Yaoundé (AFP) – Sadio Mane hailed his Senegal teammates after they beat Burkina Faso 3-1 in Yaounde on Wednesday to reach their second consecutive Africa Cup of Nations final. "It shows you the momentum we have. We knew it was not going to be at all easy to get to two straight AFCON finals, but […]

Glasgow (AFP) – Celtic stormed to the top of the Scottish Premiership with a first victory over Rangers for over two years as Reo Hatate scored twice and made the other in a 3-0 win at Celtic Park. The Japanese midfielder was making his Old Firm debut after only joining the club in the January […]

Madrid (AFP) – Rayo Vallecano reached the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey for the first time in 40 years on Wednesday after they beat Mallorca 1-0 at a jubilant Vallecas. Oscar Trejo's penalty just before half-time was enough to seal victory for Rayo, who will now attempt to make their first ever final in […]

Yaoundé (AFP) – Senegal are through to a second consecutive Africa Cup of Nations final after breaking Burkina Faso hearts in their last-four tie in Yaounde on Wednesday, Abdou Diallo, Idrissa Gana Gueye and Sadio Mane scoring second-half goals to secure a 3-1 victory. Aliou Cisse's team had two penalties awarded in the first half […]

Lyon (AFP) – French club Lyon are considering a move for former striker Alexandre Lacazette who they sold to Premier League club Arsenal four-and-a-half years ago. Lacazette joined the Londoners for a club record 60 million euros ($67 million) in June 2017 and the 30-year-old would be available on a free transfer this summer. "He's […]

Madrid (AFP) – Barcelona president Joan Laporta said on Wednesday it will be up to coach Xavi Hernandez whether Ousmane Dembele plays in the second half of the season, after the Frenchman refused to sign a new contract. But Laporta also said Dembele's likely departure when his contract expires in the summer will make it […]

London (AFP) – Roy Hodgson is ready for the challenge of Watford's relegation dogfight after admitting he could not resist the "siren call from the mermaid". Former England boss Hodgson left his last job at Crystal Palace eight months ago amid speculation that he would retire. But the 74-year-old was appointed as Watford's third manager […]

Barcelona (AFP) – Barcelona finally confirmed the signing of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on Wednesday, handing the 32-year-old a contract until 2025 but with a break clause after 18 months. Aubameyang was able to join Barca on a free transfer, in the most dramatic deal of the transfer window, after Arsenal terminated their former captain's contract. The […]

Miami (AFP) – David Beckham's Inter Miami signed US national team fullback DeAndre Yedlin to a four-year Major League Soccer contract, the club announced Wednesday. Yedlin's deal runs through the 2025 campaign with a club option for the 2026 season. "I'm thrilled that we're able to bring a player of the quality of DeAndre to […]

London (AFP) – Valerien Ismael was sacked as West Bromwich Albion manager on Wednesday after the Championship club slipped out of the race for automatic promotion. Ismael paid the price for West Brom's run of one win in their last seven matches. A damaging streak of three defeats in four games culminated with Albion supporters […]

Chester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Manchester City and France international footballer Benjamin Mendy will face trial in July for the alleged rape and assault of six women, a court heard Wednesday. The 27-year-old, who has been suspended by his club, appeared in the dock at Chester Crown Court where he faced a new count of […]

Yaoundé (AFP) – Carlos Queiroz won the Under-20 World Cup with Portugal, lifted the Champions League trophy as an assistant to Alex Ferguson at Manchester United and has twice taken Iran to the World Cup. The vastly experienced Portuguese coach now stands just one game away from the Africa Cup of Nations final, as he […]

Barcelona (AFP) – "It's Auba time!" declared Barcelona on Wednesday as they signed Gabon striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as a free agent. The club's tweet also included a video of Aubameyang declaring "I'm here Barcelona fans! Forca Barca!" "The player will sign a contract until June 30, 2025," said the club on their web site, adding […]

Yaoundé (AFP) – Egypt coach Carlos Queiroz hit out at Cameroon legend Samuel Eto'o for sending a "very bad message" after likening Thursday's Africa Cup of Nations semi-final between the sides to a "war". Eto'o, who is now president of Cameroon's Football Federation, made the comment to his team in a video widely published on […]

Yaoundé (AFP) – Up to 21 stars could be involved in the African Cup of Nations semi-finals this week knowing one mistimed tackle would rule them out of the biggest match in the continent. Burkina Faso have 10 players in their squad walking the disciplinary tightrope with one yellow card each, record seven-time champions Egypt […]