The winner of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 will receive $10 million in prize money, the Confederation of African Football has announced.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe disclosed this on Saturday after a meeting of the CAF Executive Committee in Rabat, Morocco, a day before the kick-off of the tournament.
The AFCON Morocco 2025 is scheduled to run from Sunday, December 21, 2025, to Sunday, January 18, 2026.
According to a statement posted on CAF’s website, “The prize money for the winner represents a 43% increase from the 2023 edition, when hosts Cote d’Ivoire pocketed USD 7 million.”
The prize money has also doubled over a four-year period.
Winners of the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON Cameroon 2021 earned $5 million, before the figure rose to $7 million at the Côte d’Ivoire 2023 tournament and now to $10 million in 2025, marking a 100 per cent increase.
CAF said the runners-up at the Morocco 2025 tournament will receive $4 million, while the two semi-finalists will each earn $2.5 million.
The continental body described the increment as part of efforts to enhance the value, competitiveness and global appeal of Africa’s flagship football competition. (Punch)
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a female drug kingpin with 23.50 kilograms of cocaine recovered from her children’s room in Lagos.
This is contained in a statement by Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, Mr Femi Babafemi, on Sunday in Abuja. Babafemi said that the arrest came 20 months after a cocaine trafficking cartel led by a couple was smashed in Lagos and Ogun states by operatives of the NDLEA.
He recalled that multi-billion-naira worth of the illicit drug was recovered from the cartel.
Babafemi said that the newly arrested suspect was another leader of the syndicate who had gone underground since May 2024 and had been nabbed in her Lagos home.
He said that the couple earlier arrested were nabbed on May 25, 2024 by operatives of a special operations unit of NDLEA at Ibiye, along Lagos-Badagry expressway.
According to him, they were nabbed while attempting to cross the land border to deliver the consignment in Ghana. He said that at the point of their arrest, 42 blocks of cocaine weighing 47.5 kilograms were found on them.
Babafemi said that a swift follow-up operation in their residence at OPIC extension, Petedo Road, Agbara, Ogun State, led to the recovery of an additional eight blocks of the same drug weighing 10kg.
“This brings the total weight of the consignment seized from the couple to 57.5 kilograms.
“Determined to rein in every member of the syndicate, the NDLEA operatives continued with follow-up intelligence and surveillance on the trans-border drug trafficking organisation until a 39-year-old female stash keeper was identified as a key member of the DTO,” he said.
Babafemi said that as a result, she was trailed to her Surulere, Lagos residence on Tuesday, Dec. 9.
“A thorough search of her home led to the discovery of blocks of cocaine weighing 23.50 kilograms concealed in a black suitcase recovered from her children’s room.
“She admitted ownership of the drug consignment worth over N5billion in street value, “he said.
Babafemi quoted the NDLEA Chairman, retired Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa, who commended the officers and men of the Special Operations Unit, MMIA, and Seme commands for the arrests, seizures, and their dexterity.
Marwa enjoined them and their colleagues across the country to remain extra vigilant during the festive season. (Guardian)
African football is getting a major shake-up with the creation of the African Nations League and conversion of the biennial Africa Cup of Nations to a four-year cycle.
Patrice Motsepe, the president of the Confederation of African Football, announced the changes Saturday during his news conference before the 2025 Africa Cup hosted by Morocco..
Motsepe said that the 2027 Africa Cup, to be hosted by Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania, will go ahead as planned and that the following edition – originally scheduled for 2029 – will be moved forward to take place in 2028. The next Africa Cup after that will be in 2032.
This would allow the first African Nations League to take place in 2029. Motsepe said it would involve each of the continent’s 54 members, divided into four geographical zones, with games in September and October before the finals are held in November.
“What is new is that … in Africa there’s going to be a competition every year where the best African players who play in Europe and worldwide will be with us on the continent,” Motsepe said.
CAF officials did not immediately specify if the African Nations League will be held on a biennial or annual basis. (AlJazeera)
President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, on his 58th birthday, celebrated on December 21, 2025.
The President commended Oyebanji’s stewardship and commitment to the development of Ekiti State over the years.
