Nigeria will face Gabon in the semi-finals at the continental stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup play-offs.
This follows the Super Eagles’ victory over the Benin Republic on Tuesday and the conclusion of the qualifying group matches.
READ ALSO: UPDATED: Nigeria Thrash Benin 4-0, Secure World Cup Play-Off Spot
A 4–0 victory over their neighbours sealed a place for the Eagles at the play-offs, while Gabon confirmed second place in Group F with a 2–0 win against Burundi.
South Africa topped the group with 18 points, while Nigeria closely followed in second place with 17 points.
Victor Osimhen scored a hat-trick against Benin Republic on Tuesday. X/@NGSuperEagles
Ivory Coast defeated Kenya to top the group.
In other matches, DR Congo sealed their qualification with a 1–0 win over Sudan, finishing as runners-up in Group B behind Senegal.
Cameroon scaled through them after placing second in Group D behind Cape Verde.
“In the CAF Play-offs, Nigeria will take on Gabon’s Palancas Negras in a ‘first semi-final’ on Thursday, November 13, with Cameroon taking on the Democratic Republic of Congo in the ‘second semi-final’ on Friday, November 14.
“The two winners clash on Sunday, November 16 in the ‘final’, with the winner to proceed to the Intercontinental Play-offs scheduled for the Mexican cities of Guadalajara and Monterrey in March next year,” the Nigeria Football Federation said in a statement on Tuesday.
At the International Play-off tournament, six teams will battle for two tickets, for a chance to qualify for the 2026 World Cup finals in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
Timelapse video from Indonesia shows Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki erupting on Flores island, sending ash 10 kilometres above its 1,584-metre peak. It’s the volcano’s third major eruption since July.
The Scottish actor, who is well known for playing the Roy family patriarch in Succession, has admitted he sometimes feels like a failure over his first marriage not working out
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Brian Cox shared that he feels like he ‘failed’ in his first marriage(Image: Variety via Getty Images)
While reflecting on his younger years, Brian Cox admitted he believes he “failed” in his first marriage after getting hitched at the young age of 21.
The Succession star, 79, opened up about the breakdown of that relationship and other challenges he faced while growing up during an appearance on the Coaching Stories podcast with Dr Sam Humphrey.
Brian married his first wife, Lilian Monroe-Carr, in 1966 but the couple split just a year later. He spoke about that time in his life, saying: “The only time I failed, I think, is probably in my private relationships. Certainly with my first marriage, it was not easy, and I think that’s where I kind of fell down.
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READ MORE: Tony Caunter dead: EastEnders icon who played Roy Evans in BBC soap dies aged 88
“Professionally, everything was in good nick, but I got married when I was very young. My mother used to say: ‘Brian, don’t get married too young. Your brother, affy stupid, got married when he was 20. Don’t get married when you’re 20’. I got married when I was 21… and I think I did get married too young.”
After that brief marriage ended in 1967, the Dundee-born actor went on to tie the knot with Caroline Burt in 1968. The pair were together for nearly two decades and had two children — Margaret and Alan, who followed in his father’s footsteps by becoming an actor. Brian and Caroline then got divorced in 1986.
The actor later found lasting love with German actor and yoga instructor Nicole Ansari-Cox, who he married in 2002. They share two sons, Orson Jonathan and Torin Kamran.
During the podcast, Cox also touched on his difficult childhood, which was filled with instability after the death of his father when he was just eight years old.
His mother’s subsequent mental health struggles left him to navigate much of his early life alone. “I was basically on my own from the age of eight until about 11,” he shared.
“I used to go to the cinema all the time. As a kid, I just went to the cinema endlessly. We had 21 cinemas in Dundee at one point, and I visited them all. I used to go on my own.”
Dr Humphrey, the podcast’s host and CEO of Grit Coaching, praised Brian for his candour after the interview, saying: “Brian was surprisingly open, vulnerable, and deeply personal in our discussion. It can be easy to brush past mistakes aside and not dwell on them — his honest account will no doubt inspire so many others.”
Brian is best known for his role as media mogul Logan Roy in HBO’s Succession, but the Emmy winner recently took on a very different challenge as The Controller in Prime Video’s 007: Road to a Million.
