Chelsea willing to pay £87.5m for Pogba

Chelsea have reopened talks to sign Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba with the Blues ready to pay up to £87.5million for the Frenchman, according to Italian journalist Tancredi Palmeri.

The former Manchester United man has been linked with a host of European clubs this summer with Jose Mourinho said to be heavily interested in signing the 22-year-old.

Mourinho’s side have made a poor start to their title defence and Pogba would add a goal threat in midfield that has been lacking from Cesc Fabregas so far this campaign.

And Palmeri says that the Blues have been in contact with the Serie A giants in the last few days and are willing to pay up to £87.5m to sign the France midfielder.

Oshiomole - Buhari's appointment based on merit

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has urged Nigerians to encourage the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration to confront the problems militating against the nation by appointing persons based on merit and not ethnicity.

Oshiomhole stated this while commending the President on the appointments of the Chief of Staff, Secretary to the Government of the Federation and others made so far, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Peter Okhiria.

According to Oshiomhole, “The Nigerian nation has come to a point where we have to use the best hands to confront the peculiarity of our problems.

It is not all the time we descend to the level of geopolitical balancing; we need to employ unusual methods to solve an unusual problem. The level of decay in the country at present requires very seasoned hands and incorruptible Nigerians that will help translate the APC agenda of change for the benefit of all Nigerians.

“We must not reduce governance to political patronage of bread and butter.

 The governor congratulates the Chief of Staff, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Comptroller General of Customs, all of who he had very close relationship with and whose credentials stand tall among their compeers. He wishes them well in their new jobs of helping to sanitize a system that has become so rotten and corrupt as a result of manifest incompetence and mismanagement.”

Fayose - Buhari is nothing but a Northern President

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose has said President Muhammadu Buhari was operating as a president of Northern Nigeria only, describing steps taken by the president since May 29, 2015 as tainted in ethnic and tribal colouration, which is inimical to the unity of Nigeria.

The governor, who descried what he called President Buhari’s “Northernisation of Nigeria”, said “appointments made by the President so far negate the principle of federal character and it appears the unity in diversity of Nigeria is being taken for granted by the President.”

According to a statement issued on Monday, by his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, Governor Fayose said it was wrong for President Buhari to have made 31 major appointments and only seven will come from the South while 24 were from the North.

He asked: “Under Buhari, are people from Southern Nigeria only meant to be hounded and harassed by anti-corruption agencies and the Department of State Security (DSS) while those from the North are meant to enjoy federal government juicy appointments?”

The governor added: “Apart from lopsided appointments being made by the President, I am worried that construction of Lagos-Ibadan expressway has been slowed down while work has stopped on Lokoja-Abuja roads, which are the major roads linking the Southern part of Nigeria with the North.

“Also, we have been told by the Federal Government that the Second Niger Bridge project has been suspended and one is now beginning to remember how Buhari cancelled the Lagos Metroline Project in 1985 at a loss of over $78 million (then) to the Lagos tax payers.”

Governor Fayose, who maintained that Nigeria can only move forward if there was equity and fairness, said those who made the country’s constitution and enshrined the principle of Federal Character were mindful of the ethnic diversity of the country, adding that President Buhari running Nigeria as if he was a Northern Nigeria’s President was not in the interest of the country.

“They said the President made the appointments on merit and I wish to ask whether there are no competent people in the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Southern part of Nigeria, especially South-East where no one has been appointed.

“Are they saying Igbo leader like Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, who graduated with a first class honours degree in Chemical Engineering at the University of Lagos, is not competent to be appointed as Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF)?

“To my mind, these lopsided appointments skewed in favour of the North is a reminder of President Buhari’s tenure as Military Head of State and I hope the President is not seeing Nigeria of today as that of 1984 because doing so will mean that he has turned himself to a northern president, thereby justifying his notion that those who gave him 97 percent votes must get more benefits than those who gave him five percent votes.”

Who will Arsenal sign?

There has been a lot of speculation surrounding who Arsenal will sign before the transfer window closes.

The Gunners are widely expected to attempt to push through a deal for a striker before the window slams shut.

With time running out, fans are getting more frantic to learn who Arsene Wenger is attempting to sign.
Bookmakers Betfred seem to have some idea as to who could rock up at the Emirates before 6pm on Tuesday.

1 - EDINSON CAVANI

 

 

 The Paris St Germain striker has been widely linked with a switch to London throughout the summer.

Whether Arsenal are willing to splash the cash to bring the Uruguayan to the Premier League is another question.

2 - ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC

Should Arsenal miss out on Cavani, it’s suggested that they may negotiate with PSG for the mercurial Swede.

At 33 years of age, Ibrahimovic represents a huge gamble and would command a hefty salary.

