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Chelsea narrowly escaped, wins Ein Frankfurt 4-3 by penalty shootouts: 5 talking points as Blues reach final

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6 years ago

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Eden Hazard scored the winning penalty to send Chelsea into the Europa League final against Arsenal .

Chelsea appeared to be in the driving seat from the first leg after a 1-1 draw in Germany. And Ruben Loftus-Cheek slotted home from Eden Hazard’s pass to seemingly put the Blues on course for the final.

But they were caught out by Real Madrid target Luka Jovic as he levelled the scores for Frankfurt. Jovic’s strike sent the tie to extra-time and Frankfurt nearly went ahead when substitute Sebastien Haller’s effort was hacked off the line by David Luiz.

There was to be no third goal as the tie went to penalties before Cesar Azpilicueta was denied by Kevin Trapp.

But Martin Hinteregger fired straight at Kepa before the Chelsea stopper saved from Goncalo Paciencia – and that set the stage for Eden Hazard to win it.

Here are five talking points.

1. Loftus-Cheek staking his claim

Ruben Loftus-Cheek has arguably flourished more than any other Chelsea player under Maurizio Sarri and another goal here against Frankfurt helped cement his best season in the blue shirt.

And while there will be few winners at Stamford Bridge from Chelsea’s transfer ban – if the Court of Arbitration for Sport doesn’t suspend it while they wait for their case to be heard – then Loftus-Cheek will be one of them.

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He’s going to get more game time anyway next season but if the club are unable to bring in other players then even more will be expected from him.

It’ll be a good thing for the player, Chelsea’s academy and, hopefully, for England.

2. Kepa proving his worth

Kepa Arrizabalaga’s antics at the EFL Cup final now seem a distant memory and credit the keeper for that.

He has been excellent ever since boss Maurizio Sarri returned him to the side after dropping him for the game that followed his show of petulance.

Chelsea ’s progression to the Europa League final owes much to his form and not least the two saves he made in the penalty shootout.

Plenty of other managers would have thrown the Spaniard under the bus if they’d been put in the position he put Sarri in.

But hindsight suggests both handled the aftermath of the incident perfectly.

3. Hazard fails to shine in Europe

Eden Hazard has been Chelsea’s main man again this season and, boy, will they miss him if – or when – his move to Real Madridis finally agreed this summer.

But despite his good form his stats in the Europa League have not backed up his importance to the club in this competition.

In fact, his assist for Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s opener was the first he has been credited with during this campaign.

Then again, he did pop up with the winning penalty.

4. Sarri set to stay?

Maurizio Sarri has had a turbulent first season at Stamford Bridge but he isn’t giving the impression of a man who wants to leave Chelsea anytime soon.

A fortnight ago he made a passionate plea to the Chelsea board to be given another season and, writing in his final programme notes of the campaign, he reiterated his desire to stay.

The Italian wrote: “We have had some great moments, big wins, difficult days and tough opponents but we are here at the end of the season with so much to play for and so much to look forward to.

“We have laid the foundations and we have to continue to build something now.”

5. Cahill snubbed for farewell

Gary Cahill said his farewells to Stamford Bridge at the weekend but it looked for a moment like he might get his chance of one last run-out when Andreas Christensen went down.

Maurizio Sarri showed no room for sentiment – not that he has done at all with Cahill this season – and sent on Davide Zappacosta instead, moving Cesar Azpilicueta into the middle next to David Luiz.

How Azpilicueta finished the full game only referee Ovidiu Hategan will know.

The Spaniard was shown only a yellow for a poor, poor challenge on Mijat Gacinovic that probably deserved the strongest sanction.

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2024 Women’s U20 World Cup: Nigeria drawn with Germany, Korea Republic, Venezuela

Cup holders Spain are in Group C alongside three-time winners USA, Paraguay and another African representative team, Morocco.

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1 year ago

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June 6, 2024

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2022 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup quarter-finalists Nigeria have been drawn to play three-time winners Germany, Venezuela and Korea Republic in Group D of this year’s FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup finals.

The final competition, which will welcome 24 teams for the first time, will be staged in four venues in three cities in Colombia, 31st August – 22nd September.

