Daily Sport Update

CAF HAS OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED AN INVESTIGATION INTO VIOLENCE AT AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS

Violent confrontations at the conclusion of two of the Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinals at the weekend are to be investigated with possible sanctions to be imposed, the Confederation of African Football said.
Opposing players jostled with each other after Morocco beat Cameroon in Rabat on Friday and when Nigeria overcame Algeria in Agadir on Saturday.

Video on social media showed the referee being pursued down the tunnel by Algerian players after their 2-0 defeat, and altercations among journalists from the two countries in the mixed zone, an area where reporters can interview players after the match.

“Caf has collected recent match reports and video evidence indicating potentially unacceptable behaviour from some players and officials and has opened an investigation,” a statement said.

“Caf has referred the matters to the Disciplinary Board for investigation and has called for appropriate action to be taken if the identified persons were to be found guilty of any wrongdoing.

“Caf strongly condemns any inappropriate behaviour which occurs during matches, especially those targeting the refereeing team or match organisers. Appropriate actions will be sought against anyone whose behaviour is not consistent with professional conduct at CAF events,” it added.
Algerian fans clashed with security staff after their loss to Nigeria.

Algeria’s federation on Monday confirmed it had filed a complaint with Caf over the performance of referee Issa Sy from Senegal in a one-sided match in which Algeria were roundly beaten by Nigeria.

“The Algerian Football Federation cannot ignore the refereeing performance observed during the last match, which raised numerous questions and caused considerable confusion,” it said in a statement.

“Certain decisions have damaged the credibility of African refereeing and do nothing to enhance the value of continental football on the international stage.”

Such complaints, however, are common in African football, notably from losing teams as federations seek to temper the dissatisfaction and disappointment of their fans and blame defeat on refereeing errors.

MAN UTD KNOCKED OUT OF FA CUP BY BRIGHTON

Darren Fletcher admitted Manchester United's "fragile" players have lost their confidence after Sunday's FA Cup exit against Brighton left Old Trafford in turmoil.

Managerless, out of both domestic cups at the first hurdle for the first time since 1981-82 and sitting a disappointing seventh in the Premier League, United have rarely been at a lower ebb in their history.

Caretaker boss Fletcher, who stepped up from his role as United's Under-18 coach after Ruben Amorim's dismissal on Monday, experienced the club's glory days as a midfielder under legendary manager Alex Ferguson.

But those trophy-filled years seem a lifetime ago for Fletcher and the furious fans who filled the air with boos throughout the 2-1 loss against Brighton.

United's first FA Cup third round defeat since 2014 underscored the litany of problems scarring the club at present.
For now, United's hierarchy plan to hire an interim boss until the end of the season, buying them time to search for Amorim's permanent successor.

Former United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who failed in his first spell in charge, and Michael Carrick, a decorated ex-United midfielder sacked by second tier Middlesbrough this season, have been linked with the temporary post.

Few have faith that United will hire the right manager after Amorim lasted just 14 turbulent months following the equally chaotic reign of Erik ten Hag, who was axed in 2024.

United supporters gave their verdict on the shambolic state of their club by chanting against co-owners Jim Ratcliffe and the Glazer family throughout the Brighton defeat.

And with tricky games against Manchester City and Premier League leaders Arsenal next for United, the atmosphere could be even more toxic by the time they host Fulham on February 1, when the '1958 Group' plan a demonstration against the ownership.United face a 40-game season, their lowest number of matches in a single campaign since before the First World War.

Three points adrift of the Premier League's top four, with fifth place likely to bring qualification for next season's Champions League, they can still salvage a modicum of respect by returning to Europe's elite club competition.

But Fletcher acknowledged the lack of belief in the dressing room at present is a hinderance to United's hopes of getting back on track.

"You could see the players are fragile but they've got to respond. Confidence is one of the most powerful things in football so when you don't have it, you have to dig deep and then the confidence comes back," he said.

"It's over to them, they need to make sure that they have got a lot to play for this season. This team is still good enough to achieve success this season but they have to dig deep."

United defender Diogo Dalot confirmed Fletcher's feeling that the club's turmoil has affected the team's morale.
"It's really difficult," Dalot said. "It's always a period that you have to find ways to solve problems really quickly.

"Overall very disappointed because we wanted to go through. We have to adapt and go again."

Despite the funereal atmosphere at the final whistle, Fletcher insisted United fans will get behind the players if they show more spirit.

"Out of cups, only Premier League games to play for, the fans weren't happy at the end but they have got every right to air their grievances. It wasn't toxic but they showed their disappointment," he said.

