Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp insists his players will welcome the help from new signings rather than fear competition for places.

Midfield trio Fabinho, Naby Keita and Xherdan Shaqiri have arrived during the transfer window and the Reds have signed Roma goalkeeper Alisson Becker for a fee of €75m (£67m), subject to a medical, according to Sky in Italy.

A hectic end to last season and a number of injuries left Liverpool's resources thinly stretched, and Klopp is determined to avoid that this season as they look to mount a serious title challenge.

"Maybe it is the first year we don't sell a key player. There was always a lot of change, but in both directions," he said.

"Now it is more in one direction. Big teams, successful teams, if you don't buy it, you have to build it. That means stay together, bring additions in and make the next step.

"The team and squad are in a really good moment. We had the situation where we had 12 [senior] players [fit] - they know we need the depth in the squad. It is not like they say, 'Bring in another midfielder? Why? We are all still here'.

"They know we need the quality and they know that if we win something here then we will win it with 25 players.

"In the whole period in the last two months of the season this club and this team came closer together because we had to fight like crazy. What the boys did in those last two months was exceptional."

Liverpool players who were on World Cup duty are yet to return to the club and Klopp admits he prefers it when he has the entire squad to work with.

"I love the pre-season but I really loved the good old pre-season when you had all players together and you can train from the first day," he added.

"In this moment we miss three or four offensive players. [Roberto] Firmino, Mo [Salah], Sadio [Mane] and Shaq [Shaqiri]. It means an interesting challenge.

More: https://hi247.com.ng/2018/07/18/liverpool-players-will-not-fear-new-players-jurgen-klopp/

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Wednesday announced the inclusion of weekends and public holidays as work days of its personnel in ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR).

It, however, stated that the extension to those days would commence on Aug. 1 and end on Aug. 17 when the exercise would be suspended until after the 2019 general elections.

The commission disclosed this in statement by its National Commissioner and Member, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mallam Mohammed Haruna, in Abuja.

The statement said that decision to extend the registration period was reached at commission’s meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) from all the states and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) which reviewed the nationwide exercise.

It added that the exercise would also be extended from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, instead of the current daily duration of 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“Against the backdrop of the decision to suspend the exercise from Aug.17 until after the 2019 general elections, it was resolved that starting from Aug. 1, the CVR exercise will take place between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. instead of 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. as obtains presently.

“It was also resolved that there will also be registration on Saturdays and Sundays as well as public holidays (if any) within the period.”

The commission assured Nigerians of its commitment to ensuring free, fair and credible elections in 2019, and said that it had reviewed the conduct of Saturday’s governorship election in Ekiti.

It also said that it had started preparations for the governorship election Osun scheduled for Sept. 22.

More: https://hi247.com.ng/2018/07/18/inec-now-include-public-holidays-weekends-for-registration/

The All Progressives Congress (APC) primary to elect its candidate for the forthcoming Osun governorship election has been postponed from Thursday July 19, till Friday July 20.

The party announced the postponement in a statement issued by Malam Bolaji Abdullahi, its National Publicity Secretary on Wednesday in Abuja.

The statement added that a meeting between the Primary Election Committee, chaired by Gov. Abdul’aziz Yari, of Zamfara and Osun APC stakeholders would hold in Osogbo, the state capital on Thursday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Mr Adams Oshiomhole, the APC National Chairman on Monday, July 16, said the party would adopt the direct primary to pick its candidate for the Osun governorship election.

“We have decided that in order to ensure popular participation, and to deepen democracy in Osun State, in-line with the provision of our party’s Constitution which allows for either direct or indirect primary, we have resolved that the governorship election primary will be conducted on the basis of direct primary.

“What that means is that every card carrying member of our party will participate in the process of nominating the flag bearer of the party.

“This for us, is the most democratic way to conduct election and is in line with what our critical stakeholders from that part of the country want and we are quite happy to oblige,” he said.

Oshiomhole had explained that the essence was to allow more party members to participate in the process of nominating its candidates and to remove issues of corruption or monetising the processes.

He added that the direct primary would give party members a sense of ownership of the outcome of the exercise.

NAN reports that all 17 aspirants who obtained the party’s Expression of Interest and Nomination forms to contest its ticket for the governorship election slated for Sept.  22, had all been cleared.

More: https://hi247.com.ng/2018/07/18/apc-governorship-primary-in-osun-holds-friday/

House,
can England beat Belgium?

Fraudsters have tricked scores of Nigerians by selling them football World Cup fan passes to travel to Russia, leaving many stranded and penniless, victims and anti-trafficking campaigners say.

Some Nigerians told AFP they used the official Fan IDs to come to Russia with the promise of finding work or even playing professional football themselves.

Others said they came to watch World Cup matches but got stranded when their return plane tickets were canceled by bogus travel agencies that booked them.

Ismail Olamilekan, 21, and his brother Sodiq, 25, said they paid N250,000 (600 euros, $700) each to a man in Lagos for their Fan IDs.

“The man told us that with the Fan ID we could get a job and stay here,” Ismail told AFP at a hostel on the outskirts of Moscow.

“But when we got here we discovered that it was a fraud, that he had just collected the money and lied to us.”

