Sports
AFCON 2025: Mozambique President Promises ₦11.3m Bonus to Beat Super Eagles
AFCON 2025: Mozambique President Promises ₦11.3m Bonus to Beat Super Eagles
The President of Mozambique, Daniel Francisco Chapo, has fired up the national football team, the Mambas, ahead of their Round of 16 clash against Nigeria’s Super Eagles at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, offering a special ₦11.3 million bonus for a victory over the African giants.
In a statement released on Thursday to the players and coaching crew, President Chapo praised the team’s performance during the AFCON 2025 group stage and congratulated them on securing qualification for the knockout phase.
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He described the achievement as historic and unprecedented, noting that the team’s progress has brought immense pride to the Mozambican nation. The president further commended the players and technical staff for their discipline, courage, and determination, which he said had elevated Mozambique’s status on the continental football stage.
According to Jornal Notícias, President Chapo announced an extraordinary bonus of 500,000 meticais—equivalent to about ₦11.3 million—for each player and member of the coaching staff should the Mambas defeat the Super Eagles of Nigeria and qualify for the AFCON quarter-finals.
Mozambique reached the knockout stage after finishing third in Group F, despite a 2–1 loss to Cameroon in their final group match. Their qualification has set up a high-profile encounter against one of the tournament’s most consistent and decorated teams.
The Nigeria vs Mozambique AFCON 2025 Round of 16 match is scheduled to take place at the Complexe Sportif de Fès, Morocco, on Monday, January 5, with kickoff set for 8:00 p.m.
AFCON 2025: Mozambique President Promises ₦11.3m Bonus to Beat Super Eagles
Sports
Bayern Survive Real Madrid Comeback to Reach UCL Semi-Finals Against PSG
Bayern Survive Real Madrid Comeback to Reach UCL Semi-Finals Against PSG
Bayern Munich have secured their place in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals after a dramatic 4-3 victory over Real Madrid, sealing a 6-4 aggregate win in one of the most electrifying ties of the season.
The Champions League quarter-final second leg delivered fireworks from the outset, with five goals scored in a chaotic first half. Real Madrid took the lead three different times, but Bayern responded on each occasion, showcasing resilience and attacking depth.
England captain Harry Kane was once again central to Bayern’s success, scoring his 50th goal of the season, a remarkable milestone that underlines his impact since joining the German giants. Madrid, however, refused to back down, pushing Bayern to the limit in a pulsating encounter.
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After the break, the tempo slowed as both teams adopted a more cautious, tactical approach. With the tie delicately poised and extra time looming, the decisive moment came late in the game. Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga received a second yellow card for a foul on Kane, leaving the Spanish side with 10 men at a crucial stage.
Bayern took full advantage. In the closing moments, Luis Díaz combined with Jamal Musiala before curling a deflected strike into the top corner, scoring his 24th goal of the season and effectively deciding the tie.
Any hopes of a late Madrid comeback were extinguished in extra time when Michael Olise added Bayern’s fourth goal of the night, sealing a famous win and sending the Bundesliga side through.
With this victory, Bayern Munich vs Real Madrid becomes one of the standout fixtures of this season’s UEFA Champions League, highlighting Bayern’s attacking power and determination.
The German champions will now face Paris Saint-Germain in a blockbuster Champions League semi-final, setting up a high-stakes clash between two of Europe’s most dangerous attacking teams.
Bayern Survive Real Madrid Comeback to Reach UCL Semi-Finals Against PSG
Sports
Dembélé Brace Sends PSG Past Liverpool Into UCL Semi-Finals
Dembélé Brace Sends PSG Past Liverpool Into UCL Semi-Finals
Paris Saint-Germain have eliminated Liverpool FC from the UEFA Champions League after a tense second leg at Anfield, with Ousmane Dembélé scoring twice to secure a 2–0 win on the night and progression to the semi-finals.
