Borno plans heroes estate for slain soldiers and others.

The Borno State Government said on Saturday that it planned to build Borno Heroes Estate for the families of soldiers, paramilitary and members of vigilantes who died in the fight against the Boko Haram insurgency in the state.

Governor Kashim Shettima stated this at the inauguration of the 432 housing units at the Yerwa Peace Estate, Maiduguri.

He said the objective was to assist families of slain soldiers and others who died in the cause of restoring peace to the state.

“We are going to build an estate like this which we shall call ‘Borno Heroes Estate’.

“Houses in the planned estate will, after thorough considerations be allocated to families of soldiers, policemen, paramilitary men and the civilian JTF found to be in need of shelter and desirous of living in Maiduguri,” Shettima said.

He added that government would share the houses to the affected families, irrespective of states of origin.

“We will not care about the fact that some of our fallen heroes in the military and other security agencies were employees of the Federal Government.

“We will not bother about their states of origin, after all they served and died for Borno.”

The governor said that the only parameter would be that a family must be willing to settle in the state.

Police shutdown Zamfara in search of abducted Emir

The police in Zamfara have commenced search for the Emir of Bukkuyum, Alhaji Muhammadu Usman, who was abducted from his palace on Friday night by some gunmen.

The Police Public Relations Officer in Zamfara, DSP Sanusi Aminu, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Gusau on Saturday.

He said the police in collaboration with other security agencies in the state had blocked all possible outlets from the state in order to arrest the abductors.

“Although we do not know their motive, the action is criminal and we shall arrest them and they will face the full wrath of the law,” he said.

Also speaking, Alhaji Aliyu Muhammad, the Secretary to the Bukkuyum Emirate Council and younger brother of the abducted emir, said he spoke on the telephone with the emir.

He said the emir was in good health and had not been hurt by his abductors.

Muhammad, however, urged the people of the community to pray for the safe return of the emir.

He said the abductors arrived in an ash-coloured Honda Civic car and asked to speak privately with the emir.

Muhammad further said when the palace guards resisted the request, the abductors fired gunshots into the air and ordered all those present to hand over their cell phones which they took along with the monarch. 

The 60-year-old traditional ruler, who had been on the throne for 14 years, was abducted by the gunmen while he was preparing for his Isha’i prayer.

The state Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Ibrahim Birnin-Magaji, told NAN that government would give all required assistance to the police in order to rescue the emir.

Iran rules out regional cooperation with US

Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Saturday ruled out any cooperation with the United States in the troubled Middle East, saying talks with Washington are confined to nuclear issues.

In a closely watched speech marking the Persian new year festival of Nowruz, Khamenei took steps to quell speculation that any nuclear deal with the West could lead to a wider rapprochement.

“No way,” he told a raucous crowd in the northeastern holy city of Mashhad, on the chances of an agreement on Iran’s atomic programme having other policy implications.

“Negotiations with the United States are on the nuclear issue and nothing else,” he said.

“US objectives on regional matters are the opposite to our objectives,” Khamenei said, accusing Washington of creating instability in Syria, Libya and Egypt.

His remarks were greeted by chants of “Death to America” from the tightly packed thousands who gathered to hear him speak.

Khamenei’s comments appeared to be a blunt rejection of overtures made by US President Barack Obama that a nuclear deal could lead to cooperation in the Middle East, chiefly against Islamic State jihadists in Iraq and Syria.

Iran is currently in talks with the United States and other major world powers over ending the 12-year standoff over its disputed nuclear programme.

With time running out on a March 31 deadline for a political deal, the two sides said they remained at odds as negotiations broke up in Lausanne, Switzerland on Friday.

The talks are set to resume on Wednesday.

Khamenei, who spoke for more than an hour, reiterated that Iran wants sanctions lifted under a nuclear deal, backed his negotiating team and called on all Iranians to support the government’s aims.

“The lifting of sanctions is part of the negotiations and not the outcome,” he said, insisting there could be no delay between the implementation of a deal and the removal of sanctions.

