Our Reporters, Author at Trendbrio.com

CAF President bags highest Ivorian Award

Our Reporters7 months ago7 months ago04 mins

The Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) President Dr. Patrice Motsepe has been conferred with the highest Award in Cote d’Ivoire, which is the “Commander of National Order” by the Head of State of Cote d’Ivoire, President Alassane Ouattara, and the Chancellor of National Orders in Abidjan. The CAF General Secretary Veron Mosengo-Omba was conferred with the “Officer of the National Order” Award. President Ouattara said Dr Motsepe has played a key role not only in the successful delivery of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations but also in changing the face and fortunes of African Football. The Award by the Ivorian Government is also in recognition of Dr Motsepe’s commitment and leadership for delivering the most successful CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in the history of this competition. President Ouattara said: “We are exceptionally proud of the work President Motsepe has done since taking over at CAF. The success of the Africa Cup of Nations is thanks to his and CAF’s leadership. The Award is in recognition of the excellent work he is doing at CAF and in promoting football development in Africa.” Dr Motsepe was joined by the President of FIF Yacine Idriss Diallo, Veron Mosengo-Omba and the leadership of Football in Cote d’Ivoire. President Motsepe said: “I am deeply honoured and humbled to receive this Award on behalf of the CAF Member Associations representing the 54 African countries that are Members of CAF. My deepest gratitude to President Ouattara, the Government and people of Cote d’Ivoire for this distinguished Award. The enormous success of the AFCON Cote d’Ivoire was based on the visionary leadership of President Ouattara, the commitment of his Government as well as the support of CAF’s 54 Member Associations, the CAF EXCO, the Secretary General and staff of CAF, President Idriss Diallo, the LOC, the Football Leadership in Cote d’Ivoire, CAF sponsors and the passionate Cote d’Ivoire and African football supporters. The AFCON Cote d’Ivoire was also an excellent example of football’s capacity to bring together and unite people from different racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds in Africa and worldwide. The 1.4 billion people in 180 countries who watched the AFCON Cote d’Ivoire clearly indicates that African football is globally competitive and is as good as the best in the world. We will continue to invest in academies for boys and girls, schools football, trainers and coaches, the building of stadiums and other football infrastructure and facilities and support our Member Associations.” Mosengo-Omba also thanked the Ivorian Government for his award.

Colombia 2024: Falconets crash out of World Cup

Our Reporters7 months ago7 months ago03 mins

Reigning vice champions Japan edged Nigeria 2-1 in the Round of 16 at the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup finals in Colombia on Friday morning, ending the promising journey of the Falconets. A goal in each half, first by Miyu Matsunaga and then by Maya Hijikata, meant that Olushola Shobowale’s composed finish one minute into time-added-on was too little too late in driving rain at the Estadio Metropolitano de Techo in Bogota. The tenacious Maya Hijikata came close in the 13th minute, almost capitalizing as goalkeeper Faith Omilana came out to punch the ball from a cross, but Comfort Folorunsho was on the line to rescue the situation. Japan’s famed electric pace and clever flicks and chips were countered by Nigeria’s fit-fighting approach and positional play. But in the 18thminute, Japan came close again when Uno Shiragaki and Manaka Matsukubo missed getting a touch on the ball as Rio Sasaki carved open Nigeria’s defence from a free kick on the right. The East Asians would go in front in the 33rdminute, as Matsunaga headed home a cross by Rihona Ujihara. Four minutes before the break, Nigeria could have levelled when Rofiat Imuran’s in-swinger from the left rattled goalkeeper Akana Okuma, but Maya Hijikata cleared the ball off the line. Hijikata made it two for Japan in the 66th minute when she drove the ball into the net after a cross from the right by Chinari Sasai. Omilana punched over fierce shots by Matsunaga and Suzu Amano in the 77th and 86th minute respectively, but Nigeria made it a tense finish when Shobowale coolly slotted in a cross from the left by substitute Goodness Osigwe. Japan will face Spain in the quarter-finals, in a re-match of the final match of the last edition in Costa Rica two years ago.

