14:44 01/07/2015
Madrid - As Lionel Messi has developed during his career he
has become a ever-more prolific provider of assists as well as a lethal
goalscorer and he gave another wonderful display of creativity at the Copa
America on Tuesday.
The Argentina forward, who has yet to find the net from open
play in five games at the tournament in Chile, set up three goals for his team
mates in a 6-1 drubbing of Paraguay that secured a clash against the hosts in
Saturday's final.
It was the first time Messi made three assists in a single
game for his country and only the second time in his career after he achieved
the feat playing for Barcelona in a King's Cup match against Levante in January
2014.
The 28-year-old has 31 assists for club and country so far
in 2014-15, two short of his record of 33 from 2011-12.
"It really doesn't bother me that I am not
scoring," Messi told reporters after the match in Concepcion.
"Hopefully my goal will come in the final," he
added.
"The important thing is to lift the national team as
high as possible and it doesn't matter who gets the goals."
Messi is attempting to win the Copa America to cap a superb
season when he helped Barca win a treble of Champions League and domestic
league and Cup titles.
He has bounced back in style from a disappointing 2013-14
campaign, when Barca failed to collect major silverware and Argentina were
beaten 1-0 by Germany in the World Cup final.
Argentina are trying to win the Copa America for the first
time since 1993, having lost to Brazil in 2004 and 2007 before being knocked
out on penalties in the quarter-finals on home soil in 2011.
"Winning the Copa America would round off something
spectacular," Messi said.
"I think we are coming into the match in good shape,
but we will be playing a team with very good individual players.
"Both sides always try to play good football and not
leave the opponent any time on the ball."
If he wants to score in Saturday's final, Messi knows the
man in the Chile goal he will have to beat very well: Barcelona team mate
Claudio Bravo.
Reuters
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Wednesday, 1 July 2015
Mugabe 'concerned' over Lesotho crisis
16:18 01/07/2015
Cape Town – Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, who is also the current Southern African Development Community (SADC) chair, is reportedly "very concerned" about the latest developments in Lesotho, as fears mount that the country might plunge into renewed political violence.
This follows the killing of the mountain kingdom's former army commander, Maaparankoe Mahao, last week.
Mahao was allegedly shot dead by members of the Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) in his village home on the outskirts of Maseru.
According to the SABC, Mugabe met with President Jacob Zuma's special envoy, Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, in Harare late on Tuesday.
Mapisa-Nqakula could not give details of the meeting but said Mugabe was concerned about death of Mahao.
"President Mugabe as chair of the SADC and veteran leader in the region is equally concerned about what is happening in Lesotho. He is very concerned, for instance, about the death of this brigadier general," Mapisa-Nqakula said.
Watch the video as Masipa-Nqakula speak.
The report said Mapisa-Nqakula would also meet Botswana President Ian Khama before the weekend troika to review a report from the fact-finding mission on Lesotho.
President Zuma, in his capacity as the chairperson of the (SADC) organ on politics, defence and security co-operation, on Monday dispatched his deputy Cyril Ramaphosa to Lesotho to consult with Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili.
Ramaphosa is the SADC facilitator on Lesotho.
Meanwhile, the ex-army commander’s family spoke for the first time since his killing, criticising the Lesotho government for not condemning his murder or arresting his known attackers.
The family said they were convinced the government was concealing the "pre-meditated" execution of Mahao.
Watch as Mahao’s brother speaks.
An international governance analyst warned that there was need for South Africa to urgently bring Lesotho’s crisis to an end before it could spill over the borders, according to Times Live.
"South Africa and SADC must act quickly. If they don't the violence will spread, with potentially severe implications for this country including fighting spilling over the borders, refugees streaming into the country and an increase in weapons being smuggled into Lesotho," the analyst was quoted as saying.
Cape Town – Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, who is also the current Southern African Development Community (SADC) chair, is reportedly "very concerned" about the latest developments in Lesotho, as fears mount that the country might plunge into renewed political violence.
This follows the killing of the mountain kingdom's former army commander, Maaparankoe Mahao, last week.
