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Osimhen scores 100th goal as Napoli trump Sassuolo

Super Eagles forward, Victor Osimhen, has reached a significant milestone, netting his 100th professional career goal from the penalty spot against Sassuolo today.

The 24-year-old, who had already secured a brace in his debut game of the season, confidently placed the ball into the net’s left side.

Captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo made sure Napoli would make it six points from six in the 64th minute.

Napoli, currently tie with AC Milan and Verona at the top of the table, will host Lazio next week. Lazio, who are still struggling to secure their first points of the season, suffered a 1-0 defeat against newly promoted Genoa.

 

Nigeria loses $4m daily to oil theft, says NSA

Ahigh-powered team dispatched by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to assess crude oil theft in the Niger Delta has uncovered illegal connections where Nigeria loses the product worth million of dollars monthly in Abia State.

The site in Owaza had many illegal connections to a major crude pipeline, a video of the finding made available to The Nation yesterday showed.

The team also carried out an aerial assessment of nine other Niger Delta oil-producing communities –   Bille, Azuzuama, Ahoada, Rumuekepe Ebocha, Abacheke, Egbema, Ohaji, and Koko communities of Abia, Rivers, Bayelsa, Imo and Delta states.

Defence Minister Muhammed Badaru  told reporters after a closed-door meeting with  Rivers State Governor  Similaye Fubara in Port Harcourt that the discovery was made on Saturday.

Service chiefs, Ministers of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil),  Heineken Lokpobiri; and  Gas,  Ekperipe Ekpo;  National Security Adviser   Nuhu Ribadu, and the Group Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited(NPCL) Mele Kyari are members of the delegation.

Also in the team are Commander of “Operation Delta Safe’’  Olusegun Ferreira, operatives of security agencies and chief executive officers of regulatory agencies in the oil and gas sector.

The delegation noted that clandestine refineries, illegal bunkering operations and environmental devastation collectively translated into severe economic losses for the nation.

“We are ready to do whatever it takes for a peaceful Niger Delta, give peace a chance, cease and desist crude from oil theft and economic sabotage,” Badaru said.

Ribadu, who led the team, said that  Nigeria still loses  400,000 barrels of crude oil daily in spite of efforts to curb the trend.

He said: “It’s unfortunate that few individuals would steal our common resources, and in the process, cause unbelievable loss to both the nation, communities and the people.

“The value of 400,000 barrels of oil today is about $4 million and every day, we lose this amount because of this irresponsible behaviour.

“If you multiply $4 million dollars by 365 days (one year), you will see that it is a lot of money running into billions of dollars.

“Currently, the country is in desperate need of money as the Naira is continuously losing its value because we earn less money.

“If we earn more money, it will not only help strengthen our currency but reflect in everything, including the cost of living in the country.”

The NSA called for collaborative efforts by security agencies and host communities to end illegal oil activities in the Niger Delta.

He warned oil thieves and their co-conspirators that  “enough is enough.”

“The environment is being destroyed, livelihoods are being destroyed and the Federation is deprived of revenue capable of shoring up the economy and strengthening the naira,” Ribadu said.

Ribadu’s predecessor, Maj.- Gen. Babagana Monguno, had in December, lamented that the Federal Government might lose $23 billion this year if crude oil theft was not tackled.

 

Credit to: thenationonlineng.net

Training for Chelsea return? Mikel Obi spotted taking ‘no days off’ to get in shape

The former Super Eagles and Chelsea star, Mikel Obi, has been spotted hitting the gym as he prepares for his return to Stamford Bridge, Soccernet.ng reports.

The former Nigerian international is gearing up to don the Chelsea jersey once again, following the club’s announcement that he will be among the players from their historic 2012 Champions League victory participating in the Chelsea Legends vs. Bayern Munich Legends match at Stamford Bridge in September.

In light of this upcoming event, the former Stoke City player has shared videos of himself engaged in workouts, with one of the clips capturing a moment where former Chelsea captain John Terry playfully questioned Mikel about his training goals, accompanied by a blue heart emoji as a nod to the anticipated match.

Mikel shared his motivational perspective alongside the workout video“Your body is your weapon, keep it strong. Have a great week ahead, guys.” Terry responded with intrigue: “What you training for Old Boy 💙👀⚽️ @mikel_john_obi.”

In a recent social media post, the 36-year-old Olympic Eagles alum showcased his intense preparation for the upcoming match with the caption, “No days off.”

Mikel’s journey to England began with his standout performance for Nigeria at the 2005 U-20 World Cup in the Netherlands, where his team reached the final but fell short against Argentina. His exceptional skills caught the attention of both Manchester United and Chelsea, with the latter eventually securing his signature for £16 million in June 2006.

Over the course of more than a decade, the then-19-year-old became an integral part of Chelsea’s success, securing accolades including two Premier League titles, four FA Cups, two League Cups, and victories in both the Champions League and Europa League, before departing the club in November 2016.

Now, Mikel is set to don the West London side’s jersey once more as he joins fellow players from Chelsea’s 2012 Champions League triumph in the Chelsea Legends vs. Bayern Munich Legends match.

 

Credit to: soccernet.ng

HAPPY NEW WEEK

“Start fresh, be unstoppable.”

TODAY IN HISTORY

4977 B.C. Universe is created, according to Kepler
On April 27, 4977 B.C., the universe is created, according to German mathematician and astronomer Johannes Kepler, considered a founder of modern science. Kepler is best known for his theories explaining the motion of planets.

SPORTI’m sorry – Tobi Amusan on losing 100m hurdles world title to Jamaica’s Williams

Defending champion Tobi Amusan has apologized to her fans for losing the world women’s 100m hurdles crown to Jamaica’s Danielle Williams on Thursday in a shock win at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary.

