Buenos Aires (AFP) – The first ever Copa Libertadores final between Argentina's two most popular clubs was supposed to be the "match of the century" and a football festival that would propel the country back into the spotlight following yet another World Cup debacle. Well, Argentina is back in the spotlight but for all the […]

Dublin (AFP) – A unique European Championships in 2020 that will be hosted in 12 cities across the continent will begin to take shape when the qualifying draw takes place in Dublin on Sunday at 1100GMT. How does it work? UEFA's 55 nations will be split into five groups of six teams and five groups […]

London (AFP) – Tottenham midfielder Harry Winks has warned Arsenal that his side are in the perfect form to end their bitter rivals' 18-match unbeaten run on Sunday. Mauricio Pochettino's team head to the Emirates Stadium on a six-match winning streak which has carried them to third in the Premier League table. Tottenham are also […]

Johannesburg (AFP) – Congolese side V Club admit it will be "very difficult" to overcome a 3-0 deficit against Raja Casablanca of Morocco Sunday when they host the CAF Confederation Cup final second leg. There have been 108 two-leg CAF club finals in four competitions with only Mouloudia Alger of Algeria succeeding after trailing by […]

Johannesburg (AFP) – Spaniard Juan Carlos Garrido will become the first coach to win the CAF Confederation Cup with different clubs if Raja Casablanca of Morocco lift the trophy in Kinshasa Sunday. Raja are well placed to succeed having defeated V Club of the Democratic Republic of Congo 3-0 in Casablanca last Sunday in […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Pep Guardiola says FIFA proposals designed to limit the number of players allowed to be loaned out to rival clubs will seriously alter Manchester City's business model. City and Chelsea are among the Premier League teams who will be most seriously impacted by the proposals that, from 2020, clubs will […]

Accra (AFP) – Cameroon was on Friday stripped of hosting the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations due to delays in preparing for the continental showpiece, organisers the Confederation of African Football announced. "Today we took the decision to withdraw the 2019 CAN from Cameroon," CAF president Ahmad Ahmad told a press conference in Accra. He […]

London (AFP) – Junior Hoilett scored late on to earn Cardiff a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Wolves in the Premier League on Friday to lift Neil Warnock's team out of the relegation zone. For Warnock this was the perfect present on the eve of his 70th birthday after Aron Gunnarsson cancelled out Matt Doherty's opener […]

Johannesburg (AFP) – Liverpool trio Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Naby Keita are among 34 nominees named Friday for the 2018 African Player of the Year award. Egyptian Salah won the award last year after scoring 44 goals in all competitions during his first season at Anfield. Senegalese Mane has been in outstanding form […]

Barcelona (AFP) – Key Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti will fly out to Doha for specialised treatment on a recurring left knee injury, the Spanish champions said on Friday. Umtiti is said to be keen to avoid going under the knife and is seeking a softer solution. Considered one of the best centre-backs in the world, […]

London (AFP) – Mauricio Pochettino claims Tottenham should not be regarded as serious contenders for the Premier League title this season. Pochettino's side have made a strong start to the campaign, winning 10 of their opening 13 Premier League games to reach third place. They showed their quality with a 3-1 win against Chelsea last […]

London (AFP) – Jurgen Klopp has warned Liverpool that in-form Everton are capable of ending the Reds' 19-year unbeaten record in Merseyside derbies at Anfield. Not since Kevin Campbell fired Everton to a 1-0 win in September 1999 have Everton made a successful trip to the home of their hated neighbours across Stanley Park. Liverpool […]

London (AFP) – Claudio Ranieri says his Fulham side are ready for the daunting task of playing one of his former clubs Chelsea on Sunday, an occasion he says will be "special" for him personally. The 67-year-old Italian — who acquired the nickname 'The Tinkerman' during his four year spell at Chelsea for his habit […]

Liverpool (AFP) – Jurgen Klopp must lift Liverpool's shattered spirits as the Reds aim to bounce back from their latest European setback in a crucial Merseyside derby against resurgent Everton on Sunday. Marco Silva takes Everton to Anfield with the blue half of Merseyside looking for their first victory on their hated neighbours' turf since […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Pep Guardiola insists Manchester City have done everything in their power to keep Brahim Diaz, but he will not try to stop the young star from leaving in the new year. The 19-year-old Spanish midfielder, who is out of contract with the Premier League champions next summer, has been frustrated […]