YAOUNDE — Achraf Hakimi curled in a long-range free kick as Morocco came from behind to beat Malawi 2-1 in the last-16 of the Africa Cup of Nations on Tuesday and stay on course for their first African title in over 45 years.
It is, we're learning, a question that can be framed in countless ways — "Will it be an advantage? But will it really be an advantage? How will you prepare? How will you mentally prepare? Will you put hot chicken broth in your water bottle so it doesn't freeze?" — but really only ever has one definitive plan of action: Deal with it.
United States women's national team goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher on Monday said she is fully recovered from the right knee injury she suffered during the Tokyo Olympics and returns with a newfound appreciation for the sometimes cruel sport.
The veteran player collided with a teammate while trying to intercept a crossing pass early in a 1-0 semifinal loss to Canada, and the resulting injury led to a lengthy rehab.
YAOUNDE — At least six fans died in a stampede at the Yaounde Olembe Stadium in Cameroon on Monday before the host nation's round of 16 game in the African Cup of Nations against Comoros, the Central African nation's national broadcaster reported.
It said dozens of others were injured.
Images shared on social media, which Reuters could not immediately authenticate, showed screaming fans being crushed at an entrance gate.
It would've been an incredible story by itself: The Comoro Islands, ranked 132nd in the world and with a population under 900,000, making its first-ever Africa Cup of Nations appearance and advancing to the last 16 to play the host and five-time champion Cameroon, but the stage at Paul Biya Stadium in Olembé became a global spectacle Monday when it was confirmed that Comoros' backup left-back, Chaker Alhadhur, would play as a makeshift goalkeeper because of injuries and C
ROME — Mario Balotelli was named in the Italy squad for the first time since 2018 on Monday, as the Adana Demirspor striker joined seven uncapped players in Roberto Mancini's 35-man training camp selection.
Balotelli, who worked under Azzurri coach Mancini earlier in his career at Inter Milan and Manchester City, has not featured for the national team since September 2018.
But the 31-year-old earned a recall for this week's three-day training camp after scoring eight goals in 18 league games to fire Adana Demirspor to fourth place in the Turkish Super Lig.
Looking for a favorite at the Africa Cup of Nations after the group stage, no team stood out quite like Nigeria — which won all three of its matches with Kelechi Iheanacho, Moses Simon and Samuel Chukwueze all shining in attack.
Burkina Faso is the first nation through to the Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinals after a wild victory over Gabon that included a missed penalty in regular time, a red card, a 91st-minute equalizer for 10-man Gabon and a dramatic penalty shootout.
YAOUNDÉ - The Comoros Islands will have to use one of their outfield players in goal against Africa Cup of Nations hosts Cameroon on Monday after being hit by COVID-19 infections.
The Comoros Football Federation reported 12 cases in their camp on Saturday including their only two fit goalkeepers and coach Amir Abdou on Sunday said they would go into the last-16 tie in Yaoundé with a makeshift goalkeeper.
The Women's Asian Cup was thrown into turmoil when hosts India were kicked out of the tournament after a COVID-19 outbreak meant they were unable to field a team for their Group A match against Taiwan on Sunday.
Regulations require coaches to name a minimum 13-player matchday squad for each game and India's inability to do so caused the game at Navi Mumbai's D.Y. Patil Stadium to be cancelled.
Thomas Dennerby's side have been kicked out of the competition with all their results nullified.