Top Five African performers from weekend's World Cup qualifiers

Who were the continent's star performers during the weekend's qualifiers?

John Ogu has endured something of a frustrating recent revival with the national side. Discarded by previous managers, he's been recalled to the fold by Gernot Rohr, but has spend the recent international breaks watching on from the substitutes bench.

While Rohr opted not to turn to Ogu when Nigeria arguably needed him most - in the draw against Cameroon - the Israel-based midfielder was handed a starting berth against Algeria.

He didn't disappoint, and capped of an authoritative, composed midfield display with the Super Eagles' opener.

It's a performance that should dispel any suggestions that Ogu might miss the cut for Russia, and might even persuade Rohr to consider him for a starting spot.

Patson Daka: While Zambia were denied victory over Cameroon at the death due to Yaya Banana's late equaliser, the Chipolopolo ended their campaign in style with a delicious attacking display.

The emergence of Brian Mwila and 19-year-old Daka have been two of the great subplots of this qualifying campaign, and the latter delivered another star turn this weekend.

First, he netted Zambia's opener, and then, just after the hour mark, combined joyously with Mwila to set up the Platinum Stars frontman for the hosts' second.

This was the kind of technical sophistication that we haven't seen - at least not this cohesively - form recent Zambian sides, and while the Copper Bullets may not be heading to the World Cup, the future looks bright.

Edwin Gyasi certainly impressed on his maiden start for the Black Stars, delivering an accomplished all-round performance and netting the deflected equaliser as Ghana drew 1-1 with Egypt in Cape Coast.

The Aalesund FK attacker only made his international debut in the recent 5-1 victory over Congo-Brazzaville in September, but looked as though he was a seasoned international by using the ball intelligently, playing in team mates with his astute delivery and beating his man on several occasions.

Gyasi did enough to suggest that he could be one of the key building blocks for Kwesi Appiah's new Ghanaian side.

Shikabala is one of the most talented North African players of his generation, with sublime technique and the confidence to execute some more audacious moves.

However, his application has been questioned, and too often he's drifted in and out of games - decorating them occasionally but not making enough in the way of a consistent contribution.

With Mohamed Salah absent, the Al-Raed FC man was restored to the side and revelled in the playmaking role. Now 31, experience appears to have curved his more individualistic play of the past, and after a strong showing - complete with a sensational opener - he will fancy his chances of making the plane to Russia.

Medhi Benatia: While a trip to Abidjan should - on paper - have been Morocco's toughest assignment of the group stage campaign, they eased into Russia fairly comfortably after netting twice in five first-half minutes.

Against a dismal team, however, they still needed to stymie any Ivorian hopes of a renaissance, and as well as scoring the decisive second goal, Benatia was a rock at the back throughout the encounter.

He organised those around him effectively, and was quick to snuff out the forays forward of the likes of Gervinho, Wilfried Zaha and Serge Aurier.

Remarkably, Morocco didn't concede a single goal during their entire World Cup qualifying campaign, and with Benatia in the heart of the backline, they'll be tough to break down next summer.

An investigation is underway against three Foreigners arrested in operations carried out by narcotics police in two homes in Famagusta.

The investigation is continuing that the narcotics police have carried out against three Foreigners arrested for drugs they have taken in operations in two separate homes in Famagusta.

Nigerian Abdulhamid Lokogoma Abdul, Kanu Odee Ojong and Fasial Ismail Aminu, who were arrested on the matter, were taken to the court yesterday and were given four more days for additional detention orders.

Prosecutor Serhan Bundak, who conducted the case on behalf of the Attorney General's Attorney General, called the sworn witness to police officer Mustafa Kavaz, who was in the Directorate of Narcotics and Smuggling Prevention Directorate of PGM, who undertook the investigating officer.

On 1 November 2017, the witness informed the police that the suspect Abdulhamid Lokogoma Abdul resides in Bayram Apartmanı on a court order and that the search result is within the dark blue leather purse under the pillow, believed that the drink had found a ready-made cigarette.

Mustafa Kavaz, Abdulhamid, the same day, the same day, Kanu Odee Ojong'dan learned that he received, Ojong'un apartment, the Fasial Ismail Aminu, while searching for increasingly stating,

the subject reminded me of the fact that in the common locker used by Kanu Odee Ojong and Fasial Ismail Aminu, he found the substance believed to be 3 grams in weight in the cigarette package.

The witness, who told the police that he had carried out the testimony and remonstration of the voluntary statement of the arrested Ojong during the period in which the suspects were detained, said that the results from the laboratory that he had not yet obtained could change the course of the investigation and the court demanded additional time against the suspects.

