Boko Haram: US to assist Nigeria with $102 million
The U.S. Government has announced 102 million dollars (about 3.7 billion naira) in additional humanitarian assistance for Nigeria to address the sufferings of people affected by the Boko Haram insurgency.
The U.S. Department of State said the fund would be used to address the shelter, health and food security needs of populations in the northeast still struggling with the effects of the Boko Haram insurgency.
This fund for Nigeria represents the vast majority of the U.S. government’s new 112 million dollars infusion for the Lake Chad region.
The assistance would be administered primarily through the U.S. Agency for International Development’s offices of Food for Peace, and Foreign Disaster Assistance, as well as the U.S. State Department’s Bureau for Population, Refugees, and Migration.
“Nearly a decade of conflict perpetuated by Boko Haram and its offshoot ISIS-West Africa has triggered a humanitarian crisis in the region.
“More than two million people remain uprooted by the violence, and nearly 11 million people need assistance to survive.
“The funding in today’s announcement will provide life-saving aid to hundreds of thousands of people, including emergency food, nutrition treatment, shelter, health care, safe drinking water, services for survivors of sexual violence, and support to children separated from their families.
“The United States is the largest donor for the humanitarian response in the Lake Chad region, having provided nearly 761 million dollars since Fiscal Year 2017.
“While the United States remains committed to helping the people affected by this conflict, a comprehensive political and security solution is ultimately the only way to end their suffering and bring peace to the region.
“The United States calls on other donors to step up to address the basic life-saving needs of those displaced and the communities that host them,” the Department said.
As of May 2018, an estimated 2.3 million people in the northeast experienced extreme food insecurity, largely due to widespread insecurity, protracted displacement, depleted assets, and the interruption of agricultural production throughout the region.
Overall, an estimated 7.7 million people in the northeast require urgent humanitarian assistance.
“Even as the Nigerian security personnel make progress, access to those most in need remains tenuous in many areas and the operating environment is highly volatile,” the U.S. said.
Serena v Sharapova – five classic matches
Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova will renew their bitter 14-year rivalry in the French Open last 16 on Monday, with the American dominating their record 19-2.
Here are five classic matches between the two former world number ones:
2004 – Wimbledon final Sharapova won 6-4, 6-1
— Sharapova announced herself to the tennis world in dramatic fashion as a 17-year-old at the All England Club by dismantling defending champion Williams in straight sets to become the third-youngest winner of the title. The Russian claimed 13 years later in her book that she heard her beaten opponent crying in the dressing room afterwards, saying she believed that was the motivation for Serena’s incredible run of 18 straight wins against her.
2005 – Australian Open semi-finals Williams won 2-6, 7-5, 8-6
— Serena suffered her second defeat in three meetings with Sharapova in 2004 at the WTA Tour Championships, but hit back in some style just three months later at Melbourne Park. Sharapova looked set to notch a third straight win over her rival, but failed to serve for the match twice, with Williams saving three match points on the second occasion. The American edged a dramatic deciding set, before seeing off Lindsay Davenport in the final to clinch her first Grand Slam title since Wimbledon in 2003.
2012 – Olympics final Williams won 6-0, 6-1
— After a straightforward Williams victory at the 2007 Australian Open, the pair did not meet again in a final for over five years, with the eagerly-awaited moment coming at the London Olympics. The match was hyped like a Grand Slam final, with the tournament played at Wimbledon. But Serena underlined her dominance over Sharapova, dropping just one game in a 63-minute humbling to become the first player in history to win all four Grand Slam titles and Olympic singles and doubles gold medals.
2013 – French Open final Williams won 6-4, 6-4
— The only previous time the two have faced off at Roland Garros came in the final five years ago. Sharapova was the defending champion, and fought bravely for much of the match, but could not do enough to stop Williams securing victory at a time when she was at the absolute peak of her powers. It was her 31st consecutive win and her 16th Grand Slam crown, while Sharapova would go on to regain the French Open title in 2014 — her last major triumph.
2016 – Australian Open quarter-finals Williams won 6-4, 6-1
— It has been over two years since Serena and Sharapova’s last on-court clash, but plenty has happened since. Williams eased to her 18th successive win over Sharapova in the Australian Open quarter-finals, but the Russian was then hit with a 15-month doping ban for using the banned substance meldonium. By the time she had returned to the tour in 2017, Williams was taking time off due to pregnancy.
Alan Dzagoev is probably Russia’s best creative influence at the home tournament. Sidelined for much of the 2017-18 club campaign for CSKA Moscow with injury, he still managed to contribute 3 goals and 7 assists in 21 appearances in the Russian league. Listing Frank Lampard as a footballing role model, the 27-year-old central creator is quick with a pass and will certainly be the heartbeat for anything Russia will be trying to do.
