Football’s talent pipeline has migrated from Africa to Europe for decades. Morocco is, however, changing that pattern. Samantha Johnson examines how Morocco’s football ecosystem can challenge the game’s traditional hierarchy.
Published On 28 Oct 2025
Australia will be in “great hands” with stand-in captain Harry Grant leading the side in Saturday’s second Rugby League Ashes Test against England, head coach Kevin Walters says.
The Melbourne Storm captain will lead the Kangaroos at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium, with captain Isaah Yeo ruled out after failing a head injury assessment.
Grant, 27, took over as captain when Yeo was injured in a collision with England winger Dom Young during the early stages of Australia’s 26-6 first-Test win at Wembley last Saturday.
Sydney Roosters prop Lindsay Collins is promoted to the starting line-up in the only personnel change to the team that started at Wembley, with Patrick Carrigan moving into the loose forward role vacated by Yeo.
Lindsay Smith, Yeo’s Penrith Panthers club-mate, steps up to the bench, with Jacob Preston named among the reserves.
“Harry and all of the senior players for that matter stepped up after Isaah’s unfortunate injury last week,” said former Kangaroo half-back Walters.
“While we’d love to have Isaah out there, he’ll still be contributing in many other ways around the group this week. He’s a natural leader, and so too is Harry so we’re in great hands this week.
“I’m really pleased with the way we’ve started the series, but we’re into a new week now and our focus is on preparing well and being at our very best this Saturday.”
Brisbane Broncos superstar Reece Walsh will again play at full-back, having scored two tries and won the man-of-the-match award on his international debut at Wembley.
Saturday’s second Test, and the third at AMT Headingley on 8 November, both kick off at 14:30 GMT and are live on BBC One.
Australia: Reece Walsh, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Kotoni Staggs, Gehamat Shibasaki, Josh Addo-Carr, Cameron Munster, Nathan Cleary, Lindsay Collins, Harry Grant (captain), Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Angus Crichton, Hudson Young, Patrick Carrigan.
Interchanges: Tom Dearden, Lindsay Smith, Reuben Cotter, Keaon Koloamatangi.
Rugby League Ashes
25 October, 1 November, 8 November
The newly appointed Service chiefs have been requested by President Bola Tinubu in a letter to the Senate.
In a plenary session, Senate President Godswill Akpabio made the request for the commanders of the defense staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, the army chief, Major-General Waheedi Shaibu, the chief of naval staff, Rear Admiral Idi Abbas, the air chief, Air vice-martial Kennedy Aneke, and the commander of defense intelligence, Major-General Emmanuel Undiendeye.
President Tinubu urged the Senate to consider the appointments as quickly as possible in the correspondence.
Next week, the committee of the committee would hear the request for nomination screening and confirmation.
READ MORE: Tinubu Meets Service Chiefs in Closed-Door Meetings.
The military hierarchy was recently reorganized by Tinubu. General Christopher Musa was replaced by Oluyede, a former chief of army staff, as the chief of defense staff, after Tinubu removed him.
However, he kept in charge of the defense intelligence division as Major-General E. A. P. Undiendeye.
According to presidential adviser Sunday Dare, the rejigging was a result of “the Federal Government of Nigeria’s efforts to strengthen the national security architecture.”
He wrote that “every appointment comes into effect right away.”
However, some military leaders have criticized the move, with the opposition’s African Democratic Congress (ADC) asking President Tinubu to explain the reason behind it.
In a statement released by its spokesman, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC stated that “we still believe that the Federal Government owes Nigerians a categorical explanation about what actually happened.”
Pete Wicks has jokingly hit out at close pal Sam Thompson over a double date snub that made him feel “sad, lonely and depressed”. Pete’s comments came to light in an episode of the Staying Relevant podcast (October 27), in which he revealed that his friend and co-host, Sam, half-heartedly invited him to a double date over the weekend.
Pete apparently planned to attend the Sunday roast by occupying what he perceived as a potentially awkward position, so he “declined” the invitation, arguing that it would be too “lovey-dovey.”
Pete, best known for his roles on Strictly Come Dancing and The Only Way Is Essex, also claimed that it was “sort of an invite that was thrown out there”. An amused Sam, who’s reportedly dating model Talitha Balinska, quickly jumped to his own defence.