Judge Gokhan Asafoğulları gave permission and order for the suspects to remain in police detention for 4 more days.

Three people arrested in Girne for possession of jute, synthetic cannabinoid, pill containing drugs.

Three people were arrested at Girne Canbulat Sokak on the previous day at 6 pm due to crimes of taking illegal drugs (jute, synthetic cannabinoid, pill containing drugs), giving and saving them.

On the street, the suspect, Osaruese Elijah Uwoggren'in search over the police, the transparent nylon wrapped in the search for drugs believed to be about 5 grams of substance found.

Joseph Ogbowu and Anastassia were arrested in Kukunova, believed to have been interested in the incident after the investigation and the statement.

Yesterday about the possession of drugs and giving 3 days of detention on the Girne Accident Court received an order for detention.

The investigative officer gave evidence in the presence of sworn translator

Police Officer Mustafa Zor, a police officer who worked at the Directorate of Narcotics and Smuggling Prevention Directorate in the presence of Judge Musa Avcıoğlu, was accompanied by a sworn translator.

It is difficult to find the substance wrapped in transparent nylon around 5 grams which is believed to be a kind of encyclopedic drug in the search made on Osiruese Elijah Uwoggren (E-25), which is seen as a suspect in Canbulat Sokak on 03.11.2017 at 18.00 hours. he said.

Police officer Difficult to find Joseph Ogbowu (E-20), who is interested in the issue on the ground of an advanced investigation, on the residence and residence in Alsancak; a delicate balance believed to be a drug substance residue on one piece, a piece of substance weighing approximately 40 grams believed to be a jailbreaking drug, a piece of junk, believed to be a jailbreaking drug substance, a piece of cigarette wrapped paper wrapped in a piece of cigarette wrapped around 100 milligrams , a synthetic cannabinoid drug that is believed to be the drug of about 0.5 grams of substance, containing one full and one half-pill believed to contain drugs recorded as a circumstance.

Difficulty, he said, was arrested at the residence of Anastassia Kukunova, who is believed to have been linked to the incident as a result of voluntary statements from suspects.

Police officer Zor, who stated that the investigation had just begun, said that they accepted the crimes of voluntary expression given by the suspects.

Difficult, the suspects believed they could disappear in case of release, believing that they could influence the suspects in terms of salvation for this reason that the suspects for 3 days in the police wanted to remain in custody.

The judge, Musa Avcıoğlu, decided that the investigation had just begun, that the requested ward was appropriate and that the suspects would be held in police custody for 3 days in order for the investigation to be carried out in peace.

Three foreign students were sentenced to prison for drug saving, giving and raising.

Robert Malawusi (E-25), Masimba Chinhengo (E-22) and Glen Tendai Funi (E-22) were indicted in the Nicosia Assize Court for charges of "taking, giving and saving illegal drugs". Robert Malawusi, who was arrested in the month of April in Nicosia with 136 grams of drug substance, was sentenced to 20 months, Masimba Chinhengo for 15 grams of drug abuse and forgiveness, and Glen Tendai Funi for 10 months for his personal use and 10 months in prison.

Prosecutor Atilla Enver Etkin declared that he would bring charges against Ali Çetin Amcaoğlu, who allegedly provided drugs to the two defendants.

Lawyer Ramadan Sanivar said Zimbabweans were very sad and regretful and they could not renew their student records.

Ahmet Özsakallı, accused of stealing 500 pounds of iron from a building in Lefkoşa, defended itself in court:

Ahmet Özsakalli, accused of stealing 500 pounds of iron from a building in Lefkoşa, said in court, "The police also saw me when they came to pick me up. My kids were eating tea and bread. I stole to provide my child's bread, "he said.

The suspects arrested on charges of "Sirkat" Ahmet Özsakallı and Hussein Özsakallı were taken to the Nicosia Accident Court yesterday.

Prosecutor Ayşe Kaymak Şadi on behalf of TRNC Prosecutor's Office listened to Zübeyde Sennaroğlu, a police officer who served as a witness in the Judicial Branch of the Nicosia Police Department, in the presence of Senior Judge Tacan Reynar.

Sennaroglu, who sworn on the court, said that on November 5, 500 kilograms of construction work was stolen from the construction of Eray Eren in Yenikent district.

Police officer Zübeyde Sennaroglu said that the results of the camera inspection of the anchorage, which was examined in an advanced investigation, were determined to have been squeezed out with the EM 662 plate van using the suspect Ahmet Özsakallı.

