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Lamine Yamal suffers hamstring injury, expected to be fit for World Cup
via Punch Nigeria2 min read
Spain's Lamine Yamal has sustained a hamstring injury in his left leg, Barcelona announced. The club confirmed that the first-team player will undergo conservative treatment and miss the remainder of the season, but is anticipated to be available for the World Cup, scheduled from June 11 to July 19 this year. Yamal picked up the injury during Barcelona's 1-0 victory over Celta Vigo in La Liga on Wednesday, where he scored a penalty. The teenage Spain star, who has scored six goals in 25 appearances for the national side since his 2023 debut, expressed his disappointment on social media, stating, "This isn’t the end, it’s just a break. I’ll come back stronger, with even more determination than ever, and next season will be better." Barcelona coach Hansi Flick acknowledged the unfortunate timing of the injury. Spain is set to begin their World Cup campaign in Group H against Cape Verde on June 15, followed by matches against Saudi Arabia on June 21 and Uruguay six days later. Yamal, the club's leading scorer with 24 goals this season, was an integral part of Spain's Euro 2024 winning side and had recently spoken of his dream to play in the World Cup. He joins other key Spain internationals like Rodri, Fabian Ruiz, Mikel Merino, and Nico Williams who are either sidelined or recovering from injuries. There is a possibility that the 18-year-old could be rested at the start of the tournament to avoid aggravating his injury.
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Yusuf Buhari, son of former President Muhammadu Buhari, announced his intention on Thursday to contest the Daura/Sandamu/Mai’adua Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives in 2027. He is seeking the position on the platform of the All Progressives Congress APC. Yusuf made this declaration in Daura while addressing party stakeholders and supporters, following a visit to Governor Dikko Radda in Katsina on Wednesday to seek his support. Yusuf stated, "I am here to seek your support, and I assure you that if elected, I will do my best and will never disappoint you, God willing." Alhaji Musa Haro, Dan Madamin Daura and District Head of Dumurkol, spoke at the event, soliciting support for Yusuf. Haro indicated plans to seek support from people in every town and village, and to collaborate with other aspirants for the same seat. Yusuf was accompanied by Fatuhu Muhammad, a former member representing the constituency, and other family members. The seat is currently held by Rep. Aminu Jamo.
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors has called for justice following the assault of a doctor and a nurse at the Kwara State University Teaching Hospital. The association condemned the incident, which occurred when a female doctor was explaining hospital charges to a patient's relative, and a nurse present was also attacked. NARD described the attack as "inhumane and unacceptable," emphasizing that healthcare workers should not be subjected to abuse while providing essential services. The alleged assailant has been apprehended and is in police custody, with NARD insisting on full prosecution. The association expressed solidarity with the victims and supported resolutions by the hospital's resident doctors, including a one-week warning strike, a public demonstration, and a press conference. NARD also called for appropriate justice and compensation for the assaulted staff, along with the deployment of adequate security personnel to sensitive areas within the hospital. Reaffirming its commitment to the safety and dignity of healthcare workers, NARD warned against any intimidation of its members over industrial action. This incident highlights growing concerns about attacks on healthcare workers in Nigeria, contributing to frustration and the brain drain in the sector.
Former Ivory Coast international footballer Aboulaye Traore has been sentenced to three years in jail for rape, as reported by an Ivorian women’s rights group. Traore, known as Ben Badi, was a member of the Elephants team that won the 1992 African Cup of Nations. The Ivorian League for Women’s Rights stated that the Bouake court issued the three-year sentence on Wednesday, calling it a "significant advance in the fight against impunity for sexual and sexist violence." In addition to the jail term, the court mandated a payment of 15 million CFA francs $26,700 to the victim and imposed a five-year ban from the central region. A judicial source confirmed that the footballer was found guilty of non-consensual sexual relations in March 2021 with a 21-year-old woman. Traore played for Abidjan’s ASEC Mimosas and European clubs like FC Metz and Braga before his retirement.
President Bola Tinubu is currently holding a meeting with state governors elected under the All Progressives Congress APC at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja. The meeting, which started around 5 p.m., includes governors such as Prof. Babagana Zulum of Borno State, Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State, Hyacinth Alia of Benue State, Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State, Peter Mbah of Enugu State, and AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State, among others. Some states are represented by their deputy governors. The agenda of the meeting has not yet been disclosed. This gathering follows an emergency closed-door session held on Wednesday evening between President Tinubu and the extended leadership of the Senate, where "far-reaching decisions were taken" on "matters of urgent national importance," according to Senate Majority Leader Opeyemi Bamidele.