Paul Pogba in talks with Marseille over Jan transfer
Former Manchester United midfielder, Paul Pogba is reportedly in advanced talks to join Marseille in January after seeing his four-year suspension reduced to 18 months.
The French midfielder is on the verge of becoming a free agent after reaching an agreement to terminate his contract with Juventus.
According to Daily Express, Pogba has been in discussion with the Ligue 1 side for several weeks now. A deal appears imminent as Pogba awaits the green light to resume training early in the New Year.
The paper writes: “Paul Pogba could be set for a reunion with his former Manchester United team-mate Mason Greenwood, with the French midfielder reportedly in advanced talks to join Marseille.
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“The 31-year-old had been suspended from all football activities for four years after testing positive for dehydroepiandrosterone but saw his provisional ban reduced to 18 months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The Juventus man is now allowed to return to the sport in March.
“However, Pogba’s time at the Serie A giants is thought to be over. He has missed the past 14 months due to the ban and various reports claim that it is unlikely he will continue his career with Juventus under new boss Thiago Motta.
“And Ivorian outlet NCI claims that Pogba is already in extensive talks with Marseille, with the expectation that he will agree to a contract termination with Juventus. He is available to train in January and is likely to sign for a new club during the winter transfer window.”Pogba’s career has been mired by scandal following the doping scandal that led to a four-year ban handed down in February.
The initial four-year suspension was reduced to just 18 months after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) found that Pogba hadn’t intentionally ingested the banned substance DHEA.
Although Pogba won’t be eligible to compete until March 2025, he is expected to leave Juventus soon and could finalize his switch to Marseille in January.
Super Eagles seal AFCON 2025 spot, draw 1-1 against Benin
Victor Osimhen’s late header helped the Super Eagles of Nigeria secure a 1-1 draw against Benin Republic in Abidjan, clinching their qualification for the 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Benin, playing their matches in Côte d’Ivoire, took an early lead in the 16th minute when Mohammed Tijani headed in a short corner.
The goal followed a period of sustained pressure from the Beninoise side on the Nigerian defence.
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Benin nearly doubled their advantage shortly afterwards, but goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali made a crucial save to keep Nigeria in the game.
Osimhen threatened as the first half progressed, with a powerful header that narrowly missed the target.
In the second half, Benin came close again, but a shot veered inches wide of the right post, sparing the Eagles further trouble.
With nine minutes remaining, Osimhen rose to the occasion, connecting with a precise cross from Moses Simon to level the score at 1-1.
With this result, the Super Eagles top Group D with 11 points from five matches, while Benin hold second place with seven points.
BREAKING: Super Eagles qualify for AFCON 2025
The Super Eagles of Nigeria have secured their qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, following Libya’s 1-0 victory over Rwanda in Kigali.
This result leaves Rwanda with five points from five matches, rendering them unable to surpass Nigeria in the standings, even if they win their upcoming match against the Super Eagles in Uyo.
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Currently, Nigeria leads Group D with 10 points, followed by Benin with six points, Rwanda with five, and Libya at the bottom with four points.
Benin remains in contention for the second qualification spot and will face Nigeria in a crucial match tonight.
Libya is set to host Benin in the final Group D game on Monday.
Mike Tyson back in ring to face Youtuber Paul
Nearly 40 years after making his professional debut, and 19 years after being battered into retirement, a 58-year-old Mike Tyson will climb back into the ring on Friday for a Netflix-backed bout that has drawn widespread condemnation across the boxing world.
Tyson, who terrorised the heavyweight division during an imperious reign in the late 1980s, is lacing up the gloves once more to take on Youtuber Jake Paul, 27, in an officially sanctioned fight at AT&T Stadium, the home of the Dallas Cowboys, in Arlington, Texas.
The fight, which will be comprised of eight two-minute rounds, was initially due to take place in July but was postponed in May after Tyson required medical treatment on a flight from Miami to Los Angeles after vomiting blood due to a bleeding ulcer.
That gory mid-air emergency has provided another piece of ammunition for the numerous critics who have condemned Friday’s contest as a macabre circus act that poses an unacceptable level of risk for Tyson, who last graced a professional ring in 2005, when he was beaten via a technical knockout after quitting on his stool against Irish journeyman Kevin McBride.
“Twenty years ago, Mike Tyson retired from boxing, and was shot to pieces, right? I mean, completely shot,” the prominent British fight promoter Eddie Hearn said this week.
“If anyone thinks that Mike Tyson should be in a ring at this age, you either have absolutely no emotional feelings toward the man, or you’re an idiot. It shouldn’t be happening.”
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Hearn’s rival promoter Frank Warren echoed those sentiments.
“Mike Tyson is 58 years of age and he shouldn’t be fighting,” Warren said after the bout was announced. “It’s as simple as that.
“Anyone with an ounce of brains knows that it is ridiculous. You can be on a motorway stuck in a traffic jam and you get to the end of it and all it is is people who have stopped to look at a crash — and that’s what this is.”
Tyson, who US reports say is being paid around $20 million for Friday’s contest, has brushed off the concerns for his wellbeing, insisting when critics from the boxing world are motivated by jealousy.
“I’m beautiful, that’s all I can say,” he said earlier this year. “The people who said that wish they were up here. No-one else can do this.”
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