TheNewsGuru

Tag: Zambia

  • WAFCON: Super Falcons reach semi-finals in grand style

    WAFCON: Super Falcons reach semi-finals in grand style

    Super Falcons of Nigeria cruise to the semifinals of the 2024 WAFCON with dominant 5-0 victory over Zambia in Casablanca on Friday.

    The Nigeria female team remain unbeaten and unbreached in the tournament so far, maintained their defensive record while producing their most clinical attacking display yet, dismantling the Copper Queens with ruthless efficiency at Stade Larbi Zaouli.

    Nigeria’s intent was clear from the first whistle, and they needed just two minutes to assert control. Centre-back Osinachi Ohale rose highest to head home Esther Okoronkwo’s pinpoint free-kick delivery, setting the tone for a night to forget for Zambia.

    The nine-time champions doubled their lead in the 33rd minute when Okoronkwo, again heavily involved, finished off a flowing move with a composed strike into the bottom corner. Zambia, who had shown grit and flair in the group stages, looked shell-shocked.

    Before the half-time whistle, Nigeria added a third. Chinwendu Ihezuo pounced on a loose ball in the box to slot in a left-footed finish and all but end the contest.

    Zambia, for all their attacking prowess led by captain Barbra Banda and Grace Chanda, failed to replicate the fluid football that had seen them finish second in Group A.

    Their attacks were often disjointed and met with a disciplined Nigerian backline anchored by Ashleigh Plumptre.

    After the break, Nigeria remained in control. Oluwatosin Demehin made it 4-0 in the 68th minute, nodding in from close range after another set-piece wreaked havoc in Zambia’s area.

    The fifth arrived in stoppage time, with substitute Folashade Ijamilusi applying the finishing touch following good work by Rasheedat Ajibade.

    Zambia’s frustration was summed up by Banda’s repeated offsides and speculative efforts, while Chanda’s long-range attempt in the 51st minute was comfortably blocked.

    With this emphatic victory, Nigeria maintain their push for a record-extending 10th WAFCON title. Zambia, who had hoped to build on their 2022 bronze finish, now exit the tournament having been outclassed by a side still to concede a single goal.

    Nigeria will now await their semi-final opponents with growing confidence and belief that their dominance on the continent remains intact.

  • Drunk policeman celebrates New Year by releasing 13 detainees

    Drunk policeman celebrates New Year by releasing 13 detainees

    An intoxicated policeman identified as Detective inspector Titus Phiri in Zambia on New Year’s day released over 13 suspects from custody so that they could go and join the celebration.

    The officer was arrested after releasing the suspects from Leonard Cheelo police station in the capital, Lusaka, before running away himself.

    According to BBC reports, the detainees were arrested over crimes ranging from assault, robbery and burglary, and are all currently on the run, even as a manhunt has been launched to find them.

    Speaking about the development, Police spokesperson Rae Hamoonga said that Mr Phiri, “in a state of intoxication, forcibly seized cell keys” from constable Serah Banda on New Year’s Eve.

    “Subsequently, detective inspector Phiri unlocked both the male and female cells and instructed the suspects to leave, stating they were free to cross over into the new year,” he said.

    “Out of the 15 suspects in custody, 13 escaped. Following the incident, the officer fled the scene.”

    In 1997, a similar case happened after a High Court Judge, Kabazo Chanda ordered the release of 53 suspects, some of whom were deemed dangerous by the police.

    Chanda’s decision came after the suspects were said to be arrested as long ago as 1992, but had not yet appeared in court.

    Phiri has since been arrested but is yet to comment on the allegations.

  • Photo news: Prof Uwensuyi, Edosomwan pictured with Fagbemi, Taku in ln Zambia

    Photo news: Prof Uwensuyi, Edosomwan pictured with Fagbemi, Taku in ln Zambia

    Photo news: Today in Lusaka, Zambia, Prof Charles Uwensuyi+Edosomwan, SAN, (Life Council member of African Bar Association) Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, Nig’s Attorney General and Minister of Justice (Middle) and Chief Charles Taku, a freedom fighter prince of Bangwa Cameron, an international human rights advocate.

  • Like Super Falcons, Copper Queens qualify for Paris 2024 Olympics

    Like Super Falcons, Copper Queens qualify for Paris 2024 Olympics

    Just like the Super Falcons of Nigeria, the Copper Queens of Zambia have secured a ticket for the 2024 Olympic Games set to hold in Paris, France late in the year.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Barbra Banda scored two goals for the Zambian girls in the second leg qualifiers fixture played at the Prince Heritier Moulay EL Hassan Stadium in Rabat to secure a win over Morocco to book the ticket for the Paris 2024 Olympics.

    Morocco had won the first leg played at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium, Ndola in Zambia, beating the Copper Queens 2:1. Zambia qualifies back-to-back on 3:2 aggregate.

    Lushomo Mweemba scored the lone goal for Zambia while Zineb Redouani and Rosella Ayane scored the two goals for Morocco in the first leg.

