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After a month of intense competition, a new champion will be crowned later today (Sunday) as the curtains are drawn on the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations when host Ivory Coast rekindles their rivalry with Nigeria in the final of the tournament at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan.
The final, which kicks off at 9 pm Nigerian time, will be a rematch of both teams’ Group A encounter earlier in the tournament where the Super Eagles emerged victorious by a lone goal on matchday two, but today’s game offers both teams the chance to lift the trophy.
Following their 1-0 win in the group stages over Ivory Coast, Nigeria will be looking to beat the same opponents twice in an AFCON tournament for the first time since 2006, when they beat Senegal in the group stage and third-place play-off.
The Eagles are seeking their fourth AFCON title, while the Ivoirians aim to win Africa’s biggest continental football showpiece for a third time on home soil, having last won the continental title nine years earlier.
The Elephants’ 2-0 win over Guinea-Bissau on matchday 1 proved crucial, with the three points won from that game just enough to take them to the round of 16 as one of the four best third-place finishers after losing to Nigeria and then Equatorial Guinea. The latter crushed Ivory Coast 4-0 to inflict their heaviest ever home and Nations Cup defeat, which sealed their coach Jean-Louis Gasset’s fate.
But much has changed for the Ivory Coast since then under new coach Emerse Fae, with the hosts surmounting obstacles when hope seemed to be lost and they now appear to have momentum just like Jose Peseiro’s Eagles heading into the decider in Abidjan later tonight.
The Ivoirians edged defending champions Senegal 5-4 on penalties after extra time scores ended 1-1 in the round of 16, beat Mali 2-1 in the quarter-final and the Democratic Republic of Congo 1-0 in last Wednesday’s semi-final.
For the Eagles, they made their way to the final on the back of solid defending, conceding only two goals and keeping four clean sheets in their victories over the Ivoirians (1-0), Guinea-Bissau (1-0), Cameroon (2-0) and Angola (1-0).
In the semi-finals, their 4-2 win over the Bafana Bafana of South Africa via penalties came down to the outstanding defending before the shootout with on-field captain William Troost-Ekong and goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali emerging as the heroes for the team, coming to the fore during multiple moments of pressure.
The duo alongside Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi, Ola Aina and Zaidu Sanusi, who is a doubt, will have to hold their nerves one more time in the final against an Ivorian side seeking redemption in front of their home fans.
According to Ivory Coast coach, Fae, both teams are on the same level and Sunday’s final offers the Elephants an opportunity to prove their class once again despite their group-stage loss to Nigeria.
“The fact that Nigeria had beaten us is a good thing because we know whom we are up against,” he said in Saturday’s pre-match conference monitored by our correspondent.
He added, “How we prepare for the match with our players is critical. I think that the Eagles and ourselves are at the same level.
“We have a great opportunity tomorrow (Sunday) and we are 90 minutes away from adding a third star to the Ivorian jersey. The teams are on equal footing, psychologically.”
He also added that the game would be won from a tactical perspective.
He added, “As the competition has progressed, the Nigerian team has gained strength. We had a very difficult journey at the beginning, but we gained momentum from the round of 16 against Senegal.
“Like any high-level match, like any final, it will come down to the details. We will be patient. We will not rush. We will focus on starting the match well and be patient to unsettle them.”
Nigeria coach, Jose Peseiro, also speaking ahead of the much-anticipated final, hopes to win the AFCON title in his first attempt.
“Playing a final is always important,” he said.
He said, “This is my first AFCON. Some were saying it’s been special, and I can attest to that. The emotions in Africa are very special. All of this, in my opinion, is a great way to learn and I would love to win it with the Nigerian team tomorrow (Sunday).
“It is crucial to find a balance. We have a great squad of players that want to win this for Nigeria. Some are newcomers to the squad but have played in other competitions. Football brings a lot of emotion, more than any sport, and this is important for Nigeria.”
Peseiro also added that the team would be aiming to win the final for the Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa, who is aiming for a second AFCON title.
Musa, who has not featured at the tournament in Ivory Coast, has been an important player for the squad, according to Peseiro.
The manager said, “Musa is much more than a player.
“He helps us a lot. He advises and informs me about many things. Up to now, he has done so many things. He has won the AFCON. He is the captain and I want to win the AFCON tomorrow so that I can see Musa lift this trophy.”
Should Peseiro go on to win the AFCON for Nigeria on Sunday, the Portuguese will become the third foreigner to win the continental title for Nigeria after Otto Gloria in 1980 and Clemens Westerhof in 1994.
Ekong, who by his admission almost didn’t make the squad for the tournament and was close to quitting international football after being overlooked for a year, expects the final to be a classic.
He also added that lifting the AFCON trophy would be an “amazing” moment for him and the country, noting that it would be time to deliver on Sunday.
Ekong said, “It will not be a tea party, and we won’t be going out there with a teacup. We will work hard and fight hard for the trophy.
“You dream about moments like that. I’ve seen it so many times. And I’ve closed my eyes. To be there on Sunday and have the chance to do that will be amazing.”
