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AFCON: Nigeria pulls out of Tuesday’s away game against Libya; team still stranded

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Nigeria Football Federation has decided to pull the Super Eagles out of Tuesday’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Libya.

This follows a frustrating 12-hour ordeal at Al Abraq International Airport in Libya, where the team has been stranded since their arrival on Sunday afternoon.

The Nigerian delegation was en route Benghazi for the crucial qualifier when their chartered aircraft was reportedly diverted mid-flight to Al Abraq, a small airport typically reserved for hajj operations.

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The unexpected situation left players and officials stranded without any assistance from the Libyan Football Federation, which failed to provide transportation.

In a statement on Monday, the NFF detailed the chaotic situation, explaining that the team remained at the airport for over 12 hours, unable to reach their hotel in Benghazi, which is three hours away.

“The Nigerian delegation for Tuesday’s 2025 AFCON qualifier against Libya is still at Al Abraq Airport, 12 hours after landing. The chartered ValueJet aircraft was, strangely and in a dangerous manner, diverted to the small airport just as the pilot was completing his approach to Benghazi Airport”, the NFF stated.

The NFF further noted that the fatigued and frustrated players have now resolved not to play the match.

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Supporting the players’ decision, the NFF is currently arranging for the team to fly back to Nigeria, effectively pulling them out of the fixture.

“Players have resolved not to play the match any longer, and NFF officials are making plans to fly the team back home”, the statement further read.

Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong condemned the treatment by the Libyan authorities.

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AFCON 2025Q: Eguavoen excuses bereaved Nwabali from Amavubi clash

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Super Eagles caretaker coach, Augustine Eguavoen, has excused Stanley Nwabali from the team’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Rwanda

The Chippa United lost his father on Friday morning.

The former surveyor died at the age of 67.

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“He (Nwabali) has been excused from the game. However, the player will come to watch the match and cheer his team mates on,” team administrator, Dayo Enebi Achor, told thenff.com.

Eguavoen now has two goalkeepers, Maduka Okoye and Amas Obasogie available for the game.

The Super Eagles will host the Rwandans at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo on Monday.

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Gov Okpebholo Makes Six Fresh Appointments In Edo

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The Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has approved the appointment of six more persons to serve in various capacities in his government.

Those appointed include Dr. Emmanuel Paddy lyamu as the Executive Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB); Lucky Enehita-Inegbenehi as the Managing Director of the State Waste Management Board; and CP Friday Ibadin, Rtd, State Corps Commander, Edo State Security Corps Governance.

Others are Stainless M.I. Ijeghede as the Managing Director, Edo State Traffic Management Agency, (EDSTMA); Sir (Dr.) Lucky Eseigbe, as Managing Director, Edo State Public Building and Maintenance Agency; and Engr. Emmanuel Ehidiamen Okoebor, as Hon. Commissioner of Finance-designate.

In a statement on Friday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Fred Itua, made available to newsmen in Benin City, he said the six appointments take effect from November 15, 2024.

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Dr. Iyamu holds a Bachelor of Science and a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Benin. He is also a holder of Doctor of Science in Petroleum Resources from the European American University.

Iyamu is a strategic leader and renowned expert in security, business administration, human resources. An alumnus of Oxford University (Said Business School), he holds a Professional Doctorate in Leadership and Management from City University of Paris.

With over 15 years of experience, Dr. Iyamu has excelled across the banking, oil, and gas sectors, significantly improving corporate security and crisis management operations.

Until his appointment, Dr. Iyamu was the Chief Executive Oficer of Gabbem Integrated Services Lid, a leading company specialized in marine equipment and services.

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Similarly, the second appointee Enehita-Inegbenehi obtained his B.Sc. (Human Resource d M.Sc. in Strategic Leadership and Governance from the University of Cape Coast respectively.

He is a dynamic and result-oriented professional, with an extensive experience in leadership and human resource management. He has proven abilities to analyze complex issues, develop effective strategies and guide teams towards success while fostering professional growth.

Inegbenehi was the Chief Executive Officer of JEI Visions Iron Metals, JEI Visions Service Apartments as well as JEI Visions Cleaning Services.

The third appointee CP Ibadan worked and retiredY from the Nigeria Police after a meritorious 35 years of service. He was one of the 11 officers seconded to the United Nations Mission in Kosovo and was a regional officer in the Headquarters.

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He has attended various security courses in Egypt, France, USA among others. CP Friday Obadin holds the Bachelor Degrees in Philosophy and Law, respectively and was later called to the Nigerian Bar in the year 2007.

He is a member of Afican centre from crime prevention research studies, Cairo, Egypt. He is happily married with children.

The fourth appointee ljeghede holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. He had a successful career in the Petroleum Industry, having worked and held sensitive positions, particularly in the Well Engineering and Safety Department in Shell Petroleum Development Company Nigeria Ltd.

He retired from the Service of Shell after a meritorious service.

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The fifth appointee Eseigbe obtained his LL.B and LL.M at the Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma respectively. Until this appointment, Lucky Eseigbe Esq, was a Legislative Aide/Legal Adviser/Consultant to notable Honourable Members of the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria from year 2007 to November 2024.

The sixth appointee Okoebor was born on October 21, 1972. He had his first degree in Civil Engineering and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Benin, Benin City respectively.

Engr. Okoebor, MBA has over 25 years of experience in the Banking Sector, including roles at the Standard Trust and United Bank of Africa (UBA).

He rose through the ranks in the Banking Industry to the position of Assistant General Manager (AGM) and is currently Regional Manager, United Bank of Africa (UBA) overseeing 15 Business Offices.

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Engr. Emmanuel Ehidiamen Okoebor MBA is also a member of the Nigerian Society of Engineers and a registered member of COREN.

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Just in: Tyson well beaten in heavyweight comeback, by Youtuber Jake Paul

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Tyson, 58, could hardly lay a punch during the eight-round bout at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, with Paul winning by big margins on all three cards – 80-72, 79-73 and 79-73.

Paul, 27, used his superior speed and movement to dominate the ageing Tyson with ease, and had the former undisputed heavyweight champion in trouble after landing a flurry of punches in the third round.

Yet the younger fighter was unable to land the knockout blow he had promised to deliver during Thursday’s ill-tempered weigh-in, where Tyson slapped him across the face.

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Tyson, however, looked every bit of his 58 years, managing to land only a handful of meaningful punches during the fight.

Final statistics showed Tyson connected with just 18 of 97 punches thrown while Paul threw some 278 punches and landed 78 of them.

As the final seconds of the eighth round counted down, Paul could even afford to bow in respect to Tyson before the bell sounded. (AFP, excluding headline)

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