The Nation Newspaper

Category: World Cup Russia 2018

World Cup 2018

  • FG: We’ll prosecute those who swindled World Cup fans

    The Federal Government has vowed to arrest and prosecute the airline travel agents who cancelled the return tickets of 230 Nigerian football fans stranded after the 2018 World Cup Tournament in Russia.

    The Nigerian Ambassador to Russia, Prof. Steve Ugba, said this in an online video statement made available by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Tope Elias-Fatile, in Abuja on Sunday.

    Ugba made government’s position known while addressing the stranded Nigerians in Moscow, Russia before their departure to Nigeria.

    Over 150 stranded Nigerian football fans besieged the Nigerian Embassy in Moscow on July 12 for assistance at the end of the 2018 World Cup tournament.

    The fans had alleged that their return tickets were cancelled abruptly by airline agents, resulting to their being stranded in Russia without any hope of returning to Nigeria.

    President Muhammadu Buhari had, on July 16, directed the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama; and his Aviation counterpart, Hadi Sirika, to evacuate the Nigerians to Abuja immediately.

    Sequel to the directive, a chartered Ethiopian Airline had, on July 20, conveyed the 155 stranded Nigerians back to Abuja.

    The envoy, in the 21-minute video, expressed gratitude to the President for ensuring that the stranded fans returned safely to the country.

    Ugba, who said that the Federal Government did not want the culprits to go scotfree, urged the victims to produce any document they had to enable the government track down the agents.

    “Give us any document that you have about the people who deceived you, or the people who scammed you, who did you 419 so that we can have them picked up and prosecuted in Nigeria.

    “We do not want them to go free. So, give us any document you have that will tell us who these people are.

    “We are waiting for them in Nigeria because the kind of behaviour that you exhibited here shows that you have character, shows that you have respect for yourselves, and shows that you have respect for Nigeria,” he said.

    “It is not a crime for you to come and at the end of the show, you want to go back. It is not a crime.

    “But it is a crime for the person who sold you tickets and then, the second leg of going back you do not have tickets anymore. So, it is not your fault.

    “We want to hold those responsible for this terrible behaviour to account for their action so that next time, they will not do the same,” he said.

    Ugba said that the nation was proud of the stranded fans to have made out time to cheer the Super Eagles in Russia.

    He said that the behaviour of the fans and the Super Eagles had earned Nigeria lots of friends in Russia.

  • World Cup: Nursing mother, 154 stranded Nigerians in Russia arrive Abuja

    A nursing mother and 154 out of 230 Nigerian football fans stranded in Russia after the 2018 FIFA World Cup arrived the country on Friday night.
     The stranded football fans including a nursing mother in her mid thirties came through Ethiopian Airline flight number ET-ALP that arrived Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport Abuja at about 9.12 p.m on July 20.
    The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama, who was at the airport to monitor their arrival, lauded President Muhammadu Buhari’s effort to ensure their safe return.
    He said that Mr President had directed that Nigerians, who were stranded in Russia after the 2018 World Cup tournament, should be evacuated immediately.
    According to him,  the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been monitoring the process of the evacuation, which is under the coordination of the Mission of Nigeria in Moscow.
    He said that 155 stranded Nigerians had been cleared to board an Ethiopian Airline flight to Abuja.
    ”The aircraft departed Domodedovo Airport in Moscow with the stranded Nigerians in the afternoon and arrived in Abuja this evening.
    Onyeama said he had been working very closely with the Minister of State for Aviation following President Buhari’s directive on the exercise.
    He recalled that some Nigerian football fans who were stranded had besieged the Embassy of Nigeria in Moscow on July 12.
    ”They were among the fans who travelled to the Russian Federation for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Tournament and were stranded after the events due to lack of funds for their upkeep.”
    The minister explained that there was also an allegation that some airline travel agents cancelled return tickets of their customers without informing them.

    He said that Mr President, however,  gave the directive that they should be evacuated with immediate effect at the expense of the government.

    Onyeama commended the good gesture of Mr President, saying those stranded were never part of government delegates to Russia.
    According to him, the Nigerian Mission had been supportive by making arrangements for the feeding and accommodation of the stranded Nigerians in hostels around Moscow.
    One of the returnees, Bamidele Fatai was full of praises to President Buhari for making their journey possible.
    He also thanked the Nigerian Mission in Moscow for giving them necessary support.
    Another returnee, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said he was swindled by an agent who cancelled his return ticket.
    He said he was in Moscow to support the Nigerian Football Team and to catch fun only to discover that his ticket had been cancelled when he was ready to return home.

  • AITEO Threatens to Quit Nigeria Football

    • Gives NFF 14-day ultimatum to resolve crisis

    Aiteo on Wednesday handed down a two week ultimatum for the leadership crisis rocking Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) be resolved, otherwise it will withdraw all its deal with the glasshouse.

