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Ronaldo, Pirlo Facing Uncertain Futures

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Ronaldo, Pirlo Facing Uncertain Futures

Interestingly, Ronaldo and Pirlo are facing uncertain futures after Juventus’ shock Champions League exit to Port.

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Ronaldo, Pirlo Facing Uncertain Futures

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The Bianconeri triumphed 3-2 on the night but bowed out at the last 16 stage on away goals after a dramatic encounter in Turin.
“These are his games,” the Juventus coach told reporters. This wasn’t his game, though – not even close. The Corriere dello Sport even went so far as to say that the Old Lady had been betrayed by Ronaldo.

Of course, in the grand scheme of things, his poor performance is a mere footnote in Juve’s tale of Champions League woe, which stretches all the way back to 1996.

They’ve lost five finals in the interim. Now, they’ve been eliminated in the last 16 for the second consecutive season. In 2018-19, they were dumped out in the quarters by Ajax.

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It wasn’t meant to be like this. Not with Ronaldo. He’s Mr. Champions League. With him on board, a team that reached two finals in three seasons between 2015 and 2017 looked poised to take that agonising final step. Instead, they’re further away from the trophy than when he arrived.

Despite losing 2-1 to Porto in the first leg, Juve had tried valiantly to avoid even thinking about another early exit.

“It’s our duty to go through to the next round,” Juve director and former midfielder Pavel Nedved had told Sky Sport Italia beforehand. Instead, Juve are out of Europe and, this time around, they won’t even have the consolation prize of a Scudetto.

The Serie A title already looks lost, for the first time in 10 years, with Inter currently 10 points ahead of the third-placed Bianconeri at the top of the table. Even a possible Coppa Italia win – Juve meet Atalanta in the final – isn’t going to cut it for Pirlo.

Indeed, a penny for Andrea Agnelli’s thoughts right now. The Juventus president didn’t sanction a €340 million (£292m/$404m) deal for Ronaldo to see his side knocked out of Europe by Ajax, Lyon and now Porto.

Of course, the big question is what Agnelli will decide to do with Ronaldo and Pirlo? The former is a colossal strain on the club’s resources.  The latter has failed to prove he can deliver the European glory Juve so sorely crave.

Sporting director Fabio Paratici insisted at the weekend that he retains full faith in the Pirlo project but it was telling that the rookie coach was asked on Monday if he felt his future depended on the outcome of the Porto game.

“If I thought so,” he told reporters, “I wouldn’t be here.” Who knows now, though, how long he’ll be at Juve? The same goes for Ronaldo, who must now be questioning whether he should see out the final year of his contract.

He remains a goalscoring machine but looks unsuited to Pirlo’s style of play. As in the first leg at the Dragao, the Portuguese superstar struggled to get into the game. And as at the Dragao, it was Federico Chiesa – not Ronaldo – who dragged Juve back into the tie.

Juventus had performed pathetically in Porto, but the Italy international’s composed strike with just eight minutes to go secured the visitors a precious away goal.

It was wiped out just 18 minutes into Tuesday night’s return clash in Turin, with Sergio Oliveira coolly converting a penalty awarded for Merih Demiral’s clumsy challenge on Mehdi Taremi.

Consequently, Juve needed two goals just to force extra-time. They got them – thanks to the irrepressible Chiesa.

Ronaldo, to his credit, was involved in the equaliser, laying the ball off for Chiesa, who finished emphatically into the top-right corner of the Porto net.

Then, after Taremi had been stupidly sent off for booting the ball away while already on a booking, Chiesa levelled the tie on aggregate by rising at the back post to expertly guide home the most inviting of crosses from the excellent Juan Cuadrado.

Juve had numerous chances to win the game, even before it went to extra-time, with Ronaldo surprisingly mistiming the kind of header he normally buries with ease.

Almost inevitably, the home side were punished for their profligacy when Sergio struck again, this time with a long-range free kick that Wojciech Szczesny really should have saved even accounting for the shameful disintegration of his wall, with Ronaldo again culpable.

That left Juve needing to win 4-2 to progress and Adrien Rabiot’s header with three minutes of extra time remaining gave the hosts renewed hope of a great escape.

But they could find no way past Pepe & Co. in the dying seconds despite intense pressure. It just wasn’t their night. Or Ronaldo’s game.

And one wonders now whether it will prove his last in the Champions League for Juve…

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Sahara weekly online is published by First Sahara weekly international. contact saharaweekly@yahoo.com

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48 Cultists Surrender Firearms, Renounce Membership in Ogun

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48 Cultists Surrender Firearms, Renounce Membership in Ogun

 

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In a bid to quell the alarming surge of violence in Ogun State, particularly in Sagamu, forty-eight youths have taken the bold step of renouncing their membership in cult groups.

This significant development comes alongside the surrender of firearms by those who possessed them illegally, marking a pivotal moment in the state’s efforts to combat crime and restore peace.

The arms submitted includes onepump action, four double barrels, seven single barrels, two english pistol, four locally made pistol and thirty-five cartridges

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Commissioner of Police in Ogun State, CP Abiodun Alamutu, affirmed the progress, stating, “Aside from those licensed to bear firearms, no other person is permitted to possess them. Anyone found in possession of firearms after this will be treated as a criminal.”

