Morocco’s Oussama Lamlioui scored a spectacular strike in the 80th minute to give the Atlas Lions a 3-2 victory over Madagascar in the final of the 2024 African Nations Championship at Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi, Kenya.
The final was a thrilling encounter, with Madagascar providing spirited resistance against heavy favorites Morocco.
Felicite “Fely” Manohantsoa gave Madagascar an early lead with a splendid strike from distance in the 9th minute. However, Morocco regained composure and equalized through Youssef Mehri’s towering header in the 27th minute.
Morocco snatched the lead just before halftime courtesy of Lamlioui, who poked the ball past Toldo after collecting a deflected cross.
Madagascar equalized in the 68th minute through Toky Rakotondraibe, who made no mistake with a sharp first touch and finish.
Lamlioui stole the spotlight with his incredible finish from 50 yards out in the 80th minute, catching Madagascar goalkeeper Michel “Toldo” Ramandimbisoa off his line.
The goal sealed Morocco’s record third CHAN title, while Madagascar came up just short in their first-ever final appearance at an African tournament. (Punch)
A former Inspector-General of Police, Sunday Ehindero, and the Benin Consultative Forum have paid glowing tributes to the late ex-IGP Solomon Arase, who died on Sunday in Abuja at the age of 69.
Ehindero, in a statement made available to journalists on Tuesday, described Arase as a unique Principal Staff Officer, whose exceptional qualities made him indispensable to successive police chiefs.
“There are PSOs and there are PSOs. Solomon was a unique PSO. Ordinarily, when an officer served an incumbent IG, his successor would opt for a new aide. However, Solomon was so outstanding that he served my boss, Tafa Balogun, me, and part of the tenure of Mr. Mike Okiro. He was my PSO from 2005 to 2007 when I was the IGP,” Ehindero said.
He described Arase as humble, loyal, courageous, and fair-minded, noting that his enduring legacies in policing were reflected in his writings and reforms.
“He was an impartial arbiter in matters assigned to him, a man of conviction, and an emblem of principled action. His reputation for excellence and his many publications remain testament to his impact on policing,” Ehindero added.
The former police chief also praised Arase’s role as a mentor and philanthropist, citing his generosity through the Solomon Ehigiator Arase Foundation and his de-tribalised approach to leadership.
“Solomon was a remarkable officer from Owan West in Edo State who, through his energy and effort, rose to become the 18th indigenous Inspector-General of Police. He epitomised hard work, integrity, honesty, and benevolence. We will indeed miss him in this earthly realm,” he said.
Consoling the family, Ehindero wrote: “Solomon has fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith. At sunrise and sunset, we will always remember him. Adieu, my able PSO.”
Similarly, the Benin Consultative Forum described the late Arase as a towering figure who modernised the Nigerian Police Force through innovative policies and scholarship.
In a statement signed by its Vice President, Samson Osagie, and Secretary-General, Prof. Edoba Omoregie, the group said Arase was “an acknowledged intelligence cop within the global security network” whose contributions extended beyond policing to law enforcement reforms and internal security scholarship.
“His life of service also included scholarly enterprise as he strove to put his years of experience in the security and civil relations sectors to the benefit of society with his books, which bore prescriptions of how to advance Nigeria’s internal security and electoral management,” the statement read.
The group noted that Arase’s membership of the Body of Benchers confirmed his unwavering commitment to excellence, integrity, the rule of law and service to humanity.
Until his death, Arase was the immediate past Chairman of the Police Service Commission, where he introduced fresh ideas into police management. He served as the 18th Inspector-General of Police and was widely celebrated for his role in modernising the force. (Punch)
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa, has welcomed the judgment of the Päijät-Häme District Court in Finland, which on Monday sentenced Simon Ekpa to six years’ imprisonment for terrorism-related offences.
General Musa described the ruling as a landmark victory in the global fight against terrorism and violent extremism, stressing that it demonstrates that those who incite violence or fund terrorism will be held accountable, irrespective of their location.
In a statement by the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, the CDS said:
“This judgment sends a strong message that there is no safe haven for individuals or groups who sponsor or encourage acts of terror against Nigeria or any other sovereign state. The Armed Forces of Nigeria commend the Finnish authorities for their diligence in ensuring justice is served.”
The CDS also expressed appreciation to Nigerian security, intelligence, and law enforcement agencies, as well as the country’s diplomats, for their collaboration in providing actionable evidence that contributed to Ekpa’s conviction.
He noted that the outcome underscores the importance of international cooperation in tackling transnational threats.
General Musa reaffirmed the Armed Forces’ resolve to continue working with global partners to dismantle terrorist networks, while assuring Nigerians of sustained efforts to secure peace across the country.
