September 2025 News Highlights – Africa’s Top Stories
September was a busy month for Africa. From a historic coronation in Ibadan to a nail‑biting Premier League finish, the continent delivered drama, tech buzz and political twists. Below is a quick run‑through of the biggest stories that landed on Tubular Track News.
Sports Highlights
Tottenham needed a last‑minute header from João Palhinha to snatch a 1‑1 draw against Wolves. The late goal kept Spurs on 11 points, while Wolves still hunt their first win of the season. Across Europe, Monaco and Strasbourg settled for a goalless tie that kept both clubs in the European‑qualification hunt.
In Spain, Barcelona opened the new Camp Nou era on September 14 with a home game against Valencia. New manager Hansi Flick’s tactics drew a lot of attention, and the result could shape the early La Liga race. Meanwhile, Espanyol hosted Mallorca and, despite a few lineup doubts, the match was expected to stay under 2.5 goals.
South Africa’s lotto draw on June 14 rolled over a massive R75.2 million jackpot, showing the country’s strong lottery appetite. The rollover added extra excitement to later draws and highlighted how many South Africans chase big wins.
On the cricket front, India’s U19 women crushed South Africa in the T20 World Cup final, winning by nine wickets in just over 11 overs. Gongadi Trisha’s unbeaten 44 earned her the Player of the Tournament award and cemented India’s back‑to‑back title run.
Tunisia’s Naim Sliti sparked a 4‑0 AFCON qualifying win over Equatorial Guinea, giving the North African side a strong start to Group J. The victory also served as a confidence boost ahead of World Cup qualifiers.
Tech & Health Updates
Xiaomi teased the 17 Pro Max, a phone with a rear 2.66‑inch screen aimed at gamers. While the dual‑display idea looks cool, questions remain about battery drain, durability and whether apps will fully support the setup. The phone could hit markets by late 2025 or early 2026.
Apple’s September 9 “Awe Dropping” event announced the iPhone 17 Air, along with new AirPods Pro 3 and Apple Watch Series 11. Pre‑orders start on September 12, and the devices will ship on September 19, promising a refreshed design line for the brand.
A new meta‑analysis linked acetaminophen use during pregnancy to higher odds of autism and ADHD, sparking debate. The FDA stopped short of declaring it a cause, but doctors are now advised to prescribe it sparingly and only when necessary.
On the political side, former Oyo governor Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja was crowned the 44th Olubadan of Ibadan, a ceremony attended by President Bola Tinubu and Governor Seyi Makinde. The event blended traditional rites with modern political weight, underscoring Ibadan’s cultural significance.
Meanwhile, the Madlanga Commission heard testimony about the disbandment of the Political Killings Task Team by Police Minister Senzo Mchunu. Legal experts warned that only the National Commissioner can restructure SAPS units, reigniting calls for policing reforms across South Africa.
All these stories show how September 2025 captured a mix of excitement, controversy and innovation across Africa. Whether you follow sports, tech, politics or health, Tubular Track News had you covered with clear, on‑the‑ground reporting.
Spurs and Wolves settled for a 1‑1 stalemate at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on September 27, 2025. João Palhinha's stoppage‑time header rescued a point for Tottenham after Santiago Bueno had put Wolves ahead. Injuries forced Thomas Frank to reshuffle his XI, while Wolves fielded a near‑full strength side. Both clubs stuck to a 4‑2‑3‑1 shape, and the result left Spurs on 11 points and Wolves still searching for their first win.
The 14 June 2025 South African Lotto draw ended without a jackpot winner, pushing the R75.2 million prize to the next draw. Main numbers were 5‑8‑17‑18‑29‑35 with bonus 50. Over 117,000 players still walked away with cash, while Lotto Plus 1 and 2 offered R17 million and R12 million jackpots respectively. Ticket sales topped R21 million, underscoring strong public interest.
Xiaomi’s upcoming 17 Pro Max packs a 2.66‑inch rear screen that promises to transform photography and mobile gaming. The dual‑display setup runs on a Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 processor with a 7,500 mAh battery and 100‑W charging. While the concept mirrors the Nintendo DS, real‑world durability, battery drain and app support remain big questions. The phone could launch globally by late 2025 or early 2026.
A tense 0-0 stalemate at Stade Louis-II left AS Monaco and RC Strasbourg still in the mix for European spots. Both coaches stuck to their game plans, while VAR erased two potential winners for off‑side. The point maintains Monaco’s second‑place hold and Strasbourg’s push from sixth as the final run‑in begins.
Former Oyo governor Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja was installed as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadan on 26 September 2025. The ceremony began at Ose Meji Temple and ended with the staff of office at Mapo Hall. President Bola Tinubu and Governor Seyi Makinde attended, underscoring the event's political weight. Traditional rites, music and praise singing marked the celebration. The coronation blends politics, business and Ibadan heritage.
The 2025‑26 La Liga season kicks off on August 15, 2025, with Barcelona defending their crown under new boss Hansi Flick. The Catalan giants will open Camp Nou's new chapter on September 14, hosting Valencia in a highly anticipated clash. Fans are eager to see Flick's tactics against a resilient Valencia side. The fixture could shape the early title race. Details on the broader schedule and team preparations add to the buzz.
India clinched the 2025 U19 Women's T20 World Cup with a nine‑wicket win over South Africa in Kuala Lumpur. South Africa were bundled out for 82, letting India chase 83 in just 11.2 overs. Opener Gongadi Trisha scored an unbeaten 44 and was named Player of the Tournament. The victory marks India's second consecutive title, underscoring the depth of its women's youth program.
At the Madlanga Commission, top police officials testified that Police Minister Senzo Mchunu overstepped his authority by ordering the shutdown of the Political Killings Task Team. Witnesses said the minister grew angry after the unit linked suspects to a high‑profile councillor murder in KwaZulu‑Natal. Legal chief Major General Marga van Rooyen warned that only the National Commissioner can restructure SAPS units. The fallout has reignited calls for an overhaul of South Africa’s policing framework. The controversy threatens ongoing investigations into political violence across the country.
Fresh research has reignited the conversation on acetaminophen use while pregnant. A meta‑analysis of 46 studies links the drug to higher autism and ADHD odds, while a Swedish sibling study finds no clear risk. The FDA acknowledges the mixed data but stops short of calling it a cause. doctors are urged to use the drug sparingly, yet it remains the safest OTC pain reliever for expectant moms compared with aspirin or ibuprofen.
Espanyol host Mallorca at RCDE Stadium with home form, history and the odds on their side. The Catalans have three straight home wins with two clean sheets, while Mallorca arrive winless in six and struggling away. Models point to a tight game under 2.5 goals, with 1-0 or 1-1 the likeliest scores. Team news is light: Javi Hernández out for Espanyol; Javi Llabrés doubtful for Mallorca.
Tunisia opened their AFCON Group J campaign with a 4-0 win over Equatorial Guinea in Rades, powered by a goal and two assists from Naim Sliti. Seifeddine Jaziri scored a header, while substitute Youssef Msakni added a late brace. Equatorial Guinea finished with 10 men after Joan Lopez Elo's second yellow. The result doubles as preparation for Tunisia’s World Cup plans.
Apple’s September 9 “Awe Dropping” event is set to debut a major lineup: the ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air alongside iPhone 17, Pro, and Pro Max, plus AirPods Pro 3 and Apple Watch Series 11, Ultra 3, and SE 3. Apple may also tease AirTag 2 and Vision Pro 2. Pre-orders are tipped for Sept 12, with retail launch Sept 19, as Apple leans into a fresh design language and a wider three-year hardware reset.
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