SPORTS

Paris, France | AFP | Thibaut Pinot conquered the Pyrenean summit of la Col du Tourmalet on Saturday with Julian Alaphilippe following him across the line to extend his overall Tour de France lead over defending champion Geraint Thomas, who admitted to feeling “weak”. Thomas, in fact, lost time for a …

Portrush, United Kingdom | AFP |  Ireland’s Shane Lowry said it had been “the most incredible day” after firing a stunning eight-under-par 63 on Saturday to take a four-shot lead over Tommy Fleetwood into the final round of the 148th British Open at Royal Portrush. The 32-year-old delighted the thousands …

Abuja, Nigeria | AFP | Nigeria striker Odion Ighalo announced on Saturday his retirement from international football after winning the Golden Boot at the Africa Cup of Nations. The 30-year-old Shanghai Shenhua striker struck five times as the Super Eagles finished third in Egypt, bagging him the top scorer honours with …

Shanghai, China | AFP | Premier League interim chief executive Richard Masters admits VAR is certain to cause “controversy” when the technology makes its English top-flight debut in the forthcoming season. The video referee system will be used for the first time in the Premier League after its introduction was delayed …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | A hotly contested basketball game between defending champions City Oilers and the JKL Dolphins ended prematurely on Friday night after the rim became faulty. Although the National Basketball Association games between JKL and Oilers started off smoothly in a fully packed YMCA Arena, the …

Cairo, Egypt | AFP |  Algeria coach Djamel Belmadi lauded his side’s “incredible” Africa Cup of Nations triumph Friday as Baghdad Bounedjah’s early goal earned a 1-0 victory over Senegal in the final. Bounedjah gave Algeria a dream start against Sadio Mane’s Senegal, the top team in Africa, in front of …

Gwangju, South Korea | AFP |  Canada’s Penny Oleksiak insists she has finally left the “weirdness” of capturing Olympic swimming gold at the tender age of 16 after finally recovering from a lengthy Rio hangover. Oleksiak, who is preparing for the world championships which begin in South Korea this weekend, stunned …

FULL TIME: Algeria 🇩🇿 1 (Baghdad Bounedja 2′)  Senegal 🇸🇳 0 Cairo, Egypt | AFP | Baghdad Bounedjah’s early goal propelled Algeria to a first Africa Cup of Nations title in 29 years after a fiery 1-0 victory over Sadio Mane’s Senegal in Friday’s final in Cairo. Bounedjah gave Algeria a dream start in …

64 MINS: Algeria 🇩🇿 1 (Baghdad Bounedja 2′)  Senegal 🇸🇳 0 Cairo, Egypt | AFP |  Salif Sane returned in Senegal’s defence alongside Cheikhou Kouyate for Friday’s Africa Cup of Nations final against Algeria in Cairo with Napoli star Kalidou Koulibaly suspended. Sane partnered Koulibaly in Senegal’s opening game of the tournament but …

Singapore, Singapore | AFP | Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino said Friday that last month’s Champions League final defeat has made him more determined to succeed at the club, after the conclusion of another solid campaign. Pochettino said he was keen to continue with the five-year “project” that has seen Tottenham …