Podcasts about Africa Cup

On this week's COSAFA Show podcast, we have a tale of two coaches, one who has led his team to the FIFA World Cup next year, and another who is looking to upset the odds and get to the continental championship. Namibia coach Lucky Kakuva will be proud of the fight his side showed as they lost 4-2 to powerhouse COSAFA rivals Zambia on Wednesday.But they now face an uphill battle in the second leg in Ndola to try and work their way back into the tie. The winner will advance to the TotalEnergies CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026, which will be played next March and AprilThat tournament will produce the four teams from Africa that will compete at the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup in Brazil in 2027. One man who has already steered his side to the global finals is South Africa men's coach Hugo Broos, who will be present at the tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada. It was not plain sailing for Bafana Bafana, but he offers his thoughts on qualifying out of a group that also contained Nigeria.

Amidst all the recent talk surrounding the impact of DEFCON on the game, the other rule changes this season have taken a backseat. As a reminder, managers will be given five free transfers in Gameweek 16 in light of players departing for the Africa Cup of Nations. This means that managers will have plenty of transfers to use during this period, seemingly rendering moot the previously popular strategy of saving the Wildcard until right before Gameweek 19. Thus, if we want to harness the full power of the Wildcard, the “deadline” by which we need to use it is now much closer. Could the optimal time be as early as Gameweek 8? After all, as Jacob so eloquently put it, the sooner we “exorcise” the “chaff” from our teams, the better. Moreover, with ever-rising doubts over how “essential” Salah truly is and the potential for Isak to become a superior asset very soon, a Wildcard may be the perfect opportunity to restructure one's team. Another change to the game that Jiayang had completely forgotten about is the addition of a second Triple Captain chip—and boy oh boy, Haaland at home to Burnley looks awfully enticing…

The TotalEnergies CAF Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations 2026 | COSAFA Qualifiers were recently staged in Harare, Zimbabwe to full stadiums and an incredible atmosphere. Stands were packed at the Ngoni Stadium despite the host nation going out in the group stages, and it was a reminder again, if one was needed, just what a football-loving country Zimbabwe is. South Africa took home the trophy for a record-equaling fourth time, drawing them level with Zambia on the all-time list, with a squad that was put together just days before the tournament started. They qualify for the TotalEnergies CAF Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations 2026, along with runners-up Angola and Mozambique, who took the bronze medal. The trio will represent the COSAFA region on the continental stage and we hope will be three of the 10 African nations who will qualify for the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Qatar next year. We will hear from all three of their coaches, starting with South Africa's Vela Khumalo, who had just a few training sessions to get his side ready for competition. Angola coach Mario Catala was disappointed his side could only take home the silver medal despite an excellent run to the final in which they scored 18 goals in four games and did not conceded a single one. But his pre-tournament aim was also to qualify for the continental finals, and that was achieved.Mozambique coach Luis Guerreiro had to settle for the bronze medal but he too can look forward to a place in the continental finals after the Young Mambas beat Comoros 3-0 in the third-place play-off.

You can also find the video version of this episode on our YouTube channel here: "Morocco's Getting Busy: Book Your Trip Early!"Azdean is joined today by Destination Morocco producer Ted Cragg for an update on current travel trends and predictions for tourism in Morocco, as we head towards the end of 2025, with an eye on 2026.Morocco is getting busier and busier, and with some major events coming up, there is one key takeaway: book early!Morocco hosts the Africa Cup of Nations, the African equivalent of a continental football tournament like Euro or Copa América, from December 21st, 2025 to January 18, 2026, in cities all around the country. If you're planning on attending, you likely have your ticket and travel plans in place already! Or maybe you're open to being spontaneous.If football/soccer is not your thing though, but you're intending to be in Morocco over that time, you'll still need to be prepared for the crowds and for accommodation being very booked up. Azdean suggests some alternative destinations within Morocco though that you could consider, where there will be fewer football fans and tourists: away from the action, but perhaps blissfully quiet instead.Beyond the football tournaments though, the travel numbers to Morocco continue to increase overall, which puts even more of a stress on activities and accommodations, particularly the riads. If you're going to Morocco, you have to stay in a riad as much as possible. If you have your eyes though on a specific one, especially that's in walking distance to the souks and sights, again you'll need to get that reservation in early.Destination Morocco can help you have a trip of your design and priorities, even during the busy times, by using our contacts and connections to give you the best possible options. Not to mention easing the logistics like transport, luggage, tipping, meals and of course, safety.Reach out to Azdean with your questions and book a free discovery call to let us know what you would like to see in Morocco on your trip! Do you dream of exploring the enchanting land of Morocco?Destination Morocco is your ultimate travel experience for those seeking luxury and adventure. We specialize in crafting bespoke itineraries tailored to your unique tastes and desires.If you're a discerning traveler who values an immersive, curated adventure, visit www.destinationsmorocco.com, and let us bring your dream Moroccan vacation to life.Learn more about Azdean and Destination Morocco.Explore our Private Tours and Small Group Tours!

After a week off, the trio return to talk a surprise team at the top of the Pro League table, European crunch points, transfers and players of the week. They also dive into the CPL and predict the main contenders for the top and the drop. If you enjoy the podcast, please do consider buying us a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/belgianfootballpodcastScott has launched a sub stack! Subscribe here for weekly articles on Belgian football: https://coyneconsultancy.substack.com/To find Ben's writing on Belgian football visit the Get Belgian and Dutch football website here: https://getfootballnewsbene.com/Ben's book on the history of the Africa Cup of Nations can be bought here:https://www.amazon.co.uk/Africa-Cup-Nations-Underappreciated-Tournament/dp/1801506604/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2F18IJZ0QZL2T&keywords=africa+cup+of+nations&qid=1704121168&sprefix=africa+cup+of+nations%2Caps%2C259&sr=8-1

www.kelloggsfc.com AD FREE and Exclusive episodes: https://www.patreon.com/c/Footballforkids In this episode of the Football For Kids Podcast, Darren Rees tells the inspiring story of Antoine Semenyo – the Bournemouth goal-scoring machine and Ghana international. Born in Chelsea in the year 2000, Semenyo's journey has been anything but easy. From kicking a ball in the park with his dad, facing rejection after rejection at clubs like Arsenal, Tottenham and Crystal Palace, and even nearly giving up football completely… to finally breaking through with Bristol City, battling through tough loan spells in non-league and the lower leagues, and then becoming a multi-million pound Premier League player with AFC Bournemouth. We'll hear how Semenyo grew up watching the Africa Cup of Nations on TV with his family, dreaming of heroes like Didier Drogba and Asamoah Gyan – and how that dream came true when he went on to wear the Ghana shirt himself at international level. But this episode doesn't stop at the goals and glory. We also talk about the serious issue of racism in football. On 15 August 2025, Semenyo was racially abused while playing at Anfield. We explain why this is so wrong, why racism has no place in football or anywhere, and how kids can learn to always choose kindness, bravery, and respect.

Mo Salah is one of Egypt's biggest and highly influential footballing icons. John Bennett visit his home village of Nagrig to meet the people who helped shape his early career and see the impact he still has on his local community. He explores the journey Salah took from Nagrig to Cairo to help achieve his dreams and gain an insight from those who have worked with him closely about what has driven him to global superstardom. And with the Africa Cup of Nations and a World Cup to come over the next 12 months, we assess whether Salah needs success with the Egyptian national team to cement his status in his homeland.

Players on Nigeria's female basketball team will receive a cash reward of $100,000 each and a three-bedroom apartment following their win at the Fiba Women's AfroBasket Championship. That comes just weeks after Nigeria's women's football team, the Super Falcons, were promised a similar award after winning the Women's Africa Cup of Nations.President Bola Tinubu says the women are deserving of the recognition because they have inspired Nigerians to dream big and brought honour to the West African country. But reaction to the cash prize has been mixed, with some saying such rewards are unsustainable given the country's economic difficulties. Mansur Abubakar, a BBC reporter in Abuja, tells us about the government's promises and describes the apartments in more detail. We also get reactions from Nigerian basketball fans. And William from the What in the World team tells us about the various incentives — from cash to cows — that other countries have offered athletes. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: William Lee Adams and Chelsea Coates Editor: Harriet Oliver

Aston Villa unveiled the signing of 24-year-old Ivory Coast international, Evann Guessand on Friday and as a result, Cole was joined by French football expert, Jonathan Johnson to discuss what Villa fans can expect from Guessand and how he could fit into Unai emery's plans.You can listen for FREE on Acast, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify - dig in!WHAT DO WE DISCUSS?What kind of player is Evann Guessand?From Jonathan's point of view, what are Guessand's main attributes?Should Villa fans be concerned about Guessand missing time due to the Africa Cup of Nations?Could Guessand be the type of player to make an immediate impact or is patience a virtue with this signing?STAY CONNECTED:Email: holtecast@gmail.comX: @HoltecastPodThreads: HoltecastBluesky: @holtecastpod.bsky.socialCole Pettem: @TalkAstonVillaGUEST: @Jon_LeGossipEPISODE NOTES:Thank you to our charity partner, Acorns Children's Hopsice.Donate today to support a fantastic charity: https://www.acorns.org.uk/get-involved/donate/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

President Tinubu Asks Online Content Creators To Create Jobs For Othershttps://osazuwaakonedo.news/president-tinubu-asks-online-content-creators-to-create-jobs-for-others/01/08/2025/#Economy #Tinubu ©August 1st, 2025 ®August 1, 2025 9:29 pm Nigeria President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on online content creators to create jobs for others, saying, the digital media is now a central driver of economic growth, while emphasizing that the youths are no longer waiting to be invited into the future, that, they are already building the future. #OsazuwaAkonedoThailand, Cambodia Army Area Commanders Meets, Awaits GBC Meeting In Augusthttps://osazuwaakonedo.news/thailand-cambodia-army-area-commanders-meets-awaits-gbc-meeting-in-august/29/07/2025/#Issues #China #Thailand #Asia #Cambodia #Malaysia #US ©July 29th, 2025 ®July 29, 2025 7:02 pm Inline with the requirements of the ceasefire deal reached on Monday night in Malaysia, the military commanders in the three areas along the Thailand-Cambodia border have met on Tuesday, with a resolution that both sides will halt the movements of troops and enforce the ceasefire agreement while waiting till August 4, 2025 for the outcome of the General Border Committee, GBC meeting to be held, before they will know the next line of action to be taken, which could be, to evacuate troops out of the area or continue the war based on the aftermath of the GBC meeting agreed to be hosted by Cambodia next week Monday, the ceasefire mediator who is the ASEAN Chair and Malaysia Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim who is currently in Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia for ASEAN meeting, said in a post via his personal verified X social media account on Tuesday that; “as the ASEAN Chair, Malaysia has emerged to lead efforts in reconciling Cambodia and Thailand, two neighboring countries that were nearly drawn into a more devastating conflict”, adding, “with the active involvement of China and the United States, we successfully achieved an immediate and unconditional ceasefire agreements, this is proof that diplomacy must guide our efforts to realize peace and resolute leadership”, while stating in his earlier post after the ceasefire agreement was reached, that the ceasefire agreement is a “concrete proof of the strength of ASEAN diplomacy, rooted in consensus, negotiation, and humanitarian principles”. #OsazuwaAkonedoTinubu Gifts Africa Winning Queens, Super Falcons Tech Team ₦4.4b, Houseshttps://osazuwaakonedo.news/tinubu-gifts-africa-winning-queens-super-falcons-tech-team-%e2%82%a64-4b-houses/29/07/2025/#Sports #Morocco #Nigeria #SuperFalcons #Tinubu #WAFCON ©July 29th, 2025 ®July 29, 2025 12:14 pm Nigeria on Monday staged an uncommon welcoming ceremony to appreciate and celebrate the country women Football team who maybe apparently correct to be described as Winning Queens of Africa as they landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja after the Super Falcons of Nigeria defeated the host Lionesses of Morocco by 3-2 in a breath taking and thrilling final football  match held in Rabat, the capital city of Morocco on Saturday, marking the 10th triumph of the Super Falcons on the continental stage after their previous triumphs in the Women's Africa Cup of Nations, WAFCON consecutively in 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2016, 2018 and recently for the 2024 Africa continental women tournaments, this, many top government officials most especially governors and Ministers like the Governors of Kaduna, Uba Sani, Governor of Kwara, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and Imo State, Hope Uzodimma gathered for hours at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja waiting the Super Queens of Africa to arrive and after welcoming the women Football icons home, the governors led the amazing stars of Africa to the West Africa country's Presidential Villa known as Aso Rock where President Bola Ahmed Tinubu conferred on the 24 Super Falcons football players and the 11-member technical team the National Honours Awards of Officer of the Order of Niger, OON, and gifted them houses each in Abuja with $100,000 each for the 24 Women players which total sum is approximately equivalent to ₦3.6 billion based on ₦1,500 exchange rate to a dollar pegged by the President for the 2025 Financial Year in the country, and in addition, the President gifted the 11-member Technical Team of the Super Falcons $50,000 each which approximately represent a total of ₦825 million, bringing the total cash gift to ₦4,425,000,000, during the presentation, President Bola Ahmed said he never wanted to watch the match because he did not want to have high blood pressure, adding that; the Super Falcons kept him hungrier as his wife, the First Lady of Nigeria, Oluremi Tinubu was at the Kitchen preparing his food while watching the match, emphasizing, the First Lady almost abandoned his dinner because of the football match and the Super Falcons on Monday could be seen singing, praising and dancing with the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu by thus reversing the negativity of the popular viral song of “Na Your Mama Be This O!” to “Na Our Mama Be This O!” to accept the First Lady as the Mother of all in the nation, which could be recalled that, earlier in the year, specifically, in the month of March, the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu was at the Dome Event Centre in Asaba in Delta State as part of her Renewed Hope Initiative project and during her visit, a video clip of Nigeria Nursing Students rejecting the First Lady as the Mother of all in the Nation went vira and became a popular song that was remixed by many to their desired tastes and lyrics, after the viral clip showed the event's Master of Ceremony had introduced Oluremi Tinubu as “everyone's mother,” a common title for First Ladies in the country, the nursing students refused to accept the designation and when the MC declared, “Na our mama be this” (translated as “This is our mother”), the students responded in unison, “Na your mama be this” (translated as “This is your mother”), signalling their rejection of the title. #OsazuwaAkonedoBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/osazuwaakonedo--4980924/support.