“Sanctions are the only tool that the enemy has against our nation,” he added, calling on the country to intensify its domestic economy, stating that relying on foreign help was not a risk worth taking.

Khamenei also dismissed as “insincere” a near five-minute video address for Nowruz that Obama made to the leaders and people of Iran, in which he urged them to choose opportunity over isolation.

He denied a suggestion from Obama that there were people in Iran who did not want a diplomatic solution to the nuclear issue.

“What the Iranian nation does not want is to accept what the Americans want to impose by force,” he added. “Officials, our negotiators and the people will not accept it at all.”

Polls: Sultan ask district heads to protect Corp members.

The Sultanate Council has asked District Heads in Sokoto State to take charge of the safety of corps members in their domains during the elections.

The measure is to reduce the trend of attacks on corps members and avoid a repeat of what happened during the 2011 post-election violence in parts of the North.

A statement on Saturday by the Director of Press and Public Relations in the National Youth Service Corps, Mrs. Bose Aderibigbe, said the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, said this during a pre-election advocacy visit by the Director-General of NYSC, Brig.-Gen. Johnson Olawumi, to the monarch’s palace.

The statement stated, “The Sultan also charged security agencies to provide adequate protection for corps members and other personnel that will be involved in the conduct of the forthcoming general elections. The Sultan told the DG about a standing directive from the Sultanate Council to all District Heads in the state, asking them to take charge of the safety of corps members, serving in their domains, and went on to advocate the replication of the same arrangement in other parts of the country.”

While calling on the public, especially politicians, to ensure the safety of the corps members, the monarch enjoined corps members not to be deterred by the crisis in the past, but to consider their involvement in the conduct of elections as a national duty.

He called upon the corps members to approach the electoral assignment with a high sense of patriotism and avoid being partisan in their duties.

The monarch reminded them that winners of elections had already been pre-destined by God and wondered why some of them viewed elections as a do-or-die affair.

The Sultan also used the occasion to call for recognition and compensation to persons who suffered incapacitation in the course of service to the nation.

The NYSC boss told the Sultan that the security of corps members was paramount to the scheme.

He appealed to the monarch to help in sensitising members of the public, especially politicians, on the need to ensure the safety of the corps members before, during and after the elections.

12,000 INEC Ad-Hoc staffs take Oath of neutrality.

The Independent National Electoral Commission in Taraba State on Saturday administered the oath of neutrality on its 12,000 ad-hoc staff  trained for the March 28 and April 11 polls.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Magistrate Yazeedu Aliyu of the Chief Magistrates’  Court, Jalingo,  administered the oath on behalf of the commission.

Speaking on the occasion in  Jalingo, INEC’s  Head  of  Public Affairs in the state, Mr Fabian Yame, explained that the exercise was aimed at  ensuring that the ad-hoc staff were unbiased.

Yame said the exercise  was being carried out  in all the local government headquarters across the state.

The spokesman, who also added that  INEC was fully prepared for the elections, urged all stakeholders to collaborate with the commission to ensure a peaceful, free, fair and acceptable polls.

Sambo inaugurate N100B Gurara irrigation project.

Vice President Namadi Sambo on Friday inaugurated the N100bn Gurara irrigation project.

Speaking on the occasion, Sambo said the project would boost industrial activities and create jobs in the state.

He said the project would provide 600 hectares of land for irrigation, which would boost the economy of the people in the area and the nation.

The vice president added that the project would also provide 30 megawatts of electricity to the state, which would include a  substation and 120-kilometre  transmission.

Sambo said the power boost was expected to ginger more economjc activities in the area and  assist in increased production in the industries.

He explained that the project was part of President Goodluck Jonathan’s Transformation Agenda aimed at improving the quality of lives of the citizenry.

He urged the communities to make the maximum use of the facilities to improve their lives.

Also speaking at the ceremony, Kaduna State Governor, Alhaji Muktar Yero, commended the Federal Government for completing the project, adding that it would bring prosperity, not only to the immediate community, but the nation at large.

APC alleges moves by the presidency to arrest Tinubu, party financiers.