3 - KARIM BENZEMA

Despite the Frenchman insisting he’s going nowhere, rumours continue to persist as to whether Benzema will join Arsenal.

Unless Real Madrid sign another striker you can rule this deal out.

4 - ROMELU LUKAKU

Perhaps a surprising name on the list given Everton’s reliance on him but the Belgian is a proven centre-forward.

Given Everton’s stubbornness regarding John Stones, it seems unlikely they would let Lukaku leave.

5 - HARRY KANE

The England striker is known to be a boyhood Arsenal fan but this will surely not happen.

Tottenham Hotspur wouldn’t dream of letting their prized possession join Arsenal with so little time left of the window.

Don’t waste your money on this one!

6 - CHARLIE AUSTIN

Seido Berahino and Antoine Griezmann are also potentials.

Moves for this trio should be viewed as rank outsiders but as Arsenal grow more desperate, they may look to one of these attackers.

Austin’s price has been set while West Brom seem willing to negotiate regarding Berahino.

A move for Griezmann, however, looks a long shot.

Liverpool signs Taiwo Awoniyi

Liverpool have ratified the signing of Nigerian prospect Taiwo Awoniyi.

Sportsmail reported earlier this month that the striker was also attracting interest from the likes of Porto and Monaco.

But Liverpool have won the race for the 18-year-old striker's signature and he has joined the club from Imperial Academy in Nigeria.

The initial fee will be in the region of £800,000 but that could rise to £3million with add-ons.

However, Awoniyi does not qualify for a work permit so will be immediately sent out on loan to FSV Frankfurt.

He has already been likened to current Liverpool striker Christian Benteke.

He told the club's official website: 'This is the biggest club in the world and I'm privileged to be here.

'I'll try to develop myself very well so that when I come back to Liverpool I'll be able to add value to the team.

'When I'm in the red shirt, I will always give my very best to make the fans happy.

Boko Haram members apprehended in Lagos and Enugu

The State Security Service, SSS, has stated that it arrested over a dozen Boko Haram leaders in the past two months including nine in Lagos and one in Enugu State.

The SSS, also known as DSS, said this in a statement by its spokesperson, Tony Opuiyo, on Sunday.

Mr. Opuiyo said “the sudden influx of Boko Haram members into Lagos State points to the determination of the sect to extend its nefarious terrorist activities to the State and in fact, other parts of the country.”

The Boko Haram, whose terrorist activities has caused the death of about 20,000 people, has only carried out attacks in Northern Nigeria, particularly in the north-east.

According to the spokesperson, “the arrest of these confessed terrorist elements has however helped in no small measure to avert devastating attacks in the area.”

Read the full SSS statement below: 

In line with the Department of State Services’, DSS, re-strategised Counter Terrorism measures to combat the menace of the Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria, the Service has continued to make significant breakthroughs in this direction. This followed the rounding up of notable commanders and frontline members of the notorious group from different parts of the country. It should be noted that the group’s new pattern of movement and spread is necessitated by the pressure being put on them in their core areas of strength in the North East.

2. Consequently, a number of them have been arrested in Lagos, Kano, Plateau, Enugu and Gombe States between July 8 and August 25, 2015. Of particular note was the arrest on July 8, 2015 in Gombe State of those responsible for the coordination and execution of the suicide attacks in Potiskum, Kano, Zaria and Jos. They are:

Usman SHUAIBU (a. k. a. Money):
3. SHUAIBU revealed that he coordinated the attacks under reference with the sum of N500,000 which was provided by his Amir, one Isa ALI. He claimed that the said Isa ALI has links to the leader of the Boko Haram sect, Abubakar SHEKAU, from where he collects monies to fund operations undertaken by their Markaz.  Also, he revealed that he has participated in several Boko Haram attacks, including the attacks at Gwoza Divisional Police Station in 2014.

4.  SHUAIBU admitted being the leader of the team of nine (9) sect members that was dispatched from Sambisa Forest to carry out the attacks. He disclosed that four out of the nine of them were used as suicide bombers in executing all the (suicide) attacks.

Ahmed MOHAMMED (aka ABUBAKAR):
5. Suspect, an IED expert, confessed to the preparation of the IEDs used for the mentioned attacks. He also averred that he was the one who strapped the suicide bombers, notably SULE and his wives, with IED vests, which they used in the attacks in Jos.

Adamu ABDULLAHI (aka Babpa)
6. Suspect confessed that Usman SHUAIBU motivated him to work closely with Ahmed MOHAMMED (aka ABUBAKAR) in the preparation of the IEDs used in the attacks under reference.

Ibrahim ISA
7. Suspect confessed that he was the one who carried out reconnaissance on the targets in Jos ahead of the attacks.

