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AFCON to Hold Every Four Years from 2028 as CAF Launches Nations League

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caf confederation africaine football

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced that the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) would be held every four years from 2028.

CAF President, Mr Patrice Motsepe, disclosed that the tournament, which has taken place every two years since 1968, with a one-year gap between the 2012 and 2013 editions, will switch to a four-year cycle after the 2027 AFCON in East Africa.

Mr Motsepe also announced the creation of an African Nations League which will take place annually from 2029.

“We have the most exciting new structure for African football,” Mr Motsepe said.

“I do what is in the interests of Africa. The global calendar has to be significantly more synchronised and harmonised.”

Also, CAF has increased the prize money for the winners of Afcon from $7 million to $10 million.

These decisions came from resolutions made after a meeting of CAF’s executive committee in Morocco before the start of the 2025 edition of the tournament scheduled to start in Rabat on Sunday.

The biennial hosting of AFCON has long caused issues with the football calendar, with the vast majority of recent tournaments held midway through the European club season. However, CAF remained committed to scheduling the tournament every two years.

CAF had made a resolution for AFCON to be held in a June-July slot from 2019 onwards and began its new plan in Egypt that year.

However, the COVID-19 pandemic and weather conditions in host nations in Central and West Africa meant the 2021 and 2023 editions in Cameroon and Ivory Coast respectively were staged in January and February instead.

FIFA’S expanded 32-team Club World Cup was held in June and July this year, forcing CAF to opt for mid-season dates once again.

As a result this year’s AFCON in Morocco will take place over Christmas and the New Year for the first time, with the final on January 18.

The dates for the 2027 edition in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda are yet to be announced, and that will be swiftly followed by another tournament in 2028 – with the hosts of that edition yet to be decided.

After that, the continent’s biggest tournament will become a quadrennial tournament taking place in the same year as the European Championships.

Mr Motsepe said the decision had been made in conjunction with FIFA president Gianni Infantino and the world governing body’s general secretary Mattias Grafstrom – and that Caf “have to compromise”.

The CAF President said the African Nations League will take place in September, October, and November every year from 2029.

The competition will see all 54 member associates split into four zones, with six nations in the Northern zone and 16 nations in the Eastern, Western and Central and Southern zones.

Matches will be played in September and October, with the champions from each region meeting in November to then decide an overall winner.

Mr Motsepe said the new competition will be “the equivalent of an Afcon every year” and will be held in partnership with Fifa in order to attract top-class sponsors.

“Every year in Africa, the best African players who play in Europe will be with us on the continent,” Motsepe added.

“Every year we will have a competition with 54 African nations with all the best players coming here to play.

“We are going to have a world-class competition every year.”

Adedapo Adesanya is a journalist, polymath, and connoisseur of everything art. When he is not writing, he has his nose buried in one of the many books or articles he has bookmarked or simply listening to good music with a bottle of beer or wine. He supports the greatest club in the world, Manchester United F.C.

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Peryagame on GameZone Brings Filipino Fair Games

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Perya Game

Peryagame represents a familiar part of Filipino leisure culture, now reshaped through the organized digital framework of GameZone. For many Filipinos, fair games are closely tied to community gatherings, shared moments, and the simple excitement of anticipation. These games were never about speed or complexity. Instead, they thrived on rhythm, repetition, and the collective experience of watching outcomes unfold. Through Peryagame, these traditions find continuity in a modern online environment that respects their original pacing and structure.

GameZone provides a platform where Filipino fair games are presented with clarity and balance. The digital experience mirrors the steady interaction found in traditional perya settings, allowing players to engage without pressure. Rather than overwhelming users with rapid mechanics, Peryagame emphasizes consistency and recognizable gameplay flow. This approach allows long-standing cultural entertainment to exist comfortably within a structured online space.

The Enduring Appeal of Filipino Fair Games

Filipino fair games have remained popular because of their accessibility and simplicity. They do not rely on complex systems or aggressive pacing. Instead, they invite players to observe, wait, and participate at a natural tempo. This form of entertainment values patience and shared experience, qualities that continue to resonate across generations.

Peryagame draws directly from this foundation. Its design avoids unnecessary complication, focusing instead on recognizable mechanics presented through clean digital layouts. Players quickly understand how games unfold because the structure mirrors what they already know. This familiarity reduces barriers to engagement and reinforces comfort during repeated sessions.

