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14Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Afcon hosts Ivory Coast start campaign with victory

 Seko Mohamed Fofana of Ivory Coast during the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations group stage match between Ivory Coast and Guinea-Bissau at on January 13, 2024 in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.Hosts Ivory Coast opened their 2023 Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a 2-0 victory over Guinea-Bissau.Seko Fofana gave the Elephants the perfect start in the Group A clash in Abidjan when he blasted home from just inside the area in the fourth minute.He almost doubled the lead before half-time but another powerful effort was tipped on to the bar by Ouparine Djoco.Jean-Philippe Krasso hooked in the second after the break after some smart control under pressure in the box.The 2023 Afcon finals have been pushed back by six months - into early 2024 - to avoid the rainy season in West Africa, but the...

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13Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Wolves and Aston Villa in Women’s FA Cup action

 Carla Ward, Manager of Aston Villa shows her appreciation to the fans following the Barclays Women´s Super League match between Aston Villa and Brighton & Hove Albion at Poundland Bescot Stadium on December 17, 2023 in Walsall, England. Wolves head to struggling Championship outfit Reading tomorrow (2pm) looking for an upset.At the same time Championship-leading Birmingham City a Burnley side chasing the title in the same National League Northern Premier Division as Wolves.But the action starts today with Villa hosting fellow Women’s Super League side Everton at the Bescot (12.30pm)Ahead of the game, Villa boss Carla Ward revealed defender Lucy Parker will undergo surgery for an ankle injury which will likely see her miss the majority of the season in what Ward called a ‘mas...

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12Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Barcelona beat Osasuna to set up final with Real

 Robert Lewandowski (9) of Barcelona in action during the Spanish Super Cup semi-final football match between Barcelona and Osasuna at the Al-Awwal Park Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on January 11, 2024. Barcelona beat Osasuna in Saudi Arabia to set up a Spanish Super Cup final on Sunday with Real Madrid.After a goalless first half, Robert Lewandowski put Barca ahead in the 59th minute when he scored with a low shot after collecting Ilkay Gundogan's pass.Andreas Christensen and Lewandowski had earlier had shots saved by Sergio Herrera, with Ante Budimir missing a good opportunity for Osasuna.Lamine Yamal scored Barca's second goal in the third minute of added time.Barca have won the Spanish Super Cup a record 14 times and take on current La Liga leaders Real as they seek a 15th...

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11Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Africa Cup of Nations explainer: What is it, how does it work, who’s won it and more

 Francois Albert Amichia, the president of the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations Organizing Committee (CCAN) speaks during a press conference at the Palais de la Culture in Abidjan on January 10, 2024.The Africa Cup of Nations takes place in the Ivory Coast in January and February 2024, as superstars are on show in what is set to be the best-ever edition of the tournament.From Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Victor Osimhen, Riyad Mahrez and Achraf Hakimi ripping it up and a solid group of six teams who are all very evenly matched as favorites, this tournament always throws up plenty of surprises and stars of the future too.The competition to crown the African champs will be epic and in 2021 Senegal beat Egypt on penalty kicks to win AFCON for the very first time.Below is everything you need to kn...

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11Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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League Cup: Liverpool come from behind to take semi-final lead over Fulham

 Cody Gakpo of Liverpool celebrates scoring his side's second goal with team-mate Darwin Nunez (C) and Curtis Jones (L) during the Carabao Cup Semi Final First Leg match between Liverpool and Fulham at Anfield on January 10, 2024 in Liverpool, England.Liverpool produced another comeback after conceding first to take a 2-1 lead over Fulham into the second leg of their League Cup semi-final on Wednesday. Willian fired the visitors in front in their first ever League Cup semi-final at Anfield. But two goals in three second-half minutes from Curtis Jones and Cody Gakpo gave the Reds a slender advantage ahead of the second leg at Craven Cottage on January 24. Jurgen Klopp’s men have now fallen behind in 14 games this season, but have won seven of those matches and lost just three. “It’s th...

