Victor Osimhen did not train with his teammates on Wednesday as he continues his recovery from an ankle injury.

Osimhen sprained his ankle during a practice match on Tuesday.

The Partenopei announced that the 24-year-old received treatment for the injury.

“Anguissa did therapy and personalized training at the gym. Therapies for Osimhen, “reads a statement on the club’s official website.

The Serie A champions will hope that the striker shakes off the injury before the start of the new season.

Napoli will travel to Frosinone for their opening game of the season on August 17.

[DailyPost]

As someone who doesn’t watch Love Island, it’s been a pretty quiet summer for my TV. Since the Women’s World Cup started in July, my TV has been on when I should be asleep, but it’s been worth it as I’ve been watching and following, supporting the Super Falcons, whilst having a soft spot for Colombia and USA (who I got in the sweepstake, so fingers crossed). For the first time in memory, it feels like the women’s game is breaking out of its bubble, and fans, like myself who aren’t completely familiar with the women’s game, are able to enjoy it because of the investment and visibility it’s been granted. Whether it’s on the pitch or off it, there’s so much happening that’s so exciting to see, and I’ve never been more invested.

Here are some of the moments from this World Cup, that shows how the game is growing (WITHOUT the ‘help’ of the men’s game, which it certainly doesn’t need) and the things that I’ve been excited to see.

Martine Rose x Nike USWNT and England Women’s

If you haven’t already seen the incredible collection, where have you been?

British-Jamaican menswear designer Martine Rose recently released an extensive collection, kitting out the USWNT and the Lionesses in her iconic style that blends her love for fashion and sport. In a move facilitated by Nike, sponsor of both national teams, the gender-free suits are complemented by glasses and also a range of colourways of her take on the Nike Shox MR4.

Both teams started off their campaigns with wins and have progressed through to the knockouts. They certainly both looked like winners as they entered the stadium, thanks to Rose, who’s a frequent Nike collaborator.

Prada as official sponsor for the China Women’s Team

It’s great to see one of the largest fashion houses invest into the women’s game, having the Chinese ladies match England off the pitch (although they weren’t able to match them on it). There’s always a ‘chicken-and-egg’ argument surrounding the women’s game, brands hide behind the ‘lack’ of engagement to justify their lack of presence, whilst some argue that lack of engagement is a result of lack of brand presence.

Regardless of that debate, brands entering the space feels like a good thing, as they realise the sport is worth being a part of, and it certainly is, creating a more inclusive environment for football fans.

Linda Caicedo

The story of Linda Caicedo so far could serve as a movie itself…she’s only 18. After beating cancer at age 15, she’s played in three World Cups in the past 12 months - the u-17 and u-20 editions - and is setting this World Cup alight, shining bright in a strong Colombia team.

Whether or not this Colombia team goes far in the tournament, Linda Caicedo certainly will. After recently signing for Real Madrid, and seemingly able to overcome any adversity that throws itself her way, the sky really is the limit for the young forward and I’m excited to see how her career progresses over the next five, 10, fifteen years.

When life gives you lemons…

There are multiple stories of players and nations overcoming adversity this tournament. Take England goalkeeper Mary Earps, who’s been fighting to have the production of a replica of her jersey produced, only conceding one goal in the group stages, or the Reggae Girlz (Jamaica), who had to crowd fund to cover costs of their attendance to the tournament, beating Brazil to go through to the knockout stage. Additionally, the Super Falcons (Nigeria), have been fighting the same struggles as the Reggae Girlz, prior to their defeat Nigeria had drawn attention as they managed to qualify out of their group despite being the lowest ranked team in their group.

Close your eyes Germany fans, as their draw with South Korea, and loss to Colombia meant they were dumped out of the tournament, failing to make the knockout rounds although they were expected to do so comfortably, especially after beating Morrocco 6-0.

In the past few years, the women’s game has grown exponentially, and there’s nothing that suggests that growth will slow down. With the WSL due to start in October, your dose of women’s football will be back sooner rather than later, and it’s about time you tuned in. Better yet, have you ever considered going to watch your local club? It’s certainly an occasion worth attending.

Amplify UK

England's ability to find a way to win during the Women's World Cup has only added to the squad's belief, Lucy Bronze has said.

And Bronze believes that Sarina Wiegman's players have built confidence thanks to the tests they've overcome.

"We're the ones who are still in the competition," Bronze said.

"There are many top teams who are going home because they haven't been able to get that win or been able to see the games out - and we have.

"We've shown that side of our team and that we know what it takes to win. We have our mentality.

"The belief is huge."

