Champions League: Nigerians & South Africans at risk of elimination
All four Nigerian and South African contenders are in danger of being
eliminated from the Champions League this weekend at the last-32 stage.
Nigerians Enyimba defend a precarious 1-0 lead over Egyptians Smouha on Sunday in Mediterranean city Alexandria.
And Kano Pillars must stage a miraculous comeback in northern Nigeria on Saturday to survive having crumbled 4-0 away to Moroccans Moghreb Tetouan.
South Africans Mamelodi Sundowns are in a similar position to Enyimba after establishing only a 1-0 lead over Democratic Republic of Congo visitors TP Mazembe.
Soweto side Kaizer Chiefs are much worse off as careless defending at a free-kick led to a 1-0 home defeat by Moroccans Raja Casablanca three weeks ago.
Sundowns play on Sunday afternoon in mining hub Lubumbashi and Chiefs go into action five hours later in the Moroccan commercial capital.
Nigeria and South Africa are the economic giants of Africa and boast two of the most competitive domestic leagues on the continent.
But both nations have struggled to make their mark in the premier Confederation of African Football club competition with back-to-back victories by Enyimba a decade ago the only Nigerian triumphs.
South Africa have been even less successful with a lone Champions League - then called the African Champions Cup - triumph coming through Orlando Pirates 20 years ago.
While Enyimba, Pillars, Sundowns and Chiefs face tasks of varying difficulty, the quartet were speaking optimistically this week.
Kadiri Ikhana, who coached Enyimba to 2003 Champions League glory, said he had a plan to combat the cold evening weather expected in Alexandria.
"Our preparations will include lots of running and I do not envisage the cold having a negative effect on us," he said.
Kaizer Chiefs boss Stuart Baxter is confident his side can turn around a 1-0 deficit against Raja
Pillars striker Adamu Mohammed insists the four-goal deficit can be erased at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano.
"We have resolved to give our all - to score even more than four goals and not concede any," he said.
The greatest comeback in the competition was in 1979 when Tanzanians Simba lost 4-0 at home to Zambians Mufulira Wanderers, then won 5-0 away.
"Our tie with Raja is far from over," was the battle-cry from Chiefs England-born coach Stuart Baxter. "We did well enough in the first leg to realise that."
Sundowns' Dutch captain and centre-back Alje Schut believes much will hinge on the experienced Ethiopian match officials in DR Congo.
"We hope for a fair game and I think you know what I mean by that. If it is a fair game, then we have a chance."
Orlando Pirates said they were the victims of bias by Seychellois referees two years ago in a dramatic Lubumbashi qualifier.
The South Africans lost the game but won the tie thanks to two penalty saves from Senzo Meyiwa, who was murdered during a house robbery near Johannesburg last October.
North African giants Al Ahly, Esperance and title-holders Entente Setif look set to reach the last-16 stage of a competition offering a $1.5m first prize.
Egyptians Ahly, champions a record eight times, host Rwandans APR with a two-goal advantage and Tunisians Esperance returned from Cameroon with a one-goal lead over Cosmos Bafia.
Algerians Setif fought back to hold Real Banjul 1-1 in Gambia and it would be a shock if the Black Eagles slipped up at home.
Kenyans Gor Mahia trail AC Leopards 1-0 ahead of the return fixture in Congo Brazzaville and the famous Nairobi club are battling to fund the trip to central Africa.
BBC Sport
Posted by Ambassador T. Brikins
British PM David Cameron Says 'Christian Message Is the Bedrock of a Good Society;' Critics Say PM's Easter Column Is an Attempt to 'Woo Christians' Ahead of May 7 Elections
(Photo: Reuters/Leon Neal/Pool)
Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron gives a speech at an election
rally at The Corsham School in Chippenham, south west England, March 30,
2015.
By Stoyan Zaimov , Christian Post Reporter
Some, such as Madeleine Teahan, the associate editor of the Catholic Herald, have said that the message is an attempt to "woo Christians" ahead of the general elections.
