Senegal’s 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign has suffered another major setback after midfielder Pape Gueye announced he is stepping away from international football for as long as head coach Pape Thiaw remains in charge.   The 27-year-old made the announcement following Senegal’s painful Round of 16 exit, where the Teranga Lions surrendered a two-goal lead to lose 3-2 to Belgium after extra time. According to Punch Newspapers, Gueye shared his decision on social media in a post written in French, saying he would speak further about Senegal’s elimination later but had no intention of continuing under the current coaching crew. “I’ll come back to speak about our elimination, but today I announce that as long as this technical staff remains, I will take a break from the national team,” Gueye wrote. Senegal had looked firmly in control of the match after first-half goals from Habib Diarra and Ismaila Sarr gave them a commanding 2-0 lead. But Belgium mounted a dramatic comeback. Romelu Lukaku and Youri Tielemans scored late to force extra time before Tielemans converted a penalty in the 125th minute after a VAR review to seal a stunning victory. The defeat ended Senegal’s hopes of reaching the quarter-finals and securing their first World Cup knockout-stage win since their memorable debut run in 2002. Gueye’s decision has intensified pressure on Thiaw, whose substitutions while protecting Senegal’s lead have drawn criticism from fans and analysts. Speaking after the match, Thiaw defended his decisions, insisting fatigue forced the changes rather than tactical choices. “They were tired and couldn’t continue. Leaving them on the field would have been unprofessional on our part. We had to replace them like for like,” Thiaw said. “Of course, when you lose a match after leading 2-0, people will talk about the substitutions. But you can’t reduce everything to that.”

Suspected gunmen launched another attack on the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies in Kuru, Plateau State, late Wednesday night, but security operatives successfully repelled the assault, killing one of the attackers.   According to a report by Punch Newspapers, the attack happened around 11pm when the armed men allegedly attempted to breach the institute’s security perimeter. In a statement issued on Thursday by the institute’s Head of Public Affairs, Dr Osime Samuel, NIPSS said security personnel engaged the attackers in a gun battle and forced them to retreat after a swift response. The institute confirmed that one of the assailants was killed during the exchange, while others reportedly escaped with injuries. “The attackers engaged security operatives in a gun duel but were forced to retreat following the swift and coordinated response of the security forces. One of the assailants was neutralised during the encounter, while others were reported to have escaped with varying degrees of injuries,” the statement said. NIPSS added that there was no breach of its security perimeter and all participants, staff, residents and facilities remained safe. Security agencies have since intensified efforts to track and apprehend the fleeing suspects, while surveillance and other proactive security measures have been strengthened within and around the institute. The institute also urged residents and the public to ignore misinformation capable of causing panic, reassuring them that the safety of lives and property remains its top priority. The latest attack comes less than two weeks after another assault on the institute and surrounding community, during which three people, including security personnel, were killed. That incident prompted heightened security around Nigeria’s leading policy and leadership training institution.

The United States men’s national soccer team booked a place in the FIFA World Cup round of 16 after defeating Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team 2-0 in a dramatic round of 32 clash on Wednesday.   According to Channels Television, Folarin Balogun gave the hosts the lead just before half-time before being sent off in the second half, forcing the Americans to finish the game with 10 men. The co-hosts claimed their first World Cup knockout win in nearly 25 years and only their second ever, setting up a last-16 showdown with Belgium national football team in Seattle. Bosnia started brightly and created early chances through veteran striker Edin Džeko and Ermedin Demirović, but the Americans gradually gained control. Balogun broke the deadlock in the 45th minute after a quick move involving Tim Ream and Malik Tillman. Tillman’s pass fell kindly for Balogun, who calmly slotted home to send the home crowd into celebration. The game turned in the 64th minute when Balogun was shown a straight red card after a VAR review ruled he stamped on Tarik Muharemović. Despite the setback, the United States men’s national soccer team held firm. Coach Mauricio Pochettino rallied his side during a hydration break, urging them to stay united and fight for the result. The decisive moment came in the 82nd minute when Tillman curled a superb free-kick beyond goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj to seal victory. The Americans survived intense late pressure, with Bosnia substitute Ermin Mahmić going close in stoppage time, but ultimately held on for a famous win. Pochettino praised his players after the match, describing the performance as a display of character and unity under pressure. For Bosnia, coach Sergej Barbarez said his side could still take pride in reaching the World Cup knockout stage for the first time. The victory keeps the USA’s World Cup dream alive on home soil as they prepare for a high-stakes clash against Belgium.

The death toll from devastating floods in Côte d’Ivoire has risen sharply to 59, following days of heavy rainfall and landslides that battered parts of the country.   According to TheCable, government spokesperson Amadou Coulibaly announced the updated figure after a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, describing the casualty rate as unusually high this year. Authorities said search and rescue operations are still ongoing, with fears that the death toll could increase further as emergency teams continue to assess affected communities. Belmonde Dogo, Côte d’Ivoire’s minister of social cohesion, said the flooding was triggered by continuous rainfall that began on the night of June 27, causing widespread destruction in the commercial capital, Abidjan, and surrounding areas. Videos and photos shared online showed submerged vehicles, flooded roads and residential neighbourhoods overwhelmed by rising waters. Officials have urged residents living in high-risk areas to follow safety instructions and evacuate where necessary to reduce further casualties. The disaster adds to growing concerns over severe flooding across West Africa, with countries including Nigeria and Ghana also experiencing heavy rainfall and flood-related disruptions. Flooding remains a recurring challenge in many African countries, worsened by increasingly extreme weather patterns. The World Meteorological Organization has repeatedly warned that Africa remains among the regions most vulnerable to climate-related disasters despite contributing minimally to global greenhouse gas emissions.