Ekong, a top contender for the Most Valuable Player of the tournament, has scored four of his five shots on target at the AFCON overall for Nigeria, converting two penalties at this tourney.
According to Opta, he’s one of only four Nigerians to score two penalties at a single AFCON, along with Samuel Ojebode (1976), Austin Okocha (2004), and Victor Moses (2013).
Making his third appearance at the AFCON tournament in Ivory Coast, having featured at the 2019 edition in Egypt and the 2022 tournament in Cameroon, Ekong will be aiming to join the elite list of Nigerian defenders like Christian Chukwu, Keshi and Joseph Yobo to have lifted the AFCON trophy for the country.
Ex-stars back Eagles
Meanwhile, former players of the Eagles have urged the team to make history for themselves by winning the AFCON final.
According to former Eagles striker, Brown Ideye, the Eagles have proved all their doubters wrong with their displays.
Ranked 42nd in the world and sixth in Africa, not much was expected from Peseiro’s team after some underwhelming results before the tournament.
“I never believed in this team,” Ideye, an AFCON winner in 2013 told BBC.
“Their form before the tournament and injuries to key players gave no one any hope but they’ve proved many of us wrong by reaching the final. I’m proud of them and I’m backing them to beat Ivory Coast again,” he added.
Former Eagles forward, Osaze Odemwinge, who starred at four AFCON tournaments in 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2010, also believes that the Eagles have an advantage over their host in terms of talent.
“Hopefully, history repeats itself and we beat them again,” Osaze told Channels TV in an interview monitored by our correspondent.
He stated, “We have the edge emotionally and mentally because we know we have already had a good performance against them with the support of the crowd.
“We have the talents and we have a team better than them. If we match them physically, they cannot match us for skill, and that would be my hope that all these skills you know come out in the game because we want to unlock their defence.
He also hoped the Eagles would exploit the weaknesses in the Ivorian team.
Fans dream victory
Elsewhere, some Nigerian football fans on X expect the Eagles to lift their fourth African title at the expense of their hosts.
Ayodeji Adegbenro wrote, via his handle @Mike_ThePundit, “My birthday is on Sunday (today), the same day the Eagles eye another AFCON trophy. Let’s bring this home, Nigeria. Win the trophy for this boy on his AFCON debut.”
Nigerian music artist, Phillip Kayode Moses, popularly known as Pheelz, also shares optimism over the chances of the Eagles winning the AFCON trophy.
He urged Stanley Nwabali to keep another clean sheet.
He wrote, “I’m confident of the Eagles winning the AFCON. Nwabali stay strong in goal so we don’t concede. The likes of Victor Osimhen, William Troost-Ekong and Samuel Chukweze have impressed me.”
Another music star, Stanley Omah Didia, fondly known as Omah Lay, expressed enthusiasm and hope for another Eagles win, believing the triumph would be a significant moment in Nigerian football.
He made this known during a conversation with West Ham United defender Kurt Zouma.
In a video shared by the West London club on X, Omah Lay said, “It’s amazing; you can see how crazy the people are going. You can see how everybody is jumping around. I’m hopeful that this is going to be the year Nigeria wins the AFCON. The world is going to shake.”
Another X user, @oladan07, wrote that Nigeria’s rival Ghana won’t be spared should the Eagles go on to win the title. She wrote, “That ending was superb. We will cook Ghana after winning the AFCON on Sunday. Bring it home boys.”
@Sundayvibe also tweeted, “I don’t expect anything less than another win. The Eagles have everything to beat Ivory Coast so #bring it home Eagles.”
Shettima leads delegation
At the behest of President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima will be in attendance at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan to lead a presidential delegation to the final and cheer the Eagles to victory.
Shettima, who was in the Ivorian capital to represent Tinubu at the semi-final between the Super Eagles and South Africa’s Bafana Bafana, departed Abuja on Saturday for the Ivorian capital once again, a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications, Stanley Nkwocha, confirmed.
The statement is titled. ‘VP Shettima leads FG’s delegation to Super Eagles’ AFCON finals’.
“Recognising the unifying power of football and the immense role the Super Eagles play in fostering national pride and unity, the President believes that Vice-President Shettima’s presence at the finals alongside the delegation is a testament to the government’s unwavering support for the team and its dedication to their success,” Nkwocha said.
He also noted that the match would rekindle the memories of Nigeria’s 1-0 victory in the group stage secured through Troost-Ekong’s penalty kick.
The Federal Government called on all Nigerians at home and abroad to unite in support of the Super Eagles and create a wave of national pride that would propel the team to glory.
Health advisories
The Lagos State Ministry of Health has issued a health advisory to all residents ahead of the AFCON final.
No fewer than five Nigerians have reportedly died while watching the penalty shoot-out between the Super Eagles and Bafana Bafana of South Africa in the semi-final match in Bouaké on Wednesday.
A statement released by the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof Akin Abayomi, on Saturday, gave some tips to help citizens prioritise their health and well-being while enjoying football matches or other intense activities.
