Buhari inspects last independence day parade as Nigeria celebrates 62nd anniversary
—Jonathan and other dignitaries join President at Eagle Square
President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday led some dignitaries including former President Goodluck Jonathan to celebrate Nigeria’s 62nd Independence Day Anniversary.
Also present were members of the diplomatic community, who witnessed the ceremony, characterized by a colourful military parade.
Also in attendance were the wife of the President, Aisha Buhari; wife of the Vice President, Dolapo Osinbajo; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha; President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila and the Service Chiefs, among others.
On arrival, President Buhari was received by the Commander of the elite Guards Brigade, Brig Gen Mohammed Takuti Usman. Thereafter, he proceeded to inspect the parade, which is expected to be his last in eight years since he assumed office in May 2015.
The parade formation was a combined guard of honour mounted by the officers and men of the Guards Brigade complemented by a detachment, each, drawn from the Nigerian Navy, Nigeria Air force, as well as the Nigeria Police respectively.
Also on the parade were paramilitary officers and men of the Nigeria Customs Service, Immigration, Federal Fire Service, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and the Nigeria Legion.
Major highlights of the colourful event were a slow and quick march past by personnel of the various services including students of the Nigeria Military School (NMS), Zaria, an aerial display by the Nigeria Air Force fighter aircraft, traditional dances by various troupes depicting the cultural diversity of the Nigerian people from north and south.
President Buhari had in his last Independence Day broadcast to citizens earlier on Saturday, promised to leave a legacy of free and fair elections as Nigerians go to the polls next year to elect another set of political office holders for four years.
The President used the occasion to urge the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, to suspend the over seven months strike while negotiations on the concerns they raised would be addressed based on the available resources.
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SERIE A LINE-UPS: INTER VS. ROMA, Roma make a incredible performance by defeating Inter 1-2
Inter and Roma both try to get back on track in the Scudetto race, but Romelu Lukaku and Marcelo Brozovic are out, while Jose Mourinho unveils a new approach with Paulo Dybala as centre-forward.
It kicks off at San Siro at 17.00 UK time (16.00 GMT).
This represents a return to the Stadio Meazza for Treble-winner Mourinho, but he is in the stands due to a touchline ban for protesting refereeing decisions.
Simone Inzaghi is trying to hang on to his job after a series of poor results this season, not helped by injuries to Lukaku and Brozovic.
At least he had time to prepare, because the Croatian would’ve been suspended anyway, so Kristjan Asllani starts in midfield and Hakan Calhanoglu is back.
Edin Dzeko partners Lautaro Martinez, with an eye also on the upcoming Champions League showdown with Barcelona.
Francesco Acerbi is again chosen in place of Stefan de Vrij.
Roma are still missing Rick Karsdorp, Georginio Wijnaldum and Ebrima Darboe.
The good news is Dybala and Pellegrini have shaken off their muscular issues and can start with Nicolo’ Zaniolo, but Tammy Abraham is dropped, using La Joya as a centre-forward.
Both sides went into the break for international duty off defeats, as Inter fell 3-1 away to Udinese and Roma lost at home to Atalanta.
The Giallorossi have not beaten Inter in any competition, home or away, since a 3-1 result at San Siro in February 2017, followed by six draws and five defeats, losing their last four in a row between Serie A and the Coppa Italia.
Inter: Handanovic; Skriniar, Acerbi, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Asllani, Calhanoglu, Dimarco; Dzeko, Lautaro Martinez
Roma: Rui Patricio; Mancini, Smalling, Ibanez; Celik, Cristante, Matic, Spinazzola; Pellegrini, Zaniolo; Dybala
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Man City vs Man United: To beat Man City, we must not focus on Haaland alone – Ten Hag
Manchester United boss, Erik Ten Hag has asked his players to avoid having their attention on stopping Erling Haaland alone if they intend to beat Manchester City in the Manchester derby on Sunday.
Haaland has been in incredible form since he joined City from Borussia Dortmund in the summer, scoring 11 goals of his side’s 23 goals so far this season.
The Norwegian is expected to lead the line for the Citizens against Manchester United in the Manchester derby, his first in his career.
