Category: The Citizen

Australia coach Tony Popovic hailed a “special day” for the Socceroos ?at the World Cup after they reached the of 32 with a 0-0 draw against Paraguay on Thursday.

Following a 2-0 win over Turkey and a 2-0 ?defeat by the United States, Australia qualified ?for the knockout phase at a third World ?Cup and second time in succession.

“One wonderful achievement, ?from the backing of the FA all the ?way through to the staff, the players, the fans. It’s a special day,” said Popovic.

Australia only needed a draw against ?the Paraguayans to advance but Popovic said his ?team had tried their hardest to win.

“You can have opinions on ?the game was played, or what we both thought we needed, but we at no stage felt that we were playing for a draw.

I ?thought we ?controlled the game ?quite well, and were in control, and had the better opportunities.”

Popovic declined ?to comment on making six changes to ?his ?starting 11, saying that every player was important and that “no one is entitled to the shirt”.

Australia will face ?the ?runner-up in Group G in ?Dallas, where they could meet any of Egypt, Belgium, Iran or ?New Zealand.

The United States conceded a stoppage-time goal to lose 3-2 to Turkey on Thursday but coach Mauricio Pochettino ?said there was little reason for concern after his side finished top of their World Cup group.

The US will face Bosnia and Herzegovina in Santa Clara in the round of 32 on Wednesday, and ?Pochettino was frustrated that much of the post-match discussion centred ?on the defeat rather than the co-hosts achieving their ?main goal of winning Group D.

“At the moment no one congratulated ?us for finishing first in our group,” Pochettino told reporters. “I congratulate ?the players, the staff and the fans to finish first in a very difficult group.”

Turkey had already been eliminated before kickoff but the Argentine said the ?mood after the match was as if his team were the ?ones going home.

“Our objective was to finish first, and we finished first,” he . “I’m ?so positive and I’m happy. Your questions are a little bit weird.”

Pochettino said the defeat had to be viewed in context, with the U.S. already through to the knockout stage and making wholesale ?changes to their starting ?line-up after ?victories over Paraguay and Australia.

“Whenever a team has already qualified and another team has already been knocked ?out, so many situations come into play,” he ?added.

Pochettino said ?the performance reinforced his belief in the depth of the squad, with several players making their World Cup debuts.

“We are a much better ?team ?now than before,” he said. “We qualified as ?number one and we went to the next round. I need to remind you ?that we won the group.”

For many university freshers, admission to higher learning institutions is no longer followed by settling into hostels or remaining under their parents’ roofs, but by a new decision to live on their own.

The trend has raised questions among parents and students alike, sparking debate over whether it reflects a generation seeking independence and personal growth, or whether it exposes young people to unnecessary risks at a critical stage of their education.

Australia booked their place in the World Cup’s round of 32 on Thursday with a cagey 0-0 draw against Paraguay that delighted pragmatic coach Tony Popovic but left the South Americans with a nervous wait to see if they will ?advance.

In a physical, scrappy contest at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, Paraguay pushed late after being dominated early but it ended with the Socceroos holding on to make the tournament’s knockout phase for a third time, four years after reaching the last 16 in Qatar.

Popovic’s team sealed second place in Group D behind the United States and will head to Dallas to meet the second-placed team in Group G, which remains wide open before Egypt face Iran ?and Belgium meet New Zealand on Friday.

It was hardly a performance that will have Australia’s next opponents shaking in their boots ?but players and staff celebrated with hugs and back-slapping, and soaked up a warm ovation from thousands of lingering ?Aussie fans.

“I’d like to think that we dominated the game in a crucial World Cup qualifier with a very young squad in the ?third match, when everything’s on the line, and the players showed composure, patience, quality, and resilience,” Popovic told reporters.

“We’ll now go to Dallas and try ?and do something special.

“Overall we deserved it. We were very good today.”

Paraguay, on four points, may have done enough to advance as one of the eight best-finishing, third-placed sides but the 2010 quarter-finalists will need to wait for other results in the final group matches.

