Wednesday, July 8

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France v Morocco rematch as World Cup quarter-finals get under way  Agency Report  France begin their final push towards a third World Cup crown on Thursday when they take on Morocco in a blockbuster showdown as a star-studded quarter-final line-up kicks off.  After a month of scintillating action that has dispelled pre-tournament anxieties over sky-high ticket prices and geopolitics, the biggest, boldest and most logistically complex World Cup ever staged has been whittled down to eight teams.  France, who have emerged as the outstanding team of the tournament after a series of dazzling attacking displays, face arguably their toughest test so far in the shape of African champions Morocco at the Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, outside Boston.  Les Bleus have surged into the last eight in style, scoring 14 goals in five games — seven of them from in-form captain Kylian Mbappe.  Mbappe is one of four star strikers who are leading the chase for the World Cup’s Golden Boot as the tournament enters the home stretch.  Argentina’s Lionel Messi tops the scoring chart with eight, Mbappe and Norway’s Erling Haaland have seven each and England’s Harry Kane has six.  Thursday’s opening quarter-final is a repeat of the 2022 World Cup semi-final in Qatar, won 2-0 by France, who would go on to lose in the final against Argentina.     – Tactical nous –     Morocco meanwhile have looked impressive en route to the last eight, easing through the group phase before battling past the Netherlands in the last 32 and swatting aside Canada in the round of 16 last weekend.  The Atlas Lions will threaten France with a mix of technical quality, physicality and tactical nous under the guidance of coach Mohamed Ouahbi, who masterminded Morocco’s shock victory in the under-20 World Cup last year.  The winner will advance to a semi-final showdown against the victor of Friday’s tie in Los Angeles between European champions Spain and Belgium.  The Spaniards eliminated Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal in the last 16 on Monday to advance with a clinical 1-0 victory.  While La Roja haven’t hit the dizzying attacking heights of France, they will fancy their chances of navigating a Belgium side who have slowly built momentum over the course of the tournament.  Belgium struggled through the group phase with lacklustre draws in their first two matches before routing New Zealand 5-1 to secure their place in the knockout rounds.  They came back from the dead in the last 32 to beat Senegal 3-2, when they had trailed 2-0 with four minutes to go, before dismantling the United States 4-1 with arguably their best display of the tournament in Seattle on Monday.     – Houdini act –     On the other side of the draw, holders Argentina face Switzerland in Kansas City on Saturday after staggering into the quarter-finals.  The South Americans, aiming to become the first back-to-back champions since Brazil in 1962, were given an almighty scare by Cape Verde in the last 32 before winning 3-2 in extra-time.  On Tuesday, Messi inspired an incredible Houdini act in a jaw-dropping 3-2 defeat of Egypt in Atlanta, when the reigning champions recovered from 2-0 down with 11 minutes of normal time remaining to snatch victory.  Messi was reduced to tears of relief after that roller coaster victory.  “We wanted to stay in the tournament,” the Argentina captain said afterwards.  “We didn’t want today to be the end, we didn’t want to go home.”  The winner of Argentina-Switzerland will face either Norway or England in the semi-finals in Atlanta next week.  England advanced to the last eight on Sunday with a pulsating 3-2 defeat of Mexico in the Azteca Stadium, winning an extraordinary, drama-filled contest which has given the Three Lions renewed belief in their bid to win a first major title since 1966.  England’s talismanic midfield star Jude Bellingham says the victory reinforced his belief that the Three Lions can claim the ultimate prize — and wants his team-mates to feel the same.  “I’m convinced of it and I hope that a win like this can give them that same conviction that they’re top players and we shouldn’t fear anyone,” Bellingham said.  Blocking England’s path is a formidable Norway side spearheaded by the irrepressible Haaland, who scored both goals in Sunday’s last 16 win over Brazil.  “We have to study England but obviously we have seen them in their previous games in the tournament and they will be a very strong opponent, but hopefully it will be a very even and tight game,” Norway coach Stale Solbakken said.  AFP
Police confirm death of notorious bandit, Terkaa Samuel in Benue

The Benue State Police Command has announced the killing of a feared bandit, Terkaa Samuel, who hailed from Jandekyula in Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State. The Command’s spokesperson, DSP Udeme Edet, disclosed the development in a statement issued…

Kolmani oil field, NSCDC target peace for regional development

The Base Manager of the Kolmani Oil Field, Unnikrishnan Ordinat, on Thursday, paid a courtesy visit to the Gombe State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, as part of efforts to strengthen collaboration on security matters. Kolmani…

FG secures freedom of Nigerian pastor detained in Benin Republic

The Federal Government has facilitated the release of a Nigerian pastor, Benjamin Egbaji, who spent over two years in detention in the Republic of Benin under what officials described as harsh and degrading conditions. The Minister of State for Foreign…

ADC unveils constitution review committee

The National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, David Mark, has inaugurated Etigwe Uwa, SAN, as Chairman of the party’s Constitution Review Committee, in a move aimed at strengthening internal democracy and reinforcing the party’s guiding principles. While inaugurating the…

President Tinubu hails NRS Chair, Zacch Adedeji, on birthday

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Zacch Adedeji, the Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service, on his birthday. President Tinubu commends Dr Adedeji’s sterling leadership of the 83-year-old revenue agency, the introduction of fresh ideas, the adoption of global best practices,…

