Author Archives: AFP

A scrappy goal by Omaatla Kebatho proved priceless as it gave minnows Botswana a shock 1-1 draw away to seven-time champions Egypt on Tuesday, and 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification. Mozambique won 2-1 in Guinea-Bissau and hosts Tanzania edged Guinea 1-0 to also secure places at the biennial African football showpiece, which Morocco will stage from December 21 next year. The other 21 places had been taken before the final 13 qualifiers were played on Tuesday, and four-time winners Ghana will be the shock absentees after finishing last in Group F. Needing a point to ensure qualification from Group C, Botswana seemingly stood little chance of achieving that goal in Cairo against Egypt, 110 places higher in the world rankings. Although lacking resting captain Mohamed Salah, already-qualified Egypt would

War-torn Sudan and Benin qualified on Monday for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, while there was heartbreak for Rwanda as they shocked Nigeria 2-1 only to lose out. Sudan drew 0-0 with Group F winners Angola in Benghazi to finish runners-up and claim the second qualifying place. The Sudanese finished with eight points, one more than Niger, who upset depleted former champions Ghana 2-1 in Accra. It was even closer in Group D with Benin, who held Libya 0-0 in Tripoli, pipping Rwanda on head-to-head records after both finished with eight points, three less than table-toppers Nigeria. Benin owe their place in Morocco from December 21 next year to a superior goal difference. Last month, they trounced Rwanda 3-0 at home and lost 2-1 away. Having changed eight of

Jannik Sinner won the ATP Finals on Sunday after beating Taylor Fritz 6-4, 6-4 to claim his first title at the season-ending event in Turin. Italian Sinner’s triumph on home soil was the latest moment of glory in a near-perfect year in which the 23-year-old won eight tournaments, including his debut Grand Slam victories at the Australian and US Opens. “It’s amazing, it’s my first title in Italy and it means so much to me,” said Sinner. “It’s something very special. I just tried to understand what works best for each opponent, trying to play my best possible tennis. That was the key. “It was a very high level tournament from my side. At times, I couldn’t have played better, so I am very happy.” World number one Sinner again

Netherlands outclassed Hungary with a 4-0 victory in their winner-takes-all Nations League encounter on Saturday while Germany hammered Bosnia and Hercegovina 7-0. Netherlands and Hungary went into the match tied on five points each and with the winner set to join Germany in ensuring their progress from Group A3 to the quarter-finals. First-half penalties by Wout Weghorst and Cody Gakpo sent the Oranje on their way, before Denzel Dumfries and Teun Koopmeiners made the game safe in the second period. The match at the Johan Cruyff Arena was briefly interrupted in the seventh minute following a medical emergency on the Hungarian bench. The referee stopped play for some 10 minutes while Hungary’s assistant coach Adam Szalai received treatment, shielded from view by huddled players and staff members, as well as

A late equaliser from Victor Osimhen stamped Nigeria’s ticket for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on Thursday while Tunisia also booked their place with a 3-2 win over Madagascar. In spite of not playing on Thursday, other results also saw South Africa, Gabon and Uganda secure places at the 24-nation showcase of African football, which kicks off in Morocco on December 21 next year. Sudan missed a chance to qualify after a shock 4-0 loss to Niger — a result which offered a glimmer of hope to Ghana ahead of a must-win match in Angola on Friday. Nigeria were trailing against Benin in Group D before reigning African Footballer of the Year Osimhen equalised nine minutes from time to secure a 1-1 draw in Abidjan. Mohamed Tijani had put Benin

Bayern Munich travel to promoted St Pauli on Saturday knowing a win will take them six points clear of RB Leipzig, who host mid-table Borussia Moenchengladbach later in the day. With defending champions Bayer Leverkusen not hitting last year’s heights and Borussia Dortmund lacking consistency, Bayern and Leipzig have emerged as this season’s title contenders. But Leipzig’s 2-1 loss at Dortmund last week, their first in the league this season, has given Vincent Kompany’s Bayern the chance to grow their lead at the top of the table. On Thursday, the Bundesliga released the next phase of the draw, with Bayern hosting Leipzig on the Friday before Christmas. While neutrals may be hoping for a title race to go well into the spring, Bayern’s form have them threatening to pull away

Champions League holders Real Madrid fell to a 3-1 home defeat by AC Milan on Tuesday in the group stage with striker Kylian Mbappe unable to find the net again. The 25-year-old France captain has scored once in his last six matches for Madrid across all competitions, including three losses for Los Blancos. Malick Thiaw headed the Italian side ahead before Vinicius Junior levelled from the penalty spot for the hosts. Alvaro Morata struck against his former side to restore Milan’s lead before the break and Tijjani Reijnders netted the third to secure Milan’s victory. Madrid were unable to bounce back strongly from the 4-0 thrashing by Barcelona in late October, their last outing after Saturday’s La Liga match at Valencia was postponed because of devastating floods in the east