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Review of UEFA Champions League’s Matchday 1 Classics

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UEFA

With the group stage approaching, UEFA.com takes a look at some of the memorable games to have lit up the competition on Matchday 1.

Everyone wants to see the group stage start with a bang, and the UEFA Champion’s League has consistently produced thrilling games on the opening matchday over the last 30 years.

UEFA.com pores through the archives to recall the contests that had fans on the edge of their seats from the get-go.

Rangers 2-2 Olympique de Marseille (1992/93)

Rangers welcomed Marseille to Ibrox for their first game in the rebranded UEFA Champions League. Goals from Alen Bokšić and Rudi Völler – the latter capitalising on a defensive mix-up – put the French champions in command with an hour played in Glasgow. Gary McSwegan’s clever header reduced the deficit before Walter Smith’s side restored parity, Mark Hateley pouncing from close range to salvage a point for the hosts.

Newcastle United 3-2 Barcelona (1997/98)

Tournament debutants Newcastle did not take long to make an impact on the competition, recording a memorable victory over Louis van Gaal’s team. Colombian forward Faustino Asprilla was the star of the show, opening the scoring with a penalty before extending the Magpies’ lead with two fine headers. Luis Enrique and Luís Figo replied for the Camp Nou outfit, but Newcastle was not to be denied.

Manchester United 3-3 Barcelona (1998/99)

Manchester United enjoy scoring against Barcelona at Old Trafford.

Barcelona were the visitors to Old Trafford as Manchester United started a Champions League campaign that would culminate in a dramatic final triumph over Bayern München. The Red Devils raced out of the traps against the Blaugrana, Ryan Giggs, and Paul Scholes scoring in 16 and 24 minutes, respectively. Brazilians Sonny Anderson and Giovanni brought Barcelona level after the interval before David Beckham edged the hosts in front once more. The Spanish side dug deep, however, with Luis Enrique converting from the spot after Nicky Butt had handled the ball inside the box.

Galatasaray 3-2 Monaco (2000/01)

Fans at the Ali Sami Yen were treated to a thrilling match as Galatasaray began their campaign with a win. Jardel fired Cimbom ahead from close range and Gheorghe Hagi arrowed a delightful drive into the top corner of Stéphane Porato’s net. Les Rouge et Blanc fought back through goals from Bruno Irles and Marco Simone, before both teams were reduced to ten men. A draw looked likely until a cross from the left found Capone, who stooped to head powerfully past Porato.

Hamburg 4-4 Juventus (2000/01)

European title winners in 1983, Hamburg made their first appearance in the Champions League 17 years later. Igor Tudor and Anthony Yeboah traded early goals, then Filippo Inzaghi gave the Old Lady control with two typically instinctive finishes. Seemingly down and out, HSV mounted a stirring comeback, Mehdi Mahdavikia reducing the arrears and goalkeeper Jörg Butt netting from the spot for 3-3. Hamburg appeared to be on the brink of an astonishing victory when Niko Kovač bundled in from close range, yet Inzaghi had other ideas, completing his hat-trick with a late penalty.

Juventus 3-2 Celtic (2001/02)

There was also late spot-kick drama as Juventus edged the first of two dramatic meetings with Celtic in the first group stage. There was no portent of the fireworks to come as a pair of David Trezeguet goals put the Bianconeri 2-0 up. Stiliyan Petrov pulled one back for the Bhoys and it looked like Henrik Larsson had secured a point for Martin O’Neill’s men when he stroked in a penalty four minutes from time. Nicola Amoruso then entered the fray and landed the decisive blow after being brought down in the area in the 90th minute.

Bayern München 2-3 Deportivo La Coruña (2002/03)

Winners two years earlier, Bayern failed to win any group games in 2002/03. Roy Makaay’s memorable hat-trick started their miserable run. Two lethal finishes in the first period had sent the Spanish visitors into a surprise 2-0 lead, but Bayern battled back to equalise through Hasan Salihamidžić and Giovane Elber. Deportivo were not to be resisted, though, as Makaay streaked clear to slot past Oliver Kahn. The Dutchman obviously made an impression on the Bundesliga club – they broke their transfer record to sign him the following summer.

Olympique Lyonnais 2-0 Real Madrid (2006/07)

A year after Madrid launched their Champions League campaign with a 3-0 defeat at Stade de Gerland, it was déjà vu for Fabio Capello’s troops. Coming off the back of three successive quarter-finals, Lyon was a force to be reckoned with and showed their class with a clinical dispatching of the then nine-time champions. Fred lobbed the opener over Iker Casillas at 11 minutes, with Tiago prodding in a second after the half-hour.