In a statement dated Saturday, released via the State House website on Sunday and signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu highlighted the governor’s service as Secretary to the Committee on the Creation of Ekiti and his various public service roles thereafter.
“Oyebanji was Special Adviser to the state’s first civilian governor, Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo, and later became his Chief of Staff.
“He was Commissioner for Integration and Intergovernmental Affairs during the first-term administration of the immediate-past governor of the state, Dr Kayode Fayemi, and later served as Secretary to the State Government.
“Oyebanji was elected Ekiti governor in 2022. He has already secured the All Progressives Congress’ nomination to contest for a second term in office in 2026,” the statement read.
Tinubu particularly acknowledged the state’s infrastructural growth under Oyebanji, with special focus on the agricultural and aviation sectors.
He congratulated the governor on the completion of the Ekiti Agro-Allied International Airport in Ado-Ekiti and the successful inauguration of flights.
He wished the governor many more years and continued impactful governance in the state.
PUNCH Online reports that Oyebanji was born on December 21, 1967, in Ikogosi-Ekiti, Ekiti State. (Punch)
Kylian Mbappé equalled Cristiano Ronaldo’s record of 59 goals in a calendar year for Real Madrid with a late penalty in his side’s 2-0 home win over Sevilla in La Liga on Saturday, the French forward celebrating his 27th birthday in style.
Mbappé missed several earlier chances before getting his chance from the spot four minutes from time and he made no mistake to net his 59th goal in as many games across all competitions in 2025 to level Ronaldo’s 2013 haul.
Jude Bellingham put Real in front with a header seven minutes before half-time and Sevilla went down to 10 men with 22 minutes remaining after Marcão received a second booking but the hosts had keeper Thibaut Courtois to thank for keeping them ahead.
“Today, and because of the record, it’s incredible, in my first year to be able to do what Cristiano did,” Mbappé said afterwards. “My idol, the best player in the history of Real Madrid and a reference in world football. It’s an honour for me.”
Mbappé marked his goal by reproducing Ronaldo’s celebration, saying later: “I wanted to give him a little nod because he has always been affectionate with me. Normally I have my own celebration, but I wanted to share that with him, and like I said, he’s been my idol since I was a kid. I have a very good relationship with him, he’s a friend now.”
Real are second in the table on 42 points, one behind Barcelona who are away to third-placed Villarreal on Sunday, while Sevilla are ninth on 20 points.
Juventus kept themselves in the Serie A race with a 2-1 home win over AS Roma on Saturday, with Francisco Conceição and Loïs Openda netting the goals for the home side and Tommaso Baldanzi scoring for the visitors.
With the top three clubs all away at the Italian Super Cup in Saudi Arabia, Roma were looking to take advantage and move level on points with leaders Inter Milan. Instead, Juventus moved back into the title hunt, one point behind Roma who remain fourth on 30 points, with Juventus fifth. Milan are in second place, with Napoli third.
Roma continue to struggle against the top sides having already lost to Inter, Milan and Napoli this season.
Bayer Leverkusen scored twice in four minutes to earn a 3-1 comeback victory at RB Leipzig, snapping their hosts’ unbeaten run at home this season and climbing into third going into the Bundesliga’s winter break.
Leverkusen are on 29 points, three behind second-placed Borussia Dortmund, 2-0 winners against Borussia Mönchengladbach on Friday. Bayern Munich, leading on 38, are at Heidenheim on Sunday. Leipzig dropped to fourth on goal difference. (Guardian)
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has consented to the renaming of the Federal University of Medical Sciences, Azare, in honour of the late Islamic scholar, Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi, to preserve his legacy and lifelong service to faith and education.
The decision was announced on Saturday during the President’s condolence visit to the family of the cleric in Bauchi State, where he described the passing of the revered Tijjaniyya leader as a great loss to the nation.
Tinubu arrived in Bauchi at about 4:10 p.m. through the Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa International Airport and was received with a Guard of Honour by the Nigerian Air Force.
He was accompanied by several top officials, including Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, his son Seyi Tinubu, and other members of the federal delegation.
At the airport, the President was welcomed by Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed; Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang; Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar; and Senator Shehu Buba, among others.
