Sports

A major controversy has erupted in African football after the Confederation of African Football stripped Senegal of their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title, prompting strong backlash and a firm refusal by the country to return the trophy. The dispute follows CAF’s ruling on the 2025 final, which awarded hosts Morocco a 3-0 victory after the match was declared a walkover. The decision came after Senegal’s late exit from the game on the instruction of head coach Pape Thiaw, following a controversial stoppage-time penalty awarded to Morocco. CAF maintained that Senegal’s walk-off violated the rules of the game. However, the reaction from Senegal has been swift and defiant. Government officials have condemned the decision as unjust and unprecedented, while also alleging corruption w...

Iran will “boycott the United States” but will still participate in this year’s FIFA World Cup 2026, according to Mehdi Taj. In a video released by Iranian press agency Fars on Wednesday, Taj said: “We will be preparing for the World Cup. We will boycott the United States but not the World Cup.” Iran is scheduled to play its group-stage matches in the US, part of the tournament hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The country’s football federation has reportedly discussed with FIFA the possibility of relocating its matches, though the global governing body has so far kept the schedule unchanged. Claudia Sheinbaum stated on Tuesday that Mexico is ready to host Iran’s first-round matches if required due to the conflict in the Middle East. She added: “Mexico m...

The president of African football’s governing body has defended its “integrity and impartiality” after Senegal’s government called for an international investigation into “suspected corruption” at the organisation after it stripped the country of its Africa Cup of Nations title. Patrice Motsepe, the president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), explained the decision made by its appeals board on Tuesday, March 16, that ruled Senegal had forfeited the final in January by walking off the field, turning its 1-0 win in extra time into a 3-0 default win for host nation Morocco. “The CAF disciplinary board took one decision. The CAF appeals board took a totally different position. And I’m told that Senegal is going to appeal, which is very important,” Motsepe said in ...

Former world heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua, has returned to full training camp as he prepares for a comeback to the ring this summer, months after surviving a fatal road accident in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two close associates. The 34-year-old has been out of action since his sixth-round stoppage victory over Jake Paul in Miami on December 19. Shortly after, his career was put on hold following a devastating crash along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway that resulted in the deaths of his personal trainer, Kevin Ayodele, and recovery therapist, Sina Ghami. Although Joshua survived the incident, he has spent the past few months recovering and grieving the loss of his colleagues. He initially made a gradual return to training at Finchley Amateur Boxing Club, where his care...

The Nigeria Football Federation has announced a 23-man squad for upcoming international friendlies against Iran and Jordan, with captain Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, and Ademola Lookman leading the list. Head coach Eric Chelle confirmed the selection on Wednesday, March 18, naming a balanced squad that includes both established players and new call-ups. The matches will now be played in Antalya, Turkey. The Super Eagles are set to face Iran on March 27 before taking on Jordan on March 31, with both fixtures moved from Amman due to ongoing tensions in the Middle East. Also included in the squad are Maduka Okoye, Semi Ajayi, Frank Onyeka, Moses Simon, Samuel Chukwueze, Akor Adams, and Paul Onuachu. New faces in the squad include Emmanuel Fernandez, Philip Otele, and Collins Yira So...

Senegal captain, Idrissa Gueye, has voiced his disappointment following the decision by the Confederation of African Football to overturn the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final result—awarding the title to Morocco and stripping Senegal of their championship status. The ruling abruptly ended what had been a moment of celebration for Senegal, who initially believed they had secured victory in the final held in Rabat. The reversal has since sparked widespread reactions across the football community. Gueye, who led the team during the final, shared his thoughts via Instagram on March 18, reflecting on the situation with a mix of disappointment and perspective. “Titles, trophies, medals… all of that is only temporary,” he wrote, emphasizing that what truly matters is the safety and un...

The Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football has acknowledged CAF’s Appeal Board ruling following the disputed AFCON 2025 final. In a statement on its official website, the federation said its appeal was aimed at ensuring proper application of competition rules, not disputing the sporting merit of any team. “The Federation reiterates that its approach has always been grounded in respect for the rules and stability of African competitions,” it stated. The Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football also commended all participating nations, describing the tournament as significant for African football development. It said a detailed position would be released after a meeting of its governing bodies scheduled for Wednesday. The federation added that the forthcoming statement wou...

The Senegalese Football Federation has rejected the decision of the Confederation of African Football Appeal Board awarding the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title to Morocco and confirmed it will challenge the ruling at the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Morocco were on Tuesday crowned champions of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after the Confederation of African Football Appeal Board overturned the result of the final against Senegal, ruling that the West African side forfeited the match following a walk-off during the game in Rabat on January 19. CAF stated that “the Senegal national team is declared to have forfeited the final match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025, with the result recorded as 3–0 in favour of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football.”...

A Nigerian footballer, Chinonso Jeremiah Obi, has been hospitalised for injury sustained following a knife attack in Lithuania. Obi suffered a knife attack while his club, FK Dianava was preparing to travel for a league one match against Taurus in Taurage.  Obi was st@bbed near an apartment building on Naujoji Street in Alytus around 11:am on Tuesday, March 17, 2026. He was walking to the location where the team was supposed to leave for Tauragė, when the attacker, a 2007-born male, st@bbed him from behind. Obi was st@bbed in the stomach, buttocks, and arm, before the assailant was overpowered and detained by the club’s administrator. Passersby helped Obi who was then transported to hospital where the 20-year-old Lagos-born player’s condition is said to be criti...

The captain of the Iranian women's football team has withdrawn her bid for Australian asylum, making her the fifth member of the delegation to change her mind. Zahra Ghanbari will fly from Malaysia back to Iran, news agency IRNA reported on Sunday. Australian officials confirmed another member had dropped their asylum application but did not identify them. It comes a day after authorities reported three other women had withdrawn their claims. The footballers had originally sought sanctuary after concerns that the team would face repercussions for staying silent during the country's anthem at their opening Asian Cup match. The latest withdrawal means that, of the seven to initially accept Australia's offer of humanitarian visas, only two now remain in the country as defecto...