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Champions League: Yaya Touré becomes first African coach to reach league phase

Published

2 months ago

August 27, 2026

Champions League: Yaya Touré becomes first African coach to reach league phase

Ivory Coast football legend Yaya Touré has made history as the first African coach to lead a club into the UEFA Champions League league phase, after guiding Slovan Bratislava through a dramatic qualifying play-off against Slovenian champions Celje.

Touré achieved the landmark on Wednesday night when Slovan Bratislava defeated Celje 2-1 after extra time in the second leg of their Champions League play-off, securing a 3-2 aggregate victory and a place in the 2026/27 league phase.

The achievement is a remarkable start to Touré’s coaching career, coming during his first season as a senior club manager.

Slovan entered the second leg with the tie finely balanced after the two sides played out a 1-1 draw in the first meeting.

The Slovak champions made a bright start in the return fixture and took the lead in the 18th minute through captain Andraž Šporar, who produced a composed finish after receiving a long pass and lifting the ball over the advancing goalkeeper.

Celje responded before half-time when Svit Šešlar converted a penalty in the 34th minute to bring the hosts level.

Neither side could find the decisive goal during the remainder of normal time, sending the contest into extra time with a place in the Champions League league phase at stake.

Touré’s team eventually produced the breakthrough in the 100th minute.

Cristian Martínez became the match-winner when he found the net during extra time, giving Slovan a 2-1 lead on the night and a 3-2 aggregate advantage.

Celje could not find another response, allowing Slovan to celebrate a historic qualification.

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For Touré, the achievement is particularly significant because he only recently made the transition from coaching assistant to senior manager.

The former Manchester City and Barcelona midfielder was appointed Slovan Bratislava head coach in 2026, taking over his first senior managerial role after gaining experience as an assistant coach.

Before moving to Slovan, Touré worked in coaching roles at Standard Liège, with the Saudi Arabia national team and at Tottenham Hotspur, where he worked with the club’s youth setup.

His first major assignment as a head coach has now produced one of the biggest milestones achieved by an African manager in European club football.

Touré’s qualification also builds on the breakthrough achieved by Nigerian coach Ndubuisi Egbo.

Egbo became the first African coach to lead a club in the Champions League qualifying rounds when he guided KF Tirana of Albania through the opening stage of the competition in 2020.

Tirana defeated Dinamo Tbilisi under Egbo but failed to advance into the main phase of the competition.

Touré has now gone a step further by successfully guiding Slovan through the final qualifying hurdle and into the competition’s main league phase.

The distinction is important because the Champions League underwent a major structural change from the 2024/25 season, replacing the traditional group stage with a 36-team league phase.

Each club plays eight matches against eight different opponents, with the highest-ranked teams progressing directly to the round of 16 and others entering a play-off round for places in the knockout stage.

Slovan Bratislava’s qualification means Touré will now lead the club into the competition proper, where it will face some of the biggest teams in European football.

The club’s opponents will be determined by the Champions League league-phase draw.

Touré arrives at this stage of his coaching career with extensive experience of the competition as a player.

He won the UEFA Champions League with Barcelona in the 2008/09 season, as part of the side that completed a historic treble under Pep Guardiola.

During his time at Barcelona, Touré also won two La Liga titles before moving to Manchester City in 2010.

At City, the Ivorian became one of the most influential players in the club’s modern history, helping the team win three Premier League titles, among other major honours.

His performances during City’s rise to the top of English football established him as one of the finest midfielders of his generation.

At international level, Touré was equally influential for the Ivory Coast national team.

He won the Africa Cup of Nations in 2015, helping the Elephants secure their first continental title in more than two decades.

The former midfielder retired from professional football in 2020 before beginning his transition into coaching.

His progression from assistant roles to senior management has now culminated in a historic Champions League achievement.

The milestone is also significant for African football because African coaches have historically had fewer opportunities to manage clubs in Europe’s biggest competitions compared with their European counterparts.

Touré’s success with Slovan could therefore provide greater visibility for African coaches seeking opportunities at the highest levels of European football.

The achievement also comes amid an encouraging start to Slovan’s domestic campaign.

The Slovak champions have maintained a strong run under Touré, adding confidence to their European qualification campaign.

For Touré, however, the real test is only beginning.

Reaching the Champions League league phase guarantees Slovan a place among Europe’s elite clubs, but the team will now have to compete against opponents with considerably greater financial resources and experience.

