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Qatar 2022: Messi Confirms Retirement From International Football After World Cup Final

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Messi Excluded From Argentina’s Squad For 2024 Olympics

Lionel Messi has confirmed that he will retire from international football after the final of the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2022 on Sunday.

Messi helped Argentina qualify for the final after a commanding 3-0 win against Croatia in Tuesday’s semi-final.

The former Barcelona star opened the scoring and provided an assist for two-goal hero Julian Alvarez to earn Argentina a first World Cup final appearance since 2014.

And speaking to Argentine media outlet Diario Deportivo Ole, Messi said: “I feel very happy, to be able to achieve this, to finish my World Cup journey by playing my last game in a final.

“It’s many years for the next one and I don’t think I’ll be able to do it. And to finish like this, it’s the best,” added the Argentina captain.

Argentina has not won the World Cup since Diego Maradona led La Albiceleste to glory in 1986.

Messi came close in 2014 but lost to Germany in extra time. Now, Argentina is once again in the final of the tournament after eight years.

Considered one the greatest to have graced the beautiful game, 35-year-old Messi, in recent times has often spoken about two major goals. One, winning the Fifa World Cup, and two, again winning the UEFA Champions League, two of the most coveted trophies in the sport.

Messi is playing at his fifth World Cup, surpassing the four of Diego Maradona and Javier Mascherano.

With his fifth goal in Qatar, he surpassed Gabriel Batistuta as the top Albiceleste scorer at World Cups, netting 11 times.

“It’s all well and good (the records), but the important thing is to be able to achieve the group objective, which is the most beautiful thing of all,” Messi added. “We’re just one step away, after fighting hard, and we’re going to give everything to try to make it happen this time.”

Argentina will face either France or Morocco in the World Cup final on Sunday.

Qatar 2022: We Made It Cheap And Easy For Argentina — Croatia Head Coach

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Qatar 2022: We Made It Cheap And Easy For Argentina — Croatia Head Coach

Croatia’s head coach, Zlatko Dalic praised his players for their remarkable efforts despite the defeat to Argentina and claimed he had no complaints.

La Albiceleste won the semi-final encounter 3-0 with Lionel Messi scoring one of the goals and also providing an assist.

Croatia started strongly but fizzled out after conceding the opening goal.

Dalic later said: “I would like to congratulate Argentina for winning the semi-final and to thank our boys for what they have done. We need to get back on our feet and try to win third place. We started the first half an hour well but did not have ball possession and then conceded. We should have had a corner and then it was the penalty. It was a bit too cheap and too easy. We tried to go back, had a counter then conceded a second. It was done at that point. We had possession but did not create opportunities.

“They won against us and achieved the result they wanted. It is the sport, they are aggressive and feisty and there is nothing for me to complain about. I have no objections to make and we cannot get nervous and accept aggression but they put four aggressive attackers. We did not have the quality we needed.

“I have said this is the worst situation we can be in. Now you have a loss and have to fight for third. I told the players they have to keep their heads up and be proud of what they have achieved. We need to psychologically come back for the game versus France or Morocco. The players are sad, it is hard for them and they feel they could have done more.”

Man Appears In Court For Allegedly Stealing Bullion Van Containing N100m Cash In Ebonyi

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I Am Tired Of My Wife’s Adulterous Life – Man Tells Court
Court

A magistrates’ court sitting in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, yesterday granted bail to a man accused of stealing N100 million contained in a bullion van belonging to a bank.

The police accused the defendant, Ikechukwu Moses Nwankwo, of conspiring with others on the run to commit the offence on November 18 at Ogoja Road, Abakaliki.

The police prosecutor, Sergeant Obi Eberechukwu, also informed the court that the defendant, in connivance with others, also stole the bullion van worth N15 million.

The alleged offences are punishable under Section 516A (a) of the Criminal Code, Cap 33, Volume 1 Laws of Ebonyi State of Nigeria 2009 and Section 390(a)(b) of the Criminal Code, Cap 33, Volume 1 Laws of Ebonyi State of Nigeria, 2009.

The defendant was said to have failed to give an account of the whereabouts of the bullion van and the sum of N100 million which he was asked to transport to Ebonyi State.

Nwankwo pleaded not guilty to the three count charges while the defence counsel, Ebere Origbo, applied for bail in the most liberal terms for him.

Magistrate Happiness Chima granted the defendant bail in the sum of N1 million and one surety in like sum.

