BIAFRA : We’ll order reprisal attacks on herdsmen – Biafra group

 

Biafra Nations League, BNL, said it has ordered its members to launch a reprisal attack on Fulani herdsmen following the recent killing of at least 15 people in Ebonyi State.

The killings took place Monday night in Nkalaha, Obegu, Amazu, Nkalagu and Umuhuali autonomous communities. At least, 15 persons were reportedly killed during the attack allegedly carried out by some herders. Addressing reporters in Ikom, Cross River State, Deputy National Leader of BNL, and Head of Operations, BBS Media, Ebuta Akor Takon, said, “Enough is enough.”

According to them, “We [have] ordered members and supporters of BNL in other parts of the old eastern region to mobilize and launch counter-attacks on them in less than five days.

“Any attack from them will surely be avenged until they are stopped by their parents bodies, the Miyetti Allah Kauta Hore and Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association.”

BNL queried why soldiers would be after pro-Biafra groups but have done nothing to stop the attacks on villages by alleged Fulani militants.

Michael Owen predicts results of Man United vs Brighton, Arsenal vs Liverpool, others

 

Michael Owen, a former Real Madrid striker, has predicted Manchester United to beat Brighton when both teams clash in the Premier League on Sunday night at Old Trafford. Owen also predicted Arsenal and Liverpool to play a draw at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday night.

According to him, Chelsea will defeat West Brom on Saturday at Stamford Bridge, while Manchester City will beat Leicester City at the King Power Stadium.

Providing his predictions, Owen told BetVictor, “If you were to have offered Ole Gunnar Solskjaer second spot in the Premier League this time last year, I’m pretty sure he’d have bitten your hand off.

“A lot of that goes down to the Red Devils magnificent away form, although they’ve definitely made improvements at home as well.

“Brighton have looked good on the eye on occasion this season. However, they’ve simply not put enough points on the board.

“The Seagulls like to play on the front foot, and if they have a go at United here, I think the hosts could pick them off on the counter. It’s 1-0 for United for me. Manchester United 1, Brighton 0.”

On the Leicester City vs Manchester City game, Owen said, “There is just no stopping Manchester City. The Citizens are flying, and unbelievably, still have a huge chance of winning all before them.

“First, however, they must overcome a Leicester side that won at the Etihad earlier in the season. On that occasion, Leicester executed their counter-attacking game plan perfectly in a 5-2 win.

“That said, City’s run of form has been magnificent. They’ve won 17 of their last 18 Premier League matches, and I just can’t see past them winning again in this one. Leicester City 1, Manchester City 2.”

Speaking on the Chelsea vs West Brom match, Owen said, “Fresh from his Manager of the Month award, Thomas Tuchel has his eyes on not only a top-four finish but potential Champions League glory.

“However, first, the German tactician must overcome West Brom at Stamford Bridge.

“The Baggies Premier League season is petering out after losing far too much ground in their fight against the drop. Chelsea’s position couldn’t be more different, and with everything to play for, the wind is very much in their sails.

“All in all, I simply can’t see anything other than a comfortable win for the Blues against a beleaguered Baggies side. Chelsea 3, West Brom 0.”

Commenting on the Arsenal vs Liverpool fixture, Owen said, “Arguably, the game of the weekend is at the Emirates on Saturday night. These two have played out some crackers in the past, but with both going into this, having endured indifferent seasons by their standards, there’s a likelihood that we could see a tighter match.

“Prior to the international break, Liverpool notched up successive wins. However, that was as many as they achieved in their previous eight matches combined.

“Successive wins are something Arsenal haven’t done in the league since January, and although Liverpool are showing signs of a potential return to form, I can’t say I’m confident siding with either side.

“With that in mind, I’m going for a 1-1 draw.”

The kick-off time for Man United vs Brighton is 7.30 pm, while that of Arsenal vs Liverpool is 8 pm, Leicester City vs Man City is 5.30 pm and Chelsea vs West Brom is 12.30 pm.

 

Sport : Porto vs ChelseaTuchel names key player to miss Champions League clash

 

Chelsea boss, Thomas Tuchel, has confirmed one key player that will miss his side’s Champions League quarter-final first-leg tie against FC Porto on Wednesday night.

