oleh admin | Mar 27, 2025 | africa, football players, politics, soccer, sports
Mohamed Salah and Achraf Hakimi, prominent figures in African football, seem poised to compete in the 2026 World Cup, with both Egypt and Morocco holding strong advantages in their respective qualification groups.
Nevertheless, current CAF Footballer of the Year Ademola Lookman and his compatriot Nigerian Victor Osimhen are battling to secure their places in the upcoming 48-nation worldwide tournament.
Drawing inspiration from Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi, Morocco leads Group E with a nine-point advantage over Niger, which is the largest gap within the nine groups.
The Liverpool player Salah has netted six goals in six qualifying matches, leading Egypt to secure the top spot in Group A, ahead of Burkina Faso by five points.
As the competition continues with four more rounds scheduled for September and October, dramatic upsets would be required to prevent Egypt and Morocco from securing one of the automatic berths as part of the nine African teams qualifying for the event in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The nine teams that finish first in their groups have secured their spots, while the victors from a smaller competition among the top-four second-place teams will compete for additional final berths through cross-continent playoff matches.
Nigeria ranks fourth in Group C after securing victory in just one out of their six games.
AFP Sports examines every group as the battle for qualification heats up.
Group A
Salah and Mahmoud Trezeghet have accounted for 11 out of 14 goals as Egypt appears poised to secure their third qualification. The nation was invited to participate in the 1934 World Cup, later securing spots in both the 1990 and 2018 championships.
Compared to their performance in World Cup qualifiers, Egypt has had more success in AFCON qualifying rounds, having won the Africa Cup of Nations a record seven times.
Group B
The leaders from the Democratic Republic of Congo, runner-up Senegal, and third-place Sudan are locked in a tight competition for first place, with only one point distinguishing their positions.
The Congolese are yet to face their two opponents. In the meantime, this situation might put Sudan at a disadvantage; being from a nation devastated by civil war, having three out of four matches played away from home presents significant challenges.
Group C
If South Africa is penalized by FIFA for playing ineligible player Teboho Mokoena during their recent victory against Lesotho, their current five-point advantage might be reduced to merely one point.
As South Africa contemplates the potential shift from a 2-0 win to a 3-0 defeat, they maintain that Lesotho failed to submit their formal complaint within the required 24 hours after the match.
Group D
Cape Verde leads Cameroon by just one point, with Cameroon set to travel to Praia in September.
Should the unexpected team referred to as the Blue Sharks manage to secure victory against Mauritius, followed by defeating the eight-time World Cup qualifying veterans Cameroon on their home turf, they would position themselves for a groundbreaking first appearance in history.
Group E
The timing of Morocco’s qualification seems more uncertain than whether they will qualify at all, as the North African nation’s representatives exhibit far superior skill compared to their competitors from Niger, Tanzania, and Zambia.
If Congo’s suspension for governmental intervention turns into disqualification, Morocco only needs one point from their next two games. However, should Congo be reinstated, Morocco would require four points from their remaining three matches.
Group F
A single point separates African champions Ivory Coast from Gabon, led by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, in their competition to top the group; they will face each other in September in Franceville.
The nation that comes in second place is expected to have another opportunity to secure qualification by ranking within the top four of the secondary positions.
Group G
Apart from a single setback—a defeat at home against Guinea—Algeria has thrived under the guidance of their Bosnian coach, Vladimir Petkovic.
So far, Mozambique has been the standout team among the also-rans and they remain in contention for one of the four playoff spots.
Group H
It’s difficult to picture Tunisia failing to secure first place and qualify for the seventh time, yet all eyes are on fourth-ranked Equatorial Guinea.
After FIFA overturned the ban on their key striker Emilio Nsue, the Equatorial Guinean team is pushing for the reinstatement of the six points they lost due to victories against Namibia and Liberia. This adjustment would elevate them to the second position.
Group I
Ghana bounced back from their surprising elimination for the 2025 AFCON by securing victories in five qualifier matches, which has put them ahead of Comoros with a three-point advantage.
The top-seeded Mali team showed significant improvement under the guidance of their Belgian coach, Tom Saintfiet. However, they unexpectedly drew with the Central African Republic recently, placing them six points behind.
