The Nation Newspaper

Tag: shines

  • Iheanacho shines as Man City bow to Liverpool

    Iheanacho shines as Man City bow to Liverpool

    • Ex-Eaglets’ star scores in penalty shoot out

    Red hot Nigerian teenage sensation, Kelechi Iheanacho, crowned a memorable outing for Manchester City at the pre-season’s International Champions Cup in Pittsburg by scoring in the penalty shoot outs as the Citizens lost to their English Premier League rivals, Liverpool 5-3.

    The keenly contested game was dragged into the lottery of penalty kicks after both teams played out to a 2-2 draw.

    In the ensuing spot kicks, established Manchester City super stars like Aleksander Kolorov, Yaya Toure and Jesus Navas all missed from the spot, it was only Iheanacho who converted his kick for his City’s consolation goal.

    Apart from the penalty kick he converted, the Flying Eagles star also had a hand in City’s second goal in the 67th minute when his low shot hit Jovetic’s legs on its way towards goal and the Montenegro international finished the move off comfortably. Last Sunday, the MVP of the last FIFA U-17 World Cup in the UAE banged his second consecutive goal for the club in their 5-1 rout of AC Milan.

    The talented forward had earlier scored his first goal on his debut for Manchester City against MLS side Sporting Kansas City in a club friendly.

    Manchester City coach Manuel Pellegrini has already paid tributes to Iheanacho, adding that he would love to keep him at the club.

    Iheanacho faces a battle to remain at City, with the club fighting to secure a work permit for him as he is still 17 and a foreigner.

    There were initial fears that Iheanacho might find it difficult to break into a star-studded Manchester City team, but with starts like this, he could be forcing his way into Pellegrini’s plans.

  • Joel Obi shines in Inter win over Madrid

    Joel Obi shines in Inter win over Madrid

    Nigeria International Joel Chukwuma Obi started for Inter Milan as they beat Real Madrid 3-2 on penalties after extra-time ended 1-1.

    Joel Obi was Inter Milan’s top battler in a physical contest that saw four yellow cards and feisty confrontations from players of both teams.

    It was the Nigerian midfielder’s third consecutive preseason game for Inter-Milan since re-joining the team after a loan spell at Parma last season.

    In the encounter Gareth Bale scored for Real Madrid in the 10th minute, unleashing a strike into the top left corner of the net from about 25 yards out.

    Mauro Icardi converted a penalty kick in the 68th minute to equalise after Referee Ricardo Salazar awarded the penalty kick for a foul by Sobrino on Inter newcomer Nemanja Vidic.

    The game remained locked at 1-1 forcing both teams to go into penalty kicks.

    Mauro Icardi drove the winner past diving goalkeeper Jesus Fdez in the fifth round of penalty kicks to lift Inter Milan past Real Madrid.

    The pre-season game is one among the series of games to be played at the International Champions Cup match.

    Obi will be hoping to be in the team on Tuesday when Inter-Milan battle Manchester United.

  • Odubajo shines for Brentford

    Substitute Moses Odubajo led Brentford to the Promised Land, as his artistry and innovation propelled the club to a comfortable 5-1 pre-season victory over Barnet on Tuesday night.

    Since joining the club that paid the wages of Sam Sodje in the past, the explosive Odubajo has been excellent with his world-class delivery.

    In a bid to freshen up the squad, team manager of Brentford Mark Warburton kept most his trusted players on the bench.

    When the inspired Odubajo came-on at the beginning of the second half, he ran rings around the Skrill Premier side’s defenders.

    Barnet took the lead when Charlie MacDonald scored, and the hosts had the initiative for some time in the match.

    Andy Yiadom got away from Jonathan Douglas in midfield and lifted a ball in to the box, MacDonald, in yards of space, controlled on his chest, turned and fired in to the bottom corner.

    The hosts pressed the visitors high up the pitch, chased balls deep in to corners and tackled hard.

