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Freestyle Unlocked Africa 2020 Begins July 1

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Freestyle Unlocked Africa

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The largest promoter of freestyle football in Africa, Feet ‘N’ Tricks International, has announced the maiden edition of the Freestyle Unlocked Africa 2020 championship.

At a press briefing held last week, Chairman of Feet ‘N’ Tricks International, Mr Valentine Ozigbo, who is the immediate past President and Chief Executive Officer of Transcorp Plc, said the Freestyle Unlocked Africa 2020 will commence on Wednesday, July 1, 2020, while the grand finale is slated for Monday, July 20, 2020.

According to Mr Ozigbo, the championship is going to be online and packed with prizes and surprises to “develop and nurture an art, a lifestyle, and a passion for many”.

He called on well-meaning sponsors and sports-lovers alike to seize this chance to push forward a culture that can rally people and foster unity and oneness.

At the briefing held on Zoom, Mr Ozigbo expressed his passion and commitment to continue to grow freestyle football in Africa, saying, “We will not stop till an African emerges the World Champion, and we host the World Freestyle Football Championships in Nigeria and, who knows, it might even be in my home state of Anambra.”

While noting that the world was going through a difficult time owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, he explained that his passion for the development of the freestyle genre of football spurred him to find a way past the pandemic in order to continue a tradition which had become his passion.

He further stated that while most other sports had shut or scaled down, freestyle football can go on very easily in a non-contact manner to respect the physical distancing rules.

The press conference was attended by over 150 participants including leading publishers, journalists, professional freestylers, and sports enthusiasts from across the continent.

At the event, Daniel Wood thanked Mr Ozigbo for seeing beyond the despair and helplessness in the world to hope and opportunities using virtual means.

He stated that the global lockdown caused a lull in global sporting activities and applauded Mr Ozigbo for his tenacity, as Freestyle Unlocked Africa 2020 is the only freestyle competition holding this year asides the World Freestyle Football Championship which is currently ongoing.

He also expressed his enthusiasm for Freestyle Unlocked Africa 2020 as he saw it as an opportunity to showcase the beauty and talents that are untapped in Africa.

On his part, President of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), Mr Amaju Pinnick, wished Feet ‘N’ Tricks the best of luck for Freestyle Unlocked Africa 2020 and pledged support from the country’s football federation.

It was gathered that the event will have male and female competitors win daily prizes while freestyle footballers would compete for the $1000 grand prize. A total of $6,300 will be given out in cash prizes.

Modupe Gbadeyanka is a fast-rising journalist with Business Post Nigeria. Her passion for journalism is amazing. She is willing to learn more with a view to becoming one of the best pen-pushers in Nigeria. Her role models are the duo of CNN's Richard Quest and Christiane Amanpour.

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What You’ll Find in the GameZone Platform Games Library

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GameZone platform games

GameZone platform games operate within a regulated digital ecosystem that combines casino titles, slot-based formats, and Filipino card games under one structured platform.

Instead of being limited to a single developer, the system integrates multiple accredited studios alongside internally developed releases.

This setup allows the platform to expand its catalog while maintaining consistent technical and compliance standards across all titles.

Before any game becomes accessible, it undergoes a multi-layered review process. Internal checks focus on system performance, gameplay stability, and rule accuracy, ensuring that each title functions as intended.

These are followed by external compliance procedures aligned with Philippine regulations, including certified randomization systems and clearly defined mechanics.

This dual-layer validation ensures that games are not only operational but also transparent in how outcomes are generated.

The platform also emphasizes clarity in presentation. Each title includes provider information, allowing players to identify its source and review accredited partners.

This visibility supports informed decision-making and reinforces trust in the platform’s structure.

In addition to third-party contributions, GameZone develops its own titles based on Filipino play habits. These in-house games retain familiar mechanics while adapting them for digital use.

With all content following the same approval and monitoring process, the platform maintains a unified environment where different game types, whether traditional, casual, or themed, coexist without inconsistency.

Filipino Card Games as the Core of GameZone Platform Games

A central component of GameZone Platform Games is its collection of Filipino card game adaptations.

These titles are designed to reflect widely recognized formats while introducing controlled variations that adjust pacing and gameplay options.

