Expert wants CBN to reduce interest rate to further strengthen naira

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This file photo taken on January 28, 2016 shows shows naira banknotes, Nigeria's currency, in Lagos. AFP PHOTO / PIUS UTOMI EKPEI

A financial analyst, Mr Emmanuel Eze, on Thursday advised the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to reduce the current interest rate to further strengthen the naira.

Eze, Chief Executive Officer, Perfecter Investment Trust, Lagos told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that it would also force down the inflationary rate.

NAN reports that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), had in January voted to hold benchmark interest rate at 14 per cent.

It also retained the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) and liquidity ratio at 22.5 per cent and 30 per cent respectively.

The apex bank, which adopted the current rate since July 2016, has maintained all rates through 2016 and into 2017.

Eze said that a reduced interest rate would aid the productive sector of the economy.

“Boosting the productive sector and granting more attention to agriculture and its value chain will position the economy on the part of growth.

“The CBN must now look at other issues militating against the economy.

“One of which is the high interest rate, which must be tackled to strengthen the naira against other major currencies,” the expert said.

He said that the current peace in the Niger Delta region should not be ignored in view of the rising price of crude at the international market.

Eze said that the steady appreciation of oil price and increase in output were parts of the panacea that would ameliorate the foreign exchange challenges.

“The marginal appreciation of crude at the international market has also brought marginal foreign exchange liquidity that enabled the CBN to intervene in forex challenges.

“Since high pricing is equal to more foreign exchange availability, government should negotiate more with various stakeholders in Niger Delta to ensure that there is permanent peace in order to have increase oil output.

“Steady peace and mutual respect are parts of what will create the necessary ambiance that will increase the volume of oil output and pull the country out of the current economic predicament,” he said.

NAN reports that since the apex bank directed banks to create more outlets for forex due to availability of liquidity, the naira has rebounded to exchange for N303 to the dollar at the official rate.

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Expert wants CBN to reduce interest rate to further strengthen naira (Read full details)

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This file photo taken on January 28, 2016 shows shows naira banknotes, Nigeria's currency, in Lagos. AFP PHOTO / PIUS UTOMI EKPEI

A financial analyst, Mr Emmanuel Eze, on Thursday advised the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to reduce the current interest rate to further strengthen the naira.

Eze, Chief Executive Officer, Perfecter Investment Trust, Lagos told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that it would also force down the inflationary rate.

NAN reports that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), had in January voted to hold benchmark interest rate at 14 per cent.

It also retained the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) and liquidity ratio at 22.5 per cent and 30 per cent respectively.

The apex bank, which adopted the current rate since July 2016, has maintained all rates through 2016 and into 2017.

Eze said that a reduced interest rate would aid the productive sector of the economy.

“Boosting the productive sector and granting more attention to agriculture and its value chain will position the economy on the part of growth.

“The CBN must now look at other issues militating against the economy.

“One of which is the high interest rate, which must be tackled to strengthen the naira against other major currencies,” the expert said.

He said that the current peace in the Niger Delta region should not be ignored in view of the rising price of crude at the international market.

Eze said that the steady appreciation of oil price and increase in output were parts of the panacea that would ameliorate the foreign exchange challenges.

“The marginal appreciation of crude at the international market has also brought marginal foreign exchange liquidity that enabled the CBN to intervene in forex challenges.

“Since high pricing is equal to more foreign exchange availability, government should negotiate more with various stakeholders in Niger Delta to ensure that there is permanent peace in order to have increase oil output.

“Steady peace and mutual respect are parts of what will create the necessary ambiance that will increase the volume of oil output and pull the country out of the current economic predicament,” he said.

NAN reports that since the apex bank directed banks to create more outlets for forex due to availability of liquidity, the naira has rebounded to exchange for N303 to the dollar at the official rate.

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Guinea president sacks ministers following deadly protests

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People burn barricades in a street on February 21, 2017, in Conakry where at least six people died during violent protests on the eve as people demonstrated over teachers' strikes that have closed schools for the past three weeks, government sources said. At least 30 people were also wounded, including members of the police force in Conakry, the government said in a statement. A number of violent protests have rocked the city in the past few weeks, mainly by young people and students who support a teachers' strike.<br />/ AFP PHOTO / CELLOU BINANI

Guinean President Alpha Conde has sacked three ministers, including his education minister, in a reshuffle after a long strike by teachers and violent protests.

