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Zambia Hold Mali In Group A Contest
Mali and Zambia battled to a 1-1 draw in their Group A encounter at the Stade Mohammed V, Casablanca on Monday afternoon.
Mali dominated play in the first half, with Zambia failing to produce a shot on target.
Zambia goalkeeper Willard Mwanza produced a fine save to deny El Bilal Touré from the spot after Dorgeles Nene was tripped up in the penalty area by defender Mathews Banda.
They tried to improve their performance after the second but Mali kept pressuring their defence.
Read Also:AFCON 2025: Davido Stakes N36m On Super Eagles Opener Vs Tanzania
The Eagles scored the opening goal through Lassine Sinayoko in the 61st minute.
Leicester City forward Patson Daka equalised for Zambia from a header in stoppage time.
Mali will next face hosts and Group A favorites Morocco on Friday.
Chipolopolo will clash against Comoros in a crucial match for both teams’ hopes of reaching the knockout stages.
Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has made it clear that Nigeria’s priority is to begin the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on a winning note when they face Tanzania on Tuesday.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference at the Fes Stadium earlier today, Eric Chelle said the team was delighted to be in Morocco and fully aware of the importance of starting the tournament on the right foot.
“We are happy to be here,” the coach said. “For this game, it is a big one because this is the first match of the AFCON, and the first game is very important every time, and for sure, we want to win this game.”
When asked if his future with the national team depended on Nigeria lifting the trophy, Chelle stressed that such matters were not on his mind at the moment. According to him, his full attention remains on the competition and his players.
“I am only focused on this tournament. I will have a meeting with my football association about everything, but my focus at the moment is on the tournament and my players,” he stated, referring to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
The former Mali coach also addressed concerns about the absence of key defenders William Troost-Ekong, Benjamin Fredrick and Ola Aina. Chelle played down the worries, insisting he has confidence in the squad available for selection.
“I am not worried. I trust my guys. Of course, I would have loved to have all of the players in the team. We will work a lot on defence but it is not only about the defenders but all the players as a whole,” he said.
Team captain Wilfred Ndidi echoed the coach’s optimism, describing the Tanzania match as a potential tone-setter for the entire campaign. The midfielder revealed that morale within the camp was high, with players eager to get started.
“This spirit in the camp is very high and we are very energised. This game is very important for us because it is the one that sets the momentum, so everyone is ready, from the players to the staff, the focus is on this game, and we are well prepared to win,” Ndidi said.
Looking beyond the opener, the Super Eagles captain insisted that Nigeria must aim high after reaching the final of the last AFCON in the Ivory Coast.
“There are a lot of lessons to learn from the AFCON in the Ivory Coast, where we set a standard getting into the final, but we could not win the trophy. We cannot go below that. The standard is already high and the team is ready for that,” the Beşiktaş player said.
“Everybody is aware and in tune with what happened at the Ivory Coast and not qualifying for the World Cup, so we are focused on this tournament because it is another opportunity for us.”
The Super Eagles of Nigeria vs Tanzania AFCON 2025 opener is scheduled to kick off at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, December 23.
Manchester United legend, Wayne Rooney has tipped Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice to take over from Harry Kane as the next England captain after the Bayern Munich striker retires from international football.
According to Rooney, Rice is the ideal replacement for Kane, adding that the 26-year-old is well-liked by every body.
“For me, Declan is the one who’s probably waiting for Harry Kane to hang up his boots at some point,” Rooney stated on his BBC show.
“He was absolutely incredible [against Everton]. He’s the right one to take over [from Harry Kane] for me, because of his drive, his personality.
“Everyone seems to love him, who knows him, who’s close to him. He’s irreplaceable for England.”
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially unveiled the African Nations League, a new annual competition aimed at showcasing the continent’s top national teams and players.
CAF explained that the league will offer a consistent, world-class platform for senior national teams, providing African players with greater exposure and more opportunities to display their talent on a continental stage.
Announcing the initiative on its official X handle on Monday, CAF stated,
“CAF launches exciting new African Nations League and guarantees that CAF will host, every year, a world-class Senior National Team Competition in which the best African players will participate.”
According to CAF, the competition is designed to strengthen African football by encouraging more competitive matches, supporting player development, and boosting fan engagement across the continent.
The annual format is expected to ensure regular high-level football for both players and supporters.
The launch underlines CAF’s commitment to raising the global profile of African football and creating sustainable opportunities for players, national teams, and member associations.
The announcement comes amid broader changes to the continental calendar, with CAF President Patrice Motsepe recently revealing that the Africa Cup of Nations will move to a four-year cycle after an edition scheduled for 2028, marking a shift from its current biennial format.
