Car blast kills two in Libyan capital (Read full details)

A car exploded Saturday in the Libyan capital near the killing two people who were inside the vehicle, security and medical sources said.

It was not immediately clear if the blast was accidental or an attack or whether the Italian embassy, which had reopened less than two weeks ago, was the target.

A Red Crescent official in Tripoli said rescue workers pulled two charred and unidentified bodies from the vehicle.

The car exploded on a street located behind both the Italian and the Egyptian embassies, outside the Libyan ministry of planning and near a hotel, an AFP correspondent at the scene said.

Police cordoned off the area.

A security source said it was not clear if the blast was the result of an attack.

Libya has fallen into chaos since the 2011 revolution that toppled and killed dictator Moamer Kadhafi.

Tripoli has been hit by many car bombs and violence since then.

On September 8 last year, two car bombs went off in Tripoli, damaging vehicles but causing no casualties.

They exploded behind the ministry of foreign affairs and near the entrance to a naval base that was the headquarters of Libya’s unity government when it set up operations in the city in March 2016.

The UN-backed Government of National Accord has failed to assert its authority over the country and is challenged by a rival administration based in Libya’s remote east.

The embassy of Italy, a former colonial power in Libya, was one of the last western missions to close in February 2015 after a coalition of militias seized the capital Tripoli.

Italy announced the reopening of its embassy in Tripoli on January 9.

Car blast kills two in Libyan capital

SAD! See Photos Of 17-Year-Old IPOB Member Killed During Protest In Port Harcourt

Pictured is a 17-year-old boy who was among the members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) killed in the Donald Trump’s solidarity protest held yesterday in Egwuocha area of Port-Harcourt, Rivers state. Scores of others were also killed when Nigerian security forces cracked down on the demonstration supporting the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump…

IPOB members, drawn from Abia, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Cross River Imo and some parts of Rivers State had converged along Aba Road with the aim of marching into Port Harcourt to celebrate the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 45th President of the United States of America.

The protesters, who were also calling for the release of detained IPOB leader and director of Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, and were carrying American, Israeli and Biafran flags and chanting “All we are saying, give us Biafra”, marched through the streets towards the city centre.

See more photos below…

Emulate Lagos Assembly to promote Yoruba language and culture (Read full details)

Ooni of Ife (right) receiving an artwork from the Speaker, Lagos House of Assembly

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, OJaja II, has appealed to State Houses of Assembly in the South West to take a cue from the Lagos State House of Assembly in the promotion of Yoruba language and cultural heritage.

The Ooni made this appeal when he led some chiefs on a courtesy visit to the Lagos State House of Assembly and expressed delight and satisfaction with the legislators who conduct proceedings in Yoruba Language.

Oba Ogunwusi said the approach of the Lagos House of Assembly will not only help in the preservation of Yoruba language, but the cultural values and tradition.

His words “I am very happy to be here and see the Lagos State House of Assembly, using Yoruba language to conduct its activities. I therefore enjoin all other Houses of Assembly in Yoruba Land to take a cue from this House. People in other countries honour and cherish Yoruba language, but sadly here at home, we seem not to cherish what is ours.

“I therefore urge the Lagos State House of Assembly, to do all within its power to persuade other state Assemblies in Yoruba speaking areas, to see the sense, in conducting their house businesses in Yoruba, as this, is one of the surest way to promote our language and cultural heritage.”

The Ooni frowned at a situation, where many children from Yoruba parents, who are supposed to be from Yoruba speaking areas in the country could hardly communicate in their native language, saying deliberate efforts should be made henceforth to promote and teach our children the use of Yoruba language. As this is the only way of ensuring that the language does not go into extinction.

Emulate Lagos Assembly to promote Yoruba language and culture

Madonna makes surprise appearance at Washington march (Read full details)

Madonna attends the Women's March on Washington on January 21, 2017 in Washington, DC. Theo Wargo/Getty Images/AFP<br />Theo Wargo / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / AFP

Pop diva Madonna made an unannounced appearance Saturday in Washington to join hundreds of thousands of people rallying for women’s rights in defiance of President Donald Trump.

