Defending champions Senegal became the second qualifiers for the Africa Cup of Nations round of 16 as Ismaila Sarr, Habib Diallo and Sadio Mane scored in a 3-1 win over Cameroon on Friday.

A few hours earlier, Cape Verde were the first country to secure a last-16 place by hammering Mozambique 3-0 in Abidjan.

Sarr netted in the first half and Diallo and Mane in the second in Yamoussoukro to give the title-holders a maximum six points after two Group C matches. The losers have only one.

Jean-Charles Castelletto scored late in the second half to halve the deficit to 2-1, but Senegal were not to be denied a convincing victory and Mane put the outcome beyond doubt.

Guinea face the Gambia later in the second match of a double-header and a victory would lift them three points above Cameroon with just one round of matches remaining.

Cameroon recalled Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana, who missed a draw with Guinea after arriving late in west Africa, but slack defending contributed to the goals he conceded.

Senegal kicked off with five of the team that started the 2022 final against Egypt in Yaounde, which they won in a penalty shootout with Mane scoring the decisive spot kick.

Cameroon had to do without star forward Vincent Aboubakar again as he had not recovered from a thigh injury that ruled him out of a draw with Guinea four days ago.

Ebere Amaraizu, a former board member and South-East director of the Nationwide League One (NLO), has urged the Super Eagles to increase the tempo of their game at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament in Cote d’ Ivoire.

Mr Amaraizu said this on Thursday in Enugu after the Super Eagles and Cote d’Ivoire encounter, which ended 1-0 in favour of the Nigerian side.

He noted that the team handlers did well to solve midfield lapses of the team, adding that playing the host Cote d‘Ivoire was a tough match, which the Eagles surmounted.

“The Super Eagles need to increase the tempo and even do more. We know the national team can do better. With this result today, Super Eagles are top contenders for the AFCON trophy,” he said.

Mr Amaraizu, the former General Manager of Crime Busters FC, Enugu, who won the 2018 Enugu State Aiteo Cup, urged the team to be focused on enabling it to achieve the desired result.

A football fan, Obinna Abia, said it was gratifying that the Super Eagles upped their game after the 1-1 draw against Equatorial Guinea in the team’s first group game.

“The Super Eagles revived their fighting spirit and lived up to expectations in the match against Cote d’Ivoire. This is a good one for the nation and I pray that they will keep it up in subsequent matches,” Mr Abia said.

Another fan, Chuks Silas, said the Super Eagles made him happy again with friends and neighbours.

“The hard-earned victory by our dear Super Eagles needed to be celebrated as the match took a resemblance to the actual final,” Mr Silas said.

Equatorial Guinea coach Juan Micha has applauded his side’s “complete performance” after thrashing Guinea-Bissau 4-2 at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on Thursday.

A sensational Emilio Nsue hat-trick fired Equatorial Guinea to victory in the Group A clash, putting them on the verge of the knockout stage.

“I am very happy. We had a complete victory. I want to congratulate my team. We played at a good level and won in satisfying fashion,” said Micha after the emphatic triumph in Abidjan.

The Nzalang Nacional boss said the players understood their responsibility to represent Equatorial Guinea positively on the big stage.

“I tell them we must behave well because we are the representatives of our country and have to give a good image,” Micha explained.

While pleased with the win, the manager stressed that Equatorial Guinea can still improve ahead of facing hosts Cote d’Ivoire on Monday.

“We know it’s a big competition and we have to do better than what we are doing now,” Micha added.

The victory leaves Equatorial Guinea needing a point against the hosts to book a spot in the last 16.

“We have one foot in the next round but will approach Ivory Coast with the same desire and intensity to win,” said Micha.

Chelsea are reportedly prepared to sell Armando Broja amid interest from Premier League clubs Fulham, West Ham United, and Wolves.

The Athletic’s David Ornstein reports that Chelsea are open to selling Broja if the right offer arrives for the Albanian.

Broja has found game time hard to come by at Stamford Bridge and Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino is expected to sign a proven goalscorer either this January or in the summer.

The 22-year-old has started seven of 17 games across competitions for the Blues this season, with two goals and one assist.

He’s been vying with Nicolas Jackson for a starting berth under Pochettino.

Broja spent the 2021-22 season on loan at Southampton.

Hertha Berlin president Kay Bernstein died unexpectedly at 43, the German second division club says.

“Hertha BSC are mourning the death of Bernstein. The club received the terrible news on Tuesday that president Kay Bernstein has passed away unexpectedly at the age of 43.”

The whole club, its governing bodies and staff members are shocked and deeply saddened by the news,“ Hertha wrote on social media platform X, formerly Twitter.

The club did not initially disclose the cause of death.

