Arsenal to struggle under Bayern pressure – Ballack

Former Bayern Munich midfielder Michael Ballack expects Arsenal to struggle against their Champions League opponents in the round of 16.

Bayern are looking to qualify for the quarterfinals for a sixth straight season, while Arsenal are aiming to reach the quarterfinals of the competition for the first time since 2009-10.

The Gunners meet Bayern again after facing them in the group stage last year and being dumped out at the round-of-16 stage by the Germans in 2012-13 and 2013-14.

“Bayern are suited to playing against Arsenal — that’s shown by the results in the past few years,” Ballack told SportBild.

“Even though they’ve encountered problems immediately after the winter break, Bayern are clear favourites — especially as Arsenal are not playing well and lost to Chelsea recently.

“Furthermore, Arsenal have always had problems in the past when under pressure to win the big games.”

The first leg will be played at the Allianz Arena in Munich on Feb. 15, with the return taking place at Emirates Stadium in London on March 7.

Ballack believes Bayern are rightly among the favourites to win the Champions League.

He said: “I think Bayern can go all the way. They’ve got a great chance to reach the semifinals, then it depends which of the big clubs like Real Madrid or Barcelona can call on its full potential when it matters.”

And Ballack, who also played under current Bayern boss Carlo Ancelotti’s tutelage during his time in England with Chelsea, said the Bayern boss is not always the mild-mannered Italian portrayed in the media.

“When results aren’t going his way, Ancelotti can get unpleasant. But Bayern haven’t reached that point yet. I believe he fits in well at Bayern and has a good rapport with the players,” Ballack said.

Aisha Buhari: Osinbajo capable of leading Nigeria

Aisha Buhari, wife of President Muhammadu Buhari, has said that Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has developed the ability to lead Nigeria in line with the manifesto of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and ensure that a better Nigeria is realised.

She stated this on Wednesday in four consecutive tweets published on her handle, @aishambuhari, to hail Osinbajo on his 60th birthday

Mrs. Buhari wrote: “On the occasion of the birthday of Your Excellency, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, Ag. President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“I wish to extend my congratulations to you and to state that the years you have spent building your reputation in multiple capacities, have today resulted in your ability to carry out your duties in line with the manifesto of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to ensure that a better Nigeria is realized. Congratulations and Happy Birthday @ProfOsinbajo”

Recall that Mrs. Buhari caused an uproar last year with an interview with the BBC Hausa service where she criticized her husband for being taken hostage by a cabal, warning that if the trend continued, she would be unable to seek for votes for him in 2019.

Buhari’s health: Presidency should stop using phone calls to deceive Nigerians – CNPP

The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties has asked the Federal Government to stop the phone call games with President Muhammadu Buhari and face governance issues that would alleviate the suffering of the masses.

The Conference observed that the continued media hype of the President’s calls to different individuals were unnecessary since Buhari has transmitted power to the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, who should not be distracted at this trying times.

The CNPP in a statement signed by its Secretary General, Chief Willy Ezugwu, on Tuesday called on the National Assembly to openly investigate Buhari’s health status, adding that since the President has officially handed over power, Osinbajo should be allowed to work.

The CNPP said: “We see the continued media hype of President Buhari’s phone calls and possible photoshopped pictures of individual visits to his London hospital as a distraction.

“Why is Mr. President always calling from his sick bed to individuals at a time he should be resting to get well quick and return home?

“If he can be talking to individuals, what is difficult about talking to the nation in a live broadcast, where some citizens can call in and get his response?

“The Presidency should stop deceiving Nigerians and know that governance must not be based on lies and propaganda.

“At a time the average Nigerian does not know where the next meal will come from, we see the presidency toiling with people’s emotions rather than face governance issues to reduce the current suffering in the country.

“Enough of phone calls from President Buhari. It is time for the ruling party to deliver on its campaign promises and make life better for the citizens of Nigeria.”

While calling on the National Assembly to investigate the true health of the President, the CNPP frowned at claims of consistent telephone conversations to give instructions to the Acting President.

It added: “The true health status of President Buhari should be openly investigated by the National Assembly for Nigerians to know how to pray for their president as we suspect that a few cabals in the President’s cabinet are using his health challenges to milk the country dry.

“When the cabal gives directives, they turn around and tell Nigerians that the instruction is coming from Mr. President. They should allow the Acting President to work for Nigerians who elected them.

“But if the President is well enough to make daily phone calls, he should return home and govern the country, which was why he was elected in the first place.”