    There were chances at both ends as the first half ticked towards the midway point.

    Some minutes after Brentford were back in the game. Judge got away on the left and cut back inside, his cross eluded Gray but not Dallas, who arrived at the far post and headed in.

    A Judge cross-cum-shot was blocked but the wide man did not have to wait much longer to get his name on the score sheet.

    Gray’s goal-bound shot, after he picked up a Bidwell cross, was blocked by Jack Saville for a corner.

    From the second delivery the ball came back to Gray, the striker’s first effort did not breach the defence but Judge was there, his first effort was blocked but he reacted quickest to dink the ball over Stack and in to the far corner.

    Brentford made seven changes at the break and four more on the hour mark, giving 22 players a run out.

    The strength in depth Brentford now possess was obvious as Moses Odubajo, Scott Hogan and Moore prospered against tiring defenders as Jake Reeves took over from Diagouraga in pulling the strings.

    Brentford’s fourth came from a half cleared corner, Bidwell played it down the line and Pritchard fed it across for Gray to roll in.

    Moore fired just over from 15 yards after good work by Odubajo and Hogan had a shot blocked before the fifth came.

    Moore grabbed his first goal in a First Team outing when his low shot took a deflection and flew in.

    Bonham denied MacDonald after the Barnet striker had been put through by Jon Nurse before Odubajo was fouled by Stephens and Brentford were awarded a penalty.

    Captain Kevin O’Connor aimed a fraction high and fired a powerful penalty over the crossbar.

    Reeves fired against the crossbar from an Odubajo lay off and Moore shot straight at Stack after Hogan had eased the gigantic Stephens off the ball by the corner flag and laid it back.Hogan had a shot blocked but Barnet perhaps ended slightly the better.

  • Musa shines in CSKA Moscow’s big win

    Musa shines in CSKA Moscow’s big win

    Nigeria World Cup star Ahmed Musa shone as he provided three assists for CSKA Moscow to trounce OFK Beograd of Serbia 4-0 in a pre-season friendly.

    The former JUTH FC of Jos player assisted Cote d’Ivoire star Seydou Doumbia for two of his three goals and he lasted 55 minutes before he was substituted.

    Ahmed Musa told AfricanFootball.com it was a good test for the Russian champions.

    “It was a good test,though we won 4-0,but our opponents put in their best, but we found the formula to break their defence,” Musa said.

    “Though I didn’t score a goal, I gave three assists and I am happy we won the game and played well.”

    The ex-VVV Venlo forward joined his team last week for pre-season training after he was given an extended break after playing at the World Cup in Brazil.

  • Alli shines in pre-season tour

    Alli shines in pre-season tour

    Dele Alli fired in a brace as  MK Dons thrashed St.  James’s Gate 6-0 in their first pre-season game of the 2014/2015 campaign on Monday.

    Alli, a player promoted from the Academy to the main team, opened the scoring when he latched on to Dean Bowditch’s sweet pass to fire a half volley past the St. James’s Gate keeper.

    He was decisive again as the Dons proved too strong for Gate – who were restricted for the large periods of the first half.

    The second goal arrived when Alli fired home from 20-yards after a quickly-taken free-kick on the right from the equally impressive Giorgio Rasulo.

    Alli still had enough to produce and he ran past the defenders with ease. He was a delight to watch from his midfield position.

    On the hour mark the Dons coach Karl Robinson introduced second-year scholar Ben Tilney in place of brace hero Alli and just a minute after that the Dons made it 3-0 with Hitchcock getting on the scoresheet with a neat close-range finish after a wonderful assist from Rasulo.

    Rasulo added the fourth with a neat finish, before Kabongo Tshimanga and Kyran Wiltshire completed the scoring.

    Meanwhile,The Dons ended their pre-season tour of Ireland with a 2-1 win over Bray Wanderers at the Carlisle Grounds.

    The skillful Nigerian was introduced at the beginning of the second half and he troubled the Irish side with his direct play and mobility.

