President Bola Tinubu has congratulated the Super Eagles on their emphatic 4-0 victory over the Cheetahs of the Benin Republic and commended the team for keeping the nation’s hope alive as they pursue qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The President praised the Super Eagles for the hunger, passion, and determination displayed on the field in Uyo, noting that the superlative performance has reignited Nigerians’ football pride.
”While the job is not yet complete, I join millions of Nigerian football fans in wishing our team every success in the playoffs,” Tinubu was quoted to have said in a statement signed by his media aide, Bayo Onanuga.
“The mood across the country reflects a shared belief that Nigeria deserves a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which Canada, Mexico, and the United States will host.
“As your President, I assure you and the coaching crew of the Federal Government’s support as you strive to secure your place at the tournament. Nigerians everywhere believe in you, and I do too.
“We look forward to seeing you fly our flag proudly on the world stage.”
READ ALSO: Nigeria Thrash Benin 4-0, Set To Secure World Cup Play-Off Spot
Victor Osimhen’s hat-trick and Frank Onyeka’s goal secured the vital victory for Nigeria, but it was not enough to top the group, as South Africa also defeated Rwanda 3-0 to take that spot.
South Africa topped the group with 18 points, while Nigeria closely followed in second place with 17 points.
Four more bodies of deceased captives from Gaza have been handed over to the International Red Cross and are on their way to Israeli forces. Israel earlier said it will only allow in 300 aid trucks per day into Gaza because of what it called an unacceptably slow rate of body transfers.
Drew Struzan, the legendary artist behind some of Hollywood’s most iconic film posters, has died at the age of 78. His family confirmed the sad news via his official Instagram account on Monday.
“It is with a heavy heart that I must tell you that Drew Struzan has moved on from this world as of yesterday, October 13th,” read a statement from his brother, Greg Struzan.
“I feel it is important that you all know how many times he expressed to me the joy he felt knowing how much you appreciated his art,” he added in his statement.
Struzan’s career spanned decades, leaving an indelible mark on cinema. He created posters for blockbuster franchises and beloved films including Star Wars, Back to the Future, Harry Potter, The Empire Strikes Back, The Goonies, The Shawshank Redemption, and The Thing.
Spielberg once described him as his “favourite movie artist” and admitted to feeling pressure to “live up to the art” Struzan produced.
The legendary artist behind some of Hollywood’s most iconic film posters has died ( Propstore PR Handout)
Drew designed the epic Indiana Jones poster ( Propstore PR Handout)
His process was meticulous as each poster began as a pencil drawing, then was layered with airbrush acrylics and colored pencils to produce a vibrant, hand-crafted final image. His style was distinctive, capturing mood and emotion rather than merely summarizing a film’s plot.
“I wasn’t looking to tell a story. I’m looking to give a person a feeling about something they could hope for,” Struzan explained in a 2021 interview with Slash Film.
“I had to do something different, and I think that the trouble with a lot of early movie posters is that they looked too much like classic illustration, which feels like it’s telling the whole story. I didn’t want to do that.
“I felt that art was more than just telling the story. In fact, telling the story in a poster is wrong for a movie.”
Drew Struzan has died at the age of 78
Before making his mark in Hollywood, Struzan designed album covers for some of the music world’s biggest names, including the Beach Boys, Bee Gees, Earth, Wind & Fire, Liberace, and Black Sabbath. His artwork for Alice Cooper’s Welcome to My Nightmare was later named one of the greatest album covers ever by Rolling Stone.
Earlier this year, Struzan’s wife revealed that he had been battling Alzheimer’s. “Drew can no longer paint or sign things for you,” she wrote on Facebook in March.
“He is not enjoying a well-deserved retirement but rather fighting for his life. He hears all the comments you have left here on these pages. It encourages him. At first he was able to express his thoughts but as time progressed it became infinitely more difficult.
“I rely on our 60 years of marriage working as a team to remember for him. Drew has left a strong legacy of love and joy in the form of his work. It has always been a love letter of sorts.
“His aim was to make the earth a better place in which to live by creating something beautiful. But like a flower, his season is ending,” she added.
Qatar qualified for football’s 2026 World Cup on Tuesday with a 2-1 win over the United Arab Emirates thanks to second-half headers from Boualem Khoukhi and Pedro Miguel.
