First Bank of Nigeria Holdings Plc (FBNH) has insisted on electing Femi Otedola, its former highest single shareholder as a director despite opposition from other shareholders.

FBNH has also amended the agenda of its disputed Annual General Meeting (AGM) to include the raising of the capital of N150bn through the right issues.

This was disclosed in a filing seen by THE WHISTLER on Wednesday.

A rights issue is an invitation to existing shareholders to purchase additional new shares in the company.

The bank had announced its AGM to hold on August 15, 2023, where it plans to elect Samson Oyewale Ariyibi as an Executive Director and Olufemi Otedola as Non-Executive Director.

But Olusegun Samuel Onagoruwa petitioned FBN Holdings upon which the order was obtained in suit No: FHC/L/CP/1271/2022.

The order which was addressed to Nnamdi Okonkwo, FBN Holdings Chairman said, “Take notice that unless you obey the directives in the Judicial Order contained in the Order made on the 15th July, 2022 by the Federal High Court, Lagos, by refraining from proceeding with the 11th Annual General Meeting of FBN Holdings Limited proposed for 15th August 2023 from seeking approval to issue or raise share capital in any manner whatsoever, from appointing or confirming the appointment of new directors, or in any other manner taking any step towards implementing, actualising enforcing resolution of the 10th Annual General Meeting of FBN Holdings Plc held on 20th June 2022 or in any other manner overreaching, disobeying or undermining the said Order of court, you will be guilty of contempt of court and you will be liable to be committed to prison and to there imprisoned.”

In a swift reaction, the shareholders group under the aegis of the Trustee Shareholders Association of Nigeria, TSAN protested at the First Bank’s Head Office in Lagos.

Some of the protesters carried placards with inscriptions, “Otudeko, First Bank is Greater than you.’

TSAN Chairman, Mukhtar Mukhtar registers the shareholders’ displeasure of the attempt by some shareholders to prevent the AGM of the Holdings.

He also frowned at moves at preventing them from getting approval from shareholders to take critical resolutions meant for the interest of the bank.

In the regulatory filing, FBNH is still insisting on the election of two of Otedola and Ariyibi which have been opposed by Onagoruwa’s group.

The Bank said that “That there shall be a capital raise of up to N150,000,000,000.00. The capital raise transaction shall be by way of a Rights issue, on such terms and conditions and on such dates as may be determined by the Directors, subject to obtaining the approvals of the relevant regulatory authorities.

“(c) The Rights Issue referred to in Resolution (b) above may be underwritten on such terms as may be determined by the Directors, subject to obtaining the approvals of the relevant regulatory authorities.

“(d) That any shares not taken up by existing shareholders within the period stipulated under the Rights Issue may be offered for sale to interested shareholders of the Company on such terms and conditions as may be determined by the Directors, subject to obtaining the approvals of relevant regulatory authorities.”

Otudeko through his vehicle Honeywell Group Limited (HGL) acquired 4.7 billion shares of FBN Holdings in July 2023.

Honeywell made the acquisition through Barbican Capita Ltd which elevated Barbican’s shares to 13.3 per cent as against Otedola’s 7.57 per cent shares in the company.

FBN Holdings announced, “This is to inform the public and our stakeholders that the Company received a notification dated July 7, 2023 from Honeywell Group Limited that its affiliate, Barbican Capital Limited has acquired an aggregate of 4,770,269,843 units of shares from the Company’s issued share capital of 35,895,292,791, as at the above-referenced date.

“Based on the foregoing, the equity stake of Barbican Capital Limited in the Company is 13.3 per cent.”

In December 2021, billionaire businessman, Otedola became the single largest shareholder of FBN after acquiring 7.57 percent of the issued shares capital.

The House of Representatives has threatened to invoke its constitutional power on IPPIS, the Budget Office and the Assets Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON) over failure to appear before it in an ongoing job racketeering probe.

The threat was made by Rep. Yusuf Gagdi, chairman of the ad hoc committee investigating job racketeering and mismanagement of IPPIS in MDAs in Abuja on Wednesday.