By keeping the core mechanics intact, the platform ensures that players can easily recognize and transition into each game, even in a digital setting.

Tongits Series

Tongits Plus—A direct adaptation of traditional gameplay, focusing on drawing, discarding, and forming valid melds.

Tongits Joker—Incorporates Joker cards as wild elements, allowing expanded combinations and recovery strategies.

Tongits Quick—Uses a smaller deck and shorter rounds, making it suitable for faster sessions without removing strategic depth.

Tongits Jackpot—Retains standard mechanics while adding a pooled reward system linked to game outcomes.

Pusoy Series

The Pusoy lineup follows a similar structure, centered on arranging cards into three hands from front, middle, and back, all while maintaining proper ranking order.

Pusoy Plus—A standard format that closely mirrors traditional gameplay, requiring careful hand arrangement to avoid penalties.

Pusoy Wild—Introduces a limited adjustment phase, giving players a chance to refine their card placement before final submission.

Pusoy Jackpot—Maintains the same arrangement-based mechanics but includes a reward layer tied to round results.

These variations highlight the importance of decision-making in Pusoy, where correct sequencing and balance between hands determine the outcome.

The digital format helps minimize errors through guided systems while preserving the strategic depth of the game.

Pusoy Dos (Classic)
Another key title is Pusoy Dos (Classic), which follows a shedding format where players aim to discard all cards by beating previous combinations.

Unlike arrangement-based games, Pusoy Dos focuses on timing and card control, requiring players to decide when to release strong combinations.

Its simple objective and fast pacing translate effectively into digital play, making it accessible for both experienced and new users.

These adaptations highlight how traditional Filipino games can be preserved within a digital system. Automated rule enforcement ensures accuracy, while guided interfaces help players understand gameplay without requiring prior familiarity.

Accessible Formats and Themed Game Integration

GameZone Platform Games are not limited to complex card-based experiences.

The platform also includes simpler formats designed for quick sessions and straightforward interaction. These titles provide variety, allowing users to alternate between strategy-heavy gameplay and more immediate outcomes.

The Color Game represents this category, drawing inspiration from traditional fairground setups. Its structure remains familiar, but it incorporates certified randomness and transparent probability systems.

Each round is brief, making it a practical option for players seeking short, low-commitment gameplay sessions.

This mix of complexity levels reflects typical player behavior. Many users prefer switching between extended gameplay and quick rounds depending on time and preference.

By offering both within the same platform, GameZone maintains flexibility without fragmenting the experience.

The platform also introduces themed titles tied to recognizable figures such as Manny Pacquiao. These games extend cultural familiarity into digital formats while maintaining the same regulated structure.

Manny Punch operates as an idle-style system where players adjust difficulty levels that influence potential rewards. Higher settings increase possible returns but lower the likelihood of success.

Pacquiao Fortune follows a slot-style format, combining reel-based mechanics with themed visuals while relying on certified randomization.

Despite differences in gameplay style, all titles follow identical testing and compliance procedures, ensuring that accessibility and presentation do not compromise fairness or reliability.

Digiplus multiply the fun

System Consistency and Platform Transparency

GameZone Platform Games demonstrate how a diverse set of titles can function within a unified and structured environment.

The platform combines traditional card games, simplified formats, and themed releases while maintaining consistent standards across all categories.

Uniformity is a key principle. Each game undergoes the same internal evaluation and regulatory review process before release. This ensures that gameplay mechanics are correctly implemented and that outcomes follow certified systems.

As a result, players can move between different game types without encountering inconsistencies in how they operate.

Familiarity plays an important role in accessibility. Card games follow established rules that many players already understand, while variations provide flexibility in pacing and reward structures.

Simpler titles offer alternatives for shorter sessions, and themed games introduce recognizable elements without altering core systems.

Transparency further strengthens this structure. Provider labeling and accessible game details allow players to understand both the origin and functionality of each title. This reduces uncertainty and supports informed participation.

Rather than focusing solely on expanding its catalog, the platform prioritizes maintaining a stable and understandable system.

This ensures that growth does not affect usability or clarity. Players experience consistent mechanics, reliable performance, and transparent systems across all titles.

By aligning variety with structure, the platform creates a cohesive digital environment that supports long-term trust and ease of navigation.

