Casemiro Set To Leave Manchester United At End Of Season

Manchester United have confirmed that Casemiro will depart the club at the end of the season when his contract expires. The 33-year-old midfielder has been a key figure for the Red Devils since joining in August 2022, making 146 appearances and scoring 21 goals over four seasons. Known for his combative style and ability to deliver in crucial moments, Casemiro quickly became a fan favourite at Old Trafford. During his time at Manchester United, the Brazil captain helped the club secure the 2023 Carabao Cup, scoring a memorable header in the final against Newcastle United, and played a significant role in the 2024 Emirates FA Cup triumph. The club announced that fans will have the opportunity to pay tribute to Casemiro at the final home game of the season against Nottingham Forest, celebrating his contributions on and off the pitch.

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Nigeria Begins Africa Handball Nations Cup Campaign with Victory Over Algeria

Nigeria’s Senior Men Handball Team, the Golden Arrows, began their campaign at the 27th Africa Men’s Handball Nations Cup on a winning note with a hard-fought 25–23 victory over Algeria in their opening Group A match on Wednesday in Kigali, Rwanda. The encounter, played at the Petit Stade, saw Nigeria take early control and head into the break with a 16–13 first-half advantage, thanks to a disciplined defensive display and efficient finishing in attack. Algeria mounted a strong fightback after the restart, closing the gap and testing Nigeria’s resolve, but the Golden Arrows held firm in the closing minutes to secure a deserved two points at the end of regulation time. Key contributions came from Faruk Yusuf, who provided leadership and goals from the backcourt, while John Shagari was influential on the left flank. In goal, Michael Agbaji produced crucial saves at decisive moments to frustrate the Algerians and preserve Nigeria’s narrow lead which earned him the man of the match award The win places Nigeria in a strong position in Group A, which also features hosts Rwanda and Zambia. The Golden Arrows will return to action on Thursday, when they face Zambia in their second group match, scheduled for 1:00pm as they continue their quest for a podium finish in the continental championship which serves as qualifiers for the 2027 World Men’s Handball Championship in Germany.

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CAF Bans, Fines Algerian Players After Nigeria Quarter-Final Incident

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has sanctioned Algeria following disturbances linked to their quarter-final clash with Nigeria. CAF’s Disciplinary Board announced both sporting and financial penalties against the Algerian Football Federation (FAF), citing misconduct by players, officials, and fans during and after the match. Player Suspensions Two Algerian players have been suspended for future international matches: Goalkeeper Luca Zidane will miss two games during the AFCON 2027 qualifiers. Rafik Belghali received a four-match ban, with two matches suspended, meaning he will serve two immediately unless further violations occur. Fines FAF was fined a total of USD 100,000 for various breaches: USD 5,000 for team misconduct linked to yellow and red cards USD 25,000 for inappropriate conduct by players and officials USD 5,000 for flare usage USD 5,000 for throwing objects USD 10,000 for failing to respect security measures USD 50,000 for offensive gestures directed at referees CAF described the behaviour as serious violations of its disciplinary and safety rules, particularly those concerning referees and match security. Appeal in Progress The Algerian Football Federation has immediately filed an appeal against the sanctions. The matter will be reviewed by CAF’s Appeals Committee, which will decide whether the suspensions and fines will stand or be reduced. Algeria is now preparing for upcoming international fixtures while the appeal process unfolds.

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Osimhen, Lookman, Bassey Named in AFCON 2025 Team of the Tournament

Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, and Calvin Bassey have earned spots in the Team of the Tournament at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. The trio were among Nigeria’s standout performers as the Super Eagles finished third at the competition under the guidance of head coach Eric Chelle. Osimhen made a strong impact in attack, scoring four goals and recording two assists during the tournament. Lookman was one of the most influential players in Nigeria’s campaign, notching three goals and providing five assists in six appearances. In defence, Bassey proved dependable and composed, anchoring the backline with consistent performances in Morocco. The selections were made by the Confederation of African Football’s Technical Study Group, which assessed players’ contributions throughout the tournament.

