Gelson Dala raised his Africa Cup of Nations goal tally to four with a brace for 10-man Angola in a 3-0 last-16 triumph over Namibia in Bouake on Saturday.

Surprise package Angola will face Nigeria or Cameroon, who meet later in Abidjan, in a quarter-final next Friday.

After Dala scored twice in the first half, Mabululu netted midway through the second half to effectively end as a contest the clash of southern Africa neighbours.

Both teams were reduced to 10 men by first-half red cards with Angola goalkeeper Neblu and Namibia defender Lubeni Haukongo sent off.

The winning margin was a record for Angola, bettering two-goal victories over Senegal and Malawi in previous Cup of Nations.

The first of eight second-round fixtures was not one that would have been anticipated when the African football showpiece kicked off in the Ivory Coast 14 days ago.

Angola won a group ahead of Burkina Faso, Mauritania and shock casualties Algeria when they were expected to finish third at best given an AFCON record of just four victories in 26 matches.

The best Namibia had managed in three previous appearances was two draws while losing seven other matches. One of the draws was against Angola in Burkina Faso 26 years ago.

Angola, showing two changes from the team that started a win over Burkina Faso last Tuesday, were reduced to 10 men after just 17 minutes.

– Searing heat –
Neblu — one of many Angolans who use a nickname rather than their real name — handled a Bethuel Muzeu lob outside his area and was immediately red-carded.

Reserve goalkeeper Antonio Dominique came off the bench at the expense of midfielder Estrela and was quickly brought into action as he parried to safety a Deon Hotto free-kick.

After a water break to assist players performing in searing 34 degrees Celsius (93 Fahrenheit) heat, the match took a dramatic turn with two goals and another red card in four minutes.

A Gilberto cross and Fredy cutback set up Dala to sidefoot the ball into the corner of the net on 38 minutes.

Namibia surrendered their numerical advantage two minutes later when Haukongo was yellow-carded a second time and sent off by the Mauritanian referee.

Dala struck again on 42 minutes, powerfully heading a Fredy free-kick into the corner of the net to give Angola a two-goal advantage they retained until half-time.

After early second-half pressure from Namibia as they sought the goal that bring them back into contention for a last-eight place, Angola stretched their lead to three goals on 66 minutes.

Having fired narrowly wide, veteran Mabululu almost instantly atoned by sprinting on to a Dala pass before superbly curling a shot past goalkeeper Lloyd Kazapua.

The unquenchable spirit of the Namibians in the face of a looming loss was demonstrated in the closing minutes when a Riaan Hanamub shot forced a spectacular save from Dominique.

In added time, Angola were denied a fourth goal when a shot from substitute Zito Luvumbo rebounded off the crossbar.

Felix Lebrun stopped Aruna in the quarterfinal as he avenged his brother’s loss in the earlier round

French teenage sensation Felix Lebrun has defeated Quadri Aruna 3-1 to advance to the semi-final of the men’s singles in India.

Lebrun halted the smooth journey, which was started by African champion Aruna at the WTT Star Contender Goa on 27 January.

Aruna, the only surviving African in the competition following the first and second round exits of Egypt’s duo of Hana Goda and Omar Assar in the singles event, had in the second round beat Germany’s Ruwen Filus to set up a round of 16 tie against Alexis Lebrun.

Being their second meeting in a WTT event, Aruna was at his best against the senior Lebrun, as the Nigerian came out stronger with a 3-1 (11-8, 8-11, 12-10, 11-8) win to progress to the quarterfinal against the younger Lebrun.

The bespectacled Felix, who lost his first meeting against the Nigerian in 2023, must have been briefed by his brother on how to cage Aruna.

He started the encounter to avenge his brother’s defeat with an 11-4 win in the first game.

Felix took that momentum into the second game, which he won 11-6. Aruna tried to stage another comeback just like he did against Hugo Calderano at the WTT Cup Finals earlier this year against the younger Lebrun, but the French star thwarted this to win the third game 12-10.

Aruna, the world number 14, continues his fine run this year after finishing at the quarterfinal stage of the WTT Cup Finals in Doha earlier this year following his superb comeback against Brazilian Hugo Calderano in the first round of the championships.