President Tinubu Asks Online Content Creators To Create Jobs For Othershttps://osazuwaakonedo.news/president-tinubu-asks-online-content-creators-to-create-jobs-for-others/01/08/2025/#Economy #Tinubu ©August 1st, 2025 ®August 1, 2025 9:29 pm Nigeria President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on online content creators to create jobs for others, saying, the digital media is now a central driver of economic growth, while emphasizing that the youths are no longer waiting to be invited into the future, that, they are already building the future. #OsazuwaAkonedoThailand, Cambodia Army Area Commanders Meets, Awaits GBC Meeting In Augusthttps://osazuwaakonedo.news/thailand-cambodia-army-area-commanders-meets-awaits-gbc-meeting-in-august/29/07/2025/#Issues #China #Thailand #Asia #Cambodia #Malaysia #US ©July 29th, 2025 ®July 29, 2025 7:02 pm Inline with the requirements of the ceasefire deal reached on Monday night in Malaysia, the military commanders in the three areas along the Thailand-Cambodia border have met on Tuesday, with a resolution that both sides will halt the movements of troops and enforce the ceasefire agreement while waiting till August 4, 2025 for the outcome of the General Border Committee, GBC meeting to be held, before they will know the next line of action to be taken, which could be, to evacuate troops out of the area or continue the war based on the aftermath of the GBC meeting agreed to be hosted by Cambodia next week Monday, the ceasefire mediator who is the ASEAN Chair and Malaysia Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim who is currently in Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia for ASEAN meeting, said in a post via his personal verified X social media account on Tuesday that; “as the ASEAN Chair, Malaysia has emerged to lead efforts in reconciling Cambodia and Thailand, two neighboring countries that were nearly drawn into a more devastating conflict”, adding, “with the active involvement of China and the United States, we successfully achieved an immediate and unconditional ceasefire agreements, this is proof that diplomacy must guide our efforts to realize peace and resolute leadership”, while stating in his earlier post after the ceasefire agreement was reached, that the ceasefire agreement is a “concrete proof of the strength of ASEAN diplomacy, rooted in consensus, negotiation, and humanitarian principles”. #OsazuwaAkonedoTinubu Gifts Africa Winning Queens, Super Falcons Tech Team ₦4.4b, Houseshttps://osazuwaakonedo.news/tinubu-gifts-africa-winning-queens-super-falcons-tech-team-%e2%82%a64-4b-houses/29/07/2025/#Sports #Morocco #Nigeria #SuperFalcons #Tinubu #WAFCON ©July 29th, 2025 ®July 29, 2025 12:14 pm Nigeria on Monday staged an uncommon welcoming ceremony to appreciate and celebrate the country women Football team who maybe apparently correct to be described as Winning Queens of Africa as they landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja after the Super Falcons of Nigeria defeated the host Lionesses of Morocco by 3-2 in a breath taking and thrilling final football  match held in Rabat, the capital city of Morocco on Saturday, marking the 10th triumph of the Super Falcons on the continental stage after their previous triumphs in the Women's Africa Cup of Nations, WAFCON consecutively in 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2016, 2018 and recently for the 2024 Africa continental women tournaments, this, many top government officials most especially governors and Ministers like the Governors of Kaduna, Uba Sani, Governor of Kwara, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and Imo State, Hope Uzodimma gathered for hours at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja waiting the Super Queens of Africa to arrive and after welcoming the women Football icons home, the governors led the amazing stars of Africa to the West Africa country's Presidential Villa known as Aso Rock where President Bola Ahmed Tinubu conferred on the 24 Super Falcons football players and the 11-member technical team the National Honours Awards of Officer of the Order of Niger, OON, and gifted them houses each in Abuja with $100,000 each for the 24 Women players which total sum is approximately equivalent to ₦3.6 billion based on ₦1,500 exchange rate to a dollar pegged by the President for the 2025 Financial Year in the country, and in addition, the President gifted the 11-member Technical Team of the Super Falcons $50,000 each which approximately represent a total of ₦825 million, bringing the total cash gift to ₦4,425,000,000, during the presentation, President Bola Ahmed said he never wanted to watch the match because he did not want to have high blood pressure, adding that; the Super Falcons kept him hungrier as his wife, the First Lady of Nigeria, Oluremi Tinubu was at the Kitchen preparing his food while watching the match, emphasizing, the First Lady almost abandoned his dinner because of the football match and the Super Falcons on Monday could be seen singing, praising and dancing with the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu by thus reversing the negativity of the popular viral song of “Na Your Mama Be This O!” to “Na Our Mama Be This O!” to accept the First Lady as the Mother of all in the nation, which could be recalled that, earlier in the year, specifically, in the month of March, the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu was at the Dome Event Centre in Asaba in Delta State as part of her Renewed Hope Initiative project and during her visit, a video clip of Nigeria Nursing Students rejecting the First Lady as the Mother of all in the Nation went vira and became a popular song that was remixed by many to their desired tastes and lyrics, after the viral clip showed the event's Master of Ceremony had introduced Oluremi Tinubu as “everyone's mother,” a common title for First Ladies in the country, the nursing students refused to accept the designation and when the MC declared, “Na our mama be this” (translated as “This is our mother”), the students responded in unison, “Na your mama be this” (translated as “This is your mother”), signalling their rejection of the title. #OsazuwaAkonedoBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/osazuwaakonedo--4980924/support.

President Tinubu Asks Online Content Creators To Create Jobs For Othershttps://osazuwaakonedo.news/president-tinubu-asks-online-content-creators-to-create-jobs-for-others/01/08/2025/#Economy #Tinubu ©August 1st, 2025 ®August 1, 2025 9:29 pm Nigeria President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on online content creators to create jobs for others, saying, the digital media is now a central driver of economic growth, while emphasizing that the youths are no longer waiting to be invited into the future, that, they are already building the future. #OsazuwaAkonedoThailand, Cambodia Army Area Commanders Meets, Awaits GBC Meeting In Augusthttps://osazuwaakonedo.news/thailand-cambodia-army-area-commanders-meets-awaits-gbc-meeting-in-august/29/07/2025/#Issues #China #Thailand #Asia #Cambodia #Malaysia #US ©July 29th, 2025 ®July 29, 2025 7:02 pm Inline with the requirements of the ceasefire deal reached on Monday night in Malaysia, the military commanders in the three areas along the Thailand-Cambodia border have met on Tuesday, with a resolution that both sides will halt the movements of troops and enforce the ceasefire agreement while waiting till August 4, 2025 for the outcome of the General Border Committee, GBC meeting to be held, before they will know the next line of action to be taken, which could be, to evacuate troops out of the area or continue the war based on the aftermath of the GBC meeting agreed to be hosted by Cambodia next week Monday, the ceasefire mediator who is the ASEAN Chair and Malaysia Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim who is currently in Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia for ASEAN meeting, said in a post via his personal verified X social media account on Tuesday that; “as the ASEAN Chair, Malaysia has emerged to lead efforts in reconciling Cambodia and Thailand, two neighboring countries that were nearly drawn into a more devastating conflict”, adding, “with the active involvement of China and the United States, we successfully achieved an immediate and unconditional ceasefire agreements, this is proof that diplomacy must guide our efforts to realize peace and resolute leadership”, while stating in his earlier post after the ceasefire agreement was reached, that the ceasefire agreement is a “concrete proof of the strength of ASEAN diplomacy, rooted in consensus, negotiation, and humanitarian principles”. #OsazuwaAkonedoTinubu Gifts Africa Winning Queens, Super Falcons Tech Team ₦4.4b, Houseshttps://osazuwaakonedo.news/tinubu-gifts-africa-winning-queens-super-falcons-tech-team-%e2%82%a64-4b-houses/29/07/2025/#Sports #Morocco #Nigeria #SuperFalcons #Tinubu #WAFCON ©July 29th, 2025 ®July 29, 2025 12:14 pm Nigeria on Monday staged an uncommon welcoming ceremony to appreciate and celebrate the country women Football team who maybe apparently correct to be described as Winning Queens of Africa as they landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja after the Super Falcons of Nigeria defeated the host Lionesses of Morocco by 3-2 in a breath taking and thrilling final football  match held in Rabat, the capital city of Morocco on Saturday, marking the 10th triumph of the Super Falcons on the continental stage after their previous triumphs in the Women's Africa Cup of Nations, WAFCON consecutively in 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2016, 2018 and recently for the 2024 Africa continental women tournaments, this, many top government officials most especially governors and Ministers like the Governors of Kaduna, Uba Sani, Governor of Kwara, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and Imo State, Hope Uzodimma gathered for hours at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja waiting the Super Queens of Africa to arrive and after welcoming the women Football icons home, the governors led the amazing stars of Africa to the West Africa country's Presidential Villa known as Aso Rock where President Bola Ahmed Tinubu conferred on the 24 Super Falcons football players and the 11-member technical team the National Honours Awards of Officer of the Order of Niger, OON, and gifted them houses each in Abuja with $100,000 each for the 24 Women players which total sum is approximately equivalent to ₦3.6 billion based on ₦1,500 exchange rate to a dollar pegged by the President for the 2025 Financial Year in the country, and in addition, the President gifted the 11-member Technical Team of the Super Falcons $50,000 each which approximately represent a total of ₦825 million, bringing the total cash gift to ₦4,425,000,000, during the presentation, President Bola Ahmed said he never wanted to watch the match because he did not want to have high blood pressure, adding that; the Super Falcons kept him hungrier as his wife, the First Lady of Nigeria, Oluremi Tinubu was at the Kitchen preparing his food while watching the match, emphasizing, the First Lady almost abandoned his dinner because of the football match and the Super Falcons on Monday could be seen singing, praising and dancing with the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu by thus reversing the negativity of the popular viral song of “Na Your Mama Be This O!” to “Na Our Mama Be This O!” to accept the First Lady as the Mother of all in the nation, which could be recalled that, earlier in the year, specifically, in the month of March, the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu was at the Dome Event Centre in Asaba in Delta State as part of her Renewed Hope Initiative project and during her visit, a video clip of Nigeria Nursing Students rejecting the First Lady as the Mother of all in the Nation went vira and became a popular song that was remixed by many to their desired tastes and lyrics, after the viral clip showed the event's Master of Ceremony had introduced Oluremi Tinubu as “everyone's mother,” a common title for First Ladies in the country, the nursing students refused to accept the designation and when the MC declared, “Na our mama be this” (translated as “This is our mother”), the students responded in unison, “Na your mama be this” (translated as “This is your mother”), signalling their rejection of the title. #OsazuwaAkonedoIsrael Now Portrayed As Enemy Of Christians - PM Netanyahuhttps://osazuwaakonedo.news/israel-now-portrayed-as-enemy-of-christians-pm-netanyahu/28/07/2025/#Issues #Gaza #Iran #Israel #US ©July 28th, 2025 ®July 28, 2025 8:44 pm Barely ten days after Israeli soldiers bombed the Holy Family Catholic Church in Gaza, Benjamin Netanyahu, the state of Israel Prime Minister has said that Israel is now being portrayed as the enemy of Christians, stating that, Israel has a thriving Christian community, “the only thriving Christian community in the broad radius of the Middle East, where Christians are not “tolerated”, they're cherished”, adding, “You can light Christmas trees in Nazareth – but in Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus, when Israel left and the Palestinian Authority came in, the Christian majority shrank from 80% to under 20%, because there was no more Israel to protect them, though, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not mention the bombing of the Catholic Church in Gaza that led to the killing of three persons and injuring to several people including the Parish Priest, it could be recalled that the Israel Defense Forces, IDF action against the Christian Holy place in Gaza sparked global condemnations, with the Head of the Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV in a statement on Sunday July 20, 2025 while speaking after his Angelus prayer, read out the names of those killed in the incident and said; “I appeal to the international community to observe humanitarian law and respect the obligation to protect civilians as well as the prohibition of collective punishment, of indiscriminate use of force and forced displacement of the population”. #OsazuwaAkonedoThailand, Cambodia Denies Shelling In Lao As War Enters 4th Day NonStophttps://osazuwaakonedo.news/thailand-cambodia-denies-shelling-in-lao-as-war-enters-4th-day-nonstop/27/07/2025/#Issues #Thailand #Cambodia #EmeraldTriangle #Lao #Trump #US ©July 27th, 2025 ®July 27, 2025 12:57 pm Royal Thai Army and the Cambodia National Ministry of Defense have both denied firing the 10 projectiles that destroyed civilian houses and properties at Emerald Triangle, a city in Lao on Thursday, just as both government establishments confirmed early in the morning on Sunday that fighting continued through Saturday night to Sunday morning night despite President Donald Trump of the United States, US statement on Saturday that he has spoken on phone with both the Prime Minister of Cambodia and the acting Prime Minister of Thailand, asking the two parties to agree on immediate ceasefire and failure to do so, according to Trump, US will not make any business deal with both countries, in his words, Trump said; “We happen to be, by coincidence, currently dealing on Trade with both Countries, but do not want to make any Deal, with either Country, if they are fighting, and I have told them so, the call with Thailand is being made momentarily, the call with Cambodia has ended, but expect to call back regarding War stoppage and Ceasefire based on what Thailand has to say, I am trying to simplify a complex situation, many people are being killed in this War, but it's very much reminds me of the Conflict between Pakistan and India, which was brought to a successful halt.” #OsazuwaAkonedo30 Killed As Thailand, Cambodia Continues Heavy Military Campaignhttps://osazuwaakonedo.news/30-killed-as-thailand-cambodia-continues-heavy-military-campaign/27/07/2025/#Issues #Thailand #Asia #Cambodia ©July 27th, 2025 ®July 27, 2025 4:32 am Asia is apparently becoming a continent of war as hope of achieving peace in the continent appeared slim since 2023 when  fresh wars broke out in the Middle East Asia after Hamas attacked Israel, forcing Israel to launch a multi front wars in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Iran and Yemen, this occurred as Russia tBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/osazuwaakonedo--4980924/support.