Muttaqa YUSUF (aka Mohammed SANI/Mudtaka):

8. Suspect disclosed that one ALIYU, believed to be Aliyu GOMBE, in Sambisa forest, was the one that ordered the serial attacks which the syndicate carried out. He further confessed that he assisted Usman SHUAIBU in planning and executing the said attacks.

9. Other arrests include:
i. Bakura MODU:- He was arrested on July 20, 2015, at Kara, Isheri Berger, Ikeja LGA, Lagos State;

ii. Mustapha Alli JAMNERI:- He was  arrested on July 24, 2015, at Gowon Estate, Egbeda, Alimosho LGA, Lagos State;

iii. Abuyi SHERRIFF:- suspect was arrested on August 7, 2015, at Ebute-Metta, Lagos Mainland LGA, Lagos State;

iv. Babagana ALI and Babagana KOLOYE:- were arrested same day (August 7, 2015), at Eric Moore, Bode Thomas Street, Surulere LGA, Lagos State;

v. Abba Modu SAGMA: He was arrested on August 9, 2015, at Ijora Badiya, Apapa LGA, Lagos State;

vi. Grema ABUBAKAR and Tijani BAGUDU: were arrested on August 10, 2015, at Amukoko, Ijora Badiya, Apapa LGA, Lagos State;

vii. Baba Alhaji and Abass IBRAHIM:- were arrested earlier on the same day (August 10, 2015), at Alaba International Market, Alaba, Ojo LGA, Lagos State;

viii. IBRAHIM AUDU: Suspect was arrested on August 192015, at New Artisan Market, Enugu, Enugu State;

ix. Ibrahim HARUNA: The 30-year old suspect from  Kanawa village, Sumaila LGA, Kano State was arrested on August 21, 2015, at Kwomi village, Kwami Local Government Area, Gombe State;

x. Mal Ali MOHAMMODU: The 33-year-old suspect was arrested on August 22, 2015, at Ibrahim Taiwo Road, Fagga LGA in Kano State;

xi.   Adam Wakil Abdul JILBE: was arrested on August 23, 2015, at  Obanikoro Area, Mushin LGA, Lagos State; and

xii. Mohammed USMAN: was arrested on August 25, 2015, at  Atuashe Estate, Gbagada, Kosofe LGA, Lagos State.

10.  Nigerians and indeed the general public have to note that the arrest of Usman SHUAIBU aka Money and the core members of his cell, stemmed the spate of bombings by the extremist sect. It would be recalled that MONEY and his group were arrested on their way to Bauchi State where they had planned to execute another heart-rending bomb attack and this was frustrated by the arrest.

Furthermore, the sudden influx of Boko Haram members into Lagos State points to the determination of the sect to extend its nefarious terrorist activities to the State and in fact, other parts of the country.

The arrest of these confessed terrorist elements has however helped in no small measure to avert devastating attacks in the area. However, the Service is making efforts to conclude its investigations and commence prosecution of the suspects.

11. Drawing from the above, the DSS reiterates its avowed determination to work with other stakeholders in the fight against terror and other forms of criminality in our country. Citizens and residents are therefore called upon to rise to the occasion by volunteering useful information to the Service and relevant security agencies.

Presidency asks former ministers - Why are u afraid?

For asking President Muhammadu Buhari to be sincere enough and publish the reports the former administration handed over to him, the Presidency has taken a swipe at the former Ministers under the immediate past President Goodluck Jonathan, saying they should reflect on the kind of government they handed over to the present.

According to the Presidency, the former Ministers should allow the President the peace he required to handle the reconstruction of the economy and the nation in a manner that most serve Nigeria’s best interests, adding that President Buhari does not need these types of distraction presented by the so-called association of former ministers.

In a statement signed by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, the Presidency asked the country’s latest trade union formation, the Association of Ex-Jonathan Ministers to do a bit of self-reflection on the sort of government they handed to President Muhammadu Buhari back in May to determine for themselves if it would have been right for any incoming government, not just this one to ignore the issue of the brazen theft of public assets, perhaps the first of its kind we have ever seen in this country,
”
 In this regard that there is no witch hunt or malice against anyone in the pursuit of the county’s stolen assets still stand . This war against corruption knows no friend nor foe.

“There is no intention to deny anyone of their good name where they are entitled to it and that President Buhari reserves the highest regards for the country’s former leaders including Dr Jonathan Goodluck who he continues to praise to the high heavens for the way and manner in which he accepted defeat in the last election.

“That singular action remains a feat that has earned the former president and Nigeria as country befitting commendations all over the world, the latest coming from Mr Ban Ki-Moon, the Secretary-General of the United Nations who visited a week ago.

