Welcome to Naija Gist: 06/20/13

Thursday, 20 June 2013

Vector At War With His Record Label, YSG

Celeb Super Star Nigerian rapper Vector Tha Viper real name Olanrewaju Ogunmefun, is currently fighting with his label, YSG Ent which is a division of popular Transportation company Young Shall Grow led by the first son of Chief Vincent Obianodo, Obiora Obianodo.

The crisis between Vector and his label began a couple of months back after Vector made complaints about why his career is stalling and not been progressing and why the label has a nonchalant attitude towards their best artist's career and he simply suggested more professional hands to be employed to push his career to the next level
But the label took these views as threats and refused to impose these ideas so Vector decided himself to hire the profesionals and was paying them personally with no help from the label

He has been with the label for over four years and never asked to leave, all he asked for according to his camp was more work and results. Things actually got worse after Vector took a self-sponsored vacation to the US and returned to his record boss’ anger, claiming he went to the States to sign a record deal.
Weeks after, Vector received and invitation letter from the Commissioner of Police of Lagos state and was summoned to the Area-E command (Festac). On getting there, he was presented with a “breach of contract” petition, claiming that he has engaged external hands to work for him. His parents got involved (as his dad is a retired police officer), and it was settled amicably.

Feeling unsafe and threatened, Vector surrendered the car and apartment provided for him by the label and acquired a replacement for himself. Thinking this was over, Vector went about his daily life (as lawyers were already handling the case) till the 10th of June. He was to be shooting his scene of the Ghetto RMX video by Shank, at his childhood neighbourhood (Mcarthy Barracks, Obalende, Lagos), when men of the police force came to seize him and his personal manager (Michael Umoru) and took them all the way back to Festac, this time it was a proper arrest and they were detained from 3pm till 10pm when his lawyers came through.
According to sources close to Vector, he has been receiving series of personal threats from the label, and he hasn’t felt so safe and really did not want to talk to the press about it.

Madrid Striker, Gonzalo Higuain, Agrees To Arsenal Move

Gonzalo Higuain has agreed to come to Arsenal as the club-record £22million deal nears a conclusion.

Real Madrid striker Higuain and his agent father Jorge are believed to have agreed personal terms in excess of £130,000-a-week as Arsenal prepare to smash their transfer record and wage structure.
The Spanish giants circulated Higuain's name for transfer last month and gave him the green light to negotiate a move away from Real Madrid this summer.
Higuain is keen on moving to the Emirates after two rounds of talks with Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger who hopes to wrap up the formalities before the club's Far East tour in three weeks' time.
Juventus have also been keen on Higuain but they are now more likely to land Fiorentina's Stevan Jovetic while Arsenal must also thrash out a final agreement with Real Madrid.
Wenger is now confident of landing Higuain - who nearly joined Manchester City last summer - and it will be seen as a huge statement of intent by Arsenal to signal their determination to challenge again for major trophies.

Hundreds of Nigerian Girls Trafficked to Russia Every Month – Ambassador

Over two hundred Nigerian girls are trafficked monthly to Russia to work as prostitutes, according to Nigeria's ambassador to Russia.
Hundreds of Nigerian Girls trafficked to Russia Every Month – Ambassador

H.E. Assam Ekanem Assam, SAN, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiory of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the Russian Federation, spoke against the backdrop of consular challenges faced by the embassy. He disclosed the facts about trafficking in an interview with the Europe Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria in Berlin.
As it was revealed in the course of an investigation, the crime has declined in Western Europe following strict laws on illegal migration and joint efforts by Nigeria and the governments of those countries to curb the menace. Now, however, the attention has shifted to Eastern Europe which is currently becoming the destination for trading.
"The major consular challenge we face in Moscow is the influx of trafficked persons from Nigeria, not less than 200 girls are trafficked every month, and we have so many of them exposed to danger.
"Some are thrown out of the window and treated harshly, there must be a way of stopping these racketeering; these girls are not tourists, students or government officials yet they are given visas from the Russian embassy in Abuja.
"So far we have deported over 240 girls since 2012. You will be shocked at the extent of resistance from the girls; we tell them Russia is not a destination for prostitutes, yet they still come," Mr. Asam disclosed.
According to him, the mission tries to curb the menace by arranging deportation exercise for those caught -- but the challenges are enormous.
Such intervention, the envoy stressed, would be more effective at the point of entry: "The strategy is to stop them from Nigeria, and fish out those involved in the trade.
"For instance a well-known Russian human trafficker who has been in the trade for about 20 years was caught in Nigeria.
"The National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons( NAPTIP) was on the verge of releasing her before I filed a protest from Moscow to the Comptroller General of Immigration."
Even the parents of those trafficked encourage their children: "I spoke to the mother of one of the girls and she said her daughter should remain in Moscow and try to survive the ordeal, this is very sad indeed coming from one's parent.".
Mr. Asam tasked the media to inform the general public on the dangers of trafficking in Russia, saying. "this East European nation has become a new destination for them, and believe me it is a very big crime here."
He noted that other Nigerians residing in Russia country are students and professionals in various fields.

Foremost Nigerian Bank, GTBank, Under Attack

Guaranty Trust Bank may need to regain its reputation as Nigeria’s foremost financial institution, which seems to come under attack lately. Corporations the world over understand that ‘brand’ is a mark of distinction that sets them apart from competitors.

In May 2013, Punch Newspaper reported that the bank sacked 100 workers in an annual appraisal exercise of the bank for the 2013 financial year. This, however does not seem to go well with one Mr. Junaid Korede Agbabiaka (JKA), an affected staff, and had followed up with an open letter to the public.
In his words, ‘‘On Thursday 23rd May, 2013, GTBank reduced itself from an institution highly regarded in banking sector as the most respected corporate bank in Nigeria, renowned for both its professionalism and high ethical standards to a callous employer of labour. It decided to tow the path of ignominy by unjustly sacking over 100 staff of the bank.

Nigerian Government, States, Councils Share N620bn In May

The Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) reconvened late on Wednesday night to disburse N156 billion to settle the February outstanding arrears to the three tiers of government.
This comes barely 24 hours after President Goodluck Jonathan intervened in the week-long crisis over unpaid arrears of revenue allocation to the 36 states and Abuja. At the end of the meeting, which followed a resolution arrived at last Tuesday between the Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and the presidential committee set up by the president to resolve the crisis, a total of about N620.656 billion was shared for the month of May.