  • Odubajo shines against Boreham Wood

    Odubajo shines against Boreham Wood

    Brentford boss Mark Warburton  included Moses Odubajo in his squad that faced Boreham Wood on Thursday, and the Nigerian winger performed decently in the club’s first pre-season match.

    Odubajo signed for the Championship side Brentford on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee on 27th June, 2014.

    The 20-year-old joined his new team-mates in the United States of America for an eleven-day training camp.

    But after looking sharp in the training sessions conducted in the last two weeks, the 51-year-old included Odubajo in his squad for the game.

    It was their first friendly ahead of the 2014/2015 Sky Bet Championship season against Boreham Wood and the Nigerian had a good performanece at the Boreham Wood’s Meadow Park venue of the match.

  • Team Elan shines at Fayrouz L’ Original show

    Team Elan shines at Fayrouz L’ Original show

    Like a group that had a date with history, Team Elan, at the weekend, emerged the winner of Fayrouz L’ Original show, a fashion contest, and walked away with the grand prize of $20,000 at the grand finale held at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

    When it was time for the two finalists, Team Elan and LoudTribe, to showcase their ensembles and for the judges to give their verdict, Team Elan was the first to go.  Its style was more contemporary and attracted good comments from all the judges.

    “It is simply breathtaking”, said Mai Atafo who also revealed that he would be rocking the white sandals that the team showcased.  Obviously delighted at the team’s performance, Kunabuti said: “It is amazing to see such talents in Nigeria. I’m learning a lot from these designers. From the comments by the judges, most of the guests already predicted Team Elan as the winner of the competition. When they emerged, the hall went on a frenzy. The L’Original team has also revealed that Team Elan will get to showcase their first collection at the next Lagos Design Fashion Week.”

    Though LoudTribe made use of the Ankara prints for most of their designs, they weren’t as creatively put together as their counterparts.  Much as they were also applauded by the judges, it was obvious they had been beaten to their game. However, Loud Tribe was rewarded with $4,000.

    The guests were not left out of the show, as some of them had the opportunity of winning designer outfits from Mai Atafo, Kinabuti, April by Kunbi, Orange Culture, Gozel Green.

    The event, which was anchored by popular compere, IK Osakioduwa of BBA fame, had all the trapping of a classic party, as the guests were put on the spot by Soundcity VJ, Adams, who manned the red carpet, among several paparazzi.  Also, popular on-air personality, Toke Makinwa, added some panache to the event.

    The show, which had Mai Atefo, April by Kunbi and Kinabuti as judges, kicked-off with a performance by sensational singer, Chidinma.  Similarly, sensational rapper, Phyno put up a scintillating performance at the event. His performance, just like that of Chidinma, was greeted with a loud ovation.

  • The Nation shines at Quill Awards

    The Nation shines at Quill Awards

    Your Newspaper of the Year, The Nation, was the toast of everyone at the weekend during the Promasidor Quill Awards.

    The event, which held at the Grand Ballroom of the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, brought together dignitaries and professionals in the media.

    Judges showered encomiums on the newspaper’s leadership for ensuring incisive investigation and analyses of issues affecting development and good governance.

    Multiple award-winning reporter and Head of The Nation Investigation Desk, Adekunle Yusuf, emerged winner in the CSR and Industry Reporting category. Yusuf’s winning entry details the collapse of industries in Kaduna and Kano states.

    The accolades at the Quills Awards came a week and a day after two of the paper’s reporters – Collins Nweze and Deji Ademigbuji – won the first and second runners-up prizes at the Citi Bank Awards for their incisive business reports.

    Ademigbuji is due to receive next month in Paris, France, the Schneider Prize for his report on Electronics Counterfeiting.

    Yusuf’s winning entry, titled: A Tale of Two Endangered Empires, was selected as the best among the several reports submitted in the category.