Provided by Syndigate Media Inc. (
Syndigate.info
).
oleh admin | Mar 27, 2025 | football clubs, football players, soccer, soccer player transfers, sports
The top teams in La Liga have consistently possessed many of the most renowned figures in global soccer, while the standard of play within the league ranks among the finest worldwide.
Several of their top players have come from different regions, with numerous global superstars following the path from the Premier League to La Liga.
Reports indicate that Trent Alexander-Arnold might be the next player to make the move from Liverpool to Real Madrid. In light of this news, we’ve examined the 10 most expensive players who previously made similar transfers to La Liga and analyzed their performances.
10. Conor Gallagher
In his final season at Chelsea, Gallagher appeared to be an essential player for the team. He was thriving as an academy graduate, experiencing the most successful campaign of his career in terms of both goals scored and assists provided. Additionally, he frequently took up the role of captain by wearing the armband.
However, since he was a local talent, and Chelsea aimed to clear their accounts purely through profits, they offloaded the midfielder to Atletico Madrid for around £35 million.
He appears to be an ideal match for Diego Simeone’s team, although he has shared playing time with other midfielders. During a round-of-16 Champions League match against Real Madrid, Gallagher netted a crucial goal, but Atletico was unfortunately eliminated through penalty kicks.
So far, with three goals and five assists from the midfield position, although he hasn’t stood out dramatically, Gallagher has proven to be a valuable addition.
9. Ferran Torres
Barcelona
He was acquired for around £46 million from Manchester City in 2022, but he hasn’t truly justified this cost so far.
Before this season, the winger had never managed to score more than 10 goals in a single season with the La Liga heavyweights.
Out of his 145 matches with Barcelona, Torres has started nearly precisely half of them (73). This indicates that the various managers he has worked under were conscious that although he can influence games, they do not consider him their top option among available assets.
8. Raphinha
Before joining Barcelona, Raphinha wasn’t yet considered a superstar, and compared to transfers to major La Liga teams, his move carried the least amount of hype. At Sporting CP and Rennes, he hadn’t made much of a splash, but he truly flourished when he joined Leeds.
During his debut season in the Premier League, Raphinha contributed to 15 goals, and in his subsequent season, he played a part in scoring or assisting 14 goals. His performances were instrumental in preventing Fulham from being relegated during the 2021-22 campaign, which also attracted interest from Barcelona.
Initially, his tenure in Spain was somewhat lackluster but not entirely so; it might best be described as rather gradual. In his debut season, he netted 10 goals and provided 12 assists, which was then succeeded by another tally of 10 goals along with 13 assists in the subsequent term.
However, in the 2024/25 season, following reports suggesting that Barcelona might sell him to generate urgently required capital, Raphinha has emerged as a force to be reckoned with. As of this writing, he boasts an impressive tally of 27 goals and 20 assists for the current campaign.
Should Barcelona manage to clinch the La Liga title or triumph in the Champions League this campaign—Raphinha contributed with 11 goals and five assists in the latter—if they succeed, the winger will be pivotal to their achievement, having emerged as a megastar this season.
7. Diego Costa
Costa represented Atletico Madrid multiple times throughout his career. After departing initially, he returned in 2010 before transferring to Chelsea in 2014. Four years following this move, he rejoined the team, with Atleti allegedly shelling out £57 million for him.
During his last campaign before moving to the Premier League, Costa found the back of the net 36 times. Over three years at Stamford Bridge, he accumulated an impressive tally of 59 goals along with 21 assists.
Therefore, Atletico likely expected to welcome back an elite forward, yet Costa found it challenging to readjust to Spanish football, with his recovery from injuries compounding the issue.
After returning, the forward played in 81 games over four seasons but managed only 19 goals during this period. Released in 2021, his stint of being without a team for several months underscores how unsatisfactory his performance had been.
6. Luis Suarez
In just two and a half years at Liverpool, Barcelona recognized enough potential in Suarez to bring him aboard with an initial transfer fee reportedly set at £75 million. It wasn’t surprising when he went on to greater heights following his last season in the Premier League where he scored 31 goals and provided 13 assists.
