TheNewsGuru

Tag: South Africa

  • BREAKING: Anambra lawmaker dies in South Africa

    BREAKING: Anambra lawmaker dies in South Africa

    The member representing Awka South Constituency 1 in the Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon. Nnamdi Okafor has died in South Africa.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that Okafor, who is the Majority Leader of the Anambra State House of Assembly, died on Tuesday night.

    While the cause of his death is yet to be ascertained at the time of filing this report, it was gathered that the Anambra lawmaker collapsed in his hotel at Sandton City, Johannesburg and was confirmed dead hours later.

    Okafor was in South Africa along with other House of Assembly members for a legislative retreat, it was learnt

     

    Details shortly…

  • Why we support Muslim-Muslim ticket – APC South Africa

    Why we support Muslim-Muslim ticket – APC South Africa

    The All Progressives Congress (APC), South Africa chapter, says the Muslim-Muslim joint ticket of the party’s Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, and his Running Mate, Sen. Kashim Shettima, will deliver dividends of democracy to Nigerians.

    The Chairman of the chapter, Mr. Bola Babarinde, in a statement on Sunday in Lagos, said Tinubu and Shettima have the capacity to salvage the country from its current woes.

    According to him, what the nation needs now are competent leaders that can make lives better for the people.

    Babarinde said: “A political party chooses presidential joint ticket for its viability, and solely with the objective to win elections as its immediate priority, and it is after winning and occupying office that any electoral promises can be fulfilled and delivered.

    “The pedigree and achievements of Tinubu and Shettima in administration, governance and politics are solid and incontrovertible.

    “They both possess the political capital and administrative wherewithal to lead the most populous black nation to socioeconomic development.

    “The focus and beam light towards the election by the public and especially electorate should be on performance capacity and not religion or other primordial sentiments that have held us back as nation from collectively rising above tribal and religious divides.”

    According to him, it will be a marginalisation if Muslims and Christians believe they are the only organised religion in Nigeria and by so doing excluded adherents of native and traditional religion from aspiring to lead the country.

    He said the adherent of traditional religion also has right to aspire and demand for representation in governance.

    “If everyone is insisting it will become convoluted; if Muslim/Muslim ticket is not good for Nigeria, then any other combinations will always be contested as having excluded other faiths.

    “Even a joint ticket of both Muslim and Christian candidate can even be contested by adherents of the native religions for exclusivity and devoid of inclusion and equal representation.

    “Now that the flag bearer of the APC, Asiwaju Tinubu, and the party have concluded their decision on those who will occupy Aso Rock in 2023, let us respect and support them.

    “We should pray for their success at the coming polls and working together eventually for the smooth sail of the incoming administration after the current dispensation,” he said.

    According to him, in South Africa, the demand and concern are issue based; and not what religion you belong but about competence.

    He said that the chapter was ready to partake in ensuring the Tinubu/Shettima combination win the 2023 election.

    Babarinde added that the chapter would also support and collaborate with the administration to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).

  • 2022 WAFCON: South Africa win their first-ever WAFCON title

    2022 WAFCON: South Africa win their first-ever WAFCON title

    South Africa’s Banyana Banyana on Saturday defeated hosts Atlas Lionesses of Morocco 2-1 in the final match of the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Rabat.

    The win helped them to their first title success in the tournament’s history, after Hildah Magaia scored twice within eight minutes in the second half after the hour mark.

    This ended a run of five finals without success for Banyana Banyana, who completed this tournament with a 100 per cent record.

    This was after they secured qualification to next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in Australia and New Zealand.

    Magaia tapped in an excellent cutback from Jermaine Seoposenwe, who ran onto a long ball out of defence.

    It helped her to create the opening goal as she held off the defence to provide an expert pass in the 63rd minute.

    It took the sting out of a frenzied atmosphere created by a sell-out crowd at the Prince Moulay Abdallah Stadium.