Cameron wrote in an article for Premier Christianity that all people can celebrate the values of Easter, which he identified as "compassion, forgiveness, kindness, hard work and responsibility."
He added that according to his beliefs, "the Christian message is the bedrock of a good society," because compassion "is the center piece of a good community." The British PM added that faith is an inspiration for millions of people to make a positive difference in their communities.
Cameron argued that he has attempted to lead his administration by those principles, such as helping the poorest and most vulnerable of people in society through tax cuts.
He also noted that he's had disagreements with many in the Anglican Communion on some of the positions he's taken up, specifically his support for gay marriage.
"I know that some disagree with those policies — including a number within the Church of England. But I would urge those individuals not to dismiss the people who proposed those policies as devoid of morality — or assume those policies are somehow amoral themselves," Cameron asserted.
Both the Church of England and the Catholic Church in the U.K. have opposed Cameron on certain issues, notably the legalization of same-sex marriage, which became law in 2014.
Cameron concluded his article by stating what he believes is the "heart of the Christian message:"
"I hope everyone can share in the belief of trying to lift people up rather than count people out. Those values and principles are not the exclusive preserve of one faith or religion. They are something I hope everyone in our country believes."
He continued: "Easter is all about remembering the importance of change, responsibility, and doing the right thing for the good of our children. And today, that message matters more than ever."
Teahan argued that Cameron's article is an attempt to "woo Christians" ahead of the U.K. general elections, which are scheduled for May 7.
She said that despite the wording in his article, Cameron is "scared of proclaiming his Christianity."
The associate editor of the Catholic Herald criticized his presentation of the Christian message and Easter, adding: "What's ironic here is that the prime minister, through trying to convey he is not afraid to call himself Christian, has actually communicated that he seems terrified to identify as one. The prime minister is entitled to hold whatever religious beliefs he wants and should stand by them rather than cynically trying to woo the Christian vote ahead of May 7."
Posted by Ambassador T. Brikins
Rev Robert H. Schuller, Crystal Cathedral and 'Hour of Power' Founder, Has Died
He Was 88 Years Old
(Photo: Courtesy of Hour of Power/Crystal Cathedral Ministries)
By Nicola Menzie , Christian Post Reporter
Updated April 2, 2015, 11:59 AM: Added full statement on Robert H. Schuller's passing by his grandson, Bobby Schuller.
Just hours after his former church congregation issued a call for prayer for his health, family members of the influential Rev. Robert H. Schuller has announced his death at the age of 88.
The Associated Press reported via Twitter just at 10:23 a.m. ET that Carol Schuller Milner, Schuller's daughter, had reported his death.
Schuller's grandson, who has been leading the church founded by former members of the Crystal Cathedral congregation since 2013, confirmed his passing via Twitter, writing: "My Grandfather Robert H. Schuller passed this morning into eternal life with Christ."
Schuller, who lost his wife, Arvella Schuller, in Feb. 2014, passed away Thursday at a nursing home in Los Angeles. He had been suffering since 2013 with esophagal cancer, and had not been undergoing chemotherapy or radiation treatment, the Orange County Register reports.
(Photo: HourofPower.org)
The Christian Post reported Wednesday
evening that members of Schuller's former Crystal Cathedral
congregation, now going by the name Shepherd's Grove, had issued a
prayer request on its Facebook page due to Schuller's "swiftly
declining" health.
"We at Hour of Power and Shepherd' Grove are deeply saddened to report that our founding pastor, Dr. Robert H. Schuller's health is swiftly declining," read the post. "Please join us in prayer for him and the entire Schuller family during this difficult time. May our most precious Lord and Savior grant them peace and comfort as they gather at his side."
(Photo: Reuters/Alex Gallardo)
Schuller
and his wife, Arvella, founded the Crystal Cathedral church in Garden
Grove, Orange County, California, in 1951, with the reverend starting
his ministry outreach by preaching at a drive-in movie theater.
In 1970, Schuller started the massively popular and influential "Hour of Power" religious program, which still airs today and is helmed by his grandson, Bobby.
