AFCON 2015: Eagles soar higher in Congo

Nigeria’s Super Eagles did what was expected of them in the Africa Cup of Nations qualification tie in Pointe Noire as they beat the Red Devils of Congo 2-0 to put one leg in the 2015 tournament now to be hosted by Equatorial Guinea. The second half of the charged encounter produced all the drama, with Vincent Enyeama saving a penalty to keep the Eagles in the game, while returnee Uche Ikechukwu and Aaron Samuel made it count when it mattered most for Nigeria. The Eagles now need to win against already qualified South Africa Wednesday at the Nest of Champions in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. The Congolese came out strong hoping to deliver an early low blow to the Eagles. Thierry Bifouma tested Enyeama, but the Lille of France shot-stopper was not in the mood to concede any goal. On the other hand Uche also made his presence felt, his delicate chip was saved by Massa Chancel in goal for Congo. Emanuel Emenike took his turn to ask questions of the Congolese defence; Chancel was on hand to thwart the move. From then on both sides battled to control the midfield and it was John Obi Mikel that dictated the pace. Keshi introduced Sone Aluko and that ignited some urgency in the Eagles attack. In the 58th minute Mikel put Emenike through on goal, but he was brought down in the box by the Congolese keeper. Uche did not make any mistake from the spot when he was called to duty. Shortly afterwards Congo got a penalty of their own, but Enyeama denied Bifouma and that signaled the beginning of the end for the Red Devils. China-based Aaron Samuel seized the day for the Eagles in the 85th minute after he connected well to a pass from Gbolahon Salami and fired to the top left corner. And there was mayhem at the Ominisports Stadium as the fans resorted to throwing missiles into the pitch. The game was temporarily stopped by the referee. However, by the time the game resumed the hosts had already resigned to fate - See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/11/afcon-2015-eagles-soar-congo/#sthash.PN4d5g9r.dpuf

Why I showed my boobs instead of bra at Halloween — Cossy Orjiakor

Controversial actress cum singer, Cossy Orjiakor, who seems to derive pleasure from flaunting her God-given gifts in the open, is at it again. This time, she is in the news as a result of her daring presence in the just concluded Halloween held in Lagos recently. Cossy Cossy The sexy actress, who went to the event bra less, told Matinee why she chose not to wear bra to the event. Hear her, “Actually, a friend of mine and her husband invited me to the event and I decided to go with one of my craziest costumes which I have not worn for a long time. The top has a very tiny hock in the chest and if I should wear bra, my bra will be exposed. So, I decided to show my boobs instead of my bra. I think people would prefer to see the boobs instead of bra. You, which one will you prefer to see?” she asked our reporter. “The funny thing is that, the very first time I stepped out bra less, I got pips freaking out. Everybody wanted to have pictures with me. Then I got bitten by the Egyptian vampire, these boobs are simply amazing, bra less in Halloween” she added.

Bomb explosion, sporadic gun shots in Kano

KANO – An explosion and sporadic gunshot rocks Kano Friday evening amidst fear of dozen of casualties. Eyewitness says the incident occured behind a fuel station opposite NNPC mega station in Hotoro triggered heavy gun duel . Both military and police authorities are keeping sealed lips over the development as entities to the spoke persons yielded no results