Cup holders Spain are in Group C alongside three-time winners USA, Paraguay and another African representative team, Morocco.

Two-time winners Korea Democratic People’s Republic will contend with Argentina, Costa Rica and the Netherlands in Group F, while hosts Colombia are up against Australia, Cameroon and Mexico in Group A.

Full draw

GROUP A: Colombia, Australia, Cameroon, Mexico

GROUP B: France, Canada, Brazil, Fiji

GROUP C: Spain, USA, Paraguay, Morocco

GROUP D: Germany, Venezuela, Nigeria, Korea Republic

GROUP E: Japan, New Zealand, Ghana, Austria

GROUP F: Korea DPR, Argentina, Costa Rica, The Netherlands

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KILLER-HERDSMEN: Why I said herdsmen Should carry AK-47 —Bauchi gov

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4 years ago

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February 19, 2021

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Bala Mohammed - Bauchi State Governor

Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed,  has explained that saying Fulani herdsmen can carry AK-47 was to show the extent to which they are dehumanised and demonised.

Speaking on Channels TV Sunrise Daily on Friday, Mohammed explained that his use of AK-47 was figurative, refusing to withdraw his statement.

According to him, Nigerians must stop profiling Fulani herdsmen as criminals because of the nature of their job.

The governor said, “What I said in that context is that the Fulani man is so exposed, dehumanised, demonised. Because he is seen as a bandit, anywhere he goes, his commonwealth (cows) are being taken away and rustled.

“If one cow strays into the farm because the cattle route has been taken away illegally without the authority giving permission, he will be fined seriously, mercilessly.

ALSO READ: INSECURITY: Allow Nigerians to Carry Arms If Herders Are Licensed to Carry AK-47 – Fani-Kayode
Herdsmen Should Keep Carrying AK-47—Bauchi Gov., Blasts Ortom, others

“So, he has no option than to protect himself. We also have so many vigilante groups in Nigeria, even at the different levels of government, sub-regional groups, sub-national.‌

“When we mention carrying AK-47, it is in other to protect himself. It is a figure of speech to show you the despondence, the desperation and frustration, and the agony that this particular person is exposed to by his own people, by his own tribe, and by other tribes who have all seen him as a criminal and therefore, he has the inalienable right to protect himself.

It may not be an illegal carriage, it may be legal. He may also register and carry it to protect himself.”

While explaining the need for security and self-protection, the governor clarified that he does not intend to legalise the carriage of AK-47 with his comment.

“They have no option but to protect themselves. The issue is self-protection. There must be some sort of approval. What I am saying is not to legalise the carriage of AK-47. I must be understood,” he added. Punch

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Breaking: Buhari sacks Service Chiefs, appoints replacements

Published

4 years ago

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January 26, 2021

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General Abayomi Olonisakin; Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ekwe Ibas; and Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar.

After thousands of lives have been tragically lost in Nigeria given to the gross incompetence of Buhari’s favorite Service Chiefs, the President has accepted the immediate resignation of the Service Chiefs, and their retirement from service.

This was contained in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Chief Femi Adesina in Abuja Tuesday.

According to the statement: “Those involved are the Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Olonisakin; Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ekwe Ibas; and Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar.

“President Buhari thanks the outgoing Service Chiefs for what he calls their “overwhelming achievements in our efforts at bringing enduring peace to our dear country,” wishing them well in their future endeavours.

ALSO READ: Killings, Mass Exodus of Soldiers, Sack Service Chief Now – Senate to Buhari

“The new Service Chiefs are Major-General Leo Irabor, Chief of Defence Staff; Major-General I. Attahiru, Chief of Army Staff; Rear Admiral A. Z. Gambo, Chief of Naval Staff; and Air-Vice Marshal I.O Amao, Chief of Air Staff.

“The President congratulates the new Service Chiefs, and urges them to be loyal and dedicated in the discharge of their responsibilities.”

The outgoing Service Chiefs have presided over a chronicle of unprecedented destruction of lives and properties in Nigeria under the Buhari-APC-led administration.

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