Blog

Ronaldo

Turin (Italy), Dec. 29, 2018 (Reuters/NAN) Cristiano Ronaldo on Saturday scored a brace, with the second goal a contentious penalty kick, to give Juventus a dramatic 2-1 win over Sampdoria.

Sampdoria also had a stoppage-time equaliser chalked off following a long Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review in Serie A.

Riccardo Saponara thought he had given Sampdoria a point when he curled a delightful shot past Mattia Perin and was booked for throwing off his shirt as he celebrated.

But, after a delay of nearly three minutes, referee Paolo Valeri ruled that there had been an offside in the build-up.

It was one of three VAR decisions in a game which also saw Sampdoria’s 35-year-old forward Fabio Quagliarella score for the ninth Serie A game in a row.

It made him the first player to do so since David Trezeguet in 2005.

Leaders Juve meanwhile reached the season’s halfway mark with 53 points out of a possible 57, a Serie A record for a 20-team championship.

Sampdoria coach Marco Giampaolo described Juve’s penalty kick, awarded for handball by Alex Ferrari, as absurd.

“The penalty kick given to Juventus was a present,” he said.

“We can talk about this until the day after tomorrow, but you can’t give a penalty kick like that. Otherwise, every Sunday will turn into a mess. That handball decision was absurd.”

Ronaldo gave Juventus the lead after two minutes, collecting Paulo Dybala’s pass and cutting inside to score with a low shot.

Former Juventus forward Quagliarella levelled in the 33rd minute from a penalty kick awarded after the ball hit the back of Emre Can’s outstretched arm as he jumped for it.

The referee gave the penalty kick after looking at the incident on the pitchside monitor.

Juve’s winner also came from a handball, although the ball only brushed Ferrari’s arm which did not appear to be outstretched.

The referee immediately pointed to the spot, but Ronaldo had to wait more than two minutes to take his kick, while the incident was reviewed on the pitchside monitor.

The Portugal forward took his tally to 14 goals, making him Serie A’s top goalscorer.

Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri said he believed his side needed 37 more points from their remaining 19 games to make sure of an eighth successive title.

“VAR is an important instrument,” he said. “There were two penalty kicks, both awarded with the use of VAR, one confirmed and one under a review.

“Looking at it that way, it was either both or neither. In Italy, we create too many controversies.”(Reuters/NAN)
VO/OLAL
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

Modeling

By Taiye Baiyerohi

Lagos, Dec. 29, 2018 (NAN) Miss Nigeria in 1989, Wunmi Ogunbiyi, and currently a General Manager with Zenith Bank Plc on Saturday advised models to tap into other aspects still untapped.

She said that  modeling was beyond just being  a model in present day Nigeria.

Ogunbiyi, 49,  who was Miss Nigeria in 1989 and had 28 years  of experience in modeling said that other areas of modeling waiting to be explored include: model directors, agents, managers.

She listed  others as:  establishing  modeling agencies,  masterclass modeling schools and more.

She said  this during the maiden “Style by Zenith” fair, in the modelling masterclass session with the theme: “Modelling Masterclass” held at Oniru, Lagos.

The ex-beauty queen said that most  intending models had embraced fashion, photography, commercial, editorial, clothing, runway modeling over the years but had  failed to groom other aspects.

She said other aspects were equally lucrative and would encourage the growth of the nation’s modeling industry.

”Intending models can also embrace being a modeling instructor, director, agent and even establishing masterclass modeling schools which are very few in Nigeria now.

”Embracing these aspects of modeling will give room for a sporadic growth of the modelling industry because a lot of intending models are out there waiting  to be trained,” she said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the “Style by Zenith” fair was organised by Zenith Bank and Fashion One to showcase fashion, media, automobile, food, accessories, music and art industry’s  products.

Intending models were enlightened on what to do to become super models by local and international resource personnel at the fair.

Over 200 exhibitors displayed their products at the fair.

Earlier, Tarmar Awobotu, a Nigerian  supermodel,  shared some lifestyle routines that could be imbibed by aspiring models  to make them become outstanding models.

She said that  a model should always  eat heathy foods, engage in exercising, maintaining good hygiene, taking a lots of water, and  maintaining healthy skin.

”As an outstanding model, you must ensure you take proper care of your skin, eat healthy, exercise, maintain a moderate shape, good hygiene, take lots of water,” she said.

