Author: 9jalive
Manchester United legend, Rio Ferdinand has criticized Arsenal fans for their reaction to the club’s pursuit of Chelsea forward Noni Madueke. Madueke is all set to join Arsenal from Chelsea this summer transfer window. Both Arsenal and Chelsea have already reached agreement for the deal that would the Englishman leave Stamford Bridge for North London this summer. The Gunners paid £52m to sign Madueke although the move is yet to be confirmed. But as the agreement was ongoing, some Arsenal fans showed their displeasure to the move and started an online petition labelled #NOTOMADUEKE. However, Ferdinand took to X on…
The Nigerian Defence Academy, NDA, is set to conduct a Range Classification Exercise for cadets of the 73 Regular Course from July 14 to 18, 2025 at the NDA Open Range. Major Mohammed Maidawa, Academy Public Relations Officer, in a statement, said the four-day exercise is designed to enhance the cadets’ skills in live firing scenarios and will be instrumental in their training and preparedness. The statement urged local residents and communities to be aware of the exercise schedule and not to be alarmed by the sounds associated with live firing activities during this period. He also advised farmers, herders,…
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, said its operatives have arrested six persons for alleged internet fraud in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. This was contained in a press statement signed by the Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Dele Oyewale, on Saturday. The statement partly read: “Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Uyo Zonal Directorate, have arrested six suspected internet fraudsters at Ekamba and Ekpri Nsukara areas of Nwaniba, in Akwa Ibom State. “The intelligence-driven arrest led to the recovery of the following items, eight mobile phones and two laptops. The suspects will be…
Barcelona winger, Lamine Yamal, has named his all-time Barcelona best XI, omitting the likes of Samuel Eto’o. In a post on the club’s X handle on Saturday, the 17-year-old included Luis Suárez, Lionel Messi, and Neymar in the team to lead the attack. The Spain international also selected Ronaldinho, Xavi, Sergio Busquets, and Andrés Iniesta to control the midfield. Yamal then chose a backline of Gerard Piqué, Carles Puyol, and Javier Mascherano to marshal the defence. Finally, Yamal picked goalkeeper Víctor Valdés to be in goal. Yamal, who is a strong contender for this year’s Ballon d’Or, has been outstanding…
Isaac Afolabi has joined Albanian side KF Laçi from Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL club Abia Warriors. The details of the youngster’s move to KF Laçi were not disclosed. Afolabi made 24 league appearances for Abia Warriors. He helped the Umuahia-based club qualify for the CAF Confederation Cup last season. Afolabi was one of the outstanding performers for Abia Warriors during the last campaign. He joined the 2024 Federation Cup finalists from Shooting Stars in 2023.
Mukhtar Mohammed is close to sealing a move to Kano Pillars ahead of the 2025–26 Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, season. According to reports, Mohammed was spotted in the camp of the former NPFL champions. Mohammed is in advanced negotiations with the Sai Masu Gida. The 21-year-old defender is expected to link up with Kano Pillars in the coming days. He featured regularly for El-Kanemi Warriors during the 2024–25 season. Mohammed is expected to add more depth to the Pillars squad.
Grammy-winning Nigerian singer, Damini Ogulu, popularly known as Burna Boy, has said that he may not start a family anytime soon. The 34-year-old Afrobeats star explained that he doesn’t want to settle down while he is still touring, and he isn’t planning on retiring from tours anytime soon. Burna Boy stated this in a recent interview with BBC Radio 1Xtra, London, England. The interviewer asked: “Is a family something you would like to start soon?” Burna Boy replied: “Yeah, but I don’t want to start that on the road. I’m not planning of quitting tours anytime soon, so I don’t…
Former Super Eagles captain, John Obi Mikel, has picked midfielder Moises Caicedo as the only Chelsea player who could make it into Paris Saint-Germain’s current starting eleven. Obi Mikel believes the Ecuadorian international would replace João Neves in the PSG squad, while suggesting that Fabian Ruiz and Vitinha are indispensable. Speaking ahead of both teams’ FIFA Club World Cup final on Sunday, the 38-year-old insisted that Caicedo could potentially take João Neves’ place in the PSG line-up. “That is a tough one,” Obi Mikel told talkSPORT when asked to pick the Chelsea player who can get into Luis Enrique’s team.…
Troops of 6 Brigade, Nigerian Army, and Sector 3, Operation Whirl Stroke, have arrested two suspects and recovered a significant cache of illegal arms during a raid in Donga Local Government Council of Taraba State. The operation, conducted in Gayama village following credible intelligence reports, targeted suspected criminal hideouts. The suspects, identified as Haruna Samari and Dantala Mamman, were apprehended with various weapons and other items in their possession. Items recovered during the raid include one submachine gun, a submachine gun magazine loaded with 10 rounds of 9mm ammunition, an empty case of 7.62mm special ammunition, two fabricated rifles, three…
The Nigerian Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has clarified that the country has not cancelled its visa-on-arrival policy; rather, it has been upgraded. According to a statement issued at the weekend by the Director General of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council, PEBEC, Princess Zahrah Audu, Tunji-Ojo made this clarification following a closed-door meeting with a delegation of PEBEC in Abuja. The clarification comes amid mixed reactions from investors over Nigeria’s reviewed visa-on-arrival, VOA, policy. Meanwhile, Tunji-Ojo explained that the review of the VOA policy is aimed at enhancing efficiency and effectiveness. “The Visa-on-Arrival process is not being scrapped. Rather,…