Sports | Zambia Monitor

Cameroon edge South Africa 2-1 to set up AFCON quarter-final clash with host Morocco

Bumba Mulenga — Mon, 05 Jan 2026 06:09:15 +0000

Cameroon booked a quarter-final showdown with hosts Morocco at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after claiming a hard-fought 2–1 victory over South Africa in their Round of 16 encounter.

Goals from Junior Tchamadeu and Christian Kofane proved enough for the Indomitable Lions, who overcame a spirited Bafana Bafana side coached by their former manager, Hugo Broos.

South Africa started brightly, but it was Cameroon who struck first in the 34th minute through a fortuitous sequence.

BBC reports that after a corner was only partially cleared, Carlos Baleba’s effort ricocheted off Nkosinathi Sibisi and then Samuel Kotto before falling kindly to Tchamadeu, who finished from close range. The goal was eventually confirmed following a lengthy VAR review for offside.

Cameroon doubled their advantage shortly after the restart despite heavy rain. Just two minutes into the second half, Kofane met a precise left-wing cross from Mahamadou Nagida, glancing a near-post header beyond goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.

South Africa responded with renewed urgency, forcing Cameroon goalkeeper Devis Epassy into two fine saves, while Kofane narrowly missed out on a second goal after latching onto a long pass from Bryan Mbeumo.

The match took on a dramatic edge late on when Evidence Makgopa pulled one back for South Africa, tapping in from close range with two minutes of regulation time remaining. However, Cameroon held their nerve in a tense finale to secure progression.

The victory sets up a mouth-watering quarter-final clash against tournament hosts Morocco, who earlier edged Tanzania 1–0. The encounter is scheduled for Friday evening in Rabat.

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Fernandez scores late as Chelsea hold Man City in Premier League 1-1 draw

Maimbolwa Mulikelela — Mon, 05 Jan 2026 05:59:52 +0000

Enzo Fernandez scored a stoppage-time equaliser as Chelsea ended a turbulent week by securing a deserved Premier League point against title-chasing Manchester City.

Chelsea were led by Calum McFarlane, usually the club’s under-21s coach, who took interim charge of the first team following the departure of Enzo Maresca on Thursday.

According to the BBC, McFarlane’s side frustrated City for long periods, showing resilience after falling behind, before Argentine midfielder Fernandez poked in at the third attempt to rescue a draw late on.

Manchester City had appeared on course for victory after Tijjani Reijnders’ first-half strike, but a second successive draw leaves them six points adrift of league leaders Arsenal.

City dominated possession and eventually broke through just before half-time. Reijnders collected a loose ball on the edge of the penalty area, skipped past Benoit Badiashile and drilled a low finish inside the near left post.

Chelsea had earlier survived sustained pressure, with goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen producing a fine recovery save in the 37th minute to tip Erling Haaland’s deflected effort wide. Moments later, the Norwegian striker struck the post as City pressed for an opener.

Chelsea began the second half with renewed intent. Pedro Neto missed a clear chance from eight yards, while substitute Liam Delap, facing his former club, fired straight at Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Fernandez’s late equaliser sparked celebrations among the travelling Chelsea supporters, capping a disciplined performance that earned the visitors a valuable point at the Etihad.

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Reed’s 97th-minute screamer earns Fulham dramatic 2-2 draw against Liverpool

Maimbolwa Mulikelela — Sun, 04 Jan 2026 19:24:16 +0000

Harrison Reed’s stunning 97th-minute strike denied Liverpool victory just moments after Cody Gakpo appeared to have won the game, as Fulham held the champions to a dramatic 2-2 Premier League draw.

Gakpo sparked wild celebrations among the travelling supporters when he bundled in Jeremie Frimpong’s cross in the 94th minute, seemingly sealing all three points for Liverpool.

However, substitute Reed responded almost immediately, rifling an unstoppable, swerving effort into the top corner to snatch a point for Fulham.