England, who face Colombia in the quarter-finals on Saturday at 11:30 BST, are favourites to win the Women's World Cup for the first time after back-to-back champions the USA, Euro 2022 finalists Germany, Olympic gold medallists Canada and South American champions Brazil were all knocked out.

But it has not been an entirely smooth passage for the European champions - midfielder Keira Walsh suffered an injury in the win over Denmark, before forward Lauren James was sent off in the victory against Nigeria.

The red card left Wiegman's side a player short for more than half an hour but they managed to hang on at 0-0 through extra time to take the game to penalties.

"We're quite a confident team anyway," defender Bronze said.

"We had belief in extra time and during the penalties. We know our strengths, we know what we're capable of and we showed that to the world.

"We can give more. We're a fantastic team with highly talented players but the important thing is we got through to the next round.

"There's no point playing our best performances in the first games. We might as well save them for the quarter-finals or further than that.

"We've taken something from every game - whether that was the Haiti game that was physical, the Denmark game when we lost our key player [Walsh], the China game where we changed formation completely, and against Nigeria we had a red card.

"Everything that has been thrown at us, we've dealt with. I don't see many other teams who have had that adversity.

"If they have, I don't think they have managed to overcome it in the way we have."

Walsh relieved at rapid recovery

England were boosted by the news that Walsh's knee injury was not as bad as first thought, and she played 120 minutes in the last-16 win against Nigeria.

There had initially been concerns the midfielder had suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury but a subsequent scan allayed such fears.

"Obviously a lot of high profile players have them [ACL] so it's in the media a lot," Walsh told BBC Sport. "When I went down, I wasn't too worried about my ACL. Everyone in the media was but straight away I knew it wasn't; it was a different pain.

"In these tournaments, you know one injury and you could miss the rest of the games, but England have such a good medical team and turn it around quickly, and luckily I was back on the pitch after 10 days."

Following her sending off, James - who has three goals for England at the Women's World Cup so far - apologised, saying she would learn from the experience.

The forward was sent off against Nigeria following a VAR review for stamping on Michelle Alozie's back.

"She's disappointed," Walsh added. "She made a mistake but she apologised to team after the game and apologised on social media to the girl.

"It was really out of character for her. We were all surprised. We've got to get round her best we can and support her."

On her absence from the quarter-final against Colombia, Walsh added: "She's a massive loss. You can see she has massive moments in her and can change the game at a switch.

"But there are 22 players now and we have to focus on that. We have to focus on Colombia with the team we've got."

[BBC]

Nothing can be more paradoxical than the unfolding drama surrounding the Confirmation.of Mallam Nasir El Rufai as Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Who really is Mallam Nasir El Rufai ?
Mallam as fondly called is clearly a highly celebral yet humble personality This is typified in his self introduction during recent Senate Ministerial screening wherein he failed to highlight his deservedly academic laurels of having earned first class degree in Quantity Surveying and Distinction at ordinary level amongst several academic awards; rather focussing on his records of service The appelation of “”His Excellency ” is least appealing to him during his tenure as Executive Governor of Kaduna State
He is undoubtedly a completely detribalised Nigerian wlth friends from all the nodal corners , segments and sectors of this nation.

His cabinet in Kaduna during his tenure as Executive Governor was a Mini Nigeria.
For him , Government patronage was only dependent on capacity to deliver with notable projects handled by those refered to as ” foreigners ” by the local competitors and for him the religion , age, colour , ethnic background , tongue or other primodial sentiment are clearly outside the parameter and radar of consideration for engagement of those who worked with him though gender sensitive and youth friendly
Yet it is clear that his choices were right as he successfully delivered using the team members spectacular projects like the Galaxy Mall , Galaxy Park and extensive road projects just to mention a few.

His option to champion the support for the Current President then a Presidential candidate from the South at a time when another Presidential candidate of Northern extraction was justifying entitlement to Northern block support was one of most patriotic boldest statements ever made on Power shift towards guaranteeing an egalitarian society where justice and fairness reign supreme.

Equally was his stance against the interest of some elements in the Presidency bent on foisting the controversial introduction of a Consensus Presidential candidate of Northern Extraction on the ruling party .

On relationship , Mallam Nasir Ahmad El Rufai is a humanist; not one to betray his friends even at their lowest moments .His stoic support through thick and thin for his friend, ex Central Bank Governor and then Emir of Kano His Royal Highness Sanusi Lamido Sanusi upon deposition is characteristic of his commitment to unshakeable value of trust and assured provision of a hand to a friend in need to lean on when the odds are piled up.

This writer a friend of over 30 years can reveal that Mallam Nasir El Rufai about 34 years ago chose to personally drive himself all the way from kaduna to Jos to be the first to present “mothercare” package to my first child immediately at birth ; no doubt deservedly the godfather to the newborn child offering guidance till date to his godson !

