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World Cup: Five Things We Learned From Super Eagles Vs Gabon Match

By in News, sport-news

The Super Eagles produced a commanding performance to defeat Gabon 4–1 after extra time in their World Cup qualifying playoff, a result that keeps Nigeria’s 2026 FIFA World Cup dream alive.

It was a night of mild drama and optimism, and long after the final whistle, certain talking points continued to linger.

As Nigeria prepares for a tough test against DR Congo come Sunday, here are five things we learned on Thursday.

READ ALSO: Osimhen Dedicates Gabon Win To Fans, Says Super Eagles Committed To W’Cup Dream

Osimhen Remains Nigeria’s Ultimate Difference Maker

Nigeria
Victor Osimhen

Even on a night when he struggled for long spells, Victor Osimhen once again delivered when it mattered most.

The Galatasaray forward scored twice in extra time, showing elite movement, sharpness, and determination, qualities that make him arguably Africa’s most feared striker.

Once he found his rhythm, Gabon’s defence simply couldn’t contain him.

His performance was a clear reminder that Nigeria’s World Cup hopes still rest heavily on Osimhen’s ability to rise above pressure.

Nwabali’s Frailty In Goal Continues

Nigeria’s goalkeeper #23 Stanley Nwabali  (Photo by Issouf SANOGO / AFP)

One of the biggest concerns for the Super Eagles has to be Stanley Nwabali’s response when the game becomes chaotic.

The Nigerian shot stopper showed moments of nervousness, late reactions, hesitation coming off his line, and difficulty organising his defence during fast transitions.

Several times during the match, the 29-year-old was guilty of inviting pressure instead of relieving it.

Against quick, high-pressing teams, these errors in buildup have already led to avoidable turnovers and nervy moments.

It’s noteworthy to state this clearly: Nwabali has been a blessing for Nigeria, especially after years of instability in the goalkeeping department.

However, the frailty being exposed now must be addressed by Eric Chelle and his coaching staff.

Ejuke: ‘Rare Gem’ For Super Eagles

Nigerian winger, Chidera Ejuke

Samuel Chukwueze has been the preferred choice for Chelle on the right-hand side of the attack, and this has helped boost the Fulham forward’s confidence and rightly so.

While the headlines may gravitate toward Osimhen’s brace, it was Chidera Ejuke’s introduction that truly shifted Nigeria’s momentum and exposed Gabon’s growing fatigue.

The CSKA Moscow forward came off the bench to inject life, pace, and unpredictability into the Super Eagles’ attack.

His first touches were purposeful, his dribbles direct, and his off-ball movement forced Gabon’s defenders to adjust their shape, and his efforts were duly rewarded when he showed composure and clinical finishing to give Nigeria the much-needed second goal.

With his performance, Ejuke has made a compelling argument for a more prominent role in the Super Eagles lineup.

Poor Decision Making Continue To Haunt Nigeria

Despite the emphatic scoreline, not everything was perfect.

Gabon’s goal, surely a deflection, came from poor defensive communication, a recurring problem for Nigeria in recent years.

One loose moment allowed the Panthers to punish the Super Eagles.

Nigeria’s centre-back pairing still lacks full chemistry, and second balls as far as in the midfield remain a vulnerability; against stronger opposition, such mistakes could be fatal.

One of the biggest frustrations with Nigeria’s midfield was the limited creativity in regular time.

They often circulated the ball without finding line-breaking passes or unlocking Gabon’s tighter defensive blocks.

Chelle Appears To Be Doing Something Right

Eric Chelle may not be the high-profile name many fans of the game think Nigeria deserve, and possibly the most mild-mannered among Africa’s high-profile managers, but one thing is clear, and that is his tactical identity.

He is insistent on organisation, compactness, and intelligent use of transitions.

The match against Gabon showed this, as he set up his team with structure and discipline while trusting his players to execute a well-rehearsed plan.

Chelle’s initial approach was conservative but calculated, opting for a midfield that prioritised compact spacing and reduced counterattacking vulnerability.

The 48-year-old’s strength is his calmness on the touchline. Even when Gabon took advantage of midfield gaps and began growing into the match, Chelle did not rush tactical changes.