Mr Gagdi said the committee was in a dilemma why IPPIS and the budget office were absent at the meeting.

The committee subsequently summoned the Accountant General of the Federation to bring along the IPPIS officer before the committee on August 10, adding that any further attempt to run away would be resisted.

He also queried why Haruna Kolo, the prime suspect in the FCC job racketeering saga, did not appear before the committee after he was asked to present himself on Wednesday.

“I also don’t know why Kolo is not coming back to appear before this committee; he seems to have absconded. I will sign a letter to AMCON to produce Kolo on Thursday.

“It is better he listen to us unless he is acting a script and selling lies to us; he should come so we can interact with him. We owe everybody the duty of care.

“We need him by 10:00 a.m. tomorrow, the clerk of the committee should call AMCON on the phone and tell them to produce Kolo, or do they know what Kolo is hiding,” he asked.

He further said Mr Kolo should appear tomorrow or else the committee would exercise its constitutional power, adding that he is a staff of AMCON unless he wants to lose his job and miss his freedom.

Meanwhile, Abdulrahman Ibrahim, a witness in the ongoing investigation on job racketeering, has faulted claimed by some commissioners in FCC that they had not been given any slot since they were appointed.

Mr Ibrahim, a beneficiary of the job racketeering and the Personal Assistant to the commissioner representing Taraba said, ” All the commissioners were given slots.”

According to him, they were given two slots each per state. There was an interview, and other processes followed in 2023.

Also, Yisha’u Gambo, the driver to the commissioner representing Taraba, who spoke in Hausa, said he collected N2 million for Mr Kolo, which a job seeker paid.

“Kolo met me and said I should talk to people that need employment so that he could talk to them. Then he called me to bring one person, and I said there are many that have been talking to him and that they were willing to buy a slot,” Mr Gambo said.

The investigation continues Thursday as witnesses and the affected MDAs have been ordered to appear. 

(NAN)

Niger was slapped with more sanctions on Tuesday (8 August), hours after its new military leaders rejected the latest diplomatic mission aimed at restoring constitutional order following a 26 July coup.

Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu ordered the new sanctions through Nigeria’s central bank, aimed at squeezing entities and individuals involved in the takeover, a presidential spokesperson said.

It came after Niger’s junta denied permission to enter Niger to a joint delegation from West African states, the African Union (AU) and the United Nations, resisting pressure from the United States and the United Nations to come to the negotiating table.

The denial raises the stakes in a search for a solution after the coup that western powers fear will destabilise the Sahel region of West Africa, one of the world’s poorest that is already dealing with a string of coups and a deadly Islamist insurgency. It also threatens US and Western interests in its former ally.

Heads of state from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) are preparing for a summit on Thursday to discuss their standoff with the junta, which defied a 6 August deadline to reinstate ousted President Mohamed Bazoum.

ECOWAS defence chiefs agreed on Friday on a possible military action plan, which heads of state are expected to consider at their summit in the Nigerian capital, Abuja.

Still, Tinubu’s spokesperson said the leaders prefer a diplomatic solution.

“No options have been taken off the table,” the spokesperson told reporters in Abuja, adding that “far-reaching decisions” would be taken at the summit concerning the bloc’s next steps.

Explaining the decision to not allow the delegation in on Tuesday, Niger’s junta said it could not guarantee their safety in the face of popular anger. It also denounced “a climate of threatened aggression against Niger”.

An AU spokesperson confirmed that a mission had been denied access, while ECOWAS declined to comment.

The junta had already snubbed meetings with a senior US envoy and another ECOWAS delegation.

Under Bazoum, Niger was relatively successful in containing an Islamist insurgency devastating the Sahel region and was an important ally for the West after two of its neighbours rejected former colonial power France and turned towards Russia instead.

Niger is the world’s seventh-biggest producer of uranium, the most widely used fuel for nuclear energy, adding to its strategic importance.

The United Nations said Secretary General Antonio Guterres strongly supported mediation efforts by ECOWAS, while US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told French radio station RFI diplomacy was the best way to resolve the situation.