 ‘Football career’
The plastic-coated passes issued by the Russian government enable foreign fans with match tickets to enter the country without a visa during the World Cup — but they expire before the end of July.

It was not clear how the bogus agents obtained the Fan IDs that they sold.

A FIFA spokesman stressed that the Fan IDs system was implemented by the Russian communications ministry.

More: https://hi247.com.ng/2018/07/14/fraudsters-scam-nigerians-stranded-and-penniless-in-russia-over-world-cup-passes/

Nigeria, Africa's most populous country (over 190 million people), has been identified as one of the major countries where the latest generation of internet users will emerge.

The discussions with Google follow a delegation led by Nigeria Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo meeting executives at the company's corporate headquarters in the Silicon Valley.

The meeting heralded the start of the investment road show to San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Osinbajo said the government would support Google's Next Billion users plan, intended to ensure greater digital access around the world.

The Nigerian delegates and Google executives, including Chief Executive Officer, Sundar Pichai, also discussed other areas for possible partnerships, including the establishment of Google Artificial Intelligence Centres in tertiary institutions in Nigeria.

Read also: Google Scholarship, $27,250 from ChallengeRocket

There is a possibility of the establishment of a YouTube Creator space to support Nigeria's digital content producers to enable them leverage on YouTube and Google Tools.

Other areas discussed include the expansion of Google's Launchpad Accelerator Programme in Africa.

More: https://hi247.com.ng/2018/07/12/google-the-multinational-technology-company-explores-various-partnerships-with-nigeria/

Conte, who now appears to have left Stamford Bridge after two years in charge, led Chelsea to Premier League title glory in a successful first season at the helm.

His second campaign proved far less harmonious, however, and although they lifted the FA Cup in the spring, they could only finish fifth in the Premier League.

Conte is now understood to have left his post with 12 months remaining on his contract, with Maurizio Sarri set to take over from his Italian compatriot at Chelsea.

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis announced on Wednesday that "Sarri is close to being new Chelsea manager. My lawyers are in talks with his lawyers to finalise everything."

More: https://hi247.com.ng/2018/07/12/chelsea-coach-antonio-conte-left-chelsea-fc/

US President Donald Trump has landed in Britain to start a four-day trip to a country he has described as a “hot spot” in turmoil due to a political crisis over its decision to leave the European Union.

Air Force One landed at London’s Stansted Airport early afternoon on Thursday.

Later in the day, Trump will travel to Blenheim Palace, the 18th-century stately home where Britain’s World War II leader Winston Churchill was born and spent most of his childhood.

More: https://hi247.com.ng/2018/07/12/u-s-president-donald-trump-arrives-in-u-k/

The Deputy Inspector General of Police(DIG) (Operations), who is also in charge of Saturday’s gubernatorial election in Ekiti state  Mr. Habila Joshua said he never ordered his men to attack members of the Peoples Democratic Party.

He also said he was not aware of any attack on the state governor, Ayo Fayose.

He told journalists in Ado Ekiti that all that his men were doing was to keep the peace as well as maintain law and order, ahead of Saturday’s governorship poll.

“We are not here to usurp the authority of the Governor but we are not going to allow any authorized rally that can trigger violence in the state. You can see that the state is tensed up

“As law enforcement agents, we must be proactive and take actions that can prevent crisis rather than trying to quell it after it might have broken out”, he said

According to him, the Government House has not been blocked contrary to the claims by Gov Ayo Fayose.

The police DIG said his men only blocked the road from Fajuyi area of the state secretariat, on the Ado-Ekiti-Ilesa Road, to stop miscreants.

He promised to probe the alleged attack on Fayose and brief the media afterwards.

NAN reports that armed policemen on Wednesday stopped a rally scheduled to take place at the new Pavilion located at Fajuyi, which is within the vicinity of the Government House.

The policemen shot into the air as they dispersed the PDP members who were called by Fayose for a rally in support of Prof Kolapo Olusola-Eleka.

Fayose, who got wind of the development, came out of Government House to find out the cause of the pandemonium.

More:https://hi247.com.ng/2018/07/11/police-in-ekiti-to-keep-the-peace-deputy-inspector-general-of-policedig/

Mario Mandzukic scored the winning goal deep in extra time as Croatia beat England 2-1 in an utterly gripping World Cup semi-final in Moscow on Wednesday to set up a final date with France on July 15.

The Juventus forward scored in the 109th minute to complete a remarkable comeback from a shattered Croatian team and take the small nation of little more than four million people into the World Cup final for the first time in their short history.

Kieran Trippier’s magnificent early free-kick had seemingly set England on course to reach their first final since they lifted the trophy on home soil back in 1966.

But it wasn’t to be, as Croatia came roaring back in the second half and equalised through Ivan Perisic before somehow finding the energy to win despite being taken to extra time for the third time in 10 days.

The biggest winners of the night could well be France, who have had an extra day’s rest for Sunday’s final after edging out Belgium 1-0 on Tuesday.
That will not matter too much right now for Croatia, who are the smallest nation to make it to the final since Uruguay back in 1950.

England had been the ones hoping to make history, in what was their first appearance in the semi-finals in 28 years.

