A climber known online as Yemen’s “Spider-Man” has died after falling into a deep volcano crater while climbing rocks without safety gear, reporting for the Associated Press , Samy Magdy wrote. Al-Qaqa Ibn Antar, 30, lost his footing and dropped 120 meters into Hardah Dam crater in Dhale province, southern Yemen, on Friday, civil defense officials said. The agency also shared a short video that captured the moment he fell. The 10-second clip shows Antar climbing a steep rock wall with his bare hands. White Arabic names are painted across the stone. He holds the rock with his right hand, raises his left, then slips and falls out of view. Rescue teams, including divers and water specialists, were sent to bring out his body. Divers found him about 30 meters underwater at the bottom of the crater. Officials said the four-hour rescue was difficult because the walls were steep and rocky. Hardah Dam, also called Haradhat Damt, is near Damt city in Dhale. It is a popular landmark with tall r...

Picture credit: Vanguard Newspaper A 16-year-old girl told police on Monday, June 16, 2026, that a woman she trusted brought her from Imo State to Lagos with a promise of an office job, but forced her into sex work for four months, according to Vanguard Newspaper report . The girl, Chidinma, said she was learning baking in Imo before the woman took her to a tall building in Balogun market on Lagos Island. When she arrived, the woman removed her clothes and left her in only underwear. Other young girls were inside the same room. The woman then pushed men into the room and gave Chidinma a blue pill that made her confused and weak. She said she slept with no fewer than 30 men every day, and sometimes as many as 60. Each man paid between N5,000 and N10,000, but the woman gave her just N1,000 or N1,500 to buy food. Whenever she asked men to use protection and they refused, they reported her. The woman would then drag her into another room, beat her with an iron rod until she bled, and punc...

A merican singer Oliver Tree died on Sunday after two helicopters collided mid-air in Brazil. He was 32. The crash happened Sunday morning in Recreio dos Bandeirantes, a suburb west of Rio, France 24 reported. One helicopter had five people on board, including Tree. The other carried only the pilot. Both aircraft fell into the parking lot of an electric car dealership and caught fire. No one survived. Police said Tree was listed on the passenger manifest. The six victims were badly burned, so officials are still confirming identities. Also on Tree’s helicopter were a Brazilian music producer, an Argentine video director, and Argentine YouTuber Gaspar Prim, known as “Gaspi”. The fire spread to about 20 electric cars. Firefighters said lithium battery fires burn hotter and release toxic smoke, making them harder to put out. Burger King worker Thamires Santos, 27, said she heard a loud explosion that shook her shop. “Helicopter parts were flying everywhere,” she said. Fire service spokes...

A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to deregister the African Democratic Congress and four other political parties. Justice Peter Lifu gave the order on Monday after throwing out all preliminary objections from the defendants. He ruled that the parties failed to win at least 25 per cent of votes in the last general elections, as the Constitution requires. The parties affected are ADC, Accord, Action Alliance, Action Peoples Party and Zenith Labour Party. Justice Lifu directed INEC to remove them from its register and stop them from contesting any future elections, including the 2027 general polls. The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2026, was filed by the Incorporated Trustees of the National Forum of Former Legislators. The group joined the Attorney-General of the Federation in the suit and named INEC as the first defendant. The forum told the court that political parties must show national spread and electoral performance to remain re...

P rime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has revealed plans to stop children under 16 from accessing major social media sites, saying the step is needed to protect their mental health and give them a safer childhood. Speaking on Monday from outside No. 10 Downing Street in a live broadcast by Sky News, the Prime Minister called the proposal a “big moment” for Britain. He argued that technology now takes up too much of young people’s time and that government action could no longer wait. Starmer said the plan marks real change for children and their future. He accepted that social media has some benefits, but insisted the government’s main responsibility is safety. Speaking as a parent, he said he understands the fears many families have and, like all parents, only wants his children to be happy and protected. He asked whether anyone truly believes social media is a safe and happy place for children, adding that the answer is obvious. Under the proposed law, Parliament will consider the bill bef...

