Sports

FIFA, football’s global governing body, has revealed that it received over 500 million ticket requests for this year’s World Cup, despite criticism over the high cost of attending the tournament. In a statement released on Wednesday, January 14, FIFA said fans from all 211 of its member associations submitted applications for tickets to the tournament, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The ticket lottery application period closed on Tuesday, with successful applicants expected to be notified no earlier than February 5. Outside the host countries, the strongest demand came from fans in Germany, England, Brazil, Spain, Portugal, Argentina, and Colombia. The most requested match was Colombia’s group-stage game against Portugal in Miami on June 27, f...

Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has acknowledged that Nigeria lacked the movement and physical strength required to overcome hosts Morocco in their AFCON 2025 semi-final clash. Naija News reports that Nigeria were eliminated on Wednesday night after a tightly contested 0-0 draw ended in a 4-2 penalty shootout victory for Morocco. Speaking after the encounter, Chelle explained that his team’s high-intensity pressing game was intentional, but admitted their overall performance did not match the level shown earlier in the tournament. “We approached the game with aggressive pressing because without pressing, you leave too much space and things become very difficult,” Chelle said. “Technically, the Super Eagles were not at the same level as in our previous matches. I don’t want ...

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has handed a four-match suspension and a $20,000 fine to Samuel Eto’o, president of the Cameroonian Football Federation (FECAFOOT), over incidents connected to Cameroon’s quarter-final defeat to Morocco at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). FECAFOOT confirmed on Wednesday that it had received the disciplinary ruling from CAF but raised concerns about how the decision was reached. The federation said the accelerated process “raises serious questions about the fundamental requirements of a fair trial” and argued that the ruling “lacks any explicit justification.” The sanction follows events that occurred after Cameroon’s 2-0 loss to Morocco in the AFCON quarter-finals. CAF had earlier disclosed that it was probing incidents from both the...

Morocco booked their place in the next round of the Africa Cup of Nations after knocking Nigeria out 4-2 on penalties following a tense 0-0 draw that stretched into extra time. The contest, officiated by Daniel Nii Ayi Laryea, was a battle of patience and defensive discipline, with both sides cancelling each other out over 120 minutes. Nigeria, driven by the attacking threat of Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, had spells of possession but could not find a breakthrough against a well-organised Moroccan back line. Morocco, marshalled by captain Achraf Hakimi, carried the greater goal threat in open play. Stanley Nwabali was called into action several times, notably denying Noussair Mazraoui and Abde Ezzalzouli, while Bono remained alert at the other end to keep out Lookman’s first-h...

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...