Ten-man Ghana booked a date with Libya in the African Nations Championship with a 4-1 penalty shoot-out victory over Nigeria at the Bloemfontein Stadium after regulation time ended 0-0.
The much anticipated clash between the West African rivals began on a very competitive note with the Black Stars going for the attack right from the blast of Referee Sikazwe’s whistle.
Ghana launched the first real threat as Seidu Bansey eased past two Nigerian defenders to hit his shot at Chigozie Agbim’s goal but his effort went just wide.
In the fourth minute, the stadium was thrown into confusion as Nigeria’s stand-out man in the competition Ejike Uzoenyi went unconscious after a collision with a Ghanaian defender in an attempt to win an aerial ball.
The Black Stars were in cruise control for more than 15 minutes of the first half but rarely threatened the Nigerian goalkeeper thanks to a more composed defence anchored by Kunle Odunlami.
The Super Eagles' first chance to score came in the 10th minute when Abubakar Ibrahim almost converted a free kick taken following Yahaya Mohammed’s foul on Abdullahi Shehu.
Few minutes later - in the 26th minute to be precise - Nigeria very nearly went ahead through Abdulahi as his long range missile bounced off the Ghanaian cross bar – a result of a counter-attacking move orchestrated by Ugonna Uzochukwu after the Black Stars’ corner was cleared away by Azubuike Egwuekwe.
Ghana looked weighed down by the almost tangible sense of expectancy among a partisan crowd packed into the Blomfontein Stadium as dangerman Uzoenyi mesmerized Michael Akuffo's anchored backline.
On resumption of the second half, Nigeria looked more dangerous in attack but failed to convert chances that came their way as they wide of Stephen Adams’s goal.
Maxwell Konadu’s men were reduced to 10 in the 64thminute as Kwabena Adusei got his second caution of the night following a rough challenge on Nigeria’s Abubakar.
Keshi brought on Barnabas Imenger for Ifeanyi Ede who had a below par performance to take advantage of the opponent’s deficit but the Black Stars looked rock-solid as they thwarted every attacking moves of the Eagles.
With both sides horribly devoid of ideas, extra time appeared inevitable. Imenger was the culprit in the first half of extra time as he failed on three occasions to put Nigeria ahead.
With five minutes left to play Imenger was denied an absolutely magnificent winner when a close–range header was turned out by the Ghana keeper. The Black Stars keeper was forced to make another save from Uzoenyi a minute later to ensure the game went to penalties.
The Black Stars kept their nerves to score four of their spot kicks while Nigeria were only able to convert one.
Ghana will meet Libya in Saturday's final game as Nigeria will make do with a third place match against Zimbabwe.
GOAL
Thursday, January 30, 2014
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Boko Haram 'slaughter' churchgoers in Adamwaa, Nigeria - 30 dead
The Bishop of Yola told the BBC the insurgents had locked the church and "cut people's throats" in Waga Chakawa village, Adamawa state.
On the same day, militants also attacked Kawuri village in neighbouring Borno state, killing 52 people.
Both assaults were blamed on the Islamist Boko Haram group.
The organisation - whose name means "Western education is forbidden" - is especially active in the north-east of the country.
Boko Haram wants to impose a severe form of Islamic law, and has been blamed for thousands of deaths.
Borno and Adamawa are two of three north-eastern states - along with Yobe - put under emergency rule last May, as the military attempts to combat the insurgency.
'Living in fear'
The Bishop of Yola, Mamza Dami Stephen, said parishioners had told him about what happened on Sunday morning.
They described how the insurgents had arrived on trucks and locked the church "towards the end of the service".
"Some people tried to escape through the windows and the [attackers] shot at them," the bishop said.
The militants set off bombs, before burning houses and taking residents hostage during a four-hour siege.
The bishop said locals were gripped by terror.
"Everybody is living in fear," he explained.
"There is no protection. We cannot predict where and when they are going to attack. People can't sleep with their eyes closed."
In neighbouring Borno, gunmen targeted a busy Sunday market in Kawuri village. After setting off bombs, they killed civilians in their homes and set ablaze dozens of houses.
Earlier this month, Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan sacked his military high command.
No reason was given, but the move came amid concern that Boko Haram have been able to continue their bloody campaign despite the wide-ranging powers given to the military to tackle the insurgency last year.
Since the state of emergency was imposed in May, UN figures suggest more than 1,200 people have been killed in Islamist-related violence.
BBC
On the same day, militants also attacked Kawuri village in neighbouring Borno state, killing 52 people.
Both assaults were blamed on the Islamist Boko Haram group.
The organisation - whose name means "Western education is forbidden" - is especially active in the north-east of the country.
Boko Haram wants to impose a severe form of Islamic law, and has been blamed for thousands of deaths.
Borno and Adamawa are two of three north-eastern states - along with Yobe - put under emergency rule last May, as the military attempts to combat the insurgency.
'Living in fear'
The Bishop of Yola, Mamza Dami Stephen, said parishioners had told him about what happened on Sunday morning.
They described how the insurgents had arrived on trucks and locked the church "towards the end of the service".
