The National Sports Commission (NSC) has welcomed a clarification from the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) that Retired Colonel Sam Ahmedu faces no regulatory impediment to serving on the newly elected board of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF).
FIBA Secretary-General Andreas Zagklis confirmed Ahmedu’s eligibility in a letter dated 19 October 2026 and addressed to NBBF President, Dr Abdullahi Mustapha.
According to the NSC, the letter also confirmed that Ahmedu has served on FIBA bodies since 1997, making him the longest-serving Nigerian within the international basketball governing structure.
The clarification follows concerns raised by the NSC over Ahmedu’s absence from the NBBF elective congress in Abuja, where Mustapha emerged as president.
In a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by Kola Daniel, Senior Assistant on Media to the NSC Director-General, Bukola Olopade said FIBA’s position aligned with concerns he raised during the congress over Ahmedu’s non-inclusion in the electoral process.
“Everyone who attended the elective congress in Abuja will recall that I personally questioned why Col. Sam Ahmedu was not recognised as part of the electoral process. I also made my reservations known to the immediate past NBBF President, Engr. Musa Kida,” Olopade said.
The NSC director-general stressed that fairness, equity and transparency must guide efforts to reconcile stakeholders and strengthen sports administration in the country.
“If we must see genuine reconciliations by preaching peace, then fairness, equity and transparency must guide our actions at all times. These are fundamental principles that the Commission upholds in its drive to strengthen sports administration in Nigeria,” he said.
Olopade expressed hope that FIBA’s clarification would help strengthen confidence in the new NBBF board and provide a more stable environment for basketball development.
He said the focus should now be on improving the structures of the game and creating more opportunities for Nigerian players.
“Basketball is one of our key sports, and we believe this development will further strengthen the credibility of the new NBBF board and position it to focus on the real task of developing the game, improving its structures and creating greater opportunities for Nigerian players,” he added.
Ahmedu’s eligibility became a point of contention amid questions over his absence from the elective congress, which produced a new leadership for the federation.
The NSC reiterated its commitment to promoting accountability, fairness and effective governance across Nigeria’s sports federations, noting that inclusive leadership and strong institutions were essential to sustainable sports development.
We’ve got the edge. Get real-time reports, breaking scoops, and exclusive angles delivered straight to your phone. Don’t settle for stale news. Join LEADERSHIP NEWS on WhatsApp for 24/7 updates →
Salifu Abubakar Usman is the Sports Editor at Leadership Newspaper, with expertise spanning sports writing, research, analysis, media consultancy, and Hajj reportage. He is a Fellow of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN).
Six belugas from the 30 transferred from Marineland, a shuttered marine park in Canada, have died after an unprecedented two-month-long rescue operation.
Four of the beluga deaths occurred at Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, one at SeaWorld San Diego, and one at Oceanogràfic València in Spain, which also reported the death of a bottlenose dolphin.
The deaths aren’t surprising considering the cetaceans suffered from ill health for years as Marineland was unable to provide them adequate care for months after it closed, according to a marine mammal biologist.
Conservationists have called for an end to keeping cetaceans in captivity around the world to prevent a repeat of situations like this that put animals in harm’s way.
Six members of a pod of 30 belugas, a fifth of the whales that were transferred from a marine park in Canada to facilities in the U.S. and Spain as part of a massive rescue operation, have died in the last two months. They were transported to the facilities in July and August after languishing for more than a year at the Marineland theme park in Niagara Falls, Ontario, which closed to the public in 2025.
These cetaceans were among the last to be held captive in Canada, after the country passed the Ending the Captivity of Whales and Dolphins Act in 2019. The law banned the keeping, breeding, and trading of cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises) for entertainment, affecting Marineland’s business model.
After months of uncertainty over the animals’ future — including threats of euthanasia and an attempt to send them to an entertainment park in China — a consortium of aquariums under the U.S. Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) devised the plan to transfer the 30 Marineland belugas. Sixteen went to SeaWorld facilities in California and Texas, 10 to Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, two to Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, and two to Oceanogràfic València in Spain, which also took in four bottlenose dolphins.
A captive beluga at SeaWorld San Diego. Image by Steven Snodgrass via Flickr (CC BY 2.0).
On Aug. 26, Shedd Aquarium announced that Peekachu, a 23-year-old female beluga (Delphinapterus leucas) who had arrived at the facility on Aug. 13 and was blind in one eye, had “passed away suddenly” the day before. The following week, on Sept. 3, a 20-year-old female named Rain who had arrived at Shedd Aquarium along with Peekachu also died.
An initial report found “chronic inflammatory disease” in both whales, with foreign objects such as bird feathers, sticks, and large rocks inside Peekachu. A detailed final report, announced by Shedd on Oct. 9, said Peekachu’s examination “identified age-related tissue changes, preexisting hypertension … and lung scarring consistent with an earlier injury or resolved pneumonia,” while Rain had “substantial inflammation” throughout her body. It also said that external experts concluded “underlying diseases may have made both whales more susceptible to cardiovascular stress, which contributed to their deaths.”
On Sept. 18, Canadian state broadcaster CBC reported that Jellybean, a 19-year-old female transferred to Oceanogràfic València in Spain, had died. The facility has not announced a cause of death. On Sept. 24, it announced the death of Echo, one of the bottlenose dolphins (genus Tursiops) from Marineland, who had arrived with “serious vision problems.” It said her condition had deteriorated rapidly, and that she’d had “difficulties swallowing and respiratory problems.”
On Sept. 21 Shedd Aquarium announced the death of Osiris, a 25-year-old female beluga who had “remained a whale of clinical concern” since she’d arrived, despite recent “encouraging signs” in her health, according to the announcement. A preliminary examination revealed she had chronic liver disease, the facility said on Oct. 9.
The latest death from the aquarium was that of Caspian, a 27-year-old female, who died Oct. 7. The beluga had “continued to eat less than her full diet” in recent days, and “her condition deteriorated.” Despite being placed on life support, she did not recover, according to a statement from the facility.
On Oct. 18, SeaWorld San Diego announced the death of Cyprus, a nine-year-old male who came to the facility on Aug. 22, 2026. Although he had been eating well since his arrival and adjusting to his new home, he stopped eating two days before his death, the facility said. An ultrasound examination showed his intestinal tract wasn’t working well, and indicated a “life-threatening condition”.
Echo, the bottlenose dolphin blind in one eye, was transferred to Oceanogràfic València, Spain, where she died in September. Image by Oceanogràfic València/Facebook (Fair use).
Unsurprising deaths
Naomi Rose, a marine mammal biologist with U.S.-based animal rights NGO Animal Welfare Institute, who has followed the plight of the captive belugas for years, said the deaths came as no surprise.
“Everybody involved in this, including the facilities that were receiving them, including the governments, and Marineland itself, as well as rational people in the animal community, were perfectly well aware that there were going to be some deaths,” she said in an interview with Mongabay. “These whales weren’t well. Their health was suffering from the care — such as it was — that they were receiving at Marineland.”
In the wild, belugas can live up to 80 years. But in captivity, they live less than 30 years on average. Those in Marineland had spent years confined to small, concrete tanks — an environment vastly different from their natural ocean habitat — with persistent water quality issues. For highly intelligent, social cetaceans, such isolation often results in extreme stress, stereotypy (which can include repetitive behaviors and ingesting foreign objects), and metabolic diseases, Rose said.
“I am not blaming the rescuers for the deaths of these animals. They’ve done the best they could. These deaths were inevitable, and there will be more deaths,” Rose said. “Transporting sick animals is dangerous. Leaving them where they were was more dangerous. This was the best of a bad job.” Rose is a founding board member of the under-construction Whale Sanctuary Project, which had offered to take some of the belugas. Marineland declined the offer.
Melissa Matlow from World Animal Protection Canada, an animal welfare nonprofit, said in an email statement to Mongabay that the spate of deaths “raises more concern that the remaining beluga whales are also suffering from poor health” and “reinforces why keeping whales and dolphins in captivity for entertainment purposes must be phased out globally.”
Belugas in the concrete tanks at Marineland before their rescue. These whales spent most of their lives in captivity, which resulted in ill health due to stress, stereotypy, and metabolic disorders. Image courtesy of Georgia Aquarium.