President Tinubu Asks Online Content Creators To Create Jobs For Othershttps://osazuwaakonedo.news/president-tinubu-asks-online-content-creators-to-create-jobs-for-others/01/08/2025/#Economy #Tinubu ©August 1st, 2025 ®August 1, 2025 9:29 pm Nigeria President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on online content creators to create jobs for others, saying, the digital media is now a central driver of economic growth, while emphasizing that the youths are no longer waiting to be invited into the future, that, they are already building the future. #OsazuwaAkonedoThailand, Cambodia Army Area Commanders Meets, Awaits GBC Meeting In Augusthttps://osazuwaakonedo.news/thailand-cambodia-army-area-commanders-meets-awaits-gbc-meeting-in-august/29/07/2025/#Issues #China #Thailand #Asia #Cambodia #Malaysia #US ©July 29th, 2025 ®July 29, 2025 7:02 pm Inline with the requirements of the ceasefire deal reached on Monday night in Malaysia, the military commanders in the three areas along the Thailand-Cambodia border have met on Tuesday, with a resolution that both sides will halt the movements of troops and enforce the ceasefire agreement while waiting till August 4, 2025 for the outcome of the General Border Committee, GBC meeting to be held, before they will know the next line of action to be taken, which could be, to evacuate troops out of the area or continue the war based on the aftermath of the GBC meeting agreed to be hosted by Cambodia next week Monday, the ceasefire mediator who is the ASEAN Chair and Malaysia Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim who is currently in Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia for ASEAN meeting, said in a post via his personal verified X social media account on Tuesday that; “as the ASEAN Chair, Malaysia has emerged to lead efforts in reconciling Cambodia and Thailand, two neighboring countries that were nearly drawn into a more devastating conflict”, adding, “with the active involvement of China and the United States, we successfully achieved an immediate and unconditional ceasefire agreements, this is proof that diplomacy must guide our efforts to realize peace and resolute leadership”, while stating in his earlier post after the ceasefire agreement was reached, that the ceasefire agreement is a “concrete proof of the strength of ASEAN diplomacy, rooted in consensus, negotiation, and humanitarian principles”. #OsazuwaAkonedoTinubu Gifts Africa Winning Queens, Super Falcons Tech Team ₦4.4b, Houseshttps://osazuwaakonedo.news/tinubu-gifts-africa-winning-queens-super-falcons-tech-team-%e2%82%a64-4b-houses/29/07/2025/#Sports #Morocco #Nigeria #SuperFalcons #Tinubu #WAFCON ©July 29th, 2025 ®July 29, 2025 12:14 pm Nigeria on Monday staged an uncommon welcoming ceremony to appreciate and celebrate the country women Football team who maybe apparently correct to be described as Winning Queens of Africa as they landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja after the Super Falcons of Nigeria defeated the host Lionesses of Morocco by 3-2 in a breath taking and thrilling final football  match held in Rabat, the capital city of Morocco on Saturday, marking the 10th triumph of the Super Falcons on the continental stage after their previous triumphs in the Women's Africa Cup of Nations, WAFCON consecutively in 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2016, 2018 and recently for the 2024 Africa continental women tournaments, this, many top government officials most especially governors and Ministers like the Governors of Kaduna, Uba Sani, Governor of Kwara, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and Imo State, Hope Uzodimma gathered for hours at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja waiting the Super Queens of Africa to arrive and after welcoming the women Football icons home, the governors led the amazing stars of Africa to the West Africa country's Presidential Villa known as Aso Rock where President Bola Ahmed Tinubu conferred on the 24 Super Falcons football players and the 11-member technical team the National Honours Awards of Officer of the Order of Niger, OON, and gifted them houses each in Abuja with $100,000 each for the 24 Women players which total sum is approximately equivalent to ₦3.6 billion based on ₦1,500 exchange rate to a dollar pegged by the President for the 2025 Financial Year in the country, and in addition, the President gifted the 11-member Technical Team of the Super Falcons $50,000 each which approximately represent a total of ₦825 million, bringing the total cash gift to ₦4,425,000,000, during the presentation, President Bola Ahmed said he never wanted to watch the match because he did not want to have high blood pressure, adding that; the Super Falcons kept him hungrier as his wife, the First Lady of Nigeria, Oluremi Tinubu was at the Kitchen preparing his food while watching the match, emphasizing, the First Lady almost abandoned his dinner because of the football match and the Super Falcons on Monday could be seen singing, praising and dancing with the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu by thus reversing the negativity of the popular viral song of “Na Your Mama Be This O!” to “Na Our Mama Be This O!” to accept the First Lady as the Mother of all in the nation, which could be recalled that, earlier in the year, specifically, in the month of March, the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu was at the Dome Event Centre in Asaba in Delta State as part of her Renewed Hope Initiative project and during her visit, a video clip of Nigeria Nursing Students rejecting the First Lady as the Mother of all in the Nation went vira and became a popular song that was remixed by many to their desired tastes and lyrics, after the viral clip showed the event's Master of Ceremony had introduced Oluremi Tinubu as “everyone's mother,” a common title for First Ladies in the country, the nursing students refused to accept the designation and when the MC declared, “Na our mama be this” (translated as “This is our mother”), the students responded in unison, “Na your mama be this” (translated as “This is your mother”), signalling their rejection of the title. #OsazuwaAkonedoIsrael Now Portrayed As Enemy Of Christians - PM Netanyahuhttps://osazuwaakonedo.news/israel-now-portrayed-as-enemy-of-christians-pm-netanyahu/28/07/2025/#Issues #Gaza #Iran #Israel #US ©July 28th, 2025 ®July 28, 2025 8:44 pm Barely ten days after Israeli soldiers bombed the Holy Family Catholic Church in Gaza, Benjamin Netanyahu, the state of Israel Prime Minister has said that Israel is now being portrayed as the enemy of Christians, stating that, Israel has a thriving Christian community, “the only thriving Christian community in the broad radius of the Middle East, where Christians are not “tolerated”, they're cherished”, adding, “You can light Christmas trees in Nazareth – but in Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus, when Israel left and the Palestinian Authority came in, the Christian majority shrank from 80% to under 20%, because there was no more Israel to protect them, though, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not mention the bombing of the Catholic Church in Gaza that led to the killing of three persons and injuring to several people including the Parish Priest, it could be recalled that the Israel Defense Forces, IDF action against the Christian Holy place in Gaza sparked global condemnations, with the Head of the Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV in a statement on Sunday July 20, 2025 while speaking after his Angelus prayer, read out the names of those killed in the incident and said; “I appeal to the international community to observe humanitarian law and respect the obligation to protect civilians as well as the prohibition of collective punishment, of indiscriminate use of force and forced displacement of the population”. #OsazuwaAkonedoThailand, Cambodia Denies Shelling In Lao As War Enters 4th Day NonStophttps://osazuwaakonedo.news/thailand-cambodia-denies-shelling-in-lao-as-war-enters-4th-day-nonstop/27/07/2025/#Issues #Thailand #Cambodia #EmeraldTriangle #Lao #Trump #US ©July 27th, 2025 ®July 27, 2025 12:57 pm Royal Thai Army and the Cambodia National Ministry of Defense have both denied firing the 10 projectiles that destroyed civilian houses and properties at Emerald Triangle, a city in Lao on Thursday, just as both government establishments confirmed early in the morning on Sunday that fighting continued through Saturday night to Sunday morning night despite President Donald Trump of the United States, US statement on Saturday that he has spoken on phone with both the Prime Minister of Cambodia and the acting Prime Minister of Thailand, asking the two parties to agree on immediate ceasefire and failure to do so, according to Trump, US will not make any business deal with both countries, in his words, Trump said; “We happen to be, by coincidence, currently dealing on Trade with both Countries, but do not want to make any Deal, with either Country, if they are fighting, and I have told them so, the call with Thailand is being made momentarily, the call with Cambodia has ended, but expect to call back regarding War stoppage and Ceasefire based on what Thailand has to say, I am trying to simplify a complex situation, many people are being killed in this War, but it's very much reminds me of the Conflict between Pakistan and India, which was brought to a successful halt.” #OsazuwaAkonedo30 Killed As Thailand, Cambodia Continues Heavy Military Campaignhttps://osazuwaakonedo.news/30-killed-as-thailand-cambodia-continues-heavy-military-campaign/27/07/2025/#Issues #Thailand #Asia #Cambodia ©July 27th, 2025 ®July 27, 2025 4:32 am Asia is apparently becoming a continent of war as hope of achieving peace in the continent appeared slim since 2023 when  fresh wars broke out in the Middle East Asia after Hamas attacked Israel, forcing Israel to launch a multi front wars in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Iran and Yemen, this occurred as Russia tBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/osazuwaakonedo--4980924/support.

The Orlando Pride will finally be back in action this weekend after a lengthy midseason stop for international tournaments. We are also back after a couple of weeks off as the club was quiet for the bulk of July. We open this show by discussing how several of the Pride players spent the "break." Six of those players all spent a lot of time with their national teams in Europe, South America, and Africa. We discuss Anna Moorhouse's team winning the Women's Euros, Zambia's run — featuring Barbra Banda, Prisca Chilufya, and Grace Chanda — in the Women's Africa Cup of Nations, and Marta and Angelina representing Brazil in the Copa America Femenina. We'll also discuss which players won't be back in time for Orlando's match Sunday against the Royals.This week's mailbagbox asked about Orlando's openness to an Adriana return, national team kits, whether the Pride could beat up Spain in a (soccer) fight, and more. Remember, you can ask us anything by hitting us up on Twitter at either @TheManeLand or @SkoPurpSoccer and using the hashtag #AskSkoPurp. You can use that same hashtag and hit @TheManeLand.bsky.social up on Bluesky. Or you can visit our show page, scroll down, and fill out the handy form. We'd also appreciate any ratings or reviews you can leave wherever you get your podcasts, and if you do that on Apple Podcasts, we'll find them easily and read them on the show.Finally, we previewed the Pride's upcoming second match of the season against the Utah Royals. Sunday's visitors may be statistically the worst team in the NWSL, but that doesn't mean Utah lacks players who can do some damage. We break down the all-time series, provide our key matchups for the game, and predict the final score of the match.If you'd like to support our independent writing and podcasting efforts, we'd love to have you as a subscriber or donor over at our Buy Me a Coffee site.Here's how Episode 94 went down:0:15 – The Pride sign a couple of players, pick up the options on a couple of others, and loan a handful out.9:13 - The mailbagbox is ready for some Orlando Pride soccer.25:59 - The Utah Royals are coming to town. No, not the old Utah Royals. The new ones!