    “A tale of two endangered empires effectively gave a vivid illustration of the current socio-political life in Kano and Kaduna states. In his write-up, Mr. Yusuf stated that despite several initiatives by individuals and governments to arrest the declining economic fortunes of the two states, there is no hope that the lost glory of the once vibrant industrial hub is likely to be restored.

    “The judges were satisfied with the way the winner professionally examined the issues surrounding the decline in industrial activities in the empires and, therefore, considered his entry in-depth and outstanding,” the panel said.

    According to the panel of judges, chaired by Ambassador Patrick Dele Cole, a veteran journalist, Yusuf’s entry gives a vivid illustration of the current socio-political life in Kano and Kaduna states.

    Yusuf dedicated the award to workers and management of Vintage Press Limited, publisher of The Nation titles.

    Odimegwu Onwumere of National Pilot was the runner-up in the category with an entry, titled: CRS: Companies’ Fate in Nigeria.

    Another multiple award winner and Assistant Editor of The Nation Investigation Desk, Sina Fadare, was a runner-up in Best Report on Children category.

    Kunle Falayi (The Punch) and Isioma Madike (National Mirror) won the award.

    Fadare’s entry, titled: On the Trail of Oke-Ogun Tobacco Farmers, examined how children ended up as consumers of the dangerous substance after they were corralled into tobacco plantation by farmers.

    The Punch man, Falayi, who also won the Education Reporting category, was declared the overall winner. Besides the plaques, he also won a full scholarship to the prestigious Thomson Foundation in the United Kingdom (UK), where he will take a four-week course in Journalism to boost his reporting skill.

    Falayi, who started Journalism three years ago, said he was winning award for the first time.

    The reporter noted that he did not expect that such an honour would come early in his career.

    Other winners include: Gbenga Salau of The Guardian (Nutrition Reporting); Ayodele Ojo of The Sun (Best Photo Story); Daniel Obi of Business Day (Brand Advocate of the Year) and Obinna Odogwu, a student-writer (Future Award).

    The chairman of Promasidor Nigeria, Mr Keith Richards, said the Quill Award was borne out of the need to promote excellent reporting and professionalism in Nigerian media.

  • Osun shines at Brain Awards

    Its introduction of Opon Imo, the tablet of knowledge, five months ago, was hailed by many. Since then, the Osun State government has been receiving awards for the initiative. It picked up another award at the maiden edition of the Brain Awards at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos. OLATUNDE ODEBIYI reports.

    THE event was the first of its kind in the country. Brands got awards for exceptional performance.

    Brain Awards 2013, organiser of Brands in Nigeria Awards, honoured seven winners, including personalities, organisations and products.

    People came from far and wide to attend the ceremony at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

    Arriving in their exotic cars, they exchanged pleasantries from the ground floor, taking of pictures on the red carpet.

    The guests later moved to the first floor where the award was held.

    Inside the hall, B’ Clean Disk Jockey led by Sola Lawal supplied music which entertained guests.

    Guests converged on the fully air conditioned hall in various outfits including dinner, corporate and traditional wares. Those who followed the All Progressives Congress (APC) Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and wife, Kudirat wore white natives with orange caps.

    The hall was decorated in gold, white and black while the chairs were stylishly set around the tables which had glass vase with mercury like substance in it. There were music from Just Dance Entertainments, The Gliz, Solid Star and a young man simply identified as Victor.

    The event started with all guests standing as a Saxophonist – Yomi Sax led the National anthem with his instrument.

    Comedian, Gbenga Adeyinka anchored the event.

    In his opening remark, the Executive Producer of Brain Awards, Mr Gboyega Akusile, said the award was meant to celebrate brains coming from products, organisations and individuals in the country.

    “Brain award is meant for brands made in Nigeria, brands brought to Nigeria or brands doing well in Nigeria and we are here to celebrate seven of them,” he said.

    Akusile thanked all the sponsors and others who made it to the event despite traffic snarl and all other challenges.

