The Super Eagles kicked off the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign against a tenacious Tanzania 2-1.  ,
The Super Eagles will have all three points in play on Tuesday thanks to Semi Ajayi and Ademola Lookman scoring one goal each.
WIN, ONTO THEN! #Naija4TheWin image is #NGATAN. https://twitter.com/SeksWuoE0e
On December 23, 2025, Nigeria’s defenseman #06 Semi Ajayi (R) celebrates his goal in the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) Group C football game between Tanzania and Nigeria at Fez Stadium in Fes. (Photo by Abdel Majid BZIOUAT/AFP)
In the 37th minute, the West Brom defender rose to the top and fired home a cross from Alex Iwobi to give the Super Eagles a lead in Group C.
52 minutes into the match, Lookman scored the second goal for Nigeria to give the Super Eagles all three points.
In the opening exchanges in Fes, Morocco, Nigeria deservedly dominated play after suffering a heartbreaking 2026 World Cup qualification failure.
Akor Adam’s strike in Sevilla’s 2025 AFCON was likely to be Nigeria’s opening game of the tournament.
Victor Osimhen almost doubled the Super Eagles’ lead just a few seconds later, but his shot was saved off the line. Nigeria led the Taifa Stars 1-0 heading into the tunnel with 45 minutes left.
The Napoli forward believed he had scored after the break when he found the net twenty minutes later. However, offside caused his 52nd-minute effort to be rejected.
After a cool finish by William M’Mombwa, the East Africans capitalized on Nigeria’s defense sloppiness to level the playing field in the 50th minute.
The three-time champions, however, only had two minutes to take the lead. Lookman, who played for Atalanta in the Italian League of Nations, picked the ball from the middle of the pack, launching a shot past Zuberi Masudi, the goalkeeper, from where it was nestled.
Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro requested that the Supreme Court grant him permission to temporarily leave prison for a medical procedure later this week.
On Thursday, Bolsonaro, who is currently serving a 27-year prison sentence for his involvement in a coup plot, will have hernia surgery, according to Justice Alexandre de Moraes’ announcement on Tuesday.
Recommended Stories
list of 3 itemsend of list
Lawyers for Bolsonaro had requested that he be moved to Hospital DF Star in Brasilia for Wednesday’s medical examinations and the following day’s surgery. He was complaining that a hernia was bothering him on both groins.
Since being stabbed in the abdomen during a campaign event in 2018, the former president has gone through a number of hospitalizations and medical procedures. His hospital visit marks his first break from federal custody since he began serving his sentence toward the end of November.
Bolsonaro was given a 24-hour order from the court to continue monitoring him.
The far-right leader was scheduled to address Metropoles on Tuesday, but he canceled because of health issues.
There has been rumor that Bolsonaro’s eldest son, Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, will succeed him as the country’s political right leader after his imprisonment. During the Tuesday interview, some had anticipated Bolsonaro to announce his support for his son’s 2026 presidential campaign.
Flavio claimed in a social media post that his father would have preferred to speak during the interview but that “health first” was what was required.
Flavio stated that “he is about to undergo surgery.” He says, “Some days, he wakes up feeling well, and other days, he doesn’t.” He may have woke up feeling more unwell today.
Cambodia’s economy is being impacted by the conflict with Thailand. Thailand is a major trading partner for both tourism and clothing imports. Assed Baig, a journalist for Al Jazeera, spoke with business owners who are struggling to keep their locations open.
Guitarist Dave Hill was on the track, but because he didn’t write it, he didn’t make much money from the Slade hit.
View 2 Images
Dave Hill is still on the road playing gigs(Image: Zoran Veselinovic / Avalon)
Slade legend Dave Hill says the secret behind the success of Merry Xmas Everybody is that it’s about normal Brits having a normal Christmas.
The festive rock anthem was originally released in 1973 and beat Wizzard’s I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday to the coveted number one spot, remaining at the top of the charts until February 1974. The track has soundtracked every Christmas ever since, and Dave believes it has been played for the last 52 years because it’s sentiment is about family, presents and good drink up.
He said: “That Christmas song is 52 years old. The Christmas song defies logic. It grew from a great idea to the best Christmas song in the world, in fact, the most successful Christmas song in the world. It touches people of any age from nine to 90. It’s a masterpiece of a song. It’s nothing to do with religion, it’s to do with what we do at Christmas.”
Reflecting on the track further on the Music Industry podcast Dave he added: “I mean, it’s not a jingle bell song. It’s not a religious song. It’s about everybody having half a dozen, getting the booze down, getting the family around, buying presents, everything we like about Christmas. Trees, snow, if you’re lucky, which we never were half the time.
