Rome (AFP) – Marek Hamsik says he remains in awe of Argentina legend Diego Maradona but the Slovakia midfielder won't hold back as the former Napoli hero's 115-goal club record comes into sight. Hamsik and Dries Mertens struck memorable hat-tricks in a 7-1 rout at Bologna on Saturday as Napoli boosted their hopes of a […]

Cairo (AFP) – The Egyptian president and newspapers applauded the "dignity" of the national football team on Monday, calling them champions despite agonisingly losing the Africa Cup of Nations final 2-1 to Cameroon. Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny gave Egypt the lead midway through the first half on Sunday and they looked to be on course […]

Libreville (AFP) – Cameroon celebrated the most improbable of victories at the Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday which coach Hugo Broos hoped would pave the way towards a bright future for his team. The Indomitable Lions showed remarkable character to come from behind and beat Egypt 2-1 in a brilliant game at the Stade […]

London (AFP) – Watford striker Troy Deeney's "light bulb" moment came when the cell door slammed and he contemplated a 10-month jail term for affray five years ago, he told AFP. The 28-year-old, locked up for assaulting a student outside a pub, entered prison with words from his mother ringing in his ears — that […]

Glasgow (AFP) – Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers lauded the impact of striker Moussa Dembele after he came off the bench to fire the Hoops to a 5-2 victory over St Johnstone. The French forward replaced Gary Mackay-Steven in the 59th minute with the Scottish champions trailing 2-1 after a Keith Watson header and Dedryck Boyata's […]

Madrid (AFP) – Holders Barcelona have a fourth consecutive Copa del Rey final in sight when Atletico Madrid visit the Camp Nou on Tuesday with the daunting task of overturning a 2-1 semi-final, first leg deficit. Stunning solo goals from Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi put Barca well in command of the tie before half-time […]

Leicester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Jose Mourinho took a swipe at his old club Chelsea as the Manchester United boss accused the Premier League leaders of lacking style. Mourinho's side cruised to a 3-0 victory at Leicester on Sunday and he was quick to highlight the difference between the dominant United display and what he […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola admits even he is surprised by the stunning start Brazil forward Gabriel Jesus has made to his career in English football. The 19-year-old scored twice on his full home debut as City recorded a 2-1 victory over Swansea City on Sunday, meaning the youngster has […]

Libreville (AFP) – Cameroon's victory in the Africa Cup of Nations final on Sunday means they will be the continent's representative in the Confederations Cup in Russia later this year. Cameroon, who beat Egypt 2-1 in the final in Libreville, will come up against Chile, Australia and the world champions Germany in Group B of […]

Milan (AFP) – Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri insisted the Serie A title race is far from over after a sensational first-half strike from Colombian Juan Cuadrado sent the Turin giants six points clear of Napoli on Sunday. Roma, currently third at seven points behind, can move back up to second place with a win over […]

Paris (AFP) – Saint-Etienne inflicted a third league defeat in four matches on faltering bitter rivals Lyon and bolstered their European aspirations with a 2-0 victory in Sunday's tempestuous Rhone derby. Kevin Monnet-Paquet scored a ninth-minute opener at Saint-Etienne's Stade Geoffroy Guichard and Romain Hamouma slotted in a second on 22 minutes as Les Verts […]

Rome (AFP) – Juan Cuadrado broke his Serie A duck for the season with a sensational strike that sent Juventus six points clear of Napoli thanks to a 1-0 win over Inter Milan on Sunday. Title hopefuls Roma, currently third at seven points behind, can move back up to second place with a win over […]

Libreville (AFP) – Egypt coach Hector Cuper was apologetic towards the supporters of his side after the Pharaohs threw away the lead to lose 2-1 to Cameroon in Sunday's Africa Cup of Nations final. Egypt had taken a first-half lead in Libreville through Mohamed Elneny but Cameroon levelled the scores in the second half when […]

Libreville (AFP) – Vincent Aboubakar came off the bench to score a stunning winner with two minutes left as Cameroon fought back from behind to beat Egypt 2-1 in a thrilling Africa Cup of Nations final on Sunday. Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny had given Egypt the lead midway through the first half and Egypt looked […]

Madrid (AFP) – Samir Nasri missed a second-half penalty as Sevilla squandered the chance to close to within a point of La Liga leaders Real Madrid with a 0-0 draw home to Villarreal on Sunday. The Frenchman's low spot-kick was well saved by Sergio Asenjo, who then made a spectacular stop from Vicente Iborra's late […]