The Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) has released the latest ranking for leagues on the continent.
The CAF 5-year ranking is used to determine the number of clubs each CAF member association may enter in Africa’s inter-club football competitions – the CAF Champions League and the CAF Confederation Cup.
The associations ranked in the top 12 are entitled to register two teams in each of the continental competitions, while the remaining associations are limited to a single slot in each competition.
The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) was rated as the 12th best league in Africa with 25 points, according to the ranking released.
The Moroccan league was ranked as the best league in Africa with 180 points, followed by the Egyptian league in second position with 172.5 points. Algeria, South Africa and Tunisia respectively make up the top five best leagues on the continent.
The Ivorian league, ranked 13th in Africa is just 4 points behind the Nigeria Premier Football League.
Nigeria’s only representative in this year’s CAF competition, Rivers United FC, will be expected to have a good run in the CAF Confederation Cup to garner more points for the country and boost their chances of climbing up the rankings.
The football federations of Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany on Wednesday confirmed their bid to jointly host the 2027 Women’s World Cup.
They are up against rival bids from the United States and Mexico, from South Africa and from Brazil, with a decision to be made by FIFA in May, 2024.
The three European federations said in a statement that the objectives set for the organisation of this World Cup “align with the duty that the hosts have to support FIFA in its responsibilities to develop football on a global scale.”
Germany already staged the Women’s World Cup in 2011.
Australia and New Zealand co-hosted the 2023 tournament won by Spain
Kano Pillars FC was on Monday fined ₦1million for their Supporters encroachment onto the field of play during the NPFL week 4 clash vs Rivers United.
Also, Heartland FC of Owerri were issued a stern warning to curb restive acts of their Supporters and advised to organise reorientation for the Supporters to inculcate in them the spirit of fair play.
The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) reached the respective decisions conveyed in separate Summary Jurisdiction notices announced on Monday.
Kano Pillars Supporters were found to have jumped the barriers onto the field of play to celebrate their 93rd minute goal in the encounter at the Sani Abacha Stadium.
With the encounter deadlocked and heading towards a stalemate, legendary skipper, Rabiu Ali scored to hand Kano Pillars FC all three points, to spark wild jubilation which spilled onto the pitch at the Sani Abacha Stadium on Sunday, October 22.
After reviewing reports from the match officials, the NPFL charged the club with a breach of Rule B13.18. The club was consequently ordered to pay the fine within 14 days and warned that failure to comply within the stipulated time would be considered a continuous breach of the NPFL Framework and Rules.
For Heartland, the NPFL in the memo with the heading: MatchDay 4 Disturbances, expressed reservations over the behaviour of the fans in holding back the players and Officials at the stadium after the match.
“It has come to our attention that some irate Supporters of your club held players and Officials hostage after the match, making it difficult for them to exit the stadium premises until a detachment of security operatives arrived as reinforcement.
“Such behaviour is unacceptable and tarnishes the reputation of both Heartland and the NPFL”, read the memo signed by Davidson Owumi, the Chief Operating Officer.
The Owerri-based club was admonished to curb such behaviour by organising orientation workshop for the Supporters on the Spirit of Fair Play best practices.
Super Falcons of Nigeria held Ethiopia to a 1-1 draw in the first leg, second round of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games qualifiers in Addis Ababa on Wednesday.
Ethiopia took a shock lead in the 6th minute thanks to Birkie Amare, who slotted home from a goal mouth scramble.
In the 52nd minute the Falcons equalised through captain Rasheedat Ajibade, who volleyed home a long long range shot from out the box.
The Falcons thought they had grabbed the winner in the 92nd minute as substitute Ifeoma Onumonu headed home but it was ruled out for offside.
England-born Rinsola Babajide made her debut for the Falcons after coming on in the 71st minute.
The second leg will come up on Tuesday, October 31 in Abuja.
After the travel hitch encountered by Nigerian Champions, Enyimba FC, their Africa Football League quater-final 2nd-leg match vs Wydad Casablanca has received a new date.
As earlier reported by SportsRation, Moroccan Authorities frustrated the People’s Elephant’s trip to Casablanca on Monday, October 23, by failing to issue landed permit for the chartered flight.
