With the addition of the African Nations League and the transition from the annual Africa Cup of Nations to a four-year cycle, African football is experiencing a significant change.
The changes were made during Patrice Motsepe’s press conference before Morocco’s 2025 Africa Cup on Saturday.
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According to Motsepe, the 2027 Africa Cup, which will be held in Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania, will proceed as planned and that the 2028-2020 edition of the tournament will move forward. In 2032, the next Africa Cup will take place.
In 2029, the first African Nations League would be able to exist thanks to this. Each of the continent’s 54 members, which are divided into four geographical regions, would be playing games in September and October, with the finals taking place in November, according to Motsepe.
The best African players who play in Europe and around the world will compete with us on the continent in a new competition every year, according to Motsepe.
Tom Skinner, the Apprentice star and Strictly Come Dancing contestant, was caught after saying he wouldn’t be watching the Strictly final because it was claimed he is “suing” the BBC.
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Tom Skinner seen after skipping Strictly final and ‘suing’ BBC(Image: PHIL HARRIS)
While the cast of Strictly Come Dancing 2025 prepare to take to the ballroom for the final, Tom Skinner has been spotted having a pint away from London, as he confirms he will not attend the show.
Shortly after sources claimed Tom, who was the first to be eliminated from this year’s series, was ‘suing’ the BBC over his early exit, the star confirmed that he would not be attending the live final. On X earlier today (20 December), he addressed the speculation about him in the press and said: “I won’t be at the final of Strictly Come Dancing tonight.”
The star was later caught smoking a cigarette and a pint outside Tom’s Seafood stall at the pub in the Essex village of Great Warley. Tom was wearing a green quarter-zip jumper, dark cargo bottoms, and a fake tan from the Strictly ballroom, far from the sparkles and fake tan. Additionally, he had replaced his dancing boots with his shoes.
The Apprentice star, who will return to the business show for a Christmas special, was seen grinning and laughing as he enjoyed his pint. Meanwhile, his former dance partner Amy Dowden and the rest of the 2025 Strictly cast have been preparing for the final tonight. Every year, the eliminated contestants return for one last group dance.
Tom left a message on X earlier today explaining his reasons for skipping the show. He claimed to have spoken with Amy before making a decision. The first thing I want to say is this … I spoke with Amy Dowden, my lovely dance partner, to make sure she understood that I wouldn’t be there. I would never let her down because she is now both a good person and friend.
“When I got given the opportunity to do Strictly back in April, I was buzzing. Not because I can dance…. I can’t. But because i really wanted to test myself and Learn something completely out of my comfort zone. On the night I left the show, I received an anonymous email claiming to be from a BBC exec with stats, saying I’d received far more votes than it appeared and it wasn’t right. I’ve since had the email independently verified.That same email mentioned the BBC was very angry an nervous simply because I had met JD Vance (USA VICE PRESIDENT).”
He continued, adding that he “asked for confirmation of the official voting figures in the email, but was turned down. He claimed that because of how unfair it all was, he had “sincere respect” for the BBC senior staff and welfare team he spoke to and that they had “recommended him to seek legal advice.”
Tom added that the only host on the program who didn’t receive a “welcome gift” felt odd and that “ain’t fair” was also true. He continued, “It was strange that Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman chose to step down from the show the week after he received the email, but that he was stating that it had nothing to do with him, and that it was just very coincidental.”
He continued, “I don’t want it to be national news, but I now feel like he needs to make a statement so that people can be informed as to why I’m not attending””. When I’m not bitter, I don’t want people to think that, “he wrote.
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Prior to this, a source told The Sun that Tom was suing the BBC for rigging the votes to get him out of the show, but Tom has not confirmed that. Equally, the BBC have said they have received no legal paperwork. They added to The Mirror : “Strictly Come Dancing’s public vote is robust and independently overseen and verified to ensure complete accuracy.”
