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2Feb By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Cape Verde ‘a tougher game than against Morocco’: Bafana’s 1996 captain Tovey

 South Africa's defender #20 Khuliso Johnson Mudau, South Africa's forward #10 Percy Tau, South Africa's midfielder #4 Teboho Mokoena and South Africa's goalkeeper #1 Ronwen Williams leave the field after South Africa won the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2024 group E football match between South Africa and Namibia at Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium in Korhogo on January 21, 2024.Verde are not even ranked as high as Bafana Bafana, but former South Africa internationals have cautioned that the islanders, in Saturday’s Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinal, could on form be a tougher prospect than Morocco.On paper, in pedigree and national strength of football Africa’s top-ranked and the word’s 13-ranked team Morocco, who Bafana shocked 2-0 in the last 16 in San Pedro, Ivory Coast on Tuesday ni...

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30Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Ivory Coast stun AFCON holders Senegal, Cape Verde into quarter-finals

 Ivory Coast's midfielder #8 Franck Kessie (C) celebrates after scoring his team's first goal from the penalty spot during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2024 round of 16 football match between Senegal and Ivory Coast at the Stade Charles Konan Banny in Yamoussoukro on January 29, 2024.Hosts Ivory Coast stunned Senegal at the Africa Cup of Nations on Monday, knocking out the reigning champions on penalties in the last 16 to keep their hopes of winning the title on home soil alive. A week ago it looked as if the Ivorians were set for a humiliating group-stage exit from their own AFCON, but now they are into the quarter-finals after beating Senegal 5-4 on penalties following a tie that finished 1-1 at the end of extra time.The Elephants scraped into the knockout phase with the worst re...

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28Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Liverpool overpower Norwich to make FA Cup last 16

 Darwin Nunez of Liverpool scores his side's second goal during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Liverpool and Norwich City at Anfield on January 28, 2024 in Liverpool, England. Liverpool reached the FA Cup fifth round with an entertaining victory over Norwich in their first game since manager Jurgen Klopp announced he will leave at the end of the season.Klopp, who revealed his impending departure on Friday, was given a rousing reception by the home supporters before kick-off, and his team wasted little time in moving through the gears against the Championship play-off hopefuls.Darwin Nunez had already struck the post with a magnificent curling drive by the time Curtis Jones nodded the hosts in front from full debutant James McConnell's cross.The Canaries equalised ...

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28Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Nigeria beat Cameroon in last 16 with Lookman double

 Victor James Osimhen of Nigeria and Oumar Gonzalez of Cameroon battle for the ball during the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations round of 16 match between Nigeria and Cameroon at Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium on January 27, 2024 in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. Nigeria reached the quarter-finals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations after Ademola Lookman scored twice to beat a disappointing Cameroon 2-0 in the last 16 in Abidjan.The Atalanta forward opened the scoring nine minutes before the break after Victor Osimhen forced Oumar Gonzalez into a mistake and then teed up Lookman to fire past goalkeeper Fabrice Ondoa, who was preferred to Andre Onana.Former England Under-21s forward Lookman sealed the win in the 90th minute after one of the game's best moves, volleying home Calvin Bass...

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27Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Late Ake winner ensures Man City knock out Spurs

 Nathan Ake of Manchester City scores his team's goal during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on January 26, 2024 in London, England. Nathan Ake's late goal gave Manchester City their first victory in six visits to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and a place in the FA Cup fifth round.City looked likely to have to settle a replay after missing a succession of chances before Ake scored their first goal at this stadium after five successive defeats with two minutes left as Spurs keeper Guglielmo Vicario failed to hold Kevin de Bruyne's corner under pressure from Ruben Dias.It was a bitter blow to Spurs after a defiant rearguard action but just reward for City, who had been the better side only to miss the opp...

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26Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Bournemouth hammer Swansea to reach fifth round

 Harrison Ashby of Swansea City and Lloyd Kelly of AFC Bournemouth chase the ball during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between AFC Bournemouth and Swansea City at Vitality Stadium on January 25, 2024 in Bournemouth, England.Premier League Bournemouth became the first team to confirm their place in the fifth round of the FA Cup as they hammered Championship side Swansea 5-0.Bournemouth needed just 14 minutes to race 3-0 ahead through goals from Lloyd Kelly, Alex Scott and Luis Sinisterra.Kelly and Scott's goals were both created by David Brooks, who produced a superb individual display.Brooks capped his performance to make it 4-0 on 34 minutes and Dominic Solanke added a fifth before half-time.Swansea improved after the interval and managed to limit the damage, with Bournemout...

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25Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Barcelona knocked out of Copa del Rey by Bilbao

 (L-R) Inaki Williams of Athletic Bilbao, Hector Fort of FC Barcelona during the Spanish Copa del Rey match between Athletic de Bilbao v FC Barcelona at the San Mames Stadium on January 24, 2024 in Bilbao Spain.Barcelona were knocked out of the Copa del Rey by Athletic Bilbao after losing their quarter-final 4-2 at San Mames.Gorka Guruzeta gave Bilbao a first-minute lead but Barca were ahead just after the half-hour mark as Robert Lewandowski equalised and Lamine Yamal made it 2-1Bilbao equalised in the 49th minute with Oihan Sancet.Inaki Williams scored in extra-time before brother Nico Williams sealed victory at the death.Xavi's Barcelona side dominated possession, but Bilbao looked the most dangerous and had 27 shots on goal.However, 16-year-old Yamal, who became the competition's ...

