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Unsafe Roads: Ahmed Musa Opts Out Of Kano Pillars Away Games

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Kano Pillars’ new high-profile signing, Ahmed Musa, is set to miss over 80 percent of the team’s away matches as the second stanza of the Nigeria Professional Football League begins April 28.

The announcement of the Super Eagles captain as Pillars’ new signing elicited excitement among fans of the domestic league, but our correspondent learnt that the former Leicester City forward told the club’s management in clear terms that he would not be available for away games.

Chairman of the club Surajo Yahaya confirmed that although the player would be available for every home fixture, he would not be part of most of their away games.

“Ahmed Musa is a big player and at the moment we know the economic situation of the country and the bad roads in some regions. He is going to honour all our home matches and if there is an available flight in the state we have an away game, then he is going to attend,” Yahaya told journalists.

“He did not say that he’s totally going to be unavailable for our games on the road, but he is going to attend those matches by flight, but for the games that are close by, like a game at Katsina or Bauchi, he is ready to go. But we need to provide good facilities for him,” Yahaya added.

With the revelation, Musa is expected to make his debut for Pillars on May 5, when the Sai Masu Gida welcomes Enyimba. He’ll miss the team’s next two games against Warri Wolves and Plateau United.

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BREAKING: CAF Slams Libya $50,000 Fine, Awards Super Eagles 3 Points

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The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has imposed a $50,000 fine on Libya over the “inhumane treatment” inflicted on the Nigerian national team, while awarding the Super Eagles three points and three goals.

This was revealed by Super Eagles captain, William Troost-Ekong, in a post on his X handle on Saturday.

The decision follows CAF’s investigation into Libya’s maltreatment of the Super Eagles upon their arrival in the North African nation for the return leg of the African Cup of Nations qualifiers.

“CAF awards three points and three goals to Nigeria. Libya fined $50,000.

“Plane was diverted 300km from scheduled airport even when the pilot told them he was low on fuel.

“One step closer to our target AFCON 2025,” Troost-Ekong wrote.

 

More to come…

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BIG STORY

U-17 Women’s World Cup: Flamingos Beat Dominican Republic, Face US In Quarter Finals

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With an 89th-minute late goal, Nigeria’s women’s U-17 national team, the Flamingos, beat hosts Dominican Republic early Wednesday in Santo Domingo in the ongoing 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.

Midfielder Shakirat Moshood collected the ball from 25 yards and launched a powerful left-footed strike at goal which went past the Dominican goalkeeper, marking her fourth in the tournament.

Earlier, 15 minutes into the game, Moshood’s attempt was ruled offside by the Video Assistant Referee, before team captain Taiwo Afolabi struck to force the Dominican goalkeeper to a save.

After half-time, the Flamingos kept piling the pressure on their opponents before Moshood found the net.

The win is the Flamingo’s third consecutive as they emerged Group A leaders, above Ecuador, hosts Dominican and New Zealand.

The win in their final group game has helped them amass a total of nine points.

The Flamingos have been in blistering form in the South American nation, winning their first two games, scoring eight goals, and conceding just one

Coach Bankole Olowokoore’s side began the tournament with an emphatic 4-1 win over New Zealand in the Group A opener at Cibao Stadium in Santiago de los Caballeros and followed that up with another impressive 4-0 victory over Ecuador.

Olowokoore had expressed confidence that the girls would make Nigeria proud at the tourney, saying, “I will not change our messages to Nigerians but to thank and appreciate them for their support.

According to the X handle of the FIFA U-17 WWC, the Nigerian game is the highest-attended football match for any Dominican Republic National Team, which saw a record of 13,535 spectators.

The Flamingos will face their United States counterpart in the quarterfinal bout of the tournament.

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BIG STORY

AFCON: CAF To Decide Libya Vs Nigeria Case Wednesday

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The Confederation of African Football will announce its decision on Wednesday regarding the “botched AFCON qualifying Group D” match between Libya and Nigeria, which was supposed to take place at “Benina Martyrs Stadium” on October 15.

According to “Libya Al-Ahrar Channel,” CAF will reveal the final decision concerning the players’ ordeal during the first leg in Nigeria, which ended 1-0 in favor of the “Super Eagles,” and the reverse fixture that would have taken place at Libya’s first all-seater stadium, with a capacity of 10,550.

The outlet also mentioned that the “Libyan Football Federation” submitted all necessary documents, with a specialized lawyer assigned to oversee the Libyan file with CAF.

A day after the canceled match, CAF removed the fixture from its calendar and announced the cancellation just hours before kick-off, referring the matter to the “Disciplinary Committee” for further consideration.

In a statement released on Monday, the “Libyan Football Federation” criticized the actions taken by the Nigerian team for refusing to play against Libya and confirmed its intent to take all legal steps to safeguard the interests of their national team.

Nigeria arrived for the match on October 14, but their flight was redirected to “Al Abraq International Airport,” which is around three hours by road from “Benghazi,” the match venue. The Libyan authorities held the Nigerian team for 17 hours, causing them trauma before they eventually returned home.

Nigeria filed a complaint with CAF, recounting their experience. Meanwhile, the “Libyan Federation” claimed that the Nigerian team was uncooperative during both the first and second legs, stating their own experience in Nigeria was far worse compared to what they went through during the first leg.

CAF described the situation involving the Nigerian team in Libya as “extremely dangerous.” CAF further stated that it had been in contact with both the “Libyan” and “Nigerian authorities” after the Nigerian team was subjected to troubling conditions at the airport for several hours.

The matter has been referred to the “Disciplinary Committee” to investigate and take appropriate measures against those who breached regulations.

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