Wales and Japan battle to avoid World Cup nightmare

By in News, Sports News
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Chris Kirwan

BBC Sport Wales
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Autumn Nations Series: Wales v Japan

Venue: Principality Stadium, Cardiff Date: Saturday, 15 November Kick-off: 17:40 GMT

After ending their embarrassing Test losing streak at 18 in Japan last summer, 12 is the magic number for Wales when they host the Brave Blossoms in Cardiff.

The Steve Tandy era started last weekend with a 52-28 defeat by Argentina in the autumn opener at Principality Stadium.

Flashes of attacking play against the Pumas gave some reason for optimism, but the fixture against Japan is a must-win if the Wales head coach is to preserve positivity.

With dates against New Zealand and South Africa to come, Wales desperately need to end their 10-Test losing streak in Cardiff.

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Avoiding a World Cup group of death

After just three weeks with the squad, Tandy and his new management team are understandably focused on building foundations.

However, 80 minutes against Japan will have a huge impact on what is to come in Australia in October 2027.

The draw for the World Cup takes place on 3 December with a new format for an expanded 24-team tournament.

There will be six groups of four, with the top-two teams progressing to a round of 16 along with the four best third-placed teams.

Wales are currently 12th in the world rankings and that would mean they go into the second band of six. Japan are 13th and would leapfrog Tandy’s side with victory.

“There’s lots around ranking points on this game but ultimately as a team we’ve got to focus on ourselves and how we grow as a team,” insisted the Wales boss.

Opposite number Eddie Jones insists the World Cup is not on his mind, despite suffering an early exit when in charge of Australia last time out when Wales and Fiji progressed.

“Every Test match counts. The next match is the most important game,” said Jones.

“I don’t think anybody considers their rankings when they go into a Test match. Within the team it is not a point of discussion.”

Wales progressed from tough groups in 2015, 2019 and 2023, but would like to avoid a nightmare draw in the next World Cup.

Doubting Thomas and questions over Murray

Ben Thomas passes the ball for Wales in their autumn Test against ArgentinaHuw Evans Picture Agency

Some feel Ben Thomas was fortunate to avoid suspension after kicking out when held off the ball by Argentina flanker Pablo Matera last Sunday.

A yellow card was deemed to be sufficient because the TMO could find no evidence of the centre making contact.

Thomas was a key man at Cardiff under Wales attack coach Matt Sherratt and was at the heart of plenty of promising moments with ball in hand against the Pumas.

He now has competition from Joe Hawkins, now with Scarlets after a spell at Exeter led to his international career being put on hold.

The pair have similar dimensions – 6ft and around 15st – and the option of playing both is impacted by the need to give the diminutive Dan Edwards a proper crack at fly-half.

Thomas has won 15 caps and starts his 14th straight Test alongside Max Llewellyn.

“Ben is a quality player and that’s the way we want to play, having that second pair of hands,” said Tandy. “The vision helps Dan in how we want to play.

“Ben has played consistently well for Cardiff, has done really, really well for Wales and there was a lot of interaction between 10 and 12, and with [scrum-half] Tomos Williams as well. There was lots of positivity.”

The retention of Blair Murray, one of Wales’ bright sparks in a nightmare 2024-25, at full-back was another big talking point from the selection after Argentina ruled the air.

“A few months ago people were talking about him as a potential British and Irish Lions full-back,” said Sherratt about the 5ft 8in Scarlets back.

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Two more shots with Wales’ best line-up

Tandy’s matchday squad features 12 players based outside Wales and unavailable for the autumn finale against South Africa.

The head coach has just two more games with his first-choice line-up featuring the likes of Louis Rees-Zammit, Tomos Williams, Nicky Smith, Adam Beard and Dafydd Jenkins.

“It’s going to be a bit of a headache,” admitted Tandy, who opted against adding to the contingent when overlooking Leicester open-side Tommy Reffell to replace the injured Jac Morgan.

Reinforcements will soon join the squad – further hitting Cardiff, Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets for a round of United Rugby Championship action – and Tandy and his coaches will be tested by getting players up to speed.

They will want to see real strides over the next two Saturdays before disruption that is likely to get worse in coming years.

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Several people killed and injured as bus crashes into stop in Sweden

By in News, World News

Several people have been killed and injured when a bus hit a bus stop in central Stockholm, Swedish police said, adding that they had no information pointing to it being an attack.

There were six casualties in the incident on Friday, a spokesperson for Stockholm’s rescue services said, without giving the numbers of those killed and injured.

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The spokesperson said there were no passengers on the bus at the time.

