Iniesta returns to Barcelona squad for UCL clash against Chelsea
Tuesday 13 March 2018
Man United vs Sevilla LINE-UPS: Lingard & Fellaini start as Pogba benched
The line-ups of Manchester United vs Sevilla have been announced.
Manchester United XI: De Gea, Valencia,
Bailly,
Smalling, Young, Matic, Fellaini, Lingard,
Sanchez, Rashford, Lukaku
Subs: Romero, Lindelof, Pogba, Mata, Martial,
Darmian, McTominay
Sevilla XI: Rico, Mercado, Kjaer, Lenglet,
Escudero, N'Zonzi, Banega, Sarabia, Vazquez,
Correa, Muriel
Subs: Soria, Ben Yedder, Geis, Pizarro, Pareja,
Nolito, Arana
UCL Preview: Barcelona take on Chelsea; Man United eye much-needed win against Sevilla
Man United vs Sevilla
Kick off: 20:45 CET
Date: Tue, 13-Mar-18
1st-leg score: Sevilla 0-0 Man United
Probable Lineups
Focus
Paul Pogba managed to take part in some of
Monday's training session after missing
Saturday's 2-1 win over Liverpool but remains
a doubt.
Monday's training session after missing
Saturday's 2-1 win over Liverpool but remains
a doubt.
Jose Mourinho has confirmed Anthony
Martial is available again after a two-game
absence, while Zlatan Ibrahimovic also
returned to first-team training on Monday.
Martial is available again after a two-game
absence, while Zlatan Ibrahimovic also
returned to first-team training on Monday.
Marouane Fellaini is an option again after
coming on against Liverpool, but Ander
Herrera, Phil Jones, Daley Blind and Marcos
Rojo are sidelined. Jesse Lingard will serve a
one-match European ban with his next
booking.
coming on against Liverpool, but Ander
Herrera, Phil Jones, Daley Blind and Marcos
Rojo are sidelined. Jesse Lingard will serve a
one-match European ban with his next
booking.
Few changes are expected from the side that
beat Liverpool.
beat Liverpool.
Sevilla have confirmed Jesus Navas will miss
Tuesday's trip to Old Trafford through injury.
Sébastien Corchia is also sidelined, while
Miguel Layún is ineligible.
Gabriel Mercado is expected to move out to
right-back with Navas, Corchia and Layun
unavailable. This will pave the way for Simon
Kjaer to start at centre-back.
right-back with Navas, Corchia and Layun
unavailable. This will pave the way for Simon
Kjaer to start at centre-back.
Few other changes are expected to the side
that held Manchester United to a 0-0 draw in
the first leg.
that held Manchester United to a 0-0 draw in
the first leg.
Sergio Escudero, Éver Banega and Gabriel
Mercado are all a booking away from a one-
match ban.
Prediction
Man United 2-1 Sevilla
Roma vs Shakhtar Donetsk
Kick off: 20:45 CET
Date: Tue, 13-Mar-18
1st-leg score: Shakhtar Donetsk 2-1 Roma
Probable Lineups
Edin Dzeko and Federico Fazio missed
Friday's 3-0 win over Torino through
suspension but will be fresh to return against
Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday. Rick Karsdorp i
s still sidelined for the hosts.
Friday's 3-0 win over Torino through
suspension but will be fresh to return against
Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday. Rick Karsdorp i
s still sidelined for the hosts.
Maxime Gonalons ended a two-month period
on the sidelines as a substitute against Torino
but will have to settle for a place on the bench
here.
on the sidelines as a substitute against Torino
but will have to settle for a place on the bench
here.
Diego Perrotti is a booking away from a one-
match ban.
match ban.
Sergey Krivtsov has been sidelined since
picking up an injury in the first leg and is
expected to miss out here. Maksim Malyshev
is also sidelined for the Ukrainian side.
picking up an injury in the first leg and is
expected to miss out here. Maksim Malyshev
is also sidelined for the Ukrainian side.
Taison and Facundo Ferreya are a booking
away from a ban.
away from a ban.