The unrest saw a three-week strike culminate in clashes that left seven people dead in the capital and forced the closure of schools.

Conde responded with a reshuffle which Monday saw him fire his pre-university education, civil service and environment ministers.

Former teacher and union activist Ibrahima Kalil Konate replaced Ibrahima Kourouma as pre-university education minister.

February’s protests were largely by young people and students backing a strike by temporary teachers demanding full-time government contracts and better conditions.

Schools eventually reopened after unions struck a deal with the government on February 20, but some teachers complained it fell short of their demands and two days of violence resulted.

In other changes, Sekou Kourouma was dropped as the civil service minister and replaced by his former advisor Billy Nankouma Doumbouya.

In the environment ministry, Christine Sagno handed over charge to another woman, economist Aissatou Balde.

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Government reaffirms commitment to making Edo medical tourism destination

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Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State

Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo has re-iterated his administration’s commitment to making the state a medical tourism destination.

Obaseki reaffirmed this when he received executive members of the Edo State Hospital Management Board (SHMB) at the government house Benin, on Friday.
The governor, represented by his Deputy, Mr Philip Shaibu, said that his administration would ensure quality healthcare service delivery by engaging vibrant personnel that would make use of equipment in the state government’s hospitals.

Obaseki said that Edo was strategically positioned to be a medical tourism destination, adding that the government would do its possible best to provide the required health facilities and personnel.

He called on the board to list the challenges facing the state-owned hospitals so that they could be tackled.

Earlier, the board’s Chairman, Prof. Ebegue Amadasun, said that the visit was to inform the governor of the challenges confronting state government hospitals.

Amadasun said that the challenges included lack of personnel, inadequate finance and facilities.

He said that the board was aware of the paucity of funds in the country but must advise that health should be given priority attention.

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Ranieri urges Vardy, Mahrez to raise game

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Leicester City's Italian manager Claudio Ranieri (L) gestures as he talks with Leicester City's English striker Jamie Vardy (R) on the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Hull City and Leicester City at the KCOM Stadium in Kingston upon Hull, north east England on August 13, 2016. PHOTO: Lindsey PARNABY / AFP

Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri wants Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez to rediscover their form from the club’s title-winning season as the champions battle to remain in the Premier League.

Vardy scored 24 goals and Mahrez 17 as Leicester surged to the title last season, but they have contributed only five and three goals respectively this term.

With the champions just a point above the relegation zone ahead of Sunday’s trip to fellow strugglers Swansea City, Ranieri has held talks with the pair in a bid to get them firing again.

“I have spoken with Riyad and I have spoken with Jamie and we know,” Ranieri told a pre-match press conference at Leicester’s King Power Stadium on Friday.

“They link together well. If you see how many goals they scored and how many passes they made last season, but this time no.

“I say to Riyad: ‘Come back to last season, come back.’ He is trying and he is positive and I am very happy when he is positive.

“I look at him smiling and that is OK. He is very important and now he is very concentrated on the last part of the season. I am very hopeful.

“Jamie works hard for the team, but this season we have scored very few goals and scoring three goals in one match (against Derby County in the FA Cup on Wednesday) was amazing and I hope this is good for the future.”

Leicester have lost their last four league games without scoring and risk becoming England’s first defending champions to be relegated since Manchester City in 1938.

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Cameroon favourites, insists coach of rivals Senegal

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Senegal's coach Aliou Cisse reacts during the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations group B football match between Senegal and Algeria in Franceville on January 23, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / KHALED DESOUKI

Senegal coach Aliou Cisse insists Africa Cup of Nations opponents Cameroon are favourites to win the eagerly-awaited quarter-final in Franceville on Saturday.

Pundits beg to differ, though, making the Senegalese Teranga Lions favourites not only to reach the semi-finals, but to go on and win the competition for the first time.

Senegal impressed when winning Franceville-based Group B, defeating Tunisia and Zimbabwe by 2-0 scorelines before starting with 10 reserves in a 2-2 draw against Algeria.

Cameroon came second in Libreville-based Group A, drawing 1-1 with Burkina Faso, edging Guinea-Bissau 2-1 and holding Gabon in a 0-0 stalemate, a result which eliminated the 2017 hosts.

Cisse sounded like a Cameroon praise-singer as he spoke ahead of the last-eight showdown, the fourth meeting between the countries in the Cup of Nations with the Indomitable Lions holding a 2-1 advantage.

