Where it went wrong for Conte at Chelsea

Antonio Conte

Despite winning the FA Cup final against Manchester United in his last match in charge of Chelsea, Antonio Conte’s sacking on Friday was the inevitable result of a stormy season at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea finished fifth in the league — 30 points behind champions Manchester City — just 12 months after winning the title and their failure to qualify for the Champions League sealed Conte’s fate.

Here we look at three reasons the Italian only lasted two seasons with the Blues:

The champagne corks had barely finished popping at the end of Chelsea’s title celebrations in May before Conte bizarrely lost his cool with Costa. Costa meltdown

Misjudging his power base, Conte felt winning the league should allow him much more say in who came and went from his squad — and first in his sights was notorious malcontent Diego Costa.

Infuriated by Costa’s mood swings and an attempt to engineer a move, Conte decided to sell the Spain striker even though his goals had been instrumental in the title success.

But he hadn’t reckoned on Costa going public with a text message from Conte telling him he was no longer in his plans, a move that prompted the Chelsea boss to exile his forward from the squad.

The situation quickly disintegrated as Costa refused to train with the reserves, leaving Chelsea struggling to find a buyer.

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich was said to be furious and, although Costa eventually got his wish to join Atletico Madrid, the Italian was on a collision course with the club’s hierarchy.

The breakdown in relations manifested itself in Conte dragging out negotiations over a new contract and when he eventually signed the improved terms, tellingly it didn’t include an extension.

Already grumbling about his lack of influence over transfers and complaining that Chelsea weren’t spending as much as their rivals, Conte was livid when Abramovich sanctioned Nemanja Matic’s switch to Manchester United before the start of the season.Transfer wars

It didn’t help that technical director Michael Emenalo left the club, leaving Marina Granovskaia, a close Abramovich aide, in charge of transfer deals, much to Conte’s chagrin.

Conte’s main complaint was Chelsea had failed to land his top targets, with Romelu Lukaku moving to United instead, and Juventus defender Alex Sandro also proving untouchable.

Conte went public with his frustration, muttering darkly during pre-season about the problems lying in wait for Chelsea if they didn’t strengthen the squad to cope with the demands of returning to the Champions League after a season’s absence.

For all Conte’s complaints, Chelsea still spent over £120 million on Alvaro Morata, Tiemoue Bakayoko, Antonio Rudiger, Davide Zappacosta and Danny Drinkwater.

It didn’t help Conte’s mood that the players he was given largely under-performed, with Rudiger the lone useful recruit.

Morata’s failure to adequately replace the more physical Costa as the fulcrum of Chelsea’s attack was a huge blow that left them fatally lacking a cutting edge.

Unaccustomed to being questioned so openly, Abramovich is believed to have been vexed by Conte’s belligerent attitude — putting the pair at loggerheads as Chelsea’s problems mounted.

Personality clashes

Engaging in a petty feud with United manager Jose Mourinho only added to the perception that Conte was unravelling as Chelsea failed to keep pace with City in the title race.

Angered by some typically acerbic jibes from Mourinho, Conte gave a stinging response, branding his rival a “little man” and questioning whether he was suffering from senile dementia.

But the 48-year-old’s hardline stance wasn’t limited to mischievous opponents.

The season was only a few weeks old when Conte’s players were reported to be chafing at his demanding training sessions and intense personality.

Numerous hamstring injuries suffered by Chelsea’s stars led some to question whether Conte’s training methods were culpable.

Conte was said to have reacted to the growing angst around him by retreating to his inner sanctum, speaking only to his most trusted assistants and becoming distant from his players.

Well aware that he was unlikely to return, Conte went out with a bang after the Cup final, taking the chance to remind Abramovich what he would be missing when the axe fell.

“After two years, the club knows me very well. I can’t change,” he said.

“I think in a difficult season like this, I showed I’m a serial winner.”

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Buhari, three APC governors in crucial meeting

File photo: Buhari with some governors

President Muhammmadu Buhari and three state governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress are currently locked in a crucial meeting.

