Sports
CAF strips Senegal of AFCON title, Morocco declared winners
CAF strips Senegal of AFCON title, Morocco declared winners
MOROCCO – In an unprecedented turn of events, the CAF Appeal Board has officially crowned host nation Morocco as the champions of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The decision follows a dramatic overturning of the final’s original result against Senegal.
The ruling comes after the Lions of Teranga staged a walk-off protest during the final match in Rabat. According to a detailed statement released by CAF, the match has been retrospectively recorded as a 3-0 forfeit victory for the Atlas Lions.
The Stoppage-Time Catalyst
The controversy erupted deep into stoppage time with the match balanced on a knife-edge. After Morocco’s Brahim Diaz went down in the penalty area, the referee initially allowed play to continue. However, following a VAR review, a penalty was awarded to the hosts.
Incensed by the decision, Senegal’s head coach Pape Thiaw signaled for his team to leave the pitch. The resulting delay and refusal to resume play led the CAF Appeal Board to cite a breach of tournament regulations.
The Legal Verdict
The Appeal Board ruled that Senegal’s actions fell under Articles 82 and 84 of the AFCON Regulations, which govern team conduct and match abandonment. By vacating the field, Senegal was deemed to have forfeited the match.
“The appeal lodged by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) is declared admissible and the appeal is upheld,” the CAF statement confirmed. “The Senegal team is declared to have forfeited the match, with the result recorded as 3–0 in favour of Morocco.”
Fines and Additional Sanctions
While Morocco was awarded the trophy, they did not escape the board’s scrutiny entirely. The ruling addressed several secondary incidents from the chaotic final:
* Ismaël Saibari: The Moroccan player’s fine was set aside, but he received a two-match suspension (one match suspended) for misconduct.
* Ball Boy Conduct: The FRMF was fined $50,000 for the behavior of the ball boys during the match.
* VAR Interference: A $100,000 fine against the FRMF was upheld regarding interference around the VAR review area.
* Laser Incident: A reduced fine of $10,000 was issued to the hosts for the use of lasers by fans.
This ruling effectively strips Senegal of what would have been their second continental title, handing Morocco their first AFCON trophy since 1976 under extraordinary administrative circumstances.
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Sports
Carter Efe Defeats Portable in Celebrity Boxing Showdown
Carter Efe Defeats Portable in Celebrity Boxing Showdown
Popular skit maker and entertainer Carter Efe secured a decisive victory over street-hop singer Portable in a celebrity boxing match held in Lagos on Friday night.
The bout, which formed part of the “Chaos in the Ring 4” event, drew a large crowd of fans and entertainment enthusiasts eager to witness the much-anticipated clash between the two outspoken personalities.
From the opening bell, Carter Efe showed greater composure and control, landing cleaner punches and maintaining a steady pace throughout the three-round contest. Portable, known for his high-energy persona, attempted to press forward aggressively but struggled to match his opponent’s timing and defensive discipline.
At the end of the bout, the judges returned a unanimous decision in favour of Carter Efe, with all three scorecards reflecting his dominance across the rounds.
The defeat marked a setback for Portable, who had previously enjoyed success in celebrity boxing, including victories over fellow entertainers. Friday’s result, however, underscored Carter Efe’s preparation and tactical approach, which proved decisive in the ring.
The event adds to the growing trend of celebrity boxing in Nigeria’s entertainment scene, blending sports and showbiz while attracting significant public attention.
Neither Carter Efe nor Portable immediately issued formal statements after the fight, but the outcome has already sparked widespread reactions across social media, with fans debating the performance and calling for potential rematches.
Organisers of the event say the success of the bout further highlights the increasing popularity of celebrity boxing as a form of entertainment in the country.
Carter Efe Defeats Portable in Celebrity Boxing Showdown
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Sports
Ronaldo Fires Al Nassr to Crucial Win Over Al Ahli
Ronaldo Fires Al Nassr to Crucial Win Over Al Ahli
Cristiano Ronaldo once again delivered in decisive fashion as Al Nassr moved to the brink of the Saudi Pro League title with a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Al Ahli on Wednesday night, strengthening their grip at the top of the table as the season enters its final stretch.
The match remained tightly contested for much of the evening, with Al Ahli putting up a disciplined defensive display that frustrated the league leaders in the first half.