    The Copper Queens of Zambia will join the Super Falcons of Nigeria to represent the African continent at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

    The Super Falcons booked their ticket to the 2024 Paris Olympics after a tensed goalless draw against South Africa’s Banyana Banyana in Pretoria on Tuesday.

    The team had last Friday in the first leg pipped their South African counterparts 1-0, which ultimately secured their qualification for the Olympics in 16 years.

    Australian, Brazil, Canada, Colombia and France had qualified for the 2024 Olympics. Other countries that have secured qualification for the Paris Olympics are Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Spain and the United States of America.

  • AFCON 2023: Clinical Morocco thrash Tanzania 3-0; Zambian, Republic of Congo play draw

    AFCON 2023: Clinical Morocco thrash Tanzania 3-0; Zambian, Republic of Congo play draw

    Morocco lived up to pre-tournament hype  by beating 10-man Tanzania 3-0 to make a winning start to their 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign in Group F.

    The World Cup semi finalists got their campaign under way with an impressive performance at the Laurent Pokou Stadium in San Pedro on Wednesday.

    Captain Romain Saiss opened the floodlight of goals to put the Atlas Lions ahead at halftime with Azzedine Ounahi and Youssef En-Nesyri adding two more to emphasise their dominance, especially after Tanzania had Novatus Miroshi sent off after a second caution.

    En-Nesyri had to wait until he was on the substitutes’ bench before celebrating his goal.

    En-Nesyri’s celebrations were initially cut short by the offside flag after he scored his team’s third goal in the 80th minute.

    He had already made way for substitute Amine Harit to go on in his place before a VAR check confirmed he had been onside for Achraf Hakimi’s cross.

    It prompted En-Nesyri’s teammates to rush to the Moroccan bench to congratulate the Sevilla forward.

    Ounahi sealed the win seven minutes later after playing a one-two with Amine Adli and striking a low shot inside the left post, three minutes before En-Nesyri had the final say.

    Although the African powerhouse for decades, Morocco are seeking only a second Cup of Nations title 48 years after lifting the trophy in Ethiopia.

    Elsewhere, the Chipolopolo of Zambian drew 1-1 with the Republic of Congo.

  • Access Bank acquires Zambian Bank

    Access Bank acquires Zambian Bank

    Access Holdings Plc has completed the acquisition of Atlas Mara Zambia.

    The bank made the disclosure on Monday in a regulatory filing on the Nigerian Exchange Ltd

    Access Zambia had approached Atlas Mara in 2021 and, in March 2023, announced that it has received regulatory approval from the Central Bank of Nigeria to proceed with the deal.

    The transaction was expected to be completed in Q3, 2023.

    Access said, “It is pleased to announce that Access Bank (Zambia) Limited (“Access Zambia”) a subsidiary of the Company’s flagship subsidiary, Access Bank Plc, has completed the acquisition of African Banking Corporation Zambia Limited, trading as Atlas Mara Zambia (“Atlas Mara Zambia “). Atlas Mara Zambia is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Access Zambia.”

    The lender said the completion of the acquisition, Access Zambia would now move towards integrating and merging Atlas Mara Zambia into its operations.

    The lender also said it targets to create one of the top five banks in Zambia by total assets, with prospects to be in the top three by 2027.

    The Group Chief Executive of Access Holdings, Dr. Herbert Wigwe, said the acquisition marks a significant milestone for Access Bank as the bank works towards achieving its vision of being the World’s Most Respected African Bank.

    He said, “We are poised for success by harmonising the robust brands, rich heritage, shared values, and best practices of both companies to create opportunities for all our stakeholders in Zambia and the SADC region.”

  • U17 AFCON: Golden Eaglets beat Zambia 1-0

    U17 AFCON: Golden Eaglets beat Zambia 1-0

    Two-time champions Nigeria on Sunday picked all three points in a 1-0 win over Zambia to commence their Africa U17 Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign in Algeria on a promising note.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Favour Daniel struck powerfully past the Zambian goal-tender from a goalmouth melee 14 minutes to the end of the game.

    The goal gave Nigeria all the honours in a largely average encounter that opened the campaign in Group B.

    Nigeria dominated for large swatches of the evening at the Stade Mohamed Hamlaoui.

    But ineffective short passes and poor shooting in front of goal denied them an avalanche of goals against a Zambian team that failed to bite.

    Both teams hit the woodwork in the first period and Abubakar Abdullahi saw his efforts saved twice as Nigeria piled on the pressure.

    The five-time world champions were set to take a two-goal win into their clash with Morocco on Wednesday but substitute Light Eke made light work of a penalty kick awarded two minutes into additional time and gave the goalkeeper no worries.

    Nigeria’s defender Yahaya Lawali was named Man of the Match.

    Meanwhile, in their encounter, Morocco beat South Africa by 2 goals.

    The Nduka Ugbade’s team will face Morocco on Wednesday before meeting South Africa in their final match of Group B on Saturday.

