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The French football legend Thierry Henry has openly criticised the quality of officiating at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), saying the referees handling matches at the tournament are not operating at the level expected of such a major competition.

The former Arsenal star made the comments after the controversial final between Morocco and Senegal, a match that ended amid heated protests and nearly saw Senegalese players walk off the pitch over disputed officiating decisions.

Speaking on CBS Sports Golazo, Henry said several of the controversies witnessed at AFCON were the result of poor officiating, stressing that referees were not adequately prepared for the intensity and quality of football on display.

“The referees are not at the level of the show,” Henry said. “A lot of what happens in these tournaments comes from referee mistakes. I’m not blaming the referees themselves, but those responsible for training and preparing them to match the standard of the football we are watching.”

The final was overshadowed by major incidents, including a disallowed goal for Senegal’s Ismaila Sarr and a late penalty awarded to Morocco’s Brahim Díaz, both of which sparked outrage from the Senegalese camp.

While Henry said he understood Senegal’s frustration, he strongly condemned the team’s attempt to abandon the match, describing it as unacceptable.

“Trying to leave the field was wrong. That’s not the image you want to give, not for African football and not for football anywhere in the world,” he said.

Reflecting on his long-standing admiration for the tournament, Henry revealed that his love for AFCON began in 1988 when Morocco hosted the competition and Cameroon defeated Nigeria 1–0 in the final.

He described AFCON as a platform that has consistently showcased world-class talent, noting that African greats such as Didier Drogba, Samuel Eto’o and Austin ‘Jay-Jay’ Okocha first made their mark on the global stage through the tournament.

Meanwhile, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has suspended Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw, as investigations into the incidents surrounding the final continue.

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Turkey, Saudi Arabia and other predominantly Muslim countries have announced they had accepted U.S. President Donald Trump’s invitation to join the so-called Gaza Board of Peace.

The Foreign Ministers of the two countries, as well as those of Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates announced in a statement that their countries shared decision to join the Board of Peace.

The United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Pakistan had previously announced their participation separately.

The ministers reaffirmed “their countries’ commitment to supporting the implementation of the mission of the Board of Peace as a transitional administration in the Gaza Strip.

“The mission is set out in the Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict and it is endorsed by United Nations Security Council Resolution 2803,” they said.

A total of 60 countries have received invitations to the Board of Peace, which is part of the second phase of Trump’s peace plan for Gaza, which has been largely destroyed by the war between Israel and the Palestinian militant organisation Hamas.

Some European countries, including Germany and France, have been largely cautious so far.

Diplomats who have seen the board’s charter said it is an undisguised challenge to the United Nations, which Trump has repeatedly criticised as dysfunctional.

There are indications that the U.S. government wants to greatly expand the board’s mandate to address crises and conflicts worldwide, not just Gaza. (dpa/NAN)

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The Federal Government has announced plans to finally scrap the long-standing dichotomy between Higher National Diploma (HND) and Bachelor’s degree holders by empowering polytechnics across the country to award degrees.

The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, made this known in Abuja while addressing a high-level retreat attended by council chairmen, commissioners of education, rectors, registrars and bursars of polytechnics nationwide.

Describing the decision as a major policy shift, Dr. Alausa said the reform would put an end to decades of discrimination against polytechnic graduates and reposition polytechnics as centres of excellence within Nigeria’s higher education system.

According to him, the move is aimed at strengthening technical and vocational education while preserving the hands-on, industry-focused training that polytechnics are known for.

“Nigeria’s future competitiveness depends on a workforce that can create, build and solve real-world problems,” the minister said, adding that the reform aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which focuses on job creation, industrial expansion and human capital development.

With degree-awarding powers, polytechnics are expected to attract stronger industry partnerships, improved funding opportunities and greater public confidence. Dr. Alausa assured stakeholders that the transition would be guided by clear standards, strict regulation and quality assurance measures to ensure global competitiveness.

“Transforming Polytechnic Education in Nigeria: Innovation, Good Governance and Sustainability for National Development,” the minister stressed that polytechnics remain central to building a skills-driven economy.

He said the Ministry of Education has prioritised Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to ensure graduates are industry-ready, innovative and capable of driving economic growth.

Dr. Alausa urged polytechnic leaders to promote innovation through entrepreneurship centres, research hubs and strong industry partnerships, identifying renewable energy, agri-technology, digital manufacturing and climate-resilient solutions as priority areas.

On governance, he warned that transparency, accountability and ethical leadership must define the new era of polytechnic administration. He called for fiscal discipline, timely audits, prudent resource management and zero tolerance for corruption.

The minister also emphasised sustainability, encouraging institutions to boost internally generated revenue through production and service delivery, develop eco-friendly campuses and build resilient infrastructure. Polytechnics, he said, should aim to produce what they consume and help reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imports.

While acknowledging challenges such as funding gaps, outdated facilities and societal bias in favour of university degrees, Dr. Alausa said the opportunities ahead far outweigh the obstacles.

He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting polytechnics through policy reforms, infrastructure upgrades and strategic partnerships. He also announced a special TETFund intervention this year to equip polytechnic engineering schools with modern facilities, following a similar upgrade of 12 medical colleges last year.

Charging participants to return to their institutions as agents of change, the minister said, “The future of our youth, our economy and our nation depends on the transformation we ignite here today.”

Education experts at the retreat described the announcement as a turning point, noting that it would boost enrolment, motivate students and staff, and strengthen the role of polytechnics in key sectors such as manufacturing, technology, agriculture and renewable energy.