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25Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Bamford nets winner as Leeds United beat Norwich City

 Patrick Bamford of Leeds United scores his team's first goal during the Sky Bet Championship match between Leeds United and Norwich City at Elland Road on January 24, 2024 in Leeds, England.Leeds United have climbed to within two points of the Championship's automatic-promotion places with a 1-0 win against Norwich at Elland Road.Patrick Bamford scored the game's solitary goal with a thumping first-half header and that was enough to seal Leeds their fifth straight win in all competitions and keep the pressure on their promotion rivals.Norwich were not without their chances - Gabriel Sara's first-half effort was the best of them - but they slipped to their first defeat in six games and failed to climb into the play-off places.In a fixture brought forward because both sides are in FA C...

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25Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Ivory Coast fire coach, edge into Africa Cup’s last 16

 Ivory Coast's French coach Jean-Louis Gasset (C) getsures to Ivory Coast's forward #10 Karim Konate during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2024 group A football match between Equatorial Guinea and Ivory Coast at the Alassane Ouattara Olympic Stadium in Ebimpe, Abidjan on January 22, 2024.Host nation Ivory Coast have squeezed into the last 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations on the day they fired their coach.Morocco's 1-0 win over Zambia in Group F on Wednesday (local time) ensured Ivory Coast finished among the four best third-placed teams, thus qualifying for the knockout stage.Zambia's defeat left the Copper Bullets with two points after three games, one fewer than Ivory Coast, who failed to secure their own progress when they were beaten 4-0 by Equatorial Guinea in their final group g...

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23Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Algeria dumped out of Afcon by minnows Mauritania

 Algeria's forward #9 Baghdad Bounedjah fights for the ball with Mauritania's defender #21 El Hassen Houeibib during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2024 group D football match between Mauritania and Algeria at Stade de la Paix in Bouake on January 23, 2024. Algeria crashed out of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations as minnows Mauritania claimed a famous first ever win at the finals to snatch a spot in the last 16.Centre-back Yali Dellahi swept home the winning goal late in the first half to stun the two-time Afcon winners.Defeat means 2019 champions Algeria exit the tournament at the group stage for the second successive edition.They finish bottom of Group D while Mauritania will definitely progress as one of the best third-placed teams.Mauritania will face surprise Group B winners C...

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20Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Cristiano Ronaldo says Saudi League ‘More competitive’ than French

 Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal in action during the Group J - UEFA EURO 2024 European Qualifiers match between Portugal and Iceland at Estadio Jose Alvalade on November 19, 2023 in Lisbon, Portugal.Cristiano Ronaldo insisted Friday that the often derided Saudi Pro League was "more competitive" than French Ligue 1. "To be honest, I think the Saudi championship isn't worse than the French championship.I think it's more competitive," five-time Ballon d'Or winner Ronaldo told the Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai. Ronaldo was the first major star to move to Saudi Arabia when he penned a deal with Al-Nassr last January.The likes of France's Karim Benzema, Brazilian star Neymar and Senegalese striker Sadio Mane have also left Europe behind for bumper pay packets in the Gulf kingdom.Asked about t...

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20Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Inter sweep past Lazio to reach Italian Super Cup final

 Marcus Thuram of FC Internazionale in action during the Italian EA Sports FC Supercup Semifinal match between FC Internazionale and SS Lazioat Al-Awwal Stadium on January 19, 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.Goals from Marcus Thuram and Davide Frattesi, along with a Hakan Calhanoglu penalty, have propelled Inter Milan to a 3-0 victory over Lazio in the Italian Super Cup semi-final.Friday's impressive victory secures a place for the Nerazzurri in the final against Napoli.After 17 minutes of continuous Inter pressure, Federico Dimarco conjured up a moment of magic with a skilful heel flick, setting up Thuram, who effortlessly tapped in the ball to break the deadlock.Inter continued to press after the break, with Calhanoglu doubling the lead five minutes in from the penalty spot after Lazio...

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19Jan By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

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Afcon host Ivory Coast hopes striker Sebastien Haller can return for final group game

 Ivory Coast's forward #22 Sebastien Romain Teddy Haller attends a training session at the technical's highschool stadium of Abidjan, on January 12, 2024, on the eve of the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) football match between Ivory Coast and Guinea Bissau. Ivory Coast are hoping to have striker Sebastien Haller back from injury for their last Africa Cup of Nations group game next week after their coach Jean-Louis Gasset admitted they were outmuscled against Nigeria on Thursday.The host nation lost 1-0 in their second Group A game and are under pressure to get a result when they conclude the opening phase of the tournament against Equatorial Guinea on Monday.The Ivorians are third in the group standings with three points, one behind both Equatorial Guinea and Nigeria, and will ...