“Well, the feeling I have is that that was not enough, that ?was not the result we were aiming for,” said Paraguay coach Gustavo Alfaro.

“Now we have to wait, there is some uncertainty … I’m very optimistic, ?however, and I think that we will go to the knockout stage and we will continue in the World Cup.”

Popovic made six changes to his starting 11 ?a bold shake-up, bringing back livewire Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe, while adding Cristian Volpato to his forward line in a signal of attacking intent.

The changes came after he was roundly criticised for benching Irankunda and Metcalfe for the 2-0 defeat against the U.S., with both having scored goals in the 2-0 win over Turkey.

With Jordan Bos switching from left back to right to cover for the injured Jacob Italiano, Australia made promising raids ?down the right but the finishing ?touch proved elusive.

Minutes after kickoff, Volpato set ?up Jackson Irvine on the right of the penalty area but he thumped an angled shot straight at Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill.

Bos and Volpato drew saves from Gill late in the half without genuinely testing him.

With Paraguay restricted ?to one shot in the half, Alfaro injected Mauricio at the break, and the Brazilian-born attacker blazed fruitlessly from distance five minutes after the ?restart.

The Paraguayans grew ?into the contest with the help of the energetic Julio Enciso, who repeatedly sliced through Australia’s defence.

He blew one of Paraguay’s better chances with a low shot that flashed well wide of the left post eight minutes from time.

In an end-to-end finish, Bos had Socceroos fans rising from their seats in the ?89th minute ?as he split two defenders, charged into the box from the right and sent ?his shot fizzing by the far post.

Mauricio gave Beach a late test when he found a sliver of room on the edge of the area but his tepid, low shot ?was easily dealt with and Australia held on to advance with more substance than style.

Belgium winger Jeremy Doku is not ready to play the full 90 minutes against New Zealand in their crucial Group G World Cup match after returning from ?illness and his brief absence for the birth of his son, coach Rudi said on Thursday.

The 24-year-old had drawn criticism from L’Equipe TV presenter France Pierron for leaving the squad mid-tournament to attend the birth of his son, Praise, who was born on Monday.

Doku featured in Belgium’s opening 1-1 draw ?against Egypt but missed their goalless draw with Iran due to breathing issues in training.

“Jeremy ?came back three days ago. So, he only participated in the practice today. ?He did a little more, but he did not train during seven days and that’s ?not insignificant,” Garcia told reporters.

“So, we’re thrilled to have him back. He’s probably not going to play ?for 90 minutes. But we know that he can make the difference once on the pitch.

“But all our game is not based upon one player. It’s the collective spirit. That’s the true force of Belgium.”

Striker Romelu Lukaku, ?still searching for his first goal of the tournament, is also unable to play a ?full match.

“Lukaku cannot handle 90 minutes,” Garcia added. “If he starts, he will be substituted. If he doesn’t start, he ?help us from the bench. But he’s fit.”

Belgium centre back Brandon Mechele said the players were pleased for Doku.

“It’s lovely news that he became a father and that he was also present with his wife to help her. So, everybody was happy. It gives a boost for him, ?but also for us that ?he’s back, that ?he can help the team,” Mechele said.

Despite being widely tipped to top the group, Belgium head into Friday’s match in third place with two ?points.

Egypt lead with four, while Iran also have two points but are ?above Belgium ?on goals scored. New Zealand, still seeking a first World Cup victory, are bottom with one point.

“We need to match their intensity. If we manage that, I don’t see a problem for us,” defender ?Mechele added.

“On ?paper, we have more quality than New Zealand with ?all due respect to them.

“We might have lacked that intensity a bit in the previous match, but that was a ?wake-up call. I think we will be ready tomorrow.”

What started as a dream for a young girl from Tanzania has grown into one of the country’s most recognizable music success stories.

This year, singer and songwriter Nandy is marking a major milestone with the launch of Nandy Festival 2026, a celebration of her 10-year journey in the music industry.

