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AFCON: CAF announces punishment for Hakimi, Thiaw, Senegal, Morocco

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The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced a series of disciplinary measures against Senegal, Morocco, and several players and officials following incidents during and after the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final.

In a statement released by its disciplinary board, CAF said the sanctions were imposed for multiple breaches of regulations, including unsporting conduct, disrespect towards match officials, and actions that undermined the integrity of the game.

Senegal head coach, Pape Bouna Thiaw, was handed a five-match ban from all CAF competitions and fined $100,000 for misconduct.

Two Senegalese players, Iliman Cheikh Baroy Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr, were each suspended for two matches after being found guilty of showing disrespect to the referee.

CAF also imposed heavy financial penalties on the Senegalese Football Federation, fining it $300,000 for the conduct of its supporters and an additional $300,000 for the improper behaviour of players and team officials. The federation was further fined $15,000 after five of its players received yellow cards during the final.

Morocco were not spared, as defender Achraf Hakimi was suspended for two matches, with one of the bans suspended for a period of one year.

Midfielder Ismaël Saibari received a three-match suspension and a $100,000 fine. The Moroccan Football Federation was fined $200,000 for the poor conduct of stadium ball boys during the final.

An additional $100,000 fine was imposed on Morocco for players and officials interfering with a VAR review and obstructing the referee, while a further $15,000 penalty was issued for supporters’ use of laser pointers during the match.

UCL: Why Benfica defeat Real Madrid 4-2 to qualify- Mourinho 

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Benfica manager José Mourinho has admitted his side had to take major risks to secure a dramatic 4-2 victory over Real Madrid and clinch a place in the UEFA Champions League play-offs.

The Portuguese champions sealed qualification in stunning fashion on Wednesday night, with goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin scoring a last-gasp goal to confirm Benfica’s progression and deny Real Madrid automatic qualification.

With the match finely balanced at 3-2, a single goal for the Spanish giants would have been enough to hand them the final automatic spot ahead of Manchester City. Instead, Benfica pushed forward in the dying moments and were rewarded with a decisive strike.

“Winning or losing games in the final moment, with the final play, happens many times, but to win you have to take risks,” Mourinho told UEFA after the match.

“You think the opportunity will come, then it doesn’t, so you have to change a few things. In the end, one ball for them could have made it 3-3, and even then we would have been out.”

Mourinho stressed the significance of the result, especially given the opponent.

“To beat Real Madrid is important and significant. At that moment, we had to give everything,” he said.

Speaking on Trubin’s extraordinary goal, the Benfica boss revealed it was not entirely unexpected.

“We knew he could do it. In the game at the Dragão two weeks ago, Trubin was also there at the final action and headed the ball, but it was blocked,” Mourinho explained.

“You have to put the ball in the box. It was a spectacular goal and, regardless of what happens next in the competition, it puts us into the next round. It was a historic moment against Real Madrid.”

Mourinho added that the qualification carries both financial and symbolic value for the club.

“It’s important for several reasons — economically important for Benfica, and even more so from a prestige point of view,” he said

Onitsha traders Block Head Bridge in Protest Over Soludo’s Market Closure

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Traders and residents on Wednesday blocked the Onitsha Head Bridge in Anambra State to protest the shutdown of the Onitsha Main Market ordered by Governor Chukwuma Soludo.

Videos circulating on social media show scores of demonstrators occupying the bridge, a major entry and exit route into the state, as they expressed anger over the continued closure of the market. The footage was shared on Wednesday by media analyst Somto Okonkwo.

The protest followed tensions on Tuesday at the Onitsha Main Market, where traders reportedly clashed with security operatives after being denied access to their shops on the governor’s directive. The situation degenerated into chaos, with reports that security personnel fired gunshots to restore order.

Governor Soludo had earlier warned that the market would be shut down over the persistent observance of Monday sit-at-home protests in honour of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, who is currently in detention.

The bridge blockade caused disruption to traffic and heightened security presence in the area as authorities moved to prevent a breakdown of law and order.

Watch video:

 

https://x.com/i/status/2016467351995023537

BREAKING: Police nab six over Alleged N7.7bn Telecom Network Hack

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The Nigeria Police Force has arrested six suspects in connection with the alleged hacking of a telecommunications company in the country.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, said the suspects were apprehended for allegedly gaining unauthorised access to the company’s core network systems.

 

According to Hundeyin, the suspects are accused of diverting airtime and mobile data valued at about N7.7 billion through the illicit access.

 

He added that investigations into the incident are ongoing.

