By Our Reporter

The Confederation of African Football, CAF, has given assurance that it is introducing new regulations to avoid a repeat of the controversy that overshadowed the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 final in Rabat, Morocco.

CAF president, Patrice Motsepe, while admitting to BBC Sport Africa that “deficiencies” in officiating and match management contributed to the chaotic ending, assured that CAF is coming with new laws and rules to avoid its repeat in the future.

“We’ve done good work in terms of building the confidence and the trust amongst the football community of our referees and of our VAR.

“But there are still these challenges, and we’ve recognised what the deficiencies were that led to the unfortunate incidents we had in Morocco.

“We’ve introduced new laws, new regulations which will ensure that doesn’t happen again,” he said.

The final, held in Rabat, saw Senegal initially declared champions after a 1–0 extra-time win over Morocco. However, the result was later overturned by a CAF appeal board, with the title awarded to Morocco following disciplinary rulings tied to Senegal’s protest walk-off after a late VAR penalty decision.

The match also drew widespread criticism due to security clashes inside the stadium and accusations of unsportsmanlike behaviour, including incidents dubbed “towelgate,” where Senegal’s goalkeeper was reportedly interfered with by ball boys and opposing personnel.

But to address these and similar issues, Motsepe said,
“We are continuing to improve the system, because African football must be judged by the highest standards of fairness and integrity,” he said.

The controversy which has exposed African soccer and the continent to ridicule has generated debate across the football world, with critics arguing that the handling of the final has damaged CAF’s credibility. For former footballer, Nigel Reo-Coker, “It gives other federations around the world an opportunity to laugh at CAF, to laugh at the Africa Cup of Nations, and laugh at Africa as a continent because of how this whole situation has been handled.”

Meanwhile, the Senegal Football Federation has described the decision to strip Senegal of the title as a “robbery” and has taken the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, where a final ruling is still pending.

Motsepe has confirmed that CAF will respect the outcome of the legal process.

“We are waiting for the judgment of the Court of Arbitration for Sport, and African football is continuing to grow and develop.
“Whatever decision comes, we will respect and implement.”

Gov Alia’s entrepreneurship initiative begins training at Belarus’ RIPO to equip youths with global, industry-ready skills

By Felix Umande, Makurdi

The Benue State Government has launched the first phase of its International Entrepreneurship and Youth Empowerment Programme, a flagship initiative aimed at equipping young people with globally competitive vocational and technical skills.

The programme, driven by Governor Hyacinth Alia in partnership with the National Directorate of Employment, is currently underway at the Republican Institute for Vocational Studies (RIPO) in Belarus. Selected participants have already begun intensive artisanal training combining classroom instruction with hands-on practical experience.

The curriculum focuses on infrastructural development and a wide range of vocational disciplines, with an emphasis on modern digital and technical competencies. Officials say the design is to prepare Benue youths to compete effectively in a rapidly evolving global labour market.

The programme is framed as a strategic investment in human capital development, with certification and industry relevance at its core. Governor Alia has indicated plans to expand the initiative to cover the agricultural and automotive sectors, reinforcing his administration’s focus on sustainable youth empowerment and international collaboration.

The Benue delegation, led by the Director General of the Bureau of Entrepreneurship and Wealth Creation, Benita Shuluwa, was formally received by RIPO officials, with training commencing immediately after the welcome.

Both the Benue State Government and RIPO have expressed optimism about deepening the partnership. Discussions are already ongoing to extend the programme across multiple Centres of Excellence within the institute.

If expanded as planned, the collaboration is expected to open new pathways for skills acquisition, innovation, and international exposure for youths in Benue State.

By Wumi Tewogbade,Abuja

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, has expressed satisfaction with the pace and quality of ongoing road projects across Abuja, saying residents can now “see governance in action.”

Wike spoke on Wednesday while inspecting ongoing infrastructure projects in Karu, Apo-Karshi and Gbazango, popularly known as Arab Road in Kubwa.

The minister commended contractors handling the various projects, particularly local construction firm Abdul Val and Zeberced, for delivering quality work within schedule.

“With what we have seen today, right from the roads in Karu down to Apo-Karshi and now to Gbazango, which is popularly called Arab Road in Kubwa, we are very satisfied with the level of work that has taken place,” Wike said.

He praised Abdul Val for the quality of work on the Karu road project, noting that the company had earlier delivered the Ushafa road project commissioned last year by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu through Vice President Kashim Shettima.

“I’m quite impressed. This is the second time. If you remember, the Ushafa road commissioned last year was also carried out by Abdul Val, and they are doing the one in Karu now. They are doing a good quality job,” he stated.

According to him, the Karu road project will be among projects slated for inauguration during President Tinubu’s third anniversary in office.

Speaking on the Apo-Karshi road being handled by SCC, Wike described it as a critical project frequently demanded by residents, expressing optimism that it would be completed before the end of the year.

He also commended Zeberced for the ongoing Gbazango road project, which he said would also be inaugurated during the President’s third anniversary celebrations.

“If you remember, this company handled the A2 to Pai road commissioned by Mr. President last year. They are also handling the Goma to Yangoji road, which will also be inaugurated during the third anniversary,” he said.

“You can see the quality of work. You can see how happy the residents are seeing us here. Without invitation, they came out to appreciate the fact that they can now see governance in action.”

Wike stressed that beyond quality delivery, meeting project timelines remained equally important.

“One thing is doing a quality job, another thing is keeping to timeline. I’m very happy. I think the President’s third anniversary will be full of activities,” he added.