The festival officially kicked off in Shinyanga, drawing thousands of fans to ShyCom Grounds for a night of music, entertainment, and celebration.

The opening stop set the tone for what organisers describe as a touring festival experience, with the next edition now set to take place in Kigoma.

For Nandy, the Shinyanga event was a performance and a moment to reflect on a decade of growth, achievement, and the unwavering support of her fans.

Known for hit songs that have dominated airwaves across East Africa, Nandy has spent the last ten years evolving from a promising talent into one of Tanzania’s leading female artists.

The festival serves as a tribute to that journey while creating a platform that brings together music lovers, fellow artistes, brands, and local communities.

In her message following the launch, Nandy expressed deep gratitude for the milestone, thanking God, her fans, media, and sponsors for their continued support. She wrote:

‘This year is a blessed year artistically as I have been granted the official launch of NANDY FESTIVAL.

This festival is not just entertainment, but also employment for many young people who will earn income through it, from artistes to both big and small business owners,’ she said.

She described the festival as more than entertainment, emphasizing its potential to create employment opportunities for young people, from artists to small and large business owners involved in the value chain.

The Shinyanga edition featured live performances, fan interactions, and a festive atmosphere that highlighted the artist’s strong connection with her audience.

With Kigoma now confirmed as the next stop, the festival continues its regional rollout as part of this year’s programme.

Beyond the music, Nandy Festival represents a growing trend in Tanzania’s entertainment industry, where artists are creating their own signature events and experiences.

Such festivals not only strengthen fan engagement but also contribute to tourism, local businesses, and the wider creative economy.

As Nandy celebrates a decade in the spotlight, the festival stands as both a thank-you to her supporters and a statement of intent for the future.

If the Shinyanga opening is any indication, Nandy Festival is shaping up to become a touring entertainment experience with national reach.

President Samia Suluhu Hassan has reshuffled senior government officials, making changes in key ministries including Health, Constitution and Legal Affairs and Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation in a move aimed at strengthening public administration and institutional leadership.

The changes involve appointments and transfers of permanent secretaries and other senior public officials, according to a statement issued on Friday by the Directorate of Presidential Communications at State House and signed by Chief Secretary Dr Moses Kusiluka.

Under the changes, Dr Grace Magembe has been appointed Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health.

She previously served as Chief Medical Officer (CMO).

The former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr Seif Abdallah Shekalaghe, has been transferred to the Ministry of Constitution and Legal Affairs, where he will serve as Permanent Secretary.

Dr Shekalaghe replaces Dr John Jingu, who was recently appointed Chief Court Administrator in the Judiciary of Tanzania.

President Hassan also appointed Charles Kadonya as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, where he will be responsible for East African Community affairs.

Mr Kadonya succeeds Ambassador Stephen Mbundi, who was appointed Secretary General of the East African Community (EAC) in March 2026.

In another appointment, Prof Verdiana Grace Masanja has been named chairperson of the board of the Tanzania Forestry Research Institute (TAFORI).

The dates for the newly appointed permanent secretaries to assume office will be announced later.

The latest appointments come as the government continues making changes within the public service aimed at improving efficiency and strengthening leadership across key sectors.

Salon service providers in Tanzania have been identified as a key group with the potential to accelerate the adoption of clean cooking energy because of their close interaction with communities, positioning them as effective ambassadors for changing attitudes and behaviour.

The observation was made on Friday, June 26, 2026, by the Kidoti Foundation director, Ms Jokate Mwegelo.

The director who is also patron of the Tanzania Hairdressers Association, during the signing of a partnership agreement between Kidoti Foundation and Oryx Energies Tanzania.

The partnership aims to empower salon service providers to adopt clean energy in their businesses while promoting its use within the communities they serve.

‘Hairdressers and salon service providers occupy a unique position because they interact with hundreds of people every day, making it easier to raise awareness about the benefits of clean cooking energy than through conventional campaigns alone,” she said.

