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AFCON QUALIFIERS: MALI, TUNISIA QUALIFY, NIGERIA HELD AT FREETOWN.

Mali and Tunisia added their names to the list of countries qualified for the next Africa Cup of Nations finals on Tuesday, joining holders Algeria and 2019 runners-up Senegal who had booked their berths over the last two days.

Mali made sure of a top two finish in Group A after a 2-1 win in Namibia, where Sekou Koita and Moussa Doumbia scored in the first half, while Tunisia’s 1-1 draw in Tanzania was enough to ensure they will finish in the top two in Group J.

Tunisia will go to the finals in Cameroon in 2022 for a 15th successive time.

Egypt and Morocco also moved closer to qualifying after producing positive performances on the road on Tuesday.

Morocco’s Hakim Ziyech was again a major influence as they won 2-0 away to the Central African Republic and are now a point off qualifying from Group E.

Ziyech’s 39th minute free kick sailed into the net from outside the box and, while team mate Nayef Aguerd claimed he got a faint touch, it looked as if the effort went straight in without any assistance and Ziyech was credited with the goal.

The new Chelsea signing then turned provider in a final minute breakaway, finished off by Youssef En Nesyri.

Egypt, who are seeking a record-extending 25th appearance at a Cup of Nations finals, are also on the cusp of qualifying in Group G after a 3-1 away win over Togo.

Ghana could have qualified but came unstuck against Sudan in Khartoum where Mohamed Abdelrahman scored in stoppage time for a 1-0 win to put the hosts back in contention for a top two place.

Ghana have nine points and share top spot in Group C with South Africa, while Sudan are only three points behind.

Nigeria were held for the second time in five days by Sierra Leone, this time a tepid 0-0 stalemate in Freetown in contrast to Sierra Leone’s thrilling comeback in last Friday’s 4-4 draw.

Nigeria top Group L by one point ahead of Benin, who drew 0-0 away to Lesotho earlier on Tuesday, while the other two countries have two points each.

Pacesetters Madagascar and Ivory Coast have seven points in Group K after their 1-1 draw in Antananarivo but Ethiopia are only one point behind having hammered visitors Niger 3-0.

Democratic Republic of Congo won 1-0 away to neighbours Angola in Luanda after Neeskens Kebano’s mazy run and accurate finish from outside the penalty area in the 63rd minute.

The result revived the Congolese chances of qualifying as they are now just a point behind Gambia and Gabon in Group D.

The last two rounds of preliminaries will be played in March. The top two in each group advance to the finals except in Group F where only the highest placed team besides Cameroon, qualified as hosts but playing in the preliminaries, qualifies.

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SPAIN INFLICT HISTORIC DEFEAT ON GERMANY TO QUALIFY FOR UEFA NATIONS LEAGUE SEMIS.

Spain dealt Germany their worst defeat in 89 years on Tuesday as a stunning 6-0 victory in Seville sent them through to the Nations League semi-finals. Germany have not been beaten so heavily since losing to Austria by the same scoreline in a friendly in 1931.

“That hurt,” said German midfielder Toni Kroos. “The Spanish team showed us at every turn how it’s done — with and without the ball.” Serge Gnabry added: “There are no excuses. Now we know where we stand.”

Spain were as sublime as Germany were abysmal in Seville, where Ferran Torres scored a brilliant hat-trick to justify his reputation as one of football’s most exciting prospects.

Alvaro Morata and Rodri were also on target to make it 3-0 even before half-time and while Sergio Ramos went off with a hamstring strain, Germany failed to stem the tide.

Instead, Torres grabbed two more and Mikel Oyarzabal added a sixth late on to put the finishing touches to Germany’s second heaviest ever defeat, the only one worse being a 9-0 loss at the hands of England Amateurs in 1909.

Joachim Loew oversaw Germany winning the World Cup in 2014 but, after 14 years in charge, even he will be under serious pressure after a humiliation like this.

“It was a night where we did nothing well,” said Loew. “We lost every important battle.”

Asked if his job was under threat, Loew said: “I trust the players. They are a young team. I am not worried about my job.”

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UEFA NATIONS LEAGUE: OLIVIER GIROUD SCORES AS FRANCE SENDS SWEDEN TO NATIONS LEAGUE RELEGATION.