It marks the first time that Qatar, which lost all three group-stage games when it hosted the 2022 tournament, has advanced through qualification.
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The victory put Qatar atop Group A in the fourth round of Asian qualification, ahead of the second-place United Arab Emirates (UAE), which now moves on to the fifth round and playoffs. Oman was eliminated after finishing third in the group.
Qatar’s best first-half chance came in the 30th minute, when Mohamed Al-Mannai’s header bounced just wide of the UAE goal.
Two minutes into the second half, Khoukhi opened the scoring by heading in a free kick from Akram Afif past goalkeeper Khalid Essa. With 17 minutes remaining, Afif provided another assist, crossing from the left for Pedro Miguel to head home at the far post.
Qatar fans celebrate their team’s victory with the team at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium [Mohamed Farag/Getty Images]
Qatar was reduced to 10 men when Tarek Salman was shown a straight red card in the 87th minute. After eight of the 15 minutes added on, UAE pulled a goal back through Sultan Adil’s shot from inside the area to ensure a tense finish. UAE would have advanced with a draw.
Japan and South Korea, which have already secured a spot at next year’s World Cup, both won friendlies against South American teams on Tuesday.
Japan beat Brazil for the first time, fighting from two goals down to win 3-2 in Tokyo. Ayase Ueda grabbed the winning goal with a header in the 71st minute.
Soul legend D’Angelo, who won four Grammy awards, died at the age of 51 surrounded by his loved ones after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer
Frankie Collins and Zoe Delaney Assistant Showbiz Editor
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Grammy winning RnB singer D’Angelo dies (Image: Getty)
The world of music is mourning the loss of Grammy-winning soul legend D’Angelo, who has tragically died at the age of 51 following a pancreatic cancer diagnosis.
The Brown Sugar hitmaker passed away on Tuesday morning in New York City, according to sources close to his family and longtime manager Kedar Massenberg.
His death marks the end of one of the most distinctive and influential careers in modern R&B, which spanned three decades and reshaped the sound of neo-soul.
D’Angelo, best known for hits such as Lady, Untitled (How Does It Feel) and Really Love, was a defining voice of the 1990s and early 2000s soul renaissance.
His debut album Brown Sugar, released in 1995, marked his arrival as a prodigy – blending gospel roots, funk, and jazz into a sensual, groundbreaking sound that inspired a generation of artists from Alicia Keys to Frank Ocean.
A source close to the family said: “He was surrounded by loved ones when he passed. D’Angelo fought hard and with grace until the end.”
Another added: “He was one of those rare artists who gave everything to the music – he left nothing behind.”, reports the Express.
Throughout his career, D’Angelo collaborated with musical heavyweights including Jay-Z, Q-Tip, Snoop Dogg, and Erykah Badu, and was celebrated not only for his velvet voice but also for his musicianship – often playing multiple instruments and co-producing his own albums.
Tributes have already begun pouring in from across the entertainment world. DJ Premier, who worked with him on the 1998 track “Devil’s Pie,” confirmed the devastating news via X on Oct. 14.
“Such a sad loss to the passing of D’angelo. We have so many great times. Gonna miss you so much. Sleep Peacefully D’ Love You KING,” he penned.
One admirer posted on X: “D’Angelo changed the way R&B felt – the sound, the soul, the swagger. A true legend gone too soon.” Another simply shared: “Brown Sugar forever.”
His subsequent album, Voodoo, which dropped in 2000, secured him two Grammys including Best R&B Album, establishing his status amongst music’s greatest.
However, it was the sultry, stripped-back video for Untitled (How Does It Feel) – featuring the artist appearing naked against a shadowy background – that transformed him into a cultural icon.
The visual became one of the most discussed in music video history, generating endless debate and imitation whilst “revolutionising the persona” of the contemporary male soul artist.
Receiving 14 Grammy nominations throughout his career, D’Angelo claimed four accolades, including Best R&B Album twice for Voodoo and Black Messiah.
He additionally secured Best R&B Vocal Performance for Untitled (How Does It Feel) and Best R&B Song for Black Messiah’s Really Love.
The artist leaves behind 2 sons and a daughter. The mother of his eldest son was vocalist Angie Stone, who passed away tragically this year in a motor accident.
Under the new ceasefire, the Turkish ship, the Akdeniz, is sailing to Egypt’s El-Arish port with desperately needed food supplies for the people of Gaza.