My selling pointwasmy boos—— Ronke Ojo

Ronke Ojo Anthony, whom everybody calls Oshodi Oke, due to her natural frontal endowment, is quite heavy. She is big in every ramification .If you want to be witty, naughty, smart or intelligent, Ronke is equal to the task and she is a good actress. The star actress, in this interview reveals intimate secrets about her life, career, marriage and future ambitions. How did you come about acting? I started acting as a result of some challenges that came my way when growing up. My father was a custom officer and my mother a grade II teacher. Things were smooth for us until my father had issues with the Nigeria Customs and there was a turn around. My mum’s income was not enough for our upkeep and as the first child of the family, I wanted to support her. I moved into selling of clothes and other petty businesses at Tincan Island . But before that, I had loved entertainment, simply by watching home videos. Music and films were part of me. I had a cousin who I used to accompany to Fadeyi to see a friend of his. Then actors had their caucus known as ‘Star Parade’ there and each time we went visiting, I felt like becoming part of them. In 1997, I walked up to Mufutau Oladokun (Baba Alaran) who later became my boss and that was how I found my way into the world of acting. What is acting to you? Ronke-OjoI believe the blood of acting runs in my family. Even my father was a member of cultural and theatre group in his university days at Obafemi Awolowo University, O.A.U. He was also part of stage productions like Macbeth where he even acted as a lady. But It took me sixteen times to get a scene right the first time I was in front of the camera; Although the film didn’t leave the shelf. Apart from your innate passion for acting, who else inspired you into acting? The late Ireti. I loved her acting and I am glad I worked with her before her demise. She was my heroine and mentor. Some people refer to you as an illiterate because you never attended a university, your comment? I have a good background and valued education. But going to the university was something I had to sacrifice when things became rough for my family. I have the plan of going back to school but as the breadwinner of my family, a career woman, mother and a wife, it has not been easy. But when the time comes, I will, even if it means going abroad to avoid distraction. Your source of motivation? I have seen many things in life that motivate me. But I get inspired when inside or around water. When I am in the bathroom, many things come to my mind. I love nature a lot. Which film brought you to limelight? It was Oshodi Oke, written and produced by Sunday Soyinka in 2000. A friend introduced me to him and I went to the location. On getting there, Iyabo Yoyo and the producer had issues and she left angrily. I didn’t know what was happening but I was given her role, the lead role in the movie. I never knew it was the lead role, the joy of having to take up such a big role was enough for me and I enjoyed every bit of it. When the film was premiered at the National Theatre, everybody loved it and that was when it dawned on me that I was cheated because I wasn’t made to understand I was taking a lead role or rewarded as such. But I was too happy to care, I shed tears. How did you come about comedy? It was Saheed Balogun who discovered that side of me when we were eating together in London. We were also watching a comedy film while eating. He looked sternly at me and told me I could do it. He did everything but I produced the film. All thanks to him. How do you manage between comedy and other roles? Acting is all make-believe and that is what it means to be called Ronke Oshodi Oke. Today, I could be a dancer, tomorrow a doctor and I must put out the character perfectly to remain relevant in the industry. Ronke Ojo and Ronke Oshodi Oke are two different people using one image. You have big boobs, have they caused you any embarrassment? Before now, I get ashamed of them. But I later began to see the beautiful side and stopped hiding them because they fit me. People appreciate my boobs and I also love it. My boobs are one of the things that brought me to limelight in the movie industry. Is your boobs your selling point? Yes, it is and apart from that it is one part of my body I cherish most. How will you react to the increase in premarital sex among our youths? Sex is a normal part of life just like money. I know I am a Yoruba ambassador but personally I believe any body above 18 and has a serious relationship can have sex even outside marriage. The couple should know what they have underneath their clothes before they get committed to each other for life. What if I do not like the size as a lady? Frankly, it is one of the reasons why many go into extra marital affairs. Even when a man has everything in the world and does not satisfy me sexually, there is serious trouble. I cannot go into a marriage and start regretting, besides, you won’t be able to tell your family members what you are going through in the name of marriage. I can not manage sex, it is either I enjoy it or disapprove it. Are you happily married? Yes, I am. Why are you not living with your spouse? Ronke-Ojo-2I prefer how we live apart. At the early stage of our courtship, it was a bone of contention but later he knew what I wanted and I appreciate him for that. If I really want to be successful in my marriage and career, this is how best we feel we can go about it. It was also gathered that you once broke up with your spouse? I met my husband in1999 after Ronke Oshodi Oke came out. We became lovers in 2000 but we could not move to the next level because of certain differences. Most Nigerian guys would think twice before marrying an actress. We dated for four years and went our separate ways. In-between those four years I met another guy whom I had my first child for. A year after I had my first issue, my then lover, who is now my husband came back and we began our affair in secret, though he proposed to me three times during the time. Why the secret affair? I did not want to have kids for different men. But because we were best of friends, he was always there for me and we were in love, we settled our differences and came back together. Why did you leave the father of your first child? He wanted me to come stay in Canada with him and I can not live outside Nigeria for any reason, I can only go visiting . Moreover, living in Canada will affect my career. I could not get happiness from the union but I waited five years before going into another marriage officially. Can we say it is one of the reasons you are reluctant to live with your husband? Not at all. It only shows we understand ourselves very well. My husband is my friend. How have you been coping as mother, career woman and a wife? It has not been easy but as an African woman I have been managing well. Besides, I have a very supportive mother and an understanding husband. My children stay with my mum and I come around when I am free. Despite your popularity, why did it take so long to get citizenship card for your son? Getting a citizenship card has its processes irrespective of who you are and I don’t believe in using the back door in doing things. If you have the chance to marry an actor, which actor would you go for? Many journalists have asked this same question but I dodge the question each time. Honestly, I would go for Akin Lewis because he is a very matured man who I hold in high esteem. Yoruba films seem to promote the act of one person doing almost everything in a film, why? Film-making ought to be a division of labour but at the same time, one can decide to be a jack of all trades so far it is done well. At times, there could be difficulty in getting the right person for the job. If you could not get a person to interprete a particular role, what is wrong with doing it yourself? I am not good at scriptwriting so I invite someone who does that for me and we later come together to edit. What are those things you think need to be changed or corrected in Nollywood? I will do a thorough screening of those joining the industry. Different people have different talents. Not all of us must be in front of the cameras. There is a place for everyone.We can not all be in entertainment too. Why is single motherhood on the increase in Nigeria? Our men want to live the way our forefathers did, and it is almost impossible. But our fathers never asked their wives for money. I mean they didn’t share financial responsibilities with their wives and this made it easy for their wives to be 100% dependent, loyal and respectful to them. It will be difficult for a man who shares responsibilities with his wife to control her fully. Many homes today have the wife as the breadwinner. And this is not because the man does not have money but because he is only irresponsible and doesn’t want to face his responsibilities squarely. I cannot respect a man who does not know how I do my things or even respect my opinion. When we have two masters in a ship, the ship will capsize. Many men have one wife but with numerous concubines. How do you relate with male friends? I relate with them like any other lady. It is just one of the principles of life that opposite sex attracts one another more. Anything new from you? I am working on a comedy film that will be in pidgin English to make it universal. Also, I will be releasing my album by November 17th featuring Oritsefemi and others.

