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Divock Origi retires from football at 31 after career with Liverpool and AC Milan
via Punch Nigeria1 min read
Former Belgium striker Divock Origi has announced his retirement from football at the age of 31. Origi is well-known for his time with Liverpool, where he scored two goals in the 2019 Champions League semi-final comeback against Barcelona and another in the final victory over Tottenham Hotspur. He also scored six goals in Merseyside derbies against Everton. In total, Origi scored 41 goals in 175 appearances for Liverpool, 68 of which were starts. He also won the Premier League with Liverpool in 2020. Origi began his career at Lille, later joining AC Milan on a free transfer in 2022, and had a season-long loan with Nottingham Forest in 2024. Origi stated in a social media post that his purpose as a player is fulfilled, having lived out his childhood dreams and won major trophies. He expressed gratitude to fans, clubs, coaches, and teammates, indicating he is now moving on to his next calling.
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Nigeria's Super Falcons defeated Tanzania 2-1 in an international friendly, concluding their preparations for the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. Captain Rasheedat Ajibade scored the opening goal in the first half, but Tanzania equalized before halftime. Esther Okoronkwo secured the 2-1 victory with a late goal. This friendly allowed Head Coach Justin Madugu to evaluate his squad and refine tactics. The win is expected to boost the Super Falcons' confidence as they aim for their 11th WAFCON title. Nigeria will now focus on the group stage of the 2026 WAFCON.
Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, the President-elect of the Nigerian Bar Association, has stated she would resign if credible evidence emerged that the election which led to her presidency was rigged. Speaking on TVC News, Badejo-Okusanya addressed allegations from some contestants and lawyers that the 2026 NBA presidential election was manipulated in her favor. She maintained that the electronic voting process underwent unprecedented scrutiny and showed no signs of manipulation, noting that she consistently led throughout the election with a widening gap. Badejo-Okusanya dismissed suggestions of vote dumping or sudden spikes in votes, asserting the election was transparent and closely monitored. She also rejected comparisons to former President Umaru Musa Yar鈥橝dua, reiterating her commitment to resigning if the process that produced her was found to be compromised. Furthermore, she denied claims of backing from the outgoing NBA President, Afam Osigwe, SAN, and dismissed suggestions that her family ties to the Federal Government would compromise the NBA's independence, emphasizing her loyalty to the Bar members. Badejo-Okusanya aims for her tenure to make the NBA more professionally relevant to its members and to uphold the rule of law. Her comments come amidst ongoing controversy over the July 2026 NBA national election, where she became the first woman elected president with 12,317 votes. The first runner-up, Lateef Akangbe, SAN, and another presidential candidate, Olumuyi
Must ReadThe Regional Observatory of Onion in West and Central Africa ORO has expressed alarm over the continued seizure of Nigerian onion trucks in Ghana, urging the Nigerian Federal Government to intervene to prevent a regional trade crisis. ORO President Isa Aliyu stated that several trucks loaded with onions have been stranded at Kotoku Market in Ghana since July 21, after Ghanaian onion traders reportedly prevented them from offloading produce. Aliyu, who is also the National President of the National Onion Producers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria NOPPMAN, highlighted that this situation is causing significant losses for Nigerian farmers, exporters, and transporters. He warned that the prolonged detention of the perishable goods could undermine Nigeria鈥檚 cross-border trade and violate ECOWAS trade protocols. Despite interventions from the Nigerian High Commission in Ghana, the Embassy of the Republic of Niger, and the ECOWAS Trade Directorate, the trucks remain unreleased. Aliyu emphasized that Ghanaian traders enjoy unrestricted access to Nigerian markets, purchasing over 50 trucks of onions from Nigeria without discrimination, while Nigeria exports about 16 trucks weekly to Ghana. He asserted that the blockade violates the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme and the African Continental Free Trade Area, which ensure the free movement of goods among member states. Aliyu appealed to the Federal Government for diplomatic engagement with Ghana to protect Nigerian bu