Unveiling the Rise: Ed Bowers on Women's Football and the Art of Storytelling Ed Bowers is sharing some valuable experiences and insights from significant events like the Women's Africa Cup of Nations and the Women's Euros Final.  Here's a brief overview of what you can expect to learn from this episode: Progress of Women's Football: Discover how data is being used to track and demonstrate the progress and evolution of women's football, highlighting its growing popularity and development. Content Creation in Women's Football: Learn how becoming a content creator can help you stand out in the women's football industry, offering opportunities to connect with audiences and share compelling stories. Storytelling Power: Understand the importance and power of storytelling in promoting and enhancing the visibility of women's football, helping to engage and inspire fans and stakeholders. Defining Success: Explore the benefits of defining your personal definition of success, especially in the context of a rapidly evolving industry like women's football.   Podcast Show Notes: 1. Women's Football Career Playlist:  https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0FDLj15zox14oUKntwVRyu?si=2a3450082cbe487f 2. Ashleigh Plumptre: How to be authentic in the Football Industry: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1RSVZcU2xNg3eKGsRsh0jS?si=42880de0b01e477d   Let's Connect!   Connect with Ed on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edbowers101/   Follow Ed on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/edbowers101/

Match day one is in the books, and Ben, Scott and Joris are ready to discuss the action. The trio give far too early in the season hot takes, talk goalkeeper rotation at Club Brugge, star performers from the opening week and a brief dip into European qualification.If you enjoy the podcast, please do consider buying us a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/belgianfootballpodcastScott has launched a sub stack! Subscribe here for weekly articles on Belgian football: https://coyneconsultancy.substack.com/To find Ben's writing on Belgian football visit the Get Belgian and Dutch football website here: https://getfootballnewsbene.com/Ben's book on the history of the Africa Cup of Nations can be bought here:https://www.amazon.co.uk/Africa-Cup-Nations-Underappreciated-Tournament/dp/1801506604/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2F18IJZ0QZL2T&keywords=africa+cup+of+nations&qid=1704121168&sprefix=africa+cup+of+nations%2Caps%2C259&sr=8-1

Tinubu Gifts Africa Winning Queens, Super Falcons Tech Team ₦4.4b, Houseshttps://osazuwaakonedo.news/tinubu-gifts-africa-winning-queens-super-falcons-tech-team-%e2%82%a64-4b-houses/29/07/2025/#Sports #Morocco #Nigeria #SuperFalcons #Tinubu #WAFCON ©July 29th, 2025 ®July 29, 2025 12:14 pm Nigeria on Monday staged an uncommon welcoming ceremony to appreciate and celebrate the country women Football team who maybe apparently correct to be described as Winning Queens of Africa as they landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja after the Super Falcons of Nigeria defeated the host Lionesses of Morocco by 3-2 in a breath taking and thrilling final football  match held in Rabat, the capital city of Morocco on Saturday, marking the 10th triumph of the Super Falcons on the continental stage after their previous triumphs in the Women's Africa Cup of Nations, WAFCON consecutively in 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2016, 2018 and recently for the 2024 Africa continental women tournaments, this, many top government officials most especially governors and Ministers like the Governors of Kaduna, Uba Sani, Governor of Kwara, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and Imo State, Hope Uzodimma gathered for hours at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja waiting the Super Queens of Africa to arrive and after welcoming the women Football icons home, the governors led the amazing stars of Africa to the West Africa country's Presidential Villa known as Aso Rock where President Bola Ahmed Tinubu conferred on the 24 Super Falcons football players and the 11-member technical team the National Honours Awards of Officer of the Order of Niger, OON, and gifted them houses each in Abuja with $100,000 each for the 24 Women players which total sum is approximately equivalent to ₦3.6 billion based on ₦1,500 exchange rate to a dollar pegged by the President for the 2025 Financial Year in the country, and in addition, the President gifted the 11-member Technical Team of the Super Falcons $50,000 each which approximately represent a total of ₦825 million, bringing the total cash gift to ₦4,425,000,000, during the presentation, President Bola Ahmed said he never wanted to watch the match because he did not want to have high blood pressure, adding that; the Super Falcons kept him hungrier as his wife, the First Lady of Nigeria, Oluremi Tinubu was at the Kitchen preparing his food while watching the match, emphasizing, the First Lady almost abandoned his dinner because of the football match and the Super Falcons on Monday could be seen singing, praising and dancing with the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu by thus reversing the negativity of the popular viral song of “Na Your Mama Be This O!” to “Na Our Mama Be This O!” to accept the First Lady as the Mother of all in the nation, which could be recalled that, earlier in the year, specifically, in the month of March, the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu was at the Dome Event Centre in Asaba in Delta State as part of her Renewed Hope Initiative project and during her visit, a video clip of Nigeria Nursing Students rejecting the First Lady as the Mother of all in the Nation went vira and became a popular song that was remixed by many to their desired tastes and lyrics, after the viral clip showed the event's Master of Ceremony had introduced Oluremi Tinubu as “everyone's mother,” a common title for First Ladies in the country, the nursing students refused to accept the designation and when the MC declared, “Na our mama be this” (translated as “This is our mother”), the students responded in unison, “Na your mama be this” (translated as “This is your mother”), signalling their rejection of the title. #OsazuwaAkonedoBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/osazuwaakonedo--4980924/support.

As we wrap up an unforgettable 2025 Rugby Africa Cup tournament! Dexter is joined by passionate Zimbabwe supporter Hector Onai and Uganda rugby fan and member of the tournament's organizing committee - Darren Rutagwera.The trio reflects on the tournament, diving into the journeys of the Zimbabwe Sables and the Uganda Rugby Cranes. What lies ahead for these proud rugby nations?#Uganda #Zimbabwe #rugby #africa #africacup #rugbytournament #podcast #worldrugby #worldcup

Nigeria won the Women's Africa Cup of Nations for a dominating 10th time. But their victory was built on grit, belief and resilience against increasingly stiff competition from Africa's growing potential in women's football. DW's Josey Mahachi talks to Olisa Chukwurah in Lagos about what made this triumph sweeter than the rest.

Israel seizes Gaza-bound aid ship "Israeli forces stormed the Gaza-bound aid ship Handala after it sent a distress call, detaining 21 activists on board. Live video streams from the vessel were cut mid-raid as soldiers took control. The ship is being towed to Ashdod, with activists expected to be deported. The fate of the crew remains unclear." Israel announces short pause of its Gaza attacks "Israel says it will pause fighting in Gaza on Sunday from 10 a.m. to evening to allow aid into what it calls as “humanitarian centres.” The brief halt comes amid rising international pressure over the deepening crisis in the besieged Palestinian enclave. " RSF-led coalition announces parallel government in Sudan "Sudan's RSF paramilitary has declared its own government, defying the army and risking further partition. RSF leader Hemedti unveiled the administration in western Sudan, where his forces hold sway. The army, which controls Khartoum, has vowed to crush the move, escalating a war already tearing the country apart." Türkiye signs deal to supply 48 KAAN fighter jets to Indonesia "Türkiye has signed an agreement to deliver 48 KAAN fighter jets to Indonesia in a landmark defence partnership. The deal includes joint production, engineering collaboration, and technology transfer, with deliveries scheduled over the next 10 years. Officials hailed the signing as a “historic moment” for bilateral defence ties, deepening cooperation between the two nations." "Nigeria pull off stunning comeback to win WAFCON " "Nigeria roared back from 2-0 down to beat hosts Morocco 3-2 and clinch a record 10th Women's Africa Cup of Nations. Goals from Okoronkwo, Ijamilusi, and late hero Echegini sealed a dramatic win in Rabat. The Super Falcons remain Africa's undisputed queens of football."

Ghana held their nerve in a dramatic penalty shootout to defeat Banyana Banyana and claim the bronze medal at the CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations - WAFCON - in Casablanca LAST NIGHT. After a 1-1 draw in regulation time, the Black Queens triumphed 4-3 in the shootout at Stade Larbi Zaouli to seal third place in the tournament.The result will sting Desiree Ellis's squad, crowned champions in 2022, and had hoped to add a consolation medal to their cabinet. Instead, they will now return home empty handed and needing to rebuild their team for the next cycle. To review this game we are joined on the line by Mathews Mpete, SABC sports analyst ......

This week we have lots more on the Women's Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, with Nigeria playing Morocco in the final on Saturday.Former Nigeria goalkeeper Rachel Ayegba looks ahead to the final and gives us her reflections on the tournament.Also we hear about the refereeing twins from Rwanda at the tournament.And elsewhere, Stuart looks at Marcus Rashford's move to Barcelona.

Cristina Alexander and Ali Krieger break down England advancing to the Women's EURO Final in a thriller against Italy. Then, Gotham FC rookie Sarah Schupansky joins the show to talk about her first season in the NWSL. Plus, ESPN's Colin Udoh joins to talk about who has been the star of the Women's Africa Cup of Nations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Cristina Alexander and Ali Krieger break down England advancing to the Women's EURO Final in a thriller against Italy. Then, Gotham FC rookie Sarah Schupansky joins the show to talk about her first season in the NWSL. Plus, ESPN's Colin Udoh joins to talk about who has been the star of the Women's Africa Cup of Nations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of the African Five-a-side podcast, Maher Mezahi recaps the semi-finals of the 2024 Women's Africa Cup of NationsThis podcast is brought to you by: www.africasacountry.comThe specter of Bandung https://africasacountry.com/2025/07/the-specter-of-bandungWhose game is remembered? https://africasacountry.com/2025/07/whose-game-is-rememberedThe quiet violence of peace deals https://africasacountry.com/2025/07/the-quiet-violence-of-peace-dealsOrder our "Revelution Deferred" our physical edition here: https://africasacountry.com/store/product/revolution-deferredFollow us on social media:https://twitter.com/AfricanFiveSidehttps://www.tiktok.com/@african.fiveaside

Part two of our pre-season preview see's the side talk about the two newly promoted sides in RAAL and Zulte Waregem, as well as the rest of the sides that make up the 2025/2026 Pro League. If you enjoy the podcast, please do consider buying us a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/belgianfootballpodcastScott has launched a sub stack! Subscribe here for weekly articles on Belgian football: https://coyneconsultancy.substack.com/To find Ben's writing on Belgian football visit the Get Belgian and Dutch football website here: https://getfootballnewsbene.com/Ben's book on the history of the Africa Cup of Nations can be bought here:https://www.amazon.co.uk/Africa-Cup-Nations-Underappreciated-Tournament/dp/1801506604/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2F18IJZ0QZL2T&keywords=africa+cup+of+nations&qid=1704121168&sprefix=africa+cup+of+nations%2Caps%2C259&sr=8-1

Ben, Scott and Joris return for another season of Belgian Pro League action. This year we have split the preview show into two parts, starting with Anderlecht, Club and Cercle Brugge, Genk, Gent, Dender, KV Mechelen and OH Leuven. As per usual, the trio chat transfers, coaches and the general context around each of the clubs. Scott has launched a sub stack! Subscribe here for weekly articles on Belgian football: https://coyneconsultancy.substack.com/ To find Ben's writing on Belgian football visit the Get Belgian and Dutch football website here: https://getfootballnewsbene.com/ Ben's book on the history of the Africa Cup of Nations can be bought here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Africa-Cup-Nations-Underappreciated-Tournament/dp/1801506604/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2F18IJZ0QZL2T&keywords=africa+cup+of+nations&qid=1704121168&sprefix=africa+cup+of+nations%2Caps%2C259&sr=8-1

Wafcon — or the Women's Africa Cup of Nations — is heating up. Ahead of the final this Saturday in Morocco, only four teams out of twelve remain: Nigeria, South Africa, Morocco and Ghana. The tournament first took place in 1991 and since then, it's taken off, with the Confederation of African Football reporting that more that more people are tuning in to watch every twist and turn of the competition. It's given football stars from across the continent a chance to show off their skills on the world stage - and put the spotlight firmly on the women's game.So which team will get to hold up the cup this year? And how is the tournament changing attitudes to women's football across Africa?BBC Africa sports reporter Celestine Karoney explains how the tournament has changed over the years and what challenges female players still face. And the BBC's Sara Menai updates us on the latest from the tournament as the last four teams battle it out for the cup.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: William Lee Adams Producers: Mora Morrison and Chelsea Coates Editor: Emily Horler

The Junior Springboks lifted the World Rugby Under 20 Championship trophy for the first time since 2012 after beating New Zealand 23-15 in Rovigo,Italy, LAST NIGHT. Here at home South African rugby continued to shine with the senior team securing a comfortable 55 - 10 win over Georgia in Mbombela. Meanwhile defending champions of the Women's Africa Cup of Nations, Banyana Banyana, have advanced to the semi-finals of the tournament in Morocco after beating Senegal 4 -1 on penalties in their quarter-final match played in Oujda late last night. SAfm sports anchor, Janet Whitton joins us on the once again to review these games ....

It's a bumper sporting Saturday as the Springboks, Junior Boks and Banyana Banyana are all in action TODAY. After demolishing Italy, the Springboks now have their eye on Georgia who they face at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit this evening.The match kicks off at 17h10. Meanwhile the rugby rivalry between South Africa and New Zealand enters another chapter TONIGHT when the Junior Springboks face their New Zealand Under 20 counterparts in the final of the 2025 World Rugby U20 Championship in Rovigo, Italy. And in soccer, Banyana Banyana play against Senegal in the quarterfinal of the CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations - WAFCON - at the Honneur Stadium in Oujda, Morocco. Kick off is at 9pm...To preview all these games, Bongiwe Zwane spoke to SAfm sports anchor, Janet Whitton.

This week we have lots on the Women's Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco – Piers Edwards is there and he reflects on week two of the tournament.Also we speak to Nigeria legend Desire Oparanozie, who won the WAFCON four times and scored in three finals.And Stuart looks at Chelsea's triumph in the Fifa Club World Cup, and what it means for them.

Another memorable SABC News moment came during the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations Final, where South Africa emerged victorious over the Tunisian national side. Here's a snippet of the winning goal from that historic match.

In this latest episode of The COSAFA Show, we look ahead to the quarterfinals of the TotalEnergies CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco this week, and glance back at the Region 5 Games that were played in Windhoek.Two of our COSAFA sides have advanced to the knockout rounds of the WAFCON competition, including defending champions South Africa, who face Senegal on Saturday. But before that, Zambia are in action against nine-time winners Nigeria on Friday in what will truly be a test of their championship credentials.We will hear from both of their coaches ahead of the crunch knockout games.Botswana narrowly missed out on a place in the quarterfinals despite a 2-1 win over Tunisia in their final Group B game but leave with their heads held high.We also check in with the victorious South Africa men's coach Vela Khumalo after they lifted the Region 5 Games crown, which served as the COSAFA championship in that age-group this year. Although an Under-20 competition, South Africa triumphed with an Under-17 selection as they prepare for the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Qatar later this year, making their achievement all the more impressive.

Residents of South Sudan's capital Juba have voiced concern for their safety after the arrival of eight deportees from the United States. The Trump administration have described them as ‘violent criminals'. Who are these men, what did they do and how did they end up in South Sudan?Also, another peace deal in the Central African Republic, but will it hold?And as we enter the half way point for the Women's Africa Cup of Nations we look at the challenges women once faced - and still face - in the game!Presenter: Richard Kagoe Producers: Tom Kavanagh and Sunita Nahar in London Technical Producer: Chris Ablakwa Senior Journalists: Karnie Sharp and Patricia Whitehorne Editor: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

This week we have lots on the Women's Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco – Piers is there and he tells us about the stadiums and the atmosphere.Also we speak to Nigerian defender Benjamin Fredrick, one of the hottest young African players in England, who was named Brentford U21s Players' Player of the Year last season. And Stuart takes a look at football and celebrity, with a profile of Manchester United legend David Beckham, and also focuses on Beckham's astuteness in business.

