Category: Sports

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has confirmed that Bruno Fernandes will be sidelined for “a while” after sustaining a hamstring injury in their 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa on Sunday.

Fernandes pulled up in the first half with no one near him and was seen rubbing the back of his right leg.

Amorim subsequently decided to replace Fernandes with Lisandro Martinez during the interval.

“I think it’s soft tissue, so it’s going to be a while. We’ll see,” Amorim told Sky Sports.

“It is really strange. During this year, especially at this time, we have so many problems, but we have to cope with that.”

EPL: Amorim gives update on Bruno Fernandes’ injury after 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa

Former Super Eagles captain Sunday Oliseh has named Africa’s number one team as the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, kicks off on Sunday.

Oliseh, in a video posted on his X account on Sunday, identified 2025 AFCON hosts Morocco as the continent’s leading team.

According to him, the North Africans deserve the top spot because they are the first African nation to reach the semi-final stage of the World Cup.

He noted that Morocco has developed a distinctive playing style and invested in infrastructure to support football development in their country.

“Morocco is now Africa’s number one team. First African nation to get to the semi-final of the World Cup,” Oliseh said.

“They won a bronze medal in the last Olympics. They came third—they would’ve won it, but they lost to the eventual winners, Spain, in the semi-final.

“So now, in any direction you look at it, Morocco have built infrastructures, they have a strategy and have decided on a playing style, they have set up a wage system.”

AFCON: Oliseh names Africa’s number one team

Barcelona will go into 2026 sitting four points clear at the top of the LaLiga table.

This follows their 2-0 win over 10-man Villarreal on Sunday evening.

Hansi Flick’s men went in front thanks to a penalty from Raphinha in the early exchanges.

Raphinha picked himself and converted the spot-kick after he had been fouled by Santi Comesana.

Leading into half-time, Renato Veiga’s wild challenge on Lamine Yamal earned him a straight red card, making Villarreal’s assignment that much more difficult.

Yamal then made it 2-0 following a scramble inside the penalty box.

The win takes Barcelona to 46 points, while Real Madrid are in second place with 42.

LaLiga: Barcelona to finish 2025 four points clear of Real Madrid

Werder Bremen has spoken on the possibility of terminating the contract of Super Eagles striker, Victor Boniface.

The club’s Sporting Director, Clemens Fritz did not rule out an early termination of the player’s loan from Bayer Leverkusen.

Boniface has struggled since making the loan move from Leverkusen to Bremen after a move to Italian giants, AC Milan failed.

Asked about Boniface’s future at the Bundesliga side after their game with Augsburg, Fritz said, according to Deichstube, “Victor is injured at the moment and we are in contact with the Leverkusen doctors. We want to let it calm down a bit for now.

“He’ll switch off for a few days, but then we’ll have to see how it develops.

“After that, however, the topic of ‘sporting future’ could well be on the table.”

Boniface has only been able to provide two assists this season and is yet to score a goal for the club.

Bundesliga: Werder Bremen speak on terminating Victor Boniface’s loan deal

Manchester United boss, Ruben Amorim has once responded to the criticisms he received for dropping Kobbie Mainoo on the bench.

The manager has been heavily criticised by pundits and fans of the Red Devils who believe the player should be playing regularly.

However, the Portuguese had most recently made it clear that there was no way his captain, Bruno Fernandes, would be dropped from the XI for the 20-year-old since both of them play the same position.

It was during the time of Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford that the 20-year-old academy graduate became a first team player.

During the 2023-24 season, Mainoo played 32 games for Manchester United across all competitions that season.

But since after the arrival of Amorim the midfielder no longer gets playing time.

Responding to complaints by those who feel the England international should play more regularly, Amorim told reporters as quoted by Fabrizio Romano

“Kobbie Mainoo needs to fight for his job. I think that is not a bad thing to be on the bench of Man United at 20 years old,” he said.

“I remember Ronaldo was on the bench, sometimes Rooney, Veron… I remember the history of Manchester United and nobody didn’t fall”.

EPL: ‘Even Cristiano Ronaldo, Rooney were benched’ – Amorim slams critics over Mainoo

Kwara United have received a timely injury boost ahead of their Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, Matchday 18 fixture against Bayelsa United.

The Harmony Boys will welcome back a quartet of players — Olarewaju Abdulrahman, Issa Gata, Aule Johnmark, and Obiora Kingsley — for the game.

The players have returned to training in preparation for the clash against Bayelsa United.

The return of the four players is a major motivation for Suleiman Ashifat’s side as they aim to get back to winning ways following their recent defeat to Enyimba.

Kwara United will face Bayelsa United at the Rashidi Yekini Mainbowl Stadium in Ilorin on Sunday.

Both teams will be seeking to secure maximum points from the encounter.

NPFL: Kwara United get injury boost ahead Bayelsa Utd match

Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala will take charge of the opening game of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, between hosts Morocco and Comoros.

The tournament’s curtain-raiser will take place at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah in Rabat on Sunday evening.

The encounter will kick off at 7 pm local time.
Ndala is one of the continent’s most experienced and highly regarded match officials.

He will be officiating at his fourth AFCON, having previously served at the 2019, 2021 and 2023 editions.

Ndala will be assisted by his compatriots Guylain Bongele Ngila (assistant referee one), Mwanya Gradel Mbilizi (assistant referee two), and Messie Nkounkou Mvoutou (fourth official).

The Video Assistant Referee, VAR, team will be led by Mauritania’s Dahane Beida, while Babacar Sarr, also from Mauritania, will assist Beida.

Congo’s René Daniel Louzaya will serve as the referee’s assessor.

AFCON 2025: Congo’s Ndala to officiate Morocco vs Comoros opener 

Manchester City have now overtaken Arsenal at the top of the Premier League, following their 3-0 win over West Ham on Saturday.

Pep Guardiola’s men kept closing the gap between themselves and the Gunners.

City’s 3-0 win over Crystal Palace last weekend ensured they were two points behind.

Against the Hammers, Erling Haaland fired City into the lead in the first half, before Tijjani Reijnders doubled their advantage ahead of half time.

Haaland grabbed one more goal in the second half, to take his team up to 37 points after 17 fixtures.

Arsenal will have the chance to go top again, when they travel to Everton in the last game on Saturday night.

EPL Table: Man City overtake Arsenal with 3-0 win over West Ham

The Confederation of African Football, CAF, has announced an increase in prize money for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

President of the Confederation of African Football, CAF, Patrice Motsepe announced during his interaction with the media in Rabat, Morocco on Saturday that the winner of the competition will go home with $10m.

DAILY POST recalls that the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire, who won the last edition of the competition went home with $7m.

Runners-up Super Eagles Nigeria were rewarded with $4m.

The AFCON 2025 finals will start in Morocco on Sunday.

Hosts Morocco will take on Comoros in the competition’s opening game.

CAF increases AFCON 2025 prize Money

Chelsea manager, Enzo Maresca, will serve a touchline ban for their next Premier League game against Aston Villa.

This follows his booking against Newcastle United on Saturday.

Maresca picked up his third yellow card of the season in the 2-2 draw at St James Park.

The Italian will now be forced to watch their next match from the stands.

Chelsea came from two goals down to salvage a point with Reece James and Joao Pedro on target after a first-half brace from Nick Woltemade.

Maresca was also shown a yellow card by referee Andy Madley with the referee determining he was a little overzealous in his complaints around the hour-mark.

EPL: Maresca banned for Chelsea vs Aston Villa clash