“For the purpose of emphasis, the issue of fighting corruption by President Buhari is non negotiable. It is sine qua non to the overall reconstruction of the economy and social systems which suffered destruction and severe denigration under the last administration. President Buhari will not be deterred or blackmailed into retreat and surrender.

“No one in the PDP can accuse President Buhari of undermining the economy when all they handed over to him is at best,was a tottering economy hobbled by corruption and the absence of due process.

“Things have become worsened by the continuing fall of oil prices, which is expected to fall even further with the imminent full return of Iran to the market. All he has been doing while around is to put things together, organizing to defeat Boko Haram, paying outstanding salaries, cleaning up the mess left behind, improving security and restoring our relationships with neighbors and the world.

“So what are former ministers afraid of in these things? Have they become a new trade union?

“Let this collection of ex-VIPs allow the President the peace he needs to handle the reconstruction of the economy and the nation in a manner that most serves Nigeria’s best interests. President Buhari does not need these types of distraction presented by the so-called association of former ministers.”

Exposed - Mikel secretly fathers two kids

Chelsea footballer John Obi Mikel has secretly fathered two children with different women, it has emerged today. The 28-year-old midfielder is dad to a four-year-old son and a one-year-old daughter after short relationships with the women.

John Obi Mikel has fathered two secret love children with different women, reports The Sun on Sunday.

The Chelsea midfielder, 28, has a four-year-old son who was born after he had a brief fling with the lad’s mum.

He also has a one-year-old daughter by a woman he met in a nightclub two years ago.

BABY No1
Sex: Male
Age: 4
Mother: Woman Mikel invited to a party and had a brief fling with.
Home: £500,000 house in Home Counties he bought for the mother.
Upkeep: He gives the mum several thousand pounds a year and a new car every 3 years.

BABY No2
Sex: Female
Age: 1
Mother: Woman he met in a trendy London nightclub in 2013 and had a short relationship with.
Home: Child lives with mother in South of England. Mum is not well off but drives a new car.
Upkeep:Mikel provides for the child but is said to want no contact with her.

Nigeria international Mikel, whose team were beaten at home by Crystal Palace on Saturday, is now dating Russian businesswoman Olga Diyachenko and has posted online photographs of the pair together.

The footballer — paid about £80,000 a week — is not named on his son’s birth certificate, but bought a house in the Home Counties where the boy lives with his mother.

Mikel paid more than £500,000 for the detached property in 2013.

He is said to have expressed a desire to play a part in the boy’s life — even though he at first refused to believe he was the dad.

However Mikel is not believed to see his baby daughter, who lives with her 23-year-old mother in the South of England.

Both women are supported financially by the player, but it is not thought they know about each other.
A source revealed Mikel, a role model to legions of fans of Chelsea and Nigeria, did not believe the boy was his when first told by his mum.

The source said: “They met ages ago when John invited her — and a friend, I think — to an after-party after some London celebrity event.

“She got together with John briefly and ended up pregnant.

“She got in touch with John and told him about it, but he initially refused to accept or believe the baby was his. His name was not on the birth certificate.

“After the baby was born there were some negotiations about it. He then agreed to pay her a decent amount of money. She was allocated money to buy a house.”

The mum moved to the Home Counties after the property purchase. Our source added: “John also agreed to give her tens of thousands a year in upkeep and, I think, agreed to give her a new car every three to five years.

“He said he wanted to play a role in the boy’s life.

He and the mum are on friendly terms and she doesn’t harbour any bad feelings towards him, perhaps because he’s looked after her so well.

“When you think about it, it is not that surprising John has not moved away from Chelsea.

“I have read things about him going, possibly abroad, but the people saying that might happen would not know that he has a son and a daughter in the UK.”

When his son was two, Mikel had a short relationship with the mother of his daughter after apparently meeting her at a nightclub in London during 2013.

The girl was born last year, but again Mikel’s name did not appear on her birth certificate.
A friend of the tot’s mother said: “John has provided for her and the girl, but does not seem to want to be involved with the child.

“She is not from a well-off family and does not now earn much, but she drives around in a new car.
“She seems to have come into money since having the baby and is keeping a low profile.”

Mikel, a huge name in his native Nigeria, has spoken previously about his love life and about how difficult it is to find a wife and the importance of his family at home.

Recent photos show him with Olga in his car, while there are also pictures of his two rottweiler dogs Troy and Diva. He is also seen relaxing in his swimming pool and sitting at a kitchen table.

Talking to journalists in Nigeria last October, he said: “I’ve been dating seriously for two years now, I’m in love. I’ve found love.”

However he has denied being engaged to Olga and vowed to reveal if he popped the question.
Mikel, who has a lavish home in Oxshott, Surrey, said: “She is my girlfriend but I have not proposed to her. If that happens it will not be hidden and everyone will know.”