Olivier Giroud continued his remarkable scoring record for France with a brace as the World Cup holders came from behind to beat Sweden 4-2 in the UEFA Nations League on Tuesday.

Viktor Claesson’s deflected early strike gave the away side the lead behind closed doors at the Stade de France, but Giroud soon equalised and Benjamin Pavard put France ahead before half-time. Giroud then headed in a Kylian Mbappe cross to make it 3-1 before the hour mark, taking him to 44 goals in 105 appearances for his country. Kingsley Coman scored France’s final goal after Robin Quaison netted Sweden’s second of the night.

Having recently overtaken Michel Platini’s tally of 41 goals for Les Bleus, Giroud is now closing in on Thierry Henry’s overall record mark of 51.

The 34-year-old has not always been a popular member of the France side but remains a key player for coach Didier Deschamps despite being on the periphery with his club Chelsea, for whom he has started just one game this season, in the League Cup.

“I am used to being heckled and jeered. That has just been part of my experience, of my career, but it only makes me stronger,” Giroud told television station M6.

France had already secured top spot in League A, Group 3 ahead of holders Portugal, thereby qualifying for the Nations League finals in October next year.

Sweden, meanwhile, finish bottom of the group behind Croatia and will be relegated to the second-tier League B for the next edition.

They came to Paris without coach Janne Andersson, who was self-isolating after testing positive for coronavirus, but they took the lead in the fourth minute when Claesson’s poked shot went in via a big deflection off Raphael Varane.

However, Marcus Thuram, the Borussia Moenchengladbach forward who made his full France debut last week against Finland, set up Giroud to sweep in the equaliser in the 16th minute.

Thuram was again involved as France took the lead in the 36th minute as it was after his slaloming run into the area that the ball broke to Pavard to score his second international goal with a volley into the far corner.

Unused in France’s previous two outings after being called up despite suffering a hamstring injury playing for Paris Saint-Germain, Mbappe replaced Thuram just before the hour and within a minute he crossed for Giroud to make it 3-1.

Substitute Quaison gave Sweden hope when he pulled it back to 3-2 in the 88th minute, and the visitors knew that, with Croatia losing to Portugal, an equaliser could keep them in League A.

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INJURY SCARE FOR REAL MADRID AS SERGIO RAMOS LIMPS OUT OF GERMANY CLASH.

Real Madrid have been dealt a potential injury blow as Sergio Ramos walked out of Spain’s Nations League clash with Germany on Tuesday.

The defender went off before half-time and appeared to gesture to the back of his right thigh as he reached the touchline.

Spain were already 3-0 up when Ramos went off after goals from Alvaro Morata, Ferran Torres and Rodri.

Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane will be hoping Ramos’ withdrawal was precautionary with his team enjoying a healthy lead, as the Spanish champions have a number of important fixtures coming up.

They return from the international break with a trip to second-placed Villarreal on Saturday, knowing a win could take them to within a point of early leaders Real Sociedad at the top of the table.

League clashes with Deportivo Alaves and Sevilla are also coming up, while Madrid have work to do in the Champions League.

At the halfway point of the group stage, they are third in Group B, though only a point behind leaders Borussia Monchengladbach. Madrid play Inter and Shakhtar Donetsk away from home before finishing the group stage against Gladbach at their temporary European home, the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano.

Immediately after that game is a derby clash with Atletico Madrid.

Ramos has been in the headlines in recent weeks, with some personal milestones reached and plenty of paper talk about his future at Madrid.

He recently scored his 100th goal for Real Madrid, before becoming the most-capped player in European international history as he passed the benchmark previously set by Gianluigi Buffon.

There has also been speculation that Ramos’ time at Madrid could be coming to an end. Paris Saint-Germain have been linked with a move but Goal understands PSG’s priority is to tie down star duo Neymar and Kylian Mbappe to new contracts.

Ramos is out of contract at the end of the season but Zidane has said he has no doubt the defender will sign a new deal at the Santiago Bernabeu.

“I have no doubt that he will stay,” Zidane said in a press conference. “He is our leader and of course we love him forever.”

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LIVERPOOL OFFER WIJNALDUM NEW CONTRACT TO WARD OFF BARCELONA INTEREST.