Anambra university vows zero tolerance as Governing Council takes disciplinary action. C hukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University has dismissed five staff members after finding them guilty of sexual harassment, abuse, threats, extortion and other misconduct. The university’s spokesperson, Harrison Madubueze, announced the dismissals on Sunday in Awka. He said the Governing Council approved the action during its 122nd meeting on 12 June. Those affected include two professors. C.C. Nwabachili, who recently served as dean of the Faculty of Law, and Chike Osegbue from the Department of Political Science, Faculty of Social Sciences. Two lecturers from the Microbiology Department at the Uli Campus were also sacked. They are I.H. Iheukwumere and Emeka Nwabunnia, both under the Faculty of Natural Sciences. The fifth person is Ifeoma Kakulu. She was a principal assistant registrar and served as examination officer for the Faculty of Law when the alleged incidents occurred. Mr Madubueze said inves...

A recent report by Chima Azubuike published on Punch Newspaper showed how rain turns life upside down for over 4,000 people in Afghanistan Community, Garko Ward, Akko Local Government Area of Gombe State. Each rainy season, floodwater covers their only wooden bridge and cuts them off from clinics, schools and markets. What should be ordinary rainfall has become a threat to survival. In 2024, Hajiya Fatima, a 25-year-old mother of two, went into labour at 40 weeks. Heavy rain was falling that evening. She recognised the signs and got ready to go to the health centre where she had received antenatal care. But the bridge that connects her community to the nearest town was already flooded. Her older children dashed into the storm to call for help. Hours later, she gave birth at home. The bleeding continued and would not stop. By the time the water went down enough for anyone to cross, both Fatima and her newborn had died. Community leader Ishaq Afghanistan told Punch that the delay kille...

A n Abuja federal court has ordered the arrest of Uche Nnaji, ex-Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, after the ICPC asked for a warrant. The Cable reported that the court granted the order on Thursday. The ICPC filed the request through an ex parte motion in case FHC/ABJ/CS/1160/2026. The motion was dated June 3 and submitted on June 4, with an affidavit sworn by David Nelson attached. President Bola Tinubu named Nnaji minister in August 2023. He later stepped down after claims surfaced that the academic certificates and NYSC document he presented during Senate screening were fake. ICPC lawyer Osuobeni Akponimisingha told the court Nnaji ignored multiple invitations for questioning. He asked the court to permit the commission to publish Nnaji’s name as wanted in newspapers, on social media, and other platforms. The ICPC also sought a bench warrant allowing its officers, other security agents, and even private citizens to arrest Nnaji and bring him in for probe. The judge a...

G hana will begin their World Cup campaign in Toronto without Thomas Partey after Canadian authorities denied the midfielder entry. BBC reported that the 32-year-old’s visa application was turned down by the Canadian government, ruling him out of the opening match against Panama. He remains with the Black Stars’ training camp in Boston and cannot join the team for the fixture. Partey, now with Villarreal after leaving Arsenal, is facing court charges. He has pleaded not guilty to seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault linked to four women between 2020 and 2022. His trial is set for next year and he has not been convicted. Fifa said it does not control immigration decisions, noting that host countries alone decide who enters their borders. Canada’s immigration rules block entry for anyone charged with or convicted of serious crimes. Partey denies all allegations and is awaiting trial. Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz defended the selection before the tournament, saying: “If the ...

T ension gripped a home in Akure on Thursday after a domestic fight turned violent and left a man nursing a deep cut. Police in Ondo State have taken Olatunde Mary into custody. She is accused of attacking her husband, Olatunde Julius, with a cutlass during a heated quarrel. In a report by Vanguard Newspaper , officers said the clash happened around 2:30 p.m. on June 12, 2026. The matter was later brought to the Gender-Based Offences Unit at the state police headquarters in Akure. There, investigators said Mary’s actions during the argument caused serious injury to her husband’s left hand. Julius was rushed to a hospital for treatment. Medical staff attended to the wound and recorded details of the injury. While that was going on, police spoke with both husband and wife and collected statements. They also gathered other evidence linked to the incident. After reviewing what they had, officers said they found enough grounds to charge Mary. She was later brought before a court to face pro...

F ederal University Birnin Kebbi has called on students to be more careful with their safety following the death of one student, Channels Television reported on its website. University officials warned students to stay away from late-night trips, move in groups when they must go out, and quickly alert security agencies about any strange person or activity around them. The school said protecting students’ lives and wellbeing remains a top priority. The deceased was laid to rest on Thursday. Janazah prayers were held at the mosque inside Federal Teaching Hospital, Birnin Kebbi, before burial. In a message of sympathy, the university management condoled with the family, friends, classmates, and the entire student body. It prayed that the student’s soul finds peace. At the same time, some students who asked not to be named shared concerns with Channels Television about safety near hostels outside the campus. They said many students deal with threats such as robbery attacks, stolen phones,...