Awobotu said that every model should aspire to be supermodels which signified their level of consistency on the job over time.

”Supermodels have worldwide reputation and are well paid.  So, every model must aspire to be supermodel  and this only comes when you are consistent.

”Don’t take just any job that comes to you, pick up the unique ones that will sell you as a model,” she said.

Also Bonang Metheba, a South-African Television Personality, urged models to explore various social media platforms to showcase their potential in modeling like the artistes.

She also told models to re- evaluate themselves if they had passion for the profession as there would be no remarkable growth if they did  not have passion for their career.

Mr Akin Ogunranti, the General Manager  of the bank,  advised visitors to patronise the bank  for them to benefit from it.

”Open an account with us today and we will support you financially in pursuing your desired career.

”We will open all account free for you here at the fair,” he said.

NAN reports that the fair commenced  on Dec. 29 and will  end  on Dec. 30.

Artists such as:  Simi, Adekunle Gold, Kizz Daniel, Mayorkun, Wande Coal, Burna Boy, Timaya, 2Baba and Waje thrilled visitors at the fair. (NAN)

PTB/FF/

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Edited by Fela Fashoro

EPL
Brighton (UK), Dec. 29, 2018 (Reuters/NAN) Brighton & Hove Albion’s Dutch striker Juergen Locadia pounced just before the hour for them to beat an unlucky Everton side 1-0 in their English Premier League clash on Saturday.

After a pedestrian opening 45 minutes, tempers flared in the second half of Everton’s 4,500th game in the English top-flight.

When their forward Richarlison went down injured, Brighton declined to put the ball out of play.

The home side then took the lead in bizarre fashion as a Pascal Gross corner kick struck Everton midfielder Andre Gomes.

The ball dropped to Locadia who swivelled before smashing it home.

The goal was initially disallowed as Locadia was in an offside position, but referee Andrew Madley reversed his decision after consulting his assistant.

He ruled that no Brighton player had touched the ball before Locadia struck.

In spite of having a tough afternoon against Brighton centre-backs Shane Duffy and Lewis Dunk, Brazilian Richarlison almost hit back immediately for the visitors.

But his wicked shot was deflected onto a post by goalkeeper David Button.

Kurt Zouma also hit the woodwork for Everton, sending his header from Gylfi Sigurdsson’s free kick onto the crossbar in the dying minutes.

The defeat left Everton with their fourth defeat in seven league games in December. (Reuters/NAN)
KIA/OLAL
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

Keita gives Inter hard-fought win at Empoli

Serie A

Milan (Italy), Dec. 29, 2018 (Reuters/NAN) Third-placed Inter Milan needed a second-half goal from Keita Balde to earn a hard-fought win away to lowly Empoli in Serie A on Saturday.

The Spanish-born Senegalese international met Sime Vrsaljko’s low cross with a first-time shot on the turn in the 72nd minute as Inter reached the halfway mark of the championship with 39 points.

The Milan side are now 14 behind leaders Juventus.

It was Inter’s third 1-0 win in their last four league matches, although they performed in fits and starts.

They also needed a good save by Samir Handanovic from Miha Zajc to prevent Empoli going ahead at the start of the second half.

Promoted Empoli’s fourth successive league defeat left them 17th in the 20-team table with 16 points, one place above the relegation zone. (Reuters/NAN)

KIA/SA

Edited by Salif Atojoko

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Funtua (Katsina State),  Dec. 29, 2018(NAN) The Chairman, Campaign Council for  Gov. Aminu Masari re-election, Mr Mustapha Inuwa, says candidates of opposition political parties in Katsina State only exist on billboards.

Cardiff earn first away win with late Camarasa strike at Leicester

EPL

Leicester (UK), Dec. 29, 2018 (Reuters/NAN) A 92nd-minute goal from midfielder Victor Camarasa and a penalty save from goalkeeper Neil Etheridge ensured Cardiff City beat Leicester City 1-0 for their first away victory of the Premier League season on Saturday.

Claude Puel’s Leicester, carrying momentum from consecutive wins against Chelsea and Manchester City, dominated the early exchanges at the King Power Stadium.

They then came close with long-range efforts from James Maddison and Ricardo Pereira.

Leicester had their best chance of the first half in the closing stages when Jamie Vardy was slipped through by Maddison, only for the striker to shoot straight at Etheridge.