Then they were beaten on penalties by West Germany. Having ended their famous penalty curse by beating Colombia in a shootout in the last 16, they might have fancied repeating here.

But Croatia, having won on penalties against Denmark and Russia in the last two rounds, saw the game out, dousing the World Cup dream of Gareth Southgate’s side that had gone from the improbable to the possible over the last month in Russia.

Southgate stuck with the same starting line-up as that which eased past Sweden in the quarter-finals, while Inter Milan’s Marcelo Brozovic replaced Andrej Kramaric in the Croatian line-up.

Pundits were looking to the inspirational Luka Modric to control the game, but instead it was he who gave away the early free-kick from which Trippier put England ahead.

It was a fantastic curling effort from 25 yards from the Tottenham Hotspur full-back, and England’s first goal direct from a free-kick at the World Cup since David Beckham against Ecuador in 2006.

England could not have imagined a better start.

Croatia were stunned, and Ivan Rakitic, usually so accomplished, was especially off his game.

More: https://hi247.com.ng/2018/07/11/mandzukic-breaks-england-hearts-croatia-face-france-in-final/

Before I provide you the steps as to how you can earn money with Digital Marketing. Let’s start a bit with the basics as to what is Digital Marketing?

What is Digital Marketing?

Digital Marketing is defined as an online platform where one can advertise their products and services on the internet or any other digital medium. As a subset of traditional marketing, digital marketing goes beyond the internet to include Short Message Service (SMS), Simple Notification Service (SNS), search engine optimization (SEO), electronic or interactive billboards and other online ads (such as banner ads) to promote products and services. Some marketing experts consider digital marketing to be an entirely new endeavor that requires a new way of approaching customers and new ways of understanding how customers behave compared to traditional marketing.

Now let me highlight the below mentioned mentioned points as to how you can earn with digital marketing -

Content marketing
Blogging
SEO
Website designing
Social media marketing
Mobile marketing
Email marketing
For this answer, I would like to provide you more details about Blogging, Social media marketing, Mobile marketing and Email marketing. I have knowledge in these digital marketing channels and it has greatly helped me to increase my brand awareness for my business and not to mention, to increase my ROI.

Blogging:

What is Blogging?

Blogging is nothing but a personal opinion of the writer on any topic. There are a lot of blog sites which offer free hosting of opinions and it has the readability of millions of readers. If you are a creative writer then it is a rewarding job to write an appealing blog about the product and at the same time, online money making with digital marketing is achieved.

How to make money with Blogging?

One of the most common ways bloggers make money is through placing ads on their site. There are two popular types of ads:

CPC/PPC Ads: Cost per click (also called pay per click) ads are usually banners that you place in your content or sidebar. Each time a reader clicks on the ad, you are paid for that click.
CPM Ads: CPM Ads, or “cost per 1,000 impressions,” are ads that pay you a fixed amount of money based on how many people view your ad.
Perhaps the most popular network for placing these types of ads is Google AdSense. With this program, you do not need to be in direct contact with advertisers; you simply place the banner on your site, Google chooses ads relevant to your content, and your viewers click on the ads.

More: https://hi247.com.ng/2018/07/10/how-to-make-money-through-digital-marketing/

The people of Ekiti state gave an indication of their voting intention on Tuesday when they defied the orders by outgoing Governor Ayodele Fayose of the Peoples Democratic Party, ordering busesand taxis off the roads and urging residents in the state capital of Ado-Ekiti to stay at home and snub visiting President Muhammadu Buhari.

Buhari was in Ado-Ekiti to attend the grand finale of All Progressives Congress candidate Dr. Kayode Fayemi’s campaign for the governorship seat, in the election holding on Saturday 14 July. Fayose’s deputy, Prof. Kolapo Olubunmi Olusola-Eleka is Fayemi’s main challenger.

NAN reports that many residents of the state capital ignored Fayose’s orders made in a broadcast earlier in the day.

The governor had directed commercial drivers and motorcyclists to withdraw their services, until 4pm, from the roads. He also ordered that public offices and major markets in the city be closed and residents to stay indoors to slight the visiting president.

More:https://hi247.com.ng/2018/07/10/ekiti-people-troop-out-for-buhari-fayemi-defy-fayoses-orders/

Real Madrid on Tuesday confirmed the transfer of Cristiano Ronaldo to Italy’s Juventus, with the Portuguese superstar saying the time had come “for a new stage” in his life.

“Today Real Madrid wants to give thanks to a player who has demonstrated he is the best in the world and who marked one of the most brilliant periods in the history of our club and world football,” the club said in a statement.

It did not give any details as to the amount of the transfer but Spanish media reports have said it could reach 105 million euros ($120 million), with the 33-year-old signing a four-year contract worth 30 million euros per season.

In a letter posted on Real Madrid’s website, the multiple Ballon d’Or winner said his time in Madrid had been one of the happiest in his life.

“I only have feelings of huge thanks for this club, for the fans and for this city,” he said.

“But I think the time has come to open a new stage in my life and that’s why I asked the club to accept to transfer me.

“I ask everyone, and especially our supporters, to please understand me.”

