Sunday, September 28, 2025
Gunners complete remarkable turnaround against Newcastle United
By Damian Spellman, NEWCASTLE England
Gabriel pounced with a stoppage-time header to end Arsenal's miserable run at Newcastle with a dramatic 2-1 victory.
The defender, who had earlier appeared to catch Magpies goalscorer Nick Woltemade in the face with a flailing arm, struck in the sixth minute of added time at the end of a pulsating encounter at St James' Park.
Mikel Arteta's men were trailing 1-0 to Woltemade's 34th-minute header with six minutes of regulation time remaining despite dominating for long periods, but after former Magpie Mikel Merino equalised after 84 minutes, Gabriel's header ended a run of three successive defeats on Tyneside.
It was little more than they deserved on an afternoon when goalkeeper Nick Pope denied the hugely impressive Eberechi Eze twice and Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber either side of an overturned penalty decision.
But having come so close to winning it, defeat was a bitter pill to swallow for Newcastle boss Eddie Howe, who saw Tino Livramento carried off on a stretcher ahead of Wednesday night's Champions League trip to Union Saint-Gilloise.
Arsenal were first to press when striker Viktor Gyokeres headed a second-minute Declan Rice free-kick straight at Pope, and the Magpies keeper had to get down well to his left to turn away Eze's left-footed strike after Timber's cross had been only half-cleared three minutes later.
The Gunners' slick interplay kept them on the front foot as Martin Zubimendi and Rice held sway in the middle of the field, although Arsenal keeper David Raya was called upon for the first time when he fielded an 11th-minute Malick Thiaw header from Sandro Tonali's corner.
The home side enjoyed a major let-off with 14 minutes gone when Gyokeres went down under Pope's challenge as the pair closed on Jacob Murphy's ill-judged back-pass after Eze's long ball had allowed Saka to cause major problems.
Referee Jarred Gillett pointed to the spot, but was advised to review his decision and ultimately decided the feint touch the keeper got on the ball before colliding with the striker meant he had played it and therefore changed his decision, much to Arteta's obvious disbelief.
The post came to Pope's rescue after Saka and Rice had combined in superb style to set up Leandro Trossard, and Sven Botman had to block an Eze effort, but it took a fine diving stop from the Newcastle keeper to repel a stinging 29th-minute Eze strike after the home defence had failed to deal with Riccardo Calafiori's long throw.
Saka called upon Pope at his near post after bursting free down the right three minutes later, but it was the hosts who took the lead 11 minutes before the break when, after defender Cristhian Mosquera had conceded a needless corner, Tonali played the ball short to Anthony Gordon and then curled in a cross which Woltemade headed firmly past Raya.
A tempestuous first half drew to a close with the Magpies ahead, but having ridden their luck, they found themselves under the cosh once again on their return with Eze causing major headaches.
Gordon and Joelinton both fired across the face of Raya's goal, but Pope had to claw away Timber's deft header from Zubimendi's clipped 59th-minute pass and Joelinton did just enough to deflect a Gyokeres shot wide with 19 minutes remaining.
Gabriel survived a late VAR check after substitute Anthony Elanga's shot appeared to hit his arm and after Merino had glanced Rice's cross past Pope to level, it was the Brazilian defender who snatched victory at the death when he headed substitute Martin Odegaard's corner past Pope.
Tanzania's Simba progress; Kenya's Police FC advance on away goals despite home defeat
DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania
Simba SC of Tanzania and Kenya Police FC both sealed their places in the Second Preliminary Round of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League on Sunday, though in very different fashion.
Simba were held 1–1 by Gaborone United in Dar es Salaam but progressed 2–1 on aggregate. Kenya Police, meanwhile, lost 2–0 at home to Mogadishu City, leaving the tie locked at 3–3 over two legs, but advanced thanks to the away-goals rule after their 3–1 first-leg victory in Somalia.
Jean Carlos Ahoua opened the scoring for Simba two minutes before half-time to double their aggregate cushion, but the visitors hit back when Lesego Ditsele converted a penalty midway through the second half.
Despite late pressure, Gaborone could not find the second goal needed to force extra time.
Simba remain on course for a return to the group stages, with their pedigree making them one of East Africa’s strongest contenders.
In Nairobi, Police endured a tense evening after Marsis struck in the 33rd minute to give Mogadishu City hope.
Ibrahim Bangura’s penalty ten minutes after the break set up a dramatic finale, but Police FC held on to ensure progression on away goals.
Kenya Police advance to the second preliminary round for the first time in their history, where they will face either Jamus FC of South Sudan or Sudanese giants Al Hilal.
Saturday, September 27, 2025
Orlando Pirates, Yanga cruise into TotalEnergies CAF Champions League second round
SOWETO, South Africa
South African side Orlando Pirates eased into the second preliminary round of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League with a commanding 4-0 victory over Lesotho’s Lioli FC at Orlando Stadium on Saturday.
