Douala (AFP) – Ivory Coast coach Patrice Beaumelle on Wednesday railed against the state of the pitch in Douala where his team must face Algeria in a decisive final Africa Cup of Nations group match. Beaumelle was speaking about the farcical error in injury time by Ivory Coast goalkeeper Badra Ali Sangare that gifted Sierra […]

Doha (AFP) – Qatar World Cup ticket sales were launched at reduced prices on Wednesday with residents and migrant workers able to attend games for just $11 as concerns persist over Covid-19. Authorities have not yet announced how many fans will be allowed into stadiums for the first World Cup in an Arab country, which […]

Buea (Cameroon) (AFP) – Steven Caulker sits outside a hotel on the slopes of Mount Cameroon reflecting on his journey from the Premier League and the England team to representing Sierra Leone at the Africa Cup of Nations. "It is quite a colourful story over the last 10 years," he admits. In 2012 he made […]

London (AFP) – Derby manager Wayne Rooney is in contention for an emotional return to Everton after the former England star's impressive handling of affairs on the pitch despite a financial crisis at the Championship club. Rooney is among the bookmakers' favourites to take permanent charge at Goodison Park after Rafael Benitez was sacked on […]

London (AFP) – Ralf Rangnick has vowed to play Paul Pogba even if the Manchester United midfielder is only motivated by the chance to secure a move away from Old Trafford. Pogba is out of contract at the end of this season and is yet to sign a new deal with the club he rejoined […]

Hamburg (AFP) – Holders Borussia Dortmund were dumped out of the German Cup on Tuesday after a shock 2-1 defeat at second division side St Pauli in their last 16 tie. The hosts took an early lead through Togo striker Etienne Amenyido, then Dortmund midfielder Axel Witsel scored an own goal. Star striker Erling Haaland gave […]

Yaoundé (AFP) – Four-time champions Ghana were eliminated from the Africa Cup of Nations after crashing 3-2 to minnows Comoros in Group C on Tuesday in Garoua. The Black Stars had captain Andre Ayew sent off after 25 minutes and, after wiping out a two-goal deficit, lost when Comoros' Ahmed Mogni scored his second […]

Berlin (AFP) – A German referee has revealed he has been the target of a death threat and abusive emails since England midfielder Jude Bellingham sharply criticised his handling of last month's Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich. "My official email account has received numerous messages which are unbelievable and very difficult to […]

Paris (AFP) – Lionel Messi was back in full training with Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday for the first time since testing positive for Covid-19 at the end of last year. The Argentina attacker was seen warming up with his PSG teammates in a video clip posted by the club on Twitter. Messi contracted the virus whilst […]

Bafoussam (Cameroon) (AFP) – Senegal were held 0-0 by minnows Malawi in Bafoussam on Tuesday despite the return of stars Edouard Mendy, Kalidou Koulibaly and Idrissa Gueye, but still won Group B at the Africa Cup of Nations. On an evening of surprises, Guinea fell 2-1 to already-eliminated Zimbabwe in Yaounde and scraped into the […]

Bafoussam (Cameroon) (AFP) – Senegal were held 0-0 by minnows Malawi in Bafoussam on Tuesday despite the return of stars Edouard Mendy, Kalidou Koulibaly and Idrissa Gueye, but still won Group B at the Africa Cup of Nations. On an afternoon of surprises, Guinea fell 2-1 to already-eliminated Zimbabwe in Yaounde and scraped into the […]

Liverpool (AFP) – Everton announced on Tuesday they had appointed Duncan Ferguson as caretaker manager for the second time following the sacking of Rafael Benitez. The struggling Premier League club face Aston Villa at home on Saturday before a two-week international break for World Cup qualifiers in South America, North America and Asia. "Duncan Ferguson […]

London (AFP) – The English Football League (EFL) must work "pragmatically and rapidly" to resolve issues that threaten the future of Derby County, according to a UK government minister. Derby, managed by former England and Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney, went into administration in September and have been docked 21 points for breaching EFL financial […]

Yaoundé (AFP) – Rwandan Salima Mukansanga became the first woman to referee an Africa Cup of Nations match when she oversaw the Group B clash between Guinea and Zimbabwe in Yaounde on Tuesday. On Monday, a Confederation of African Football (CAF) statement said Mukansanga would handle the match with two female assistant referees, Carine […]

Yaoundé (AFP) – Egypt coach Carlos Queiroz said Tuesday he will not be swayed by critics of his underperforming team as the seven-time Africa Cup of Nations champions target a spot in the knockout rounds. The Pharaohs take on Sudan in Yaounde on Wednesday knowing a draw will be enough to send them through to […]