President Tinubu meets with King Charles III at Buckingham Palace

Our Reporters7 months ago7 months ago02 mins

President Bola Tinubu was warmly received on Wednesday in London by His Majesty King Charles III at Buckingham Palace for a private meeting, highlighting the enduring and cherished relationship between Nigeria and the United Kingdom. This will be the two leaders’ first meeting since they met in Dubai at the COP 28 Climate Summit last year. The latest meeting was at the King’s request. Both leaders discussed global and regional matters of shared priority, focusing on the urgent and complex challenge of climate change. President Tinubu and His Majesty also explored opportunities for collaboration in anticipation of the upcoming COP 29 Summit in Azerbaijan and the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa. President Tinubu reiterated Nigeria’s firm commitment to addressing climate change in a manner that aligns with the country’s energy security objectives whilst affirming Nigeria’s readiness to adopt global strategies for sustainability. During their dialogue, the two leaders shared ideas for innovative approaches to climate financing and funding, expressing mutual interest in strengthening partnerships by harnessing Nigeria’s leadership position in Africa and the Commonwealth.

Court jails internet fraudster in Enugu

Our Reporters7 months ago7 months ago03 mins

Justice Mohammed Garba Umar of the Federal High Court, sitting in Independence Layout, Enugu has convicted and jailed one Okwudili Joseph for fraud. He was prosecuted on a one-count charge bordering on impersonation and cybercrime by the Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. The charge reads: “That you, Okwudili Joseph, on or about the 5th day of June, 2024 at Enugu, Enugu State, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, fraudulently impersonated one Jim Warren, a gas detection specialist from the United States of America with intent to gain advantage for yourself and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (3) (a) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 and punishable under Section 22 (4) of the same Act.” He pleaded “guilty” when the charge was read to him, following which prosecution counsel, Mohammed Shehu reviewed the facts of the case and prayed the court to convict and sentence him accordingly, while the defence counsel, G. C. Ugwele prayed the court to temper justice with mercy, arguing that her client has become remorseful of his action and has learned his lesson as well. After listening to both sides, Justice Umar convicted and sentenced Joseph to two years imprisonment with hard labour or to pay a fine of N200,000.00 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira). The convict’s road to jail began with his arrest by EFCC operatives on June 5, 2024 in Nike, Enugu, following credible intelligence that linked him to fraudulent internet activities. He admitted to the commission of the crime upon arrest and willingly tendered his confessional statements.

43 Chinese players, officials bag life ban over match-fixing, gambling

Our Reporters7 months ago7 months ago05 mins

The Chinese Football Association has imposed a life ban on 38 football players and five club officials for match-fixing, gambling and bribery after a two-year investigation. Former Chinese internationals Jin Jingdao, Guo Tianyu and Gu Chao, as well as South Korean player Son Jun-ho were among those barred, for the rest of their lives, from taking part in any football-related activities in China. Zhang Xiaopeng, a senior official from the Ministry of Public Security, told a press conference in Dalian on September 10 that the investigation uncovered 120 fixed matches and implicated 128 criminal suspects and 41 football clubs, according to Xinhua News Agency. Zhang explained that “the Ministry of Public Security reported the details of the first batch of 61 people involved in the cases to the General Administration of Sport of China and the CFA” and among them, 44 individuals faced criminal penalties for bribery, gambling, and the illegal opening of casinos, while 17 others were found to have engaged in bribery and match-fixing. The CFA President Song Kai confirmed that 43 of the 44 facing criminal penalties had been banned for life from football-related activities, and 17 others, consisting of 15 players and two club officials, received five-year bans. Shen Liuxi, a former Hangzhou Greentown player, was not in the lifetime ban list because he had already received the same sanction in 2013. In the latest investigation, he was found guilty of opening illegal casinos. An international player is also among those given five-year bans; Cameroonian Ewolo Donovan, who played for Heilongjiang Ice City. South Korean player Son was in detention for 10 months in China before he was released in March and returned to his country, where he currently plays for Suwon. His agent Park Dae-yeon said it was “ridiculous” to accuse his client of match-fixing and that they would hold a press conference “to say everything we have to say”. Suwon’s sporting director, Choi Soon-ho, said they would continue to field Son unless ordered not to do so because the CFA ruling “doesn’t apply to us”. Choi said: “He vehemently denied bribery charges when he signed with us and I respect that.” A statement from the CFA read: “According to the facts found by the judicial authorities, Son Jun-ho, a former player of Shandong Taishan FC, participated in illegal transactions, manipulated football matches and obtained illegal gains to seek inlawful benefits. His actions seriously violated sports ethics and sportsmanship, causing significant negative social impact. In March this year, a former chairman of the CFA was sentenced to life in prison. Five months later in August, a former vice president of the association was sentenced to 11 years in prison for accepting bribes, and a former director of the competition department was sentenced to seven years imprisonment for the same offence.

