Ayeiroyin

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has hit back at criticism of his surprise move for David Luiz by claiming the Brazilian can become one of the world’s best defenders. Conte has brought Luiz back to Stamford Bridge two years after he was sold to Paris Saint Germain in a world record £50 million ($66 million, 59 million euros) deal for a defender. But Conte’s £32 million swoop for the centre-back on last month’s transfer deadline day wasn’t greeted with widespread acclaim given Luiz’s habit of making careless and costly mistakes during his first spell with the Blues. Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville memorably said Luiz looked like he was “being controlled by a 10-year-old in the crowd on a Playstation” after one especially error-strewn display and he was unable to shed that reputation during his time in France. Conte conceded the 29-year-old still has room for improvement, but the Italian believes Luiz has the ability and desire to eventually rank among the best in the w...

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Ibrahim Idris, has ordered all Assistant Inspectors General of Police in charge of zonal commands and all Commissioners of Police in the States to deploy adequate personnel to Eid-Kabir praying grounds, recreation centres and public places.   He said this has become expedient in order to ensure adequate security and to guarantee utmost protection of life and property during the celebration and the public holidays. This was contained in a statement signed by the Force PPRO, Mr. Donald Awunah, on behalf of the IGP, in Abuja.

Edo State will elect a new governor on September 28 after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday postponed the election by 18 days. The Directorate of State Services (DSS) and the police advised the agency to shift the poll because of an untoward security situation. At a joint news conference, the security agencies said it would be impossible for the election to hold on schedule. The INEC, whose top officials, including Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, were already in Benin, the state capital, said it would meet and take a decision based on the advice. The initial position of the agency yesterday was to go ahead with the election. INEC National Commissioner in charge of voter education and publicity Prince Solomon Soyebi, said the agency was ready and would go ahead. “We cannot shift the election on the basis of security report. We have weighed all the parameters and consequences of postponing the election. This Commission will not mortgage its independence...

Arsenal striker Alexis Sanchez feels as though he possesses the natural talent to rival Barcelona’s Lionel Messi and Real Madrid man Cristiano Ronaldo as the finest player in the world. Sanchez has been a huge hit at the Emirates Stadium since joining from Barcelona in the summer of 2014, adding an industry and incision to the final third. And the Chile international believes he's good enough to match the aforementioned duo. “I have reached a level where I can compete with great players,” he said. “I do not feel inferior to anybody. I liken [my qualities] to Messi and Ronaldo. I have the same abilities as them.” In terms of inherent ability, there’s arguably not too much difference between the three. While they all have their own stylistic perks, Sanchez has a lot of diversity to his play; he is able to thread passes, beat defenders and score goals. The difference is an ability to recreate such high standards on a remarkably consistent basis. Here is a glimpse at how the three co...

On Thursday, FIFA dismissed appeals by Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid against a ban on registering new signing in the next two transfer windows for irregularities in the signing of foreign players under 18. Real and Atletico — last season’s Champions League finalists — were also fined 360,000 ($358,000) and 900,000 Swiss Francs respectively. The Spanish giants still have a final right of appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). “The FIFA Appeal Committee has decided to reject the appeals lodged by the two Spanish clubs Atletico de Madrid and Real Madrid and to confirm in their entirety the decisions rendered by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee in the respective cases relating to the protection of minors,” FIFA said in a statement. Both clubs were sanctioned in January, but by appealing had temporarily held off the ban during the transfer window which closed last month. They will now not be able to register any new players in either of the next two windows, in January 2017...

Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, on Thursday, demonstrated his commitment to attract foreign investors into Lagos by approving land for the establishment of a training centre in state where architects, civil engineers and craftsmen will be trained on modern trends and technologies in the construction sector. Mr Ambode, who gave the approval when he received a delegation from The Knauf Group, which is a German firm currently establishing a $75miilion building/construction tools manufacturing factory in Lagos, said the approval for the land became imperative in view of the need to encourage investors to continue to invest in Lagos. The Knauf Group is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of modern insulation materials, dry lining systems, plasters and accessories, thermal insulation composite systems, paints, floor screed, floor systems, and construction equipment and tools.

Ondo Government confirmed a case of Lassa fever at the Owo/Ose in Owo and Ose Local Governments Areas of the state on Wednesday while two other suspected cases are under investigation. State Commissioner for Health, Dr Dayo Adeyanju, who confirmed the case of the dreaded disease in Akure, Ondo State capital, said that the surveillance and containment machinery of government had been stepped up to prevent a spread of the disease. The disclosure of the health commissioner came during a briefing of journalists after a meeting with senior health officials and development partners which deliberated on the lassa fever case. The commissioner also supervised the distribution of more Information Education Communication (IEC) Materials on Lassa Fever to health centers across the state. .