Mahao was allegedly shot dead by members of the Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) in his village home on the outskirts of Maseru.
According to the SABC, Mugabe met with President Jacob Zuma's special envoy, Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, in Harare late on Tuesday.
Mapisa-Nqakula could not give details of the meeting but said Mugabe was concerned about death of Mahao.
"President Mugabe as chair of the SADC and veteran leader in the region is equally concerned about what is happening in Lesotho. He is very concerned, for instance, about the death of this brigadier general," Mapisa-Nqakula said.
Watch the video as Masipa-Nqakula speak.
The report said Mapisa-Nqakula would also meet Botswana President Ian Khama before the weekend troika to review a report from the fact-finding mission on Lesotho.
President Zuma, in his capacity as the chairperson of the (SADC) organ on politics, defence and security co-operation, on Monday dispatched his deputy Cyril Ramaphosa to Lesotho to consult with Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili.
Ramaphosa is the SADC facilitator on Lesotho.
Meanwhile, the ex-army commander’s family spoke for the first time since his killing, criticising the Lesotho government for not condemning his murder or arresting his known attackers.
The family said they were convinced the government was concealing the "pre-meditated" execution of Mahao.
Watch as Mahao’s brother speaks.
An international governance analyst warned that there was need for South Africa to urgently bring Lesotho’s crisis to an end before it could spill over the borders, according to Times Live.
"South Africa and SADC must act quickly. If they don't the violence will spread, with potentially severe implications for this country including fighting spilling over the borders, refugees streaming into the country and an increase in weapons being smuggled into Lesotho," the analyst was quoted as saying.
Saturday, 27 June 2015
APC will move beyond NASS leadership tussle – Garba
15:07 27/06/2015
Abuja - A member of the House of Representatives, Amuda Garba (APC-Ilorin East, Ilorin South, Kwara) , has expressed optimism that the party would move beyond its present challenge.
Garba, who expressed the opinion during interview with media in Abuja, added that APC had sailed beyond more precarious situations.
Garba added that the problems in the Senate and House of Representatives would be surmounted and the party would remain stronger and united.
He said in view of recent fisticuffs in the House, "all will go back and get our acts right within the party."
"Right from the beginning, the leadership of the party was challenging, the presidential primaries came with its own challenges, even the choice of the vice presidential candidate came with its own challenges."
"So, it is not a new thing. The legislature is always a very vibrant stage. That is why we are saying what we are saying."
"But as loyal members of the party, as people who believe in the party and what the party stands for, we will go back to mend our fences and will come with a harmonized position."
"I can assure you that when the House reconvenes, we will be coming with a unified position", he said.
On complaints that fighting was not part of the promised change, he said that change does not come in any particular prototype.
"Sometimes, the change you promised is for events like this to happen and for the right positions to be upheld."
He said the recent fisticuffs resulted from the party’s recommendation that some candidates should occupy principal positions and the caucuses in the House having a different view.
According to him, the caucuses made up of members of the House of should have decided who occupied the positions.
"It is clearly stated in the Order Book that it is the party’s caucus within the House that determines their leadership. But we know the party can intervene and create a platform for election so that we would have done our internal democracy."
He advised his colleagues to remember the interest of their constituencies.
"To be truly successful as a legislator, one must not forget the reason for which he was elected which is to be the voice of his/her constituents. "
Abuja - A member of the House of Representatives, Amuda Garba (APC-Ilorin East, Ilorin South, Kwara) , has expressed optimism that the party would move beyond its present challenge.
Garba, who expressed the opinion during interview with media in Abuja, added that APC had sailed beyond more precarious situations.
Garba added that the problems in the Senate and House of Representatives would be surmounted and the party would remain stronger and united.
He said in view of recent fisticuffs in the House, "all will go back and get our acts right within the party."
"Right from the beginning, the leadership of the party was challenging, the presidential primaries came with its own challenges, even the choice of the vice presidential candidate came with its own challenges."
"So, it is not a new thing. The legislature is always a very vibrant stage. That is why we are saying what we are saying."
