FOOTBALL - The African Mirror

Dec

17

2023

Squad size at next Africa Cup of Nations finals will be 27 per team

AFCON 2023

TEAMS at next month's Africa Cup of Nations finals will be able to select 27 players for the tournament in the Ivory Coast, the Confederation of African Football said. It is a cut of one player from the last finals in Cameroon in 2022 where countries were allowed a 28-man squad. The numbers that year were increased from 23 at previous tournaments because of the COVID-19 pandemic. CAF said only 23 of the 27 players could be selected for each match at the finals, which kick off on Jan. 13. Africa’s decision contrasts with that of European soccer’s governing body…

Dec

17

2023

By The African Mirror

Luton’s Lockyer collapses on pitch, match v Bournemouth abandoned

FOOTBALL

THE Premier League match between Bournemouth and visitors Luton Town was abandoned in the 65th minute after Luton captain Tom Lockyer collapsed on the pitch. The score was 1-1 when the 29-year-old fell to the ground with no other player near him, and players and Luton manager Rob Edwards reacted immediately to get medical attention. Lockyer was carried off on a stretcher to applause from the crowd after the players had left the field, and the stadium announcer later informed the crowd that the match had been abandoned. "All our thoughts are with Tom Lockyer at this time," Luton posted…

Dec

16

2023

By The African Mirror

Cameroon’s Mbeumo to miss Africa Cup of Nations after ankle surgery

AFCON 2023

BRENTFORD forward Bryan Mbeumo will be sidelined for three months and miss the Africa Cup of Nations for Cameroon after having an operation on his ankle, the Premier League club's manager Thomas Frank said. Mbeumo had stepped up in the absence of banned striker Ivan Toney to top the scoring charts for Brentford with seven goals and three assists in the league this season. But the Cameroon international limped off the pitch after rolling his ankle against Brighton & Hove Albion earlier this month, adding to a long list of injuries at Brentford. "(Mbeumo) will not participate in the Africa…

Dec

16

2023

By The African Mirror

Nkunku set for Chelsea debut against Sheffield United

FOOTBALL

FRENCH forward Christopher Nkunku will be a part of Chelsea's squad for the first time this season when they face Sheffield United this weekend, manager Mauricio Pochettino said. Nkunku signed from RB Leipzig in July but required surgery on a knee injury he suffered in pre-season. "Yes, he can be involved. That is very good news," Pochettino told a press conference. "To be involved tomorrow and be in the squad and to feel the competition after the pre-season is good news for us. We need to be calm and quiet so not to put all the pressure on him. Now…

Dec

15

2023

By The African Mirror

Messi, Mbappe, Haaland finalists for FIFA Best Men’s Player award

FOOTBALL

LIONEL Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland are the three finalists for the FIFA 2023 Best Men's Player award, world soccer's governing body said. Norwegian Haaland helped Manchester City win three major trophies, the Champions League, English Premier League and FA Cup last season. Messi secured the award in 2022 after guiding Argentina to a World Cup victory. Following that success, he clinched the Ligue 1 title with Paris St Germain alongside Mbappe before moving to the Major League Soccer team Inter Miami. The women's best player shortlist includes two 2023 World Cup champions, Aitana Bonmati and Jennifer Hermoso from…

Dec

15

2023

By The African Mirror

Bullet point previews of Premier League matches

FOOTBALL

MATCH-BY-MATCH facts and statistics ahead of the next round of Premier League fixtures from December 15-17 (all times GMT): Friday, December 15 Nottingham Forest v Tottenham Hotspur (2000) * Forest have one win in their last 12 league matches (D5 L6) * Spurs forward Son Heung-min has two goals and three assists in his last three games. * Tottenham still have eight players sidelined with injuries, including James Maddison and Micky van de Ven. Saturday, December 16 Newcastle United v Fulham (1500) * Fulham have scored 16 goals in their last four matches, netting at least three times in each…

Dec

15

2023

By The African Mirror

Clubs spent record $888 million in agent service fees in 2023 – FIFA

FOOTBALL

SOCCER clubs paid a record $888.1 million in agent service fees in 2023, an increase of 42.5% on the previous year, world governing body FIFA said in its annual "Football Agents in International Transfers" report. The previous record was in 2019 when worldwide spending on commissions to agents involved in the international transfer of players was $654.7 million. The 2022 amount was $623.2 million. English clubs were the biggest spenders by far this year with a total outlay of more than $280 million, while 86.6% of the worldwide expenditure came from European clubs, FIFA added. Saudi Arabian clubs went on…

Dec

13

2023

By The African Mirror

Nigeria striker Osimhen crowned African Footballer of the Year

FOOTBALL

NIGERIA striker Victor Osimhen has been named African Footballer of the Year after beating Mohamed Salah to the award at a ceremony in Marrakech, with compatriot Asisat Oshoala winning the top prize in the women’s category. Osimhen, 24, scored 26 goals as he helped Napoli to a surprise triumph in Serie A last season and was the leading marksman in Italy’s top division. Egypt's Liverpool forward Salah and Morocco's Paris St Germain right-back Achraf Hakimi were the other two final nominees but Osimhen claimed the prize to become the first Nigerian winner since Nwankwo Kanu in 1999. "It is a…

Dec

14

2023

By The African Mirror

Only bleak reality in Theatre of Dreams as Man Utd hit new low

FOOTBALL

FAR from being the Theatre of Dreams, Old Trafford provided a horribly bleak dose of reality for Manchester United fans as they went out of Europe with a whimper. A season in which United have already lost half of their 24 matches in all competitions plumbed new depths as they slumped to a 1-0 loss at home to a Bayern Munich side in third gear. It condemned Erik ten Hag's side to bottom place in their group with just four points -- their lowest total in the Champions League group stage -- while the 15 goals they conceded in six…

Dec

13

2023

By The African Mirror

Messi v Ronaldo – Inter Miami to take on Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia

FOOTBALL

LIONEL Messi's Inter Miami will play two matches in Saudi Arabia early next year including one against familiar foe Cristiano Ronaldo and his club Al-Nassr, the Major League Soccer team said. The Riyadh Season Cup, a three-team round-robin tournament, is part of the team's first international tour, which will also include stops in El Salvador and Hong Kong. Miami is set to take on Al-Hilal at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh on Jan. 29 before facing Al-Nassr at the same venue on Feb. 1. "This is another major opportunity to create lasting relationships with passionate fans," Inter Miami chief business…