FG: "We'll Provide Affordable Houses to Nigerians"

Ms Ama Pepple, the Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development announced that the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development is to build unity villages in the country -- totaling 10,000 units -- in each of the six geo-political zones, in partnership with Cyrus Projects Nigeria Limited, a consortium of Nigerians in the Diaspora.
Under this agreement, the Ministry is currently funding the provision of infrastructure for the social housing component of the project in a pilot phase in Lafia, Nasarawa State.
The Minister, speaking at her presentation in the 2013 Ministerial Platform in Abuja, further stated that another 144 mixed housing units of 1-3 bedroom apartments are under construction in Lugbe,

The Stats: Nigeria vs Uruguay

Nigeria will have to do without Ogenyi Onazi again, who is at home in Nigeria recovering from a knee injury.

The news ends speculation that the Lazio midfielder may play some part at the tournament, otherwise Nigeria have no major injury concerns. Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez has already named his team. Former Manchester United striker Diego Forlan will start, along with Liverpool's Luis Suarez and Napoli's Edinson Cavani.
Preview
Nigeria looked like they needed a Confederations Cup dry-run for large periods against Tahiti. There's no such margin for error in their first ever meeting with Uruguay. The second group game of the tournament seems a little early for qualification permutations but safe to say it's a must-win for both teams.

2015: Patience Begins Campaign For Jonathan

Patience Jonathan has kicked off political campaign for her husband and Nigeria’s President, Goodluck Jonathan, ahead of the 2015 Presidential elections despite the warning by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, against such campaigns ahead of 2015.
Patience’s presence in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, southsouth Nigeria, has become a liability to residents and those doing business in the state since Saturday, 15 June because of the security presence in the state capital.
She paid a courtesy visit to the Apiti of Rumueme and President-in-council Rumueme Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nyenwe-Eli Omunnakwe Nyeche Nsirim, on Tuesday, 18 June. While there, she called on the people of Obio Akpor to give her husband massive support anytime he declares his interest to re-contest for the presidency in 2015.

Lamido, Nyako, Others Boycott PDP Meeting As NWC Members Resign

At least 16 members of the People’s Democratic Party’s National Working Committee resigned their positions Thursday at the party’s National Executive Committee meeting boycotted by seven governors.

Governors Sule Lamido of Jigawa state and Murtala Nyako of Adamawa state-known critics of the President Goodluck Jonathan- are not attending the meeting; as well as some of the president’s supporters-Governors Gabriel Suswam of Benue, Martins Elechi of Ebonyi, Sullivan Chime of Enugu and Ibrahim Shema of Katsina states.
Rivers state governor, Rotimi Amaechi, is also absent, understandably, since the governor is on suspension. Messrs Lamido and Shema were represented by their deputies.
The meeting kicked off at about 2.03 pm after the president and Vice president Namadi Sambo arrived.
The NEC meeting, delayed for more than a year, is expected to feature intrigues amid concerns several governors may move against the national chairman, Bamanga Tukur, with a vote of no confidence.
Mr. Tukur’s concerns for his job is said to have partly informed the party’s refusal to schedule the NEC meeting for several months.

Amaechi To Petition Jonathan On Rivers Crime Wave

RIVERS State Governor and Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, has expressed worry over the declining level of security in the state.
photo RIVERS State Governor and Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, has expressed worry over the declining level of security in the state.

photo RIVERS State Governor and Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, has expressed worry over the declining level of security in the state.

Amaechi said cases of armed robbery and kidnapping, which had been curbed not long ago, were currently on the rise in the state.
The governor, who spoke on Tuesday night when a former Minister of Petroleum, Prof. Tam David-West, led a delegation on a solidarity visit to the Government House in Port Harcourt, expressed pessimism over the State Police Commissioner, Mr. Joseph Mbu’s commitment to security in the state.

ICPC Opposes Lawan’s Bid To Stay Bribery Proceedings

The Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission on Wednesday opposed an application in which a member of the House of Representatives, Farouk Lawan, asked an Abuja High Court to stay proceedings in his trial.
photo The Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission on Wednesday opposed an application in which a member of the House of Representatives, Farouk Lawan, asked an Abuja High Court to stay proceedings in his trial.

photo The Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission on Wednesday opposed an application in which a member of the House of Representatives, Farouk Lawan, asked an Abuja High Court to stay proceedings in his trial.

The lawmaker is facing seven counts bordering on demanding and receiving $620,000 as bribe from a businessman, Femi Otedola.
Lawan allegedly committed the crime while he served as the Chairman of the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee on Monitoring of Fuel Subsidy Regime.
The court, presided over by Justice Mudashiru Oniyangi, last May 5, ruled that Lawan must face trial, after refusing an application in which the lawmaker and his co-accused person, Mr. Boniface Emenalo, sought to quash the charges preferred against them.
The accused persons, through their counsel, Rickey Tarfa (SAN), later filed a fresh application, praying the court to stay proceedings in the trial, pending the determination of an appeal they filed at the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division.

PDP: New Officials Emerge. Tukur, Jonathan Have Support

The Peoples Democratic Party national chairman, Bamanga Tukur, retained his seat Thursday at a crucial National Executive Committee meeting of the party where several officials resigned and new ones emerged, with a vote of confidence passed on President Goodluck Jonathan.

Former House of Representatives deputy speaker, Chibudom Nwuche, emerged as replacement for Sam Jaja, the party’s former deputy national chairman, while Tony Okereke was named as replacement for former publicity secretary, Olisa Metuh.

Former aviation minister and women leader for the party, Kema Chikwe, has also been replaced with Oyibo Nwaneri. The appointees are all in acting capacity.

The former exco members of the party announced their resignation shortly before they were excused from a closed-door session of the NEC on Thursday.

They were “elected” through a faulty process, the Independent National Electoral Commission said in a monitoring report in April.

Nigeria Is Safe - Jonathan Assures International Investors On Security

Nigeria is winning the war against terrorism and her climate is conducive enough for investments, President Goodluck Jonathan said on Thursday.

The President stated this while giving an opening remark at the 14th meeting of the Honorary International Investor Council (HIIC) held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa.
The HIIC was inaugurated in 2004 as a presidential advisory council to attract global financial players in to the Nigerian economy. Coordinated by British Baroness, Lynda Chalker, it is charged with the responsibilities of reviewing Nigeria’s investment environment, advise on areas to improve on, and attract businesses across the world to invest in Nigeria.
While explaining steps taken by the government on insecurity, the president said the declaration of a state of emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa on May 14 has led to significant improvements in the nation’s security. He said the declaration and the military’s efforts have witnessed unprecedented support by the locals.