The Soweto side wrapped up a 7-0 aggregate triumph, building on their 3-0 win in the first leg to underline their dominance in the tie.
In-form winger Tshepang Moremi broke the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, giving Pirates the advantage in front of their home supporters.
Just four minutes into the second half, Moremi struck again to double his tally and place the Buccaneers firmly in control.
Substitute Yanela Mbuthuma added further gloss to the scoreline with a quickfire brace in the closing stages. He struck in the 79th minute before finding the net again two minutes later to complete a comfortable evening for coach Abdeslam Ouaddou’s men.
Pirates’ victory sets up a tougher challenge in the next round, where they will face the winner of the tie between DR Congo’s Saint-Eloi Lupopo and Sudanese giants Al-Merreikh. A place in the lucrative group stage will be at stake.
Elsewhere, Tanzania giants Young Africans also progressed to the second round after defeating Wiliete of Angola 2-0 at home on Saturday.
Second half goals by Pacome Zouzoua and Aziz Andabwile helped Yanga to the win and advance 5-0 on aggregate.
Black Bulls of Mozambique also secured their place in the second round after defeating Leopard on Saturday. The home side defeated the Congolese to progress 1-0 on aggregate despite playing most of the game with ten men.
Ethiopian Insurance moved to the next stage of the competition despite losing their 3-2 to Mlandege in Zanzibar on Saturday. The visitors advance 4-3 on aggregate.
Silver Strikers also progressed to the second round despite playing to a goalless draw at home to Elgeco Plus of Madagascar. The Malawi sealed their place thanks to the away goals rule after their first leg ended 1-1 last week.
Meanwhile, Aigle Nior of Burundi also advanced to the second round of the competition after holding ASAS of Djibouti 1-1 on Saturday.
The home side opened the scoring just before the break after Ntiwarza Sudi converted a penalty but Sostene Ndayikengurukiye restored parity for the visitors in the 64th minute for the game to end 1-1 on aggregate.
The result was enough for the visitors to progress on away goals rule after the first leg in ended goalless in Bujumbura last week.
The remainder of this weekend’s return legs continue across the continent on Saturday evening and Sunday to decide the full line-up for the next stage.
Nigeria’s Remo Stars ease into next round of CAF Champions League after clinical win in Comoros
MORONI, Comoros
Remo Stars booked their place in the second preliminary round of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League with a composed 1–0 victory over US Zilimadjou in Moroni on Friday, completing a 5–0 aggregate win.
Alex Oyowah settled the second leg on 74 minutes, guiding home the night’s only goal to silence a lively Stade de Moroni and cap a professional away display from the Nigerians.
Carrying a four-goal cushion from last weekend’s first leg in Ikenne, where Lamine Ndenge, Ebuka Anthony, Adams Goïta and Seun Olasupo all scored, Daniel Ogunmodede’s side played with control and discipline.
Zilimadjou’s mission always looked improbable and, though the hosts pushed for a breakthrough to rouse the crowd, Remo’s organisation without the ball kept clear chances to a minimum.
The visitors grew stronger as the game stretched, and Oyowah’s late strike removed any lingering doubt, rewarding a measured performance that protected the clean sheet and managed the tie on their terms.
Remo Stars advance to October’s second preliminary round, where a glamour tie against South African heavyweights Mamelodi Sundowns awaits.
The remainder of this weekend’s return legs continue across the continent on Saturday and Sunday to decide the full line-up for the next stage.
Manchester United suffers third Premier League defeat at Brentford
By Simeon Stone, BRENTFORD England
Manchester United skipper Bruno Fernandes had a second-half penalty saved as Ruben Amorim's side slipped to a Premier League defeat at Brentford.
United were trying to fight their way back after Igor Thiago capitalised on some shambolic United defending inside the first 20 minutes to give the home side a two-goal cushion.
Benjamin Sesko pulled one back with his first goal since making a £74m summer move from RB Leipzig.
Fernandes was given the chance to level when Bees captain Nathan Collins dragged former Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo back inside the area.
After a delay of almost five minutes, which included a viceo assistant referee red card check against Collins and Brentford making two substitutions, Fernandes' low effort was turned away by Caoimhin Kelleher.
Brentford wrapped it up deep in stoppage time when Mathias Jensen drove a high shot past United goalkeeper Altay Bayindir from the edge of the area.
It means United have not won two successive league games under Amorim, who is coming up to a year in charge.
Watching the game for Match of the Day, former Manchester City defender Micah Richards was less than impressed with United's defending for Brentford's goals, which he blamed on Amorim's 3-4-2-1 system.
Harry Maguire was exposed as the last man as he tried to play offside when Jordan Henderson floated a long ball out of the Brentford half, allowing Thiago to run clear for his opener.