Prediction
Roma 2-1 Shakhtar Donetsk
Besiktas vs Bayern Munich
Kick off: 18:00 CET
Date: Wed, 14-Mar-18
1st-leg score: Bayern Munich 5-0 Besiktas
Probable Lineups
Focus
With Domagoj Vida suspended and Pepe
injured, Besiktas have a big problem at centre-
back ahead of Wednesday's meeting with
Bayern Munich.
injured, Besiktas have a big problem at centre-
back ahead of Wednesday's meeting with
Bayern Munich.
Ricardo Quaresma is available for the home
side after missing Saturday's 1-0 win over
Genclerbirligi through suspension.
Quaresma, Pepe, Duško Tošić, Tolgay Arslan,
Caner Erkin and Anderson Talisca are one
booking away from a one-match ban.
Caner Erkin and Anderson Talisca are one
booking away from a one-match ban.
Bayern Munich lead 5-0 from the first leg and
Jupp Heynckes may shuffle his pack on
Wednesday as a result.
Jupp Heynckes may shuffle his pack on
Wednesday as a result.
Robert Lewandowski, Joshua Kimmich,
Sebastian Rudy and Corentin Tolisso and are a
booking away from a ban, which may
influence
Heynckes' selection.
Sebastian Rudy and Corentin Tolisso and are a
booking away from a ban, which may
influence
Heynckes' selection.
Kingsley Coman, James Rodríguez and
Tolisso
are injury concerns alongside Manuel Neuer.
Tolisso
are injury concerns alongside Manuel Neuer.
Prediction
Besiktas 1-3 Bayern Munich
Barcelona vs Chelsea
Kick off: 20:45 CET
Date: Wed, 14-Mar-18
1st-leg score: Chelsea 1-1 Barcelona
Probable Lineups
Focus
Lionel Messi missed the 2-0 win over Malaga
this past weekend due to the birth of his child
but will return against Chelsea on Wednesday.
this past weekend due to the birth of his child
but will return against Chelsea on Wednesday.
Nélson Semedo is back in contention after
missing the first leg through suspension but
may miss out this time around through injury.
missing the first leg through suspension but
may miss out this time around through injury.
Ernesto Valverde has a potential problem on
his hands with Andres Iniesta a huge doubt
and Philippe Coutinho not eligible to play in
the Champions League.
his hands with Andres Iniesta a huge doubt
and Philippe Coutinho not eligible to play in
the Champions League.
Paulinho and Ousmane Dembele are battling
for a spot on the right flank with the former
expected to get the nod.
for a spot on the right flank with the former
expected to get the nod.
Denis Suarez and Sergi Samper are also
doubts but neither are first choice anyway.
doubts but neither are first choice anyway.
Ross Barkley, Tiemoué Bakayoko and David
Luiz are all huge doubts for Wednesday's trip
to Barcelona.
Luiz are all huge doubts for Wednesday's trip
to Barcelona.
Eden Hazard may be tasked with playing
through the middle once again even though
Alvaro Morata and Olivier Giroud are available.
through the middle once again even though
Alvaro Morata and Olivier Giroud are available.
Conte must decide whether to start Cesc
Fabregas against his former club or play
someone more defensive in midfield like
Danny Drinkwater.
Fabregas against his former club or play
someone more defensive in midfield like
Danny Drinkwater.
Antonio Rudiger is expected to start in
defence at the expense of Gary Cahill once
more.
defence at the expense of Gary Cahill once
more.
Prediction
Barcelona 2-0 Chelsea
NHRC Boss Decries Failure To Prosecute Those Behind Hate Speech
The acting Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Tony Ojukwu has
lamented over the non-prosecution of perpetrators of hate speech and election violence in Nigeria.
The NHRC boss said that the non-prosecution of these perpetrators has largely encouraged the use of hate speech in election campaigns and other related social activities.
Ojukwu said this on Monday at the Federal High Court complex in Kaduna State during the Public Hearing by the Commission.