Liverpool have reportedly tabled a new three-year contract for Georginio Wijnaldum to fend off interest from Barcelona.

The Dutchman was closely linked with a move to the Spanish giants during the summer.

Barca manager Ronald Koeman is a big fan of the player and has managed him through the national team.

It involves a three-year contract extension and a big increase in wages.

They’re willing to improve his weekly wage from £75,000 to around £115,000 in a bid to keep him at Anfield.

The midfielder is yet to respond to the offer but he is expected to do so in the coming days.

The news is a big revelation in the ongoing Wijnaldum transfer saga.

He was thought to have begun negotiations with Barca officials during the summer.

Those talks never materialised into a transfer which is why he remains in England.

The signing of Thiago Alcantara from Bayern Munich was widely seen as manager Jurgen Klopp preparing for life without the 30-year-old.

Due to the current injury crisis at Liverpool, Klopp will now need to keep hold of the player.

He is missing Jordan Henderson, Joe Gomez and Virgil Van Dijk. Teammates Fabinho and Andy Robertson are also out through injury.

Liverpool face a new threat from continental Europe to keep Wijnaldum. Apparently Inter Milan have enquired about the player’s availability.

They’re now set to challenge Barca for the player’s signature, as he is seen as a great all-round midfielder.

It remains to be seen whether a new contract is enough to keep Wijnaldum at Anfield.

Liverpool’s next fixture is against Leicester City on Sunday 22nd November.

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LUIS SUAREZ TESTS POSITIVE FOR COVID-19; URUGUAYAN TO MISS CLASH AGAINST BARCELONA.

Luis Suarez has tested positive for coronavirus, the Uruguayan Football Association (AUF) confirmed on Monday (local time).

The association has also confirmed that the Atletico Madrid striker is currently following self-isolation guidelines. As a result of this positive result, Suarez will miss Uruguay’s World World Cup qualifying match against Brazil later today.

The striker will also miss Atletico Madrid’s match against Barcelona in La Liga on Saturday.

The AUF has also notified that goalkeeper Rodrigo Munoz and backroom staff member Matias Faral have also tested positive for coronavirus.

“The Uruguayan Football Association reports that swabs have been carried out on all the members of the senior team, resulting in the players Luis Suarez, Rodrigo Munoz and the official Matias Faral having tested positive for Covid-19, while all other tests are negative,” the AUF said in an official release.

“The three members mentioned are in good health and the corresponding measures have already been implemented,” it added.

Suarez had registered a goal in Uruguay’s last World Cup qualifying match against Colombia on Friday. The side ended up winning the match 3-0.

The striker has also been in good form for Atletico Madrid as he has registered five goals in six games for the club.

Atletico Madrid is currently in the third spot in the La Liga 2020-21 standings.

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AFCON QUALIFIERS: ETHIOPIA DEFEAT NIGER TO REVIVE TICKET HOPES, MADAGASCAR, COTE D’ IVOIRE PLAYS DRAW.

Ethiopia’s Walia Ibex revived their hopes of qualification to the 2021 Total Africa Cup of Nations with an assured 3-0 victory over Niger at the Addis Ababa National Stadium on Tuesday.


Amanuel Gebremichael and Mesud Mohammed gave the home side a 2-0 lead at halftime before the ever reliable Getaneh Kebede sealed the victory for Ethiopia in the second half.

The result sees Ethiopia move to six points and onto third spot in the group while Côte d’Ivoire and Madagascar retained first and second place after playing to a 1-1 draw in Antananarivo.

Ethiopia got into the lead in the 13th minute when Gebremichael got the opener with a fantastic shot from inside the box after some quick interchange of passes with Shemeles Bekele.

Mohamed made it 2-0 for the hosts two minutes to the break when a quickly taken corner saw Bekele provide his second assist of the evening, teeing up his teammate who struck a brilliant curling effort beyond the keeper.

The Ethiopians kept the hunt in the second half and were rewarded with 20 minutes left for their hard work, partly thanks to some shambolic defending by Niger. Trying to play out from the back, Yusif Douda attempted a short pass back and Kebede pounced inside the box before unleashing a ferocious shot past the keeper.

