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Morocco's coach Walid Regragui made a candid confession after the Atlas Lions secured a place in the AFCON knockout stage. Morocco topped Group A with a 3-0 win over Zambia, reaching seven points. The coach acknowledged the tournament's difficulty and high expectations. He stressed ongoing improvement and team unity as key to moving forward.
Two Portuguese stars at Al-Hilal are reportedly eyeing exits as their contracts near expiry. Ruben Neves’s deal ends this season with no renewal yet, while Joao Cancelo’s contract runs to 2027, but he also seeks a move. Gestifute confirms interest but says no official offers have arrived. Linked destinations include Manchester United, Newcastle United, and Galatasaray, adding fuel to a lively transfer window.
Al-Ahli Benghazi dismissed its Egyptian coach Tarik Mustafa due to disappointing results. The team started with draws in the league and then faltered in cup competition, leading to leadership changes. Mustafa, 54, had been in charge since September, with a history across Moroccan and Egyptian clubs. The club’s firing comes amid rumors of his potential move to Zamalek.
Ibrahim Diaz shines for the Atlas Lions as Morocco beat Zambia to strengthen their AFCON 2025 group campaign. Ayoub El Kaabi scores twice, securing a 3-0 victory. Opta notes Diaz's historic run of scoring in every group game, a feat previously done by Ahmed Faras in 1972. Morocco sit top of the group with seven points and eyeing top scorer honors.
Fourteen teams have officially secured a place in AFCON 2025's Round of 16 in Morocco, with only two berths still to be decided. The qualifiers feature a notable Arab presence alongside continent powerhouses like Senegal and Ivory Coast. The advancing lineup includes Egypt, Morocco, Algeria, Senegal, DR Congo, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Nigeria, South Africa, Mali, Benin, Burkina Faso, Mozambique, and Sudan. All attention now shifts to the final group matches to determine the last two qualifiers among Tunisia, Angola, Uganda, and Tanzania. Six teams—Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Zimbabwe, Comoros, Zambia, Botswana—have exited the tournament.
Since the 2014 era, Germany has been hunting for a successor to Gerd Müller and Miroslav Klose. The No. 9 shirt has become a symbol of lethal finishing, yet the national team has struggled to sustain it. Youth systems are producing versatile forwards, but a true, clinical finisher remains elusive. This piece traces how Germany is rethinking striker development to restore its historic goal-scoring identity as the 2026 World Cup looms.
Al Hilal is reportedly pursuing a swap deal to sign Sultan Mandesh from Al Taawoun, with Mohammad Al-Qahtani potentially moving in the opposite direction and a monetary component. The deal could last two and a half seasons if agreed. Negotiations paused before the Arab Cup and then revived after a formal approach from Al Hilal’s management. Mandesh has 12 appearances this season with 4 goals and 4 assists, and has drawn a national team call-up from Hervé Renard.
Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel predicts a rebound this season, aiming for a top-five finish in the Premier League despite last season's mid-table the disappointment. He points to the lighter schedule after an early cup exit and a calm league run as a path back to Europe. New signings Cunha and Mbombo are highlighted as catalysts to push the team forward, while opinions from peers keep expectations in check. The piece emphasizes the league-focused battle for European qualification with a light touch of humor at the end.
Ayoub El Kaabi shines again for Morocco, delivering a sensational bicycle kick against Zambia in AFCON 2025. He scores a second and a third goal, sealed by a VAR-confirmed strike. Morocco clinches a knockout berth from Group A with a commanding performance. The forward continues his hot AFCON form, equaling the tournament's top scorer tally.
Lando Norris reveals that uplifting messages from racing legends and other top athletes helped him navigate a dramatic 2025 season. He recalls guiding words from Lewis Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel, and Casey Stoner that kept his momentum alive through tough moments. Norris battled setbacks including a collision with Oscar Piastri and a retirement in Zandvoort, then surged to clinch the title by two points in Abu Dhabi. The Briton emphasizes belief and supportive networks as decisive factors in his first World Championship.