Nigeria back to winning ways

Defending champions Nigeria beat Congo Brazzaville 2-0 on Saturday to revive their bid to qualify for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations as South Africa and Cameroon ensured their presence in the finals. South Africa beat Sudan 2-1 in their first outing since the slaying of captain Senzo Meyiwa to top Group A, while Cameroon edged past DR Congo 1-0 to claim Group D. Zambia pipped hosts Mozambique 1-0 in Maputo to qualify in Group F with table toppers Cape Verde Islands. Burkina Faso and Gabon qualified from Group C. Burkina Faso beat Lesotho 1-0 in Maseru and Gabon held home team Angola to a goalless draw in Luanda. On Friday, Tunisia held Botswana to a goalless draw to also advance to the finals. Second-half goals by Ikechukwu Uche and Aaron Samuel against Congo in Pointe-Noire boosted Nigeria’s prospects of making it to Equatorial Guinea, who stepped in as hosts on Friday in place of barred Morocco. Nigeria now have to beat group leaders South Africa in Uyo on Wednesday to ensure automatic qualification behind Bafana Bafana regardless of Congo’s result in Sudan also on Wednesday. Villarreal striker Uche celebrated his long-awaited return to the Super Eagles in style when in the 59th minute he tucked away a penalty after Congo goalkeeper Massa fouled goal-bound Emmanuel Emenike. Congo failed to draw level in the 65th minute, when Vincent Enyeama saved a penalty taken by Thievy Bifouma after Godfrey Oboabona handled a goal-bound shot inside his box. South Africa secured their ticket against Sudan in Durban to record 11 points from five matches, meaning they will now not be under pressure when they visit Nigeria on Wednesday. Ajax midfielder Thulani Serero scored his first international goal for South Africa in the 38th minute, when he slotted home a cut-back from inside the box to give Bafana Bafana the lead. Tokelo Rantie then doubled Bafana Bafana’s advantage in the 53rd minute, when he dribbled his way past his markers before stabbing home past the Sudan goalkeeper. Sudan pulled a goal back through Al Hilal forward Salah Ibrahim in the 77th minute from close range. Cameroon won Group D courtesy of a 71st match winner by Vincent Aboubakar against DR Congo in Yaounde. In Kampala, Uganda pipped Black Stars of Ghana 1-0 after both teams played a 1-1 draw in Kumasi three months ago. Uganda match winner was Savio Kabugo, who fired the Cranes ahead after just 10 minutes. But Uganda face a daunting trip to Morocco in midweek when they battle bottom team Guinea in a final game and Ghana host Togo. Malawi revived their hopes of qualifying for the Nations Cup after they beat Mali 2-0 at the Kamuzu Banda Stadium in Blantyre. Second-half goals by Robert Ngambi and Kanyenda earned Malawi only their second win in the qualifying series. - See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/11/nigeria-back-cup-reckoning-s-africa-qualify/#sthash.bIxmYYh2.hGrLWhmw.dpuf