“Welcome to the revolution of love,” she said as she took the stage, wrapping up hours of speeches by celebrities and rights activists. “To the rebellion. To our refusal as women to accept this new age of tyranny.”

Sporting a black “pussyhat”, the 58-year-old singer spoke at the mass demonstration in a star-studded line-up that included the likes of feminist icon Gloria Steinem and actress Ashley Judd.

“We are not afraid. We are not alone. We will not back down,” the Madonna told a huge crowd — the overwhelming majority of them women, many donning pink “pussyhats.”

“There is power in our unity and that no opposing force stands a chance in the face of true solidarity.”

The pop icon had voiced despair and blamed women following Trump’s shock election victory.

Madonna had campaigned for Hillary Clinton in her bid to become America’s first woman president, and told Billboard Magazine after the Democrat’s loss that women had a “tribal inability” to accept a female president.

“Women hate women. That’s what I think it is,” she had told the music magazine.

At Saturday’s march, her language took on a more revolutionary — and sometimes expletive-filled — tone.

“It took us this darkness to wake us,” she said. “Good did not win this election but good will win in the end.”

Madonna makes surprise appearance at Washington march

Egypt strike late to dump out Uganda (Read full details)

Egypt's players celebrate a goal during the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations group D football match between Egypt and Uganda in Port-Gentil on January 21, 2017.<br />Justin TALLIS / AFP

Abdallah El Said scored with a minute left as Egypt snatched a 1-0 win over Uganda on Saturday that leaves them on the verge of the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals and eliminated their opponents.

The substitute lashed in after collecting a Mohamed Salah pass to leave the seven-time champions needing only a point from their last Group D game against Ghana — who beat Mali 1-0 earlier in the day — to go through.

Uganda, who had a Joseph Ochaya effort disallowed early in the second half, are the first team to be knocked out of this Cup of Nations after a second consecutive 1-0 defeat.

Egypt strike late to dump out Uganda

SAD! Kidnapped man Mahupa Bello shot dead after his family failed to raise N3m ransom (see photo)

35 year old Mahupa Bello, pictured above, was shot dead on Thursday January 18th, after his family failed to pay a ransom of N3 million his kidnappers demanded for his release.

Narrating what happened, Musa Zamzam who is a friend of the deceased, told LIB that Bello who is married with two children, was an apprentice with a Bureau de change company in Abuja.

He resides in Kaduna but comes to Abuja everyday to learn the trade. On the day he was kidnapped, Bello had accompanied two of his friends in their Mercedes Benz E class as they embarked on a journey to Kaduna state. On getting to Jere at about 8pm, they were ambushed by a group of men who thought he was the owner of the Mercedes Benz since he was sitting at the “owners corner”. They ordered him to come down and told the other two occupants to continue driving so they can go home and inform his family members that he had been kidnapped.

The kidnappers reached out to his family members with a telephone number that was not hidden. Upon investigation, it was discovered that the phone is owned by one of their victim and this was their practice. The kidnappers asked for a N3 million ransom.

Two of the abductees who are said to be the sons of a Senator, were released by the kidnappers yesterday after allegedly paying a N10 million ransom. They called Bello’s brother whose number they had on their phone as the kidnappers had used it to call before. They informed the brother of the deceased that he was shot dead in their presence on Wednesday because they had failed to pay the N3 million ransom. The senator’s sons said the kidnappers told them that they shot Bello dead to make the others know that they were in for serious business.

Meanwhile the family of the deceased are waiting for information on where their brother’s remains will be dropped by so that he can be given a
proper burial.