Bernstein, a passionate fan and former Hertha ultra, had been the club’s president since June 2022.

Cote d’Ivoire have gone top of Group A, following a 2-0 win over Guinea-Bissau in the opening fixture of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

The hosts, backed by a vociferous crowd, were looking to begin the tournament in fine style.

They were ahead within the first five minutes of the encounter, as Seko Fofana cut in and produced a powerful curling effort past the goalkeeper.

In the 58th minute, Jean-Philippe Krasso doubled their advantage, after pouncing on a defensive blunder.

The Ivorians will stay top of the group, at least until Nigeria face Equatorial Guinea on Sunday afternoon.

Kick-off for the fixture is 3:00 pm West African Time (WAT).

Joe Hugill has left Manchester United to join League One side Burton Albion on loan for the remainder of the season.

This comes after the young Academy striker signed a new deal with the Reds on Wednesday.

Recall that Hugill signed a contract which will keep him at the club until 2026, with the option of an extra year.

Hugill has trained regularly with Man United’s first team under manager Erik ten Hag this season.

He was named as a substitute by Ten Hag on four occasions, most recently for Monday’s 2-0 Emirates FA Cup victory at Wigan Athletic.

Hugill will now gain valuable experience at the Pirelli Stadium.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has charged the Super Eagles to win the upcoming 2023 Africa Cup of Nations title.

The state’s number one citizen hosted the Super Eagles to a send-forth dinner on Wednesday.

“Throwback to this beautiful night of excellence and laughter as we hosted the Super Eagles before they set off for #Afcon2023,” Sanwo-Olu wrote on his X handle on Thursday.

“I am looking forward to their first match, and the message to them was clear: ‘No gree for anybody’.

“Bring home the Nations Cup.”

The Super Eagles will open their campaign at the AFCON 2023 finals against the Nzalang Nacional of Equatorial Guinea on Sunday.

Jose Peseiro’s side will also face hosts Cote d’Ivoire and Guinea-Bissau in the group stage.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria have  landed at the Aéroport International Felix Houphouet Boigny d’Abidjan, Cote D’Ivoire ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations starting on Saturday, January 13, 2023.

The team was led by the captain, Ahmed Musa.

The national team departed for Cote D’Ivoire on Wednesday morning after being hosted to a dinner by the  Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Tuesday at the State House, Marina, Lagos.

The Atlas Lions of Morocco emerged the first team, other than the host nation, to touch down in Cote d’Ivoire for the tournament.

Other national teams that have arrived for the tournament are Egypt, Mozambique, Senegal, and Guinea-Bissau, among others.

Former Barcelona defender, Gerard Pique has announced plans to return to professional football as a coach.

Pique revealed this via his Twitter account on Tuesday.

The 36-year old retired from playing in January 2023.

But in a tweet, Pique expressed his desire to return to football in a coaching role.

“After a lot of thought this new year, I’ve decided that I want to return to the sport I miss so much.

“This time, not as a player, but stepping into coaching. I will share more details at the end of the week,” Piqué wrote.

Pique made 616 appearances for Barcelona during his illustrious playing career, winning LaLiga nine times, the Copa del Rey seven times, the FIFA Club World Cup three times, and the UEFA Champions League three times, one of which was with Manchester United.

He was also part of the Spain team that won the 2010 World Cup and the 2012 European Championship.

Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa has charged Nigerians not to lose trust in the team as they hope to win a fourth Africa Cup of Nations title at the 34th edition of the tournament, which holds from January 13 to February 11 in Ivory Coast.

The three-time champions are in Group A, which also has hosts Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea and Guinea-Bissau.

Musa’s wish is coming after the Eagles lacklustre pre-AFCON friendly, which they lost 2-0 to Guinea at the Bani Yas Stadium, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates on Monday.

The game marked the end of their one-week training camp in the Middle East and they will depart for Ivory Coast via Lagos on Wednesday (today).

Despite the defeat that overshadowed their preparations for the tournament, Musa insists that the squad are confident going into the AFCON.

“Everybody is excited and waiting to go to Abidjan. After the last game in Uyo, when the campaign started, we told ourselves about going there to shine. We can see all the quality in the squad and we can’t say otherwise. In football anything can happen but we have the confidence,” Musa told NFF TV.

“Even the coach has set a target of winning the AFCON for himself too. I just want Nigerians to believe in the team, with their support we can go far.”

Musa and Kenneth Omeruo are the only members of Nigeria’s last AFCON-winning team in South Africa 2013, who are part of the current team.

During the 2013 tournament, the 31-year-old scored in Nigeria’s 4-1 win over Mali in the semi-final and also came on as a substitute in the final against Burkina Faso.