Barcelona 2-2 AC Milan (2011/12)

Holders Barcelona were given immediate warning that retaining their title would be no easy feat when Pato broke through to notch the fastest-ever Matchday 1 goal. If the start was dramatic, the end proved equally so, as after Pedro Rodríguez and David Villa had put the hosts ahead, Thiago Silva popped up in the 92nd minute to nod the equaliser in the first of the heavyweights’ four meetings that season.

Real Madrid 3-2 Manchester City (2012/13)

Though Madrid eventually succumbed to Borussia Dortmund in the semi-finals, it seemed fate was on their side during the first game of the competition’s 2012/13 edition. Aleksandar Kolarov shot City in front for the second time in 85 minutes with the third of five second-half goals. Somehow the Merengues came again and Karim Benzema quickly levelled, setting the scene for Cristiano Ronaldo to drill in a last-gasp winner.

Chelsea 1-2 Basel (2013/14)

All appeared to be going to plan for the Londoners when Oscar finished splendidly just before the break. However, Mohamed Salah curled in a 71st-minute equaliser and Marco Streller then rounded off Basel’s fightback with a header from a corner. Salah, who had scored against Chelsea in the previous season’s UEFA Europa League semi-finals and breached them once more on Matchday 5, moved to Stamford Bridge in January 2014.

Valencia 2-3 Zenit (2015/16)

Highlights: Valencia 2-3 Zenit

Highlights: Valencia 2-3 Zenit

Axel Witsel scored the winner as Zenit ended their nine-game run without a victory against the Spanish opposition in a thrilling style. Two first-half strikes from Hulk gave the visitors a comfortable half-time lead, but João Cancelo reduced the arrears before André Gomes completed the fightback with just over a quarter of an hour remaining. Zenit had the last laugh, though, Witsel drilling home from the edge of the box to complete the scoring.

Liverpool 3-2 Paris (2018/19)

Beaten finalists the previous season, Liverpool needed a dramatic stoppage-time winner to get the better of Paris at Anfield. Goals from Daniel Sturridge and James Milner set the hosts on their way, but Thomas Meunier gave the Ligue 1 champions hope before half-time. Kylian Mbappé appeared to have earned Thomas Tuchel’s side a point, only for Roberto Firmino to restore Liverpool’s lead late on with a low drive.

Salzburg 6-2 Genk (2019/20)

As Champions League debuts go, Erling Haaland’s takes some beating. The Norwegian opened his tournament account after just two minutes and had completed his hat-trick by half-time, with further goals from Hee-Chan Hwang and Dominik Szoboszlai giving the Austrian side a 5-1 half-time lead. Ally Mbwana Samatta added to Jhon Lucumí’s first-half effort to give Genk the slimmest of lifelines, but Andreas Ulmer ended the visitors’ hopes of an unlikely comeback.

Manchester City 6-3 Leipzig (2020/21)

A superb Christopher Nkunku hat-trick was not enough for the 2019/20 Bundesliga runners-up as Pep Guardiola’s team produced a magnificent attacking display to get their campaign off to a winning start. Nathan Aké opened the scoring, before a Nordi Mukiele own goal and a Riyad Mahrez penalty – either side of Nkunku’s first of the evening – made it 3-1 at half-time. Nkunku twice pulled the visitors back to within a goal of City, but a curling Jack Grealish effort on his Champions League debut and further strikes from João Cancelo and Gabriel Jesus completed a resounding win.

(Culled from UEFA.com/championsleague)

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Ilobu Community Mourns late COAS, Lagbaja, suspends celebrations

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Lt. General Taoheed Lagbaja

The passing of the immediate past Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoheed Abiodun Lagbaja has thrown the ancient community of Ilobu, in Irepodun local Government area of Osun State into deep mourning.

“We are downcast and in sorrow. He is not just the son of the soil, but one of the shinning stars of the entire Yoruba race. If you go round the community, you will see a community that is in deep sorrow”, Oba Olaniyan muttered.
The community was in the thick of hosting the 2024 Ilobu Day celebration slated for November 9, when the sad news filtered in that their most prominent son, General Lagbaja has passed in in a private hospital in Lagos, Lagos State.