For those of us very close to.him, we know his commitment to service has taken heavy toll on his physique and personal comfort This writer is therefore not ashamed to boldly state being a member of the close friends who prevailed on Mallam to shelf his planned rest and make the sacrifice to be part of the rescue team at this point in our Country’s history .

The nation not Mallam Nasir El Rufai personally will be the eventual winner upon his final clearance as Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria , a repeat of similar episode 20years ago for clearance as8 Minister of Federal Capital ; just as its now without doubt that the successful yet to be beaten renewal story of the Federal Capital cannot be completely told without the mention of Mallam Nasir El Rufai !!

Now is the set time to do away with prejudices and get our best hands with proven records all on deck in the task of rebuilding our infrastructure to serve the overriding interest of the mass of our people particularly the young ones who form the bulk of our population of a country where for decades power supply has not only been epileptic but grossly inefficient.

Our weak industrial base , the heavily challenged security system , the increasingly restless teeming youthful population with abundant energy coupled with undeservedly idle time seeking oppurtunities for expression to run small scale businesses as barbers , modern farmers, electricians , inventors amongst others and indeed every other sector of our economy will ultimately be beneficiary of this clearance of unquestionably passionate Nigerian with rare capacity to handle tough job !!!

What began with Aitana Bonmati bending a game to her will ended with France setting up a tasty quarter-final with hosts Australia who eased Sam Kerr onto the pitch 19 days into the ninth Women’s World Cup. In between, the round of 16 produced Japan’s panache, Lauren James’ petulance, Nigeria’s perseverance, Ana Guzman’s brilliance and a heroic shift by Zecira Musovic that took USA to the tie-breaker before goalline technology killed the defending champions’ aspirations of a three-peat.

 

If the second round was about teams showing that the expanded World Cup was an idea whose time had come – at 72, Morocco were the lowest-ranked team ever in the last 16 – the quarter-finals, beginning on Friday where each player is assured of $90,000 in prize money, have the look and feel of the high table of the women’s game. Six of the teams are among the world’s top 10 and Japan, the only former world champions remaining, are 11th. Five of the eight are from Europe showing a shift in the power axis from North America with Olympic champions Canada eliminated in the group league.

Playing their first quarter-finals in a competition no South American team has won, Colombia, at 25th are the only country outside the top 20 in FIFA rankings. It could mean the draw has been kinder to them but given how Nigeria, ranked 40th, had the better chances, England may be inclined to view things differently. Especially in a tournament where rankings haven’t always reflected performance.

That said, England have shown they can adapt and be proactive. Under Sarina Wiegman, the only woman coach remaining from the 12 that started this 32-team competition, England blew away China with a back three and adjusted to a back-four to ensure Nigeria could not exploit space behind wing-backs after James’ sending-off. Yes, Linda Caicedo has had a couple of quiet games and her 2022 under-17 World Cup teammate Guzman showed Colombia’s attacking efficiency with a crossfield assist but the European champions, unbeaten in 36 of their last 37 games, will be favourites in the last of the quarter-finals.

You couldn’t say that for the other games. Though they will miss midfielder Danielle van de Donk, who is suspended, and were tested by South Africa before Kaylin Swart’s error fetched the insurance goal, Netherlands are the runners-up from the last edition. They held USA 1-1 in the group league, have made the knockout rounds for the third successive edition and notched up the biggest win of the tournament (7-0 against Vietnam). So, they won’t be overawed by Spain who are in the quarter-finals for the first time.

Spain sizzled against Switzerland showing no after-effects of the hiding they received from Japan. Like all Spain teams, men or women, coach Jorge Vilda’s side loves the ball – they had 70% possession against Switzerland – and can play a dizzying array of passes. With two goals and two assists, Bonmati led the show; her second goal scored after shifting the ball from her right foot to left and taking out three Swiss players in the process being the evening’s highlight.

That was the round of 16’s best move till Caitlin Foord found Mary Fowler. Fowler produced a pass that went through lines of Dane players and Foord scootered to meet it before finishing the move with two touches. Kerr’s left calf has healed, Foord is among goals – “I think she even has more to give moving forward in this tournament,” said Australia defender Alanna Kennedy –Hayley Raso tends to pop up at the right place at the right time and Australia have beaten France going into the World Cup.

But that has also been France’s only loss in 18 games in 2023. They tamed Brazil and cruised past Morocco though three goals from Panama are proof that the defence can be vulnerable. Also, playing against the home team riding on a massive wave of support can do things to the best of players.

