Today's Voice Africa

The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, featuring 48 African teams, is underway, aiming to narrow down the teams to 24 for the tournament in Morocco. The qualifiers consist of a preliminary round, a group stage, and critical tiebreakers. Matches started in September, with the group stage ending in November. Key performances include Morocco's impressive plays and the surprising underperformance of Ghana.

Benjamin Mendy, former Manchester City defender, claims that many of his teammates attended alcohol-fueled parties during the COVID-19 lockdown and engaged in casual relationships, breaching restrictions. He's pursuing legal action for £11 million in withheld wages, believing he faced unjust punishment while others at these gatherings were not penalized. His testimony was brought forward in an employment tribunal seeking fairness and compensation.

Deniz Undav delivered a standout performance as Germany clinched a 2-1 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina, maintaining their unbeaten streak in the UEFA Nations League. Undav scored both goals in the first half, with the hosts pulling one back late through Edin Dzeko. Germany's win, aided by strong performances from Joshua Kimmich and Maximilian Mittelstadt, solidifies their position at the top of Group A3.

Paul Pogba, who was recently suspended due to doping violations, finds himself in advanced talks with Juventus for a mutual contract termination. Set to resume his career after an appeal reduced his suspension, Pogba is exploring options, with Manchester United and Marseille emerging as potential destinations. Former teammate Patrice Evra plays a pivotal role in guiding Pogba's next career move in football.

The Cameroonian government declared that President Paul Biya, aged 91, is in good health, addressing rumors about his prolonged absence from public life. This statement aims to alleviate concerns about the potential instability due to the lack of a succession plan. Since 1982, Biya, one of Africa's longest-serving leaders, has been crucial to the political landscape, making health updates critical.

Facing a severe economic crisis, South Africa's prominent trade union, Cosatu, is mobilizing millions for a massive strike scheduled for October 7, 2024. With over 1.8 million members, the federation demands changes in government policies that they claim have led to high unemployment, poverty, and inequality. The strike calls for a living wage, job security, and the cessation of state enterprise privatization, challenging government's ties with big business.

On October 5, 2024, Crystal Palace hosts Liverpool at Selhurst Park in a Premier League clash. The 7:30 a.m. ET match will be streamed for free via fuboTV's trial or DirecTV Stream and aired on USA Network. With players Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, and Trent Alexander-Arnold nearing contract ends, Liverpool faces critical decisions. Manager Arne Slot prioritizes team performance over contract discussions, aiming for a league lead with a win over Palace.

Inter Milan's midfielder Piotr Zielinski has lauded the team's midfield strength ahead of the decisive Champions League fixture against Red Star Belgrade. Returning to the starting lineup, Zielinski discusses the importance of competition within the squad and the crucial nature of securing three points for advancing in the tournament.

John Ashton, celebrated for his role as Sgt. John Taggart in the 'Beverly Hills Cop' series, has died at 76. He passed away in Fort Collins, Colorado, shortly after reprising his iconic role in the Netflix sequel 'Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F.' Ashton's career spanned over four decades, with notable roles in both film and television.

Explore the rich history and fascinating statistics of matches between Manchester City and Watford, focusing on their encounters in Manchester. Discover how dominant Manchester City has been at home and reflect on Watford's notable performances.

Tensions flared after Manchester City's dramatic stoppage-time equaliser against Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium. Erling Haaland's post-match comments to Mikel Arteta ignited a heated exchange, involving players from both teams. Manchester City retains a two-point lead over Arsenal despite the 2-2 draw that was marred by controversy and cards.

Raphinha shares his profound respect and pride in wearing the Barcelona jersey, illuminating its symbolic importance. As Barcelona enjoys a robust start to the 2024-25 season under Hansi Flick, his reflections offer insight into the profound emotional and professional commitment required to represent the club's rich history and legacy.