Ronaldo, whose Portugal were knocked out of the World Cup last 16 by Uruguay, hinted after May’s Champions League victory against Liverpool that he was considering leaving the Santiago Bernabeu.

More: https://hi247.com.ng/2018/07/10/madrid-confirm-ronaldos-move-to-juventus/

Jamie Redknapp says England have nothing to fear on Wednesday when they take on Croatia for a place in the World Cup final.

England are through to a first World Cup semi-final in 28 years following a comfortable 2-0 win against Sweden in Samara on Saturday.

Standing in England's way of a first final since 1966 is Croatia, but Redknapp, speaking to Sky Sports News, thinks Gareth Southgate's side are just as good as their Croatian counterparts.

He said: "I've watched a lot of Croatia and it's a team that's talented but should we be scared of them? Absolutely not.

"Player for player I feel we're as good as they are. It is going to be extremely difficult and it might be a game of fine margins. It might even go to penalties again which is going to be heart stopping for the whole nation but we do have the ability in this team to win this game.

"Everyone is so proud of what they've achieved so far and they have nothing to fear against Croatia."

ngland captain Harry Kane is currently leading the race for the Golden Boot at the World Cup with six goals but, according to Redknapp, it's his experiences of playing against Croatia defender Dejan Lovren which could prove crucial in Saint Petersburg on Wednesday.

Lovren has had his difficulties against Kane playing for Liverpool in the Premier League against Tottenham and Redknapp thinks those experiences could prove to be an advantage for England.

"When you look at that guy, Harry Kane, up front, leading the team it makes things much simpler," the Sky Sports pundit added. "You know the Croatia defence will be wary of him.

"Dejan Lovren has struggled so much against Kane over the past couple of seasons. I remember him cutting inside and bending one into the far corner at Anfield and then earlier in the season at Wembley he terrorised him.

More: https://hi247.com.ng/2018/07/09/england-dont-fear-croatia-jamie-redknapp/

Ekiti state, where a crucial governorship election will take place on Saturday was teeming with many big guns of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday, led by their national leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, ahead of the visit Tuesday by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Aside Tinubu and Chief Bisi Akande , other leaders already in the state are former governors Segun Osoba, (Ogun), Segun Oni, (Ekiti) and the Deputy Chairman, South of the party, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, who was also the first democratically elected governor of Ekiti in 1999.

Others are, governors of Ondo, Rotimi Akeredolu, Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun and the Kebbi state governor, Alhaji Isa Bagudu, who is also the Chairman of the Campaign Committee of the Ekiti gubernatorial election for the APC, among other leaders.

Bagudu appealed to the people of Ekiti to vote for the party in Saturday’s governorship election.

Tinubu in an interview with The News Agency of Nigeria appealed to the people of Ekiti to vote for the party in Saturday’s governorship election.

He said the APC is the solution to four years of frustration, disappointment and poverty that had enveloped the state, since the emergence of Governor Ayodele Fayose in 2014.

Tinubu in Ado-Ekiti on Monday, said that APC is the only party that can improve Nigeria in all sectors.

NAN reports that President Muhammadu Buhari is expected in Ekiti on Tuesday to meet with the traditional rulers, APC leaders and supporters in the state and as well close the rally of the APC candidate, Dr Kayode Fayemi, ahead Saturday’s governorship election in the state.

Tinubu said: “We thank the people of Ekiti for being kind and hospitable to us all along. We, the leaders of APC are here to greet Ekiti people and commend them for being tolerant to the maladministration of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) before the emergence of the APC at the Federal level and Ekiti, in particular.

“We have had 16 years of maladministration, bad governance, misrule and series of complaints on our economy, education, non-development and several other segments of our country. It is all from the poor foundation laid by the PDP government for 16 years and thank God for our timely intervention at the federal level, the nation would have collapsed.

“The only remnant of them is Ekiti. I therefore want to appeal to you that Dr Kayode Fayemi, the candidate of our party in the Saturday election is our brother and colleague and has learnt a great lesson about governance.

” That is why we, the leaders in the party are standing as guarantors of the commitments that definitely Ekiti will experience rapid development if you vote for our party and we appeal to you to vote Dr Kayode Fayemi as the next governor of Ekiti, “he said.

The former Lagos governor reminded the youths that the future is now, saying that, “the future is yours and the government is ours. The APC is ready to lay the foundation for a better future for you. Don’t because of two slices of bread today mortgage your future.

“Don’t because of intimidation of a lone ranger fail to exercise your franchise.The broom is a bunch of unity, the symbol we offer to you today is the broom. We want you to vote en masse, there will not be violence or intimidation. All I am appealing is that you should give APC a chance to show its worth to the people of Ekiti.

More: https://hi247.com.ng/2018/07/09/tinubu-urges-ekiti-voters-to-sweep-away-pdp-poverty/

A family separation crisis of his own making continues at the border. His Environmental Protection Agency chief just quit amid mounting scandals.

 And he's about to meet with an adversary accused of meddling in the 2016 election.

But President Donald Trump has every confidence that on Monday night, the nation's attention will be right where he wants it.

