Sports

Manchester United interim manager Darren Fletcher has described his appointment as an opportunity beyond his “wildest dreams,” while stressing that he has not considered the prospect of taking the job on a permanent basis following the dismissal of Ruben Amorim. The Portuguese coach was sacked after a difficult 14-month spell at Old Trafford, with former United midfielder Fletcher stepping in on an interim basis. Speaking to the media ahead of United’s clash with Burnley, the under-18s coach reflected on the unexpected turn of events. “It’s surreal,” Fletcher said. “To be given the chance to lead a Manchester United team is an incredible honour. I never imagined, even in my wildest dreams, that this could happen—especially when I was still playing for the club.” While admitting th...

The quarter-final lineup for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 is now taking shape after Algeria secured their spot with a Round of 16 win over DR Congo on Tuesday. Seven of the eight quarter-finalists have already been confirmed in Africa’s premier football tournament, according to SNOW TV NEWS. Algeria defeated DR Congo 1–0 after extra time in Rabat, with substitute Anis Boulbina scoring the decisive goal in the 119th minute, setting up a clash with Nigeria. Nigeria had booked their quarter-final place on Monday with a commanding 4–0 victory over Mozambique, highlighted by a brace from Victor Osimhen to propel the Super Eagles into the last eight. Senegal, Mali, host nation Morocco, Cameroon, and Egypt had already secured their spots, leaving only one R...

Tyson Fury could turn his attention to Fabio Wardley if a long-awaited all-British clash with Anthony Joshua fails to happen, according to Mirror.co.uk. The “Gypsy King,” who announced his retirement last January after back-to-back defeats to Oleksandr Usyk, has in recent months hinted strongly at a return. Now 37, the Morecambe fighter appears set for another comeback in 2026. Currently training in Thailand, Fury has been sharing workout clips with his online followers. In one post, he appeared to confirm his plans, writing: “2026 is that year. Return of the Mac. Been away for a while, but I’m back now—37 years old and still punching. Nothing better to do than punch men in the face and get paid for it.” Fury, a former two-time heavyweight champion, has also been sparring with Kev...

A senior official of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) has dismissed reports claiming that Super Eagles forward and Galatasaray striker, Victor Osimhen, plans to leave the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations camp in Morocco. The clarification was shared by FIFA and CAF-accredited journalist Adepoju Samuel, who said he spoke directly with an NFF official regarding the incident involving Osimhen and Ademola Lookman during Nigeria’s 4–0 round-of-16 victory over Mozambique. Posting on X on Tuesday, Samuel quoted the official as saying: “Everything has been sorted since last night, and we are all good. There was no discussion about Osimhen leaving the tournament. The issue has been resolved as a family.” The incident occurred in the 63rd minute of the match when Osimhen was visibly upset a...

Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen reportedly threatened to leave the national team and return to Turkey. According to Arise News, Osimhen became enraged after an on-field clash with Ademola Lookman during Nigeria’s 4-0 victory over Mozambique at the ongoing 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on Monday. Despite scoring twice from Lookman’s assists, the 27-year-old angrily confronted his teammate in the 64th minute for not passing the ball to him. Osimhen then signaled to the bench to be substituted and was replaced by Moses Simon. After the match, he stormed out of the stadium, leaving behind his accreditation card, and declared he was “done” with the national team and intended to return to Turkey. He was later calmed down by senior officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF...

Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman has stated that his main focus at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations is helping Nigeria advance, rather than finishing as the tournament’s top scorer. Lookman has been one of Nigeria’s key performers in Morocco, contributing significantly to the Super Eagles’ 4–0 quarter-final-clinching win over Mozambique, scoring once and assisting Victor Osimhen and Akor Adams. The forward now has three goals in the tournament, matching his total from the 2023 AFCON in Côte d’Ivoire. However, when asked about aiming for the top scorer award, Lookman dismissed the notion. “No,” he said. “For me, it’s all about the team. We’re in the quarter-finals now, and our next opponent will be tough. Scoring four goals was a great team performance, and that’s what matters mo...

Chelsea have officially announced the appointment of Liam Rosenior as their new manager, handing him a five-and-a-half-year contract. The 41-year-old joins from Strasbourg, where he had been in charge since July 2024 after previous stints at Hull City and Derby County. Rosenior travelled to London earlier this week to finalise the move. During his time in France, Rosenior led Strasbourg to a seventh-place finish in Ligue 1 last season. He departs the club following a 1-1 draw with Nice on Saturday, which extended their winless league run to five matches. Strasbourg currently sit seventh in the table and lead their Conference League group. Rosenior replaces Enzo Maresca, who left Chelsea on January 1. The Blues are currently fifth in the Premier League after securing a late 1-1 ...

West Bromwich Albion have sacked head coach Ryan Mason following Monday’s defeat to Leicester City, the Championship club confirmed on Tuesday. The 2–1 loss marked West Brom’s 10th consecutive away defeat and left the Baggies 18th on the table, 10 points behind the play-off places in their push for promotion to the Premier League. In a statement, the club announced: “West Bromwich Albion have today parted ways with men’s first-team head coach Ryan Mason.” It added that assistant head coach Nigel Gibbs and first-team coach and head of performance Sam Pooley have also left the club. West Brom face Swansea City away in the FA Cup on Sunday, while their next league match is scheduled for January 16 against Middlesbrough at The Hawthorns. Monday’s defeat was sealed by Abdul Fatawu’s...

Manchester United reportedly paid Ruben Amorim £10 million in compensation following his dismissal on Monday, according to the Daily Mail. The 40-year-old coach departed Old Trafford after just 14 months at the helm. He was informed of the club’s decision during an early-morning meeting with chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox at the Carrington training complex, shortly after a 1–1 draw with Leeds United. Reports also indicate that Amorim had fallen out with the club’s hierarchy in the days leading up to the match at Elland Road. Overall, United’s decision to appoint and then sack Amorim is said to have cost the club close to £27 million. The club paid £8.3 million to buy out his contract at Sporting Lisbon in October 2024, along with an additional £...

: Former heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua may be weighing the option of stepping away from the sport following a fatal car accident in Nigeria, his uncle, Adedamola Joshua, has revealed. Speaking exclusively to The PUNCH, Adedamola disclosed that the 36-year-old boxer shared his thoughts on retirement with family members after surviving the crash, which claimed the lives of two close friends and key members of his team. According to him, the decision has brought a sense of relief to the family, who have long endured emotional strain whenever Joshua stepped into the ring. He noted that the boxer’s willingness to walk away at the peak of his career was a source of comfort to loved ones. The uncle confirmed that Joshua had personally communicated the decision to the ...