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Morocco to Take Legal Action After Senegal Walk-Off in Afcon Final

Morocco is set to take legal action following the dramatic Africa Cup of Nations final on Sunday, where Senegal walked off the pitch in protest over a penalty decision but eventually won the match. The final in Rabat ended 1-0 in favour of Senegal after extra time. Morocco had a chance to snatch victory with a last-minute penalty at the end of regulation, awarded after a VAR review determined a tug on striker Brahim Diaz’s shoulder. Senegalese players reacted by leaving the field, causing a 14-minute delay before returning, during which Diaz missed the crucial spot-kick. In a statement, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (RMFF) said: “The Royal Moroccan Football Federation announces that it will pursue legal action with the Confederation of African Football and FIFA to rule on the walk-off of the Senegalese national team from the field during the final against the Moroccan national team, as well as on the events surrounding this decision, following the referee’s awarding of a penalty that was deemed correct by all experts.” The federation added: “This situation had a significant impact on the normal course of the match and on the players’ performance.” While Morocco’s specific aims in lodging the complaint remain unclear beyond challenging the match events, the incident has drawn widespread condemnation from football authorities. Fifa President Gianni Infantino and CAF both criticised Senegal’s players and coaching staff, stating that walk-offs and violent reactions have no place in the sport.

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Super Eagles Jump 12 Places To 26th In FIFA Rankings After AFCON Bronze Finish

The Super Eagles of Nigeria have soared to 26th in the latest FIFA World Rankings, marking a stunning 12-place leap from their previous 38th position. The rise comes after Nigeria’s strong performance at the 2025 AFCON in Morocco, where they secured third place. In Africa, the Super Eagles now sit as the continent’s third-best team, trailing only AFCON champions Senegal, ranked 12th globally, and Morocco, placed eighth. Algeria and Egypt hold the fourth and fifth spots in the African standings. At the global level, the top 10 teams feature Spain, Argentina, France, England, Brazil, Portugal, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, and Croatia.

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Manchester City Sign England Defender Marc Guehi From Crystal Palace Until 2031

Manchester City have officially completed the signing of English international defender Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace, in a deal that runs until the summer of 2031, the club confirmed on its official website. The 25-year-old is City’s second addition in the ongoing winter transfer window, following the acquisition of winger Antoine Semenyo, as the club looks to reinforce its squad with proven talent. Guehi has emerged as one of the Premier League’s top defenders, making 188 appearances for Crystal Palace across all competitions, scoring 11 goals and providing 8 assists, showcasing his experience and versatility at the highest level. Internationally, Guehi has earned 26 caps for England, establishing himself as a dependable figure in the Three Lions’ defence with his consistent performances and tactical awareness. While Manchester City have not disclosed the financial details of the transfer, reports suggest the deal was initially valued at £20 million, a strategic move to strengthen the club’s defence amid recent injury concerns.

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Super Eagles Earn N3.56 Billion For Third-Place Finish At 2025 AFCON

Nigeria’s Super Eagles have pocketed N3.56 billion for securing third place at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, following a 4–2 penalty shootout win over Egypt in the bronze medal match in Casablanca. The game ended 0–0 after regulation time, with goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali emerging as the hero, saving two penalties to secure Nigeria’s ninth third-place finish at AFCON. Senegal claimed the championship for the second time in their history, edging hosts Morocco 1–0 after extra time in a dramatic final at the Stade Moulay Abdellah in Rabat. Pape Gueye scored the decisive goal just three minutes into extra time with a brilliant left-footed strike from the edge of the box, silencing the packed stadium. CAF president Patrice Motsepe announced record prize money for the 2025 tournament, with the champions earning $10 million (N14.23 billion), up from $7 million (N9.96 billion) in 2023. The runners-up Morocco received $4 million (N5.69 billion), while Nigeria’s third-place finish earned $2.5 million (N3.56 billion). Fourth-placed Egypt took home $1.3 million (N1.85 billion). Quarter-finalists were awarded $800,000 (N1.14 billion) each, teams finishing third in their groups received $700,000 (N996 million), and those finishing fourth in the groups earned $500,000 (N711 million).

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