In his sophomore year at Barcelona, he broke that record by netting an astonishing 40 La Liga goals, coupled with 18 assists. Throughout all tournaments that campaign, Suarez registered 54 goals and provided 24 assists.
During his entire tenure at Camp Nou, the Uruguayan striker netted 195 times and provided 113 assists across 283 matches. He claimed victory in the Champions League once, which was during Barcelona’s win in the 2014/15 season, and secured the La Liga championship four times prior to achieving this feat again with Atletico Madrid in the 2020/21 campaign.
Having already established himself as a top forward at Liverpool, Suarez’s tenure at Barcelona further solidified his reputation as one of the premier strikers of his time.
5. Julian Alvarez
Among the latest footballers to make a switch between the Premier League and La Liga, Alvarez transferred from defending Premier League champs Manchester City to prospective La Liga winners Atletico Madrid during the summer of 2024.
Although he was a consistent presence during his last season with City, the abundance of talented players meant that the game didn’t revolve around him as much as it does now at Atletico.
He has accumulated 23 goals along with five assists this season, which includes eight significant contributions directly leading to goals in the Champions League. Up until now, the transfer appears beneficial for Alvarez.
4. Cristiano Ronaldo
Ronaldo’s
It was unquestionably the most remarkable transfer from the Premier League to La Liga ever. His move shattered records at around £80 million from Manchester United. This transaction surpassed the former world-record fee set when Zinedine Zidane joined Real Madrid, which had lasted for eight years.
Throughout his tenure at Real Madrid, Ronaldo stood out as one of the most formidable strikers globally, netting an impressive 450 goals and providing 131 assists in 438 matches.
In 2013, 2014, 2016, and 2017, he claimed the Ballon d’Or award when playing for Real Madrid, and he also secured 16 team titles with the club, which included winning five UEFA Champions League trophies.
3. Gareth Bale
When Bale moved to Real Madrid for roughly £85 million, he set a new world record. Having quickly evolved from a troubled full-back into a formidable striker at Tottenham, he went on to maintain his impressive form playing as a winger for Real Madrid.
During his inaugural season with the team, Bale netted 22 goals and delivered 19 assists across all contests. This tally featured six goals and four assists throughout their victorious UEFA Champions League run, which culminated in him scoring in the final match. Over time, Bale secured an additional five UEFA Champions League trophies along with three La Liga championships for the club, amassing numerous accolades.
Throughout seven seasons, he managed to score 106 goals and provided 67 assists. Although his performance waned toward the latter part, leading him to be sent back to Tottenham on loan, his tenure with the La Liga heavyweights can certainly be deemed a major success.
2. Eden Hazard
After moving to Real Madrid for a transfer fee of up to £130 million including add-ons, Hazard struggled significantly to recreate the level of play he demonstrated during his time at Chelsea.
Among the most skillful talents in the Premier League’s history, this Belgian player concluded their tenure at Stamford Bridge with an impressive tally of 21 goals and 17 assists during their last season.
In 76 matches throughout his entire Real Madrid career, he was unable to reach that one-season tally. Hazard began with a sluggish start, scoring only once and providing seven assists during this period.
The fact that he didn’t feature in more than 20 La Liga matches during one campaign—largely due to recurring injuries—highlighted how poorly Hazard adapted, leading him to retire at only 32 with just 10 appearances in his last season.
QUIZ:
Could you list all the players Real Madrid has signed from the Premier League?
1. Philippe Coutinho
Barcelona broke the bank with a record-breaking transfer fee of £142 million to sign the talented attacking midfielder Coutinho away from Liverpool, making him the costliest player ever recruited by a La Liga team.
At Anfield, he transformed into an iconic figure, contributing directly to 97 goals across 201 matches. However, his time at Barcelona did not meet the high standards he had established nor justified the significant cost of his transfer.
Following 13 direct goal contributions in his initial 18 La Liga matches, Coutinho’s performance dipped significantly, contributing only seven goals over the next 32 appearances. Later, he went on loan to Bayern Munich, regaining some of his former prowess; however, he failed to recapture his earlier form upon returning to Barcelona.
The player from Brazil was permitted to depart for Aston Villa following just 39 goal involvements in 106 matches with Barcelona.