The Orlando Pride don't play another game for a few more weeks, but that doesn't mean stuff isn't happening with the club. Haley Carter has been busy, and we discuss the club picking up the 2026 option year for a couple of players and signing some other players to new contracts. It was a tidy run of business for Orlando.Additionally, the club sent a whopping five players out on loan for the rest of the 2025 season. These were not Pride players who were getting minutes, so it can only help them, but it kind of feels like we'll never see some of them in Pride purple again. This week's mailbagbox has a lot of questions. In fact, it has double-digit questions, and that was just from one of our listeners! Is it bragging to say we were up to the challenge? Well, we were, so it doesn't matter if it's bragging. At any rate, it wasn't just one person asking questions, but it was one person asking a lot of them. Remember, you can ask us anything by hitting us up on Twitter at either @TheManeLand or @SkoPurpSoccer and using the hashtag #AskSkoPurp. You can use that same hashtag and hit @TheManeLand.bsky.social up on Bluesky. Or you can visit our show page, scroll down, and fill out the handy form. We'd also appreciate any ratings or reviews you can leave wherever you get your podcasts, and if you do that on Apple Podcasts, we'll find them easily and read them on the show.Finally, we discussed Orlando's three Zambians in their Women's Africa Cup of Nations match against Morocco. Barbra Banda had a great start to the international break, while hopefully Prisca Chilufya and Grace Chanda are gaining much-needed confidence and improving their form ahead of their return to NWSL play in early August.If you'd like to support our independent writing and podcasting efforts, we'd love to have you as a subscriber or donor over at our Buy Me a Coffee site.Here's how Episode 93 went down:0:15 – The Pride sign a couple of players, pick up the options on a couple of others, and loan a handful out.17:45 - The mailbagbox is celebrating the summer break with volume, volume, volume!48:11 - Pride players get back to international play in WAFCON.

Two people have reportedly died of gunshot wounds after police opened fire during protests in Kenya. It's the latest in a wave of anti-government rallies that began last year. The demonstrations mark the 35th anniversary of the historic Saba Saba protests that launched Kenya's push for multiparty democracy. Security forces blocked all major roads into central Nairobi ahead of the protests. We'll hear analysis.Also, we are in Morocco as the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) gets underway. How has the host country fared so far?And a conversation with musical icon Angélique Kidjo about her Hollywood Walk of Fame recognition!Presenter: Richard Kagoe Producers: Nyasha Michelle, Tom Kavanagh and Yvette Twagiramariya Technical Producer: Frank McWeeny Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Andre Lombard and Karnie Sharp

This week we focus on the delayed 2024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations, starting on Saturday in Morocco.South Africa are the defending champions, while Nigeria have a record nine titles. Piers is at the tournament and he looks ahead for us.Also we reflect on Africa's showing at the Fifa Club World Cup, and we speak to Al Ahly chairman Khaled Mortagey.And Stuart has a feature on Sir Alex Ferguson, the EPL's most successful manager ever, but Stuart explains how the mangers of today have less control than Ferguson had.

In this episode, Olu previews the upcoming Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), focusing on the Super Falcons' chances and group predictions across the tournament. He shares his picks for the Golden Boot winner, teams to watch, and possible surprise packages. He also covers key transfer updates including Chiamaka Nnadozie's move to Brighton, Paul Onuachu returning to Trabzonspor, and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru potentially staying at Lazio after his loan spell.https://bit.ly/NigeriaFootballWeeklyLinktree - https://linktr.ee/nigeriafootballweekly Twitter - https://twitter.com/NFWPod  Host: @VibesPatronInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/nigeriafootballweekly/  TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@nigeriafootballweekly Facebook page Link - https://www.facebook.com/NigeriaFootballWeekly Email - nigeriafootballweekly@gmail.com Anchor Link:  https://anchor.fm/nigeriafootballweekly Podfollow:  https://podfollow.com/nigeria-football-weekly 

Welcome to It Was What It Was, the football history podcast.In today's episode, co-hosts Jonathan Wilson and Rob Draper explore one of the most powerful stories in football history: Zambia's remarkable triumph at the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations.Jonathan, who covered the 2012 tournament on the ground, shares firsthand reflections of what he calls the most emotional press box moment he's ever experienced. Nineteen years after a devastating plane crash claimed the lives of their national squad, Zambia rose from the ashes to claim continental glory. This episode retraces their journey - from the tragedy off the coast of Gabon in 1993, the rebuilding efforts led by legendary captain Kalusha Bwalya, right through to their unforgettable victory on penalties in the very same country that witnessed their darkest hour.00:00 The Final Match: A Battle Beyond the Pitch00:15 Introduction to an Inspiring and Tragic Football Story00:36 Zambia's Uplifting Victory After Tragedy02:26 The 1993 Plane Crash: A National Tragedy04:37 Zambia's Football Rise in the Late 80s08:15 The Aftermath of the Crash and the Struggle for Resources18:42 Rebuilding the Team: The Role of Kaia and New Coaches24:01 The 2012 African Cup of Nations Journey25:06 The Quarterfinals and Beyond27:01 Gabon vs. Mali: A Penalty Heartbreak27:30 Unexpected Journey to Bata31:12 Ghana's Complacency and Zambia's Rise38:38 The Emotional Beach Ceremony40:27 The Dramatic Final Against Ivory Coast51:10 Zambia's Historic Victory52:16 Reflecting on the Significance Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we catch up on the Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt with the top four teams qualifying for the 2025 FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Chile.And with the European season coming to a close, we highlight a few of the top African players around Europe – we assess how Nigeria's Victor Osimhen has done at Galatasaray, we talk about Morocco's Achraf Hakimi, who's helped PSG to the Uefa Champions League final, and we look at the scoring exploits of Guinean Serhou Guirassy at Borussia Dortmund.Plus Stuart on Trent Alexander-Arnold's time at Liverpool, and Jamie Vardy on his exploits with Leicester, as he prepares to leave the club.

