Sports
EPL: Guardiola confirms two key Man City players to miss Tottenham clash
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Mateo Kovacic and Ruben Dias will miss their Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday evening.
Speaking during his pre-match press conference on Friday, Guardiola revealed that Kovacic is sidelined with an injury that could keep him out for “a few weeks or one month,” while Dias is expected to return soon.
“Kovacic is injured. It will be a while, a few weeks or one month,” Guardiola said.
The City boss also provided updates on other players, noting that John Stones and Manuel Akanji trained well and are fit, while Nathan Aké is making his way back into contention.
“John trained good yesterday, Manu trained good yesterday, and Nathan is coming back. Just Ruben is out, but hopefully, he will be back soon. We didn’t have central defenders, and now we have three,” he added.
Guardiola’s comments come a day after he signed a new contract with Manchester City, extending his tenure at the club.
Sports
Nigeria Pummels Mozambique 4-0 to reach AFCON quarterfinals
The Super Eagles will now await the winner of the Round of 16 clash between Algeria and DR Congo as they prepare for a crucial quarterfinal showdown.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles secured a 4-0 victory over Mozambique, booking their place in the quarterfinals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Nigeria were rampant from start to finish, asserting their dominance with pace, precision and ruthless finishing.
Ademola Lookman opened the scoring with a well-taken effort to set the tone, before Victor Osimhen struck twice to put the contest beyond Mozambique’s reach.
A late goal from Adams capped a flawless display by the Eagles.
The result underlined Nigeria’s growing confidence and attacking depth as they continue their quest for continental glory, shutting out Mozambique with a disciplined defensive display and relentless pressure going forward.
The Super Eagles will now await the winner of the Round of 16 clash between Algeria and DR Congo as they prepare for a crucial quarterfinal showdown.
News
Ten-Man Mali Stun Tunisia on Penalties to Reach AFCON 2025 Quarter-Finals
Mali dramatically advanced to the quarter-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after defeating Tunisia 3-2 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in extra time, despite playing with ten men for most of the Round of 16 clash at the Mohammed V Stadium on Saturday.
The Eagles, reduced to ten players after Woyo Coulibaly’s straight red card in the 26th minute for a lunging tackle on Hannibal Mejbri, looked destined for elimination when substitute Firas Chaouat headed Tunisia ahead in the 88th minute from Elias Saad’s cross.
However, in a frantic finish, Yassine Meriah’s handball in the box during stoppage time allowed Lassine Sinayoko to equalize from the penalty spot in the 96th minute, forcing extra time.
With no further goals in the additional 30 minutes, the match went to penalties. Mali goalkeeper Djigui Diarra emerged as the hero, saving shots from Elias Achouri and Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane. El Bilal Touré slotted home the decisive kick after Ali Abdi skied his effort, sealing a 3-2 shootout victory.
Mali captain Yves Bissouma and Nene Dorgeles missed for the Eagles in the shootout, but Diarra’s saves proved pivotal in one of the tournament’s most thrilling encounters.
The result sets up a blockbuster West African quarter-final showdown between Mali and defending champions Senegal, who earlier dispatched Sudan 3-1 in Tangier.
Senegal, led by braces from Pape Gueye and a late strike from teenage substitute Ibrahim Mbaye, will face Mali on January 9 at the Grand Stade de Tangier.
Mali coach Eric Chelle praised his side’s resilience: “Playing with ten men for so long and coming back like that shows the character in this team. We’re ready for Senegal—it’s going to be a tough battle.
“Tunisia, who dominated possession but struggled to break down Mali’s defensive setup, exit the tournament after a frustrating campaign, having won only one group-stage match.
The 2025 AFCON, hosted in Morocco, continues with more Round of 16 fixtures on Sunday, including hosts Morocco against Tanzania. The quarter-finals promise intense matchups as the race for the title heats up.
Sports
Anthony Joshua discharged from hospital
Gbenga Omotoso, Lagos Commissioner of Information, and Kayode Akinmade, Special Adviser to the Ogun State Governor on Information and Strategy, confirmed the discharge of the boxing champion.
British-Nigerian heavyweight boxer, Anthony Joshua, has been discharged from Duchess International Hospital in Ikeja, Lagos.
Joshua, who survived an accident that led to the loss of the lives of two of his friends, was involved in the accident on Lagos-Ibadan expressway.
In a statement on Thursday, Gbenga Omotoso, Lagos Commissioner of Information, and Kayode Akinmade, Special Adviser to the Ogun State Governor on Information and Strategy, confirmed the discharge of the boxing champion.
The governments of Lagos and Ogun states once again, commiserate with the families of the two young men Lateef Ayodele and Gami Cina who tragically and unfortunately lost their lives in the road accident involving Anthony Joshua.”
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