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UsmanGurin
FC Barcelona Appoint Koeman As New Coach
Barcelona have appointed Ronald Koeman as their next coach, the club said in a statement on Wednesday.
Koeman, who has left his role as manager of the Netherlands, has signed a two-year-deal with Barcelona, who sacked Quique Setien on Monday after he presided over the club’s worst defeat ever in European competition. He will be officially presented at the Camp Nou stadium later on Wednesday.
“Barcelona and Ronald Koeman have come to an agreement for him to be the team’s coach until June 30, 2022,†the statement said.
“A club legend and Barca’s hero at Wembley who gave fans their first European Cup, Koeman is coming back to the Camp Nou. But this time he will be in the dugout to lead the team.â€
Koeman has frequently been linked with the Barcelona job in the past, in spite of a somewhat patchy club record which included disappointing stints at Valencia and Everton.
He also managed Dutch sides Ajax Amsterdam, PSV Eindhoven and Feyenoord plus Premier League sides Southampton and Everton and La Liga’s Valencia.
“Over the past two and a half years, I have done everything I can to achieve success with the team,†Koeman told the website of the Netherlands’ soccer association, the KNVB.
“I look back with pride on what we have achieved together in that period.
“The Dutch national team has a bright future, I am convinced of that. Everyone knows that Barcelona is my dream club. It feels very special to me to be able to become a coach there,†he said.
The KVNB’s director Eric Gudde added: “We regret Ronald’s decision, but respect his choice.
“In the period that Ronald has been national coach, he has achieved good results and given the team colour back in their cheeks after a number of difficult years,†he said.
Assistant coach Dwight Lodeweges will act as interim national coach until the KNVB has appointed a successor. (Reuters/NAN)
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UsmanGurin
Flood: NEMA Alerts Zamfara, Kebbi, Sokoto Communities
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has alerted communities in Zamfara, Sokoto and Kebbi states over possible flooding as a result of heavy rainfall.
Speaking during a sensitisation campaign in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital, the Director General (DG) of the agency, AVM Muhammad Alhaji Mohammed (Rtd.), who was represented by the Head of Unit, Planning, Research and Forecasting, NEMA Sokoto Operations Office, Tukur Abubakar, said it had become imperative for residents to take precautionary measures against the disaster.
He said NEMA, having been alerted by the Nigeria Metrological Agency (NIMET) 2020 Seasonal Rainfall Predictions (SRP) on flooding in major parts of the country, especially the coastal and river catchment areas, found it equally important to ensure adequate preparation to abate the anticipated irregular windstorm and the ravaging flooding predicted by NIMET.
AVM Mohammed said, “NEMA has discovered that for planning any flood management measures, reliable, accurate, timely information, publicity, sensitisation and awareness campaigns are required to reduce the anticipated impacts that may occur.â€
“To this end, the agency is taking bold steps to tackle the impending likely flood incidents. The predicted normal rainfall may result in flash flooding, particularly in the North West in Zamfara, Sokoto and Kebbi states.
“Hence, there is a need for sensitisation by NEMA and other relevant agencies to ensure adequate emergency preparedness, mitigation and response for the associated risks.â€
