Tag: Belgium

  • Nigerian Players Expected to Make Moves Before Transfer Window Closes

    Nigerian Players Expected to Make Moves Before Transfer Window Closes

    By  Milcah   Tanimu

    As the summer transfer window of 2023 nears its closure on September 1, several Nigerian players have already made notable moves, including Samuel Chukwueze, Victor Boniface, Kenneth Omeruo, Josh Maja, and Akor Adams. With time running out, here are five more Nigerian players who are anticipated to change clubs:

    1. **Gift Orban (Gent, Belgium):** Gift Orban, the Nigerian forward who had a successful stint with KAA Gent in Belgium during the latter half of the 2022/23 season, is likely to make a move this summer. Clubs like Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur are vying for his signature, considering him as a potential replacement for their departing strikers.

    2. **Emmanuel Dennis (Nottingham Forest, England):** Emmanuel Dennis may see his third consecutive summer transfer, as he’s reportedly on the radar of Leeds United. Dennis fell out of favor at Nottingham Forest, and Leeds is seeking to bolster their attacking options for a strong promotion push.

    3. **Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England):** Kelechi Iheanacho, who was named Leicester City’s Player of the Season in 2022/23 despite their relegation, has drawn interest from Wolverhampton Wanderers. Wolverhampton is in need of attacking reinforcements, but any deal for Iheanacho would need to be swift with the window closing.

    4. **Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England):** Wilfred Ndidi, the defensive midfielder from Leicester City, has reportedly agreed to personal terms with Nottingham Forest. If the transfer goes through, he will join his Nigerian compatriots at Forest, contributing to their squad strengthening efforts.

    5. **Alex Iwobi (Everton, England):** Alex Iwobi of Everton has been linked with a potential move to Fulham. The London-based club is in talks with Everton, aiming to sign Iwobi, who is in the final year of his contract. If the move materializes, Iwobi will reunite with his former manager, Marco Silva.

    As the transfer window’s final hours approach, the potential for these Nigerian players to switch clubs adds excitement to the summer transfer season.

  • FG Set to flaunt Nigeria Arts and Culture Festival in Belgium

    FG Set to flaunt Nigeria Arts and Culture Festival in Belgium

    By Joyce Remi-Babayeju

    The Nigerian Ambassador to Belgium , Mr. Obinna Chiedu Onowu has disclosed that the Nigeria Arts and Culture Festival is billed to hold next month in Antwerp, Belgium.

    In a statement issued in Abuja on Saturday, the Nigerian Ambassador to Belgium, Mr. Obinna Chiedu Onowu, said that the festival with the theme: “Unity 2023” will feature arts and culture exhibitions, Nigerian dance, music, foods, and movies among others.

    The Embassy of Nigeria in Belgium has disclosed that it has perfected plans to hold the Nigerian Arts and Culture Festival in Antwerp, Belgium next month.

    The festival is to promote Nigeria’s culture and boost the tourism industry in Belgium, in collaboration with Nigerian community/associations in Belgium, and Nigeria Tourism Development Authority (NTDA).

    Onowu disclosed that officials of the European Union, Belgian, Organisation of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States, as well as other friends of Nigeria will grace the event that will be held at the Antwerp Cricket Center on the second of next month adding that event is free for the public.

    ” The cultural event will introduce Nigeria, its diverse culture, arts, and music to Belgian, African, Caribbean, and other communities in Antwerp.

    It also serves as a unifying factor, bringing together, all Nigerian associations to celebrate those cultural values that unite the people of Nigeria, hence the theme “Unity 2023”, he stated.

    Onowu noted that Nigeria remains the most culturally diverse nation in Africa, and rich in songs, dance, drama, costumes, art and craft products ,adding that many Nigerians have distinguished themselves in the areas of music. Film, art and crafts thereby putting the country on the global map.

    According to him, Nigeria is committed to the diversification of the economy and the development of the tourism sector.

    In June this year, the Embassy of Nigeria in Belgium in conjunction with Belgium Luxembourg Nigeria Chamber of Commerce (BLNCC), Afrinex, and A-Law organized the Nigeria -Belgium- Luxembourg Business Forum which attracted over 200 businesses in Europe and Nigeria.

