Category Archives: Sports

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US to prioritize visa interviews for 2026 World Cup ticket holders

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The United States has rolled out a new fast-track visa system aimed at easing the expected surge in international visitors ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. President Donald Trump announced the initiative — known as the FIFA Priority Appointment Scheduling System (FIFA PASS) — during a briefing at the White House on Monday.

Developed in partnership with FIFA, the programme will allow fans who purchase World Cup tickets to secure priority visa interview slots at US embassies and consulates around the world starting early 2026.

Trump said the initiative reflects his administration’s commitment to delivering what he described as an “unprecedented” World Cup experience as the US co-hosts the tournament with Mexico and Canada.

“I’ve directed my administration to do everything within their power to make the 2026 World Cup an unprecedented success,” Trump declared from the Oval Office, where he was joined by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, and World Cup Task Force director Andrew Giuliani.

Despite the expedited process, Secretary of State Marco Rubio stressed that a match ticket does not guarantee visa approval.

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“It guarantees you an expedited appointment. You’ll still go through the same vetting process as anyone else. The only difference here is that we’re moving you up in line,” he said.

Rubio noted that the State Department has deployed over 400 additional consular officers worldwide to manage anticipated demand. In football-strong nations such as Brazil and Argentina, visa appointment delays have dropped from more than a year to under two months.

“In about 80 percent of the world now, you can get an appointment in under 60 days,” he added.

FIFA described the FIFA PASS initiative as part of a broader collaboration with the White House’s World Cup Task Force. With the expanded 48-team format, FIFA expects six to seven million tickets to be sold for the tournament.

The US is set to host 78 of the 104 matches, with 11 American cities — including New York, Los Angeles, Dallas and Miami — gearing up to welcome fans from across the globe.

Infantino hailed the new system as a key step toward delivering the most accessible World Cup ever.

“America welcomes the world,” he said. “We have always said this will be the greatest and most inclusive FIFA World Cup in history, and the FIFA PASS service is a very concrete example of that.”

FULL LIST: Super Eagles starting XI for Gabon clash

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The Super Eagles have announced their starting lineup for their upcoming clash against Gabon.

Fans and supporters are eagerly anticipating the match, hoping the team can secure a vital victory.

Here is the list of Super Eagles starting XI

Goalkeeper:

Stanley Nwabali

Defenders:

Benjamin Fredrick

Calvin Bassey

Bright Osay-Samuel

Zaidu Sanusi

Midfielders:

Wilfred Ndidi (Captain)

Alex Iwobi

Forwards:

Ademola Lookman

Samuel Chukwueze

Akor Adams

Victor Osimhen

President Herminie hosts Seychelles beach volleyball champions after historic victory

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The President of Seychelles, Dr. Patrick Herminie, on Wednesday welcomed beach volleyball champions Angélique Adeline and Hillary Nourrice to State House following their impressive win at the CAVB Zone 7 Beach Volleyball Tournament in Comoros earlier this month.

President Herminie congratulated the duo for their dedication and exceptional performance, praising them for bringing pride to Seychelles and flying the national flag high on the international stage.

Read Also: Afreximbank approves $36.4m for Uganda’s Akii Bua Stadium project

Their discussions focused on advancing beach volleyball development in Seychelles, especially through youth engagement and sustainable sporting initiatives. The champions shared their experiences from the competition and expressed their commitment to mentoring young players and inspiring the next generation of athletes.

Reaffirming his administration’s support for sports development, President Herminie highlighted the role of sports in nation-building, youth empowerment, and international representation. He also pledged continued investment in training and competitions to nurture future talent and strengthen Seychelles’ sporting legacy.

The athletes’ victory marks a significant milestone in Seychelles’ sporting history and serves as an inspiration for young Seychellois to strive for excellence in their chosen sports.

Afreximbank approves $36.4m for Uganda’s Akii Bua Stadium project

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The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has approved a $36.4 million contract financing facility to Egypt’s SAMCO–National Construction Company (SAMCO) for the construction of the Akii Bua Olympic Stadium in Lira, Uganda.

The 30000-seater stadium is one of Uganda’s major infrastructure projects ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which the country will co-host with Kenya and Tanzania.

The financing, granted under Afreximbank’s Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) Programme, will support SAMCO in the design, construction, and procurement of key components for the project. The EPC initiative is designed to empower African contractors to compete for and deliver large-scale infrastructure projects across the continent.

The agreement was signed in Cairo on October 29, by Mrs. Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President for Intra-African Trade and Export Development at Afreximbank, and Engineer Sameh Soliman, Chairman of SAMCO.

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Mrs. Awani said the deal underscores Afreximbank’s commitment to building African capacity for executing major infrastructure projects.

“We are pleased to support an African EPC company and finance a state-of-the-art stadium in Uganda. This aligns with our creative and sports strategy, fostering economic growth, regional integration, and the hosting of CAF and FIFA-approved events,” she said.