The statement, which was posted on the Lagos State Government’s X handle, X| followlasg, outlined the tips as follows:
- Know your limits: Understand your physical limitations and consult with a healthcare professional if you have any underlying health conditions before engaging in activities that could potentially exacerbate them.
- Stay hydrated and nourished: Crowded, poorly ventilated and hot environments should be avoided with attention to good hydration. Avoid excessive alcohol consumption, and ensure you drink plenty of water and eat nutritious foods to keep your body fuelled and hydrated, especially during prolonged periods of sitting and watching the game.
- Take regular breaks: Stand up, stretch, and move around periodically to prevent stiffness and promote blood circulation. This can also help maintain alertness and prevent fatigue.
- Maintain good posture: Sit in a comfortable chair with proper back support and avoid slouching to reduce strain on your muscles and spine.
- Stay calm and relaxed: Practice relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or mindfulness to manage stress and emotions during intense moments in the game.
- Be prepared for emergencies: Familiarise yourself with the location of medical facilities and emergency exits at the venue, and know how to access help quickly if needed. Contact the Lagos Emergency Medical Team, LASAMBUS, at 767 or 112 toll-free line in case of a medical emergency.
The commissioner also urged viewing centres to ensure that venues, where football matches would be watched, had adequate medical facilities and trained personnel on hand to respond swiftly in cases of emergencies.
He also advised residents to seek prompt medical attention if they experienced any unusual symptoms or discomfort.
Similarly, the Nigerian Cardiac Society, on Saturday, cautioned Nigerians to avoid getting overly excited during the AFCON final and other sporting and emotional events.
The society in a statement in Ilorin, Kwara State, which was jointly signed by the National President, Prof Augustine Odili, Secretary-General and Publicity Secretary, Prof Chizindu Alinkor and Prof Abiodun Akintunde, commiserated with the families of those whose death was linked to the AFCON semi-final match played on Wednesday.
The society, however, warned that sports and other emotional events could trigger arrhythmias, heart attacks, and strokes in those with underlying heart conditions.
The statement read in part, “The society notes with utmost concern the several reported cases of sudden deaths among Nigerians both at home and abroad directly or indirectly.
“We wish to commiserate with the immediate families of the deceased and the country at large and pray for the repose of the souls of the deceased.
“The reported deaths of at least four (five) individuals occurring during the match leaves much to be desired on the cardiovascular health of Nigerians.”
The society added that it could not authoritatively confirm the exact causes of death in the situations without prejudice.
They explained that it was their duty to call the attention of Nigerians to the very possibility that sudden death often occurs either in the presence/absence of risk factors.
The experts explained that many of the risk factors were highly prevalent among Nigerians and were also poorly controlled.
They described sudden death as a natural, unexpected fatal event occurring within one hour from the onset of symptoms in an apparently healthy subject, or in one whose disease was not so severe to predict such an abrupt outcome.
The statement added, “Sudden cardiac death can be defined as death resulting from abrupt loss of cardiac function with or without previous heart disease unexpected within one hour of onset of symptoms.
“About 50 per cent of all deaths from heart diseases are sudden regardless of the aetiology.
“It has also been shown that 89 per cent of all sudden cardiac deaths occur outside the hospital and less that 40 per cent are witnessed.”
The surgeons stated that the causes of sudden death were as varied as its presentation, including complications of hypertension, heart attack, stroke, heart failure, cardiomyopathies, valvular disorders, and pulmonary thromboembolism, among others.
They explained further that the risk factors for heart disease were many, including lack of physical exercise, smoking tobacco, consuming alcohol, eating unhealthy diets rich in salt and saturated fats, and low in fresh fruits and vegetables.
The experts added, “Other risk factors include high blood pressure (hypertension), high blood lipids/cholesterol (dyslipidaemia), overweight and obesity, and diabetes mellitus.
“Hypertension is the most common risk factor for heart disease and stroke in Nigeria.”
[Punch]
The die is cast and Super Eagles players have all resolved to redouble their efforts to win the AFCON trophy today.
While charging his team on positives, attitudes, and right mentality, coach Jose Peseiro told the players he desires the trophy more than them.
He reminded them of the love Nigerians have shown the team since they arrived in Abidjan. The Super Eagles remain the biggest team the Portuguese coach has handled.
He had only previously handled two lowly-rated national teams – Saudi Arabia and Venezuela. Peseiro’s other jobs were being assistant to other coaches and handling clubs in the fourthtier Portuguese league.
As a player, he was a secondtier striker in Portugal and he said in an interview on UK’s Sky Sport: “I did not play at a high level.” His coaching career took a turn after promotion to the top flight with Nacional. A job offer that set him on a different trajectory. Legendary Portuguese coach, Carlos Queiroz made him his assistant at Real Madrid in 2003. That was Jose Peseiro’s biggest moment.
[Vanguard]
Super Eagles coach, José Peseiro, has declared that the players will not be intimidated by the atmosphere when Nigeria takes on hosts Ivory Coast in the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, on Sunday.
