Real Madrid have been drawn against Jose Mourinho’s Benfica in the Champions League play-off round, setting up a swift rematch following their recent league-phase encounter, while defending champions Paris Saint-Germain will face domestic rivals Monaco. The draw, conducted on Friday, pairs Madrid with Benfica just days after the Portuguese side defeated the Spanish giants 4-2…
By Ayomide Otitoju The National Basketball Association (NBA) and the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) have announced a long-term extension of their partnership, expanding their collaboration to include preseason NBA Global Games, enhanced marketing initiatives and the establishment of an NBA Global Academy in the UAE capital.Under the renewed…
By Ayomide Otitoju Mohamed Salah resumed training with Liverpool on Tuesday following the Africa Cup of Nations, as the club prepares for their Champions League fixture against Marseille. The Egypt forward participated in a light session alongside his teammates at the club’s training centre. His return comes after a turbulent period in which he publicly…
By Ayomide Otitoju Nigeria’s Super Eagles have climbed 12 spots to 26th in the latest FIFA World Ranking, released Monday, following their impressive campaign at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco. The team, coached by Eric Chelle, secured third place after defeating Egypt in the consolation match, having lost only once in…
By Ayomide Otitoju Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has declared Monday a paid public holiday nationwide to celebrate Senegal’s victory at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The announcement followed the Teranga Lions’ 1–0 victory over host nation Morocco in the AFCON final played on Sunday, January 18, 2026, in Rabat. The president approved…
By Ayomide Otitoju Senegal clinched the Africa Cup of Nations title on Sunday with a dramatic 1–0 extra-time victory over hosts Morocco, as Pape Gueye’s stunning strike sealed the final amid controversy and crowd disorder in Rabat. The decisive moment came in the fourth minute of extra time when Villarreal midfielder Gueye powered into the…
By Ayomide Otitoju Nigeria will look to end their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign on a positive note when they face Egypt in the third-place playoff on Saturday. The Super Eagles are coming off a painful semi-final exit after losing 4–2 on penalties to hosts Morocco following a goalless 120 minutes. Despite the…
By Ayomide Otitoju The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has appointed Moroccan referee Jalal Jayed to officiate Nigeria’s third-place playoff against Egypt at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. CAF confirmed the appointment on Friday, naming Zakaria Brinsi and Akarkad Mostafa, also from Morocco, as assistant referees. Tunisia’s Hassani Khalil will serve as assistant referee…
By Ayomide Otitoju The Senegalese national team have raised concerns over security, ticketing, accommodation and training arrangements ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final. In a statement issued on Saturday, the Secretariat of the Teranga Lions said it was compelled to speak out “for the sake of transparency and the defence of…