He emphasized the importance of ongoing profiling and the forthcoming stage of the program, which will involve the public parading of those who have renounced their involvement in cult activities.

“After adequately profile them, they’ll be paraded. What we will encourage members of the community so that they don’t treat them as outcast because we know from experience that some of them found themselves in this fold , it was after they have been entrapped in it, they now understand what cultism is and it’s never easy to opt out because of fear of attack. Now that they’re bold enough to surrender what we should do is to reintegrate them as legitimate and law abiding members of the community .”

Acknowledging the complexities surrounding cultism, the Akarigbo of Remo Land Oba Babatunde Ajayi emphasized the need for community engagement and support in facilitating the reintegration of former cult members.

 

 

 

He highlighted the collaborative efforts between the community, law enforcement, and armed forces in addressing the security challenges and expressed optimism in the willingness of surrendered individuals to contribute positively to society.

Special Adviser to the Ogun State Government on Security Matters, Olusola Zubair, commended the collective endeavour that led to the surrender of arms, attributing it to the perseverance and resilience of all stakeholders involved.

He underscored the potential for replicating such initiatives in other areas grappling with similar issues, emphasizing the paramount importance of peace for sustainable development.

“We know that development can only strive where there’s an atmosphere of peace and that’s what we’re clamouring for here. I want to use this opportunity to appeal to all other sectors of this state that what we are doing in sagamu today, is doable in other places also . I want to thank the Governor of Ogun State for giving us that support .

“I want to say this is not all the arms that they have been using but just as the Akarigbo said , it’s a continuous process , we are still in that process of recovering these firearms and am sure that most of them will know now that crime doesn’t pay so it is better to live in peace . All of us should live in unity and that’s what will bring development to our state.”

The Director of Department State Services (DSS) Folashade Adekayajo represented by Deputy Director of Operations and Intelligence, Sikiru Kolawole, echoed the call for individuals involved in cult activities to embrace peace and renounce violence.

He emphasized the crucial role of community members in providing information to aid law enforcement efforts in curbing criminal activities.

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Osimhen, Boniface Beat Ronaldo As World’s Best Strikers

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Osimhen, Boniface Beat Ronaldo As World’s Best Strikers

 

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Nigeria’s Super Eagles strikers Victor Osimhen and Victor Boniface have been ranked above Cristiano Ronaldo and Robert Lewandowski in the world’s latest top 10 best strikers. Norwegian and Manchester City superstar Erling Haaland leads the list, followed by England skipper Harry Kane. The third slot went to Kylian Mbappe. Are there other great African football players that were not ranked but deserve recognition?

 

Osimhen, Boniface Beat Ronaldo As World's Best Strikers

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1. Erling Halaand
2. Harry Kane
3. Kylian Mbappe
4. Victor Osimhen(NIGERIAN)
5. Lauaro Martinez
6. Heung Ming Song
7. Victor Boniface(NIGERIAN)
8. Julian Alvarez
9. Cristiano Ronaldo
10. Robert Lewandoski.

https://www.facebook.com/100064617042388/posts/pfbid02ochLUxJDXa7ixP3ENCGRHq8wmMgojHgdLV9fwZiwBfSdUkyiEehCMnuuVAaSUQ1Al/?app=fbl

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Score & Shine: Organizers Release Forms For Spectacular 4th Edition of Kiraa Football Cup Competition

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Score & Shine: Organizers Release Forms For Spectacular 4th Edition of Kiraa Football Cup Competition

Score & Shine: Organizers Release Forms For Spectacular 4th Edition of Kiraa Football Cup Competition

 

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Ososa, Ijebu, Ogun State will once again be buzzing with football fervor as Kiraa TV, one of Nigeria’s leading entertainment firms, gears up for the 4th edition of the highly anticipated Kiraa Football Cup competition. Scheduled to kick off in April 2024, the organizers have officially released the forms for interested football clubs in Ijebu land, in and outside Ogun State in general.

 

Score & Shine: Organizers Release Forms For Spectacular 4th Edition of Kiraa Football Cup Competition

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The pulsating football action is set to unfold at the Muslim Primary School in Ososa, Ijebu, the traditional venue for the competition. With the success of the 2023 edition, which saw Kiraa FC, owned by Franklin Oluwasegun, clinched the victory among the 16 participating football clubs, with Olasunkanmi Ibrahim winning highest goal scorer award.

 

 

 

The upcoming edition promises even more excitement and fierce competition, as NPFL Referee, Okunuga Muyiwa will be officiating.

 

 

 

Football enthusiasts and clubs across Nigeria, particularly in Ogun State, are invited to participate in this unique competition, which has gained a reputation for its thrilling matches and passionate fanbase. The organizers are reaching out to potential sponsors and advertisers, extending a warm welcome to individuals and companies eager to be part of this sporting extravaganza.

 

 

 

 

As Kiraa TV continues to foster a sense of community and entertainment through sports, the Kiraa Football Cup Competition has become a highlight on the local football calendar. With the unveiling of the 2024 edition’s forms, anticipation is building, and football clubs are gearing up for a chance to showcase their skills on the vibrant football stage in Ososa, Ijebu.

Stay tuned for updates as the Kiraa Football Cup 2024 approaches, promising a spectacle of talent, teamwork, and sporting camaraderie in the heart of Ogun State.

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