CAF Champions league draw confirmed

By Osoro Nyawangah, CAIRO Egypt 

CAF have now confirmed the CAF Champions League group-stage draw, with the African heavy-weight football clubs discovering their opponents into four groups. 

Among them are 2024/25 champions Pyramids, who have won all 12 of their matches in all competitions since coach Mokwena took over the reins.

Pyramids will be in Group D, alongside Sundanese giants Al Hilal SC, Horoya AC from Guinea and Mas Fes from Morocco, who have compatriots Tshegofatso Mabasa and Devin Titus on their books.

The Esperance de Tunis will have face off the Angola giants, Petro de Lunda, FC Nouadhibou and the Mamelodi Sundowns discipliners  Wiliete SC in group A.

The group B will have Zamalek SC, the Tanzania champions Young Africans SC, MC Alger and Club Africain.

The RS Berkane will face other other Tanzania giants Simba SC in group C, with Orlando Pirates and Colombe Sportive.

At least 50 killed, 179 injured in high-speed train collision in Spain

MADRID, Spain 

At least 50 people were killed and 179 others injured in a collision between two high-speed trains on the railway line linking Madrid with the southern region of Andalusia on Wednesday morning, Spanish media reported.

The accident occurred at around 8:54 a.m. local time (0754 GMT) near Urda station in the province of Toledo, about 120 km south of Madrid.

The collision involved a train operated by state-owned railway company Renfe and another operated by private company Iryo.

Preliminary reports suggested that the Renfe train struck the rear of the Iryo train, which had reportedly been stationary on the tracks. Two carriages derailed and plunged down an embankment.

According to XINHUA, the Chinese Embassy in Spain has confirmed that four Chinese nationals were aboard the trains involved in the collision, with at least one sustaining minor injury.

Spanish railway infrastructure operator Adif confirmed that the accident prompted the suspension of rail services between Madrid and Andalusia.

Political parties across Spain cancelled scheduled activities on Wednesday, while officials expressed their condolences and support for those affected.

"Shocked by the serious train accident in Toledo," Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez wrote on social media, adding that emergency services are on the ground to assist those impacted.

The collision came just nine months after another major railway accident near Adamuz, in the southern province of Cordoba, which killed 46 people.

No clear winner in Israel's first election since Hamas attack in 2023

JERUSALEM, Israel 

Israelis are bracing for a post-election gridlock as partial results on Wednesday morning showed no clear winner in the first polls since Hamas’ October 2023 attack.

The vote has widely been seen as a pivotal moment for the country and a referendum on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s handling of the conflict.

Turnout was the highest in at least a quarter of a century.

As vote counting continued, neither Netanyahu’s Likud party and its right-wing allies, nor a rival alliance led by former military chief, Gadi Eisenkot, appear on route to a clear win.

But in Israel’s fragmented parliamentary politics, no single party has ever won outright.

With either side needing 61 seats to form a majority government in the 120-seat parliament, this will likely lead to weeks of negotiations to form a coalition.

Exit polls show Arab parties projected to win an historically large number of seats, giving them significant leverage in forming the next government.

After 51.8 per cent of ballots were counted, Netanyahu's bloc was shown to have 55 seats, Eisenkot's opposition bloc 49 seats, and the Arab parties 16.

This suggest that the opposition group would have enough seats for a majority if there was a coalition agreement with the Arab parties.

But Eisenkot said during the campaign he would not govern with Israeli Arab lawmakers, echoing the position of Netanyahu.

A stalemate in the formation of a new government could in the immediate term benefit Netanyahu, who would remain caretaker prime minister until a new one is formed.

Full results are expected by Thursday evening or Friday morning.

The vote came as Israel looks increasingly isolated on the world stage, driven by the war in Iran and the military campaign in Gaza, as well as soaring settlement construction and violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.

Eisenkot shares many of Netanyahu's views on security and has backed the Gaza offensive that has reduced the territory to rubble.

But he has vowed to create a more inclusive atmosphere inside Israel and to rein in violent West Bank settlers.

EAST AFRICA NEWSPAPERS 28/10/2026

 

Tanzania government critic abducted in Kenya - Amnesty

NAIROBI, Kenya 

A Tanzanian dissident, and former opposition official, Twaha Mwaipaya, was abducted in Kenya on Sunday, Amnesty International said.