In a match reported by The Independent, the late drama followed an evenly contested match in which Florian Wirtz had earlier cancelled out Harry Wilson’s first-half opener.

Both goals were awarded following VAR offside checks, with Wirtz’s strike requiring a lengthy review before being confirmed.

Liverpool were dealt a setback before kick-off after Hugo Ekitike was ruled out with a slight hamstring injury, leaving head coach Arne Slot without a recognised striker.

Despite remaining unbeaten in eight matches, Liverpool will rue the dropped points, which could prove costly ahead of Thursday’s trip to league leaders Arsenal.

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Diaz strike against Tanzania sends Morocco into AFCON 2025 quarter-finals

Bumba Mulenga — Sun, 04 Jan 2026 18:43:32 +0000

Morocco secured a place in the quarter-finals of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2025 after edging Tanzania 1–0 in a tightly contested Round of 16 encounter in Rabat on Sunday.

Brahim Diaz proved the difference with a decisive second-half goal as the Atlas Lions overcame stubborn resistance from a disciplined Tanzanian side determined to prolong their fairytale run at the tournament, according to Cafonline.

The hosts dominated possession from the outset, with Achraf Hakimi captaining Morocco for the first time at this year’s finals, but clear-cut chances were limited by Tanzania’s compact defensive shape.

Despite sustained pressure, Morocco struggled to break through a well-drilled back line in the opening half.

Morocco thought they had taken the lead in the 24th minute when Ismail Saibari tapped in from close range, only for the goal to be chalked off following a VAR review for offside, leaving the score level at the interval.

Walid Regragui’s men returned with renewed intensity after the break.

Diaz was immediately influential, while Bilal El Khannouss went close early in the second half as Morocco increased the tempo.

Tanzania nearly shocked the home crowd in the 56th minute when Feisal Toto found space in the box but fired over the bar, missing a golden opportunity against the run of play.

The breakthrough finally arrived in the 63rd minute when Diaz showcased his quality, cutting inside and finishing from a tight angle to send the Prince Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex into raptures.

It was his fourth goal of the tournament, moving him clear at the top of the scorers’ chart.

Morocco continued to press for a second goal but were unable to extend their advantage. Tanzania remained competitive until the final whistle, yet the Atlas Lions held firm to seal a hard-fought victory.

The win sees Morocco advance to the quarter-finals, where they will face the winner of the Round of 16 clash between South Africa and Cameroon at the Stade Al Madina in Rabat.

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Premiership: Leeds, Man Utd settle for draw in scrappy Elland road contest

Maimbolwa Mulikelela — Sun, 04 Jan 2026 15:37:02 +0000

Leeds United and Manchester United shared the points after a 1–1 draw in a hard-fought and often scrappy Premier League encounter at Elland Road.

Leeds will feel they missed an opportunity to claim all three points after creating several promising situations late in the game but repeatedly failing to make the right decision in the final third. In the closing minutes, Nmecha, Piroe, Calvert-Lewin and Gnonto all had chances to pick out runners but chose the wrong pass or hesitated, allowing United to escape.

Manchester United, who levelled earlier through Cunha, looked the more dangerous side after the equaliser.

According to the Telegraph, Cunha was the standout performer, consistently troubling Leeds whenever he received the ball in advanced areas and coming close to winning it when his curling effort clipped the outside of the post from 20 yards.

Leeds had moments of pressure, particularly from set-pieces, with Piroe seeing a late effort blocked amid head-tennis in the box, while another left-footed shot from the edge of the area narrowly cleared the bar.

However, their attacking rhythm faded as the game wore on.
United had chances of their own to snatch victory.

The closing stages descended into a physical, broken contest, with United content to manage possession and Leeds struggling to sustain their press.

In the end, the draw felt a fair reflection of a match short on quality but high on intensity. Leeds will rue missed opportunities, while United will be satisfied to leave with a point that leaves them 18 points clear of the relegation zone.

