Author: newsnote correspondent
Lyle Foster’s stunning late goal propelled South Africa to a 2-1 victory over Angola in their opening Group B match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations at the Grand Stade de Marrakech on Monday night. The Burnley striker curled home a superb effort from outside the box in the 79th minute, restoring Bafana Bafana’s lead after a resilient Angola had fought back to level terms before halftime. The win marked a perfect start for Hugo Broos’ side, who are seen as dark horses in the tournament hosted in Morocco. It also celebrated a personal milestone for the Belgian coach,…
At least nine people were killed and ten others wounded in a brutal shooting at the KwaNoxolo tavern in Bekkersdal township early on Sunday morning, 21 December 2025, sparking fresh outrage and renewed demands for military intervention in the violence-plagued area. Eyewitnesses say a group of approximately 12 gunmen arrived in a white minibus and a silver sedan shortly before 1 a.m., stormed the licensed tavern in the Tambo section, and opened fire indiscriminately on patrons. The attackers continued shooting at people in the streets as they fled the scene, leaving a trail of bodies and chaos. South African Police…
Emergency services in Tshwane are conducting an intensive search operation along the Hennops River following a missing persons report filed with police on Sunday. The effort aims to rule out the possibility that a vehicle was swept away by raging floodwaters caused by relentless heavy rains battering the region. Swift-water rescue teams and search specialists are on site, but high water levels and strong currents have forced personnel to delay entering the river until conditions improve for safety reasons. Tshwane Emergency Services spokesperson Nana Radebe Kgiba explained: “Yesterday, we received a call from SAPS, who were at the Hennops River…
Hosts Morocco kicked off their quest for a second Africa Cup of Nations title with a hard-fought 2-0 victory over a resilient Comoros side in the tournament opener at a rain-soaked Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium on Sunday, December 21, 2025. The Atlas Lions, without influential captain Achraf Hakimi who remained on the bench due to an ankle injury, dominated possession but were frustrated by Comoros’ deep defense and goalkeeper Yannick Pandor in the first half. An early penalty won after Iyad Mohamed fouled Brahim Díaz in the box was saved brilliantly by Pandor, denying Soufiane Rahimi from the spot in…
A brutal mass shooting at the KwaNoxolo Tavern in the Tambo informal settlement of Bekkersdal left nine people dead and at least 10 others wounded in the early hours of Sunday, December 21, 2025. The attack occurred just before 1 a.m. when approximately 12 armed suspects arrived in a white Toyota Quantum minibus and a silver sedan. The gunmen stormed the licensed tavern and opened fire indiscriminately on patrons, using at least nine 9mm pistols and one AK-47 rifle. As they fled, they continued shooting randomly into the streets, striking people outside the establishment. Among the victims were seven men…
The 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) gets underway today, as host nation Morocco takes on Comoros in the tournament’s curtain-raiser at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat. A spectacular opening ceremony, showcasing Morocco’s rich cultural heritage and African unity through music and performances, is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. local time (GMT+1), ahead of the 8:00 p.m. kick-off. The Atlas Lions, led by coach Walid Regragui, enter the competition as clear favorites, bolstered by home advantage, their status as Africa’s top-ranked team, and an impressive squad featuring stars like Brahim Díaz, Youssef En-Nesyri, and…
As Africa gears up for the continent’s biggest football showcase, music is set to share the spotlight with sport at the opening of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025. Global icon Angélique Kidjo, alongside Jaylann and L’Artiste, will perform the tournament’s official anthem during the opening ceremony ahead of the clash between hosts Morocco and Comoros on Sunday, 21 December. The title of the song will be revealed during the live performance. The anthem blends three distinct musical identities: the vibrant energy of Morocco’s rising pop scene, the global urban influences shaped in Europe, and the…
tense family hostage standoff in Wentworth, south of Durban, concluded peacefully on Sunday after several hours, with police arresting the armed suspect and safely releasing his wife and young child. The incident began shortly before 6am when a man, believed to be in his 40s, allegedly held his wife and their child – aged between four and five – hostage inside a vehicle near the corner of Jonas Road and Austerville Drive. Reports indicate the man had attempted to leave a nearby block of flats with his family before being intercepted by police, leading to the standoff close to the…
Nine people were killed and ten others wounded when a group of heavily armed men opened fire at a tavern in Bekkersdal, west of Johannesburg, in the early hours of Sunday morning. Police said about 12 gunmen arrived shortly before 1am in a white Toyota Quantum and a silver or grey Toyota Etios at the KwaNoxolo tavern in the Tambo section of the township. The suspects allegedly opened fire indiscriminately on patrons inside and outside the tavern before continuing to shoot randomly in the surrounding streets as they fled. Five people were killed inside the tavern, three outside the premises,…
In a landmark announcement on the eve of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Confederation of African Football (CAF) President Patrice Motsepe revealed that the continent’s premier tournament will transition to being held every four years starting after a planned 2028 edition. The decision marks a significant departure from the biennial format that has defined AFCON since its inception in 1957, aimed at harmonizing the African football calendar with the increasingly congested global schedule. Speaking to reporters in Rabat ahead of the opening match of the Morocco-hosted tournament, Motsepe outlined the restructuring: “Our focus now is on this AFCON,…