The Ivorian manager will have the opportunity to demonstrate whether his early success can translate into sustained performances against Europe’s top sides.

Whatever happens in the league phase, Touré has already secured his place in African football history.

From winning the Champions League as a player with Barcelona to becoming the first African coach to guide a club into the competition’s league phase, the Ivorian has added another remarkable chapter to his European football story.

Champions League: Yaya Touré becomes first African coach to reach league phase

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Ronaldo Hits 980th Career Goal as Al-Nassr Win After Portugal Fallout

Published

1 day ago

October 10, 2026

Trends Admin

Cristiano Ronaldo

Ronaldo Hits 980th Career Goal as Al-Nassr Win After Portugal Fallout

Cristiano Ronaldo has moved closer to the historic 1,000-goal milestone after scoring for Al-Nassr in their 3-0 victory over Al-Diriyah in the Saudi Pro League, following a controversial fallout with Portugal’s national team coach, Jorge Jesus.

The 41-year-old Portuguese forward scored his 980th career goal on Friday, October 9, 2026, as Al-Nassr returned to domestic action with a convincing victory in Riyadh.

Ronaldo’s goal came midway through the first half when Al-Diriyah goalkeeper Waleed Abdullah parried a long-range effort from Kingsley Coman. Ronaldo reacted quickly to the rebound and finished from close range to give Al-Nassr the lead.

The goal brought the five-time Ballon d’Or winner 20 goals away from his publicly stated target of scoring 1,000 goals in official matches, further extending a remarkable career spanning club and international football.

Al-Nassr doubled their advantage shortly before half-time when Samu Costa headed home from a corner delivered by João Félix. Coman subsequently added the third goal with 13 minutes remaining to seal the 3-0 victory.

The result kept Al-Nassr level on points with Saudi Pro League leaders Al-Qadsiah after eight rounds, although they remained behind on goal difference. Al-Qadsiah had earlier strengthened their position with a 5-0 victory over Al-Kholood.

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Ronaldo also received support from Al-Nassr supporters, who displayed banners celebrating his achievements before the match. The Portuguese Football Federation’s acknowledgement of his goal on social media also attracted attention against the backdrop of the recent controversy surrounding his national team involvement.

The club performance offered a positive response from Ronaldo after an international break dominated by reports of a disagreement with Jesus over his role in Portugal’s squad.

The dispute followed Portugal’s 2-1 Nations League victory over Norway, during which Ronaldo was not introduced despite warming up. He was subsequently informed that he would not start against Denmark.

In a statement reported by Reuters on October 6, Ronaldo alleged that Jesus had broken his word on two occasions. According to the forward, they had initially agreed that he would miss the two matches to manage his fitness, but the coach later indicated that he would play for 30 minutes against Norway.

Ronaldo said a subsequent meeting involving Jesus and Al-Nassr sporting director Simão Coutinho produced an understanding about how the coach would explain the situation publicly. He alleged that Jesus failed to follow the agreed explanation.

Jesus disputed Ronaldo’s account, denying that such an agreement had been made.

Ronaldo later apologised for leaving Portugal’s training camp and for failing to acknowledge supporters after the Norway match. He also accepted that the Portuguese Football Federation could impose disciplinary measures over his conduct.

Despite the disagreement, Ronaldo insisted that he had not retired from international football and remained willing to represent Portugal after serving any punishment that might be imposed.

Portugal’s coach and federation president Pedro Proença have indicated that the forward remains welcome in the national team setup. The federation has also described the episode as a misunderstanding to be resolved internally.

Ronaldo remains Portugal’s all-time leading scorer, with 146 goals in 234 international appearances. His next steps with the national team will depend on the resolution of the dispute and any disciplinary decision by the federation.

For now, his return to club action has put the focus back on his scoring record and Al-Nassr’s league campaign. With 980 career goals, Ronaldo continues his pursuit of the 1,000-goal landmark while uncertainty remains over the timing of his next Portugal appearance.

Ronaldo Hits 980th Career Goal as Al-Nassr Win After Portugal Fallout

Sports

Fury-Joshua Showdown Sells Out in 60 Minutes as 500,000 Fans Queue for Tickets

Published

2 days ago

October 9, 2026

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British heavyweight stars Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury

Fury-Joshua Showdown Sells Out in 60 Minutes as 500,000 Fans Queue for Tickets

More than 80,000 tickets for the highly anticipated Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua heavyweight boxing showdown reportedly sold out within 60 minutes, as more than 500,000 fans queued online to secure seats for the long-awaited clash between the two British boxing stars.

