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CAF unveils the AFCON 2025 group-stage Best XI, chosen for performances in Morocco. The lineup features five Arab stars, led by Nassir Mazraoui and Ibrahim Diaz. Ayoub Kaabi and Mohamed Salah are notable omissions. The XI blends veterans and rising talents from across Africa, including Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, and Algeria.
Benin's head coach, Gernot Rohr, claims Egypt will enjoy a large fan-driven edge in the AFCON Round of 16 in Agadir. He notes the match will feel like it’s played in Cairo due to the sea of Egyptian supporters. Rohr acknowledges injuries and a suspension but stresses Benin can still compete with players familiar with the Egyptian league and his past experiences against Egypt. He praises Egypt's strong defensive structure and insists Benin will prove their recent Senegal defeat doesn’t reflect their true level.
Emerging reports suggest the Moroccan Football Federation may be meddling in Walid Regragui's duties during AFCON. Morocco opened with a win over Comoros, drew with Mali, and beat Zambia to top the group. The federation denies any meetings with the coach, insisting Regragui holds full authority. Morocco advances to the knockout rounds and prepares for Tanzania, while the coaching staff stays focused on the pitch.
Stanley Nwabali reveals he considered retirement after the deaths of his father and mother. Nigeria prepare to face Mozambique in the AFCON round of 16 in Morocco. He describes personal pain and the fight to move forward with the help of his captain and teammates. The piece highlights his resilience and the human side of football.
Pyramids FC is poised to seal the deal for Palestinian Hamid Hamdan from Petrojet in the winter window. Al Ahly reportedly misses out due to three main reasons, including a lack of seriousness and Petrojet-Zamalek pressure. Pyramids reportedly offered 50 million pounds for the midfielder. The piece also notes the Danish coach Jess Thorup's view and Al Ahly's bid to secure full stadium capacity for a CAF match.
Marc-André ter Stegen remains anchored at Barcelona despite losing the starting spot to Garcia. After his December return from back surgery, he reaffirms commitment through 2028 for personal reasons. A mid-season loan to Girona appeared as a compromise, but financial and strategic hurdles dampen the move. The goalkeeper prioritizes stability and proximity to home, shaping Barca’s current transfer thinking.
Morocco’s football icon Mustapha Hajji warned against underestimating Tanzania ahead of their AFCON round-of-16 clash in Rabat. The match will be played at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium. Hajji notes Tanzania may not be among Africa’s strongest sides, but they field a fast attack and can spring surprises. Morocco’s title hopes are high, yet the road remains tough with other top African teams in the mix. Ayoub Kaabi is highlighted for his spectacular bicycle kicks, a hallmark of his play.
Spanish reports suggest Sergio Ramos could pursue taking over Sevilla, the club where he began his career. The 39-year-old recently returned to Spain after his stint with Monterrey to extend his European run and perhaps re-enter Spain coach Luis de la Fuente's plans. However, a new anti-conflict of interest rule could bar him from playing in La Liga if he becomes an owner. The legal change follows Gerard Piqué's controversial mediation case. If enacted, Ramos may have to continue his career outside Spain.
Manchester City were held to a goalless draw at Sunderland in the Premier League. Guardiola remained calm and urged his players to lift their heads for a tough Chelsea game in three days. Sunderland's physical display stymied City, but Rodri sparked moments of build-up and City showed quality in patches. Both managers praised their sides, while finishing chances remained City's only missing piece.
With the AFCON Round of 16 looming, Senegal’s football federation insists there are no internal conflicts with coach Papy Thiaw. The federation calls for unity and mobilizes fans in support of the Lions of Teranga. It rejects rumors as unfounded attempts to destabilize the team. The statement emphasizes professional alignment and collective drive toward victory on January 18.
Ronald Araujo is edging closer to a full return for Barcelona ahead of the Espanyol derby. He has taken part in four consecutive group trainings since rejoining the squad. Barcelona are proceeding cautiously, with medical and psychological staff weighing the timing of his comeback.
Al-Ittihad faces FIFA-imposed hurdles preventing a foreign-born striker in the winter window. Reports suggested registering a new forward to replace a defender, but rules about three clubs this season complicate moves. Coaches and players remain central to squad decisions as the club contemplates loans or personnel swaps, all while Karim Benzema’s partnership up front remains a priority.
Ibrahim Diaz catches the spotlight at AFCON 2025, delivering three goals in limited minutes and reigniting talk about his role at Real Madrid. The piece examines his leadership with Morocco, his Milan loan, and how press and fans view his evolving career. It also touches on citizenship, iconic celebrations, and what the future might hold for his club career and national team impact.
Ittihad receive a huge morale boost as Houssam Aouar recovers from injury. The Algerian midfielder is back in training and ready for the Al-Taawoun clash in the Roshn Saudi Pro League. He has logged 1,041 minutes this season across all competitions. The team sits sixth on 20 points as they head into the weekend game.
CAF announces the officials for the Morocco-Tanzania round of 16. Mali’s Bobo Traoré will referee, with Senegal’s Issa Se handling VAR. Morocco topped Group A with seven points, while Tanzania finished third in Group C with two points. The match kicks off the knockout phase as both teams chase a place in the quarterfinals, adding a little extra drama to the AFCON stage.
Al Hilal’s legendary goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Deayea warns that keeping Darwin Nunez could jeopardize the club’s title chances. He cites a low scoring rate and injury gaps that have left the team reliant on Marcus Leonardo. The piece notes Simone Inzaghi’s desire for a tactical shift but highlights the absence of a defensive leader. A winter reinforcement for a new striker is urged by the veteran. The warning intensifies the ongoing title race in the Saudi Pro League.
A Saudi First Division club blocks Murad Housaawi’s transfer from Gulf to Roshen Pro League giants due to a 40% resale clause owed to Ohod. Top clubs Al Hilal, Al Nassr, and Al Ittihad remain keen, but the deal hinges on Ohod’s approval or compensation. Gulf awaits bids to decide on selling the midfielder, who has featured 11 times this season with two goals and two assists, and recently debuted for Saudi Arabia.
A Jordanian midfielder from Ramtha has attracted interest from Raja Casablanca during the winter window. He gained attention with strong displays for Jordan in the Arab Cup, though Morocco won the tournament. His contract reportedly includes a 50,000-dollar release clause. The rumor mill cites A ONE TV stating a move is close, highlighting his speed and skills. Sharara has previous abroad experience in Qatar, Libya, Tunisia, and Iraq, which adds intrigue to this potential transfer.
Tanzania's standout forward, Faisal Salom, says his team is ready to battle host Morocco in the AFCON 2025 knockout stage. The match is in Rabat at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium. He highlights that while the game is tough on Moroccan soil, Tanzania will fight for a positive result and push to make history. He expresses pride in their progress and confidence that injuries have been minimal, fueling their ambition to go further.
Ismail Saibari, the Moroccan attacking midfielder at PSV Eindhoven, is drawing attention from Paris Saint-Germain as part of a cautious summer mercato. His strong form for Eindhoven and the Moroccan national team has put him on the club’s radar since December. Le Parisien reported he was offered to PSG last month, but no decision has been made. PSG, under Luis Enrique, is evaluating Saibari among a pool of young talents to integrate gradually for a long-term project.
