Assault on Onofiok Luke, insult on the people of Nsit Ubium

Its rather unfortunate that Nse Ntuen and Rep Ekon decided to insult the good people of Nsit Ubium by assaulting the member rep Nsit Ubium state constituency. Its a rape on democracy, it equally shows the nature and character of the present crop of leaders in the state. Impunity of the highest level.

Ntuen the unfortunate sit tight chairperson of ALGON, who came to lime light as a result of him being surprisingly appointed to be the chairperson of Essien Udim. I’m sure the word respect for constituted authority is foreign to him.

For Ekon I’m shock about him being a National Assembly member. If he is truly a parliamentarian, then Akwa Ibom State has just lost a seat in the parliament because his name is alien. I wouldn’t lay blame on the duo because that is how surprise people act.

For the records, Luke knows his mandate, he is not new to governance, he is vibrant, social, intellectually sound and can’t be compared to thousands of Ntuen and Ekon. Ntuen and Ekon be warned!

While calling for investigation of the matter, we await the unreserved apology from Nse Ntuen and Ekon for displaying such dishonourable acts on a Honourable man Comrade Luke.

–Samuel Asua
+234 802 831 4579
+234 806 800 9206

Comrade Samuel Asua was a Students’ Union Government President of the University of Uyo during the 2008/2009 UNIUYO academic year.

- AficaNewsPress

Viktoria Plzen v Bayern Munich: Guardiola wary of Plzen

TIME: 20:45 GMT+1
GROUP: D
VENUE: Struncovy Sady


Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola has warned his side not to under-estimate Viktoria Plzen, despite beating the Czech club 5-0 a fortnight ago.

That result will only complicate matters when the sides meet at the Struncovy Sady Stadion on Tuesday night, according to the Catalan, whose team will be aiming to wrap up their place in the Champions League knockout stage with a win.

"I'm sure it's going to be harder for us than it was in Munich," Guardiola said at a press conference on Monday. "When you lose a game as a player, then you definitely want to do better in the return leg.

"We want to qualify tomorrow, but we also want to win the group, which means we want to win in Moscow (against CSKA) and against (Manchester) City too."

The Bavarian outfit can equal Guardiola's former club Barcelona's run of nine wins in a row in Europe's elite club competition, although that is the least of the 42-year-old's concerns.

"Records are good for the club and these clubs, the best in the world, try to win them, but the record we want is the one attached to winning the title next May," he said.

By lifting the trophy in Lisbon, Bayern would become the first side in the modern Champions League era to defend their title successfully.

Mario Gotze, who was on the losing Borussia Dortmund side in last May's final, knows it is not going to be easy, but he is confident enough of reaching the last 16.

"When you get into the knockout stage, then it comes down to minor things," he said.

"Trivialities can make the difference. Whether you play for Dortmund or for Bayern, it's the same.

"We just want to qualify for the next stage as soon as we can. We've got many, many games coming up in the next few weeks so it would be easier if we could go into the next Champions League games having already qualified."

Guardiola has ruled Arjen Robben out of Tuesday's encounter due to a persistent groin strain while Javi Martinez is unlikely to start, despite coming through 90 minutes on his return to action at the weekend.

Plzen bounced back from their 5-0 defeat in Munich with a 6-1 win over Jablonec at the weekend, rising to second in the Czech Gambrinus Liga as a result and gaining some self-belief ahead of a crucial fixture.

Defeat would eliminate them from the Champions League if Manchester City pick up at least a point against CSKA Moscow, leaving them also with only minimal chances of clinching third in the group and a place in the Europa League.

Source: ESPN Soccernet

PSG v Anderlecht: Star duo missing for PSG

TIME: 20:45 GMT+1
GROUP: C
VENUE: Parc des Princes

Paris St Germain will be without the in-form strike duo of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Edinson Cavani as they bid to qualify for the knock-out stages of the Champions League with victory over Anderlecht.

Should the Belgians, who are still pointless in Group C, suffer defeat at the Parc des Princes on Tuesday then PSG will progress to the last 16 irrespective of what happens between Olympiacos and Benfica.

Three emphatic wins have brought the French champions to this enviable position, but they would certainly have found life harder if not for the exploits of Sweden striker Ibrahimovic, who became only the 10th player to score four goals in a Champions League match during the 5-0 triumph in Brussels.

He felt discomfort in his knee after Friday's 4-0 Ligue 1 win over Lorient, however, while 63million euro man Cavani was hit in the leg during the same game.

The Uruguayan has scored 11 goals since arriving from Napoli in the summer and neither man will be risked by PSG coach Laurent Blanc.