“It is being investigated as involuntary manslaughter. The bus driver has been arrested, but that is routine in such an incident,” a police spokesperson said.

Health authorities spokesperson Michelle Marcher told the AFP news agency that two seriously injured people had been transported to hospital.

Police said that several people were hit, but they were not immediately providing information on their number, gender or ages.

Ambulances, police and rescue services were working at the scene, they added.

A picture on daily Aftonbladet’s website showed emergency services at the site, surrounding a blue double-decker bus, with debris scattered around the vehicle.

The incident occurred near the Royal Institute of Technology university, police said.

A Swedish officer stands near the site where a bus hit a bus stop in central Stockholm, Sweden, November 14, 2025 [Marie Mannes/Reuters]

‘Unreal’

A woman identified as Michelle Mac Key told the daily newspaper Expressen she stepped off another bus at the scene just after the accident happened.

“I crossed the road and saw the double-decker bus that had mowed down an entire bus stop queue,” she said. People were screaming and trying to help the injured.

She said she saw both injured and dead people lying on the ground. “There must have been more people under the bus,” she said.

A nurse by profession, she and another man who was a doctor, offered their help to police when they arrived.

“They told us to stand next to the dead bodies,” she said. “I thought it was an exercise at first. That maybe they were dolls. It was so unreal. Chaos.”

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said his thoughts were with the victims and their families.

“I have received the tragic news that several people have died and been injured at a bus stop in central Stockholm,” he wrote on X.

Kaduna Govt Proposes ₦985.9bn In 2026 Budget

By in News, Nigeria News

The Kaduna State Government has proposed a ₦985.9 billion budget for 2026, with the draft including ₦100 million for each of the state’s 255 political wards.

The proposal represents a 25.73 per cent increase from the 2025 appropriation.

The government allocated ₦699.7 billion to capital expenditure and ₦286.2 billion to recurrent spending.

Governor Uba Sani presented the budget during a special town hall meeting in Kaduna.

He said the ward allocation followed citizens’ complaints from earlier consultations.

He explained that residents highlighted major development gaps across rural communities.

Communities Projects

The governor noted that 12 councils saw no road construction for 12 years.

He said this discovery shifted the state to a ward-based development model.

Sani stated that communities would direct their own project choices.

He said decisions on the ₦100 million “will no longer be taken by people on the high table”.

READ ALSO: Senate Panel Clears Executive Chairman, Commissioners For FCC

The governor maintained that the money belongs to the communities and must reflect their needs.

He explained that each ward would identify and rank its most urgent projects.

According to him, likely projects include feeder roads, water schemes, health facilities, and farm-to-market routes. Communities may also prioritise security infrastructure and local economic programmes.

The governor said citizen input already influenced government decisions this year. He cited the rise in the water budget from ₦10 million to ₦100 million after public complaints.

He noted that earlier consultations exposed severe infrastructure neglect.

This discovery triggered a large road development programme across all LGAs.

Sani listed several ongoing projects nearing completion.

They include 24km inter-community links, a 35km road in Sanga, and a 22.5km road in Soba. He also mentioned 24.7km in Zangon Kataf and 14.2km in Igabi.

Sani stated that town hall feedback shaped the state’s health investments.

He said Kaduna is now the only state to upgrade 255 PHCs from level one to level two.

He added that this achievement earned Kaduna recognition as the best PHC system in the Northwest.

Healthcare

He said the state is renovating 16 general hospitals, with nine already completed and commissioned.

The governor said wards with strong farming populations will receive targeted support.

He noted that these plans will complement the distribution of nearly 900 trucks of fertiliser.

He also referenced a $250 million agro-industrial deal backed by the Federal Government.

He said the deal aims to improve market access and increase rural incomes.

Sani highlighted Kaduna’s growing skills development programmes.

Youth Empowerment

He said 90,000 youths are enrolled under the Federal Government’s TX training scheme.

He added that communities can sponsor vocational and digital training from the ward funds.

He also said major transport projects will support ward economies.

He mentioned the planned BRT system and the proposed 44km light rail project.

The governor said the philosophy behind the ₦100 million allocation is fairness.

He stressed that development must reach every ward “irrespective of who they voted for, where they come from or what religion they practise.”

He concluded that the budget model is built on trust and inclusion.

