Strasbourg (France) (AFP) – Lebo Mothiba daringly likened South Africa's training sessions to those of Barcelona, but the striker believes his battling style blended with the team's possession-based approach could deliver success at the Africa Cup of Nations. South Africa, or Bafana Bafana, are back in the continent's flagship tournament after missing out in 2017, […]

Paris (AFP) – Just hours after scoring in Brazil's 5-0 thrashing of Peru at the Copa America, Dani Alves announced he was leaving Paris Saint-Germain. The 36-year-old right back, who is captain of Brazil, had been with the French champions for two seasons and was at the end of his contract. "Everything has a start, […]

Tokyo (AFP) – Spanish World Cup winner Fernando Torres said Sunday his body could no longer cope with the physical demands of football after announcing his retirement from the game. But the 35-year-old, once one of the deadliest marksmen in the world, would not rule out a future in coaching. The former Atletico Madrid, Liverpool […]

Rio de Janeiro (AFP) – Fireworks could be in store when reigning champions Chile and record 15-time winners Uruguay meet in the Copa America on Monday at Rio de Janeiro's Maracana stadium. It will be the fourth edition running of the oldest continental competition in international football in which the South American rivals meet and […]

Cairo (AFP) – Ivory Coast coach Ibrahima Kamars sees Nicolas Pepe as one the young stars who can banish the memories of a disastrous Africa Cup of Nations title defence two years ago. The 2015 champions were held by Togo and the Democratic Republic of Congo and lost against Morocco to make an undignified exit […]

Los Angeles (AFP) – On and off the football field, Alex Morgan prefers to attack. The US striker, who has scored five goals so far at the women's World Cup and will face Spain with her team in the last 16 on Monday as long as she shakes off a knock, collects trophies and advertising […]

Porto Alegre (Brazil) (AFP) – Argentina are in good "psychological" shape ahead of their must-win clash with Qatar at the Copa America, coach Lionel Scaloni said on Saturday. Following a 2-0 defeat to Colombia and 1-1 draw with Paraguay, Argentina are bottom of Group B with one game left knowing that only a top two […]

Sao Paulo (AFP) – Brazil coach Tite praised his team's effectiveness as the hosts stormed into the Copa America quarter-finals as Group A winners following Saturday's 5-0 thrashing of Peru. Brazil had been jeered by their own fans in their opening two pool matches — a 3-0 win over Bolivia and 0-0 draw with Venezuela […]

Paris (AFP) – Germany cruised through to the quarter-finals of the women's World Cup on Saturday while Sam Kerr was one of two Australian players to miss from the spot as Norway dumped out the Matildas on penalties. Norway won 4-1 in a shoot-out following a 1-1 draw in Nice in the last 16 late […]

Belo Horizonte (Brazil) (AFP) – Venezuela have gained the respect of the football world in qualifying for the Copa America quarter-finals with a 3-1 victory over Bolivia on Saturday, said forward Josef Martinez. Following Tuesday's impressive goalless draw with hosts Brazil, Venezuela went into Saturday's clash in Belo Horizonte knowing victory would take them into […]

Milan (AFP) – Spain became the first team to advance to the semi-finals of the European under-21 championships on Saturday with a 5-0 win over Poland which also earns them a ticket to the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. But hosts Italy will have to wait two days to see if they advance to the […]

Rio de Janeiro (AFP) – Hosts Brazil reached the Copa America quarter-finals by topping Group A after a 5-0 thrashing of Peru in Sao Paulo on Saturday. Venezuela also qualified for the knock-out stages following a 3-1 victory over Bolivia in Belo Horizonte, but Peru must wait to find out if they progress as one […]

Alexandria (Egypt) (AFP) – Africa Cup of Nations debutants Madagascar secured a first ever point at the tournament on Saturday after an entertaining 2-2 draw against Guinea in their Group B opener in Alexandria. Guinea started without influential midfielder Naby Keita after his recent injury troubles but went ahead through Sory Kaba's confident finish on […]

Nice (France) (AFP) – Sam Kerr was one of two Australian players to miss her penalty as Norway beat the Matildas 4-1 in a shoot-out following an engrossing 1-1 draw on Saturday to reach the quarter-finals of the women's World Cup. Ingrid Engen converted the decisive spot-kick for the Norwegians after both Kerr and Emily […]

Sao Paulo (AFP) – Peru goalkeeper Pedro Gallese committed a horrendous error as Brazil ensured top spot in their Copa America group on Saturday with a 5-0 victory in Sao Paulo. Goals from Casemiro, Roberto Firmino, Everton, Dani Alves and Willian ensured the Selecao would finish top of Group A and will play their quarter-final […]