Melbourne, Australia | AFP | A tearful Andy Murray on Friday announced he would likely retire this year due to severe pain from a hip injury, saying next week’s Australian Open could be the last tournament of a glittering career. The former world number one and three-time Grand Slam winner …
Read More »Egypt in race against time to host Africa Cup of Nations
Cairo, Egypt | AFP | Chosen to host the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, Egypt faces a race against time to get ready for the event in five months, but experts say it will meet the challenge. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) on Tuesday said it selected Egypt ahead …
Read More »Mourinho returns to football as BeIN television pundit
Paris, France | AFP | Jose Mourinho has secured his first job since being sacked as Manchester United coach after joining BeIN Sports as a pundit, the broadcaster announced on Thursday. ‘The Special One’ will be an analyst for Chelsea’s Premier League trip to Arsenal on January 19 as well …
Read More »No longer invincible, PSG in need of new faces as revived Man Utd loom
Paris, France | AFP | Paris Saint-Germain were seen as heavy favourites to beat Manchester United when the sides were drawn together in the last 16 of the Champions League less than a month ago, but fans of the French giants may not be so confident right now. While United fired Jose Mourinho in the …
Read More »Djokovic and Halep top seeds at Australian Open
Melbourne, Australia | AFP | World number ones Novak Djokovic and Simona Halep were named top seeds on Thursday for next week’s Australian Open, with 23-time major winner Serena Williams lurking at 16 on the women’s side. Djokovic heads long-time rival Rafael Nadal and defending champion Roger Federer, with young-gun …
Read More »Man City hit nine past Burton to cruise towards League Cup final
Manchester, United Kingdom | AFP | Holders Manchester City can look forward to defending the League Cup in next month’s final at Wembley as Gabriel Jesus struck four goals in a 9-0 thrashing of Burton Albion in their semi-final, first leg on Wednesday. Kevin de Bruyne, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Phil Foden, …
Read More »PSG stunned in League Cup quarters by struggling Guingamp
Paris, France | AFP | Paris Saint-Germain saw their 43-match winning run in domestic cup competitions come to an end as Thomas Tuchel’s men suffered a shock 2-1 home defeat by Ligue 1 bottom club Guingamp in the French League Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday. The visitors were awarded three penalties …
Read More »Vinicius inspires Madrid to much-needed win over Leganes
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 »