After more than a week of pitched speculation, Trump will go on prime-time television to reveal his choice to fill the Supreme Court seat vacated by retiring Justice Anthony Kennedy, selecting a conservative designed to rally Republican voters in a midterm election year. And with that, the optics-obsessed president will be in his comfort zone — taking center stage in a massive show.

Nearly 18 months after Trump set in motion Justice Neil Gorsuch's nomination, the reality star-turned-president is more seasoned, more embittered and increasingly comfortable exerting his will over the machinery of government and his own staff. His upcoming "Supreme" show is the latest example of Trump's push to remake the federal bench with young conservative judges, a crusade he believes will energize GOP voters concerned about the state of the judiciary.

Trump is largely following the same playbook this time as when he successfully rolled out Gorsuch's nomination in January 2017. White House aides have strict instructions to keep information under wraps so Trump himself can make the big reveal. The president was gleeful when Gorsuch's name didn't leak out early.

"So was that a surprise?" Trump said, after announcing his decision.

Still, there are differences this time. In the last go-around, the White House relied heavily on outside consultants to push Gorsuch over the finish line. Despite a staff exodus that has left key vacancies across the West Wing, the White House this time is retaining more control over the nomination and confirmation processes. A war room of communications, legal and research staff has been assembled in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building to promote and defend the nominee.

Trump has reveled in building up suspense in the days leading up to his speech, offering fragments of information here and there but strategically keeping the guessing game alive. Drawn from a public list of 25 candidates approved by conservative groups, the president's top contenders include federal appeals court judges Brett Kavanaugh and Raymond Kethledge, with judges Amy Coney Barrett and Thomas Hardiman still considered in the mix. The White House has been preparing confirmation materials on all four.

Speaking to reporters Thursday on Air Force One, Trump was coy.

"I don't want to say the four," he said. "But I have it down to four."


Past announcements of Supreme Court nominees were not made in prime time. President Barack Obama announced the selection of Justices Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor from the White House during the day.

More than 33 million viewers watched Trump announce Gorsuch last year. The audience edged the 31.3 million who watched Obama's final State of the Union address but was dwarfed by the 56.5 million who saw Obama announce the killing of Osama bin Laden in 2011, among the decade's most-watched presidential speeches.

More: https://hi247.com.ng/2018/07/08/a-supreme-show-trump-savors-big-reveal-for-court-choice/

Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic has identified Raheem Sterling as one of England's most dangerous players ahead of Wednesday's World Cup semi-final.

Sterling, who has been widely criticised on social media by England fans, played a key role as Gareth Southgate's men overcame Sweden 2-0 in Samara to set up a semi-final against Croatia.

Speaking to reporters Dalic was quizzed about England's strengths and weaknesses.

The 51-year-old coach, who has only been in charge of the national side since October, said: "I wouldn't say there are any glaring weaknesses - they are in the semi-finals, that says it all.

"They showed from the games I've seen so far that they play direct football and they are very fast.

"They are really good at set-pieces and their tall players are dangerous at corners.

"I think Raheem Sterling is an important player because he is really fast and his combination with Harry Kane is really dangerous."

He also praised Sterling's pace and power, and said he and his coaching team would be analysing England more closing over the next two days before passing that information on to his players.

"They dealt with Sweden relatively easily so we know they are going to be a difficult opponent and we respect them," he said.

"But we believe in our strengths, too. We don't fear England or anybody else."

Croatia's shootout victory over Russia was their second straight win on penalties at the World Cup, having beaten Denmark in the same fashion in the last-16, and Dalic admitted that playing 120 minutes twice in the last six days was not ideal, particularly as some of his players are now carrying injuries.

He would not give any details of how serious those injuries are, saying only that reaching the last four was "a new motivation" for his squad, but did say he might have to make changes to his line-up as now was not the time to take any risks with players who are not 100 per cent.

On a more positive note, he looked forward to playing another attack-minded team in England after his side's relative struggles against the more defensive styles of Iceland, Denmark and Russia.

More: https://hi247.com.ng/2018/07/08/raheem-sterling-a-serious-threat-croatia-coach-zlatko-dalic/

A Kenyan referee who had been due to officiate at the ongoing World Cup in Russia has been handed a life ban after being caught in a bribery sting.

Aden Marwa was filmed receiving a 600-dollar bribe during Confederation of African Football (CAF) assignment in Ghana.

He is one of 22 referees sanctioned by CAF in an unprecedented clean up, announced at the weekend.

Marwa, who was a reserve at the 2014 finals in Brazil, had earlier been removed from the list of match officials due to officiate in Russia.

The life ban was handed out by CAF’s disciplinary board, which also banned 10 other referees for between two years and 10 years for similar offences.

A further 11 persons have been suspended pending an appearance at the board in August.

African football has long been plagued by allegations of bribery but never before has CAF banned such a large number of officials.

More: https://hi247.com.ng/2018/07/08/bribery-case-kenyan-referee-disgraces-by-fifa-bans-for-life/

The Nigeria Mission in South Africa has condemned the killing of another Nigerian, Mr Ozumba Tochukwu-Lawrence, by a gunman in South Africa.

Consul-General of Nigeria in South Africa made this known in a statement by the Vice Consul Information and Culture, David Abraham, on Sunday in Abuja.