So Sad!….. R.I.P to him

The Biography Of Foluke Daramola [Age, Life Profile & History]

Foluke Daramola Salako (born 15 February ) is a Nigerian actress and a producer. She graduated from Obafemi Awolowo Uuniversity with a degree in International Relations and is founder of an Non-Governmental organisation that is against rape and abuse against women called Passion Against Rape and Abuse in Africa (PARA).

Foluke Daramola got married to Kayode Salako on February 15, 2013 who happens to be her second husband after her separation with her first husband Mr Sobowale.

• An Uzomedia Biography

16 killed as Hungarian school coach crashes in Italy (Read full details)

Candles and flowers are placed at the Szinyei Merse Pal High-school in Budapest on January 21, 2017, to commemorate the victims of a bus accident in Italy. At least 16 people died when a coach bringing Hungarian teenagers home from a skiing trip crashed and burst into flames on a northern Italian motorway overnight, authorities said on January 21. Emergency workers said that the bus carrying 56 people returning from France, most of them teenagers aged 14-16, as well as several teachers and two drivers, ploughed into a bridge pillar.<br />ATTILA KISBENEDEK / AFP

At least 16 people died when a coach bringing Hungarian teenagers home from a skiing trip crashed and burst into flames on a northern Italian motorway overnight, authorities said Saturday.

Emergency workers said that the bus carrying 56 people returning from France, most of them teenagers aged 14-16, as well as several teachers and two drivers, ploughed into a bridge pillar.

“At the moment, there are 16 confirmed deaths,” said Verona traffic police chief Girolamo Lacquaniti.

The accident has deeply shaken Hungary where Prime Minister Viktor Orban has declared a national day of mourning to be observed on Monday to remember the victims.

The death toll from the tragedy near Verona at around 11:00 pm (2200 GMT) could have been much worse had it not been for the bravery and quick thinking of a teacher.

“Those who were seated at the back of the bus saved themselves by smashing the windows amid shouting and panic,” Hungary’s consul in Milan Judit Timaffy told Italian media.

“A gym teacher rescued lots of those on board by getting back on the bus. He was taken to hospital with serious burns on his back,” Timaffy said.

The Italian police said 28 people were injured. Timaffy said two people were seriously injured, one of whom was placed in an artificial coma.

She added that by evening, six remained hospitalised, with two adults still in serious condition.

All were being treated in nearby hospitals. Timaffy said psychiatrists were counselling the other teenagers who were in a state of shock.

Victims who were unharmed or had already been treated and released from hospital were taken to a hotel in Verona, where many of their families waited.

Some were slated to start returning to Hungary Saturday night and others are slated to leave on Sunday.

Describing a “devastating” scene, Lacquaniti — fighting to hold back his tears — told Radio Capitale that 13 passengers had managed to escape by jumping out.

Many of the teenagers refused to leave their friends, he said, adding: “No government service can adequately prepare for events like these.”

A huge inferno very quickly engulfed the bus, dramatic pictures released by police showed, completely destroying the interior and reducing the vehicle to a burned-out wreck.

Once the blaze was put out emergency workers had to wait for a judge to give approval to comb through the smoking remains, which they then spent the rest of the night doing to establish the complete death toll.

Some passengers were killed when they were hurled from the coach on impact, but most of the victims were found badly charred inside the vehicle after being unable to escape in time.

Many of the bodies have yet to be identified at this time because they were so badly burnt.

– Time of mourning –

In Budapest, a black flag was hung at the teenagers’ secondary school. People also came to lay flowers and candles outside of the Szinyei school, an AFP photographer said.

Timea Deutsch, 24, a former student, was one of the mourners.

“Even though I graduated from the school five years ago, I spent many happy years here,” she said. “It’s tragic. If there’s a commemoration for the victims, I’ll attend.”

Balint Bolgar, 22, said he attended another school but has many friends at Szinyei.

“It’s terrible,” he said. “Incredible.”

In a statement carried by state news agency MTI, Orban expressed his horror and shock.