Pau Cubarsi, Barcelona’s 18-year-old defender, has gained attention after winning Best Young Player at the Catalan Football Association awards. His regular presence in Barcelona’s lineup signals a rare maturity for a defender of his age. Ahead of the Espanyol derby, he emphasizes mental strength, family support, and a drive to improve. The upcoming clash will also test his growing partnership with Gerard Martin as Barcelona pursue momentum.
Hakimi returns to action for PSG after a two-month injury layoff. He came back as Morocco's AFCON campaign kicked off, with the Atlas Lions starting with a win over Comoros and a draw with Mali. The defender was reintroduced 64 minutes into a match against Zambia, a move that delighted fans. During this period, Hakimi was also named Africa's Best Player at a Marrakech ceremony.
Freddy, the Angolan forward, has announced his retirement from international football following Angola's goalless draw with Egypt in the final AFCON group game. Angola finished the group with two points, ending third in Group B and exiting the tournament. The 35-year-old was named Man of the Match in what could be his international swan song. He currently plays for Bodrumspor in Turkey, having previously featured for clubs in Portugal, the Netherlands, and Turkey.
Football fans are set for a day full of action across Africa, Saudi Arabia, and Europe, with major fixtures in the Africa Cup of Nations, the Saudi Pro League, and the Egyptian League Cup. The day features high-stakes matches, extensive broadcast options, and a lineup of veteran commentators. This guide breaks down who plays who, when, and where to watch from anywhere. Plus, a couple of light-hearted lines to keep you smiling between kickoff and final whistle.
Egypt secured a place in the AFCON 2025 Round of 16 by finishing top of Group B with seven points. This marks the fourth time the Pharaohs have ended the group stage on seven points. They didn’t win all group games, extending a streak of tightly contested campaigns. The piece also recalls Egypt’s 9-point group phase in 2019 and their final appearances in 2006, 2008, and 2017.
Comoros ended their AFCON group stage with a goalless draw against Mali, marking the first Arab nation to bow out of the tournament this year. Mali climbs to three points, securing second place behind Morocco, who lead the group with seven points. Comoros finish third with two points and a -2 goal difference, missing a place among the best third-placed teams. The Arab side does not capitalize on Mali's red card for Amadou Haidara and exits in the group stage.
Brazilian football legend Ronaldo Nazário hails Florentino Pérez's transformative leadership at a Dubai summit. He recalls Valladolid’s 2018 journey and compares La Liga with the Premier League, praising Pérez's Galácticos era. He calls Pérez a father figure and credits him with reshaping modern football. A light, celebratory note closes the piece.
Islam Makhachev was close to defending his UFC title in January at UFC 324 but declined the offer due to a tight preparation window. The champion had moved up to lightweight earlier, winning the belt at UFC 322 and retaining top status in the division. The UFC shuffled plans, booking an interim lightweight title bout as the main event. Makhachev now targets a spring return, likely after Ramadan, with Morales among potential opponents.
Speculation swirls as Girona reportedly targets Ter Stegen on a winter loan to boost playing time. Barcelona’s goalkeeping setup remains crowded, and Míchel signals a path that could benefit the German international. The topic flared up at a Catalan federation awards ceremony, where the Girona boss’s reply drew smiles and questions. Barcelona officials offered measured comments, underscoring Ter Stegen’s elite status. For Girona, the aim is to finish the season strongly in La Liga while the future remains uncertain.
Héctor Fort, a 19-year-old defender on loan from Barcelona to Elche, underwent emergency shoulder surgery after an injury against Rayo Vallecano. The operation was performed Monday by Barcelona’s medical staff. The club confirmed an anterior dislocation of the left shoulder and said recovery time will depend on his progress. Fort had been a bright spot for Elche, featuring in nine league games and scoring against Vallecano before his injury. Elche sits ninth in La Liga with 22 points.