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6Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Isak double seals Wear-Tyne derby win for Newcastle

 Dan Ballard of Sunderland fouls Anthony Gordon of Newcastle United for a penalty during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Sunderland and Newcastle United at Stadium of Light on January 06, 2024 in Sunderland, England.Newcastle made comfortable work of rivals Sunderland in the Wear-Tyne derby at the Stadium of Light to book their spot in the fourth round of the FA Cup.The Magpies piled on the pressure from the outset and eventually found the breakthrough 10 minutes before half time when Sunderland defender Dan Ballard sliced Joelinton's cross into the back of his own net.It took less than a minute after the restart for Newcastle to take full control of the first Wear-Tyne derby since 2016 when Miguel Almiron robbed the ball from Pierre Ekwah before squaring for Alexander I...

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6Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Tottenham knock Burnley out of FA Cup after Porro stunner

Pedro Porro of Tottenham Hotspur scoring the 1st goal during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Tottenham Hotspur and Burnley at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on January 5, 2024 in London, England.  Burnley were knocked out of the FA Cup following a narrow 1-0 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur after Pedro Porro's 25-yard special.A replay at Turf Moor appeared on the cards until Ange Postecoglou watched full-back Porro make the breakthrough with a superb strike in the 78th minute.Clarets boss Vincent Kompany could take positives after a solid display and they will now concentrate fully on staying in the Premier League.Spurs had already beaten Burnley 5-2 this season, but they were missing their hat-trick hero from that sunny September day with Son Heung-min away for the Asian Cup...

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5Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Swansea City appoint Luke Williams as new head coach

 Luke Williams poses for a picture after signing a contract to become manager of Swansea City AFC at The Fairwood Training Ground on January 04, 2024 in Swansea, Wales.Luke Williams has left Notts County to become the new head coach of Swansea City.A month has passed since the Championship outfit made the decision to part ways with Michael Duff, who only arrived in South Wales during the summer.Since then, Alan Sheehan has been in charge on a temporary basis, instigating a vast improvement with 11 points being accumulated from seven matches.However, a day before the club's FA Cup third-round tie against Morecambe, Swansea have announced the appointment of Williams.The 43-year-old takes on the third job of his career having previously managed Swindon Town and more recently been in char...

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5Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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FA Cup: Dominic Calvert-Lewin sent off as Everton hold Crystal Palace

 Referee Chris Kavanagh shows a red card to Everton's Dominic Calvert-Lewin (not pictured) during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match at Selhurst Park, London. Picture date: Thursday January 4, 2024.Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin was controversially sent off as his side held on for a 0-0 draw against Crystal Palace in the FA Cup third round on Thursday. Calvert-Lewin saw red after a VAR review of the England striker’s studs-up foul on Nathaniel Clyne late in the second half at Selhurst Park.Calvert-Lewin made only slight contact with Clyne’s leg while winning the ball and Everton boss Sean Dyche was furious with the decision by referee Chris Kavanagh after a long VAR check.The first red card of Calvert-Lewin’s career could have been fatal to Everton’s hopes of progressing in the co...

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4Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Lee Kang-in, Kylian Mbappe goals give PSG victory in French Champions Trophy

 Kylian Mbappe of Paris Saint-Germain reacts after winning the Trophy Of Champions against Toulouse FC at Parc des Princes on January 03, 2024 in Paris, France. Lee Kang-in and Kylian Mbappe scored first-half goals as Paris Saint-Germain won the first silverware of the French season on Wednesday, beating Toulouse 2-0 to claim the Champions Trophy. Lee, playing his final game before heading off to the Asian Cup in Qatar with South Korea, put PSG ahead in the third minute, leaving Toulouse with an uphill battle at the Parc des Princes. Mbappe then added a superb second goal just before half-time, as Paris claimed the Champions Trophy for the 10th time in the last 11 seasons."We were exceptional in the first half. It was our best 45 minutes of my time here," said PSG coach Luis...