Ivory Coast will be out for a revenge after they were beaten 1-0 by the Super Eagles on matchday two in Group A.
The Super Eagles are now focused on winning their fourth AFCON title while the Elephants are seeking to lay hands on their third title.
Peseiro, who addressed the press on Saturday ahead of the crunch final revealed that his team won’t be intimidated by the harsh atmosphere.
“I think it is good. The stadium will be full, fantastic atmosphere. One final, my players, me, and all my staff prefer to play in a full stadium with a good atmosphere,” Peseiro told reporters.
“Even sometimes, they try to shout at us, not the football but it is a good atmosphere to play in the final, only need to concentrate on what must do on the pitch, our task, job, demand, commitment, sacrifice, spirit, and what we must do in each moment of the game to manage our mental balance, before the match, along the match.
“It is for our players to put effort when the people around push for Côte d’Ivoire, you don’t feel the opposite when they push for the opponent but if you want to play, you need to play with the same enthusiasm and motivation, because you want to win this AFCON, no favorite for tomorrow but you want to win this AFCON.”
[DailyPost]
The Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has set up a viewing centre at the Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka, the state capital, for residents to watch the final African Cup of Nations match.
The match which will take place on Sunday is between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire, the host country.
In a statement on Saturday, the governor’s Press Secretary, Christian Aburime, said the viewing centre is tagged “Solution viewing centre”, adding that it will be opened by 7 pm on Sunday.
Aburime said it is the governor’s way of supporting the Super Eagles and also encouraging residents to come out to cheer their team during the match.
He said there will be free drinks and popcorn for viewers, adding that Ekwueme Square was selected as the location of the viewing centre because of its space.
The statement read, “Aside from the spacious viewing centre located at Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka, there will be side attractions which include a Disc Jockey (DJ) on stage, free popcorn and liquid to go with for everyone, guest appearances and many more.
“Soludo has consistently expressed his support for the Super Eagles and urges them to bring home the coveted cup.
“Like every Nigerian, the governor understands that football is one aspect of Nigerian life that does not know tribe, gender or class.
“Both the low and high express joy and happiness freely when their team flops or does well without restrictions.”
The Super Eagles of Nigeria will battle the Elephants of Ivory Coast in the final of the ongoing AFCON in Abidjan on Sunday.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria on Wednesday defeated the Bafana Bafana of South Africa 4-2 in penalties to reach the African Cup of Nations finals.
The Eagles secured a penalty after African Player of the Year Victor Osimhen was brought down in the box by Mothobi Mvala (South Africa) at the Stade de la Paix in Bouake, Ivory Coast.
[Punch]
In its renewed bid to support sports tourism in Nigeria and Africa as a whole, the Project Fly with Us Afrika has unveiled the Face of Africa Sports and Tourism Awards ASTA. This was done at Sofitel Hotel Ivoire, Cote Divoire.
Project Fly with Us Afrika began operation in 2022 with Destination Travels and Tours, recently it became more focused on Sports tourism, recognising and appreciating those who have carved a niche for themselves in the sporting world either as professionals, organisers or ardent supporters of sports and tourism in Africa.
According to the brain behind the Project Fly Afrika initiative, Ambassador Peace Onuiri, the ASTA awards currently taking place in Cote D'Ivoire is the first of its kind and slating to hold during the AFCON 23 football tournament.
He said, this is to show that the organisation is passionate about projecting the impact of sport tourism and rekindling the love of sports, whilst promoting sport and tourism destinations in Africa
Amb. Onuiri informed that during the ongoing Africa Cup of nations, the organisation had so far presented awards of Honours to the Nigeria Football Association, (NFF), President, Ibrahim Musa Gusau and Africa Football Legend, Austin 'Jay Jay' Okocha for their indelible contributions to the growth and development of Soccer in Nigeria and Africa, noting that the recipients also won 2 tickets each for a luxurious tour of East Africa Safari, coming up in few weeks.
Amb. Onuiri further revealed that logistics arrangements were also made for those flying to Cote D'Ivoire to cheer the Nigerian Super Eagles to victory in form of round trip flights, luxurious accommodations, guranteed tickets for up-close match experience, as well as guided tours to immerse guest in the whole local atmosphere of the city.
She noted that it was not just about the match experience but a celebration of culture, camaraderie laced with unforgettable moments to be cherished for long afterwards.
Amb. Onuiri implored well meaning individuals and corporate bodies to key into the initiative by supporting in any possible way, saying it would not only promote the industry but also go a long way in promoting Nigeria as the 'Giant of Africa' where sporting and tourism activities are concerned.
L-R: Boluwaji Matthews of Oyo State Broadcasting Corporation, Ayo Ibidapo of the NFF media, Austin 'Jay Jay' Okocha, former Super Eagles Striker, Ambassador Peace Onuiri of the Project Fly with Us Afrika and other members of her Media team during the Presentation of the Face of Africa Sports and Tourism Awards ASTA to Okocha at the ongoing 2024 African Cup of Nations in Cote D'Ivoire.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria will tackle the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire in the 34th Africa Cup of Nations Final on Sunday.