READ NEXT
:
8 players who departed Liverpool under contentious conditions: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Raheem Sterling…
TRY A QUIZ
:
Could you list all the English players who have played for Real Madrid since 1990?
oleh admin | Mar 27, 2025 | football clubs, football players, soccer, sports
Panaji (Goa), India – March 27 (ANI):
FC Goa
‘2024-25 Indian Super League (
ISL
The current season has been notable for exceptional plays, yet one individual has surpassed all others in prominence.
Brison Fernandes
.
As the Gaurs prepare for their semi-final match on April 2 following their second-place finish in the league stage, everyone’s attention will be drawn to this promising 23-year-old midfielder. He continues to break records thanks to his formidable offensive skills, according to the club’s official website.
ISL
.
Fernandes has provided the highest number of goal contributions—seven goals and two assists—among Indian players.
FC Goa
in a single
ISL
season.
His impressive performances have also secured him a spot on the national team roster, where he recently debuted with the Blue Tigers during their 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifier match against Bangladesh. At present, he ranks as the second-highest goal scorer among Indians in the league, coming in just behind.
Sunil Chhetri
(12).
Head coach
Manolo Marquez
has played a crucial role in Fernandes’s ascent, commending his technical skills, tactical understanding, and bold playing style.
“Brison typifies a Goan player. He loves engaging with football. He has moved past the challenging period he faced during the previous season when doubts surrounded his career in soccer. Currently, he relishes each moment spent on the field, which is crucial,” stated Marquez, who also highlighted Brison’s dedication during practice sessions along with his resilient mindset, as mentioned on the club’s official webpage.
ISL
.
Fernandes’ influence on the field is clear as he became the first Indian player to score two goals in back-to-back matches.
ISL
In December 2024 and January, scoring two goals each against both Mohun Bagan Super Giant and Odisha FC.
In the attacking end, he has showcased an energetic demeanor, completing around 17 passes each match with an accuracy of 75%, generating 26 scoring chances, successfully executing 17 sprints past opponents, along with contributing to 70 ball retrievals and winning 73 individual battles as well.
Marquez, who has openly focused on nurturing young talent, has inevitably contributed to the player’s advancement. During his tenure with Hyderabad FC, he facilitated the development of numerous promising players, and he continues this strategy in his current position.
FC Goa
.
“Some players mature at 18, and others at 23, but obviously the players need chances. However, when they get chances, they need to show that they are ready. They need to keep going, be persistent when the situation gets tough. Work done in the training session reflects on the field,” Marquez said.
The enhanced capability of Fernandes to transfer his training form into actual play has significantly contributed to his achievements.
“He has consistently shown great talent. This year has been particularly favorable for him. He’s participated in numerous matches. We frequently talk since he’s an amazing person, and I constantly encourage him to stay modest and continue pushing forward, considering his age, he’ll surely achieve the level he aims for,” Marquez remarked humorously.
As the playoffs draw near, Fernandes has a prime chance to strengthen his legacy even more.
FC Goa
start their semifinal journey on April 2, and based on his current performance, he might serve as the X-factor in their bid for victory.
ISL
Cup. (ANI)
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc.
Syndigate.info
).
oleh admin | Mar 26, 2025 | athletes, football clubs, football players, soccer, sports
-
Victor Wanyama has signed with the Scottish club Dunfermline Athletic, several months since departing from the Canadian team Montreal Impact.
-
The ex-captain of Harambee Stars has joined forces again with his previous mentor from Celtic, Neil Lennon, who took charge just last week.
-
Both teams aim to help Dundee United avoid falling into the relegation zone, as Dunfermline finds itself perilously close to slipping down.
Following months of doubt and rumors, Victor Wanyama has at last secured a spot with a new team.
What clubs has Victor Wanyama been part of?
Wanyama has signed with Dunfermline Athletic in Scotland’s second division on a temporary deal that will run through the conclusion of the season.
Wanyama’s most recent game was with the Canadian team Montreal Impact prior to him departing following the conclusion of his contract last year.
The ex-captain of Harambee Stars has now joined a team in Scotland’s second-tier league, playing under Neil Lennon. During his previous time in Scotland, when he represented Celtic, Lennon coached him.