    This was the venue where only weeks earlier South Africa’s men had lost to Morocco in a 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier.

    Magaia then doubled the lead in the 71st minute with another close finish, this time from a cross out wide from Karabo Dhlamini which Morocco’s defence failed to cut out.

    But a lapse in concentration saw South Africa lose possession.

    It offered Morocco hope of a comeback as Rosella Ayane pulled one back in the 80th minute after being set up by Fatima Tagnaout.

    This meant an anxious last 10 minutes for Desiree Ellis’ team —- plus another nine minutes of referee’s time added on —- before they could get their hands on the trophy.

    The game started with a high tempo, fueled by the large crowd who greeted every Moroccan touch with a cheer and Banyana move with a chorus of whistles.

    After 11 minutes, there was a muted shout for a penalty kick, but while Tagnaout’s challenge on Magaia in her own penalty area was risky, it proved expertly timed.

    Both sides pressed high to allow little space for chances and, as a result, the first 30 minutes went by without any goalscoring opportunity.

    South Africa had a chance with a long-range free-kick in the 32nd minute which  Nomvula Kgoale hit onto the roof of the net.

    Three minutes later Seoposenwe played through an inch-perfect pass for Magaia, but her left-footed effort was blocked by a brave save by home goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi.

    Magaia had another chance with a free-kick five minutes before the break.

    But she was unable to properly bend the ball and was well off target with what looked like a good opportunity.

    Morocco had their first real effort a minute later for tall English-born striker Ayane, who tried to rag the ball from behind her and was unable to find the target.

    The second half was a close affair until Magaia opened scoring, suddenly offering the occasion a rip-roaring finale.

  • IROKOtv boss shares South Africa experience that reveals why everyone should have a digital identity

    IROKOtv boss shares South Africa experience that reveals why everyone should have a digital identity

    NIGERIAN-BRITISH business and co-founder of iROKOtv Jason Njoku, has shared his “first real bad experience” in the hands of South African police on Sunday.

    Njoku, who was in the country for the fourth time this year, said his Uber was stopped by the police while he was on his way to the airport in Johannesburg and they asked to see his passport.

    “I had my ??(British) passport in my pocket. They asked where I’m from in Africa. I said ?? (Nigeria) . They made me come down for a thorough search. They saw sims.

    “When they saw my dozens of sim cards and several phones they were 100% convinced I was into cyber crime. Apparently it’s illegal to have so many sim cards,” the iROKOtv boss narrated.

    Despite telling the police that he was a product manager who travels testing different Momo (Mobile Money service) across Africa, with evidence of his passport stamps, they delayed him for over 15 minutes until he requested they verified his claims via Google.

    “Fifteen minutes in, I literally had to force them to Google me to see I wasn’t up to anything nefarious. I wondered the story I would have told if I didn’t have that option. In the end they gave me their numbers to call them if I had any problems in JoBurg.

    “When we beat ourselves up here on tribal things I can assure you no one outside cares. We are all Nigerians. When that comes to light.

    “They treat us accordingly. In the end they’re doing their job. But we all collectively benefit from a stronger Nigeria,” he added.

    Reacting to his ordeal, another Nigerian Esther Ali, stressed that have credible digital footprints, is an important lesson to learn from the experience and advised people against using nicknames.

    “Lesson gotten from this, have a good digital presences and footprints in your legal name not nicknames like mizchocolata, la cream de la porche, sweetpea ????. Be digitally present, it’s a way of leaving a legacy behind,” Ali said.

  • 2022 WAFCON: Super Falcons advance to quarterfinal

    2022 WAFCON: Super Falcons advance to quarterfinal

    Defending champions Super Falcons thrashed Burundi 4-0 in their final match of Group C on Sunday, at the Women African Cup of Nations (WAFCON), to clinch a quarterfinal ticket.

    The win took the champions to six points and five goals advantage, as South Africa’s 1-0 win over Botswana meant the Bayana Bayana finished on maximum nine points to top the group.