Ahead of the potentially explosive encounter, here is the fact file of 2024 Africa Cup of Nations finalists Nigeria:
Path to final: Group A – Equatorial Guinea 1-1, Ivory Coast 1-0, Guinea-Bissau 1-0; Last 16 – Cameroon 2-0; Quarter-final – Angola 1-0; Semi-final – South Africa 1-1 (4-2 penalties)
Scorers: 3 – Ademola Lookman, 2 – William Troost-Ekong, 1 – Victor Osimhen, own goal – Opa Sangante (GNB)
Rankings: 6 Africa, 42 world
Captain: William Troost-Ekong
Coach: Jose Peseiro (POR)
Previous appearances: 19
Best placing: Champions 1980, 1994, 2013
Record win: South Africa 4-0 (2004)
Record losses: Sudan 0-4 (1963), Algeria 1-5 (1990)
Nickname: Super Eagles
Squad
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabili (Chippa Utd/RSA), Olorunleke Ojo (Enyimba), Francis Uzoho (Omonia/CYP)
Defenders: Chidozie Awaziem, Bruno Onyemaechi (both Boavista/POR), Ola Aina (Nottingham Forest/ENG), Semi Ajayi (West Brom/ENG), Calvin Bassey (Fulham/ENG), Kenneth Omeruo (Kasimpasa/TUR), Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce/TUR), Zaidu Sanusi (Porto/POR), William Troost-Ekong (PAOK/GRE)
Midfielders: Joe Aribo (Southampton/ENG), Alex Iwobi (Fulham/ENG), Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge/BEL), Frank Onyeka (Brentford/ENG), Alhaasan Yusuf (Royal Antwerp/BEL)
Forwards: Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan/ITA), Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester/ENG), Ademola Lookman (Atalanta/ITA), Terem Moffi (Nice/FRA), Ahmed Musa (Sivasspor/TUR), Victor Osimhen (Napoli/ITA), Moses Simon (Nantes/FRA), Paul Onuachu (Trabzonspor/TUR)
[DailyTrust]
From the pre-show at the Peacock Theatre to the main event at the Crypto.com Arena, the 66th edition of the Grammys, which was held on Sunday, February 4, 2024, was laden with drama.
DAILY POST takes a look at some of the events that defined the 2024 Grammys.
Nicki Minaj’s Prank
The Recording Academy sparked controversy after it appeared to have pranked rapper Nicki Minaj – the Grammy organisers announced ‘Barbie World’ by Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice as the winner of the Best Rap Song category on their website and social media handles but later deleted it.
The organisers made a new announcement, flaunting Killer Mike’s ‘Scientists & Engineers’ as the rightful winner without any statement or apology for their initial error which angered fans of Nicki Minaj who hasn’t won a Grammy in over two decades of her career. The development means that Nicki Minaj is yet to have a Grammy to her name.
Jay-Z’s Outburst
American hip-hop legend, Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter appeared to have called out the Grammy organisers while receiving the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award at the 2024 Grammys at the Crypto.com Arena, in Los Angeles, on Sunday.
Using his wife, Beyoncé’s Album of the Year snub as a case study, Jay-Z criticised the Recording Academy’s sense of judgment, pointing out that despite Beyoncé being the most awarded person in the Grammy’s history with a total of 32 awards, she has never won the Album of the Year category.
The Roc Nation boss said, “She [Beyoncé] has more Grammys than everyone and never won album of the year. So even by your own metrics, that doesn’t work. Think about that. Most Grammys never won Album of the Year. That doesn’t work.”
He went on to accuse the Grammy organisers of “robbing” some nominees and awarding undeserving recipients.
“Some of you are going to go home tonight and feel like you’ve been robbed. Some of you may get robbed. Some of you don’t belong in the category.
“Sorry, when I get nervous, I tell the truth,” Jay-Z said.
Killer Mike’s Arrest
Rapper, Killer Mike was arrested shortly after winning three golden gramophones at the 66th Grammys on Sunday night.
Chris Gardner, a senior staff writer for Hollywood Reporter, revealed via X that the rapper was “taken away handcuffs,” in the Crypto.com arena during the telecast for the main categories.
According to a statement by the Los Angeles Police Department, Mike Killer was booked for misdemeanour battery after being detained and questioned at the Grammys.
The statement added that the rapper was in the process of being released around the time the Grammys ended.
Nigeria’s Miss Out
The poor outing of Nigerian artists at the 66th Grammys appeared to be one of the major talking points from the event.
DAILY POST reports that the Nigerian quintet of Burna Boy, Ayra Starr, Davido, Asake, and Olamide were snubbed at the 66th Grammys on Sunday, with Tyla, the only non-Nigerian nominee in the maiden Best African Music Performance category, picking up the award.
Davido and Burna Boy also lost their nominations for the Best Global Music Album and Best Global Music Performance categories.
Burna Boy lost his nomination in the Best Melodic Rap Performance category as well.