Another one to watch is Villarreal winger and former Real Madrid youth product Denis Cheryshev. Although not a noted goalscorer (he is scoreless in 11 international caps), he possesses great dribbling ability, but it is that lack of end product that has plagued his professional career.
UNDER THE RADAR
Russia head into the World Cup with a set of twins at their disposal, one of whom is Lokomotiv Moscow attacking midfielder/striker Aleksei Miranchuk. Still only 22 years old, he appeared in 41 games for the capital city outfit, scoring 8 goals while largely being deployed as a number-10, the role he’ll likely play at the tournament behind the likes of Artem Dzyuba and Fyodor Smolov. Tall for an attacking midfielder, look for his late runs into the box.
KEY MAN OUT
Aleksandr Kokorin is probably the best striker in Russia right now, with good physical attributes and strong finishing ability. He scored 19 goals in 35 appearances for Zenit St. Petersburg, before unfortunately tearing his ACL in a Europa League clash against RB Leipzig.
ANALYSIS/PREDICTIONS
Russia, like South Africa in 2010, enter their own World Cup as the lowest ranked team (70th as of 7 June, 2018). While there is no denying the squad has some creative players in Dzagoev, Cheryshev and Samedov, it has the feel of a largely aging group lacking true firepower or a real point of difference. Both Cheryshev and Dzagoev will need to perform at their best for Russia to be able to advance. Luckily for them, this squad does have experience and, being in a group that isn’t packed full of stars, have a good chance to advance. Host nations tend to get a home-crowd boost in every tournament, but they will need to take full value from games against Saudi Arabia and Egypt to make it happen.
I wonder who this could be. Even the most ardent supporter of the Pharaohs would be foolish not to admit that the entire fate of this campaign rests on the (injured) shoulders of Mohamed Salah. While Egypt do have some really nice midfielders in Elneny and Morsy, plus a nice defensive base with Hegazi, Elmohamady and Fathy, Salah is the one player who can influence a game on his own. His blinding pace can give opposition defences fits and, as we saw this season with Liverpool, he’s absolutely devastating in front of goal where he set a new Premier League record for a 38-game season with 32 goals.
UNDER THE RADAR
His real name is Mahmoud Hassan, but the 23-year-old is simply known as Trézéguet thanks to his resemblance to the legendary Juventus and France striker. This Trézéguet plays midfield however, though he did set a new personal record with 14 goals in 29 appearances for Kasımpaşa in the Turkish Süper Lig this season. He came through the youth system at Al Ahly, one of the biggest clubs in Egypt, before moving to Anderlecht at 19 and now to Turkey. He could prove to be vital in supplementing an Egyptian attack where defences are sure to be keyed in on Salah.
KEY MAN OUT
Another product of Al Ahly’s youth academy, big target man Kouka will not be on the plane to Russia. Currently plying his trade in Portugal with Braga and previously Rio Ave, he has a good scoring record at domestic level, and despite struggling in the past season, would’ve brought much needed size to an otherwise small attacking group.
ANALYSIS/PREDICTIONS
Egypt are perhaps the biggest example of a one-man team heading into this summer’s tournament. Mo Salah will keep them in any game, but if his teammates can’t step up, akin to LeBron James and his ragtag band of ne’er-do-wells in the NBA Finals, then opposition teams may find it easy to entomb the Pharaohs. Still, Salah didn’t score 40+ goals in all competitions this season for no reason, and if he gets even an inkling of support, Egypt have a chance. I do think they’ll just fall short, finishing third, but it won’t be without entertainment.
CHELSEA CONNECTIONS
Mohamed Salah — 2014-16: 19 appearances, 2 goals
QUALIFYING FORM
Egypt topped Group E in the third round of CAF qualifying, thus securing a place at the World Cup. Their group featured Uganda, the Congo, and disappointing favourites Ghana. Egypt’s only loss in the final round was a 1-0 loss away in Uganda.
Saudi Arabia’s strength is definitely in their attack, and their tandem of Mohammad Al-Sahlawiand Fahad Al-Muwallad is one of the best strike forces in the whole of Asia. Boasting 83 caps and 38 goals between the two of them, they’re very much a complementary combination, with Al-Sahlawi bringing power and finishing, while Al-Muwallad is raw pace. Al-Muwallad especially is one to look out for, as one of the more highly rated youngsters in the Asian confederation, he already has 44 caps at the young age of 23 and is one of Saudi Arabia’s best prospects.