The meeting is holding inside the President’s office at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

State governors in attendance are Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara State, Abubakar Badaru of Jigawa State and Abubakar Bagudu of Kebbi State.

The meeting is holding barely 24hours after some aggrieved members of the APC formed a new faction, the Reformed All Progressives Congress.

Otedola Bridge fire: Eight families show up for DNA testing

Otedola bridge tanker fire. PUNCH image

Eight families have showed up for DNA testing in connection with the Otedola Link Bridge fire.

The Head of the Lagos State DNA and Forensic Centre, Dr Richard Somiari, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Thursday in Lagos.

Somiari, a forensic expert, said that more families were still expected to visit the facility in connection with the deadly explosion that occurred on June 28.

“There are two categories of people that come for the testing, those who believe strongly that their family member died and needs to be identified.

“The other category includes people who just do not know because the family person is missing.

“So, we will expect that those two categories of people will come.

Somiari said that the duration needed to complete the DNA process and results interpreted could not be ascertained because of protocols that must be followed, due to the magnitude of the accident.

According to him, there are two processes involved, including the actual DNA matching and the process by the pathologist, who takes samples from the remains that were recovered.

“The actual process in our laboratory is fast. The thing is the quality of the sample that is coming from the victim.

“So, until we get those samples from the pathologist we do not know how long it will take.

“If it is significantly degraded, then it means we have to go through multiple steps of isolation and clean up before we do the profile generation.

“These samples are not as clean as reference samples and we do not want to make a mistake in the process.

“We realise that everybody will like to get the result fast and bring a closure to this but at the same time we want to be careful. “

On July 2, the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr Jide Idris, confirmed that 12 people died in the incident.

Idris said the government would be conducting DNA forensic studies so that the right bodies could be handed over to the appropriate families for proper burial.

According to him, the entire cost of management and treatment of the surviving victims and DNA forensics for the dead and their families would be borne by the state government.

Gateway News

PHOTOS: Groups protest against killings in Nigeria

Members of Global Right and other Civil Society groups on Wednesday protested the massacres across Nigeria at the entrance of the Presidential villa, Abuja.

See the photographs as presented by Olatunji Obasa:

Gateway News

Pickford gets the upper hand to vindicate England coach Southgate

Jordan Pickford

Mocked by Belgium’s Thibaut Courtois for being too small for a top-class goalkeeper, Jordan Pickford stood tall when England needed a penalty shootout hero to end years of pain from the spot.

On just his seventh international appearance, Pickford became the first England stopper in 20 years to save a penalty at a major tournament.

It was a sweet moment for Pickford, and for his manager Gareth Southgate, whose decision to back the 24-year-old despite his inexperience and leave 75-time capped Joe Hart out of his squad was vindicated.With the sides tied at 3-3 in the shootout, the Everton ‘keeper leapt to his right and got a strong left hand to Carlos Bacca’s strike, putting the Three Lions on course to win a knockout game for the first time since 2006.

“I don’t care if I’m not the biggest keeper,” said the 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 metre) tall Pickford. “I’ve got that power and agility to get around the goal. I’m very good at it.”

Pickford deserved to have won the game a lot earlier on a tense night in Moscow.

As the game entered stoppage time he flew high to his left to turn Mateus Uribe’s blistering long-range effort behind.

Pickford had barely got to his feet, though, when Yerry Mina’s towering header from the resulting corner brought Colombia level with a crushing blow that more mentally fragile England sides of the past may not have recovered from.

“It was a top-class save. I’m surprised he could reach it given his height,” Southgate said with a wry smile.

“He’s really athletic around the goal, he is excellent and he executed the plan in the penalty shootout.”

“The goalkeeper is 10 centimetres smaller than me,” Chelsea’s giant goalkeeper Courtois told Belgian website Voetbal24. “I would have caught it. He was too busy throwing his legs in the air.”– ‘Strange’ technique –
Pickford was one of just two first-team regulars not rotated by Southgate against Belgium for England’s final group game last week and was criticised for his technique in failing to stop Adnan Januzaj’s effort that sealed top spot in Group G for the Red Devils.