Nigerian artists’ Grammy loss angered many of their compatriots, with some alleging that they were deliberately snubbed in a bid to suppress the buzzing Nigerian Afrobeats genre while others called for a boycott of the Grammys.
Davido’s hypeman, Special Spesh accused the Grammy organisers of trying to control African music, vowing that Africans won’t give them the power to downplay Afrobeats or any other African genre.
“We won’t give you the power to dumb Afrobeats down or Afrofusion or anything African!
“That’s (white) America’s problem! When things start to take over and get massive they always want a part then try to have a say then try to control,” Spesh wrote via Instagram.
Similarly, British-Nigerian media personality, Adesope Olajide, aka Shopsydoo, called for Africans, especially Nigerians to boycott the Grammys, accusing the Recording Academy of using Nigerian artists for promotion.
Speaking via an Instagram live session, Shopsydoo claimed that the Recording Academy does not care about African music, stressing that the Grammy band playing Fela Anikulapo-Kuti’s ‘Water’ after ‘Water’ when South African singer, Tyla was announced as the winner of the inaugural Best African Music Performance category, was enough reason that the Grammy doesn’t have a clue about African music.
[DailyPost]
Some players in the Nigerian football team recently got pranked by content creator, Napi.
In the clip circulating online, the man dressed tattered with holes in his trousers with no footwear and carried a piece of luggage on his shoulder.
He tried to frighten the players by getting close to them and in turn capture their reaction.
He pulled the prank on Moffi, Omeruo, and other players who all reacted differently.
However, Osimhen’s reaction got the attention of many. The Napoli striker who was about to get off the elevator was shocked upon seeing the man waiting at the entrance. Osimhen who obviously didn’t want to risk it simply retrogressed as he chose an alternate floor to alight.
Reacting to the clip
@amara_shuga wrote: “This is not prank,this is nonsense this should be allowed in hotels and reservation centers,deep down those players are not even liking it that much.”
@jeff3xl wrote: “Victor think say na Ivory Coast send devil come ????????????????????????????????.”
sossiofficial wrote: “Osimhen bombastic side eye na real street ????.”
shegs16 wrote: “So all these boys wey Dey shout no gree for anybody, na only for field ????????????????.”
dike_writes wrote: “Osimhen think say village people don show????.”
domingo_loso wrote: “Osimhen no waste time. E move, he elevated.”
iamwillsteel wrote: “Osimhen be like “na u dem send to injure me, not today”
jennyadams101 wrote: “Oshimhen belike shey na eyes dey pain abi watin be this????????????????”
tinacharlez wrote: “I no blame Osimehen abeg. Make mad man no go bite am ????????”
Watch the video below:
Media
Ahead of the final match between Nigeria and Ivory Coast at the ongoing African Cup of Nations, a self-acclaimed prophet, Dr Kan Ebube Muonso of the Power and Victory in Christ Church has predicted that Ivory Coast will go home with the cup but in error.
In a post on his church’s Facebook page on Friday, Kan predicted that the error would be caused by the referee.
However, the self-acclaimed prophet said he would collect the cup from Ivory Coast and hand it over to Nigeria after his mountain program by the power of God.
According to him, Nigeria is the rightful team to go home with the cup.
“IVORY COAST VS NIGERIA.
“I saw Ivory Coast going home with the cup in error by ref/partial against Nigeria but Nigeria is the rightful team that is supposed to go home with the cup, but I will collect the cup from Ivory Coast to Nigeria by the power of God after my mountain program which will commence tomorrow.
“In my next post after mountain, you will know that there is power in God.
“Operation show your power. My God will prove himself again,” the post read.
The highly anticipated friendly match between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and Argentina has been officially cancelled.
The cancellation comes in the wake of controversy surrounding Argentine football superstar, Lionel Messi‘s absence from a recent exhibition match in Hong Kong.
Messi, who currently plays for Inter Miami, was expected to be the main draw for a match against a Hong Kong XI.
However, the Argentine captain did not participate, leading to widespread disappointment and frustration among fans.
This incident has had a domino effect, influencing the decision to call off the upcoming friendly between Argentina and Nigeria, which was set to take place in Hangzhou, China, in March.
The situation escalated when Messi, despite missing the Hong Kong match due to injury, appeared in a game in Japan just days later.
In response to the outcry, organizers of the Hong Kong event offered a 50% refund to ticket holders, acknowledging the fans’ dissatisfaction with Messi’s absence.
The fallout from the incident has led sports authorities in Hangzhou to announce the cancellation of the friendly match.
In a statement, Hangzhou authorities, said, “As a commercial event, a company and the Argentinian soccer team negotiated that the team would play a friendly match in March this year in the city of Hangzhou.
“In view of the current well-known reasons, according to the competent authorities, conditions to hold the friendly match are not mature, therefore (we) have decided to cancel it.”
[NaijaNews]
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This report presents the biggest headlines of the week.
Nigerians hope to swap Grammys for AFCON; protests hit Kogi, Niger, Rivers as Nigerians lament high cost of living; states get N3.3tn allocations even as Nigerians, including Labour leaders, urged state governors to justify increased allocations by addressing the increasing hardship among the masses.