    The result ensured that the South Africans set up a clash with Tunisia in the last eight.

    The Nigerian ladies dominated the encounter before Rasheedat Ajibade scored a penalty in the 25th minute after she was upended by onrushing goalkeeper Jeanine Irakoze.

    Earlier, the very busy Ifeoma Onumonu, shot over the sticks when clear on goal in the second minute, and Peace Efih had an opportunity to rifle into the net four minutes later, but opted to pass, which effort was cut off.

    Four minutes after Ajibade scored from six yards, Peace Efih scored from a goalmouth melee after another dashing run and cross into the box by Ajibade.

    Nigeria were 3-0 up, after Ajibade continued with her superlative move and threaded the ball into the box for advancing Uchenna Kanu, who tapped the ball into an empty net.

    Kanu thought she had made it four in the 38th minute, but her effort was ruled offside, and then came very close in the 40th and 43rd minutes only to miss from close range.

    In the second half, the Falcons started the way they left off in the first period, with Ajibade lifting the ball into the box for Kanu to rifle past substitute goalkeeper Amissa Inarukundo, with only 22 seconds gone.

    The Falcons then took their feet off the pedal as the match puttered and petered out, even as Christy Ucheibe’s rasping drive was finger-tipped to the upright by Inarukundo in the 56th minute.

    Nigeria will face Cameroon on Thursday with the winner of the tie qualifying for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup Final.

  • WAFCON: Super Falcons beat Botswana to raise hopes, as South Africa advance

    WAFCON: Super Falcons beat Botswana to raise hopes, as South Africa advance

    Title-holders Nigeria set on a better track their 12th Women Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) campaign with a 2-0 win over Botswana in Rabat on Thursday.

    The development meant they rose to second place in Group C behind new leaders South Africa, with Botswana dropping from the table’s apex to third place.

    South Africa had earlier in the day thumped Burundi 3-1 to lead the group and advance to the quarter-finals.

    Botswana, 4-2 winners over Burundi on the opening day, had led the group following the Super Falcons’ 1-2 loss to the Banyana Banyana on Monday.

    But on Thursday, U.S.-based forward Ifeoma Onumonu put the Falcons on their way with a sweet finish in the 21st minute from an intelligent through pass by Halimat Ayinde.

    The Falcons had before then looked brighter on the break than they did against South Africa, with Rasheedat Ajibade, Onumonu and Francisca Ordega launching onslaughts which unsettled their opponents.

    Nigeria could have been two goals up five minutes later, when Ordega found Toni Payne with a stylish pass and the defender sent the ball into the penalty box.

    But the southern Africans cleared their lines to prevent any damage.

    Two minutes later, Onumonu failed to control in good time a good pass by Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene.

    Botswana had their own song in the half, with Tholakele rattling goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie from a 22-yard free-kick in the 31st minute.

    She then shot straight at the Nnadozie six minutes later.

    Substitute Christy Ucheibe, with her first touch of the ball, scored Nigeria’s second goal in the 48th minute.

    She rose highest in the penalty box to nod home Payne’s heaved effort from a corner-kick.

    Five minutes later, Ucheibe controlled and lashed slightly over the bar.

    When Gift Monday and Regina Otu joined the fray in place of Ordega and Okobi-Okeoghene in the 63rd minute, Nigeria’s rejuvenation was unmistakable.

    Onumonu had a couple more goalscoring chances, while Ayinde’s angled shot from 25 yards was punched away and Uchenna Kanu saw her shot blocked.

    The Super Falcons will now on Sunday face Burundi, who are already out of contention, with a win certain to guarantee for them a place in the competition’s quarter-finals.

    Botswana on the other hand need at least a draw against South Africa to have hopes of securing a quarter-final spot through the best-losers spot.

    But a win for Botswana can drop Nigeria to third spot, with the title-holders needing to reach the quarter-finals only if they beat Burundi, or get at least a draw.