GameZone recognizes that cultural relevance depends on preserving these elements. By maintaining steady pacing and clear rule presentation, the platform ensures that digital fair games feel authentic rather than foreign. Peryagame becomes a space where traditional enjoyment meets modern accessibility.

Translating Tradition Into Digital Structure

The transition from physical fair games to online platforms requires careful balance. Too much change risks losing cultural identity, while too little adaptation may limit usability. Peryagame strikes this balance by maintaining traditional flow within a controlled digital environment.

Each game session follows consistent patterns, allowing players to predict how rounds progress. Visual elements remain uniform, avoiding distractions that could disrupt concentration. This predictability mirrors the way fair games operate in real life, where familiarity guides participation.

GameZone reinforces this structure through stable systems that perform reliably over time. Players encounter the same mechanics each session, building confidence through repetition. This continuity ensures that returning users do not need to relearn how games function, making long-term engagement more natural.

Organized Gameplay as a Foundation of Trust

Trust is essential in digital gaming environments, especially when adapting traditional games for online play. Peryagame establishes trust by eliminating unnecessary unpredictability. Outcomes follow clearly defined mechanics, and gameplay unfolds at a consistent pace.

GameZone’s infrastructure supports this reliability by ensuring smooth performance across sessions. Games load predictably, interactions respond consistently, and technical interruptions are minimized. This stability allows players to focus on the experience itself rather than system behavior.

By maintaining organized gameplay, Peryagame reinforces fairness. Players understand what to expect, reducing confusion and frustration. This clarity encourages thoughtful participation rather than impulsive interaction, aligning closely with the values of traditional fair games.

Visual Simplicity and Player Focus

Visual design plays a significant role in shaping the Peryagame experience. Rather than relying on flashy elements, the platform prioritizes clean layouts and readable interfaces. This simplicity allows players to concentrate on gameplay without distraction.

GameZone applies consistent visual standards across its offerings, creating a cohesive environment. Peryagame benefits from this approach by integrating seamlessly into the broader platform. Players navigating between different sections encounter familiar design cues, reinforcing ease of use.

This visual restraint supports extended play sessions. Without overwhelming stimuli, players can remain engaged longer while maintaining comfort. The design choice reflects an understanding of how Filipino fair games traditionally emphasize observation and patience.

Responsible Engagement Through Structured Design

Responsible play is embedded within Peryagame’s structure. GameZone avoids mechanics that push users toward rushed decisions or prolonged intensity. Instead, games progress at a measured pace that allows players to remain aware of their participation.

Visible indicators help users track session flow and understand their current position within a game. These cues provide information without interrupting immersion. Players maintain control over their time while engaging comfortably.

This thoughtful design promotes sustainability. By encouraging balanced interaction, Peryagame supports extended enjoyment rather than short, pressured sessions. The platform demonstrates how responsible structure can enhance user trust and long-term engagement.

Cultural Continuity in a Digital Space

Peryagame illustrates how Filipino fair games can maintain cultural relevance through careful adaptation. By preserving pacing, simplicity, and familiarity, GameZone allows these traditions to thrive within a digital context.

The experience reflects shared values rooted in community and observation. Players engage with games that feel recognizable, reinforcing cultural connection even within an online environment. This continuity strengthens the emotional link between tradition and technology.

Rather than redefining fair games, Peryagame preserves their essence. The digital format serves as an extension rather than a replacement, allowing cultural entertainment to evolve naturally.

The Role of Stability in Long-Term Engagement

Stability underpins every aspect of Peryagame’s design. From gameplay mechanics to visual presentation, consistency guides the user experience. This stability reduces learning curves and encourages repeated participation.

GameZone’s systems are designed to perform reliably over extended periods. Players encounter predictable behavior regardless of session timing, reinforcing trust. This reliability supports long-term engagement built on comfort rather than novelty.

As digital entertainment continues to expand, platforms that prioritize stability stand out. Peryagame exemplifies how structured environments can foster sustained interest without compromising cultural authenticity.

Peryagame on GameZone

Peryagame as a Modern Expression of Tradition

Peryagame’s success lies in its respect for tradition combined with thoughtful modernization. GameZone provides the infrastructure needed to present Filipino fair games in a way that feels both familiar and functional.