PSG entered the return leg with a two-goal advantage from the first meeting in Paris and were forced to withstand heavy pressure in a noisy Anfield atmosphere. Liverpool, managed by Arne Slot, pushed aggressively from the start but were repeatedly frustrated by PSG’s defensive structure and goalkeeping resilience.
The first half saw chances at both ends, with PSG creating early openings through Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Dembélé, both denied by key saves from Liverpool goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili. At the other end, Liverpool struggled to convert possession into clear scoring opportunities despite moments of attacking intent.
Liverpool’s night took a further hit with injury concerns to Hugo Ekitike, forcing an early tactical reshuffle that saw Mohamed Salah introduced earlier than planned, after Alexander Isak had been handed a surprise starting role.
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PSG came closest before the break but failed to capitalise on several openings, including a missed chance by Dembélé from a promising position. Liverpool also had appeals overturned after a VAR review denied a penalty following a challenge involving Willian Pacho and Alexis Mac Allister.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 72nd minute when Dembélé latched onto a pass from Kvaratskhelia and finished clinically to give PSG control of the tie. As Liverpool pushed forward in search of a comeback, gaps opened in their defence, which PSG exploited in transition.
Late in the game, substitute Bradley Barcola set up Dembélé for a simple close-range finish, sealing the victory and confirming Liverpool’s elimination from the competition.
The result marks another disappointing European exit for Liverpool, who fail to progress beyond the knockout stages despite expectations of a deep run. PSG, meanwhile, continue their pursuit of a first UEFA Champions League title and will now face either Bayern Munich or Real Madrid in the semi-finals.
Dembélé Brace Sends PSG Past Liverpool Into UCL Semi-Finals
Sports
Messi’s Inter Miami Crisis Deepens as Mascherano Resigns After Poor MLS Start
Messi’s Inter Miami Crisis Deepens as Mascherano Resigns After Poor MLS Start
Inter Miami CF have entered a period of uncertainty after head coach Javier Mascherano resigned with immediate effect following a disappointing start to the new Major League Soccer (MLS) season.
The club, co-owned by former England international David Beckham, confirmed the Argentine’s departure, stating that Mascherano stepped down for “personal reasons” after discussions with the club’s leadership.
The resignation comes during a shaky run of form for Inter Miami, despite having global superstar Lionel Messi in the squad. The team suffered a 3–0 defeat to Los Angeles FC on the opening day of the season and was eliminated from the CONCACAF Champions Cup by Nashville SC.
In the MLS campaign, Inter Miami have drawn three of their last four matches and currently sit in the lower half of the 30-team league table, raising early concerns about consistency and competitiveness in the 2026 MLS season.
Despite the difficult start, Mascherano departs with a strong legacy after a highly successful first season in charge. Appointed in January 2025 with no prior senior managerial experience, he guided Inter Miami to their first-ever MLS Cup title, along with an Eastern Conference championship.
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Under his leadership, the club also enjoyed a record-breaking offensive season, scoring over 100 goals across all competitions and establishing themselves as one of the most dominant attacking sides in MLS history.
Inter Miami also made global headlines during the FIFA Club World Cup, becoming the first MLS side to reach the knockout stages, marking a major milestone for the league.
In his farewell statement, Mascherano thanked the club, players, staff, and fans, describing the MLS Cup triumph as a historic achievement he would “always carry” with him.
Managing owner Jorge Mas praised Mascherano’s impact, calling him a key figure in the club’s history and commending his leadership in delivering silverware and raising the club’s global profile.
Inter Miami have not yet announced a permanent replacement, but the club is expected to appoint an interim coach as they begin the search for a long-term successor.
Despite the sudden managerial exit, the club insists its long-term project remains unchanged, although Mascherano’s departure adds fresh pressure on a squad built around ageing stars and high expectations.
Messi’s Inter Miami Crisis Deepens as Mascherano Resigns After Poor MLS Start
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