馃嚦馃嚞NigeriaWest Africa
Germany faces Ivory Coast in World Cup clash, Sweden plays Netherlands for knockout spot
via Punch Nigeria3 min read
Germany will play Ivory Coast in a World Cup match on Saturday, with the winner securing a place in the last 32. Germany, who defeated Curacao 7-1 in their first match, would win Group E if they beat Ivory Coast and Ecuador fails to defeat Curacao. Ivory Coast could also advance with a win against Germany. Sweden faces the Netherlands, and a victory would secure their spot in the knockout round. Coach Graham Potter noted that Sweden striker Alexander Isak, who scored one goal and assisted two in a 5-1 win against Tunisia, is expected to improve as the tournament progresses. Meanwhile, Japan will play Tunisia in the 1,000th World Cup game. On Friday, the United States advanced to the knockout round with a 2-0 victory over Australia, securing the top spot in Group D after Paraguay defeated Turkey. Brazil also won 3-0 against Haiti, eliminating Haiti from the tournament, and Morocco secured a 1-0 win against Scotland.
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Troops from Sector 2, Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, successfully rescued 22 kidnapped victims and thwarted abduction attempts in Sabon Birni and Isa Local Government Areas of Sokoto State on June 18, 2026. According to Lt. Col. Aliyu Danja, Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, the first incident involved terrorists blocking the Sabon Birni鈥揝hinkafi Road at Kura Mota Village, attacking two civilian vehicles, and abducting passengers. One civilian was killed before troops intervened, leading to the rescue of 17 passengers. In a separate operation on the same day, troops responded to a distress call from Chohi Village in Isa LGA, where armed terrorists attempted to abduct farmers. Troops rapidly deployed, pursuing the attackers and successfully rescuing five kidnapped farmers. The military also conducted confidence-building patrols in nearby communities like Gidan Rana and Gidan Sale villages to reassure residents and prevent further attacks. These operations highlight Operation FANSAN YAMMA's commitment to securing lives and property in the North-West region. Residents have called for a sustained military presence to enhance security.
Haiti and T眉rkiye have been knocked out of the 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage after suffering defeats on Friday. In Philadelphia, Brazil secured a 3-0 victory over Haiti in Group C, with goals from Matheus Cunha and Vinicius Jr. This result leaves Haiti at the bottom of Group C with zero points from two matches, ending their chances of advancing. Their final group game against Morocco on June 24 will be a dead rubber. In Group D, T眉rkiye experienced a narrow 1-0 defeat to Paraguay at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium. Matias Galarza scored the fastest goal of the tournament so far, netting after just 64 seconds. Despite late pressure and a red card for Paraguay, T眉rkiye could not find an equalizer. This loss leaves T眉rkiye with two defeats from two games and no points, confirming their elimination with one match remaining. Haiti returned to the World Cup for the first time since 1974, while T眉rkiye's campaign ended prematurely.
Must ReadFormer Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, has accused UK authorities of damaging her reputation through a corruption prosecution that spanned over a decade. Alison-Madueke, who was acquitted by a jury at Southwark Crown Court in London, stated in a BBC interview that the 13-year investigation and prosecution by the UK's National Crime Agency was "painful and traumatic." She served as Nigeria's petroleum minister from 2010 to 2015 and was the first female president of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries. Alison-Madueke claimed the case prevented her from traveling and working, and took a significant psychological toll. She was first arrested in 2015 but not charged until 2023. Prosecutors had alleged she received benefits from oil businessmen. Alison-Madueke suggested that documents supporting her defense, including receipts for reimbursed payments, went missing from her Abuja residence in 2015, taken by Nigerian intelligence forces. She criticized both Nigerian and British authorities for their handling of the case, advocating for greater caution in politically sensitive matters and suggesting she may have been targeted due to her position in a "misogynistic society." A National Crime Agency spokesperson stated that their investigation was "long-running, in-depth and complex," regularly reviewed, and conducted impartially, with a comprehensive file presented to the Crown Prosecution Service. Alison-Madueke also addressed previous asset