"Some people tried to escape through the windows and the [attackers] shot at them," the bishop said.
The militants set off bombs, before burning houses and taking residents hostage during a four-hour siege.
The bishop said locals were gripped by terror.
"Everybody is living in fear," he explained.
"There is no protection. We cannot predict where and when they are going to attack. People can't sleep with their eyes closed."
In neighbouring Borno, gunmen targeted a busy Sunday market in Kawuri village. After setting off bombs, they killed civilians in their homes and set ablaze dozens of houses.
Earlier this month, Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan sacked his military high command.
No reason was given, but the move came amid concern that Boko Haram have been able to continue their bloody campaign despite the wide-ranging powers given to the military to tackle the insurgency last year.
Since the state of emergency was imposed in May, UN figures suggest more than 1,200 people have been killed in Islamist-related violence.
BBC
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Former minister of F.C.T Abuja released from detention
The Department of State Security Services has released a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nasir El-Rufai, after detaining him for more than 15 hours.
The former minister, who voluntarily walked into the agency’s headquarters at about 9 a.m on Monday, was released after midnight.
“Mallam Nasir El-Rufai left the SSS premises at 12.35a.m today after more than 15 hours,” the former minister’s media advisor, Muyiwa Adekeye, tweeted at 12.40 this morning.
It is not clear why the interrogation of the opposition All Progressive Congress chieftain took that long.
Both the SSS and Mr. El-Rufai were not available for comment at the time of filing this report at 5.28 this morning.
One of the most active users of social media in Nigeria, Mr. El-Rufai is yet to update his Twitter and Facebook accounts with details of his ordeals in the hands of Nigeria’s secret police as at the time this report was posted.
Mr. El-Rufai had walked into the SSS headquarters at about 9 a.m Monday, three days after the agency launched a manhunt for him.
He was accompanied by the Rivers State governor, Chibuike Amaechi, and a serving senator, Chris Ngige.
Mr. Amaechi, who was also allowed access into the SSS office, later left at about 12 p.m, while Mr. Ngige left two hours later.
One of Mr. El-Rufai’s wives, who accompanied him, also left subsequently as she was disallowed access to her husband, the former minister’s spokesperson had said.
“His wife left because she was just kept within the premises but not where he is,” Mr. Adekeye had told this paper.
Mr. El-Rufai’s lawyer, A. U. Mustapha, however remained with the former minister until his release.
The SSS said the former minister’s comment about possible violence in the coming elections was “provocative” and warned that those making inflammatory remarks might be prosecuted.
But Mr. El-Rufai has denied any wrongdoing, saying his position was only based on Nigeria’s electoral history.
The politician, who is one of the most vociferous critics of this administration, had gone underground Friday after the SSS launched a manhunt for him after he failed to honour an invitation from the agency in connection with his remarks at a conference in Abuja on Wednesday that there might be violence if the 2015 general elections were not credible.
The former minister declined the invitation citing his pending suit against the Service over his detention in a hotel in Awka during the Anambra state governorship election last November 16 as reason.
Mr. El-Rufai also insisted on seeing a valid warrant of arrest before he could report to the SSS office.
On Friday, operatives of the SSS stormed two properties believed to belong to Mr. El-Rufai, looking for him.
At the second property late on Friday, the SSS operatives insisted they wanted to deliver the warrant to Mr. El-Rufai personally, ignoring entreaty by his lawyer that the document should be handed over to him.
The opposition APC condemned the SSS for haunting its deputy national secretary, saying the comments attributed to the former minister were not inciting in any way.
Mr. El-Rufai himself has consistently said he would resist ploys by the SSS to silence him.
“Mallam El-Rufai will not be silenced,” the former minister had said through Mr. Adekeye, Friday.
“He will continue to do his patriotic duty of challenging INEC and the security agencies to guarantee the climate for free and fair elections in Nigeria by desisting from partisanship and the embrace of impunity.”
Premium Times
The former minister, who voluntarily walked into the agency’s headquarters at about 9 a.m on Monday, was released after midnight.
“Mallam Nasir El-Rufai left the SSS premises at 12.35a.m today after more than 15 hours,” the former minister’s media advisor, Muyiwa Adekeye, tweeted at 12.40 this morning.
It is not clear why the interrogation of the opposition All Progressive Congress chieftain took that long.
Both the SSS and Mr. El-Rufai were not available for comment at the time of filing this report at 5.28 this morning.
One of the most active users of social media in Nigeria, Mr. El-Rufai is yet to update his Twitter and Facebook accounts with details of his ordeals in the hands of Nigeria’s secret police as at the time this report was posted.
Mr. El-Rufai had walked into the SSS headquarters at about 9 a.m Monday, three days after the agency launched a manhunt for him.
He was accompanied by the Rivers State governor, Chibuike Amaechi, and a serving senator, Chris Ngige.
Mr. Amaechi, who was also allowed access into the SSS office, later left at about 12 p.m, while Mr. Ngige left two hours later.
One of Mr. El-Rufai’s wives, who accompanied him, also left subsequently as she was disallowed access to her husband, the former minister’s spokesperson had said.
