Sports
Morocco Starts Africa Cup of Nations Campaign with 2-0 Win Over Comoros
Morocco Starts Africa Cup of Nations Campaign with 2-0 Win Over Comoros
Brahim Diaz and Ayoub El Kaabi score as Atlas Lions extend record-winning run
Morocco got their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 campaign off to a winning start by defeating Comoros 2-0 in the tournament opener at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on Sunday.
The victory saw Brahim Diaz open the scoring 10 minutes after the interval, following a frustrating first half in which Soufiane Rahimi had a penalty saved by Comoros goalkeeper Yannick Pandor. Substitute Ayoub El Kaabi then sealed the win with a spectacular overhead bicycle kick, thrilling the crowd of 60,180, which included Crown Prince Moulay Hassan and FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
Morocco, ranked 11th in the FIFA world rankings, extended their world-record winning streak to 19 consecutive matches, despite watching key players like captain Achraf Hakimi remain on the bench due to injury. Veteran defender Romain Saiss also went off injured early in the match.
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Comoros, the Indian Ocean archipelago, ranked 108th globally, resisted Morocco’s attacks in the first half, but eventually succumbed after Diaz converted a cross from Noussair Mazraoui. El Kaabi’s brilliant finish off a delivery from Anass Salah-Eddine doubled the lead, confirming the Atlas Lions’ dominance.
Morocco now turns their attention to a Group A clash against Mali on Friday, following Mali’s opening game against Zambia in Casablanca on Monday. Other fixtures in the tournament include South Africa vs Angola in Marrakesh and Egypt vs Zimbabwe in Agadir, as record seven-time champions Egypt seek their first title since 2010.
The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations runs across two calendar years for the first time, culminating in the final on January 18 in Rabat.
Morocco Starts Africa Cup of Nations Campaign with 2-0 Win Over Comoros
metro
Two Dead as Anthony Joshua Survives Ogun Expressway Crash
Two Dead as Anthony Joshua Survives Ogun Expressway Crash
World heavyweight boxing star Anthony Joshua was on Monday involved in a fatal road accident in Ogun State, resulting in the deaths of two persons.
The accident occurred in the Makun area of Ogun State, along the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, a major traffic corridor linking the South-West to other parts of the country.
Eyewitnesses said Joshua was travelling in a Lexus Jeep with registration number KRD 850 HN when the vehicle reportedly rammed into a stationary truck. The exact cause of the collision has not yet been established.
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A rescuer, Adeniyi Orojo, who participated in the emergency response, confirmed that Anthony Joshua sustained injuries in the crash. He added that two occupants of the vehicle died instantly at the scene.
According to Orojo, the accident occurred shortly before Danco Filling Station, in Makun, near the Sagamu Interchange, on the Ibadan-bound lane of the expressway.
In the aftermath of the incident, concerned fans flooded social media with messages expressing worry over the boxer’s condition, while security agencies and traffic officials have launched investigations into the crash.
Attempts to reach the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE) Commandant, Akinbiyi Babatunde, for official comments were unsuccessful as calls to his phone were not answered as of the time of filing this report.
Two Dead as Anthony Joshua Survives Ogun Expressway Crash
Sports
Anthony Joshua injured as two die in fatal Lagos-Ibadan Expressway crash (plus photos)
Anthony Joshua injured as two die in fatal Lagos-Ibadan Expressway crash (plus photos)

World-renowned British-Nigerian boxing star, Anthony Joshua, was on Monday involved in a tragic road accident on the ever-busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, a highway notorious for frequent crashes due to heavy traffic, speeding and poor driving culture.
The accident occurred around Makun area of Ogun State, according to eyewitness accounts, when Joshua’s vehicle collided with another car under circumstances that are still being investigated by security and traffic authorities.
Eyewitnesses at the scene said the former heavyweight world champion sustained minor injuries and was promptly attended to, while two occupants of the other vehicle reportedly lost their lives instantly as a result of the impact. Their identities were yet to be officially confirmed as of press time.
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The Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria’s busiest road corridor linking the commercial capital to the South-West and other parts of the country, has recorded numerous fatal accidents in recent years, despite ongoing reconstruction efforts by the Federal Government.
Joshua, one of Nigeria’s most celebrated sports figures globally, commands a massive following both at home and abroad. News of the accident sparked concern among fans, while also reigniting public debate on road safety and emergency response on major highways.
Authorities were said to have commenced investigations into the crash, while traffic was temporarily disrupted at the scene.
The incident was first reported by The Punch.
Anthony Joshua injured as two die in fatal Lagos-Ibadan Expressway crash (plus photos)
Sports
Cristiano Ronaldo Wins Best Middle East Player at 2025 Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai
Cristiano Ronaldo Wins Best Middle East Player at 2025 Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai
Portuguese football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has been named Best Middle East Player at the 16th edition of the Globe Soccer Awards, held on Sunday in Dubai.
The 40-year-old Al-Nassr forward triumphed over fellow nominees Karim Benzema, Riyad Mahrez, and Salem Al-Dawsari in a fan-voted category recognizing top performers in the region’s football leagues.
Football journalist Fabrizio Romano confirmed the award on X, writing: “Cristiano Ronaldo wins Best Middle East Player Award at Globe Soccer 2025.”
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This marks Ronaldo’s second consecutive win in the category, following his 2024 success, highlighting his dominance in the Saudi Pro League since joining Al-Nassr in 2023.
Ronaldo’s 2025 campaign has been remarkable, netting 40 goals since his February birthday—a remarkable feat for a player in his fifth decade.
The Globe Soccer Awards, held annually in Dubai since 2010, honor excellence across all areas of football, including players, coaches, clubs, and sporting directors.
Other notable winners at the 2025 edition included PSG, named Best Men’s Club after winning the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, Ligue 1, and Coupe de France. Individual awards went to Luis Enrique (Best Coach), Vitinha (Best Midfielder), Désiré Doué (Emerging Player), and Luis Campos (Best Sporting Director).
Cristiano Ronaldo Wins Best Middle East Player at 2025 Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai
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