Author: starconnect
By our Sport Correspondent in Doha DOHA, QATAR – It may not have been the grand finale of a World Cup, but the sheer, overwhelming presence of the Khalifa International Stadium provided an unforgettable backdrop as hosts Qatar were held to a gritty 1-1 draw by a resilient Syrian side in the FIFA Arab Cup group stage last night. The colossal, arc-shaped home of the 2022 World Cup, one of the crown jewels of Qatar’s sporting legacy, played host to a passionate, frenzied contest that ended with a scoreline that will feel like a victory for the underdog…
By our man in Qatar QATAR, Thursday. The magnificent Lusail Stadium, an architectural marvel destined to host the World Cup final, delivered a full-throttle slice of drama in the FIFA Arab Cup today as Palestine clawed back a thrilling 2-2 draw against heavyweights Tunisia. In the shimmering, state-of-the-art Qatari arena—a venue that cost billions and serves as the ultimate football theatre—the underdogs of Palestine ensured the atmosphere was electric, matching the spectacle of the colossal ‘Dhow’ shaped stadium itself. With its sweeping roof and futuristic golden shell, Lusail is built to host champions, but today it was the…
By Our Man at the Match SALFORD City’s modest Peninsula Stadium, usually a beacon of ambition for the “Class of ‘92” owners, became the site of a brutal, nine-goal demolition job last night as Rotherham United ran riot, smashing seven past the hapless Ammies to win 7-2 in the EFL Trophy. The venue, tucked away on Moor Lane, is known for its intimate, tight atmosphere, but for the sparse crowd of just 519—the kind of attendance you’d expect for a quiet training session, not a cup knockout—it felt more like a public execution. The Millers turned the home of…
Admin I Friday, Dec.04.25 LAGOS, Nigeria – Pastor David Ogbueli, President of Dominion City Church is set to welcome thousands of worshippers to the Abuja Night of Glory, a healing, deliverance and transformation crusade on Friday, 5th December 2025, at the Main Bowl of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium. The all-night programme, starting at 7 pm will feature dynamic worship leaders like Nathanial Bassey, Dunsin Oyekan, Theophilus Sunday, Chioma Jesus, Kaestrings, Sunmisola Agbebi Okeleye, Minister GUC, Ebuka Songs, Anthony Kani and DC Angels. Reputed as a teacher of righteousness and anointed minister of the gospel evidenced by the miracles…
Admin I Thursday, Dec.04.25 LAGOS, Nigera-Access Bank has been named Bank of the Year 2025 – Nigeria at the prestigious Banker Awards ceremony held in London on Wednesday, December 3, 2025. Organised annually by The Banker, a publication of the Financial Times Group, the awards celebrate the best-performing financial institutions across more than 120 countries, recognising excellence in innovation, financial performance, operational resilience, and industry leadership. The announcement was made during a high-profile gala at the Peninsula Hotel in London, where leading global banks gathered to celebrate outstanding achievements in the international financial services sector. Access Bank emerged…
By Sebastine Ebhuomhan, Thursday Dec.04.25 ABUJA, Nigeria – When President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed Chief (Dr.) Dennis Brutu Otuaro on 14th March 2024 to administer the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), he had great expectations. Twenty months on the PAP seat, Otuaro’s strategic reform aimed at improving efficiency, transparency and accountability have redefined the Programme’s impact in the lives of ex-agitators, impacted communities, youth and people of the entire region through quality education, human capacity training, and empowerment scheme, establishing the PAP as Niger Delta’s main vehicle of development; thus, making protest a thing of the past …
By our man in Turin TURIN, ITALY – The magnificent modern arena of the Allianz Stadium proved once again why it is known as the Old Lady’s most lethal weapon last night, as Juventus dispatched Udinese 2-0 to saunter into the Coppa Italia quarter-finals. This isn’t one of those crumbling, cavernous Italian cathedrals of football. The Allianz is a slick, 41,000-seat fortress of glass and steel, built to put the fans right on top of the action. And last night, under the roar of the Bianconeri faithful, Udinese were systematically dismantled in a match that confirmed Juve’s status…
The Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo (2nd left); the NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, (2nd right); the NDDC Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Alabo Boma Iyaye (left) and the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Hon. Dennis Idahosa (right), during a courtesy visit to Edo State Government House, Benin Admin I Thursday, Dec.04.25 BENIN CITY – The Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has commended the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, for offering the state the hosting rights of the 2026 Niger Delta Sports Festival. Senator Okpebholo gave the commendation when the NDDC Managing…
By our man in Qatar DOHA, QATAR – Egypt clawed their way back to a 1-1 draw against a determined 10-man Kuwait side in their FIFA Arab Cup opener on Tuesday night, with the drama unfolding inside the iconic Lusail Stadium, the very ground set to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final. The stunning Qatari arena, which is a key showpiece of the tournament, saw the Pharaohs dominate possession but struggle to find the finishing touch against a resilient Kuwait defence, missing a first-half penalty through skipper Amr El-Soleya. The deadlock was sensationally broken in the 64th minute…
By our man in Spain BARCELONA, Spain – The very bricks and mortar of the Spotify Camp Nou seemed to breathe a collective sigh of relief and then roar with defiance last night, as FC Barcelona came from behind to deliver a massive statement in the La Liga title race, defeating rivals Atlético Madrid 3-1. While the stadium’s ongoing, colossal rebuild has dominated headlines off the pitch, it was the action on the hallowed, partially-uncovered turf that grabbed the spotlight as Hansi Flick’s men refused to wilt under intense pressure from Diego Simeone’s visiting Rojiblancos. The hosts fell…
