INSTANT NEWS

Nigerian forward Kelechi Iheanacho has expressed delight after opening his goal account for LaLiga side Sevilla. Iheanacho's brace helped Sevilla secure a convincing 3-0 victory over Las Rozas CF in the Copa del Rey.

Luis Mendez's own goal gave Sevilla the lead in the first half. Iheanacho doubled the advantage on the hour mark and sealed the win with his second goal 11 minutes from time.

"Very good; I'm very happy to have scored my first goals for this club," Iheanacho stated, as quoted by Sevillista. He emphasized the boost to his confidence and the team's morale.

Iheanacho hopes his goals will propel Sevilla toward a top-six finish. "It's very good for my confidence and that of the team, which hopefully will finish in the top six."

Sevilla faces Real Sociedad in their next outing, seeking to build momentum from Iheanacho's impressive display.

Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has highlighted the crucial role Martin Odegaard plays for Arsenal, emphasizing the team's reliance on their injured captain.

"Arsenal miss Martin Odegaard, they miss him massively," Scholes stated on The Overlap with Sky Bet. He credited Odegaard with transforming the way Arsenal plays football.

Odegaard has been sidelined since August due to an injury sustained while on international duty with Norway. His absence has been deeply felt, with Scholes attributing Arsenal's recent struggles to his lack of presence.

Despite initial disappointment with Arsenal's performance, Scholes believes the team's foundation is solid. "I think it's all down to Odegaard not playing in the team – the rest of it looks alright." He acknowledged the impact of injuries and suspensions but remains optimistic.

When Odegaard returns, Scholes expects Arsenal to reach new heights. "He changes the way they play football, and that one player can change a team." The Norway international's influence will be pivotal in Arsenal's quest .

 Martin Odegaard's return from injury is eagerly anticipated.

 Paul Scholes credits Odegaard with transforming Arsenal's playing style.

 Arsenal's title aspirations hinge on Odegaard's successful comeback.

With Odegaard's eventual return, Arsenal fans will be watching closely to see if Scholes' prediction holds true.

Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk has acknowledged the strength of Manchester City and Arsenal in the Premier League title race. Despite the Reds currently topping the table, Van Dijk recognizes the challenges posed by these two rivals.

Chasing Pep Guardiola's Manchester City is nothing new for Van Dijk and his teammates. Liverpool won the league in 2020, but City has twice denied them the title despite the Reds earning over 90 points.

Mikel Arteta's transformation of Arsenal has made them a formidable contender. Last season's three-way title race saw Liverpool eventually fall off, but Van Dijk is wary of the Gunners' 

On the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, Van Dijk named City and Arsenal as Liverpool's toughest opponents. "I would say in this case, City and Arsenal, especially from last year, it's always tough against them."

Van Dijk highlighted the importance of focus against these teams. "You know that if you're not focused for a second or slip up or whatever, you could get punished immediately."

With Liverpool, Manchester City, and Arsenal locked in a tight battle, Van Dijk's comments underscore the competitiveness of this season's title chase.

Liverpool seeks to maintain their lead in the Premier LeagueManchester City and    Arsenal aim to close the gaplThe title race is shaping up to be a thrilling three-way contest.

Football pundit Tim Sherwood has lavished praise on Chelsea midfielder Romeo Lavia, hailing his exceptional vision on the pitch. The 20-year-old Belgian has impressed since his return from injury.

Lavia joined Chelsea last year in a £58 million deal from Southampton, despite suffering ankle and hamstring injuries in his debut season. His resurgence this campaign has caught Sherwood's attention.

Lavia's displays against Liverpool and Newcastle United have been particularly noteworthy, capped by the winning assist against the Magpies. Sherwood has taken notice of the youngster's exceptional vision and passing range.

Sherwood waxed lyrical about Lavia's potential, backing him to develop into an elite-level midfielder. "Lavia for me is going to be top drawer. Top, top class midfield player. I think he's incredible," Sherwood stated on the Seaman Says podcast.

Sherwood highlighted Lavia's instinctive ability to pick out his teammates, specifically referencing his connection with Cole Palmer. "Every time he gets the ball, he just looks to see where Cole Palmer is.

Chelsea faces Newcastle United again in the league cup

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Secretary General, Mohammed Sanusi, has praised the Flamingos for their impressive display at the 2024 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup.