According to Pete, “It was sort of an invite that was thrown out there because he said he would see me and then decided to make it a double date.” Then I asked, “Am I still seeing you later?” ‘. Pete claims that his pal had informed him that he was “more than welcome” after Sam explained who was coming.
He continued. “Now, what that says to me is, ‘Come if you want, but it will be weird, and we don’t want you there. We don’t want you there, alright, because we’re going to be lovey-dovey feeding each other at the table and all the rest of it, and it might be weird for you to sit there.
It might be too much for you because you know, “I know, I know, you’re sad, lonely, and depressed.” “
As he spoke, Sam could be overheard laughing and saying Pete was “wrong” and that his claims were “not true”. Once Pete had finished making his point, Sam insisted the Strictly star was “always invited” and was, in fact, one of the “first invited” to the Sunday roast.
He also explained that the other people who were due to attend had “dropped out”, reducing the setup to a double date . Pete added that part of him wishes that he’d simply “gone and just sat there”.
Sam responded that he would have “loved that,” but Pete thinks that wouldn’t have been the case because it would have compromised the occasion’s romance.
It follows reports that Pete had what was described by one fan as an “aggressive” kiss with his former Strictly dance partner, Jowita Przystal, during a live version of their podcast at London’s O2 Arena.
The Strictly final’s audition for Pete and Jowita on September 19 ended in their favor, and the pair exchanged three kisses throughout the entire performance.
The latter claimed it was just choreography and that it wasn’t an “aggressive” kiss, while the other referred to the situation as “put that out there right now.”
The police have begun conducting statewide searches of troubled locations ahead of the governorship election in Anambra State.
Ikioye Orutugu, the state’s police commissioner, ordered a coordinated security patrol to the state’s designated flashpoints two weeks before the elections.
Tochukwu Ikenga, the Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, explained in a statement on Tuesday that the initiative is intended to stop any potential threats of political thuggery, cult-related violence, and illegal firearm possession in the bud, with the aim of ensuring a secure and peaceful electoral environment.
“Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers, and Tactical Commanders must intensify intelligence-driven operations and coordinated security raids across identified flashpoints in their respective state’s areas of jurisdiction.”
Orutugu noted that reliable intelligence reports suggested that some groups and individuals may be influencing young people to engage in violent activities before and during the election season.
The police commissioner emphasized that the command would not tolerate attempts to obstruct peaceful elections, intimidate voters, or otherwise interfere with legitimate elections.
He reiterated that the electoral process was impartial and non-partisan, stressing that the police have a duty to defend the people’s lives and property, maintain electoral integrity, and carry out laws without fear, favor, or political influence.
The Independent National Electoral Commission declared Anambra State fully prepared for the governorship election the following day.
A high-level delegation from the commission’s Abuja headquarters conducted a weeklong readiness assessment tour.
Fans of Michelle Keegan’s cozy knit have spotted her in yet another stylish autumn look. Michelle chose a tonal, seasonal look with a fluffy cardigan from her most recent Very collection to meet Reese Witherspoon, a top-tier A-lister, at the launch of her book “Gone Before Goodbye.”
The actress paired this with a pair of fashionable cord-wrapped cord pants (£35) and a sell-out suede trench coat ($250), both from her Very range.
The $ 38, soft knit cardigan has a fluffy brushed finish and trim trim around the shoulders, which add some structure to the knit.
This type of knit elevates any outfit, whether worn with jeans for a weekendtime casual or with a midi skirt and boots for a day-to-night look.
READ MORE: The surprisingly high-quality S’scardigan, a 36 M&, is still in stock, despite everyone’s speculation.
Read more: Michelle Keegan’s first-ever range mini-me PJs are ideal for twinning with your kids.
Michelle’s most recent collection, which features her chic, affordable collections with Very, is packed with show-stoppers, which is a major step up in style.
Michelle Keegan remarked on her most recent collection, “This collection is all about festive style with gorgeous detailing and finishes,” in response to her statement. It’s also my most exclusive collection so far, combining partywear with my cozy at-home loungewear and adorable children’s PJ sets, making it ideal for both the holidays and all the special occasions.
One piece from the new range already has us talking: the £80 Bodycon Maxi Dress with Bow. It resembles Never Fully Dressed’s viral mini-version, which dominated last year’s festive feeds, strikingly similar to its sculpted fit and oversized velvet bow detail. Michelle only recently made it long, sleek, and flattering from every angle, making it wearable for grown-up winter soirées.