Sevilla manager, Xavi García Pimienta has said that Kelechi Iheanacho might play as a winger in Sunday’s La Liga game against Rayo Vallecano.

Pimienta dropped this hint on Saturday afternoon while speaking at the pre-match press conference.

Iheanacho since joining Sevilla on a free transfer has fallen short of expectations with the Nigerian forward yet to open his goal account for the club in the La Liga.

Although, he has scored two goals in the Copa del Rey, the 27-year-old has failed to hit it big in the Spanish top-flight where he seldom starts.

Pimienta began his pre-match presser by saying it is time to bounce back after the two defeats Sevilla suffered before the international break.

“We did things well but that mistake we made cost us. There are no excuses. We are going to play a competitive team on Sunday in front of our fans,” he said.

“We are going to give everything to make them proud, after what happened in the last home game.

“There is still a long way to go, we then play again at home but the most important game is always the next one.”

On the options for wingers and the possibility of Iheanacho playing in the position against Vallecano, the Sevilla coach said it could happen.

“We have Lukebakio, Jesús, Suso. Isra has got a shoulder injury. Iheanacho played there in the last match and did well despite it not being his natural position,” Pimienta concluded.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ogun Area Command, Idiroko has handed over illicit drugs worth N117.5 million to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

The NCS made the announcement in a press statement it shared on its official Facebook account on Sunday morning.

According to the statement, Comptroller James Ojo of the Ogun Customs Area Command, Idiroko has reaffirmed his commitment to disrupting the supply chain of illicit drugs and safeguarding youths, families and communities.

Ojo said this on Friday, November 22, 2024 while handing over 6,504 parcels of Cannabis Sativa (weighing 7,217.7 kg) and 362 packs of Tramaking tablets (225mg Tramadol) to the NDLEA in Abeokuta.

Addressing journalists, Comptroller Ojo disclosed that the interception of the items, valued at N117,587,405 in Duty Paid Value (DPV) was made possible through effective collaboration with intelligence units, local informants and sister agencies.

He described the scale of illicit drug smuggling as “alarming and worrisome,” adding: “These landmark operations reflect the Nigeria Customs Service’s unwavering commitment to protecting public health, ensuring community safety and upholding the rule of law.”

He assured the public that the command would continue to enhance intelligence gathering and strengthen cooperation with relevant agencies to combat smuggling and related criminal activities.

The seized items were officially handed over to NDLEA representatives as part of inter-agency collaboration.

The Commander of the NDLEA Idiroko Special Command, Olusegun Adeyeye commended the synergy between the two agencies.

“This collaboration underscores the collective effort to fight drug abuse. We will continue to intensify our campaign against illicit drugs,” Adeyeye said.

Ngozi Orabueze, a staunch loyalist of separatist leader Simon Ekpa, has declared that the sit-at-home observed on Mondays in the Southeast should continue, despite Ekpa’s recent arrest by Finnish authorities.

Orabueze, who identifies herself as the Chief of Staff in the Biafra Republic Government in Exile (BRGIE), reaffirmed her support for the controversial protest action. Ekpa, the self-proclaimed Prime Minister of BRGIE, was arrested on charges related to terrorism and violence.

Ekpa has been a vocal advocate for enforcing the sit-at-home protest, purportedly in solidarity with the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu. His social media platforms have frequently featured posts supporting the violent implementation of the action.

Reports indicate that the Nigerian government is seeking Ekpa’s extradition, despite his Finnish citizenship.

In a recent post on X, Orabueze expressed gratitude to the Finnish government for what she described as protecting “our Able Prime Minister, H.E. Simon Ekpa, from the terrorist Nigeria state headed by President Tinubu, Christopher Musa, and Godswill Akpabio.”

She further stated, “As Biafrans all over the world converge in Finland next week for the Biafra Independence Re-Declaration on December 2nd, we wish to inform Biafrans that the Monday Sit-at-home in all Biafraland, voluntarily agreed upon by all Biafrans, must be maintained.”

Orabueze also praised the Biafra Defence Forces for their efforts to “eliminate terrorists wearing Nigeria army and police uniforms in our land.”

She commended Biafrans for raising awareness globally about alleged atrocities committed by the Nigerian government, including what she described as “gross human rights violations, terrorism, forced disappearances of innocent citizens, and the killing of peaceful protesters in Nigeria and Biafraland.”

According to her, Finland had received evidence supporting these claims, which, she said, highlighted violations of international human rights laws by the Nigerian government.