The last days before the Great Hunt.Book 3 in 18 parts, By FinalStand. Listen to the ► Podcast at Explicit Novels.“Can the scorpion ever stop being a scorpion? “"Do we get our legally permitted weaponry back?" The bishop still held my hand."Sure. If it makes you feel better.""I would like to meet your people then," he gave my paw one last shake then released me. "Shall we go?""I will have someone take you to your car. I want to briefly meet with the President, of Havenstone, then I'll join you in the garage. We'll drive over to JIKIT and I'll make the introductions. Good enough?""That is acceptable," he nodded."What about you two?" I regarded the nun and the Swiss Super-soldier. The nun remained vigilant, and silent. The Swiss' eyes flickered to his boss before settling back on me."It is what I volunteered for," he stated firmly."Okay. Please never say I didn't give you a chance to take the sane way out. Also, Bishop Nicolö, circumstances have conspired to up my prospective wedding date to January 1st.""That will be more difficult. Why the change?" he remained grim."We are having twins. By March, this will be very visible.""That is, unfortunate," he shook his head."You have no idea," and then a brainstorm. "And I am curious about resurrecting the Order of the Dragon, the Societas Draconistarum." Technically that meant 'Society of the Dragonists' which was more appropriate than the literal Ordo Draconis."Precisely how do you plan to recreate a crusading Christian Order which was the purview of the Hungarian monarchs?" he didn't sound the least skeptical, just curious."I have billions of euros to fund such a thing," I winked. "Of far greater critical importance, I know where I can find the supernatural guidance and spiritual imperative for such an organization.""You are going to produce a dragon?" his eyes grew larger even as he fought down his fear. Good man. He was adaptive. He'd need to be."I never said such a thing. That would make me sound crazy," I smiled broadly. "Besides, when I say 'dragon', you think 'devil' and that's way too pedestrian for where we are going.""I am not a moral relativist.""Neither am I. I'm out to save lives and nurture the drive in the human spirit to reach for freedom, love and liberty. As you might imagine, I'm pretty freaking outnumbered.""I think you are crazy," he re-evaluated things."I just might be. In all honesty, you should back out now. Take your two compadres back to 25 East 39th Street (the Holy See's Permanent Observer Offices to the UN in NYC) and report 'Mission Failure'. You'll most likely live longer," I reasoned."I am not afraid to die," Sister Rafaela Sophia finally voiced an opinion."That's idiotic," I scoffed before the bishop could reprimand her for opening her mouth. "You should be.""My soul is in God's hands," she set her jaw."Does he talk to you?" I countered."His message is clear.""Not what I asked. I asked if he specifically directed you to toss your life fruitlessly away as an object lesson for the reckless, or careless?""This is uncalled for," Nicolö intervened."Nope. I bet you a phone call to my Brother to physically restore your bishopric that there are four people in this room who have murdered in cold blood," I kept eye contact with the nun, "and she's the odd one out. Right Juanita?""Yes, Ishara," Juanita slipped up. Her spycraft, like mine, needed work."You were in the military?" the bishop asked my bodyguard."Was? I am. Right now," she related. "I will be until I die."That earned me looks from the three Catholics."She is loyal," Nicolö nodded slightly toward her, referring to Juanita's declaration."Huh? To me? Nope. She's loyal to my office, which we shan't get into right now. Back to you, Sister Rafaela Sophia. Are you out to be a martyr, or has some saint, or angel, given you a directive the other two seem to be unaware of which causes you to devalue your life?""I am devoted to the One True God, Christ, our Savior," and Juanita snorted, "and the Virgin Mary," the nun stated firmly. "I don't hear voices in my head.""Juanita, that was rude. Apologize to our guest," I kept looking forward."No." Well, fuck you too."Gun," I commanded. I held out my left hand."What? No. I will not give you one of my guns," she resisted."Juanita, give me your primary weapon, or I will ask Pamela to beat you up the moment I depart for the Great Hunt. After yesterday's stunt, you know she will," I threatened. Fair, I was not. She drew a Glock-20 and handed it to me. I went through the routine, dropped the magazine then ejected the round before opening the door.Oh look, there were four SD chicks outside, ready to escort my visitors downstairs. I didn't even need to waste a phone call. It wasn't like the conference room wasn't being monitored."Excuse me," I took a half step out the door then hurled all three items down the hall. Looking back at Juanita. "Go fetch.""Fuck you," she snapped."And insulting her faith was as degrading to both her faith and her as me doing this to you is degrading to you right now," I lectured her. "It is important to her, therefore it is important to me because she is my guest in the same way it is important to me that I let my bodyguard do her job without being a total asshole all the time. Now go get your God-damn weapon," I barked. Off she went. I left the door open."Now Sister Rafaela Sophia, the point of all this is: I don't give a crap if you are willing to die for God. In fact, that makes you less than worthless to me and the team. I want to know if you are willing to put other motherfuckers in the ground so that Bishop Nicolá, or Mathias, might get to keep doing their jobs.""Murder is a sin," she declared."Go home," I sighed while shaking my head."She answers to me, the Church and God, not you, Mr. Nyilas," the bishop stepped forward."Then you can go home too," I shrugged. "I'm not asking for remorseless killers. I'm asking for people willing to kill to get the hard work done and best of all, for people who know the difference.""Everyone on JIKIT is a professional soldier, or killer?" he asked."No, but the ones who aren't don't carry guns and know to get down when things get funky," I bantered."I vouch for her," he insisted. Juanita came running back into the room."Cool beans. I don't know you either.""You apparently know my service history," he volleyed."Yeah. Ten years a foreigner in the service of France, then you went straight into a university which turns out Jesuits," I riposted."What turned your life around?" he evaded. That was okay. I'd gotten what I wanted. I was willing to bet he had read every bit of public information about me and it was rumored the heavy Catholic membership in the FBI had its benefits to the Church as well. Not so much as to give them insight into JIKIT, but,"Someone risked their life for me. It's been pretty much downhill from there," I confessed. It was the truth. After Katrina gave me the life line on Day Two, it had all spiraled to the revelation of my heritage, Dad's death, Summer Camp, the Hamptons, Romania and Aya's kidnapping."A person, a soldier, died saving my life," the bishop empathized. "Her story is similar. She seeks redemption. She is not suicidal. I am staking both our lives on it."Did he mean him and Mathias, or him and me? I wasn't certain. Still, it was good enough for now. I'd gotten a look at their emotional make up, even the relatively quiet Swiss."Very well," I agreed. "I have to go see the President about my new job description. I'll catch up with you at your car." To the SD team leader, "Take them to the garage. I will join the group of you very soon.""Yes Ishara," she nodded. I exited the room, Juanita in tow. Two SD entered. I was gone before the Papal team left. Upstairs we went, with one last chore to discharge. I had to check on Ms. French to be absolutely freaking sure it was Shawnee, because anyone else would spell disaster.{8:30 am, Monday, September 8th. Last day}A Room full of asistants:Well, there it was, the office of the Executive Director to the President, and not 'Executive Assistant', because this was Katrina's final 'fuck you, no, just her final 'fuck you' before the Great Hunt got underway. I shouldn't assume things, dang it!Anyway, according to the gray-haired matron running gatekeeper to the Office of the President, this was where I was supposed to show up. I shot Juanita a worried look. She glanced my way and shrugged, momentarily willing to not give me shit about the past 24 hours because where I was situated would determine how easily she could do her job.In we went. In the suite were three desks, the 'big' desk situated at the far end of the office space and two far more modest ones on either side of the entryway. The room expanded beyond the chokepoint formed by the two closest desks into a cluttered area. The walls were cluttered with inset bookshelves and portraits of women. Facing one another were a loveseat on my left with bookend plush chairs in an 'L' facing and a full sofa on the right. There were end tables at the ends of the sofa and the corners between the loveseat and each chair.As the door opened, I hadn't knock as this was my office, or so it seemed, the occupants, who had all been sitting in quiet conversation in the central section, began reacting. Oh look ~ Constanza! I nearly had a heart attack before I realized there were three other Amazons also in the room. Sadly, none were behind the 'big desk', so I couldn't tell who was in charge. Two of the other three choices weren't too much better. First off,"Ishara," Marilynn Saint John stood to greet me. I'd last seen her when I'd dedicated her grandmother's (Hayden's) spirit to the halls of my ancestors, not hers, after forcing the political crisis leading to Hayden's suicide ~ her taking herself to the cliffs and in doing so, destroying the Amazon Cult of Blood Purity. Marilynne was clearly still bitter with me. Umm, I could still incite passion in women I hadn't slept with, yet, woot?"Cáel," the senior-most and only friendly face in the room spoke next. Thank goodness it was Beyoncé Vincennes, Head of House Hanwasuit and House Ishara ally."Cáel Ishara," the third individual was deferential which I wasn't sure how to take as the last time I'd encountered her, yeah, things hadn't gone well either."Beyoncé," I started off with a smile. From there, I had to figure out, ah, Beyoncé's eyes flickered to Constanza then Sabia. I knew Marilynn, with her young age, had the least seniority, "Constanza, Sabia, Marilynn. How's tricks?"Glum faces by everyone except Beyoncé. I didn't ask about Sabia's particular well-being. It had been months since I'd beaten her into the mats of the Full-blooded gym. She'd attacked Yasmin, the Brazilian Hottie and my Brazilian Jujutsu sparring buddy, and I'd retaliated by ambushed her when she turned her back on us. Besides, she'd been giving me shit before I even could see straight.Constanza was minus her left eye because of her dire insult to me. If she wasn't capable of working, she wouldn't be here. If she appreciated my 'mercy' in sparing her life ~ her insult was worthy of her death ~ Constanza hid it well. I hadn't spared her expecting a change of heart. I hadn't felt words alone warranted anyone's death. I was a big boy and could take a few insults. House Ishara, as represented by me, could care less. These days, my sisters would be less understanding despite them knowing my heart."Constanza Landau of House Jaya and Marilynn Saint John of House Anahit are Assistants to President Shawnee French," Beyoncé eased things along, "so will be working closely with us, at least for the short term. Sabia Noel of House Guabancex, who I now think you know as well, has joined you as the other 'Assistant' to the 'Executive Director to the President', (that would make me an 'adept', but adept at what?), and since two of the three Regents are unfamiliar with the workings of Havenstone proper, Shawnee has asked me to perform in that role."Beyoncé was, or had been, Havenstone HQ's CFO (Chief Financial Officer). From what I was quickly piecing together, she would essentially be making all the day-to-day decisions concerning the running of Havenstone (how the Host made the majority of its money) until the Regents got up to speed.Only Buffy had actual experience with the New York office and, from what she had told me, solely within Executive Services. While ES knew 'who' did what inside Havenstone, they weren't aware precisely how those Amazons got their jobs done. That would have been an impossible task. Katrina could do it, but she knew it was beyond the ability of most of us 'mere mortals'. Since we were currently at war, the Host needed Katrina completely focused on her duties as Chief Spy-mistress, not baby-sitting the adults.Shawnee indeed had much gravitas among the other House Heads. Not only had she risen up to lead a First House, she had performed heroically during the final days of the last Secret War. Afterwards she had moved into the realm of Amazon jurisprudence and mediation. Until yesterday, she had lived in a House Arinniti freehold in Minnesota's Great Lakes region thus her desire for the 'Training Wheels' period.The Regency would not rule through telecommunication (the upper echelons feared being eavesdropped upon beyond the standard Amazon (read: paranoid) levels) and Havenstone: New York was the center best situated for the current war-fighting operations, so here she lived. I was sure a team from Executive Services was buying, outfitting/spy-proofing and fortifying a dwelling suitable for the President of a Fortune 500 company. Hayden's home would remain the domicile of Sydney thus Marilynn.The same rigmarole would be done for Rhada and Buffy (though I imaged Buffy would bitch endlessly). Publically, they were VP's of a company worth hundreds of billions of dollars and they had to present the public trappings of such leaders.Why did the Amazons do this ~ unmask their leadership to public exposure? Legal-simple: they could request and expect all levels of public and private security for their executives who happened to also be important officials of the Host. Certainly not all executives at Havenstone were officeholders, House Heads, or House Apprentices, but the high level of competence which permitted one often led to the other.Beyonce:As an example: Beyoncé wasn't the most 'bad-ass' lethal chick in House Hanwasuit. As she was preparing to be casted, her intelligence, creativity and diligence at her future craft, finances, was noted by the Host and the members of her House. In due time her name was circulated as Apprentice and the elders approved. When her elder cousin, the prior House Head, took herself to the cliffs, Beyoncé assumed the top spot. Beyoncé wasn't even one of that woman's three daughters.Mirroring her advancement in her House was her advancement in Havenstone's Accounting, Acquisitions and Banking Divisions until she was appointed CFO Havenstone HQ ~ the supreme financial authority inside Havenstone, though the individual regional branches had a greater degree of autonomy than you might normally expect from a 21st century conglomerate, or a Bronze Age autocracy.I had to constantly remind myself, despite the near-constant feuding, Amazons exhibited a phenomenally higher level of trust than I'd ever found in any other society I'd ever witnessed, or read about, before. Though technically Beyoncé could have gone to President Hayden to enforce her decisions ~ or now the Regency ~ she was far more diplomatic in her approach in dealing with the other 'continental' CEO's and CFO's.That meant she had to wrangle the aspirations and resources from:North America (including Latin America, the 'Canadian Arctic' and the North Pacific Ocean),South America (includes both the South Atlantic and South Pacific as far as Samoa),Europe (mostly Central Europe these days plus Antarctica, the 'Russian' Arctic and the North Atlantic),Africa (mostly West-central Africa),India (the subcontinent plus the vast expanse of the Indian Ocean) and,Southeast Asia (which includes Australia)All of which suggested Havenstone hadn't redrawn the Amazons' geographic demarcations since the late 19th century. As an example, an East African venture, say in Tanzania, was as likely to be under the purview of Havenstone: India (due to its control over the Indian Ocean) as Havenstone: Africa (which traditionally had no East Coast holdings due to their constant struggles versus the Arabic slave trade).Returning to Beyoncé: initially she had held the proper 'conservative' (aka man-hating) mindset. My behavior during that first Board Meeting began to change her opinion of me and the New Directive. After the Archery Range incident, Beyoncé became a vocal proponent of the New Directive and faced challenges within her ranks. House Heads do not have to accept challenges and Beyoncé didn't, reasoning with her detractors they had no alternatives save the 'Old Ways' which spelled doom for the Amazon Race.Bing-bang-boom ~ I became the Head of a resurrected House Ishara by the Will of the Ancestors and Beyoncé was vindicated. Not necessarily in the New Directive, but in her support of me thus the rebirth of a sister First House. The purge following High Priestess' Hayden's death was her ultimate absolution. The Ancestors and Destiny had spoken and shown Beyoncé had been piloting House Hanwasuit along the proper course all along.Back to my current circumstances:Oh, why was I Assistant to the Executive Director to the President? It gave me direct access to the finances of Havenstone which was a critical leg of the war-fighting stool ~ people, morale, money and equipment. As Chief Diplomat, I helped with all four of those in varying degrees, allied troops, allied victories, allied bank accounts and allied armaments.The Great Khan, my spiritual 'Blood-Brother', was ramping up his logistic support for my Amazons in Africa, Asia and the Americas. We were 'Allies in the Struggle' and he wasn't going to wait for the Condottieri to begin coordinating with the Seven Pillars to declare them to be his enemies. They were already fighting the Amazons and 9 Clans, his allies, so their fates were sealed.In Japan, my Amazons provided small yet highly effective strike groups which the Ninja families furnished all the support services for. Everything from food to bullets to medical attention as needed. Without reservation, we shared their death-grapple with the Seven Pillars.From the dispatches I was getting back from my family members and envoys in Japan, we were making serious diplomatic inroads with the Ninja. Once again, it was the Amazons shocking capacity for violence as well as their fanaticism, professionalism and proficiency which all impressed our hosts and terrified our enemies, and this from people of a philosophical mindset which had them historically battling samurai.The Black Lotus were running around like rhesus monkeys on crack cocaine unleashed in a China Shop and given RPG's. While the Amazons couldn't help them in China, Indochina & Thailand ~ the Khanate could and was. The Amazons were of more help in the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia, where the Black Lotus and Amazons were going everywhere on the offensive against the Seven Pillars while the normal tight cohesion and iron-clad confidence, traits which made the 7P's so dangerous ~ were shaken by their horrendous losses in the 'Homeland' aka Mainland China.Less we forget, the 'military intelligence' wing of their organization had been decimated by the Khanate's Anthrax attack due to members of the Earth & Sky sacrificing themselves by being injected with the toxin then allowing themselves to be captured, which always ended in torture and death.Furthermore, the People's Republic of China, while having a scary 18% of the population either captured, imprisoned, dead, or displaced due to the Khanate invasion, that had come with the loss of 63% of their landmass (they had lost all of Nei Mongol, Ningxia & Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Regions, Qinghai and Gansu as well as 90% of Yunnan, 80% of Sichuan and 20% of Shaanxi provinces) to the Khanate and the 'abomination' that was a free Tibet.Then came the Russian 'stab in the back' which entailed the loss of another 10% of their people falling under foreign dominion as well as losing 8% of their most industrialized territory, Manchuria (Heilongjiang, Jilin and Liaoning provinces ~ the Nei Mongol portion of 'Manchuria' was in the Khanate's greedy clutches, from the viewpoint of a Seven P's warrior).Don't get me wrong, they weren't about to throw in the towel. If anything, they were becoming more dedicated to trying harder, digging deep into their knowledge of every atrocity, inhumanity and perversion now deemed necessary to re-chart history back onto its 'correct' path. It was this willingness to act in an even greater sociopathic manner which was being used against them. After all, the 7P's had plenty of proxy allies, who were starting to get really nervous about what their paymasters were now asking them to do,We Amazons were getting some extra special help too. The Booth-gan (Do not call them Thuggee ~ the confederate 9 Clan member based out of India though long since ensconced within various Hindi enclaves across the Globe) had created an all-female group of ultra-fanatical Kali-devotees ~ a gift for the upcoming battle fomented by the Will of the Goddess herself.While Aya was our Queen and the Regency would rule until she wished to assume command of the Amazon People, the nuts-and-bolts of the Host's activities were handled by Saint Marie as Golden Mare (our Minister of War) (technically she held the top spot due to our State of War, though no Golden Mare had ever exercised such authority over a Queen (and she definitely believed Aya was our Queen)), Katrina (as Minister of Intelligence and Security), Beyoncé (as Havenstone (the multinational corporation) ~ our Treasurer/Economic Tsarina) and me (our Foreign Minister).Saint Marie had decided to forgo a public face in order to better facilitate her moving around to various battle fronts and holding clandestine meetings with her junior regional commanders. Her Havenstone corporate title was 'Chief of Security Training and Certification'. As an extra level of deception, the head of Security Services wasn't even a Director-level position, instead being folded into the duties of the Office of the President.To my current circumstances ~ I had been given Constanza's house name which could only mean she wasn't currently assigned to the Security Detail; a fact that couldn't have made her bad attitude any better. Marilynn had completely lost her way as an Amazon when I first met her, burying her pain and confusion in endless partying and intoxicants. I believed only her grandmother's status as High Priestess kept her from the severest of reprimands, or death. I didn't even know what Marilynn's caste was. Sabia,"While I'm sure you are both far more qualified than I, precisely how did you two get these jobs?" I had to ask my two non-coworkers. Constanza glowered. Marilynn flinched."I have an in depth knowledge of Havenstone security procedures and resources," Constanza replied."Shawnee requested me," was Marilynn's comeback. "I also have intimate knowledge of the City of New York and its environs.""Actually, Buffy Ishara recommended you both to Shawnee," Beyoncé corrected their misconceptions. I knew the score. I'd be working intimately with the tight community around the President (Shawnee) and Vice Presidents (Buffy & Rhada). Buffy wanted me to be surrounded by women who hated my guts, so I wouldn't end up boinking them. It rarely worked that way. All too often ladies who hated