SPORTS
Super Eagles drawn alongside Egypt, Sudan, Guinea-Bissau for 2021 AFCON
Nigeria’s Super Eagles have been drawn in Group D alongside multiple champions Egypt for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tagged “Cameroon 2021”.
At the draw for the final tournament, held in Yaoundé on Tuesday, the 24 qualified teams were divided into four groups, with Nigeria, Egypt, Sudan and Guinea-Bissau in Group D.
The opening match will pit tournament hosts and five-time winners Cameroon against Burkina Faso, the 2013 runners-up, in a Group A clash.
The draw has in Group A with Cameroon and Burkina Faso the duo of Ethiopia and Cape Verde, while Group B has Senegal, Zimbabwe, Guinea and Malawi.
Group C has Morocco, Ghana, Comoros and Gabon, with Group E having defending champions Algeria, Sierra-Leone, Equatorial Guinea and Côte d’Ivoire.
Group F has Tunisia, Mali, Mauritania and Gambia.
52 countries had taken part in the tournament’s qualifiers, with only 24 places available for the Jan. 9 to Feb. 6 event.
The qualification campaign had started in October 2019 and ended in June, due to the one-year hiatus caused by COVID-19.
Following Tuesday’s draw, the tournament organisers have indicated that the competition’s group stage will hold from Jan. 9 to Jan. 20.
Matches of the Round of 16 will hold from Jan. 23 to Jan. 26, while the quarter-finals will be on Jan. 29 and Jan. 30.
The competition’s semi-finals will hold on Feb. 2 and Feb. 3, while the third-place and final matches will take place on Feb. 6.
Five main cities have also been selected as hosts of the tournament, including Douala and its Japoma Stadium, and Yaoundé and its Ahmadou Ahidjo and Olembé Stadiums.
The others are Bafoussam and its Kouekong Stadium, Garoua and its Roumdjié-Adja Stadium and the Limbe-Buea venue which has the Limbe Omnisport Stadium.(NAN)
SPORTS
Alcohol, Animals, Others prohibited inside AFCON 2025 Stadiums
As anticipation builds for the Africa Cup of Nations 2025, set to kick off on December 21 in Morocco, the Confederation of African Football has released a list of items prohibited across all tournament stadiums.
According to the guidelines cited on CAF’s website on Monday, the rules are aimed at ensuring fan safety throughout the competition.
Fans attending AFCON 2025 matches in Morocco will be subjected to security screening.
They are advised not to bring prohibited items into stadiums to ensure safety, order and a smooth match-day experience.
Below is the list of items fans are advised to leave at home before entering AFCON stadiums:
Alcoholic beverages, Illegal substances and drugs, Weapons and sharp objects, Fireworks and pyrotechnics, Glass bottles or containers, Flammable materials, Racist, violent or discriminatory banners, Unauthorised political, religious or commercial signs, Drones and animals, Large umbrellas and oversized hats, Professional cameras and recording equipment, Musical instruments and loud horns, Radio-emitting devices (except mobile phones) and Heavy or large bags.
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SPORTS
Man City Still Work in Progress –Guardiola
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has disclosed that the team are still a work in progress following his expensive overhaul of the squad since last season.
The Spanish tactician made this known after the Citizens thrashed Crystal Palace 3-0 in Sunday’s Premier League game.
In a chat with the club’s website, Guardiola stated that the team are in a better position than last season.
“Many things we have to improve.
Madrid gave me a lot of things, that still we are not ready, not in mentality but in how to approach certain games. They are young some of the players. But 3-0 here is a big statement for us.“When you win in the past, you believe the past was perfect, always brilliant, always the red carpet.
When we won with 100 points, all the things we achieved, we had a lot of games like today. The resilience was part of that.“There are moments that you struggle. Madrid was not the perfect game, but it was a step. We fought unbelievably to achieve that.
“We are in a better position than last season. We are close in the competitions we are in.”
SPORTS
Palmer out for Chelsea’s Carabao Cup Quarter-final, Says Maresca
Chelsea attacker Cole Palmer will not feature in the Blues’ Carabao Cup quarter-final against Cardiff City, head coach Enzo Maresca has confirmed.
The match is set for Tuesday at 8 pm in the Welsh capital, with a place in the semi-finals at stake.
Palmer recently returned to action after a spell out with groin and toe injuries and scored in Chelsea’s weekend victory over Everton at Stamford Bridge.
However, Maresca, in his press conference on Monday, explained that the young forward is being carefully managed to avoid overexertion.
“I’ve already said many times in press conferences that we have many players who need to be protected. Cole is one of the players who deserves to be protected right now.
In this moment, he’s not available to play two games in three days. So, he won’t be available for tomorrow’s game, but should be fine for the weekend,” Maresca said.The Chelsea coach also praised Cardiff City and their manager, Brian Murphy, highlighting the challenge the Blues will face:
“They are top of the league, playing nice football and winning games. I know Brian and know he is doing a good job. This will be a dangerous game for us, and we need to pay attention and be careful tomorrow. We have the opportunity to achieve something important, which is to reach the semi-final of this competition.”
Chelsea will hope to progress to the last four while keeping key players fresh for the Premier League schedule.