    The major sponsor of Nigeria football  made this known in a signed statement made available on Wednesday afternoon.

    It reads, “The persisting situation makes it difficult for us, as a law-abiding entity, to operate responsibly within the demands placed on us.

    ”Accordingly, we are constrained to indicate that unless these issues are resolved satisfactorily in the manner dictated by the requirements of the world governing body FIFA within fourteen (14) days hereof, we will deem ourselves compelled to reconsider our position with respect to participation in the various arrangements in which we are involved.”

    The Africa Conglomerate company however called on well-meaning Nigerians to intervene on the glass-house crisis and also advised that this should be done to safe time as the 2019 African Cup of Nations beacons.

    “AITEO lends its voice to that of many well-meaning Nigerians to call for the quick and decisive resolution of the current issues especially as future campaigns for glory in the African Nations Cup are imminent.

    “Indisputably, certainty and stability with the leadership of the NFF remain pertinent to sponsors like us to continue to commit to the growth of Nigerian football in the manner that we have done,” it said in the statement.

    Aiteo has been sponsoring the Nigeria football since April 2017 and it played major sponsorship role in the just concluded FIFA 2018 World Cup for the Super Eagles.

  • FIFA: Musa, Ronaldo, Messi for World Cup Best Goal

    World Cup Best Goal: FIFA Nominates Ahmed Musa’s Goal

    Super Eagles forward, Ahmed Musa is in the race for the best goal at the just concluded  2018 FIFA World Cup.

    Musa’s goal at the Russia mundial has been shortlisted along with the likes of Ronaldo, Messi, and Modric.

    The player’s second goal in Nigeria’s victory against Iceland in the group stages joins seventeen other contenders in a contest to pick which one is the best.

    It is the last individual accolade to be presented by the football governing body having already named the best player (Luka Modric, Croatia), best young player (Kylian Mbappe, France), top goalscorer (Harry Kane, England), top goalkeeper (Thibaut Curtois) and Fair play team of the tourney (Spain).

    It is also a contest that is open to public voting. “Here is your chance to vote for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Goal of the Tournament, presented by Hyundai.

    “Choose below from our shortlist of the best 18 goals at Russia 2018 and cast your vote. Voting will remain open until Monday 23 July, so don’t miss this opportunity to pick your favourite!” FIFA wrote on their website.

    The 17 other goals Nominated by FIFA

    • Nacer Chadli Goal (Belgium-Japan)
    • Denis Cheryshev 1st goal (Russia-Saudi Arabia)
    • Denis Cheryshev Goal (Russia-Croatia)
    • Cristiano Ronaldo 3rd goal (Portugal-Spain)
    • Philippe Coutinho goal (Brazil-Switzerland)
    • Angel Di Maria Goal (France-Argentina)
    • Artem Dzyuba goal (Russia-Egypt)
    • Adnan Januzaj Goal (England-Belgium)
    • Toni Kroos Goal (Germany-Sweden)
    • Jesse Lingard Goal (England-Panama)
    • Dries Mertens goal (Belgium-Panama)
    • Luka Modric Goal (Argentina-Croatia)
    • Lionel Messi Goal (Nigeria-Argentina)
    • Nacho goal (Portugal-Spain)
    • Ricardo Quaresma Goal (IR Iran-Portugal)
    • Juan Quintero goal (Colombia-Japan)

  • Russia 2018: Time for Africans to be champions – Odegbami

    Ex-Nigeria international and sports administrator, Segun Odegbami, on Monday urged an African country to bring the World Cup to the continent.

    Odegbami told our reporters in Ota, Ogun State, that instead of mere participation in the tournament, it was time an African country to return home with the cup which had eluded the continent since the championship started in 1930.

    The sports administrator was reacting to the outcome of the just concluded Russia 2018 World Cup which France won by defeating Croatia 4-2 in the final in Moscow.

    France won the World Cup for the second time in a spectacular style in one of the most entertaining and action-packed games of the tournament.

    Read Also: Odegbami sends Goodwill Message

    The ex-international stressed the need for an African country to work hard so as to join the list of World Cup winners.

    Odegbami, however, commended France for their brilliant efforts to win the 2018 World Cup.

    According to him, the trophy went to the team that deserved it, adding that the French team used the final match to stamp their foot in the competition.

    “I salute France and all our African brothers in the victorious team for doing the black man proud,” he said.

    NAN

  • Dons hail World Cup champion France

    Two Associate Professors at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) on Monday congratulated France for emerging winners of the World Cup in Russia.

    The Nation reports that France beat Croatia 4-2 on Sunday at the just concluded tournament held at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.

