Nigerian striker Victor Boniface has shared his frustration and disappointment at not being included in the final shortlist for the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Men’s Player of the Year award.

The official list, released in October, featured several prominent names, including Nigerian internationals Ademola Lookman and William Troost-Ekong. However, the omission of both Boniface and fellow Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen from the top 10 nominees raised eyebrows and left Boniface visibly disheartened.

In an exclusive video posted on Sunday by sports journalist Pooja on X (formerly Twitter), Boniface spoke candidly about his feelings towards the exclusion, stating that although he wasn’t sad, he was definitely disappointed.

He reflected on his exceptional season and expressed that, based on his performances, he felt he deserved to be among the top contenders for the prestigious award.

“I’m not sad, but I’m disappointed because I had an amazing season last season,” Boniface said in the video.

“For me not to be there… maybe the award is for African players in AFCON, I don’t know. But in general, if it’s for African Player of the Year, I think I had a great season.

” Boniface’s absence from the shortlist left him pondering whether the CAF awards were more heavily weighted toward players who performed in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) rather than players who excelled across club competitions.

Despite his feelings of disappointment, Boniface emphasized that awards are not his primary focus.

He acknowledged that, as a professional footballer, recognition for his efforts is always appreciated, but improving his skills and consistently performing well on the field is far more important to him.

“I don’t need to prove to anybody; I don’t really care about awards and stuff,” he clarified.

“But of course, as a football player, I want to improve, I want to do more for myself.” This sentiment reflected Boniface’s personal drive and his determination to continue growing as a player, regardless of external recognition.

When pressed about who he believed should win the prestigious CAF Men’s Player of the Year award, Boniface was quick to name his Nigerian teammate, Ademola Lookman.

“Lookman, for sure Lookman,” Boniface said, displaying his admiration and respect for his fellow countryman’s performances.

Lookman has had an impressive year, which saw him earn a well-deserved spot in the CAF Player of the Year shortlist.

Boniface’s comments underline a broader feeling within the Nigerian football community, where many fans and pundits alike believed that both Boniface and Osimhen deserved to be on the shortlist, given their stellar performances for their respective clubs during the season.

Osimhen, in particular, has been a standout player for Serie A giants Napoli, while Boniface impressed with his goal-scoring exploits in Belgium.

The CAF Men’s Player of the Year award, which recognizes the continent’s most outstanding footballer, has always been a highly coveted accolade.

However, the 2024 edition seems to have sparked debate, particularly around the criteria used for selection. While AFCON performances are often prioritized, players excelling in European leagues, like Boniface, may feel overlooked, despite their significant contributions on the international stage.

In any case, Boniface’s disappointment is unlikely to deter his ambition. Known for his focus and work ethic, he will undoubtedly continue to perform at a high level, with or without the accolades, as he strives to take his career to even greater heights.

His acknowledgment of Lookman’s deserved nomination further reflects his professionalism and sportsmanship, reinforcing that he remains supportive of his peers, even if they are his competitors.

As the CAF Player of the Year awards ceremony approaches, all eyes will remain on the nominees, including Lookman, who has certainly proven himself as one of the top contenders. Meanwhile, Boniface will undoubtedly use this setback as motivation to push even harder, aiming for bigger achievements in the future.

Tension has gripped communities in the Anambra Central Senatorial Zone as gunmen enforcing the outlawed sit-at-home order unleashed terror on Monday morning.

The coordinated attacks, which occurred between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. in Abatete, Abagana, and Ukpo communities, left at least five people dead and several others injured.

According to information obtained by pressmen the casualties were predominantly members of the Anambra Vigilante Services, who were targeted in the brazen attacks.

The first incident took place in Abatete town, where gunmen ambushed security personnel attached to the town’s President-General (PG).

Three vigilantes were shot dead in the hail of gunfire, and the PG sustained critical injuries.

He was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital for urgent medical attention.

Separate attacks were reported in Abagana and Ukpo communities. At the Ukpo roundabout in Dunukofia Local Government Area, a member of the local Vigilante Group and a motorcycle rider lost their lives in the violence.

Eyewitnesses described the scenes as chaotic, with the attackers arriving suddenly and shooting indiscriminately.