Ten years later, the pastor officially started services in his new Crystal Cathedral, an expansive glass and steel sanctuary with at least 10,000 windows and, by that point, home to just as many members.
Things took a turn for the worse for Schuller's Crystal Cathedral Ministries, however, when the church found itself deep in debt by 2010. The ministry filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, owing more than $7 million to creditors.
Crystal Cathedral was eventually sold to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange for $57.5 million, and was renamed the Christ Cathedral in 2012.
By that time, relations among the leading Schuller clan had broken down, with the elder Schuller and his wife, Arvella, quitting Crystal Cathedral Ministries and filing a multimillion-dollar lawsuit against the ministry for copyright infringement. The couple was awarded less than a million dollars, and their appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court denied.
The original Crystal Cathedral congregation also splintered off into at least two groups, one called Hope Center of Christ led by Sheila Schuller Coleman, former pastor and CEO and president of the ministry, and the other, Shepherd's Grove, led by the elder Schuller's grandson, Bobby.
The Rev. Robert H. Schuller and his wife are survived by their children, Robert A. Schuller, who had also briefly led Crystal Cathedral church, Sheila, Jeanne, Carol and Gretchen.
Read the full statement on Schuller's passing by his grandson, Bobby, publicly issued by Shepherd's Grove:
(Photo: Courtesy of Hour of Power/Crystal Cathedral Ministries)
Rev.
Robert H. Schuller, founder of Crystal Cathedral and "Hour of Power,"
passed away at the age of 88 on Thursday, April 2, 2015.
By Nicola Menzie , Christian Post Reporter
Updated April 2, 2015, 11:59 AM: Added full statement on Robert H. Schuller's passing by his grandson, Bobby Schuller.
Just hours after his former church congregation issued a call for prayer for his health, family members of the influential Rev. Robert H. Schuller has announced his death at the age of 88.
The Associated Press reported via Twitter just at 10:23 a.m. ET that Carol Schuller Milner, Schuller's daughter, had reported his death.
Schuller's grandson, who has been leading the church founded by former members of the Crystal Cathedral congregation since 2013, confirmed his passing via Twitter, writing: "My Grandfather Robert H. Schuller passed this morning into eternal life with Christ."
Schuller, who lost his wife, Arvella Schuller, in Feb. 2014, passed away Thursday at a nursing home in Los Angeles. He had been suffering since 2013 with esophagal cancer, and had not been undergoing chemotherapy or radiation treatment, the Orange County Register reports.
A
memorial service for Arvella Schuller, who along with her husband, Rev.
Robert H. Schuller, was a co-founder of Crystal Cathedral Ministries,
was held late Tuesday afternoon. Arvella died last week after a brief
illness at the age of 84, [FILE].
"We at Hour of Power and Shepherd' Grove are deeply saddened to report that our founding pastor, Dr. Robert H. Schuller's health is swiftly declining," read the post. "Please join us in prayer for him and the entire Schuller family during this difficult time. May our most precious Lord and Savior grant them peace and comfort as they gather at his side."
A view of Crystal Cathedral, the glass-walled megachurch in Garden Grove, Calif., is seen this Aug. 10, 2011 photo.
In 1970, Schuller started the massively popular and influential "Hour of Power" religious program, which still airs today and is helmed by his grandson, Bobby.
Ten years later, the pastor officially started services in his new Crystal Cathedral, an expansive glass and steel sanctuary with at least 10,000 windows and, by that point, home to just as many members.
Things took a turn for the worse for Schuller's Crystal Cathedral Ministries, however, when the church found itself deep in debt by 2010. The ministry filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, owing more than $7 million to creditors.
Crystal Cathedral was eventually sold to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange for $57.5 million, and was renamed the Christ Cathedral in 2012.
By that time, relations among the leading Schuller clan had broken down, with the elder Schuller and his wife, Arvella, quitting Crystal Cathedral Ministries and filing a multimillion-dollar lawsuit against the ministry for copyright infringement. The couple was awarded less than a million dollars, and their appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court denied.