The Bankole Olowookere-tutored side won all three group stage matches, scoring nine goals and conceding just one. Their exceptional performance earned them a quarter-final berth.

Unfortunately, the Flamingos fell 2-0 to the USA in the quarter-finals, bringing their campaign to a close.

Sanusi emphasized the need to encourage the girls despite their elimination. "The Nigeria Football Federation is proud of the Flamingos and the efforts they put into the competition."

He acknowledged the team's past achievements, including their 2022 bronze medal win. "That is football for you."

Sanusi praised the team's fighting spirit and creativity. "They created several chances against the USA but were quite unlucky." He believes many players have the potential to progress to the U20 squad.

The Flamingos returned to Nigeria on Tuesday after their Dominican Republic sojourn.

Morocco will host the next edition of the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup. With Sanusi's endorsement, the Flamingos' future appears bright, and fans can expect exciting developments from this talented group of young players.

Heartland technical adviser, Emmanuel Amuneke, has urged fans to remain patient as the team navigates a transitional phase. Since Amuneke's arrival, the Naze Millionaires have recorded two wins, three draws, and four defeats in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).

Amuneke emphasized the importance of allowing the team to grow and develop. "Nothing in life happens without process. We're in a process at the moment. All we need now is patience to continue growing as players and as a team."

The former Zamalek left-winger and 1994 AFCON winner reaffirmed his dedication to Heartland's success. "This team is for the people of Imo; it's not about Emma Amuneke. Coming from Imo, it's a pleasure and a privilege for me to serve my people."

Amuneke pledged to deliver truth, honesty, and hard work to the Heartland faithful. "What I owe my people is truth, honesty, and hard work, and that's what I am committed to deliver."

Heartland currently occupies 16th place on the NPFL table with nine points. While the team's performance has been inconsistent, Amuneke's message emphasizes the need for stability and growth.

As Heartland continues to rebuild, Amuneke's plea for patience serves as a reminder that success rarely happens overnight. Fans will be hoping that the team's fortunes will change soon, with Amuneke at the helm.

The Delta State High Court in Warri on Friday granted an interim injunction as well as restrained the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, JAMB, from taking further action on and/or giving effect to the directives contained in its circular of October 16, 2024, titled “Admission of Candidates With Minimum Admissible Age of 16 Years,” pending the hearing and the determination of an originating motion.

The court presided over by Justice A.O. Akpovi, in Suit No. W/311/FHR/2024, granted the order.

The judge said the effect of the interim orders is that JAMB’s circular to vice-chancellors, provosts and rectors is out in abeyance and on hold the implementation of the said directives.

Justice Akpovi further said that the status quo to be maintained is the admission list before the circular, pending the hearing of the originating motion dated and filed on October 24, 2024.

The court also granted an accelerated hearing, and the case was adjourned to October 31, November 8 and 21, and December 4, 2024.

The 1st Vice President of the Nigerian Bar Association, John Aikpokpo-Martins, instituted the fundamental human rights action on behalf of all candidates born on September 1, 2009, to December 31, 2009, who wrote and passed the JAMB exam in 2024.

The legal practitioner argued that the said candidates are being denied admission only on the ground that they are not deemed to be 16 years old by August 31, 2025, in spite of meeting all other admission criteria.

According to him: “It is my contention that all those candidates that are due to be 16 years old from the 1st of January 2025 to the 31st of December 2025 are eligible for admission on the ground that they form part of the same class of 16 years old in 2025. That the limitation of the meaning of 16 years old in 2025 to only those born from the 1st of January to the 31st of August 2025 is an infringement of the freedom from discrimination of those candidates as guaranteed by Section 41(1) & (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999.”

He outlined the reliefs he is seeking: “A declaration that the circular of the 1st respondent dated the 16th day of October 2024 captioned “Admission of Candidates With Minimum Admissible Age of 16 Years” signed by Mohammed A. Babaji to all Nigerian universities, including the 2nd defendant, directing them to admit only candidates who will be 16 years old by the 31st day of August 2025, violently violates the fundamental right to freedom from discrimination of the candidates who will be 16 years from the 1st of September 2025 to the 31st of December 2025 guaranteed by Section 42 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 and is therefore unconstitutional, null and void and of no effect.