He further urged citizens to remain vigilant and support security agencies in the ongoing fight against insurgency and violent separatist movements. (Vanguard)
Former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has been sacked by Bayer Leverkusen after just two league matches in charge, reports the BBC. Ten Hag, 55, was only appointed by the German club in the summer, having been fired by United in October.
The Dutchman is the third former United boss to be sacked in a week – after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was dismissed by Besiktas on Thursday, and Jose Mourinho exited Fenerbahce on Friday.
“Nobody wanted to take this step,” Leverkusen managing director Simon Rolfes told the club websit
“However, the past few weeks have shown that building a new and successful team with this set-up is not feasible.” Ten Hag’s sacking is the fastest in Bundesliga history, breaking the previous record of five matches.
Leverkusen have earned one point from their first two league games. They let a one-goal lead slip to lose 2-1 at home to Hoffenheim and on Saturday conceded two late goals against 10-man Werder Bremen to draw 3-3, having led 2-0 and 3-1.
Ten Hag’s first game in charge was a 4-0 German Cup win over fourth-tier side SG Sonnenhof Grossaspach on August 15. He signed a two-year contract to succeed Xabi Alonso as head coach in May after the Spaniard, who led Leverkusen to a league and cup double in 2023-24, was appointed Real Madrid boss. (Guardian)
President Bola Tinubu has condoled with the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) over the death of the 18th indigenous Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Solomon Ehigiator Arase, CFR, who died on Sunday at 69.
President Tinubu commiserated with the family, friends and associates of the highly resourceful officer. Arase’s reforms as IGP and later as Chairman of the Police Service Commission brought lasting changes to the force.
The President acknowledged the dedication of the former IGP to enhancing security in the country, through initiatives such as the Intelligence Response Team, the Complaint Response Unit, and Safer Highway Patrols.
Reflecting on Arase’s laudable service to the country, President Tinubu remarked, “Arase served the police force meritoriously from 1981 to 2016. During his career, he led tactical, operational, and intelligence units, including United Nations Peacekeeping in Namibia, the Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom, and the Principal Staff Officer to three IGPs.
“He was Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Force Intelligence Bureau (FIB), and Deputy Inspector General of Police, Force Criminal Investigation Department.
“After retirement, he continued to serve the nation in various public roles, including as Chairman of the Police Service Commission and as head of the Task Force on implementing the Edo State Anti-Community Development Association Law.
“His expertise extended to consultancy roles with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the European Centre for Electoral Support, the Human Rights Centre at the University of Oslo, and as a member of the Committee on Prevention of Torture in Geneva, Switzerland.”
“I pray for the peaceful repose of the soul of this dedicated security expert, whose experience and contributions will be deeply missed by our nation”. (Vanguard)
Vice President Kashim Shettima has said the visit of his Colombian counterpart, Francia Márquez, marks the beginning of a new era in relations between Nigeria and Colombia.
Márquez, who arrived in Abuja on Saturday for a three-day official visit, was accompanied by her spouse, Mr. Rafael Yerney Pinillo Ocoró, cabinet ministers, senior government officials, and business leaders.
The delegation is expected to engage Nigerian counterparts in discussions across key sectors to strengthen diplomatic and economic cooperation.
Speaking at a gala dinner held on Sunday night at the Presidential Villa in honour of the Colombian Vice President, Shettima said the visit was proof that both nations were set to enter a union that would foster deeper political cooperation and bolder economic ventures.
The vice president said Márquez’s visit to Nigeria is expected to deepen diplomatic and strategic relations between Nigeria and Colombia and enhance collaboration in areas of mutual interest, including governance, trade, agriculture, energy, education, and security, among others.
He said, “The visit is proof that Nigeria and Colombia are about to enter an era of fraternal union that would create deeper political cooperation, bolder economic ventures, and richer people-to-people exchanges.” (Punch)
The Trump administration has moved to terminate almost 500 employees of federally funded news organisation Voice of America (VOA).
The step is the latest in President Donald Trump’s drive to strip back the outlet, which the White House has accused of being “radical”.
Acting CEO of VOA’s parent agency, Kari Lake, said the decision would “help reduce the federal bureaucracy, improve agency service, and save the American people more of their hard-earned money.” A union representing employees called the step illegal in a statement to the New York Times.
VOA was set up during World War Two to counter Nazi propaganda, and has become a major global broadcaster.
The outlet is overseen by the Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which said a total of 532 positions would be eliminated. The majority of those employees are from VOA, which would be left with 108 staff, according to a court filing.
In June, Lake announced 639 employees would be terminated, although the notices were later rescinded due to paperwork errors. Some employees also filed lawsuits to block the terminations.
The announcement late on Friday night came a day after a judge ruled the Trump administration had not followed proper procedures in its attempt to fire VOA’s director, Michael Abramowitz. The judge also ordered Lake to sit for a deposition, where she would be questioned by lawyers.