Here are the highlights of the week’s biggest news stories, from February 4 to February 10, 2024.
- Grammy 1 Nigeria 0
On Sunday night, the 66th Annual Grammy Awards were held in Los Angeles, United States, to kick off the week. A record number of Nigerians were represented at the Grammys, with Davido, Burna Boy, Ayra Starr, Asake, and Olamide nominated, thanks to the Best African Performance category.
But on Monday morning, it was all about how they returned home empty-handed. Their fans took to the internet to lament the losses.
South Africa’s Tyla won the inaugural Grammy Award for Best African Music Performance with her single ‘Water’, edging out Nigerian stars.
Interestingly, because Nigeria would play against South Africa on Wednesday in the AFCON semi-finals in Ivory Coast for a chance to make it to the final, netizens challenged the Super Eagles to avenge the Grammy loss to Tyla by beating the Bafana Bafana of South Africa. This led to a tense semi-finals fixture that kept Africans at the edge of their seats.
- AFCON: Grammy avenged
After a fierce 90 minutes of play, the Nigerian national team, the Super Eagles, were tied 1-1 and forced into an additional 30 minutes of extra time. It all came down to a penalty shootout, which Nigeria won 4-2. The Grammy loss had been avenged and Nigerians had a field day on the internet taunting South Africa with Tyla’s ‘Water’. Nigerians also claimed that ‘Amapiano,’ a music genre that has its roots in South Africa, now belongs to Nigeria. Several celebrities joined the internet banter.
Kelechi Iheanacho scored the decisive kick that secured Nigeria’s spot in the final. But one hero reigns supreme…
- Nwabali steals the show
The Super Eagles goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, clinched the Man of the Match award after saving two penalties in the shootout.
With several clean sheets and remarkable saves, Nwabali is poised to secure the tournament’s Golden Glove award. In the tournament, Nwabali kept a tally of four straight clean sheets, which helped him break the clean sheet record held by Alloy Agu and equal Best Ogedegbe’s 44-year-old record.
In addition to his clean sheets, Nwabali has made numerous crucial saves at critical moments in matches. Fans praised his crucial saves, hailing him as Nigeria’s key to winning the tournament.
The final against Ivory Coast will be played on Sunday (tomorrow), 9 pm Nigerian time.
- AFCON heartbreak
In what can only be described as a bitter victory, PUNCH Online reported five deaths after the AFCON victory, with many reportedly dying during the penalty shootout. The individuals who lost their lives include a stalwart of the All Progressives Congress, Dr Cairo Ojougboh; the Deputy Bursar of Kwara State University, Alhaji Ayuba Abdullahi; a sales representative named Mikhail Osundiji; a National Youth Service Corps member identified as Samuel; and an Anambra-born businessman based in Cote d’Ivoire, Osondu Nwoye.
Many experts have cautioned Nigerians, especially those with pre-existing health conditions, to avoid excessive emotional stress during such events. Some have even warned wives to keep their hypertensive husbands away from the AFCON final on Sunday
- His Excellency returns
President Bola Tinubu returned to Nigeria after a two-week private visit to Paris, France. The President came back at a time when protests were erupting in parts of the country over rising food and living costs, with angry youths and women taking to the streets.
Tinubu directed immediate interventions to address the situation, while discussions are ongoing to increase food supply and reduce prices in collaboration with millers and commodity traders.
After a series of meetings, more than 102,000 metric tons of various grain types from the National Food Reserve and the Rice Millers Association of Nigeria were released to address the food crisis. The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, announced to State House correspondents the release of 42,000 metric tons of maize, millet, garri, and other commodities from the strategic reserve.
Additionally, discussions with the Rice Millers Association led to a commitment of 60,000 metric tons of rice. The government said it is prepared to import commodities if necessary and is ready to take punitive measures against food hoarders to ensure food security for Nigerians.
- Cries across the nation
Protests erupted in various parts of Nigeria, including Port Harcourt in Rivers State, Kano, and Niger State, over the rising cost of living, food prices, and poor power supply. In Port Harcourt, scores of married women protested outside the office of the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company due to prolonged blackouts, which they said affected their personal lives, including marital relations.
Some of the placards carried by the Rivers women read, “‘We lack romance with our husbands’ and ‘Our husbands no longer touch us at night’.”
Similarly, in Kano, angry youths and women took to the streets to voice their grievances over the economic challenges facing the country and the high prices of food items. Meanwhile, in Niger State, residents protested against the high cost of living, demanding government intervention.
- Alcoholic backlash
Another wave of protests followed the ban imposed by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control on the production of alcoholic beverages in sachets and small bottles. A coalition of civil society groups protested at the National Assembly. The Food Beverage and Tobacco Senior Staff Association and the National Union of Food Beverages and Tobacco Employees rejected the plan, citing potential job losses for over 500,000 workers.
The House of Representatives has directed its committee on NAFDAC to investigate the circumstances surrounding the ban on the production of beverages in sachets and small bottles by the agency.