"But as loyal members of the party, as people who believe in the party and what the party stands for, we will go back to mend our fences and will come with a harmonized position."
"I can assure you that when the House reconvenes, we will be coming with a unified position", he said.
On complaints that fighting was not part of the promised change, he said that change does not come in any particular prototype.
"Sometimes, the change you promised is for events like this to happen and for the right positions to be upheld."
He said the recent fisticuffs resulted from the party’s recommendation that some candidates should occupy principal positions and the caucuses in the House having a different view.
According to him, the caucuses made up of members of the House of should have decided who occupied the positions.
"It is clearly stated in the Order Book that it is the party’s caucus within the House that determines their leadership. But we know the party can intervene and create a platform for election so that we would have done our internal democracy."
He advised his colleagues to remember the interest of their constituencies.
"To be truly successful as a legislator, one must not forget the reason for which he was elected which is to be the voice of his/her constituents. "
Keshi denies knowledge of Enyeama’s disciplinary invitation
Soccer Laduma
15:07 27/06/2015
Lagos - As another controversy between the Nigeria Football Federation and Vincent Enyeama over his supposed invitation to appear before the Disciplinary Committee lingers, Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi has refrained from getting involved in the controversy, by saying he isn’t aware if Enyeama was invited or not.
When asked why his captain didn’t appear before the NFF Disciplinary Committee, Keshi said he was only aware of his own case, and wasn’t aware if Enyeama was invited or not.
“I don’t know about Enyeama and I don’t know whether he was invited or not, I only know about myself and I appeared before the committee,” he said.
The 32-year old Super Eagles captain was conspicuously missing when the NFF Disciplinary Committee sat on Tuesday, but the Lille of France goalkeeper denied shunning the NFF, insisting he wasn’t invited.
“I respect my country and those in charge of our football, which is why I find the whole thing strange."
“As the captain, I only raised our concerns about the venue before our game, which didn’t go down well with the football authority."
"I was told to apologise for my comments, which I did immediately and they told me that’s fine.”
“I only received a letter cautioning me about it [my comments] and to avoid a repeat of such."
“Personally, as it was resolved in-house I thought that was the end of the matter.
“But I only found out about a disciplinary hearing in the media but I didn’t get any letter to that effect,” he told the BBC.
Meanwhile, NFF spokesperson, Ademola Olajire told a local radio station they sent an invitation to Enyeama to appear before the Disciplinary Committee.
“I can confirm to you that Vincent Enyeama was sent an invitation by the NFF though the proper channel we usually communicate with him with," Olajire said.
15:07 27/06/2015
Lagos - As another controversy between the Nigeria Football Federation and Vincent Enyeama over his supposed invitation to appear before the Disciplinary Committee lingers, Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi has refrained from getting involved in the controversy, by saying he isn’t aware if Enyeama was invited or not.
When asked why his captain didn’t appear before the NFF Disciplinary Committee, Keshi said he was only aware of his own case, and wasn’t aware if Enyeama was invited or not.
“I don’t know about Enyeama and I don’t know whether he was invited or not, I only know about myself and I appeared before the committee,” he said.
The 32-year old Super Eagles captain was conspicuously missing when the NFF Disciplinary Committee sat on Tuesday, but the Lille of France goalkeeper denied shunning the NFF, insisting he wasn’t invited.
“I respect my country and those in charge of our football, which is why I find the whole thing strange."
“As the captain, I only raised our concerns about the venue before our game, which didn’t go down well with the football authority."
"I was told to apologise for my comments, which I did immediately and they told me that’s fine.”
“I only received a letter cautioning me about it [my comments] and to avoid a repeat of such."
“Personally, as it was resolved in-house I thought that was the end of the matter.
“But I only found out about a disciplinary hearing in the media but I didn’t get any letter to that effect,” he told the BBC.
Meanwhile, NFF spokesperson, Ademola Olajire told a local radio station they sent an invitation to Enyeama to appear before the Disciplinary Committee.
“I can confirm to you that Vincent Enyeama was sent an invitation by the NFF though the proper channel we usually communicate with him with," Olajire said.