At his pre-match press conference, the former France boss said: "Edi is suffering from a little bit of pain in his right thigh.

"Zlatan doesn't have a serious injury but it could get worse. And that's why we will be prudent."

Brazilian defender Thiago Silva is not quite ready to return from his own thigh injury, but despite the lack of key personnel Blanc has promised to be "intransigent" and field his strongest possible side.

Even though progression could be secured against the Belgians, Blanc knows it is too early to start experimenting with alternative line-ups.

He added: "When results have been very good you have to be careful not to relax.

"We can qualify tomorrow so we will be motivated. This is one of the most important games of the group stage."

Blaise Matuidi admits he "cannot wait" to see the back of the group stage but shares his manager's concerns that PSG could be punished if they slack off on Tuesday night.

He said: "The goal is to qualify for the last 16 and we will do everything we can to achieve that.

"We won over there but that doesn't count any more. The Champions League is very complicated and it's difficult to win every game."

Anderlecht take a 3-1 league win over OH Leuven into the daunting encounter and, even though he is trying to stay positive, coach John van den Brom knows it will be a case of damage limitation in Paris.

He told Nieuwsblad: "In my head, we're still in the race. We can at least do better than last time, surely that can't be so difficult."

To add insult to injury, top scorer Matias Suarez has been ruled out for the rest of the season with cruciate knee ligament damage.

Right-back Guillaume Gillet, meanwhile, is doubtful after cutting his knee last month.

Source: ESPN Soccernet

Manchester City v CSKA Moscow: Preview

TIME: 20:45 GMT+1
GROUP: D
VENUE: Etihad Stadium

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini believes goalkeeper Joe Hart recognises the potential benefits of being left out of the team.

Pellegrini dropped Hart for Saturday's Barclays Premier League defeat of Norwich and his replacement Costel Pantilimon will continue against CSKA Moscow in the Champions League on Tuesday.

The England goalkeeper has paid the price for a number of high-profile errors over the past year for both club and country.

This season alone he has made costly mistakes against Scotland, Aston Villa, Bayern Munich and - most recently - Chelsea.

With pressure growing, Pellegrini felt the time had come to make a change but he been impressed by the player's reaction.

Pellegrini said: ``I think Joe has reacted very well. He is a professional player.

``For him it is also a good thing to have a rest after playing so many matches.

``He is working without any problem, supporting Costel Pantilimon.

``Nobody wants to be out but he thinks it will be useful for him.''

Hart has been City's number one since being unexpectedly promoted ahead of Shay Given in 2010.

For most of that time he has been outstanding and it is only in the past 12 months that regular errors have crept into his game.

Pantilimon has had to wait patiently for an opportunity since being brought in as Hart's deputy in the summer of 2011, featuring only in domestic up ties until Saturday.

The Romanian's belated Premier League debut proved rather uneventful from his point of view as City romped to a 7-0 win and were hardly tested defensively.

On that basis, Pellegrini will not be reversing his decision as City bid to claim a place in the Champions League last 16 at the expense of the Russians.

The Chilean said: ``I don't when Joe will come back to the team. It is very important for him to have a rest.

``He has played all the matches for two and a half years.

``We will see in the future what we must do. For today, Pantilimon is playing.''

CSKA coach Leonid Slutsky has told his team to test out Pantilimon at the Etihad Stadium.

The Russian side, who lost at home to City a fortnight ago, head into the Group D encounter needing to win revive their hopes of qualification for the last 16.

Slutsky said: ``Our main task will be to test Pantilimon tomorrow, to see how good he is, the second goalkeeper.

``But I don't think it will affect our tactics. Obviously Hart is better known to us but we will face Pantilimon.''

CSKA were outplayed by City at the Arena Khimki in their last meeting but, on a difficult surface, the English side could only record a 2-1 victory.

They showed just how powerful they can be on home turf, however, as they thrashed the Canaries.

Slutsky said: ``We cannot be guided by just one match as to who will play and how they play.

``We know that Pellegrini uses different set-ups on the pitch and tries to plan their attack. There may be different options.

``But Manchester City are a very strong team and we will do our best.''

CSKA, the Russian champions, were in poor form the last time the clubs played but arrive in Manchester on the back of three straight wins. They had won just one of their previous eight.

Slutsky said: ``We have had some very nice results since the failures against Zenit (St Petersburg) and Manchester City.

``We know we are playing the favourite team but we will do our best to try to prove that the favourite is not always the one that wins.''