The original Crystal Cathedral congregation also splintered off into at least two groups, one called Hope Center of Christ led by Sheila Schuller Coleman, former pastor and CEO and president of the ministry, and the other, Shepherd's Grove, led by the elder Schuller's grandson, Bobby.
The Rev. Robert H. Schuller and his wife are survived by their children, Robert A. Schuller, who had also briefly led Crystal Cathedral church, Sheila, Jeanne, Carol and Gretchen.
Read the full statement on Schuller's passing by his grandson, Bobby, publicly issued by Shepherd's Grove:
Statement on the Passing of Dr. Robert H. Schuller, 1926 - 2015
The Rev. Dr. Robert H. Schuller, founding pastor of the Crystal Cathedral and minister to millions over four decades through his acclaimed weekly Hour of Power television broadcasts, died Thursday morning, April 2 with his loving family by his side. Dr. Schuller had been diagnosed with esophageal cancer in August 2013. At the time of his death, he was 88 years old.
What follows are words from Robert Vernon "Bobby" Schuller, grandson of Robert H. Schuller, on his special relationship with his grandfather.
I always had a special relationship with my grandfather. He was so warm with all of his grandchildren; we all felt special. I remember he used to love calling me "Robert Schuller the Third" like it was special to him that I carried his name. That made it special for me, too. My dad is also Robert Schuller and I remember the three of us at holidays or on fishing trips talking about how to build a thriving ministry, how to reach people where they are, or debating the best way to write a great sermon.
When my dad was leading the ministry, in 2006, I came to join him to bring younger adults to an aging church. During that time, my grandfather began mentoring me. I would go to the 12th floor of the Tower of Hope every week. There we were, looking at the top of the Crystal Cathedral, Angel Stadium, and Disneyland. You could see the whole world from up there. He would just pour into me for hours. We would debate (I often disagreed with him), dream, and even think through practical issues of theology. I always left feeling encouraged, like I was on cloud nine. Several times he would say, "Bobby, Oral Roberts called me a prophet. I prophesize that someday you will take over after your father!" Though the idea of picking his grandson to carry on would be no surprise to most people, I doubted the idea, mostly because I had no desire to be enmeshed in a family run ministry.
After setting out on my own, the Crystal Cathedral Congregation, now Shepherd's Grove, voted unanimously to have me return and lead the church into its next chapter. I have the incredible honor of carrying on my grandfather's legacy by teaching people that they are not what they do, not what they have, and not what people say about them. They are the beloved of God. This message is going to millions around the world as we carry on the work my grandparents and parents began exactly sixty years ago. The Hour of Power team is dedicated to keeping Dr. Schuller's legacy alive by providing our messages, old and new, to those who need to hear them most.
Posted by Ambassador T. Brikins
Nigerian Elections; Christian President Goodluck Jonathan Acted 'Heroically' ...
CANAN Says Outgoing Christian President Goodluck Jonathan Acted 'Heroically' by Peacefully Conceding Defeat to Muslim Rival
By Stoyan Zaimov , Christian Post Reporter
All
Progressives Congresses presidential candidate and Nigeria's former
military ruler Muhammodu Buhari (C) casts his vote in Daura, March 28,
2015.
"I think President Goodluck Jonathan has etched his name in gold by the single action he took yesterday to concede defeat and congratulate the winner of the election. It is unprecedented in Nigeria's history, at the national level, to have a president concede defeat so quickly, even before the final results are released," pastor Laolu Akande, the executive director of CANAN, told The Christian Post in a phone interview on Wednesday.
He added that although Jonathan has left a number of questions regarding corruption and his administration's ability to provide security for the Nigerian people, the outgoing president has "reinvented himself" with his response to losing the election, which was "no less than heroic."
Buhari, a 72-year-old retired general who first came to power following a military coup in 1983, has reinvented himself as a democrat, and focused his campaign on tackling corruption and putting an end to Boko Haram's terror attacks.