    Chuka Chukwube, Associate Professor of Russia Language said that he was happy with France’s victory from a competition he described as “very interesting from the onset.”

    Chukwube said that he supported France at the finals because of the many black players of African descent that made up the team.

    “The world cup has been very dramatic and entertaining since it started with countries who paraded big stars being knocked out at the early stages.

    “France deserved to win because they had a complete representation of the human race in their team.

    “They had a lot of talented black players who rose to the occasion and delivered in terms of ball control, strategy and netting goals.

    “Paul Pogba and Kylian Mbappe were exceptional and played a major role to the opportunities that led to the goals, ” the professor said.

    Also, Boniface Igbeneghu, Associate Professor of French Language commended Croatia for getting to the finals for the first time in the history of the World Cup.

    Read Also: Russia 2018: Will Smith performs in closing Ceremony

    Igbeneghu said that the Croatians played well but were no match for the superior prowess of the French team which had different races from different countries.

    “I was confident all along that France will emerge winners of the World Cup; the French team played beautifully well and defended their quarter from conceding unnecessary goals.

    “I congratulate them for a well deserved victory, ” he said.

    Meanwhile, Jemike Okoroji, a French lecturer with Alliance Française said that the victory would be memorable for France that last won the World Cup 20 years ago.

  • Russia transfers World Cup hosting duties to Qatar

    Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday handed over mantle of the World Cup host to the emir of Qatar whose country will stage the 2022 edition of the tournament.

    The ceremony marked a handover from the world’s largest country by landmass to one of the smallest.

    Qatar has a population of 2.3 million people and an area slightly smaller than the U.S. state of Connecticut.

    Qatar’s size, as well as its broiling temperatures and lack of ready stadium infrastructure, have prompted some to question the decision by FIFA, soccer’s world governing body, to make it host.

    Qatar’s rulers, however, say they will rise to the challenge, with hours to go until the final between France and Croatia that will bring down the curtain on Russia’s hosting of this year’s tournament.

    Qatari Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, joined FIFA chief Gianni Infantino and Putin at the Kremlin ceremony.

    Putin, at the ceremony, expressed gratitude to footballers and fans alike.

    “Russia is handing over the relay baton for hosting the FIFA World Cup to Qatar.

    “We are proud of what we did for fans of this wonderful sport.

    “We ourselves, the whole country, got an enormous amount of pleasure from interacting with soccer, with the world of soccer and with the fans that came here from all over the globe.

    “I’m sure that our friends from Qatar will be able to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup on the same high level.

    “We are, of course, ready to share the experience we acquired in hosting the World Cup this year along with our friends,’’ the Russian President said.

    At the climax of the ceremony, Putin handed an official World Cup ball to Infantino, who then handed it over to the emir.

    The Qatari emir said his country would put in all its efforts to make a success of the 2022 World Cup.

    “We hope to overcome all the difficulties,” he said.

    He said his country would also try to outdo the success of the Russian team on the pitch, who surpassed expectations by reaching the quarter-finals.

    “Though it will be hard to repeat that success as we are a small country, but we are very keen on sport,’’ he said.

    In the build-up to this year’s World Cup, some Western politicians called for a boycott over Russia’s annexation of Crimea and allegations of assassinating its opponents overseas, which Moscow denied.

    There were also warnings from some campaign groups about the potential for hooligan violence, racist attacks and homophobia.

    The tournament, however, proceeded without any significant organisational hitches, violence and evidence of racism or harassment of visitors.

  • UPDATED: Russia 2018: France wins FIFA World Cup

    Adeyinka Akintunde

     

    France has won the 2018 FIFA World Cup, defeating Croatia 4-2

    Mario Mandzukic scored an own-goal to open scoring, with referee Nestor Pitana awarding a penalty to Les Blues after a confirmation from the  the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) after 38 minutes. Antonio Griezmann converted the spot kick, sending goalkeeper Subasic the wrong way.

    Read Also: Russia 2018: A World Cup of Surprises

    Paul Pogba scored the third on 59 minutes, before Kylian Mbappe found the net for France in the 65th minute

    Ivan Perisic and Mario Mandzukic however got the goals for the Croatians in the 28th and 69th minute.

    The final is a perfect summary of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in total, as included an own goal, a VAR decision and a penalty.

    Overall, Kylian Mbappe won the Young player of the tournament award, and Luka Modric won the Golden Ball as the best player of the tournament.

    Harry Kane got the Golden Boot as the highest goal scorer with six goals with Belgium goalkeeper, Thiabus Courtois winning the Golden glove as the best goalkeeper of the tournament.

  • Russia 2018: Will Smith performs in closing Ceremony

    American actor and musician, Will Smith was on stage to perform the 2018 FIFA World Cup theme song “Live it Up” at the closing ceremony.