UNDER THE RADAR
The cover star of FIFA 16 for the Middle Eastern market, Yasser Al-Shahrani is an industrious full back who can play on either side of defence and even in a central midfield role. Still only 26 years old, he has established himself as one of the premier wing-backs in Asia, and is especially noted for his ability to swing in dangerous crosses with either foot.
KEY MAN OUT
Perhaps a byproduct of the relative attacking riches that Saudi Arabia possess, but one man who can consider himself unlucky to not be in the squad is Al-Hilal striker Nawaf Al-Abed. One of Saudi Arabia’s more experienced options up front or out wide, he could probably blame a relatively poor strike rate (8 goals in 44 caps) for his exclusion from the squad. While listed as a striker/winger, his ideal role is probably as a second striker around a target man, or out wide; he was one of the last men cut and just misses out due to the aforementioned attacking duo.
ANALYSIS/PREDICTIONS
Traditionally one of the stronger teams in AFC, Saudi Arabia are strong up front but, like a lot of smaller footballing nations, have weaknesses in defence. They won’t be easy to beat by any stretch of the imagination, but it is hard to see them advancing in this group. Both Egypt and Russia will be looking at this game as their key game to win. That said, as a strong counter-attacking side, “The Green Falcons” can sit back and absorb pressure before unleashing a rapid break and create a few problems.
CHELSEA CONNECTIONS
None.
QUALIFYING FORM
Saudi Arabia finished second in Group B during the third and final round of AFC qualifying, in a group that was topped by Japan and also featured Australia, the UAE, Iraq and Thailand. Saudi Arabia’s home form was key, winning 4 out of 5 games and drawing the other, while picking up road wins in Iraq and Thailand.
Muslera, Gimenez, Godin (c), Varela, Sanchez, Bentancur, Rodriguez, Nandez, Suarez, De Arrascaeta, Stuani, Campana, G. Silva, Torreira, Vecino, Pereira, Laxalt, Gomez, Coates, Urretaviscaya, Cavani, Caceres, M. Silva.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Luis Suarez — a bit obvious, but still one of the best strikers in world football. He’s already scored over 100 league goals for Barcelona in 4 years, including 31 goals in 51 games in all competitions in 2017-18. He pairs impeccable timing with clinical finishing and positioning to cut opponents to shreds.
UNDER THE RADAR
As tempting as it is to put Cavani here for banter, I’m going to go with one of the youngest members of the squad, Sampdoria midfielder Lucas Torreira. The 22-year-old only has 2 international caps, but is a vital part of the Sampdoria engine room. Despite his miniature stature (1.68m), he screens the defence well, and is comfortable on the ball.
KEY MAN OUT
Another Sampdoria man here, and it’s former Southampton, Hull and Middlesbrough midfielder, Gaston Ramirez. After an indifferent spell in England, he returned to Italy and put in a very good season for Sampdoria, contributing 5 goals in 37 appearances across the board, guiding Il Doria to a mid-table finish. Ramirez is a product of a strong midfield and, at 28 years old, wasn’t viewed as favourable over other younger options.
ANALYSIS/PREDICTIONS
Uruguay should top this group comfortably. Their strike force of Suarez and Edinson Cavani is unmatched and their defence features strong, top players like Diego Godin and Jose Gimenez. There isn’t really much more to say here for the group stages. Uruguay definitely have the talent to make a deep run, the question will be how well does the midfield supply Cavani and Suarez, and can they keep their attacking wingbacks from being exploited defensively.
CHELSEA CONNECTIONS
Luis Suarez’s bite mark on Branislav Ivanović — 2013
QUALIFYING FORM
Uruguay finished second in CONCACAF qualifying, behind only group winners Brazil. Excluding a 4-1 home loss to Brazil, Uruguay only conceded 3 goals at home in their other 8 matches while scoring 19 themselves. Their away form was poor, only winning 2 of their 9 away matches, but picking up crucial draws in both Brazil and Colombia.
14/6/18 - 6pm - Russia vs. Saudi Arabia - Moscow 15/6/18 - 5pm - Egypt vs. Uruguay - Yekaterinburg 19/6/18 - 9pm - Russia vs. Egypt - Saint Petersburg 20/6/18 - 6pm - Uruguay vs. Saudi Arabia - Rostov-on-Don 25/6/18 - 6pm - Uruguay vs. Russia - Samara 25/6/18 - 5pm - Saudi Arabia vs. Egypt - Volgograd
The Guesswork
Uruguay will win this group fairly comfortably (famous last words). For second place, it will come down whether Mohamed Salah can fire Egypt, if Saudi Arabia’s counter attack flourishes, or if Russia’s midfield shows up. With home-field advantage factored in, I’m banking on the latter.
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