Sports
Chelsea Suffers Another Home Defeat as Brentford Claims 2-0 Victory
Chelsea Suffers Another Home Defeat as Brentford Claims 2-0 Victory
In a west London derby that left Chelsea fans disheartened, Brentford secured a 2-0 win, thanks to goals from Ethan Pinnock and Bryan Mbuemo. The outcome adds to Chelsea’s woes at home, with just one win in their last 13 home Premier League games over two seasons. This defeat raises questions about Mauricio Pochettino’s ability to steer Chelsea back on course.
Pochettino’s early struggles seemed to be behind him after consecutive wins against Fulham and Burnley, along with a commendable performance against Arsenal, despite relinquishing a two-goal lead in a 2-2 draw the previous weekend. However, Brentford’s triumph propelled them into 10th place, pushing Chelsea into the lower half of the Premier League table.
Chelsea initiated the game with vigour, keeping Brentford on the back foot, but their inability to convert promising plays into goals was all too familiar for Pochettino. The Argentine manager expressed anticipation for Christopher Nkunku’s return from a knee injury, and on this evidence, the French international’s comeback couldn’t arrive soon enough, as Chelsea’s new striker, Nicolas Jackson, once again failed to find the net.
Noni Madueke was unlucky when his powerful shot from a tight angle ricocheted off the crossbar only ten minutes into the game. Marc Cucurella missed a golden opportunity with a feeble shot straight at Mark Flekken after a splendid setup by the impressive Cole Palmer. The likes of Cole Palmer and Raheem Sterling had been bright spots in Chelsea’s attack in recent weeks, but Sterling’s wayward shot from close range epitomized Chelsea’s wastefulness.
Read Also: 15-Year-Old Nwaneri become Premier League’s Youngest Player
Brentford posed little threat in the first half, but they offered a glimpse of danger early in the second period when Yoane Wissa’s shot was blocked by Robert Sanchez’s chest. Chelsea, however, failed to heed the warning.
The goal that followed would undoubtedly frustrate Pochettino, as Pinnock capitalized on Christopher Nkunku’s momentary lapse in concentration, heading home Mbuemo’s cross at Sanchez’s near post.
Following the goal, Brentford appeared more likely to extend their lead, despite Chelsea’s dominance in possession. Sanchez made a crucial save to deny Brentford’s Yehor Yarmolyuk his debut goal, and Mbuemo narrowly missed a chance to widen the gap.
Brentford, who narrowly missed victory at Old Trafford earlier in the month, sealed the deal this time in the dying moments of the game. Sanchez’s attempt to join the attack for a late corner backfired, as Brentford swiftly countered, allowing Neal Maupay to assist Mbuemo, who calmly slotted the ball into an empty net.
This victory marks a historic milestone for Brentford, becoming the first team ever to win their first three Premier League away matches against Chelsea.
Chelsea Suffers Another Home Defeat as Brentford Claims 2-0 Victory
Africa
Customs hands over illicit drugs worth N117.59m to NDLEA
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ogun Area 1 Command, has handed over illicit drugs worth N117.59 million to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The Comptroller of the command, Mr James Ojo, disclosed this during the handing over of the drugs to Mr Olusegun Adeyeye, the Commander of NDLEA, Idiroko Special Area Command, in Abeokuta, Ogun, on Friday.
Ojo said the customs handed over the seized cannabis and tramadol tablets to the Idiroko Special Command for further investigation in line with the standard operating procedures and inter-agency collaboration.
He said the illicit drugs were seized in various strategic locations between January and November 21, 2024, in Ogun State.
He added that the illicit drugs were abandoned at various locations, including the Abeokuta axis, the Agbawo/Igankoto area of Yewa North Local Government Area, and Imeko Afton axis.
Ojo said that the seizure of the cannabis sativa and tramaling tablets, another brand of tramadol, was made possible through credible intelligence and strategic operations of the customs personnel.
“The successful interception of these dangerous substances would not have been possible without the robust collaboration and support from our intelligence units, local informants and sister agencies.
“These landmark operations are testament to the unwavering dedication of the NCS to safeguard the health and well-being of our citizens and uphold the rule of law,” he said.
He said the seizures comprised 403 sacks and 6,504 parcels, weighing 7,217.7 kg and 362 packs of tramaling tablets of 225mg each, with a total Duty Paid Value of N117,587,405,00.
He described the height of illicit drugs smuggling in the recent time as worrisome.
This, he said, underscores the severity of drug trafficking within the borders.