    He performed alongside Era Istrefi in the song produced by Nicky Jam.

    The closing ceremony also saw Brazilian legend, Ronaldinho in the drums, while a song was on.

    France go to battle against Croatia to determine the new World Champions.

     

  • Russia 2018: A World Cup of Surprises

    Adeyinka Akintunde

     

    The 21st edition of the FIFA World Cup, hosted in Russia and won by France, which beat hard-fighting Croatia 4-2, will remain in the hearts of football lovers all over the world as one tournament filled with surprises from the beginning to the end. The football world was treated to one-month of suspense from Eastern Europe, where every prediction made turned out wrong.

    The surprises started right from the first kick of the ball on 14th June. The opening matches of the World Cup over the years have recorded low score lines of a draw, or a slim win, but nobody expected what the 2018 opening fixture had to offer. Russia, the lowest ranked team, going into the World Cup, stunned the whole world by beating Saudi Arabia 5-0 at the Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow.

    Yuri Gazinsky scored the first goal of the tournament with a fine header, after 12 minutes, before Denis Cheryshev, Artyom Dzyuba and Aleksandr Golovin all found the back of the net four different times, to break the Asian hearts.

    The hosts would go on to reach the quarter-finals stage, for the first time in their World Cup history, triumphing over 2010 FIFA World Cup winners Spain in the round of sixteen, before Croatia got the better of them in the last eight.

    At the Spartak stadium Moscow, two days after the opener, Argentina, two-time champions and a hot favourite to win the World Cup, were forced to a draw by new comers, Iceland.  Sergio Aguero had opened scoring for the La Albiceleste, and four minutes later, Alfreo Finnbogason equalized, scoring Iceland’s first ever World up goal.

    But the shock of the day came at the 63rd minute, when superstar Lionel Messi was awarded a penalty to win the game for Argentina. Iceland goalkeeper, Hannes Halldorsson saved it, leaving Messi and the world stunned.

    Argentina would go on to lose scandalously 3-0 to Croatia, and needed a last minute victory against Nigeria to advance to the round of sixteen, where they lost 4-2 to France.

    Read Also: Russia 2018: Brazil beat Mexico to reach quarter-finals

    Lionel Messi would love to forget Russia 2018 in a hurry, as it turned out a nightmare for him. Where his rival, Cristiano Ronaldo got four goal for Portugal in the tournament (which included a hat-trick against Spain on his first match day), the Argentine could only manage one goal, in the match against Nigeria.

    Germany was tipped to defend their title the won at the last edition, on the last day of this year’s fiesta. But they recorded a shock 1-0 loss to Mexico on the opening day, Hirving Lozano scoring on the counter attack after 35 minutes.

    Germany recovered with a last minute victory in the second match against Sweden, needing a draw in the last match against South Korea, but they lost 2-0, finishing last in the group, and thus, the tradition of a World Cup defending champion crashing out at the group stage, which began in 2002 with France (Brazil the only exemption in 2006), continued.

    Spain, 2010 winners, as well as Portugal crashed out at the round of sixteen, after failing to get the better of Russia and Uruguay respectively. Brazil lost in the quarter-finals against dark-horses Belgium, Uruguay fell to France in the last eight, and England broke the voodoo of losing penalty shootouts, when they sent Colombia home in the round of sixteen.

    Since 1982, Africa always had a representative at the knockout stage of the World Cup. That was not to be in 2018, as the five African representatives; Egypt, Morocco, Nigeria, Tunisia and Senegal all crashed out at the group stages.

    The Teranga lions had a close shave with qualification, having secured the same point and goal difference with Japan, but lost the place in the knock-out round with the introduction of the fair-play rule, that saw Senegal  receive six yellow cards in three group games, as against Japan been issued four.

    Belgium, a team tagged the dark horses of the show ended up as the highest scoring team of the competition with 16 goals. They finished the World Cup as bronze medalist, Thomas Meunier and Eden Hazard getting the job done for the Red Devils against England in Saint Petersburg.

    The new world champions, France, was not given a chance to shine in the showpiece. The Les Blues, 1998 World Cup winners, kicked off their campaign with two victories against Australia and Peru, securing a draw against Denmark in the group stages. They went on to beat South-American opponents, Argentina and Uruguay in the knockout stages and came out winner against Belgium in the semi-finals.

    Croatia on their part, with massive support from their president, Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović, who was in the stands watching the players, and in the dressing room to celebrate with them, came out group winners with maximum nine points in the “group of death” that included Argentina, Nigeria and Iceland. They survived two penalty shoot-outs against Denmark and Russia in the knockouts, before needing extra-time to beat England.