Engineer Soliman described the partnership as a milestone for SAMCO’s continental expansion.

“Afreximbank’s support strengthens our mission to deliver impactful infrastructure across Africa. We look forward to a long-term, mutually beneficial partnership,” he stated.

The Akii Bua Stadium project is expected to boost sports development, tourism, and regional integration in East Africa while generating employment opportunities and stimulating local supply chains. It will also enhance Uganda’s ability to host major international tournaments and reinforce national pride and youth engagement.

The 2027 AFCON will be the first time in over four decades that East Africa hosts the continental tournament, marking a major milestone for regional sports infrastructure.

Youth Charter launches Africa expansion of “Youth 4 Africa” framework

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The Youth Charter (YC) has announced the Africa-focused expansion of its acclaimed Youth 4 Africa Framework, calling for a new era of holistic, cross-sector youth development across the continent. Building on over 30 years of global experience in Sport for Development and Peace (SDP), the organisation is urging African governments, CAF member associations, Pan-African institutions, NGOs, the private sector, and international development agencies to align sport, education, health, employment, and peacebuilding under a unified strategy to help achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

The announcement coincides with a growing wave of youth-focused initiatives across Africa, including the Tibu Africa–IOM Morocco Africa Cup of Living Together and the CAF x Afreximbank Schools Football Programme, both of which highlight the increasing commitment to using sport as a catalyst for social development, opportunity, and unity.

Speaking on the initiative, Geoff Thompson, Founder and Executive Chair of the Youth Charter, described Africa’s youth as the continent’s greatest asset. He emphasised that unlocking their potential requires moving beyond isolated projects toward an integrated model of community transformation. According to him, linking sport with education, employability, health, and peace can create powerful engines for hope, aspiration, and opportunity.

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The Youth 4 Africa Framework builds upon the Youth Charter’s Community Campus Model, an ecosystem that connects sport and physical activity with education, digital skills, health, wellbeing, creative expression, employment pathways, and peacebuilding.

The Youth Charter cited recent African initiatives as evidence of this emerging movement. The Tibu Africa & IOM Morocco “Africa Cup of Living Together” serves as a model for social inclusion, engaging migrant and Moroccan youth through education, leadership, and employability programmes that advance key SDGs. Meanwhile, the CAF x Afreximbank Schools Football Development Programme is creating pathways that connect grassroots football with professional careers in coaching, administration, media, technology, and entrepreneurship.

Together, these efforts demonstrate how sport, when integrated into national development strategies, can strengthen Africa’s human capital, reduce inequality, and promote peaceful, cohesive societies.

The Youth Charter is calling on African and international partners to play active roles in advancing this vision. It urged the African Union to embed holistic sport-for-development frameworks within the Agenda 2063 plan, while encouraging CAF, member associations, and ministries to expand community-based sport ecosystems tied to education and employment. Financial institutions such as Afreximbank and the African Development Bank are being called upon to invest in sport-led youth development and infrastructure. The Charter also urged international organisations including UNDP, UNICEF, IOM, and UNESCO to integrate sport and culture into their youth, peacebuilding, and migration programmes.

“Sport is Africa’s universal language,” Thompson concluded. “If we integrate it with education, skills, and opportunity, we can empower millions of young Africans to become tomorrow’s leaders, entrepreneurs, and peacebuilders.”

Angola opens new FIFA-standard stadium to boost youth, talent, growth

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The Government of Angola has inaugurated the new Uíge Stadium, a world-class sports and community complex delivered by Mitrelli. Built to FIFA, UEFA, and CAF standards, the 10,000-seat facility marks a major milestone in Angola’s strategy to empower youth, elevate sports performance, and drive regional development.

The inauguration was led by H.E. Rui Falcão Pinto de Andrade, Minister of Youth and Sports, alongside H.E. José Carvalho da Rocha, Governor of Uíge Province, and other senior officials. Held in the context of the commemorations of Angola’s 50th Independence, it reinforced the country’s investment in youth empowerment, and international athletic stature.

Just one month after the launch of the José Armando Sayovo Olympic and Paralympic Sports Complex in Bengo—completed six months ahead of schedule—the Uíge Stadium forms part of Angola’s broader pre-Olympic infrastructure development. These efforts aim to prepare athletes for global competition while fostering education, inclusion, and civic engagement through sport.

“What we inaugurate today is more than a stadium. It is a symbol, a commitment, and a firm step toward building a future where sports, youth, and Angolan talent walk hand in hand. These facilities were built to create dignified conditions for sports practice, fostering the promotion of talent and strengthening social cohesion,” said Minister of Youth and Sports, Rui Falcão Pinto de Andrade.”

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The project was delivered by Mitrelli’s multidisciplinary teams in Angola, working closely with local architects, engineers, and skilled workers. The project created over 800 direct and indirect jobs.