Playmaker Keisuke Honda, who went close to scoring a late equaliser against City in Moscow, will be one of the visitors' key men but CSKA concede his time at the club is coming to an end.

The dynamic Japan international has been linked with a move to AC Milan.

Slutsky said: ``The situation is known. Honda is not signing the contract with us.

``His contract finishes in December and after that he is free to sign for any club.''

ends

Source: ESPN Soccernet

Olympiakos v Benfica: Rodrigo blow for Benfica

TIME: 20:45 GMT+1
GROUP: C
VENUE: Karaiskakis Stadium

Benfica striker Rodrigo was absent from Jorge Jesus' squad to face Olympiacos in Tuesday night's Champions League match at the Karaiskakis Stadium.

The 22-year-old Spanish forward had not been considered 100 percent fit for the Group C clash and was duly omitted from Jesus' 21-man party for the trip to Greece.

Jesus said Rodrigo had a knee injury, saying: "He wasn't an option. We didn't want to risk him, which is why he isn't in the squad."

Oscar Cardozo scrambled in a late goal for the Portuguese side a fortnight ago as they and Olympiacos recorded a 1-1 draw. Alejandro Dominguez had scored a first-half opener at Estadio da Luz.

That result left the two sides locked on four points after the first three group games, in an apparent race for second place in the Group C table, with Paris St Germain clear at the summit with three wins from three and Anderlecht holding up the table.

Benfica head to Greece in good form as they have recorded just one defeat - a 3-0 loss to PSG last month - in their last 11 matches in all competitions. Friday's 3-0 Portuguese Liga victory over Academica looked set to give them confidence ahead of their European encounter.

Portuguese coach Jesus, who believes his side can progress to the knock-out stages, has targeted an away win to advance and hopes Benfica can clinch that on Tuesday night.

He told UEFA.com: "Olympiacos have good players. In the Champions League any team can win home or away and we have to get a victory in at least one of our away matches."

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Jesus added: "The match on Tuesday isn't a 'final', we still have two games to come, but it's a Champions League match and they are all important. The two teams are level on points and we have to think game to game."

The Greek champions head into the game on the back of Saturday's 1-0 derby win at Panathinaikos and also boast an outstanding recent record with just one defeat this season - a loss also to PSG in an earlier Champions League game.

Kostas Mitroglou has scored 17 goals for the home side this season, with four hat-tricks, and appears the man most likely to be a threat to the visiting defence.

Olympiacos have scored 16 goals in their last four matches in the Greek Super League and coach Michel is confident his side can build on that in Europe and get a result against Benfica.

He said: "They respond well to all challenges. I'm confident we will advance to the next round."

Source: ESPN Soccernet

Juventus v Real Madrid: Juve ready for crunch clash

TIME: 20:45 GMT+1
GROUP: B
VENUE: Juventus Stadium

Juventus go into Tuesday's Champions League Group B showdown with Real Madrid believing it is make-or-break time as they look to revive their European ambitions.

Antonio Conte's side heads into the game against the nine-time European champions at the Juventus stadium desperate for their first win in this season's competition after three failed attempts.

The Italians lost 2-1 in Madrid last month and sit third in the pool with two points while the Spaniards top the group having won all of their games so far.

"It's definitely a fundamental game and important for our future in the Champions League," Conte said in Monday's press conference. "We're looking forward to it a lot.

"Juventus versus Real Madrid is a classic, a fascinating game.

"I expect the warmth of our fans, like we always have, because it is very important.

"I reiterate it's an incredibly hard game against one of the biggest candidates to win a 10th Champions League.

"We've got to show on the field, as we did in Madrid, that we deserve to go through, otherwise we will be the first to kneel down and applaud those who make it through instead of us."

Juve warmed up to the encounter with a 1-0 triumph at Parma on Saturday.

Paul Pogba's solitary goal handed the Italian champions their third straight league win and allowed the Bianconeri to reduce the gap with Serie A leaders Roma to just three points.

Conte is aware his side will need to be at its very best if they are to stop Real's star-studded frontline.

"I defined them devastating, especially if they are allowed to play the game they prefer," Conte said.

"Cristiano Ronaldo, (Gareth) Bale, (Karim) Benzema, (Angel) Di Maria, to say but a few, are extraordinary, fantastic when they have the field in front of them and room to exploit, so we've got to be careful and do what we did in Madrid.

"We have to try to avoid the mistakes we made there, and try to hurt them, but we know we're up against an extraordinarily strong attack."

Real have scored 12 goals and conceded just two in their opening three group games.