Recently, Lennon has signed with Dunfermline Athletic and is set to oversee his inaugural match this weekend against Ayr.
The Pars find themselves engaged in a crucial struggle to maintain their position among the second-tier teams this campaign. Positioned at ninth spot with 27 points in an 18-team league—and just a handful of matches remaining—they face significant pressure. To dodge relegation, they must outperform Airdrieonians, who sit at the bottom with 21 points.
Neil Lennon shared his reflections upon signing with Dunfermline.
The team in ninth position will advance to the playoffs. Currently, Dunfermline is just two points behind Hamilton, which occupies the final safety slot.
“As new arrivals join us right now, this could be an opportune moment to boost both the team members and the club. The duration of these enhancements remains uncertain. With only seven matches left in the season, our aim is to secure victories in as many of them as possible. My focus isn’t on what lies behind me; instead, I am concentrating on Hamilton and Queens Park finishing the season in a decent middle-table spot. This strategic consideration guides our approach,” stated Lennon when he was introduced, according to the club’s media coverage.
The ex-Hibernian coach also conveyed his joy in collaborating with the perfect mix of athletes he possessed at East End Park, an ensemble that will be augmented even more by Wanyama joining the team.
It shows promise, there’s talent present. I’m pleased with what I’ve observed, particularly from the players. Although we’ve just arrived two days ago, we’ve been greatly impressed by the untapped potential. Currently, our performance isn’t up to par, which presents a challenge for me—to shift the mindset both within the club and specifically inside the locker room. Everyone we’re collaborating with has shown an open-minded approach towards us.
Victor Wanyama visits Tottenham
SANGGRALOKA.co.ke
previously mentioned that Victor Wanyama had been to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Former Spurs midfielder Wanyama returned to his former stomping grounds over the weekend, appearing as a special guest at Tottenham’s Premier League match against Manchester United.
oleh admin | Mar 25, 2025 | european football, football clubs, football players, soccer, sports
-
Alejandro Garnacho has found it challenging to maintain his momentum since emerging into prominence.
-
A previous Manchester United player has now lambasted him in a harsh critique.
-
LISTEN NOW: The Action Has Begun! Can England’s Team Claim Victory at the World Cup?
A former
Manchester United
The star has launched a harsh criticism towards the winger.
Alejandro Garnacho
.
The young Argentine forward joined Old Trafford in October 2020 at the age of 16, with great expectations that this wing player might emulate
Cristiano Ronaldo
‘ footsteps to etch his name into the club’s history as a legendary figure.
In 2021, the duo played together after Ronaldo rejoined Manchester United, but Garnacho’s progress has been hindered over the last year due to conflicts with several coaches. Garnacho also showed support for a social media post that criticized his previous manager at United.
Erik ten Hag
for removing him from the team
Bournemouth
the previous year before later issuing an apology.
He subsequently couldn’t conceal his irritation at being replaced.
Ruben Amorim
Last month, following Patrick Dorgu’s red card during the first half of United’s 3-2 victory over
Ipswich
.
Former United right-back Paul Parker, who represented the team from 1991 to 1996 and earned 19 international caps for England,
England
is worried about Garnacho’s behavior and has stated that he keeps disappointing others when laughing away queries suggesting Garnacho might match Ronaldo’s caliber.
Parker mentioned, “I enjoyed watching Garnacho when he first emerged, as he possessed that distinctive Argentine passion within him, but this fervor seems to have vanished entirely now.”
SpilXperten
‘. “He has disappointed both himself and his family. He has also let his club down as he isn’t making use of the talents he was expected to possess.”
I haven’t heard anything from him lately. The crucial point for him right now is to grasp his strengths and weaknesses. He struggles with managing people, isn’t fast enough, and lacks the drive to put in hard work. Therefore, what exactly does he excel at?
He has to understand this and demonstrate it, instead of merely aspiring to be the next Ronaldo.
At present, he appears to me as nothing more than a Ronaldo enthusiast, someone who prefers creating highlight reels for social media instead of actually securing victories on the pitch and restoring greatness to this club.
Garnacho was rumored to be moving from United in January, but ultimately remained with the team.
He is currently attempting to adjust to Amorim’s 3-4-3 formation, where he has been deployed as an attacking midfielder instead of a pure winger.