Updates on the survivors
In an email response to Mongabay’s questions about the health of the 15 belugas under SeaWorld’s care, the company’s chief zoological officer, Chris Dold, said the whales “continue to be in stable health” and that the team is “closely monitoring the whales’ health and behavior, including their eating, swimming, and socialization patterns” as they adjust to their new homes. “These early signs are encouraging, but it would be premature to say these belugas are fully in the clear,” he said.
On Sept. 14., SeaWorld shared a video showing the last four belugas to arrive at the San Antonio facility — Tofino, Tank, Odin, and Orion — and a trainer saying the whales were exploring their new home, getting to know their trainers, and eating well. In the post announcing Cyprus’ death, SeaWorld said the whales will need “a considerable amount of time” to adjust to new surroundings.
A spokesperson from Georgia Aquarium said the two male belugas in its care, Balor and Zephyr, were “adjusting well.”
“It will take several months to over a year for them to fully acclimate, so we are continuously monitoring them,” a spokesperson told Mongabay in an email statement. “They are both eating, interacting with their trainers, and have integrated into our existing beluga whale pod and are showing positive signs with their behavior and health.”
The spokesperson also said the animals have access to all beluga enclosures, including public areas, and can choose where they want to go. “As of right now and for the foreseeable future, they are not involved in any beluga encounters,” the spokesperson said. Paying visitors can interact with the whales as part of Georgia Aquarium’s Beluga Encounter, priced from $89.99.
A rescued beluga arrives on a stretcher at SeaWorld San Antonio. The facility is home to 13 rescued whales from Marineland. Scientists say long-distance transport stresses the belugas, which are already in poor health. Image courtesy of SeaWorld San Antonio.
Johnny Ford, Shedd Aquarium’s vice president of communications, said the facility regularly shares updates on the rescued belugas. According to a recent update, the six surviving whales are eating their full diets and “reaching new milestones in their care.”
“With each examination, it is becoming unquestionably clear that the rescued whales we lost were made vulnerable by chronic and severe illness,” Ford said in an email statement to Mongabay. “A lot of what we are uncovering is invisible day-to-day, especially given how well belugas are able to mask their discomfort.”
Oceanogràfic València did not respond to Mongabay’s queries. On Oct. 7, it shared on Facebook that Cleopatra, the surviving rescued beluga, “has been gradually getting used to a new environment” and is swimming with two other belugas, “participating with them in feeding and enrichment sessions.”
As these belugas adjust to their new homes, conservationists say they should not be bred. The agreement signed between the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the U.S. facilities does not restrict breeding them. Previously, these facilities have said breeding is not their priority, and their focus is the well-being of the rescued belugas. However, they have not categorically committed to not breeding the belugas.
“While this was the last generation of whales and dolphins that ever had to suffer for entertainment in Canada — we must make sure it is the last to suffer in the US and globally,” Matlow said. “We urge the AZA aquariums to not breed them or use them for entertainment in keeping with Canadian law.”
An orca leaps out of the water during a show at SeaWorld San Diego. Advocates have called for banning the breeding of captive cetaceans across the world to prevent another Marineland situation. Image by Noah Wulf via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Marineland a wake-up call for ending cetacean captivity, activists say
The belugas and dolphins at Marineland may have found new homes at what Rose called “the four best beluga facilities in the world,” but the only way to avoid repeating the Marineland saga is to stop keeping and breeding these animals in captivity, she said.
As public backlash against keeping cetaceans in captivity grows, some countries have passed laws restricting the import of wild whales or banning keeping them altogether. A few, like France, have decided to get rid of all current captive cetaceans, moving them to new homes. But these are hard to find, according to Rose. In June, France announced that a mother-and-son orca duo (Orcinus orca) at another shuttered park, Marineland Antibes (not related to Marineland Canada), would be sent to a park in Spain. But so far, Spain hasn’t issued permits for these transfers, and the orcas remain at the closed park.
“This is so archaic. Circuses are going out of business, left, right, and center. Who thinks it’s cool to make tigers jump through flaming hoops anymore? Why is it still OK to have dolphins do these silly tricks?” Rose said. “They are not commodities. They are not to be bought and sold. They are not to be held for our entertainment. They are wildlife species that have a very large function in their ecosystems, and they should be left there.”
Spoorthy Raman is a staff writer at Mongabay, covering all things wild with a special focus on lesser-known wildlife, the wildlife trade, and environmental crime.
As Canada’s captive belugas arrive in the US, questions linger about their future
Belugas facing euthanasia at shuttered Canada theme park may find new homes in US
A new study describes how short periods of heavy rainfall play a key role in low cacao harvest yields in Ghana.
Using newly available data on daily temperatures and precipitation in Ghana, the authors found that rains occurring during the flowering season damage the plants, leading to poorer harvests.
The findings build on previous research which has found that heat and drought impact cacao harvests, ultimately pushing up global chocolate prices and presenting new challenges to farmers.
Heavy rainfall during the cacao flowering season is a major driver of Ghana’s recent harvest fluctuations, new research finds.
A study published in September by researchers at the Harvard University Center for the Environment in the U.S. found that heavy rainfall during cacao’s flowering and early pod development is linked to significant yield decreases. The researchers described how short, untypical rains during the flowering season, together with dry-season drought, is a major reason for recent fluctuations in Ghana’s cacao production.
Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire together account for about 60% of global cocoa production, making West Africa central to the world’s chocolate supply. Cacao seeds are the primary ingredient in chocolate.
The authors raised concerns about how these changing rainfall patterns could affect Ghana’s cacao industry, which is one of the West African country’s most important agricultural sectors.
“Along with dry-season drought, , those two factors alone explain about two-thirds of the year-to-year variability in Ghana’s production,” lead researcher Anna Lea Albright from Harvard told Mongabay via email.
A flowering cacao tree in Ecuador’s Los Bancos Canton. Image courtesy of Pablo Leautaud via iNaturalist (CC BY-NC 4.0).
Albright and her colleagues began looking into the issue in 2024, when global cacao prices surged after several poor harvests in West Africa. They considered several possible explanations for the trend, including aging trees, pests and diseases, gold mining, smuggling and weather.
Analyzing daily rainfall and temperature records, the researchers noticed a pattern. Losses or gains during years of low and high production were experienced by farmers across Ghana, rather than just by some farmers in some districts. That suggested the influence of a broader trend, not localized factors like gold mining, soil conditions or access to agricultural inputs.
“When did the rain fall, how intense was it, and where did that sit in the growing cycle? Heavy rainfall during flowering is what stood out, first in Ghana and then elsewhere,” said Albright, who cross tested the results from Ghana in two other major cacao producing countries, Indonesia and Ecuador. The vulnerability doesn’t appear to be unique to Ghana, they found.
Across those three countries, heavy rainfall was found to be a stronger climatic constraint on yields than temperature during the relevant periods.
The cacao plant (Theobroma cacao), native to Latin America, is especially sensitive to changing conditions during flowering and early pod development. Albright said intense rainfall and wind can physically damage flowers and young pods and may interfere with the insects that pollinate cacao flowers.
: Cacao (Theobroma cacao). Image courtesy of mwintirew via iNaturalist (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Other downfalls of heavy rain on cacao
Heavy rainfall can also create conditions that lead to fungal diseases such as black pod, whose spores can be spread by rain, said Eric Opoku Mensah, a research scientist at Ghana’s Plant Genetic Resources Research Institute who was not part of the study, in an email.
The cacao plant generally grows best when there are steady levels of rainfall and a short dry season. However, too little water can also damage crops, said Mensah, who has studied the effects of drought and heat on cacao in Ghana.
He added that Ghanaian farmers are already struggling with increasingly unpredictable rainfall. “Rainfall is variable and farmers are not able to predict what the pattern could be in the following years,” he told Mongabay. “For the times they expect the rains, it will fail them while the times they don’t expect the rains, they get them in abundance making it difficult to plan for agronomic activities.”
Ghana’s average temperatures in cacao-growing areas have increased from about 26° Celsius (78.8° Fahrenheit) between 1960-1980s to 27-28° C (80.6-82.4 °F) now, added Mensah, who has researched cacao production and climate-related stresses in Ghana for years.