my still-beating heart ended up punishing me with sex. I wasn't sure why that happened, but it did."Beyoncé, didn't the Chief Diplomat of the Host have her own office? I'm pretty sure Troika had one before her unfortunate collision with Saint Marie," I felt entitled to inquire."Do you feel you've earned that office space?" she riposted."Oh, fuck no!" I waved my hands one over the other to accentuate my denial. "I was just wondering where I could stick Juanita while I'm hanging around, here.""She has the desk right outside the door, Cáel," Beyoncé smiled knowingly. "So there is no way you can sneak past her.""Oh," I grunted. "Buffy again?""No. Pamela Pile put in that particular request.""Oh, Sweet Mother of God, now she is conspiring against me too?""Yes. Some of us realize the greatest hazard to your health is yourself, Ishara," Beyoncé chided me. "We'd like to keep you around, so we listen to those charged with that nigh impossible task.""Is she going to be hanging around the office often?" Constanza asked, either myself, Juanita, or Beyoncé; I wasn't sure. She = Pamela."Please, Constanza," I attempted to intervene, "don't make Pamela kill you. It will upset Mona." Constanza's scowl was accentuated by the eyepatch covering her ruined left socket, the one Pamela had carved out when Constanza had insulted me and House Ishara on our first day of rebirth. I didn't tell Juanita this, because Juanita might just shoot Constanza over the insult before Pamela got a chance to finish the job.The tension was palatable."Mona and I have talked, about Romania, and other things," Constanza grudgingly allowed. It took me a second to realize there was a hidden meaning to what she said. Mona was part of my personal Security Detail bodyguard unit. If she felt Constanza, the woman who had raised her after her birth-mother had died, was a threat to me, she'd feel duty-bound to snuff Constanza first. Amazons were hard-ass bitches alright and I think Mona had made that clear."I hope things can improve between us," I offered to Constanza. "Beyoncé, I just stopped in to say 'hey'. I'm off to JIKIT and I've got three of the Pope's people waiting on me in the garage so,""Vice President Varma requested a moment of your time," Beyoncé smirked. "She is in 2604.""Who?""Vice President Rhada Varma, a moment of your time, alone?" she clarified."Sure thing," I backed out of the office. Once I had some space, I turned to Juanita. "Give me three minutes then bust in and say, I don't know, a tsunami is about to overwhelm the city, or something. Otherwise, I won't get out for at least an hour and I think I've put the Bishop and his people through enough delays as it is.""Are you actually asking me to stop you from having an in-office liaison?" she studied me intently as we walked in the direction of Rhada's office."Yes. It's not likely to happen often, believe me.""Oh, I do, in that you won't ask me to do it often," she grumbled. I'd deal with Juanita's morale problem later. Right now, I had to gird my loins so they wouldn't do anything else with Rhada. I had work to do, damn it!Rhada was sitting at her desk, working on something, stylus raised up so she could chew on the end. Her hair was pulled back in a half-ponytail, the type that captured the rear half of the hair in a ponytail while leaving the front and bangs free to flow down. Rhada's blouse was white & billowy and, as I was soon to discover, her pants were ultra-tight and contour hugging."Mr. Nyilas," she greeted me. "I would like a moment of your time," she relayed what I already knew. She was more than a tad nervous to boot."Vice President Varma," I started off."When in private you may call me Rhada," she interrupted."Rhada, you look more ravishing than ever."That got up her and coming around her desk, which revealed her ultra-tight pants with no sign of her wearing underwear. Yikes! My cock was preparing to do what a cock was meant to do and I just didn't have the time, Really!"Do you have any time?" she let her bosom heave."Not today, ugh," I groaned. See, Rhada took the stylus and dragged it down her chin, throat and in between her bountiful mounds.All of which exposed the top of her black bra."Are you sure, Master?" she enticed me by turning around and then leaning over her desk, point that ass in my direction. My mouth began salivating and my groin ached. I found myself quick-stepping to her and giving those buttocks two firm slaps, one on each cheek."No, damn it, though I'm going to make you pay for this when I get back," I rumbled."Master will make me wait?" she taunted me."That will cost you even more," I growled. "I have business which simply won't wait and here is my captive teasing me with the treasures of her flesh. Bad, war captive," I spanked her yet again, hard. "Bad!" and I spanked her a fourth time. With each beating, Rhada gasped in pain and then exhaled in pleasure."If I've been bad, Master must be extra harsh with me when he returns in triumph from the Great Hunt," she gloated. Rhada had gotten what she wanted, which was another affirmation of my lust for her and our 'game'. I could provide her the release she so desperately craved while allowing her the safety of remaining in the Amazon fold. It was a perfect pairing, for her.I had other problems, such as all the other baby mamas in my life plus the extra-marital affairs I was contemplating. I still took the moments we had to snuggle with Rhada, her grinding that tush into my rod while I held both her arms tightly to her side while raining kisses down onto her neck and head."Sir! A giant tsunami is approaching the city!" Juanita exploded through the door."What?" I coughed. I had a face full of hair."Huh?" Rhada pushed up and away from me. I let her go."Right now," Juanita insisted. She really needed to stop taking me so seriously when I gave her such advice."Really?" from Rhada. She shot me a curious look so I shrugged. What else was I supposed to do with such a flimsy lie forcing our separation? At least I got out of there on time?{9:50 am, Monday, September 8th ~ Last day}(JKIT HQ)"Is this a common occurrence?" Sister Rafaela Sophia whispered to the closest woman, who happened to be Wiesława, the Polish Amazon. Since she hadn't arrived with us from Havenstone, the nun might have assumed she was with the 'Americans', or British."What?" Wiesława responded evenly."Weapons combat, they look real," the nun clarified."They are real. We always practice with real weapons.""Really?""Of course," Wiesława smiled at her. "We believe a few cuts and scrapes now will save lives when the true tests come.""Oh, you are with, Havenstone?" Rafaela clued in."Yes. I am Wiesława of House Živa. I am currently assigned to Unit L, Cáel's unit within JIKIT," she offered her hand to shake. Despite being a full-blooded Amazon from a freehold, her 'human' skills were progressing nicely. The nun shook it."I am Sister Rafaela Sophia of the Handmaids of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, that is a Roman Catholic Religious Order." Pause. "Do you hate Catholics too?""Yes. We have lived beside your people for many centuries and found your clergy to be much more dangerous than your pagan predecessors. Still, Cáel thinks you can be relied on and he's proven we can trust outsider women, which I was raised to believe was unlikely, and outsider men, which was basically anathema, so I'm willing to set aside my prejudices and judge you as an individual," the Pole imparted."Outsider men?" Rafaela mumbled."Well, yes," Wiesława smirked. "You are a nun, right?""Yes.""So you set aside the World of Men to live mostly among women, right?""Not entirely," the nun chose her words carefully. "We still rely on priests for religious rights and of course obey the life teachings of Christ and follow the leadership of his Holiness, the Pope, a man.""No one is perfect," the Amazon bantered back."Do you know the teachings of our Lord, Jesus Christ?" Rafaela ventured into dangerous waters."Yes. He was the semi-historical Son of your supposed One True God. We are not monotheists. We are Polytheists. Živa is my House's matron Goddess. It is also the name of the first woman to lead the House, her birth name surrendered to Destiny so all the daughters who came afterwards would be equals.""Oh, is Mr. Nyilas also pagan?" she inquired."I am unsure. From what I have been told, he has commended the spirit of his fallen father to your Jesus in a sacred ceremony then, in the presence of your Trinity and the Goddess Ishara, brought in new members to his House. I suspect he may be both," Wiesława reasoned. "Why don't you ask him?""Because he's fighting for his life?" Rafaela looked my way.See, the entire time their discussion had been going on, I had been sparring in a spare room at JIKIT HQ with Estere Abed, the Hashashin assassin (rather redundant ~ like saying the Sahara Desert). I had two tomahawks while she had a scimitar and curved dagger. While we sparred using the furniture as obstacles, Agent-86 was briefing me on various World events to get my input.Addison Stuart (CIA) and Lady Fathom Worthington-Burke (MI-6) were having a chat with Bishop Nicolé de Santis, verifying for themselves he was worth adding to the team. Juanita was having a similar discussion with Rikki Martin (US State Department) concerning my earlier encounter with the Papal team. Nicolé's buddy, Wachtmeister Mathias Bosshart of the Swiss Guard, was getting acquainted with the other security personnel.In comparison, those two had it easy. Both men were in their elements. Nicolé was a spook who pretended to be a diplomat for the Pope and was well acquainted with terms like 'deniable assets', 'plausible deniability' and your direct superior referring to requests concerning your identity/diplomatic status by saying 'I never heard of him and if I had, I have no idea what he was doing when you caught him doing what I don't know what he was doing', or something like that.Mathias was in the company of military-security specialists, brother professionals who were introducing him to his 'sister' professionals. Our Homeland Security gang were almost entirely former military by now. They got along with our JSOC folks and both had gained a limited acceptance with the Amazon security contingent.They bonded over the fact they were forced to work with really shady characters ~ the 9 Clans menagerie ~ who didn't always appreciate JIKIT operational security. Without going into particulars, the Wachtmeister was given the impression the abnormal was the norm and if you didn't think there was a 'down-side' to being able to carry your personally favorite bang-bang (the SG 552-2P Commando in his case) with some serious attachments (read: grenade launcher) around in downtown Manhattan, you probably didn't belong on this team.Back in the room,"He's not fighting for his life," Estere laughed. "He is fighting for mine.""Right," I responded sarcastically. We went through a flurry of exchanges, ending up with me kicking a chair at her. Estere stepped over it, colliding with me.I blocked her dagger, disarmed her scimitar and,"You are dead," she panted down at me, smiling. I was on my back, her straddling me. She had a belt-knife to my throat. I hadn't see her draw it. The scimitar 'disarm' had been a distraction."Woot!" I exhaled."But you're dead," Sister Rafaela misunderstood my good humor."He survived a minute and thirty-four seconds more today than his previous record," Estere responded. She slithered off of me, doing my arousal no good whatsoever, then offered me a hand up."And that's better?""He's a rank amateur with a few months on the job. I've been training to kill people for nearly two decades," Estere smiled. "Care to have a go?""With him, or you?""Either," Estere offered."I don't have a knife, or any hand weapons," she stated."We'll need to remedy that," Wiesława stated. "You should at least carry a knife.""Really? Why?""It is a nearly universal tool," I verbally stepped up. "Even if you are disarmed, you should be able to find one relatively easily, people are less likely to miss a stolen knife than a purloined gun, and a concealed blade could come in handy.""Do you train in knife-work?" Rafaela eye-balled me."Absolutely. It is part of my culture," I grinned."Okay. Can we spar, hand-to-hand?""Sure," I nodded. I put my tomahawks in their harnesses then put my harnesses aside. Estere gave me a wink before giving us the fighting space."So," Rafaela began to circle, "are you Christian?""By your definition, or mine?""By the definition of the Catholic Church."Oh cool, she went for a Savate stance. This was going to get ugly.My "no," was followed by her kick and my block, lunge and grapple. She wasn't nearly as good as Felix. I had her down and in a choke hold within fifteen seconds.Perhaps she thought I'd take it easy on her. She tapped out. I released her, retreated and flowed back to my boxing stance. It took her a moment to realize this was 'practice', not 'an interview'. She hadn't failed in anyone's eyes. We were both doing this to get better."See, I really, truly believe I have talked to supernatural entities ~ some who are considered divinities," I continued. This time she was more careful, trading jabs and blocks with me. "They don't claim to be the One True God. I believe in such a thing, but I also believe having been given the Message, Humanity has been left to muddle things out for ourselves."Whoops, she popped me one."The Woman-Thing this morning?""Yep," I evaded another flurry. She got cocky and I landed three blows, dropping her to the ground. I didn't help her up. Instead, I withdrew and let her get back up on her own before deciding if she wanted to continue. She did."I believe I've seen dragons and ghosts. I have felt legions of my ancestors give me quiet encouragement when I needed it. I know the dead have been brought back to life," I came at her. This time we both went for body blows, knees, elbows and fists. She was not SD-caliber and she needed to be. I grappled and she was forced to tap out again. After she regained her feet, she held up a hand for a pause."Do you believe any of that?" she addressed Estere."I am an adherent of Ismaili Islam yet nothing Cáel has encountered is contrary to my belief system. The Universe is a complex place and the Divine Light is often seen through a fractured lenses," she counseled the nun."Among the escapees were lawyer Francisco Luemba, Catholic Priest Raul Tati, economist Belchior Lanso Tati and former policeman Benjamin Fuca who are serving jail sentences of between three and six years each for supposed links to the rebel group FLEC (Frente para a Libertaé'o do Enclave de Cabinda), which carried out the attack on the Togolese football team at the start of the Africa Cup of Nations in January, 2010," Agent-86 read off yet another bit of global minutia."We need to get to them," I half turned. Sister Rafaela punched me in the gut and I folded up."Oh!" she gasped. "I'm sorry.""Okay," I mumbled. I had to keep with the plan. "Those men. We need to contact our Coils people in Kinshasa and the Warden of the Mountain Ways ('she' was the Amazon Host's leader of Africa ~ in the ancient times, the mountain ways had been the routes of southern vulnerability for the Amazon tribe thus the name).""Okay," both Agent-86 and Estere answered."Why?" 86 added."The Coils and the Host have had a serious problem with no nation in Africa giving them even back room recognition so we are going to take over our own country, Cabinda. It's been struggling to be free of Angola since 1975 and, by latest estimates, we've got strike elements of over 2,000 Amazons ready and waiting next door in Cameroon, Gabon and the Republic of Congo.""So you are going to go to war with Angola?" Estere frowned. "Don't we have enough enemies?""Au contraire," I grinned wickedly. "The resistance movement is genuine," I ticked off my points, "they have tons of offshore oil, and after we set off some spectacular explosions in the two main Angolan ports which are just down the coast, we allow global panic to bully the UN into intervening before the Angolan military launch an effective counter-offensive ~ considering the Angolan Armed Forces (I'd been reading up on a ton of CIA & MI-6 briefings) will most likely involve attrition warfare since they can't beat us in a stand-up fight.""They, the Angolans, have no overland access, they are separated by 60 kilometers of territory belonging to the Democratic Republic of Congo over some sad ass roads Plus the Congo River itself which is freaking huge by the time it gets that close to the Atlantic, Cabinda rests on the Atlantic Ocean by the way. No bridges. The Angolan Navy is anemic. Let me think."I began pacing."Hmm, they have no paratroopers though they have some Special Forces, we will need to hit as many of them in the barracks as we can. Their last invasion was from the north, overland, from the Republic of the Congo, in 1975, not likely to happen this time, though I may have my 'Brother' weasel up a battalion of Indian paratroopers to act as convincing peacekeepers after the initial take over.""Perhaps we can recruit some Vietnamese. I'm sure they'll love fighting in someone else's jungle for a change. We'll need some of 'our' guys to seize the port of Soyo, it is on the wrong side of the river, but has the major refinery the Cabindans will need. Since the entire surrounding province are the same ethnic make-up as the Cabindans, we'll have to take that too.""Man-o-man, I bet by the time this is over they'll really wish they'd given little Cabinda independence back in 1975. As for their other refinery, it is in their capital, Luanda, a few big explosions there too will get the markets jittery. Check that ~ the complete and utter destruction of their major petroleum facility will create a stampede for Peace," I continued. I walked over as our resident computer intelligence genius worked his magic."Blowing things up, you mean killing people," the nun blanched."Yes. This is what I do," I spared her a sympathetic glance. "I've got a madman roaming around in my head who provides me truly epic military advice which normally, but not always, means blowing shit up and killing folks. Welcome to the team," then as the data appeared, "Holy Shit! Did they build their oil refinery in the midst of their ghetto?" I was staggered. The refinery in Soyo was isolated from the town so it could be easily (and safely) seized. It was the one in Luanda which was the 'Holy Shit' site."It looks that way," Agent-86 agreed nonplussed. "Hmm, yeah, here is the port facility then your neighborhood of shoddily constructed one- and two-story dwellings between the refinery and the inland storage tanks, the perimeter barrier appears to be a chain link fence. I'd hate to be their Chief of Security.""Oh yeah," I choked. Estere slipped around to get a look."Whoops," she snorted."What are these people thinking?" I continued. "The whole shebang is exposed to the northern quarter of the city. The storage tanks have residential dwellings on all four sides with numerous side streets. Two teams with RPGs and four rounds apiece, Holy Crap. Sorry Sister.""But I want to save lives," she sputtered."Limiting the collateral damage could be pretty tough," Estere frowned. She toggled throw a series of maps to multiple pictures."Oh, look (dripping sarcasm); they light up the refinery at night. You can sit off the coast in a speed boat under cover of darkness and attack from there," she noted."Damn. Those are a lot of lights," Agent-86 agreed."24-7 operation," I suspected."We will need some experts," the government agent nodded."Or we are going to kill a fuck-load of innocent people. Not just the workers, but can you imagine a fire spreading to those neighborhoods? Shit," I muttered."You can't seriously be contemplating doing something like this," the nun sputtered. "It is inhumane. Think of the families, the children.""Lady, yes I am. Do you have any idea what the Human Rights record of the Angolan Army in Cabinda is? It is truly horrific and in case you missed it, one of the guys in dire need of rescuing by me, due to him being a huge rebel leader who has managed to escape, is also a Catholic priest. He's going to be part of the new government we are going to install once we kill a few hundred Angolans ~ mostly soldiers (more like well over a thousand).""We are going to kill a few hundred so a few hundred thousand can live free, democratic lives without worrying about the local police and political establishment torturing and murdering them. It is all part of the plan.""I think I need to talk with the Bishop.""Hang on. Let me finish," I forestalled her. "He'll get briefed along with everyone else. After all, it is a majority Roman Catholic country as is Angola, so I'm sure your guy can be of immense help.""The people you are putting at risk don't deserve this," she protested."They never do," I nodded in agreement with her. "It rarely stops terrible crap from happening to them though."I felt sorry for the Sister. She thought the Bishop was going to put a stop to this. Poor girl; he was going to do the exact opposite. See, the two competing forces at play here were a communistic kleptocracy (currently ruling Angola) and Catholic liberation theology united with a Cabindan national identity dating back to 1885. At stake was 900,000 barrels a day of petroleum. That was a bunch of funding for somebody. Last I checked, the state run energy conglomerate had misplaced $32 billion, in just three years.Mind you, the Coils of the Serpent and the Amazon Host didn't want to help the People of Cabinda out of the goodness of their hearts either. They wanted cover for the importation of weapons and other war-fighting material so they could kill the Condottieri in Africa. If the rebel leaders-turned-legitimate government didn't play ball well, the Coils were in the 'assassinating people' business and somewhere along the line the survivors would figure out keeping 'us' happy kept them alive. Problem solved.It was Bishop Nicolé de Santis' job to facilitate that understanding. If certain people with Vatican credentials explained the 'facts of life' to the new regime a lot more lives could be saved, Catholic lives. In turn, he could work to make sure the new group in power wasn't nearly as corrupt as the gang we were tossing out. Better education and quality of life, improved infrastructure & security and a nice shiny cathedral, or two.We, as in JIKIT and our component members, didn't want to rule the country and dominate the people's lives. We needed the ports and the airfields with a blind eye turned to our skullduggery. Sure, there would be future considerations. Amazons and Coil members would be fighting and dying for these people's freedom ~ public recognition definitely not required. No; the Amazons wanted to be left alone in their deep jungle homes which was an isolation they basically already had. This was a future chit which said 'don't come looking'.The Coils? Let's just say in the future Cabinda would have embassies around the globe and if occasionally they wanted someone to slip through under diplomatic cover ~ they were good for it. And if the Cabindans ever needed help in the future they knew they had friends in dark places who were now invested in Cabinda's survival. It was a win-win-win, unless you were an Angolan big-wig, or one of their foot-soldier currently serving in Cabinda. Amazons weren't big on taking prisoners, or even giving the opposition the option of giving up.For me, it wasn't lunch yet and here I was plotting to overthrow yet another government in yet another country ~ though in only two, small provinces this time. Thank the Goddess I had the rest of the week