Out of This World: Chinese Astronaut Gives Lecture From Space Laboratory

To watch the video, scroll down
China's second female astronaut, Wang Yaping, has delivered the country's first-ever video lecture from space.
Speaking to students via live video, Ms Wang used spinning tops, a ball, water and a fellow astronaut to explain physics in zero-gravity.
She was speaking from the Tiangong-1 space laboratory, where the Shenzhou spacecraft is currently docked,
China's fifth manned space mission, Shenzhou-10, is scheduled to end around 25 or 26 June.
The crew is also expected to attempt a manual docking later on Thursday.
This will involve getting back inside their Shenzhou capsule, unhooking from Tiangong and then flying around the lab to re-attach the capsule to the laboratory.
Out of This World: Chinese Astronaut Gives Lecture From Space Laboratory

'Sixteen sunrises'
Ms Yang used difference experiments to demonstrate the concepts of weight and mass in space.
After showing how normal scales did not work in space, she used a special scale to measure the mass of crew commander Nie Haisheng, using Newton's second law of motion - measuring the mass of an object through force and acceleration.
At another point, to show how objects move in the microgravity environment of space, she asked her colleague to help her rotate 90 degrees, and then 180 degrees, from the floor of the laboratory.
Spinning tops were used to create gyroscopic motion in space, and a ball attached to a string to demonstrate pendulum motion.
Towards the end of the class, Ms Yang made a film of water using a metal ring, explained by the increased surface tension of water in space. She then turned the film of water into a water ball by pouring more water onto it, to wide applause from students watching in China.
Out of This World: Chinese Astronaut Gives Lecture From Space Laboratory

Around 330 primary and secondary school students watched the lecture from a special classroom in Beijing, where they could also ask Ms Wang questions through a live video feed, state media said.
In response to a student's question, Ms Yang described what she could see in space.
"The stars we see are much brighter, but they do not twinkle," she said, explaining this was due to the lack of Earth's obstructing atmosphere.
"The sky we see isn't blue, but black. And every day, we can see the sun rise 16 times because we circle the Earth every 90 minutes"
An estimated 60 million students and teachers around China were also expected to watch the lecture live, the Ministry of Education said.

"Premarital Sex = Marriage", Indian High Court Rules

A court in India has ruled that premarital sex amounts to marriage, which has sparked humorous reactions across the Internet and a heated debate over the fundamental relationship between a man and a woman.

Photo - Mistery Over Baby Delivered By OAU Female Student

Oyinlola Rotimi, a 400 level student of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, caused confusion on Wednesday, when she was accused of attempting to flush her newborn baby boy down the septic tank.
One version of the incident said Oyinlola, an Electrical/Electronics engineering student, was attempting to flush the baby down the toilet when she was caught by a cleaner early in the morning at Moremi Hall of the institution.

Yvonne Nelson Betrayed By Friends

If there is anyone that is currently not in a good mood with friends, it’s the Ghanaian actress, Yvonne Nelson whose recent tweets revealed that most of the dating stories written about her are syndicated by people she called friends.
It’s definitely about her because she made like three tweets to rubbish such friends.

Read tweets

D'banj Acquires Suit Of Money Worth Over N3 Million

International superstar, entertainer and Oliver Twist crooner, Dapo Oyebanjo popularly known as D’banj is always breaking new grounds in terms of his wardrobe and clothing items.
In a recent newspaper interview, he confirmed he wears the same wristwatch as American rapper Jay-Z, valued at $50,000.

He has been appointed as the Hennessy Artistry artiste for 2013 and also recently became the Goodwill ambassador for the Bank of Industry. D’banj has continued to rise in stardom despite his split from erstwhile partner and friend, Don Jazzy. He has continued to command huge sums of money in endorsements, appearances and performances thus still making him the highest earning Nigerian artiste of all time. His DKM concert being held on June 23rd 2013 at the Eko Hotel & Suites will feature International rapper, 2Chainz as well as another surprise guest.

This increasing earning power has also led to an increase in spending as D’banj just took delivery of what is known as the “Suit of Money”. Designed by Okunoren, Nigeria’s leading clothing brand, the Suit is made of actual One Hundred Dollar bills and cost a whopping $25,000, which is approximately N3.7 million. It was entirely sewn by hand in London but was then taken to Italy for the specialized Milanese buttonholes to be done at the same factory used by Tom Ford.

Man, 33, Beats Wife To Death After She Asked For A Divorce

A spurned husband killed his wife by battering her with an ornamental elephant, a court heard.
Devendra Singh used the wooden figure to attack Charlotte Smith with 'extreme force and extreme violence' after the 42-year-old told him she wanted a divorce, the jury was told.
Philip Bennetts QC, prosecuting, said Miss Smith's skull was repeatedly 'smashed and shattered' in the attack last September.
He described the level of violence used against her as 'off the scale'.
Singh, 33, admits killing his wife – who worked as a health and safety manager – but denies murder, claiming he suffered a 'loss of control'. The court heard he beat his wife of two years with the 4lb wooden object after an argument at their home in Leek, Staffordshire.
Mr Bennetts said: 'Many of the blows were delivered with a heavy implement – an ornamental elephant which the defendant picked up and used to strike her repeatedly to the face and head.'
Miss Smith was said to have died as a result of 'sustained and extreme blunt force trauma'.
Mr Bennetts added: 'Bone was smashed and shattered time and time again.
'The amount of force used was effectively off the scale. It was beyond severe – it was extreme.' Following the attack, Singh is accused of leaving his wife's body on their living room floor and leaving the house, taking her mobile phone SIM card with him.
It was alleged that he cleaned up and threw evidence – including the wooden elephant – over the garden fence into a field, before fleeing to London.
He is said to have put Miss Smith's SIM into his own phone and sent texts to her family and friends – including her father, Peter Smith – pretending to be her.
Stafford Crown Court heard Mr Smith discovered his daughter's body on the floor of her living room three days later. Singh returned to Leek that same day and handed himself in to police.
Mr Smith, 65, told how his daughter and son-in-law had lunch at his home just a day before Miss Smith was killed.
Giving evidence on the first day of the trial on Tuesday, Mr Smith said: 'We had a really great time. We were talking about holidays and parties. When they left everything was OK.
'We were planning to go on holiday to Goa in November.'
The trial continues.