Ten Hag who was named Premier League coach for the month of September said that Man City is more than Haaland, and that is team will be making a mistake if they don’t focus on Man City as a team.
He noted that his team has the capabilities to defeat Man City, adding that such mentality is what they will take into the game.
“We don’t play against Haaland, we play against Manchester City,” Ten Hag, who was named September’s manager of the month on Friday, said at his pre-match press conference.
“They have a team, more than 11 players, but also we are convinced of our capabilities and if we act as a team, in and out of possession, then you can beat such opponents.
“That is the belief we have to take with us when we line up, when we start the game and we do it over more than 90 minutes on Sunday, clear.”
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PSG vs OGC Nice Ligue 1 HIGHLIGHTS: Mbappe wins it late for PSG after Messi’s freekick goal
FULL TIME: PSG wins 2-1 and it was a hard-fought one. Messi opened the scoring for the Parisians with one of his trademark freekick. Laborde equalised for Nice straight after half-time, only for Mbappe to come in and seal the game for his side in the 83rd minute.
90’
Pepe finds himself in some space down the right. But he can’t find the right cross. Nice is desperate to get forward but PSG has doubled down on the defesnse. Four minutes added on and PSG sees it off with ease. PSG WINS 2-1!!
87’
Renato Sanches is down on the floor. The medics come on and it didn’t look like it came from any sort of contact. Meanwhile Messi is subbed off and the fans applaud the man who opened the scoring for their side. And Sanches is replaced by Danilo.
83’
It is Mbappe time. He came in as a sub and he could be the match winner. Mukiele, a second half sub, got past the defense into the right hand byline and he cuts it back for Mbappe for a simple finish. PSG LEADS 2-1.
80’
Renato Sanches is the next PSG player to come off the bench. He has made an immediate impact by solidifying PSG’s presence in the midfield. Nice not pushing too many players forward as it looks to play it out.
76’
PSG committing more men forward. A goal-mouth scramble is quickly quelled by Nice defenders. A flurry of changes for Nice as Favre looks to consolidate his position.
72’
Messi threads the needle to release Nuno Mendes. But Schmeichel came flying out to block the shot. The wingback may have been offside, but Messi’s pass was inch perfect.
68’
Nice brings in Ivorian winger Nicholas Pepe. PSG attackers are pinning Nice defenders back into their box. Hakimi is also getting heavily involved as PSG looks to retake the lead.
64’
Mbappe immediately gets a chance to run at Nice defenders. He finds Neymar, but the ball is stolen immediately from underneath his feet.
60’
Messi and Neymar stitch together a move before the Argentinian set up Vitinha to shoot. But his shot was wide. And it is time for Mbappe to come in. Can he change the game?
56’
Nice dominating possession at the moment. Mbappe’s arrival might be the spark PSG need to get back into this game and it looks set to happen sooner than later.
52’
Nice has regained its intensity and verve and PSG is clearly taken aback by that goal. Another slick move by Nice, but the final touch was poor. Good signs here for the visiting side.
48’
Nice gets going right from the restart and is rewarded immediately. A cross is floated in from the right and it is Laborde who had the composure to take it down and pump it past Donarumma. GOALLL!!! It is 1-1 and it is game on!
45’
Messi and Bernat link up down the left and Messi shoots with venom, but Schmeichel had that in his sights and punched it away. And that is half time and it has been a one-man show run by Lionel Messi. PSG LEADS NICE 1-0 AT HALF TIME.
44’
Neymar’s turn to dazzle past a few. He tries to set up Vitinha, but the pass is too wide. Nice tries to regain some of the lost momentum, but it is lacking in the final pass.
40’
PSG has more time on the ball and it builds up the game slowly and smoothly from the back. The game has slipped into PSG’s hands. Messi drives past few players as easy as brushing off dust on his shoulders. He is in some mood today.
36’
Another freekick for PSG and surely it is Messi who will take it. Neymar is in close attendance and it is the Brazilian who whips it in. He couldn’t bend it enough. The sheer threat PSG possess just from freekicks due to these two is immense.
