Oyem (Gabon) (AFP) – Mali and Uganda drew 1-1 Wednesday on a rain-drenched Oyem pitch to exit the Africa Cup of Nations after disappointing Group D campaigns. Uganda had already been eliminated and Mali needed to win and hope Egypt lost to Ghana to have a chance of sneaking through as runners-up. But record seven-time […]

London (AFP) – Southampton reached the League Cup final for the first time since 1979 after a 1-0 victory against Liverpool in the semi-final second leg on Wednesday. Claude Puel's team secured a 2-0 aggregate triumph thanks to a clinical finish from Shane Long in second-half stoppage-time at Anfield. Southampton, who lost their only previous […]

Madrid (AFP) – A fine free-kick from Cristiano Ronaldo couldn't prevent Real Madrid from being dumped out of the Copa del Rey as a 2-2 draw at Celta Vigo allowed the hosts to progress to the semi-finals 4-3 on aggregate. Hampered by a series of injuries, Real's hopes of turning the tie around were dealt […]

Port-Gentil (Gabon) (AFP) – Ghana coach Avram Grant has admitted captain Asamoah Gyan is a doubt for the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations after he came off injured against Egypt on Wednesday. "It's not looking so good but Gyan is a very strong boy," said Grant when asked about the extent of the […]

Glasgow (AFP) – Celtic equalled a 50-year-old club record on Wednesday as the Scottish champions beat St Johnstone 1-0 to extend their unbeaten run to 26 matches. Dedryck Boyata's 72nd minute strike at Celtic Park ensured Brendan Rodgers' side stretched their unblemished start in all domestic campaigns this term. The Glasgow team's unbeaten streak draws […]

Port-Gentil (Gabon) (AFP) – Mohamed Salah's thumping early free-kick gave Egypt a 1-0 win against Ghana on Wednesday as they sealed their place in the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations. The record seven-time winners of the competition only needed a draw to be certain of going through but the victory at a barely […]

Paris (AFP) – Paris Saint Germain confirmed Wednesday they had signed Portuguese forward Goncalo Guedes from Benfica for around 30 million euros ($32 million). The rangy Guedes, just 20 and blessed with mazy dribbling skills, impressed last season as Benfica motored to the title and PSG have captured him on a four-and-a-half year deal. Guedes […]

Oyem (Gabon) (AFP) – Egypt qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals Wednesday with a 1-0 victory over Ghana in Port-Gentil. Roma attacker Mohamed Salah rifled a free-kick into the net on 11 minutes for a win that lifted his team to the top of the final Group D standings, one point ahead of […]

Madrid (AFP) – Atletico Madrid cruised into the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey on Wednesday despite fielding an under-strength side as a 2-2 draw at Eibar secured a 5-2 aggregate win. Holding a comfortable 3-0 first leg lead, Atletico boss Diego Simeone left top scorer Antoine Griezmann back in the Spanish capital, whilst Diego […]

Turin (Italy) (AFP) – Out-of-favour AC Milan striker M'Baye Niang is set to join Premier League strugglers Watford on a loan deal as the Rossoneri look to lure Lucas Ocampos to the San Siro, Milan CEO Adriano Galliani said Wednesday. Niang has dropped down the pecking order in the Rossoneri squad having initially shown plenty […]

Bastia (France) (AFP) – "Several" Bastia fans racially abused Nice forward Mario Balotelli with monkey chants while one admitted it and faces a France-wide stadium ban, the Corsican club said on Wednesday. The Italian said he suffered racist abuse throughout Friday's 1-1 Ligue 1 draw at Bastia, where the coach of title-chasers Nice was also […]

Paris (AFP) – Veteran French international defender Patrice Evra is set to sign for Marseille on Wednesday on a free transfer from Juventus on an 18-month contract, French media said. The 35-year-old left-back, who had been linked with a return to Manchester United, was due to undergo a medical at Marseille ahead of sealing a […]

Berlin (AFP) – Borussia Dortmund coach Thomas Tuchel admitted Wednesday he knew little about Swedish teenage prodigy Alexander Isak, dubbed 'the new Zlatan Ibrahimovic', before the deal was confirmed. Isak moved on Monday from AIK after just 24 games in the Swedish championship for a reported 10 million euros ($10.7m) as Dortmund beat Real Madrid […]

Berlin (AFP) – Bundesliga club Darmstadt said Wednesday they have sacked German-Tunisian midfielder Anis Ben-Hatira over his work with a controversial Islamic aid organisation. Duesseldorf-based Ansaar International is reportedly under surveillance by domestic intelligence services for alleged links to Germany's ultra-orthodox Muslim Salafist community. The 28-year-old Tunisian international — who has hit out at what he […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho expressed concern on Wednesday that the Premier League's fixture planners could ruin his side's top-four hopes if they reach the League Cup final. United carry a 2-0 lead into Thursday's League Cup semi-final second leg at Hull City and will face either Liverpool or Southampton […]