The extraordinary demand highlights the global interest in the proposed December 2026 contest, which is expected to bring together two of Britain’s most recognisable heavyweight fighters.

The bout is scheduled to take place at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales, with the event expected to attract a global audience. The reported ticket prices range from £88.50 to £13,128, including booking fees for the most expensive seats.

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The rapid sell-out means many prospective spectators were unable to secure tickets, despite joining the online queue. The reported figures also underline the commercial appeal of a fight that boxing fans have anticipated for years.

Fury and Joshua, both former heavyweight world champions, have been linked to a potential showdown for more than a decade. However, negotiations and repeated delays have prevented the two fighters from meeting in a professional bout.

The proposed encounter is expected to draw significant international attention, with Netflix reported to be the global broadcaster. Organisers have also indicated that the timing of the event is intended to accommodate audiences in different parts of the world.

The fight is expected to be one of the major boxing attractions of 2026, provided the announced arrangements proceed as planned. Its ticket demand has already generated considerable interest, even before the fighters enter the ring.

For boxing supporters, the contest represents an opportunity to see two heavyweight rivals finally face each other in a professional bout after years of speculation and anticipation.

Fury-Joshua Showdown Sells Out in 60 Minutes as 500,000 Fans Queue for Tickets

Sports

Ronaldo Breaks Silence on Portugal Row as Pelé, Maradona Comparison Sparks Meme Frenzy

Published

3 days ago

October 9, 2026

Trends Admin

Cristiano Ronaldo

Ronaldo Breaks Silence on Portugal Row as Pelé, Maradona Comparison Sparks Meme Frenzy

Cristiano Ronaldo has sparked a wave of memes and heated debate among football fans after breaking his silence on his reported disagreement with Portugal coach Jorge Jesus, with a controversial reference to legends Pelé and Diego Maradona emerging as one of the most discussed aspects of the dispute.

The Al-Nassr forward’s statement sought to explain his departure from Portugal’s national team camp ahead of the side’s fixture against Denmark, following questions over his omission from the starting line-up in a previous match.

Ronaldo said the disagreement arose from an alleged agreement with Jesus concerning his playing time and the management of his fitness. He claimed the coach initially proposed that he sit out Portugal’s matches against Norway and Denmark but later indicated that he might feature against Norway.

According to Ronaldo, he warmed up during the match but was not introduced, despite expecting to play for a short period. He said the decision marked the beginning of a dispute over what both men had previously discussed.

Ronaldo further alleged that a subsequent meeting involving the coach and other officials produced an agreement on how the circumstances surrounding his omission would be explained publicly. He claimed that an eight-point statement was prepared to clarify his position and counter speculation about his attitude and commitment to the national team.

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The reported statement included a comparison between Ronaldo’s standing in football and that of Brazilian great Pelé and Argentine icon Diego Maradona. That reference became a major talking point online, with social media users sharing jokes and memes about the comparison, the length of Ronaldo’s statement and his reaction to being left on the bench.

However, the account of the private agreement came from Ronaldo, and the reported document should not be treated as an independently verified statement from Jesus.

The Portugal coach had pushed back against suggestions of a major crisis, maintaining that selection decisions applied to all players regardless of their reputation. His position left room for Ronaldo to return to the squad if he wished to continue representing his country.

Ronaldo also addressed his conduct following the match, apologising to supporters and teammates for his actions. He acknowledged that leaving the camp could have consequences and said any disciplinary decision should be left to the relevant football authorities.

Despite the controversy, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner ruled out retiring from international football. He said he remained committed to Portugal and would be available for selection, subject to his fitness, club performances and any suspension that might be imposed.

The incident has divided football fans. Some have defended Ronaldo’s demand for clarity over the reported agreement, while others have questioned his response to a coach’s selection decision. The Pelé and Maradona reference has further fuelled the discussion, turning a dispute over team selection into a wider debate about reputation, authority and expectations in elite football.

Ronaldo remains one of Portugal’s most recognisable sporting figures, and any disagreement involving the national team captain is likely to attract considerable attention. Whether the episode affects his relationship with Jesus will depend on how the two parties handle the dispute and whether the forward returns to the squad.

For now, the controversy continues to generate online reactions, with the reported agreement, Ronaldo’s explanation and the comparison with football’s legendary figures driving much of the discussion.

Ronaldo Breaks Silence on Portugal Row as Pelé, Maradona Comparison Sparks Meme Frenzy