Today's Voice Africa - Page three

Bayern Munich's manager, Vincent Kompany, stresses the critical nature of their upcoming DFB-Pokal match against Mainz. He views this second-round tie as crucial as a final, aiming to mend past failures in the tournament. The match against Mainz offers Bayern a significant chance to advance further, aligning with Kompany’s vision of achieving success across all competitions for the team.

Reports indicate that Manchester City star Rodri is poised to win the prestigious Ballon d'Or award at the upcoming ceremony in Paris. Despite technical issues preventing access to the main article, credible secondary sources affirm Rodri's potential victory. In an unexpected turn, Real Madrid is rumored to be boycotting the event, allegedly due to their star player Vinicius Jr. not receiving an invitation to the stage.

Sevilla's Dodi Lukebakio delivered an outstanding performance against Espanyol, scoring a decisive double that put his team in the lead. His first goal, a spectacular strike, came 20 minutes into the game, showcasing his talent as a right winger. The Belgian player's contributions have been pivotal, emphasizing his key role in Sevilla's strategies this season. With growing form, Lukebakio's on-field prowess continues to be a significant asset.

Luka Modric, the esteemed midfielder for Real Madrid, is on the brink of suspension in the Champions League if booked again in their upcoming match against Borussia Dortmund. With two prior yellow cards this season, another would bench him in a pivotal clash versus AC Milan. Manager Carlo Ancelotti faces a challenge in managing Modric amid current team injuries, making strategic play essential to season success.

Senator Lidia Thorpe expressed her defiance towards the British monarchy by vocally confronting King Charles III during his speech at the Australian Parliament. Her demand for the return of land and recognition of Indigenous sovereignty reflects long-standing tensions between Indigenous Australians and colonial legacies. Thorpe emphasized the need for reparations, including the return of Aboriginal remains and a formal treaty.

Juventus is set to face Lazio in a thrilling Serie A matchup at the Allianz Stadium after the international break. Coached by Thiago Motta, Juventus currently stands third in the league with a strong start to the season. Despite facing several injuries, they are favorites against Marco Baroni's Lazio. Fans can catch the action live on Paramount+ as Juventus aims to narrow the gap with Napoli at the top of the table.

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.