Omeruo open to move away from England
Soccer Laduma
15:07 27/06/2015
Lagos - Chelsea defender Kenneth Omeruo has spoken of his desire to play top flight football next season ‘not necessarily in England’, but admits he would love to play in the English Premier League ahead of the new season.
The 21-year old has been sent out on loan to Ado Den Haag in the Dutch top flight and Middlesbrough in the Championship over the last three seasons, but is set to resume pre-season with Chelsea next month.
Having earlier told News24 of his desire to prove himself to Jose Mourinho, he however concedes it is Chelsea that will decide where he plays next season, but says he will prefer it to be in the Premier League or a top flight club elsewhere.
“I think I’d rather prefer to play in the top flight not necessarily in England,” he told News24, “Though it depends on what the options are.
“I said before that I want to prove myself to the manager (Mourinho) and hopefully I’ll get to remain (at Chelsea), but they will have to decide.
“I want to play at Stamford Bridge and I want the fans to watch me every week but if the club wants me to go out on loan, I will choose the best option so I can get more experience,” he said.
Lagos - Chelsea defender Kenneth Omeruo has spoken of his desire to play top flight football next season ‘not necessarily in England’, but admits he would love to play in the English Premier League ahead of the new season.
The 21-year old has been sent out on loan to Ado Den Haag in the Dutch top flight and Middlesbrough in the Championship over the last three seasons, but is set to resume pre-season with Chelsea next month.
Having earlier told News24 of his desire to prove himself to Jose Mourinho, he however concedes it is Chelsea that will decide where he plays next season, but says he will prefer it to be in the Premier League or a top flight club elsewhere.
“I think I’d rather prefer to play in the top flight not necessarily in England,” he told News24, “Though it depends on what the options are.
“I said before that I want to prove myself to the manager (Mourinho) and hopefully I’ll get to remain (at Chelsea), but they will have to decide.
“I want to play at Stamford Bridge and I want the fans to watch me every week but if the club wants me to go out on loan, I will choose the best option so I can get more experience,” he said.
NDLEA arrests 85 suspects, seizes 55kg drugs in Ebonyi
15:07 27/06/2015
Abakaliki - Raph Igwenagu, Ebonyi State Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency(NDLEA) on Saturday said it arrested 85 suspects for drug related offences in the first half of 2015.
Igwenagu made this known in Abakaliki at a forum to commemorate the 2015 International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking.
He said 75 males and 10 females were arrested while 55 kilogrammes of drugs were seized from the suspects.
"The command also secured the conviction of 25 suspects while 35 drug users were counselled and discharged and three drug dependent persons are still undergoing rehabilitation," he said.
According to him, drug abuse does not only influence anti-social behaviour, it is a major predisposing factor for all forms of crimes and criminalities such as youth restiveness, armed robbery, cultism, assassination, among others.
The commander held that youth’s involvement in drug abuse had brought about unprecedented breakdown in societal and family values, increase in school dropouts, low productivity and the spread of HIV and AIDS.
He called on Nigerians to join hands in the effort to critically appraise the menace of drug challenges in the society and to evolve means to eradicate its inherent dangers to the country.
"This programme serves as a veritable platform for the agency to critically appraise its activities in the better part of the year as well as provide the compass necessary to chart a way forward", he said.
The Commissioner of police in the state, Dikko Maigari, cautioned Nigerian youths against involvement in drug abuse in view of its damaging effect on the body and the society.
He warned that the long arms of the law would always catch up with those who are involved in drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking.
Other speakers on the occasion were, Bibian Okpoko, Comptroller of Prisons, Ebonyi State, Magnus Eze, Coordinator, Okposi Development Center and Richard Anichukwu, state Coordinator, NAFDAC.
The Theme of the celebration is Lets Develop Our Lives,Our Communities,Our Identies Without Drugs.
Abakaliki - Raph Igwenagu, Ebonyi State Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency(NDLEA) on Saturday said it arrested 85 suspects for drug related offences in the first half of 2015.