Abraham said the Consul General received with pain the unfortunate news of the assassination of Tochukwu-Lawrence by a yet to be identified assailant.

He said that the ugly incident was said to have occurred at 10 Koppe, Middleburg, Mpumalanga, South Africa, on July 6.

“An eye witness account has it that an unknown man made a way into the compound of Mr Ozumba Tochukwu-Lawrence and requested to see him.

“On being told about his guest, he came out to meet him, and the man opened fire on him and shot him six times, resulting in his death before he could reach the hospital.

“The reason behind the sad incident is yet to be established, but this is very unfortunate and condemnable,” he said.

He said that the Consulate commiserated with the deceased’s family and indeed, the entire Nigerian community in South Africa.

The Consulate, he said, was also calling on the South African relevant authorities to unravel the mystery behind this dastardly act.

“Efforts should be made by the Police and other relevant agencies to apprehend the assailant and bring him to justice.

More: https://hi247.com.ng/2018/07/08/nigeria-mission-fumes-as-gunman-kills-another-nigerian-in-s-africa/

At least,14 ships carrying various products are at Apapa and Tin-Can Island ports waiting to berth, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) said on Tuesday in Lagos.

It said five of the vessels contained petrol while the remaining nine ships would berth with aviation fuel, soya beans, bulk gas, base oil, diesel and fertiliser.

The NPA stated that 32 other ships were also expected at the ports between July 3 and July 30.

According to the organisation, the ships carried buckwheat, vehicles, containers, steel, frozen fish, steel, base oil, bulk gas, base oil, bulk fertiliser, kerosene, general cargo and petrol were.

More: https://hi247.com.ng/2018/07/03/14-ships-with-petrol-other-products-arrive-lagos-ports-npa/

Mr. Boss Mustapha, the Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF), has said that 2019 will determine the future of the Igbo people and APC would support the region when the need arises.

He said that the South East people have the right to govern Nigeria because they are part and parcel of the nation.

Speaking at First leg of the South East rally for President Muhammadu Buhari, he said that Buhari and All Progressives Congress (APC) would support region when the need arises.

“The South East will overtake others after 2019,’’ he assured the people.

Buhari is a man of compassion and good heart and the people of South East know that Buhari would do more for them if given the support in 2019.

“2019 will make or mar the aspiration of Igbo nation. I am calling on the Igbo to make a paradigm shift and think seriously of their position.

“The presidency of Nigeria is negotiable and can only be done on position of strength and the strength of the Igbo will be determined by 2019 support for Buhari.’’

He urged Igbo people to use your entrepreneurial skills and strength to galvanise support for Buhari in 2019.

“The choice is that of the Igbo nation. What happens in 2019 will determine the future of the region and you can bet on the support of Buhari.’’

Buhari is a honest and Godly man, not tribal bigot but a man with vision for Nigeria.

He explained that there were 18 Christian and 18 Muslim ministers.

Mustaphe explained that powerful positions were conceded to the Christians. Such as the SGF, Head of Service, CBN governor, Finance minister, oil minister, trade and industry as well as Vice President.

“Never in the history of Nigeria that we will have SGF and Head of Service as Christians. What else do we want?

“I see all manners of people aspiring to be President of Nigeria. Nigeria is not a banana country. It requires strong and serious leadership like Buhari.

More: https://hi247.com.ng/2018/07/03/2019-will-determine-future-of-igbo-people/

Twelve Thai boys and their football coach were on Monday found miraculously alive in a cave complex by two British divers after surviving for nine days cut off by flood waters inside a Thai cave complex.

The British team last week joined army rescue workers as they searched the pitch black of the vast vast Tham Luang cave network in northern Thailand.

Footage of the moment they were found shows the team, dressed in their red strip, looking remarkably calm as they sit on a ledge.

“How many of you,” asks one of the divers. “Thirteen,” comes the answer.

"Thirteen? Brilliant!" responds the diver.

The diver then tries to explain to the team that they will have to be patient before they can be brought out of their underground refuge.

“There are two of us. We had to dive,” he says. “Many people are coming.”

Initial reports suggested the boys were too weak to move immediately and would need medical attention before being extracted along perilous flooded passageways to their anxious families who have been holding vigil at the entrance.

The two British rescuers, believed to be Rick Stanton and John Volanthen, from the British Cave Rescue Council, were part of a team flown into Thailand early last week as hope began to run out for the missing footballers.

Outside the entrance a woman, presumably a female relative, clutched an iPad showing pictures of some of the boys, with relief and joy spreading over her own face.


The news was immediately greeted by jubilant cheering from exhausted rescuers who have worked around the clock in treacherous conditions to locate and retrieve the children.

Four British rescuers in total joined Navy seals and soldiers in the desperate search.

The Britons reportedly descended a chimney, abseiling more than 130 feet, and sending back helmet-cam pictures.

One of the cavers, Rob Harper said they were using old surveys as well as maps from recent expeditions to search the far end of the cave system, using a chamber-by-chamber check.

British caver Vern Unsworth, who is familiar with the three-mile long Tham Luang cavern, also joined the search.