“Losing children, young lives, is the worst thing for any family, community or nation,” Orban said. “At this time of mourning I am praying and am with the families and loved ones of those affected by this tragedy.”

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto, fighting back tears, told a news conference in Budapest that “the Hungarian government will do everything necessary to ease the families’ pain.”

“These were children. It’s the hardest thing to take. Everyone thinks of their own,” Szijjarto said.

– Driver fell asleep? –

Traffic police in Italy were still gathering evidence and consulting video evidence so it was “still too early to determine the cause of this tragedy,” Lacquaniti said.

He also said on radio that no other vehicle was involved, pointing to mechanical failure or human error such as the driver falling asleep.

“The coach was travelling at quite a constant speed and we haven’t found any traces of braking,” Lacquaniti said. The vehicle burst into flames “moments after the impact,” he added.

Timaffy said that the drivers had changed over around an hour before the accident.

One of the drivers was among those killed, Italian media reported.

Italian authorities have impounded the coach to the parking garage of a motorway company in Verona.

16 killed as Hungarian school coach crashes in Italy

Even If My Husband Cheats on Me, I Will Never Leave Him – Foluke Daramola Salako

A Nigerian actress, Foluke Daramola Salako in a chat with Tribune has said that infidelity will not make her leave her husband as she openly admonished critics to leave details of her marriage out of the public sphere and leave her marriage alone.

Salako further stated that her marriage is not a bondage but an understanding union between two mature individuals and she knows how to handle things in her home.

“This was not about someone sending a text to me about seeing my husband with another lady, it is about people insinuating that whatever he does on social media means that I am having problems with my marriage. He was just reacting to the fact that our marriage is intact. I want people to mind their business concerning my marriage. It’s overflogged already, everything about me is my marriage, my marriage, marriage!

“The pressure that Nigerians put on all celebrities and our marriages is not making the relationship healthy, when everything about you is let out to the media, there will be a problem, there will be pressure from all angles, even if they see my husband with a woman, does it mean he has anything to do with that woman? And even if anything should go wrong at the end of the day, if someone tells me about it, what does the person want me to do? Does the person want me to say I’m not interested anymore?” the actress asked.

“I’ve always said that the only thing that can take me away from my home is critical and emotional abuse. Infidelity can never take me away from my home because I know how to handle it. I always tell him that he can never find anybody like me. I know my man, I know myself and I know what obtains in my home, so what’s the fuss about?”

She however continued, “My husband is a public commentator, he talks about politics, social issues, education, and even featured in my last film, the cobweb, nobody even talks about all these aspects of him, it’s just my marriage, it should have been over flogged by now. I don’t talk so much about my marriage, except when I post lovely photos because I’m grateful to God for my family, only for people to start saying when are these people going to break up or get separated.

“I have found that a lot of Nigerians are sadists and just want to bring people to that place of sadness that they are, unfortunately, no one will bring me to that place of sadness because my marriage is intact, I’m happy with my life, it doesn’t mean we don’t have our challenges because we are human beings, but if I have any challenges with my husband, it will never be on the pages of newspapers or social media. No matter what happens, it cannot degenerate to me leaving my husband because he is not a wife beater or an abuser, but as for infidelity, I can handle it very well.”

Smoking Marijuana While Breastfeeding: Domestic Staff Reveals Cause Of Tonto Dikeh’s Marriage Crisis…Full Details

One of Tonto Dikeh’s domestic staff has revealed what truly caused the crisis rocking the actress’ marriage. The actress who recently deleted her husband’s name on her Instagram page had been rumoured to be having serious problem with the husband.

According to a report by Laila’sBlog, an insider, a domestic staff for the family alleged that the actress returned to her former lifestyle of smoking marijuana which usually triggers her to destroy family properties at the slightest provocation.

This was revealed to have happened over three times including burning the husband’s cloths and expensive interior valuables.

The story has it that the husband Mr Olakunle Churchill has been in Ghana after his charity programme since last year to cool off from the disturbing tendencies of his wife to display superior disposition in their new family, even when they have a son.

