Mali's midfielder Yves Bissouma, celebrates with teammates after scoring against Uganda in Oyem on January 25, 2017. Issouf Sanogo / AFP
Mali's midfielder Yves Bissouma, celebrates with teammates after scoring against Uganda in Oyem on January 25, 2017. Issouf Sanogo / AFP
Mali's midfielder Yves Bissouma, celebrates with teammates after scoring against Uganda in Oyem on January 25, 2017. Issouf Sanogo / AFP
Mali's midfielder Yves Bissouma, celebrates with teammates after scoring against Uganda in Oyem on January 25, 2017. Issouf Sanogo / AFP

Africa Cup of Nations: Five stars of the group stage


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Following the conclusion of the group stage at the Africa Cup of Nations, here are five players who have made their mark on the competition so far.

Denis Bouanga, Gabon

In a disappointing campaign for the hosts, the performances of Bouanga stood out. The 22-year-old French-born winger, whose father is from Gabon, set up Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s goal in the opening draw with Guinea-Bissau. He was the main source of danger for the Panthers throughout their three draws and agonisingly hit the post in injury time in the 0-0 stalemate with Cameroon that sealed their elimination. He was later seen in tears as he collected his man of the match award. He will now go back to Tours in the French second tier, where he is currently on loan from Lorient in France’s top flight. In the meantime, Gabon will hope he can remain a key player in the side as they look to qualify for next year’s World Cup.

Christian Bassogog, Cameroon

Cameroon were written off by almost everyone after several big-name players refused call ups to Hugo Broos’s squad. But this young side qualified for the last eight at the expense of the hosts. One of their most impressive performers was Bassogog, the 21-year-old winger with Danish side Aalborg who formerly played in the United States. He was a lively presence throughout the group stage and notably set up Michael Ngadeu’s all-important winner against Guinea-Bissau.

Junior Kabananga, DR Congo

Kabananga achieved something that nobody else managed in the group stage, scoring in all three matches. The giant 27-year-old forward, who plays his club football in Kazakhstan, netted the only goal in a 1-0 opening defeat of Morocco and then his side’s second in a 2-2 draw with the Ivory Coast. Against Togo on Tuesday, he showed power and strength as he ran through to get the first goal and he also hit the post in a 3-1 win. The former Anderlecht man was seen as a flop in Belgium but is now one of the main reasons why DR Congo are one of the favourites to win the trophy.

Yves Bissouma, Mali

Mali bowed out with little more than a whimper but the 20-year-old made a big impression. His cameo from the bench in his team’s opening 0-0 draw with Egypt had Malians demanding that the talented Ivory Coast-born midfielder start their next game against Ghana. Once more coach Alain Giresse left him out before bringing him on for the second half in a 1-0 defeat. When he finally started against Uganda on Wednesday, Bissouma netted Mali’s goal in a 1-1 draw from a bullet of a free-kick from 30 yards. It was not enough to prevent his country from an early elimination and he will now return to his French club Lille.

Essam El Hadary, Egypt

One of only four survivors from the last Egypt side to come to the Africa Cup of Nations -- and win it -- in 2010, El Hadary turned 44 two days before their first game against Mali. He came off the bench in the first half of that match for injured team-mate Ahmed El Shennawy and became the oldest player ever at the competition. He can clearly still perform as well, keeping a clean sheet in that game and then again in 1-0 wins over Uganda and Ghana that saw the Pharaohs top their group.

* Agence France-Presse

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At a glance

Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.

 

Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year

 

Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month

 

Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30 

 

Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse

 

Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth

 

Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances

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Manchester United v Club America

When: Thursday, 9pm Arizona time (Friday UAE, 8am)

Plan to boost public schools

A major shake-up of government-run schools was rolled out across the country in 2017. Known as the Emirati School Model, it placed more emphasis on maths and science while also adding practical skills to the curriculum.

It was accompanied by the promise of a Dh5 billion investment, over six years, to pay for state-of-the-art infrastructure improvements.

Aspects of the school model will be extended to international private schools, the education minister has previously suggested.

Recent developments have also included the introduction of moral education - which public and private schools both must teach - along with reform of the exams system and tougher teacher licensing requirements.

ACL Elite (West) - fixtures

Monday, Sept 30

Al Sadd v Esteghlal (8pm)
Persepolis v Pakhtakor (8pm)
Al Wasl v Al Ahli (8pm)
Al Nassr v Al Rayyan (10pm)

Tuesday, Oct 1
Al Hilal v Al Shorta (10pm)
Al Gharafa v Al Ain (10pm)

Series result

1st ODI Zimbabwe won by 6 wickets

2nd ODI Sri Lanka won by 7 wickets

3rd ODI Sri Lanka won by 8 wickets

4th ODI Zimbabwe won by 4 wickets

5th ODI Zimbabwe won by 3 wickets

The biog

Age: 19 

Profession: medical student at UAE university 

Favourite book: The Ocean at The End of The Lane by Neil Gaiman

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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Gulf rugby

Who’s won what so far in 2018/19

Western Clubs Champions League: Bahrain
Dubai Rugby Sevens: Dubai Hurricanes
West Asia Premiership: Bahrain

What’s left

UAE Conference

March 22, play-offs:
Dubai Hurricanes II v Al Ain Amblers, Jebel Ali Dragons II v Dubai Tigers

March 29, final

UAE Premiership

March 22, play-offs: 
Dubai Exiles v Jebel Ali Dragons, Abu Dhabi Harlequins v Dubai Hurricanes

March 29, final

RESULT

Uruguay 3 Russia 0
Uruguay:
 Suárez (10'), Cheryshev (23' og), Cavani (90')
Russia: Smolnikov (Red card: 36')

Man of the match: Diego Godin (Uruguay)

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The%20specs
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MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW

Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman

Director: Jesse Armstrong

Rating: 3.5/5

EXPATS
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Specs

Price, base: Dhs850,000
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 591bhp @ 7,500rpm
Torque: 760Nm @ 3,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 11.3L / 100km

Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction

Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.

Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.

Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.

Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.

Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.

What are the guidelines?

Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.

Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.

Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.

Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.

Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.

Source: American Paediatric Association