Sennaroglu said that the suspect Ahmet Özsakallı was arrested and detained in Güzelyurt and that the suspect Hüseyin Özsakallı was handed over to the police.

Stating that the investigation continues, Sennaroglu, the suspects demanded additional detention.

Senior Judge Tacan Reynar ordered the suspects to remain in custody for two days.

Emine UYSAL

Dilek Witness, a sales consultant in the garment store, caught on security cameras while stealing clothes from the store.

From September 2017 to November 2017, Dilek Tanık worked as a sales consultant in a confection store operating on Karaoğlanoğlu Street in Alsancak, and was arrested after finding that his workplace had stolen cash and various clothing items. The witness who was arrested after the complaint of the owner of the workplace who noticed the incident on the records of the store's security cameras was removed yesterday from the Girne Accident Court. The witness will remain in custody for 2 days.

Girne Accident Court Judge Mesut Mesutoğlu'nun in the presence of the judge in the case of the prosecutor on behalf of the prosecutor Emine Taşkın, Girne Police Station Police Station officer Anıl Derindağ'in witnessed the police station.

Derindağ noted that the suspect, Dilek Witness, was "a metal from the guilt" by "the aristocracy."

The suspect witness stated that the investigation was continuing with a total of $ 677 in cash and a total of 45 pieces of clothing apparels worth TL 2,808, which were kept for sale at the work place, in the shop of the workshop subject to the suspect.

Derindağ said that he wanted to be taken, and at this stage he demanded his suspect remain in police custody for 2 days.

The court, which found the claim of the police in place, granted emrine the desired detention.

Diamond TOKAY

Hunting Season Begins in North Cyprus..... Keep your head down!

You may hear gunshots ringing out in the TRNC today- don’t panic- it’s not war. Unless of course, you happen to be a small, defenceless creature like a rabbit, hare or bird of some sort.. The hunting season began yesterday 6th Nov. 2017, and will run for 11 days between 5 November and 31 December, the Council of Ministers have ruled.

It’s a well known fact that the population of several breeds of rabbits and some birds have drastically depleted on the island, and yet, every year, we see yet another ‘hunting season’.

Rabbits are already terribly depleted on the island

Hunting was once a necessity for families who lived in a sustained state of poverty. Often, the hunt would provide the only rare source of meat to eat.

But now, in 2017, is this really sensible?

The vast fields and mountains, which were once home to colonies of rabbit and hare are now a rarity. Pheasants, which were once a magnificent sight in the skies are barely ever visible.

One must ask, what exactly is this ‘hunting season’ in aid of?

Gone are the days where families would look to father or husband with pleading eyes, hungry and desperate for him to bring home something that would be warm and nutritious and although there are many families in Cyprus who struggle financially, it’s certainly a far cry from the malnutrition which has plagued Cypriots several times in their history.

Pheasants were once a common sight, now rarely ever seen

In fact, when was the last time you went to a restaurant and saw rabbit on the menu? When was the last time you were planning meals for the week, and thought to yourself ‘I really fancy a bit of Pheasant…’? When was the last time you saw these meats at the butcher section of Lemar?

Rather, today, what we have are groups of ridiculous men, dressed up in camouflage, looking like a life-sized Action Man Doll, chests puffed up with outdated chauvinism and misplaced pride.

Anybody who loves their country would surely agree that it’s far more kind, and far more sensible to preserve the natural beauty, that is wild life, and encourage the growth of the Eco- System, which ultimately sustains the health and very lives of the human population. One does not need university education to understand the travesty of driving a species of your country into extinction.  Although this notion may seem far fetched, it’s not an impossible one, as Cyprus is well and truly on the fast track of causing the extinction of some of its wildlife hosted upon the island.

Perhaps one day, the hunting season can be replaced with an Eco season. Where men, women and children can come together as a community, clean up the natural spots on the island, and in place of mess, plant herbs, vegetation, trees and bushes which will feed, shelter, and perhaps, recover the wildlife which we are guilty of destroying. Surely, the sense of community spirit and the satisfaction that will come with bearing witness to the fruits of their labour, as seeds blossom into flowers, twigs turn into trees and wildlife returns, at the hands of those who may work to fix this, would be a real reason to feel proud? As opposed to the misplaced pride people feel when hanging small, dead animals from their belts, as though it’s a trophy of masculinity. Really?  Could there be anything more pathetic??

Maintaining tradition and culture is, without  doubt, an essential part of maintaining ethnic identity but sometimes, on rare occasions and matters such as these, some traditions need to be altered or reinvented entirely – lest we lose an enormous part of the beauty of this county, if it’s not already too late.