Eniola Badmus: I’m Healthier Than Slim People

Cross over actress, Eniola Badmus is not finding it easy with critics who often lampoon her on social media about her plus size. Recently, she criticised those who made negative comments about her photo shoot and that has kind of generated a lot of hits.
She was asked why she had to go that hard on her fans over mere comments about her big shape and she said, “People tend to underrate just to make you feel somehow or to intimidate you. That’s why I say, I don’t see intimidation. If anyone should come out and say ‘Eniola is big! She is that!’ For goodness sake, I like it like that. I’m okay.
“Besides, my body shape is giving me money and I’m good. I’m living well. I’m healthy. I’m sure I’m healthier than some slim people. All of us can’t be slim. People should stop this body-shaming pinging. It’s not nice.”
The Gbogbo Bigz Girlz as she is fondly referred to, a name she got from the role she played in Funke Akindele’s movie, Jenifa, fired at those who make nasty comment on social media:
“Even if you want to advise someone that it’s not nice, there is a way you can say it not by insulting people because you feel you can just write or talk anyhow on social media. No! Anybody that insults me on social media, I will insult back. Yes, because it doesn’t make one feel good.
Photo - Eniola Badmus: I’m Healthier Than Slim People

“In foreign countries, intimidation causes some people to commit suicide. When you are being intimidated, that’s when depression comes up. After depression, you go and die. Me, die because of what? No oh! This life is too sweet to die, because of words of some people. I’m okay.
“If anyone doesn’t like me, they should keep a distance. The people that like me will forever be around me. I remember that I wrote, why use panadol for my headache? Every blog carried it that I said I know my stature is a big problem to some. But it’s the truth.
“Among all of you that are insulting me that Eniola is too big I’m sure your mum is bigger than me. So why not concentrate on the one you have? I know one of your friends is bigger than me, or one of your sisters.
“Most of the fat babes, the plus size people who watch me want to emulate me because I’m a celebrity. Whatever she does let’s do it. You get it? I know I’m a role model to some people.”

More than a dozen executives of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, asked to leave their posts over flawed elections are likely to stay away despite repeated assurances from the party’s leadership that all they need do is “regularize” the elections to return to their jobs.
Having breached a party rule barring candidates from being elected unopposed, the regularization, as required by a report by the Independent National Electoral Commission, would require new elections and opponents for each of the more than 14 slots. But while some of the candidates may lose out naturally at the polls, others will be edged out on account of their political patronage as it regards their loyalty for governors opposed or in support of President Goodluck Jonathan.
The affected executive committee members are expected to all resign by Thursday. Ahead of that date, the National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, became the first to formally announce on Wednesday that he was stepping down. The resignation will be effective Thursday, he said. “This resignation is in the overall interest of the party and is being done to put a final stop to the controversies generated by the INEC report on the mode of my election as National Publicity Secretary,” Mr. Metuh said.
The report by INEC was released early April, nearly one year after the affected executive members of the party took office. The electoral body said their elections violated a stipulation that bars officials from getting elected unopposed. Some of those affected are: Deputy National Chairman, Sam Jaja; National Organizing Secretary Abubakar Mustapha; his deputy Okechukwu Nnadozie; National Publicity Secretary Olisa Metuh; his deputy Binta Goje; National Youth Leader Garba Chiza; his deputy Dennis Alonge Niyi; Deputy National Auditor Umar Ibrahim, National Women Leader Kema Chikwe; her deputy Hannatu Ulam, Deputy National Treasurer Claudus Inengas; and National Legal Adviser Victor Kwom.

16 Pregnant Women Rescued From Aba Baby Factory

The Abia State Command of Directorate of State Service, DSS, has rescued 16 pregnant girls from a ‘baby factory’ in Aba.
Parading the young girls, yesterday, in his Umuahia office, the state Director of DSS, Mr. Matthew Obodoechi, said the girls and women whose ages range between 17 and 37 were rescued on June 17, 2013.
Obodoechi gave the name of the home as Cross Foundation International, located along Anyamele Street in Umungasi area of Aba.

According to Obodoechi, proprietor of the home, Dr. Hyginus Ndudim Orikara, has been arrested. He vowed that the medical practitioner would be prosecuted.
Ironically, the medical doctor is said to be in the employ of Abia State Government, which has been actively involved in the fight against the “baby factory” menace in the state.
The DSS director expressed worry that menace of baby factory was fast becoming a new crime trend in some South-East states.
He said: “It is another kind of kidnapping where babies are snatched at point of birth and sold. It is a big shame, a big problem and it all boils down to the kind of values we have in the society today. Life is not valued.”
Dr Orikara, however, denied running a baby factory, saying, his Cross Foundation was legitimately registered as a charity home.
He said babies were not sold after delivery but released to go and nurse them, explaining that the charity home witnessed large number of girls because “we are running operation nurse your own baby.”
According to him, girls with unwanted pregnancy are brought to the home for them to be encouraged and assisted to carry their pregnancies to full term, deliver and nurse the babies.
But Obodoechi dismissed Orikara’s claim, insisting that confessional statement by the pregnant ladies showed that the doctor was indeed engaged in the baby factory business.
According to him, “the ladies upon delivery are given a paltry sum of N50,000 and sent away while their babies are sold to people from different parts of the country.”
He noted with regret that some persons had chosen to hide under the cover of non-governmental organisations, NGOs, to perpetrate various forms of illegal activities, including baby factories.
He said: “Those hiding under the cover of NGOs to perpetrate modern form of slave trade are warned to abstain from such illegalities as security agencies will stop at nothing to ensure that they are apprehended and made to face the law.”

JTF Outlaws Use Of Satellite Phones In 'Emergency-Rule' States

The Joint Task Force (JTF) yesterday banned the indefinite use of Thuraya mobile phones in all states under emergency rule, sequel to the rising spate of killings in the states under emergency rule. Thuraya phones are based on satellite technology and does not work on any of the existing GSM or CDMA networks in the country.

Boko Haram has reportedly resorted to using Thuraya phones to coordinate attacks since mobile communications were largely suspended by the military.

The ban on satellite phones may worsen the communication challenges being faced by residents in the affected states as regular mobile networks have been largely shut down for about five weeks since emergency rule was declared.

The spokesman of the Joint Task Force, Lt. Col. Sagir Musa, said in a statement that the ban on Thuraya became necessary as military intelligence revealed that terrorists now coordinate their attacks using the device.

The JTF said recent attacks on schools and killing of students by Boko Haram were carried out using Thuraya devices.

“The attention of the JTF has been drawn to the use of Thuraya phones by Boko Haram terrorists to coordinate their recent assassination of civilians especially school children and some Imams.

“Therefore, with effect from 19 June, 2013, the JTF imposes a ban on the use and sale of Thuraya phones and accessories including Thuraya recharge cards in Borno State. Anyone seen with Thuraya phones, recharge cards and accessories will be arrested.

“The JTF seeks the continued cooperation and understanding of the public on this ban, in order to enhance security of lives and property in Borno State,” the statement said.

However, gunmen suspected to be members of the sect again stormed a private secondary school in the Customs area of Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, yesterday killing four teachers and two students.

This is as another set of suspected terrorists laid ambush on a farm situated along Maiduguri- Mafa- Dikwa Road in the city and killed two farmers.