Talking of how jealous women had attacked Olga on social media, he added: “I’m begging Nigerian girls to please leave her alone.”

The star, left on the bench by Chelsea boss José Mourinho for yesterday’s defeat, has played more than 300 times for the Blues since joining the champions in 2006.

In an interview for Chelsea TV, he spoke about the importance of family. Mikel, whose father Michael was kidnapped then freed in August 2011, said: “Never forget where you’re from. I spend lots of time with my family.

“Every time I go back I spend lots of time with them (friends) and spend lots of time with my family.”

Talking about growing up, he added: “When you start growing up you start to think what’s really important to me and my family.”

He added about his father’s ordeal: “My dad being kidnapped was terrible, that was the hardest. My mum was on the phone crying, my brother was crying — I had to be the strong one.”
In an interview last month the player said he wanted to stay at Chelsea because the club felt “like my family”.

A spokesman for the footballer said of the lovechildren: “This is an entirely private matter. John provides for and cares for his children and will continue to do so. He asks that their privacy be respected.”

Swansea beats Manchester United as Ayew and Gomis find the net

                                 Swansea 2 - 0 Manchester United

Louis van Gaal’s 50th game in charge of Manchester United proved to be much like his first, with the old one-two at Swansea begging the question of whether progress is being made at Old Trafford.

The reign of Van Gaal started with a 2-1 home defeat against Garry Monk’s team, and United went down by the same scoreline when they visited the Liberty Stadium in February.

It happened again in a damp South Wales yesterday, as the experienced Dutchman was outwitted by Monk for the third time in little more than a year, despite taking the lead through Juan Mata. 

This is becoming a bad habit. Van Gaal praised Monk for a tactical response to Mata’s strike and two goals in five minutes from Andre Ayew and Bafetimbi Gomis turned the game on its head.

By the final whistle, a jubilant home crowd were cheering as stray passes drifted into touch and United ran out of ideas.

Van Gaal’s claim that his team were dominant for 85 minutes was unfair on a team who were everything his were not: quick, incisive and clinical, even without speed merchant Jefferson Montero on the left wing. Moreover, Monk’s team were cohesive, committed and fluent. When under pressure, they resisted well. When on top, they threatened the goal from different angles.

United, even during an opening phase when they controlled possession, rarely dazzled and, as a manager, you remove the thrill and flair from Manchester United at your peril. 

Van Gaal was defiant after the defeat and distanced himself from transfer activity which may yet see David de Gea and Javier Hernandez leave Old Trafford before the market closes.

Perhaps most disturbingly, his United team function like two disconnected units, with a rigid back six and four up front, left to their own devices but unable to create much at all. 

Bastian Schweinsteiger, for all his poise and experience, is struggling to hit the Premier League tempo, Memphis Depay, deployed wide on the left in the absence of Adnan Januzaj, contributed very little, and goalkeeper Sergio Romero does not ooze calm and authority.

By way of an escape plan, Van Gaal positioned Marouane Fellaini at centre forward and launched the ball in his general direction.

Oddly, Hernandez did not come off the bench and the manager did not deny reports that the Mexican would be allowed to leave, with West Ham and Leverkusen in pursuit.

Van Gaal already seems desperately short of attacking options. His team have scored three goals in the first four Premier League games, and one of those was an own goal. 

Fellaini had the usual effect of unsettling defenders, although Swansea closed out the win without too much fuss.

See more pics...

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Done deal - Manchester City signs De Bruyne for £52m

Manchester City have announced the signing of former Chelsea playmaker Kevin De Bruyne from Wolfsburg in a deal worth £52million.

The 24-year-old Belgium star, who spent two years at Stamford Bridge before heading to the Bundesliga in 2014, underwent a medical on Saturday ahead of his big-money move back to the Premier League.

De Bruyne joins the likes of Raheem Sterling, Nicolas Otamendi and Fabian Delph as a new recruit at the Etihad in what has been a big summer of spending for Manchester City.

Speaking to the club's official site following confirmation of his six-year deal at the Etihad Stadium, De Bruyne said: 'I want to reach the highest level possible as a player and I think the most important thing is that at the end of the season we can be happy and maybe have some titles.

'I think this is the most important for the Club, the players and for the fans of course.'

De Bruyne sat down with city tv to speak at length about his move, labelling the Premier League 'the best in the world' and remembering his time in Germany fondly.

He said: 'I think in the last few weeks there was a lot of press, also in Germany. I kept on playing and training, I stayed professional at Wolfsburg and we were just waiting until everything was falling into place.

'Now I can just play football again and all the stuff, it stays in your head and it’s not that easy to be at 100 per cent.