The new study’s findings are consistent with what researchers already know about the crop: “Severe rainfall especially coupled with high wind also damage the fragile flowers and the cherelles ,” Mensah said. This ultimately reduces the number of pods that eventually develop into harvestable cacao.
For Albright, the results raise questions about how climate change could affect the frequency or intensity of the rainfall extremes identified by the study. However, she said that weather variability and longer-term climate change are not the same thing.
Using the example of El Niño, the weather phenomenon that shifts rainfall patterns across the tropics from one year to another, Albright explained that year-to-year variability is not to be confused with longer-term trends. In West Africa, Albright said, El Niño years have historically tended to reduce the risk of the heaviest rainfall while increasing the risk of dry-season drought later in the year.
Ripe cocoa pods at the African Cocoa Initiative farm in Ghana. Image courtesy of USDA via Flickr (CC BY 2.0).
As a recommendation, the researchers say that improved weather and climate forecasts could be useful for cacao farmers to anticipate high-risk periods and better disease control. “There are certainly actions that could help reduce these risks: better access to seasonal weather forecasts and early-warning systems; facilitating access to fungicides; planting more climate-resilient cacao varieties; improving drainage and reducing rain splash where heavy rainfall is becoming more frequent,” Albright said. However, she said that all of these require coordination and investments.
Mongabay contacted the Ghana Cocoa Board, the government body overseeing the cocoa sector in the country, but hadn’t received a response by the time of publication.
How farmers can adapt
Some adaptation measures are already available, according to Mensah. He said agroforestry systems, in which cacao is grown alongside shade trees, could help protect plants from high temperatures and strong winds.
Farmers could also harvest and store water during periods of heavy rain for use during drier periods, he said.
Albright said that for farmers, their study revealed that the major challenge is not whether a season is wetter or drier than usual, but when the rains arrive and how intense they are.
“The climate risks are not random, which can help for improving forecasts of those risks and improving adaptation,” Albright said.
Banner image: Cacao (Theobroma cacao). Image courtesy of mwintirew via iNaturalist (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Citations:
Albright, A.L., Berkoh-Oforiwaa, R., … Huybers, P. (2026). Rainfall extremes drive cocoa yield losses across the tropics. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 123(39), e2606123123. doi:10.1073/pnas.2606123123
Opoku Mensah, E., Vaast, P., Asare, R., Amoatey, C. A., Owusu, K., Asitoakor, B. K., … Ræbild, A. (2023). Cocoa under heat and drought stress. doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-45635-0_2
Asare-Nuamah, P., … Botchway, E. (2019). Understanding climate variability and change: analysis of temperature and rainfall across agroecological zones in Ghana. Heliyon, 5(10). doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2019.e02654
A cacao rush drives ‘alarming’ deforestation in Liberia
Feedback: Use this form to send a message to the author of this post. If you want to post a public comment, you can do that at the bottom of the page.
The cost of preparing a pot of jollof rice in Nigeria fell by 11.5 percent between June and September 2026, marking the sharpest quarterly decline in the 10-year history of the SBM Jollof Index, although relief remained uneven across the country.
The SBM Jollof Index for the third quarter of 2026 showed that the national average cost of preparing a pot of jollof rice dropped to N26,178 in September from N29,578 in June, representing a decline of N3,400 within three months.
The October report, which has tracked the cost of preparing jollof rice since July 2016, said the latest decline was almost twice the previous largest quarterly fall of 5.8 percent recorded in mid-2025.
“What makes this quarter different is the size,” the report stated, noting that previous declines in 2017 and 2018 each reduced the index by about six percent.
However, moderating food costs have not translated into broad-based relief, with regional disparities, flooding, and data-recording inconsistencies complicating the picture.
Even after the quarterly decline, the cost of preparing jollof rice remained 5.8 percent higher than in September 2025 and 540 percent above its July 2016 level, highlighting the cumulative pressure on household purchasing power.
“The pot is cheaper than it was in June and still dearer than it was last September,” the report said.
Lagos and Ibadan account for most of the 11.5 percent fall in the cost of a pot of jollof. Port Harcourt, flooded in the same rainy season that cheapened food in the North, was the only market where prices rose.
“Trade Fair and Balogun markets in Lagos fell 35.6 percent to N22,350 after a 70 percent climb between February and June. Traders there said they cut prices because customers had stopped buying,” the report disclosed.
Read also: Cost of cooking jollof surges 400% in a decade as insecurity, floods drive up food prices
Chicken leads food price reversal
Protein and vegetable oil drove the decline, reversing a trend that had made protein one of the biggest contributors to rising jollof rice costs over the preceding 18 months.
Chicken prices fell by a combined N9,700 across the 13 Nigerian markets monitored by SBM Research between June and September. Vegetable oil recorded a N7,350 reduction, while beef prices declined by N4,100.
The report attributed the reduction in poultry prices partly to cheaper maize-based feed, the reopening of previously closed farms and improved availability of day-old chicks.
In Kano, traders reported a shift towards locally produced chicken from farms in Oyo, Kaduna, Jos and parts of Kano State, reducing reliance on frozen chicken imported through Lagos.
The report noted that the supply recovery was driven by improved production rather than weakening demand, with a wholesaler reporting that sales volumes increased by 30 to 40 percent following price reductions.
The main harvest also boosted supplies of tomatoes and peppers. In Bauchi, the price of a paint bucket of tomatoes fell from N13,000 to N7,000, while pepper declined from N12,000 to between N6,000 and N7,500.
Port Harcourt bucks national trend
While prices eased in most markets, Port Harcourt recorded a 2.6 percent increase, with the cost of cooking jollof rice rising from N31,200 in June to N32,000 in September.
The report linked the increase to flooding that affected farms, damaged food supplies, and disrupted transportation in Rivers State.
It said the city’s experience contrasted with the wider national trend, where improved agricultural supplies helped reduce food prices.
“Port Harcourt flooded while the rest of the country harvested,” the report stated.
Calabar Municipal remained the most expensive market at N34,600, followed by Bayside Mbakpa at N34,500. Awka and Onitsha were the cheapest markets, with the cost of preparing a pot of jollof rice standing at N21,350 in each.
The report also identified a recording error in Ibadan, where curry and thyme were recorded at approximately N650 each from July, compared with about N3,500 previously.
Excluding the error, the national index would have declined by 8.5 percent rather than 11.5 percent, bringing the September average to approximately N27,055.
The findings come as Nigeria’s headline inflation eased to 14.63 percent in September, following a decline to 15.39 percent in August, while the Monetary Policy Committee reduced the monetary policy rate to 23 percent in September.
Nevertheless, SBM warned that lower food prices do not necessarily mean food has become affordable, as transportation costs, uneven supply and weak household purchasing power continue to limit the benefits of falling market prices.
“One good quarter does not undo a decade,” the report said.
Chinwe Michael
Chinwe Michael is a Nigerian business journalist and media professional with over 4 years of experience covering companies, financial markets, banking, fintech, economic policy, financial inclusion, and corporate affairs. She currently leads the Companies & Markets desk at BusinessDay, where she drives coverage of Nigeria’s corporate and capital markets, translates complex financial data into accessible stories, and mentors younger journalists. Prior to that, she was the head of the financial inclusion/fintech desk. With a background in banking and finance and extensive experience in media and communications, Michael has developed expertise in financial journalism, economic analysis, investigative reporting and market intelligence. Her work examines how monetary policy, corporate performance, capital flows, technology, and regulatory decisions affect businesses, investors, and households. She was selected from about 3,000 applicants as one of 20 journalists for Cohort 4 of the MTN Media Innovation Programme, gaining exposure to new approaches to journalism, technology, and media innovation. Her international journalism experience and engagement with professionals across Russia, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, and others in different sectors have further broadened her understanding of global communication and development.
Former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has accused Cristiano Ronaldo of letting the team down during their time together at Old Trafford, claiming the club had planned around the Portuguese forward, but he failed to meet expectations.
Ten Hag’s relationship with Ronaldo deteriorated shortly after the Dutchman took charge in 2022. The Portuguese striker refused to come on as a substitute during United’s Premier League win over Tottenham Hotspur in October that year.
Read Also: Cristiano Ronaldo criticises Ten Hag’s negative attitude
Ronaldo was subsequently dropped for the match against Chelsea, prompting an explosive television interview in which he said he felt betrayed by Manchester United and did not respect Ten Hag.
