Thursday 6 June 2013

It’s Musa as Eagles Go Top!


It’s Musa as Eagles Go Top.It would have been unfair if it came from any other player apart from Ahmed Musa. Fresh from an inspired Russian league win with CSKA Moscow… It was only logical that the petite winger should be given a starting role by Coach Stephen Keshi and he did not disappoint tormenting the Kenyan defenders with his electrifying runs.
After series of unconnected crosses, he was rewarded in the 85th minute when he decided to go solo, raced past Brian Mandela in the Kenya defense before cheekingly lobbying the ball over on-rushing goalkeeper Duncan Ochieng… for Nigeria’s much awaited goal.
The hype apart, the Kenyans did not really come to the party and two minutes on, Musa speedily intercepted a ball meant for George Owino, raced in and crossed perfectly for Ideye, only for the not too brilliant attacker to miss a sitter by wanting to displace an opponent instead of hitting first time.
The Eagles continued to dominate, especially in the midfield where Mikel Obi, Sunday Mba and Onazi held sway. Call it tactical play to conserve energy, yet you will be disappointed that despite the massive advantage possession wise, the Nigerians could not make hay, missing again and again.
With goalkeeper and skipper Enyeama virtually on holiday, and the defense line of Omeruo, Ambrose, Echiejile and Obobona not tested, the Eagles continued to make life difficult for their hosts to the chagrin of the over 40 thousand spectators especially from the midfield.
In the 20th minute Oduamadi broke free from the right, displaced two defenders and was in a goal scoring position when he was brought down but the referee waved play on to the relief of the  weakened home fans.
The Eagles returned in the 28th minute, but again Ideye fluffed the chance by reacting too slow to a ball that was handed to him for the kill.
At this stage the Kenyan bench deprived of Coach Eden Amrouche who was handed the marching orders in Calabar and banned for one match, did not know what to do as the Eagles intensified their quest for the all important goal which did not come till the end of the first half.
The second half took the pattern of the first as Oduamadi at point blank range with only the goalkeeper to beat saw his trial deflected by the legs of goalkeeper Ochieng in the 47th
Musa continued his runs down the right flank but with no commensurate reaction from his colleagues in an afternoon where it was evident Nigeria needed to shop for attackers and fast too.
With the midfielders also not joining in the attack, Keshi brought out Sunday Mba for John Oguh and followed it up with Tony Ujah for off form Brown Ideye. The replacements helped to intensify steam, yet the goals refused to come.
Just when the Kenyans were ready for a draw, and goalkeeper Ochieng had been booked for wasting time, Musa struck.
With this victory, Nigeria has shot to the top of the log with eight points and with a victory over Namibia next week in Windhoek, will qualify for the next round of the world Cup Africa qualifiers with a match to spare.
Victor Moses was brief and precise, as congratulated the Eagles via Twitter:

 
Source: Vanguard
Source: Naij.com

TRAGIC: Famous Actress Found Dead In Her Home


Bollywood actress Jiah Khan, who made her debut starring opposite acting legend Amitabh Bachchan, died in an apparent suicide at her home in the Indian city of Mumbai, police said on Tuesday.
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The 25-year-old Khan, who grew up in London before moving to India for a career in Bollywood, was found dead in her home by her family, an officer said. Police were interviewing her neighbours, the officer said, adding that no suicide note was found.
"We suspect she hung herself at her home" late on Monday, a police official told AFP, saying that her body has been sent for a post mortem.
Khan made her Bollywood debut in 2007 with the controversial film "Nishabd" (No words), playing the role of a teenager in love with her best friend's much older father, played by Bachchan.
The movie received average reviews because of its provocative storyline but Khan was praised for her bold acting.
Khan, who changed her name from Nafisa Khan, went on to star alongside actor Aamir Khan in "Ghajini", a box-office hit.
India's film industry reacted with shock and sadness to the news, with actress Sonam Kapoor, a contemporary, tweeting: "Rip Jiah khan. Terrible tragedy.. Very very shocking and disturbing news."
"Nobody should be in so much pain and a state of such hopelessness. I hope her soul finds some respite in death. #ripjiahkhan."
Bachchan, when contacted by AFP on Tuesday, only said: "Shocked and disturbed."
Actress Bipasha Basu tweeted: "#Rip Jiah Khan!God bless her soul!"
Khan's latest film "Housefull" was a comedy released in 2010, which also starred Akshay Kumar and Deepika Padukone.


Military Arrest 55 Terrorists In Borno, Others Flee To Niger

According to the military sources, a major recruiter for Boko Haram was arrested in Maiduguri.Military Arrest 55 Terrorists In Borno, Others Flee To Niger
The Nigerian military said on Wednesday that it has dislodged all the terrorist camps operated by the Boko Haram in some areas of Yobe State and arrested 49 members of the sect in various operations in the state.
The military also said many Boko Haram members were fleeing to neighbouring Niger Republic through Nigeria’s porous borders.
The interior ministry had said in May that Nigeria had about 1,500 illegal borders that are poorly manned.
In a statement by the Director of Defence Information, Chris Olukolade, the military said the suspects were arrested in various locations in the state by the Joint Task Force following a tip off by some locals.
Various weapons including AK 47rifles, locally made pistols, and ammunition were recovered by the troops during the operation in Rugan Fulani, Arikime, Afghanistan and Ngandu villages.
The JTF team led by B.E. Inyang said all terrorist camps had been dislodged while some of the terrorists fled towards Niger Republic.
It, however, said some criminals still terrorise the state under the guise of Boko Haram.
“The DHQ team was also informed of a trend whereby some particular crimes have now taken the place of terrorism as the criminals now resort to brigandage, robbery and attempted assassination of business rivals,” Mr. Olukolade said.
He assured residents of Yobe of safety of lives and property and encouraged citizens with vital information to provide the soldiers with them as they rid the state of the insurgents.
Success in Borno too Mr. Olukolade also said a key terrorist who specializes in recruiting young men into the Boko Haram has been apprehended by troops in Maiduguri following a tip off.
He said the suspect, who allegedly also watches over the insurgents’ armoury, was arrested in one of the cordon and search operations by the Special Forces. The soldiers also arrested another group of 5 insurgents, all from Niger Republic.
They were arrested when troops stormed their hideout at Mallam Fatori as they attempted to escape in two Toyota Cruiser Jeeps, Mr. Olukolade said.
He said the soldiers have continued to patrol the notorious Sambisa forest and are also cordoning the Alou forest and Gwoza Hills. “More abandoned vehicles, weapons and other items are being recovered in the camps of the insurgents,” he said.
He listed some of the recovered arms as rifles, double barrel guns, various charms and amulets, machine guns, as well as pairs of camouflage uniforms, bows and quiver and assorted rifle magazine. Others are handset, walkie talkie, car number plates and some food items.
“Abandoned vehicles recovered include a Golf Car, a Honda, Customs Pickup Van, Honda (2003 Model) and a Volkswagen Monte Carlo,” the military spokesman said. Mr. Olukolade said police stations are now being reopened in some parts of Borno State. “At Kirenowa, detachments of Police Anti-Terrorist unit have been deployed to complement security in the area,” he said.
The spokesman said the defence headquarters had organised a tour of the operational areas of the JTF for selected local and foreign Journalists. He said the tour is to ensure that “the media have a first-hand information on the situation in the operational areas.”
The federal government officially declared the Boko Haram as terrorists on Tuesday.


Source: Premium Times
Source: Naij.com