“This stadium embodies our belief that sport is a catalyst for empowerment, renewal, and sustainable development, in Angola and across Africa. It also reflects Mitrelli’s capacity to deliver not only world-class sports infrastructure, but integrated ecosystems that support community growth, including housing, water, and energy projects already implemented in the region. Delivering two major sports complexes within one month, including one completed six months ahead of schedule, underscores that commitment, said Rodrigo Manso, CEO, Mitrelli.”

Strategically located in Uíge, the stadium is designed as a multi-purpose hub for football, athletics, and cultural events. Facilities include a 105x68m natural grass pitch, six-lane athletics track, locker rooms, warm-up zones, a medical unit, and full accessibility features. Media are supported with a dedicated press center, TV/radio studios, and a 50-seat conference room. Commercial spaces built under the stands promote year-round activity and local entrepreneurship.

“The Angolan Government has been firmly investing in the development of sports infrastructure, both in the Province of Uíge and across the country,” said Alberto Biamonti, Country General Manager, Mitrelli Angola. “We are proud to be part of this national effort, contributing to the implementation of facilities that promote sports not only as a pathway to well-being, but also as a powerful driver of growth, inclusion, and opportunities for the new generations.”

In line with Mitrelli’s design values, the project prioritizes sustainability through efficient systems and locally sourced materials, ensuring that its value endures far beyond sport, supporting broader economic and social development.

OMEGA unveils countdown clock for Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games

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Excitement is building across Africa as OMEGA, the Worldwide Olympic and Paralympic Partner, unveiled the official countdown clock marking one year to go until the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games (YOG) — the first Olympic event ever to be held on African soil.

The unveiling ceremony, held at Dakar Gare in the heart of the city, marked a historic milestone for Senegal and the continent. The event brought together key figures including International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Kirsty Coventry, OMEGA President and CEO Raynald Aeschlimann, Mamadou Ndiaye, President of the Dakar 2026 Youth Organising Committee (YOGOC), and Ibrahima Wade, General Coordinator of YOGOC.

IOC President Coventry hailed the occasion as a defining moment for both the Olympic Movement and Africa’s sporting future.

“Dakar 2026 was created from the vision of bringing the Youth Olympic Games to every corner of the world, placing them at the heart of Africa’s transformation,” she said. “We extend our heartfelt thanks to OMEGA for their unwavering partnership and commitment to Olympic values.”

OMEGA CEO Aeschlimann reaffirmed the brand’s commitment to the Olympic Movement and its pride in supporting the first-ever Youth Olympic Games on African soil.

“It’s an honour for OMEGA to be involved in this historic IOC event,” he said. “At the Youth Olympic Games, we often see the start of remarkable athletic careers, and Dakar 2026 will be no exception.”

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YOGOC President Mamadou Ndiaye described the unveiling as a powerful symbol of progress and anticipation.

“With hosting taking place in Africa, this edition of the Youth Olympic Games will be unlike any other. The culture and spirit of Senegal will make this event truly special,” he said.

The countdown clock continues OMEGA’s longstanding tradition of marking milestones toward each Olympic and Paralympic Games. As the Official Timekeeper for Dakar 2026, OMEGA will provide state-of-the-art timing systems — including photofinish cameras, electronic starting pistols, and quantum timers — to ensure precise and fair competition.

Set to run from October 31 to November 13, 2026, Dakar 2026 will feature around 2,700 young athletes competing in 153 events across three venues: Dakar, Diamniadio, and Saly. The Games are expected to inspire a new generation of African athletes and celebrate the continent’s growing role in global sport.

Dakar 2026 unveils “Ayo” as mascot ahead of Youth Olympic Games

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The Organising Committee of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games (YOG) has unveiled “Ayo”, a young lion symbolising the energy and joy of Senegalese youth, as the official mascot of the Games. The unveiling ceremony took place at the Grand Théâtre in Dakar to mark exactly one year to the first Olympic event ever to be held on African soil.

The name Ayo means “joy” in Yoruba—a language widely spoken across West Africa—and reflects the Games’ themes of celebration, unity, and youthful enthusiasm. The mascot wears a traditional Fulani Tingandé hat, representing wisdom, dignity, and a deep connection to rural life. Ayo embodies the values of Dakar 2026, highlighting Senegal’s rich cultural heritage and commitment to youth empowerment.

The ceremony was attended by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal, IOC President Kirsty Coventry, Humphrey Kayange, Chair of the IOC Coordination Commission for Dakar 2026, and Mamadou D. Ndiaye, President of both the Dakar 2026 Organising Committee and the Senegalese Olympic Committee.

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Speaking at the event, IOC President Kirsty Coventry said:

“These Games represent so much for Africa; they will inspire the next generation and open doors of opportunity across our continent and beyond. Mascot Ayo carries a powerful message of joy and breaks many boundaries—a true symbol of how young and dynamic our continent is.”