His contract was mutually terminated the following month, bringing his second spell at Old Trafford to an end.
“He let the team down, and he let me down, because we planned with him,” Ten Hag told The Athletic.
“Obviously, he’s one of the best in football history. I respected him a lot. But at that time, as a manager, I had to make a rational decision and keep the players I admire in.”
Ten Hag also claimed Cristiano Ronaldo failed to complete training sessions and fitness exercises after United’s 4-0 defeat to Brentford early in the manager’s reign.
“I confronted him with this. Many times I say, ‘Ronnie, everyone wants to work for you to bring you to the right position, but if you can’t bring yourself in the box, you can’t score.’ He was not capable of doing this,” Ten Hag said.
He rejected suggestions that he had expected Ronaldo to press opponents beyond his physical capabilities.
“It’s the wrong idea to put this to me that I expected him to do the pressing; he’s exhausted. But he couldn’t.
“He ran neither in possession nor out of possession. The reason was that he didn’t prepare himself,” Ten Hag added.
Anthony Nlebem
Head of Sports at BusinessDay Media, a seasoned Digital Content Producer, and FIFA/CAF Accredited Journalist with over a decade of sports reporting.Has a deep understanding of the Nigerian and global sports landscape and skills in delivering comprehensive and insightful sports content.
Tottenham Hotspur will continue their Premier League campaign with a clash against London rivals Chelsea on Saturday evening.
Spurs are 16th in the Premier League table, picking up six points from their first seven matches, while Chelsea are fourth in the division on 13 points.
Here, Sports Mole rounds up all of Tottenham’s latest injury and suspension news ahead of their meeting with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Possible return date: November 7 (vs. Leeds United)
An ankle injury sustained in training is still sidelining Mudryk, with the attacker not expected to be back on the field until the early stages of November.
Simons suffered a severe knee injury back in April, and the Netherlands international will not be available for selection until the early stages of 2027.
Odobert is another Tottenham player sidelined due to a serious knee injury, but the attacker is expected to be back on the pitch before the end of 2026.
Possible return date: November 7 (vs. Leeds United)
Bergvall is currently sidelined for Tottenham due to a knee injury, with the midfielder not expected to be back until the clash with Leeds in November.
The reigning NBA champions New York Knicks travel to TD Garden to face the Boston Celtics early on Saturday morning, with both teams chasing a first win of 2026-27 after losing on opening night.
Boston have rebuilt around Jayson Tatum and Paul George since Jaylen Brown left for Philadelphia, while the Knicks won three of the four meetings between these sides last season.
New York Knicks and Boston Celtics form after opening-night defeats
Form Guide
New York Knicks
0-1 · reigning NBA champions
Last 5 (2026 Finals and opening night)
WLWWL
100.0PPG
106.0Opp PPG
98.0Off. rating
103.9Def. rating
Last 5 (2026 play-offs and opening night)
WLLLL
113.0PPG
121.0Opp PPG
113.0Off. rating
119.8Def. rating
New York’s title run ended with a 4-1 Finals win over the San Antonio Spurs in June, but ring night went wrong when Philadelphia won 106-100 at Madison Square Garden.
Jalen Brunson scored 21 points on 6-for-19 shooting, and the Knicks as a team shot 37.2% from the floor.
That left them scoring less than a point per possession, a clear drop on last season’s scoring rate.
They still collected 53 rebounds, so the night was lost to 15 turnovers and cold shooting rather than a lack of effort on the glass.
Boston’s opener was a collapse rather than a bad night, since they led Detroit by 22 points and were still 99-89 ahead with just over eight minutes left.
The Pistons then went on a 23-0 run en route to winning 121-113, a result that undid a debut from George that broke the Celtics’ debut record with 38 points and seven made threes.
Tale of the Tape · 2026-27 season
KnicksCeltics
The opening-night numbers split the two sides, with Boston more efficient and ahead on assists and threes while New York controlled the glass.
Tatum is the swing figure for the Celtics after going 6-for-23 against Detroit, including 0-for-7 from three.
He still handed out 11 assists, and he averaged 21.0 points across two pre-season games, so the scoring volume is clearly there.
Knicks vs. Celtics team news and projected rotations
Injury Report
New York Knicks
No players carry an injury designation.
Boston Celtics
Devin Carter — mononucleosisOut
Boston’s only listed absentee is guard Devin Carter, who is out with mononucleosis and has no return date.
No Knicks player carries a designation, so Mike Brown’s projected starters are Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby and Karl-Anthony Towns.
Joe Mazzulla’s projected five is Derrick White, George, Tatum, Jordan Walsh and Mitchell Robinson, who played for New York last season before joining Boston.
Boston’s bench has scored in the pre-season, with center Luka Garza averaging 14.3 points and guard Hugo Gonzalez 14.5 across four games each.
New York’s second unit is led by guard Landry Shamet, who averaged 9.5 points in the pre-season, with Andre Drummond and James Wiseman sharing minutes behind Towns at center.
Both teams have had two days’ rest since Tuesday’s openers, so neither faces a back-to-back, and the full list of fixtures and tip-off times sits in our NBA schedule guide.
Knicks vs. Celtics and the matchups that could decide it
Key Matchups
Two stars looking for their shot
Jalen Brunson
NYK
VS
Jayson Tatum
BOS
21Brunson pts
6-19Brunson FG
13Tatum pts
6-23Tatum FG
Both stars shot below their level on opening night, and whichever finds rhythm first shapes the second quarter.
Boston’s debut scorer against New York’s wings
Mikal Bridges
NYK
VS
Paul George
BOS
21.6Bridges pre-season MPG
7.0Bridges pre-season PPG
38George pts
7-12George 3P
George made 12 of 21 shots against Detroit, and New York need Bridges and OG Anunoby to hold him well below that level.
Brunson has the better recent record in this building, having scored 31 points at TD Garden in February with 15 of them in the first quarter.
Boston’s variance from deep matters too, since the Celtics made 17 threes on opening night but only seven of 41 in that same February loss to New York.
Best Knicks vs. Celtics player props
These angles lean on opening-night shot volume and pre-season minutes, since neither team has a longer regular-season sample to draw on.
Player Props to Watch
Jalen BrunsonNYK
PointsOver 20.5
16.3Pre-season PPG (4 GP)
Brunson scored 31 at TD Garden in February and remains the first option in every New York possession.
Karl-Anthony TownsNYK
ReboundsOver 10.5
7.3Pre-season RPG (4 GP)
12Opening night
Towns pulled down 12 rebounds against Philadelphia as New York collected 53 as a team.
Jayson TatumBOS
PointsOver 20.5
21.0Pre-season PPG (2 GP)
13Opening night
Tatum averaged 21.0 points in the pre-season and attempted a heavy share of Boston’s shots against Detroit, so a modest improvement in accuracy gets him past 20.5.
What does the head-to-head say about Knicks vs. Celtics?
Season Series · 2025-26 regular season
9 Apr 2026Knicks 112-106 CelticsNew York
8 Feb 2026Knicks 111-89 CelticsBoston
2 Dec 2025Celtics 123-117 KnicksBoston
24 Oct 2025Knicks 105-95 CelticsNew York
The Knicks won the last two meetings, including 111-89 at TD Garden in February, a result that ended a five-game Boston winning run.
Boston’s only success came in December, when they won 123-117 at home in the highest-scoring of the four meetings, and they scored more than 100 points in just two of those four games.
Both rosters have changed since, with Jaylen Brown and George swapping teams, so last season’s results say more about each side’s style than about its personnel.
Knicks vs. Celtics prediction and betting tips
SpreadKnicks +2.5
New York won the last two meetings and were beaten on ring night by shooting and turnovers rather than by any weakness on the glass.
TotalUnder 223.5 points
The last two meetings finished on 200 and 218 combined points, and both sit below this line.
PropJalen Brunson over 20.5 points
Brunson is the Knicks’ lead creator, and a bounce-back from a poor shooting night is likely against a defence that fell apart late in Detroit.
PropKarl-Anthony Towns over 10.5 rebounds
Towns is New York’s primary rebounder, and the Knicks showed on opening night that they can dominate the boards.
ParlayUnder 223.5 + Towns over 10.5 rebounds
A slower, rebound-heavy game suits both legs, and neither depends on the same shooter converting.