“Cameroon are the favourites,” he stressed. “They have won the Cup of Nations four times while Senegal have never won it. So, if there has to be a favourite, it must be Cameroon.

“The Indomitable Lions have great players and an experienced coach. I and my team are very honoured to meet them.”

As to being tournament favourites, former national team star and captain Cisse was having none of that either.

“How can we be favourites when you have the likes of Ghana, Morocco and the Democratic Republic of Congo still in contention?

“Ghana were finalists in the last tournament, Morocco have impressed and DR Congo exhibit tremendous potential.

“For me, reaching the quarter-finals was a huge relief as Senegal have not been to the knockout stage since 2006 in Egypt.

“Our first goal was to qualify from the mini-league and the boys did that. Congratulations to them.”

Cisse preferred not to dwell on the last Cameroon-Senegal clash — the 2002 final won 3-2 on penalties by the Indomitable Lions after 120 goalless minutes in Bamako.

The Senegal coach captained his country that evening and failed to convert a penalty in the shootout.

“I suspected that final would come up in the media,” said Cisse, “but 2002 is in the past.

“Most of our squad in Gabon were quite young then. Even if they do remember the final, it would be a vague recollection.”

Cameroon boasted stars in 2002 like Rigobert Song, now deceased Marc-Vivien Foe and Samuel Eto’o, while El Hadji Diouf was the best known Senegalese.

Cameroon have no stars now, rather a team of emerging internationals led by France-based goal poacher Benjamin Moukandjo who are dedicated to working for each other.

“We have young players hungry to play and keen to win,” said Belgian coach Hugo Broos. “Now that we have reached the quarter-finals, anything can happen.”

Senegal do have current stars, most notably Liverpool attacker Sadio Mane. He has already scored twice in Gabon having finished third in the 2016 African Footballer of the Year poll.

Cameroon and Senegal kick off at 2000 local time (1900 GMT), three hours after Burkina Faso and Tunisia launch the two-day quarter-finals schedule in Libreville.

Burkina Faso held Cameroon and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang-led Gabon before comfortably disposing of Guinea-Bissau to surprisingly top Group A.

After wasting many scoring chances in a 2-0 defeat by Senegal, Tunisia beat Algeria 2-1 and Zimbabwe 4-2 to finish Group B runners-up under vastly experienced Polish coach Henryk Kasperczak.

Leading Tunisia scorer Naim Sliti says his team play “beautiful football” and the four-goal 37-minute destruction of Zimbabwe was clinical finishing at its best.

But physically imposing Burkina Faso, boasting experienced campaigners like Bakary Kone, Charles Kabore and Prejuce Nakoulma, are likely to prove stubborn opponents.

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Wenger wants revenge over buoyant Saints

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Arsenal's French coach Arsene Wenger / AFP / PAU BARRENA

Arsene Wenger says Arsenal travel to a confident Southampton in the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday determined to avenge their League Cup exit.

Claude Puel’s underdogs won 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium in November in the League Cup and on Wednesday clinched their place in that competition’s final by beating Liverpool.

Arsenal lifted the FA Cup in 2014 and 2015 and Wenger is keen for a Wembley return, meaning he will resist the temptation to make wholesale changes.

Theo Walcott returns to the Arsenal squad following injury, as do Per Mertesacker and Mathieu Debuchy, but Granit Xhaka is suspended.

“Southampton produced a fantastic performance at Liverpool so overall that makes the game even more interesting and more difficult as well,” Wenger said.

“They are not short of confidence at the moment and will certainly have a big support, but it’s an FA Cup game and we want to qualify.

“We’ll put out a team with first-team experience. Maybe there will be one or two younger players, but no more.”

Wenger praised Southampton for their ability to bring through talented youngsters in the past 10 years, with Arsenal duo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain starting out at St Mary’s, as did Real Madrid star Gareth Bale.

Southampton keep selling their best players, with Adam Lallana and Sadio Mane joining Liverpool and Tottenham buying Victor Wanyama, yet somehow always manage to remain competitive.

“They are certainly a football club in England who have done one of the best jobs on producing young players and on keeping the quality high despite losing big players,” Wenger said.

“Overall, I think they’ve done a remarkable job because they were punished quite harshly because they went down to League One, but came up and since they’ve produced consistent results and quality games.

“I think it is a club where you can say ‘really well done’ because what they’ve done is remarkable.”

– Competitive –
Southampton received good news off the pitch with Chinese company Lander Sports Development set to become a significant investor in the club.