'I think the Premier League is probably the best league in the world, and afterwards it would probably be Germany. I think in Germany I had a great time, a successful one-and-a-half years and we won some titles. Now it’s a new chance to be better as a player and hopefully I can do good.'

'We are very happy to have added Kevin to our team,' Pellegrini said, 'and I have no doubt that he will be a big success on his return to the Premier League.

'It takes a special footballer to improve our squad and I have no doubt that Kevin is certainly one of those – he has all of the mental, physical, tactical and technical attributes required to fit straight in.

'We like to play attractive, attacking football and bringing in a player like De Bruyne will only aid us as we fight on four fronts.'

De Bruyne began his professional club career at Genk in Belgium, impressing for four years before Chelsea came calling in 2012.

During his time in the Belgian Pro League, the playmaker was called up by his country to play for the Under 18, 19 and 21 sides, before making his debut for Belgium's senior squad in 2010.

In January 2012, De Bruyne signed for Chelsea - then under the stewardship of Andre Villas-Boas - in a deal worth around £7m, but remained at his previous club until the end of the season.

In the summer of 2012, he moved to west London to begin his time at Chelsea, who had changed managers, bringing in Roberto Di Matteo to replace Villas-Boas.  

De Bruyne struggled to work his way into the first-team plans at Stamford Bridge, and was shipped out on loan to Werder Bremen in August 2012, where he set the Bundesliga alight with a number of impressive displays. 

By the time he headed back to London, Jose Mourinho was the man in charge, reassuring De Bruyne he had a future at Chelsea despite rumours linking him with a number of clubs around Europe.

In fact, on the opening day of the 2013-14 season, things looked rosy for the Belgium star, as he started and set up a goal for Oscar, slipping seamlessly into the Blues first-team.

Following an hour of football against Manchester United the following week, things went downhill for De Bruyne as his only game-time came fleetingly in cup competitions.

Just five months later, after much speculation, he left Chelsea in a deal worth £18million to join Bundesliga side Wolfsburg, picking up where he left off in the German league.

In the 2014-15 season, his first and only full campaign in Wolfsburg colours, he scored 16 goals and further increased his value, setting himself up for a big-money move to Manchester City. 

38 Swaziland girls die in tragic accident on their way to the reed dance

At least 38 young women have died in a road accident in Swaziland on their way to an annual ceremony where the king might have chosen one of them as his wife, an advocacy group said on Saturday.

Trucks transporting scores of young women to the traditional Umhlanga Reed Dance collided on Friday near the town of Matsapha on Swaziland’s major highway, the Times of Swaziland reported.

The local hospital’s emergency room was full of injured and dead women, the Times of Swaziland reported.

“According to inside sources, a total of 38 young girls have been pronounced dead, with more than 20 others seriously injured,” said Lucky Lukhele, spokesperson for the Swaziland Solidarity Network, an advocacy group based in neighbouring South Africa.

Lukhele expects the death toll will rise.

The Swazi Observer said some of the girls were flung out of the trucks and run over. It said three trucks were involved.

The Umhlanga Reed Dance has in the past involved bare-breasted young Swazi women dancing and singing in beaded mini-skirts to catch the eye of King Mswati III, Africa’s last absolute monarch.

The festival, meant to celebrate womanhood and virginity, is due to start on Saturday.

Thousands of young women descend on the royal residence from all over the nation every year, but in a country where relatively few families own vehicles and where infrastructure is poor, many are squeezed onto open trucks.

Neighbouring South Africa, with better infrastructure, has one of the highest road death rates in the world according to the World Health Organisation.  


See more pics of Swazi virgins at the dance....

APC lists more massive looting under Jonathan

The All Progressives Congress has listed new instances of alleged looting of the treasury by some officials of the Jonathan Administration, saying the corruption mess that characterised the administration was so pervasive that until it is cleaned, Nigeria will not be able to actualise its potentials.

”Those who would rather give comfort to the looters by dismissing the media exposure of looting cases as mere hell-raising should realise that no sane person can be silent in the face of what is unfolding as the worst cases of brazen stealing of public funds in Nigeria’s history,” the party said in a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.

”On August 16, 2015, we listed some instances of the breath-taking looting of the treasury by some officials of the immediate past administration. Today, we bring three more heart-rendering cases to the attention of Nigerians. We will not relent until closure has been brought to this issue,” it said, listing the new cases as:

– A mind-shattering 2.2 billion-US-dollar arms scandal.

–  6.9 million-dollar fraud by the Chief Security Officer (CSO) to President Jonathan, committed under the guise of buying three mobile stages for the President.

– 2.5 billion-Naira scam involving the rent of house boats.

”While those charged with handling these cases are finalising the details of bringing the suspects to justice, our immediate concern is the attempt by the PDP, under whose umbrella the looting took place, to blame the Buhari administration for the mess and then infer that things have been worse in Nigeria in the last three months under the APC-led federal government than in the 16 years under the PDP. This is totally provocative, shameless and uncharitable.