Ronaldo, who has netted 20 goals in all competitions so far this, will lead Real's attack.

The Portugal international scored a brace to help Carlo Ancelotti's side edge Rayo Vallecano 3-2 at the weekend.

The outcome lifted Los Merengues to third place in La Liga, six points adrift of league leaders Barcelona.

Despite their impressive form in Europe, Real will not take Juve lightly.

"They are a great side and we respect them," midfielder Luka Modric said. "They have good quality players and we expect a difficult game in Turin."

The visitors will be without defender Fabio Coentrao, who is out with a sprained ankle.

The hosts must overcome the absence of defender Giorgio Chiellini, who serves a one-match ban.

Spain international Fernando Llorente is set to partner Carlos Tevez in Juve's attack.

Source: ESPN Soccernet

FC Copenhagen v Galatasaray: Mancini targets last 16

TIME:20:45 GMT+1
GROUP: B
VENUE: Parken

Roberto Mancini could not manage it with Manchester City but insists his Galatasaray team are capable of reaching the Champions League knock-out stages.

The Italian head coach has overseen two matches in the competition since being appointed in September as successor to Fatih Terim, who departed to manage Turkey.

Both have been hugely encouraging, with Galatasaray coming from behind to draw away to Juventus in the first and following up with a 3-1 home win over FC Copenhagen.

The results have taken the sting out of an opening 6-1 home defeat to Real Madrid, and leave the Turkish champions second in Group B, ahead not only of FC Copenhagen but also Italian giants Juventus.

Juventus have managed just two points so far and face Real Madrid on Tuesday night, when Galatasaray and FC Copenhagen resume their rivalry in the Danish capital.

Mancini's Manchester City missed out on the last 16 in the last two seasons, so to achieve the feat at his new club would be an achievement to savour.

"It's difficult to change a lot in five weeks," Mancini said. "We need time. We've been working very hard.

"Although it seems that Juventus and Real Madrid are favourites in this group, we will try to get out of it.

"I have high expectations. We want to continue having good results."

Galatasaray could build a five-point lead over Juventus by winning at the Parken stadium, but they will be without injured goalkeeper Fernando Muslera (broken toe) and midfielder Wesley Sneijder (thigh). Both suffered setbacks in the Super Lig match against Konyaspor on Friday.

Their Danish hosts have taken just one point from three games so far, meaning their hopes of reaching the last 16 are slight already.

They were swept aside in Istanbul by a rampant Galatasaray last time, with Mancini's team building a three-goal lead by half-time. FC Copenhagen's goal came as a very late consolation.

Head coach Stale Solbakken said on Monday: "Galatasaray were the better team in the first game but I'm 100 per cent certain tomorrow's will be a more normal and close match with few chances.

"They were on fire. I think most fans and others around the team believe the first half they played against us and the second half they played against Juventus were among the best they have played.

"It was more or less the first 20-25 minutes that killed us there."

Solbakken revealed, in a colourful way, that how he sleeps before the match could influence his team selection.

"There will be a few changes, and it depends on whether I sleep on my stomach or on my back," he said.

"Players could show up in my dream and score a goal, or they could make it a nightmare and smoke on the bench."

Source: ESPN Soccernet

Shakhtar Donetsk v Bayern Leverkusen: Leverkusen wary of Shakhtar threat

TIME: 20:45 GMT+1
GROUP: A
VENUE: Donbass Arena

Bayer Leverkusen will be keen to bounce back from Saturday's Bundesliga disappointment at Eintracht Braunschweig by taking a big step towards the Champions League knockout stage in Ukraine.

A 4-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk at the BayArena a fortnight ago means Leverkusen can all but seal their place in the last 16 with victory on Tuesday, and that has become one of their priorities after their director of sport Rudi Voller ruled them out of the domestic title race.

"We've got to turn things around quickly and show our true face in Donetsk," Voller said prior to Monday's departure for Ukraine.

"We've got to be realistic. Even if we'd won in Braunschweig, Bayern and Dortmund are in a league of their own and they're going to decide the Bundesliga title between them.

"We've got to focus on finishing third and watch out for the teams behind us."

Finishing third would earn Leverkusen an automatic starting berth in the group stage of the Champions League next season, but so too would winning the competition outright.

That would be getting ahead of themselves, though, and captain Simon Rolfes does not want to think beyond Tuesday night's clash.

"We're in good form and mustn't let one slip-up ruin everything," he is quoted as saying by Sport1.de.

"We've got to be alert in Donetsk because they're going to want to make amends for the 4-0 defeat in front of 50,000 fans."