He will lead Nigeria to the 2024 World Table Tennis Championships taking place in Busan, South Korea, next month.

Barcelona Manager Xavi Hernandez has confirmed that he will be leaving the Catalan giants at the end of this season. 

The announcement comes in the wake of a disappointing 5-3 home defeat to Villarreal in a league game at Nou Camp on Saturday.

The clash witnessed a total of nine goals, with six scored by the visitors. Gerard Moreno opened the scoring in the 41st minute, 21 minutes after having a goal disallowed. Ilias Akomach extended Villarreal’s lead to two in the 54th minute, but İlkay Gündoğan pulled one back for Barcelona in the 60th minute. Gündoğan then assisted Pedri, who had just come off the bench, for the equalizer eight minutes later.

In the 71st minute, Barcelona took the lead with an Eric Bailly own goal, but Goncalo Guedes leveled for Villarreal in the 84th minute. Alexander Sørloth, who assisted Villarreal’s third goal, then scored one himself in the 99th minute, before José Luis Morales sealed the victory with the fifth goal in the 90+12 minute.

After the match, Xavi Hernandez announced his decision to leave the managerial position at the end of the season during a post-match conference:

“I will leave Barcelona in June”, said Xavi during post match conference.

“We have reached a point of no return. It’s time for change. As a Culé, I think that it’s time to leave.

“I spoke with the board and the club today. I will leave on the 30th of June”.

“This club needs a change of dynamic. Leaving Barça is the best decision possible for all parties involved”, continued Xavi.

“I’m the most responsible one, so the players will finally feel free now.

“Everything will be calmer now, we can compete for the Champions League… at least with this decision you [the press] won’t kill me anymore.

“The club will improve with this decision.

“You asked me many times that if I’d be the Sir Alex Ferguson of Barça… the truth is that it will NEVER happen here.

“You guys won’t allow it — being Barça coach is so difficult.

“You see how they kill you, they criticize you, it affects you.”

The Catalan giants were previously eliminated from the Copa del Rey cup in the midweek by Athletic Bilbao.

Super Eagles defender, Bright Osayi-Samuel, has expressed confidence in Nigeria’s ability to secure victory against Cameroon in the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) last-16 clash.

The match is scheduled for Saturday, January 27, 2024 at the Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny in Abidjan.

Despite the historical head-to-head record favoring Nigeria with 12 wins in 25 meetings, the AFCON encounters have been evenly matched, with each team securing three wins. Cameroon holds the upper hand with AFCON victories in 1984, 1988, and 2000, adding pressure to the upcoming showdown.

Both teams have faced challenges in the current championship, with Nigeria finishing second in Group A, and Cameroon securing progress with a last-minute win over Gambia.

Osayi-Samuel acknowledges the formidable nature of the Indomitable Lions but is confident based on the Super Eagles’ experience and quality.

He said “It’s knockout now; there is no free points. It’s either you win, and you are through, or you lose, and you are out.

“We know that can bring pressure, but if you look at our group (Super Eagles), we have players who have vast experience in this situation that we are in now. We have the players that can thrive in this situation.

“If you look around the group, everyone is confident. Everyone is looking forward to the game, even myself.

“Cameroon are a very strong team. They have got good players, but if we are focused on ourselves and look at what we can do, how we can hurt them, I think we have a very good chance of winning the game.”

The Super Eagles of Nigeria vs Cameroon match will kickoff by 9pm (Nigerian time) on Saturday.

Nigeria’s Samuel Chukwueze has set his sights firmly on continental glory, declaring the ongoing African Cup of Nations as his “big project” and a chance to etch his name in Nigeria’s football history.

The skilled winger has already taken part in two AFCON tournaments, the first in Egypt, where he reached the semi-final with the Super Eagles before being narrowly defeated by Algeria. The Eagles then secured their eighth third-place medal against Tunisia.

On the second occasion, Chukwueze was with the Super Eagles in Cameroon, where Nigeria disappointedly crashed out in the Round of 16.

Now, in his third attempt, the AC Milan winger says winning the trophy this time is the sole goal.