Undoubtedly, none of us at the time would be aware of what would happen and what it would turn into with the Christmas song.
According to Dave, 79, Dave believes that the UK will have problems in 2025 like it did in 1973, when there were three-day weeks and “Britain was on its knees,” which makes Merry Xmas Everybody even more poignant. He stated, “That song was released in 1973 when Britain was at its lowest.” Although there were strikes, three-day weeks, and a lack of funds, the song lifted a nation. It succeeded. And they never cease to think about Christmas.
“They’ve still got the anthem and we’re still going through a tough time. I have a philosophy in life, the thing is we’re all, in a way, having a tough time. Be kind to one another because everybody is having a tough time. That includes rich people, poor people, ordinary people. “It’s almost like kindness has become less in our world.”
Merry Xmas Everybody earns up to £1 million in royalties every year, with writers Noddy Holder and Jim Lea banking the majority of the money.
However, Dave insists that he is only proud to have played on such a fantastic record with drummer Don Powell and that he is not jealous of his former bandmates.
When questioned about his lack of songwriting credits, he responded, “No. Excellent writers were Jim and Noddy. It wasn’t written by me. Two people who were masters of writing hit records made for a good time. He had a lot of talent, including being a violinist, piano player, bass player, and all-round talent.
Noddy left Slade’s original lineup in 1992 to pursue other projects and an acting career. Even though Noddy left the group more than 30 years ago, Dave and Slade have remained close friends and have remained supportive of one another through their respective health issues. Dave continues to tour as Slade.
Noddy was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer in 2018 despite only having six months to live, and he successfully treated his condition with his wife Suzan Holder, who went public with his condition in 2023. In 2010, Dave had a stroke at a concert in Nuremberg, Germany, which he recovered from.
When asked about his friendship with Noddy, Dave said, “There is definitely something about Noddy that has always been strong throughout.” I never parted ways with Noddy, despite the band’s split. We can always be seen. He has endured a challenging time and a health crisis. However, he is doing well and is doing well. There have been health issues, strokes, and other things, just like there are with us all. One of my all-time best friends is still Noddy, and he is. When I first asked him to join me, we immediately acted in that manner. Our relationship is so good.
Working with Noddy’s producer son Django Holder on the album Dirtyfoot Lane, which is named after a real place in his hometown of Wolverhampton, and which will be released in 2026, Dave has been busy recording his first ever solo album this year.
Continue reading the article.
Thanks For The Good Times is a song Dave wrote in memory of his former Slade bandmates Noddy, Jim, and Don, which he refers to as “the end of a long line of hits.” Dave doesn’t believe he and Noddy will ever perform together again despite the fact that he has previously collaborated with Noddy’s son.
He responded, “I wouldn’t ask him. That would be different if he wanted to make a different suggestion for me. But I am aware that he isn’t considering it. He is married to a lovely wife, and he is very happy, so he doesn’t need to perform. The best part of working with Noddy’s son, Django Holder, is that they have collaborated.
Guitarist Dave Hill was on the track, but because he didn’t write it, he didn’t make much money from the Slade hit.
View 2 Images
Dave Hill is still on the road playing gigs(Image: Zoran Veselinovic / Avalon)
Slade legend Dave Hill says the secret behind the success of Merry Xmas Everybody is that it’s about normal Brits having a normal Christmas.
The festive rock anthem was originally released in 1973 and beat Wizzard’s I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday to the coveted number one spot, remaining at the top of the charts until February 1974. The track has soundtracked every Christmas ever since, and Dave believes it has been played for the last 52 years because it’s sentiment is about family, presents and good drink up.
He said: “That Christmas song is 52 years old. The Christmas song defies logic. It grew from a great idea to the best Christmas song in the world, in fact, the most successful Christmas song in the world. It touches people of any age from nine to 90. It’s a masterpiece of a song. It’s nothing to do with religion, it’s to do with what we do at Christmas.”
Reflecting on the track further on the Music Industry podcast Dave he added: “I mean, it’s not a jingle bell song. It’s not a religious song. It’s about everybody having half a dozen, getting the booze down, getting the family around, buying presents, everything we like about Christmas. Trees, snow, if you’re lucky, which we never were half the time.
Undoubtedly, none of us at the time would be aware of what would happen and what it would turn into with the Christmas song.