France coach Herve Renard is hoping the reverse will happen. “We're hoping to put Australia through exactly what France went through when they were the host country in 2019,” he said. Then, France lost 1-2 to USA.

Musovic first among equals

In a tournament that will be remembered for excellent goalkeeping from Vietnam’s Tran Thi Kim Thanh, Olivia McDaniel of the Philippines, Nigeria skipper Chiamaka Nnadozie, USA’s Alyssa Naeher, England’s Mary Earp and Netherlands’ Daphne van Domselaa, Musovic stood out for her brilliance in the previous round. With USA finally looking like they were getting into the groove, Musovic made 11 saves to push the four-time winners to the penalties where the teams were separated by goalline technology which meant that Lina Hurtig’s shot in sudden death would be the decisive kick.

“I think that she did incredible tonight, she made some saves that not many goalkeepers in the world can make,” said USA coach Vlatko Andonovski. “I think that she's probably one of the main reasons, if not the only reason (we lost).”

At 5 foot 11, Musovic, 27, is the tallest goalkeeper remaining after Ann-Katrin Berger of Germany exited in the group stage. The economics major isn’t Chelsea’s first choice, Berger is, but that could change given the string of saves, the best being getting a hand to a Lindsay Horan shot that was travelling at 92kmph.

Sweden were third in the last World Cup and second in the last Olympics but against Japan, for whom Hinata Miyazawa has scored five goals and who have looked comfortable with or without the ball, they will count on Musovic’s form to extend their stay.

The big numbers

6: Teams from the world's top 10 in FIFA rankings are in the round of 8.

1: Japan are the only former world champions in the fray. They won in 2011.

25th: Colombia are the lowest-ranked team remaining

19: Goals from open play from 8 round-of-16 games. That's 2.35 goals per game. It was 1.15 per game after 48 group-stage games.

5: Goals from Japan's Hinata Miyazawa. She scored 4 in 20 internationals before the World Cup.

1.53m: Attendance going into the quarter-finals. This is the most-watched World Cup beating the record of 1.35m in 2015.

[hindustantimes]

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, immediately withdrew his statement after he was caught on tape announcing that a little token had been sent to each Senator's account as they embark on vacation. 

The lawmakers went into recess on Monday, August 8, and are to resume on September 26. While speaking during its plenary on August 8, Akpabio who appeared not to know he was being televised live, announced that the clerk of the House had sent a ‘’little token'' to the accounts of each Senator as they go on holiday.

‘’In other to enable all of us to enjoy our holiday, a token has been sent to our various accounts by the clerk of the National Assembly'' he said

It appears that  he was immediately alerted that he was on live TV,  and he thereafter withdrew his statement, saying;

‘’I withdraw that statement. In other to allow you enjoy your holiday, the Senate President has sent prayers to your mailboxes to assist you on a safe journey and return''

Watch the video below…

President Bola Tinubu has not ruled out military intervention, the presidency has said, ahead of a West African coalition’s crisis summit in Abuja on Thursday.

Tinubu, who also chairs the bloc ECOWAS, still believes diplomacy is the “best way forward” to resolve the crisis, according to his spokesman.

So far efforts by ECOWAS and the United States to convince Niger’s new rulers to hand back power to the democratically elected leader have made little headway.

The soldiers who took charge defied a Sunday deadline to reinstate President Mohamed Bazoum or face the possible use of force and have been unswayed by negotiations, instead staging a rally at a stadium in the capital Niamey.

“No options have been taken off of the table,” Tinubu’s spokesman Ajuri Ngelale said on Tuesday.

The United States said it still hopes the coup could be undone but is “realistic”, a day after a top US envoy appeared to make no progress in an unannounced visit.

“At the same time, we are making clear, including in direct conversations with junta leaders themselves, what the consequences are for failing to return to constitutional order,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on social media that he had spoken to Bazoum “to express our continued efforts to find a peaceful resolution to the current constitutional crisis”.

Delegation rebuffed

ECOWAS — the Economic Community of West African States — imposed trade and financial sanctions on Niger after the rebel soldiers toppled Bazoum.

Instead of heeding the bloc’s seven-day ultimatum to reinstate Bazoum or face potential military intervention, the soldiers who seized power closed Niger’s airspace.

The bloc also sought to send a delegation to Niamey on Tuesday ahead of Thursday’s crisis summit.

But the ruling military blocked the mission, saying public “anger” triggered by the bloc’s sanctions meant the delegation’s safety could be at risk.

In a statement, ECOWAS confirmed that the visit by a joint delegation with African Union and United Nations officials had been refused.

