Author: Vardiafrica

Spain set a new mark for an undefeated run in men’s international football after beating Argentina 1-0 in Sunday’s World Cup final. The win extends Spain’s unbeaten run to 38 matches without losing, breaking a tie with Italy. The shutout win over Argentina was Spain’s seventh clean sheet of the 2026 World Cup, and they become the first team to win the tournament while only conceding one goal. Spain pulled clear of the unbeaten run of Italy, who had previously gone on a 37-game unbeaten run between 2018 and 2021 — a span which saw the Italians beat England in the final of Euro 2020. By overcoming France last Tuesday…

Senegalese President Bassirou Faye has been elected chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Faye was elected on Sunday at the 69th ordinary session of the ECOWAS authority of heads of state and government held in Lungi, Sierra Leone. He succeeds Sierra Leonian President Julius Bio. In another diplomatic win for the French-speaking West African country, Birame Diop, former minister of the armed forces, was elected president of the ECOWAS Commission for the 2026-2030 term. It is the first time Senegal has been elected to preside over the commission since the bloc was created in 1975. Diop…

FIFA broke new ground on Sunday by staging the first-ever halftime show in a FIFA World Cup final, turning football’s biggest match into a global music spectacle during the 2026 tournament finale between Argentina and Spain at MetLife Stadium. The approximately 12-minute performance, curated by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin in partnership with Global Citizen, formed part of an extended 27-minute halftime interval. Produced by Live Nation and Done + Dusted and directed by veteran live-event producer Hamish Hamilton, the show blended music, football and philanthropy on the sport’s biggest stage. The halftime show was organised in support of the FIFA…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on other African countries to lend their voices to unanimously condemn the ongoing Afro-phobic attacks, also known as Xenophobia, in South Africa. A united voice, according to the Nigerian leader, will send a clear message to that Southern African country that such intolerance is absolutely not acceptable under any form. Speaking on Sunday in Freetown, Sierra Leone, during the 69th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, President Tinubu, who was represented by his deputy, Vice President Kashim Shettima, informed the African leaders that the Nigerian Government had “already…

France winger Michael Olise has set a new FIFA World Cup record after becoming the first player to register seven assists in a single tournament. The Bayern Munich playmaker surpassed the previous record of six assists set by Brazilian football legend Pelé during the 1970 FIFA World Cup. Olise achieved the milestone during France’s 6-4 defeat to England in the third-place play-off on Saturday, capping an impressive individual campaign despite Les Bleus finishing outside the tournament’s top three. The 23-year-old was instrumental to France’s attacking performances throughout the competition, providing several assists for captain Kylian Mbappé and emerging as one…

Vice President Kashim Shettima and other West African leaders are currently at the Julius Maada Bio International Conference Centre in Lungi, Sierra Leone, for the 69th Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS. The Vice President is representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the high-level meeting hosted by Sierra Leonean President and Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority, Julius Maada Bio. “Other leaders at the summit include Presidents Romuald Wadagni of Benin, José Maria Neves of Cabo Verde, Adama Barrow of The Gambia, John Dramani Mahama of Ghana, Umaro Sissoco Embaló of Guinea-Bissau, Alassane Ouattara…

France captain Kylian Mbappe has cemented his place among football’s immortals after becoming the highest goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history, overtaking Argentina legend Lionel Messi during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Although France narrowly missed out on a podium finish after a thrilling 6-4 defeat to England in the third-place playoff, Mbappe’s individual brilliance ensured his name was permanently etched into the history books.  The Real Madrid forward finished the tournament with 22 career World Cup goals, moving ahead of Messi’s tally of 21 goals and setting a new all-time record in the competition’s 96-year history. The achievement crowns…

The half-time break in Sunday’s World Cup final is expected to last between 20 and 25 minutes. An 11-minute Super Bowl-style show, co-headlined by Madonna, Shakira and K-pop boy band BTS, will take place during the interval at New York New Jersey Stadium. While sources within World Cup organisers Fifa suggest the break will be around 20 minutes, it is understood that one option is for the normal 15-minute half-time break and then the planned 11-minute show. The laws of the game, governed by Ifab (the International Football Association Board), state that players are entitled to a half-time break “not exceeding 15…

Nigeria’s sprint sensation Kayinsola Ajayi delivered another career-defining performance on Saturday, equalling the Nigerian men’s 100 metres record with a blistering 9.84 seconds to defeat reigning world champion Oblique Seville at the London Diamond League. Ajayi’s remarkable run saw him finish ahead of the Jamaican star, who clocked 9.87 seconds to settle for second place, while fellow Jamaican Romell Glave finished third in a personal best of 9.97 seconds. The victory further cements Ajayi’s status as one of the world’s fastest men this season and reinforces his growing reputation ahead of the forthcoming World Athletics Championships. Record-equalling performance The Nigerian…

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has paid tribute to Inspector John Jerome Abena, who died during the operation that rescued abducted schoolchildren in Oyo state, describing him as a “hero” whose sacrifice in service to the nation would never be forgotten. Receiving officers who participated in the operation, the IGP praised their courage, professionalism, and resilience, noting that the successful rescue was achieved despite the dangers encountered during the mission. “The gathering is not just to celebrate the success of the operation but to honour Inspector John Jerome Abena and every officer who risked his life to…