Manchester United have been told that Benjamin Sesko is not the striker that they need right now, despite investing £74 million ($100m) in the Slovenia international. Red Devils legend Teddy Sheringham has told GOAL why Harry Kane should have been taken to Old Trafford several years ago, with Premier League heavyweights still crying out for a reliable and proven No.9.
There are only three certainties in life: death, taxes and a dramatic Africa Cup of Nations. However, even by the tournament's extraordinary standards, the final of the 2025 edition was like nothing we've ever seen before - albeit not in a good way. In the 93rd minute of a tense but largely uneventful encounter in Rabat, Senegal had a goal from Ismaila Sarr very harshly disallowed for a perceived foul by Abdoulaye Seck on Achraf Hakimi beforehand. Just moments later, Morocco were awarded a penalty after an invention by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), who had spotted a minor tug on Brahim Diaz's shirt by El Hadji Malick Diouf.
GOAL gives you the details to follow the Pharaohs and Super Eagles' third-place clash at Stade Mohamed V on Saturday. Both teams failed to reach the final and they are now embroiled in the fight for bronze to salvage some respect after they were touted as tournament favourites. None would want to lose a second successive match at this tournament.
In a wide-ranging blog interview, the former AFCON winner revealed his views on the tournament's semi final stage, the battle between Mane and Salah, the upcoming final and picks his standout players.
Back in the summer of 2023, Victor Osimhen was the most in-demand striker in world football. He'd just spearheaded Napoli's run to their first Scudetto in 33 years, netting 26 goals in 32 games to become the first African player ever to finish as Serie A top scorer, and had pretty much every elite club in Europe knocking on his door. For a 24-year-old with talent and drive, it seemed like the start of something truly special.
The Super Eagles came into the match hoping to go all the way and make amends for the shortcomings that saw them finish second two years ago in the Ivory Coast. However, they were not going to get it easy playing the Atlas Lions, who have enjoyed massive home support since the start of the biennial competition.
As Chiefs' Premier Soccer League rivals strengthen for the next phase of the campaign that is expected to be gruelling, Amakhosi are yet to sign any new player. In the pre-season transfer window, the Soweto giants signed a number of players to strengthen respective departments of their playing unit. However, weaknesses in their squad still remain, and the club has been urged to bring on board players that will help cover those gaps.
GOAL gives you the details to follow the Super Eagles' semi-final clash with the Atlas Lions at Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah on Wednesday. The West Africans will be out to cause what might be the biggest upset of this tournament so far by eliminating the hosts. Both sides are just one game away from reaching the final and that makes Wednesday's game a high-stakes affair.
Victor Osimhen marred Nigeria's commanding 4-0 victory over Mozambique with a shocking display of petulance that stunned spectators. The striker squared up to team-mate Ademola Lookman mid-game before demanding to be subbed off and storming onto the team bus alone, leaving his colleagues to celebrate reaching the Africa Cup Of Nations quarter-finals without him.
Recently, the AFCON organisers released the list of the players who they feel performed better in the initial stage of the biennial competition. No player from South Africa made the squad despite some strong showings from a couple of them, like the Burnley FC star Lyle Foster, as well as the Mamelodi Sundowns defender Khuliso Mudau.
Victor Osimhen has sent his condolences to heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua after he was involved in a car crash that killed two people in Nigeria this week. Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele, friends and trainers of Joshua, both tragically lost their lives in the accident after the car struck a stationary vehicle.
Looking for a third straight victory in Morocco, the Super Eagles will face the East Africans, who are yet to win a game. Nigeria, who have already qualified for the knockout stage, have been impressive so far with victories against Tanzania and Tunisia. On the other hand, the Uganda Cranes are looking for their first win after an opening loss to Tunisia, which was followed by a 1-1 draw against Taifa Stars of Tanzania.
The Super Eagles started their campaign by collecting maximum points in Group C. They edged the Taifa Stars in a dominant performance, especially in the first half. After finishing as tournament runners-up the last time out, the Super Eagles are bidding to be crowned African champions since 2013.
In Europe, much of the build-up to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations has unfortunately - but inevitably - focused on which clubs will be most affected by the tournament's scheduling slap-bang in the middle of the season. As an incredibly prestigious tournament that rarely fails to deliver a barely-believable amount of drama, the AFCON deserves so much better.