Courtois was not alone. Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville, who also formed part of the England coaching team at Euro 2016, described Pickford’s attempt to stop Januzaj’s strike as “a bit strange”.

“I’ve been criticised for going with my top hand, but as long as you save it, that’s all that counts,” said Pickford after silencing his critics. “I might be young but I’ve got good mental strength and experience and I used that.”

Southgate has suffered more than most from England’s penalty torture in the past. Even after Tuesday’s success, he admitted his miss in the Euro 1996 semi-final on home soil against Germany will live with him forever.

But in refusing to dismiss penalties as a lottery like many of his predecessors, his attention to detail paid off.

On top of psychometric tests for his players and incessant practice on the training ground, he even made sure Pickford handed the ball to each of his teammates to ensure opposite number David Ospina could not play any mind games by delaying their lonely walk from the centre circle even by a few seconds.

England had already waited too long to win on penalties. Thanks to Pickford that curse is now broken and their best chance in a generation to end 52 years of hurt at the World Cup remains intact.

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PHOTOS: Macron at New Afrika Shrine

On Tuesday, French President, Emmanuel Macron visited the New Afrika Shrine in Lagos in company with the State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode as part of Season of African Cultures 2020, a French celebration of Africa’s rich and diverse cultures.

Macron during his visit spent some time, dancing to Afrobeat tunes sung by Femi Kuti, the son of the Afrobeat originator, Fela Anikulapo Kuti. He also interacted with entertainers,  like Banky W, Ramsey Nouah, Asa, and others, who showed up at the Shrine.

The French President was also presented with a portrait painted by an eleven-year-old boy, Kareem Olamilekan. He drew Macron on the spot in two hours and Macron was impressed with the painting.

See photos from his visit below:

   

French President Emmanuel Macron (L) meets with a young boy who drew a portrait of him during a visit to the Afrika Shrine in Lagos on July 3, 2018.
French President Emmanuel Macron has arrived in Abuja for a meeting with his Nigerian counterpart Muhammadu Buhari, in his latest attempt to forge closer ties with English-speaking Africa. / AFP PHOTO / POOL / Ludovic MARIN

President Emmanuel Macron and Governor Ambode at the Africa Shrine. Photo: Banky W/Instagram

Angelique Kidjo, Youssou N’dour, Yemi Alade, and Asa at New Afrika Shrine during Macron’s visit. Photo: Yemi Alade/Instagram

Tony Elumelu and Emmanuel Macron during his visit to Nigeria. Photo: Tony Elumelu/Instagram

Keturah King alongside Emmanuel Macron at New Afrika Shrine.

Mo Abudu and Emmanuel Macron at New Afrika Shrine.

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How do the World Cup quarter-finalists compare?

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World Cup

Just eight teams remain from the 32 who started the World Cup in Russia.

AFP Sport looks how each side are placed ahead of the quarter-finals on Friday and Saturday.

Uruguay v France (Friday 1400 GMT, Nizhny Novgorod)
Uruguay
One of only two teams to win all four games so far, Uruguay boast one of the meanest defences in Russia marshalled by talismanic captain Diego Godin, and a lethal strikeforce in Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez.

Cavani’s fitness is the big concern ahead of Friday’s meeting. The Paris Saint-Germain striker limped off with a calf injury after scoring twice to end Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal’s World Cup dreams in the last 16.

France
After cruising through the group stage in underwhelming fashion, France kicked through the gears thanks to Kylian Mbappe’s blistering pace to blow Argentina away in a 4-3 World Cup classic in the last 16.

A very different task awaits in breaking through Uruguay’s brick wall of a defence that will not allow Mbappe the same space to exploit. But as legs start to tire in the latter stages, France’s strength in depth could start to make the difference.

Brazil v Belgium (Friday 1800 GMT, Kazan)
Brazil
Along with Uruguay, Brazil share the best defensive record, having conceded just once in four games so far and are slowly starting to hit their stride at the other end of the field too as Neymar struck his second goal of the tournament in the last 16.