That hitch led to the abortion of the trip , reason the Confederation of African Football has announced a new date for the 2nd leg of the match involving Morrocan giant Wydad Casablanca and Nigeria league champions Enyimba FC at the ongoing African Football League.
The original Date was Wednesday, 25th October 2023 but will see a 24-hour shift to a new date, Thursday, October 26.
Kick-off remains 19:00 at the Stade Mohamed V. Casablanca.
Moroccan giant’s Wydad Casablanca lead 0-1 on aggregate from the first leg on Sunday, October 22 In Nigeria.
Enyimba FC are now scheduled to travel onboard a chartered flight from the Muritala Mohammed International Airport to Casablanca.
The Israeli army swarmed the Gaza strip with leaflets urging residents to provide information about the hostages held by Hamas in return for financial rewards.
The messages were dropped by Israeli aircraft amid the waves of air strikes targeting Gaza, which Hamas health officials said have killed more than 5,000 people.
According to reports, the Arabic message on leaflets said that if the Gazans wanted a better future for themselves and their children, all they had to do was do the right thing and send safe and useful information about kidnapped people in your area.
The document provided a telephone number along with details regarding Telegram, Whatsapp and Signal messaging services, where information could be sent about the hostages.
The Israeli army confirmed the launch of the effort.
“As part of the extensive efforts to free the Israeli and foreign national hostages held by the Hamas terrorist organization in Gaza, the (army) today used multiple channels to communicate with the residents of Gaza and ask for information about the hostages,” the army said in a statement.
More than 220 Israelis, dual nationals and foreigners were kidnapped by Hamas militants during their shock attack on southern Israel on October 7 which killed more than 1,400 people, according to Israeli officials.
Nigeria’s Women’s National team the Super Falcons will face Ethiopia in a Paris Olympics Qualifier without Head Coach Randy Waldrum.
This follows confirmation by Nigeria Football Federation Spokesperson, Ademola Olajire who told Complete Sports that Waldrum chose not to honour the upcoming Super Falcons’ matches until his contract situation is sorted out with the NFF.
“Waldrum will not be in Addis Ababa for the match against Ethiopia. His Nigerian assistants will in his absence take charge of the matches, that is the two legs of the qualifiers,” Olajire said on Tuesday night.
” I think Waldrum decided to stay away from the two legs of the qualifiers until his contract situation is sorted out with the NFF.”
Randy Waldrum who works in the US Collegiate league with Pittsburgh Panthers has not reached aggrement with the Nigeria Football Federation since the expiration of his old contract after the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup where he guided Nigeria to the quater-final.
Waldrum’s abscence notwithstanding Nigeria have a star-studded contingent in camp for the match and are favourites to reach the final qualifying round.
In camp for the game vs Ethiopia are France-based goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie who has been outstanding for her club Paris FC .
Defender Oluwatosin Demehin, midfielder Rasheedat Ajibade and reigning Africa Women’s Footballer of the year, Asisat Oshoala are among 19 Super Falcons players in camp for the Paris 2024 Women’s Football Tournament qualifying Second Round, first leg clash with Ethiopia’s
The Super Eagles of Nigeria will take on the Crocodiles of Lesotho in their opening fixture in the qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Friday, November 17.
The encounter is slated for the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.
Jose Peseiro’s side will then face the Warriors of Zimbabwe three days later.
The matchday two encounter is billed for the Amarhoro Stadium, Kigali.
The match dates was revealed on the Super Eagles X handle.
Benin Republic, managed by former Super Eagles head coach, Gernot Rohr, the Bafana Bafana of South Africa and Rwanda are the other teams in the group.
The number one team in the group will advance automatically to the 2026 World Cup to be staged by USA, Canada and Mexico.
The Super Eagles failed to qualify for the last edition of the global soccer fiesta hosted by Qatar.
The three-time African champions lost to perennial rivals Ghana in the playoff round.
SKiNCARE IS AN ESSENTIAL PART OF OUR DAILY ROUTINE, IT IS THE FOUNDATION OF BEAUTY AND BEAUTY IS CERTAINLY A PRIORITY AS EVERYONE WANTS TO LOOK GOOD, BUT LOOKING YOUR BEST SHOULDN’T COME AT THE EXPENSE OF FEELING YOUR BEST.