Addressing mourners at the late scholar’s mosque, Tinubu said the renaming of the institution was in recognition of Sheikh Dahiru’s enduring contributions to religious scholarship, education, humility and service to humanity. He offered prayers for Allah’s mercy upon the cleric and asked that he be granted Jannatul Firdaus, while also seeking strength for his family and the people of Bauchi State.
The President urged Nigerians to remain united and continue praying for peace across the country, stressing the need for collective resilience in difficult times.
Governor Bala Mohammed thanked Tinubu for the honour bestowed on the late cleric and the state, noting that the decision to rename the university reflected the depth of the scholar’s impact on society.
Speaking on behalf of the family, the eldest son of the late cleric, Sheikh Ibrahim Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi, expressed gratitude to the President for the visit, prayers and the move to immortalise their father. (TVC)
The remaining students and teachers abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri, in Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State, have reportedly regained their freedom.
A security official familiar with the rescue operation confirmed to Premium Times that the latest release accounts for all the remaining victims taken during the 21 November attack on the school.
The exact number of the newly freed abductees could not be independently confirmed at the time of filing this report.
However, the Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication and spokesperson to President Bola Tinubu, Sunday Dare, confirmed that 130 pupils have regained their freedom.
“Another 130 abducted Niger State pupils released. None left in captivity,” he wrote briefly on X on Sunday.
The victims were abducted after gunmen attacked the boarding school, an incident that triggered widespread outrage and renewed concerns about the safety of schools nationwide.
The attackers reportedly stormed the boarding school on motorcycles at about 2:00 a.m.
They moved systematically from one dormitory to another before marching their captives into nearby forests.
Days later, the Christian Association of Nigeria disclosed that 50 of the children escaped during the raid, while scores of others were taken away.
Following the abduction, the Federal Government imposed a security cordon around border communities.
President Bola Tinubu deployed ground troops and aerial surveillance across parts of Niger, Kebbi and Kwara states to track the kidnappers.
He also cancelled an official trip to oversee rescue efforts, while authorities ordered the temporary closure of schools across Niger State and some federal institutions in high-risk areas.
On December 8, security agencies secured the release of about 100 abductees, leaving an unspecified number in captivity until the latest breakthrough.
Sources told Premium Times that the freed students and teachers are currently being transported to Minna, the Niger State capital, where they are expected to undergo medical checks and reunite with their families.
However, as of the time of filing this report, neither the Federal Government nor the Niger State Government has issued an official statement on the development. (Punch)
Lindsey Vonn added to her strong start in the Milan Cortina Olympics season with third place Saturday in a World Cup downhill won by Cornelia Huetter.
Vonn has a hat trick of podium finishes — a win, runner-up, now third — in the first three World Cup downhills across nine days of racing in Switzerland and France.
Racing immediately after Vonn, Huetter was consistently a little faster after the first time split and touched 126 kph (78 mph). She finished 0.26 seconds ahead of Kira Weidle-Winkelmann and 0.35 clear of the 41-year-old United States star.
Vonn extended her points lead in the season-long World Cup downhill standings.
A big threat to Huetter on an overcast day with tricky visibility on the 2.8-kilometer (1¾-mile) O.K. course was 2018 Olympic champion Sofia Goggia.
Goggia, wearing the No. 14 start bib, was fastest through halfway then had to stand almost straight up to correct her balance coming out of a turn. She was pushed wide into rougher snow to make the next gate.
Goggia finished 0.62 behind Huetter and shook her head in the finish area. She was in eighth place.
Vonn also looked a little anguished on seeing she was behind early leader Weidle-Winkelmann’s time and threw her arms out wide. She later congratulated Huetter with smiles and a hug when the 33-year-old Austrian was in the course-side leader’s box.
Huetter now has five downhill wins in her 10 career World Cup victories and won the season-long title in 2024. She should be a medal contender in the Olympic downhill scheduled Feb. 8 at storied Cortina d’Ampezzo.
She placed fourth in downhill at each of the two world championships held since the 2022 Beijing Olympics where she placed seventh.
