IN AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS

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Manchester United forward Amad Diallo’s composed strike gave holders Ivory Coast one-nil victory over Mozambique in their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Group F opener in Marrakech.

Amad provided relief for Emerse Fae’s side four minutes after the restart, capitalising on static defending to meet Franck Kessie’s knockdown with a cool low finish that arrowed between Sunderland defender Reinildo’s legs on its way in.

Both sides play the second of their three group stage games on Sunday, when Mozambique meet Gabon in Agadir and Ivory Coast meet five-time champions Cameroon in Marrakech.

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Algeria star Riyad Mahrez’s double helped the team to a dominant victory over ten-man Sudan in their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Group E opener in Rabat.

Mahrez gave his side an ideal start with a trademark left-footed curling strike from twelve yards after being teed up by Hicham Boudaoui’s smart backheel.

He doubled the lead just after the hour mark with a composed finish inside the box from Mohamed Amoura’s clever through-ball.

Algeria’s third goal was scored by Ibrahim Maza.

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Burkina Faso produced an impressive performance to beat ten-man Equatorial Guinea two-one in a Group E contest at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Edmond Tapsoba scored the decisive goal in the final seconds of the match in Casablanca, heading home a rebound to complete an extraordinary turnaround.

Burkina Faso’s first goal was scored by Georgi Minoungou, while Equatorial Guinea’s only goal was scored by Marvin Anieboh.

Burkina Faso will travel to Rabat on Sunday for their second group fixture against Algeria, while Equatorial Guinea will remain in Casablanca for a clash with Sudan.

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Super Eagles coach, Eric Chelle, has called for improvements despite Nigeria’s 2-1 victory over Tanzania in their opening match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Chelle said the team created several chances, especially in the first half, but admitted mistakes in the second half allowed Tanzania back into the game.

He noted that the opening win was encouraging but insisted the team must show greater discipline and control as the tournament progresses.

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Super Eagles striker, Akor Adams says his teammates trust head coach Eric Chelle to come up with the best tactics to beat Tunisia.

Adams, who was in action against Tanzania, said the coach knows what was best for every game and in the previous games he has shown that he knows what he was doing.

The Sevilla star striker believes the Super Eagles are capable of securing the three points.

The Super Eagles will face Tunisia in their second Group C match on Saturday.

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Super Eagles star, Moses Simon says the team will go all out for a win against the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia.

Simon said the team’s main target was to beat the North Africans.

Also, the Super Eagles star Igoh Ogbu assured Nigerians that the team will target a win when they face Tunisia in their second AFCON 2025 Group C match on Saturday.

Ogbu stated that the focus on the game against Tunisia was the three points.

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Nigeria-born Oldham Athletic Club Under-ninetee Head Coach, Chuks Akuneto, says the Super Eagles’ performance against Tanzania was far from the fluid and enthralling display Nigerians have come to expect.

Akuneto said the three-time African champions were still weighed down by the psychological impact of missing out on qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

He noted that Eric Chelle’s men appeared sluggish and laboured for long spells, attributing it to the lingering disappointment of the World Cup miss.

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Former Nigerian international, Sunday Oliseh has praised Super Eagles striker Akor Adams for his impressive display against Tanzania in the ongoing 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Oliseh stated that he was impressed with the Sevilla striker’s overall performance against Tanzania despite not scoring a goal.

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The Nigeria Football Federation, has expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for the fulfilment of pledges of houses, national honours and plots of lands made to players and officials of the Super Eagles for their runner-up achievement at the 2023 AFCON.

Its President, Ibrahim Gusau, credited the hefty motivation from the delivery of the promises for the team’s two-one victory over Tanzania in their first match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Gusau said the presentation of the title documents and certificates was a positive development that has lifted the spirit of players and officials and we expect even better performances in subsequent matches.

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Super Eagles star, Samuel Chukwueze has admitted that he was not given enough time to show what he can do on the pitch at AC Milan.

The Nigeria international joined Premier League club, Fulham on a season-long loan from AC Milan in the summer.

The 26-year-old has made a big impression since arriving in Fulham, scoring twice and providing four assists in nine league appearances.

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IN ENGLAND

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Chelsea boss, Enzo Maresca has confirmed that the duo of Estevao Willian and Liam Delap will be available to face Aston Villa in Saturday’s Premier League clash.

Delap has recovered from a shoulder injury he sustained during the draw with Bournemouth on 6th December.

The return of Estevao, who has not played since coming on as a late substitute in the 13th December win over Everton, also bolsters Maresca’s options.

Maresca stated that the pair are in contention to face Aston Villa after Christmas.

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Manchester United head coach, Ruben Amorim says it is impossible to replace Bruno Fernandes as he faces up to a month without his captain.

Fernandes was forced out of Sunday’s two-one defeat at Aston Villa with a hamstring problem, which Amorim said at the time would rule the Portugal midfielder out of Friday’s visit to Newcastle.

Amorim refused to put a definitive timescale on Fernandes’ absence when he spoke to the media on Wednesday.

Sources have said privately they believe the 31-year-old would return for the Manchester derby with City at Old Trafford on 17th January, which would mean a five-match absence.

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Former professional poker player, James Bord has been chosen as the preferred bidder to take over Sheffield Wednesday.

The Owls have been in administration since October, ending ten years under the ownership of Dejphon Chansiri.

The troubled Championship club’s administrators announced a deal had been reached with a potential buyer.

London-born Bord started his career working for gambling firms Starlizard and Smartodds before winning three point eighteen million pounds on the poker circuit.

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OTHER SPORTS

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In Cricket, Ben Stokes has admitted he is going through his toughest time as England captain as he called for empathy towards this team-mates.

The tourists’ awful Ashes series has been dogged by reports of excessive drinking.

England are already 3-0 down after three Tests against Australia, with the chance of regaining the urn gone and the risk of a humiliating clean sweep in the final two Tests.

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In Rugby, Bristol Bears forward Pedro Rubiolo has signed a new long-term contract with the Prem club.

The 23-year-old Argentina lock arrived from Newcastle Red Bulls in 2024 on a three-year-deal and has now agreed a further extension.

Rubiolo made three appearances for the Bears this season, helping them to fifth place in the table after seven matches.

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FOOD FOR THOUGHT.

Failure is another stepping stone to greatness…. words from Oprah Winfrey.