Oscar Pistorius, Track Star Turned Convicted Murderer, Set To Leave Jail –
Oscar Pistorius’ life story from before and after Valentine’s Day 2013 reads like the script to two markedly different films – the first an inspirational sporting biopic and the second a grim tale of murder.
In the first he was the “Blade Runner”, the multiple Paralympic gold medallist with carbon-fibre prosthetic legs who became the first double amputee to compete in the Olympics when he took part in the 2012 London games.
In the second he was the man convicted of murdering his 29-year-old girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp – a model and promising law graduate – by shooting her through the door of a bathroom in his Pretoria home.
On Friday, he will be back in the spotlight when he will be released from prison nearly 11 years after the killing. He was granted parole on Nov. 24, to take effect on Jan. 5.
Pistorius, who was born without fibulas and had both legs amputated below the knees before his first birthday, was once seen as the embodiment of human triumph over adversity.
The Johannesburg-born athlete gained global fame in the early 2000s, when he won Paralympic gold in the 200 metres at the Games in Athens.
Pistorius then set his sights on running against able-bodied athletes at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, but was barred from competing in the event by World Athletics – then called the International Association of Athletics Federations.
The ban was eventually overturned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, but Pistorius failed to qualify for the Olympics, coming within 0.70 seconds of the qualifying standard for the 400 metres in Beijing.
Undeterred, he swept that year’s Paralympics, taking home the 100, 200 and 400 metre gold medals, before launching a bid to qualify for 2012 Olympics in London.
This time he was successful, and reached the 400m semi-finals and competed for South Africa in the 4x400m relay.
He also won another three Paralympic medals that year but then, on Feb. 14, 2013, he shot and killed Steenkamp.
A gun enthusiast, he told the trial he had believed Steenkamp was an intruder when he shot her several times with ammunition designed to inflict maximum damage to the human body. It was an account he repeated over the years.
He was initially jailed for five years in 2014 for culpable homicide by a high court. But the Supreme Court of Appeal in late 2015 found him guilty of the more serious charge of murder after an appeal by prosecutors.
He was jailed in 2016, initially for six years which was later increased to more than 13 after an appeal by prosecutors who argued the initial sentence was too lenient.
In 2022, Pistorius met Steenkamp’s father Barry during a process known as victim-offender dialogue – part of South Africa’s restorative justice programme that brings parties affected by a crime together in a bid to achieve closure.
Few details were made public about the meeting and Steenkamp’s father died in 2023.
Her mother June said in a statement before the parole hearing for Pistorius, now 37 years old, that she was not convinced he had been rehabilitated.
But she added that she had forgiven him “long ago as I knew most certainly that I would not be able to survive if I had to cling to my anger”.
-Reuters
The Republic of Mali has officially withdrawn its recognition of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), marking a significant shift in its foreign policy on the long-standing Western Sahara dispute.
The announcement was made in a government statement delivered by Mali’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Abdoulaye Diop, following a high-level meeting with Morocco’s Foreign Minister, Nasser Bourita, in Bamako.
According to the statement, the decision came “following a thorough review” of the Western Sahara issue, which Mali said has direct implications for peace and security in the sub-region. As a result, Bamako declared that it no longer recognises the SADR, a self-proclaimed state backed by the Polisario Front.
The visit of Bourita to Mali was undertaken under the directive of King Mohammed VI, reflecting Morocco’s sustained diplomatic push to consolidate support for its position on Western Sahara across Africa.
In a notable policy alignment, Mali expressed its support for Morocco’s autonomy proposal, describing it as “the only serious and credible basis” for resolving the dispute. The Malian government added that granting genuine autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty represents “the most realistic solution” to the conflict.
Mali also reaffirmed its backing for ongoing international efforts to resolve the issue, including initiatives led by the United Nations. It specifically referenced support for the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy and the provisions of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2797 (2025), which addresses the situation in Western Sahara.
The Malian government stated that it would formally communicate its new position to regional and international organisations of which it is a member, as well as to members of the diplomatic corps accredited in Bamako.
Mali’s decision is expected to have wider diplomatic implications within Africa, where countries remain divided over the status of Western Sahara, one of the continent’s most enduring geopolitical disputes.