Williams, who previously won in Beijing in 2015, timed 12.43 seconds to edge out Olympic champion Jasmine Camacho-Quinn of Puerto Rico (12.44sec) with Kendra Harrison of the United States taking bronze (12.46).

Amusan and 2019 winner Nia Ali were never in the hunt, finishing sixth and last positions, respectively.

Speaking with journalists after the race, Amusan also said she will be back stronger next year.

She said it was quite “a journey getting into the final” despite all she had gone through in the last couple of weeks.

Amusan said, “I just want to say a huge thank you to those who have been supporting me through the ups and downs, Ya’ll stood by me, kept praying for me, God bless you all, I am sorry I might have let you all down, but we will back stronger definitely.

“Yeah, it is a tough one; nobody likes to lose but considering what I have gone through in the past couple of months, I am so grateful that I came out.”

Credit to: dailypostng.com

EPL: Man United lose injured Shaw for Forest, Arsenal games

Manchester United and England international left-back Luke Shaw was on Thursday ruled out of the next two Premier League games after picking up a muscle injury, the club announced.

“Manchester United defender Luke Shaw has sustained an injury which will rule him out of forthcoming games,” said a club statement.

“The muscle issue is still being assessed but the England left-back is expected to be out of action for a number of weeks.”

The 28-year-old defender started the first two Premier League matches of the season but will now miss Saturday’s Old Trafford encounter against Nottingham Forest and next weekend’s trip to Arsenal.

He is also likely to sit out next month’s round of international matches.

Credit to:

ECOWAS hasn’t declared war on Niger, citizens – Omar Touray

The President, Economic Community of  West African States Commission, Omar Touray, has said the sub-regional body has not declared war on the people of Niger Republic nor is there any plan to invade the country.

Touray said this on Friday at a press conference on developments in Niger and ECOWAS Member States in transition at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

Leaders in the Economic Community of West African States Commission bloc said that they would keep all options on the table for a peaceful resolution to the crisis and ordered the activation of an ECOWAS standby force to restore constitutional order in Niger.

President Mohamed Bazoum was ousted July 26 in a military coup led by the former commander of Niger’s presidential guard, Abdourahamane Tchiani.

Former colonial ruler France and the European Union suspended security cooperation and financial aid to Niger following the coup, while the United States warned that its aid could also be at stake.

Britain had condemned attempts to undermine democracy, peace and stability in Niger and said it stands by ECOWAS in their efforts to restore stability in Niger.

Buttressing his point, Touray stated that there have been misrepresentations of ECOWAS decisions or actions in restoring democracy in Niger Republic.

He stated that the ECOWAS will employ all measures including the use of standby force to restore civil rule in Niger Republic.

Also, Touray noted that Niger Republic as part of the West African region bloc subscribed to its rules and regulations to deploy measures to support its fight against terrorism to ensure the restoration of democracy, peace, and security in the community.

The President noted that preparations are on top gear to deploy the standby force to Niger, urging the Niger junta to listen to ECOWAS as it will not accept coup d’etat.

Touray stated that ECOWAS will not allow Nigeriens suffer in the hands of Niger junta.

 

Credit to: Punchng.com

ENTERTAINMENTI’m worth more than $22m – Burna Boy clarifies net worth

Grammy-winning Nigerian singer, Damini Ogulu, aka Burna Boy, has clarified his net worth.

He said contrary to the information on the internet that he is worth $22 million (₦16.8 billion) only, his net worth is “way more than that.”

He disclosed this in a recent interview with American media outlet, Complex.

The interview: “A quick Google search says your net worth is $22 million.”

Burna Boy responded: “Hahaha. Let’s not talk about it. Well, I prefer they go that way. That is cool. But it’s inaccurate. They are way off.”

He said it is a blessing for him to be able to take care of his family’s financial needs.

“It’s great, man. It’s a blessing. It’s nothing short of a blessing.

“I always told my mum while growing up as a kid that I would buy her a house and a car someday. Another ‘I Told Them’ moment,” he said.

Credit to: dialypostng

Ancelotti: Osimhen is good but he was never in our plans

Ancelotti: Osimhen is good but he was never in our plans

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has denied insinuations that the club considered signing Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, “Never thought of him”.

Ancelotti has claimed that the club never considered a summer move for Napoli striker Victor Osimhen.

Los Blancos were said to be scouring the market for a new number nine this summer following the shock departure of Karim Benzema to Al Ittihad.

The likes of Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe were the most prominently linked with the club, but Osimhen’s name was also mentioned as a possible target for the Spanish capital club.

After all, the Nigerian international had enjoyed a stunning campaign last time out, helping Napoli win the Serie A title.

Osimhen finished the 2022/23 campaign with 31 goals in 39 matches across all competitions and has started the new season strongly as well, bagging two goals in the Partenopei’s first Serie A match of the season.

During the interview, Ancelotti, who had a stint as the manager of Napoli, was asked about Osimhen and his links with Real Madrid.

In response, the 64-year-old tactician claimed that Los Blancos never thought about a move for the 24-year-old striker, although he did praise the Napoli and Nigeria forward.

“Osimhen is one of the strongest strikers in Europe, but we never thought of him. With the arrival of Bellingham, we thought of making up for Benzema’s farewell in other ways,” Ancelotti said.

As the Real Madrid boss mentioned, the team have found a new way to cope with the departure of Benzema, with Ancelotti switching to a 4-4-2 diamond setup.

As part of the formation, Vinicius Jr. and Rodrygo Goes operate more centrally, while new signing Jude Bellingham also finds himself in very advanced areas on the pitch.

The England international has already scored three goals in two games in La Liga so far and is leading the goalscoring charts.

Reports suggest that Ancelotti has been thinking about moving the 20-year-old sensation in the role of a number nine, pushing him further up the pitch.

Credit to:

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