Libreville (AFP) – When Essam El Hadary, the Egypt goalkeeper who will start in Sunday's Africa Cup of Nations final, made his international debut, his current teammate Ramadan Sobhi had not yet been born. First capped in 1996, El Hadary was the man whose saves in a penalty shoot-out against Burkina Faso on Wednesday took […]

Libreville (AFP) – Cameroon and Egypt are both aiming to cap remarkable revivals by winning the Africa Cup of Nations when they meet in a final that few thought possible in Libreville on Sunday evening. These are two of the most successful nations in the 60-year history of the competition, with Egypt unrivalled on seven […]

Libreville (AFP) – Five facts for the Africa Cup of Nations final between Cameroon and Egypt at Stade de l'Amitie in Libreville Sunday (1900 GMT): — The countries have played each other seven times at the Cup of Nations with Egypt winning three matches and Cameroon two with two drawn. — Two of the previous […]

Milan (AFP) – Serie A striker Mauro Icardi can impress Argentina coach Edgardo Bauza when he watches the Inter Milan striker at leaders Juventus on Sunday, according to coach Stefano Pioli. Inter, in fourth nine points adrift, are targeting their first away league win over the 32-time Italian champions since November 2012. But Pioli's men […]

Leicester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Jose Mourinho wants Manchester United's misfiring stars to put a smile back on his face by blitzing troubled Leicester on Sunday. Mourinho has cut a frustrated figure in recent weeks as his side delivered one punchless display after another. His anger boiled over following Wednesday's goalless draw with lowly Hull […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Pep Guardiola has warned his Manchester City stars Swansea City could provide them with one of their hardest games over the remainder of the Premier League season. The relegation-threatened Welsh club have recorded back-to-back league wins under new manager Paul Clement, including an eye-catching 3-2 victory against City's title rivals […]

Metz (France) (AFP) – Dimitri Payet made his Ligue 1 debut for Marseille on Friday but the star West Ham recruit's appearance failed to pay off as his new employers lost 1-0 at Metz. The 29-year-old midfielder had come on to a standing ovation in Tuesday's Cup tie against Lyon after 94 minutes with the […]

Madrid (AFP) – Spanish clubs have cleaned up their finances and modernised their stadiums and can now go on to surpass even the huge earnings sloshing around the English Premier League, La Liga's president said on Friday. Javier Tebas told journalists he felt La Liga had the best clubs and the best players — among […]

London (AFP) – Former Germany captain Bastian Schweinsteiger has been added to Manchester United's Europa League squad after fighting his way back into the first-team picture at Old Trafford. Schweinsteiger, 32, was frozen out following Jose Mourinho's arrival as manager last year and was even written off as an asset in the club's accounts. But […]

London (AFP) – Stoke City's new signing Saido Berahino served an eight-week suspension prior to joining from West Bromwich Albion, manager Mark Hughes said Friday, amid reports the striker failed a drugs test. Berahino was banned after testing positive for a recreational drug following an out-of-competition test in September, the Daily Mail said. Hughes would […]

Berlin (AFP) – Borussia Dortmund coach Thomas Tuchel admits feeling the pressure for Saturday's Bundesliga showdown against upstarts RB Leipzig, who have been decimated by illness. The Leipzig squad has been hit hard by flu with midfielder Diego Demme and striker Marcel Sabitzer the latest to fall ill, joining top-scorer Timo Werner, another flu victim, […]

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger knows a thing or two about young, French strikers that play for Monaco. After all, not only did the 67-year-old manage the club in the late 80’s and early 90’s, but that’s where he first signed superstar Thierry Henry. The legendary Henry went on to play five senior seasons with Monaco […]

Once again, as we roll towards the end of winter, Arsenal’s Premier League title hopes are teetering on the brink of oblivion. Table toppers Chelsea, who host the Gunners at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, could nudge them off the edge. The unravelling of their league campaign has been all too familiar for Arsenal supporters. Throughout […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Manchester United's players must give Zlatan Ibrahimovic more support if they are to make a serious challenge for Champions League qualification, manager Jose Mourinho said on Friday. Ibrahimovic has scored 14 of United's 33 Premier League goals this season and many of them have been decisive, earning United no fewer […]

London (AFP) – Chelsea manager Antonio Conte warned his players not to succumb to complacency ahead of the Premier League leaders' home game against Arsenal on Saturday. Chelsea are nine points clear of second-place Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal, who trail their north London rivals on goal difference, and odds-on favourites for the title. But Conte, […]