T he House of Representatives has voted to amend the constitution and allow states to run their own police, marking a key shift in Nigeria’s security structure. According to a report by Vanguard Newspaper, lawmakers on Thursday approved the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026 during a session of the Committee of the Whole led by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas. Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, who chairs the Constitution Review Committee, presented the report and pushed for support, saying decentralised policing is needed to fight insecurity.  The vote was done by show of hands. It ended with 289 members in support, one abstention, and no votes against. The bill amends Section 214 to create two policing levels: Federal Police and State Police. The National Assembly will define how the Federal Police is structured and set minimum rules for state police outfits. States must pass their own laws and meet national standards before their police can ope...

U nited States officials stopped Omar Abdulkadir Artan from entering the country over “vetting concerns,” cutting short his historic trip to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Artan, who was set to become the first Somali to referee at a World Cup, landed back in Mogadishu this week to a hero’s welcome after U.S. Customs and Border Protection turned him away at Miami International Airport. According to CNN, Artan arrived with a valid visa but was taken for a lengthy secondary inspection. After the check, officers ruled him inadmissible. A clip of the CNN report was shared on X by reporter Larry Madowo, who also presented the story in the video. A CBP spokesperson told CNN that a World Cup match official was denied entry due to “vetting concerns.” The agency did not name Artan, but he is the only Somali referee selected for the tournament. CBP described the extra screening as routine, noting that admissibility decisions are made case by case using law enforcement, national security, and immigrati...

P resident Bola Tinubu has set up an Ebola task force and approved N10 billion for emergency response, the Presidency announced Tuesday. The fund will help the National Centre for Disease Control and Prevention strengthen readiness and carry out urgent public health work nationwide, said Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy. Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila will chair the Presidential Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease Preparedness and Emerging Public Health Threats. Members will come from federal agencies and state governments. The move follows new Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, which raised fears of spread to Nigeria. Tinubu approved the plan after a stakeholder review led by Gbajabiamila. The meeting included the Ministry of Interior, FAAN, Nigeria Immigration Service, NCAA, Lagos State Government, and others. All states with international airports and border points must now submit response plans and budgets for join...

P olice across Nigeria have begun a new operation to impound vehicles driving without number plates or with plates that are covered, defaced, or altered.  Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu issued the order Tuesday during a public speech. You can watch his full statement in the video below. According to Disu, officers will now pull over and seize any car that tries to hide its identity. He said security agencies have noticed a rise in vehicles on Nigerian roads that have no registration or use plates that are deliberately blocked. “In several parts of the country, we are seeing more cars with no number plates. Others have plates that are hidden, damaged, covered, or changed so they cannot be traced,” Disu said in the address. “This breaks the law and we will no longer accept it.” The new rule requires every vehicle in Nigeria to display its official registration number. Any car caught without plates, or with plates that are hidden or tampered with, will be stopped, taken by ...

N igeria may take action against South Africa after a new wave of attacks on Nigerians and other Black African migrants, Foreign Affairs Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu said Monday. Briefing State House reporters at the Presidential Villa on June 8, 2026, Ojukwu said Nigeria is deeply disappointed by the violence and by South Africa’s poor response. She called the targeting of Black African migrants troubling, adding that the attacks cut deeper because Nigeria supported South Africa’s fight to end apartheid. The minister blamed South African security agencies for failing to protect foreigners. “Nigeria is deeply disappointed by the response of South African authorities and security agencies to the attacks,” she said. As tension rises, she confirmed that Nigeria is finalizing plans to fly stranded citizens home. President Bola Tinubu has approved the use of a presidential aircraft for the evacuation. Ojukwu also dismissed claims by some South African officials that the Nigerians attacke...

S tudents in Ogun State now worry more about safety than schoolwork. Armed gangs have stepped up attacks in Remo North, targeting students with robberies, kidnappings, rape, and killings, according to report by Daily Post Nigeria. Blessing, an HND 2 student at The Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Saapade, said the criminals now use a new method. They force one student to knock on other doors at night. “I avoid staying out late because they’ll go to someone’s door. Once the person opens, they’ll take them to the next door and make them call out their neighbor,” she said. In Ipara, a girl once screamed for help, but no one went outside. By morning, gunmen had held a gun to a woman’s daughter’s head and emptied her bank account. Last month, five Gateway ICT Polytechnic students were kidnapped on the Isara-Ode road on their way from a restaurant. They stopped for men with torchlights, thinking they were police. The men were kidnappers. Between 2009 and 2026, the school has recorded at least 105 r...

