Following their 2-1 quarter-final victory over Belgium in Los Angeles, Lamine Yamal has declared that Spain remains fearless as they prepare for their 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-final showdown with France in Dallas. The Barcelona winger, who earned man of the match honors, acknowledged France as a world-class side but expressed confidence in Spain’s ability to compete against one of the tournament favorites.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

• Quarter-Final Performance: After Belgium became the first team to score against Spain in this tournament, substitute Mikel Merino secured the win for La Roja with an 88th-minute goal at SoFi Stadium.

• France’s Form: France has been highly prolific throughout the competition, recording 16 goals across their six matches leading up to the semi-final.

• Spanish Ambition: Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente has expressed deep respect for France while maintaining firm belief in his team’s potential.

• Coach’s Stance: De la Fuente emphasized that his squad is not satisfied with simply reaching the final four and stated that he has been confident in their ability to win the tournament for several weeks.

Nigerian defender Ashleigh Plumptre has expressed her disappointment at missing the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after not being selected for the squad traveling to Morocco.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

House of Representatives member Philip Agbese has formally requested that President Bola Tinubu pause the implementation of recently approved reforms for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to allow for a full review. Agbese, who serves as the Deputy Spokesman for the House, voiced his concerns in a letter to the President, arguing that some of the proposed changes could jeopardize the NYSC’s founding mission.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The lawmaker emphasized that his appeal is motivated by a desire to safeguard the NYSC’s vital role in fostering national unity, cross-cultural understanding, and youth development.

Key Concerns and Proposals from Rep. Agbese:

• Call for a Broad-Based Review: Agbese is urging the Federal Government to immediately halt the rollout of the reforms and establish a committee comprised of diverse stakeholders and experts. This committee would assess whether the proposed changes align with the scheme’s original mandate.

• Opposition to Leadership Change: He expressed significant reservations about replacing the military leadership of the NYSC with a civilian administration, warning that this major structural shift needs careful evaluation, particularly regarding security coordination and logistical support.

• Skepticism on Skills-Based Deployment: Agbese cautioned that while deploying corps members based on professional skills might boost productivity, it could undermine the program’s core goal of promoting national integration by limiting exposure to different communities and cultures.

• Value of the Current Uniform: The lawmaker highlighted the symbolic importance of the existing NYSC uniform, arguing that it fosters a shared national identity and equality among participants regardless of background.

• Financial and Logistical Doubts: Questioning the plan to extend the orientation period from three to six weeks, Agbese called for a detailed cost-benefit analysis, citing the significant financial implications for all levels of government and the corps members themselves.

While acknowledging the government’s goal to modernize the NYSC to meet current needs, Agbese stressed that any restructuring must prioritize the safety, welfare, and core integrative purpose of the scheme.