By Kunle Solaja
There is something almost mystical about Nigeria’s encounters with the Jamaican national football team. Across decades, friendly matches and tournament clashes between the Super Eagles and the Reggae Boyz have evolved into more than routine fixtures—they have become stages for beginnings and endings.
As Nigeria prepares for yet another meeting steeped in history, attention has turned to Arthur Okonkwo, the England-born goalkeeper who recently switched allegiance to Nigeria. Should he feature, he would be the latest name added to a long list of players whose Super Eagles journeys either began—or found closure—against Jamaica.
Where Legends Took Their Final Bow
The story dates back memorably to February 22, 1998, in Kingston. That 2-2 draw remains etched in Nigerian football folklore—not just for the result, but for what it symbolised.
Rashidi Yekini, Nigeria’s all-time leading scorer, opened the scoring in the 34th minute. But the game would ultimately mark his final goal for the Super Eagles.
Rashidi Yekini’s final international goal for Nigeria was against Jamaica in 1998
Alongside him, Samson Siasia also found the net—his equaliser in the 77th minute proving to be both his last international goal and his final appearance in national colours.
Samson Siasia scores his final Super Eagles goal—against Jamaica in 1998
That match, rich in sentiment, also quietly ushered in a new generation. Sunday Adu and James Obiorah made their debuts, setting a precedent that has curiously endured.
A Tradition of First Steps
Four years later, when both sides met again at Loftus Road in London, it was James Obiorah who took centre stage. His lone strike secured victory for Nigeria—and fittingly became his last goal for the national team.
Subsequent meetings only deepened the pattern. In Lagos, a fresh wave of players earned their first caps: Peter Ijeh, Joseph Enakhire, Oteghere Igho, Francis Kumbur and Chike Ogugua all debuted in that encounter.
Even in defeat, the tradition held. When Jamaica recorded their only win over Nigeria—a 3-2 triumph—three more players, Samson Godwin, Dixon Dayoatoge and Tony Alagbe, made their first appearances.
Unity Cup: A Theatre of New Heroes
The narrative extended into the Unity Cup. In 2004, a young Obafemi Martins announced himself with a goal on debut against Ireland, even as Nigeria went on to defeat Jamaica 2-0 to claim the trophy.
Debut appearance: Obafemi Martins, Nigeria, Republic of Ireland V Nigeria, The Valley, Charlton, England 29 May 2004 – IMAGO
Five years later, in 2009, it was Michael Eneramo who stepped into the spotlight, albeit briefly, making his debut in the closing minutes of another Nigeria-Jamaica clash.
The revived Unity Cup has continued the tradition in modern times. Igho Ogbu debuted against Ghana in the opening match, while Felix Agu and Benjamin Frederick earned their first caps in the final, once again against Jamaica.
Felix Agu, alongside Benjamin Frederick, makes his debut at the Unity Cup in 2025.
Okonkwo and the Continuation of History
Now, all eyes are on Arthur Okonkwo. His potential debut is more than just a selection decision—it is a continuation of a narrative thread woven through time.
Arthur Okonkwo is poised to continue Nigeria’s Unity Cup debut tradition.
In Nigerian football, certain fixtures carry hidden meanings. And when Jamaica is the opponent, history suggests that something significant is always waiting to happen—whether it is the rise of a new star or the quiet farewell of a legend.
If Okonkwo steps onto the pitch, he will not just be earning his first cap. He will be stepping into a tradition—one that has turned Nigeria versus Jamaica into a symbolic passage between generations.
Aliou Cisse has been named coach of the Angola national team, the country’s football federation (FAF) announced on Thursday, 24 hours after the Senegalese left his post in Libya.
The 50-year-old coach, who led Senegal to their maiden Africa Cup of Nations title in 2022, ended his short stint with the Libyan national team on Wednesday, after taking charge in March 2025.
“Welcome, Aliou Cisse, head coach of the Angola national team,” the FAF said on Facebook. Angola, which failed to reach this year’s World Cup, will start their 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign in September.
-Reuters
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Mali Withdraws Recognition of Western Sahara’s SADR, Backs Morocco’s Autonomy Plan
Debuts, Farewells and Destiny: The Super Eagles’ Curious Jamaica and Unity Cup Tradition
Senegal’s Cisse named Angola coach 24 hours after leaving Libya role
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