy casts…

The Ogun State Government has disclosed that two of the victims who died in the road crash involving world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua were foreign nationals. Chronicle NG reports that the incident occurred shortly after 11 am on Monday. The crash happened just before the Danco Filling Station in Makun, ahead of the Sagamu Interchange on the Ibadan-bound axis. He revealed that the Lexus Jeep carrying Joshua, with number plate KRD 850 HN, collided with a stationary truck. Kayode Akinmade, Special Adviser to the Ogun State Governor on Information and Strategy, issued a statement on Monday expressing the state…

Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has refuted assertions that he is secretly backing President Bola Tinubu, maintaining that his political position has consistently been open and clear. The ex-governor of Rivers State expressed this in response to remarks linked to the current Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, who indicated that certain politicians were forming “secret” political partnerships. Earlier this month, Fubara officially left the Peoples Democratic Party for the All Progressives Congress following a private meeting with the president in Abuja, an action broadly seen as a tactical effort to gain political protection before the upcoming…