New York are the pick on the spread because they won the last two meetings and Boston gave up a 22-point lead in their only game with the rebuilt rotation, so the Celtics have yet to show they can close.
The total points to a tight game, since the Knicks’ own opener produced 206 combined points and their latest two meetings with Boston produced 200 and 218.
Brunson and Towns are the two prop picks because both carry clear volume, with Brunson creating the shots and Towns collecting the rebounds in a game New York otherwise lost.
Score Prediction
Knicks 110-108 Celtics
Predicted margin of 2 points · predicted total of 218
The evidence points to a narrow New York win as both teams look to bounce back from disappointing opening defeats.
Anyone new to the league can find out how the standings and season structure work in our NBA format explained guide.
Anthony Gordon was unable to inspire Barcelona to a win in Tuesday’s Champions League contest with European champions Paris Saint-Germain.
Hansi Flick’s side entered the match off the back of an 11-game winning run in all competitions, but they were beaten 4-2 by Luis Enrique’s side in Paris.
Gordon played the full 90 minutes against PSG, but the England international found it difficult to make his mark.
The 25-year-old has scored twice and registered five appearances for Barcelona since his arrival at Camp Nou, but this was not one of his better performances.
Gordon has faced criticism in the Spanish media for his display in the European affair.
? Anthony Gordon: “PSG deserved to win. They have been the team to beat in the last two years and they still are”. “We have to be better. We have to become the team to beat”. https://t.co/JyfqPGliyd
news What did Spanish media say about Gordon’s performance?
Goal.com Espana said that Gordon “lacked precision” in vital moments in Paris, with the website giving him an underwhelming rating of 6/10.
El Desmarque also handed Gordon a rating of 6/10 and criticised his defending which led to PSG scoring their second of the match through Lucas Hernandez.
Mundo Deportivo gave Gordon a rating of 1/3 and also mentioned his struggles in the physical duel with Hernandez which saw the French side score a second at a key stage of the match.
La Vanguardia called Gordon “disorientated” and focused on his struggles when it came to making the right decision in the final third of the field.
Lucas Hernández heads PSG back into the lead against Barcelona! ? ? Stream on TNT Sports & HBO Max: https://t.co/fRCRh6tXYB https://t.co/FhHMcqIMmy
news What did Gordon say about his own performance vs. PSG?
Gordon delivered an honest assessment of his own performance after the match, admitting that he was far from his best in the French capital.
When asked whether he prefers to play down the left or through the middle, Gordon told TNT Sports: “I like playing in both positions because they offer different things. I really like both positions.
“Ultimately, I didn’t think my performance was great tonight. I’ve got a lot of individual work to do because on these nights, I really want to perform and I don’t think tonight I was at my best.”
Gordon also said that PSG are “still the team to beat”.
“I think we can take great positives, because we played well. It was a competitive spectacle, but we’ve still got work to do and that’s a good position ,” said the Englishman.
“They’ve been the best for two years, they’re still the team to beat, and we need to take from this that we need to do enough work, analyse this game, and try and become the team that needs to be beaten.”
Gordon is now preparing for his first taste of El Clasico, as Barcelona will welcome Real Madrid to Camp Nou on Sunday evening in Spain’s top flight.
Sunderland are reportedly prepared to sacrifice their Europa League campaign in order to ensure Premier League safety this season.
Regis Le Bris’s side endured another difficult top-flight outing on Sunday afternoon, when goals from James Tavernier and Brazilian striker Evanilson secured a 2-0 victory for Bournemouth at Vitality Stadium.
On a mission to maintain their 100% start to their first continental adventure in over 50 years, Sunderland make the long trip to face Lech Poznan in the Europa League in Poland on Thursday night.
The North-East club avoided a major score in Portugal last week to record a 2-1 success over second-tier outfit Torreense, who qualified for Europe after winning Taca de Portugal in May.
Honing in on domestic matters, the Black Cats are currently rooted to the bottom of the Premier League standings with just four points from seven matches, last enjoying league victory at home to Fulham on August 30.
According to Football Insider, Sunderland have drawn up their priority list this season, with the club’s chances in Europe possibly set to take a drastic turn for the worse over the coming weeks.
The report states that the Black Cats are willing to ‘sacrifice’ their hopes of European glory in order to prioritise improved fortunes in the Premier League, aiming to avoid a return to the Championship.
In fact, it is believed that even a successful relegation battle would be unacceptable for Sunderland’s ambitious owners, who want to cement the North-East giants as regulars in the top half of the division.
In a period of trouble, attention naturally turns to the position of the head coach, however, Le Bris supposedly has ‘credit in the bank’ after leading the Black Cats to a seventh-placed finish in the Premier League last term.
It is understood that Sunderland’s Europa League schedule could be put on the ‘back burner’ if their struggles in the top flight continue, with Le Bris’s men two points from safety after seven games.
Whilst Sunderland’s start in the Premier League has certainly been alarming for supporters, there are a number of mitigating factors at play, none more relevant than the first team’s injury list.
Key starters Dan Ballard and Brian Brobbey are both on the sidelines because of hamstring problems, leaving Le Bris with no option but to field inexperienced players in the top flight this term.
Making his Premier League debut last time out, Under-21s striker Tymur Tutierov lead the line for Sunderland at Bournemouth over the weekend, managing just 15 touches and three successful passes.
Ahead of the clash between Barcelona and Real Betis last weekend, Hansi Flick did not hide his admiration for Abde Ezzalzouli. Could Barcelona be set to make a move?
Last weekend, Barcelona won comfortably at Real Betis (5-2). Despite another attacking masterclass from the Catalans, Abde Ezzalzouli managed to stand out. Sport says the Moroccan winger was his team’s best player in the game and notably gave Jules Kounde a hard time on his flank.
The 24-year-old showed explosiveness, power and precision to finish off a Betis counter-attack perfectly. This confirmed Flick’s pre-match comments about the former Barcelona player.
‘What I see from him impresses me. He is a fantastic player, I like the way he plays football, the confidence he has in himself in duels, in that final third of the pitch,’ the German boss had said. The former Bayern Munich boss does not usually lavish praise on players who do not belong to his team.
According to the Catalan daily, these are not empty words from Flick, who has genuinely admired Ez Abde for some time. The winger was notably on Barcelona’s list of targets. Discussions took place, but the Catalan club did not make a move. Could Barcelona be set to make an approach soon?
Sport recalls that Barcelona retain 20% of any future sale following his transfer to Real Betis in September 2023 for £6.4m (€7.5m).
That is an undeniable advantage for the Spanish giants, with the Moroccan international’s value now reaching £34m (€40m). However, with the summer signings of Karim Adeyemi and Anthony Gordon, Barcelona have enough wingers in their squad.
No departure appears to be on the agenda in that area. It remains to be seen whether Flick will push to sign Abde and add this unique profile to his attack. Sport does not close the door: ‘And who knows, perhaps their paths will cross later.’
Egypt has reached an agreement worth EGP 11 trillion (USD 202 billion) with the Talaat Moustafa Group to develop four major mixed-use projects.
The deal was announced on the sidelines of the “Urban Development” session on the second day of Egypt Forum 2026 on Tuesday, 20 October, as President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi directed the construction of hundreds of thousands of new rental units.
The projects include a development north of Madinaty and an 11.3-million-square-metre project in central Alexandria.
They also include an integrated industrial, logistics and real estate project in the Abu Qir area and a North Coast destination modelled on the SouthMED development.
Turning to housing policy, el-Sisi said the aim of the old rent law is to break the exclusive mindset of ownership and revive renting as an alternative to buying a home.
He argued that the housing model pursued over previous decades helped create a major crisis of slums and unplanned housing.
Presidential Spokesman Ambassador Mohamed El-Shennawy detailed Egypt’s urban expansion and transport overhauls since 2014. His presentation covered the construction of 61 new cities and the delivery of 1.96 million new housing units.
It also covered the eradication of slums, the development of Khedivial Cairo, and the upgrading of major cities and provincial capitals across 13 governorates.
The session also reviewed the state of the transport sector before 2014 and the achievements since in roads, bridges, the metro, electric traction, railways, maritime transport and ports.