The All Progressives Congress has alleges plot by the Peoples Democratic Party-led Federal Government to use the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to arrest key figures of the APC in order to undermine the fortunes of the opposition party before the general elections, which start on Saturday.

APC believes that the move is part of the plans of the ruling party “to decimate the opposition and gain an undue advantage” ahead of the polls.

At a news conference in Lagos on Saturday by the National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the APC alleged that it had uncovered “a red alert” that had been “sent to the EFCC” to arrest the National Leader of the opposition party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, “on trumped-up charges” anytime from now.

It added that those to be picked up by the President Goodluck Jonathan-led government include “anyone, who is suspected of being a financier of the APC all in efforts to decapitate the main opposition party, which is undoubtedly cruising to victory in the forthcoming elections.”

APC said, “And as part of the offensive against the APC in the days ahead, there is a plan to freeze the accounts of companies, individuals and organisations believed to be financing the party, with the ultimate objective of crippling the party, so it won’t be able to sustain its activities, like paying it's agents on election day and other logistics.

“I am sure the question playing on your lips are: Why would anyone want to arrest APC leaders at this time? What have they done to warrant their arrest? Will there still be a level playing ground for the elections if the main opposition party is decimated just days to the polls?

“Well, we can tell you that this planned arrest is orchestrated by the same people who have sponsored a series of protests to the EFCC, on the basis of the same documentary against Asiwaju, which they also masterminded. It may sound like an intrigue, but that is exactly what it is.

Mohammed recalled that the party had on March 9, raised the alarm that there was a plan to arrest suspected financiers of the APC, a plan, he said, was denied.

The APC spokesman added, “Then, during the meeting of the PDP Governors in Lagos on March 10, one of the Governors, Sule Lamido of Jigawa State, said all that needs to be done to break the APC is to ‘kidnap’ two of its leaders, apparently referring to Asiwaju and our presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari.

“Definitely, the current move to arrest Asiwaju and anyone they suspect to be a financier of our party fits into the alarm we raised and the open threat by Governor Lamido. How predictable can a government be?

“It is clear that the momentum has swung to the side of our party, with just a week before the Presidential and National Assembly elections. It is clear that Nigerians have rejected the PDP and have embraced our party, the APC, as the agent of the change that Nigerians so much desire.”

Buhari excused from Yobe rally over insecurity.

Yobe State Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Gaidam, on Saturday said the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), was advised not to attend the campaign rally in the state on Saturday because of the state of insecurity in the area.

Speaking at a grand rally of the APC in Damaturu, Gaidam said contrary to reports that he was not on good terms with Buhari, the insecurity of the Maiduguri-Damaturu highway accounted for Buhari’s absence at the rally.

He said he was amused by the “fabrication of falsehood” by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party that Buhari’s absence at the rally was due to the alleged sour relationship between him and the APC presidential candidate.

Gaidam said the APC standard bearer remained the candidate with proven integrity.

“Buhari  is a straight forward person, whom Nigerians will benefit from under his leadership,” he said,

He called on Nigerians to come out en mass to ensure victory for the APC during the forthcoming elections.

The governor explained to party supporters at the August 27 Stadium that despite the insurgency in the state, he had performed creditably, and deserved to be re-elected.
He said with a renewed mandate, he would take Yobe to a new height, lamenting that the insurgency had limited the developmental strides of the state.

A former governor of the state and senator representing Yobe East, Senator Bukar Ibrahim, said  Buhari would address three things if elected president of Nigeria on March 28, which he listed as insecurity, corruption and the state of the economy.

APCPCO to sue fani-kayode for linking Buhari terrorism.

The All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Organisation has threatened to sue the Director of Media and Publicity, PDP Presidential campaign organisation, Femi Fani-Kayode, for alleging that the campaign of the APC presidential candidate, Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari(retd,), is funded by terrorist groups, such as the outlawed Boko Haram, Al-Qaeda and ISIS.

In a statement in Abuja on Saturday, the APCPCO accused Fani-Kayode of “perpetuating the religious politics that his principal, President Goodluck Jonathan, is well known for,” giving him one week to retract his “defamatory comments” or face the law.