According to the report, the last straw that did not only break the camel’s back but eventually killed the camel, according to the in-house staff, was her breastfeeding their baby while smoking.

To avoid such obnoxious eye sore, Mr Churchill was said to have travelled rather than retaliate over her domestic violence.

As at writing this story, Mr Churchill was said not to be at home in Abuja after he was reported few days ago to be teaching his son how to drive.

Further investigation at his office revealed that his contract staff who have not been paid December salary, had not seen him at the office. Several efforts to get to him proved abortive both for his staff and journalists.

A very close source however disclosed that he stressed sometime that he had no issue in his family, and that his wife does her domestic duties no matter whose horse is gored.

A recent reference is the embarrassment an inside source revealed she caused during her mother in-law visit for house warming from America.

The controversial actress was said to have pushed down the guest inlaw and broke some valuables like electronic sets, kitchen utensils, wine bar etc in her home.

The incessant dishonourable displays was sighted to have made her husband change his comfort zone to Ghana while Tonto’s Instagram name adjustment which was done after he left because she doesn’t know what will be the outcome, was revealed also to attract public sympathy.

Spurs fightback thwarts Guardiola’s Man City (Read full details)

Tottenham Hotspur's English midfielder Dele Alli (2nd R) jumps to head their first goal past Manchester City's Chilean goalkeeper Claudio Bravo (L) during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on January 21, 2017.<br />Oli SCARFF / AFP

Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City were denied a morale-boosting Premier League victory as Tottenham Hotspur came from two goals down to earn a contentious 2-2 draw on Saturday.

Blunders by Spurs goalkeeper Hugo Lloris allowed Leroy Sane and Kevin De Bruyne to give City a deserved 2-0 lead, only for Dele Alli and substitute Son Heung-Min to grab a point for the visitors.

The game’s main talking point occurred shortly before Son’s 77th-minute leveller when Kyle Walker got away with a push on City forward Raheem Sterling inside the Spurs box as he took aim at Lloris.

Guardiola reacted furiously and having seen his team humiliated 4-0 at Everton on their previous outing he will know this was a huge missed opportunity for his misfiring team.

City, for whom £27 million ($33 million, 31 million euros) new signing Gabriel Jesus made his debut, remain fifth and will fall 12 points off the pace if leaders Chelsea beat Hull City on Sunday.

While Spurs remain second, the point earned at the Etihad Stadium came at a cost for Mauricio Pochettino’s side, who had been chasing a seventh successive league win.

Toby Alderweireld was forced off by injury in the second half, meaning he will potentially join fellow Belgian centre-back Jan Vertonghen on the sidelines.

City’s defeat at Everton was the heaviest league reverse of Guardiola’s stellar coaching career, but his response was to go on the attack.

Centre-back John Stones was dropped again, while De Bruyne and David Silva joined Yaya Toure in an attacking midfield trio that enabled City to pierce holes in Spurs’ rearguard right from kick-off.

After sights of goal for Pablo Zabaleta and Sergio Aguero, Lloris turned a low Silva shot behind and then stood motionless as Zabaleta’s drive from De Bruyne’s corner skidded inches wide.

With Spurs incapable of playing through City’s high press, Kevin Wimmer and Eric Dier were both booked inside the first 13 minutes.

– Turning point –

By the time De Bruyne rolled a cross-shot across goal and wide after Aguero had robbed Dier, Pochettino had seen enough, moving Dier into midfield and swapping his 3-4-2-1 for a more stable 4-3-2-1.

Still City came, with Sane heading wide and Lloris twice thwarting Aguero, springing to his right to catch a header and then getting down at his near post to parry a left-foot drive.

Pochettino made another change at the interval, sending on Son for Wimmer, but within nine minutes of kick-off his side were 2-0 down as Lloris unwittingly took centre stage.

