Johannesburg (AFP) – German Josef Zinnbauer quit as coach of leading South African club Orlando Pirates on Monday after losing his first match of the season, the club announced. The 51-year-old, who took charge of the Soweto outfit in 2019, did not mention the surprise 2-1 home defeat by Swallows in a MTN 8 knockout […]

London (AFP) – Chelsea's Romelu Lukaku said on Monday believes he is now a "complete" striker as the club's record signing settles back into life at Stamford Bridge. Lukaku rejoined Chelsea in a £98 million ($135 million) move from Inter Milan last week. The 28-year-old was unavailable for Chelsea's 3-0 win against Crystal Palace in […]

Barcelona (AFP) – Barcelona president Joan Laporta on Monday gave details of the "dramatic" financial problems that persuaded him to release Lionel Messi. "The economic and financial situation of the club is worrying, and the financial situation is dramatic," Laporta told a two-hour press conference at the Camp Nou. Barcelona, he said, have debts of […]

Paris (AFP) – When an English Premier League season kicks off, one of the safest bets is that twice African Footballer of the Year Mohamed Salah will score. His goal for Liverpool in a 3-0 win at promoted Norwich City raised to five the number of consecutive seasons in which he netted on the opening […]

London (AFP) – Harry Kane is in Tottenham's squad for their Europa Conference League tie this week as Nuno Espirito Santo admits he cannot wait for the transfer window to close and end speculation over the striker's future. Manchester City are keen to sign England captain Kane and were reported to have tabled a bid […]

Yaounde (AFP) – The Africa Cup of Nations in January and February is a "beacon of hope" for a Cameroonian economy battered by the coronavirus pandemic and two conflicts, businessmen and traders say. A sign of depressing times is that only a few merchants populate the once crowded aisles of a handicraft market in coastal […]

Yaounde (AFP) – "We are the champions" resonates in the Olembe Stadium in Yaounde as Cameroon sports minister Narcisse Mouele Kombi enters the main venue for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, surrounded by journalists. With the January 9 kick-off of the 24-team tournament drawing closer, the government is emphasising that the central African country […]

Marseille (AFP) – Bordeaux striker Samuel Kalu collapsed on the pitch in a French Ligue 1 game at Marseille on Sunday where temperatures hit a sweltering 30 degrees. The 23-year-old Nigerian international fainted and slumped to the Stade Velodrome surface in the early stages of the match. Worried teammates gathered around the stricken Kalu and […]

Paris (AFP) – Bordeaux's Remi Oudin said he was happy after his side came from two goals down to claim a 2-2 draw at Marseille on the weekend that Lionel Messi was unveiled to the Paris Saint-Germain crowd. The hosts led at half-time thanks to goals from in-form Dimitri Payet and Turkey winger Cengiz Under […]

Paris (AFP) – Bordeaux came from two goals down to claim a 2-2 draw at Marseille on the weekend that Lionel Messi was unveiled to the Paris Saint-Germain crowd. The hosts led at half-time thanks to goals from in-form Dimitri Payet and Cengiz Under before 18-year-old defender Timothee Pembele and Remi Oudin scored for the visitors. […]

Madrid (AFP) – Barcelona started life without Lionel Messi by defeating Real Sociedad 4-2 in their La Liga opener at the Camp Nou on Sunday even if fans admitted it felt like "a leap into the unknown". Captain Gerard Pique gave them a 19th minute lead with his 50th goal for the club. Martin Braithwaite […]

London (AFP) – Tottenham manager Nuno Espirito Santo told Harry Kane to get fit and be ready to help Spurs after beating defending champions Manchester City 1-0 to open their Premier League season on Sunday. Kane was absent from the Spurs squad with his future at the club still in doubt over interest from City. […]

Madrid (AFP) – Defending champions Atletico Madrid got their Spanish Liga season underway with a 2-1 win at Celta Vigo on Sunday as Barcelona braced for "a leap into the unknown" without Lionel Messi. Angel Correa gave Atletico the lead after 23 minutes after being set up by Thomas Lemar. Correa added a second goal […]

London (AFP) – Tottenham shrugged off the absence of Harry Kane to give Nuno Espirito Santo a dream start as manager as Son Heung-min's strike beat Premier League champions Manchester City 1-0 on Sunday. Nuno left Kane out his squad with the England captain closely linked with a move to City, who showed why they […]

Paris (AFP) – Seko Fofana clinched a point for Lens after Saint-Etienne's Wahbi Khazri had opened the scoring early on in Sunday's 2-2 draw on the weekend that Lionel Messi was unveiled to the Paris Saint-Germain crowd. A capacity crowd of 38,000 at Stade Bollaert-Delelis were stunned into silence after just 20 seconds as Khazri tapped home […]