The lawsuit was brought by a group of agency employees trying to block attempts to close down VOA.
“We find Lake’s continued attacks on our agency abhorrent,” they said in a statement to the BBC’s US partner CBS News.
“We are looking forward to her deposition to hear whether her plan to dismantle VOA was done with the rigorous review process that Congress requires. So far we have not seen any evidence of that, and as such we will continue to fight for what we believe to be our rights under the law.”
Most of VOA’s journalists have been on administrative leave since March but some Farsi-speaking staff were called back as war between Israel and Iran broke out this summer.
The notices will also not affect journalists working in its Office of Cuba Broadcasting division, which broadcasts news in Spanish from Miami.
Critics say Trump’s attempts to strip back VOA amount to an attack on press freedom, and impacts America’s ability to exercise soft power abroad. The administration has accused the outlet of being “anti-Trump” and “radical”.
VOA broadcasts TV, radio and digital content in almost 50 languages. (BBC)
More than 800 people have been killed and at least 2,800 injured after a 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck Afghanistan, a spokesperson for the country’s Taliban government has said.
Health authorities in the capital Kabul, however, said the numbers could change as they worked to reach remote areas.
The earthquake struck the country’s northeastern province of Kunar near the Pakistan border at 11.47pm local time (8.17pm UK time) on Sunday, the German Research Centre for Geosciences said.
The quake’s epicentre was near Jalalabad, Nangarhar province, at a depth of 8.7 miles (14km). Jalalabad is situated about 74 miles (119km) from Kabul.
There was a second earthquake in the same province about 20 minutes later, with a magnitude of 4.5 and a depth of 6.2 miles (10km). This was later followed by a 5.2 earthquake at the same depth.
“All our… teams have been mobilised to accelerate assistance, so that comprehensive and full support can be provided,” interior ministry spokesperson Abdul Maten Qanee told Reuters news agency, citing efforts in areas from security to food and health.
Homes of mud and stone were levelled by the midnight quake and several villages completely destroyed in Kunar province, officials said.
Rescuers searched for survivors in several districts of the mountainous province where the quake hit.
Images showed helicopters ferrying aid out to the affected, and residents helping soldiers and medics carry the wounded to ambulances.
Footage from Nangarhar province showed people frantically digging through rubble with their hands, searching for loved ones in the dead of night.
Hundreds of injured people have been taken to hospital, a local official said, with figures likely to rise.
Ziaul Haq Mohammadi, a student at Al-Falah University in Jalalabad, was studying in his room at home when the quake struck. He said he was knocked over by the power of the tremor.
“We spent the whole night in fear and anxiety because at any moment another earthquake could happen,” he said.
Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban government’s chief spokesman, said: “Sadly, tonight’s earthquake has caused loss of life and property damage in some of our eastern provinces.
“Local officials and residents are currently engaged in rescue efforts for the affected people. Support teams from the centre and nearby provinces are also on their way.”
He added “all available resources will be utilised to save lives”.
According to earlier reports, 30 people were killed in a single village.
“The number of casualties and injuries is high, but since the area is difficult to access, our teams are still on site,” said health ministry spokesperson Sharafat Zaman.
Earlier, an Afghan foreign office spokesperson said “no foreign governments have reached out to provide support for rescue or relief work”.
Later, India said it had delivered 1,000 family tents to Kabul and was moving 15 tonnes of food material to Kunar, with more aid to be sent on Tuesday. A spokesperson for China’s foreign ministry said it was ready to provide disaster relief assistance “according to Afghanistan’s needs and within its capacity”.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said its mission in Afghanistan was preparing to help those in areas devastated by the quake.
Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, described the disaster as “a perfect storm”.
He told Sky News: “It is very tragic. We have very little information as of yet, but already reports of hundreds of people killed and many more made homeless.
“It is a country that is already suffering from a multiplicity of crises – there is a big drought, Iran has sent back almost two million people, Pakistan is trying to do the same with Afghans living there – and of course, it is extremely difficult to mobilise resources because of the Taliban.
“It’s a perfect storm, and this earthquake, likely to have been quite devastating, is just going to add to the misery. So, a strong appeal to all of those who can help.”
Kate Carey, an officer at the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), warned of the risk of landslides due to heavy rainfall in affected areas.
She also said the shrinking of funding for Afghanistan, led by US aid cuts, was hampering the response to the quake.
Ms Carey said: “The actual delivery of response has been badly hit by the funding cuts this year, but also the number of people we have on the ground is much less than we would have had six months ago.” (SkyNews)
Chelsea signed Argentina international Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United for a reported 40 million pounds ($54 million) on Saturday, adding more competition for the two winger spots.
The 21-year-old Garnacho left United after falling out of favor with manager Ruben Amorim at the end of last season. His last game for the club was the 1-0 loss to Tottenham in the Europa League final, when he was a second-half substitute, and he hasn’t even been on the bench for United’s matches this season.
