BREAKING NEWS: 38-year-old Lionel Messi has scored his first ever hat-trick in the FIFA World Cup competition.
He achieved this historic milestone in Argentina’s opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Kansas City, where he scored all three goals in a 3-0 victory over Algeria.
JUST IN: Kylian Mbappé scored twice as France opened their 2026 World Cup campaign with a 3–1 victory over Senegal in Group I on Tuesday.
The Real Madrid forward took his World Cup goal tally to 14, moving within two goals of Miroslav Klose’s all-time record. Bradley Barcola also found the net as France secured a confident start in their bid for a third World Cup title under coach Didier Deschamps.
JUST IN: Actor-turned-politician Kenneth Okonkwo has withdrawn his support for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar following the selection of Rotimi Amaechi as his running mate under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the 2027 presidential election.
Okonkwo said the decision reflects continued marginalisation of the South-East in Nigeria’s top political offices.
“If this is true, it is unfortunate, as this will continue the crude marginalisation of the South-East,” he wrote on his X account.
He noted that the South-East has not produced a President or Vice President since 1999, adding that excluding the region in 2027 would be “unjust.”
“This Geo-Political Zone has neither produced a President or Vice President since 1999,” he stated.
Okonkwo also referenced the ADC’s origin, saying it was founded by a South-Easterner and should not be linked to further exclusion of the region.
“I did not join politics to assist in the further marginalisation of my own people,” he added, stating he would not support any ticket that excludes the South-East from both top positions in 2027.
MARKET ABDUCTION: A woman was reportedly abducted on Sunday while shopping with her husband and children at the popular Vegetable Market along Airport Road in Benin City, Edo State.
According to eyewitness accounts, armed men arrived at the market and took the woman away, causing panic among traders and shoppers. A witness who shared her experience online said she witnessed the incident firsthand and helped protect the victim’s children during the chaos, adding that she sustained minor bruises in the process.
Confirming the incident, Edo State Police spokesperson CSP Eno Ikoedem said the woman and her family had visited the market after church service when the abduction occurred. She stated that investigators are already working on the case and that the victim’s husband and other family members are cooperating with authorities.
The police said details surrounding the motive remain under investigation and urged the public to allow the inquiry to run its course while efforts continue to locate the woman and establish the full circumstances of the incident.
WORLD CUP TALK: South Africa captain Ronwen Williams has expressed disappointment after Bafana Bafana’s 2-0 defeat to Mexico in their opening 2026 FIFA World Cup match, saying he was surprised by the lack of support from other African fans.
Williams said he expected greater continental unity during the tournament, but felt many African supporters appeared to back Mexico instead of South Africa.
“Africans have always supported other African countries in every World Cup tournament, but I can’t figure out why our own case is different,” Williams said. “Many Africans supported Mexico, not us, the South Africans. We almost shed tears, but it’s truly sad. As Africans, let’s stand for each other, let’s stand together.”
His comments have sparked mixed reactions online, with some agreeing that African nations should show unity at global tournaments, while others linked the divided support to past tensions involving South Africa and foreign nationals, which they say has influenced perceptions among some fans.
WORLD CUP: Mexico’s Julian Quiñones has scored the first goal of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, finding the net in the ninth minute of the tournament’s opening match against South Africa at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
The goal came after a defensive error by South Africa, giving the co-hosts an early lead as they dominated the opening stages of the game.
The match officially kicked off the 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by Mexico, the United States, and Canada.
Before kickoff, fans were treated to an opening ceremony featuring performances from Burna Boy, Shakira, and other international entertainers.