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4Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Atalanta set up Italian Cup quarter-final with AC Milan

 Mario Pasalic of Atalanta BC jumps for the ball and assists his teammate Charles De Ketelaere's goal during the Coppa Italia match between Atalanta BC and US Sassuolo at Gewiss Stadium on January 03, 2024 in Bergamo, Italy. Atalanta beat Sassuolo 3-1 on Wednesday to qualify for the Italian Cup quarter-finals where they will meet AC Milan. On loan from Milan, Belgian striker Charles De Ketelaere scored the first two of Atalanta's goals before also providing the assist for the third, scored by Russian Aleksei Miranchuk. Milan defeated Cagliari 4-1 on Tuesday and will face Atalanta at the San Siro on January 10.Holders Inter Milan were knocked out by Bologna in a game that went to extra time last month while champions Napoli were thumped 4-0 by Frosinone.Roma came from behind in a ...

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3Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Milan thrash Cagliari to reach Italian Cup last eight

 Luka Jovic of AC Milan celebrates with teammate Samuel Chukwueze after scoring their team's first goal during the Coppa Italia match between AC Milan and Cagliari Calcio at San Siro on January 02, 2024 in Milan, Italy. In-form Luka Jovic has eased the pressure on coach Stefano Pioli, scoring twice to help AC Milan beat Cagliari 4-1 in the Coppa Italia's round of 16.With Milan nine points off Serie A leaders - and city rivals - Inter going into the winter break, Pioli had come under fire after a poor run that led to his team being eliminated from the Champions League at the group stage.Milan have won the Italian Cup five times but last lifted the trophy in 2003 and haven't reached the final since 2018.They will face either Atalanta or Sassuolo in the quarter-final.Going into Tues...

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2Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Stunning Sima strike helps Rangers beat Kilmarnock

 Rangers' Ross McCausland (left) celebrates with team-mates after scoring their side's first goal of the game during the cinch Premiership match at the Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow. Picture date: Tuesday January 2, 2024. Rangers manager Philippe Clement vowed to do "more business" after heading into the Scottish Premiership break with victory over Kilmarnock.Ross McCausland fired the hosts in front after Kyle Vassell was denied when clean through on the Rangers goal, and Abdallah Sima's stunning chest touch and volley added a quick second before the break.Danny Armstrong converted a VAR-awarded penalty following John Souttar's handball - the first Rangers have conceded in 75 league games - but Todd Cantwell restored the two-goal advantage.Rangers, beaten by Celtic on Saturday, are eigh...

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21Dec By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Bologna shock Inter with 2-1 upset in Italian Cup last 16

 Sam Beukema of Bologna FC passes the ball during the Coppa Italia Round of 16 match between FC Internazionale and Bologna FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on December 20, 2023 in Milan, Italy. Two-time holders Inter Milan were knocked out of the Italian Cup last 16 after a last-gasp 2-1 loss to Bologna.Defender Sam Beukema and attacker Dan Ndoye scored in the second half of extra time at the San Siro to set up a quarter-final tie with Fiorentina after Carlos Augusto had opened the scoring for the Serie A leaders.Bologna, managed by ex-Inter midfielder Thiago Motta, join Fiorentina, Lazio and Frosinone, who beat league champions Napoli 4-0 on Tuesday, in the last eight.Inter coach Simone Inzaghi made plenty of changes for the game during a busy festive period, keeping the likes of p...

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21Dec By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Liverpool thrash West Ham to reach EFL Cup semis

Curtis Jones of Liverpool scores their fifth goal during the Carabao Cup Quarter Final match between Liverpool and West Ham United at Anfield on December 20, 2023 in Liverpool, England.Liverpool cruised into the Carabao Cup semi-finals with a dominant performance against West Ham at Anfield.Once Dominik Szoboszlai had driven a superb 25-yard effort into the bottom corner after 28 minutes, Liverpool's place in the last four was never in doubt.Curtis Jones added a second 11 minutes after the restart when he deceived Alphonse Areola into thinking he was going to cut a cross back from the edge of the six-yard box, and instead drove a shot through the Hammers' keeper's legs.Cody Gakpo was given too much space to fire home his eighth goal of the season 19 minutes from time, then Mohamed Salah ma...