Flying out to meet De Bruyne’s 50-yard pass on the edge of his box, Lloris contrived to head the ball against Sane, who had the simple task of tapping into an empty net.

If fortune deserted Lloris on that occasion, he only had himself to blame five minutes later as his failure to gather Sterling’s cross from the right allowed De Bruyne to bundle in City’s second.

It was no more than the hosts deserved, but just four minutes later Spurs hit back, Alli heading in Walker’s superb right-wing cross for his eighth goal in seven games.

Danny Rose had to produce a brilliant last-gasp tackle to prevent Sterling restoring City’s two-goal cushion before Alderweireld limped off holding the back of his right thigh.

Then came the game’s turning point.

Walker pushed Sterling as he raced through, meaning the England forward could only dink a tame shot straight at Lloris, and moments later Harry Kane’s flicked lay-off was swept home by Son.

Nineteen-year-old Brazil starlet Jesus made his entrance with seven minutes to go, but there would be no late miracle as he headed narrowly over and saw a tap-in ruled out for offside.

Spurs fightback thwarts Guardiola’s Man City

The Biography Of Pat Uwaje-King [Age, Life Profile & Net Worth]

Pat Uwaje (born March 26, 1979) also known as Mama Africa is a Nigerian Gospel music singer and songwriter. Better known for her solo album He’s Done Me Well.

Pat Uwaje-King started her singing career at Christ Winners Church, Lagos, at the age of 13. She is her parents’ first daughter and the fourth of seven children. Her professional career began in 1999 when she did a series of jingles and commercials for African Independent Television (AIT) Nigeria. She went to Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) where she was the music director of the school’s mass choir – Original Love Choir (OLC). Midnight Crew, the multi-award winning gospel music quartet was formed out of OLC on the 8th of November 2001, whilst Patricia was studying at (YABATECH).

Pat Uwaje King is a Creative Arts graduate of the University of Lagos, Nigeria. She is a music consultant and leader of Midnight Crew, a gospel music group, popularly known for their hit track, “IGWE”.

Pat Uwaje-King graduated from the University of Lagos in 2009 with a Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in Theatre Arts. She also possesses a diploma in Secretariat Administration from Yaba College of Technology, which she obtained in 2001. She had her Primary, and began her Secondary education in Ibadan, Oyo state where she was born, although, she later moved to Lagos, where she completed her Secondary education before proceeding to the University.

She completed her secondary school in Lagos and went on to study Creative Arts in the University of Lagos.

In November 2013, Midnight Crew announced the next phase of their movement, permitting individual group members to embark on solo projects while leveraging on the platform already created by the Midnight Crew Music & Ministries. This saw Pat Uwaje-King and other members of the group releasing their potentials by embarking on various projects including solo album & single releases, mentorship and tutorial programs for choirs and potential music ministers, amongst others. Pat has since released 3 singles, which includes “EZE”, HE’S DONE ME WELL” and “ALL POWER”. She also released videos for Eze and He’s Done Me Well. Shortly after the release of the 3rd single, “All Power”, Pat Uwaje-King announced the release of her debut solo album which was subsequently released on the 3rd of June, 2015.

• An Uzomedia Biography

Netanyahu wants to discuss Iran ‘threat’ with Trump (Read full details)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu / AFP PHOTO / JACK GUEZ

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Saturday he planned to discuss soon with US President Donald Trump how to “counter the threat” from Iran.

“I plan to speak soon with President Trump about how to counter the threat of Iranian regime which calls for Israel’s destruction,” Netanyahu said in a video message posted on his Facebook page.

Before his inauguration on Friday, Trump had repeatedly denounced the nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers, including the United States, which Israel has also staunchly criticised.

On January 16, Trump said in an interview with the Times of London and Bild newspaper of Germany: “I’m not happy with the Iran deal, I think it’s one of the worst deals ever made. I think it’s one of the dumbest deals I’ve ever seen, one of the dumbest.”