    Group C Standings:

    Team                      P   W  D  L  GF  GA  GD  Pts

    South Africa           2   2   0   0   5    2    +3    6

    Nigeria                   2   1   0   1   3    2    +1    3

    Botswana               2   1   0   1   4    4      –     3

    Burundi                  2   0   0   2   3    7     -4     0

  • BREAKING: Super Falcons striker, Asisat Oshoala out of 2022 WAFCON

    BREAKING: Super Falcons striker, Asisat Oshoala out of 2022 WAFCON

    Nigeria’s Super Falcons striker and FC Barcelona forward, Asisat Oshoala has dropped out of the ongoing 2022 Women African Cup of Nations (WAFCON).

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Oshoala dropped out of the 2022 WAFCON following a Grade 2 Medial Collateral Ligament strain.

    The Super Falcons striker and FC Barcelona forward sustained the injury in the game against South Africa, and is due back in Spain on Thursday.

    She sustained the injury in the eighth minute of play, received treatment and returned to the field until she was substituted in the 82nd minute by Francesca Ordega.

    Super Falcons head coach Randy Waldrum declined to comment on her absence as the nine-time record African champions prepare to take on Botswana in their second tie at the tournament tomorrow.

    The American tactician, however, revealed that, “We are definitely going to make some changes from our first game. The atmosphere in camp is good and we have regrouped. We want to win our next game.”

    The Super Falcons began their title defence on a faltering note on Monday at the 12th WAFCON in Rabat, Morocco by losing again (1-2)  to South Africa’s Banyana Banyana.

    Nigeria currently sit third in Group C behind table leaders Botswana and second-placed South Africa who both won their opening games.

  • 2022 WAFCON: South Africa’s coach gloats over Nigeria’s loss

    Coach Desiree Ellis of South Africa has said Bayana Bayana’s win over the Super Falcons of Nigeria has set the tone for her team as they seek to win the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title.

    South Africa got off to a flying start following a 2-1 victory over nine-time record African champions Nigeria in their first Group C encounter at the ongoing 2022 WAFCON in Morocco.

    Desiree Ellis’ outfit scored twice in two minutes thanks to Jermaine Seoposenwe and Hilda Magaia goals in the 60th and 62nd minutes to destabilise their opponents, who were caught off-guard by the quick firing South Africans.

    Ellis said in a post-match press conference that the goal of her team was to win the tournament, adding that the win against Nigeria was the first step towards achieving their goal. .

    “This is a very big win for us as a team. We needed to get this result because it sets the tone for the rest of the tournament.

    “We held a meeting on our goals and ambitions before training.  We want to qualify for the World Cup and win the title here.”

    “We know what happened in 2018, but we have matured over the past four years and there are changes in our team.

    “Jermaine played about four positions today. That is the versatility we have now as a team.”

    “This victory is for everyone back home and for all the coaches. This is for everyone connected to women’s football back home,” a content Ellis added.

    The victory was South Africa’s second win over Nigeria in the past 10 months, having stunned the defending champions 4-2 in the Aisha Buhari Invitational Cup in Lagos in 2021.

    Super Falcons unfazed despite loss – Coach Waldrum

    However, Randy Waldrum, Head Coach of the Super Falcons of Nigeria has said his team remains unfazed despite the loss, a bad day at the office for the nine-time champions.

    TNG reports the Super Falcons came into the game against South Africa as favourites, having won the competition more than any other nation on the continent.

    Banyana Banyana however scored twice in two minutes thanks to Jermaine Seoposenwe and Hilda Magaia goals in the 60th and 62nd minutes to destabilize their opponents, who were caught off-guard by the quick firing South Africans.

    The Super Falcons eventually found a goal in the first minute of added time, thanks to an incredible finish by Rasheedat Ajibade, but it was too late as South Africa reorganized themselves and bagged the three points.

