Hosts Ivory Coast are favourites for AFCON glory

Africa Cup of Nations-winning coach Djamel Belmadi of Algeria says hosts Ivory Coast are the team to beat at the 2024 tournament, which kicks off on Saturday. Host nations have often struggled to turn home advantage into success with only 11 of the previous 33 AFCONs won by the home side. But 2019 winning coach Belmadi believes the Ivorian Elephants can go all the way and win the flagship […]

January 8, 2024 4

Sport

Arsenal “needs a reset” – Arteta

Mikel Arteta admitted Arsenal need a psychological "reset" after missing a host of chances in their 2-0 defeat against Liverpool in the FA Cup third round. Arteta's side should have been in complete control of Sunday's clash after a dominant first half at the Emirates Stadium. A combination of poor finishing and good keeping from Alisson Becker frustrated the Gunners, who paid for their profligacy with a late collapse. […]

January 8, 2024 3

Sport

Mouth-watering Premier League Christmas weekend ahead

Liverpool and Arsenal will battle for the Christmas number one spot when they meet on Saturday, each with a golden chance to open up a significant lead over absent champions Manchester City. If there is not a winner at Anfield, third-placed Aston Villa could be top at Christmas for the first time since 1999 should their phenomenal home form continue against bottom-of-the-table Sheffield United. The festive Premier League programme also […]

December 22, 2023 25

Sport

Steve Cherundolo extends LAFC contract

Steve Cherundolo, who guided Los Angeles FC to an MLS crown in his first season as coach and into this year's final in his second, has signed a multi-year contract extension.LAFC announced late Wednesday that the 44-year-old American, a former US national team defender and captain of German side Hannover, would stay with the club."I'm excited to continue our journey together after two emotional, invigorating and successful years," Cherundolo said."Together […]

December 22, 2023 6

Sport

Liverpool crushes West Ham

Liverpool destroyed West Ham 5-1 on Wednesday to set up a League Cup semi-final against Fulham, easing the frustration of their weekend Premier League stalemate against Manchester United. Curtis Jones scored twice and Dominik Szoboszlai, Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah were also on the scoresheet for Jurgen Klopp's dominant team, who were trophyless last season. No team have won more League Cups than Liverpool, who lifted the trophy for the […]

December 21, 2023 4

Sport

Diniz vs Guardiola – contrasting styles

Fluminense coach Fernando Diniz's free-flowing style that he has labelled the antithesis to Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola's football faces the ultimate test when the two men face off in Friday's Club World Cup final. Diniz, 49, has shot to fame in his homeland, even combining his role with the South American champions as interim Brazil coach, on the back of an innovative set-up that seeks to bring the […]

December 21, 2023 12

Sport

Steve Cooper sacked by Notts Forest

Steve Cooper was sacked by Nottingham Forest on Tuesday amid reports the Premier League strugglers are set to hire Nuno Espirito Santo.Cooper was axed after a dismal run of one win in 13 Premier League games left Forest just one place above the relegation zone.The 44-year-old had been under fire throughout a dismal run of just one win in 13 league games, including five defeats from their last six matches.Forest […]

December 20, 2023 3

Sport

Dortmund draw with lowly Mainz

Borussia Dortmund were held to a 1-1 home draw with lowly Mainz in the Bundesliga on Tuesday, continuing their struggles and deepening coach Edin Terzic's woes.Dortmund impressed early and grabbed the lead thanks to a brilliant free-kick from Julian Brandt but Mainz hit back late in the first half, Sepp van den Berg heading in from close range.USA forward Gio Reyna had the ball in the net in the final […]

December 20, 2023 7

Sport

Man City reach the Club World Cup final

Manchester City will have to cope without Erling Haaland as they aim to lift the Club World Cup for the first time in Friday's final against Fluminense. The European champions shrugged off their sluggish Premier League form to cruise past Urawa Reds 3-0 in Tuesday's semi-final in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.Haaland watched on from the stands as Mateo Kovacic and Bernardo Silva struck after Marius Hoibraten's own goal opened the scoring.The […]

December 20, 2023 3