Crisis In PDP As Stakeholders Ask Bamanga To Quit

PDP Chairman Bamanga Tukur is being pressured to resign ahead of the the party's national executive committee meeting today following the mass resignation of the national working committee members.

The members who quit were those indicted by the INEC report that said the process of their election was not legit, Sources state that some key National Assembly officers and other stakeholders want Tukur gone
Two petitions surfaced yesterday from PDP Stakeholders Forum asking the national executive committee to resign the chairman over the mis-handling of party affairs. The calls for Tukur's removal as the party chairman resonated the atmosphere yesterday as the party's board of trustees met at the Presidential Villa in Abuja last night. It was attended by the President jonathan but Former Presdident Obasanjo mysteriously was absent.
BOT Secretary Senator Walid Jubril said the problems of the party were discussed but that details would only be unveiled at the NEC meeting today. “We discussed matters connected with our party in preparation for the NEC meeting coming up tomorrow (today), we want to assure you that details of the meeting will be communicated to you after the NEC meeting,” he said.
Last night’s meeting was also attended by BOT chairman Tony Anenih, Senate President David Mark, Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Tambuwal and others. Hours before the BOT met, a group called PDP Stakeholders’ Forum released a petition to the party’s NEC, demanding for the Tukur’s removal as national chairman for alleged poor handling of the party’s affairs.
The petition, dated June 19, 2013 and signed by the forum’s chairman Ikenga Ugochinyere, accused Tukur of incompetence, causing disunity and lack of direction in the party. It said also he had grossly abused his office by removing party officers without due process, making illegal appointments and refusing to hold statutory meetings.
The petition said Tukur was not a bona fide member of the PDP eligible to be elected chairman because he had been expelled by the NEC on May 31, 2001 after being indicted for anti-party activities alongside five. The forum said the expulsion had never been lifted nor set aside by a court of law, and that he had never been re-admitted through his Adamawa State PDP chapter as required by the party’s constitution.
In another petition, the forum accused Tukur of illegally altering the 2012 PDP Constitution so that emergency meetings could be summoned at his pleasure, adding that the alterations gave enormous powers to the national working committee and reduced the NEC’s role. Tukur had said on Tuesday he would not resign because he was not affected by the INEC report, based on which his colleagues in the NWC are leaving.

Arsenal Target Gonzalo Higuain Agrees Move As Gunners Prepare Record Bid For The Real Star

Gonzalo Higuain has agreed to come to Arsenal as the club-record £22million deal nears a conclusion.

Real Madrid striker Higuain and his agent father Jorge are believed to have agreed personal terms in excess of £130,000-a-week as Arsenal prepare to smash their transfer record and wage structure.
The Spanish giants circulated Higuain's name for transfer last month and gave him the green light to negotiate a move away from Real Madrid this summer.
Higuain is keen to move to the Emirates after two rounds of talks with Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger who hopes to wrap up the formalities before the club's Far East tour in three weeks' time.
Juventus have also been keen on Higuain but they are now more likely to land Fiorentina's Stevan Jovetic while Arsenal must also thrash out a final agreement with Real Madrid.
Wenger is now confident of landing Higuain - who nearly joined Manchester City last summer - and it will be seen as a huge statement of intent by Arsenal to signal their determination to challenge again for major trophies.

Tukur Must Stay – Jonathan

With the intense pressure to remove the National Chairman Of the PDP by Stakeholders the PResidency has thrown full support to Alhaji Bamanga Tukur to lessen the pressure

The pressure to remove Tukur at today’s National Executive Committee, NEC meeting of the party was being mounted by vested party interests including governors and the powerful caucus of state chairmen.
President Goodluck Jonathan according to sources insisted on retaining Tukur with a source saying: “Is it every battle that the President must lose? He lost the battle to make Jonah Jang chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum, so must he also lose this one?”
Last night there were high level meetings in Abuja by major stakeholders including the influential caucus of state chairmen where most of them said Tukur has to go
Besides, state governors including those identified as pro-presidency were also said to be canvassing that Tukur join other eight national officers that have decided to resign in accordance with the report of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
The efforts against Tukur were despite recruitment by the Tukur camp of high level stakeholders to project the sustenance of the Tukur regime. Erstwhile Federal Commissioner for Information, Chief Edwin Clark was one of the high profile party men that came out yesterday to back Tukur. Clark in a statement alleged that the move against Tukur was another ploy by those against President Goodluck Jonathan, even as he asserted that the man had done no wrong.

Tukur Storms PDP Secretariat

Tukur, in a show of physical wellness showed up at the PDP national secretariat, yesterday, countering the increasing mutterings of party stakeholders that he is too old to run the party. He, however, did not talk to waiting reporters as he moved straight to his office

Ahead of the meeting of state chairmen, an influential state chairman disclosed that the exit of Tukur has become the only solution to the endless crises in the party.
“The situation we have now is like a mad man being given a dagger and willing to kill himself and others,” the influential party official said.
Another senior party official from the South-East also speaking on the condition of anonymity, lamented the erosion of party unity and the continued crises in the party since the advent of the Tukur regime.
Indicative of the pressure against Tukur, one member of the influential G-84 in the NEC told Vanguard, last night, that retaining the national chairman would be unrealistic after a presidential committee comprising the Secretary to the Government of the Federation; the President’s Chief of Staff among others, recommended his exit so the party can have peace.
“How can he be saying that the president wants him when the SGF, the Chief of Staff and several others working for the President submitted that Tukur’s exit was the only solution for the restoration of peace?” the official quipped.
Another position being canvassed by state officials of the party was Tukur’s failure to visit state chapters since his advent.
“This is not a party you run from Abuja or your house. You have to go round and so far maybe because of his age, he has largely failed to do so,” one state chairman quipped yesterday ahead of their meeting.
Besides, there were indications that the party governors who have lately been divided over the choice of a chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum, NGF could be united in pushing for the ouster of Tukur today.
A source said that the issue has united the governors of the party who could today mend fences to push Tukur out. A senior aide of one of the pro-Jonathan governors speaking on the condition of anonymity said: ”It is the consensus of the governors that he has to go for the party to move forward.”

