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AFCON Victory: Federal Government Pledges Rewards To Super Eagles

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By Tambaya Julius, Abuja

In a remarkable gesture of appreciation, the Federal Government vows to honour the Super Eagles for their exceptional performance in reaching the final of the African Cup of Nations held in Cote D’Ivoire.

Vice President Kashim Shettima, representing the Federal Government, conveyed the pledge during a meeting with the Super Eagles, acknowledging their triumph over the Bafana Bafana of South Africa.

The commitment and dedication exhibited by the Super Eagles have garnered recognition from the highest echelons of government. Vice President Kashim Shettima, accompanied by dignitaries including Governors Dapo Abiodun and Duoye Diri, expressed the nation’s pride in the team’s achievement.

Amidst their hard-fought victory over South Africa in the semi-finals, Vice President Kashim Shettima, alongside esteemed officials, conveyed the nation’s gratitude and support to the players and their coaching staff.

The Super Eagles secured their spot in the AFCON final following a captivating showdown with the Bafana Bafana, culminating in a triumphant 4-2 victory on penalties.

As the nation eagerly awaits the final match, the Federal Government’s assurance serves as a testament to Nigeria’s unwavering support for its sporting heroes.

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Arsenal defeat Real Madrid 3-0 in Champions League quarter-finals

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Arsenal stormed to a stunning 3-0 win over Champions League holders Real Madrid as Declan Rice’s free-kick masterclass left the Gunners within touching distance of a place in the semi-finals.

Rice scored two majestic free kicks in the second half of the quarter-final first leg at the Emirates Stadium.

Mikel Merino added Arsenal’s third goal before Real’s Eduardo Camavinga was sent off for kicking the ball away in the closing minutes to leave the Spanish giants in disarray.

The brilliance of Rice’s brace cannot be understated, with even Real keeper Thibaut Courtois — usually so inspired on Champions League nights — unable to get anywhere near the England midfielder’s thunderbolts.

Incredibly, Rice had never scored a free-kick in his career before the first of his missiles hit the back of the Real net.

Arsenal’s English midfielder #41 Declan Rice scores the team’s first goal during the UEFA Champions League Quarter final first leg football match between Arsenal and Real Madrid, at the Emirates Stadium, in London, on April 8, 2025. (Photo by Adrian Dennis / AFP)

It was no more than Arsenal deserved for a mature performance that exposed injury-hit Real in ruthless style.

Mikel Arteta’s men will travel to the Bernabeu for the second leg on April 16 as firm favourites to advance to a semi-final tie against Paris Saint-Germain or Aston Villa, who meet in their quarter-final first leg on Wednesday.

The Gunners have not reached the Champions League semi-finals since 2009, but that target is now within their grasp after an evening that will go down as one of the most memorable in the club’s storied history.

Arteta had labelled the clash with Real as the “biggest night” of his career as he urged his players to write their own history by winning Arsenal’s first Champions League crown.

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They rose to the challenge so successfully that even Arteta might have been surprised.

Arsenal trail Premier League leaders Liverpool by 11 points and look destined to finish as runners-up for a third successive season.

But the Champions League now offers Arteta genuine hope of a first major trophy since the 2020 FA Cup, providing they can finish the job in Madrid next week.

Beaten by Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals last season, Arsenal’s only Champions League final appearance ended in defeat against Barcelona in 2006 — a run that included a last 16 victory over Real.

For Real, it was a chastening defeat as the 15-time European champions were punished for the flaws that had already seen them beaten 10 times in all competitions this term as they lag four points behind La Liga leaders Barcelona.

Arsenal in dreamland

Arsenal’s Spanish midfielder #23 Mikel Merino (C) celebrates scoring the team’s third goal during the UEFA Champions League Quarter final first leg football match between Arsenal and Real Madrid, at the Emirates Stadium, in London, on April 8, 2025. (Photo by Adrian Dennis / AFP)

Jude Bellingham was largely anonymous and Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior posed only sporadic threats after a promising start.

Vinicius Junior threatened in the opening stages, curling wide after Mbappe picked him out inside the Arsenal area.

Real Madrid’s French forward #09 Kylian Mbappe applauds the fans following the UEFA Champions League Quarter final first leg football match between Arsenal and Real Madrid, at the Emirates Stadium, in London, on April 8, 2025. (Photo by Adrian Dennis / AFP)

Mbappe’s electric pace took him clear of the Arsenal defence in another lightning raid, but the France star shot straight at David Raya.