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Anthony Joshua returns to UK after fatal Nigeria crash

Bumba Mulenga — Sun, 04 Jan 2026 11:26:32 +0000

Former world heavyweight boxing champion, Anthony Joshua, has reportedly returned to the United Kingdom following a fatal road accident in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two of his close associates.

The crash occurred on Monday on a major highway near Lagos when a vehicle carrying Joshua, his strength and conditioning Coach, Sina Ghami, and trainer Latif “Latz” Ayodele collided with a stationary truck.

Ghami and Ayodele died as a result of the accident.

A report by Aljazeera shows that Joshua sustained minor injuries and was taken to hospital, where he was treated and later discharged on Wednesday after doctors confirmed he was clinically fit to continue recuperating at home.

British media reported on Saturday that the two-time heavyweight champion had flown back to the UK ahead of the funerals of Ghami and Ayodele.

Meanwhile, Nigerian police have charged the driver of the vehicle, 46-year-old Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, with dangerous driving causing death.

Kayode is expected to appear in court on January 20.

Joshua, the 2012 Olympic gold medallist, was in Nigeria on holiday.
He has strong family ties to the country and had travelled there following his victory over Jake Paul in Miami on December 19.

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Senegal end Sudan fairytale with 3–1 AFCON comeback win

AUGUSTINE SICHULA — Sun, 04 Jan 2026 07:05:22 +0000

Pape Gueye scored twice as Senegal came from behind to beat Sudan 3–1 at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), bringing to an end their opponents’ stirring run played out against the backdrop of Sudan’s ongoing civil war.

Aamir Abdallah’s stunning sixth-minute opener, curled across the diving Edouard Mendy, briefly allowed Sudanese fans to dream of a famous upset in Tangier.

Mendy was then forced into an excellent low save to his right from Mohamed Eisa’s angled effort midway through the first half before Senegal, driven on by the incessant drumming of their supporters, gradually began to assert themselves.

The BBC reports that Nicolas Jackson should have scored just before the half-hour mark, but his close-range effort was well blocked by goalkeeper Monged Elneel.

Seconds later, however, Gueye stroked home his first goal from 18 yards.

The Villarreal midfielder, who repeatedly found space on the edge of Sudan’s penalty area, struck again in first-half stoppage time, side-footing high past Elneel from 16 yards.

Mendy produced another fine save early in the second half to deny impressive right-back Sheddy Barglan, but from then on the Teranga Lions kept their determined opponents at arm’s length.

Paris Saint-Germain teenager Ibrahim Mbaye raced clear in the 77th minute to add a third goal and later sent a header over the bar.

Senegal will remain in Tangier for a quarter-final clash next Friday against Mali, who eliminated Tunisia on penalties in Saturday’s late game.

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Ten-man Mali edge Tunisia on penalties to reach AFCON quarter-finals

AUGUSTINE SICHULA — Sun, 04 Jan 2026 07:03:55 +0000

Ten-man Mali rode their luck to beat Tunisia 3–2 on penalties and reach the quarter-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

El Bilal Touré netted the decisive spot-kick after Ali Abdi blazed over the bar, while Eagles goalkeeper Djigui Diarra saved Tunisia’s fourth and fifth penalties from Elias Achouri and Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane.

After a match that contained little action until the closing stages, the shootout was full of drama as Mali captain Yves Bissouma fired over and team-mate Nene Dorgeles struck the post, reports the BBC.

The West Africans played with a numerical disadvantage for more than 90 minutes after Woyo Coulibaly was shown a straight red card for catching Hannibal Mejbri on the Achilles with his studs.

Tunisia went ahead with two minutes of regulation time remaining when Firas Chaouat’s header crept inside the right-hand post. However, Mali were awarded a stoppage-time penalty after Yassine Meriah was penalised for handball.

Lassine Sinayoko’s low spot-kick had just enough power to beat Carthage Eagles goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen—who got a hand to the ball—and force the match into extra time.