The Shenzhen stock exchange has been informed that a deal to buy a stake in Southampton’s parent company has been struck.

Current owner Katharina Liebherr, who inherited the club from her father Markus after his death in 2010, said: “The Premier League is increasingly competitive, we need to keep moving forward and look to new markets for commercial growth, innovation and to share our journey.

“Together we have had many years of progression and success and ensuring this continues is the main focus of any possible partnership.”

Puel gave game time to youngsters and fringe players in the FA Cup third round, which saw Championship side Norwich City beaten in a replay.

Goalkeeper Harry Lewis was given a first taste of first-team action and defender Jack Stephens also played in both games.

Stephens, 22, impressed in the League Cup win at Liverpool and was delighted to help his side to another clean sheet.

“That’s massive credit to everyone that’s played in all the rounds,” said Stephens.

“That’s not just the back four and goalkeepers that have played, it’s the whole team.

“We work very hard, especially the attacking and midfield players, they work very hard.”

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Rattled Real Madrid aim to halt sudden slump

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Real Madrid/ PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU / AFP

Real Madrid host high-flying Real Sociedad on Sunday aiming to reverse an alarming dip in form that has seen Zinedine Zidane’s seemingly unbeatable squad just two weeks ago fail to win in three of their last four matches.

The European champions bowed out of the Copa del Rey to Celta Vigo in midweek with a 2-2 draw at Balaidos not enough to overturn a 2-1 first leg deficit.

Zidane’s men still enjoy a one point lead over Sevilla, with Barcelona a point further adrift in third, and a game in hand over their title rivals.

However, the visit of Sociedad, who are level on points with fourth-placed Atletico Madrid, kicks off a daunting run of fixtures for Real with four away league games to follow in February.

“I prefer it to happen now than in a month’s time with La Liga or the Champions League on the line,” protested Madrid captain Sergio Ramos on Real’s slump.

Madrid’s dip in form has coincided with a series of injury problems with seven first-team regulars missing the trip to Vigo.

Only Raphael Varane is expected to return for the weekend with Gareth Bale, James Rodriguez, Luka Modric, Marcelo, Dani Carvajal and Pepe again unavailable.

Zidane has particular problems at full-back as the much-criticised Danilo suffered another harrowing night in scoring an own goal in midweek, whilst Marcelo’s understudy Fabio Coentrao has made just one previous La Liga appearance this season.

Sociedad are also suffering a Copa del Rey hangover as they were thumped 5-2 by Barcelona on Thursday to bow out 6-2 on aggregate.

– Barca hit form –
That victory extended Barca’s winning streak to five games — their longest of the season so far.

Luis Enrique’s men have the chance to leapfrog Madrid and Sevilla to the top of the table for at least a few hours as they are the first of the top three in action on Sunday away at Real Betis.

“We wanted a good performance to keep the positive run we are on since the start of 2017 going,” said Barca midfielder Denis Suarez after netting twice against Sociedad.

“Now we have to think about the game at Betis, win it, and put pressure on those at the top.”

There is another Seville against Barcelona clash as La Liga’s most in-form side Sevilla travel to Espanyol looking for a sixth straight win.

Jorge Sampaoli’s men have registered Sevilla’s best ever points tally for the first half of the season and can also go top ahead of kick-off at the Bernabeu with another victory.

Spanish international Vitolo remains out injured, but Samir Nasri should return after missing last weekend’s 4-2 win at Osasuna.

The other two Copa del Rey semi-finalists go head-to-head in Vitoria as Alaves host Atletico Madrid on Saturday.

Villarreal’s poor start to the year has seen them fall behind in the chase for the top four, but the visit of lowly Granada provides the Yellow Submarine a great chance for their first win of 2017.

And Valencia’s recent revival will be tested as they try to inflict Las Palmas’ first home league defeat of the season on Monday.

Fixtures (GMT)

Friday

Osasuna v Malaga (1945)

Saturday

Villarreal v Granada (1200), Alaves v Atletico Madrid (1515), Eibar v Deportivo la Coruna (1730), Leganes v Celta Vigo (1945)

Sunday

Real Betis v Barcelona (1100), Espanyol v Sevilla (1515), Athletic Bilbao v Sporting Gijon (1730), Real Madrid v Real Sociedad (1945)

Monday

Las Palmas v Valencia (1945)

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Wenger wants revenge over buoyant Saints (Read full details)

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Arsenal's French coach Arsene Wenger / AFP / PAU BARRENA

Arsene Wenger says Arsenal travel to a confident Southampton in the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday determined to avenge their League Cup exit.