“Ilobu is a very happy town, but this morning, the sun suddenly snatched away from our sky.”
But in a twist, Oba Olaniyan told newsmen that the Ilobu Development Union executives had an emergency meeting, where they decided that Ilobu Day 2024 celebration be suspended indefinitely.
www.focusmagazineonline.com gathered authoritatively that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu spared nothing to save the live of the gallant infant Officer. He was said to have instructed that all necessary medical facilities should extended to him while on sick bed.

The traditional ruler of Ilobuland, Oba Ashiru Olaniyan, the hometown of late Lt. Gen. Lagbaja, was short of words when a correspondent of the Nigerian News Agency (NAN) visited his palace Tuesday afternoon, shortly after the confirmation of his passing by the Federal Government.

The traditional, who was seen in a deep mourning mood when the NAN correspondent visited his palace in Ilobu, directed the National President of the Ilobu-Asake Development Union, Oluremi Salako, to speak on his behalf.
He said that the town was planning its annual “Ilobu 2024 Day” slated for this coming Saturday (November 9) before the sad news of Lagabaja’s death filtered in.

www.focusmagazineonline.com © November 2024

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Tinubu Appoints Gen. Oluyede as Acting COAS

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Gen. Oluyede

….Lt Gen. Lagbaja still Indisposed. 
With a huge cloudy of uncertainties currently surrounding the state of health of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Major General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede as hold forth for him pending his arrival.

According to Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser Information and Strategy to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the 56-year-old Major General Oluyede, however, will act in the position pending the return of the indisposed substantive Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Lagbaja.
Until his appointment, Oluyede served as the 56th Commander of the elite Infantry Corps of the Nigerian Army, based in Jaji, Kaduna.
Oluyede and Lagbaja were coursemates and members of the 39th Regular Course.
He was commissioned a second lieutenant in 1992, effective from 1987. He rose to Major-General in September 2020.
Oluyede has held many commands since his commissioning as an officer. He was Platoon Commander and adjutant at 65 Battalion, Company Commander at 177 Guards Battalion, Staff Officer Guards Brigade, Commandant Amphibious Training School.
General Oluyede participated in several operations, including the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) Mission in Liberia, Operation HARMONY IV in Bakassi, and Operation HADIN KAI in the North East theatre of operations, where he commanded 27 Task Force Brigade.
Oluyede has earned many honours for his meritorious service in various fields of operations. These include the Corps Medal of Honour, the Grand Service Star, Passing the Staff Course, and Membership in the National Institute.
Others are the Field Command Medal, the Field Command Medal of Honour, and the Field Training Medal.
Oluyede also received the coveted Chief of Army Staff Commendation Award.
He is married and has three children.

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A Great Nigeria is Possible, Bola Tinubu Assures Nigerians

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Bola Tinubu

ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT BOLA TINUBU AT THE 2023 CABINET RETREAT FOR MINISTERS, PRESIDENTIAL AIDES, PERMANENT SECRETARIES AND TOP GOVERNMENT FUNCTIONARIES AT THE STATE HOUSE CONFERENCE CENTRE, ABUJA ON WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2023

It is a great morning in Nigeria and I am humbled and happy to stand before you on this retreat, with forward-looking determination to embark on a very strong, bold endeavour to rebuild our country’s economy and our people’s hope renewed.
2. Thank you very much for your attendance. With strong determination, we are brought together the best brains, the best hands to navigate the future of this country.

3. We are not looking backwards; we can’t compare and give excuses. This is our country we have to build it; we have to renew the foundation. We have to give hope to the populace, to Nigerians in doubt whether democracy and economic growth will be the pathway to their prosperity.

4. I’m here to assure you and walk with you the best brains we can put together in civil service, the brain that we can put together in our democratic parliament and have been chosen for us by the public.

5. It is a good thing that the chairman of our party is here but the President is the president of all, whether affiliated with some political parties, regardless of religious, ethnic or otherwise, we are one.

6. A great Nigeria is possible, and a greater Nigeria will come under your commitment, guidance, and resolute determination to give the country a direction.

7. I’m with you. And please be assured that this great country is one family in one house, geographically located, partitioned, and living in different rooms. But we are all one family.

8. And we are here to make allegiance and give direction to that one family, making sure that relationships can only be stronger if we give hope to our people. We can only achieve our mission with boldness and strong determination with collaboration.

9. As I’ve stated before, no one succeeds alone. You the civil service, you must not see a minister as he or she will come and go and you will be there. You must make a positive team for the good of this country.

