Sports

Nigeria’s Super Eagles face a crucial test at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) as they take on hosts Morocco in Wednesday’s semi-final at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium. Head coach Éric Chelle has called on his players to dig deep and give their best against an unbeaten Moroccan side. The three-time African champions have impressed in the tournament, recording victories over Tunisia (3-2) and Algeria (2-0). Despite five wins in five matches, Chelle remains cautious. “We have to work hard to win this on Wednesday,” Chelle told reporters. “Traveling between cities within three days is demanding, but as professionals, we must stay mentally ready and give our best. No excuses.” While Algeria posed a tough challenge, Chelle described Morocco as an even bigger test, pointing t...

Morocco head coach, Walid Regragui, is banking on home support to help his team achieve victory against the Super Eagles of Nigeria. The Prince Moulay Abdallah Stadium is expected to filled to capacity when the Atlas Lions take on Éric Chelle’s side in the semi- final encounter on Wednesday. The Atlas Lions have rode on the intimidating atmosphere at the ground to excel at the ongoing 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. The North Africans have won four and drawn one of their five games in the competition. Regragui is confident the massive home support will inspire his team to victory. “When you play in Morocco you are facing only Moroccan fans not Dortmund or Madrid fans. This stadium is always different for opponents and you will always feel it when you are on the pitch,” Regragui ...

The Confederation of African Football, CAF, has appointed Ghanaian referee, Daniel Nii Laryea, for the semi-final encounter between Nigeria and Morocco. The 39-year-old as one of Africa’s top referees. Laryea will be officiating his second game at the ongoing 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. He was the centre referee in the Algeria versus Burkina Faso group game. Laryea led the Video Assistant Referee, VAR, team in the quarter-final fixture between Morocco and Cameroon. South Africa’s Zakhele Siwela, and Souru Phatsoane from Lesotho will serve as assistant referees one and two respectively. Rwanda’s Samuel Uwikunda will take up the role of fourth official. Popular South African referee Abongile Tom will be in charge of VAR.

The US Department of Homeland Security has announced plans to invest $115 million in counter-drone technology to secure the FIFA World Cup and events marking 250 years of American independence.  The funding will be managed by a newly created DHS office focused on the rapid acquisition and deployment of drone and counter-drone systems. The move reflects growing concern over the security risks posed by unmanned aerial technology, particularly at high-profile international events. The investment comes as federal agencies face mounting pressure to protect major public gatherings while also advancing President Donald Trump’s broader security and immigration priorities. It also underscores rising alarm over the technological capabilities of drug cartels, which have increasingly used dron...

Super Eagles talisman, Victor Osimhen, will wear the captain’s armaband for the semi-final encounter against the Atlas Lions of Morocco. This follows the suspension of skipper Wilfred Ndidi due to card accumulation. Ndidi was cautioned in Nigeria’s Round of 16 encounter against the Mambas of Mozambique. The Besiktas star was also booked in the  quarter-final tie against Tunisia. Osimhen captained the Super Eagles in their last group game against Uganda. Osimhen was named Super Eagles vice- captain on the eve of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Michael Carrick has reached a verbal agreement with Man Utd to become interim head coach until the end of the season. The ex-Red Devils man will take over from his former team-mate and fellow ex-midfielder Darren Fletcher in the Old Trafford dugout. Fletcher stepped up from his role as Under-18s boss to lead the team against Burnley and Brighton following Ruben Amorim’s sacking. He oversaw a 2-2 draw at Turf Moor before United were dumped out of the FA Cup as their former striker Danny Welbeck scored the Seagulls’ winner. Now Carrick will be at the helm until the summer. The five-time Premier League winner, 44, had three matches in caretaker charge of United in late 2021 when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was dismissed before Ralf Rangnick came in as interim boss. F...

Super Eagles winger Ademola Lookman has declared his commitment to helping Nigeria secure the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title in Morocco. The Atalanta star, who has been one of Nigeria’s standout performers in the tournament, is expected to play a crucial role in Wednesday’s semi-final clash against the Atlas Lions at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat. In a previous match, Algeria tried to contain Lookman with tight man-marking, but Nigeria adapted and scored twice through Victor Osimhen and Akor Adams. Having already netted three goals in the competition, Lookman emphasized that his focus remains on the present and helping Nigeria lift the trophy. “I’m always focused on the present, and right now, the present is being here in Morocco for AFCON and trying to help my ...

A self-proclaimed marabout, or traditional healer, who collected €33,500 by promising Mali’s national football team victory in the Africa Cup of Nations has been arrested for fraud following the team’s defeat. Mali was knocked out of the tournament on Friday after losing 1-0 to Senegal in the quarter-finals. The man, identified only as Mr. Sinayogo, reportedly received over 22 million CFA francs in donations, according to an associate. After the loss, an angry crowd reportedly gathered at his home until police intervened and took him into custody. Sinayogo was arrested in Bamako on Saturday on charges of fraud and was being held at the cybercrime division, according to two videographers who visited him. “Charlatanism is punishable under Malian law,” a division official told ...

Video Assistant Referee (VAR) errors have risen in the first half of the Premier League season, according to figures released by the league’s independent Key Match Incidents (KMI) Panel and analysed by BBC Sport on Tuesday. The panel documented 13 VAR mistakes during the opening half of the campaign, representing a 30 per cent increase compared to the 10 errors recorded at the same stage last season. Despite the increase, the total still marks an improvement on previous seasons, with 20 errors logged at this point in the 2023–24 campaign and 23 during the 2022–23 season. Of the 13 errors recorded this season, 11 were classified as missed interventions—instances where VAR failed to recommend an on-field review despite an incorrect refereeing decision. This is up from seven missed i...

The Angola Football Federation are looking to prize away Malian coach, Eric Chelle from Nigeria. A number of African coaches have reportedly expressed interest in Chelle after the great work he has achieved with Nigeria at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. The Super Eagles have impressed in Morocco with their sublime attacking style of play. According to SCORENigeria, the Angolan Federation are now offering to double Chelle’s salary. Chelle is on $50,000 a month, and has a year left on his contract with the NFF. They want to pay him $100,000 to make him their new head coach. The Palancas Negras endured a poor outing at AFCON 2025 failing to progress beyond the group stage.