News

Preview: Nigeria Begin Campaign For Fourth AFCON Title Against Tanzania

The Super Eagles will begin their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign against Tanzania on Tuesday, aiming to resurrect their silver-medal performance from the final round. &nbsp,

Nigeria will play Tanzania in Group C, along with the Taifa Stars, the Cranes of Uganda, and the Eagles of Tunisia.

The Super Eagles are embarking on an AFCON redemptive mission after suffering heartache and missing the 2026 World Cup.

45 years after their first encounter at the AFCON, the game will be played in Fez, Morocco, for the second time. The Super Eagles won the game against their rivals 3-1 at the National Stadium in Lagos in 1980, the year Nigeria hosted them.

The Super Eagles carry the weight of a nation yearning for continental glory in the Maghreb with the likes of Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Calvin Bassey, Chudera Ejuke, and a host of other talent.

A Head-to-Head Guide Before the AFCON Showdown: Nigeria vs. Tanzania

With four victories in seven meetings versus them, the Super Eagles are in control of the East Africans. In the final round of qualifying for the 2017 AFCON, Nigeria defeated Tanzania. Before the Super Eagles won in Uyo in 2016, both sides had drawn in Dar es Salaam.

Super Eagles vs. Taifa Stars: Team News

The Super Eagles have a full roster of players to rely on for their job at the Complexe Sportif de Fès, aside from Benjamin Fredricks and Aina Ola, who are both injured and William Troost-Ekong, who recently retired from international football.

Nigeria’s depth of attack is further demonstrated by Samuel Chukwueze’s impressive start to the tournament along with Osimhen’s assured success.

On the other hand, Tanzania doesn’t have any health concerns ahead of the game and can rely on Simon Msuva and Mbwana Samatta’s experience to win over Nigeria.

What the Coaches Said: Tanzania vs. Nigeria

Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle stated in his press conference on Monday that the West Africans are looking forward to a strong start.

The Franco-Malay referred to the game as a “big game” and said it was “big game” because it was “won.”

“I’ve only been focusing on this game, my players, and my officials since I started doing this job.” I’ll definitely meet with the FA after the AFCON, but for now I’m just concentrating on the tournament, Chelle said. “This game is currently the most crucial.”

His Tanzanian counterpart, Miguel Gamondi, claims his team has a dream to defeat the Super Eagles in order to make history against Nigeria.

“The possibilities are very real to me. You never know, but Nigeria might have 99 percent, the Argentine claimed.

“I’m confident that something can be done.” A victory over Nigeria would feel like winning the AFCON for us, especially at the start of the tournament, if we do what we need to do and are successful.

Details of the AFCON Fixture between Tanzania and Nigeria

Tournament: Group C of the Africa Cup of Nations 2025

Location: Morocco’s Complexe Sportif de Fès

Tuesday, December 23rd, is the date.

Kickoff time (Nigeria/WAT): 6: 30 pm

The Super Eagles’ Goal is a starting win over Tanzania.

Gaza buildings bombed by Israel become refuge for Palestinians

Peter Kay says ‘that’s enough’ as he issues demand to BBC

https://i2-prod.ok.co.uk/tv/article36317388.ece/ALTERNATES/s615/3_Screenshot-6674.jpg

The comedian made the announcement of nine new Better Late Than Never tour dates with Paddy McGuinness about BBC staff asking him to post clips online frequently.

Comedian Peter Kay has put his foot down with BBC chiefs after a stint on Radio 2, declaring “that’s enough now”. The 52-year-old funnyman recently announced an additional nine dates to his record-smashing Better Late Than Never tour, which is now set to run until the end of August next year.

On August 8th, the Bolton-born comic will wrap up his tour at Manchester’s AO Arena. The tour will raise money for 12 different cancer charities, with Peter stating that “everyone knows someone who has been affected” by the illness.

He stated on The One Show, “You don’t even have to like me to come; it’s about supporting these charities.”

Peter dropped by BBC Radio 2 for a candid discussion with host Scott Mills shortly after revealing the length of his tour. Paddy McGuinness, a fellow Phoenix Nights and Max and Paddy’s Road to Nowhere star, was introduced by Peter, who admitted he had never met him before the show.

However, Peter acknowledged that he was provoked by one of the BBC’s chief executives. He said to Paddy, “I did Scott Mills a few weeks ago, and they kept in touch going. Can we put this bit on social media?” Can that be shared on social media? I said, “No, that’s enough, thanks, leave it.” Everything is… I am unable to say a word.

Peter then inquired as to whether Paddy’s Radio 2 program was recorded for use on social media. Papadi said, “Sometimes, because we’re in Salford, they’ll be alright with that,” adding, “Send them an old camera up there, and they’ll be alright.” So, all we need is a camera in the corner at times.

