BREAKING; Former legendary football Coach dies after protracted illness

Published

1 year ago

August 26, 2024

BREAKING; Former legendary football Coach dies after protracted illness

Former England manager Sven-Göran Eriksson has died at the age of 76.

A statement on his official website confirmed he died on Monday morning, surrounded by his family.

The Swede, who had been battling cancer, was the first foreign manager of the English national side, taking charge of 67 matches from 2001 to 2006.

He led England to the quarter-finals of three major tournaments in succession, including the World Cups of 2002 and 2006.

He was appointed after a successful career in club management, notably in Italy with Lazio.

Eriksson returned to the World Cup with Ivory Coast in 2010 and also had spells in charge of Manchester City and Leicester, among stints in several other countries.

Eriksson won the Serie A title with Lazio in 1999-2000 to add to the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup the previous season, also twice winning the Coppa Italia which he had previously lifted with Roma and Samp.

His time at Benfica brought three league titles, a domestic cup and two European finals and he led Gothenburg to UEFA Cup glory in 1982.

Eriksson’s life and career is the subject of a new Amazon Prime documentary which was released on Friday.

In it, the Swede talked about how he hoped to be remembered.

“I hope you will remember me as a positive guy trying to do everything he could do,” he said.

“Don’t be sorry, smile. Thank you for everything, coaches, players, the crowds, it’s been fantastic. Take care of yourself and take care of your life. And live it.”

The England fans’ group Free Lions were among the first to pay tribute, posting on X: “RIP Sven. For the night in Munich, amongst everything else, thank you for the memories.”

That was a reference to England’s incredible 5-1 victory over Germany in Munich in a World Cup qualifier back in September 2001.

Eriksson had succeeded Kevin Keegan as national team boss and inherited a talented squad featuring the likes of David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Michael Owen and Steven Gerrard.

Current Football Association chief executive Mark Bullingham paid tribute to Eriksson on behalf of the governing body.

“This is a very sad day. He gave all England fans such special memories. No one can ever forget the 5-1 victory in Munich against Germany under Sven’s guidance,” Bullingham said.

“Sven will be rightly recognised and forever remembered for his significant work with the England team, and for his wider contribution to the game.

“On behalf of my colleagues at the FA, past and present, our thoughts are with his friends and family today.

He will be much missed, and we will pay tribute to him when we play Finland at Wembley next month.”

Eriksson revealed in January he had been told he had “best case” a year to live after being diagnosed with cancer.

There was a huge outpouring of support and love towards the Swede from former players and fans.

In March he was given the opportunity to coach his beloved Liverpool in a ‘Legends’ match at Anfield.

Eriksson said after the match: “To sit on the bench for Liverpool, that’s been my dream my whole life. Now it happened, and it was a beautiful day in all meanings.” (dpa/NAN)

JPE

President Tinubu returns to Nigeria after Abu Dhabi outing

Published

8 hours ago

January 17, 2026

olalekan

President Tinubu returns to Nigeria after Abu Dhabi outing

President Bola Tinubu has returned to Nigeria after participating in the 2026 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW 2026).

Presidential spokesperson, Mr Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja.

The president attended the summit alongside some members of his cabinet.

On the sidelines of the summit, Nigeria signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The agreement is aimed at deepening economic cooperation, boosting bilateral trade and investment, and enhancing technology transfer.

It will also expand collaboration in key sectors, including energy, infrastructure, agriculture, mining and renewable energy.

In his address at the summit, Tinubu announced that Nigeria and the UAE would jointly host INVESTOPIA in Lagos in February.

The initiative is designed to attract global investors and accelerate sustainable investment inflows into Nigeria.

Tinubu also said Nigeria targets mobilising up to $30 billion annually in climate and green industrial finance.

He said the funds would support energy transition reforms and expand nationwide access to electricity. (NAN)

APC clears air on receiving letter of defection from another State Governor

Published

9 hours ago

January 17, 2026

olalekan

APC clears air on receiving letter of defection from another State Governor

The Zamfara chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has denied receiving a letter from Gov. Dauda Lawal seeking to defect to the party.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that there were speculations across the state over Lawal’s move to defect to APC.
A statement issued in Gusau on Saturday by the state APC Publicity Secretary, Malam Yusuf Idris, described the speculations as fabricated.
“The party came across a fabricated report purported to have emanated from one Tambarin Gusau claiming that Go Dauda Lawal has sent a letter to the party wanting to join the APC.
“The report is malicious, unfortunate, unfounded, mischievous and showed the unprofessional manner which some people can go in misleading others and causing chaos in a stable and a peaceful party like the APC.
“The APC has responsible channels where everything is done in a guided manner,” Idris said.
According to him, the party has not received any letter from Lawal as claimed through the imagination of the writer nor was the party aware of any recent moves by the governor to defect from the PDP to the APC.
“All members of the party and indeed the public especially in Zamfara should therefore disregard such report.,” Idris added.(NAN)

News

282 Passengers safe as plane makes emergency landing in Lagos

Published

13 hours ago

January 17, 2026

olalekan

282 Passengers safe as plane makes emergency landing in Lagos

A Qatar Airways passenger plane on Friday made an emergency landing at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos after developing a technical fault mid-flight.

The aircraft, which had 248 passengers and 12 crew members on board, was forced to land abruptly after the malfunction was detected while it was operating within Nigerian airspace.

The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) confirmed the incident in a statement released by its Permanent Secretary, Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu.

According to him, the agency was alerted to the situation through its 767 and 112 toll-free emergency lines, prompting an immediate response from emergency officials.

He explained that upon receiving the distress call, the LASEMA Response Team (LRT) was swiftly deployed to the airport to assess the situation and provide necessary support.

“Upon arrival at the scene, the LASEMA Response Team confirmed that the aircraft was in distress,” the statement noted.

“The pilot executed a safe landing on the runway at Murtala Mohammed International Airport with LASEMA Response Team and other emergency responders standing by on extreme high alert on the runway.

“Collaborative efforts of the multi-agency responders were coordinated. After proper check by the pilot and the engineering crew, the aircraft was moved to the apron for detailed inspection and prompt repairs.”

“All passengers of the distressed airplane were evacuated safely; no injuries reported, no loss of lives,” the statement said.

Despite the technical issue and the emergency landing, the agency stated that there was the aircraft experienced no major damage.

“The aircraft has been secured on the apron. Recovery activities have been completed,” the statement added.