The violent incidents have plunged the affected communities into fear and uncertainty, with residents left panicked by the proximity of the attacks to the state capital, Awka.

A voice note circulating on social media has urged residents in Awka to remain indoors, warning that the attackers could strike nearby.

“We are praying for the recovery of our President-General,” a member of the Abatete community said. “This senseless violence has left our community shaken and in mourning.”

A resident of Ukpo expressed the community’s anguish on Facebook: “It was chaos.

The attackers came out of nowhere, shooting and shouting, ‘No Biafra, no freedom.’ We are still trying to process the shock and loss.”

The police have confirmed awareness of the incidents but are yet to provide comprehensive details.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the Anambra State Police Command, SP __, stated, “The details are still sketchy, but our operatives are currently at the scene. I will get back to you with facts as soon as I can.”

The wave of violence attributed to sit-at-home enforcers has continued to wreak havoc in parts of the Southeast, despite efforts by state governments and security agencies to curb their activities.

As investigations into the latest attacks begin, residents of Anambra Central remain on edge, fearing further violence. Many are calling for enhanced security measures and immediate action to restore peace to the affected communities.

U.S. President Joe Biden has given Ukraine the green light to use American-supplied long-range missiles to strike targets deep inside Russia, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict.

This authorization allows Ukraine to deploy Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS), which have a range of up to 190 miles, for high-impact operations.

According to two American officials, Kyiv is expected to launch its first strikes using these weapons in the coming days. However, operational security concerns have kept further details under wraps.

This development coincides with U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s push for increased support for Ukraine at the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro.

Starmer, who has ruled out any direct communication with Russian President Vladimir Putin during the summit, reaffirmed his stance on standing firmly with Kyiv.

He indicated that bolstering Ukraine’s defense capabilities remains a priority for the international community.

The U.S. decision to ease restrictions on ATACMS follows reports of Russia deploying North Korean ground troops to reinforce its ranks in the conflict.

These missiles are expected to provide Ukraine with a critical advantage, enabling it to target strategic locations far behind enemy lines.

In response to speculation about the impending strikes, Ukrainian officials remained tight-lipped. “Missiles will speak for themselves,” one Ukrainian spokesperson stated, adding, “Such things are not announced.

Strikes are not carried out with words.”

Meanwhile, the move has sparked intense debate in international political circles. Critics, including prominent figures in the U.S., have warned of the potential for the situation to spiral into a global conflict. Donald Trump Jr., the son of the former U.S. president, condemned the decision on social media platform X, writing, “The Military Industrial Complex seems to want to make sure they get World War 3 going before my father has a chance to create peace and save lives… Imbeciles!”

This comes as the Biden administration faces increasing scrutiny over its commitment to Ukraine, especially in light of the upcoming 2024 presidential election.

Former President Donald Trump, a leading candidate for the Republican nomination, has vowed to scale back U.S. support for Ukraine and negotiate an end to the war with Russia.

Analysts suggest Biden’s decision to authorize long-range missile use may be influenced by concerns over Trump’s potential shift in policy should he return to power.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has previously warned that lifting the ban on long-range missile use would be interpreted as NATO’s direct involvement in the conflict, raising the stakes in an already volatile situation. With tensions escalating, the coming days may prove pivotal in determining the trajectory of the war.

Police in central Thailand said they barricaded themselves into their own station over the weekend after a menacing mob of 200 escaped monkeys ran riot in the town.

The human inhabitants of Lopburi have long suffered from a growing and aggressive monkey population and authorities have built special enclosures to contain groups of unruly residents.

But on Saturday, around 200 of the primates broke out and rampaged through town, with one posse descending on a local police station.

“We’ve had to make sure doors and windows are closed to prevent them from entering the building for food,” police captain Somchai Seedee told AFP on Monday.

He was concerned the marauders could destroy property, including police documents, he added.

Traffic cops and officers on guard duty were being called in to fend off the visitors, the Lopburi police said on Facebook on Sunday.

Around a dozen of the intruders were still perched proudly on the roof of the police station on Monday, photos from local media showed.

