NNL: Akwa United’s Etim to miss Calabar Rovers clash

Chelsea captain, Reece James, has claimed they don’t have an idea what the club is doing to replace Enzo Maresca.

The Blues are expected to appoint a replacement for Maresca before their midweek Premier League clash with Fulham.

Strasbourg’s Liam Rosenior has reportedly arrived in the UK to finalize an agreement with the Stamford Bridge club.

Chelsea’s U-21 coach, Calum MacFarlane, took charge of the dramatic 1-1 draw with Manchester City on Sunday.

Speaking after the game, James said: “We know nothing at the moment. This whole week was about this game.

“What happens behind the scenes is not down to us. We focused on the game. We will see what happens in the coming days.”

EPL: We know nothing – Reece James speaks on Chelsea’s new manager

The line-up for the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, is now confirmed.

This followed the conclusion of matches in Group E and Group F on Wednesday.

The knockouts will kick off on Saturday, January 3 with Senegal taking on Sudan and Mali playing Tunisia.

On Sunday, hosts Morocco clash with Tanzania, while South Africa face Cameroon.

Nigeria will take on Mozambique on Monday and Egypt play Benin Republic.

The Round of 16 fixtures will end with Ivory Coast facing Burkina Faso and Algeria squaring up against DR Congo next Tuesday.

AFCON ROUND OF 16 FIXTURES

Mali vs Tunisia
Senegal vs Sudan
Egypt vs Benin
Ivory Coast vs Burkina Faso
South Africa vs Cameroon
Morocco vs Tanzania
Algeria vs Congo DR
Nigeria vs Mozambique

AFCON 2025: All Round of 16 fixtures confirmed [Full List]

Marseille legend, Mamadou Niang has identified defender Calvin Bassey as the Super Eagles player that should replace William Troost-Ekong at the heart of Nigeria’s defence.

Recall that Troost-Ekong recently shocked football fans when he announced his retirement from international football last week.

The former Watford defender ended a decade-long Super Eagles career after Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

“With what I see at Fulham, the impact he has in Premier League matches, he is a talented, tough defender who has very good distribution with his left foot, and athletic quality which is above average,” Niang said via Canal+.

“He is a player I think is a leader of the Nigeria defence, who can replace Troost-Ekong, who took this Nigerian team to the AFCON final.

“Calvin Bassey is more than capable of succeeding him in that position.”

AFCON 2025: ‘He’s capable’ – Niang names Super Eagles player that should replace Troost-Ekong