Luton Town signs Victor Moses

Our Reporters7 months ago7 months ago07 mins

English Championship side Luton Town have announced the signing of free agent Victor Moses on a permanent contract, subject to international clearance. The 33-year-old former Nigeria international has most recently been playing his football in Russia with Spartak Moscow, who he joined in 2021 after a successful loan spell from Chelsea in the 2020/21 campaign. Born in Kaduna, Nigeria, Victor came to the UK as a boy and played for England from Under-16 to U21 while coming through the ranks at Crystal Palace, where he made 69 appearances and scored 11 goals for the then-Championship club. He stepped up to the Premier League with a £2.5m move to Wigan Athletic in January 2010, netting nine times in 80 appearances before Chelsea paid £9m to sign him in the summer of 2012. Moses was part of the squad that won the Europa League in 2012/13, but spent much of his nine years as a Chelsea player out on loan, playing for European giants Liverpool and Inter Milan, as well as domestically for West Ham and Stoke and in Turkey with Fenerbahce. In his time at Stamford Bridge, he made 128 appearances for the Blues, scoring 18 goals, and won the Premier League and FA Cup in successive years in 2017 and 2018, before moving permanently to Spartak for £4.5m in 2021, where he also won the Russian Cup. Manager Rob Edwards said: “Victor is one we’ve been talking to for quite a while. He trained with us last week and played 60 minutes in a behind closed doors game, and we made a decision because we think he’s able to come in and help us. “He gives us more strength in depth and versatility, because he’s someone who can play both sides or as a number ten. “He’s played for so many different clubs in different ways and shapes, and under different managers, so he’s tactically aware. We think he’s someone who can provide some really good competition for us. “I don’t want to put too much pressure on him and expect too much too soon. He’s not going to come in and start the games straight away. He’s got to get used to what we do and how we play, but he’s fit, he’s able to come in and affect it now, and he definitely makes the squad stronger.” Including 38 caps for Nigeria and 29 for the England age groups, Victor’s career spans almost 550 matches, 84 goals, and boasts appearances in two World Cups, the Africa Cup of Nations, Champions League and Europa League, a tournament in which he played in the 2019/20 final for Inter Milan, losing 3-2 to Sevilla. “He’s someone who we can learn from as well,” adds Rob. “He’s won a Premier League title under Antionio Conte playing in a similar sort of role to what we ask some of our lads to do, so we’ll be able to pick his brains. “He’s had a fantastic career, been there and done it. He’s got an amazing CV. But alongside that he’s a really good lad, a quiet, unassuming, down to earth person. “What tells you about his humility is that he’s been willing to come in, basically on trial with us, to show how hungry he is to play for Luton Town. We are really excited about working with him.” Victor was equally excited after putting pen to paper and claiming squad number seven with the Hatters. “I’m looking forward to it,” said Victor in his first interview with LTFC+. “I had a few offers from Europe, but I said to my agent that I set my mind on staying over here, and here we are. I’m very pleased and honoured to be at this club and I just can’t wait to get going. “I spoke to Rob before I came, I spoke to the directors and they told me the plan and the history of the club, and I just want to be part of the success. “I want to come here and enjoy my football, work hard for the club and for the team, and get back to where we belong in the Premier League.”