- States allocation
Allocations from the Federal Account Allocation Committee to 36 states and 774 local governments from July to December 2023, increased to N3.34tn, a 19.5% increase from the previous half-year according to figures obtained from the National Bureau of Statistics earlier in the week.
The bulk of the revenue shared at FAAC meetings comes from oil exports, taxes, and other statutory allocations, with the Federal Government receiving 52.68%, states 26.72%, and local governments 20.60%.
Despite increased allocations, some governors have faced criticism for failing to alleviate the impact of fuel subsidy removal, with complaints about poor infrastructure, rising kidnappings, and insecurity.
Labour leaders and Nigerians have urged state governors to justify the increased allocations by addressing the hardships faced by the masses.
[Punch]
The match officials for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final have been announced by the Confederation of African Football, CAF.
Referee Dahane Beida from Mauritania will be the man in the middle for Sunday’s game.
The first assistant referee will be Jerson Emiliano Dos Santos of Angola.
Diana Chikotesha has been appointed second assistant referee for the match.
The fourth official will be Morocco’s Bouchra Karboubi.
The final on Sunday will kick off at 9pm WAT at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan.
In 1988, Nigeria lost 1-0 to Cameroon in the final, with referee Idrissa Sarr from Mauritania controversially ruling out a Henry Nwosu header for offside.
Former Vice President, Nigeria Football Federation, Shehu Dikko, has given insight into why new Super Eagles first choice goalkeeper and fans favourite, Stanley Nwabali, didn’t feature for the team under former coach Gernot Rohr, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Nwabali has established himself as the country’s undisputed first-choice goalkeeper with his impressive performances at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.
While Nwabali’s rise to stardom has come as a big surprise to many Nigerians, Dikko said the keeper had always been under the watchful eyes of the federation.
“Nwabali has always been on the radar of the national team,” he tweeted.
“I recalled in June 2019 during the NPFL Super Six in Lagos and he was on the books of Enyimba FC, we invited Gernot Rohr to watch him as a potential successor/competitor to Uzoho. Unfortunately, his club GM went to inform him that Rohr was around to check on him, thinking he was helping him. But that made him so jittery being a young keeper just getting into the groove but he has always been a very good keeper as he even made the NPFL Allstar team in 2022 for the Budweiser match with John Terry and Roberto Carlos and the home-based Super Eagles match with Mexico in USA.
“Anyway, God’s time is always the best and he has once again proved the talent available in the domestic game.”
On Wednesday, the 27-year-old saved two penalty kicks from Teboho Mokoena and Evidence Makgopa to help Nigeria claim a 4-2 win over South Africa and progress to the final of the 34th edition of the AFCON.
The Chippa United shot-stopper, who is a strong contender for keeper of the tournament, was named Man of The Match for his impressive display.
Surprisingly, Nwabali has only six appearances for the Eagles and was only invited to the national team a few weeks before the AFCON after Nigeria’s head coach, Jose Peseiro, decided to make him his preferred choice ahead of Francis Uzoho, who has failed to live up to expectations.
In his competitive games so far, he conceded just two goals against Equatorial Guinea and South Africa.
Nwabali will hope to continue with his impressive form when Nigeria take on Ivory Coast in the final of the AFCON on Sunday.
1-year-old Nigerian athlete, Favour Oghene Tejiri Ashe, has been arrested on multiple counts of theft and fraud.
Ashe, according to WTVM report, was arrested by Auburn Police on Thursday at his Alabama base.
The report stated that Ashe is specifically being charged with four counts of fraudulent use of a debit/credit card and two counts of theft of property third degree.
Auburn Police initially received a theft report on February 4, 2024, when a victim reported that multiple items were stolen from a purse near the 100 block of West Magnolia Avenue.
A credit card was among the items stolen, and the victim discovered several fraudulent charges were made using the stolen card.
Ashe was transported to the Lee County Jail and held on a $9,000 bond, the report indicated.
Ashe is one of the fastest Nigerian sprinters in history, having run 9.99s in the 100 meters at the national championships in 2022. He however holds a personal best of 9.96s he ran at the semi-final of the NCAA Championships last year.
He also represented Nigeria at the 2022 and 2023 World Athletics Championships and the 2022 Commonwealth Games, where he won a bronze medal in the 4 x 100 meters relay.
Ashe is the latest set of US-based Nigerian athletes to be arrested on fraud-related charges in the US, BoldSports reports.
Bold Sports in November 2022, reported how five Nigerian athletes, Toluwani Adebakin, Emmanuel Ineh, reigning African Games 100m champion Raymond Ekevwo, Mercy Abire and Aniekeme Etim were indicted and charged over wire and mail fraud in the US.
Adebakin and Ineh had earlier both been convicted of fraud and faced a possible 10-year jail term after they pleaded guilty to “violations of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1957, for engaging in monetary transactions in property derived from specified unlawful activities, collectively sending tens of thousands of illicitly obtained proceeds to fraudsters in Nigeria as part of a larger mail fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering conspiracy.”
Abire went on to plead guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering and risked 20 years in jail.