Sports
AFCON 2025: Super Eagles Storm into Quarter-Finals with Emphatic 4–0 Win Over Mozambique
Nigeria’s Super Eagles continued their impressive AFCON 2025 campaign by sealing a convincing 4–0 victory over Mozambique to secure a place in the quarter-finals, delivering a dominant Round of 16 performance in Fès.
Building on a flawless group-stage run that saw them win all three matches to finish top of Group C, the Super Eagles approached the knockout tie with confidence and intensity. From the opening exchanges, Nigeria asserted control, dictating the tempo and pinning Mozambique back with quick transitions and relentless attacking movement. Mozambique, appearing in the Round of 16 for the first time after qualifying as one of the best third-placed teams from Group F, found it difficult to match Nigeria’s speed, organisation and technical quality.
The breakthrough came in the 20th minute when Ademola Lookman capitalised on Nigeria’s early pressure, calmly finishing after a well-weighted assist from Akor Adams. The goal further lifted the Eagles, who continued to push forward with purpose. Just five minutes later, Victor Osimhen doubled Nigeria’s advantage, reacting sharply in the box to underline his importance to the team’s attacking threat.
Nigeria carried their momentum into the second half, and within two minutes of the restart, Lookman turned provider again. His incisive pass found Osimhen, who made no mistake in converting to give the Super Eagles a commanding 3–0 lead by the 47th minute. With the match firmly under control, Nigeria maintained their structure while still posing a constant danger going forward.
Akor Adams capped off an excellent all-round display by completing the scoring in the 75th minute, finishing clinically to register Nigeria’s fourth goal and put the result beyond any doubt. By that stage, the Super Eagles had effectively turned the contest into a showcase of their attacking depth and tactical discipline.
Wilfred Ndidi led by example in midfield, anchoring the side alongside Frank Onyeka and Alex Iwobi, while Stanley Nwabali returned between the posts and was rarely troubled. The defensive unit of Bright Osayi-Samuel, Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey and Bruno Onyemaechi remained composed throughout, limiting Mozambique to speculative efforts and ensuring Nwabali was largely untested.
Head coach Éric Chelle used the second half to manage the game and rotate his squad, introducing Paul Onuachu and Samuel Chukwueze for Akor Adams and Lookman. Further changes saw Tom Dele-Bashiru and Raphael Onyedika replace Onyeka and Ndidi, while Moses Simon came on for Osimhen as Nigeria preserved energy for the challenges ahead.
By the 80th minute, Nigeria had recorded eight shots on target, underlining their attacking dominance, while Mozambique had yet to register a meaningful attempt on goal.
The emphatic victory keeps Nigeria’s momentum firmly intact as they continue their pursuit of a fourth Africa Cup of Nations title. The Super Eagles will now turn their attention to the quarter-finals, where they are set to face the winners of the clash between Algeria and Congo DR, with confidence high and performances steadily peaking at the right time.
Sports
Mikel Arteta signs new contract with Premier League champions Arsenal
Mikel Arteta has signed a new contract with Premier League champions Arsenal, extending his stay at the club beyond the end of this season.
The Spaniard took charge of the Gunners in December 2019, meaning the new deal could see him remain at the Emirates for a decade.
Arteta’s previous contract was due to expire at the end of the current campaign. His new agreement includes an increase on his existing £10m-a-year salary, with a further £5m available in bonuses.
The Arsenal manager had reportedly benchmarked his value against the salaries of Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola and Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone, who are both believed to earn more than £20m per year.
“This club is unique, its character and the way it makes you feel, and I have a great sense of privilege that our journey together will continue,” Arteta said.
“We have already built a special bond and created memories that will last a lifetime, and what is so exciting is that this is only the beginning of what we can achieve together.”
The 44-year-old has guided Arsenal to a Premier League title and an FA Cup during his time in charge.
He also led the club to the Champions League final in May, where Arsenal were beaten by Paris St-Germain.
Sports
Jannik Sinner ends season early to undergo knee treatment
Jannik Sinner has ended his season early to undergo treatment on a knee injury.
The Italian has not played competitively since defending his Wimbledon title in July.
The five-time Grand Slam champion said he had “needed to think about my long-term career” before deciding to end his season.
“Me together with the doctors have decided that I need a course of treatment for my knee,” the 25-year-old said in an Instagram video.
“The last couple of years gave me so many beautiful feelings and emotions, which this year is going to be way different.
“I will do everything possible to get back 100%.”
Sinner was the dominant player for much of the year, winning 44 and losing just three of his singles matches.
He won five Masters 1000 titles in a row between March and May, becoming the youngest man to complete the career Golden Masters.
His injury means Alexander Zverev is highly likely to replace him as world number one by the end of the year.
Second-ranked Zverev, who has won the French Open and US Open this year, trails Sinner by 1,280 points in the live rankings.
However, Sinner will be unable to defend the points he earned by winning titles in China, Vienna, Paris and the ATP Finals at the end of last year.
Sinner won six titles in 2026 across all three surfaces and lost just one singles match between March and July.
He reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open, where he lost to Novak Djokovic in five sets, but suffered a shock second-round defeat by Juan Manuel Cerundolo at the French Open in May.
The defeat in hot and humid conditions in Paris ended Sinner’s 30-match winning streak.
He responded strongly at Wimbledon, where he was pushed to five sets in the first round and suffered a bleeding foot during the match before recovering to beat Zverev in the final and successfully defend his title.
Sinner and his generational rival Carlos Alcaraz, who met in three of the four Grand Slam finals last year, played each other only once in 2026.
Sinner won that meeting, defeating the Spaniard in the Monte Carlo Masters final to reclaim the world number one ranking.
He finishes the year with a 10-1 record against top-10 players, with his only defeat coming against Djokovic in Melbourne at the start of the year.
Sports
Mbappe Explains Ceuta T-Shirt Gesture and Says He Stands With Victims
Kylian Mbappe has explained why he rolled up his pre-match T-shirt before Real Madrid’s game at Elche on Tuesday, partially covering a message in support of Ceuta.
The shirts carried the slogan “Todos somos Caballas”, meaning “We are all Caballas” — a nickname for people from Ceuta.
Real Madrid team-mates Vinicius Jr and Ibrahima Konate also rolled up their shirts.
Mbappe said the decision to wear the shirts was made by the club and stressed that his gesture was not intended to oppose the people of Ceuta.
“I want to explain this clearly so people understand. It was the club’s decision to include the T-shirt and to have us wear it. We players had to wear it,” the France international said.
“The first thing I want to say is that I stand in full solidarity with Ceuta and with all the victims.”
Ceuta is a Spanish autonomous city on the North African coast, bordering Morocco and separated from mainland Spain by the Strait of Gibraltar.
More than 100 people died when tens of thousands of migrants crossed into the territory from neighbouring Morocco in July.
“Because before I’m a player, I’m a human being. But I also wanted to make a gesture and spare a thought for all the immigrants who have lost their lives and who are also living in harsh conditions,” Mbappe added.
He acknowledged that his decision could be misunderstood.
“It wasn’t an easy position to take. It was difficult because, in the end, people might think I’m against the people of Ceuta. But no, absolutely not.
“I have nothing against them, and I support them 100% in my thoughts. But I also wanted to spare a thought for all the people who are suffering because, at the end of the day, I’m human, and I don’t want to prioritise one form of suffering over another.
“There are people who are suffering, and it breaks my heart to see that happening in the world. I’m a young man who wants the best for the world we live in.
“I aim to send a message of positivity and peace, and I hope this situation is resolved quickly.”
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