Morocco and Tunisia secure World Cup spots​

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Morocco have qualified for a first World Cup since 1998 after beating their closest Group C challengers Ivory Coast 2-0 away from home on Saturday, and Tunisia joined them in securing passage as they drew 0-0 with Libya.

The Atlas Lions went into the match in Abidjan just needing a draw to consolidate their place as pacesetters in the final group match, but they went one better in what was an assured display.

Nabil Dirar gave the visitors the lead 25 minutes in, cutting in from the right and seeing his left-footed cross go all the way in, raising serious questions over goalkeeper Sylvain Gbohouo.

He was partially at fault again shortly after, failing to come and collect a corner delivery which was ultimately directed into the net by Morocco captain Medhi Benatia, who made the most of slack marking.

The hosts poured men forward for most of the rest of the match, but Morocco generally looked in control of things at the back and held on comfortably, giving Herve Renard - the coach who ended Ivory Coast's Africa Cup of Nations drought in 2015 - a famous victory against his former team.

Tunisia also only needed a draw to pip DR Congo – who began the day three points adrift – to top spot in Group A and they duly accomplished that with a 0-0 stalemate at home to Libya.

Statue Will Inspire ⭐ Girls, Women 👩 In Africa- Sirleaf​

President of Liberia, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is hopeful that the erection of a statue in her honor in Imo State will inspire young girls and women in the continent to reach their potentials.

She made the remark while delivering a lecture on the topic "Women in Politics" at the International Convention Centre Owerri adding that as a continent Africa has some good reasons to celebrate.

We can stand tall among the many women of the world in providing the kind of exemplary leadership that will lift us up to stand, as I stand to represent women," Sirleaf said.

While unveiling the statue, Governor Rochas Okorocha said Sirleaf has done Africa in particular proud and the world at large, stressing that the Liberian President deserves every honor because she has remained a woman of inspiration.

According to her, it also signaled a new dawn with the prospect of leveling the playing field between men and women in politics in Africa.

Activist 💪 , Prof. Ishaq Akintola, shuns 😠 daughter’s wedding 💍 reception, says it’s wasteful spending​

Popular Muslim activist, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, on Saturday shunned the wedding reception of his daughter, Dr. Jihad Anjorin (nee Akintola). The activist, who doubles as the President of the Muslim Rights Concern, explained that two of his daughters had got married without holding a reception.

It was learnt that the wedding reception had Akintola's approval, however; as he had earlier held the wedding fatiha for the couple in his home on Friday.

"I know how to spend any amount on the education of my sons and daughters, but I can't see any reason why I should spend lavishly on their nikah. Let me make it abundantly clear, however, that society wedding is not haram and it is in order for those who have more than enough money to spend on it."

Denmark 0 Republic of Ireland 0: O'Neill's men stand firm to set up second-leg showdown in Dublin

Denmark and the Republic of Ireland drew a blank in Copenhagen as the first leg of their World Cup play-off ended in a 0-0 stalemate.

Fittingly at the Parken Stadium, the visitors dropped deep and defended solidly to keep a third successive clean sheet that puts them in pole position to reach Russia ahead of the return meeting in Dublin.

The Danes struggled to break down their resolute opponents and even when they did occasionally get a sight of goal, Darren Randolph was on hand to keep them out.

The Middlesbrough goalkeeper made three key saves in the first half but was fortunate to see Pione Sisto shoot wide when well placed inside the penalty area.

Having won in Wales last time out to reach the next stage of the qualification process, Ireland can now secure a first World Cup appearance since 2002 on Tuesday.

Nigerian Student 👦 And Team Member's Skin Cancer-Detecting Device 👏 Wins 2017 James Dyson Award​

The sKan is a low cost and non-invasive device that can detect skin cancer has won this year's international James Dyson Award.

Invented by four Canadian bioengineering undergraduates from Ontario's McMaster University; Michael Takla, Rotimi Fadiya, Prateek Mathur and Shivad Bhavsar, the sKan is a handheld device is made from widely available and inexpensive components and can possibly make detection of the disease more accessible.

James Dyson, founder of the Dyson company said the sKan received the award because it is "a very clever device with the potential to save lives around the world".

The device uses temperature sensors to help in the early detection of melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer because cancerous cells have a higher metabolic rate than normal tissue cells.

Spain 5 Costa Rica 0: David Silva inspires demolition job

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David Silva scored two and set up another as he inspired Spain's 5-0 hammering of a defensively woeful Costa Rica side in Saturday's friendly clash at La Rosaleda.

Julen Lopetegui's men played with immense freedom throughout, as they stroked the ball around in style and took full advantage of Costa Rica's poor defensive organisation, as the away side made errors for each of Spain's first four goals.

Costa Rica actually showed flashes of promise early on, but that quickly vanished as Spain took control, with Jordi Alba's Silva-influenced opening goal after just six minutes ushering in a period of real dominance.

The lively Alvaro Morata added a second in the 23rd minute and probably should have scored at least hat-trick before his half-time withdrawal.

But Spain's attacking unit hardly suffered for Morata's substitution, as Silva added two goals in four minutes shortly after the restart, making the most of hapless goalkeeping and calamitous defending.

Andres Iniesta added a fifth towards the end to wrap things up, with Costa Rica left realising that they have much to improve upon if they are to emulate their 2014 World Cup showing next year, while Spain already look ready to prove a point in Russia.