“Never before in Nigeria’s history has the issue of religion been applied to such sinister purposes as we have seen during the years of President Jonathan’s government,” said Malam Garba Shehu, Director of Media and Publicity of the APCPCO.

“When all fails, they whip out the religious card.”

Shehu expressed relief that Nigerians were no more being fooled by what he called “this PDP game.”

According to him, Buhari has transcended all the religious smears and, together with his running mate, Yemi Osinbajo, “who is a respected pastor, has been able to show the Nigerian people that Nigeria’s growth and development is not about religion, but about a genuine desire to change the lot of the country’s citizens and move the entire nation forward.”

He said, “A majority of the world’s Muslims, including Buhari, do not approve of the Al-Qaeda, and being Muslim does not translate into being pro-ISIS. Again and again, Buhari has shown commitment to ridding our country of these vermin, who claim to be killing in the name of Allah, but who, in actual fact, are messengers of Satan.”

APCPCO hinted that when the organisation sues Fani-Kayode for his “baseless and libellous claims” next week, the “party will ask that the PDP campaign spokesperson’s international passport be impounded” by way of injunction.

It added, “There are some campaigners, who obviously intend to escape from Nigeria after the handover of government from Jonathan to Buhari on May 29.  That must be the reason why they can boldly make many of the reckless, irresponsible and defamatory statements that they have been mouthing off so flippantly throughout this campaign season.

“Either that or these people do not believe in our country’s judicial system. They don’t believe that one day; it will catch up with them.”

The APCPCO warned that it would not extend the seven-day deadline given to Fani-Kayode to retract his “false” allegations.

Shehu stated, “Let me assure the PDP Federal Government that under Buhari’s government, the judiciary will work. These men will be made to pay for all the many libel and fines the courts would hopefully issue for the crimes that their big mouths have committed.”

President Jonathan inaugurate Kano bridge, name it after late Emir

President Goodluck Jonathan on Saturday inaugurated a multi-million naira bridge in Kano and named it after the late Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the bridge was constructed by the Federal Government at Kundila Roundabout on the ever busy Zaria Road to ensure smooth traffic flow.

Speaking at the ceremony, Jonathan said that the project was in line with the road resuscitation programme of his administration’s transformation agenda.

He said that the new flyover would help to improve commercial activities in the ancient city, adding that the Federal Government was poised to restore the lost glory of Kano as a commercial nerve centre.

According to him, the flyover will also ease traffic congestion and promote socio-economic activities between the state and other parts of the country.

Jonathan said, “This is part of my administration’s commitment toward making life easy for the people in the country.

“I am today commissioning this important edifice with great jubilation and pride.

“I won’t conclude my remarks without paying a glowing tribute to our father, the late Emir Bayero whose immense contribution made Kano what it is today.”

On the forthcoming general elections, the president said the time had come for every Nigerian to make a good choice.

He said the PDP-led government had remarkable achievements, stressing that he had almost fulfilled his mission as contained in his seven-point agenda.

In his remarks, the Minister of Works, Mike Onolememen, said the completion of the bridge was a landmark achievement which would bring economic development to the state and the region.

Experts Warn against Jonathan's Boko Haram defeat.

Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday said the military hopes to recapture towns seized by Boko Haram within a month, in what would be a swift victory after six years of bloody conflict.

But experts warned against any premature declaration of victory, with the militants still proving capable of carrying out deadly hit-and-run strikes and indications of coalition lapses.

Jonathan, who is seeking re-election on March 28, said Boko Haram was “getting weaker and weaker every day”.

“I’m very hopeful that it will not take us more than a month to recover old territories that hitherto have been in their hands,” he told the BBC.

Nigeria has claimed major gains against the Islamists with the help of coalition partners Cameroon, Chad and Niger, achieving in just over one month what for years it had failed to on its own.

Two out of three of the worst-hit northeast states — Yobe and Adamawa — have been declared “cleared” while the third, Borno, is expected to be liberated “soon”, the military said this week.

Major towns such as Bama and Dikwa are among some 36 localities recaptured, with just three said to be still in rebel hands.