Madagascar 1-1 Côte d’Ivoire
In Antananarivo, Madagascar found themselves trailing in the fourth minute when Franck Kessie converted from the penalty spot after Jeremy Morel handled as he tried to clear away a cross.

Despite trailing 1-0, Madagascar proved a match for the Ivorians. However, they couldn’t create many chances to trouble the visitors’ backline.

Côte d’Ivoire had a chance in the 42nd minute when Kessie released Nicolas Pepe through into the area but his shot was blocked. A minute to the break, Pepe curled in a beautiful cross inside the box, but Ibrahim Sangare miscued the shot a few yards from goal.

The intensity went up in the second half and within five minutes of the restart, Madagascar were back on level terms with a peach of a goal from skipper Ibrahim Amada who was brought in to start after coming off the bench in the first leg.

The midfielder struck a beautiful shot into the far left after being teed up by Morel, who made amends for the earlier penalty.

The match blew into a full contest, each trying to get into the final third for a goal. Kessie had a brilliant chance in the 63rd minute, but his shot after a beautiful half turn inside the box went inches high.

With quarter of an hour left, Kessie had another go at goal, this time his rasping shot from range finger-tipped onto the bar by the Madagascar keeper.

None of the two sides could get a goal as they settled for a point each, the final round of matches next year set to hold all the drama.

Source: cafonline.com

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MARCUS RASHFORD LAUNCHES BOOK CLUB TO HELP EVERY CHILD HAVE ESCAPISM.

Footballer Marcus Rashford is launching a book club so that all children can experience the escapism of reading.

The Manchester United star is teaming up with Macmillan Children’s Books (MCB) to promote reading and literacy among children from all socio-economic backgrounds.

Rashford said he wishes he had the chance to read more as a child but his family had to prioritise food over books when it came to budgeting.

MCB said there will be a particular focus on getting books into the hands of children from vulnerable and under-privileged backgrounds.

The first title of the partnership, YOU ARE A CHAMPION: Unlock Your Potential, Find Your Voice And Be The BEST You Can Be – an illustrated non-fiction title aimed at young people aged 11-16 – will be published in May 2021.

Each chapter will begin with a story from Rashford’s own life and will cover topics such as the value of education, positive mentality, understanding culture, and female role models.

It will be co-created with Carl Anka, a journalist for sports media group The Athletic, and Katie Warriner, a performance psychologist.

Two fiction titles for readers aged seven and up will follow later in 2021 and 2022.

Next year will also see the launch of the Marcus Rashford Book Club, a reader recommends programme publishing front list titles from MCB’s successful list.

Rashford said: “I only started reading at 17, and it completely changed my outlook and mentality.

“I just wish I was offered the opportunity to really engage with reading more as a child, but books were never a thing we could budget for as a family when we needed to put food on the table.

“There were times where the escapism of reading could have really helped me. I want this escapism for all children. Not just those that can afford it.

“We know there are over 380,000 children across the UK today that have never owned a book, children that are in vulnerable environments. That has to change.

“My books are, and always will be, for every child, even if I have to deliver them myself. We will reach them.”

Rashford said acceptance and acknowledgment are a key focus of the project, adding: “Let our children read that they are not alone and enable them to dream.

“Equip them for obstacles and adversities they might face.

“Allow them to relate to characters by making sure people of all race, religion and gender are depicted correctly and representative of modern society.

“No matter where you grow up, talent should be recognised and championed.

“Under the Marcus Rashford Book Club young writers, illustrators and creatives will be seen and they will be offered a platform to shine.”

Rashford, 23, has drawn widespread praise for highlighting the issue of child food poverty and his campaign resulted in the Government back-tracking to announce free meals would be provided to disadvantaged children over the Christmas holidays.

The England footballer was also recently awarded an MBE after forcing a Government U-turn on free school meal vouchers.

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AFCON QUALIFIERS: SUDAN STRIKE LATE TO STUN GHANA, RWANDA-CAPE VERDE, LESOTHO-BENIN END GOALESS.

Mohamed Abdel Rahman scored in the second minute of added time as hosts Sudan beat Ghana 1-0 to halt the Black Stars’ qualification party and revive their own hopes of qualifying for the Total Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) to be staged in Cameroon in 2022.
Ghana looked to be headed for qualification with two matches left, the point taking them to 10 points and an unassailable lead. However, Rahman headed home the goal that takes Sudan to six points in Group C and a hope for a first qualification since 2012.