”They say we are yet to fulfil our campaign promises to Nigeria, but they have forgotten that if only the PDP/Jonathan administration had not stolen Nigeria blind, there would have been more than enough money to give school children in Nigeria not just one, but three meals a day and even pay 5,000 Naira to 50 million most vulnerable Nigerians, not just the 25 million we promised in our manifesto,” APC said

Despite the almost daily discovery of cases of corruption under the Jonathan administration, the party assured Nigerians of better days ahead, as all its campaign promises would be kept because of the commitment and determination of President Buhari, not only to cleaning the Augean Stable, but also ensuring purposeful governance for the benefit of all Nigerians.

”It is clear to all Nigerians that the debilitating impact of 16 years of PDP’s misrule cannot be reversed in just three months. It is an obvious truth that it is always easier to destroy than to construct, but nothing will stand in the way of the Buhari administration’s commitment to improving the quality of life of Nigerians and making our country to function again,” it said.

It said a major cog in the wheel of faster progress for the new Nigeria under President Buhari had been the discovery that the pot housing the commonwealth had been licked dry by the looters of yesterday, hence the need to work meticulously to recover the looted funds and facilitate the delivery of good governance that would manifest in abundant jobs, strong economy and improved welfare and security for Nigerians.

APC said while the PDP, ever steeped in the pursuit of lies, presented the recently released data on job creation and economic growth as “clear signals” that President Muhammadu Buhari was failing Nigerians, the disgraced party mischievously omitted the fact that those numbers were basically a manifestation of the disastrous final days of President Jonathan’s failed economic policies.

It commended Nigerians for showing absolute understanding and faith in the leadership of President Buhari to change the way that Nigeria has been misruled in the last 16 years, saying in the days ahead, the painstaking efforts of the President would manifest even more than Nigerians had already witnessed.

Young Beckhams display their fashion flair

David and Victoria Beckham have obviously been setting a very good example to their children.

Because the fashionable duo seems to have rubbed off on four-piece brood Brooklyn, 16, Romeo, 12, Cruz, 10, and four-year-old Harper, who were beginning to display their flair for fashion during a Disney day out last week.

New pictures of the dreamy family enjoying their fun-packed day in Anaheim, CA show the husband and wife duo being slightly outshone by their three handsome boys and pretty little girl.

But it rather seemed that the teenager, who wore a simple white T-shirt with the sleeves rolled up at the theme park, has two young brothers hot on his heels.

Burberry model Romeo looked cool in a 'No!' slogan Tee, layered over a long-sleeve top and wearing pair of his mother's own brand aviator shades.

At 12, the pre-teen didn't seem to mind holding his mother's hand in public - much like adorable little Harper with doting dad David.

Naturally, Victoria wasn't your average embarrassing mum.

The fashion designer - who has her own eponymous international fashion brand - looked effortlessly chic in a fedora hat slanted on one side and a simple vest top.

But the break out boy from the group was 10-year-old Cruz, who separated himself from his parents and hung back in stylish specs. 

Each of the boys seemed to sport one of their father's former hairstyles, a longer bowl cut from Cruz, a short back and sides from Brooklyn and a style fit for a top knot from Romeo.

Meanwhile, golden girl Harper seemed to be dressing fun and young, channelling her inner Disney princess in a pretty pink ensemble with her gorgeous golden locks flowing.

Luckily, former footballer David managed to style out all of the necessary 'dad' equipment for the day; a camera, a rucksack and sunglasses tugging at his T-shirt.

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Ex on the Beach's Jess Impiazzi showsoff her sexy body as see chills in Cape Verde

Jess Impiazzi gave a taster of her hotness as she lounged poolside in a stringy bikini during a recent trip to Cape Verde.

The former Ex on the Beach contestant showcased her ample bust and toned torso in the tiny two-piece as she enjoyed a day soaking up the rays in the exotic location

 Apart from accentuating her striking blue eyes with a liberal coating of mascara, the model looked to wear little make-up.

Her raven locks were worn in a voluminous style, with Jess regularly caressing them to ensure they didn't end up too unruly as she dipped herself in and out of the pool. 

After tanning herself whilst reclining in the water, the pretty brunette eventually wondered up to the hotel bar where she indulged in a fruity cocktail. 

Jess has been linked to a number of handsome bachelors following her stint on the MTV dating show last year, including her co-star and model Rogan O'Connor, Kelly Brook's former flame David Mcintosh and Blue singer Simon Webbe.

