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Here is a rundown of five of the hottest news stories…

1. Ciara to play adult version of Halle Bailey’s Nettie in ‘The Color Purple’ movie musical

Honored to be a part of this beautiful ensemble and historic film, The Color Purple. Truly grateful ? https://t.co/b9A1KvRJbD

— Ciara (@ciara) March 22, 2022

Ciara has been enlisted to join the cast of producers Oprah Winfrey and Steven Spielberg’s upcoming film adaptation of The Color Purple music stage production. It was reported that the platinum-certified singer will star as the adult version of Nettie, with fellow recording artist and The Little Mermaid actress Halle Bailey previously announced as portraying the younger version of the character.

Along with Ciara, Danielle Brooks will play Sofia, Taraji P. Henson as Shug Avery, Colman Domingo as Mister, Corey Hawkins as Harpo, H.E.R.as Squeak, Louis Gossett Jr. as Ol’ Mister, and David Alan Grier as Reverend Avery.

2. Afro Nation and Billboard partner for Afrobeats chart

The newest addition to the @billboardcharts is U.S. Afrobeats Songs, in partnership with @afronation. ? https://t.co/2KUxdL6xHZ

— billboard (@billboard) March 22, 2022

Billboard has launched the first-ever Afrobeats music chart in the United States, collaborating with Afro Nation, a music festival and global Afrobeats brand. The Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart, which has 50 positions, ranks the country’s most popular Afrobeat songs using a weighted formula that includes official-only streams on subscription and ad-supported tiers of leading audio and video music services, as well as download sales from top music retailers.

On March 29th, the Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart will be available on billboard.com. This latest move follows Afro Nation’s relationship with the Official Charts Company in the UK, which released the Top 20 Afrobeats Chart in July 2020. Through the groundbreaking Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart, they are extending their influence to Billboard.

3. South Africa: Netflix announces 5-part docu-series on murder of Senzo Meyiwa

Once a legend, always a legend, A Netflix Documentary Series Senzo: Murder of a Soccer Star premieres 7 April, only on Netflix. pic.twitter.com/jVAr9LujJP

— NetflixSA (@NetflixSA) March 22, 2022

Netflix has announced that a docu-series, Senzo: Murder of a Soccer Star, which seeks to unpack the truth behind the high-profile murder of former Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa, will premiere on the streaming service on April 7. The thrilling five-part true crime documentary series delves into the beloved soccer star’s murder, sharing insight into what transpired that fateful night when Meyiwa was gunned down in what was alleged to be a botched robbery in 2014.

Produced by Storyscope and Real Eyes with Thandi Davids, Neil Brandt and Tendeka Matatu as the executive producers and directed by Sara Blecher, the docu-series tell the story of how the beloved captain of the SA national soccer team was shot dead in his girlfriend, Afro pop singer Kelly Khumalo’s mother’s house.

4. Nigeria scraps pre-departure COVID tests

FG scraps PCR test for fully vaccinated travellers https://t.co/JNoIPIWvDm#Nigeria#Covid_19#PCR

— Investogist (@investogist) March 22, 2022

The Nigerian government says fully vaccinated travelers coming into the country will no longer be required to take a pre-departure PCR COVID-19 test. This is the first major reversal to the public health safety protocols since Nigeria started seeing a decline in the number of infections. The chairman of the Presidential COVID Response Team, Boss Mustapha, said in the capital Abuja on Monday that the change would come into effect from April 4.

He explained that passengers who are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated are still expected to take a COVID test 48 hours before departure, or do one on the second and seventh day on arrival. He said that fully vaccinated passengers will no longer be charged for rapid antigen tests at the airport. So far, 255,103 COVID-19 cases have been recorded in Nigeria including 3,142 people who have died of related infections since the beginning of the pandemic.

5. 2022 World Cup Qualifiers: Nigeria dealt blow as Okoye ruled out of Ghana game

Update! Maduka Okoye out of the clash against Ghana due to illness, he has been replaced by Enyimba FC goalkeeper, John Noble. Get well soon Maduks! #SoarSuperEaglespic.twitter.com/uS2FToJR3y

— ?? Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) March 22, 2022

Nigeria have suffered a major blow ahead of the 2022 World Cup qualification play-off against Ghana as Maduka Okoye has been ruled out. According to a statement made available to the media by the Nigeria Football Federation, the Sparta Rotterdam goalkeeper is ill and will not be available against the Black Stars in Kumasi.

Meanwhile, coach Augustine Eguavoen has invited Enyimba goalkeeper John Noble as a replacement, with Cyprus based Francis Uzoho now in pole position to man the goalposts against the West Africans. Noble was one of the four goalkeepers that made the three-time African champions’ list to the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon. Okoye’s absence will come as a massive setback to the country’s preparations due to his impressive performances for his Dutch Eredivisie club.

Featured image: ciara / Instagram

Our Week Day News Digest brings you a summary of five of the hottest news topics across the world––including celebrity news from Hollywood to Nollywood, the latest trending global headlines from American reports to top African news today, and the best sports stories in 2022.

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