“Winning the AFCON will be one of the biggest achievements in my career,”

 “Winning something for Nigeria, putting your name in the book of honour, will be great.”

Past experiences fueled this unwavering determination. “This is my third AFCON,” he acknowledged. “The first one wasn’t bad; the second one was actually bad, and I think this third one has to be good for me. I cannot leave my club and come and while away time. I came here to win.”

Chukwueze’s confidence extends beyond his performance. When asked about potential threats to Nigeria’s title ambitions, his response was as bold as his play on the pitch. “For me, I don’t see any country stopping me,” he declared emphatically.

The Super Eagles have a fairly good route to winning the AFCON trophy, but they must first navigate through the Indomitable Lions in a round of 16 encounter on Saturday.

If Jose Peseiro’s men succeed, they will face the winner between Angola and Namibia in the quarterfinal to take a step closer to winning their first AFCON title in over a decade.

The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) has reached the Round of 16, bringing together 16 teams in a quest for supremacy in Cote d’Ivoire.

The upcoming four days promise football thrills and drama as teams battle for coveted spots in the quarterfinals. Here’s a breakdown of the exciting matchups:

1. Angola vs. Namibia Angola, topping their group, faces Namibia, making it past the group stage for the first time. The clash promises determination and history on the pitch.

2. Nigeria vs. Cameroon Two giants of African football, Nigeria and Cameroon, collide in a battle of eight AFCON titles. A historic rivalry unfolds with both sides eyeing a spot in the quarterfinals.

3. Equatorial Guinea vs. Guinea Dark horse Equatorial Guinea meets consistent quarterfinal contenders Guinea. The best-attacking team, Equatorial Guinea, faces Guinea’s solid tournament history in a thrilling encounter.

4. Egypt vs. DR Congo Despite struggles, seven-time champions Egypt remain favorites against two-time winners DR Congo. The absence of Mo Salah adds unpredictability to this clash, with Egypt’s legacy on the line.

5. Cape Verde vs. Mauritania Impressive Cape Verde faces Mauritania in a winnable clash. Cape Verde aims to match their 2013 quarterfinal run, while underdog Mauritania seeks to continue their fairy-tale journey.

6. Senegal vs. Cote d’Ivoire Defending champions Senegal, with a perfect group stage record, face hosts Cote d’Ivoire. Senegal navigates a potential stumbling block against a determined Ivorian side and their football-mad public.

7. Mali vs. Burkina Faso Burkina Faso meets Group E winners Mali in an evenly matched encounter. Mali eyes redemption, while Burkina Faso, with a 2017 bronze medal, poses a formidable challenge.

8. Morocco vs. South Africa AFCON underachievers Morocco and South Africa clash. Morocco, seeking a trophy since 1976, is favored against South Africa, struggling for a second AFCON triumph in nearly three decades.

The Round of 16 fixtures kicks off on Saturday, January 27, and concludes on Tuesday, January 30.

Sabalenka is seeking consecutive Australian Open titles, just like her idol, Serena Williams.

World No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka has secured her spot in the women’s singles final of the 2024 Australian Open, defeating Coco Gauff in two straight sets on Thursday.

The 25-year-old Belarussian won 7-6, 6-4 in one hour and 42 minutes, setting up her second consecutive Australian Open final appearance.

Sabalenka took an early lead of 5-2 in the first set, but Gauff mounted a comeback to force a tie-break, which Sabalenka won 7-2 to claim the first set. The second set remained on serve until the ninth game, when Sabalenka broke Gauff, eventually closing out the set 6-4 and the match 2-0.

Mirroring her idol, Serena Williams, who achieved the same feat in 2009 and 2010, Sabalenka expressed her focus and composure throughout the match, regardless of the score. In a post-match interview, she described the battle against Gauff as incredible and highlighted her determination to stay focused and fight for every point.

“It was an incredible match. She’s a great player, always tough battles against her. I think the key was that I was able to stay focused, no matter what. No matter what the score was, I just keep trying my best, keep fighting for it.”

Sabalenka’s opponent in the final will be the 12th-seeded Qinwen Zheng from China.