She said the surety must be resident within the jurisdiction of the court, have a landed property along Onwe Road in Abakaliki and must present a tax clearance certificate for 2021 and 2022.

The magistrate added that the surety must deposit two recent full-sized photographs of himself and that of the defendant alongside verifiable addresses with the court.

Western Countries Intend To Create Threats Near Iran, Russia — Kazem Jalali

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Iran’s ambassador to Moscow Kazem Jalali pointed to the intention of some Western countries to create threats and crises near Iran and Russia.

Some Western countries are starting to create threats and crises near our countries and pose problems to us. The way I see it, the time has come for us to find a solution together on these issues,” Jalali told a news conference on Wednesday.

Jalali stressed that sovereign states that wished to pursue an independent policy were facing threats.

Some of these challenges and threats stem from the restrictions that the Western countries, including the United States and some European countries, impose on other states. I think that now is the time to implement synergy in order to find a way of solving these issues and jointly fight the threats and challenges that our countries are confronted with,” he added.

I’ve Done My Best For Nigeria, Says Buhari

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FG Should Stop Humiliating ASUU, Says Ohuabunwa
President Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari says he has done his best for Nigeria.

He said this in Washington while welcoming the Secretary-General of the Abu Dhabi Forum, Sheikh Al-Mahfoudh Bin Bayyah and his deputy, Pastor Bob Roberts of the US who came on a visit to him.

“We are big in size and population, facing many challenges, but in many areas, we are trying. In seven-and-a-half years, I have done my best,” he said.

Buhari, according to a statement by his spokesman, Garba Shehu, said solving the problems affecting youths is the priority of the government as they are its promise for a better future.

Buhari, who spoke about the need to raise generations of youths devoid of religious extremism and bigotry, urged the group to continue to target the young people who are the promise of the future.

“Your work is very important in helping, especially the youth, to understand one another and at the same time, to be proud of their heritage.

“This great initiative by you will help future generations to plan well and live together in peace. On our part, we’ll continue to solve our problems, especially as they relate to the youths.”

Bin Bayyah said they had come to inform the President, and to invite him to attend the conferment upon him, the Abu Dhabi Foundation’s award in recognition of his outstanding achievements in promoting peace and security.

He said the conferment was in line with the Foundation’s work in fighting religious extremism and promoting peaceful coexistence and dialogue amongst all religions.

I’ve No Plans To Leave Napoli, Says Osimhen

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Chelsea Submit An Official Bid For Osimhen
Victor Osimhen

Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen has assured Napoli that he has no plans to leave the club next summer.

Recall that Osimhen has been linked with the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool, and Real Madrid.

The Nigeria international has scored 10 goals and registered three assists in 14 appearances across all competitions for the Parthenopeans this season.

“I set the standard for myself. This is the life I want to live. When things were not going so well for me, I kept on believing, kept on praying, kept on working hard, I did other jobs before coming back to my love, football,” Osimhen told Omasports.

“To get to where I am today, there were a lot of obstacles, a lot of hate, and backstabbing, my success came with love, pain, tears, failures, and things like that.”

Osimhen joined Napoli from Ligue 1 club, Lille in 2020.

Napoli is expected to seek around €100 from interested suitors.

I Never Thought I Will Play For Man City – Iheanacho

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Crystal Palace to Submit £12m Transfer Bid For Iheanacho
Iheanacho

Super Eagles forward, Kelechi Iheanacho has revealed that he was shocked when he heard that Man City is keen on his signature.

Iheanacho who was a bright light for Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets at the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup, stated that he doubted if he would play regular football at Manchester City and was not too keen on the move.

“I didn’t believe that it was going to happen,” Iheanacho told LCFC when describing his feelings upon hearing the news that the Manchester club was interested in signing him.

“After the Under-17s [World Cup] I was looking at going to other teams in Europe.

“But when they said I was going to Manchester City, I was surprised and saying: ‘How can I go there to that massive team? Am I going to play?’ I said I wouldn’t go and that they should take me to a smaller team.

“However, my father said to me that it doesn’t matter where I go, I know how to play football and that will get through there. So, I believed in him, he blessed me and I went to Man City.”

 

INEC Office Attack: It’s Impossible Not To Suspect Opposition – Group

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INEC Office Attack: It’s Impossible Not To Suspect Opposition – Group

Imo youths on Wednesday said it is impossible to believe opposition elements are not responsible for the attack on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) state headquarters along Port Harcourt Road, Owerri, the state capital.