IN THE LAST DECADE, DIGITAL SELF-CARE MOVEMENT COMBINED WITH A WIDESPREAD EMBRACE OF SOCIAL MEDIA TO CREATE A MULTIFACETED INTEREST IN HOW WE APPEARED TO OTHERS ONLINE. OUT OF THIS, WELLNESS GURUS EMERGED, SOME CERTIFIED, OTHERS WINGING IT AS THEY ADVOCATED COMPASSION FOR OUR PHYSICAL SELVES. IT BECAME COMMON TO SEE TUTORIALS FOR HAIR AND SKIN CARE NOT ONLY FROM CELEBRITIES, BUT ALSO FROM REGULAR PERSONS.
HOWEVER, ALONG WITH THE PROLIFERATION OF WELLNESS CONTENT CAME A DELUGE OF MISINFORMATION ABOUT THE WAY WE CARE FOR OURSELVES, PARTICULARLY FOR OUR SKIN. IN RECENT YEARS, AND ESPECIALLY SINCE THE ONSET OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, THIS HAS ONLY GOTTEN WORSE.
THUS, THERE ARE STRONG INDICATIONS THAT SOME OF THESE NEW BEAUTY TRENDS CAN BE BAD FOR THE HEALTH AS THEY ARE OFTEN UNTESTED, AND MAY BE UNSAFE. WHAT MIGHT APPEAR TO BE A MORE AFFORDABLE BEAUTY TREATMENT COULD ACTUALLY BE HARMFUL TO ONE’S HEALTH, AS HARMFUL SKINCARE, HAIR CARE AND WELLNESS PRODUCTS AND SERVICES DO EXIST, OFFERED BY COMPANIES WITHOUT REGULATOR’S APPROVAL.
THERE IS ALSO THE DO-IT-YOURSELF (DIY) SKIN CARE TREND, THAT IS THE PRACTICE OF CREATING YOUR OWN MIXTURES TO ADDRESS SKIN PROBLEMS. VIDEOS ON SOCIAL MEDIA IN THIS CATEGORY ENCOURAGE VIEWERS TO LOOK IN THEIR PANTRY AND REFRIGERATOR TO FIND NATURAL INGREDIENTS AND USE THOSE INGREDIENTS TO CREATE SUNSCREENS, MOISTURIZERS, CLEANSERS, OR MASKS.
AT FIRST, THIS MAY SEEM LIKE A GREAT APPROACH. AFTER ALL, WE SEE MANY COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS ADVERTISED WITH NATURAL INGREDIENTS IN THEM. HOWEVER, MOST CONSUMERS ARE NOT AWARE OF THE RISKS OF SOME OF THESE DIY SKIN CARE, AND THESE ADVERTISEMENTS DO NOT ADDRESS THEM.
THEN ALSO IS THE APPETITE FOR LIGHT SKIN AS A STANDARD OF BEAUTY WHICH IS BOOSTING THE GROWTH OF NIGERIA’S MULTIMILLION-DOLLAR SKINCARE MARKET, WITH MANY USERS IGNORING THE RISKS POSED BY SOME PRODUCTS.
CONSUMERS ARE FEEDING THE MARKET WITH A ROBUST DEMAND FOR SKIN-BLEACHING PRODUCTS, MAKING SKINCARE ONE OF THE MOST VIBRANT SEGMENTS OF THE PERSONAL CARE INDUSTRY. THE NIGERIAN SKIN CARE E-COMMERCE MARKET IS PREDICTED TO HIT $61 MILLION IN 2023, ACCORDING TO ECOMMERCEDB, A STATISTA-OPERATED DATABASE.
Cosmetics on display in cosmetics shop, Nyamirambo, Kigali, Rwanda.
THIS ACCOUNTS FOR 9.9 PERCENT OF THE PERSONAL CARE E-COMMERCE MARKET, AND ANALYSTS EXPECT THAT THE MARKET VOLUME WILL REACH $88.9 MILLION BY 2027.
ON A GLOBAL SCALE, THE SKIN-LIGHTENING INDUSTRY IS ESTIMATED TO BE WORTH $31 BILLION BY 2024, ACCORDING TO A JOINT STUDY OF THE USE OF SKIN FAIRNESS PRODUCTS BY THE CENTRE FOR HEALTH AND SOCIAL SCIENCES, TATA INSTITUTE OF SOCIAL SCIENCES, INDIA AND THE CENTRE FOR APPEARANCE RESEARCH, UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST OF ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM.