N igeria has postponed its planned evacuation of citizens from South Africa after running into unexpected logistics problems, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Monday. Spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa confirmed the flight has been rescheduled but did not disclose the new date, departure time, or what caused the delay. The number of returnees on the first plane and the arrival city Lagos or Abuja are yet to be announced. Sources say Air Peace will operate the repatriation flight. Ebienfa declined to confirm the airline’s schedule. The postponement comes as the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria completes documentation for over 1,000 citizens following a recent spike in xenophobic attacks. The screening exercise began Thursday. To prevent detentions, the High Commission secured waivers from South African authorities for Nigerians with immigration violations, allowing them to leave on the government flights. Nigeria’s evacuation comes after Ghana flew home nearly 300 nationals two weeks ...

F emi Vega has released a new single, "Skeleton," featuring Zlatan. The Nigerian singer dropped the track as his latest step forward, marking a clear shift in both sound and image. "Skeleton" is a lively song that mixes current Afrobeat rhythms with a deeper, soulful feel. Vega’s calm vocals play off Zlatan’s energetic style. The track speaks on growth and staying true to himself while handling industry pressure. It’s built for the dancefloor, but the lyrics carry weight. The single comes ahead of Vega’s upcoming EP, 'VEGA', set for release on 18 June. "Skeleton" gives fans an early look at the project’s direction. The release arrived with a bold promo photo. Shot in warm tones, it shows Vega in a simple, refined portrait. The image contrasts with the track’s raw energy, highlighting two sides of his style: grounded yet sharp. Vega previously performed as PlayboyCasted before announcing his new name in early February 2024. He described the switch t...

  K anya King CBE, the chief executive and founder of the MOBO Awards, has died aged 57 following colon cancer. The MOBO Organisation said she passed away calmly on 3 June 2026, surrounded by family and close friends. King set up the MOBO Awards in 1996. To fund it, she remortgaged her home. At the time she was a single mother living on a Kilburn council estate and working as a TV researcher. She launched the event without support from the music industry, after being told that Black music was “too niche” to succeed. In its statement, the organisation said: “What Kanya created was never simply an awards ceremony. It was an act of cultural justice. MOBO did not just celebrate Black music; it legitimised it, amplified it and transformed the cultural landscape of the UK. Born in north London to a Ghanaian father and an Irish mother, King built a stage that helped launch the careers of Stormzy, Little Simz, RAYE, Craig David, Ms. Dynamite, Amy Winehouse and Central Cee. Today, the awar...

A ccording to a recent report by The Guardian Newspaper , the Federal Capital Territory Police have begun a clampdown on cars with dark windows and hidden license plates in Abuja.   Commissioner Ahmed Muhammed said the order from Inspector General Tunde Disu followed findings that criminals often use such vehicles to hide their identity. More than 30 cars have been seized so far, and drivers who violate the rule will face prosecution.   At a press briefing on Friday at the command headquarters, Muhammed asked for public cooperation and highlighted key successes in recent operations.   On May 25, 2026, officers raided a hideout in Runji Village, Zuba, and arrested three men who appeared in viral videos wearing military uniforms and holding AK-47 rifles. The suspects are Umar Babangida, 25, Adamu Yeti, 22, and Yahaya Idris, 24, all from Rijana in Kaduna State. They told police the weapons came from a gang leader known only as “Esco,” who remains at large. Ite...

F IFA has taken back free World Cup tickets sent to 60 fans after a website fault, the BBC reported .   The fans will now have to pay the full cost if they still want the tickets, FIFA said. The tickets were first issued at zero charge because of a glitch during the payment stage.   “FIFA can confirm that around 60 supporters received notice on Wednesday, June 3 about tickets that were allocated at no cost due to a problem with payment,” the body said. It added that it “is sorry for any issues caused”.   Ticket Talk Network, a social media account that flags ticketing errors, shared a notice showing the fans have one week to pay. If they do not, the tickets will be removed from their accounts. The tickets were for early round games in Toronto.   The World Cup kicks off on Thursday, June 11 in Canada, the United States and Mexico.   The error adds to FIFA’s ticketing troubles. Although FIFA earlier said the event would be a sell-out, seat...