By maintaining organized gameplay, clean design, and responsible pacing, the platform ensures that these games remain enjoyable and accessible. Players experience continuity across sessions, reinforcing confidence and comfort.

In a rapidly evolving digital landscape, Peryagame demonstrates that cultural entertainment does not need to be reinvented to remain relevant. With structure, balance, and respect for tradition, Filipino fair games continue to thrive within the digital world of GameZone.

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Super Bowl LX: How to Watch Bad Bunny’s Historic Halftime Show from Nigeria

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Super Bowl LX

The Super Bowl is far more than a football game. Each year, it becomes a global cultural moment, where sport, music, and social conversation collide. Super Bowl LX promises to be no exception. While fans anticipate the on-field clash between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks, much of the world’s attention has shifted to the halftime stage airing on both ESPN and ESPN2 (DStv Channel 219), where three-time Grammy winner Bad Bunny will make history.

The Puerto Rican superstar, born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, is set to become the first non-English-speaking artist to headline the Super Bowl halftime show. His selection has sparked debate in the United States, particularly amid ongoing anti-ICE protests, but it also signals a broader recognition of his cultural impact. Known for pushing artistic boundaries and amplifying underrepresented voices, Bad Bunny brings a rare combination of commercial appeal and social consciousness to the NFL’s biggest stage.

The timing of his performance carries added weight. Just a week before the Super Bowl, Bad Bunny made history at the 2026 Grammy Awards, winning Album of the Year for Debí Tirar Más Fotos (I Should Have Taken More Photos). He used his acceptance speech to address immigration and human dignity, declaring: “Before I say thanks to God, I’m going to say, ICE out,” and calling on audiences to respond to hate with love. That statement has heightened expectations that his halftime show will blend spectacle with message, marking a performance that is about identity as much as entertainment.

As anticipation builds, questions linger over how Bad Bunny will translate this cultural moment on the field. Will the show lean entirely into his chart-topping hits, or will it echo the themes of unity and resistance he spoke of at the Grammys? Either way, the performance is already being framed as a defining cultural moment of 2026, with viewers worldwide eager to witness history in the making.

For audiences in Nigeria, Super Bowl LX and Bad Bunny’s historic halftime performance will air live on both ESPN and ESPN2 (DStv Channel 219) on Monday, February 9, 2026, at 12:30 am WAT. Be sure to also take advantage of the ongoing We Got You offer, where you pay for your current package and DStv upgrades you to the next higher package at no extra cost. This offer runs till February 28, 2026.

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GTCO Sponsors 2026 NPA Lagos International Polo Tournament

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GTCO 2026 NPA Lagos International Polo Tournament

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

One of the leading financial services groups in Africa, Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO) Plc, is championing great experiences and heritage by being the main sponsor of NPA Lagos International Polo Tournament.

The competition is one of Africa’s oldest and most prestigious sporting events and for this year’s edition, it will bring together top local and international polo teams and spectators from across the continent and beyond.

The contest commenced on Tuesday, January 27 at the Lagos Polo Club in Ikoyi and will end on Sunday, February 15, 2026.

The 2026 NPA Lagos International Polo Tournament will feature top‑tier teams competing for major prizes, including the Majekodunmi Cup, Independence Cup, Open Cup, Silver Cup and Low Cup, among others.

Guests can expect a fusion of thrilling equestrian action, polo-inspired lifestyle showcase, and curated hospitality experiences. The event will also be livestreamed, allowing audiences online to share in the excitement and spectacle.

Commenting on GTCO’s role as main sponsor of the Lagos International Polo Tournament, the chief executive of the firm, Mr Segun Agbaje, said, “This tournament, one of the oldest in Africa, celebrates not only the noble sport of polo but the values we hold dear as a brand: teamwork, discipline, fair play, and a commitment to excellence.

“Beyond the field, it showcases Nigeria and Africa to a global audience, reinforcing the continent’s place on the world stage. Our longstanding sponsorship of the NPA Lagos International Polo Tournament reflects our conviction that sport can amplify opportunity, foster connections, and deliver world-class experiences for all.”

The NPA Lagos International Polo Tournament has long been celebrated not only for its thrilling competition and equestrian excellence but also for its rich heritage and cultural resonance within Africa’s sporting tradition. GTCO’s sponsorship embodies the Group’s commitment to creating platforms that unite communities and drive social impact across diverse audiences.

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