Down in the streets, hapless police and local authorities were working to round up rogue individuals, luring them away from residential areas with food.

While Thailand is an overwhelmingly Buddhist nation, it has long assimilated Hindu traditions and lore from its pre-Buddhist era.

As a result monkeys are afforded a special place in Thai hearts thanks to the heroic Hindu monkey god Hanuman, who helped Rama rescue his beloved wife Sita from the clutches of an evil demon king.

Thousands of the fearless primates rule the streets around the Pra Prang Sam Yod temple in the centre of Lopburi.

The town has been laying on an annual feast of fruit for its population of macaques since the late 1980s, part religious tradition and part tourist attraction.

But their growing numbers, vandalism and mob fights have made an uneasy coexistence with their human neighbours almost intolerable.

Lopburi authorities have tried quelling instances of human-macaque clashes with sterilisation and relocation programs.

Former President Muhammadu Buhari has praised the All Progressives Congress (APC) for its victory in Saturday’s governorship election in Ondo State, which secured Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s re-election.

Reacting to the election results, the former president remarked that the electorate had made their voices “lucidly and loudly,” reflecting their trust in the party and its leadership.

In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Garba Shehu, on Sunday, Buhari emphasized that the will of the people, as demonstrated through the ballot, should be honoured by all parties involved.

“The former President said while the election outcome has shown that democracy remains strong and cannot be easily overturned in a country as large and diverse as Nigeria, it is equally a challenge to the Governor-elect to put in place policies that engender economic growth, tame high unemployment and inflation, and advance the pursuit of welfare programs to make life better for the people,” the statement read.

Buhari also praised the Independent National Electoral Commission and law enforcement agencies for their work in addressing the issues seen in past elections.

He extended his best wishes to Aiyeditawa and his team for a prosperous time in office.

President Bola Tinubu has landed in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to participate in the 19th Heads of State and Government Summit of the G20.

The President arrived on Sunday at 11:03 p.m. local time (3:03 a.m. on Monday in Nigeria) and was welcomed by Ambassador Breno Costa from Brazil’s Ministry of External Relations.

He was joined by several officials, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar; the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha; and the Minister of Art, Tourism, Culture, and Creativity, Hannatu Musawa.

Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, and Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed, Director General of the National Intelligence Agency accompanied him.

Tinubu is anticipated to engage in bilateral discussions during the summit to further Nigeria’s socio-economic development initiatives.

Brazil’s President, Lula da Silva, is presiding over the 2024 G20 summit, having assumed the group’s rotating leadership on December 21, 2023, with his term concluding on November 30.

The summit, themed “Building a Just World and a Sustainable Planet,” will center on three aspects of sustainable development—economic, social, and environmental—and the transformation of global governance systems.

It will also emphasize the increasing global temperatures and the fundamentals of the digital economy, among other topics.

The Brazilian leadership will prioritize addressing the Israel–Hamas conflict and the growing geopolitical rivalry between the United States and China.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the outcomes of the work undertaken by the nation holding the rotating G20 presidency are typically presented at the annual summit.

Here’s the paraphrased version of the sentences:

It marks the occasion when heads of state and government endorse agreements formed over the year and outline strategies to address global issues.

NAN further notes that the Leaders’ Summit represents the culmination of the G20’s year-long efforts through Ministerial Meetings, Working Groups, and Engagement Groups, with their outcomes to be finalized at the summit.

The event will bring together 19 member nations, including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, France, India, and Indonesia.

The other participating countries are Italy, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Türkiye, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Reflecting the summit’s theme, Da Silva outlined a three-point agenda to tackle hunger, poverty, and inequality during the event set to take place from November 18 to 19.

Tinubu is participating in the 2024 G20 summit after being invited by the organizers, who also invited representatives from the African Union and the European Union.

On August 29, the Brazilian Ambassador to Nigeria, Carlos Areias, formally invited Tinubu to the 2024 G20 summit on behalf of Da Silva while presenting his Letter of Credence.

Areias mentioned that Da Silva was eager to host Tinubu at the G20 Leaders’ Summit, highlighting food security as the primary focus of the Brazilian presidency to eradicate extreme poverty by 2030.

NAN