He declined to comment on the future of some 1,100 US troops in Niger, where French, German and Italian troops are also stationed.

Blinken later told the BBC he was worried that Russia’s Wagner mercenaries could take advantage of the instability in Niger to strengthen their presence in the Sahel.

“I think what happened and what continues to happen in Niger was not instigated by Russia or by Wagner, but to the extent that they try to take advantage of it – and we see a repeat of what’s happened in other countries, where they’ve brought nothing but bad things in their wake – that wouldn’t be good.”

Russian flags

US Acting Deputy Secretary of State Victoria Nuland flew to Niamey on Monday but was denied permission to meet coup leader Abdourahamane Tiani or Bazoum, who is in detention. She told reporters her talks with more junior officers were “frank and difficult”.

Last week, ECOWAS sent a mission to Niamey led by Abdulsalami Abubakar, a former military ruler of Nigeria, but Tiani also refused to see him.

In contrast, Tiani on Monday met a joint delegation from Mali and Burkina Faso, both neighbouring countries where the military has seized power from civilians.

“We will not accept military intervention in Niger. Our survival depends on it,” said Abdoulaye Maiga, a spokesman for Mali’s junta, appearing on Niger state television.

Some pro-coup demonstrators in Niamey have held up Russian flags, which are in fashion according to residents and fabric vendors.

“I’m a fan of the Russian flag, which is why I’ve come today to buy fabrics for the tailor to make me a flag,” said Okacha Abdoul-Aziz.

Western allies fear that Niger could go the way of Mali, which threw out French troops and UN peacekeepers and invited in mercenaries from Wagner group after a 2021 coup.

“Every single place that this Wagner group has gone, death, destruction and exploitation have followed,” Blinken told the BBC.

Alongside the Malian army, fighters presumed to be from Wagner have carried out a brutal military offensive, executing hundreds of civilians last year, witnesses and rights groups say, charges the army and Wagner deny.

In a new report seen by Reuters on Monday, UN sanctions monitors said they had also used a campaign of sexual violence and other grave human rights abuses to terrorise the population.

[euractiv]

In a surprising turn of events, FC Barcelona’s winger Ousmane Dembélé is poised to make a move to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), as confirmed by Barcelona’s director Mateu Alemany. The deal, which has been in the works behind the scenes, is now in its final stages and is expected to be officially announced later this week. This announcement comes as a significant development in the world of football, with fans and experts alike eager to witness the effects of this transfer.

The news broke via well-known transfer market insider Fabrizio Romano, who reported Alemany’s statement regarding Dembélé’s impending move to the French capital. According to Romano, Alemany stated, “Ousmane Dembélé is on his way to Paris. The deal is done, we just have to sign all documents.” This has set the football community abuzz with speculations about the terms of the transfer and the impact it will have on both clubs.

Dembélé, known for his pace, skill, and versatility on the field, joined FC Barcelona in 2017 from Borussia Dortmund. However, his time with the Catalan club has been marred by injuries, which limited his playing time and potential contributions. Despite flashes of brilliance, his inconsistent performances and fitness concerns seemed to have contributed to this decision.

On the other hand, Paris Saint-Germain, currently one of the football powerhouses in Europe, is making significant moves in the transfer market to strengthen its squad. Dembélé’s potential addition could provide PSG with added attacking depth and a different tactical dimension. With stars like Lionel Messi and Neymar already in their ranks, Dembélé’s arrival could further bolster the Parisian club’s offensive prowess.

While the financial details of the transfer remain undisclosed, it is expected that both clubs have negotiated terms that benefit their respective interests. The move will undoubtedly have ripple effects across the football landscape, impacting player dynamics, team strategies, and league competitions.

The impending official announcement of Ousmane Dembélé’s transfer from FC Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain marks a significant turning point for both the player and the clubs involved. Football enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting more details about the deal, which could reshape the balance of power in the European football scene for the upcoming season.

Source: Fabrizio Romano

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]