National security advisor Mike Omeri said on Wednesday that “the final onslaught” was under way.

More than 13,000 people have lost their lives in the conflict and the main opposition candidate, former military ruler Muhammadu Buhari, has campaigned hard on the government’s security record.

Mark Schroeder, vice-president for Africa analysis at security risk consultants Stratfor, said announcing victory before March 28 made political sense for Jonathan as part of the election campaign.

“The risk he runs, however, is that the insurgency is not really defeated, only disrupted temporarily and for political posturing,” he told AFP.

“It would be akin to the ‘Mission Accomplished’ declaration by (US) President (George W.) Bush in 2003 that was a premature symbol of victory in Iraq.

“Clearly, Iraq is still today struggling with an Islamist insurgency.”

Until this year, Nigerian troops had appeared unable — even unwilling — to tackle the better-armed militants, who have allied themselves with the Islamic State group in Syria and Iraq.

Jonathan acknowledged to the BBC that a lack of resources was to blame.

Nnamdi Obasi, senior Nigeria researcher at the International Crisis Group, attributed the sense of urgency to the prospect of defeat by Buhari.

“That urgency facilitated the delivery and deployment of new military hardware, including assets more relevant to counter-insurgency operations,” he said.

Improvement had been seen in command and deployment structures, including the use of senior officers to lead combat operations, special forces and co-operation with local vigilantes.

The involvement of foreign military contractors, many of them South Africans, to provide technical expertise may also have made a difference, he said.

“Offensives by the military forces of neighbouring countries have helped to overstretch the insurgents and thus undermine their ability to withstand Nigerian military offensives,” he added.

A Boko Haram attack on the border town of Gamboru on Wednesday and Thursday killed 11 civilians and gave an indication of the difficulties in bringing a definitive end to the violence.

The incident highlighted possible co-ordination problems among the allies, as Chadian troops, who had recaptured the town, had withdrawn but were not replaced, according to residents.

The Nigeria Security Network of analysts on Thursday meanwhile warned that Boko Haram would revert to its guerrilla campaign of bombings and suicide attacks in the face of military pressure.

Fears remain about the safety of voters on polling day, after a spate of suicide attacks in the north in recent weeks and after Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau vowed to disrupt the election.

In the short-term shattered lives and infrastructure needed to be rebuilt, while longer term, Nigeria needs to tackle the root causes of the insurgency to prevent it flaring again, experts said.

The Borno Elders Forum on Wednesday warned that it was “too early to even start talking about any of the (1.5 million) displaced going back to any of these reclaimed territories”.

The forum’s chairman, Usman Gaji Galtimari said many areas appear to have been mined, while there have still been repeated attacks in areas said to have been recaptured.

I’m Not Desperate To Remain In Office – Jonathan

I’m Not Desperate To Remain In Office – Jonathan

By George Agba

President Goodluck Jonathan explained on Friday why he has remained unperturbed  in spite of the negative things said or written against him, saying “I’m not desperate to remain in office as president.”

He counseled politicians vying and scrambling for elective positions both at the federal and state level not to be desperate if they have the things needed for the contest, which are readiness and willingness.

The president who stated this at a public launch of a book written by Rev. Fr. Charles Imokhai, titled ‘The People’s Choice: The story of President Goodluck Jonathan’ at the old Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja also said most accounts of the story of his that had been published are not accurately correct.

More than N177 million was donated by both individual and corporate donors at the launch of the book which chronicles the life of the President in four-part, including his educational background, family life and political career.

Noting that he was not desperate to remain in office, Jonathan said, “My second message is to all of us, especially those of us who are politicians, that for all of us who want to serve, we should ‎be ready to serve but we should not be desperate to serve our people.

“Sometimes, people ask me that Mr. President, from what we read and what we see, we see you still smiling and unruffled. Yes, nothing will really ruffle me because I am willing and ready to serve but I am not desperate to serve. That is what keeps me going.