T he Independent National Electoral Commission has explained how FCT Minister Nyesom Wike’s spokesperson, Lere Olayinka, obtained actor Emeka Ike’s private voter registration details.   According to PREMIUM TIMES newspaper report , INEC spokesperson Mohammed Haruna said on Thursday that a joint investigation by the commission and the police found that the screenshots were sent to Mr Olayinka by the electoral officer for Abuja Municipal Area Council.   Security operatives initially questioned four people, including three INEC staff and an INEC official’s daughter. Phones belonging to one official and her daughter were also seized during the probe.   Mr Haruna said an INEC official first accessed Mr Ike’s information from the voter register. She then used her daughter’s phone to take a screenshot of the data and shared it with the AMAC electoral officer.   The AMAC electoral officer later forwarded the screenshot to Mr Olayinka. Police have detained...

P olice have arrested an INEC staff member and questioned the FCT Minister’s media aide after actor Emeka Ike’s private voter information was leaked on social media.   According to Punch Newspaper report, The Force Intelligence Department is handling the case following a petition that alleged conspiracy, cyber intimidation, and the release of classified government documents.   Sources said the INEC officer for Abuja Municipal Area Council has been in custody since Tuesday. Lere Olayinka, who handles social media for the FCT Minister, was interrogated and later released on bail.   The incident began on May 29, 2026, when protesters, reportedly led by Emeka Ike, blocked the INEC AMAC office over alleged irregularities in a party primary. After the protest, the INEC officer accessed Ike’s record and directed a junior staff member to screenshot his confidential details from the Voter Enrolment Device.   The officer then contacted Olayinka on Facebook ...

Commission says no hacking or external breach occurred; actor Emeka Ike’s record was accessed with valid staff credentials and released without approval   T he Independent National Electoral Commission has confirmed that voter details of Nollywood actor and National Democratic Coalition House of Representatives aspirant Emeka Ike were accessed and leaked using official staff login details. In a statement on Tuesday, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of Information and Voter Education, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, said early findings show no hacking or outside breach of the Continuous Voter Registration database. Instead, the information was pulled through valid credentials assigned to personnel working on the ongoing CVR exercise and then shared without permission. The controversy began after Ike’s registration details appeared online shortly after he declared his bid for a seat in the FCT. The records were posted by Lere Olayinka, media aide to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, sparking c...

T he Lagos State Police Command has debunked viral claims of armed bandits invading Ibeju-Lekki, Imota, and Oke-Afo, after the false report triggered a mob attack that killed a 24-year-old motorcycle rider. Police spokesperson CSP Abimbola Adebisi said on Monday that the social media posts, along with graphic videos and images, were false and aimed at stirring panic. She confirmed there has been no invasion or attack on any community or school in Lagos, adding that officers continue to patrol strategic locations across the state to keep residents safe. The misinformation turned deadly when youths in one community, convinced bandits had entered the area, attacked Kulaha Ayuba. Police said the young okada rider was labelled a Fulani bandit, beaten to death, and his motorcycle stolen before his body was dumped in a swamp. Fifteen suspects have since been arrested, and the command promised that everyone involved will face the full weight of the law. Adebisi also flagged another clip makin...

T he Enugu State Government has denied viral reports claiming residents were attacked in Awgu Local Government Area, describing them as false and aimed at stirring panic. In a statement released Tuesday, Commissioner for Information and Communication Dr. Malachy Agbo said no attack took place in Awgu or any other part of Enugu. He accused those behind the rumour of deliberately spreading misinformation. “There is no truth to the report. It is baseless and exists only in the minds of those circulating it,” Dr. Agbo said. He confirmed that residents in Awgu and across the state are going about their daily activities peacefully, with no security breach recorded. The commissioner appealed to the public to disregard the claim and stop sharing unverified information that could create fear. He stressed that the administration of Governor Peter Mbah has placed security at the centre of its agenda, with ongoing investment to protect lives and property. Dr. Agbo linked the rumour to politics, n...