    The four top-placed teams at the 12-nation finals will represent Africa at the 2023 FIFA U17 World Cup.

  • ZAMBIA: Kamala Harris pledges U.S. support for African agriculture

    ZAMBIA: Kamala Harris pledges U.S. support for African agriculture

    US Vice President, Kamala Harris, has pledged America’s support for African agriculture, after she toured the Panuka farm in Chibombo district, Zambia on Mar. 31, 2023.
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    The farm outside the capital uses new techniques and technology to boost its vegetable crop.

    According to a White House communiqué, US private sector made over $7 billion in new commitments after the VP’s call for the sector to promote and enhance climate resilience, mitigation and adaptation across Africa.

    “The United States will continue to support and expand this work. Some examples of the work that we are doing to that end here on the continent includes helping to improve climate modelling, weather forecast and to build new weather stations,” She said.

    “We, through that work, know that we can then help farmers decide where to plant their crops, when to plant their crops, how to predict the upcoming growing season in a way they plant crops that are resilient to, or can adapt, to whatever that climate might be predicted to be.”

    If Africa has contributed far less to overall greenhouse gas emissions than economically richer corners of the world, it bears the brunt of the climate crisis.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that Harris will return to Washington Sunday after a weeklong trip to 3 African countries.

    In the geopolitical battle for influence, the Biden administration seeks to narrow a trust gap with Africa.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that the US Vice President is the 49th  vice president of the United States. She is the first female vice president and the highest-ranking female official in U.S. history, as well as the first African-American and first Asian-American vice president.

    A member of the Democratic Party, she previously served as the attorney general of California from 2011 to 2017 and as a United States senator representing California from 2017 to 2021.

    Born in Oakland, California, Harris graduated from Howard University and the University of California, Hastings College of the Law.

    She began her career in the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office, before being recruited to the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office and later the City Attorney of San Francisco’s office. In 2003, she was elected district attorney of San Francisco.

    Harris was elected Attorney General of California in 2010 and re-elected in 2014. Harris served as the junior United States senator from California from 2017 to 2021; she defeated Loretta Sanchez in the 2016 Senate election to become the second African-American woman and the first South Asian American to serve in the United States Senate.

    As a senator, she advocated for healthcare reform, federal de-scheduling of cannabis, a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, the DREAM Act, a ban on assault weapons, and progressive tax reform.

    She gained a national profile for her pointed questioning of Trump administration officials during Senate hearings, including Trump’s second Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, who was accused of sexual assault.

    Harris sought the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, but withdrew from the race prior to the primaries.

    Joe Biden selected her as his running mate, and their ticket went on to defeat the incumbent president, Donald Trump, and vice president, Mike Pence, in the 2020 election.

    Harris became vice president upon being inaugurated on January 20, 2021, alongside President Joe Biden.

  • U.S. VP, Kamala Harris shares epic throwback photo of herself in Zambia

    U.S. VP, Kamala Harris shares epic throwback photo of herself in Zambia

    U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris on Friday took to Twitter to share an epic throwback photo of her young self in Zambia.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Harris was in Zambia after visiting Ghana and Tanzania as part of her week-long tour of Africa.

    She flew into Zambia from the Tanzanian commercial capital of Dar es Salaam, where she met President Samia Suluhu Hassan on Thursday.

    Arriving in Zambia, the U.S. Vice President visited the National Assembly of the southern African nation where she took a replica photograph she took there years ago.

    See before and after photo shared by Kamala Harris on Twitter below:

    She tagged the before photo as Young Kamala Harris at the National Assembly of Zambia and the after photo as Vice President Kamala Harris at the National Assembly of Zambia.

    While the before and after photo of Harris has generated much reactions on social media, TNG reports the U.S. VP will meet with President Hakainde Hichilema and participate in other events.

    She is due to leave Zambia on Saturday and arrive back in the United States on Sunday.

    Harris is the latest U.S. government figure to visit African countries, after Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, as Washington strives to counter-balance growing Chinese and Russian influence on the continent.

  • Algeria 2023: Nigeria, 11 others to know group phase foes on Wednesday

    Algeria 2023: Nigeria, 11 others to know group phase foes on Wednesday

    The draw ceremony for this year’s Africa U17 Cup of Nations will hold on Wednesday at the Cercle Nationale d’Armee in Algiers, capital city of Algeria.

    Five-time world champions Nigeria is one of the 12 countries whose names will go into the pot for the draw, as all participating teams get to know their group phase opponents for the tournament scheduled for 8th – 30th April in Africa’s largest nation.

    All the 12 participating nations are now known: Algeria, Nigeria, Morocco, Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso, Somalia, South Sudan, Zambia, South Africa, Cameroon and Congo.

    The 12 teams will be drawn into three groups of four teams each, with the four top-placed teams qualifying to represent Africa at this year’s FIFA U17 World Cup finals taking place in Peru later this year.