Park Ji-Sung dating TV host

Park Ji-Sung © Action Images

David Beckham - his career in pictures

20 June 2013, 08:59

South Korea's most famous footballer Park Ji-Sung, and one of its most eligible bachelors, used a packed press conference on Thursday to announce he was dating a local TV sports presenter.
The 32-year-old former national captain and Manchester United star said he had been in a relationship with presenter Kim Min-Ji, 27, for several months.
Park enjoys superstar status in South Korea and his personal life has always been a subject of intense speculation.
On Wednesday, a local newspaper published a picture of Park and Kim walking arm-in-arm in the rain along the bank of Seoul's Han River.
"I had planned to make a surprise announcement that I am passionately in love with her and devoted to her, but now I guess I only need to confirm last night's report," Park joked.
Park said the couple had met each other's parents, but stressed there had been "no talk" of a wedding date so far.
Kim co-hosts a weekly football highlights programme.
Park played a key role in taking South Korea to the 2002 World Cup semifinals, after he which he followed the national coach Guus Hiddink to the Dutch club PSV Eindhoven.
He signed with Manchester United in 2005 and won four English Premier League and one Uefa Champions League winners medals.
He joined Premier League side Queens Park Rangers before the 2012-2013 season, but the side were relegated in May.
He retired from international football in January 2011.

Howard Webb 'moved' by Brazil singing

Howard Webb © Action Images

Confed Cup Gallery

20 June 2013, 08:42

English referee Howard Webb was "really moved" by the a cappella rendition of the Brazilian national anthem sung by fans before Brazil's 2-0 Confederations Cup win over Mexico on Wednesday, according to Selecao coach Luiz Felipe Scolari.
The match at Fortaleza's Estadio Castelao took place amid a highly charged atmosphere after some 15 000 demonstrators assembled outside the stadium before the game, prompting violent skirmishes with police.
The clashes followed days of mass protests across Brazil in protest at public transport price increases and the use of public funds for the organisation of the Confederations Cup and next year's World Cup.
The singing of the Brazilian anthem proved particularly emotional, with fans and players spontaneously joining in to sing together after the music finished playing over the stadium's public address system.
"He told me that he had never in his life been present for something like that – the music stopping and people continuing to sing," Scolari said of Webb's reaction.
"He told me: 'Felipe, it really moved me.' Coming from an Englishman, that says a lot.
"We have to thank the people of Fortaleza for their support, which scared the Mexico team a bit at the start, and that's what we needed to do."

Sundowns negotiating for two Stars players

Kennedy Mweene © Backpagepix

Absa Premiership Results

20 June 2013, 10:25

Mamelodi Sundowns have opened negotiations for two Free State Stars players but the deal is still some way from being finalised, officials said on Thursday.
“We have granted Sundowns permission to talk to them. It is obvious that they must agree personal terms otherwise there is no point in the clubs settling on the transfer deal,” Stars’ general manager Rantsi Mokoena told SuperSport.com.
“As far as we know, Sundowns are still talking to them and when that is done then we’ll sit down and hammer out a deal.”
Mokoena said his club were comfortable in letting their captain and goalkeeper Mweene go after eight seasons and more than 200 games for the club.
“He has gone well for us and it is probably now the right time we both have a change.”
Wome has spent two seasons at Stars and is now an established international with Togo, having scored at the African Nations Cup finals that South Africa hosted earlier this year.
Stars have also let go defenders Jesse Jackson and Tsietsi Mkhwanazi and the Zimbabwean striker Taongo Dondo and re also not renewing the six month deal they had in place with the Ethiopian striker Fikru Tefera.

Onyango keeps options open

Dennis Onyango @ SS com

20 June 2013, 10:35

Uganda Cranes goalkeeper Denis Onyango is resigned to quitting South African club Mamelodi Sundowns but is keeping his next destination’s options open.
The shot-stopper is currently in Kampala recovering from a knee injury that kept him out Uganda’s 2-1 World Cup qualifying victory over Angola.
Onyango, 28, is widely believed to the headed to another Premier Soccer League side Bidvest Wits to link up with his former coach at SuperSport United, Gavin Hunt, who has just joined the University outfit.
“To be honest my agent is also still keeping cards to himself but I can’t rule that (move to Wits) out,” he told SuperSport.com, adding, “We are considering several options.”
“One thing for sure is I will not be playing at Sundowns next season because I want regular football.
“My agent is still speaking with Sundowns to sort a few issues because I just signed a contract extension a month ago.
“But with the way things are it will be very difficult for the club to keep five international goalkeepers on the bench and I think it is only wise that I move to where I will be playing football.”

Beckham looks to improve Chinese game

David Beckham © Action Images

FIFA 13 game

20 June 2013, 10:20

Chinese football ambassador David Beckham drew a line under the country's shady soccer history on Thursday, saying he hoped to inspire the local children back to the sport.
Appointed in March, shortly before the start of the new Chinese Super League season, the former England captain faces a tough task with local soccer still in a quagmire following the latest in a long line of graft issues.
In February, two former soccer administration heads were handed lifetime bans by the Chinese Football Association for accepting bribes, while Shanghai Shenhua, who made waves by signing former Chelsea strike duo Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka, were docked points for matchfixing and stripped of the 2003 title.
"When I first came on as ambassador of the Super League, I was well aware of what has happened in the past, and people question why I wanted to be involved in something that in the past had a bad name or corruption involved," Beckham told reporters in Shanghai.

Gennaro Gattuso © Gallo Images

20 June 2013, 08:13

Foma Italy and AC Milan midfida, Gennaro Gattuso don become de new manija for Palermo and de club don tell am say make him helep dem promote back to de Serie A.
Na one year contract na hin Gattuso gree sign for paper for de club. The guyman don win two champions League bifor as him also dey de Italy team wey win de 2006 world cup.
“Palermo and Gennaro Gattuso don chop knuckle as na him be de new manija for de club,”. Naso Palermo take put am for dia website (www.palermocalcio.it).
Gattuso wey don clock 35 years old now go replace Giuseppe Sannino wey don waka from de club as him no fit save Palermo from relegation lass season.
Na Gattuso be de foma coachi and even playa for FC Sion lass season, but him no jolly at all for de club bifor dem kon fire am kommot.

Sani leaves on a high note

Apa United coach, Tunde Sani has said he is the happiest man on earth at the moment despite his wards’ defeat in the hands of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) side, El Kanemi Warriors in the Federation Cup round of 64 matches at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium (ATBS), Bauchi on Wednesday.
The expelled Nigeria National League (NNL) side were beaten 0-1 by the Maiduguri-based side to book passage into the round of 32 games.
Sani said even in defeat he is happier than the winning side as his wards gave their best performance in the season in the encounter to the wide acclaim of fans who watched the thrilling clash in Bauchi.
“The outcome didn’t truly reflect the standard or quality exhibited by both sides. My players gave me the best game in the season and the fans stood still to applaud their wonderful performance.
“I must tell you that I’m 100% satisfied with the performance of my wards as well as the outcome of the match.
“Of course, we lost 0-1 to El Kanemi Warriors but we’re not disgraced. El Kanemi Warriors even in victory will admit they played men and the victory could’ve gone either side.
“It’s the end of the road for the team as far as this year’s Federation Cup competition is concerned as well as the league season.
“After we’re expelled from the league we fervently hope that the Federation Cup will offer us succour but it wasn’t to be but we took solace in the fact that we gave it our very best till the end,” said the former Kwara United coach to supersport.com.
Sani said he will head home back to Kwara to work out another opportunity for himself as the players head back to their various homes.
“There is nothing for us in the season, I know they players will disperse to their various homes hoping to get another club to lace their boot. I’ll also head home to work out something positive for myself,” he said.
The Otukpor-based side were thrown out from the Nigeria National League (NNL) after they ran foul of the rules governing the league.