Chaouat thought he had doubled Tunisia’s lead early in the second period of extra time, but the effort was ruled out for offside against team-mate Abdi. The game eventually drifted towards a penalty shootout.

Mali will now travel north to Tangier to face 2021 champions Senegal, who beat Sudan earlier, in the last eight on Friday.

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Heavy weight boxer, Joshua’s driver charged after fatal Nigeria crash kills two team members

Bumba Mulenga — Sat, 03 Jan 2026 11:54:41 +0000

The driver of former heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua has been charged following a fatal road traffic accident in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two members of the boxer’s team and left Joshua injured.

Police have confirmed that Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, 46, was arraigned on Friday before the Sagamu Magistrates’ Court in Ogun State. He is facing multiple charges, including causing death by dangerous driving.

The crash occurred on Monday along the busy Lagos–Ibadan expressway when a Lexus SUV carrying Joshua and his entourage collided with a stationary truck near Sagamu, close to Lagos.

Joshua’s personal trainer, Latif Ayodele, and strength and conditioning coach, Sina Ghami, were pronounced dead at the scene, according to BBC.

Joshua, 36, who was a passenger in the vehicle, sustained injuries and was rushed to hospital. He was later discharged on Wednesday after receiving medical attention.

Police sources told the BBC that prosecutors had brought four charges against Mr Kayode: causing death by dangerous driving, reckless and negligent driving, driving without due care and attention, and driving without a valid driver’s licence.

The court granted the defendant bail in the sum of five million naira (about £2,578), and he has been remanded in custody pending the fulfilment of his bail conditions.

The matter has been adjourned to January 20.

Images circulating after the crash showed Joshua being assisted from the wreckage as emergency services responded to the scene.

The incident has sent shockwaves through the boxing world, with tributes continuing to pour in for Ayodele and Ghami, both of whom were regarded as key figures in Joshua’s career.

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Gabon’s government suspends national team after ‘disgraceful’ AFCON, bans Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

AUGUSTINE SICHULA — Thu, 01 Jan 2026 18:42:41 +0000

Gabon’s national team has been suspended by the government until further notice after they were eliminated from the group stage of the Africa Cup of Nations.

Marseille striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Gabon’s captain Bruno Ecuele Manga have been banned from selection while the coaching staff have been dissolved.

The Athletic reports that Gabon finished bottom of Group F after losing all of their games at AFCON. They were beating Ivory Coast 2-0 in their final fixture but then collapsed.

Jean-Phillippe Krasso’s 44th minute strike and goals in the last 10 minutes from Evan Guessand and Bazoumana Traore secured Ivory Coast victory.

After being eliminated from the tournament, the Gabonese government released a statement, read aloud on national television, calling the team’s performance “disgraceful” and said Aubameyang and Ecuele Manga have been “excluded” from representing them.

Ecuele Manga is the country’s most capped player (105) while Aubameyang is their leading goalscorer (41).

Ecuele Manga started their first two games at AFCON but was dropped against Ivory Coast. Aubameyang scored in their 3-2 defeat to Mozambique but was left out of their squad for Ivory Coast due to a thigh issue.

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Gabon’s head coach Thierry Mayouma, who made over 30 appearances for them during his playing career, will leave his role after the government decided to “dissolve the technical staff”.

The full statement said: “Given the Panthers’ disgraceful performance at the Total Energies Morocco 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, and considering the multifaceted effects that are diametrically opposed to the values of ethics and exemplarity advocated by the Fifth Republic, the Government has decided: to dissolve the technical staff; to suspend the national team until further notice; to remove players Bruno Ecuele Manga and Pierre Emerick Aubameyang from the team.

“Furthermore, the Government calls on the Gabonese Football Federation to assume all its responsibilities.”

In November, Gabon failed to qualify for this summer’s World Cup after they lost to Nigeria in a one-legged play-off semi-final. Gabon won eight of their 10 World Cup qualifiers but finished a point behind group leaders Ivory Coast.

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