Then Kevin Schade found space on the left to drill a low cross into the box which Bayindir pushed straight to Thiago, who finished from four yards.
"Shambolic," said Richards. "The system is hampering them. They're not sure where they're meant to be.
"In terms of the goals, there were individual errors. Maguire was trying to play offside for the first one - there's no point gambling there.
"For the second, (Matthijs) de Ligt doesn't know where's he's going and Maguire isn't sure where to position himself.
"It's 100% confusion caused by playing that system. It doesn't suit the players."
Madagascar's energy minister sacked but protesters call for peaceful demonstrations to continue
ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar
Protest organisers in Madagascar are calling for peaceful demonstrations to continue despite the dismissal of the country's energy minister on Friday.
The African island nation has seen days of protests over persistent water and energy blackouts.
On Friday, President Andrey Rojoelina sacked his energy minister in a bid to quell the protests that have seen police fire teargas and rubber bullets at demonstrators. At least five people have been killed.
Businesses in the capital Antananarivo have seen widespread looting. One woman described what happened when she got to the restaurant where she works on Friday morning:
“When we arrived this morning, thieves were still here taking what was left. They had knives and threatened and insulted us. They told us not to move or they would kill us. We can do nothing but cry. They told us they were poor, that they had nothing, and that they were forced to steal.”
The demonstrations have been led by students and young workers frustrated by the lack of services.
“We have about 12 hours of power cuts a day," said student Lala Herizo. "That means for 12 hours a day, we leave home, go to work, pay taxes, and when we return home, still no electricity. The students at Ankatso are protesting so that classes return to normal. Because right now it’s been a month that they haven’t studied, you know.”
Protesters say the security forces are repressing the population instead of protecting them from looters.
On Friday, some of them came out to help clean up the wreckage.
“The city is ransacked and it is our duty to clean it up," one young man said. "I support the demonstrations that are happening peacefully. I wish there weren’t so much damage, but looters, unfortunately, there will always be.”
President Rojoelina has branded the protests "acts of destabilitzation” and a "coup d’etat" but says he’s seeking solutions to the blackouts.
Authorities have imposed an overnight curfew but protests are expected to continue over the coming days.
Friday, September 26, 2025
Curfew declared in Madagascar capital after violent protests
ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar
Authorities in Madagascar on Thursday imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew in the capital, after protests over frequent power outages and water shortages turned violent, according to a top security official.
Police fired teargas to disperse the thousands of mostly youth protesters who were marching and carrying placards in Antananarivo, the capital, according to a Reuters witness.
The demonstrators were denouncing the government and demanding restoration of reliable water and electricity across the country.
"There are, unfortunately, individuals taking advantage of the situation to destroy other people's property," General Angelo Ravelonarivo, who heads a joint security body that includes the police and the military, said in a statement he read on privately owned Real TV late on Thursday.
To protect "the population and their belongings," the security forces decided to impose a curfew from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. "until public order is restored," the statement said.
Madagascar, an island nation in the Indian Ocean, is mired in poverty, and some people blame the government of President Andry Rajoelina, who was re-elected in 2023, for not improving conditions.
During the protests earlier on Thursday, a large shopping mall in the capital was looted and then burned, and the homes of two lawmakers were looted and vandalised, according to the Reuters witness.
The protesters, who defied an earlier police ban on the demonstration, marched while chanting, "We need water, we need electricity."
After the protests were dispersed, they later spread into various neighbourhoods of the capital.
A security forces spokesperson, Zafisambatra Ravoavy, could not be reached for comment.
On Wednesday, the national police chief, Jean Herbert Andriantahiana Rakotomalala, warned that security forces would "take firm preventive...measures against those tempted to break the law."
Netanyahu faces walkout at UN as he condemns Palestinian statehood recognition
NEW YORK, United States
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faced sharp divisions at the United Nations General Assembly as he took the stage to deliver a forceful speech defending Israel's war efforts and denouncing recent international recognition of Palestinian statehood.
Dozens of delegates walked out in protest as Netanyahu began speaking, while supporters in the balcony gave him a standing ovation.
The split response highlighted Israel’s growing international isolation amid ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Netanyahu criticized the recent decisions by France, Britain, Australia, Canada, and others to recognize a Palestinian state.
“When the most savage terrorists on earth are effusively praising your decision, you didn’t do something right. You did something wrong. Horribly wrong,” he said.
Doubling down, Netanyahu argued that Palestinian rejection of a Jewish state is the root of the century-old conflict.
“Giving the Palestinians a state one mile from Jerusalem after October 7th is like giving al-Qaida a state one mile from New York City after September 11th,” he added. “This is sheer madness.”
He also dismissed growing accusations of genocide in Gaza as “false,” despite a recent independent UN inquiry concluding that Israel is committing war crimes, citing not only mass destruction, but clear intent.
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