Former Flying Eagles midfielder, Daniel Daga has been suspended indefinitely by Molde FK, after being formally charged in connection with an alleged sexual assault, as legal proceedings move toward a 2026 court hearing.
Norwegian Eliteserien side, Molde FK suspends Daniel from all football-related activities following his indictment by Norwegian authorities over an alleged sexual offence.
In an official statement released on Friday, the club confirmed that the alleged incident was reported to the police in late April 2025, with Daga now formally charged under Section 297 of the Norwegian Penal Code for committing a sexual act without consent.
As a result of the indictment, the 18-year-old midfielder has been barred from all training sessions and matchday involvement for the foreseeable future, pending the conclusion of legal proceedings.
Daniel Daga Returns to Nigeria Ahead Court Hearing
Molde FK confirmed that Daga has returned to Nigeria following the indictment but is expected to travel back to Norway ahead of the court hearings scheduled for next year.
According to Molde FK, the case is expected to be heard in March 2026 at the Nordmøre and Romsdal District Court.
The club stressed that both Molde FK and the player have cooperated fully with Norwegian police throughout the investigation, including during interrogations conducted since the case was first reported.
A source at Daga’s former Nigerian club also confirmed the development.
“This Is a Serious Matter” – FC Molde Chairman
Molde chairman Odd Ivar Moen acknowledged the gravity of the situation, describing it as deeply challenging for everyone involved.
“This is a serious matter, and we take the charges very seriously,” Moen said.
“These types of cases are extremely demanding for everyone involved.”
The club also confirmed it has been in contact with the complainant’s legal representatives, recognising the emotional toll associated with such cases.
Daga’s Lawyer Denies Wrongdoing
The complainant, Daniel Daga is being represented by legal aid lawyer Anette Western Torgersen, who declined to discuss the specifics of the case.
She said only that the matter represents “a great burden for the victim.”
Daga’s legal team has categorically denied the allegation, maintaining that no criminal offence was committed.
His lawyer, Astrid Bolstad, stated that while her client acknowledges a sexual encounter occurred, it was consensual.
“My client does not plead guilty and believes he has done nothing illegal,” Bolstad said.
“There is no suspicion of violence or threats. He looks forward to having the case heard in court so he can clear his name.”
Bolstad added that the midfielder has been deeply affected by the charge and was surprised the investigation resulted in a formal prosecution.
Football Career on Hold
Before his suspension, Daga last featured for Molde on November 24, playing in a 2–1 away victory over Strømsgodset.
In the 2025 season, he made 15 appearances across all competitions, scoring two league goals. He joined Molde in January from FC ONE Rocket, signing a three-year contract.
The midfielder had also represented Nigeria at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in October, making his second appearance at the tournament before the Flying Eagles were eliminated 4–0 by Argentina in the round of 16.
As the legal process unfolds, Molde FK reiterated its stance on handling the matter with care and balance.
The club said it remains committed to acting responsibly, while ensuring fairness, respect and consideration for all parties involved, as Daniel Daga’s football future remains uncertain pending the court’s decision.
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Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul earned £69k per SECOND of their fight – but AJ is expected to give up a HUGE sum of his fortune
Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul made an eye-watering £69,000 per second of their fight in Miami on Saturday night, it has been revealed.
The unlikely duo went head-to-head in the highly-anticipated bout at the Florida city’s Kaseya Center, with Joshua unsurprisingly reigning supreme in the sixth round.
Referee Christopher Young called a halt to proceedings after Paul was floored by a right hand from Joshua, who walked away to celebrate as the American hit the canvas.
Many had questioned exactly why a two-time heavyweight champion was reducing himself to fighting a YouTuber turned cruiserweight who once lost to Tommy Fury, though the answer was pretty clear.
In agreeing to the Netflix-broadcast scrap, Paul and Joshua split a reported fund of £68.5million. That means that in the 989 seconds which the fight lasted, each boxer earned a remarkable £69,000 every single second.
It’s however thought that AJ is expected to take home a significant amount less than Paul because of his UK residency. According to AceOdds, around 37 per cent of his money – £25.6m – will go directly to the IRS.
Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul made an eye-watering £69,000 per second of their fight in Miami on Saturday night, it has been revealed
The unlikely duo went head-to-head in the highly-anticipated bout at the Florida city’s Kaseya Center, with Joshua unsurprisingly reigning supreme in the sixth round
Paul looked in the mood to celebrate his bumper payout as he returned home from Miami
Speaking after his victory, Joshua gave credit to his opponent and admitted it took him ‘a bit longer than expected’ to put an end to proceedings.