Tanzania’s government has cracked down heavily on the opposition and been accused of attempting to abduct dissidents who have taken refuge in neighbouring Kenya.

Mwaipaya was a leading youth organiser for the main opposition party, Chadema, and was jailed in 2022 for criticising the government.

He posts regularly to almost 600,000 Instagram followers against the government of President Samia Hassan, who is accused by the opposition of brutal repression, including the killing of thousands of protesters during elections a year ago.

Amnesty said Mwaipaya was kidnapped while in a taxi to visit friends “by individuals travelling in three vehicles”. It said the abduction happened in Kamulu, Machakos County, just east of Nairobi on Sunday afternoon.

“Anyone with information on his whereabouts is urged to reach out immediately. Authorities must urgently establish his whereabouts and ensure his safety,” the rights group said on X.

In January 2025, renowned Tanzanian rights activist Maria Sarungi Tsehai was kidnapped in similar circumstances in Nairobi but released before she could be smuggled across the border after an outcry by rights groups and the media.

The same happened to another rights activist, Mshabaha Mshabaha Hamza, in February.

Kane scoops first Ballon d'Or after pipping Yamal, Mbappe

By Our Correspondent, LONDON England 

Harry Kane edged out Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal to claim the 2026 men's Ballon d'Or, with Alexia Putellas claiming her third award.

Kane was one of the front-runners to be named for the trophy, and he became the first Englishman since Michael Owen in 2001 to lift the prestigious award.

Confusion had swirled earlier on Monday when an article on the award's website claiming Kane had won the award went live ahead of the delayed ceremony, with similar pieces on Mbappe and Yamal also being published inadvertently before being taken down.

But at the star-studded event in London, it was Kane who took home the trophy after he scored 61 goals in all competitions in the 2025-26 season, 19 more than any other player in Europe's big-five leagues.

It was the most by a player in a single season since Cristiano Ronaldo also scored 61 for Real Madrid in 2014-15, while for club and country, Kane netted a superb 73 goals last season, having also helped England to a third-place finish at the World Cup.

Kane also took home the men's Gerd Muller Trophy after his astonishing goalscoring run.

Barcelona and Spain largely dominated the awards across both the men's and women's categories, with Lamine Yamal picking up the Kopa Award for the third straight year.

Yamal was involved in 41 goals in all competitions in 2025-26 (24 goals, 17 assists), 19 more than any other teenager in Europe's big five leagues as he helped Barcelona to win LaLiga and the Supercopa de Espana.

He also became the first player to play in both a European Championship and World Cup final as a teenager, having won Euro 2024 with La Roja two years ago before adding the world title to his collection.

He beat team-mate Pau Cubarsi, who was named Young Player of the Tournament at the World Cup, and upon receiving the award, Yamal said it should have been given to the defender.

"It is an honour to be here and receive this prize," Yamal said.

"I would have liked to see my team-mate Cubarsi here because I think this prize should have been for him. He has been playing at an excellent level for some time.

"This is my third year up here for this prize. I would like to thank my club and my national team. Speaking about this one specifically, this one should have been for Cubarsi."

The teenager finished third in the voting for the main award, also finishing behind Madrid's Kylian Mbappe. Lionel Messi finished in fifth, with World Cup-winning captain Rodri just above him in fourth.

Luis de la Fuente, meanwhile, won the Johan Cruyff Trophy as he was named men's coach of the year after leading Spain to the World Cup title.

He helped La Roja lift the trophy for the second time and has led Spain to a 42-match unbeaten streak in all competitions, the longest ever run by any European or South American team in history.

And their excellent defensive record at the tournament also meant Unai Simon was awarded the men's Yashin Trophy.

He conceded just one goal in Spain's eight World Cup games, the fewest goals conceded by any team in a World Cup-winning campaign.

Quadruple winners Barcelona swept the women's awards, with former captain Putellas, who now plays for the London City Lionesses, winning the women's Ballon d'Or for a record-equalling third time, becoming the second woman to do so after Aitana Bonmati last year.

Vicky Lopez won the women's Kopa Trophy for the second straight year after scoring the most goals (10) and registering the most assists (nine) of any teenager across the big-five women's leagues in Europe in 2025-26.