Claude Puel’s underdogs won 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium in November in the League Cup and on Wednesday clinched their place in that competition’s final by beating Liverpool.

Arsenal lifted the FA Cup in 2014 and 2015 and Wenger is keen for a Wembley return, meaning he will resist the temptation to make wholesale changes.

Theo Walcott returns to the Arsenal squad following injury, as do Per Mertesacker and Mathieu Debuchy, but Granit Xhaka is suspended.

“Southampton produced a fantastic performance at Liverpool so overall that makes the game even more interesting and more difficult as well,” Wenger said.

“They are not short of confidence at the moment and will certainly have a big support, but it’s an FA Cup game and we want to qualify.

“We’ll put out a team with first-team experience. Maybe there will be one or two younger players, but no more.”

Wenger praised Southampton for their ability to bring through talented youngsters in the past 10 years, with Arsenal duo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain starting out at St Mary’s, as did Real Madrid star Gareth Bale.

Southampton keep selling their best players, with Adam Lallana and Sadio Mane joining Liverpool and Tottenham buying Victor Wanyama, yet somehow always manage to remain competitive.

“They are certainly a football club in England who have done one of the best jobs on producing young players and on keeping the quality high despite losing big players,” Wenger said.

“Overall, I think they’ve done a remarkable job because they were punished quite harshly because they went down to League One, but came up and since they’ve produced consistent results and quality games.

“I think it is a club where you can say ‘really well done’ because what they’ve done is remarkable.”

– Competitive –
Southampton received good news off the pitch with Chinese company Lander Sports Development set to become a significant investor in the club.

The Shenzhen stock exchange has been informed that a deal to buy a stake in Southampton’s parent company has been struck.

Current owner Katharina Liebherr, who inherited the club from her father Markus after his death in 2010, said: “The Premier League is increasingly competitive, we need to keep moving forward and look to new markets for commercial growth, innovation and to share our journey.

“Together we have had many years of progression and success and ensuring this continues is the main focus of any possible partnership.”

Puel gave game time to youngsters and fringe players in the FA Cup third round, which saw Championship side Norwich City beaten in a replay.

Goalkeeper Harry Lewis was given a first taste of first-team action and defender Jack Stephens also played in both games.

Stephens, 22, impressed in the League Cup win at Liverpool and was delighted to help his side to another clean sheet.

“That’s massive credit to everyone that’s played in all the rounds,” said Stephens.

“That’s not just the back four and goalkeepers that have played, it’s the whole team.

“We work very hard, especially the attacking and midfield players, they work very hard.”

Wenger wants revenge over buoyant Saints

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Rattled Real Madrid aim to halt sudden slump (Read full details)

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Real Madrid/ PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU / AFP

Real Madrid host high-flying Real Sociedad on Sunday aiming to reverse an alarming dip in form that has seen Zinedine Zidane’s seemingly unbeatable squad just two weeks ago fail to win in three of their last four matches.

The European champions bowed out of the Copa del Rey to Celta Vigo in midweek with a 2-2 draw at Balaidos not enough to overturn a 2-1 first leg deficit.

Zidane’s men still enjoy a one point lead over Sevilla, with Barcelona a point further adrift in third, and a game in hand over their title rivals.

However, the visit of Sociedad, who are level on points with fourth-placed Atletico Madrid, kicks off a daunting run of fixtures for Real with four away league games to follow in February.

“I prefer it to happen now than in a month’s time with La Liga or the Champions League on the line,” protested Madrid captain Sergio Ramos on Real’s slump.

Madrid’s dip in form has coincided with a series of injury problems with seven first-team regulars missing the trip to Vigo.

Only Raphael Varane is expected to return for the weekend with Gareth Bale, James Rodriguez, Luka Modric, Marcelo, Dani Carvajal and Pepe again unavailable.

Zidane has particular problems at full-back as the much-criticised Danilo suffered another harrowing night in scoring an own goal in midweek, whilst Marcelo’s understudy Fabio Coentrao has made just one previous La Liga appearance this season.

Sociedad are also suffering a Copa del Rey hangover as they were thumped 5-2 by Barcelona on Thursday to bow out 6-2 on aggregate.