The US military carried out more than 70 strikes on alleged ISIL targets in Syria in a “declaration of vengeance” for a deadly attack on US soldiers last week.
Before facing Newcastle, Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca vowed that speculation about his future would not detract from the squad, but that was not how it looked for 45 minutes on Saturday.
Maresca even made an appearance before kick-off, voicing doubts about Chelsea’s desire to purchase only youth players and calling on them to acquire more players of “invaluable.”
The Blues then struggled to get going at St. James’ Park, where they had lost 15 times in the Premier League era, and were 2-0 up on a pair of first-half goals from Nick Woltemade.
Chelsea’s first half was so bad that they gave up their worst first 45 minutes for more than two years, an expected goalstack of 1.97. They were prone to errors at the back, squandering possession, out-of-control, and unable to score a shot on target.
Given that Chelsea put on a strong performance last weekend when they defeated Everton at home, the performance was shocking. After the break, they returned with outstanding 25-yard free kicks from Reece James and outstanding individual goals from Joao Pedro.
Chelsea’s improvement still left them reliant on a crucial decision going their way, as Newcastle controversially blocked penalty shouts from Pedro just before the break when Trevoh Chalobah slammed into Anthony Gordon in the box.
Maresca’s comments from last week, where he claimed “many people” had caused his “worst 48 hours” since joining the club, were having an impact on the players at times.
The Italian’s relationship with the hierarchy was constantly questioned and his relationship with Manchester City had been linked to rumors he called “100%” unfounded after those remarks.
He also shared his thoughts on his team’s composition before the game that suggested he would welcome a little more experience.
He previously stated earlier this week that he loved the squad and that he loved the young players, and that he was “very happy” before kick-off. Knowing that there is always noise to manage, I just concentrate on what I can control, pitch-side.
However, he continued, “It’s very valuable when you have 20 and 21-year-olds and a player who is 30 or 31 and starts saying something to them.” However, the club’s strategy is that it.
Was Maresca’s decision to lower expectations and highlight which aspect of the project was in his hands just another example?
He was also fighting for the players, and the team’s creditable fightback led to their receiving a booking for dissent in the second half.
Chelsea escaped defeat only four times in the Premier League history when they were two or more goals down at half-time. In the end, both teams had a chance to win, which was a satisfying conclusion to the match.
What does Chelsea currently know about success?
Maresca appears to have made his already challenging position even more difficult by releasing his complaints, which are cryptically, into the public domain.
His remarks demonstrate that Maresca, who only recently saw his team labelled as title contenders, believes inconsistency is expected given the size of the squad.
Chelsea’s squad is in fact very young; both the squad’s youngest squad age and the youngest starting eleven are both at the very young age.
Maresca claims that the season’s objective is to improve from the previous year, when they placed fourth, qualified for the Champions League, and won both the Club World Cup and the Conference League.
The hierarchy sees that behind the scenes, with Champions League qualification once more at the top of the agenda. Unruled out, but not anticipated, is a title tilt.
Chelsea is still in fourth place in the Premier League despite the draw, but if Arsenal beat them later on Saturday, they will be 10 points clear of the leaders.
The Blues also defeated Cardiff City on Tuesday in the Carabao Cup quarter-final, but they will likely need to defeat both Pafos and Napoli in their final two Champions League games in order to avoid a play-off round match in February.
When asked whether older players were important in regulating loud environments like those at St James’ Park, Maresca responded, “yes, for sure,” adding that “the other ones we have are also doing a great job in this aspect.”
He then concluded, “I’m telling them that while we could do better in the first half, the character they displayed in the second half ought to make them proud.” It wasn’t difficult for me to finish my last week. It went well.
This week, Rod Stewart, 80, and his wife Penny Lancaster, 54, were spotted shopping in the posh Bond Street boutiques in London. The singer stopped to greet fans and then left.
Rod Stewart, 80, is credited with bringing London’s Bond Street to a standstill this week as thousands of people gathered to watch the rocker during a festive Christmas shopping spree.
As Rod walked between high-end retailers, reportedly with crowds blocking parts of the street, he grinned, waved, and absorbed his devoted fans’ attention.
Before later meeting up at Dolce &, Gabbana, Rod and wife Penny Lancaster, 54, were seen shopping separately. Prior to entering Ralph Lauren with her son Aiden and a woman he thought was his nanny, Penny was first seen outside Celine and Loewe, where the couple’s two cars were parked.
Rod later left the Etro with purchases carried in an Etro bag while a woman he claimed to be his personal assistant was seen browsing the site alongside.
A sizable crowd quickly formed at Dolce &, Gabbana, where the couple reconnected. With a large gold crucifix that Penny noticed as she stopped to take a closer look, Rodriguez cut a stylish figure in a jacket with the same pattern and tight leggings.
Penny, on the other hand, kept things chic with a faux-fur jacket from the brand. Rod always had time for his fans, waving, grinning, and even flashing a thumbs-up, demonstrating that, decades later, he still knows how to steal the show.
As Morocco prepares to host the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which will take place on Sunday, December 21, 2025, preparations are in full swing in Marrakech and other Moroccan cities.
Final improvements to key infrastructure, including stadiums, training facilities, and other important infrastructure are being made, as well as adjustments to logistics and security.
The Maghreb nation is gearing up for Africa’s biggest football tournament as streets and public spaces are ready to welcome teams and fans from all over the world.
Morocco, who are the semi-finalists in Africa’s top football competition, will face the Coelacanths of Comoros in the opening game.
As the excitement builds across the nation, the Atlas Lions will be hoping to start the tournament off on a positive note with a strong home support.
Here are some images from the host country ahead of the kickoff:  .
On December 20, 2025, before the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) football tournament kicks off, the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, Morocco, is reflected in water. (Sebastien Bozon/AFP photo)On December 20, 2025, a camera operator tests the equipment at the Agadir Grand Stadium in Agadir, Morocco. (FRANCK FIFE/AFP photo)
On the eve of the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) football tournament’s opening ceremony, Moroccan Agadir Grand Stadium, Morocco, is completed. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP)
In the run-up to the tournament, stadium amenities are upgrading.
On the eve of the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) football tournament’s opening ceremony, Moroccan Agadir Grand Stadium, Morocco, is completed. (FRANCK FIFE/AFP photo)On the eve of the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) football tournament’s opening ceremony, a worker dries the plants at the Agadir Grand Stadium in Agadir, Morocco, on December 20, 2025. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP)
In anticipation of Africa’s biggest football showpiece, streets and public spaces are decorated.
Before the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), men hang Moroccan flags in Rabat’s historic Medina on December 19, 2025. (Sebastien Bozon/AFP photo)On December 19, 2025, before the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), men in Rabat install Moroccan flags (Photo by Paul ELLIS/AFP) in a pedestrian street.
Coordinating Preparedness Across Morocco, Teams for Security and Logistics
Before the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) football tournament officially begins, workers put the finishing touches on the fanzone in Rabat, Morocco’s Souissi district on December 20, 2025. (Photo by Abdel Majid BZIOUAT/AFP)
Marrakech is getting ready to welcome teams, officials, and fans from all over the world.
On December 20, 2025, as the Africa Cup of Nations football tournament officially begins, supporters and entertainers march in a procession to the Rabat, Morocco, fan zone. (Photo by Abdel Majid BZIOUAT/AFP)On December 20, 2025, as the Africa Cup of Nations football tournament officially begins, supporters and entertainers march in a procession to the Rabat, Morocco, fan zone. (Photo by Abdel Majid BZIOUAT/AFP)On December 20, 2025, supporters and entertainers march in a procession to the Moroccan fan area (Photo by Abdel Majid BZIOUAT/AFP)
