🎬"Not a major tournament"

February 25, 2025

Good morning. Typically, the job of boats is not to sink. But not this time for the venerable SS United States—an engineering marvel when it first hit the seas in 1952 and broke the transatlantic speed record on its maiden voyage with an average speed of 36 knots (that’s about 67 km/h for the landlubbers). The 1,000-foot ship, which still holds the speed record for an ocean liner, began its final trip this week, which will end with it being sunk at the bottom of a gulf, where the plan is for it to become the world’s largest artificial reef.

— Edna Akanni, Chu Chu Sulley.

CURRENCIES

Currency exchange rates against the US Dollar as of market close. Here’s what these numbers mean

SPORTS
AFCON stakeholders respond to “not a major tournament” dig

Serge Doumbe/AFP via Getty

On Sunday Evening, right in the middle of your routine “I can’t believe the weekend is already over” cry, Sky Sports analyst and former Liverpool player, Jamie Carragher said in a post-match debrief that he believed Liverpool and Egypt forward, Mohammed Salah was at a disadvantage especially considering his Ballon d’Or chances because he plays during the African Cup of Nations (AFCON), a non-major tournament in his opinion.

During the live stream, he was instantly rebuffed by his co-hosts, former Premier League players, Daniel Sturridge and Micah Richards who insisted that AFCON was indeed a major football tournament and should be given more regard in the football world.

Just the latest episode

in a series of debased comments the competition has received over the years. While AFCON is the continent’s premier international competition, some European pundits continue to downplay its significance compared to tournaments like the UEFA European Championship and Copa América.

  • In 2021, the European Club Association(which represents major European clubs) threatened not to release players for the tournament due to fears of COVID-19, according to the AFP.

  • Since this year’s tournament begins in December and runs through January 2026, many clubs are considering not releasing their players, as the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be held later in the year.

A house united? Africa’s football governing body, CAF has since rebuffed Carragher’s claims. In an X post showing pictures from different editions of the competition, the body’s account tweeted “Major tournament”. Former AFCON winner, Ahmed El Mohamady also tweeted on Monday, “Jamie Carragher does not know what a major tournament is because he hasn’t won one.”

One relentless take. Despite the bevy of attacks he’s received, Carragher has maintained his stance on the competition, even calling former England teammate, Rio Ferdinand a clown after his comments that Carragher’s stance on the competition was ignorant. -EA.

TRENDING
Pope Francis is in critical condition

LightRocket via Getty

The head of the Roman Catholic Church, who turned 88 in December, experienced a “prolonged asthmatic crisis” on Saturday while being hospitalized for double pneumonia, the Vatican said. Over the weekend, he received “high flows of supplemental oxygen,” according to the statement, as well as infusions for a platelet deficiency. The pope was also said to be experiencing early stages of kidney failure, though it was “at present under control.” The Vatican described Pope Francis as “alert and well-oriented” on Sunday, noting that he attended Mass in his hospital suite’s chapel alongside his medical care team.

SHOWER THOUGHTS

“The advent of gift cards simultaneously saved and ruined gift giving.”

NEWS
Round the continent

Tour du Rwanda

  • The 2025 Tour du Rwanda kicked off on Saturday, with Belgian cyclist, Aldo Tallieu winning the prologue

  • Google, Meta will face penalties for anti-competitive behavior toward local South African media per Reuters.

  • The United Kingdom is planning to impose sanctions on Rwanda following its involvement in the crisis in DR Congo according to the UK Foreign Office.

  • Egypt’s Suez Canal is regaining traffic as more ships are rerouting from the Red Sea due to the ongoing Houthi pirate crisis.

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