Nigerian business mogul, Saraki’s father-in-Law Otunba Ojora is dead

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Prominent Nigerian businessman and respected traditional titleholder, Otunba Adekunle Ojora, has died at the age of 93.

Ojora, father of Mrs. Toyin Ojora-Saraki, wife of former Senate President Bukola Saraki and former First Lady of Kwara State, passed away on Wednesday, January 28, 2026.

The Lagos Royal Family of the late Chief (Prince) Abdul Lasisi Ajayi Ojora confirmed his death in a statement signed by Mrs. Toyin Ojora-Saraki on behalf of the family.

“With total submission to the will of Almighty Allah (SWT), the Ojora family of Lagos hereby announces the passing of our beloved patriarch, Otunba Adekunle Ojora,” the statement said.

The family expressed gratitude to God for his life, noting, “We say Alhamdulilahi for a life well lived, and we comply with Allah’s words: ‘Surely, to Allah we belong, and to Him we will all return.’”

Born on June 13, 1932, the late Ojora will be buried in Lagos in accordance with Islamic rites. Details of the burial arrangements will be announced later.

He is survived by his wife, Erelu Ojuolape Ojora, his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

The family also appealed to members of the public to remember him in their prayers, asking Allah to grant him mercy and admit him into Aljannah Firdaus.

Otunba Adekunle Ojora was widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s most influential figures. He held several prestigious traditional titles, including Otunba of Lagos, Lisa of Ife, Head of the Ojora Royal Family, and Olori Omoba of Lagos.

He made significant contributions to journalism, public service, politics, and corporate governance. Ojora began his career in the early 1950s at the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) after studying journalism in London. On his return to Nigeria, he joined the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation as a reporter.

In the corporate sector, he served as Chairman of the Board of AGIP Nigeria Limited from 1971 to 2002.

Among his surviving children is Mrs. Toyin Saraki.

 

 

 

 

Demolition: Police disperse protesters with Tear Gas at Lagos Assembly 

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Police officers on Wednesday fired tear gas to disperse protesters who gathered at the Lagos State House of Assembly complex in Alausa, Ikeja, over ongoing demolitions in parts of the state.

 

The demonstrators had converged on the assembly premises to demand an end to what they described as forced evictions and the demolition of homes in several Lagos communities.

Eyewitnesses said the use of tear gas caused panic in the area, forcing protesters, nearby residents, traders and commuters to flee in different directions to avoid exposure.

The incident disrupted movement around the assembly complex as people ran for safety amid the confusion.

As of the time of filing this report, security operatives remained at the scene, while the protest had been temporarily dispersed.

NNPCL increases fuel price

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The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has increased the petrol price to N835 per liter in Lagos and N839 per liter in Abuja.

The state- owned oil company on Wednesday made the price adjustment across retail outlets in Nigeria.

Other Nigerian filling stations, such as Ranoil, Empire Energy, AA Rano, and others, have also increased their fuel price to between N850 and N855 per liter.

Recall that the Dangote refinery on Tuesday increased the price of fuel to N839 per liter, up from N739 across its MRS-backed filling stations.

 

 

 

I said build hospital, you started with mortuary- Gov Eno to Contractors[Video]

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Gov Eno of Akwa Ibom

A viral video circulating on social media has shown Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, expressing dissatisfaction with the pace and sequencing of work on a hospital project in the state.

The footage, shared on Wednesday by Uche Nworah, a former Special Adviser on General Duties to the Director-General of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, captured the governor speaking to a contractor during an inspection visit.

In the video, Governor Eno criticised the contractor for allegedly prioritising the construction of a mortuary ahead of other essential hospital facilities.

“I said build a hospital and you started with a mortuary. Don’t say that again,” the governor was heard saying.

The video has since sparked widespread reactions and debate across social media platforms.

Watch video:

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/17EnG9SmuQ/

 

Gov Eno of Akwa Ibom

Why I quit school until I’m 40—TikTok Star Peller

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Popular Nigerian TikTok content creator Peller has disclosed that he has no immediate plans to further his education, saying he may only return to school at the age of 40.

The 20-year-old influencer explained that his current career as a streamer makes it impractical for him to spend long hours in a classroom without earning income. According to him, leaving content creation to focus on academics would negatively affect his livelihood.

Peller stressed that education is something he can always pursue later in life whenever he feels ready.

“I am not going back to school. I can’t sit in a classroom for seven hours without making any money. School would always be there. I will go back when I clock 40,” he said during a recent livestream.

The TikTok star is reported to have completed his secondary school education several years ago. During his previous relationship, his ex-girlfriend, Jarvis, had reportedly encouraged him on several occasions to continue his education.

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