Igoche Mark Agbo

UEFA has abolished the away goal rule in all club competitions from the 2021/22 season. Instead, ties that are still level after two matches will go to extra time and penalties. “The away goals rule has been an intrinsic part of UEFA competitions since it was introduced in 1965. However, the question of its abolition has been debated at various UEFA meetings over the last few years,” UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin said. “Although there was no unanimity of views, many coaches, fans and other football stakeholders have questioned its fairness and have expressed a preference for the rule to be abolished.” He added: “The impact of the rule now runs counter to its original purpose as, in fact, it now dissuades home teams – especially in first legs – from attacking, because they fear conceding a goal that would give their opponents a crucial advantage. ”There is also criticism of the unfairness, especially in extra time, of obliging the home team to score twice when the away team h

FORMER Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs, Hon. Sam Ode, mni on Thursday, 17th June, 2021 stated that when he is elected governor of Benue State, he would bring lasting solution to the lingering crisis that had engulfed the land and people of Sankera. Hon Sam Ode, who is a leading governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State, said this while addressing APC stakeholders in Katsina-Ala, Ukum and Logo local government areas of Benue State. The interactive sessions with the APC critical stakeholders took place at Katsina-Ala, Zaki-Biam and Ugba towns. Hon. Ode further stated: “As Honourable Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs, I was one of the key people that facilitated the peace initiative that brought about solution to the crises in the Niger Delta, leading to the restoration of relative peace and harmony in the region. “When given the opportunity to become the Governor of Benue State with the blessing of the people of San

The African Union Economic, Social and Cultural Council has appointed and inaugurated Amb. Dickson A. O. Akoh, National Commandant, Peace Corps of Nigeria to head the Peace and Security Cluster Committee of the Council in Nigeria. The Oyachaba K' Idoma was conferred this mandate in Abuja by the Country Representative of AU-ECOSOCC, Dr. Tunji Asaolu with the responsibility of popularizing the domestication and implementation of AU vision especially in the areas of conflict anticipation, preventing and combating terrorism, use of child soldiers, child trafficking and illicit proliferation of small arms. Congratulations, Amb. Akoh. Benue APC has confidence in you and we trust that you will perform efficiently, the mandate of this appointment. Our kind wishes!

Former Hearts of Oak defender Vincent Atinga is pleading with Black Star coach CK Akonnor to give him a call up into the senior national team Ghana Black Stars to prove to Ghanaians what he got to offer in the team. The hardworking defender, currently plies his trade in the Kuwaiti top flight with Al Shabab SC. According to him, Coach CK Akonnor should just give him some small time to play and he will not regret inviting into the National team . “I don’t need ninety minutes in Black Stars. I don’t even need forty-five minutes. All I need is 20 minutes to prove something to Ghanaians,” he said. “I have given myself just 2 years to command regular position in Black Stars,” a confident Atingah told Kumasi-based media outlet Akoma 87.9 FM. The 26-year-old earned his first Black Stars call-up after the WAFU Cup competition in a World Cup qualifying game against Uganda but couldn’t play any role. Atingah will face stern competition from in-form Celta Vigo defender Joseph Aidoo, F

The Confederation Africaine de Football (CAF) announces that the media accreditation process for the final tournament of the Total U-20 Africa Cup of Nations Niger 2019 opens from Monday, 31 December 2018 to 18 January 2019. The final tournament will be held from 2-17 February 2019 in the Nigerien cities of Niamey and Maradi. Media interested in covering the final tournament can apply for accreditation through the CAF Media Channel via www.cafonline.com. Approval to access the CAF Media Channel does not mean you have been granted accreditation. All applications are subject to confirmation. Confirmation will NOT be on a first-come, first-served basis. Successful applicants will be notified and provided with further information in due course. Furthermore, please be advised that international applicants are responsible for securing their own visas to Niger. For more information on the Total U-20 Africa Cup of Nations Niger 2019 final tournament, to be hosted in the

Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, and his Taraba State counterpart, Darius Ishaku, today led their respective security councils in a joint session to find solutions to the criminality along the borders of the two states. That was the major focus of their meeting which is being held at the Federal University, Wukari. They resolved to tackle the insecurity being perpetrated by criminals including kidnappings, robberies, and assassinations so that peace would reign in the affected communities. A communique is being expected at the end of the meeting after which a tour of selected communities will be undertaken by the joint security councils.

By Edeh Attah. Lobi Stars prepare ahead of CAF league The management of Lobi Stars Football Club in Makurdi on Wednesday inspected facilities at the Aper Aku Stadium in Makurdi as part of its readiness for the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Champions League scheduled to hold in Benue State. Also, the facilities tour was meant to ascertain things for themselves (management) with a view to upgrade needed sporting equipments or amenities to meet CAF current standard for match venue. Vice Chairman of the Club, Mike Idoko, who conducted board members around the stadium complex, posited that the team would represent the state and the country well at the continental competition. Idoko noted that Lobi Stars has all its take to go into the fiesta and emerge victorious, stressing that the board members decided to embark on the tour to assess the facilities ahead of CAF/NFF inspection team to the state expected in October. He said a cursory look at the facilities indicated that