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Partey Ruins Eagles Party As Ghana Beat S’Eagles To W’Cup Ticket

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A poor display by the Super Eagles at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja Tuesday ensured Ghana’s Black Stars qualified for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar on the away goal rule after both sides played out a 1-1 draw in the second leg of their final play-off faceoff.

The Black Stars held the Eagles 0-0 in Kumasi on Friday, but they booked the ticket to Qatar after Thomas Partey’s opener was canceled out by a William Troost-Ekong penalty, but the Nigeria captain’s effort did not eventually count, as the visitors danced their way to the Middle East.

Eagles coach Austin Eguavoen made four changes to the team that earned a goalless draw at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi Friday, with Ademola Lookman on for Moses Simon, while Dennis Simon replaced the injured Samuel Chukwueze, Frank Onyeka taking the place of Kelechi Iheanacho and Calvin Bassey made his full debut ahead of Zaidu Sanusi.

Despite the Eagle’s bright start in front of a fully packed 60,000 capacity Abuja stadium, the Black Stars took the lead through captain Thomas Party in the 11th minute, the Arsenal midfielder unleashing a fierce low drive, which squeezed through the diving Francis Uzoho’s hands.

Nigeria began to mount pressure on its opponents immediately after going behind and began to carve out chances in search of the equalizer.

The three-time African champions had a penalty disallowed in Kumasi by VAR after the referee had initially blown for a penalty, but in the second leg on Tuesday, they were rewarded, after Ademola Lookman was brought down inside the box.

Captain William Troost-Ekong converted the resultant penalty kick, coolly sending goalkeeper Joseph Wollacott the wrong way to draw level in the 22nd minute and send home fans at the packed stadium into a frenzy.

Striker Victor Osimhen thought he had given the Eagles the lead in the 36th minute after the Napoli man met a long-range pass from Leon Balogun near the halfway line and bullied his way past his markers and Wollacott, but VAR ruled the goal for offside.

The Eagles were dominant, boasting 65 percent of the ball possession to Ghana’s 35, but they failed to convert their chances with Osimhen virtually isolated upfront.

Ghana made three substitutions just before the start of the second half, with Daniel-Kofi Kyereh, Andy Yiadom, and Elisha Owusu coming on for Abdul Issahaku, Idrissu Baba, and Jordan Ayew respectively. Eguavoen also brought on Abdullahi Shehu for Frank Onyeka, who copped an injury.

Emmanuel Dennis almost gave the hosts the lead in the 54th minute after he rose highest to head a looping corner from Lookman but missed narrowly.

With 30 minutes to play, Moses Simon came on for Lookman as Nigeria continued their search for the lead and tension heightened at the Abuja stadium, as the clock ticked, with the Eagles trying in vain to break down the resilient Ghana defense.

Osman Bukari, who had only spent less than five minutes on the pitch, almost put the visitors in front for the second time in the game but fired his effort marginally wide.

With just 13 minutes left, Eguavoen brought on experienced duo Ahmed Musa and Odion Ighalo but it was too little too late as the Black Stars held on to grab Africa’s first ticket to the World Cup in Qatar.

BIG STORY

BREAKING: PDP Expels Wike, Fayose, Anyanwu, Others For Anti-Party Activities

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The Peoples Democratic Party at its ongoing 2025 National Convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Saturday expelled high-profile members, including Federal Capital Minister, Nyesom Wike, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), former Governor Ayo Fayose, Austin Nwachukwu, and several others for anti-party activities.

The action was “promptly ratified by an overwhelming majority of delegates,” highlighting the party’s “commitment to restoring unity, discipline, and focus ahead of the 2027 general elections.”

This is according to the official statement released by @OfficialPDPNig across its social media handles, which read, “In a landmark move to restore unity, discipline, and focus ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at its ongoing 2025 National Convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, has expelled high-profile members Nyesom Wike, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), former Governor Ayo Fayose, Austin Nwachukwu, and several others.”

The statement added: “The decision, which was promptly ratified by an overwhelming majority of delegates, underscores the party’s commitment to eradicating internal divisions and anti-party conduct that have plagued its progress.”

Additional reports revealed that party chieftain, Chief Olabode George, who was also a former national vice-chairman of the party (south), moved the motion for the expulsion, while Samaila Buga, chairman of the PDP in Bauchi, seconded his motion.

Bala Mohammed, governor of Bauchi and chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, put it to a voice vote.

More details later…

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CAF Offers Free E-Visas To Fans For AFCON 2025

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The Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the AFCON Morocco 2025 Local Organising Committee have confirmed that football fans travelling to the tournament will be entitled to free electronic visas. The announcement was made in a statement released on CAF’s official website on Friday.

CAF noted that the initiative targets citizens of countries that typically require a visa to enter Morocco. It stated that “Electronic visas to enter Morocco — obtained through the YALLA app — are now free of charge for supporters attending the competition, which runs from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026”.

The football body explained that the update comes at a time when global interest in the tournament continues to rise, with fans increasingly securing seats via CAF’s ticketing platform.

CAF also stated that the use of a fan identification system would be mandatory for entry into all stadiums and designated fan zones. According to the organisation, “CAF Supporters can apply for both the Fan ID and e-visa in one place inside the YALLA app, streamlining travel and stadium access.”

It added that “The Fan ID application and e-visa request are completed seamlessly within the YALLA app, ensuring a faster, easier, and secure experience for international visitors and local fans alike.” Fans are required to download the YALLA app from Google Play or the App Store, or visit the YALLA website, complete the Fan ID registration, and, where necessary, submit the e-visa request.

Once these approvals are granted, supporters can proceed to purchase match tickets through CAF’s ticketing platform.

CAF said the new processes are aimed at delivering a smooth and secure experience for spectators as the competition prepares to unfold across nine stadiums in six Moroccan cities. The body added that “CAF, with support from the LOC, reaffirms its commitment to delivering a world-class spectator experience throughout Africa’s greatest football celebration.”

It also confirmed that a total of 298,000 tickets have been sold so far during the first two phases on its ticketing platform, with buyers from 33 African countries and 106 nations around the world.

CAF highlighted that the highest ticket demand has come from Morocco, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. The football tournament is scheduled to hold from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026 across the designated host cities in Morocco.

Nigeria has been placed in Group C alongside Tunisia, Uganda, and Tanzania, with the Super Eagles set to begin their campaign against Tanzania on December 23.

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Court Orders PDP To Allow Lamido Contest Chairmanship Position

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A Federal High Court in Abuja has directed the Peoples Democratic Party to make arrangements for former Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido, to contest for the party’s national chairmanship position in its forthcoming convention.

Justice Peter Lifu, who delivered the ruling on Friday, ordered the PDP to provide Lamido with the nomination form for the position and give him the opportunity to prepare for the election process.

In the judgment, Justice Lifu also restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission from supervising, monitoring, or recognising the outcome of any PDP convention conducted without including Lamido as a contestant for the position.

The court noted that evidence presented showed that Lamido was unjustly denied access to the nomination form required to contest for the National Chairmanship seat, in violation of the PDP’s Constitution and internal Regulations.

Justice Lifu held that the PDP had an obligation to create fair opportunities for its members to pursue leadership roles by putting in place deliberate mechanisms that allow them to realise their political aspirations.

The ruling further directed that the party’s planned national convention must be suspended until Lamido is allowed to obtain the nomination form, mobilise his supporters, and run his campaign in full.

The judgment stemmed from the suit filed by Lamido, in which he alleged that the PDP denied him the opportunity to contest the chairmanship position despite meeting all necessary requirements.

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