‘It wasn’t the best performance,’ he said.
‘The end goal was to get Jake Paul, pin him down and hurt him. That has been the request and that was on my mind. Took a bit longer than expected but the right hand found the destination.
‘Jake Paul has done really well tonight, I want to give him his props. He got up, time and time again. It was difficult in there for him, but he kept on trying to find a way through.
‘You have to give Jake his respect for trying, trying and trying. But he came up against a real fighter tonight that’s had a 15-month lay-off.’
The 36-year-old and his promoter Eddie Hearn also looked ahead to the future, urging Tyson Fury to sign on the dotted line and set-up arguably the biggest fight in British boxing history next year.
Fury is expected to come out of retirement next year after stepping away from the sport following back-to-back losses to Oleksandr Usyk.
Hearn said: ‘We want the Tyson Fury fight of course. That’s the fight, the biggest fight.
‘We can do that, by the way, straight away. No interim fights. If Tyson’s ready and AJ is ready, we don’t have to fight in February or March. I think he’s saying eight weeks, 24 hours to sign a contract.’
Before Joshua added: ‘The best promoter in the world has been speaking with Turki [Al-Sheikh], His Excellency, Riyadh Season, and now he’s going to relay those messages and speak to my training team.
‘I’m a strong guy. I want to push on – but the coaches, it’s really up to them, they’re the ones that guide me. Fighters will always fight, coaches are there to guide us.
‘They know what I’ve been through over the x amount of weeks I’ve been with them so it’s up to them to make a decision. They’re going to speak with Eddie, and then hopefully in a week or so, I’ll have some news.’
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Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul earned £69k per SECOND of their fight – but AJ is expected to give up a HUGE sum of his fortune
Legendary Nigerian midfielder Austin Jay-Jay Okocha has launched a scathing assessment of the current Super Eagles squad, insisting they would be no match for the iconic Nigerian team that won Olympic gold in 1996.
Okocha, a central figure in that famous side, spoke with unmistakable confidence when asked to compare the present national team with the celebrated Dream Team that conquered the football world at the Atlanta Olympics.
The 1996 squad is widely regarded as one of the finest collections of talent Nigeria has ever assembled. That generation featured a glittering list of stars, including Sunday Oliseh, Daniel Amokachi, Victor Ikpeba and Nwankwo Kanu, players whose influence shaped Nigerian football for years.
Their Olympic triumph remains a landmark moment in African football history. Nigeria defeated global giants Brazil and Argentina on their way to winning Africa’s first Olympic gold medal in football. The dramatic semi-final victory over Brazil still lives vividly in the memories of Nigerian fans.
In his recent remarks, Okocha dismissed any suggestion that the current Super Eagles could compete with his generation if both teams were at their peak.
“They stand no chance. It’s the number of goals that they will concede we should be talking about,” Okocha said.
“These are small boys. We are talking about Yekini, Oliseh, Nwankwo Kanu, Taribo West I don’t even want to talk about myself. These boys are learners.”
The present Super Eagles squad is not short of quality. Napoli striker Victor Osimhen remains one of the most feared forwards in world football, while Ademola Lookman recently claimed the African Player of the Year award organised by the Confederation of African Football. The team also includes established names such as Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey, Samuel Chukwueze and Ola Aina.
However, Okocha’s criticism goes beyond individual talent and points to achievements on the biggest stages. Members of the 1996 Olympic team were part of Nigeria’s first appearance at the FIFA World Cup in 1994 and also lifted the Africa Cup of Nations in the same year.
By comparison, the current Super Eagles have struggled in recent World Cup qualification campaigns and are still chasing continental glory. Despite finishing close on a few occasions, an AFCON title has continued to elude them.
Attention now turns to the next Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, where the Super Eagles will hope to silence critics and carve out an identity capable of standing alongside Nigeria’s golden generation.
Super Eagles captain Wilfred Ndidi has declared the team’s readiness for their opening fixture against Tanzania at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON.
Eric Chelle’s side have enjoyed a smooth build up to the clash with Taifa Stars, with all 28 players available for selection.
The three-time champions have also only lost once in their last 14 group stage games at the AFCON.
They will head into the clash with Tanzania as the overwhelming favourites going by their pedigree and past records in the competition.
Ndidi believes a positive start will set a good momentum for the rest of the competition.
“The spirit in the camp is very high, we’re very energised. This game is very important for us, it’s the game that sets the momentum,” Ndidi told a press conference on Monday.
Ndidi missed the previous AFCON hosted by Cote d’Ivoire due to injury.