– Barca hit form –
That victory extended Barca’s winning streak to five games — their longest of the season so far.

Luis Enrique’s men have the chance to leapfrog Madrid and Sevilla to the top of the table for at least a few hours as they are the first of the top three in action on Sunday away at Real Betis.

“We wanted a good performance to keep the positive run we are on since the start of 2017 going,” said Barca midfielder Denis Suarez after netting twice against Sociedad.

“Now we have to think about the game at Betis, win it, and put pressure on those at the top.”

There is another Seville against Barcelona clash as La Liga’s most in-form side Sevilla travel to Espanyol looking for a sixth straight win.

Jorge Sampaoli’s men have registered Sevilla’s best ever points tally for the first half of the season and can also go top ahead of kick-off at the Bernabeu with another victory.

Spanish international Vitolo remains out injured, but Samir Nasri should return after missing last weekend’s 4-2 win at Osasuna.

The other two Copa del Rey semi-finalists go head-to-head in Vitoria as Alaves host Atletico Madrid on Saturday.

Villarreal’s poor start to the year has seen them fall behind in the chase for the top four, but the visit of lowly Granada provides the Yellow Submarine a great chance for their first win of 2017.

And Valencia’s recent revival will be tested as they try to inflict Las Palmas’ first home league defeat of the season on Monday.

Fixtures (GMT)

Friday

Osasuna v Malaga (1945)

Saturday

Villarreal v Granada (1200), Alaves v Atletico Madrid (1515), Eibar v Deportivo la Coruna (1730), Leganes v Celta Vigo (1945)

Sunday

Real Betis v Barcelona (1100), Espanyol v Sevilla (1515), Athletic Bilbao v Sporting Gijon (1730), Real Madrid v Real Sociedad (1945)

Monday

Las Palmas v Valencia (1945)

Rattled Real Madrid aim to halt sudden slump

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Jubilant Gambia awaits president’s return (Read full details)

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People dance in the streets after hearing of the confirmed departure of former Gambian leader Yahya Jammeh in Banjul on January 21, 2017. Yahya Jammeh, The Gambia's leader for 22 years, flew out of the country on January 21, 2017 after declaring he would step down and hand power to President Adama Barrow, ending a political crisis. An AFP journalist at the airport saw Jammeh board an unmarked plane heading for an unspecified destination, seen off by a delegation of dignitaries and soldiers.<br />CARL DE SOUZA / AFP

Jubilant Gambians were preparing to welcome home their new president on Thursday after a protracted crisis over an election dispute that forced him to flee to neighbouring Senegal.

Adama Barrow’s return will cap days of anxious waiting in the tiny former British colony that was thrown into chaos when long-time president Yahya Jammeh refused to step down after losing a December vote.

Barrow took the oath of office at his country’s mission in Dakar a week ago and a multinational African force then entered The Gambia to ensure his safe return home and Jammeh’s departure.

Gambians said they were looking forward to their freedom after two decades of Jammeh’s iron-fisted rule in the former British colony, and would be welcoming at the airport.

“I’m 100 percent a Barrow supporter and I’m more happy than I can say,” said Kanamo Sansou, sitting with his friends at Serrekunda market close to the capital Banjul.

“He will be different in all aspects… we have been living under dictatorship for 22 years,” added pensioner Ibrahima Gaye.

“You can go home at night and sleep without worrying you will be arrested before daybreak,” he said.

A senior government official had told AFP that Barrow would be returning at 1600 GMT on Thursday, saying: “It is important for him to come to avoid the void.”

– ‘Building pillars of reform’ –
The official said the priority would be “putting into place the pillars of reform and human rights”.

“People are very happy and it’s elating”.

Diplomats had urged Barrow to return quickly to curb the impact of the political crisis on the tourist-reliant economy, already in a fragile state.

The UN envoy for West Africa, Mohamed ibn Chambas, who briefed the Security Council on The Gambia, stressed that the United Nations was working to bolster stability.

The UN official is due to fly to Banjul for Barrow’s return.

Swedish ambassador Olof Skoog, who holds the Security Council’s presidency, said: “We shouldn’t just turn our back on Gambia now and walk away to the next situation but really make sure that we stay the course and support democracy.”

– Immunity for Jammeh? –
Barrow will be staying at his own residence until further notice while State House, Jammeh’s former seat of power, is assessed for potential risks.

His first job is to deal with an internal crisis after it emerged his choice for vice president, Fatoumata Jallow-Tambajang, may be constitutionally too old for the role.