A viation Minister Festus Keyamo has ordered a full investigation into Yola Airport’s security after Patience Abbo, wife of former Adamawa North Senator Ishaku Abbo, was filmed accessing restricted airside areas twice. The move follows a Premium Times report with video evidence of the breaches. The newspaper said the minister demanded explanations from airport security officials after its initial story. Officials told the minister Mrs Abbo claimed she was travelling with her husband and was waved past the terminal gates. They said they only realized she wasn’t a passenger when she walked back alone after seeing him off at the aircraft steps. But a second video obtained by Premium Times showed Mrs Abbo on the tarmac again. She wore a brown abaya and wheeled a suitcase to the foot of an aircraft staircase. The new footage undercuts claims that the first incident was a one-off misunderstanding. Part 17 of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations classifies airport aprons as Security Restr...

Regberegbe age grade groups in coordinated Aso Oke at the 2026 Ojude Oba festival in Ijebu Ode, held three days after Eid al-Adha. Photo: Elejo Shot It. ‎ ‎ By Egungwu Chukwuka Benjamin ‎E very year, on the third day after Eid al-Adha, Ijebu Ode changes. The historic town known for its calm pace becomes loud with talking drums, bright Aso Oke, and the thunder of horses. This is Ojude Oba, literally translated as “the King’s Forecourt,” a festival that grew from a single family's act of gratitude into one of Africa's most dazzling cultural spectacles. ‎Historical records trace the roots of Ojude Oba to the late 19th century, during the reign of Awujale Ademuyewo Afidipote. When Islam began to flourish in Ijebuland, the monarch showed great wisdom by granting Muslim converts the freedom to practice their faith openly without persecution. ‎Among these early converts was Chief Balogun Kuku, a legendary warrior and prominent leader. Because of his new faith, Kuku could no longer tak...

N igeria’s Super Eagles defended their Unity Cup title with a commanding 3-0 win over Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz on Saturday night at The Valley stadium in London. Alhassan Yusuf led the charge with two goals as Nigeria avoided the drama of last year’s final, when they beat Jamaica on penalties at the Gtech Community Stadium. Nigeria made a fast start. Just three minutes in, Yusuf found space in the box and fired the Super Eagles into an early lead, catching the Jamaican defence off guard. Jamaica pushed hard for an equaliser before halftime and created several good chances, but Nigeria’s defence held firm to keep the 1-0 advantage at the break. The Super Eagles took control again after the restart. In the 59th minute, Femi Azeez delivered a perfect cross from the wing and Terem Moffi rose highest to head home Nigeria’s second goal. Jamaica threw players forward in stoppage time chasing a way back into the game. Nigeria punished them on the break. A quick team move ended with Yusuf calmly s...

T hirty-two years after lighting up the 1994 World Cup in the United States, Austin ‘Jay-Jay’ Okocha still owns a record no player has touched, FIFA has confirmed. The world football body paid fresh tribute to the former Super Eagles captain this week, pointing to his 15 successful dribbles against Italy in the Round of 16 at USA ’94. It remains the highest in a single World Cup match. Okocha’s journey to that moment started at home with Enugu Rangers before he moved to Europe in 1990 to join Germany’s Borussia Neunkirchen. Four years later, he was tormenting one of the best defences in the world. Italy’s backline that day featured legends Paolo Maldini, Alessandro Costacurta and Demetrio Albertini. Yet Okocha glided past them time and again with his quick feet, close control and bold attacking style. Since then, generations of top dribblers have come and gone, but none have matched his mark in 90 minutes. Brazil’s Jairzinho and England’s Paul Gascoigne sit joint second with 13 dribble...

S enegal qualified for the TotalEnergies CAF Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations final on Thursday after beating hosts Morocco 7-6 on penalties. The match ended 1-1 at Prince Moulay Hassan Stadium in Rabat. Senegal goalkeeper Assane Sarr was the key player. He made important saves in the shootout to stop Morocco from winning at home. Senegal will now play Tanzania in the final. Tanzania beat Egypt on penalties earlier on Thursday. Morocco scored a late goal to force penalties. In the 99th minute, Ismail El Aoud’s penalty was saved by Sarr, but El Aoud scored from the rebound to make it 1-1. Senegal took the lead in the 23rd minute. Commissaire Faye’s shot was blocked by the Moroccan goalkeeper, and Mouhamed Wagne scored from the rebound. Morocco had a goal by Adam Al-Laki cancelled by VAR before halftime. In the second half, Morocco attacked more. Amine Moustach and Brahim Rabaj had chances, but Senegal defended well until Cheikh Dieng’s handball gave Morocco a late penalty. During the shoo...