    Waldrum told newsmen during his post-match conference that his team was in good spirit, inspite of the loss, adding that they intend to go back to the drawing board and work on all their mistakes.

    “Inspite of the loss, we are still positive in camp. It is obviously the first game of the tournament so we have to go back and regroup.

    “We have to increase our urgency in the fighting spirit because we are encouraged by it.

    “We have to play the way we played in the last 10-15 minutes so that we get going,” Waldrum said.

    Botswana now top Group C with three points and a superior goal difference of +3 after thrashing Burundi 4-1 in their opening game.

    South Africa are second also with three points and a goal difference of +1 ahead of their next game against bottom-placed side Burundi on Thursday.

    While Nigeria, currently in third, take on Botswana on the same day at 8 p.m.

  • Buhari’s Portugal award, a testament of good leadership — APC S/Africa

    The All Progressives Congress (APC), South Africa Chapter, says the conferment of the Portuguese highest National Honour on President Muhammadu Buhari is a testament to his unique leadership and laudable achieve­ments in critical sectors.

    The chapter congratulated the president on the Award and for a successful visit to Portugal at the invitation of Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.

    The diaspora group, in a congratulatory message signed by its Chairman, Mr Bola Babarinde, and the Publicity Secretary, Mr Sanni David, on Sunday described the Award as “a well-deserved honour”.

    The chapter noted that the conferment of the highest National Honour, Collar of the Order of Prince Henry, on the president in Lisbon on June 30, exemplifies him “as a man of integrity and widely respected.”

    “The Award which is reserved for Portuguese Heads of State, and some distinguished foreign recipients, is a testament of the quality leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari and his laudable achievements in critical sectors in the last seven years.

    “Today, President Muhammadu Buhari is the first Nigerian Head Of Government to be so honoured.

    “It is in the light of these achievements that the APC Diaspora Chapter in South Africa led by Engr. Bola Babarinde is celebrating our President for flying the flag higher and making Nigerians home and abroad proud of our country,” it said.

    According to it, the positive implication of the visit for the country is the renewed diplomatic and economic ties between Nigeria and Portugal.

    The group noted that the visit would further cement bilateral relations on trade and investment between the two countries.

    The chapter added that the visit would also attract foreign direct investments to Nigeria; making Nigeria the investment destination of choice and making Nigerians proud of their country amongst the comity of Nations.

    The group said that the president’s engagement with members of the Nigerian community in Portugal on matters affecting them and developments at their homeland had proven this.

    “The Memorandum of Understanding signed by the Honourable Minister of Youths and Sports, Sunday Dare with his Portuguese counterpart will also assist Nigeria in the engagement of our youths, create employment and increase economic activities in that sector.

    “The first MoU will see Nigeria and Portugal engage in fruitful exchange programmes and facilitate expertise transfer for sports development amongst other areas, while the second is on youth capacity building and development with the European nation,” it said.

  • COVID-19 vaccines: World Bank approves $474m loan to S.Africa

    The World Bank on Tuesday approved a loan of 454.4 million euros (474.4 million dollars) to help South Africa fund COVID-19 vaccine purchases.

    The bank and South Africa’s National Treasury in a statement said South Africa has recorded the most coronavirus cases and deaths on the African continent, with over 3.9 million confirmed cases and more than 101,000 deaths.

    It initially struggled to secure vaccines due to limited supplies and protracted negotiations, but it was now well-supplied with doses.

    “This project will retroactively finance the procurement of 47 million COVID-19 vaccine doses by the GoSA (Government of South Africa),” the statement said.

    Ismail Momoniat, acting director-general of the Treasury said the loan was part of government efforts to cut debt-service costs by using cheaper funding sources in its response to the pandemic.

    As of Monday, just over 50 per cent of South Africa’s adult population of around 40 million people had received at least one vaccine dose.

    In recent months the vaccination campaign has slowed, despite efforts to boost take up.