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Raheem Sterling nets first goal since £49m move as Manuel Pellegrini's side maintain perfect start

                                  Manchester city 2 - 0 Watford

Manchester City fans chanted 'Raheem Sterling... he's top of the league' as the £49million winger scored his first goal for the club and maintained their blistering 100 per cent start to the season.

The likelihood is those supporters will be able to carry on with their ditty uninterrupted for the next nine months.

Of course, as managers and cliché-mongers will tell you, trophies aren't handed out in August. Even so, you won't find many putting money on anyone else winning the Premier League. 

City have won all four matches to date, scoring 10 and conceding none. Their best players are all performing well; particularly the spine of Joe Hart, Vincent Kompany, Yaya Toure, David Silva and Sergio Aguero.

And they have the final piece in the jigsaw, £54million winger Kevin de Bruyne from Wolfsburg, about to arrive after having a medical in Manchester on Saturday.

In his programme notes, manager Manuel Pellegrini wrote that 'everything has gone to plan so far'. He's not kidding. City stand three points clear at the top and have now won a club record 10 league games in a row, including the six at the back end of the last campaign.

A routine home victory against newly-promoted Watford – who were well-organised and deserved going into the half-time break goalless – will not go down in the annals of club history, but it will always be remembered sweetly in the Sterling household. 

After the rancour of his summer move from Liverpool, the young man was able to show what he can do on the pitch, capped by a nonchalant volleyed finish from Bacary Sagna's cross that broke the deadlock two minutes after the interval.

The normally understated Pellegrini was able to pat himself on the back for making the half-time change - Samir Nasri for Jesus Navas - that allowed Sterling to move from the left to partner Aguero up front. 

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Northern Elders Forum - Nigerians should be patient with President Buhari

The Northern Elders Forum has called on Nigerians, especially the Igbo in the South-East, to be patient with President Muhammadu Buhari on his alleged lopsided appointments, saying the President is picking only those he can trust as close aides.

The President had named only one southerner among the initial nine political appointments he made.
The northerners in the first appointments are the Director-General of the Department of State Services, Lawal Daura; acting Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Mrs. Amina Zakari; the Director, Department of Petroleum Resources, Mr. Mordecai Danteni Baba Ladan; and the Accountant-General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris.

Others are the President’s Chief Security Officer, Abdulrahman Mani; State Chief of Protocol, Abdullahi Kazaure; Aide-De-Camp, Lt. Col. Muhammed Abubakar; and the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu.

Only the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, hails from Osun State in the South-West.

The second set of appointments, which was announced through a statement by Adesina on Thursday, which had only one southerner, had caused public outcry.

The appointees are Babachir David Lawal from Adamawa State, who was named Secretary to the Government of the Federation; Mr. Abba Kyari, from Borno, Chief of Staff; Col. Hameed Ali (retd.), from Kano, Comptroller-General, Nigerian Customs Service; Mr. Kure Martin Abeshi, from Nasarawa, Comptroller-General, Nigerian Immigration Service; and Suleiman Kawu, from Kano, SSA to the President on National Assembly Matters (House of Representatives).

The only southerner on the list, Senator Ita Enang, was named the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate).

Speaking to newsmen on the criticisms generated by the appointments, the Vice Chairman of the NEF, Dr. Paul Unongo, said Buhari had a better understanding of Nigeria, based on his experience as a general, a former Head of State and as President of the country.

He said Buhari would not work against the unity of the country, considering his experience after his military regime and three failed attempts at the Presidency.

Unongo said, “I want people to look at Buhari as somebody that has gone through the rough and tumble of this nation in the political and military arena. It will be very stupid of him to just take anybody.

“It is his innermost people that are going to help him to implement his clearly-stated ideological orientation against corruption; those who want to give total service. We must know he cannot entrust such responsibility very easily.

“With a military coup against him, and 17 years of struggle, I think this young-old man, at 72, should be allowed to select the team he trusts most to face the security and economic challenges of Nigeria, as well as the lawlessness and impunity of the last administration.”

The northern leader argued that Buhari, who waited 17 years after which he contested the presidency four times, must have had an idea of the type of country he wants Nigeria to become.”

The former steel minister added, “This is the third month of his Presidency and he has not been given the chance to settle down. The people that are trying to play politics by saying that a section of the country has not been reflected (in his appointments) should tarry a little. We will be the first people to shout. He is bringing everybody in Nigeria on board.

“I think it is too early. If somebody is going to appoint someone that is going to be speaking on his behalf, should he go and appoint someone that he doesn’t trust? Should he appoint people that are going to compromise? Should he appoint people that don’t believe in him as a person?”

The elder statesman urged Nigerians, especially the Igbo, to wait till the President announces members of his cabinet. He further stated that it was right to remind President Buhari of “his obligations to morality,” which made him to fight the Biafran War to unite the country.