“But at the minute, because you’re on, and you’re one of the most successful comedians ever, they’ve actually brought up a camera phone. Someone’s filming me, as we speak, with an iPhone. It’s not even got a mic plugged in, it’s just one of the lads out of the office has come in and stuck it on a stand in the corner of the room.”

Whilst Peter is pressing ahead with his stand-up return next year, he’s recently disclosed that his beloved sitcom Phoenix Nights won’t be making its way onto streaming services. He revealed that Netflix had reached out to him about acquiring the broadcasting rights, but confessed he declined their offer due to their insistence on adding a trigger warning to the series.

The comedian claimed that the current version of the show, which follows his alter ego Brian Potter’s attempts to establish The Phoenix Club as Greater Manchester’s premier working men’s club, is not very politically correct. Peter stated in a statement on Capital Breakfast last month, “They reached out to me last year because they wanted to make Phoenix Nights available on Netflix.”

They called me up and said, “Can we license some of your shows to put on Netflix?” Anyway, I received a lot of paperwork from them. In essence, it’s currently not very politically correct. Do you know what I mean when I say that this was made in a certain period of time?

Capital presenter Sian Welby chipped in: “When things were different!” Before Peter added: “I just said, ‘I’m not keen on that, I don’t really want a warning before it.’ So, I just said, ‘No, I’ll leave it.’ Anyway, they sent me an air fryer. I think that was trying to sweeten me.”

The comedian, who co-wrote Peter Kay’s Car Share and is currently on a Phoenix Nights movie, has revealed that he is returning to scriptwriting. He continued, “It’s written and finished.” However, I’m awaiting the completion of the de-aging process. I don’t want to use really bad makeup to make people look young because the plot contains a lot of flashbacks to the past.

He went on to joke: “Seriously, when the tour is finished, I’ve been thinking about it. I’ve been looking at the capabilities of de-aging technology.”

Continue reading the article.

M&S shoppers rave about £46 jumper that looks just like Claudia Winkleman’s £1k Traitors knit

https://i2-prod.ok.co.uk/incoming/article36444695.ece/ALTERNATES/s615/0_MIRROR-TEMPLATE-39.jpg

Customers at M&S are rushing to purchase Claudia Winkleman’s £1k Isabel Marant knit from Celebrity Traitors, which has a cosy cloud yarn knit that resembles Claudia Winkleman’s £1k Isabel Marant knit.

You’re in luck if, like us, you loved Claudia Winkleman’s yarn but couldn’t justify the over £1k price tag, as we did for the other Celebrity Traitors yarn.

Marks & Spencer has recently launched its latest winter fashion campaign, which features a strikingly similar jumper.

The $46 Cloud-Yarn Textured Funnel Neck Relaxed Jumper is the knitted item. This warming jumper costs less than Claudia’s Isabel Marant version and is made of soft cloud yarn with a cosy neckline.

This knit has a relaxed, laid-back vibe that is ideal for pairing with slouchy jeans for a casual look. The same way, you could wear pointed-heeled boots and tailored trousers to the jumper.

READ MORE: Molly-Mae swears by the £24 K-Beauty pore pads that have “changed my skin.”

READ MORE: Best last-minute Christmas gifts that can still be purchased with next-day delivery

Shoppers were also quick to notice its likeness to Claudia’s now sold-out knit. One commented, “Loved this. Saw Claudia Winkleman wearing an Isabel Maura’s sweater similar on “The Traitors“ couldn’t justify the price . Saw this and thought I’d give it a go . Excellent quality for the price. Aptly described as “cloud yarn“ it’s so so soft.”

A second added,“Fabulous, stylish jumper. Very similar to a jumper worn by Claudia Winkleman on Traitors that costs £££££ more, the style is meant to be oversized so I didn’t downsize. Soft, warm and comfortable to wear. Had compliments every time I’ve worn it. Well done M&S!!”

While a third person wrote, “Beautifully soft and cozy to wear. looks very similar to a designer’s version that cost 8 times as much! “Oversized appearance that looks great with leggings and boots”

The only criticism I received was from a customer, who claimed that the four stars I’ve given were merely a result of the fabric’s delicate nature. Be careful if you’re clumsy; it’s very simple to “pull one of the loops out of shape”!

This jumper is already selling out quickly on the M&amp, S website, but there are still some sizes to choose from.

Continue reading the article.

The £140 ARRANGE pure wool hand knit ultimate loop fringe jumper has a similar loop texture and neutral cream color if you weren’t quick enough to get one. The all-over fringing adds the drama and fun Claudia’s jumper has, while the boxy and oversized silhouette maintains the cool factor.

