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Witch doctor nabbed for alleged scam after promising Mali AFCON trophy victory
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A self-proclaimed witch doctor who allegedly collected €33,500 by promising victory for Mali in the Africa Cup of Nations, was arrested for fraud after the team lost.
Mali’s national team was eliminated last Friday in the quarter finals by Senegal 1-0.
The man, identified only as Mr Sinayogo, allegedly collected more than 22 million CFA francs in donations, according to an associate.
Following Mali’s defeat, an angry mob showed up at his home before police intervened and removed him.
Sinayogo was arrested in the Malian capital Bamako on Saturday for alleged “fraud” and was being held at the cybercrime division, according to two videographers who visited him.
“Charlatanism is punishable by law in Mali,” an official from the division told AFP.
However, arresting the man while the national team was still competing would have been difficult “in the heat of the Africa Cup of Nations,” he added.
The man, formerly known as a political activist, “proclaimed himself a marabout overnight and made a fortune,” a social media content creator close to him said.
Senegal Triumph
Recalled Iliman Ndiaye scored in the first half to give Senegal a 1-0 victory over 10-man Mali in Tangiers on Friday in the first Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final.
Mali hopes were dealt a severe blow in first-half added time when captain Yves Bissouma was sent off after being shown a second yellow card.
The only goal followed a blunder by Mali goalkeeper Djigui Diarra, who then made a string of superb saves to prevent Senegal increasing their lead.
Seeking a third final appearance in four editions, 2022 champions Senegal will face title-holders Ivory Coast or record seven-time winners Egypt, who meet on Saturday, in the semi-finals.
“I am happy to have won the player of the match award, but the most important thing is we have progressed to the semi-finals. We played well and are constantly improving,” said Ndiaye.
The 25-year-old Everton striker started in all three group matches, but was an unused substitute in the last-16 victory over Sudan six days ago.
Senegal coach Pape Thiaw said: “It was not an easy match against a talented Mali team. Had we been more clinical in front of goal we could have scored more goals.”
“It was a difficult match for us because we had to play (half) of it with 10 men,” said Mali coach Tom Saintfiet. “I am proud of the players for what they did, not only tonight but throughout the AFCON.”
Bissouma was yellow-carded midway through the opening half for fouling Senegal striker and twice African player of the year Sadio Mane.
Mali striker Lassine Sinayoko then broke clear only to be foiled by superb sliding tackle from fellow French Ligue 1 player Krepin Diatta.
AFP
England had been on course to reach their first World Cup final since 1966 after Anthony Gordon fired them into the lead 10 minutes after half-time in the semi-final in front of 68,239 fans in Atlanta.
But the great rivalry between these nations has produced several memorable contests on the World Cup stage down the years, and this will be remembered as the stuff of legends in Argentina as the South Americans denied England with two late sucker punches.
Messi set up Enzo Fernandez to fire in an 85th-minute equaliser and then, with extra time looming, crossed for substitute Lautaro Martinez to head in the winner in the second minute of stoppage time.
It was maybe not quite up there with Diego Maradona’s legendary display in putting England to the sword in 1986, but the goals this time brought Argentina back from the dead and kept alive their hopes of winning back-to-back World Cups.
Argentina are in the final of the World Cup! The defending champions fought back from one goal down to defeat England and book a date in Sunday’s game.
Argentina will face Spain in the final on Sunday, July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
World football governing body, FIFA, has made a key video assistant referee, VAR decision ahead of the much exected World Cup semi-final match between England and Argentina.
The match will be played in Atlanta on Wednesday.
FIFA has opted to deploy an on-site VAR team for this high-profile encounter.
Previously, the VAR team had been functioning from a central hub located at the International Broadcast Centre in Dallas, regardless of the venue of each match.
However, for this particular game, the on-site officials will act as a backup in the event of any technical or communication difficulties.
Dan Hunt, a member of the Organising Committee, elaborated on the decision to have VAR operate on-site for the second semi-final as reported by Sport Bible.
He said, “There is a significant amount of drama that occurs during these matches. Moreover, when only four officials are tasked with overseeing the action on a field that is considerably larger than an American football field, it becomes quite challenging
“I am pleased that there will be on-site officials. I am uncertain about how the communication will be managed.”
FIFA has faced considerable criticism for the inconsistent VAR decisions throughout the tournament, with the defending champions Argentina benefiting from favorable calls without any against them, while England has experienced the opposite, resulting in a net negative outcome.
Arsenal legend, Thierry Henry, has reacted to the Les Bleus’ World Cup semi-final 2-0 defeat to Spain.
Henry said that the La Roja were far superior to France during the encounter.
Spain defeated France on Tuesday to qualify for the World Cup final, thanks to goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro.
“Too little from France at the end of the day. Spain controlled the game on and off the ball,” Henry said on Fox Sports.
“They showed why they are European champions, they are showing why they are going into the final.
“Nothing to add, they were far superior, and there is nothing to say about it. Spain, congratulations. you deserves to go to the final,” he said.
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