Crown blame referee for Fed Cup exit

by Legheri Onyamom 20 June 2013, 07:32

Crown FC head coach Oladunni Oyekale has blamed Wednesday's defeat to Lobi Stars in the Federation Cup round of 62 on poor refereeing.
Oyekale believes that had the officiating been fair, the tie would not have gone to penalties, claiming they would have won in regulation time.
He was full of praise for the way his charges performed in Minna, insisting they have justified their brilliant run in the National League.
"I think we had a great game, but the referee was out to frustrate us," he told supersport.com.
"He appeared to lose control with Dominic Iorfa on the touchline always shouting at him.
"He (Iorfa) was complaining about everything, even the match ball and perhaps this unsettled the referee because he made many odd decisions.
"Lobi's goal was clearly offside, but my boys continued to play well and got the equaliser.
"We had genuine calls for penalties that were ignored, and though we lost on penalty shootout, I'm proud of my players performance.
“Being a National League side, nobody gave us a chance, but my players acquitted themselves very well.
"We have justified being among the top teams in our section of the National League, and I hope it ends in promotion as we've had a wonderful season."
Crown are 3rd in National League, Group B with 38 points from 23 matches.

Drogba robbed in Ivory Coast hotel

20 June 2013, 07:27

Ivory Coast captain Didier Drogba was robbed at his hotel in Abidjan while on holidays in the country last week, Star Magazine, a local weekly, reported on Wednesday.
The Galatasaray forward returned to his room on the 11th floor of Hotel Ivoire to discover that somebody had removed €7,500 from his luggage, according to the report.
Drogba immediately alerted the management of the five-star establishment, who in turn called the police, but their efforts were to no avail.
A police officer, who refused to be mentioned, said an investigation had been opened and that they would assist the hotel security to arrest the burglar(s).
This is not the first time an Ivorian professional is losing money or items to robbers while on holidays. Stuggart’s left back Boka Arthur was recently dispossessed of his valuables at the same hotel.

Drogba robbed in Ivory Coast hotel

20 June 2013, 07:27

Cranes look to West Africa for tests

20 June 2013, 08:24

Uganda are eying some friendly matches before they face Senegal in a definitive World Cup qualifier in September. The Cranes must beat the Lions of Teranga to progress to the play-offs of the 2014 WC qualifiers while the latter can advance with just a draw.
This match will be played at neutral ground in Conakry, Guinea as Senegal, the would-have-been hosts, are still serving their one-year ban from playing at home following crowd violence in a 2013 Afcon qualifier against Ivory Coast.
Uganda trail Senegal, who lead Group J standings with nine points, by one and nothing less than victory will help them.
And the local federation, Fufa, know the huge task the national team come up against, the reason they are looking to crack up some friendlies ahead of the tie.
“As Fufa we are working around the clock to secure some games before Senegal but we are not just looking for any friendlies,” said Edgar Watson, the Fufa CEO, in Kampala.
“We shall try to secure friendlies that will help the Cranes more directly; we shall look to countries that play the Senegal way, countries from West Africa.”
Watson resisted the temptation to disclose the exact countries in West Africa they are talking to.
The first leg between Uganda and Senegal in Kampala ended 1-1 with Godfrey Walusimbi getting the hosts’ equalizer at the death after Papiss Demba Cisse, who will miss the return through suspension, had put the visitors ahead.

Beat Uruguay for Africa - Gyan

Nigeria © SS

The last time an African team played the one from Uruguay there was weeping wailing and the gnashing of teeth. The weeping of joy was done by the South Americans and the gnashing and wailing by the Africans after Ghana allowed a sure victory to be wrestled from their grasp when Abreu converted possibly the calmest penalty in the history of football.
It’s been quite a while since that fateful July evening in Johannesburg and things have changed dramatically for the side that would eventually lose to Germany in the third place game by a lone goal. While the South American champions still boast of the mercurial and cunning Suarez the rest of the team has lost its fizzle and is far removed from that sound side that impressed us all at the World cup.
On paper at least, they currently stand on equal footing with the Africa champion but only because Nigeria is without her most brilliant player Moses and has not found her groove in the last three games she has played. While Folan their undisputed pendulum still swings he mainly does this out of rhythm as we saw against Spain. In addition to this the mid field simply does not exist.
Plus the timing of the tournament couldn't be more complicated for the Celeste as well. Their bid to join the real party in Brazil next year is in considerable jeopardy as they lie in an inglorious sixth place in the South American qualifier after 11 out of the 16 round-robin matches. So they simply can’t throw caution to the wind and must guard against injury.
If we say that their midfield has failed to click then their defense has to be called nothing short of a disaster. Uruguay have the worst defensive record in the WC qualifiers, alongside Paraguay, having shipped 21 goals in 11 games while scoring 17.
Their 4-4-2 with the roaming back three will be severely tested by the West African speed who themselves have been reminded again of the disaster in Johannesburg and their need to get revenge for the entire Africa. The reminder came from no one else than Asamoah Gyan himself who sent the Eagles a special message urging them on to victory.
It simply read “do it for Africa”. On Thursday we will know if they will. It certainly is not ‘Mission Impossible’.

Forlan set to play 100th game

Confed Cup Gallery

20 June 2013, 08:31

Diego Forlan spoke of his "great pride" on Wednesday as he contemplated the prospect of becoming the first player to make 100 international appearances for Uruguay.
The 34-year-old striker will reach the landmark in Thursday's Confederations Cup encounter with Nigeria, 11 years after pulling on the light blue shirt for the first time against Saudi Arabia in March 2002.
"It's a matter of pride, being the first player to play all these matches for the Uruguay team," said the former Manchester United and Atletico Madrid striker.
"I saw an article today, and I said the same thing yesterday – through all the things I've experienced in my career, I never imagined I'd be playing my 100th match at the Confederations Cup.
"And the match tomorrow (Thursday) means a lot. Obviously it's 100 matches for me, but it's a key game and we have to win in order to reach the next phase.
"It's a matter of great pride to wear the light blue shirt so many times, and I hope I can continue doing this."