Supporters
of the presidential candidate Muhammadu Buhari and his All Progressive
Congress (APC) party celebrate in Kano March 31, 2015. Nigeria's
opposition APC declared an election victory on Tuesday for former
military ruler Buhari and said Africa's most populous nation was
witnessing history with its first democratic transfer of power.
The president-elect also praised Jonathan for peacefully giving up power.
"President Jonathan was a worthy opponent and I extend the hand of fellowship to him," Buhari said.
"We have proven to the world that we are people who have embraced democracy. We have put one-party state behind us."
When conceding defeat, Jonathan told his supporters: "I promised the country free and fair elections. I have kept my word."
He added: "Nobody's ambition is worth the blood of any Nigerian. The unity, stability and progress of our dear country is more important than anything else."
Akande said that he's not surprised by Buhari's victory, and revealed that Nigerian-Americans have been praying for a peaceful resolution to the elections.
"We want to thank God for making sure that this presidential election has ended in peace. CANAN, and other groups in the U.S., we started praying, we prayed every day in the month of March for peace and for a free and fair election," he told CP.
Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan casts his ballot in his ward at Otuoke, Bayelsa State, March 28, 2015.
ABOUT CANAN
- The Christian Association of Nigerian-Americans, CANAN, was formed in New York on September 11, 2012, by a group of US-based Nigerian Christian leaders and professionals.
Below is a news report of the event.
A Must Read: 5 Reasons How Goodluck Jonathan lost the Nigerian election
For the first time ever a Nigerian president has failed to win the
popular vote. It’s a landmark for democracy, but where did it all go
wrong for Jonathan?
Goodluck Jonathan misread the mood on the Chibok kidnappings and alienated all the wrong people.
Photograph: Ben Curtis/AP
UK-Guardian
Goodluck Jonathan misread the mood on the Chibok kidnappings and alienated all the wrong people.
Photograph: Ben Curtis/AP
UK-Guardian
Goodluck Jonathan has earned the dubious distinction of being the first president in Nigerian history
to lose an election. In many ways, Jonathan was the architect of his
own downfall. He made critical mistakes that turned the public and
allies against him, and led them to gravitate towards the opposition.
Here’s where it all went wrong:
Nigeria's Buhari says to 'spare no effort' in squashing Boko Haram
As Obama congratulates Nigeria's president-elect Buhari
Reuters) - A day after becoming the first politician in Nigerian history to succeed a sitting leader by ballot, president-elect Muhammadu Buhari promised on Wednesday to "spare no effort" to defeat Islamist militant group Boko Haram.
The 72-year-old general, who first came to power three decades ago via a military coup and campaigned as a born-again democrat, also promised to tackle graft in Africa's largest economy.
"Boko Haram will soon know the strength of our collective will. We should spare no effort," Buhari said in his first formal speech since winning the election. "In tackling the insurgency, we have a tough and urgent job to do."
The group has killed thousands in its push to carve out a caliphate in northeastern Nigeria.
Despite the killing of more than a dozen voters by Boko Haram gunmen - who had pledged to derail the poll - the election was one of the most orderly in Nigeria's history.
Buhari won the election with 15.4 million votes to outgoing president Goodluck Jonathan's 13.3 million, a margin wide enough to prevent any challenge.
In an unprecedented step, Jonathan phoned Buhari to concede defeat and urged his supporters to accept the result, a signal of deepening democracy that few had expected in Africa's most populous nation.
Buhari congratulated Jonathan for peacefully relinquishing power on Wednesday.
Obama congratulates Nigeria's president-elect Buhari
President Barack Obama of the United States of America
called Nigerian president-elect Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday to
congratulate him on his election victory, the White House said in a
statement.
He also called Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan and applauded him for peacefully conceding the recent election to Buhari.
Obama encouraged the two leaders to build on recent progress against the militant group Boko Haram.
(Reporting By Julia Edwards; Editing by Sandra Maler)
Posted by Ambassador T. Brikins
He also called Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan and applauded him for peacefully conceding the recent election to Buhari.
Obama encouraged the two leaders to build on recent progress against the militant group Boko Haram.
(Reporting By Julia Edwards; Editing by Sandra Maler)
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