Other rescue teams deployed drones, dogs, underwater cables and drilled through the cave walls in their efforts to locate them.

When word reached the families that the 12 boys, aged between 11 and 16, and their coach, 25, had been found, the Thai government livestreamed the scenes to the nation, which has been gripped by the desperate search after they became trapped inside the six mile-long labyrinth by rising floodwaters caused by heavy monsoon rainfall.

Bill Whitehouse, vice chair of the British Cave Rescue Council, said he had expected the Britons to reach the group first as they were by far the most experienced involved in the search. But he said some of the hardest work was still to come as they coordinated a dangerous rescue.

“The were doing the push-ahead and laying down the guidelines for others to follow,” he said. “It is completely restricted with very dark tunnels and poor conditions, mud banks and areas that need excavating.

More: https://hi247.com.ng/2018/07/02/british-divers-find-12-children-and-football-coach-missing-for-nine-days-in-cave/

France and Argentina have not found their fluency in the tournament so far and one will be going home at some point today.

Meanwhile, Uruguay will play Portugal for a place in the quarter-finals this evening in what is sure to be a gripping day of football.

Thursday's results meant England will now play Colombia in the last 16, while Group G winners Belgium have booked a date with Japan.

If Gareth Southgate's side were to get past Colombia they would face either Sweden or Switzerland in the quarter-finals of the tournament.

With a busy schedule, here is our guide on how to watch every second of the action.

The full World Cup 2018 fixture schedule is included below, with timings, venues and TV channels included.

All times BST. Local times are BST +2 apart from games played in Kaliningrad (+1), Samara (+3) and Ekaterinburg (+4).

More: https://hi247.com.ng/2018/06/30/world-cup-russia-2018-fixtures-results-so-far-and-schedule-for-last-16/

Back-page headlines and transfer rumours from Saturday's national newspapers.

DAILY EXPRESS

Chelsea are bracing themselves for a mega Manchester United bid after turning down Barcelona's £50m approach for Willian.

Rangers striker Eduardo Herrera is stalling on an exit after snubbing offers from clubs in his native Mexico.

THE SUN

Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet is set for showdown talks with boss Jurgen Klopp after the World Cup.

Bolton are in talks with Jack Rodwell after his disastrous spell at Sunderland.

Jose Mourinho has backed Wayne Rooney's decision to join the growing list of stars making the move to Major League Soccer.

Gareth Southgate admits he has spent 22 years working out how to take the perfect penalty.

GUARDIAN

Poland goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski has warned England that Colombia are formidable opponents and the "team to avoid at this stage".

DAILY MAIL

Southampton have launched a bid to beat West Ham to Barcelona defender Marlon Santos with an £11m offer.

Colombia defender Davinson Sanchez has revealed how the Tottenham stars at the World Cup are keeping in touch via a WhatsApp group.

More: https://hi247.com.ng/2018/06/30/transfer-gossips-manchester-united-to-bid-for-willian/

Donald Trump usually reserves the word "greatest" for his latest deal or appointment, but he has now bestowed it on Cristiano Ronaldo.

The US President was speaking about the Portugal forward during a meeting with Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa at the White House.

"They say he is the greatest player," said Trump while discussing the qualities of the Real Madrid forward with De Sousa.

"So, tell me, how good a player is he?" asked Trump. "Are you impressed?"

"I'm very much impressed. He's the best player [in] the world," enthused De Sousa.

More: https://hi247.com.ng/2018/06/29/cristiano-ronaldo-the-greatest-ever-donald-trump/

Everton striker Wayne Rooney has signed a three-and-a-half-year deal with Major League Soccer club DC United.

He will officially complete his move when the US mid-season transfer window opens on 10 July.

There is no transfer fee but it is understood DC United have agreed a compensation package with the Toffees.

The 32-year-old's deal is worth £10m, meaning he becomes the highest paid player in DC United's history.

Everton and DC United made the announcement simultaneously on Thursday afternoon.

Rooney will make his debut when the club open their new 20,000-capacity Audi Field Stadium on 14 July.

"Moving to America and MLS fulfils another career ambition for me," Rooney told the club website.

"I have the hunger to be a success here and will give DC 100% - as I have always done for every team I have ever played for. Now I can't wait to get on the pitch in a United shirt and join my new teammates to bring success to this club."

More: https://hi247.com.ng/2018/06/28/rooney-completes-move-to-mls-side-dc-united/

Manchester United are in talks with Stoke City over a possible deal for 35-year-old goalkeeper Lee Grant, Sky Sports News understands.

It is understood Stoke would allow him to leave on a free transfer and United want him as cover should there be injuries to senior keepers David de Gea and Sergio Romero.

It is likely Grant would be third choice, initially, with Portugal U21 goalkeeper Joel Pereira to be sent on loan to get more experience.

Negotiations are still at an early stage but are progressing.

Stoke signed Grant on a permanent deal from Derby in January 2017 after he was initially brought in on loan as cover for the then-injured Jack Butland.

More: https://hi247.com.ng/2018/06/28/man-united-in-talks-to-sign-lee-grant/

UEFA has handed AC Milan  a two-year ban from European competitions following a breach of FFP rules.