‘They engage with people from different backgrounds daily and build close relationships with their clients. This gives them a unique opportunity to change perceptions about clean cooking energy. We want them to become ambassadors of that change,’ she added.

Ms Mwegelo said expanding access to clean energy cannot be left to the government alone, but requires the active involvement of influential groups that engage directly with communities.

She said the partnership will enable salon service providers to use clean energy in their daily operations while encouraging their clients to shift away from energy sources that pose risks to health and the environment.

Speaking at the event, Oryx Energies Tanzania sales manager, Mr Shaban Fundi, said the company partnered with Kidoti Foundation after recognising the important role community influencers can play in accelerating the transition to clean energy.

He said the initiative goes beyond providing clean energy solutions by raising public awareness of the benefits of using liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and other modern energy technologies that protect both health and the environment.

‘For many years, Oryx Gas has implemented programmes to promote clean cooking energy among different groups. Today, we have signed a three-year agreement with Kidoti Foundation, enabling us to engage an equally important group, salon service providers,’ he said.

CCST chairperson, Ms Ntuli Mwakatobe, described the partnership as an important step towards enabling the association members to contribute to the country’s clean energy agenda.

She said hairdressers and salon owners have been seeking ways to reduce operating costs while creating safer working environments.

‘Today we have an opportunity not only to use clean energy, but also to become a voice for educating the public. We will use this opportunity to reach our clients every day,’ she said.

The use of clean cooking energy is widely recognised for reducing carbon emissions that contribute to climate change while improving public health, particularly for women, who continue to bear the greatest burden of household cooking responsibilities.

The agreement is expected to pave the way for a broader partnership that will see salon service providers become part of a nationwide network of clean energy ambassadors, using their daily interactions to promote cleaner and safer energy solutions across communities.

Turkey coach Vincenzo Montella said his side would return home with their chin up ?after ending their World Cup campaign with last-gasp 3-2 victory over the United States in Los Angeles on Thursday.

Montella praised the players for showing their skills, abilities ?and character despite the mental toll of already ?being eliminated and playing in front of ?a predominantly pro-U.S. crowd.

“We can go back home with ?our chin up,” Montella said. “Football hurts, but I got ?emotional at the end of the game… Today’s match matters much more than 1,000 victories.”

Montella said Turkey had created enough ?chances throughout the tournament but had not been ?clinical enough, while stressing he would not blame individual players for missed ?opportunities.

He said his side had been unfortunate in their opening two matches, arguing that even a draw from either game could have changed their fate, but ?accepted that “football is ?not always ?fair”.

Montella said the team’s celebrations after the final whistle reflected their national pride ?and gave him confidence for the future.

Turkey ?were ?making their first World Cup appearance since 2002, and Montella said he hoped they would not have to ?wait ?another 24 years to return. “Hopefully ?we will do better, not in 24 years but earlier than that,” ?he said.

Paraguay coach Gustavo Alfaro said officials should reassess the placement of pitch-side advertising boards at ?the World Cup after attacker Julio Enciso crashed into one the Australia goal during their 0-0 draw on Thursday.

Enciso came off second best as he fought for the ball with Australia defender Alessandro ?Circati in the second half at San Francisco ?Bay Area Stadium.

Enciso got to his feet gingerly after ?contact with the board but played out the remainder of ?the game.

“I think that maybe if there was more space ?that will be good because of course there’s a lot of intensity when we are playing, and sometimes if a player gets destabilised, ?he could fall and get injured and these things can ?happen,” Alfaro told the post-match press conference.

“So, maybe we have to think ?that and reassess.”

The result left Paraguay third behind Group D winners the United States and second-placed Australia, both of whom have reached the last 32.

Paraguay must wait for other ?results in the ?group phase ?to know whether they will advance as one of the eight best third-placed teams.

Alfaro said ?he was very optimistic Paraguay would continue at ?the ?tournament and praised his players for how they had reacted after their 4-1 opening defeat by the United States.

“Recovering from such ?a ?hard result was really hard for us, ?and in spite of that, our team has been very solid in ?the past two games.”