Russ Africa Daily

Nigeria's Super Eagles B team finds itself in Group D with defending champions Senegal, alongside Congo and Sudan, for the rescheduled CHAN 2025. Now set for August 2025, the tournament will unfold across Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. After a dramatic qualifying round, Nigeria aims to build on past successes against strong competitors.

Reports suggest the Trump administration is drafting a new travel ban affecting 41 countries, including Pakistan. Nations are divided into red, orange, and yellow categories, each facing different restrictions. The plan follows an executive order emphasizing heightened security vetting and could provoke international criticism.

Dmitry Bivol staged an impressive comeback to defeat Artur Beterbiev in a thrilling light heavyweight rematch, securing a majority decision with scores of 116-112, 115-113, and 114-114. The victory in Riyadh saw Bivol reclaim his undisputed titles with smart tactics and endurance against the hard-hitting Beterbiev, who showed intensity in the final round. Fans are eagerly anticipating a possible trilogy fight.

Chelsea's U18s clinched a thrilling 3-2 victory over West Ham's U18s in a fiercely contested London derby, breaking West Ham's winning streak. Despite an early goal by Josh Ajala for West Ham, Chelsea came back strong with goals from Reiss-Alexander Russell-Denny and Frankie Runham. West Ham equalized in the second half but couldn't overcome Russell-Denny's decisive free-kick.

Ethan Nwaneri, Arsenal's standout 17-year-old winger, is proving to be a pivotal figure in their attack with his exceptional technical skills and maturity. Showing his mettle in a recent match against Leicester City, he provided a record-breaking assist, reflecting his growing influence. Manager Mikel Arteta praises his readiness and ability, highlighting the club's success in developing young talent.

Zhang Weili successfully defended her UFC strawweight title against Tatiana Suarez in a decisive victory at UFC 312. Displaying superior grappling and striking, Zhang overturned a shaky start to dominate Suarez across five rounds. With this win, Zhang extended her streak to five continuous victories, hinting at ambitions for the flyweight division. Suarez, despite a strong wrestling background, faced her first career loss.

Kendrick Lamar's 'Not Like Us' triumphs at the 2025 Grammys, earning Song and Record of the Year, solidifying Lamar as a West Coast hip-hop legend. His speeches celebrated Compton's cultural backbone and the track's chart dominance highlighted hip-hop's Grammy influence while backing Los Angeles wildfire relief.

A thrilling clash awaits as Arsenal faces Manchester City in a pivotal Premier League encounter. With Arsenal seeking to close the gap with league leaders and Manchester City aiming to maintain their title defence, the stakes are high. The match sees key absences for both teams due to injuries. As fans gather to watch live, predictions hint at a narrow win for City despite Arsenal's strong home form.

Fulham takes on Manchester United at Craven Cottage in a Premier League clash on January 26, 2025. Broadcast on TNT Sports 1 at 7 p.m. GMT, this encounter sees Fulham thrive in 10th place, outpacing a struggling Manchester United by seven points. Historically, United excels at Fulham’s ground; however, current form makes this a riveting match. Injuries hit both teams hard, affecting their lineups crucially.

Brighton & Hove Albion claimed a stunning 3-1 victory over Manchester United in a Premier League match at Old Trafford, adding pressure on United's manager Ruben Amorim. Goals from Minteh, Mitoma, and Wijnaldum secured the win for Brighton, keeping them in the top half of the league. United's forward line saw a change with Zirkzee starting, as Brighton celebrated a strategic victory with key players returning.

Kylian Mbappe's first-ever Clasico goal in the Spanish Super Cup final set the stage for a thrilling matchup between Real Madrid and Barcelona. Despite Mbappe's early strike, Barcelona mounted a first-half comeback, eventually securing their 15th Spanish Super Cup title with a 5-2 victory. Mbappe's performance hints at his potential influence in future Clasico encounters, joining the ranks of legends like Messi and Ronaldo.

Jeff Baena, a celebrated film director and screenwriter, passed away at 47. Known for his unique storytelling in indie cinema, Baena was also the husband of actress Aubrey Plaza. His sudden death leaves the film industry in mourning and raises awareness about the importance of mental health support.