Amorim has commended Garnacho for his contributions over the past few weeks, yet Parker still isn’t convinced and is quickly losing patience due to his insufficient progress.
He maintains that Garnacho’s age should not continue to be used as an excuse, and has encouraged him to put in more effort to reach his full potential.
We can’t continue to use the argument that Garnacho is young,” Parker stated. “At this point, he isn’t considered young in football terms anymore. He’ll turn 21 this summer, and soon enough, he’ll be 30. It’s crucial for him to grasp this reality and begin delivering.
The top athletes, such as Ryan Giggs, weren’t seen as young talents even when they reached 21 years old. While Garnacho may still lack maturity, he isn’t considered young anymore either. It’s quite disappointing that he hasn’t been able to perform at all recently.
He isn’t performing as maturely as expected, nor does his behavior reflect that of an adult. He really needs to take a long hard look at himself and admit that he must stop dreaming of becoming the next Ronaldo. It’s just not going to happen for him, so he should focus on working diligently to build a respectable career instead.
Garnacho has managed only four league goals so far this season as Manchester United sits at 13th place, but he found the back of the net in their most recent match before the international break—a convincing 3-0 victory against Leicester.
He is set to come back into play when United visits the in-form Nottingham Forest side next Tuesday.
Read more
oleh admin | Mar 25, 2025 | arsenal fc, football clubs, football players, soccer, sports
-
The condition of the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano pitch was heavily criticized.
-
The Gunners aim to reverse a 2-0 deficit in the second leg at the Emirates Stadium.
-
LISTEN NOW: It’s all Heating Up! Can England’s Team Claim the World Cup Title?
Beth Mead
Has mentioned it’s ‘deserved by the players’ for Women’s
Champions League
Games should be held on higher-quality pitches afterwards.
Arsenal
’s quarter-final defeat at
Real Madrid
Last week at the Alfredo Di Stéfano Stadium, the match was played on a waterlogged pitch.
In an interview with Mail Sport before the second leg at the Emirates on Wednesday night, where Arsenal trails 2-0 overall, the 29-year-old striker stated, “This was not my favorite playing surface this entire season. It was a Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid, primarily for the sake of player safety.”
‘(Although it was not the ideal surface to play on,) we still needed to carry out our duties and proceed accordingly. It has certainly been discussed, and let’s hope improvements can be made for upcoming games.’
adamantly refused to make excuses for Arsenal’s two-goal deficit. Mead stated, “(Madrid) had only two opportunities and converted both. In the end, they performed better than us on a poor field, which is incredibly frustrating.”
‘However, we understand the caliber of our squad as a unit, and we must demonstrate our capabilities next week when we face them at the Emirates. Hopefully, this will allow us to regain momentum in the match. Nonetheless, we remain fully confident as a team.’
More than 20,000 tickets have already been snapped up for Wednesday’s match, and as sales continue leading up to the event, there is potential for this number to break the present attendance record set during a UEFA Women’s Champions League quarter-final.
England
— which stands at 21,307, set by Arsenal — could potentially be shattered.
Mead anticipates that the supporters will infuse the squad with substantial vigor, predicting an offensive showcase with numerous goals.
‘We need to deliver a top-notch performance to secure our spot in the semi-finals of the Champions League, which will undoubtedly require an excellent showing against a strong Real Madrid team,’ she stated. ‘However, it’s achievable. We’ll head into this match confident that we can score goals and turn the game around.’
Beth Mead, the McDonald’s Fun Football ambassador, stated: “Although I’ve attended numerous McDonald’s Fun Football events, this particular occasion stood out because of the collaboration with UK Deaf Sport. This ensures that each child gets an opportunity to participate in football through over 20 complimentary sessions designed for those who have hearing impairments scheduled throughout the nation during springtime. Even though the format differed from usual, the joy expressed on their faces remained unchanged. Registrations for the program are currently available, and I truly look forward to seeing even greater numbers of kids joining in.”
McDonald’s Fun Football alongside UK Deaf Sport is providing complimentary specialized football classes for kids who have hearing impairments throughout England. Locate your closest session here.
mcdonalds.co.uk/football
.
Read more