    The award session followed.

    Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola led the pack of awardees. He got Information Technology Product award.

    Aregbesola was represented by Alhaji Mohammed.

    He thanked the organisers for the honour, saying that Osun State has branded its educational system through the provision of Opon Imo (Tablet of knowledge also known as I-pad) for students.

    He added that the Opon Imo has cut down the cost of education for students in Osun State and has brought technology to every nook and cranny of the state.

    “Opon Imo, he said, “is an hand held device that contains not only all the textbooks that the students will need in their classes but also past questions and lecturers that would be useful in their academics”.

    “Parents in Osun now through Opon Imo are becoming more technology inclined,” he said.

    Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi represented by Kayode Akinyemi said branding is a very crucial part of advertising in Nigeria.

    “We cannot mention products, personalities, or organisation without branding being mentioned. Ekiti State investment in branding has helped the state to achieve greater things”, Akinyemi said.

    Other awards given include: Political brand personality award to Alhaji Muhammed; Food Product of the year to Cowbell; Best Production of the year and sponsorship to MTN Project fame; Fastest growing creative agency of the year to Extreme Ideas; Telecom product of the year to Etisalat for easy click and Most impactful regulator of the year to Advertisers Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON).

    In attendance were General Manager The Nation, Soji Omotunde; President Public Relations Officers Consultancy of Nigeria, Jude Nwakanma; Mr Femi Adeniran; Nokia Marketing Manager, Jide Akinyemi; Hon Babatunde Adepitan; Hon Hakeem Bamgbola; Hon Omobolanle Akinyemi-Obe; Hon Abiodun Mafe; Comrade Kamal Salau-Bashua; Alhaji Jubreel AbdulKareem; Hon Ayodeji Joseph; Hon Joseph Bamigbose; Mrs Ngozi Anifowose; APCON Director, Job Onuara; Managing Director, Plural Media, Mr Bassey Rufort; Mr Peter Adebayo; Mr Ibrahim Anibaba; Managing Director, Extreme Ideas/ Extreme Music, Mr Steve Babaeko; Ambassador Kaniya Nndofia; Mr Seun Muyiwa, Head Corporate Communications Skye Bank Otegar Abram; and Hon Victor Adeyemi, among others.

  • 3SC 2 – 0 Kaduna United: Salami is MVP, shines again

    3SC 2 – 0 Kaduna United: Salami is MVP, shines again

    Gbolahan Salami shone again as Shooting Stars defeated Kaduna United 2-0 in a Nigeria league match Wednesday.

    Kaduna United gave 3SC a scare as the first half ended goalless, but Salami then opened scoring to the delight of the Ibadan fans in the 63rd minute with a free kick goal.

    Veteran left back Mutiu Adegoke made it 2-0 with another free kick goal in the 71st minute.

    Man of the Match Salami told MTNFootball.com he was delighted to get his fifth goal of the season.

    “I am very happy to have ended my goals’ drought because my fans have been eager to see me get back to my scoring form. I thank God for the goal. I dedicate the goal to my fans who have been supporting me,” Salami said.

    “I must give kudos to my coaches who have been there for me, instructing and perfecting my free kicks.”

    Adegoke said his goal was a sign of good thing to come.

    “I am happy to get my first goal of the season in this game, I am hopeful of getting more,” he said.

    Meanwhile, Kaduna coach Ben Duamlong blamed his goalkeeper Raymond Kafuna and the centre referee S.E Okugbona from Edo State for the loss.

    “My goalkeeper just gifted 3SC cheap goals. He should have done with those free kicks,” Duamlong said.

    “The referee just kills my boys move because we would have opened the scoring in the first half, my boys play good football.”

    Furthermore, 3SC coach Akeem Busari said maturity gave them victory over Kaduna United.

    “Kaduna United have good team but we were better than them with the calibre of players we paraded and this is our last home game in the first round which means we can’t afford to lose or draw,” Busari said.