Vonn’s comeback last year after nearly six seasons of retirement was to target the Milan Cortina Winter Games that will be her fifth Olympics. She took gold in 2010 at Vancouver and bronze behind Goggia at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics in South Korea.
Val d’Isere stages a super-G on Sunday, one week after Vonn was fourth in the discipline at St. Moritz won by Alice Robinson of New Zealand. (JapanToday)
The United States has signed a five-year health cooperation agreement with Nigeria aimed at strengthening the country’s health system, with a specific focus on supporting Christian faith-based healthcare providers, Washington announced on Saturday.
Under the bilateral agreement, the United States will contribute nearly $2.1 billion to programmes targeting HIV, tuberculosis, malaria and polio, as well as initiatives to improve maternal and child health, a US State Department spokesperson said.
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, has committed to increasing its national health spending by almost $3 billion over the same five-year period, according to the spokesperson.
The agreement includes what the State Department described as “a strong emphasis on promoting Christian faith-based health care providers”.
The announcement comes amid heightened attention from Washington to the security situation facing Christian communities in Nigeria.
Last month, President Donald Trump said the United States was prepared to take military action in Nigeria in response to attacks on Christians, comments that drew international attention.
Trump has repeatedly said Christianity faces what he described as an “existential threat” in Nigeria and other countries, framing the issue as part of a broader concern about the global persecution of Christians.
His administration has placed Nigeria back on the US list of countries of “particular concern” over religious freedom and has imposed restrictions on the issuance of visas to Nigerian nationals.
According to the State Department, the health agreement signed on Saturday was negotiated in connection with reforms undertaken by the Nigerian government to prioritise the protection of Christian populations from violence.
Nigeria is roughly divided between a predominantly Christian south and a largely Muslim north. (ThisDay)
President Bola Tinubu yesterday told the 36 State Governors that he would not hesitate to wield the big stick if they refuse to allow the financial autonomy granted the local government councils by the Supreme Court to work.
This emerged as the Presidency yesterday announced that the President will today depart the nation’s capital, Abuja to visit Borno, Bauchi and Lagos States.
Addressing the 15th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja, the President expressed concern that some state governors are not ready to allow the local government autonomy.
He stated specifically that he was ready to issue Executive Order if that would guarantee the financial autonomy of the 774 local government councils across the country in line with the recent judgment of the Supreme Court.
His words: “Now that you have elections at the local government level, you are the invigilators, you elected them and since you elected them, it means you have to let them work. You know them but give them their money and if you don’t do it I can issue the Executive Order because I have the yam and the knife.
“ I am just being very respectful and if you don’t start to implement it, you will see. The ultimate is our Supreme Court and you have to respect the judgement.”
The President reiterated the determination of his government to see through the issue of state police as well as ending the terrorists reign in the country.
According to him: “I have said we are going for state police and we will do the forest Rangers. We must defeat the terrorists, we must.”
Tinubu described himself as a symbol of God saying without him he wouldn’t have emerged as President in 2023.
“God brought us here, I am the symbol and without God I won’t be here. If God says you will be here, you will be here. If you emulate it and pray and listen to yourself because there are moments that you listen to yourself and tell yourself the truth.”
He charged NEC members to be resolute and ensure that the Fourth Republic did not fail while also working on further enlarging the coast of the party to states not controlled by APC Governors.
He added: “We must be resolute that this democracy that we hold in our hands must not fail. To me, we’re larger and taller. To be accommodating, be tolerant, that’s the only way we can grow.
“If you have a group as big as this, create a space for your neighobour. The rain beating him won’t kill him, it will only drain him. You may need his warmth.
“Be expandable, help. And we can easily rely on the governors. What about the states that we don’t have governors, so we must be vigilant.”
On the party’s on-going e registration exercise, he cautioned that the doors must not be shut against the people saying, “If you abuse the trust, we will do it on your behalf. So we have to do it. We have a reason for the e- registration.”
The President told the National Assembly that the Central Gaming Bill 2025 currently being worked on by them will not receive his assent if passed.
According to him: “This Lotto Bill before the National Assembly if you pass it i won’t say because we are in the same party sign it. I will not assent to it because it is under the residual list of the Executive”. (ThisDay)
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