But he declined to say whether he intended to “renegotiate” the deal, as he asserted regularly during the presidential campaign.

Netanyahu has been an ardent opponent of the 2015 pact signed by Iran, the United States, China, Russia, Britain, France and Germany.

The deal placed curbs on Tehran’s nuclear programme in exchange for the lifting of international sanctions.

In December, Netanyahu said there were many ways of “undoing” the Iran nuclear deal and that he would discuss that with Trump. “I have about five things in mind,” he said.

But before he left office, former president Barack Obama warned against rowing back the pact, emphasising its “significant and concrete results”.

EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini has also said that the bloc would stand by the accord — which she helped negotiate — because it showed that diplomacy worked and served Europe’s security needs.

And on Monday, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani that the nuclear deal was approved by the UN Security Council and therefore “is not a bilateral deal” with the US that Trump can renegotiate.

In the video message posted online, Netanyahu also addressed the Iranian people saying “we are your friend, not your enemy”.

Meanwhile, Israeli President Reuven Rivlin, whose role is largely ceremonial, said in a statement that he had invited Trump to visit Israel.

Netanyahu wants to discuss Iran ‘threat’ with Trump

Ramos saves Madrid as fans target Ronaldo (Read full details)

Real Madrid's defender Sergio Ramos (L) celebrates with Real Madrid's Brazilian midfielder Casemiro after scoring during the Spanish league football match Real Madrid CF vs Malaga CF at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on January 21, 2017.<br />PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU / AFP

Sergio Ramos struck twice to get Real Madrid back to winning ways as the home fans targeted Cristiano Ronaldo in a 2-1 victory over Malaga at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday.

The European champions’ 40-game unbeaten run had come to a crashing halt with back-to-back defeats to Sevilla and Celta Vigo in the past week, but after a nervy start skipper Ramos ensured they opened up a four-point gap at the top of the table.

The Spanish international opened the scoring with a towering header from a Toni Kroos corner on 35 minutes.

And Ramos soon took his career tally to 50 La Liga goals by bundling home another Kroos delivery despite standing in an offside position.

Juanpi got Malaga back into the game just after the hour and could even have snatched a point but for a fine save from Keylor Navas to deny Chory Castro soon after.

However, victory came at a cost with Marcelo and Luka Modric limping off injured just four days before Real attempt to overturn a 2-1 Copa del Rey quarter-final first-leg deficit at Celta Vigo.

Second-placed Sevilla and Barcelona, a further point adrift in third, can close the gap when they travel to Osasuna and Eibar respectively on Sunday.

Whilst Ramos was riding to Real’s rescue, off-colour Ronaldo endured another forgetful afternoon in front of goal and was even whistled by the Madrid fans early on after a sluggish start to 2017.

Ronaldo shot straight at Carlos Kameni with just the Cameroonian to beat and Karim Benzema headed over as Madrid started brightly.

“Sometimes when you have difficulties you need the fans’ help and to be behind you,” said Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane.

“I am not going to criticise the fans because they pay their money. But with so many games and a lot of injuries, the players need to feel that love sometimes. The coach does too.”

The hosts suffered their first injury blow when left-back Marcelo limped off with a thigh problem midway through the first half.

Malaga nearly compounded that loss when Castro’s driven effort came back off the post before Ignacio Camacho was also inches away from giving the visitors the lead when his back-post header flew across the Madrid goal.

– Ronaldo frustrated –

Ramos looked to have settled Real’s nerves when he leapt highest to power home Kroos’s outswinging corner 10 minutes before the break.

And eight minutes later Ramos had his eighth goal of the season, albeit in scrappier fashion, as he appeared to be offside when tapping home Kroos’s low free-kick.

Malaga are yet to register a point in three games under new boss Marcelo Romero since former Tottenham Hotspur manager Juande Ramos’s surprise December resignation.

Yet they didn’t let their heads go down and were back in the game 18 minutes into the second half when Juankar’s initial effort was well saved and Juanpi tucked home the rebound.

