Editor's note

The much anticipated and hugely popular football World Cup tournament kicks off on Thursday in Russia. During previous World Cups, which take place every four years, African fans have often accused referees of being biased against teams from the continent. But, writes Chuka Onwumechili, that alleged discrimination will be kicked out of the game by technology, through the introduction of the Video Assistant Referee.

Fossil records have always suggested that the aquatic tetrapods - four-legged creatures - of the Devonian era hundreds of millions of years ago, never lived on what is today the African continent. A new fossil find in South Africa has turned that belief on its head. Robert W Gess explains his find and its significance.

Charles Leonard

Arts + Culture Editor

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At the 2014 World Cup African fans felt that Nigeria were on the receiving end of poor refereeing. Peter Powell/EPA

Why African football fans should welcome video assistant referees at the World Cup

Chuka Onwumechili, Howard University

Video Assistant Referee’s at the World Cup finals in Russia might help African teams to do better than they have done so far.

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