Garnacho will compete with Pedro Neto, Jamie Gittens and Estevao for a place in a team that won the Club World Cup over the summer and will play in the Champions League this season. Chelsea also has Raheem Sterling and Mykhailo Mudryk on its books.
“It’s an incredible moment for my family and I to join this great club,” Garnacho said. “I can’t wait to get started.
“I watched the Club World Cup and to join the world champions is special – we’re the best team in the world! It’s amazing to be here and I’m very happy.”
Selling Garnacho will also help United to comply with the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules. (JapanToday)
Full time was approaching at Anfield and it was clear something special was needed to separate Liverpool and Arsenal as they slugged out an early-season heavyweight contest in the Premier League on Sunday.
Enter Dominik Szoboszlai.
With a long-range free kick that flew in off the post in the 83rd minute, Szoboszlai earned Liverpool a hard-fought 1-0 win over the opponent likely to be the biggest challenger to its title.
“The game needed a moment of magic for either team to win it,” Liverpool manager Arne Slot said, “and it was Dominik who did so.”
Many thought Manchester City would be back in the title race this season, but perhaps not.
Collapsing to a 2-1 loss at Brighton, for a second straight loss, was another sign that Pep Guardiola’s once-dominant team has lost its aura.
“This is the reality — we are not at the level from a long time (ago),” City midfielder Rodri said.
Szoboszlai is popular among Liverpool fans for his work ethic and versatility, and the Hungary midfielder was filling in at right back — for so long the position of the now-departed Trent Alexander-Arnold — because of injuries to Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong.
Szoboszlai did his best impression of Alexander-Arnold with a top-quality dead-ball strike that was out of keeping with the rest of the game.
“Until now Trent was taking them,” Szoboszlai said of his former teammate who now plays for Real Madrid. “Now I could finally take one.”
It secured a third straight win for Liverpool, with the defending champions the only team on a maximum nine points after three rounds of the Premier League. They’ve already beaten two tough rivals in Newcastle and Arsenal, too.
As for Arsenal, it was a first loss this season — extending its winless record at Anfield dating back to 2012 — and a first league goal conceded by a defense that was without center back William Saliba from the fifth minute at Anfield because of a leg injury.
“When you play against this kind of team and at a high level where the margins are minimal, they can be decided by a magic moment,” Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said. “We needed that moment for us and we didn’t have it.”
The defeat at Brighton followed a 2-0 home loss to Tottenham last weekend for City, which is demonstrating the same vulnerabilities and brittleness it showed last season when surrendering the title to Liverpool after four consecutive years as champions.
Brajan Gruda surged through an open defense, rounded goalkeeper James Trafford and slotted into an empty net for the 89th-minute winner for Brighton, which trailed to Erling Haaland’s first-half strike — his 88th goal in 100 Premier League appearances since moving to England in 2022.
City, which gave a first start to Rodri — the Ballon d’Or winner — since September last year following a serious knee injury, conceded an equalizer in the 67th minute after Matheus Nunes raised his arm in the area to block a shot.
James Milner converted the penalty for Brighton to become — at age 39 years and 239 days — the second-oldest scorer in Premier League history. He is also the second youngest, having netted as a 16-year-old for Leeds.
With City noticeably fading, Brighton created a succession of chances before Gruda converted one to seal a repeat of his team’s come-from-behind 2-1 win over City last season.
“We forgot to play,” Guardiola said.
City’s only points so far this season have come from a 4-0 opening-round win at Wolverhampton, after which pundits were saying Guardiola’s team was back. Now, it has fewer points than Manchester United.
West Ham eased the pressure on manager Graham Potter with a 3-0 win at Nottingham Forest, secured by goals from the 84th minute by Jarrod Bowen, Lucas Paqueta — from the penalty spot — and Callum Wilson.
West Ham lost its first two games in the league, conceding eight goals in the process, and also was eliminated from the English League Cup in midweek.
Paqueta, the Brazil midfielder, celebrated his successful penalty kick by pretending to answer a call and throw away a phone before kissing the badge on his jersey — perhaps a nod to being linked over the past 24 hours with a move to Aston Villa.
World Cup-winning Argentina goalkeeper Emi Martinez was left out of Aston Villa’s team for the 3-0 home loss to Crystal Palace amid speculation about his future.
Reports have linked Martinez with a move to Manchester United ahead of the transfer window closing on Monday, and Villa manager Unai Emery chose to play Marco Bizot in goal instead.
Bizot gave away a penalty that was converted in the 21st minute by Jean-Philippe Mateta to give Palace the lead, before captain Marc Guehi — reportedly the subject of a bid from Liverpool — curled a second into the top corner in the 68th. Ismaila Sarr added a third before going off injured. (JapanToday)
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