The 29-year-old was recently appointed captain of the team following William Troost-Ekong’s retirement from international football.
He was part of the Super Eagles squad to the 2019 and 2021 AFCON finals.
The Super Eagles will end 2025 ranked 38th in the world, according to the latest FIFA rankings released on Monday.
Nigeria’s position remains unchanged from the Nov. 19 ranking, after the team climbed three places from 41st.
The Super Eagles also retained sixth position on the African rankings.
Overall, 2025 proved mixed for Nigeria, but the team finished the year six places higher than its opening ranking of 44th.
The first ranking of the year in April saw Nigeria rise to 43rd. Subsequent updates dropped the Eagles to 44th in July and 45th in Sept.
October marked a turnaround as Nigeria surged to 41st, recording their biggest rise since Feb. 2024, following their AFCON silver-medal finish.
The November ranking lifted the Eagles three more places to 38th, a position they maintain heading into 2026.
In Africa, Morocco led the continent at 11th globally, followed by Senegal in 19th place. Algeria climbed to 34th, while Egypt dropped to 35th, ranking fifth in Africa.
Globally, Spain topped the rankings ahead of Argentina and France. England is fourth, Brazil fifth, followed by Portugal and the Netherlands.
Belgium, Germany and Croatia complete the top 10.
The next FIFA rankings will be released on Jan. 19, 2026, a day after the AFCON final in Morocco.
(NAN)
AC Milan defender Fikayo Tomori has disclosed that he’s working hard to get a place in England squad for the 2026 World Cup.
In a chat with BBC Sport, Tomori emphasizes the importance of listening and learning from the seasoned players around him, recognizing that every piece of advice could play a role in his development and preparation for potential World Cup selection.
“I spoke to him after the last international break in November. We’ve spoken a few times and the message is to keep doing what I’m doing.
“The World Cup is six months away and there’s a lot of football to be played.
Read Also:We’ve Put W/Cup Disappointment Behind Us, Our Focus Now Is AFCON 2025 –Chelle
“I know he’s watching and keeping an eye because he called up (team-mate) Ruben Loftus-Cheek. That gives me the confidence I can make it.
“He came to Milan last season and I know he gets our data and sees our clips regularly too.
“The way he’s spoken about it is that it’s difficult because there’s so many players in that position, and I get it because you have players like John Stones, Marc Guehi, Dan Burn and Ezri Konsa.
“But the World Cup is still a dream and I’m working towards that.”
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England locked in fierce battle to secure West Ham wonderkid, 15, hailed as one of the country’s most promising defenders amid Netherlands interest
England and the Netherlands are locked in an international tug-of-war over one of England’s most promising academy players.
West Ham’s Emmanuel Fejokwu, just 15 but plays in the Under-18 Premier League, has so far represented both nations at Under-15 and Under-16 level and was called by up by England and the Netherlands for an international camp last week.
The young defender, who was born in the Netherlands but moved to England in his infant years, this time chose the country of his birth, which caught the attention of scouts given that the pair of Under-16 games would be against England.
It was particularly awkward for the FA and England’s youth coaches that Fejokwu came on in the first game and scored a left-footed finish into the top corner, and then followed that up by scoring a header in the second game as a starter.
The FA pathway is littered with players who can play for other nations and there are countless examples of young stars like Elliot Anderson, who spent a lot of his youth career at international level playing for Scotland before declaring for England as a senior player.
But concern has been ramped up at St George’s Park that one of English football’s most promising teenage defenders could be taken from their grasp.
The Netherlands (left) and England (right) are both trying to convince Emmanuel Fejokwu to commit his international future to them
Fejokwu is just 15-years-old but is a regular for West Ham’s Under-18s side
Daily Mail Sport understands that Fejokwu, who plays three years above his age level in West Ham Under-18s, much like 15-year-old JJ Gabriel at Manchester United, is also attracting significant interest from clubs in the Netherlands such as Ajax, PSV Eindhoven and Feyenoord.
Sources in the Netherlands believe a move to the Dutch league would help further secure him from the clutches of England at international level.
His Dutch passport opens the door for him to leave England at the age of 16, something which isn’t possible for players that solely hold a British passport. They cannot play abroad until they turn 18.
German clubs such as Borussia Dortmund, Eintracht Frankfurt and Bayer Leverkusen have made enquiries, as have Red Bull Salzburg in Austria. Inter Milan, Club Brugge, Anderlecht, Lille and AS Monaco are also understood to be among the clubs vying for his signature.
West Ham are understood to be desperate to keep him while England’s biggest clubs have all sought updates on his situation as academy recruitment season goes into overdrive.
West Ham UnitedThe Netherlands