“His wife left because she was just kept within the premises but not where he is,” Mr. Adekeye had told this paper.
Mr. El-Rufai’s lawyer, A. U. Mustapha, however remained with the former minister until his release.
The SSS said the former minister’s comment about possible violence in the coming elections was “provocative” and warned that those making inflammatory remarks might be prosecuted.
But Mr. El-Rufai has denied any wrongdoing, saying his position was only based on Nigeria’s electoral history.
The politician, who is one of the most vociferous critics of this administration, had gone underground Friday after the SSS launched a manhunt for him after he failed to honour an invitation from the agency in connection with his remarks at a conference in Abuja on Wednesday that there might be violence if the 2015 general elections were not credible.
The former minister declined the invitation citing his pending suit against the Service over his detention in a hotel in Awka during the Anambra state governorship election last November 16 as reason.
Mr. El-Rufai also insisted on seeing a valid warrant of arrest before he could report to the SSS office.
On Friday, operatives of the SSS stormed two properties believed to belong to Mr. El-Rufai, looking for him.
At the second property late on Friday, the SSS operatives insisted they wanted to deliver the warrant to Mr. El-Rufai personally, ignoring entreaty by his lawyer that the document should be handed over to him.
The opposition APC condemned the SSS for haunting its deputy national secretary, saying the comments attributed to the former minister were not inciting in any way.
Mr. El-Rufai himself has consistently said he would resist ploys by the SSS to silence him.
“Mallam El-Rufai will not be silenced,” the former minister had said through Mr. Adekeye, Friday.
“He will continue to do his patriotic duty of challenging INEC and the security agencies to guarantee the climate for free and fair elections in Nigeria by desisting from partisanship and the embrace of impunity.”
Premium Times
Super Eagles to recieve $100,000 bonus for win against Ghana in the CHAN finals
Nigeria’s minister of sports, has offered a bonus of $100,000 (16 million Naira) to the Super Eagles if they defeat Ghana in Wednesday’s semi final of the African Nations Championship (CHAN).
With a similar incentive in their quarter final game, Nigeria came from a 3-0 first half deficit to defeat Morocco 4-3 after extra time in Cape Town on Saturday.
The Eagles are expected to be paid their last bonus earnings before Wednesday’s clash against rivals the Black Stars.
Abdullahi told media that if “the boys qualify for the final and go ahead to win the trophy, they can be confident that a grateful nation will remember for a long time to come that they, with typical Nigerian grit and determination, have extended our dominance of African football.”
Nigeria are the defending champions of the more prestigious Africa Cup of Nations and look set to win the CHAN, that is open to only players based in their country’s domestic leagues, in their debut appearance at the competition.
With an average of three goals per game, Nigeria will go against Ghana who have scored just four goals so far (three from the penalty spot) and have conceded just once.
The last time both teams met at senior continental level, Ghana ran out 1-0 winners at the 2010 AFCON in Angola.
GOAL
With a similar incentive in their quarter final game, Nigeria came from a 3-0 first half deficit to defeat Morocco 4-3 after extra time in Cape Town on Saturday.
The Eagles are expected to be paid their last bonus earnings before Wednesday’s clash against rivals the Black Stars.
Abdullahi told media that if “the boys qualify for the final and go ahead to win the trophy, they can be confident that a grateful nation will remember for a long time to come that they, with typical Nigerian grit and determination, have extended our dominance of African football.”
Nigeria are the defending champions of the more prestigious Africa Cup of Nations and look set to win the CHAN, that is open to only players based in their country’s domestic leagues, in their debut appearance at the competition.
With an average of three goals per game, Nigeria will go against Ghana who have scored just four goals so far (three from the penalty spot) and have conceded just once.
The last time both teams met at senior continental level, Ghana ran out 1-0 winners at the 2010 AFCON in Angola.
GOAL
Monday, January 27, 2014
Boko Haram attack in Northern Nigeria kills 52
Security officials say suspected Islamic extremists used explosives to attack a village in Nigeria’s northeast, killing 52 people and razing more than 300 homes.
A security official said Monday the attackers planted several explosives at a market around Kawuri village Sunday. A police official who evacuated wounded victims confirmed at least 52 people were killed. Both spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not permitted to speak to reporters.
Ari Kolomi, who escaped the massacre, said there were more than 50 attackers.
The security official blamed the Islamic terrorist network Boko Haram, which has killed thousands over four years in Nigeria’s northeast.
Police commissioner Lawan Tanko confirmed the attack, but would not give details on casualties.
Northeast Nigeria has been under a military state of emergency since May.
AP
A security official said Monday the attackers planted several explosives at a market around Kawuri village Sunday. A police official who evacuated wounded victims confirmed at least 52 people were killed. Both spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not permitted to speak to reporters.
Ari Kolomi, who escaped the massacre, said there were more than 50 attackers.
The security official blamed the Islamic terrorist network Boko Haram, which has killed thousands over four years in Nigeria’s northeast.
Police commissioner Lawan Tanko confirmed the attack, but would not give details on casualties.
Northeast Nigeria has been under a military state of emergency since May.
AP
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