Sports

Moroccan police arrested 18 Senegal fans and one Algerian during the chaotic Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final on Sunday night. Entertainment center According to AFP via RMC Sport, the arrests were made so the Senegal supporters could be questioned about acts of hooliganism inside the stadium, while the Algerian is suspected of inciting hooliganism. It comes after several fans attempted to enter the field of play in the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in a period that saw Senegal manager Pape Thiaw take his players off the field in stoppage time because of a refereeing decision. Thiaw is set to face a lengthy ban after telling his players to walk off in protest despite apologising for his actions, and the Moroccan football federation ...

Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle is set to enhance his technical expertise through short-term internships at top European clubs, all while maintaining his role with Nigeria’s national team. Former Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president Amaju Pinnick confirmed that plans are in motion to place the Franco-Malian coach in brief training stints with elite European sides. The proposal has the backing of FIFA’s technical chief, Arsène Wenger, following Nigeria’s third-place finish at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Pinnick emphasized that the initiative is intended to further develop Chelle’s skills rather than address any deficiencies. “We want to give him additional exposure at some of these top clubs worldwide to add to his technical knowledge and football insight. It’s ...

The Federal Government has outlined plans to rehabilitate the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, with a proposed expenditure of ₦24.642 billion under the 2026 Appropriation Bill. The amount forms part of the ₦203.6 billion budget allocated to the National Sports Commission (NSC), reflecting the government’s renewed effort to revive Nigeria’s deteriorating sports infrastructure. President Bola Tinubu presented a ₦58.18 trillion “Budget of Restoration” to the National Assembly in December 2025, in which the sports sector recorded a significant boost. Funding for sports in the 2026 fiscal year rose by more than 300 per cent compared to the ₦78 billion approved in 2025. Earlier, NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko revealed that rehabilitation work on the national stadium was expected to b...

Super Eagles forward Akor Adams made a stunning return to club football on Monday night, coming off the bench to score twice and earn Sevilla FC a 2–2 draw against Elche CF, ending the club’s four-game losing streak in all competitions. Fresh from Nigeria’s AFCON 2025 campaign, Adams delivered a game-changing performance after Sevilla had gone two goals down. Elche started brightly and took the lead within the opening 15 minutes when Martim Neto split Sevilla’s backline to release Aleix Febas, who calmly fired past goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos. The hosts doubled their advantage shortly after the break, with Germán Valera finding space in the area and finishing confidently to put Elche in firm control. Sevilla manager Matías Almeyda introduced Adams at the start of the second...

24A3RW Morocco head coach Walid Regragui has expressed frustration with the officiating following his team’s dramatic loss to Senegal in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final, insisting that crucial late decisions cost his side the title. Speaking after the match, Regragui said Morocco had done enough to win before the game took an unexpected turn in the closing moments. He described the encounter as having a “Hitchcock-like ending,” arguing that refereeing decisions altered the course of the final. “We did everything today and deserved to win, but the referee saw things differently,” Regragui stated. The key incidents unfolded deep into stoppage time. A Senegal goal was first ruled out, before Morocco were awarded a penalty following a VAR review — a decision that cause...

Manchester City have finalised the transfer of defender Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace in a deal valued at an initial £20 million. The England international joins the Premier League champions at a reduced fee due to his contract situation, with only six months remaining on his deal at Selhurst Park. Palace opted to cash in on their captain rather than risk losing him on a free transfer. The agreement also includes a sell-on clause, and the 25-year-old has committed his future to City by signing a five-and-a-half-year contract that will keep him at the Etihad Stadium until 2031. Speaking after completing the move, Guehi expressed his delight at joining the club, describing it as a proud moment in his career. “I’m extremely happy and proud to be a Manchester City player. This fee...

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has suspended Senegal head coach, Pape Thiaw, following a disciplinary review of the dramatic scenes that disrupted Sunday’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final in Rabat. Senegal defeated host nation Morocco 1–0 after extra time at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium to secure their second continental title. However, the historic victory was overshadowed by Thiaw’s decision to instruct his players to leave the pitch in protest. CAF said the coach’s actions amounted to a serious misconduct that threatened the integrity of the competition. The incident occurred deep into second-half stoppage time when referee Jean-Jacques Ndala awarded Morocco a late penalty after a VAR review. The decision came shortly after a Senegal goal had been ruled o...

Morocco midfielder Brahim Diaz has issued an apology to his compatriots following his missed penalty in Sunday’s Africa Cup of Nations final against Senegal. With the score locked at 0–0 late in the game, Diaz attempted a Panenka-style penalty, which was comfortably saved by Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy. Senegal later went on to secure victory in extra time. The 24-year-old took to his X account on Monday to accept full responsibility for the miss, admitting that he had failed to deliver for Moroccan fans and acknowledging the pain of losing the trophy. In an emotional message, Diaz expressed his disappointment and apologised to supporters for the costly miss. “My soul hurts. I dreamed of winning this title because of all the love and support you showed me. Every message an...

Nigeria’s Super Eagles have climbed to 26th position in the latest FIFA World Ranking released on Monday, making a remarkable 12-place jump following their impressive performance at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco. The national team moved up from 38th place after securing a third-place finish at the continental tournament, a result that significantly boosted their global standing. Nigeria’s bronze medal outing at AFCON 2025 stands out as one of the team’s most solid performances in recent years and has contributed greatly to the sharp rise in the rankings. The improvement reflects the Super Eagles’ strong results against tough opponents during the competition, as well as their overall positive form in recent international matches. With the latest update, Niger...

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has criticised the actions of some Senegalese players, supporters, and members of the technical crew over what he described as “unacceptable scenes” that overshadowed Sunday’s Africa Cup of Nations final. In a statement sent to AFP, Infantino condemned the decision of several Senegal players to walk off the pitch in protest after a penalty was awarded to Morocco late in the match. “We strongly condemn the behaviour of some supporters, as well as some Senegalese players and technical staff. Leaving the field of play in this manner is unacceptable,” Infantino said, adding that violence has no place in football. The AFCON final was disrupted deep into injury time with the score level at 0–0, when Morocco were awarded a penalty following a VAR review fo...