According to Dave, 79, Dave believes that the UK will have problems in 2025 like it did in 1973, when there were three-day weeks and “Britain was on its knees,” which makes Merry Xmas Everybody even more poignant. He stated, “That song was released in 1973 when Britain was at its lowest.” Although there were strikes, three-day weeks, and a lack of funds, the song lifted a nation. It succeeded. And they never cease to think about Christmas.
“They’ve still got the anthem and we’re still going through a tough time. I have a philosophy in life, the thing is we’re all, in a way, having a tough time. Be kind to one another because everybody is having a tough time. That includes rich people, poor people, ordinary people. “It’s almost like kindness has become less in our world.”
Merry Xmas Everybody earns up to £1 million in royalties every year, with writers Noddy Holder and Jim Lea banking the majority of the money.
However, Dave insists that he is only proud to have played on such a fantastic record with drummer Don Powell and that he is not jealous of his former bandmates.
When questioned about his lack of songwriting credits, he responded, “No. Excellent writers were Jim and Noddy. It wasn’t written by me. Two people who were masters of writing hit records made for a good time. He had a lot of talent, including being a violinist, piano player, bass player, and all-round talent.
Noddy left Slade’s original lineup in 1992 to pursue other projects and an acting career. Even though Noddy left the group more than 30 years ago, Dave and Slade have remained close friends and have remained supportive of one another through their respective health issues. Dave continues to tour as Slade.
Noddy was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer in 2018 despite only having six months to live, and he successfully treated his condition with his wife Suzan Holder, who went public with his condition in 2023. In 2010, Dave had a stroke at a concert in Nuremberg, Germany, which he recovered from.
When asked about his friendship with Noddy, Dave said, “There is definitely something about Noddy that has always been strong throughout.” I never parted ways with Noddy, despite the band’s split. We can always be seen. He has endured a challenging time and a health crisis. However, he is doing well and is doing well. There have been health issues, strokes, and other things, just like there are with us all. One of my all-time best friends is still Noddy, and he is. When I first asked him to join me, we immediately acted in that manner. Our relationship is so good.
Working with Noddy’s producer son Django Holder on the album Dirtyfoot Lane, which is named after a real place in his hometown of Wolverhampton, and which will be released in 2026, Dave has been busy recording his first ever solo album this year.
Continue reading the article.
Thanks For The Good Times is a song Dave wrote in memory of his former Slade bandmates Noddy, Jim, and Don, which he refers to as “the end of a long line of hits.” Dave doesn’t believe he and Noddy will ever perform together again despite the fact that he has previously collaborated with Noddy’s son.
He responded, “I wouldn’t ask him. That would be different if he wanted to make a different suggestion for me. But I am aware that he isn’t considering it. He is married to a lovely wife, and he is very happy, so he doesn’t need to perform. The best part of working with Noddy’s son, Django Holder, is that they have collaborated.
Nizaar Kinsella, Football reporter and Sami Mokbel, Senior football correspondent
271 Comments
Chelsea have chosen to stop investing in Antoine Semenyo as the Bournemouth forward begins to make decisions about his future.
The Blues will not pursue the 25-year-old’s case further. They had inquired about her.
Four other clubs have, to varying degrees, inquired about Semenyo before the January transfer window, according to sources with knowledge of the situation.
Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool, and Tottenham are the alleged clubs.
The two Manchester clubs are alleged to have engaged in the most fruitful discussions so far.
In light of Alexander Isak’s broken leg, Liverpool has also checked the terms of a deal. It is still to be seen if they will increase their initial interest.
The Ghana international, who left Bristol City for the Cherries in 2023, is thought to be an outsider for Tottenham.
A release clause of £65 million that is only effective for the first ten days of January at Semenyo. When signing his new contract in July, he had to agree that clause to keep him at Bournemouth.
However, the cost will decrease slightly during the summer.
December 11
According to reliable sources, Semenyo will receive a very similar remuneration package from interested clubs, whose final decision will be made with an emphasis on his personal sporting goals.
On January 7th, he turns 26 and is acknowledged to be at the height of his career.
Andoni Iraola, the manager of Bournemouth, said, “I know there is a lot of noise around him.” It doesn’t matter to me, because it doesn’t have an impact on his performances. He is very committed to the team, and I hope we can keep him here, but it doesn’t.
Antoine is our player at this time, and he will continue to play for us. I don’t want to lose him, I don’t want to lose him, in fact. You never know what will happen, though, as the market always does.
In light of this, it is understood that Semenyo will prioritize a club over one that he believes will be best suited to compete for significant awards over a long-term.
A decision is anticipated in the coming days due to his location and the impact on his family.