According to Tuchel, midfielder N’Golo Kante will miss the Porto clash at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium in Spain due to a muscle injury.

The former Paris Saint-Germain manager said this during his pre-match press conference on Friday ahead of Chelsea’s Premier League clash with West Brom on Saturday afternoon.

Recall that Kante had returned to Chelsea early from international duty after picking up a minor hamstring injury following France’s 1-1 draw with Ukraine last month.

“With N’Golo, we will have to be patient. Will he miss the Porto game? Yes, probably. He’s doing individual training and tomorrow’s game [Chelsea vs West Brom] comes too soon for him, and so he can’t be with the squad,” Tuchel said. “After tomorrow’s game [Chelsea vs West Brom], we have just 3 days to prepare [for Porto].

“He has a muscle injury, as we communicated with the national team, so my realistic approach is to think further ahead about Porto, maybe the second game against Porto he could be available for.”

The kick-off time for Porto vs Chelsea is 8 pm.

I have great option of two top goalkeepers – Solskjaer on Man Utd’s first-choice goalkeeper

 

Manchester United manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, has spoken about his first-choice goalkeeper, with David de Gea’s return.

The Red Devils welcome Brighton on Sunday in the Premier League.

Dean Henderson had featured in United’s last six features, after De Gea was given permission to fly to Spain for the birth of his child.

Despite a number of high-profile mistakes by De Gea this season, Solskjaer has remained loyal to the Spaniard for United’s biggest games.

With both goalkeepers now available, Solskjaer has said he will use both Henderson and De Gea in the coming weeks, rather than install either as his first choice.

“I have the great option of two top goalkeepers and it’s a pleasure to have them here.

“We’ve got nine games, plus five in the Europa League hopefully to go, I’m sure you’ll see both of them playing in goal for us.

“It’s difficult to leave one of them out, but it’s easy to give the nod that they’ll play,” Solskjaer said at a news conference on Friday.

Sport : I’m better than Ronaldo, Messi – Mbappe

 

Paris Saint-Germain forward, Kylian Mbappe, has said he tells himself he is better than Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Mbappe has widely been hailed as the player to take over when Messi and Ronaldo finally hang up their boots.

The 22-year-old, however, admits he already ranks himself above the two football superstars.

“Every time I go on a pitch, I always tell myself that I’m the best, and yet I have played on grounds where there was Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

“They are better players than me, they have done a billion more things than me.

“But, in my head, I always tell myself that I’m the best because that way, you don’t give yourself limits and you try to give your best,” Mbappe told RMC Sport.

Sport : Arsenal vs Liverpool Arteta ‘not suspicious’ of Aubameyang after new contract

 

Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, has insisted he is “not suspicious” that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s poor form this season is connected to the new long-term contract he signed in September.

Aubameyang had been prolific for the Gunners since he joined from Borussia Dortmund in January 2018.

The Gabon striker won the Premier League golden boot in his first full season and finished as the second highest scorer in 2019/2020.

But Aubameyang has found things tougher this campaign, scoring just 14 goals in 31 appearances so far.

When asked about any link between Aubameyang’s form and his new deal, Arteta said: “It is easy to connect things like that, but I am not suspicious of that.

“I have seen, and we have had many conversations, about what he wanted to do from last year’s point of view to his near future in the next two years, and he was very ambitious with that.

“To maintain that level is really complicated but he is trying his best, he is trying hard.”

millions of Naira destroyed as fire razes spare parts market in Ibadan

 

Property worth millions of Naira have been destroyed as a result of fire incident that occurred at Araromi auto spare parts market in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The fire incident which started around 10pm on Friday destroyed some shops and property at the market worth millions of naira.

Sources told that the Oyo State fire department was informed immediately the fire engulfed the market.

It was gathered that the arrival of the fire department prevented further spread of the fire.

One of the traders at the market said the inferno started when power restored in the night.

Chief Fire Officer in Oyo State, Mr Moshood Adewuyi when contacted confirmed the incident to  on Saturday.

He, however, added that his men are still at the market to prevent further spread of the fire.

“Yes. Do you want to confirm the situation at Gate. Yes, our men are still at the market, we are still there.

“The incident started overnight. There is no casualty. I cannot tell you the number of shops that were destroyed because we are still there.”