After a disappointing 1-1 draw against Switzerland, 2-0 wins over Costa Rica, Serbia and Mexico have taken Brazil into a seventh straight quarter-final and they remain the favourites to erase the scars of a humiliating 7-1 semi-final thrashing at the hands of Germany four years ago.

Belgium
Belgium will be the true test of how good the Brazilian back line is in Kazan on Friday, but coach Roberto Martinez has some big decisions to make after a stunning comeback from 2-0 down in the final 21 minutes avoided a shock exit to Japan in the last 16.

Japan picked the holes in Martinez’s attack-minded 3-4-2-1 system and the Red Devils had to rely on their superior physical power in the latter stages with Jan Vertonghen and Marouane Fellaini heading home before Nacer Chadli completing the comeback at the end of a stunning counter-attack.

Sweden v England (Saturday 1400 GMT, Samara)Martinez must now find the right balance to harness the best from Kevin De Bruyne, Eden Hazard and Romelu Lukaku without leaving Belgium exposed.

Sweden
They are not the prettiest side, but Sweden are extremely effective and happy to play the role of underdog, having seen off the Netherlands and Italy in qualifying and Germany in the group stages.

Their run to the last eight for the first time since 1994 has been built on three clean sheets in four games, but while hard to break down, they lack a potent force up front.

England
Freed from the curse of the penalty shootout after they beat Colombia from the spot, England will be favourites to reach a first World Cup semi-final since 1990.

For 92 minutes in Moscow, the Three Lions kept their cool as Colombia lost theirs and played with a patience in possession rarely seen by England sides in recent years.

Yerry Mina’s stoppage-time header threatened to change all that, but a first World Cup win on penalties in four attempts gives Gareth Southgate’s men reason to believe this time really will be different.

Russia v Croatia (Saturday 1800 GMT, Sochi)
Russia
The hosts have delighted their public by surpassing all expectations to make it to the last eight thanks to a stunning penalty shootout elimination of 2010 winners Spain.

Russian players were on their knees in exhaustion after defending for 120 minutes in Moscow with just 26 percent possession and they must now summon another huge physical effort, with Croatia expected to dominate the ball once more.

Croatia
Arguably the outstanding performers of the group stage, Croatia were made to suffer to make it past Denmark on penalties.

Luck often has not accompanied Croatia in the knockout stages after bright tournament starts, but having bounced back from the blow of Luka Modric’s missed penalty four minutes before the end of extra-time in the last 16, the time for a highly talented generation may have come.

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National Assembly backs state police as gunmen kill 7 cops in Abuja

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Saraki, Ekweremadu and Dogara

The Senate and the House of Representatives on Tuesday declared the country’s security system a “failed architecture” and backed the call for the establishment of state police to contain the escalating killings by herdsmen across many states.

The federal lawmakers’ decision to grant the request of many prominent Nigerians including governors for state police is hinged on the continued killings in the country and the inability of the security agencies to end incessant violence and murders.

The two chambers of the National Assembly have, therefore, agreed to amend the constitution to achieve this objective.

This is coming just as seven policemen were shot dead by unknown gunmen in Abuja on Monday night.

To achieve the state police structure, the House resolved to revisit the amendment of the 1999 Constitution so that the present federal police structure would be decentralised, while the Senate has begun the process to amend the constitution to allow for the creation of state police.

Specifically, the Senate at the plenary on Tuesday mandated the Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution led by the Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, to present an amendment bill within two weeks.

The lawmakers resolved that the bill would enjoy speedy consideration.

House declares Plateau killings genocide

Also, the House of Representatives declared the country’s security system a “failed architecture” and sought the establishment of state police to contain the escalating killings by herdsmen across many states.

Recall that on three previous attempts since the 2010, a proposal for state police was rejected by the National Assembly during the amendment of the constitution.Lawmakers specifically declared the recent killing of “over 215 persons” by herdsmen in Plateau State as “genocide,” saying that it was high time the Federal Government sought external help to confront the killer herdsmen.

