Barcelona, Spain | AFP | Barcelona must remain in Spain’s La Liga, club general director Oscar Grau said on Wednesday following the signing by Catalan leaders of a declaration of independence. “The budgets are based on participation in La Liga. I think that La Liga and Barca must continue together,” Grau …
Read More »Messi hat-trick fires Argentina into World Cup
Quito, Ecuador | AFP | Lionel Messi scored a brilliant hat-trick as Argentina sealed their place at the 2018 World Cup with a 3-1 victory over Ecuador here Tuesday. Barcelona superstar Messi single-handedly rescued Argentina’s World Cup hopes as the South American giants came from behind to win in Quito. …
Read More »Clubs chasing Premier League dream ‘risk bankruptcy’
London, United Kingdom | AFP | English Football League clubs are risking bankruptcy by chasing promotion to the Premier League where they face “economic exhaustion” trying to compete with established sides, financial experts said on Tuesday. Between the 2008-09 and 2015-16 seasons, 19 clubs gained promotion from the Championship to the …
Read More »Tunisia, Senegal, Morocco set for World Cup
Johannesburg, South Africa | AFP | Tunisia, Senegal and Morocco are well placed to complete in November the five-nation African line-up for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Nigeria and Egypt secured places at the weekend with home victories over Zambia and Congo Brazzaville respectively, leaving eight countries hunting the other …
Read More »Salah goals take Egypt to 2018 World Cup
Standings Group E ??EGY – 12pts ??UGA – 8pts ??GHA – 6pts ??CGO Cairo, Egypt | AFP | Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah converted a stoppage-time penalty to give Egypt a dramatic 2-1 win over Congo Brazzaville Sunday and a place at the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Salah put Egypt ahead …
Read More »Ghana FA protests, asks FIFA to order a replay against Uganda
FT: Uganda ?? 0 Ghana ?? 0 Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Ghana Football Association has lodged a protest with world soccer governing body FIFA protesting the refereeing in their World Cup qualifier against Uganda Saturday. They are demanding a replay. The game ended in controversial fashion, as Ghana put the ball …
Read More »Arsenal’s Lwobi fires Nigeria to 2018 World Cup
Abuja, Nigeria | AFP | Arsenal forward Alex Lwobi sent Nigeria to the 2018 World Cup finals with the winning goal in a 1-0 African qualifying victory over Zambia on Saturday. The Super Eagles became the first African team to advance to Russia after taking an unassailable lead atop Group …
Read More »DRAW: Ghana’s Black Stars frustrate Uganda Cranes
FT: Uganda ?? 0 Ghana ?? 0 Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Uganda Cranes were held goalless by Ghana’s Black Stars in a Group E 2018 World Cup qualifier Saturday. Soccer governing body FUFA had promised each player a bonus of $3000 (SH10.8m) for victory, but Ghana Black Stars matched the hosts for most …
Read More »Uganda Cranes ready to end Ghana’s World Cup dreams
WORLD CUP QUALIFIER: Uganda ?? vs Ghana ?? 4pm Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT & AFP | With Egypt two points clear at the top in Group E, Saturday’s 2018 World Cup qualifier is a must-win for both Uganda Cranes and Ghana’s Black Stars. The Ugandans have the better chance of staying in contention, …
Read More »India gives 27,000 free tickets to avert World Cup ’embarrassment’
New Delhi, India | AFP | India gave away 27,000 tickets for the opening games of the Under-17 World Cup in New Delhi on Friday in a bid to avoid the embarrassment of empty stands when Prime Minister Narendra Modi attends, an official said. Thousands of children filled the Jawahar Lal …
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