Gov. Monday Okpebholo of Edo has constituted a 14-man state Assets Verification Committee to probe the administration of former governor Godwin Obaseki.

A statement by the chief press secretary to the governor, Fred Itua on Sunday in Benin, said the committee members would be inaugurated on Tuesday, Nov. 26.

Itua listed the members to include: Dr Ernest Umakhihe, Chairman, Anslem Ojezua- Deputy Chairman, Frank Edebor, Secretary, while Prince Kassim Afegbua, Patrick Ikhariale and Taiwo Akerele, are members.

Others members are, Patrick Idiake, Rasaq Bello-Osagie, Fredrick Unopah, Mrs. Abdallah Eugenia, Patrick Obahiagbon, Kenny Okojie, Mrs Lyndsey Tes-Sorae and Abass Braimoh.

The statement noted that the committee became imperative to set the state on the path of development and accountable leadership.

“Despite repeated calls for a more holistic database of the Assets and Liabilities of the previous administration, the Godwin Obaseki-led government came up with very scanty and limited assets and liabilities of the state.

“In line with the governor’s campaign promise to ensure probity, accountability and transparency in government, and to deepen the governance process, committee made up of respected sons and daughters from Edo State has to be constituted,” the statement said.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced the seizure of 849 kegs of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) also known as fuel worth N30.2 million.

Each of the kegs contains 25 litres while the Customs also seized two Mazda 626 vehicles used for transporting the item.

This was disclosed by the National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Comptroller Hussein Ejibunu during a press briefing at the Customs Training College, Ikeja on Friday.

The seizure is part of the anti-smuggling operation of the NCS aimed at curbing the smuggling of petroleum products, stabilising fuel prices and preventing artificial shortages within the country.

According to him, the seized items with a duty-paid value of N30.225m at the Nigerian National Petroleum Product Company Limited (NNPCL) retail price, marked the seventh operation by Operation Whirlwind in Zone A (southwest).

Ejibunu stated, “About five weeks ago, similar PMS products were displayed here at the college parade ground. Our operation has tightened the grip on smugglers, leaving no room for their illegal activities across the country.”

He highlighted the operation’s success in improving the availability of fuel at filling stations, adding that Customs will ensure all illegal PMS smuggling routes leading to neighbouring countries are permanently blocked.

He concluded by expressing gratitude to the National Security Adviser and the Comptroller-General of Customs for their continued support.

Manchester City’s struggles in the Premier League continued in shocking fashion as Tottenham Hotspur delivered a resounding 4-0 victory at the Etihad Stadium.

Despite Pep Guardiola recently renewing his contract, his team’s form remained in free fall, with this match marking their fifth consecutive league defeat.

The match began with early intent from City, but their talismanic striker Erling Haaland squandered two golden opportunities to open the scoring.

The visitors made no such mistakes. With their first meaningful attack, Spurs capitalized, as James Maddison coolly converted a well-timed cross from Dejan Kulusevski to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.

City were stunned, and things went from bad to worse just moments later. Tottenham struck again with Maddison doubling his tally.

The midfielder expertly clipped the ball into the net after a precise through pass from Son Heung-min.

The Etihad was left in disbelief as City’s defense crumbled under Spurs’ rapid counterattacks.

Heading into the second half, Guardiola would have expected a response from his team. However, it was Tottenham who extended their advantage almost immediately. Pedro Porro unleashed a powerful strike from the edge of the box that rifled past Ederson, making it 3-0.

The home side looked shell-shocked, and their attempts to mount a comeback were met with resolute defending from Spurs and an inspired performance by goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario.

City pressed forward with urgency but lacked precision and belief in the final third.

Their efforts were further thwarted by Vicario, who made several crucial saves to preserve his clean sheet. With City committing players forward in search of a consolation goal, Tottenham delivered the final blow on the counterattack. Substitute Timo Werner, who came on to exploit City’s high line, raced clear and unselfishly squared the ball to Brennan Johnson.

The young forward calmly slotted home the fourth goal to complete the rout.

This emphatic victory for Spurs underscored their sharpness and tactical discipline under Ange Postecoglou. Maddison’s creativity, Porro’s striking ability, and the collective resilience of the team shone brightly.

Meanwhile, Guardiola’s City look increasingly vulnerable, their dominance shaken by a string of uncharacteristic performances.

Tottenham’s victory sends a clear signal to the league, propelling them further up the table, while City must urgently address their defensive frailties and regain their confidence if they are to salvage their season.

For Spurs fans, it was a night to remember, and for City supporters, a moment of deep concern.