Indeed, that result at home is not going to mislead Leverkusen.

"Shakhtar are definitely going to play differently," goalkeeper Bernd Leno said. "Therefore, we're going to have to give 110 per cent if we want to survive."

The Ukrainian outfit need to give even more if they want to keep alive their chances of progressing from Group A.

"Tomorrow is our most important game if we want to go through," Shakhtar coach Mircea Lucescu said at a press conference.

"With our fans behind us, we can get a good result."

He does not expect that to be easy, though, having seen his opposite number Sami Hyypia rest Stefan Kiessling, Sidney Sam and Heung-Min Son against Braunschweig at the weekend.

"That just shows how intensively they are preparing for this game," the 68-year-old added.

"It shows that they respect us and also fear us. As I've said, this is a very important match for us."

Source: ESPN Soccernet

Real Sociedad v Manchester United: Preview

TIME:20:45 GMT+1
GROUP: A
VENUE: Anoeta

Manchester United manager David Moyes has not had time to start Sir Alex Ferguson's autobiography - but it is clear he has picked up valuable lessons from his fellow Scot.

When he checked in at Manchester Airport for the flight to Spain ahead of Tuesday's Champions League encounter with Real Sociedad, Moyes was pictured with a copy of Ferguson's account of life in the Old Trafford hotseat in his hand luggage.

Once Moyes gets around to thumbing his way through it, he will find an insight into how Ferguson liked to defend his players.

And, while it might not be in the book, Moyes would not have to look too far elsewhere to discover Ferguson talking about reaching a 10-point watermark he regarded as essential for qualification into the Champions League knockout phase.

As he observed the state of a Group A campaign in which his side have collected seven points from their opening three matches, it seems Moyes would regard victory as job done with two games to spare.

Not that he is taking his eye off opponents who have lost every match so far.

``I certainly won't take anything for granted,'' Moyes said.

``I have a lot of respect for Sociedad, and we will have to play well on Tuesday if we are going to get those 10 points which will get us over the line.

``But we have got ourselves in a good position in the group and we have to try to maintain that.''

United go into the game on the back of a seven-match unbeaten run in all competitions and after recording back-to-back Premier League victories for the first time since Moyes took charge.

Moyes reported positive news on the injury front, saying: ``We don't have a lot of injuries. It's probably the best Manchester United have had for a long time.''

Nevertheless, Jonny Evans, Rafael and Tom Cleverley, who were substituted in Saturday's 3-1 win at Fulham with back and ankle injuries and double vision respectively, remained in Manchester.

Sociedad coach Jagoba Arrasate is out to give United a scare on Tuesday night.

Although their domestic form has improved, with seven points and 10 goals in three games since they were beaten at Old Trafford a fortnight ago, Sociedad will start rank outsiders.

They are yet to collect a point in the present European campaign and know another defeat could even end their hopes of nabbing a Europa League consolation prize by finishing third.

But Arrasate is remaining upbeat.

``A lot has been said about this transition period but Manchester United are still very powerful,'' he said.

``They have been struggling a bit in the Premier League but they are coming back now. They are the current champions.

``It is the same squad. They have a lot of potential and they are still a great team.

``But we have played better in our last two games. And we can play better than we did at Old Trafford.

``We have nothing to fear and if we play our cards right, we can give them a scare.''

Sociedad will certainly be paying plenty of attention to Adnan Januzaj, should the 18-year-old make his European debut in the Anoeta.

Januzaj has made a big impression in Premier League combat this term, underlining why there has been such a scramble to claim his international commitment.

``I didn't know a lot about him before but we have studied him now,'' Arrasate said.

``He is a young player who is very decisive at times.

``He is very quick and has a great future. But there is a lot of competition for places at Manchester United, so we will see.''

ends

Source: ESPN Soccernet

Carnival Calabar Queen 2013 calls for entries

Organisers have kicked off screening for the 2013 Carnival Calabar Queen Pageant.

The Carnival Calabar Queen(CCQ) pageant which doubles as a display of beauty queens as well as a charity event is aimed at encouraging and educating young women to uphold the virtue of abstinence from pre-marital sex and preserving the sanctity of womanhood, according to NET findings.

The event which takes place on December 26 and 27 will parade a total of 30 beauties and is one of the major highlights of the 32-day Calabar Festival which runs from November 30 to January 1.

Organized by the Cross River State Carnival Commission in collaboration with MACA (Mothers against Child Abandonment) proceeds from the Grand Finale Dinner are expected to be used in supporting a charity home which is set up by MACA, known as the Refuge.