Sports

Nigeria face hosts Morocco in the second AFCON 2025 semi-final tonight. Here’s the latest team news ahead of the clash. Eric Chelle’s Nigeria have exceeded expectations by reaching the last four, aiming to make up for missing out on this year’s World Cup. The three-time African champions have been in strong form, scoring 14 goals in five matches, with Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen leading the attack. They will need their best performance to overcome Morocco and a passionate home crowd in Rabat. Morocco, the tournament hosts, have been less adventurous in attack but remain solid defensively, bolstered by the return of star right-back Achraf Hakimi from injury. Real Madrid winger Brahim Diaz has been Morocco’s key offensive threat, scoring in each of their five AFCON matches so fa...

Senegal have booked their place in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Egypt in the semi-final clash Sadio Mane netted the decisive goal in the 78th minute, securing a 1-0 win for Senegal over Egypt in their Africa Cup of Nations semifinal in Tangier. Senegal controlled possession throughout the match against a cautious Egyptian side and will meet either hosts Morocco or Nigeria in Sunday’s final. It was a cagey match, with Senegal being the aggressors, and Egypt displaying their defensive fortitude. Ultimately, Mane’s long-distance strike proved the difference maker, which was deserved as Senegal had the edge in possession (65 percent) and total shots (11 to four) over their opponents. Egypt tried in vain to force an equaliser,...

Tottenham Hotspur have signed England midfielder Conor Gallagher from Atletico Madrid for £34 million, bringing him back to the Premier League just months after his move to Spain. The 25-year-old has signed a five-and-a-half-year deal with Spurs. Aston Villa had reportedly shown interest with a loan-and-buy proposal, but Atletico insisted on a permanent transfer. Tottenham acted quickly after midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur suffered a serious hamstring injury, ruling him out for most of the season. Spurs confirmed Bentancur will undergo surgery and begin rehabilitation with their medical team. Gallagher joined Atletico in the summer of 2024 for around £38 million, part of the deal that sent Joao Felix to Chelsea. Before his move to Spain, Gallagher made 136 Premier League appearances wi...

Burkina Faso have dismissed head coach Brama Traore and his entire technical crew following the team’s exit from the Africa Cup of Nations after a heavy defeat to rivals Ivory Coast. The Burkina Faso Football Federation announced on Wednesday, January 14, that the decision was based on results that fell far short of expectations at the continental tournament. Federation president Oumarou Sawadogo described the outcome as a “bitter disappointment,” noting that the team had targeted at least a semi-final appearance. The Stallions also failed to secure qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Burkina Faso were beaten 3–0 by defending champions Ivory Coast in Marrakesh on Monday. Amad Diallo opened the scoring and set up Yan Diomande’s goal before halftime, while substitute Bazoumana T...

A betting analytics platform, PolyMarket, has tipped hosts Morocco as favourites to win the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) as the tournament reaches the semi-final stage. Only four teams remain: Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, and Egypt. In today’s semi-finals, Senegal face Egypt at 6 p.m., while Nigeria take on Morocco later at 9 p.m. at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat. PolyMarket’s Supercomputer gives Morocco a 37% chance of lifting the trophy on home soil, followed by Senegal at 28%, Nigeria at 25%, and Egypt, the competition’s most successful nation, at 13%. Despite the odds, Nigeria remain confident. Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi said the team will approach the semi-final with the same focus and determination that has carried them through a perfect run of five...

Former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has shut down a move to Real Madrid after Xabi Alonso's sacking,  insisting that the club's decision to part ways with the Spaniard had 'nothing to do with me'. Klopp, 58, has not managed a football team since leaving Liverpool in the summer of 2024, with the German saying that he wanted some time away from the dugout as he was 'running out of energy'. He is currently Red Bull's global head of football. When asked if his phone had started ringing after Alonso's departure, Klopp told Austrian channel Servus TV: 'I think the rumors have been circulating for some time now. And I know exactly what your question is getting at, but it has nothing to do with me. 'My phone did actually ring, but not from Madrid. There were, however, a f...

Nigeria’s Super Eagles and hosts Morocco will clash in a blockbuster semi-final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations tonight, January 14, at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, with kickoff set for 9 p.m. The match presents Nigeria with a major opportunity to further assert their status among Africa’s football elite. Victory would see the Super Eagles reach a ninth AFCON final, achieve back-to-back final appearances for the first time since 1988 and 1990, and draw level with Ghana on nine final berths. Nigeria have previously contested AFCON finals in 1980, 1984, 1988, 1990, 1994, 2000, 2013 and 2023. A win in Rabat would also mark their fourth final appearance on North African soil. Since lifting the trophy in 2013, only Egypt, Senegal and Ivory Coast have joined Nigeria in re...

Chelsea are said to have started discussions to bring in Feyenoord’s striker, Anis Hadj-Moussa this January, as reported by French media. The Paris-born winger made a strong impression with his standout performances in a few key matches during the Africa Cup of Nations with Algeria, but his team was beaten by Nigeria in the quarter-finals this weekend. Hadj-Moussa has had a strong beginning to the season at his club, scoring seven goals and providing three assists in 23 games for Feyenoord. A French newspaper, Foot Mercato said that Hadj-Moussa’s performance in the Africa Cup of Nations has made him very popular among European football fans – and Chelsea are the newest team that has shown interest in him. It is said that the Club World Cup winners have started looking into a po...

Manchester United have appointed former midfielder Michael Carrick as head coach of the men’s first team until the end of the 2025/26 season. Announcing the decision on Tuesday, the club said Carrick brings deep experience and a strong winning mentality, having enjoyed a trophy-laden playing career at Old Trafford and previously served as a coach under José Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Carrick, who also had a spell as caretaker manager, said it was an honour to lead the club, adding that he understands what it takes to succeed at Manchester United and has full confidence in the squad’s ability to deliver. The former England international, who last managed Middlesbrough, will be supported by an expanded coaching team as he leads the side for the remainder of the season.

The Super Eagles face a formidable challenge at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) as they take on hosts Morocco in the semi-final at Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah, Rabat, on Wednesday. Nigeria narrowly lost in the previous AFCON final in Ivory Coast but have impressed in this edition, winning all five of their matches to reach the semi-finals. Eric Chelle’s side leads the tournament in goals and remains the only team with a 100% winning record. However, they face Morocco’s Atlas Lions, who are aiming to end a 50-year wait for a continental title on home soil. The Super Eagles advanced to the semi-finals with a 2-0 victory over Algeria, thanks to goals from Victor Osimhen and Akor Adams. Morocco, meanwhile, defeated five-time champions Cameroon 2-0 to secure their spot. Both sides...