The mascot was chosen through a nationwide competition organised by the Dakar 2026 Committee in collaboration with Senegal’s Ministry of National Education. Open to middle and secondary school students, the competition attracted more than 500 entries from all 16 academic regions, encouraging creativity and engagement among young Senegalese in the build-up to the historic Games.

As part of the “One Year to Go” celebrations, the official countdown clock will be unveiled later today at 6:30 p.m. local time in central Dakar by Worldwide Olympic Partner OMEGA.

Festivities will continue from November 4 to 9 with the fourth edition of “Dakar en Jeux”, a cultural and sports festival featuring community events across Dakar, Diamniadio, and Saly. The festival will showcase local music, art, and sports activities while promoting the Olympic values of excellence, friendship, and respect.

The Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games will take place from 31 October to 13 November 2026, featuring 2,700 young athletes aged up to 17 competing across three host cities—Dakar, Diamniadio, and Saly.

JUST IN: Nottingham Forest appoint Sean Dyche as new manager

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Nottingham Forest have appointed former Burnley and Everton boss Sean Dyche as their new manager.

The 54-year-old Englishman, who has signed a contract to run until the summer of 2027, becomes the Forest’s third different boss this season.

Dyche succeeds Ange Postecoglou, who lasted just 39 days and was sacked 17 minutes after Saturday’s 3-0 defeat by Chelsea in the Premier League.

Postecoglu did not win any of his eight games in charge – drawing two and losing six – after he was brought in to replace Nuno Espirito Santo, who was sacked just three matches into the campaign.

Forest are 18th in the league table after one win in eight games during what has been a difficult start to the season.

Dyche’s first game will be a Europa League game at home to Porto on Thursday before Forest are at Bournemouth in the Premier League on Sunday.

Read Also: Nottingham Forest sack Postecoglou after 39 days in charge

The process to appoint a new manager was led by Forest’s global head of football Edu Gaspar and global technical director George Syrianos.

Former Italy and Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini also held discussions with Forest about the post, while Fulham manager Marco Silva was also known to be admired by the club.

“A respected and experienced Premier League manager, Dyche brings the perfect blend of character, tactical acumen and proven achievement to guide the club through its next chapter,” said a Forest statement.

“As a former Forest youth player who lives locally, Dyche also has a deep understanding of the values and pride of Forest and its supporters.

“His appointment represents the best opportunity for a successful and competitive season across both domestic and European competitions.”

Dyche’s coaching staff will include Ian Woan and Steven Stone, who both played for Nottingham Forest.

“It’s a mess isn’t it?” said BBC Sport football pundit Chris Sutton on the Monday Night Club before Dyche’s appointment was confirmed.

“If Dyche gets over the line it is an admission that they got it wrong with Ange Postecoglou and are thinking about survival.

“Dyche has always managed clubs where it has been a struggle. He bucked the trend at Burnley and got the best out of the players he had and proved himself to be an extremely capable manager.

“At Everton he took over a team in trouble and stabilised the club. He had points deductions to contend with.

“Forest want to stay in the league so it seems a sensible appointment. They won’t go down, they have too many good players.”

BBC Sports

Africell expands partnership with NBA Africa to four countries

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Africell, Africa’s only U.S.-owned mobile network operator, has announced the expansion of its collaboration with NBA Africa beyond Angola to include its other operating markets — the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), The Gambia, and Sierra Leone.

The partnership, launched in 2022 in Angola, has already impacted thousands of young people through Jr. NBA tournaments, basketball clinics, and court refurbishments, nurturing a new generation’s passion for the sport in one of Africa’s basketball powerhouses.

Building on that success, the initiative will now extend to the three additional countries, with a new Jr. NBA league set to tip off in Angola next month. In 2026, the programme will expand to include clinics and 3-on-3 tournaments across all four Africell markets.

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The collaboration aligns with the Africell Impact Foundation’s focus on sports and healthcare, aiming to create meaningful social impact while supporting Africell’s commercial strategy by engaging youth and growing its customer base.

“The NBA brand has an incredible influence in Africa,” said Ziad Dalloul, CEO and Founder of Africell Group. “It represents aspiration, hard work, and excellence. We’re thrilled to expand this partnership to DRC, The Gambia, and Sierra Leone, sharing the excitement of basketball with young people across our markets.”

Clare Akamanzi, CEO of NBA Africa, highlighted the transformative potential of the partnership:

“Our collaboration with Africell in Angola has shown how basketball can inspire and empower youth. We’re excited to bring that same energy to new countries where Africell is already deeply rooted and where the love for basketball is strong.”

The expanded Africell–NBA Africa partnership is expected to further promote youth development, teamwork, and community engagement across the continent.