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20Dec By Silver Emmanuel3 Comments

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Man City through to the FIFA Club World Cup final

 Bernardo Silva of Manchester City celebrates scoring his side's third goal during the FIFA Club World Cup between Urawa Red Diamonds and Manchester City at King Abdullah Sports City on December 19, 2023 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Manchester City set aside struggles at home to ease past Urawa Red Diamonds 3-0 in the Club World Cup semifinals and is one game away from a fifth title in 2023.The champion of Europe has never lost to the champion of Asia at a Club World Cup and it never looked likely on a balmy evening in the Red Sea port city Jeddah.After it took Man City until first-half stoppage time to score from an own goal by defender Marius Hoibraten, Mateo Kovačić and Bernardo Silva struck with shots in a seven-minute spell early in the second half against the Japanese team.Man ...

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20Dec By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Neymar to miss Copa América – Brazil doctor

 Neymar of Al-Hilal is seen during the AFC Champions League Group D match between Nassaji Mazandaran and Al-Hilal at Azadi Stadium in Tehran, Iran on October 03, 2023.Brazil forward Neymar will miss the 2024 Copa América in the United States because of a serious knee injury he suffered in October, Brazilian team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar said Tuesday.The Al Hilal star, 31, suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus in his left knee during his country's World Cup qualifying loss to Uruguay on Oct. 17, before undergoing surgery two weeks later.The Copa América will begin on June 20 and run through the final on July 14."It's too early," Lasmar told Brazil's Rede 98. "There's no point in skipping steps to recover sooner and taking unnecessary risks. Our expectation is that he wil...

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20Dec By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Chelsea beat Newcastle on penalties to reach last four

 Callum Wilson of Newcastle United in action with Benoit Badiashile and Moises Caicedo of Chelsea during the Carabao Cup Quarter Final match between Chelsea and Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge on December 19, 2023 in London, England.Newcastle United's Kieran Trippier endured a Stamford Bridge nightmare as Chelsea reached the Carabao Cup semi-finals after a penalty shootout.Callum Wilson's 16th-minute goal looked to be sending Newcastle into the last four until substitute Mykhailo Mudryk pounced on the veteran defender's error deep into stoppage time to send the game to spot-kicks.The 33-year-old, who has suffered a dip in form recently, then fired Newcastle's second penalty wide and once keeper Djordje Petrovic saved Matt Ritchie's spot-kick Chelsea had gone from the despair of co...

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19Dec By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Leicester beat Birmingham to stretch clear at top

 Harry Winks of Leicester City celebrates after Stephy Mavididi of Leicester City scores to make it 1-3 during the Sky Bet Championship match between Birmingham City and Leicester City at St Andrews (stadium) on December 18, 2023 in Birmingham, United Kingdom.Leicester City turned up the heat at the top of the Championship – looking breathtaking at times as they beat Birmingham City at St Andrew’s. In a lightning start, Stephy Mavididi fired Leicester ahead at one end, just 13 seconds after Foxes defender James Justin had hit his own post, then Jordan James quickly levelled for Blues, but Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall finished off another rapid counter-attack to quickly restore the Foxes’ lead. Mavididi, booked for over-celebrating his first goal, then curled in a deflected killer third goal ...

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15Dec By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Leverkusen keeps perfect record, young Liverpool team loses to complete Europa League group stage

Patrik Schick of Bayer Leverkusen celebrates with teammates after scoring their team's first goal during the UEFA Europa League match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and Molde FK at BayArena on December 14, 2023 in Leverkusen, Germany.Bayer Leverkusen completed the Europa League group stage with a 5-1 rout of Norwegian club Molde on Thursday to remain unbeaten across all competitions this season.The Bundesliga leader finished as the only team with a perfect record in Europe’s second-tier tournament with six wins from six in Group H after conceding just three goals and scoring 19.Patrik Schick and Edmond Tapsoba scored and Martin Ellingsen’s own goal made it 3-0 before halftime in Germany. Adam Hlozek added two more in the second half for Xabi Alonso’s team.Leverkusen extended its unbeaten stre...

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