In a further show of defiance and possible intent to hold on to power, the military leaders announced on Monday the appointment of Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine as the new prime minister.

‘Difficult’ talks

ECOWAS is struggling with a cascade of coups since 2020 that have now hit four of its 15 members.

In Mali, Burkina Faso and now Niger, all the takeovers have been fuelled by jihadist insurgencies that have claimed many thousands of lives, forced at least two million from their homes and dealt crippling blows to some of the world’s poorest economies.

On Monday, veteran US envoy Victoria Nuland met with Niger’s military rulers for more than two hours but came away empty-handed.

She described her talks as “extremely frank and at times quite difficult”.

She said she offered the coup leaders “a number of options” to end the crisis and restore relations with the United States, which like other Western nations has suspended aid.

“I would not say that we were in any way taken up on that offer,” she told reporters before her departure.

Niger’s new head, General Abdourahamane Tiani, did not attend the meeting, and Nuland was unable to see Bazoum, who has been detained since July 26.

Warnings

The military leaders in Mali and Burkina Faso have expressed solidarity with Niger, saying any military intervention would be seen as a “declaration of war” against them.

The two countries sent letters Tuesday to the United Nations and the African Union, calling on them to prevent “military intervention against Niger” where the security and humanitarian consequences of such action “would be unpredictable”.

Algeria, which shares a long land border with Niger, has also cautioned against a military incursion, which President Abdelmadjid Tebboune said would be “a direct threat” to his country.

Bazoum, 63, was feted in 2021 after winning elections that ushered in Niger’s first-ever peaceful transition of power.

He took the helm of a country burdened by four previous coups since independence, and survived two attempted putsches before he himself was ousted.

His support was a key factor in France’s decision last year to refocus its Sahel anti-jihadist mission on Niger after withdrawing from Mali and Burkina Faso.

France has 1,500 troops in Niger and the United States has 1,000 personnel, most of whom are deployed at two major air bases.

The Presidential Committee on Tax Policy and Fiscal Reforms says the Nigeria Customs Service and 62 other Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government will stop direct collection of revenue.

The Chairman of the Committee, Taiwo Oyedele, who spoke on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily breakfast programme on Wednesday, said the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) will now collect revenue for the MDAs.

Oyedele, a former Fiscal Policy Partner and Africa Tax Leader at PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC), said Nigeria’s revenue collection from taxes is one of the lowest in the world but the cost of collection is high.

“Ironically, our cost of collection is one of the highest. And the reason for that is that we’ve got all manners of agencies. The Federal Government alone, we have 63 MDAs that were given revenue targets last year, no; actually in the 2023 budget,” he said.

“And two things that would come up from that: on one hand, these agencies are being distracted from doing their primary function which is to facilitate the economy. Number two, they were not set up to collect revenue, so, they won’t be able to collect revenue efficiently.

“So, move those revenue collection function to the FIRS. It has two advantages: the cost of collection and efficiency will improve, these guys will focus on their work, and the economy will benefit as a result.”

Asked for clarity on his comments, Oyedele said, “If you are Customs, focus on trade facilitation, border protection and if you are NCC (Nigerian Communications Commission), just regulate telecommunications. You are not set up to collect revenue.

“It can be your revenue and someone else can collect it for you. There will be more transparency because you see what is being collected and is accounted for properly. It is also a way of holding ourselves to account as to how we spend the money we collect from the people.”

Pushbacks?

The committee chair said there will be pushbacks from stakeholders and others benefitting from the process but the committee’s sole objective is to not to take what belongs to anyone but what should come to the government.

Oyedele also described the Treasury Single Account (TSA) initiative as a step in the right direction but it has not been fully developed. He said the TSA will help his committee’s work but there are more to do to maximise the initiative.

Furthermore, Oyedele also said the presidential committee would look into excess bank charges. He said businesses pay as high as 65 to 70 levies and taxes but the committee’s plan is to reduce the number of taxes to about 10.

N20trn Tax Gap

Oyedele, chair of the committee inaugurated by President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday, said Nigeria’s tax gap is estimated around N20trn as many members of the elite evade paying the exact taxes they should remit to the government.

“As of today we have significant tax gap estimated in the region of 20 trillion or even more naira. If you focus more on the few major taxes – Value Added Tax, Corporate Income Tax, Personal Income Tax, a lot of people are not (tax) compliant, particularly the middle class and the elite, some of them are in the tax net with one or two fingers, you pay a thousand naira as tax when you should have paid N10m,” he said.

The tax expert said all of the revenue not captured before would be brought into the tax net.

“In fact, our plan is to repeal many of the taxes that currently make doing business difficult without introducing new ones and yet collect more,” he said.