Captain Ekitike and triple Arsenal defence – FPL team of the week

BBB Sport
  • 35 Comments
This week, how many Liverpool players can you add to your team?

Hugo Ekitike and the Reds face a Wolves side that is on the verge of the worst Premier League season yet. They have won their previous two games.

Liverpool players must be your top priority if you have kept some of your free Africa Cup of Nations transfers in hand and have money to spend on replacing Bruno Fernandes who is injured.

As if you were playing a Free Hit, the team of the week is chosen based on the current FPL prices to fit within a £100m budget.

What was the team’s performance last week?

The team scored 82 points, including a bonus 10-pointer from Antonee Robinson off the bench, under the direction of Captain Erling Haaland (32 points), Antoine Semenyo (10 points), and Hugo Ekitike.

BBB Sport FPL team of the week for gameweek 18

BBB Sport FPL team of the weekBBB Sport

Protector and defense

Arsenal keeper David Raya, £6 million transfer to Brighton (h)

With less than half the season still in play, Arsenal’s defense struggled a little with Gabriel’s injury, but they have already kept two clean sheets in their last four and nine.

This season, the Gunners have kept clean sheets in every but three of their home games. Erling Haaland scored the goals that were conceded, Richarlison’s stunning halfway header, and Tolu Arokodare’s unexpected late winner for the typically toothless Wolves.

Jurrien Timber (£6.5m) and Piero Hincapie (£5.5m), ArsenalBrighton (h)

This week’s Arsenal defense trio is on fire.

They face a Brighton side that hasn’t scored in their previous two games, and they have the best defense in the league and have kept a clean sheet in more than half of their matches.

In their eight away games, the Seagulls have only scored nine goals.

Timber is a good choice every week and, with his return to right-back, has more attacking potential.

In his previous four starts, which included two clean sheets, Hincapie has collected defensive contribution points (defcon).

Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk, £57.00 – Wolves (h)

If I could, I would pick six Liverpool players for this week.

In their 2-0 home loss to Brentford on Saturday, Wolves lost 10 games without scoring.

All-season, they have only managed two goals on the road, nine of which are goals. As safe as they come, this is.

Sunderland‘s Omar Alderete, £4 million- Leeds (h)

I’m backing a Sunderland clean sheet at home despite the recent upward trend in goalscoring and Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s form.

Midfield

Morgan RogersGetty Images
Manchester United’s Mason Mount, £5.9 million signing, Newcastle (h)

With Bruno Fernandes out, Mount should play a significant role for Manchester United in the coming games.

United has scored 8.78 goals in its past three games, beating second-best Leeds by 5.68, which is the league’s highest expected goals (xG) by more than three goals.

They have won seven games against a Newcastle side that haven’t been particularly strong on the road.

Mount is likely to take on a lot of Fernandes’ creative responsibilities, especially on set-pieces, and is a strong choice as number 10 overall.

Liverpool‘s Florian Wirtz, £8.1 million-Wolves (h)

A home game against Wolves is the ideal time for it because Wirtz is on the verge of a haul.

In three of his previous four games, he has returned with two assists and one assist.

He has created 10 chances in that time, which is the most of any Liverpool player, and his xG is 0 / 8.

Morgan Rogers, Chelsea, Aston Villa, $7.2 million (a)

Rogers’ form is unavoidable with 30 points in two games.

Villa’s hero, who can score a goal from a box with only a yard of space available.

Strikers

Hugo Ekitike (captain), Liverpool, £8.9m – Wolves (h)

Ekitike will receive the captain’s armband this week because he faces a terrible Wolves side, has no other options for starting, and has five goals in three games.

Nottingham Forest, Manchester City, £15.1 million, Erling Haaland (a)

Haaland won’t be dropped, but because of his tougher away match this week, I’m willing to take his place with captaincy.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham, £7.6m – Fulham (h)

Bowen hasn’t been a popular choice this year because he switched from midfield to striker, but his five goals and two assists have made him the front-row man with the fourth-highest points total.

Subs’ bench

Everton (h): Martin Dubravka, Burnley, £4 million

Manchester City’s Tijjani Reijnders, £5.2 million- Nottingham Forest (a)

Michael Keane, Everton, £4.6m – Burnley (a)

Anton Stach, Leeds, £4.8m – Sunderland (a)

related subjects

  • Liverpool
  • Fantasy Football
  • Sunderland
  • West Ham United
  • Aston Villa
  • Premier League
  • Manchester City
  • Arsenal
  • Football
    • 17 October
    A graphic of Premier League players from every team in the division in 2025-26 season, with the Premier League trophy in front of them.
  • Quiz logo

More on this story.