Having won the tournament in 1980, 1994 and 2013, Nigeria will begin their quest for a fourth title in Ivory Coast against Equatorial Guinea on Sunday January 14 before filing out against the hosts four days later while they play Guinea Bissau in their last group game January 22.

Katsina Hisbah Board Confiscates 850 Bottles of Alcohol: The Katsina State Hisbah Board has seized approximately 850 bottles of various alcoholic beverages in Kankara Local Government Area.

The board’s commander, Aminu Usman, led the operation on Sunday in collaboration with government officials.

The confiscated alcoholic drinks were reportedly intercepted in a vehicle and from local vendors.

Usman, stressed the state government’s commitment to combating immoral activities and appealed to residents to assist in identifying locations where such acts occur.

He urged the public to support the Hisbah in creating a more ethical environment within the state.

Birmingham hired Tony Mowbray on Monday as their new manager to replace sacked Wayne Rooney.

Former Sunderland and West Brom boss Mowbray agreed a two-and-half-year deal with the Championship strugglers.

He is Birmingham’s third manager this season after the dismissals of John Eustace and Rooney.

“I am excited to be joining Birmingham at this time. I can’t wait to get back on the training pitch and start working with this talented group of players,” Mowbray said.

“I know from personal experience how passionate Bluenoses are, home and away, and I’m looking forward to having their full support for the team starting on Saturday at home to Swansea.”

Mowbray was sacked by Sunderland in December after 15 months in charge, despite guiding them to the play-offs last season.

Former Manchester United and England star Rooney was axed by Birmingham after just 83 days in charge, having replaced Eustace in October.

Rooney managed just two wins in 15 games as Birmingham slipped from sixth in the Championship to 20th.

The Super Eagles will play a friendly match against Guinea’s Syli Nationale in Abu Dhabi on Monday, according to a statement by Ademola Olajire, director of communications at the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

The statement, made available to journalists on Saturday in Abuja, indicated that the friendly match was part of the Super Eagles’ preparation ahead of a feast of Guinean attrition in the group phase at the 34th Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals in Cote d’Ivoire.

“Head Coach José Peseiro has the opportunity to put to the crucible different patterns and tactics against quality opposition.

“The friendly game is coming only seven days before the three-time champions’ opening game against Equatorial Guinea’s Nzalang National inside Abidjan’s Stade Alassane Ouattara,” it said.

Super Eagles are in Group A of the four-week, 24-nation finals alongside host nation Cote d’Ivoire and Africa’s other two Guinean nations – Equatorial Guinea and Guinea Bissau.

The Syli Nationale was one of Africa’s strongest teams in the 1970s and 1980s, winning the silver medals at the 1976 AFCON in Ethiopia.

They gave the so-called big teams a good run for their money at the Africa Cup and in FIFA World Cup qualifying matches.

The Eagles pipped Syli Nationale 1-0 in a group phase encounter at the 2019 AFCON in Egypt.

Far back in 1981, Syli Nationale held the Eagles to a 1-1 draw in a FIFA World Cup qualifying match in Conakry, and in Lagos, Nigeria won with a long-range Henry Nwosu strike to the far corner of Abdoulaye Keita’s goal.

“Monday’s encounter has been scheduled for the Bani Yas Stadium.

“It is sure to slightly open a window into the mind of Coach Peseiro and how he intends to line up his army when Africa’s flagship football championship begins next weekend,” it added.

The 2023 AFCON, which kicks off on Jan. 13, will end on Feb. 11.

Libyan outfit Al Hilal have acquired the services of Nigerian forward, Robert Mizo.

Mizo joined Al Hilal from Nigeria Premier Football League outfit, Bayelsa United.

The prolific striker signed a three-and-a-half year contract with the Libyan outfit.

The player has already scored 10 goals for Bayelsa United in the NPFL this season.

Mizo was second top scorer in the NPFL last season behind Enyimba’s Emeka Obioma.

His goals helped Bayelsa United escape relegation last season.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has increased the prize money for the 2023 Arica Cup of Nations, AFCON.

The winner of the biennial competition will go home with $7 million.

The runners-up will now get $4 million, while each of the two semi-finalists will receive $2,500,000Each of the four quarter-finalists will get $1,300,000.

“CAF has made significant progress over the past two years in increasing the Prize Money of the AFCON and all its other major competitions,” President of Africa’s soccer governing body, Patrice Motsepe, told CAFonline.

“We have increased the prize money of the AFCON Winner to USD 7 000 000 which is a 40% increase from the previous AFCON Prize Money. I am confident that a portion of the prize money will contribute to developing football and also benefit all the football stakeholders, as well as assist our Member Associations with their administrations.”

The 34th edition of the AFCON finals will start next week Saturday with the opening game between hosts Cote d’Ivoire and Guinea-Bissau.

The competition will end on Sunday, February 11.