    The event brought together key industry players and government officials and focused on agric-business, renewable energy, health, construction/ infrastructure, financial services, and other sectors of the economy.

  • Five petrol-laden vessels from Belgium turned back

    Five petrol-laden vessels from Belgium turned back

    By Joyce Babayeju

    Five Nigeria-bound petrol-laden vessels from Belgium were turned back, Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited said yesterday.

    The country is still reeling under scarcity of petrol, an after effect of the discovery of imported toxic petrol, which is being mopped up.

    Group Managing Director of NNPC Limited, Mele Kyari, told House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) yesterday the oil giant had filed for liquidated damages against the suppliers of the off-spec product.

    He assured Nigerians that the NNPC was doing everything to ensure product availability.

    He restated that about 2.5 billion litres of PMS were being expected before the end of the month.

    Kyari said: “For this current situation, I assure you that we have taken every necessary step to restore supply into this country.

    “We have placed orders significant enough for us to cross into March, with at least 2.1 billion litres of PMS in our custody.

    “The situation you’re seeing today, I can assure you that by next week, it will vanish, all things being equal.”

    On why inspectors did not detect methanol, Kyari said: “It is not part of their requirements at the load port. So, we didn’t ask them to declare whether it contains methanol because it is not part of our specification.

    “Let me make it clear that methanol is not contamination. It is a regular additive to PMS. In China, up to 15 per cent of PMS contains methanol.

    “On its own, it is not a contamination. The key issue is handling methanol. If we knew, we will not accept this. Anytime methanol comes in contact with water, it emulsifies, it turns into a different chemical.

    “We didn’t know until our inspecting agents, on 20th of January to be precise, called our attention to the fact that they had seen emulsification in some of the depots and this may be a cause of concern.

    “That was how we went ahead to check all the deliveries in our hands from all the four vessels that had already been discharged to confirm that all of them contain methanol.

    “We quarantined all the volumes wherever they were in depots transit and we were able to track them. We were able to trace all of them and quarantine them.

    “Not only that. We are also expecting several other supplies to come from other sources.

    “We checked their origin and confirmed that five other vessels are coming from the same shipping terminal that loaded this and we rejected all of them; they did not sail into our waters.”

    He added: “We did not test for methanol both at the load port and by the NNPC and the regulatory authority. I was very clear on this.

    “What they (importers) are saying is that ‘what I brought met your specification.’ But what they probably also did not know is that it contained methanol and that methanol originated from the loading terminal.

    “It is a legal issue, but it is nowhere sustainable because we have also filed liquidated damages which they can pass on until it gets to the originating depot.

    “The liquidated damages can be a legal process where you may not even be able to recover your possession.”

  • APC convention shaky, Buhari shuns govs, jets off to Belgium

    APC convention shaky, Buhari shuns govs, jets off to Belgium

    By Joyce Babayeju

    The All Progressives Congress is on the verge of postponing its national convention for the third time following the inability of
    governors to reach a consensus on who should be the next chairman of the APC and on the zoning of positions in the National Working Committee, The PUNCH has learnt.

    This is just as the APC – for the second straight day – refused to sell forms to aspirants vying for several positions in the party.

    On Tuesday, about six governors attempted to meet with the President Muhammadu Buhari over the planned convention of the APC.

    However, the governors arrived at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, only to learn that the meeting would no longer take place. Rather, the President only agreed to meet with two governors – Hope Uzodinma (Imo) and Yahaya Bello (Kogi) who had earlier scheduled a meeting with him over happenings in their states.

    Those who were unable to see the President included the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum and Ekiti state governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi; Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum, Simon Lalong of Plateau State; Ben Ayade of Cross River; and Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna.

    Although the Presidency gave no official reason for the abrupt call-off, there were indications that Buhari’s line-up of activities for the day was shortened due to his scheduled departure to Brussels, the Belgian capital, where he would participate in the EU-AU summit taking place from February 17 – 18.

    It remains unclear when the meeting was rescheduled for. But that would be on or after the President’s return from Brussels on Saturday, precisely one week to the proposed APC convention date.

    Also sighted were Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege and Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Ahmed Wase.

    Fielding questions from correspondents after his meeting with the President, Governor Bello stressed the need for the North-Central to produce Buhari’s successor saying the region is the most marginalised in the country.