The Italian giants finished sixth in Serie A last season to secure their spot in next season’s Europa League.

But they will not be taking part in the competition after UEFA confirmed they had breached FFP guidelines.

Milan will be excluded from participating in 2018/19 and the next season even if they qualify for one of Europe’s competitions.

Milan were taken over in 2016 and spent over £170m on new players last summer, including Italian defender Leonardo Bonucci and Portugal striker Andre Silva.

A UEFA statement read: “The Adjudicatory Chamber of the Club Financial Control Body (CFCB), chaired by José Narciso da Cunha Rodrigues, has taken a decision in the case of the club AC Milan that had been referred to it by the CFCB Chief Investigator for the breach of the UEFA Club Licensing and Financial Fair Play Regulations, in particular the break-even requirement.

More: https://hi247.com.ng/2018/06/27/uefa-bans-italian-club-ac-milan-for-2-seasons/

Alhaji Abdullahi Alhassan, acting Rector, Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa, Nasarawa State, on Wednesday said the institution was giving priority attention to training of its students to create job opportunities for self reliance.

Alhassan stated this at a news conference for the Combined 9th Convocation Ceremony of the institution scheduled to hold on June, 30, at Ta’al Sport Complex in Nasarawa.

He emphasised that the polytechnic was poised toward effective production and convocation of quality students in different fields of academic enterprise, to make its graduates relevant, self sustaining and employers of labour.

According to him, a total of 23,128 graduates will be awarded Higher National Diploma (HND), National Diploma (ND) and Polytechnic Diploma (PD), at the convocation ceremony.

“ Among these, 270 graduated with distinction; 4,882 with Upper credit; 12,304 with lower credit and 5, 672 with pass,“ he said.

The rector said that the institution had been producing best polytechnic graduates in the country since its inception in 1983, adding that the product of the institution were contributing immensely to the economic development of the country.

He said the institution would continue to train people to acquire technical and vocation skills needed for the economic and social development of Nigeria in the fields of Agriculture, industry and commerce.

“ The Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa, is today among the top ranking polytechnics in Nigeria.

“ This is factual because of the availability of astute and intellectual human resources as well as the quality of graduates and under-graduates and research breakthrough recorded by the institution over the years.

“ Our focus since establishment has been toward achieving the polytechnic objective and also tailored toward our mission of moulding students to become disciplined, skilled and innovative for self actualisation and national development.“

Alhassan, therefore, expressed determination of his administration to further develop the institution by sustaining, consolidation on infrastructure and human capital development.

More: https://hi247.com.ng/2018/06/27/federal-polytechnic-nasarawa-graduates-23000-to-be-self-reliant-ag-rector/

Croatia completed a perfect three-for-three first round and eliminated Iceland from the World Cup with a 2-1 victory in Rostov on Tuesday.

Croatia had already clinched advancement but nailed down victory in the group and a date with Denmark on Sunday in the round of 16.

Croatia rolled out a lineup without many of its stars, including Luka Modric, but scored first in the 53rd minute when Milan Badelj pounced on a loose ball in the box and punched it home.

Iceland got some hope 20 minutes later, winning a penalty that was converted by Gylfi Sigurdsson.

When Argentina took a 2-1 lead in the other game, Iceland suddenly had an opportunity to steal a qualifying spot, if it could score. But Croatia, now with Modric on the pitch as a substitute, effectively killed off the game, then added the winning goal in injury time through Ivan Perisic.

More: https://hi247.com.ng/2018/06/26/croatia-crushes-icelands-world-cup-dream-in-rostov/

Marcos Rojo’s clinical volley in the 86th minute rescued Argentina after Victor Moses’s penalty had cancelled out Lionel Messi’s opening goal to defeat Nigeria with 2-1.

It’s been another extraordinary evening. The quality of football might not be that high, but you can’t complain about the drama. We were treated to another late show tonight, this time from Argentina, who snuck into the second round when Marcos Rojo broke Nigerian hearts.

The ball possession is Nigeria 34% - Argentina 66%.

Argentina will play France on Saturday, while Croatia will play Denmark on Sunday.

More: https://hi247.com.ng/2018/06/26/marcos-rojos-clinical-volley-finishes-eagles/

France midfielder Paul Pogba says he is determined to enjoy the World Cup this summer because it "may be my last one".

The Manchester United man is only 25 and may well have more tournaments in him - but he says that cannot be taken for granted.

France have already qualified for the last 16 after wins over Australia and Denmark, but they have been more workmanlike than impressive so far.


Their star-studded line-up has come in for some criticism but Pogba says he is unconcerned and is focused only on potentially winning the World Cup trophy.

"This is maybe my last one," said Pogba.

"I really want to enjoy this and to forget all the criticism, all the whispers from behind. What only matters to me is what is happening on the pitch.

"I'm here to give everything for this jersey, for my team, for France. I really want to win this World Cup."

Asked if France were capable of going all the way, Pogba said: "It's possible. Everything is possible.

"We do know that nothing is going to be easy, as you have seen in the World Cup games. Nothing is easy, it's the World Cup.

More: https://hi247.com.ng/2018/06/24/this-may-be-my-last-world-cup-paul-pogba/