He described the second series of the reality show as “infinitely more dramatic” ahead of its premiere in August 2025, and added that he enjoys exploring the psychology of the contestants as they face high-stakes challenges.
EastEnders star Pam St Clement has shared a moving tribute to her former on-screen husband Tony Caunter, after his death was announced on Tuesday.
Tony, who played Roy Evans on the BBC soap, died just eight days after his beloved wife of 63 years passed away.
In a statement provided to The Sun, Tony’s former co-star Pam said: “I am very saddened to hear of Tony’s passing. He was not only a lovely man, but a true gentleman to work with.”
The sad news of Tony’s death was announced in a statement by the actor’s family yesterday. They said: “It is with enormous sadness that we bring the curtain down on our wonderful and hugely loved father, Tony Caunter, who died peacefully yesterday evening, just eight days after his beloved wife of 63 years, Fran, also passed away.
“Dad was 88 years old. After a long and fulfilling life on and off screen and stage, Tony leaves a daughter and three sons, seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He will be missed by all.”
The family went on to praise the care Tony had been given in his final months.
They added: “We would like to thank the NHS staff at Eastbourne District General Hospital for their incredible care during his final hours, and to everyone at Eastbourne Gardens nursing home for the care and compassion they have given dad over the past two months.”
Pam St Clement has paid tribute to her former on-screen husband ( BBC)
EastEnders have paid tribute to their former cast member, highlighting his on-screen marriage to Pam St. Clements’ Pat Butcher.
The show said in a statement: “It is with great sadness that we learn of the passing of Tony Caunter.
“Tony will forever be loved and respected by everyone at EastEnders for his warmth, kindness and humour as well as being greatly remembered by all those at home who instantly took Roy to their hearts.
“Roy will always be remembered for his great love of Pat, despite him famously declaring his distaste in her choice of earrings, which gave us all one of Walford’s greatest love affairs.
“Tony will never be forgotten by all those who worked alongside him for many years and everyone at EastEnders sends their love and condolences to Tony’s family and friends.”
Ross Kemp reunited with Pam earlier this year for EastEnders’ 40th anniversary ( BBC/Pulse Films/Kieron McCarron)
As well as his role in EastEnders, Tony also appeared in The Avengers, Casualty, The Sweeney, Minder, and Queenie’s Castle.
He retired from acting a few years after leaving the soap, with his final credit being an episode of Doctors in 2008.
Rochelle Humes has found the perfect ‘comfortable and soft’ wide leg jeans to wear for her son Blake’s birthday party and you can still shop them for £70 in five colours
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Rochelle wore the Levi’s jeans during son Blake’s birthday party(Image: Rochelle Humes/Instagram)
Over the weekend Rochelle Humes and her family gathered to celebrate her son Blake’s fifth birthday party, with Rochelle nailing the ultimate chic and comfortable outfit for the occasion. Opting for a leather jacket and a pair of wide leg jeans, the look was the perfect choice for an afternoon of dancing and running around after little ones.
Rochelle’s jeans were a classic pair of Levi’s, and look to be the Cinch Baggy Lightweight Jeans which have the same wide leg shape whilst still being super fitted around the waist. You can pick up the exact pair for £70 direct from Levi’s, and although Rochelle opted for the black pair, you can also snap them up in five other colours.
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As well as a good choice of colours, the Cinch Baggy Lightweight Jeans also come in a huge range of sizes and length options, so you can find the perfect fit for your body. You can opt for waist sizes from 23 to 32, and you can choose from 29, 31 and 33 inch leg lengths.
The jeans are the perfect choice for anyone who loves the wide leg look but is sick of ending up with a baggy waistband that gapes. Although the legs are cut into a wide, straight style, the 12.5 inch high rise waist features adjusters on the back which let you get a tailored fit without forking out for a seamstress.
The Cinch Baggy Lightweight Jeans have a relaxed fit that’s ultra comfortable and easy to move around in (making them the perfect choice for Rochelle’s child’s birthday party) and are made from 100% cotton for a draped fit. This also means they’ll retain their shape, with no elastane to get stretched out.
There’s plenty of similar styles on the high street that are a little more affordable, but that don’t feature the adjustable waistband. At Marks & Spencer the Autograph High Waisted Wide Leg Jeans are £55 and come in sizes six to 24, with petite, regular and tall leg lengths available.