DATA FROM EUROMONITOR SHOW THAT OF THE $500 BILLION MADE FROM THE RETAIL SALES OF BEAUTY PRODUCTS IN 2019 GLOBALLY, SKINCARE PRODUCTS GENERATED $120 BILLION, THE SECOND HIGHEST AFTER $236 BILLION FROM PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS.
NOW, WE SEE A SURGE OF ENTREPRENEURS, CELEBRITIES, AND SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCERS BECOMING MAINSTREAM MARKETERS OF VARIOUS SKIN-ALTERING PRODUCTS LABELLED AS ORGANIC LIGHTENERS, WHITENERS, TONERS, EVENING CREAMS, ACNE ERASERS AND FADING GELS, AMONG OTHERS. WHILE THERE ARE SOME PRODUCERS WHO FORMULATE PRODUCTS BASED ON SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH THAT HAS SPAN DECADES, MANY ARE INSPIRED BY BUSINESS TRENDS AND RARELY INVOLVE EXPERTS IN DERMATOLOGY, FORMULATION CHEMISTRY, TOXICOLOGY, MICROBIOLOGY, OR SKINCARE CONSULTANCY.
FURTHERMORE, ONLY A FEW MANAGE TO GET APPROVAL FROM THE NATIONAL AGENCY FOR FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION AND CONTROL (NAFDAC) BEFORE SELLING TO THE PUBLIC.
AS WITH TRENDS IN GENERAL, THERE ARE PROS AND CONS TO THEM. AS A RESULT OF THESE SKINCARE AND BEAUTY TRENDS, INDIVIDUALS WERE INTRODUCED TO THE IMPORTANCE OF GOOD SKIN CARE, LEARNED ABOUT HIGH-QUALITY PRODUCTS, AND RECEIVED EXCELLENT EDUCATION TO TAKE BETTER CARE OF THEIR SKIN AND HEALTH. ALONG WITH THE GOOD, HOWEVER, CAME THE BAD. THERE HAVE BEEN VIRAL TRENDS THAT WERE NOT ONLY UNHELPFUL BUT ALSO DAMAGING TO THE SKIN. THUS, PATIENTS MAY PRESENT WITH ISSUES RESULTING FROM THESE TRENDS.
The largest drone built in Africa has been unveiled in Pretoria, South Africa.
Pretoria-based defence group Milkor’s 380 drone underwent a successful first test flight three years and seven months after the project kicked off.
The Milkor 380 is the largest drone built in Africa, with a wingspan of 18.6 metres, a continuous flight time of up to 35 hours, a range of up to 2,000km, and a maximum altitude of 9,000 metres.
The company is now conducting regular test flights and hopes to have four drones ready for the market by the end of 2023.
The Milkor 380 is controlled from the ground by three people, including a pilot, a commander, and someone to control the equipment onboard.
Daniël du Plessis, business development manager at Milkor, said the drone’s size is critical as it determines what equipment it can carry.
“Some of the sensors with which it is equipped are heavy. A larger drone can accommodate more of them and even weapons,”
The infrared and high-resolution cameras onboard allow the Milkor 380 to undertake observation, intelligence gathering, reconnaissance, and offensive missions.
It can also be used for conservation, combating land and sea poaching, and border control.
Milkor promotes the drone as a complete observation system.
It offers a control room, maintenance programmes, logistics support for fuel and parts, operator training, and satellite and ground-based communication infrastructure.
The company doesn’t specify a price for the drone, as this varies based on each customer’s specifications. Milkor’s drones are entirely built in South Africa.
The company began testing the Milkor 380 with the South African Air Force in Cape Town.
Using drones for security in South Africa has received a big push recently.
Earlier this month, the newly-launched border management authority announced it would procure technology, including drones, to eliminate crime, lawlessness and corruption at South Africa’s 72 ports of entry.
In May 2023, the Gauteng Department of e-Government revealed it had set a budget of R1.7 billion to buy drones, camera surveillance, and other crime-fighting tech.
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