    Reacting to the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, an Igbo apex socio-cultural organisation clamouring for the zoning of the Presidency to the South-East, Bello observed that the North-Central had never produced the President or vice president of the country. He, therefore, argued that it is only fitting that the region is given the opportunity in 2023.

    Also addressing State House reporters, Governor Uzodinma said the APC convention slated for Saturday next week is not sacrosanct. He, however, said there was no indication that the convention would not hold.

    This is as he said the failure of the party to sell nomination forms for National Working Committee offices on Monday does not threaten the February 26 convention and the inner workings of the party because there are other means of electing party officers.

    Asked if the convention may still hold despite the delays, the Imo State Governor said, “Of course, that is the decision of the party, and there is nothing wrong even if it doesn’t hold. What is important is that we must have our convention. We have said it is the 26th, if for any reason tomorrow it is not doable in the opinion of the party, we will move. But that does not mean that there is any intention to move.

    On the purpose of his visit to the President, Uzodinma said, “I came in to meet with Mr President, to brief him on the various developments in Imo State, as it has to do with security and governance and I had a very quality audience with Mr President.”

    In a separate interview on Channels Television, Governor Ayade of Cross River said there was nothing sacrosanct about the February 26 date for the convention.

    He, however, said the President would have the final say on zoning and other issues rocking the party.

    Ayade said, “If there is a need for a little shift then it is allowed particularly when it is within the ambit of the law. But as of today, I have no indication that it will happen but the President will return and address this.”

    Meanwhile, a top source in the APC told The PUNCH that the party was working on a “unity list” such that the party would not hold an open contest at the convention but would simply affirm the names on the list.

    He said, “We tried to buy forms again today but we were told the APC is not selling. Some governors are trying to come up with a unity list, a sort of consensus. However, many stakeholders in the party are against this. So, some of these governors are trying to postpone the convention since they cannot have their way. That is what is happening now.”

    Attempts to get a response from the Secretary of the APC Caretaker Committee, Senator John Akpanudoedehe, proved abortive as he did not respond to a text message on Tuesday.

  • Buhari To Attend EU-AU Summit In Belgium

    Buhari To Attend EU-AU Summit In Belgium

    President Muhammadu Buhari will today leave Abuja to attend the 6th European Union-African Union summit in Brussels, Belgium.

    He will be joining European and other African leaders as Heads of Multilateral Organisations at the summit.

    A statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu said, the summit which holds February 17 – 18, 2022, will have the participants deliberate on themes currently affecting the world.

    Such areas of discussion include: Financing for Sustainable and Inclusive Growth; Climate Change and Energy Transition, Digital and Transport (Connectivity and Infrastructure); Peace, Security, and Governance; and Private Sector Support and Economic Integration.

    Others are education, culture and vocational training, migration and mobility; agriculture and sustainable development and health systems, and vaccine production.

    The Nigerian leader will use the opportunity of the meeting to have other bilateral engagements.

    The President will be accompanied on the trip by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Geoffrey Onyeama, Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, Minister of State for the Environment, Sharon Ikeazor.

    The National Security Adviser, Maj.Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd), Director General of the National Intelligence Agency, Amb. Ahmed Rufai Abubakar and the Chief Executive Officer of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa will also be part of the entourage.

    President Buhari is expected back in the country on Saturday.

  • De Bruyne injured as Belgium kick title-holders Portugal out of Euro 2020

    De Bruyne injured as Belgium kick title-holders Portugal out of Euro 2020

    Belgium knocked out title-holders Portugal and reached the Euro 2020 quarter-finals after Thorgan Hazard’s superb strike sealed a 1-0 win on Sunday.

    Roberto Martinez’s side will now face Italy, who have also won every game so far at the tournament, in Munich on Friday.

    But star Kevin De Bruyne was substituted with an apparent ankle injury early in the second half of the last 16 clash and could be a doubt.

    Eden Hazard also asked to come off late on.

    Belgium, the number one-ranked team in the world, were arguably second-best before the goal late in the first half and thereafter.

    “It was a nice goal and we beat the title-holders,” the goalscorer said.

    “The second half was very tough. We should have kept the ball better. (The injuries) are tricky situations for us. I hope they can come back quickly. Today was like a final…and (the match against) Italy is also (going to be) a complicated game.”

    Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo was left stranded on 109 international goals, sharing the men’s record with Iran’s Ali Daei.

    But he is likely to be back for qualifiers and the Qatar World Cup in less than 18 months in spite of his 36 years of age.

    Portugal coach Fernando Santos told a news conference: “Now, it’s about looking forward and trying to win the World Cup.

    “There is no team that can say they were better than Portugal. We deserved to win this game but it didn’t happen.”

    Belgium made five changes and started with their strongest-looking line-up of Euro 2020 so far, while Portugal again began without Bruno Fernandes.

    Martinez was managing a game in his native Spain for the first time and was being cheered by his family in the stands.

    He saw opponents Portugal have the first decent chance with Diogo Jota screwing a shot wide.

    Eden Hazard fired well over before tournament top goalscorer Ronaldo tested Thibaut Courtois with a dipping free-kick.

    Portugal were largely on top until Thorgan Hazard, Eden’s younger brother, picked up the ball 25 metres from goal.

    He then sent a wicked swerving effort into the corner of the net three minutes before the break.

    Thorgan has now scored in consecutive games for Belgium for the first time and has netted four times since his brother last notched an international goal.

    Portugal goalkeeper Rui Patricio may feel he could have done better.

    His opposite number Courtois will also claim half an assist after tricking Ronaldo with his feet in his own box and launching the attack which led to the goal.

    The sight of De Bruyne limping off, having only just fully recovered from facial fractures suffered in Manchester City’s UEFA Champions League final loss to Chelsea, will worry Belgium fans.

    The midfielder came out for the second period but quickly decided he could not continue.

    He had undergone treatment after a tough challenge before the break.

    Portugal threw on Fernandes and Joao Felix 10 minutes into the second half.

    Jota, Ruben Dias and Raphael Guerreiro, when he hit the post, all had good chances but it was to no avail amid a bad-tempered ending.

    The game —— tournament favourites against defending champions —- was one of the most eagerly-anticipated of the tournament so far.

    It did not quite live up to the hype, but Belgium did enough as they seek their first major title.

    Martinez said: “We showed incredible concentration and defended really well. Everything was about those aspects of being tactically disciplined and very, very astute.”

  • Portugal Crash Out Of Euro 2020 After Defeat To Belgium

    Portugal Crash Out Of Euro 2020 After Defeat To Belgium

    Portugal have crashed out of Euro 2020 following a 1-0 defeat to Belgium on Sunday evening, ending the defending champions’ hopes of another continental triumph.

    Thorgan Hazard’s first-half goal gave Belgium a tense win over the holders to set up a quarter-final tie against Italy at Euro 2020.

    Belgium held on despite losing skipper Kevin De Bruyne to injury in the second half and will face the Italians in Munich in the last eight on July 2.

    Cristiano Ronaldo tested Thibaut Courtois with a dipping free-kick in the first half but the 36-year-old neither broke the international goals record nor added to his five for the tournament.

    Raphael Guerreiro went closest to a late equaliser when his shot came back off the post but Belgium were the braver, more fluid team and deservedly edged through.

    They will now face Italy in Munich on Friday and possibly without Kevin De Bruyne, who hobbled off injured in the second half but returned to the pitch to join the celebrations at the end.

    For all the superstar names on the pitch, it was Eden Hazard’s less heralded brother Thorgan who proved decisive, the Borussia Dortmund winger who Eden once said had even more talent than him.

    Portugal, meanwhile, stuck to the defensive approach that served them so well in France five years ago but has perhaps been outgrown by a side that now boasts some of the most creative technicians in the world.

    De Bruyne injury worry 

    Eden Hazard started in Belgium’s front three again after playing 90 minutes against Finland on Monday. Portugal’s Diogo Dalot came in at right-back for the injured Nelson Semedo.

    Eden Hazard skied an early shot over after a neat exchange with Romelu Lukaku while Diogo Jota skewed wide, slipped in down the left by the impressive Renato Sanches.

    Ronaldo cut an isolated figure up front, his every touch booed early on by the Belgian fans, who then cheered when he was robbed of the ball before being bumped to the ground by Thomas Meunier.