“Between Oct. 13 and Nov. 12 alone, operatives intercepted a total of 1,373 parcels of cannabis sativa, weighing 1,337kg and 362 packs of tramaling tablets of 225mg each,” he said.
Ojo said the seizures had disrupted the supply chain of illicit drugs, thereby mitigating the risks those substances posed to the youth, families and communities.
He lauded the synergy between its command, security agencies and other stakeholders that led to the remarkable achievements.
Ojo also commended the Comptroller General of NCS for creating an enabling environment for the command to achieve the success.
Responding, Adeyeye, applauded the customs for achieving the feat.
Adeyeye pledged to continue to collaborate with the customs to fight against illicit trade and drug trafficking in the state.
Africa
Ann-Kio Briggs Faults Tinubu for Scrapping Niger Delta Ministry
Prominent Niger Delta human rights activist and environmentalist, Ann-Kio Briggs, has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s decision to scrap the Ministry of Niger Delta, describing it as ill-advised and detrimental to the oil-rich region.
Briggs expressed her concerns during an appearance on Inside Sources with Laolu Akande, a socio-political programme aired on Channels Television.
“The Ministry of Niger Delta was created by the late (President Umaru) Yar’Adua. There was a reason for the creation. So, just removing it because the president was advised. I want to believe that he was advised because if he did it by himself, that would be terribly wrong,” she stated.
President Tinubu, in October, dissolved the Ministry of Niger Delta and replaced it with the Ministry of Regional Development, which is tasked with overseeing all regional development commissions, including the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), North-West Development Commission, and North-East Development Commission.
Briggs questioned the rationale behind the restructuring, expressing concerns about its feasibility and implications. “But that’s not going to be the solution because who is going to fund the commissions? Is it the regions because it is called the Regional Development Ministry? Is it the states in the regions? What are the regions because we don’t work with regions right now; we are working with geopolitical zones,” she remarked.
She added, “Are we going back to regionalism? If we are, we have to discuss it. The president can’t decide on his own to restructure Nigeria. If we are restructuring Nigeria, the president alone can’t restructure Nigeria, he has to take my opinion and your opinion into consideration.”
Briggs also decried the longstanding neglect of the Niger Delta despite its significant contributions to Nigeria’s economy since 1958. “The Niger Delta has been developing Nigeria since 1958. We want to use our resources to develop our region; let regions use their resources to develop themselves,” she asserted.
Reflecting on the various bodies established to address the region’s development, Briggs lamented their failure to deliver meaningful progress. She highlighted the Niger Delta Basin Authority, the Oil Mineral Producing Areas Development Commission (OMPADEC), and the NDDC as examples of ineffective interventions.
“NDDC was created by Olusegun Obasanjo…There was OMPADEC before NDDC. OMPADEC was an agency. Before OMPADEC, there was the Basin Authority…These authorities were created to help us. Were we helped by those authorities? No, we were not,” she said.
Briggs further described the NDDC as an “ATM for failed politicians, disgruntled politicians, and politicians that have had their electoral wins taken away from them and given to somebody else.”
Her remarks underscore the deep-seated frustrations in the Niger Delta, where residents continue to advocate for greater control over their resources and improved governance.
Sports
Nigerian-British Bodybuilder Samson Dauda Wins 2024 Mr Olympia, Secures Historic $600,000 Prize
Nigerian-British bodybuilder Samson Dauda has claimed the prestigious 2024 Mr Olympia title, making history with a record-breaking $600,000 prize—the largest ever awarded in the sport.
The thrilling finale of the 2024 Olympia competition took place at the Resorts World Theatre in Las Vegas, United States, where Dauda faced off against 15 of the world’s top bodybuilders.
After an intense contest, Dauda secured the top spot, surpassing runner-up Hadi Choopan and 2023 champion Derek Lunsford, who finished third.
Dauda’s journey to bodybuilding stardom began in Lagos, Nigeria, where he was born, before moving to the United Kingdom during his teenage years. Initially a rugby player, he discovered bodybuilding through the encouragement of his teammates.
In 2017, Dauda earned his IFBB Pro card after winning the overall title at the IFBB Amateur Diamond Cup in Rome, marking a turning point in his career. He made his professional debut the following year at the EVLS Prague Showdown, finishing 5th.
His first major win as an IFBB Pro came in 2021 at the EVLS Prague Pro, which earned him a qualification for the 2022 Mr. Olympia competition, where he placed 6th in his debut.
Now, as the 2024 Mr Olympia champion, Dauda has cemented his place among bodybuilding’s elite, achieving a landmark victory in the sport.
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