The government outlined targets for governance, for reducing accidents and for promoting green public transport in every governorate. It also set out goals for localizing industry, including the domestic manufacturing of railway carriages and other means of transport.
The president then argued that proposing “ideal” solutions to complex challenges is often unrealistic and self-defeating, because such proposals rarely account for the scale and complexity of the problems.
He pointed to Egypt’s historical concentration of its population on only about 7 percent of a landmass of 60,000 to 70,000 square kilometres, which he described as an unnatural and inhumane situation. That imbalance, he said, produced adverse social, security, cultural and investment consequences.
Together with the absence of comprehensive urban planning to accommodate population growth, it contributed to the spread of informal settlements around Cairo, deteriorating transport services and other harmful practices.
Stressing the need for practical approaches, el-Sisi noted that current road tolls cover neither the cost of investment nor even maintenance. He also pointed to the state’s success in resolving the electricity crisis, which he said was necessary to stabilise the country, strengthen the state and support development.
Concluding his remarks, el-Sisi said that national development typically takes 50 to 100 years, so it is unreasonable to expect Egypt to complete such a transformation in 10 to 12 years.
Achieving the desired level of progress within 20 to 30 years would, in his view, be a significant accomplishment, given Egypt’s limited resources and the scale of the challenges facing state institutions.
He reaffirmed that the state intends to complete its ongoing development plans, including the “Decent Life” (Haya Karima) rural development initiative, by 2030 at the latest. el-Sisi said this would be supported by partnerships with the private sector and by state support for investors.
Online entertainment sites have made a fundamental shift when it comes to how they target African audiences. Migrating away from the generic, one-size-fits-all approach, successful sites have started treating Africa as a continent of different, highly intricate markets.
The online entertainment industry in Africa has grown substantially over recent years, with millions of people now streaming music, watching movies and participating in online gaming daily. This surge can mostly be attributed to the massive youth demographic and rapid smartphone penetration. But both international and local brands have quickly realised that treating Africa as a single, homogeneous entity is a recipe for disaster.
A one-size-fits-all marketing approach doesn’t truly capture the regional economic realities, diverse internet speeds and deeply ingrained cultural intricacies. As such, leading online entertainment sites have turned to region-specific advertising and promotional campaigns.
Culturally Tuned Messaging
A prime example of targeted regional advertising is Betway GH Wish List Promo initiative. Instead of relying on generic global templates, the brand introduces a tailored promotion that directly resonates with the immediate financial and domestic needs of the local audience by offering practical rewards like:
TV sets
Motorbikes
Household appliances
Shaping strategies to align with local preferences, payment systems and pop culture can give online entertainment sites the ability to unlock brand engagement and customer loyalty across different African countries.
The linguistic and cultural differences across Africa also mean that standard global ad campaigns normally fail. That’s why many brands have decided to stop simply translating their ads and instead opt to build campaigns from the ground up using:
Local humor
Community tropes
Regional dialects
In West Africa, and particularly Nigeria, online entertainment marketing thrives on:
Highly animated storytelling
Street-smart vocabulary
Deep integration with the booming Afrobeats culture
Sites use localized idioms to create an immediate psychological connection with the audience.
On the other hand, Southern African campaigns tend to lean more toward:
Professional lifestyle alignments
Multilingual scripts involving languages like isiXhosa or Zulu
Distinct visual themes that respect local history and compliance laws
Music streaming sites, for instance, use localized exposure tools quite heavily. Pushing region-specific artists and tailoring playlist promotions to local holidays allows these sites to ensure that you can interact with an interface that feels domestic as opposed to foreign.
Hyper-Local Promotional Hooks and Gamified
The competitive iGaming and sports betting industries have arguably become one of the best examples of localized engagement. These sites need to design promotions that effortlessly integrate with local economic realities, where banking access varies and data costs remain exorbitant.
On top of that, online entertainment sites across Ghana, Kenya and Nigeria have adjusted their structural promotions around the regional payment methods. In areas where credit card usage is low, promotional ads specifically highlight their compatibility with local mobile money wallets.
These include:
MTN Mobile Money
Vodaphone Cash
AirTel Tigo
Making localized micro-betting simpler and easily visible through targeted ad banners removes the effort it takes to participate, instantly boosting a site’s user rates.
Overcoming Infrastructure Challenges through Targeted Ad-Tech
Internet data costs and network stability are among the biggest obstacles to consumer online engagement across many parts of Africa. Understanding this limitation, online entertainment sites have adapted their actual ad formats in accordance with the different regions.
Ad-Supported Video on Demand (AVOD)
Instead of forcing strict subscription models on value-conscious consumers, streaming services have been implementing hybrid or fully ad-supported tiers. Sites advertise these free tiers substantially in countries like Kenya and Nigeria, attracting users who are willing to watch localized commercials in exchange for bypassing subscription fees.
Native In-Game Banners
The mobile gaming industry has started implementing non-disruptive, data-light advertising by partnering with regional digital ad networks to insert native, static banners inside popular mobile games. This delivers brand exposure without consuming your precious data or slowing down gameplay on mid-range phones.
SMS and USSD Advertising
In areas where high-speed internet is lagging behind, sites depend on highly targeted, programmatic SMS-text promotions paired with USSD codes, giving you the ability to interact with promotions without needing active internet data.
Creating Accessible and Relatable Promotions Across The African Continent
The evolution of online marketing across Africa is proof that localized advertising has become the cornerstone for sustainable growth for many online entertainment sites and global brands. Matching promotional rewards with local needs, aligning payment methods with local mobile money networks and embracing regional languages gives online entertainment sites the opportunity to turn passive browsers into deeply engaged communities.
The future of online entertainment sites in Africa lies firmly in the hands of brands that have managed to successfully integrate targeted localized advertising campaigns that deeply resonate with their audience. By giving players an interface that feels tailored to their local culture and preferences, you can create a unique online experience that appeals more to players than a generic design aesthetic ever could.
The pointed arches that rise over Notre-Dame Cathedral in France and Canterbury Cathedral in England may owe part of their lineage to a ninth-century mosque beside the Nile, according to Diana Darke, an Oxford-educated Arabist.
Egyptian and Mamluk architecture reached Europe in two distinct waves over the years. Firstly through medieval trade and cultural exchange, and then again through the Orientalist and Revivalist movements of the 19th and 20th centuries.Together they left a quiet network of monuments, from the cathedrals of France and England to a brick mosque in Lithuania, that trace their design vocabulary back to Cairo.
The Medieval Transmission
Pointed arches in Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris.
The earliest and most consequential exchange involved the pointed arch. Structures such as the Ibn Tulun Mosque in Cairo, completed in the ninth century, helped popularize the form. Amalfi merchants, Italian medieval traders and seafarers, carried it to southern Italy, and it later surfaced in French Gothic cathedrals, including Notre-Dame, and in England at Canterbury. The arch likely traveled from Cairo through Italian trading ports to northern Europe, though how directly remains debated.
Decoration traveled too, including Mamluk and Fatimid ornaments, such as arabesques, geometric patterning, and colored marble stonework, which moved through Sicily in Italy, southern France, and Spain as goods and craftsmen crossed the sea.
The painted wooden ceiling of the Palatine Chapel (Cappella Palatina) in Palermo, Sicily, is a 12th-century masterpiece of Islamic art commissioned by King Roger II between 1131 and 1140.
A Second Wave: Revivalism
In the 19th century and early 20th century, European architects were borrowing from Cairo on purpose. The results were often built for Muslim communities far from the Arab world, and they were designed to look like home.
In Vladikavkaz, Russia, which sits in the North Caucasus, on the contested eastern edge of what is usually counted as Europe, the Sunnitskaya Mosque, completed in 1906, was designed by the Polish architect Józef Płoszko. It takes its look from the classical Sunni mosques of Cairo, particularly the lineage of Al-Azhar.
The Mukhtarov Mosque, a Sunni mosque dating to the early 1900s, stands on the banks of the Terek River in Vladikavkaz.
Another monument with oriental influence is theMain Kaunas Mosque, in Kaunas, Lithuania, built in 1933 by the architect Wacław Michniewicz.It is a brick structure that borrowed oriental motifs from Mamluk-era monuments in Cairo, among them the Funerary complex of Sultan Qaytbay in Cairo.