Reacting to Monday morning’s attack on the state headquarters of INEC, they said the opposition stands to benefit the most in the crime wave if the administration crumbles.

The Global Association of Concerned Imo Youths, GACIY, made these remarks in a statement signed by the convener, Sir. Collins Ughalaa, made available to DAILY POST in Owerri, Imo State capital.

Recall that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo State has raised eyebrows over the statement made by the Governor of the State, Senator Hope Uzodinma, in the aftermath of Monday’s attack on the INEC Office in Owerri, describing it as irresponsible and shameful.

DAILY POST reported that Uzodinma said the attack at the Independent National Electoral Commission headquarters in Owerri proves that insecurity in the state is politically motivated.

Reacting to the development, GACIY said, “While we expect bandits and their collaborators to continue to pay a heavy price for their recalcitrance, we ask our youths to resist negative peer pressure and gang culture no matter the temptation.

“We praise our gallant officers of the Nigeria Police Force and sister agencies for foiling Monday morning’s attack on the state headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission along Port Harcourt Road, Owerri.

“In the encounter, three armed assailants who charged at the INEC facility, perhaps hoping to reenact the Owerri Prison break of Easter Monday 2021, perished at the hands of our battle-ready officers while one assailant was captured alive.

“This feat destroys the myth of invincibility around gunmen who put their trust in voodoo, amulets and cannibalism. We believe that had this attack succeeded, citizens’, not to mention voters’, confidence would have been badly tempered. Thanks to our heroic officers, it did not.

“Further, we stand with INEC at this hour and urge her to remain resolute and resist every attempt to subvert the elections.”

Simon Ekpa Is A Paid Agent — Nnamdi Kanu’s Brother

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Simon Ekpa Is A Paid Agent — Nnamdi Kanu’s Brother
Simon Ekpa

Prince Emmanuel Kanu, younger brother of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu accused Simon Ekpa of being a paid agent, saying his activities and approach to agitation for Biafra has clearly given him out as a paid agent.

According to Prince Kanu: “It beats the imagination that somebody who claims to be fighting for the cause of Ndigbo will at the same time be engaging in activities injurious to the same people.”

Ekpa, he said, could not claim to be championing the Biafra cause, when in fact, he is making life painful and miserable for the people.

READ ALSO: Court Orders Police To Pay Nnamdi Kanu’s Supporter N50m

“There is no doubt he is working for some people because no true-blooded Igbo will do something to jeopardize the lives of Igbo people.

“Onyendu (IPoB leader), has always said that he cannot take a life because he doesn’t give life. So, why will people take other people’s lives?

“Why will you kill the same people you say you are fighting to protect? It doesn’t make sense. It is just obvious that Ekpa is working for some people to destroy what Onyendu has built over the years. Why would he give a sit-at-home order? Under whose authority will he do that?

“My brother told me clearly that he did not authorise any person or group to order for sit-at-home. So, why do that? Who is he doing it to impress? It is only a paid agent that will behave the way he does,” Kanu said.

PDP Nurtured Boko Haram To A Monster, FG Tells Atiku

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PDP Nurtured Boko Haram To A Monster, FG Tells Atiku

The Federal Government yesterday slammed, Atiku Abubakar, for saying he did not understand the Boko Haram phenomenon.

The presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, Atiku had, at the weekend during the People’s Town Hall 2023 series aired on Channels TV, said, “I served in Borno State in the North-East and as a customs officer, I was patrolling the entire North-East. So, I’m very conversant with the vegetation and with the border areas. I still cannot find a place in the Borno areas where anybody can hide and cannot be seen. I cannot understand honestly, the Boko Haram phenomenon.”

But the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, at the 11th edition of the PMB Administration Scorecard Series (2015-2023), said Atiku should simply ask PDP “under whose watch the Boko Haram insurgency started in 2009.”

READ ALSO: 2023: I Can’t Support Atiku, Lawal Vows

“For six years, until 2015 when our administration assumed office and inherited Boko Haram, the PDP more or less nurtured the insurgents to the monster they later became. 

“Alhaji Atiku should ask his party why it allowed Boko Haram to operate freely, bombing cities, motor parks, schools, and other soft targets unrestrained. 

“Alhaji Atiku, who was then residing in Abuja before porting to his new abode in Dubai, should ask his party, the PDP, while it allowed Boko Haram to bomb the police headquarters, the UN Complex, a shopping mall and motor parks in Abuja with so much ease,” he said.

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