Africa Daily Dispatch - Page 3
Ballon d'Or 2025 Odds: Ousmane Dembele Becomes Hot Favourite
Betting markets have pushed Ousmane Dembele to 1/3 odds for the 2025 Ballon d'Or, making him the clear front‑runner. Barcelona teen Lamine Yamal sits as the main challenger at 9/4, while other stars like Raphinha and Mohamed Salah trail further behind. Dembele's form with PSG and the rise of new talent shape a thrilling race ahead of the October ceremony.
Brighton’s Late Comeback Stuns West Ham in 3-2 Premier League Thriller
Brighton turned a 2-1 deficit into a 3-2 win over West Ham at the American Express Stadium on April 26, 2025. Yasin Ayari opened the scoring, but Mohammed Kudus equalised early in the second half. Tomáš Souček seemed to seal the game with an 83rd‑minute header, yet Kaoru Mitoma and Carlos Baleba struck in the final minutes. The result lifts Brighton’s season momentum while West Ham faces mounting pressure on Graham Potter.
F-15J jets land in UK for the first time, marking Japan’s debut combat deployment to Europe
Japan’s Air Self-Defense Force has flown F-15J fighters to the UK for the first time, a historic debut for Japanese combat aircraft in Europe. The “Atlantic Eagles” mission highlights closer Japan-UK defense ties and deeper Indo-Pacific–Euro-Atlantic cooperation. The jets launched from Hokkaido, with tanker and transport support, and will continue to Germany after training in Britain.
Eskom EV rollout: BYD partnership aims to supercharge South Africa’s charging network
Eskom has deployed its first fleet of 20 electric vehicles and 10 internal chargers, then signed a cooperation deal with BYD a week later to speed up EV adoption in South Africa. The partnership backs the BYD Dolphin Surf launch and targets public charging expansion, skills development, and jobs. Future plans include renewable-powered fast-charging hubs and battery reuse for energy storage.
UEFA Super Cup: Real Madrid beat Eintracht Frankfurt 2-0 to equal all-time record in Helsinki
Real Madrid beat Eintracht Frankfurt 2-0 in Helsinki to win their fifth UEFA Super Cup. David Alaba and Karim Benzema scored, with Benzema moving past Raúl as Madrid’s second-highest scorer. Casemiro was named MVP, while Tchouaméni and Rüdiger made debuts. Carlo Ancelotti claimed a record fourth Super Cup as a coach.
Karol G Halftime Show: How to Watch YouTube’s First Exclusive NFL Broadcast from São Paulo
Karol G will headline the halftime show during YouTube’s first-ever exclusive NFL live broadcast on September 5, 2025, as the Chiefs face the Chargers in São Paulo. The game streams free worldwide on YouTube, with pregame at 4 p.m. PT/7 p.m. ET/8 p.m. BRT and kickoff at 5 p.m. PT/8 p.m. ET/9 p.m. BRT. Here’s how to watch and why this crossover matters for sports and music.
Leicester edge Birmingham 2-1 with late winner to go top of the Championship
Leicester beat Birmingham 2-1 at the King Power Stadium with a late winner to go top of the Championship. Abdul Fatawu scored early before the visitors hit back, but the Foxes found a late edge to seal it. The result stretches Leicester’s unbeaten run against Birmingham to 12 meetings and underlines their strong start to the season.
Copa Libertadores: Universitario end 15-year wait with gritty draw at River Plate
Universitario de Deportes reached the Copa Libertadores Round of 16 for the first time since 2010 after a tense 1-1 draw with River Plate in Buenos Aires. In front of 65,519 fans, River topped Group B while Universitario sealed second place and a historic knockout return. Facundo Colidio was named Player of the Match. Raphael Claus refereed a night full of emotion and hard defending.
Ben Shelton’s Stunning Masters 1000 Win Sets Up High-Stakes US Open Run
Ben Shelton powered to his first ATP Masters 1000 win in Toronto, becoming the youngest American to do so since 2004. Now ranked World No. 6, Shelton eyes ending the American men's Grand Slam drought with newfound confidence and a stronger mental game ahead of the US Open.
West Indies vs Pakistan 2025 1st T20: Live Streaming, Match Start Time, and Broadcast Guide
West Indies and Pakistan kick off their 2025 T20 series on August 1 in Florida. Fans can watch live via Fancode (India), Tapmad (Pakistan), ESPN/Disney+ (Caribbean), and ESPN+ (USA). Both teams, eager for a comeback after recent losses, look to sharpen their squads ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Ajax Dismantle Celtic 5-1 in Ruthless Pre-Season Friendly at Como Cup
Ajax crushed Celtic 5-1 in a pre-season clash at the Como Cup, showing far more sharpness and depth. Steven Berghuis scored twice, while Ajax’s attacking force overwhelmed Celtic’s struggling defense. Despite some chances, Celtic couldn’t match Ajax’s intensity.
Man United Close in on Bryan Mbeumo With Bold £70m+ Transfer as Summer Overhaul Accelerates
Man United have agreed a £70m-plus deal to sign Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford, aiming to boost their attack after a difficult season. Big changes are underway with new signings and several departures, as United look to complete more transfers, especially for a new goalkeeper.