Additionally, the Italian architect Antonio Lasciac spent decades in Egypt in the late 19th and early 20th century designing Neo-Mamluk and eclectic buildings, including Bank Misr and palaces for the Khedive’s court.He carried that taste home to Gorizia, on the Italian-Slovenian border, where Lasciac’s private villa at Rafut, built in 1909, incorporates Mamluk revival aesthetics into a European residential setting.
While the medieval borrowings are largely invisible to visitors, folded into Gothic naves that few associate with the Islamic world, the 20th-century examples are easier to spot, and they show Cairo’s architectural language stilltraveling well after its medieval heyday, carried by European architects who worked in Egypt.
Broadening a tested company throughout African markets typically leads creators to select in between franchising and licensing.
While franchising controls company books, licensing is much better than franchising for little and medium-sized business running with restricted capital and little management groups.
Franchising needs an owner to reproduce a whole company format. That consists of basic operating handbooks, supply chains, website audits, and constant functional oversight.
Licensing focuses strictly on copyright. It gives an independent celebration the right to produce, utilize, or offer a secured possession such as a trademark name, patent, formula, or software application in exchange for concurred royalties.
The capital and overhead distinction
Constructing a feasible franchise network takes in substantial in advance money. The franchisor should develop comprehensive training programs, set up audit systems, and keep dispute-resolution facilities.
In unpredictable markets, imposing similar functional requirements throughout cities or borders exposes an SME to high travel, tracking, and logistical expenses.
When these continuous compliance expenses go beyond the franchise cost collections, the growth drains pipes working capital from the core company.
Licensing reverses this expense profile. The licensee funds their own centers, deals with regional staffing, and takes in operating losses while paying the licensor a repaired cost or portion of sales.
Due to the fact that the licensor does not handle everyday operations, gross margins on licensing royalties regularly surpass 80 percent.
Running control versus copyright security
A typical error amongst African company owner is puzzling the loss of running control with a loss of copyright ownership.
Franchisors require stringent control over whatever from personnel uniforms to point-of-sale software application. On the other hand, a licensor cares mostly about whether the possession is utilized within specified legal specifications.
A local sauce producer in Nigeria does not require to develop out across the country circulation centres to scale. Certifying the production formula and brand to a recognized food mill in another center immediately monetises the brand name without capital investment.
An academic or software application company can certify curriculum or innovation to third-party organizations without moneying physical branches.
The vital requirement is legal ownership. Before going into any licensing agreement, the hallmark, patent, or exclusive procedure needs to be signed up with the pertinent statutory computer registry, such as the Commercial Law Department of the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment in Nigeria.
Where SMEs make pricey errors
The most regular mistake in business licensing is preparing unclear quality and audit stipulations.
A licensee whose bad item quality harms a trademark name can damage years of credibility in a matter of months. Every contract needs to plainly define product requirements and examination rights.
Another typical mistake includes royalty collection terms. Without right-to-audit arrangements covering accounting books, SME licensors battle to confirm reported profits and gather their charges.
Creators likewise stop working to specify territorial limitations plainly. Approving special rights throughout a whole nation or trade zone to an underperforming licensee obstructs future collaborations because area.
Assessing the ideal design for your service
Licensing is usually the more powerful industrial option when your competitive benefit resides in an unique, protectable property instead of an intricate service experience.
It likewise matches operators who do not have the main headcount needed to examine franchisee outlets on a monthly basis.
To examine your position, audit your company properties today to validate which solutions, brand name possessions, or exclusive systems are signed up, lawfully enforceable, and efficient in producing earnings without your daily participation.
A potential shift in power in the United States Congress following the upcoming midterm elections could significantly reshape Washington’s economic engagement with African nations, introducing new scrutiny on existing policies and altering prospects for foreign aid and strategic resource agreements.
Should the Democratic Party gain control, African countries may anticipate a re-evaluation of policies impacting development funding, trade frameworks, and critical minerals partnerships. This potential pivot away from the previous administration’s approach could introduce both opportunities and uncertainties for investment climates and economic stability across the continent.
The outgoing administration, implicitly that of Donald Trump, pursued specific engagement strategies often prioritising bilateral deals and national interests. A Democratic-led Congress typically leans towards multilateralism, human rights considerations, and different priorities in aid allocation and trade negotiations, potentially impacting a range of sectors from energy to infrastructure.
Historically, US foreign aid has been a substantial component of development budgets for many African nations. A Democratic Congress might push for increased transparency, specific conditionalities, or a reallocation of funds to areas like climate change resilience, health, and democratic governance, potentially affecting the continuity of certain projects or the structure of aid packages for recipient countries.
The quest for critical minerals, vital for global energy transition technologies, has intensified, with African nations holding significant reserves. While the previous US administration might have focused on securing specific supply chains, a Democratic-controlled Congress could introduce new environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria for such deals. This could affect the feasibility and structure of mining investments and trade agreements, pushing for more equitable benefit sharing and local value addition.
news Trade Policies and Investment Outlooks Under Scrutiny
Changes in Congressional control could also influence US trade policy with Africa, including the future of programmes like the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). While bipartisan support for AGOA has generally been strong, a new legislative agenda might prioritise fresh trade agreements or introduce different labour and environmental standards, potentially altering market access for African goods. Businesses exporting to the US would need to monitor these developments closely.
Beyond direct aid and trade, US private sector investment in Africa is a key driver of economic growth. Policy shifts could influence the appetite and direction of these investments. A Democratic agenda might favour investments aligned with broader development goals, such as renewable energy or digital infrastructure, potentially impacting sectors that had previously attracted capital under different priorities. Companies seeking US investment or partnerships would need to align their strategies with these evolving policy landscapes.
For African economies, adapting to these potential policy changes would be crucial. Governments would need to engage proactively with the new legislative landscape in Washington to advocate for policies that serve their national development agendas. Sectors like extractives, agriculture, and manufacturing, which are often tied to international trade and investment, could experience significant shifts.
The outcome of the US midterm elections carries tangible economic implications for Africa. While a Democratic victory could bring renewed focus on certain development priorities and ESG considerations, it would also necessitate careful navigation by African leaders and businesses to leverage new opportunities and mitigate potential challenges arising from evolving US foreign policy. The coming months will be critical in observing how these political shifts translate into concrete economic engagement.
Explore more Politics stories and analysis from Business Elites Africa.
PSG winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia faces a long period of inactivity after sustaining a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during the club’s recent victory over Barcelona. The Georgian international’s injury is expected to sideline him for several months, disrupting Paris Saint-Germain’s attacking plans for the remainder of the season.
The injury occurred at the Parc des Princes on Tuesday during a league phase encounter. Kvaratskhelia slumped to the turf without any visible contact from an opponent and was forced to leave the pitch shortly before the hour mark.
Kvaratskhelia, renowned for his dribbling and creative playmaking, has been a vital component of the team’s offensive structure. His sudden departure from the pitch has left significant concerns regarding the club’s competitive depth for the upcoming months.
news Medical implications and tactical impact
An ACL tear is one of the most severe injuries a professional footballer can encounter. The condition typically requires surgical intervention followed by an intensive rehabilitation programme that often lasts between six and nine months. For a player of his profile, such an absence represents a substantial loss of technical ability in the final third.
The nature of the injury—occurring without contact—is a common characteristic of ligamentous damage, often triggered by sudden deceleration or pivoting. The medical staff at PSG attended to the winger immediately after he went down, but his inability to continue suggested the severity of the situation.
The absence of the Georgian attacker leaves a tactical void in the PSG squad. The team must now find alternative solutions to maintain their offensive output in both Ligue 1 and European competitions. The squad’s depth will be tested as the club attempts to navigate a congested fixture list without one of its most influential players.
PSG has yet to release an official medical bulletin detailing the exact timeline for surgery or the projected return date. The club is expected to provide further updates once the player has undergone comprehensive imaging and specialist consultation.
Explore more News stories from Business Elites Africa.
A single branch serving substandard meals or delaying customer deliveries can quickly erase the reputation an African business owner spent years building. When an independent franchisee cuts corners to protect immediate margins, the reputational fallout rarely stays confined to that single location.
For growing retail, logistics, and quick-service restaurant brands across Nigeria, Ghana, and Kenya, operational drift is the chief risk of franchising. Maintaining network cohesion requires contractual clarity, centralised sourcing, and persistent physical auditing.