And their head coach, Pere Romeu, took the women's Johan Cruyff Trophy, having led the team to the 2025-26 Liga F trophy with 29 wins from 30 games, while registering a goal difference of +121.

Barcelona goalkeeper Cata Coll took home the women's Yashin Trophy for her part in the quadruple triumph, having conceded just six goals in 17 league games, while keeping 11 clean sheets.

So, it was no surprise when Barcelona were also named the women's Club of the Year.

Paris Saint-Germain took home the award for the men, pipping Arsenal – who they beat in the Champions League final for their second consecutive trophy.

Mexico and Pachuca striker Charlyn Corral clinched the women's Gerd Muller Trophy, becoming the first Mexican player to win an award at the Ballon d'Or ceremony.

Full List of Ballon d'Or Winners 2026

Men's Ballon d'Or – Harry Kane (Bayern Munich/England)

Women's Ballon d'Or – Alexia Putellas (Barcelona/Spain)

Men's Johan Cruyff Trophy – Luis de la Fuente (Spain)

Women's Johan Cruyff Trophy – Pere Romeu (Barcelona)

Men's Kopa Trophy – Lamine Yamal (Barcelona/Spain)

Women's Kopa Trophy – Vicky Lopez (Barcelona/Spain)

Men's Yashin Trophy – Unai Simon (Athletic Club/Spain)

Women's Yashin Trophy – Cata Coll (Barcelona/Spain)

Men's Gerd Muller Trophy – Harry Kane (Bayern Munich/England)

Women's Gerd Muller Trophy – Charlyn Corral (Pachuca/Mexico)

EAST AFRICA NEWSPAPERS 27/10/2026

 

Brazil splits into two as Lula clinches re-election

BRASILIA, Brazil 

Brazil's leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva pulled off a dramatic comeback on Sunday as he clinched a re-election victory, but his rival Flavio Bolsonaro refused to accept the loss and said he would seek to annul the vote.

Lula heads into a fourth term with almost half of the nation having rejected him, desperate for change.

With Lula's victory, Brazil staved off a conservative wave that has seen numerous countries - such as Argentina, Chile, Colombia, and Peru - all shift right, backed by US President Donald Trump.

The leftist icon, who turns 81 on Tuesday, defied projections to win an unprecedented fourth term.

According to official results, he won 51.8 percent of the votes to 48.2 percent for Flavio Bolsonaro, with Lula pulling around 4.4 million more votes.

The senator is the son of former far-right president Jair Bolsonaro, who is serving a 27-year jail term for attempting a coup after his loss to Lula in the country's last election in 2022.

Sunday's vote was marked by confusion after a Supreme Court ruling extended voting by two hours as some polling stations had already closed.

The move came at the request of Lula who complained that buses had been pulled from circulation in various cities, barring citizens from voting.

Flavio Bolsonaro also requested an extension in some regions due to heavy rains, but he described the decision as "unacceptable" and a "dirty trick"

"It is impossible to recognise the results. I am going to request the annulment of these elections," he said, stone-faced, in a brief speech in Brasilia.

No candidate who lost the first round has gone on to win the second in Brazil since 1989, the first direct election after the end of the country's military dictatorship.

"People went to vote because we managed to convince them that voting was very important for ensuring democracy in the country," Lula said in his first comments after the win.

VFireworks and vuvuzelas rang out in Rio de Janeiro, while thousands of people dressed in red, the color of Lula's Workers' Party, streamed into the streets of Sao Paulo to celebrate.

After the first-round defeat, the left swung into action with massive rallies, declaring "Never Again Bolsonaro" and revamped their social media strategy.

The abstention rate decreased from the first round, falling from 21 percent to 19 percent.

Julio Canelo, 42, a lawyer celebrating in Rio de Janeiro hailed a victory for "the entire democratic spectrum."

"It was the result of the people mobilising, in the streets and online," he told reporters.

A fierce social media battle drew in Meta, parent company of WhatsApp, Facebook and Instagram, which Lula's campaign accused of favoring his opponent with "algorithmic manipulation."

Meta denied this but acknowledged that some of Lula's campaign ads had been mistakenly deactivated due to technical errors.

"We are going to have to regulate them," Lula said of social media companies after his win.

A bitter campaign marred by scandals and mudslinging laid bare the deep divisions that have plagued Brazil over the past decade.

EAST AFRICA NEWSPAPERS 26/10/2026