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19Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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2026 World Cup final venue to be revealed Feb. 4

 Lionel Messi C of Argentina celebrates after winning 2026 World Cup qualifier match between Brazil and Argentina at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Nov. 21, 2023.The match schedule for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada will be unveiled Feb. 4, FIFA announced Thursday.As part of the announcement, FIFA will also officially announce the site for the final, which sources have confirmed has been narrowed down to AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, and MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.In the wake of report from The Sun in the United Kingdom on Wednesday that Arlington/Dallas had been selected, sources told ESPN on Thursday that neither potential host has been officially notified of a decision."We remain optimistic about our c...

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18Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Everton Advances in FA Cup with Victory over Crystal Palace

Nathaniel Clyne of Crystal Palace and Andre Gomes of Everton during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round Replay match between Everton and Crystal Palace at Goodison Park on January 17, 2024 in Liverpool, England.In an exhilarating display of football, Everton secured their spot in the fourth round of the FA Cup with a hard-fought victory over Crystal Palace. The match, held at Goodison Park on January 17, 2024, saw Everton assert their dominance, advancing further in the prestigious cup competition.This win is a significant boost for Everton’s campaign and morale, a testament to the relentless nature of knockout competitions like the FA Cup.Everton’s Triumph over Crystal PalaceEverton emerged victorious in a nail-biting 1-0 win over Crystal Palace in their FA Cup third round replay. The lone go...

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17Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Messi, Bonmati Triumph at The Best FIFA Football Awards 2023

Lionel Messi is announced as the winner of the FIFA Best Men's Award during the The Best FIFA Football Awards 2023 at The Apollo Theatre on January 15, 2024 in London, England. The stage was set on January 15, 2024, at The Best FIFA Football Awards 2023 in London, where celebrated figures from the world of football stepped up to accept their accolades. FIFA President Gianni Infantino stood alongside the winners, a symbol of the global fraternity that football embodies.Triumphs of Messi and BonmatiLeading the parade of champions were Lionel Messi and Aitana Bonmati, taking home the prestigious awards for The Best FIFA Men’s Player and The Best FIFA Women’s Player respectively. This marked Messi’s third time winning the esteemed Men’s Player of the Year Award, further cementing his stat...

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17Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Hatters triumph over Bolton, advance to fourth round of the FA cup

 Luton Town's Chiedozie Ogbene scores his side's second goal during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round Replay match between Bolton Wanderers and Luton Town at Toughsheet Community Stadium on January 16, 2024 in Bolton, England.In an electrifying match at the Toughsheet Stadium, Luton Town, fondly known as the Hatters, clinched a 2-1 victory against Bolton. The triumphant win has carried them forward to the fourth round of the FA Cup, where they are set to face either Everton or Crystal Palace. The game, characterized by its end-to-end action, saw Tahith Chong and Chiedozie Ogbene netting the decisive goals for the Hatters.First Half Frustrations and Second Half TriumphThe Hatters started the match dominating the first half, creating multiple scoring opportunities. However, their inabilit...

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15Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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AFCON 2023: Cape Verde strike late to beat Ghana 2-1

 Garry Mendes Rodrigues of Cap Verde during the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations group stage match between Ghana and Cape Verde at on January 14, 2024 in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. Substitute Garry Rodrigues pounced in injury time to give Cape Verde a shock 2-1 win over four-time former champions, Ghana, in their opening game at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on Sunday.The Black Stars looked set to come away with a draw after Alexander Djiku headed home to cancel out a Jamiro Monteiro goal for Cape Verde at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium in Abidjan.Majeed Ashimeru was also denied a goal for Ghana following a lengthy VAR check, but Cape Verde grabbed three points in the Group B match as Rodrigues found the net at the death.It was a fine victory for the island nation, who ...

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15Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Salah salvages draw for Egypt against Mozambique

 Muhammed Salah (10) of Egypt in action during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2024 group B football match between Egypt and Mozambique at Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan, Ivory Coast on January 14, 2024. Mohamed Salah's injury-time penalty spared Egypt's blushes against Mozambique in their Group B opener at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.A regulation victory looked on the cards when Mostafa Mohamed put the Pharaohs ahead after just 89 seconds.Quickfire second-half goals from Witi and Clesio gave the Mambas hope of recording a first-ever Afcon win.But their dreams were dashed at the death when Domingos Macandza caught Mohamed, and Salah salvaged a draw.The Video Assistant Referee had intervened to recommend that referee Dahane Beida go to the screen to review the challe...

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14Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Osimhen nets as Nigeria are held by Equatorial Guinea

 Nigeria's forward #9 Victor Osimhen heads the ball during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2024 group A football match between Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Ebimpe, Abidjan, on January 14, 2024. Victor Osimhen's quick-fire equaliser spared Nigeria a shock defeat against Equatorial Guinea in their opening game of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.Osimhen nodded in a minute after Iban Salvador's opener for the underdogs.Salvador's classy first-half finish was his side's only attempt on target and briefly threatened a significant upset in the second game of the tournament.Jesus Owono made several second-half saves to deny the Super Eagles, while Osimhen missed after breaking clear.

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