Cote d'Ivoire are the African Champions, Senegal protests and Africa mourns her sons.
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Cote d'Ivoire are the African Champions
We start off with celebrations in Abidjan where the hosts Cote d'Ivoire were crowned the champions of African football. the African Cup of Nations CHAMPIONS. In what has arguably been the most entertaining African cup of Nations football tournaments in recent memory, hosts Cote d'ivoire came out victorious defeating Nigeria’s Super Eagles two goals to one.
The win propelled the Elephants to their third continental title. Cote d'ivoire fired their coach after finishing third in the group stages but the hiring of a local coach in Emerse Fa seemed to rejuvenate the side and galvanise the 28 million Ivorians. South Africa’s Bafana Bafana took home the bronze after another penalty nail biter win at the expense of the Democratic Republic of Congo in the third place playoff.
Bravo les Elephants!!!
Senegal Protests turn Deadly
Protests in Senegal have turned deadly after a second person died in the increasingly violent protests against President Macky Sall’s decision to postpone the elections by 10 months.
President Macky Sall, who is ineligible to stand for another term, postponed the elections last Monday. Opposition members of parliament that tried to block a bill that allowed the elections to be postponed were arrested in the National assembly sparking off nationwide protests.
The postponement came a day before the start of the official campaign period and according to the President was brought about by the disqualification of some of the prominent presidential candidates by the Constitutional Council.
The two prominent candidates are Ousmane Sonko and Karim Wade. Sonko who finished third in the 2019 Presidential elections has been the major challenger to sall’s presidency was disqualified on grounds of having a criminal record. Sonko was imprisoned on grounds of, “corrupting minors and inciting insurrection in 2023.” He is still in prison.
Wade, on the other hand was disqualified on grounds of holding dual citizenship (He holds both French and Senegalese citizenship). Wade is also the son of former President Abdoulaye Wade.
We hope peace prevails.
Africa losses two galant sons
We end this week with sad news as Africa lost two of its most gallant sons over the weekend with the passing of Access Holdings Founder and Group CEO, Herbert Wigwe and world record marathon holder Kelvin Kiptum.
Herbert Wigwe died in a helicopter crash along with four others that included his wife, Chizoba Wigwe and son. The helicopter also had Bamofin Abimbola Ogunbanjo, the former head of the Nigeria stock Exchange
Herbert Wigwe was 57 and is known for having built Access Bank from to the fourth biggest bank in Nigeria.
Kenyan Marathoner Kiplimo known to have run 3 of the fastest times over the 42 km distance and the first man to run a sub par 2 hrs in a the marathon in a competitive race passed away in a car accident alongside his trainer Gervais Hakizimana
May their souls rest in Eternal Peace!