Around 4,000 west African troops remain in The Gambia charged with ensuring safety, as it is believed rogue pro-Jammeh elements remain in the security forces that were once under his personal control.

The new president must also deal with latent ethnic tensions between Jammeh’s minority Jola people and the majority Mandinkas, to which Barrow belongs.

Jammeh finally left the country on Saturday and went into exile in Equatorial Guinea under threat of regional military intervention.

The authorities have accused the former strongman of plundering state coffers and making off with $11 million (10 million euros).

But the new government has that confirmed Jammeh will be permitted to keep a fleet of luxury cars, including two Rolls Royces.

Barrow has told Jammeh he will have all the rights legally ensured to an ex-president, which under Gambian law include immunity from prosecution, barring a vote by two-thirds of the national assembly.

However Mohamed Ibn Chambas said there was nothing in the UN-backed agreement that paved the way for Jammeh’s departure that gave him immunity.

Jubilant Gambia awaits president’s return

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Wenger defends Xhaka over airport abuse claim (Read full details)

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English referee Jonathan Moss (L) gestures to Arsenal's Swiss midfielder Granit Xhaka after he makes a challenge on Burnley's Belgian midfielder Steven Defour during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Burnley at the Emirates Stadium in London on January 22, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Ian KINGTON /

Arsene Wenger has defended Granit Xhaka after the Arsenal midfielder was spoken to by police over an allegation of racial abuse just days after being sent off for the second time this season.

Xhaka will serve a four-match ban after being dismissed during Arsenal’s 2-1 victory over Burnley last Sunday following a needless and reckless challenge by the Swiss international.

To make matters worse, the former Borussia Monchengladbach star, who has nine red cards for club and country since 2014, found himself embroiled in a race row at Heathrow Airport on Monday.

The 24-year-old was spoken to by police after arguing with a British Airways employee when his friend was told he had missed the deadline for checking in for a flight.

But Wenger on Thursday said Xhaka denies any wrongdoing.

Xhaka was not arrested and visited a local police station after the alleged incident was reported.

Wenger is adamant Xhaka had not let Arsenal down, either over the abuse allegations or his red card.

“There are two incidents which have been talked about,” Wenger said.

“One is the sending-off. I felt that the sending-off was harsh when I watched it again. It was not a dangerous tackle, it was a clumsy tackle.

“You have to accept that he can be punished for these kinds of tackles now. He has to learn from that. I don’t think he wanted to injure anybody.

“He has to learn from it. Unfortunately we will lose him for four games in a very important period of the season.

“The other incident, at Heathrow, he denies completely. I have talked with him about it and he completely denies what happened there.

“I can only talk about him on what I’ve seen since the start. He’s had a fantastic attitude since he arrived here on a daily basis.

“Sometimes you don’t know how the players will behave on a daily basis but I must say that he has been absolutely marvellous to handle with his commitment, focus, dedication and I’ve never heard anything bad said about him.”

Wenger defends Xhaka over airport abuse claim

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Zambian police warned over marrying foreigners (Read full details)

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Zambian police officers have been warned that it is illegal for them to marry foreigners, officials said Thursday, in a crackdown over national security.

The move to strictly enforce long-established wedding regulations attracted criticism from human rights’ groups that described it as discrimination.

The police force said that increasing numbers of officers were getting married to foreigners in defiance of the law.

“What prompted us to say that officers should not marry foreigners is because there are officers who are breaching the law,” police spokeswoman Esther Katongo told AFP.

“Issues of security are delicate and we cannot just sit and watch men in uniforms marrying women from foreign countries.”

Katongo declined to identify the nationalities of the foreigners, but some local cases have involved marriages to Rwandans, according to AFP reporters.

In an internal memo this month, inspector general of police Kakoma Kanganja ordered that the law over police marriages had to be obeyed.

He said that all foreign marriages must be declared within one week or officers would face disciplinary actions.

But the constitutionally mandated Human Rights Commission said that the law was discriminatory and should be repealed.

“We believe in globalisation and this order is not sitting well with human rights,” said commission spokesman Mwelwa Muleya.

“It’s a prejudiced position against people. It is discriminatory and it is our hope that the police will review this order. It might have served a purpose at some point but not now.”

Zambia is a relatively stable and peaceful country, though elections last year were criticised for violence during the campaign and muzzling of the media.

Zambian police warned over marrying foreigners

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