    The closest Ronaldo came to an all-time record 110th international goal was a dipping free-kick from 30 yards which Courtois parried away while at the other end, Lukaku was a more dynamic force.

    One scintillating break saw Lukaku tear through Portugal’s midfield and with his shirt being pulled behind him, he was just lacking the final pass to Hazard.

    An untidy game found its moment of clarity in the 42nd minute. It started with Courtois coolly evading Ronaldo’s press before more excellent work from Lukaku allowed De Bruyne to switch left to Thorgan Hazard.

    Hazard cut in and ripped a swerving shot that rocketed towards the centre of the goal before swerving right and past Rui Patricio, who was too slow to adjust.

    Belgium played with more verve after half-time and looked set to take charge.

    But De Bruyne’s injury checked their rhythm and Portugal came again, Jota firing over and Joao Felix, on as a substitute, heading into the hands of Courtois.

    Tempers flared as a crescendo of collisions incensed the crowd and left Pepe lucky only to be booked after he led into his challenge with his arm.

    Portugal finally had to push and in a wild last 10 minutes, Guerreiro went closest to an equaliser, his shot hammering against the post. Belgium did just enough.

    AFP

  • Kane rues lack of luck as England fall to Belgium

    Kane rues lack of luck as England fall to Belgium

    England forward Harry Kane declared England were “dominant” in their 2-0 loss to Belgium in the Nations League on Sunday. 

    First-half goals from Youri Tielemans and Dries Mertens ultimately decided the match with the Three Lions going on to enjoy more possession in the second 45 minutes but failing to make the most of it. 

    The defeat means Gareth Southgate’s side won’t be playing at the Nations League finals next year with either Belgium or Denmark set to top their group. 

    Kane, who was playing his 50th match for England, believes his side played well despite the result and should be backing themselves to succeed in the future. 

    “We were dominant. We were unlucky to concede the two goals,” Kane told Sky Sports post-match.

    “A deflection and I don’t think the second was a free-kick. A lot of positives to take but it will give us confidence. If we play like this going forward, we will win the majority of games for sure.

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    “Jack Grealish is a fantastic player. You can see his qualities on the ball. I am sure he will get plenty of opportunities in an England shirt.

    “We haven’t won a major trophy for a long time and that gives us a major carrot. With the squad we have and the players we have, we have to have full belief.”

    Belgium manager Roberto Martinez, who was also marking his 50th game in charge of the national team, gave credit to the Three Lions after the match but stressed his side were always in control.

    “It was a really good game of football, two strong teams who know each other very well and played each other four times since the 2018 World Cup,” Martinez said.

    “We got the early lead then we had to suffer and see the press and risk that England took. We could not utilise that in our advantage and we defended really well and showed a good focus that pleases me a lot. We used to see a lot of good things on the ball, being pretty but it was a good all round performance.

    “You need to give credit to England, they did very well in the second half and pushed us high up. We can use the opportunity of counter attacking but we gave he ball away cheaply. We were always in control at 2-0, sometimes it can be dangerous, you feel comfortable but we defended Thibaut Courtois’ goal very well.

    “We want to work towards the third win in Leuven on Wednesday. Denmark are a very good side, the key is being good in what you do and we are looking forward to that game.

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  • Belgium confirms case of COVID-19 transmission from human to cat

    Belgium confirms case of COVID-19 transmission from human to cat

    Laboratory staff in Belgium have confirmed a case of COVID-19 transmission from human to animal, after a man who contracted the disease  infected his pet cat, an official said.

    Emmanuel Andre, a representative of the country’s coronavirus reference laboratory based in the city of Leuven, confirmed on Friday.

    “Our colleagues from the veterinary faculty in Liege found that a cat contracted COVID-19 after the infection was transmitted by its owner.

    “The infection has been confirmed and symptoms are present,” Andre said at a news conference.

    According to Andre,this was an individual case and may not be a common occurrence.

    He said that Belgian officials were working to develop preventive measures for pet owners, particularly those who tested positive for COVID-19.

    Belgian public health officials on Friday confirmed that 1,049 more people have tested positive for COVID-19 in the preceding 24 hours, raising the overall number of confirmed cases since the start of the outbreak to 7,284.

    A total of 289 people in Belgium have died after contacting the disease.