Ogun varsity debunks fire outbreak, postponement of resumption

Babcock University in Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, has debunked report of a fire outbreak in its campus, describing it as complete mischief and falsehood deliberately crafted to mislead and misinform the general public. The university’s Associate Vice President, Communications, Media and…

Police confiscate 104 motorcycles in Kano

The Kano State Police Command has impounded 104 motorcycles and arrested several owners for violating the ban on commercial motorcycle operations within the state metropolis. The command’s spokesperson, Abdullahi Kiyawa, noted that the arrests were part of a joint operation…

Rivers crisis: Bad people won’t prevail over us – Wike

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, says God will not allow “bad people” prevail in Rivers State. Wike made the statement on Thursday during his ‘thank-you-visit’ to the Bonny Island area of Rivers State. “I appreciate…

Lagos govt debunks rift between Sanwo-Olu, Abiodun

The Lagos State Government has debunked claims of a strained relationship between Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, describing the reports as false and misleading. The rebuttal was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by…

Petrol station workers oppose AA Rano’s unmanned fuel stations

Petrol station workers under the aegis of the Concerned Petrol Station Workers have opposed plans by AA Rano to introduce what the company described as Nigeria’s first fully automated and unmanned fuel stations. The workers warned that the move, if…

Top News
France v Morocco rematch as World Cup quarter-finals get under way  Agency Report  France begin their final push towards a third World Cup crown on Thursday when they take on Morocco in a blockbuster showdown as a star-studded quarter-final line-up kicks off.  After a month of scintillating action that has dispelled pre-tournament anxieties over sky-high ticket prices and geopolitics, the biggest, boldest and most logistically complex World Cup ever staged has been whittled down to eight teams.  France, who have emerged as the outstanding team of the tournament after a series of dazzling attacking displays, face arguably their toughest test so far in the shape of African champions Morocco at the Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, outside Boston.  Les Bleus have surged into the last eight in style, scoring 14 goals in five games — seven of them from in-form captain Kylian Mbappe.  Mbappe is one of four star strikers who are leading the chase for the World Cup’s Golden Boot as the tournament enters the home stretch.  Argentina’s Lionel Messi tops the scoring chart with eight, Mbappe and Norway’s Erling Haaland have seven each and England’s Harry Kane has six.  Thursday’s opening quarter-final is a repeat of the 2022 World Cup semi-final in Qatar, won 2-0 by France, who would go on to lose in the final against Argentina.     – Tactical nous –     Morocco meanwhile have looked impressive en route to the last eight, easing through the group phase before battling past the Netherlands in the last 32 and swatting aside Canada in the round of 16 last weekend.  The Atlas Lions will threaten France with a mix of technical quality, physicality and tactical nous under the guidance of coach Mohamed Ouahbi, who masterminded Morocco’s shock victory in the under-20 World Cup last year.  The winner will advance to a semi-final showdown against the victor of Friday’s tie in Los Angeles between European champions Spain and Belgium.  The Spaniards eliminated Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal in the last 16 on Monday to advance with a clinical 1-0 victory.  While La Roja haven’t hit the dizzying attacking heights of France, they will fancy their chances of navigating a Belgium side who have slowly built momentum over the course of the tournament.  Belgium struggled through the group phase with lacklustre draws in their first two matches before routing New Zealand 5-1 to secure their place in the knockout rounds.  They came back from the dead in the last 32 to beat Senegal 3-2, when they had trailed 2-0 with four minutes to go, before dismantling the United States 4-1 with arguably their best display of the tournament in Seattle on Monday.     – Houdini act –     On the other side of the draw, holders Argentina face Switzerland in Kansas City on Saturday after staggering into the quarter-finals.  The South Americans, aiming to become the first back-to-back champions since Brazil in 1962, were given an almighty scare by Cape Verde in the last 32 before winning 3-2 in extra-time.  On Tuesday, Messi inspired an incredible Houdini act in a jaw-dropping 3-2 defeat of Egypt in Atlanta, when the reigning champions recovered from 2-0 down with 11 minutes of normal time remaining to snatch victory.  Messi was reduced to tears of relief after that roller coaster victory.  “We wanted to stay in the tournament,” the Argentina captain said afterwards.  “We didn’t want today to be the end, we didn’t want to go home.”  The winner of Argentina-Switzerland will face either Norway or England in the semi-finals in Atlanta next week.  England advanced to the last eight on Sunday with a pulsating 3-2 defeat of Mexico in the Azteca Stadium, winning an extraordinary, drama-filled contest which has given the Three Lions renewed belief in their bid to win a first major title since 1966.  England’s talismanic midfield star Jude Bellingham says the victory reinforced his belief that the Three Lions can claim the ultimate prize — and wants his team-mates to feel the same.  “I’m convinced of it and I hope that a win like this can give them that same conviction that they’re top players and we shouldn’t fear anyone,” Bellingham said.  Blocking England’s path is a formidable Norway side spearheaded by the irrepressible Haaland, who scored both goals in Sunday’s last 16 win over Brazil.  “We have to study England but obviously we have seen them in their previous games in the tournament and they will be a very strong opponent, but hopefully it will be a very even and tight game,” Norway coach Stale Solbakken said.  AFP
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