The 21-year-old secured her first Grand Slam final appearance by defeating Dayana Yastremska 6-4, 6-4 in one hour and 42 minutes. Zheng broke Yastremska in the third game of the first set, and despite Yastremska breaking back, Zheng secured crucial breaks to take both sets, ultimately benefiting from Yastremska’s 23 unforced errors.

Zheng, who is looking to become the second Chinese player to win a Grand Slam title after Li Na achieved the feat in 2010, said her passage to the final was unbelievable.

“It feels unbelievable. I’m super excited to have such a great performance today and arrive in the final. That’s been my dream since I was a kid.”

The final is scheduled for the Rod Laver Arena on Saturday.

Sinner is into his first Grand Slam final after getting the better of 10-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic.

Italian Jannik Sinner has ended Novak Djokovic’s 33-match winning run at the Australian Open.

Sinner, 22, defeated world No. 1 6-1, 6-2, 6-7, 6-3 in three hours and 22 minutes. The defeat was the first suffered by the Serb since 2019 and the first men’s final without the big three of Djokovic, Rafal Nadal and Roger Federer.  

Uncharacteristically, Djokovic made 54 unforced errors compared to 28, made by Sinner, as he failed in his quest for an 11th Australian Open title since he started competing in Melbourne in 2005.

“Awesome,” remarked the Italian after his win on Rod Lavar’s centre court. “I don’t know what to say really. I came here after a couple of exhibition matches at Kooyong and came here as prepared as possible.

“The confidence from the end of last year has for sure kept the belief that I can play against the best players in the world, and I’m really happy that I can play Sunday final.

“It was a very, very tough match,” Sinner agreed after spending almost four hours on court. “I started off really well. He missed two sets. I felt like he wasn’t feeling that great on the court, so I just tried to keep pushing, and then in the third set I had a match point and I missed the forehand, but you know, this is tennis.

“I just tried to be ready for the next set, and obviously the atmosphere was so great.” As he prepares to face either Daniil Medvedev or Alexander Zverev in Sunday’s final.

Sinner said, “I lost last year in the semis at Wimbledon. I think I learnt a lot from that, and it’s all part of the process.”

The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) has reached the Round of 16, bringing together 16 teams in a quest for supremacy in Cote d’Ivoire.

The upcoming four days promise football thrills and drama as teams battle for coveted spots in the quarterfinals. Here’s a breakdown of the exciting matchups:

1. Angola vs. Namibia Angola, topping their group, faces Namibia, making it past the group stage for the first time. The clash promises determination and history on the pitch.

2. Nigeria vs. Cameroon Two giants of African football, Nigeria and Cameroon, collide in a battle of eight AFCON titles. A historic rivalry unfolds with both sides eyeing a spot in the quarterfinals.

3. Equatorial Guinea vs. Guinea Dark horse Equatorial Guinea meets consistent quarterfinal contenders Guinea. The best-attacking team, Equatorial Guinea, faces Guinea’s solid tournament history in a thrilling encounter.

4. Egypt vs. DR Congo Despite struggles, seven-time champions Egypt remain favorites against two-time winners DR Congo. The absence of Mo Salah adds unpredictability to this clash, with Egypt’s legacy on the line.

5. Cape Verde vs. Mauritania Impressive Cape Verde faces Mauritania in a winnable clash. Cape Verde aims to match their 2013 quarterfinal run, while underdog Mauritania seeks to continue their fairy-tale journey.

6. Senegal vs. Cote d’Ivoire Defending champions Senegal, with a perfect group stage record, face hosts Cote d’Ivoire. Senegal navigates a potential stumbling block against a determined Ivorian side and their football-mad public.

7. Mali vs. Burkina Faso Burkina Faso meets Group E winners Mali in an evenly matched encounter. Mali eyes redemption, while Burkina Faso, with a 2017 bronze medal, poses a formidable challenge.

8. Morocco vs. South Africa AFCON underachievers Morocco and South Africa clash. Morocco, seeking a trophy since 1976, is favored against South Africa, struggling for a second AFCON triumph in nearly three decades.

The Round of 16 fixtures kicks off on Saturday, January 27, and concludes on Tuesday, January 30.