But, as the reality of the lives being taken by the herdsmen dawned on members on Tuesday, the majority of them supported a resolution to amend the constitution in a bid to accommodate state police.

The House passed the resolution after five members from Plateau State moved a motion on the “Massacre of over 2015 Persons in Plateau State.”

The session, which was presided over by the Speaker, Mr. Yakubu Dogara, condemned the attacks and called for the recovery of over 52 villages under illegal occupation by herdsmen in Barkin Ladi, Riyom, Bokkos, Bassa and Mangu Local Government Areas of Plateau State.

Leading the debate, Mr. Istifanus Gyang alleged that the agenda of the attackers was ethnic cleansing to pave the way for the occupation of land belonging to the Plateau people.

Gyang urged President Muhammadu Buhari to give effect to Section 14(2) of the constitution by protecting the lives and property of Nigerians.

He added, “The attacks have a pattern, where once a community is attacked, it is cleansed by killing the native inhabitants, the houses burnt and destroyed, while the vacated land is taken over for occupation.

“The cycle is repeated and the pattern is replicated in what has clearly manifested as a land grabbing agenda.”

The   Majority Leader of the House, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, supported the motion and said that the country could no longer run away from the reality of state police.

He stated, “Our security architecture needs to be changed and the time has come for the creation of state police. Let us amend our constitution; we can even agree to fast-track it by attaching it to the pending Petroleum Industry Bill for presentation to the President.”

The Chairman, House Committee on Human Rights, Mr. Edward Pwajok, SAN, recalled how the herdsmen attacked 11 villages simultaneously without response from security agencies.

Pwajok said, “These attacks took place for over seven hours in the 11 villages. The fact that there was no response leaves much to be desired and raises many questions. Why will the attacks continue, even as we speak, in spite of the visit of the President and Vice-President and the curfew in Plateau State?

“Was the curfew meant to keep some persons at home while others could go about freely to kill? Mr. Speaker, the blood of those killed is calling for justice.”

On her part, the Chairman, House Committee on Foreign Relations, Ms. Nnenna Elendu-Ukeje, urged Buhari to take urgent actions to stop the killings.

She acknowledged that there were two categories of Fulani in Nigeria, the peaceful ones carrying sticks and the killers who go about with AK-47 rifles.

But, the Chairman, House Committee on Federal Character Commission, Mr. Idris Wase, blamed the killings on politicians and “powerful people.”

“Some politicians and highly-placed persons are behind these killings. They know themselves and I will say this even at the risk to my own safety. The truth has to be told if we must genuinely find solutions to these attacks and killings,” Wase stated.

History ‘ll judge us harshly over mindless killings – Dogara

Meanwhile, Dogara warned on Tuesday that history would not be kind to the current government, including the National Assembly, if the killings were not stopped immediately.

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I knew of father’s kidnap before World Cup match – Mikel Obi

Mikel Obi played in Nigeria’s defeat to Argentina despite concerns over his father’s safety, the Guardian of UK reports.

Mikel was told that his father had been kidnapped and would be killed if he reported anything – just hours before he led Nigeria into their final World Cup group phase tie against Argentina.

The Nigeria captain received the shocking news as he travelled on the team bus to the stadium in St Petersburg last Tuesday.

A family member called him and told him that he had to call the kidnappers on a designated number.

When Mikel did so, he was ordered to pay a ransom.

Mikel told the Gateway News that he could not confide in anyone at the Nigerian Football Federation – partly because he did not want to be a distraction before the game.

Pa Michael Obi was abducted on Makurdi-Enugu Road, South-East Nigeria, as he travelled to a funeral from Jos. The police in Nigeria were able to secure his release, but Mikel said his father was tortured during a week-long ordeal and is currently receiving emergency treatment in a hospital. It is the second time that he has been kidnapped, with the first one being in August 2011.

