SPORTS

Johannesburg, South Africa | AFP | Italian coach Giovanni Solinas quit high-profile South African club Kaizer Chiefs Friday halfway through his first season in charge after failing to transform the struggling side. Chiefs, who have won 53 domestic trophies since being formed in 1970, have gone three and a half …

Paris, France | AFP |  Congo Brazzaville has emerged as a strong contender to host next year’s rearranged Africa Cup of Nations, according to a senior official in the Confederation of African Football (CAF). Constant Omari, a vice-president of CAF, also said that the dossier of Guinea, hosts-designate of the …

Milan, Italy | AFP | Mario Mandzukic scored the only goal as Juventus killed off Inter Milan’s challenge to move 11 points clear in Serie A on Friday. Luciano Spalletti’s third-placed Inter fall 14 points adrift of the leaders with the Derby d’Italia defeat a grave blow to their hopes …

London, United Kingdom | AFP | Jurgen Klopp will be desperately hoping Chelsea can slow down Manchester City’s title charge this weekend as he balances his Premier League ambitions with a Champions League decider against Napoli. Unbeaten Liverpool are clinging on in the title race — scoring deep into added …

London, United Kingdom | AFP | Chelsea’s Premier League title challenge to Manchester City has faded dramatically in recent weeks as Eden Hazard’s goals have dried up to leave Maurizio Sarri’s men 10 points adrift of the champions ahead of Saturday’s clash between the sides at Stamford Bridge. Even in …

Manchester, United Kingdom | AFP | Jose Mourinho will be desperate for his struggling Manchester United side to put their defensive woes behind them against the Premier League’s bottom club Fulham but the form book suggests they may struggle to do so. An exciting, if error-strewn, 2-2 draw with Arsenal …

Los Angeles, United States | AFP | Boxer Floyd Mayweather says his New Year’s Eve bout with Japanese kick boxer Tenshin Nasukawa will be “all about the entertainment”. The nine-minute exhibition in Japan will have no official winner or loser if it goes the distance, and Mayweather said at a …

Bournemouth, United Kingdom | AFP | Naby Keita has started to show he can add creativity to Liverpool’s midfield but Jurgen Klopp may question his squad’s strength in depth despite securing two Premier League wins in four days. Klopp is likely to revert to his tried-and-trusted first choices at Bournemouth …

London, United Kingdom | AFP | Mesut Ozil has missed Arsenal’s last four matches and may be absent again when the Gunners host Huddersfield Town on Saturday. The 30-year-old playmaker is being treated for a back problem and manager Unai Emery has hinted that he could be passed fit on …

London, United Kingdom | AFP | The debate about Tottenham Hotspur’s lack of activity in the last transfer window will continue until the final day of the season. However, there is a case to be made the north London club’s inaction may be actually carry more benefits than first imagined. …