FAQs

Q: What are GameZone Platform Games?
A: They are a collection of casino, slot, and Filipino games within a regulated digital platform.

Q: Are games tested before release?
A: Yes. Each title undergoes internal checks and regulatory compliance verification.

Q: What themed games are available?
A: Manny Punch and Pacquiao Fortune are included, along with possible collaborations.

Q: How do I register?
A: Sign up through the official platform using a valid ID and mobile number.

Q: Do card games follow traditional rules?
A: Yes. Core mechanics remain consistent, with optional variations for pacing and rewards.

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Senegal to Appeal AFCON Title Loss at Court of Arbitration for Sport

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senegal afcon 2025

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Senegalese Football Federation has said it would appeal against the decision of the Confederation of African Football (CAF)  to strip it of the 2025 AFCON trophy at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

It called the decision “an unfair, unprecedented and unacceptable decision which brings discredit to African football”.

CAF on Tuesday night declared Morocco champions, following a walkout staged by the Senegal team, but later returned to defeat Morocco 1-0.

CAF, in a statement yesterday, said “the Senegal national team is declared to have forfeited the match,” a 1-0 victory in the final, “with the result being officially recorded as 3-0” in favour of Morocco.

The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) said in a statement “its action was never intended to contest the sporting performance of the teams participating in this competition, but solely to request the application of the competition regulations”.

During the final on January 18, with the scoreline 0-0, Congolese referee Jean Jacques Ndala gave a spot-kick in the eighth minute of added time.

Ndala was advised by the video assistant referee (VAR) to consult the pitchside monitor and review defender El Hadji Malick Diouf’s challenge on Diaz.

Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw, still incensed by Ndala’s decision a few moments earlier to disallow a Senegal goal from Ismaila Sarr, ushered his team off the field.

The decision follows an appeal by the Moroccan FA, which CAF said is “declared admissible in form” and was upheld.

CAF added that “through the conduct of its team”, Senegal infringed on Article 82 of the regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations, and as a result, Article 84 became applicable.

Article 82 states that if a team refuses to play or leaves the ground before the end of regulation time without the referee’s authorisation, it will be considered the loser and eliminated from the competition.

Article 84 complements this provision, stating that any team that violates Article 82 will be permanently eliminated and will lose the match 3-0.

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CAF Strips Senegal of 2025 AFCON Trophy, Gives Morocco

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host 2025 AFCON

By Dipo Olowookere

Senegal has been stripped of the 2025 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) trophy it won on January 18, 2026.

In a statement on Tuesday night, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) said the trophy now belongs to Morocco, which hosted the tournament.

Senegal defeated Morocco by a lone goal to clinch the title in extra time after earlier leaving the pitch due to a penalty awarded to the host nation, which was later lost after a restart.

The penalty was awarded in the last minute of the match following a VAR check by Congolese referee, Jean-Jacques Ndala, after Brahim Diaz had been tugged to the ground by Senegal full back, El Hadji Malick Diouf.

The Senegalese team was not happy with the call because they had earlier been denied one against Morocco. The Teranga Lions’ coach, Pape Bouna Thiaw, ordered his players to leave the pitch in protest, but Sadio Mane persuaded them to return after a 14-minute delay, and when the spot kick was taken by Diaz, he played it into the hands of Édouard Mendy.

The game went into extra time, and in the 94th minute, Pape Gueye netted the only goal.

After the tournament, Morocco launched an appeal to void Senegal’s win, but lost as CAF said Articles 82 and 84 of the Regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations were not violated.

However, in a twist, the football governing body on the continent made a U-turn, declaring Morocco the 2025 AFCON champions.

It recorded the final match as 3–0 in favour of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF), setting aside the earlier decision of the CAF Disciplinary Board.

CAF upheld “the appeal lodged by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF)” and declared it “admissible,” agreeing that “Articles 82 and 84” were breached.

“The CAF Appeal Board further finds that the conduct of the Senegal team falls within the scope of Articles 82 and 84 of the Regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations,” a part of the statement read.

“In application of Article 84 of the Regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations, the Senegal team is declared to have forfeited the match, with the result recorded as 3–0 in favour of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF),” it further announced.

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