Confed Cup Gallery

20 June 2013, 08:37

Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez on Wednesday revealed his starting line-up for the decisive Confederations Cup showdown with Nigeria, confirming reports he had decided to utilise a three-man defence.
Captain Diego Lugano will line up alongside Diego Godin and Martin Caceres in central defence, with Maxi Pereira and Cristian Rodriguez operating as wing-backs on either flank.
"The team is (Fernando) Muslera; Godin, Lugano, Caceres; Maxi Pereira, (Alvaro) Gonzalez, (Egidio) Arevalo Rios, Rodriguez; (Diego) Forlan, (Luis) Suarez, (Edinson) Cavani," said Tabarez at Wednesday's pre-game press conference in Salvador.
With Uruguay having lost their opening Group B match to Spain, Tabarez says they cannot afford another slip-up against Stephen Keshi's African champions.
"Nothing changes because we lost against Spain," he said.
"We said previously that the decisive match was the second one. If we beat Nigeria, it's much more probable that we'll make the semifinals.
"If we lose against Nigeria, then we're out. If we draw, it's something else, so for us it's a final tomorrow (Thursday) and we're just thinking of that."

Howard Webb 'moved' by Brazil singing

Confed Cup Gallery

20 June 2013, 08:42

Onazi unlikely to make Brazil trip - Keshi

Confed Cup Gallery

20 June 2013, 08:47

Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi hinted on Wednesday that injured midfielder Ogenyi Onazi has lost in his bid to link up with the squad at the Confederations Cup in Brazil.
The 20-year-old midfielder missed Nigeria's opening game, a 6-1 thrashing of Tahiti, due to a knee injury, but Keshi had expressed optimism he would be fit in time for Thursday's crucial Group B clash with Uruguay.
However, he has now suggested that the Lazio player, who remained in Nigeria for treatment, will be spared the trip to Brazil in order to keep him fresh for World Cup qualifying matches later in the year.
"Up to now, we don't know. I'm not sure if he's coming," Keshi said during Wednesday's pre-game press conference at Salvador's Arena Fonte Nova.
"We're not too much in haste. We have three very important World Cup games in September, October and November.

Thrills aplenty as Brazil, Italy advance

THE DAY REPLAYED – Football provides some moments which will live in the memory forever. Those who attended or watched today’s games at the FIFA Confederations Cup will certainly attest to that.

The 50,791 fans in Fortaleza welcoming A Seleção back to the Estadio Castelao after an absence of almost 13 years had an unforgettable experience as their beloved team took on Mexico. On a hot and humid Wednesday afternoon, the passionate, acappella singing of the Brazilian national anthem was almost tangible, further whetting the appetite for the FIFA World Cup™ next year. Fortaleza will host four group matches, plus a Round of 16 and quarter-final fixture. If today’s atmosphere is anything to go by, those fortunate enough to get a ticket for any of these games are in for a treat.

In the early stages Hulk, Marcelo and Neymar were visibly whipping up the crowd into frenzy - not that they needed to be – and when the goals went in, the noise levels increased still further. Later in the day, the action moved south east to Recife where there were seven goals to cheer. Those in the Arena Pernambuco witnessed arguably the game of the tournament so far as two Italian masters went head to head. Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni set Japan up perfectly to stop Andrea Pirlo and Italy as they raced into a 2-0 lead, but Cesare Prandelli’s decision to introduce Sebastian Giovinco turned the game around. His introduction gave the isolated Mario Balotelli a partner upfront and that helped Gli Azzurri score three times in 11 minutes, with the dimunitive Juve forward netting the winning goal four minutes from time. Only one other match in the tournament’s history has witnessed more goals: Brazil’s 8-2 win over Saudi Arabia in 1999.

Results
Group A
Brazil 2-0 Mexico (Neymar 9’, Jo 90+3’)
Italy 4-3 Japan (De Rossi 41, Uchida o.g.50’, Balotelli 52’ pen, Giovinco 86’;Honda pen 21’, Kagawa 33’, Okazaki 69’)

What it means…
The victories for Brazil and Italy mean that they have booked their place in the semi-finals, which take place on Wednesday 26 and Thursday 27 June in Belo Horizonte and Fortaleza respectively. The two teams meet in Salvador on Saturday in what effectively is a play-off for the top spot in Group A, although the UEFA EURO 2012 side will have to win on account of the hosts’s superior goal difference.

Mexico and Japan will be playing for pride, although the Samurai Blue’s much-improved showing has further increased the anticipation for their return to Brazil next year. Their high-tempo, counter-attacking approach to the game, combined with their spirit has won them many admirers.

Goal of the day
Neymar (BRA)
Brazil have never lost a FIFA Confederations Cup match when they have scored the opening goal – and that continued today with a truly sublime strike. Mexico captain Francisco Rodriguez could only head Dani Alves’s cross straight into Neymar’s path and the Barcelona new boy met the ball with a left-footed volley which flew beyond the dive of Jose Corona. It was a moment of magic from the 21-year-old and a masterclass in terms of technique. Indeed, when the first replay was shown, the crowd gasped in admiration. The goalscorer turned provider in the third minute of added time when he evaded the attention of Hiram Mier and Rodriguez, shifted the ball from right foot to his left at pace and just as everyone expected him to shoot, he expertly picked out the run of substitute Jo who finished emphatically for the second game in succession.

Stat of the day
9 – The win over Mexico was Brazil’s ninth consecutive FIFA Confederations Cup win, a new tournament record. They’re now unbeaten in ten consecutive matches, with their last defeat coming on this day eight years ago against El Tri.

Quote of the day
"After the game I went to the dressing room to speak to Howard Webb, who I've known for a long time. He confessed to me: 'In all my years in football, I’ve never heard anything like that,’” Luiz Felipe Scolari relays a post-match conversation with 2010 FIFA World Cup Final referee Howard Webb, in which he revealed his admiration for the singing of the Brazilian national anthem in Fortaleza.

What’s next?...
The focus switches to Group B on Thursday and starting the day is Tahiti’s first-ever game against European opposition when they face the might of world and European champions Spain at the Maracana. However, there will be some familiar faces for the two teams. In September 2009, Spain U-20 beat Tahiti U-20 8-0 at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt. Cesar Azpilicueta and Jordi Alba both played for Spain in that match, while eight players in the current Tahiti squad represented the Oceania champions during that tournament.

Nigeria then face Uruguay in Salvador. The South Americans are unbeaten in their 11 competitive matches against African countries. They will be hoping to keep it that way as defeat may send them out of the competition. A win for the Super Eagles, however, will keep their hopes alive of them becoming the first African country to win the FIFA Confederations Cup.

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Thursday, 20 June 2013