“All of us who want to hold offices from the least, a counselor of a ward or a chairman of a council, a member of the state House of Assembly or member of House of Representatives, Senate, Governor or the President, if all of us are always ready and willing to serve our people but we are not desperate in that our mission, then of course Nigeria will be a better place for all of us”.

Noting that that most accounts of his life published so far are not accurate, the president described the story of his life as a humble one

He said even though the book being launched yesterday provided an account that seems to be close to being accurate, he himself would write and publish the most accurate book after leaving office.

Jonathan assured that he would continue to initiate programmes that will help young people as long as he remains the President, adding that beneficiaries of his administration’s YouWin Programme will shock the country in the next 10 to 15 years.

Boasting that a product of the Almijiri schools being established by his government would one day become the President of the country, he said this explains why he had been passionate about education as could be seen in his decision to increase the number of federal universities across the country.

APC PRESS RELEASE: Ignore IGP, APC tells voters

APC PRESS RELEASE: Ignore IGP, APC tells voters

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has told Nigerian voters to ignore the unlawful order by the Inspector-General of Police urging them to go home after casting their ballots during the forthcoming elections.

In a statement issued in Lagos on Friday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the electorate should rather listen to the INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, who said the electoral law does not state anywhere that voters cannot or should not wait to watch and ensure that their votes are counted.

It therefore urged the electorate to make sure they stayed behind to protect their votes after casting their ballots, as was the case in 2011.

APC said contrary to the suspicious directive by the IGP, INEC encourages voters to stay behind and watch their votes counted, saying the law expects such voters to stay behind but to conduct themselves in an orderly manner.

According to Jega, who appeared on Channels TV on Friday morning, the electoral law says anyone that has no business with the electoral process at the polling booths but desires to monitor events should stay at least some metres away from the polling agents and completely away from the ballot box after casting their votes.

The INEC Chairman further clarified that all registered voters have businesses with the process and can therefore not be classified as people that don’t have businesses at polling units.

"Therefore, the IGP has no constitutional right or powers under the constitution or Police Act to rewrite the electoral law. The role of the police is to maintain law and order or such other assistance as may be sought from the police by INEC,” the party said.

It also called on Nigerians to ignore the so-called public service announcement concerning the show of force by government security agencies, saying it is part of efforts to intimidate the electorate and pave the way for the PDP to rig the elections.

APC also asked Nigerians to ignore the SMS being sent around by the agents of the PDP, asking them to send their names and the last five digits of their VIN (Voter Identification Number) to certain numbers.

These and other messages are being sent out by the PDP to steal people’s PVCs, intimidate voters and manipulate the elections. Nigerians should never allow that to happen,” the party said.

Alhaji Lai Mohammed
National Publicity Secretary
All Progressives Congress (APC)
Lagos, March 20th

Pele: I'd choose Messi over Ronaldo

The Brazilian legend has told Goal that he would rather have the Argentine in his team as the two get ready for Sunday's Clasico clash.

Football legend Pele has told Goal that he would rather have Lionel Messi than Cristiano Ronaldo in his team.

The two modern-day greats are set to face off in La Liga on Sunday as Barcelona take on Real Madrid at the Camp Nou, and the Brazilian great has revealed that the Argentine is the man he would turn to if he was a coach.

“They play a different kind of football, but I think Messi is more for the team, and gives more assists, whereas Ronaldo is more about scoring.

“I think Ronaldo is a lot like Ronaldo Nazario from Brazil, he is the same style as him.

“If I had a team and had to choose, I’d choose Messi. But both players are fantastic.”

Asked whether the two would be able to replicate their current goalscoring exploits in his era, Pele insisted the pair have timeless talent.

“No, I think they are good players who could play at any time. Even in my time, I managed to score more than 1000 goals.”

Messi will line up alongside Pele’s compatriot Neymar on Sunday, with the Brazilian star having netted 26 goals in 35 games so far this term.

But the 74-year-old, speaking at a Subway restaurant in London after preparing a footlong sandwich alongside former Liverpool stars Robbie Fowler and Steve McManaman, insists the Barca No.11 could get even better with experience.