At Next the £52 Black High Rise FlexiFit Stretch Pull On Wide Leg Jeans have a more fitted design around the hips and waist, before flaring out into a wide leg silhouette with petite and regular lengths. For the ultimate bargain, Abercrombie & Fitch has slashed the price of its High Rise Wide Leg Jean from £75 to £44.99, with seven different colours to choose from – although they are selling out quickly.
Whilst Levi’s Cinch Baggy Lightweight Jeans might be a little pricier than other brands, their adjustable waist and quality has made them super popular with shoppers. One said they were: “My most favorite jeans ever!!!!! I have 3 colors and they are all worn weekly. Genuinely so grateful I found jeans that look good on me!”
Another agreed: “Very relaxed fabric compared to most Levi’s jeans, which are a nice addition to my stiff closet thus far (love both types for different uses)! They fit really well sizing wise. I am typically a 26 and got a 26. The button in the back to adjust waist was INCREDIBLE to fix the slight gap issue that I often have with thicker thighs. This wash is so timeless! Overall, very happy!”
Whilst a third said: “Love these jeans. They are so soft and comfortable. The high waist is very flattering. Perfect length.”
Some found the fit around the hips a little tricky to nail, with one saying: “Really nice fit, but I had to go a size bigger as it was tight on the hips and buttocks area.”
Someone else wrote: “They’re very tight and hard to move in. But they are very comfortable and the style is cute. The durability feels okay not too good or bad.”
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However another said: “I love these jeans! They aren’t super thick and very relaxed. I love the style of them and have gotten a lot of compliments since I started wearing them! They are true to size and are very flattering. I highly recommend the cinch pants!!”
Far-right American influencer Candace Owens has lost a legal bid to be allowed to enter Australia after a court ruled with the government that granting her a visitor visa could “incite discord in the Australian community”.
The High Court of Australia said in its ruling on Wednesday that the government’s decision to refuse Owens a visa in 2024 “was not invalid” and ordered her to pay the government’s legal costs in the case.
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The court “unanimously” ruled that the article in Australia’s Migration Act used by the government against Owens “applies where, in the event that the person were allowed to enter or to remain in Australia, there is a risk that the person would stir up or encourage dissension or strife in the Australian community, or a segment of that community”.
Owens, a well-known right-wing podcast host and political pundit who has built a large online following for controversial views and conspiracy theories, applied for an Australian visa to undertake a commercial speaking tour in November 2024.
Australia’s Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke – who has the powers to deny noncitizens entry based on a “character test” – rejected Owens’s application in October 2024 due to the risk of her views “leading to increased hostility and violent or radical action”.
Burke had cited her public comments on the Holocaust and other Islamophobic remarks.
“From downplaying the impact of the Holocaust with comments about Mengele through to claims that Muslims started slavery, Candace Owens has the capacity to incite discord in almost every direction,” the minister said last year, according to Australia’s Herald Sun news outlet, referring to Josef Mengele, the Nazi physician who conducted experiments on Jewish prisoners at Auschwitz.
The High Court of Australia has delivered its ruling in the battle between Immigration Minister Tony Burke and a controversial American right-wing influencer. > https://t.co/Caf2KV6zMQ pic.twitter.com/Gyi8l6kkKm
Owens appealed the minister’s decision to the High Court on the grounds that refusing her a visa infringed on freedom of political communication, though in Australia – unlike the United States – there is no express constitutional right to free speech.
“The implied freedom is not a ‘personal right’, is not unlimited and is not absolute,” High Court Judges Stephen Gageler, Michelle Gordon and Robert Beech-Jones said in their joint judgement on the case.
The judges noted that Burke had denied Owens a visa after examining her views and comments on areas including antiracism, Black Lives Matter, anti-Semitism, women’s and LGBTQ rights, COVID-19 and anti-vaccination.
Burke had found her views to be “extremist and inflammatory comments towards Muslim, Black, Jewish and LGBTQIA+ communities which generate controversy and hatred”, and the minister concluded that she had failed the “character test” required for a visa and that allowing her into the country would not be in the national interest, the judges said.
Owens’s “submissions should be emphatically rejected”, High Court Judge James Edelman said in a separate judgement.