Morocco 2025: Eagles, Wasps battle to barren draw in Kigali

Our Reporters7 months ago7 months ago04 mins

Nigeria and Rwanda stifled themselves to a scoreless draw at a refurbished Amahoro Stadium in Kigali on Tuesday, but the Super Eagles retain leadership of their qualifying group courtesy of the 3-0 whiplash of Benin Republic in Uyo on Saturday. Libya’s Mediterranean Knights, playing the Cheetahs in Abidjan some hours later, would only be able to dislodge the Eagles if they won by three goals. The draw was typical of two earlier encounters between both teams in Kigali, as Nigeria forced a 1-1 draw in a 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifying match also at the Amahoro, and both teams drew 0-0 in a 2013 AFCON qualifier at the Stade Regional de Nyamirambo. Coach Augustine Eguavoen made only one change from the squad that started against the Cheetahs, with Fisayo Dele-Bashiru taking the place of Alex Iwobi. Defender Bruno Onyemaechi should have put Nigeria ahead after only three minutes, but he miscued his shot after a great pass by Ademola Lookman. Two minutes later, midfielder Wiflred Ndidi’s shot went straight to goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari. Bonheur Mugisha and Kevin Muhire took turns harassing the Super Eagles’ defence as the game wore on, but Nigeria could have been up by a goal after 22 minutes as Lookman headed into the net. But Moroccan referee Karim Sabry ruled that a Nigerian player had pushed a defender in the build-up. Victor Boniface wasted a glorious opportunity in the 25th minute, and in the 37th minute, Onyemaechi failed to capitalize as Boniface’s shot rocked the upright and bounced back into play. Four minutes to half time, Onyemaechi, getting into scoring positions easily, headed wide when he received a cross from the right by Olaoluwa Aina. Eight minutes into the second half, substitute Moses Simon’s shot from William Ekong’s floater was blocked by an imperious Ntwari. Jojea Kwizera could have put the Wasps in front on 68th minutes as the home boys broke forward, but his shot flew away from goal. With 19 minutes left, Lookman was almost celebrating a goal, only to see his volley from Aina’s cross punched out by Ntwari. Mugisha, undaunted, unleashed a rocket from 22 yards with two minutes, but goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali punched into safety. Substitute Raphael Onyedika could have struck in the 89th minute, but again, Ntwari was on hand to block his shot, just as he held firmly to the ball from substitute Victor Osimhen’s header in added time. The Eagles will next confront the Mediterranean Knights of Libya at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, mid-October.

Court jails 17 Internet Fraudsters in Benin City

Our Reporters7 months ago7 months ago04 mins

Justice Igho Braimoh of Edo State High Court, sitting in Benin City has convicted and sentenced 17 internet fraudsters to various jail terms. The convicts are Oserei John Vianny, Osaro Moses, Desmond Okoduwa, Obi Isaac, Joshua Omoruyi, Iyabosa Omoruyi, Jeffery Omoruyi, Odion Alex Idada, Aisosa Aiyeki, Prosper Aimiomwona, Others are Cherish Omoruyi, Kelly Omoruyi, Victor Osaze, Obobor Moses, Timothy Ogie, Osemuahu Godspower, and Bonny Stephen. They were prosecuted by the Benin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on separate one-count charges bordering on obtaining by false pretence and possession of fraudulent documents. The charge against Oserei John Vianny reads: “That you Oserei John Vianny (m) on or about the 10th of June, 2024 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did have in your possession documents which you knew or ought to have known contained false pretence, thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 6 and 8 (b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.” All the defendants pleaded “guilty” to their charges when they were read to them, prompting the prosecution counsel, I.K. Agwai, Ibrahim Faisal and Ahmed Salihu to pray the court to convict and sentence them accordingly. However, counsel to the defendants pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy, stating that they have become remorseful for their actions. Justice Braimoh afterwards convicted and sentenced Vianny, Idada, Cherish Omoruyi, Kelly Omoruyi, Aiyeki, Obobor Moses and Osaro Moses to two years imprisonment or to pay a fine of N200,000.00 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira) each, while Iyobosa Omoruyi, Joshua Omoruyi, Aimiomwona, Ogie, Godspower, Stephen, Jeffery Omoruyi, Osaze and Isaac bagged three years imprisonment or to pay a fine of N200,000.00 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira) each. Desmond was handed three years imprisonment or to pay a fine of N500,000 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira). Furthermore, the judge ordered the forfeiture of a Toyota Camry, Mercedes Benz 350, Rav4 Toyota, Mercedes Benz C300 recovered from Desmond Okoduwa, Isaac, Aiyeki being proceeds of their crime to the federal government. In addition, all the convicts forfeited their phones, laptops, and money in their respective bank accounts to the federal government and undertook in writing to be of good behaviour henceforth. The convicts’ journey to the correctional centre began with their arrest by operatives of the Benin Zonal Directorate of the EFCC following credible intelligence on their involvement in fraudulent internet activities.