"I'm sure if the payers show the right reaction, the fans will get behind them like they always do because there is still a lot to play for in the Premier League this season."

United are four games without a win and have tasted victory just once in their last seven games.Fletcher may not be in charge by the time bitter rivals City visit Old Trafford on Saturday, but he knows a rough road lies ahead for whoever replaces him.

"They've just got to come together. It's only them in the situation and only them that can do something about it. It might not be pretty at times," he said.

EGYPT FORWARD MOHAMED SALAH SAID HIS TEAM WAS NOT AMONG THE FAVOURITES TO WIN THE AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS TITLE

Egypt forward Mohamed Salah said his team was not among the favourites to win the Africa Cup of Nations title, but insisted they would give their best to go deeper in the tournament in Morocco.
Liverpool forward Salah scored the third goal to secure Egypt's spot in the quarterfinals with a hard-fought 3-1 extra-time victory over Benin on Monday.
Hossam Hassan's side are bidding to win the title for the first time since 2010 and a record eight times overall.

"I don't think we are a favourite at all (to win the title)" Salah told reporters.

"We have young players, and most of them play in Egypt. We just fight for our country... but everybody gives their best and you could see today".

The 33-year-old said there were no easy games in AFCON.

"The level is quite similar, I told the team yesterday that no side loses by four or five goals. (Benin) have a good team and a good coach... I'm glad we managed to win in the end".

Salah has scored 10 goals in 22 games in the AFCON, two fewer than Hassan El-Shazly, Egypt's all-time top scorer in the tournament and one fewer than his current coach Hassan.

Egypt will face defending champions Ivory Coast or Burkina Faso in the quarterfinals in Agadir on Saturday.

NIGERIA ADVANCED INTO THE QUARTERFINALS OF THE 2025 AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS IN STYLE AFTER THEY THRASHED MOZAMBIQUE 4-0 AT THE FEZ STADIUM ON MONDAY NIGHT.

Ademola Lookman (one goal, two assists), Akor Adams (one goal, two assists) and Victor Osimhen (two goals) were the stars for the Super Eagles, who have sent a statement of intent with this win – further underlining their status as one of the title favourites.
As for the Mambas, reaching the knockout phase of an AFCON for the first time was already a victory, and they were ultimately outclassed by a team with both superior talent and far greater tournament experience.

Nigeria settled into dominance of possession and territory from the early minutes, with Victor Osimhen seeing a goal ruled out for offside, while Alex Iwobi forced a sharp save from Mozambique goalkeeper Ernan Siluane with a snap shot.
The West Africans claimed the lead in the 20th minute, as Ademola Lookman crisply struck home a low cross from the left flank by Akor Adams.

Lookman went from scorer to provider five minutes later, playing an in-swinging cross from the left which took a deflection off Adams and allowed Osimhen an easy finish from close to make it 2-0 and put the Super Eagles in firm control.
Mozambique’s only threat on goal in the first half was a glancing header from a free kick by Faisal Bangal which skidded wide in the 35th minute.

Nigeria spurned further scoring opportunities through Adams and Lookman late in the first half, leaving the score 2-0 in their favour at the interval.
Mozambique made a couple of changes at the start of the second half, sending on Nanani and Manuel Kambala in place of Diogo Calila and veteran Elias Pelembe.

However, Nigeria needed less than 120 seconds after the restart to make it 3-0, with Lookman’s low cross from the left by-line turned home at close range by Osimhen.

Midway through the second stanza, Adams almost added his name to the score sheet, but his curling shot was well saved by Siluane.

However, the Sevilla striker would not be denied in the 75th minute, picking up a pass from Lookman before drilling a powerful shot into the net from the right side of the penalty area to complete the 4-0 score line.

The Super Eagles will face either Algeria or DR Congo in a quarterfinal at the Marrakesh Stadium on Saturday 10 January.

Nigeria: S. Nwabali, B. Osayi-Samuel, S. Ajayi, C. Bassey, B. Onyemaechi, F. Onyeka (F. Dele-Bashiru 83’), W. Ndidi (R. Onyedika 83’), A. Iwobi, A. Lookman (P. Onuachu 86’), V. Osimhen (M. Simon 68’), A. Adams (S. Chukwueze 86’)

Mozambique: E. Siluane (I. Urrubal 82’), D. Calila (Nanani 46’), Mexer, Mandava, B. Langa, Guima, A. Amade, G. Catamo, E. Pelembe (M. Kambala 46’), Witi (Chamito 62’), F. Bangal (S. Ratifo 67’)