“Lacking respect for Mohamed Salah and lacking respect for Egypt and for African football.”That's how three-time Afcon winner Wael Goma sums up Jamie Carragher's comment that the Africa Cup of Nations is ‘not a major tournament'. The former England and Liverpool defender was taking part in a TV discussion about Mohamed Salah's chances of winning the Ballon d'or after Liverpool's 2-0 win over Manchester City on Sunday. He said because Salah hadn't won a ‘major' tournament like the World Cup, Euros or Copa America so he didn't have much chance of winning the coveted award for the best player in the world. But Africa's top footballing guns have come out angrily to defend the importance of Afcon. PRESENTER: Alan @Kasujja GUESTS: Ivory Coast's Wilfried Bony who won Afcon in 2015 Egypt's Wael Goma who won Afcon in 2006, 2008, and 2010 Football Journalist, Oluwashina Okeleji.

Last weekend, Jamie Carragher made headlines when he mentioned that Mo Salah might be less respected for Ballon D'Or voting because he represents Egypt in international football and competes in the Africa Cup of Nations, which he doesn't believe is a "major" tournament.

On Daybreak Africa: DR Congo's government said it wants to "avoid carnage" and bloodshed in the besieged city of Goma after advancing fighters from the M23 armed group and Rwandan troops entered the Congolese regional capital. Plus, experts consider solutions to the worrying humanitarian situation in Goma. Some observers say the DRC government has not done enough to protect its citizens. Liberian President Boakai delivers his second State of the Nation address amid rising tensions. Zimbabwe's war veterans call on President Mnangagwa to step down. The African Union considers restructuring to satisfy calls for institutional reforms. The draws for the 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations was made Monday. For these and more tune in to Daybreak Africa!

This episode also has a video version on our YouTube channel, you can find it here: "Travel to Morocco in 2025: Travel Highlights to Help Your Planning"Or stay here for the audio version - your choice!---Morocco had a banner year in 2024, with tourist numbers reaching over 17 million, a number predicted for 2026 and yet reached two years ahead of time.With new air routes getting underway, both international and domestic, and new hotels and luxury brands setting up in the country, Morocco is very much on the up and up. For the first time, it outdrew Egypt as the top destination for travellers in Africa. Tourist numbers are predicted to reach 26 million per year by 2030, the year Morocco co-hosts the World Cup, alongside Spain and Portugal.All of which means, now is the time to go! Azdean and Destination Morocco podcast producer Ted Cragg discuss, in today's episode, what to prepare for in 2025, particularly events and prices that could affect your travels.They highlight some of the numerous large festivals that take place throughout the year, including the Gnawa Music Festival in Essaouira in June, and the Marrakech International Film Festival in December. These are annual events that always draw large crowds, but equally are exciting and prestigious events to witness.Adding to the excitement though in 2025, and in a preview of what's to come 5 years from now, are some major international football/soccer tournaments that will take place in Morocco.The U-17 Africa Cup of Nations will be held from March 30 to April 19, followed by the Women's Africa Cup of Nations from July 5 to 26. Then, FIFA's U-17 Women's World Cup will take place from October 17 to November 8, expanded to 24 teams for the first time.And in the largest of them all, Morocco will host for the second time ever the Africa Cup of Nations, starting towards the end of the year, December 21, 2025 and running to January 18, 2026. This major tournament will be spread amongst six cities across the country: Tangier, Agadir, Rabat, Marrakech, Fez, and Casablanca.Therefore, if you are planning a visit during one of these festivals or tournaments, make sure you do your research! Prices will likely be inflated, and accommodation will be less available and flexible as the dates draw near. Alternatively, knowing when these events are taking place may help you decide exactly when to go, if you would rather avoid the crowds and the hype and go at a quieter pace. Either way, we have lots to look forward to in Morocco in 2025, an exciting year in and of itself, but also a prelude of what to expect for the rest of the decade. Do you dream of exploring the enchanting land of Morocco?Destination Morocco is your ultimate travel experience for those seeking luxury and adventure. We specialize in crafting bespoke itineraries tailored to your unique tastes and desires.If you're a discerning traveler who values an immersive, curated adventure, visit www.destinationsmorocco.com, and let us bring your dream Moroccan vacation to life.Learn more about Azdean and Destination Morocco.Explore our Private Tours and Small Group Tours!

Kevin and Kieran discuss whether players receive any extra income from shirts sold with their name on the back, and find out whether clubs get any financial compensation when their players take part in the Africa Cup of Nations. Follow Kevin on X - @kevinhunterday Follow Kieran on X - @KieranMaguire Follow Producer Guy on X - @guykilty Follow The Price of Football on X - @pof_pod Send in a question: questions@priceoffootball.com Support The Price of Football on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/priceoffootball Check out the Price of Football merchandise store: https://the-price-of-football.backstreetmerch.com/ Visit the website: https://priceoffootball.com/ For sponsorship email - info@adelicious.fm The Price of Football is a Dap Dip production: https://dapdip.co.uk/ contact@dapdip.co.uk Get an Exclusive NordVPN deal here: https://nordvpn.com/priceoffootball It's risk-free with Nord's 30-day money-back guarantee! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In April 2023, civil war broke out in Sudan. It continues to this day leaving in its wake the worst humanitarian crisis in the world, according to the United Nations.Despite this, Sudan's national football team has qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations in 2025 and tops its World Cup qualification group.They are a source of hope to a nation left in ruins.In this special episode of The Athletic FC Documentary we'll take you into the war torn country where amateur matches continue amid the shelling, and football grounds have become burial grounds.At a refugee camp in neighbouring Chad, we'll hear of the horrors of war and how football is helping children there.And hear how geo political influence, immigration and perilous journeys over land and sea are part of this journey with Sudan, football and a war struggling to be seen and heard.CreditsWritten and presented by Adam LeventhalProduced by Abi PatersonAdditional reporting in collaboration with Tom Rhodes and Zemenfes Goudos GebreMikaelFeaturing footage from beIN Sport, Al Jazeera, British Pathé, Sky News, Fairshot, SuperSport, Sudan FA  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In April 2023, civil war broke out in Sudan. It continues to this day leaving in its wake the worst humanitarian crisis in the world, according to the United Nations. Despite this, Sudan's national football team has qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations in 2025 and tops its World Cup qualification group. They are a source of hope to a nation left in ruins. In this special episode of The Athletic FC Documentary we'll take you into the war torn country where amateur matches continue amid the shelling, and football grounds have become burial grounds. At a refugee camp in neighbouring Chad, we'll hear of the horrors of war and how football is helping children there. And hear how geo political influence, immigration and perilous journeys over land and sea are part of this journey with Sudan, football and a war struggling to be seen and heard. Credits Written and presented by Adam Leventhal Produced by Abi Paterson Additional reporting in collaboration with Tom Rhodes and Zamenfes Gebremikae Featuring footage from beIN Sport, Al Jazeera, British Pathé, Sky News, Fairshot, SuperSport, Sudan FA  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In April 2023, civil war broke out in Sudan. It continues to this day leaving in its wake the worst humanitarian crisis in the world, according to the United Nations. Despite this, Sudan's national football team has qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations in 2025 and tops its World Cup qualification group. They are a source of hope to a nation left in ruins. In this special episode of The Athletic FC Documentary we'll take you into the war torn country where amateur matches continue amid the shelling, and football grounds have become burial grounds. At a refugee camp in neighbouring Chad, we'll hear of the horrors of war and how football is helping children there. And hear how geo political influence, immigration and perilous journeys over land and sea are part of this journey with Sudan, football and a war struggling to be seen and heard. Credits Written and presented by Adam Leventhal Produced by Abi Paterson Additional reporting in collaboration with Tom Rhodes and Zemenfes Goudos GebreMikael Featuring footage from beIN Sport, Al Jazeera, British Pathé, Sky News, Fairshot, SuperSport, Sudan FA  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices