Headlines
African Stars File Out as AFCON 2019 Kicks Off
Stars of African football are billed to step out from today as the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations starts on Friday (today) with a record 24 teams slugging it out for the most coveted trophy in African football.
Seven-time champions and hosts Egypt are billed to set the ball rolling with a tricky fixture against Zimbabwe at the Cairo International Stadium.
The Pharaohs will be hoping to go one step further than they did at the 2017 edition of the competition in Gabon, where a late Vincent Aboubacar’s goal denied them a record 8th trophy.
Reacting to their opening game of the competition, Egypt’s head coach, Javier Aguirre, said their opening match is extremely crucial.
He said, “We have reached a very good form since we started preparing, and we have no problems either physically or technically. It’s a very important game as it’s the opening and we know the responsibility for us, yet we feel no pressure.
“We respect Zimbabwe and know them well. We will do our best come Friday (today). We are just thinking of the Zimbabwe game now and will take one game at a time.”
However, captain of the Pharaohs, Ahmed Elmohamady, said the team were in top shape to win another title.
“We are ready for the first game and our morale is very high. We play at home and promise our supporters that we will emerge champions. Our treble between 2006 and 2010 gave us great confidence and we were unlucky not to win two years ago. Being at home will push us more.”
In their pre-match press conference head coach of Zimbabwe’s national team, Sunday Chidzambwa, insists that his players are prepared for the task ahead.
“We prepared well and we believe we will do well. We are playing in a very difficult group and we also had the same in the qualifiers.
“Facing Egypt is not going to be easy because they play at home and they won the title seven times. But we are one of the best 24 teams in Africa and we will do our best.”
Group B
In Group B three-time African champions Super Eagles will be staging a return to the big stage after missing out on the 2015 and 2017 editions.
The Eagles last won the AFCON in 2013 in South Africa, beating Burkina Faso 1-0 in the final to lift the trophy.
On paper, the Eagles have one of the easiest groups as they are billed to face Burundi, Guinea and Madagascar. Most pundits see the Eagles as one of the favourites to lift the trophy despite coach Gernot Rohr calling for caution.
Group C
West African football powerhouse Senegal are one of the six countries to have got to the AFCON final without winning it, a trend this talented set of Teranga Lions stars will be hoping to change in Egypt.
Led by in-form Liverpool forward, Sadio Mane, and other stars, the Lions, one of the favourites to win the AFCON, will face Tanzania in their opening game of the competition.
Also hoping to make their presence felt at the tournament will be Algeria. Past winners of the tournament, Algeria have Manchester City’s forward Riyad Mahrez.
The Desert Foxes will be hoping to give Senegal a run for their money in Group C.
Group D
Morocco, Ivory Coast, South Africa, and Namibia make up Group D, which is regarded as the group of death.
Ivory Coast won the 2015 edition of the competition and will be hoping to go all the way once again.
The star-studded Ivorian team will face 1996 champions South Africa in their opening game of the campaign and a favourable result will help them hold their own as one of the favourites to win the 2018 edition of the competition.
Group E
Tunisia, Mali and Angola are the favourites to make it out of this group. Although these teams might not be considered as favourites to win the competition, they will certainly pose some problems for the other heavyweights.
Group F
Defending champions Cameroon are one of the favourites in this group alongside Ghana.
The five-time African champions will have a lot to do to claim a back-to-back AFCON win in Egypt.
The Punch
Disturbed by the increasing level of terrorism and banditry in the country, the Senate has declared that it will consider the amendments to the 1999 Constitution to provide for the establishment of State Police in the country this week.
In a statement on Monday, the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, APC, Ekiti Central, said that after it is considered by the Senate, it would then be transmitted to the 36 State Houses of Assembly for further legislation.
In the statement issued by his Directorate of Media and Public Affairs, the Leader of the Senate explained that all stakeholders across the federation “are on the same page with the National Assembly on the establishment of State Police.”
Bamidele, who explained that the National Assembly would isolate the aspect from the ongoing constitution amendment and pass it into law due to its national exigency, also revealed that President Bola Tinubu and all the state governors were on the same page with the National Assembly on the State Police.
He added that the legislative week, which begins on Tuesday, would be a crucial one for the Senate as the issue of state police would top their agenda.
Section 214 (1) of the 1999 Constitution says: “There shall be a Police Force for Nigeria, which shall be known as the Nigeria Police Force.”
Bamidele said: “Our position is very clear on state police. We are standing with Nigerians on the issue of state police. All strata of the federation have made it clear that there cannot be a better time to establish a state police than now.
“That is where we stand. Where we are coming in is to now help translate this popular desire of the people into reality as elected representatives of the Nigerian people.
“We came to the conclusion that we are going to pass the constitutional amendment in this respect to make a provision for the State Police. If I can tell you as of today, that will come to fruition this very week because there is no need to allow any further delay
“There have been a series of meetings between the National Assembly. When I say the national assembly, I mean Chairman, Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, Senator Barau I. Jibrin and Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, both of whom are representing the National Assembly.
“They had been in a series of meetings with the office of Attorney-General, Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila; Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Tunji Disu and other stakeholders in the last one week and that is why I can sit here to tell you that we’re pursuing that this week.
“It is going to be the subject we will be dealing with this week. What we have resolved to do is to isolate it with the rest of the bills that we have proposed under constitutional amendment so that we can vote on this as soon as possible.
“The bill can as well be on its way to the 36 States’ Houses of Assembly as soon as possible because you know we will need two-thirds of the state assemblies to approve it before the president can assent to it.
“The president is also with us on this proposal. I am sure he cannot wait for the bill to come to him for assent. I am sure the majority of our governors, as we know, are in support of this bill. The state assemblies are also waiting for this bill to come. We will initiate the proposal for the creation of state police within the week.”
Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, had disclosed that President Tinubu would receive a comprehensive report on the proposed creation of state police as consultations on the constitutional framework for its establishment approached completion.
Abia State governor, Alex Otti, has announced plans to construct a FIFA-standard stadium in Aba with a seating capacity of approximately 35,000, in what is being described as one of the most significant sports infrastructure projects in the State’s development agenda.
The proposed stadium is designed to meet international football standards, making it suitable for hosting top-tier domestic league matches, continental competitions, and other global sporting events.
The facility is expected to feature modern pitch technology, upgraded spectator stands, advanced lighting systems for night games, VIP lounges, media centres, locker rooms, and safety and security installations that align with FIFA requirements.
The project is also expected to include auxiliary facilities such as training pitches, parking spaces, and support buildings that will enhance its overall functionality as a multi-use sports complex.
According to the governor’s vision, the stadium is not just a sports project but part of a broader economic revitalisation plan for Aba.
The city, already known as a major commercial hub in South-eastern Nigeria, is expected to benefit significantly from increased sporting activities, which will drive business for hotels, transport operators, food vendors, and local entrepreneurs.
The initiative is also positioned to strengthen grassroots football development and provide a modern home ground for local teams, especially Enyimba FC, one of Nigeria’s most successful football clubs.
The project is expected to be executed through a structured development approach that may involve partnerships aimed at ensuring timely delivery and high construction standards.
When completed, the stadium is projected to elevate Abia State’s profile in national and African football circles while creating new opportunities for youth engagement, talent development, and sports tourism.
Overall, the Aba stadium plan reflects a strategic push by the state government to combine sports, infrastructure, and economic development into a single long-term growth vision for Abia State.
Suspected gunmen have abducted the sister of a former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
The family of former minister and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) confirmed the abduction, disclosing that Mrs. Olaide John-Paul and her 12-year-old twin sons were kidnapped by the gunmen on Wednesday, June 3, 2026.
According to a statement issued by Adelabu’s media aide, Femi Awogboro, the victims were kidnapped at about 7:30am while Mrs. John-Paul was taking her children to school.
Mrs. John-Paul, the youngest of five children of Mrs. Olufunmilayo Aduke Adegoke Adelabu, reportedly retired voluntarily from her career at First Bank Pension Custodian in 2025 before relocating to Ibadan with her children.
She was said to be making arrangements to join her husband, who had earlier relocated to the US.
The family expressed deep concern over the development but stated that security agencies had already commenced efforts to rescue the victims and apprehend those responsible.
“We are pleased to confirm that security operatives have swung into action and preliminary investigations have commenced in earnest,” the statement partly read.
While appealing for calm, the family urged members of the public to refrain from spreading unverified information that could undermine ongoing rescue operations.
“We are deeply distressed by this unfortunate incident, but remain hopeful that the victims will be rescued safely. We appeal to the public to remain calm, avoid speculation and support ongoing efforts with prayers,” the statement added.
The family also called on anyone with useful information that could aid the rescue operation to promptly share such intelligence with security agencies through the appropriate channels.
It assured that it would continue to cooperate fully with law enforcement authorities and provide updates as investigations and rescue efforts progress.