Seconds later Navas was called into action to prevent Malaga equalising as Castro tore through the Madrid defence and his powerful effort was turned to safety by the Costa Rican.

At the other end Kameni nearly gifted Real the breathing space they craved as a harmless backpass rolled under his foot, but he recovered just in time to clear off the line and then deny Ronaldo’s follow-up effort.

And a frustrating afternoon for Ronaldo was rounded off 14 minutes from time when his sweetly struck volley came back off the post before Kameni got down low to again deny the reigning World Player of the Year for a third time.

Ramos saves Madrid as fans target Ronaldo

Gyan steers Ghana into Cup of Nations quarter-finals (Read full details)

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Ghana's forward Andre Ayew (L) heads the ball with Mali's midfielder Mamoutou N'Diaye during the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations group D football match between Ghana and Mali in Port-Gentil on January 21, 2017.
Justin TALLIS / AFP

(L-R) Ghana's forward Asamoah Gyan, Ghana's defender Harrison Afful and Ghana's defender Daniel Amartey celebrate at the end of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations group D football match between Ghana and Mali in Port-Gentil on January 21, 2017.
Justin TALLIS / AFP

Algerian referee Mehdi Abid Charef (R) tries to disperse players as they argue during the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations group D football match between Ghana and Mali in Port-Gentil on January 21, 2017.
Justin TALLIS / AFP

Mali's midfielder Yacouba Sylla (L) heads the ball with Ghana's midfielder Christian Atsu during the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations group D football match between Ghana and Mali in Port-Gentil on January 21, 2017.
Justin TALLIS / AFP

Ghana secured their place in the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations as Asamoah Gyan’s goal was enough for them to beat Mali 1-0 in Port-Gentil on Saturday.

On an appalling playing surface, Gyan headed home from Jordan Ayew’s cross in the 21st minute to score his eighth goal at the Cup of Nations over six consecutive tournaments going back to 2008.

With two wins from two matches in Group D, 2015 runners-up the Black Stars are certain of another appearance in the knockout stage of a tournament they have won four times.

Mali have just one point but are not out of it yet, while Egypt and Uganda meet in the other Group D game later.

The state of the pitch meant the teams were not allowed to use it for their pre-game warm-ups, instead being forced to do use an indoor facility.

The surface did not lend itself to a flowing game of football, but at least the sizeable Malian community in this Gabonese port city made for a raucous atmosphere.

Sadly for them, Ghana initially coped better on the pitch and they should have been in front in the 17th minute.

The standout performer at the last Cup of Nations, Christian Atsu did brilliantly on the right before delivering a low ball to the near post which Jordan Ayew would surely have converted.

However, Andre Ayew took the ball off the feet of his younger brother and stabbed a shot wide.

Nevertheless, Avram Grant’s men were ahead before the midway point in the first period as Jordan Ayew crossed from the right and captain Gyan rose unmarked to head past Oumar Sissoko in the Mali goal.

The Ghana players celebrated by running across to the bench and holding up t-shirts with a message of support for left-back Abdul Rahman Baba, whose tournament was ended by a serious knee injury in the opening win against Uganda.

Sissoko did well to save a Jordan Ayew cross-cum-shot that bounced awkwardly in front of him and Mali then came out with greater purpose after the break.

Just as in their opening goalless draw with Egypt, the introduction of exciting young Lille midfielder Yves Bissouma gave them an extra impetus.

Despite that, they could not find an equalising goal, with Moussa Marega heading straight at Razak Brimah from a Bakary Sako cross and defender Salif Coulibaly hooking a shot just wide after Ghana had struggled to clear their lines.

Ghana were hanging on right until the end, with goalkeeper Razak making a fine reaction save to deny substitute Kalifa Coulibaly from point-blank range in the 90th minute and then beating away a Sako volley in injury time.

Gyan steers Ghana into Cup of Nations quarter-finals