“Listen, we always expect Neymar to play well... even myself, for example, because he is from Santos and I helped him when he was a youth,” he told Goal.

“My son, Edinho, was a goalkeeper at Santos and was his coach there. Then everybody crossed their fingers hoping that Neymar would keep it going.

“He is a good player, no doubt. I think he needs a little bit more experience, but he has a great future.”

The Clasico kicks off at 21:00 CET on Sunday, with full coverage on Goal

I can't afford to rest tired Sanchez - Wenger

The Arsenal boss concedes the forward is worried about his dip in form and says the importance of every game makes it difficult to rest the Chile international.



Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger admits Alexis Sanchez is fatigued but is hesitant over deciding when to rest the Chilean.

The €38 million (£32m) summer signing from Barcelona has started in all but four of Arsenal’s Premier League matches this season and has played over 3100 minutes in all competitions.

By the end of December, Sanchez had scored 15 goals but the 26-year-old has found the net just four times in 2015 - and Wenger believes the forward is concerned by his dip in form.

“He's a bit fatigued and in a position where he has scored less. He wants to force his game and then is more involved in physical battles,” said Wenger.

“Maybe goalscoring is on his mind, so he wants to do too much and he wants to force his game.

“I’m tempted to give him a break at some stage. I have been for a long time.

“It's not that he won't let me, I will decide that. It's just that every game now is so important, you always have a hesitation to do it.”

I don't need to provoke Chelsea stars - Mourinho

In the past the Portuguese has questioned several his players in the media to get a reaction out of them on the pitch, but says he doesn't feel the need to do so this season.

Jose Mourinho insists he has not felt the need to be a "confrontational leader" at Chelsea this season but admits he deliberately criticised members of his squad last term.

The Blues are on the brink of a first Premier League title since 2010 but have repeatedly clashed with authority this season.

Mourinho has previously claimed there is a "campaign" against his team and publicly rallied against suspensions imposed on Diego Costa and Nemanja Matic.

Yet despite fighting battles with those outside the club, the Portuguese says he has not been forced to point the finger at any of his own players in a bid to get a reaction out of them on the pitch.

“Confrontational leadership is when you are ready to provoke your players to try to create some confidence," Mourinho told reporters.

“Criticise a player in the media. Criticise a player in front of you and try to provoke a reaction from him of of anger, of not being happy with his manager, of trying to show I’m not right.

“The intention is to bring out the best in them. At this moment, I don’t think I need to do that because things are going in the direction I want.

“This season I don’t need confrontational leadership. Last season I felt I needed it at times. I didn't think there were many of them that were ready.

“This season I don’t need that because everything is going in relation to the team and players. On motivational terms and responsibility terms, I am happy with them.

“Obviously, you can say you lost in the Champions League or you lost to Bradford City. But generally the way they work and behave, their motivations, the way they react to negative or positive moments, it is all going well.

“I just need to be present. I don’t need to be the big leader or even try to find strategies as a leader. Everything goes normal.”

Siasia plans early goals against Zambia

The Dream Team VI handler has revealed his tactics to unsettle the Junior Chipolopolo in Sunday’s All African Games qualifier.

Nigeria U23 handler, Samson Siasia has said his side’s plan is to get early goals against the Zambian U23 team on Sunday.

The Dream Team VI will be hoping to silence their visitors in the first leg, final round of the 2015 All African Games qualifier at the Abuja Stadium.

“In our training we are practicing on how to stop the Zambians from making those long kicks. So we have to be compact in the midfield to avoid counter attacks,” Siasia told media.

“I am sure of these boys that they won’t disappoint against Zambia. They just need to play to instruction and we will get a good result on Sunday. 

“Our plan is to score early goals and from there the needed confidence will be there to finish the job well.

“We are also calling on Abuja fans to troop out in large numbers to support us. Their support will definitely propel these boys to play well against the Zambians," he concluded.

Injured Junior Ajayi, who suffered a slight knock in Tuesday’s training, is expected to be fit against the Zambians.

Nigeria roundly defeated Gabon 6-1 on aggregate in the previous round while Zambia had a walkover against their previous opponents.