Codify non-negotiable operational baselines
Franchisees rarely deviate from quality standards out of malice. In most instances, variance happens because operating procedures were transferred orally rather than documented in rigorous manuals.
A workable franchise manual must cover daily execution down to precise weights, ingredient recipes, packaging standards, and service timelines. It should clearly define customer service responses, facility hygiene protocols, and visual merchandising guidelines.
Crucially, separate core brand standards from secondary operating preferences. A retail brand might allow a franchisee in Ibadan to adjust regional staff shift patterns, but product formulation, display pricing, and customer billing workflows must remain uniform across all outlets.
Tie supply chains to product integrity
The fastest way brand consistency breaks down in African markets is local substitution of key inputs. Faced with sudden currency devaluation, import delays, or transport bottlenecks, franchisees often purchase cheaper, unapproved local alternatives.
Protecting the end product requires either centralising core supplies or pre-approving a strict list of vetted regional distributors. Quick-service chains commonly manufacture proprietary seasoning mixes, sauces, or branded packaging centrally, distributing them directly to franchisees.
Where central delivery is constrained by domestic logistics, operators should mandate clear raw-material specifications in the franchise agreement. Require franchisees to submit verifiable purchase invoices and certificates of analysis before onboarding secondary suppliers.
Implement unannounced audits and digital scoring
Written guidelines have little commercial value without systematic enforcement. Operators must establish predictable field audit cycles that combine formal scheduled reviews with unannounced spot inspections.
Modern franchise networks increasingly replace paper binders with cloud audit checklists completed on mobile devices. Auditors photograph storage areas, check refrigeration temperatures, review point-of-sale logs, and rate staff presentation against standard scorecards.
Publishing these inspection scores across the franchisee network introduces peer accountability. High-scoring branches can earn priority access to prime new territories or lower marketing levies, while low performers face structured remediation.
Build clear contract remedies for recurring non-compliance
Good operating relationships rely on mutual profit, but the underlying franchise agreement must retain enforceable sanctions for persistent breaches. African courts can be slow to resolve commercial disputes, making contractual escalation clauses essential.
A well-drafted agreement should set out clear cure periods for minor infractions, alongside daily penalties for unauthorised branding changes or unapproved menu modifications. For serious health, safety, or intellectual property violations, the franchisor must reserve the contractual right to assume temporary operational management or revoke the licence entirely.
Before signing a new partner, audit your operational onboarding and establish an audit schedule for every trading outlet this quarter.
Bodex Media has announced the date for the seventh edition of the Bodex Social Media Hangout (BSMH 7.0), an event expected to gather 3,000 students and media professionals in Lagos.
The event, which is convened by Bodex Hungbo and powered by Bodex Media, serves as a networking platform designed to bridge the gap between emerging content creators and established industry players. The upcoming edition aims to facilitate connections between students, digital creators, media professionals, corporate brands, and various institutions.
The announcement for BSMH 7.0 by Bodex Media comes as interest in the Nigerian creator economy continues to grow, with more young people seeking professional pathways into digital media and social platform management.
Connecting creators and corporate brands
According to the organisers, the hangout is structured to provide a space where students can interact directly with industry experts. By bringing together diverse stakeholders, Bodex Media intends to foster an environment that supports the professionalisation of social media usage and digital storytelling.
The involvement of brands and institutions in the event suggests a recognition of the influence held by student creators and the potential for strategic partnerships within the digital space. For many young Nigerians, these gatherings offer an opportunity to gain insights into the mechanics of media engagement and brand collaboration.
Previous editions of the Bodex Social Media Hangout have established a presence in the Nigerian media landscape, focusing on the intersection of social media and professional development. The scale of the seventh edition, with its target of 3,000 participants, reflects the increasing demand for structured engagement in the digital sector.
Lagos remains the primary hub for Nigeria’s media and technology sectors, providing a strategic location for an event of this magnitude. The convergence of academic interest and professional media practice in the city is expected to drive engagement among the targeted participants.
Details regarding specific session topics and speaker lineups are expected to follow the date announcement.
Explore more News stories from Business Elites Africa.
ST. PETERSBURG — Russia has actually released Stephen Hubbard, a retired American instructor sent to prison on claims that he combated as a mercenary in Ukraine, U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff stated Wednesday throughout a conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg.
The release comes as President Donald Trump has actually pursued a series of procedures deemed beneficial to Moscow.
Hubbard, a Michigan local, was sentenced in a closed 2024 trial to almost 7 years in jail. Russian district attorneys stated he signed an agreement with Ukraine’s military after Russia attacked in February 2022, battled along with Ukrainian forces and was caught 2 months later on.
The Biden administration had actually categorized Hubbard as wrongfully apprehended by Russia.
Witkoff revealed thankfulness to Putin for the release, informing him, “Because of you, he’s going home to his household.” Putin responded that Hubbard had actually been required to Pulkovo Airport in St. Petersburg after his release.
Witkoff has actually been working unsuccessfully to bring Russia and Ukraine closer to a settlement as the war approaches its five-year mark in February. Trump had actually hinted previously in the week that Hubbard might be released, informing press reporters at the White House: “I’ve been talking with President Putin about Mr. Hubbard. I’ve been speaking to him at length. I’ve asked him to launch him. Let’s see what occurs.”
Hubbard’s release comes throughout a moving duration in U.S. relations with Ukraine and Russia. Stress in between Washington and Kyiv have actually grown over drone assistance, while the Trump administration has actually advanced policies viewed as benefiting Putin.
On Friday, Trump waived sanctions versus Russia that were consisted of in a costs Congress authorized extremely to support Ukraine. The legislation, called for the late South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, looked for to limit the circulation of funds supporting Russia’s war effort.
The choice followed Trump revealed a contract to import Russian diesel fuel in a not likely effort to lower gas rates before next month’s U.S. midterm elections.
Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights booked. This product might not be released, broadcast, reworded or rearranged without consent.
Uganda has actually turned down recommendations that a female just recently identified with Ebola in Nigeria contracted the lethal infection in the East African nation.
The Ugandan Ministry of Health stated the source of the infection stays unidentified, worrying that the client’s current travel through Uganda does not develop where she contracted the illness.
The explanation followed Nigeria’s verification of an imported Ebola case in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, on Tuesday.
Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, had actually revealed that the client, a female with current travel history to Uganda, went back to Nigeria with signs on October 7.
Her condition supposedly aggravated 4 days later on before lab tests validated Ebola infection.
Responding in a declaration, Uganda’s Ministry of Health rejected reports of a continuous Ebola break out in the nation.
“The place of direct exposure stays under examination,” the ministry mentioned.
It preserved that taking a trip through Uganda was inadequate proof to conclude that the client ended up being contaminated there.
Ugandan authorities likewise stated Nigeria had yet to offer in-depth details about the lady’s travel schedule and scientific history, which would help examinations and contact tracing.
Nigerian health authorities have actually recognized 44 contacts connected to the client, who is presently getting treatment in seclusion.
Crown stated monitoring had actually been reinforced at the nation’s entry points, while the Federal Ministry of Health, FCT Health Secretariat and global health partners were collaborating efforts to avoid more transmission.
Uganda, which tape-recorded Ebola infections previously in 2026, had actually consequently stated its break out over after finishing the necessary duration without a brand-new verified case.
The advancement comes in the middle of growing local issues over Ebola, with cases likewise reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Kenya.
Kenya reported its ninth case on Tuesday, with health authorities stating all 9 infections came from a recognized cluster.
Ebola spreads through direct contact with the physical fluids of a contaminated individual or polluted products. Signs consist of fever, extreme weak point, headache, throwing up and diarrhoea.
Nigerian authorities have actually prompted locals to stay calm, observe preventive steps and report presumed cases immediately.
To install app on your device, tap the Share button in Safari. Scroll down and select 'Add to Home Screen'. Then tap 'Add' to place the app icon on your Home Screen.
Manage push notifications
We would like to show you notifications for the latest news and updates.
You are subscribed to notifications
We would like to show you notifications for the latest news and updates.
You are subscribed to notifications
Would like to install our app?
Progressive Web App (PWA) is installed successfully. It will also work in offline
Push notification permission blocked in browser settings. Reset the notification settings for website/PWA