Mikel tried to put the trauma to one side and he played the 90 minutes against Argentina. Nigeria lost 2-1 to a late Marcus Rojo goal to exit the tournament. A 1-1 draw would have seen them qualify for the last 16.

He said, “I played while my father was in the hands of bandits. I had to suppress the trauma. I took a call four hours before kick-off to tell me what had happened.

 “I was emotionally distraught and I had to make the decision about whether I was mentally ready to play. I was confused. I did not know what to do but, in the end, I knew that I could not let 180 million Nigerians down.

“I had to shut it out of my head and represent my country first. I could not even inform the coaches or NFF staff and only a very tight circle of my friends knew.

“I was told that they would shoot my dad instantly if I reported to the authorities or told anybody. I also did not want to discuss it with the coach (Gernot Rohr) because I did not want my issue to become a distraction to him or the rest of the team on the day of such an important game. As much as I wanted to discuss it with the coach, I could not.

“Thankfully, my father was safely released on Monday. I thank the police for their rescue efforts and the support I’ve received from friends and family members.

“Unfortunately, my dad is now in hospital receiving emergency treatment as a result of the torture he received during his capture.”

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Card reader: Fayose confronts INEC, police, DSS with video evidence

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Ayodele Fayose

The Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, on Tuesday, confronted the Independent National Electoral Commission with video evidence of pre-loading of card readers in the state.

The challenge came a day after a National Commissioner with INEC, Mrs Aminat Zakari, challenged the governor to prove allegations that she had conspired with three others to pre-load card readers, supply faulty card readers and provide ballot papers for stuffing of ballot boxes.

Fayose also tackled the Commissioner of Police, Mr Ahmed Bello and the Director of the Department of State Services, Mrs Promise Ihenacho, for allegedly deploying security aides of former governor Kayode Fayemi to Ekiti State to rig the July 14 governorship election.

The governor pointed out that Fayemi’s ex-Chief Security Officer, Hakeem Abiola,  and former Aide de camp, Adeyemi Ajayi, were already in the state to coordinate indiscriminate arrest of the members of the opposition.

Fayose spoke at a town hall meeting organised by the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room for governorship candidates in Ado Ekiti on Tuesday.

The Chairman on the occasion, Mr Clement Nwakwo, said the essence of the meeting was to extract assurances from INEC, security agencies and candidates that the coming election would be credible.

He said, “We are going to hold INEC accountable for whatever happens and that is why it is good for the security to be helpful and we know they won’t default in this regard.”

The governor tendered video evidence of people allegedly pre-loading card readers in Akure ahead of the July 14 governorship election to the National Commissioner in charge of Ekiti, Osun and Oyo states, Mr Solomon Soyebi.

Fayose said, “This is the evidence of people pre-loading card readers in Akure. Any officer who is seen to be biased should be relieved of any sensitive assignment.”

But dismissing the video, Soyebi said the card readers to be used for the election were already in Ekiti and had not been configured.

“I know the information will come to you, but they are fake. The card readers will only start working on the day of the election. A lot of people will be giving you information, a lot of them will be fake,” he said.

Also, the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakub, described the governor’s allegations as untrue and baseless.

Yakub in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Rotimi Oyekanmi, stressed that it was impossible for anyone to rig the election in favour of any candidate.

Rather than malign them at press conferences, Yakub urged the governor to make any evidence of wrongdoing available to the Commission for appropriate action.”

“We wish to emphasise that it is impossible for the Commission’s officials, any individual or group for that matter to pre-load the Smart Card Readers or provide ballot papers for stuffing as alleged,” he said.

Yakub explained that the SCRs performed three functions: identifying, verifying and authenticating the voter and the PVC, adding that it could only function on the election day.

“In addition to the results sheets that we issue to party agents at the Polling Units and at every level of collation, the Commission also deliberately introduced Form EC60E to show election results at the Polling Units, which is the most important level. This form is pasted at every Polling Unit after collation,” he added.

INEC reiterated its resolve to conduct a credible, free and fair election that would be a model for other elections in Nigeria.

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