January 2025 in Africa and Beyond: What You Need to Know
January 2025 was packed with exciting events both in sports and in the skies. If you missed out, here’s a quick rundown to get you up to speed on some cool happenings from this month.
Planet Parade 2025: A Night Sky Spectacle
On January 21 and 25, something special lit up the night. The Planet Parade 2025 happened, featuring six planets—Mars, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune—lined up close together. Four of these planets (Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn) were visible without a telescope if you found a dark spot away from city lights. It’s a rare event, and a great chance for stargazers to spot these wonders and reflect on their significance.
If you enjoy looking at the sky, this was your moment to grab some binoculars or just enjoy the view with the naked eye after sunset. The key is to pick a place with as little light pollution as possible to catch the best views.
Football Drama: Shrewsbury Stuns Wrexham in League One
Turning to sports, Shrewsbury gave Wrexham a tough time in a tense League One match at the Croud Meadow. The game ended 2-1 in Shrewsbury’s favor, with John Marquis scoring twice to steal the show. Wrexham put up a fight, netting a goal thanks to Steven Fletcher, but ultimately couldn’t overturn the deficit.
The match was intense with plenty of fouls and cards, adding spice to the league’s ongoing story. For fans following League One, this result shook up the standings and showed that Shrewsbury isn’t giving up easily despite their struggles.
Italian Super Cup Semi-final: Inter Milan vs Atalanta
Over in Riyadh, football fans got to watch the Italian Super Cup semi-final where Inter Milan took on Atalanta. Inter came ready with a 3-5-2 lineup boasting stars like Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram. Atalanta had some problems with injured players, including their top scorer Mateo Retegui.
Despite those challenges, Inter showed strong form and won 2-0 with both goals scored by Denzel Dumfries in the second half. This win moves them closer to the final and highlights their growing strength this season.
Whether you love astronomy or football, January 2025 gave us moments worth remembering. Keep an eye on Daily Focus Bothma Africa for more updates and detailed coverage of these stories as they develop.
The Planet Parade in 2025 offers a stunning display of six planets aligning in the night sky. Scheduled for January 21 and January 25, this rare phenomenon features Mars, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn will be visible to the naked eye post-sunset. Best viewed with minimal light pollution, this alignment invites both astronomical interest and astrological reflection.
In a riveting League One encounter, Shrewsbury secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over the high-flying Wrexham at the Croud Meadow. John Marquis was the hero, scoring twice to secure a crucial win for the struggling team. Wrexham's fightback fell short despite Steven Fletcher's goal. The match was heated, featuring several cards, and marked a surprising upset that spiced up the league standings.
Inter Milan faced Atalanta in the highly anticipated Italian Super Cup semi-final at the King Saud University Stadium in Riyadh on January 2, 2025. Inter's 3-5-2 formation featured key players like Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram, while Atalanta struggled with injuries, including top scorer Mateo Retegui. Despite Atalanta's challenges, Inter emerged victorious with a 2-0 win, thanks to Denzel Dumfries' second-half goals.