Igwenagu made this known in Abakaliki at a forum to commemorate the 2015 International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking.
He said 75 males and 10 females were arrested while 55 kilogrammes of drugs were seized from the suspects.
"The command also secured the conviction of 25 suspects while 35 drug users were counselled and discharged and three drug dependent persons are still undergoing rehabilitation," he said.
According to him, drug abuse does not only influence anti-social behaviour, it is a major predisposing factor for all forms of crimes and criminalities such as youth restiveness, armed robbery, cultism, assassination, among others.
The commander held that youth’s involvement in drug abuse had brought about unprecedented breakdown in societal and family values, increase in school dropouts, low productivity and the spread of HIV and AIDS.
He called on Nigerians to join hands in the effort to critically appraise the menace of drug challenges in the society and to evolve means to eradicate its inherent dangers to the country.
"This programme serves as a veritable platform for the agency to critically appraise its activities in the better part of the year as well as provide the compass necessary to chart a way forward", he said.
The Commissioner of police in the state, Dikko Maigari, cautioned Nigerian youths against involvement in drug abuse in view of its damaging effect on the body and the society.
He warned that the long arms of the law would always catch up with those who are involved in drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking.
Other speakers on the occasion were, Bibian Okpoko, Comptroller of Prisons, Ebonyi State, Magnus Eze, Coordinator, Okposi Development Center and Richard Anichukwu, state Coordinator, NAFDAC.
The Theme of the celebration is Lets Develop Our Lives,Our Communities,Our Identies Without Drugs.
Gunmen attack western Mali town in pre-dawn raid
15:07 27/06/2015
Bamako - Gunmen attacked a town in western Mali near the border
with neighbouring Mauritania before dawn on Saturday, a town resident
and a senior military source said.
It was not immediately clear who was behind the attack, which took place a week after a Tuareg-led northern rebel alliance signed a peace deal with the government aimed at ending their uprising and allowing the authorities to focus on combatting Islamist militants.
Gunfire erupted at around 05:00 in the town of Nara, around 30km south of border with Mauritania.
"There was an exchange of gunfire with the [Malian army]. The attack was repelled. The army is patrolling in the town to look for them," army spokesperson Colonel Souleymane Maiga said.
There was no immediate information on casualties, he added.
A resident said that gunfire was still being heard several hours after the clashes began.
"We are in our houses. No one is going out. All the houses are closed up. The fighting is going on now," one town resident said, asking not to be named.
A French-led military campaign in early 2013 liberated northern Mali from al Qaeda-linked Islamist rebels, who seized control of the area after the Tuareg uprising led to a military coup that plunged Mali into chaos.
Insecurity persists however, and though the violence, often blamed on the remnants of Islamist groups, is generally focused in the desert north, attacks have in recent months crept further south.
Dozens of suspected Islamist militants attacked a police base near Mali's southern border with Ivory Coast earlier this month.
It was not immediately clear who was behind the attack, which took place a week after a Tuareg-led northern rebel alliance signed a peace deal with the government aimed at ending their uprising and allowing the authorities to focus on combatting Islamist militants.
Gunfire erupted at around 05:00 in the town of Nara, around 30km south of border with Mauritania.
"There was an exchange of gunfire with the [Malian army]. The attack was repelled. The army is patrolling in the town to look for them," army spokesperson Colonel Souleymane Maiga said.
There was no immediate information on casualties, he added.
A resident said that gunfire was still being heard several hours after the clashes began.
"We are in our houses. No one is going out. All the houses are closed up. The fighting is going on now," one town resident said, asking not to be named.
A French-led military campaign in early 2013 liberated northern Mali from al Qaeda-linked Islamist rebels, who seized control of the area after the Tuareg uprising led to a military coup that plunged Mali into chaos.
Insecurity persists however, and though the violence, often blamed on the remnants of Islamist groups, is generally focused in the desert north, attacks have in recent months crept further south.
Dozens of suspected Islamist militants attacked a police base near Mali's southern border with Ivory Coast earlier this month.
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