Girona, Spain | AFP | Vinicius Junior starred and Real Madrid steadied the ship as a 3-0 win over Leganes on Wednesday put them on the brink of the Copa del Rey quarter-finals. Vinicius, the 18-year-old Brazilian signed by Madrid last summer, capped an electric display at the Santiago Bernabeu …
Read More »Spurs shed ‘soft touch’ image as Pochettino leaves his mark
London, United Kingdom | AFP | Tottenham have been derided as a soft touch for decades, but the sight of Eden Hazard being hounded into submission showed Mauricio Pochettino’s side are finally shedding their nice-guy image. The perception of Tottenham as entertaining but ultimately flawed under-achievers has haunted a succession …
Read More »Bayern eager to complete signing of Chelsea teenager Hudson-Odoi
Doha, Qatar | AFP | Bayern Munich, who are targeting young talent in the current transfer window, have confirmed their strong interest in English teenager Callum Hudson-Odoi amid reports the defending German champions have agreed a fee with Chelsea. “We definitely want to sign him – he has the qualities …
Read More »Guardiola welcomes Man City trophy challenge despite fixture pile-up
London, United Kingdom | AFP | Pep Guardiola says he welcomes Manchester City’s multi-pronged trophy assault, even though title rivals Liverpool have only the Premier League and Champions League to focus on. City face Burton in the semi-finals of the League Cup on Wednesday, days after demolishing Rotherham 7-0 to …
Read More »Murray’s talent undimmed, but fitness factor clouds Open return
Melbourne, Australia | AFP | Former world number one Andy Murray’s ranking dropped as low as 839 during 2018 as he played only six tournaments, with the Scot arriving in Melbourne looking to prove he can compete again at the top level. The three-time major winner and double Olympic champion …
Read More »AC Milan’s Higuain poised for Chelsea move – report
Milan, Italy | AFP | AC Milan striker Gonzalo Higuain has “agreed terms” and is set for an imminent move to Premier League club Chelsea, Italian sports daily Gazzetta Dello Sport reported on Wednesday. Higuain joined Milan on a season-long loan from Juventus in July with an option to buy …
Read More »South Africa blame ‘politics’ for humiliating loss to Egypt
Johannesburg, South Africa | AFP | As South Africa reeled Wednesday after a humiliating defeat by Egypt in a contest to decide the new 2019 Africa Cup of Nations hosts, the blame game began. South African football officials said the 16-1 vote in favour of Egypt in Senegal Tuesday was “political” without offering insight. Confederation of …
Read More »Guardiola welcomes Man City trophy challenge despite fixture pile-up
London, United Kingdom | AFP | Pep Guardiola says he welcomes Manchester City’s multi-pronged trophy assault, even though title rivals Liverpool have only the Premier League and Champions League to focus on. City face Burton in the semi-finals of the League Cup on Wednesday, days after demolishing Rotherham 7-0 to advance to the fourth round …
Read More »Salah retains African award to seal great day for Egypt
Dakar, Senegal | AFP | Mohamed Salah completed a memorable day for Egyptian football by retaining his African Player of the Year award in Senegal Tuesday. The 26-year-old Liverpool star finished first with club-mate Senegalese Sadio Mane and Arsenal and Gabon striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang the other finalists. “I have dreamt of winning this award since …
Read More »Egypt to host 2019 Africa Cup of Nations
Dakar, Senegal | AFP | Egypt will host the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations between June 15 and July 13, Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Ahmad Ahmad announced in Dakar Tuesday. The CAF executive committee preferred Egypt to South Africa as replacements for original hosts Cameroon, who were dropped …
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