32’
That goal has taken the sting out of Nice, who had started the game as good as PSG. A bit of Messi magic was all it needed for the game’s balance to turn.
28’
Messi sets off on a rapid dribble and Dante had to foul him to prevent the Argentinian from entering the box. A freekick from the range Messi usually loves to curl it in. AND THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT HE DOES!!! Messi steps up and puts it over the wall and under the bar. He wins the freekick and he thumps it in. GOAL
24’
Messi evades a couple of markers, but his pass to Neymar wasn’t sharp enough. Nice makes a quick break, but the passing in the buildup wasn’t accurate enough and that move comes to an end. Even battle at Paris.
20’
Ross Barkley almost sneaked through the PSG defense, but was belatedly called offside. This has been high-intensity football from Nice so far.
16’
PSG players are being harried and hurried by the Nice pressure. Neymar and Messi have taken up the challenge to beat the press and Messi evades a couple of challenges and almost releases Hakimi down the right.
12’
PSG finally penetrates into the Nice box and it all came from a through ball from Messi to find Hakimi. Nice defenders thwart the move, but give away a freekick. Messi goes for it, but it was not on target as Schmeichel watched it fly past.
8’
Donnarumma is called into action as he is forced to punch clear a cross from the left. PSG hasn’t been able to dominate possession like it is used to.
4’
PSG kicks off the game and it is without Kylian Mbappe, who has been rested. Former Leciester keeper Kasper Schmeichel in goal for Nice. Lucien Favre builds play from the back with confidence and vigour. Nice is pressing higher up the pitch than most would have expected.
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PSG vs Nice: TV Channel, live stream and team news as Messi set to start
Paris Saint-Germain are back in action tonight as they face Lucien Favre’s OGC Nice at the Parc Des Princes.
The Ligue 1 champions have made a fast start to proceedings as expected so far this term, picking up 22 points from a possible 24 - they sit second in the table though, after Marseille’s comfortable 3-0 defeat of Angers took them to 23 points.
Their visitors have had a less than pleasant start to the campaign, struggling to 13th position under their new boss Favre, who succeeded now PSG boss Christophe Galtier at the helm at Les Aiglons.
Galtier’s appointment has seen a real upturn in the cohesion of Les Parisiens superstar forwards, with the formidable three of Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi and Neymar threatening to blow every opponent by the wayside.
The latter in particular has enjoyed a quite incredible renaissance, scoring eight and assisting seven in eight Ligue 1 matches. He is one ahead of Mbappe in the league’s scoring charts, with Messi the provider - showcasing his true ability as the primary creator.#
"Nice have had a bit of a rough start to the season," PSG boss Galtier said of his opponents in Thursday’s pre-match press conference.
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Lionel Messi scores twice as Argentina stretch unbeaten run to 35 games with win over Jamaica
Lionel Messi scored two goals from the bench as Argentina extended their unbeaten streak to 35 matches over three years by beating Jamaica 3-0 on Tuesday night in a penultimate World Cup warmup match in Harrison, New Jersey.
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Don’t allow politicians wreck Nigeria, Obasanjo tells clerics
Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has warned religious leaders in the country not to allow politicians with no fear of God to wreck Nigeria.
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England 3-3 Germany:
Match report as England draw 3-3 with Germany in Nations League in final match before World Cup in Qatar; Three Lions were 2-0 down after Harry Maguire mistakes but goals from Luke Shaw, Mason Mount and a Harry Kane penalty turned it around until Kai Havertz capitalised on Nick Pope spill.
England were on their knees and then on the brink of a transformative comeback win before a bad Nick Pope error late on ensured their final game before the World Cup ended 3-3 against Germany.
It was looking bleak for the confidence-hit hosts when Harry Maguire errors had led to an Ilkay Gundogan converted penalty and Kai Havertz beauty but somehow from 2-0 down England fought back with a four-minute double from the impressive Luke Shaw and Mason Mount.
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Spain stun Portugal to clinch spot in Nations League finals
Spain snatched a place in the Nations League final four after striker Alvaro Morata's late goal secured a 1-0 win over hosts Portugal on Tuesday to ensure top spot in their group.
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