10. Yes! I admit and accept the asset and liability of my predecessor. It’s part of the definition in my professional background.

11. But you are in this ship. You will make good of it but not wreck it. You are a member of a great family; don’t see that minister as opportunistic. See, he or she as a partner that we must take the ship forward. Navigate it through turbulence and clear weather.

12. We are lucky we have a nation; the challenges are all over the world. You can see the chaos all around you. But be focused, like a man driving in the tunnel, don’t see the sky, don’t look up, face your direction. Be committed to the value and principle of results that will affect you, your neighbour, and the entire nation.

13. We’ve spent the last six months reviewing and evaluating ourselves, we’ve come a long way, but we set the agenda. Healthcare is a priority. Education of our people is a must. There is no other weapon against poverty than education. You have the opportunity to change things.

14. Recently, three days ago, we received the Chancellor of the Republic of Germany and his delegation of investors. One of their key complaints and the question is whether they can bring their capital, repatriate their dividend, or, if not satisfied, take their capital away. The Minister of Trade and Investment was called upon by me to explain further, that those obstacles are gone, never to come back again. We are open for business.

15. That is why we established the Result Delivery Unit. At the end of this retreat, you’re going to sign a bond of understanding between you, the ministers, the permanent secretaries, and myself.

16. If you are performing, nothing to fear; if you miss the objective, we’ll review; if there is no performance, you leave us. No one is an island, and the buck stops on my desk.

17. I assure you, you have a free hand. You must be intellectually inquisitive to ask how, why, when, and why it must be immediate. You have the responsibility to serve the people.

18. I’ve taken a young lady very dynamic, Hadiza Balla Usman, to head that delivery unit. If you have any complaints about her, see me. If you’re ready to work with her, stay there. Delivery, yes! we must achieve it for the sake of millions of people.

19. Yes, we are talking about the population of this country. What do you do with it? Make it an asset or a liability? Focus on its progress and come up with bold endeavours. We are great talents around the world, the biggest intellectually sound country in Horn of Africa.

20. Yes, we have challenges in the Sahel, we have challenges of climate change, south and north of Nigeria is battered, with ocean surge, we have desert encroachment in the north, but we are still blessed with arable lands. We can do it; we can build our country.

21. It’s not about theorizing. It’s about practical determination and focused evaluation. Yes, it is our country. We have no other one. Let’s be proud that we are Nigerians. We can do it, we can show leadership, we can fight to make democracy a lasting reference for the rest of Africa.

22. Don’t be afraid to make decisions, but don’t be antagonistic of your supervisor. If they are wrong, debate it. I stand before you and I’ve claimed on several occasions and I’m saying today again as the president, I can make mistakes, point it to me I would resolve that conflict, that error, perfection is only that of God Almighty. But you are there to help me succeed. Success I must achieve by all means necessary.

23. We have great minds, great intellectuals, great intellects, and all that we need.

24. When we were discussing this retreat, I said other than members of diplomatic corps to give us goodwill and inspiration, don’t invite any foreigner to give me a lecture about governance. I’ve been through it, and I believe in Nigeria.

25. It started from the day I was sworn in, and that bold endeavour is only achieved through courage, determination, and focused leadership.

26. We are going through the reform, painfully, and we still have other challenges. Don’t be a clog in the wheel of Nigeria’s progress.

27. Let us look forward. Let us be determined that corruption will go, progress will be achieved, better wages for our workers, and living wages.

28. We will transform the economy to work for millions of our citizens. We must take 50 million people out of poverty. We must build healthcare that works for all. Look around. Don’t be wicked. Look at the standard of education, look at the classrooms, and look at the roads. We can only spend the money, we will find it, we can not spend the people.

29. No crime in borrowing. Thank you, World Bank, for being a lending friend. But let your achievement be homegrown. The determination that Nigeria can do it is here.

30. If it had not started six months ago, we are here to switch off the light, make you included, and make all Nigerians included. Our path for tomorrow is charted for our children and grandchildren. Don’t be selfish about it.

31. Poverty is not a shameful thing. It’s only unacceptable. And we have to banish it because it’s unacceptable. Let’s work on other identifiable areas.

32. Because a memo is submitted to you doesn’t mean that is the end of that matter. Think through it. Be inquisitive. Ask how, when, why.

33. I’m ready to enjoy the retreat going forward. We are not retreating from progress. We are just to talk to one another and chart a path for progress and prosperity of this nation. I’m honoured to declare this brainstorming session open. Thank you.

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