Alexandria (Egypt) (AFP) – Odion Ighalo came off the bench to score the goal that gave former champions Nigeria a 1-0 victory over stubborn minnows Burundi on Saturday in the opening Africa Cup of Nations Group B match. The Shanghai Shenhua forward had been on the pitch only four minutes in Egyptian Mediterranean city Alexandria […]

Grenoble (France) (AFP) – Germany captain Alexandra Popp hailed a "perfect day" after leading her team into the last eight of the Women's World Cup with a hard-fought 3-0 win over underdogs Nigeria on Saturday. Popp, 28, scored a 20th minute opener and celebrated her 100th cap as Germany became the first team to reach […]

Porto Alegre (Brazil) (AFP) – Lionel Messi has played football since he was born but now he hopes to realize a dream: to meet his namesake and five-time Ballon d'Or winner. The six-year-old from Alvorada, a suburb of Porto Alegre, is waiting at the gates of the Beira Rio stadium alongside his mother Lisiana Maier, […]

Grenoble (France) (AFP) – Germany became the first team to secure their place in the last eight of the Women's World Cup after Lea Schueller's late strike completed a hard-fought 3-0 win over underdogs Nigeria on Saturday. The two-time world champions had VAR to thank for their first two goals in a physical encounter in […]

Montpellier (France) (AFP) – From her parents' cocoa plantation to university in Versailles, it has been a long journey to get to a World Cup for Yvonne Leuko, who will be part of the Cameroon side taking on England in the last 16 on Sunday. As a 15-year-old, Leuko would spend up to three hours […]

Cairo (AFP) – Twice Africa Cup of Nations-winning coach Herve Renard on Saturday maintained the suspense over his future with Morocco amid persistent rumours of his departure. Renard, who is under contract until 2022, is the only coach to win the competition with two countries, and hopes to complete a hat-trick at this year's finals […]

Cairo (AFP) – Algeria coach Djamel Belmadi says unfancied Kenya will not be underestimated when the two sides clash in their opening Africa Cup of Nations match in Group C on Sunday in Cairo. Kenya are returning to the continental showpiece for the first time since 2004 and will head into their showdown with an […]

Cairo (AFP) – Uganda ended a 41-year wait for an Africa Cup of Nations victory when they upset the Democratic Republic of Congo 2-0 Saturday in a Group A match in Cairo. The Cranes last won at the showcase of African football in March 1978, defeating Nigeria in a semi-final before losing the title decider […]

Milan (AFP) – Former Roma boss Eusebio Di Francesco has been appointed coach of Serie A rivals Sampdoria, the Genoa club announced on Saturday. The 49-year-old, who was sacked by the capital club last March, has agreed a three-year deal after predecessor Marco Giampaolo moved to AC Milan. Di Francesco led Roma to third place […]

Le Havre (France) (AFP) – Brazil's two biggest stars, Marta and Formiga, are struggling with injuries ahead of their women's World Cup last-16 match against France on Sunday, coach Vadao said. Marta, who became the all-time World Cup record goalscorer with the penalty that gave Brazil a 1-0 victory over Italy and a place in […]

Milan (AFP) – New AC Milan coach Marco Giampaolo said Saturday he was ready to seize the opportunity to turn the clock back for former European greats AC Milan days before taking over at the San Siro. The 51-year-old former Sampdoria boss replaces Gennaro Gattuso on a two-year deal reported to be worth two million […]

Cairo (AFP) – Kenya's unimpressive record at the Africa Cup of Nations reads just one win in 14 matches, but Victor Wanyama and co. are eager to make a splash as they return to the tournament after a 15-year absence. The Harambee Stars have never progressed beyond the first round of the continent's flagship event […]

Cairo (AFP) – Nigeria forward Samuel Kalu is in a "stable condition" after collapsing during training due to dehydration, the Egyptian Football Association said, amid a sweltering start to the Africa Cup of Nations. "The health situation of Nigeria's player Samuel Kalu is stable after undergoing the necessary medical tests following his fall during his […]

The Hague (AFP) – Italian powerhouses Juventus are on the hunt for star Dutch defender and Ajax captain Matthijs de Ligt and are reportedly prepared to pay more than 70 million euros, according to De Telegraaf newspaper Saturday. The teenage centre-back has previously been linked to a possible transfer to Paris Saint-Germain, but Juventus "are […]

Nairobi (AFP) – Victor Wanyama, who as a child played on the streets of Nairobi until his bare feet bled, leads Kenya into the Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday just weeks after helping Tottenham to the Champions League final. Wanyama is the figurehead of a Kenyan team that has its work cut out to advance […]