Paddy McGuinness fumes ‘it’s a disgrace’ as he’s snubbed for Vernon Kay live on air

By in Entertainment News, News

Paddy McGuinness was left fuming as he revealed he’d been snubbed by BBC Radio 2 listeners, who had sent in messages of support for Sara Cox’s Great Northern Marathon Challenge

Paddy McGuinness branded one issue a “disgrace” after revealing live on air that he’d been overlooked whilst standing in for Vernon Kay’s morning programme on BBC Radio 2, as the regular host attended his wife Tess Daly’s MBE ceremony. During a recent broadcast (November 12), the Phoenix Nights comedian shared messages of encouragement from listeners, who’d contacted the show to send their best wishes to fellow radio presenter Sara Cox.

Sara is currently tackling the 135-mile Great Northern Marathon Challenge, a journey across four counties over five days that is due to conclude today (Friday, November 14) in Pudsey, Leeds, to raise money for Children in Need.

However, Paddy, who conquered his own Children in Need challenge last year, was left distinctly unimpressed that most messages submitted by listeners had been directed to Vernon, despite his absence from the studio that day.

Paddy shared a supportive message from a listener called Janette, who, after greeting the Take Me Out presenter with a “morning, Paddy”, disclosed she’d contributed £20 to back Sara’s challenge.

He commented: “Oh, thank you so much for that, Janette, and also, Janette, thanks for acknowledging me cos I’ve been getting messages for Vernon all morning. It’s a disgrace, this.”

Before her epic journey, Sara, who presents Radio 2’s Teatime Show throughout the week, shared the guidance that she’d been given by Paddy and Vernon, who also previously tackled a Children in Need challenge in 2023.

Speaking to the MEN, she said: “Vernon, whenever I see him, just goes, ‘Go on and run up a hill!’. And I’m like, ‘Okay, Vernon, thanks, but I’m just about to go on air.’

“But that’s part of the training as well, it’s just going looking like a mad woman in my local park and just legging it up a hill and then back down again, just confusing all three dogs off the lead like, ‘What the hell’s she doing?’

“So Vernon, that is true, you do need to do some hill work, so I have been doing that anyway. And. Paddy’s been really good with the other side of it, just saying to block out all the noise, you know.”

Meanwhile, Paddy will front Children in Need this evening alongside Mel Giedroyc, Rochelle Humes, Lenny Rush, Big Zuu and Vernon.

He spoke to the BBC about how the occasion unites everyone with “one common goal”.

He said: “Being a dad makes me very aware of how precious children are. Childhood should be a time of innocence and fun. If there’s any way I can help to give them that, then I will.”

Paddy, who generated a staggering £10.5million for the charity last year through his endeavours, explained that the shared objective is “making a child’s life better”.

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Anthropic warns of AI-driven hacking campaign linked to China

By in News, World News

A team of researchers has uncovered what they say is the first reported use of artificial intelligence to direct a hacking campaign in a largely automated fashion.

The AI company Anthropic said this week that it disrupted a cyber operation that its researchers linked to the Chinese government. The operation involved the use of an artificial intelligence system to direct the hacking campaigns, which researchers called a disturbing development that could greatly expand the reach of AI-equipped hackers.

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While concerns about the use of AI to drive cyber operations are not new, what is concerning about the new operation is the degree to which AI was able to automate some of the work, the researchers said.

“While we predicted these capabilities would continue to evolve, what has stood out to us is how quickly they have done so at scale,” they wrote in their report.

The operation was modest in scope and only targeted about 30 individuals who worked at tech companies, financial institutions, chemical companies and government agencies. Anthropic noticed the operation in September and took steps to shut it down and notify the affected parties.

The hackers only “succeeded in a small number of cases”, according to Anthropic, which noted that while AI systems are increasingly being used in a variety of settings for work and leisure, they can also be weaponised by hacking groups working for foreign adversaries.

Anthropic, maker of the generative AI chatbot Claude, is one of many tech companies pitching AI “agents” that go beyond a chatbot’s capability to access computer tools and take actions on a person’s behalf.

“Agents are valuable for everyday work and productivity — but in the wrong hands, they can substantially increase the viability of large-scale cyberattacks,” the researchers concluded. “These attacks are likely to only grow in their effectiveness.”

A spokesperson for China’s embassy in Washington did not immediately return a message seeking comment on the report.

Microsoft warned earlier this year that foreign adversaries were increasingly embracing AI to make their cyber campaigns more efficient and less labour-intensive.