However, Ronaldo broke the deadlock in the 75th minute, rising highest to meet a perfectly delivered corner from João Félix before guiding a powerful header past former Chelsea goalkeeper Édouard Mendy.
The goal, his 25th league strike of the season, once again highlighted his continued dominance in Saudi football and his ability to decide high-pressure matches.
Al Ahli’s resistance finally collapsed after sustained pressure, and Al Nassr sealed the victory deep into stoppage time when Kingsley Coman finished clinically from close range following a chaotic set-piece situation inside the box.
The result extended Al Nassr’s impressive winning streak to 20 consecutive victories across all competitions, including 16 straight wins in the league, putting them firmly in control of the title race with only a handful of matches remaining.
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Ronaldo’s latest goal also took his overall career tally to 970 goals for club and country, further cementing his status as one of football’s most prolific scorers in history.
The Portuguese captain has now scored nine goals in his last nine appearances, maintaining strong form at a crucial stage of the season while also competing for the Saudi Pro League Golden Boot.
Since joining Al Nassr, Ronaldo has remained the focal point of the team’s attacking system, providing leadership, experience, and consistent goal output in both domestic and continental competitions.
The victory has significantly boosted confidence within the squad as they edge closer to what could be a landmark league triumph, although mathematical confirmation of the title is still pending depending on results from rivals.
Supporters have praised the team’s consistency and attacking strength, with many pointing to Ronaldo’s influence as the defining factor in their title push.
With just a few games left, Al Nassr now sit in a commanding position, and their fate remains firmly in their own hands as they aim to secure the championship.
Ronaldo Fires Al Nassr to Crucial Win Over Al Ahli
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Sports
Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury Fight Deal Confirmed, Eddie Hearn Reveals
Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury Fight Deal Confirmed, Eddie Hearn Reveals
The long-awaited heavyweight showdown between British boxing stars Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury is finally moving closer to reality after promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed that a fight agreement has been reached.
Hearn revealed that the deal for the blockbuster clash has been “signed, sealed and delivered,” ending years of speculation, failed negotiations, and repeated attempts to stage one of the biggest fights in boxing history.
However, Joshua is expected to take a tune-up fight before facing Fury. The 36-year-old will return to action on July 25 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where he is scheduled to fight Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga.
Joshua has been away from full competition since December, when he fought Jake Paul in an exhibition-style bout. His time away from the ring was also marked by a tragic road accident in Nigeria involving his driver, which claimed the lives of two members of his entourage. Joshua has described his return as part of a rebuilding process aimed at preparing him for bigger challenges ahead.
The British-Nigerian boxer said the upcoming fights represent an important step in his comeback journey, stressing that he is focused on regaining full competitive form before stepping into a major showdown.
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The rivalry between Joshua and Fury has dominated global boxing discussions for years, with both fighters carrying British boxing on the world stage as two-time heavyweight champions. Fury, 37, recently returned to winning form against Arslanbek Makhmudov and used the opportunity to once again call out Joshua, increasing pressure for the long-awaited fight.
Reports suggest Fury’s team had already signed their portion of the agreement and were waiting for Joshua’s confirmation, which has now reportedly been completed, bringing the fight significantly closer.
Although the deal has been agreed in principle, the official date and venue for the Joshua vs Fury fight have not yet been announced. Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, and the United States remain the leading options, with Riyadh currently seen as the most likely destination due to its growing role in hosting major boxing events.
Promoter Eddie Hearn has also suggested the fight could take place in late 2026 and may be broadcast globally on major streaming platforms, including Netflix, potentially making it one of the most commercially significant boxing events ever staged.
Before facing Fury, Joshua will take on unbeaten Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga, who boasts 20 knockout wins from 21 fights. While not considered a top-tier opponent, the bout is seen as a necessary warm-up to prepare Joshua for the intensity of a heavyweight super-fight.
Boxing analysts say the long-awaited clash represents a historic moment for the sport, bringing together Joshua’s explosive power and technical precision against Fury’s movement, defensive skills, and ring intelligence. Fans around the world have waited nearly a decade for the fight, widely regarded as the biggest all-British heavyweight showdown of the modern era.
Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury Fight Deal Confirmed, Eddie Hearn Reveals
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