Arsenal showed no signs of being cowed by Real’s star-studded attack and Rice’s towering header from Jurrien Timber’s cross forced a fine save from Thibaut Courtois, who scrambed across to keep out Gabriel Martinelli’s effort from the rebound.

Mbappe lashed into the side-netting from an acute angle, but Real were unable to match Arsenal’s intensity in the second half and the Gunners deservedly took the lead in the 58th minute.

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Rice stepped up 25 yards from goal and whipped a sublime free-kick around the Real wall and into the far corner.

It was a stunning strike that even former Real defender and set-piece maestro Roberto Carlos, watching from the Emirates stands, would have been proud of.

Arsenal almost struck again in a remarkable sequence that saw Courtois save Martinelli’s blast before Merino’s shot from the rebound was hacked off the line by David Alaba and Courtois again denied Merino.

Real Madrid’s English midfielder #05 Jude Bellingham reacts following the UEFA Champions League Quarter final first leg football match between Arsenal and Real Madrid, at the Emirates Stadium, in London, on April 8, 2025. (Photo by Adrian Dennis / AFP)

Real were on the ropes and Rice landed another devastating blow in the 70th minute, lashing an unstoppable free-kick into the top corner from 20 yards as Courtois grasped at thin air.

As the ecstatic Arsenal fans roared “Declan Rice, we got him half praise”, that reference to his £105 million fee didn’t seem like hyperbole for once.

 

Arsenal weren’t finished yet and Merino put Arsenal in dreamland five minutes later with a clinical finish from 12 yards as the Emirates turned into a roiling red sea of celebration.

AFP

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Top UN officials call for urgent world action to save Palestinians in Gaza

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With the tightened Israeli blockade on Gaza now in its second month, top officials of the United Nations have appealed to world leaders to act – firmly, urgently and decisively – to ensure the basic principles of international humanitarian law are upheld. 

The appeal is contained in a statement jointly issued on Monday by the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Tom Fletcher; UNICEF Executive Director, Catherine Russell; UNOPS Executive Director, Jorge Moreira da Silva; Commissioner-General of UNRWA, Philippe Lazzarini; Executive Director of the World Food Programme (WFP), Cindy McCain and; Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

In the statement, the UN officials stressed the need for urgent action to protect civilians, facilitate aid, release hostages and renew a ceasefire.

“For over a month, no commercial or humanitarian supplies have entered Gaza,” they regretted.

According to the rest of the statement, “More than 2.1 million people are trapped, bombed and starved again, while, at crossing points, food, medicine, fuel and shelter supplies are piling up, and vital equipment is stuck.

“Over 1,000 children have reportedly been killed or injured in just the first week after the breakdown of the ceasefire, the highest one-week death toll among children in Gaza in the past year.

‘Just a few days ago, the 25 bakeries supported by the World Food Programme during the ceasefire had to close due to flour and cooking gas shortages.

“The partially functional health system is overwhelmed. Essential medical and trauma supplies are rapidly running out, threatening to reverse hard-won progress in keeping the health system operational.

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“The latest ceasefire allowed us to achieve in 60 days what bombs, obstruction and lootings prevented us from doing in 470 days of war: life-saving supplies reaching nearly every part of Gaza.

“While this offered a short respite, assertions that there is now enough food to feed all Palestinians in Gaza are far from the reality on the ground, and commodities are running extremely low.

“We are witnessing acts of war in Gaza that show an utter disregard for human life.

“New Israeli displacement orders have forced hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to flee yet again, with no safe place to go.

“No one is safe. At least 408 humanitarian workers, including over 280 from UNRWA, have been killed since October 2023.”

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Nigeria eyes 2030 Commonwealth Games hosting rights

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The Nigerian Olympic Committee (NOC) announced it has met the March 28, 2025 deadline for expression of interest to bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games.

Nigeria can only commence a formal bid with the backing of the country’s government.

Nigeria lost a bid to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games to Glasgow.

A statement released by NOC spokesman Tony Nezianya said that Nigeria’s bid for the 2030 Games in capital city Abuja will present a unique opportunity to showcase its development, enhance its global standing and invigorate its sports culture.

Nigeria last hosted a major multi-sport event — the African Games — in 2003 in Abuja.

“That experience will provide a solid foundation for Nigeria to host again, showcasing its ability to manage the logistics, hospitality, and infrastructure development required by such events,” the NOC statement read.

“This would also provide a compelling narrative for the nation’s progress and readiness.”

The next Commonwealths will again be hosted in Glasgow, Scotland, from March 17 to March 29, 2026.

Australian state Victoria had been scheduled to host the event, but the local government later pulled out due to spiralling costs.

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