“An order setting aside the circular of the 1st respondent dated the 16th day of October 2024 captioned “Admission of Candidates With Minimum Admissible Age of 16 Years” signed by Mohammed A. Babaji to all Nigerian universities for being unconstitutional, null and void and of no effect.

“An order directing the respondents to admit and/or issue letters of admission to all those candidates who are due to be 16 years from the 1st of January, 2025 to the 31st of December, 2025 and who met all other admission criteria.

“An order restraining the 2nd respondent from withdrawing the admission already granted to candidates who will be 16 years from 1st of September, 2025 to December 2025 on the basis of the 1st respondent’s directive dated the 16th of October, 2024.”

Other reliefs he seeks include fifty million naira damages against JAMB and an order of perpetual injunction “restraining the respondents, whether by themselves, their agents, servants, privies and officials, from denying candidates admission into Nigerian universities only on the ground of not attaining 16 years of age.”

He added: “I hope we succeed in the main case and check the wanton disregard for the law and commonsense in the motherland.”

DAILY POST recalls that on October 16, 2024, JAMB, via the said circular, directed tertiary institutions to admit only candidates who will be 16 years old and older by the 31st of August, 2024.

By this directive, candidates who will be 16 years old by the 1st of September 2025 to the 31st day of December 2025 were thereby excluded from being admitted and therefore discriminated against by JAMB.

Famous Afrobeat musician, Burna Boy has disclosed that he is now richer than most of the Nigerian politicians and oil tycoons he once looked up to.

He made this known in a post on his Instagram story on Saturday, while advising his followers not to underestimate those who are younger than them.

Revealing his financial status, the singer explained “Imagine growing up and only oil men and politicians were the ones really getting the real money followed by the G boys. Music wasn’t even in the conversation when money was the topic.

“Now an ugly black musician from Port Harcourt got more money than 90% of the people he looked up to as money makers.”

Burna Boy advised his followers not to look down on anyone because they could become tomorrow’s ELon Musk.

The ruling New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, has won all the 44 local government chairmanship and 484 councilors positions contested in Kano’s just concluded local council election.

Announcing the results, the chairman of the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission KANSAIC, Professor Sani Lawan Malumfashi, said six political parties, including AA, AAC, Accord, ADC, APM, and NNPP, participated.

He said the commission had exercised and observed its constitutional mandates of planning, organising, coordinating, observing and conducting local government elections in Kano State of Nigeria.

“The exercise had been largely peaceful and successful in all ramifications. The Commission therefore deeply appreciates the roles played by the critical stakeholders, notably security agencies, media organizations, leaders of political parties, civil society organisations, religious leaders, community leaders, youth and women organisations, towards the actualization of grassroot democracy in the state.

“The Commission is also profoundly grateful to the good people of Kano State for their collective support, prayers and expression of positive emotions,” he said.

Prof. Malumfashi added that the peaceful conduct of the exercise is a manifestation of public acceptability of the exercise in terms of credibility, fairness and decency.

Ahead of their Champions League clash on Wednesday, Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany has lavished praise on Barcelona's 17-year-old centre-back, Pau Cubarsi. Kompany boldly predicted that Cubarsi will become one of the greatest defenders in football history.

A Bright Future Ahead

Cubarsi has been phenomenal for Barcelona since his debut at the start of the year, featuring in every match under Hansi Flick. His impressive performances have caught the attention of Kompany, who believes the teenager's potential is limitless. "Pau Cubarsi will be one of the best defenders in football history. He is young and impressive. If injuries spare him, he will be a great player," Kompany stated.

Flick Echoes Kompany's Sentiment*

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick shares Kompany's enthusiasm, highlighting Cubarsi's exceptional ability to read the game and excel in one-versus-one situations. This praise is a testament to Cubarsi's rapid growth and maturity on the pitch.

International Recognition

Cubarsi's outstanding performances have earned him a call-up to the Spain national team, a remarkable achievement for a 17-year-old. As he continues to impress, expectations surrounding his future success will only intensify.

A Star in the Making

With endorsements from top managers like Kompany and Flick, Pau Cubarsi is undoubtedly a talent to watch. Will he live up to the hype and become one of football's all-time great defenders? Only time will tell.