This situation, Ojukwu said further, is detrimental to the country’s socioeconomic developmentThe Commission at the Public Hearing highlighted cases of hate speeches and electoral violence which took place during and after the 2015 general elections in the North West region of the country, with a view to forestalling reoccurrence.
The history of hate speech and incitement to violence in Nigeria is a long, widespread and an unhappy one. Hate speech and the fanning of ethnic discord was linked with violence after the 2011 elections that left hundreds of people dead and thousands displaced.
The same scenario played out again during the 2015 elections where unprecedented cases of tension and violence were recorded in many parts of the country.
According to the National Human Rights Commission boss, the public hearing for stakeholders from the North West zone of the country was necessitated by series of complaints received by the commission against persons or parties alleged to have been involved in promoting hate speech and violence in the 2015 elections.
It will also serve as a proactive measure by the commission to discourage such acts as the nation prepares for another general election in 2019.
“During the 2015 general elections, the commission carried out a similar campaign against hate speech and election violence. You will recall the tension created in the polity due to hate speeches during the 2015 general elections. It took the cooperation of all stakeholders to ensure that the whole scenario did not degenerate into massive election violence like in 2011 general elections.
“In the past, violators of hate speech and election-related violence are hardly made accountable. This has encouraged the use of hate speech in campaigns and other election-related activities. The purpose of the present campaign by NHRC is to discourage use of hate speech and election violence during campaigns and other election activities as we approach the 2019 general elections,” he said.
The 2019 elections might be months away from now, but the verbal war and physical altercations in some cases between the gladiators, the political leaders and their followers seemed to be generating tension in the country. It is therefore hoped that such platforms like the public hearing will reduce election-related conflicts in the country
About 1,000 laid off as labour dispute endangers Nigerian Content policy
About 1,000 laid off as labour dispute endangers Nigerian Content policy
The Federal Government’s much avowed local content policy appears to be endangered following prevailing war by labour leaders against fledgling indigenous service companies that form the engine of the policy drive, as about 1,000 staff of companies were laid off recently.
It was gathered that labour crisis in the service segment of the petroleum industry arose from futile struggle by indigenous companies to retain indigenous workers they groomed under various capacity building programmes that took substantial investments.
The workers’ unions protest boils down to financial entitlements while the oil service companies point at low oil price cycles, dearth and outright cancellation of contracts by operators whose projects have dropped from investment tables, as well as elongated downtime due to call-off contracts. President of Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, Mr. F.O. Johnson, did not respond to call put to him on the matter but other members of the group confirmed that the oil workers’ union is driving a movement against nearly 20 companies that fail to meet their demands for internal unionism, reinstatement of sacked workers and payment of fat exit packages to disengaged staff. It was gathered that some of the workers demanding severance packages are leaving for foreign multinational oil service firms after they have been employed as pupil staff and trained by the indigenous firms to meet industry skills standards. Currently, over 17 indigenous service companies based in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, are battling to save their businesses from impact of attacks from National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, and PENGASSAN over unresolved entitlement issues. Five other companies have received demand notices from the workers’ groups. One of them, Ciscon Nigeria Limited, has been forced to declare insolvency as hostility from labour unions and sacked employees take threatening dimension. The situation has led to massive staff load off after resolution agreement failed. The company pointed at low business cycle in the industry as the reasons for delays in payment of entitlements. Chairman/Chief Executive, Ciscon, Mr. Shawley Coker, explained that the company had to downsize in response to activity downturn in upstream operations after weak oil prices and low oil income forced operators to call off projects and cancel contracts at a time government offered no buffer for companies that staked funds on equipment and facility acquisition. He lashed at the leadership of PENGASSAN for being too parochial in their appraisal of prevailing situation in the industry and advised them to get clear understanding of their roles as partners in building the nation’s economy and not to align with agents that demolish business structures that create jobs. With the massive downsizing going on in the oil services segment of the petroleum industry, he said, the country has recorded active job losses, shed substantial industry capacity to create new employment for new graduates, and lost deep pocket investments in local job delivery capacity. Chairman of Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria, PETAN, Mr. Bank-Antony Okoroafor, said the group was working on all parties in the disputes to address the worrisome development. He said a meeting has been scheduled to look into series of complaints by workers and employers involved in the disputes. He clarified that over 15 other companies outside PETAN are also affected by the labour dispute. He admitted that low activity cycle affected the financial capacity of most service companies in the country, adding that labour leaders should situate the prevailing crisis in the industry in the context of the current economic condition of the country and close ranks with investors to move the sector up from the doldrums.