Ghana who prior to the Sudan loss hadn’t tasted defeat in three matches however remain top with nine points, only edging South Africa on goal difference.

With Sao Tome and Principe already out of contention, the race for the group’s two slots are now left for the top three.

Ghana were looking to complete a double over the Sudanese having beaten them 2-0 in the first leg, but they couldn’t complete the job with their top striker and skipper Andre Ayew missing through injury.

Chances were few and far in between with Caleb Ekuban having half a chance after 10 minutes with a shot from the right that went wide. Sudan had a chance after 27 minutes, but Abdel Rahman’s shot from inside the box was saved while his attempt at cutting back the ball from the rebound ended in no man’s land.

Ghana created another chance in the 36th minute Mubarak Wakaso sending Tarique Fosu through with a brilliant defense splitting pass, but the Sudanese keeper was out quick to clear the danger.
Ghana’s forward play was better in the second half and Jordan Ayew, the skipper of the day taking over from his brother, had a shot from range well saved by the Sudanese keeper. On the hour mark, Wakaso had a go at goal with a rasping effort from a freekick which was also saved.

Sudan didn’t create much and their best opportunity was in the 75th minute when Ahmed Hamid Al-Tash’s shot on the half turn inside the box went wide.

Ghana had one last chance to try and break the deadlock, and from another set piece, Ayew saw his effort saved by the keeper.

They were punished in the second minute of added time when Abdel Rahman rose well inside the box to head home a Ramadan Agab cross from the right.

Rwanda 0-0 Cape Verde
At the Stade Nyamirambi in Kigali, hosts Rwanda were held to a frustrating goalless draw by Cape Verde. The Amavubi had to play 62 minutes of the match with 10 men after midfielder Ally Niyonzima was sent off in the 28th minute for a second yellow card.

The Rwandese are yet to score a goal in the qualifiers and had to endure another match without finding the back of the net. Not even the partnership between Jacques Tuyisenge and Meddie Kagere could inspire goals and the duo was substituted early in the second half.

Rwanda are on two points while Cape Verde are on four, same as Mozambique. With two matches remaining and only one slit available, the race is set to go down to the wire.

Lesotho 0-0 Benin
Lesotho’s chances of qualification have meanwhile grown slimmer after being held to a goalless draw by Benin. With the results, Lesotho remain bottom of the group with two points while Benin have moved to seven.

Source: cafonline.com

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FORMER LIVERPOOL AND BARCELONA MIDFIELDER, JAVIER MASCHERANO ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT.

Former Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano has announced his retirement.

The 36-year-old had been playing in his native Argentina for Estudiantes, who he had joined a year ago from Chinese club Hebei China Fortune.

“I want to announce that today I am retiring from soccer professionally,” said Mascherano on Sunday evening.

“I want to thank this club that gave me the opportunity to finish my career in Argentina.”

Mascherano spent more than three years at Liverpool having been snapped up by Rafael Benitez in February 2007 on an initial loan deal from West Ham United that was delayed by a month after an appeal to FIFA to allow the transfer to go through after complications over ownership rights.

The deal was made permanent 12 months later for a fee of £18.6million.

Mascherano went on to make 139 appearances for Liverpool, scoring two goals, and played in the 2007 Champions League final defeat to AC Milan in Athens.

He had wanted to move to Barcelona in 2009 but, with the Reds refusing to entertain a move, stayed for another season before leaving for Camp Nou for £17.5million in mild acrimony after being omitted by Roy Hodgson from a defeat at Manchester City.

Mascherano was transformed into a centre-back at Barcelona and won the Champions League twice, including beating Manchester United at Wembley in 2011.

After the game, he said: “I want to say, I know that Liverpool supporters, after my exit, I know they were a little bit sad with me – this is for them as well.”

In almost eight years at Barcelona he won five La Liga titles, five Copa del Reys, two UEFA Super Cups and two FIFA Club World Cups. He also won 147 caps for Argentina and featured in their 2014 World Cup final defeat to Germany in Brazil.