Luca Zidane honours grandfather with Algeria switch

Luca Zidane, son of French World Cup-winning legend Zinedine Zidane, says his grandfather inspired his decision to switch international allegiance from France to Algeria. The 27-year-old goalkeeper, who plays for Granada in Spain, made his debut for Algeria in their opening Africa Cup of Nations Group E match against Sudan, a 3-0 victory watched…
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Coman double helps Al Nassr cruise past Al Zawraa

Al Nassr rounded off the group stage of Asia’s second-tier continental competition with a commanding 5-1 victory over Iraqi side Al Zawraa. Kingsley Coman struck twice, while Joao Felix contributed a goal and an assist, and Cristiano Ronaldo provided a creative spark as Jorge Jesus’s team maintained their perfect record. Group dominance…
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Lookman strike earns Nigeria nervy AFCON win over Tanzania

Nigeria began their Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 victory against Tanzania at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat. The Super Eagles, chasing a first continental crown since 2013, provisionally top Group C ahead of Tunisia’s clash with Uganda later in the day. Nigeria dominate early Eric Sekou Chelle’s side…
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Kepa saves Arsenal in League Cup shoot-out drama

Kepa Arrizabalaga was Arsenal’s hero as his decisive penalty save sealed an 8-7 shoot-out victory over Crystal Palace in the League Cup quarter-finals at the Emirates Stadium. The Spanish goalkeeper denied Maxence Lacroix after the Palace defender had endured a miserable evening, scoring an own goal to give Arsenal the lead before Marc Guehi’s…
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Rosell admits knowing Negreira as Barcelona scandal deepens

Former Barcelona president Sandro Rosell has told investigators he knew Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira and even saw him working at Camp Nou, providing refereeing advice to the club. Rosell’s testimony, given last September and published this week by journalist Ramon Alvarez de Mon, comes as the long-running ‘Negreira affair’ continues to dominate…
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Bongonda strike earns DR Congo opening AFCON win

Theo Bongonda’s first-half goal gave the Democratic Republic of Congo a narrow 1-0 victory over Benin in their Africa Cup of Nations opener in Rabat. The Spartak Moscow forward struck after 16 minutes at the Al Medina Stadium, capitalising on hesitant defending to steer home a long ball. Cedric Bakambu thought he had doubled the Leopards’…
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FIFA lifts Al-Nassr transfer ban after debt settlement

Al-Nassr have been cleared to register new players in January after FIFA lifted a sanction imposed on the Saudi Pro League leaders. The governing body had barred the club from making signings due to an outstanding €9m debt owed to Manchester City relating to the transfer of defender Aymeric Laporte in the summer of 2023. But with the payment…
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