How militancy affected oil output, revenue
How militancy affected oil output, revenue
THE nation has been cautioned to tame militancy as it culminated in a significant drop in output and revenue a few years ago
Stating this at the just concluded Kaduna International Trade Fair, the Chief Executive Officer, Koinowia Ventures Limited, Mr. Olufemi Boyede, said that the various issues that breed militancy should be addressed
He also indicated that: “the non-oil sector, has continued to remain the main driver of growth in the immediate-to-medium term hence, at the inception of President Buhari’s administrations, the government immediately adopted an adjustment strategy that hinges on combating corruption and shoring up non-oil revenues to compensate for dwindling oil revenues. The reality and imperative of diversification therefore became clear. “This is why Government, in 1986, introduced about 18 different incentives to support exports. However, as of today very few are operational. ‘’In recognition of its mandate to formulate and implement policies and instruments to grow Nigeria’s non-oil exports, the Nigeria Export Promotion Council has recently produced and is currently validating a “New Basket of Export Incentives” for Nigeria.’’
Serena Williams ousted from Indian Wells by sister Venus
Serena Williams ousted from Indian Wells by sister Venus
Serena Williams’ return to tournament tennis came to an abrupt end Monday as she crashed out of Indian Wells with a 6-3, 6-4 loss to her sister Venus.Venus closed out the 29th career meeting between the two on her second match point as Serena sailed a forehand long to end the third round match in front of a main stadium crowd of about 13,000. It was the first meeting between the sisters since they clashed in the final of the 2017 Australian Open, which Serena won before taking a 15-month hiatus due to her pregnancy. Serena said she is still easing her way back into match fitness. “It wasn’t very easy, obviously,” she said. “It was good to play and try to get in the rhythm and get into the swing again. “I can’t really replicate the situation no matter how much I do in practice. I make those shots 10 times out of 10 in practice. “It’s just the nerves, the anticipation you feel naturally. It’s a little bit of everything that comes in a match that just doesn’t normally happen.” The 10th seeded Venus moves on to the round of 16 where she will face Anastasija Sevastova, who defeated 12th seeded Julia Georges 6-3, 6-3. It is rare for the Williams sisters to play this early in a tournament. It is the earliest they have faced each other since their first encounter at the Australian Open in 1998. They arrived outside the stadium together on a golf cart then walked through the tunnel with Serena entering the court first, as many in the crowd stood and cheered. Venus blasted six aces but had eight double faults in the one hour 26 minute main stadium match. Serena is still shaking off the rust after the long layoff as she hit four aces but had her serve broken four times. “I just have a long way to go,” Serena said. Despite the loss Serena still leads their career series 17-12. This was their first encounter with Venus as an aunt and Serena as a new mother after giving birth to her baby daughter, Alexis Olympia, on September 1. – Booing incident – Venus’s victory also comes 17 years after an ugly booing incident led to a 14-year boycott of the tournament by the sisters. For some it brought closure to the once testy relationship between Indian Wells and the sisters who hail from the Los Angeles suburb of Compton. Serena returned to the tournament in 2015 and Venus a year later. Asked about the incident finally being put to rest, Venus said, “It never crossed my mind.” Serena said she is trying not to look too far into the season. “(Get) ready for the next tournament. I have a lot to improve on,” she said. “It’s good that I don’t have to say that this is the best tennis I have ever played and I lost. My room for improvement is incredible. “So I have just got to keep saying at each tournament that my goal is just to be better than the last. I don’t want to go backwards.”
