Author: Lanre Akilu

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim believes Marcus Rashford was unable to see football “the way I see it” before the unwanted England striker was shipped out of Old Trafford. The 27-year-old Rashford fell dramatically out of favour with the Portuguese boss and spent seven weeks on the sidelines until he was loaned to Premier League rivals Aston Villa during the transfer window. “I couldn’t put Marcus to see the way you’re supposed to play football and to train the way I see it,” Amorim said on Thursday. “And sometimes you have one player that is really good with one coach,…

A viral video shared on Facebook by a user identified as Adigun Abraham Tope has stirred controversy after showing President Bola Tinubu seemingly ignoring his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, while greeting others before departing. The footage, which has been widely circulated, captures a moment where Tinubu deliberately shakes hands with several individuals but appears to bypass Gbajabiamila. The incident has fueled speculation and debate over the relationship between the President and his Chief of Staff. Gbajabiamila, who has served as Tinubu’s Chief of Staff since 2023, is yet to comment on the incident. Meanwhile, social media users have been…

A federal judge on Wednesday blocked Donald Trump’s attempt to restrict birthright citizenship in the United States in a blow to the president’s bid to end a right enshrined in the Constitution for more than a century. The ruling indefinitely bans enforcement of one of Trump’s most controversial executive orders, which was due to come into effect nationwide on February 19. “The denial of the precious right to citizenship will cause irreparable harm,” District Judge Deborah Boardman was reported as saying during the hearing at a Maryland court. She noted that Supreme Court precedent protects birthright citizenship, adding that Trump’s…

The Senate has formally announced the defection of Senator Ned Nwoko (representing Delta North) from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), following his recent resignation from the opposition party. Citing worsening instability and internal crises within the PDP, Nwoko stated that the party’s current state poses a threat to his political career, prompting his decision to switch allegiance. Thunderous chants erupted as he was escorted to the majority wing of the Upper Chamber. In addition to his defection, the senator in a correspondence read by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, urged the…

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has backed Northern Star leader, Najaatu Muhammad, in her claims against the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu. Muhammad, in a viral TikTok video, alleged that Ribadu, during his tenure as Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), discredited President Bola Tinubu and other top politicians now in government. She claimed that Ribadu, in 2007, vowed to frustrate then-Governors Tinubu, George Akume of Benue State, and Orji Kalu of Abia State. However, Ribadu, through his lawyer Ahmed Raji, SAN, denied the allegations in a letter on Tuesday, demanding a public apology and…

The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, on Tuesday expressed satisfaction with the just-concluded budget defence sessions, commending lawmakers for their dedication in scrutinising the 2025 budget to ensure a workable financial plan for the year. The Senate President made the comment when he presided over the resumption of plenary after a two-week break. In the meantime, following President Bola Tinubu’s assent to bills establishing development commissions for various regions in the country, the Senate has conducted a minor reshuffle, appointing chairmen and deputy chairmen to oversee these commissions. According to Akpabio, Senator Babangida Hussaini and Senator Muntari Dandutse will…

Brazilian star Neymar on Monday ended his injury-plagued 18 month stay in Saudi Arabia as his club, Al-Hilal said they had “agreed to terminate the player’s contract by mutual consent”. “The club expresses its thanks and appreciation to Neymar for what he has provided throughout his career with Al-Hilal, and wish the player success in his career,” said a club statement posted on social media. The 32-year-old former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain forward played just seven times since joining the club in August 2023, despite a reported salary of around $104 million a year. Neymar, the subject of what is…

Manchester’s crisis-hit clubs face off in the Premier League when City host United on Sunday while Newcastle boss Eddie Howe badly needs a win against Leicester at St James’ Park. Leaders Liverpool, playing Fulham at Anfield, will expect to stretch their lead at the top of the table a day before second-placed Chelsea take on Brentford. AFP Sport looks at the major talking points ahead of the weekend action. Derby day for struggling Manchester clubs Manchester City’s run of one win in 10 games in all competitions is an unprecedented slump for the English champions during Pep Guardiola’s reign. Guardiola…

Crystal Palace and England defender Marc Guehi could face disciplinary action from the English Football Association (FA) after inscribing “I love Jesus” on his rainbow-colored captain’s armband during Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Newcastle United. The armbands, distributed to all 20 Premier League clubs, were part of Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces campaign, aimed at promoting LGBTQ+ inclusion in football. Under the Laws of the Game, “initiative slogans/emblems promoting the game of football, respect and integrity,” such as the Rainbow Laces campaign, are permitted. However, political, religious, or personal slogans, statements, or images are explicitly prohibited. A revision made last summer emphasised that…

Manchester United are unbeaten in their first three games under Ruben Amorim and have climbed into the top half of the Premier League table but the Portuguese faces the first real test of his managerial skills at high-flying Arsenal tomorrow. United, who are in ninth place 15 points adrift of leaders Liverpool, have struggled to score this season with 13 goals in their first 12 league matches, but the floodgates finally opened on Sunday when they thumped Everton 4-0 at Old Trafford. However, they travel to the Emirates knowing full well the scale of the task at hand, having lost…