The hosts looked certain to claim consecutive home wins for the first time this season when Maddison was clipped inside the box by defender Sean Morrison.

However, they were denied thanks to Etheridge’s heroics.

With Leicester supporters heading towards the exit, Camarasa curled the ball past goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel from the edge of the box to secure a dramatic win.

The victory takes Neil Warnock’s Cardiff up to 16th place in the league standings, four points clear of the relegation zone. (Reuters/NAN)

KIA/SA

Edited by Salif Atojoko

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Rampant Wolves raid Wembley to hurt Spurs’ title hopes

Dent

London, Dec. 29, 2018 (Reuters/NAN) Tottenham Hotspur’s status as Premier League title chasers was seriously harmed on Saturday as they fell to a first defeat in seven league games.

The North London side gave away the lead to go down 3-1 at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Harry Kane fired a largely unimpressive Spurs side in front midway through the first half, picking the ball up from deep out wide, cutting inside and finding the top corner from outside the area.

The goal was Kane’s fourth in three league games but was not enough to see off the dogged visitors.

Wolves had taken points off some of the biggest teams such as Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United in their return to the top flight.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side levelled in the 72nd minute with a towering header from a corner from French defender Willy Boly.

Mexican forward Raul Jimenez then gave them the lead in the 83rd minute and Helder Costa sealed the win with a counter-attack goal in the 87th.

A first home defeat since late October leaves second-placed Tottenham six points adrift of Liverpool, who can widen that gap when they host Arsenal later on Saturday.

Manchester City could reclaim second spot if they win at Southampton on Sunday. (Reuters/NAN)

KIA/SA

Edited by Salif Atojoko

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• Pull-out
  By Moses Omorogieva /Mateen Badru
  Lagos, Dec. 29, 2018 (NAN) Former Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Fatai Owoseni, and nine other senior police officers, were pulled out from the Force on Saturday after 35 years in service.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Owoseni was police commissioner in Lagos from July 1, 2015 to September 1, 2017.

NAN reports that the retiring officers were pulled out at a colourful ceremony in Lagos amidst cheers by family members, colleagues and other dignitaries.

Deputy Inspector General of Police, Force Criminal Intelligence Investigation Department (FCIID), Peace Ibekwe Abdallah, who represented I-G Ibrahim Idris, commended the retiring officers for their service to the nation.

“Congratulations to all the retiring senior officers and to their families, we say a big thank you for the support.

“As you bow out today, the I-G, the entire police and the nation say a big thank you. You have served well and God will reward you abundantly,” she said.

A retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Mr Tunji Alapini, who represented Police Service Commission (PSC) Chairman, Musiliu Smith, also advised the retiring officers to be wary of the environment they were retiring to.
“You are retiring into a new world, the world of the police is different from the world of retirement. A lot of people are waiting for you thinking you have money to invest, you have to be wary and careful.
“Please, be faithful to your family,” he said.

Speaking at the ceremony, Oba  Saheed Ademola Elegushi of Elegushi Ikate, commended the retiring police officers for their service to the nation.
“I know how passionate you are about the country. How you work to keep the country safe.

“We Nigerians often forget where we come from. Nigeria’s problem has been there for a while and it will take more than four years to solve.
“It is just for our government to the right thing,” he said.

Also speaking, the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Rasheed Akanbi, commended the retiring police officers for their service to the nation.

“I understand what the police stand for as they have made Nigeria more secure, they are the greatest law enforcement agents,” the monarch said.

Among the retiring officers were AIG Abdul Bube, AIG Hilda Ibifuro-Harrison, CP Agyole Abeh, CP Joseph Agaji and CP Gbemisola Akinpelu.

Others were CP Bello Ahmed, CP Abdullahi Ibrahim, CP Bello Yahaya, CP Adekinte Ademoju, CP Wakili Maye, CP Fave Semili and CP Ahmed Magaji.

NAN further reports that 55 police officers of the ranks of Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Commissioner of Police (CP), Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) and Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) retired from the force across the country.(NAN)
BOM/MIO/WOJ

Edited by Wale Ojetimi

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Funtua (Katsina State), Dec. 29, 2018(NAN) The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC),Adams Oshiomhole, has said that the party deserves 100 per cent votes from Katsina State during the 2019 general elections.

Oshiomhole stated this during the flag-off of the campaign for the re-election of Gov. Aminu Masari of Katsina State on Saturday in Funtua, in the state.