DRAW
Group A: Tunisia, Libya, DR Congo, Guinea
Group B: Zambia, Cameroon, Algeria, Nigeria
Group C: Gabon, Mali, Ivory Coast, Morocco
Group D: Senegal, South Africa, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde
Group E: Ghana, Egypt, Congo, Uganda
Egypt coach Hector Cuper says it is irrelevant that 2018 World Cup qualifying opponents Ghana humiliated the North Africans three years ago, declaring: “We fear no team.”
The two countries were placed in Group E with Republic of Congo and Uganda when 20 nations were split into five groups this weekend, with the winners going to the finals in Russia.
Ghana crushed Egypt 6-1 in the first leg of a 2014 World Cup play-off and won 7-3 overall to secure a place in Brazil.
"I know what Ghana did to Egypt, but that is history," insisted Argentine Cuper, the former manager of Valencia and Inter Milan, as well as Al Wasl here in the UAE.
“We fear no team, our target is qualification for the 2018 World Cup, and what lies ahead for the Egyptian squad is work, work and more work.”
Ghana Football Association president Kwesi Nyantakyi believes the unexpectedly big winning margin achieved by the Black Stars at home three years ago will work against them this time.
“That triumph does not give us any psychological advantage,” he stressed. “On the contrary, it is a disadvantage.
“Egypt are thirsting for revenge and we must be aware that they have built a new, very good team since Kumasi.”
Uganda coach Milutin “Micho” Sredojevic says that although his team are seeded last in the group, they can match Ghana, Egypt and Congo.
“We can create shocks even though our budget is probably 10 per cent of some rivals,” said the Serb, who has worked in numerous African countries.
“While some other African countries liken us to a motorcycle competing in a Formula One race, I disagree. We can match any team.”
Congo coach Pierre Lechantre is not pessimistic either, although Ghana and Egypt seem easily the strongest sides in the group.
“We will face very strong teams, but Congo have a chance,” said the Frenchman, who guided Cameroon to the 2000 Africa Cup of Nations title.
The Group C opponents of Morocco coach Herve Renard include Ivory Coast, the country he steered to the 2015 Cup of Nations title, Mali and Gabon.
“All the groups are tough,” he said. “You can sense being in a good position, but always have to be careful.”
Senegal are favoured to top Group D ahead of Cape Verde, South Africa and Burkina Faso and compete at a World Cup, 16 years after reaching the quarter-finals.
But South Africa coach Ephraim “Shakes” Mashaba says: “I am confident we will be in Russia. The draw made me very happy, although it is not going to be easy.
“We have to start very well,” he said, conscious that a draw against Gambia and a loss to Mauritania in Cup of Nations qualifiers means they will not be part of the 2017 tournament in Gabon.
Group A comprises Tunisia, DR Congo, Guinea and Libya and a blockbuster Group B includes Algeria, Nigeria, Cameroon and Zambia.
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If you go
Flying
Despite the extreme distance, flying to Fairbanks is relatively simple, requiring just one transfer in Seattle, which can be reached directly from Dubai with Emirates for Dh6,800 return.
Touring
Gondwana Ecotours’ seven-day Polar Bear Adventure starts in Fairbanks in central Alaska before visiting Kaktovik and Utqiarvik on the North Slope. Polar bear viewing is highly likely in Kaktovik, with up to five two-hour boat tours included. Prices start from Dh11,500 per person, with all local flights, meals and accommodation included; gondwanaecotours.com
UAE players with central contracts
Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Chirag Suri, Rameez Shahzad, Shaiman Anwar, Adnan Mufti, Mohammed Usman, Ghulam Shabbir, Ahmed Raza, Qadeer Ahmed, Amir Hayat, Mohammed Naveed and Imran Haider.
The Africa Institute 101
Housed on the same site as the original Africa Hall, which first hosted an Arab-African Symposium in 1976, the newly renovated building will be home to a think tank and postgraduate studies hub (it will offer master’s and PhD programmes). The centre will focus on both the historical and contemporary links between Africa and the Gulf, and will serve as a meeting place for conferences, symposia, lectures, film screenings, plays, musical performances and more. In fact, today it is hosting a symposium – 5-plus-1: Rethinking Abstraction that will look at the six decades of Frank Bowling’s career, as well as those of his contemporaries that invested social, cultural and personal meaning into abstraction.
'Operation Mincemeat'
Director: John Madden
Cast: Colin Firth, Matthew Macfayden, Kelly Macdonald and Penelope Wilton
Rating: 4/5
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How Alia's experiment will help humans get to Mars
Alia’s winning experiment examined how genes might change under the stresses caused by being in space, such as cosmic radiation and microgravity.
Her samples were placed in a machine on board the International Space Station. called a miniPCR thermal cycler, which can copy DNA multiple times.
After the samples were examined on return to Earth, scientists were able to successfully detect changes caused by being in space in the way DNA transmits instructions through proteins and other molecules in living organisms.
Although Alia’s samples were taken from nematode worms, the results have much bigger long term applications, especially for human space flight and long term missions, such as to Mars.
It also means that the first DNA experiments using human genomes can now be carried out on the ISS.
Dark Souls: Remastered
Developer: From Software (remaster by QLOC)
Publisher: Namco Bandai
Price: Dh199
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
The Brutalist
Director: Brady Corbet
Stars: Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce, Joe Alwyn
Rating: 3.5/5
The specs
Engine: 3-litre twin-turbo V6
Power: 400hp
Torque: 475Nm
Transmission: 9-speed automatic
Price: From Dh215,900
On sale: Now
How to increase your savings
- Have a plan for your savings.
- Decide on your emergency fund target and once that's achieved, assign your savings to another financial goal such as saving for a house or investing for retirement.
- Decide on a financial goal that is important to you and put your savings to work for you.
- It's important to have a purpose for your savings as it helps to keep you motivated to continue while also reducing the temptation to spend your savings.
- Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
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
The biog
Favourite food: Fish and seafood
Favourite hobby: Socialising with friends
Favourite quote: You only get out what you put in!
Favourite country to visit: Italy
Favourite film: Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.
Family: We all have one!
Six things you need to know about UAE Women’s Special Olympics football team
Several girls started playing football at age four
They describe sport as their passion
The girls don’t dwell on their condition
They just say they may need to work a little harder than others
When not in training, they play football with their brothers and sisters
The girls want to inspire others to join the UAE Special Olympics teams
The 100 Best Novels in Translation
Boyd Tonkin, Galileo Press