Senegal break Burkina Faso to Reach Final.

Senegal is through to a second consecutive Africa Cup of Nations final after breaking Burkina Faso hearts in their last-four tie in Yaounde on Wednesday, Abdou Diallo, Idrissa Gana Gueye, and Sadio Mane scoring second-half goals to secure a 3-1 victory.

                  Senegal's two possible final opponents are the most successful sides in AFCON
                                         

Africa's top-ranked national team, Senegal will find out their opponents in Sunday's final on Thursday, when hosts Cameroon take on Egypt in the second semi.

"We dedicate this win to our people," said Senegal coach Aliou Cisse.

"We're satisfied this evening. Our dream is to win the trophy because that's what the boys merit given everything they've put into this."

Cisse's side had two penalties awarded in the first half only for the Ethiopian referee to change his mind both times following a VAR review.  However, they went ahead just after the midway point in the second period when Paris Saint-Germain defender Diallo popped up in the box to produce a striker's finish.

The second arrived on 76 minutes as Mane provided a superb assist for Gueye, also of PSG, to score, and Mane completed the palm late on after Blati Toure had pulled a thing back.

Senegal's two possible final opponents are the most successful sides in AFCON history with 12 titles between them, while the Lions of Teranga are still searching for their first continental crown, two and a half years after losing to Algeria in the final in Cairo.

"We knew it wasn't going to be at all easy to get to two straight AFCON finals, but the most important for us now is to go all the way and win it, whoever we come up against," said Mane.

 Senegal's opponents here couldn't be underestimated.

Burkina Faso has shown itself to be a talented young side and one driven by the desire to give joy to supporters in a country reeling after President Roch Marc Christian Kabore was overthrown in a military coup last week. That happened to a backdrop of a jihadist insurgency in the landlocked country, and their coach, Kamau Malo, talked of the events giving his platoon" added motivation".

They showed plenty of fight and matched their opponents for long spells, but they didn't trouble Chelsea's Edouard Mendy in the Senegal goal often enough.

Mendy's opposite number, Herve Koffi, was stretchered off half an hour in after landing horribly as he went up to punch the ball clear in an upstanding challenge with Cheikhou Kouyate.

Referee Bamlak Tessema initially gave a spot-kick before changing his mind after a VAR review, as Kouyate was able to resume but Koffi could not.

There's nothing to suggest he's seriously hurt, but he's undergoing further tests just so we can be reassured," said Malo, who said his side had enjoyed"a wonderful adventure".

Referee Tessema also pointed to the spot in first-half injury time when a Gueye shot struck the arm of Burkina Faso's Edmond Tapsoba in the area, but again he changed his mind after a review of the images showed the defender's arm was in close to his body.

The breakthrough arrived with 20 minutes left, Kalidou Koulibaly trying an acrobatic attempt at a corner and inadvertently setting up Diallo to score, beating substitute' keeper Soufiane Farid Ouedraogo.

Senegal's pressing made the second goal as Mane got to the byline and set up Gueye, who just beat Bamba Dieng to the finish. It was always going to be huge ask after that for the Stallions against a Senegal side who had conceded only once in the whole tournament.

They did reduce the deficit eight minutes from time as Issa Kabore's cross was diverted in by Toure's knee.

Mane had the final say, though, bursting clear in the 87th minute to make it 3-1.

He'll find out on Thursday if he'll come up against his Liverpool teammate Mohamed Salah and Egypt in the final.  

Credit: pulse.ng

Manchester United Window Transfer New signing to be Secured Latest.

A slow start to the season almost cost them a top-four place and any new signings need to be secured sooner instead of later this point around.

 

Manchester United

As Ole Gunnar Solskjaer walked off the pitch at Leicester's King Power Stadium on Sunday afternoon, he searched towards were Manchester United's four directors had been sitting and was given a thumbs up from group director Richard Arnold.

 

It was employment well done from the Norwegian.

 

United was written off by many before Christmas - following a disastrous start to the season - but they secured a finish, the second-highest league position since Sir Alex Ferguson left in 2013, and clinched Champions League football for following campaign with their convert Leicester.

 

Coaches Michael Carrick and Kieran McKenna had a celebratory beer pitch side to mark the top of a protracted Premier League season while Solskjaer was undertaking the various television interviews he was obligated to finish. The message to everyone - and in his post-match press conference - was the same.

 

“This isn't the end of the journey; it’s gone again to the next one and we know there are two teams far before us,” Solskjaer said in regard to Manchester City and Liverpool. And those teams aren’t just a little bit ahead of United.

 

There’s no denying that it’s been a good season in the league in terms of where they finished but that’s all relative to things, they find themselves in.

 

They have struggled to mount a title charge since Ferguson retired and despite finishing third, they were 33 points off league leaders Liverpool. There’s still a lot of work to be done.

 

The owners and board have so far backed Solskjaer in his rebuild. Even when the club was struggling at the beginning of the season they stood by the Treble winner. Within the club hierarchy, there was never any doubt that he would be given a while to mold his new-look team. Since he was given the job on a permanent basis in March 2019, he has brought in five players – Daniel James, Harry Maguire, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Bruno Fernandes, and Odion Ighalo.

 

He’s shown why he needs backing within the window again this summer thanks to the stellar performances of those he signed. Despite the warnings about the financial climate thanks to Covid-19 there's money to be spent and the club remains hopeful that at least a few of deals can be agreed.

 

The last time United finished this high within the league they missed the chance to strengthen properly. Fred arrived from Shakhtar Donetsk for £52m ($68m), Diogo Dalot from Porto for £19m ($25m), and Lee Grant from Stoke for £1.5m ($2m).

 

Jose Mourinho didn’t get the center-back he was after in the lead-up to the 2018-19 season and his dissatisfaction set the tone for the start of the campaign which saw him sacked by Christmas.

 

There’s no risk of Solskjaer throwing his toys out of the pram in the same manner if he doesn’t get his desired additions but it’s vital he’s given the backing he needs.

The world patiently awaits the official announcement from Napoli on the signing of Victor Osimhen

The world patiently awaits the official announcement from Napoli on the signing of Victor Osimhen, the striker’s former agent, Jean-Gerard Benoit Czajka, has revealed some events that helped influence the 21-year old’s decision.

Victor Osimhen

Osimhen was reported to be unenthusiastic about playing for any club within the Italian Serie A even with Ronaldo at Juventus initially.

However, his former agent revealed that talks with Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis and Senegal defender, Kalidou Koulibaly, helped change the Lille star’s mindset about Italy.

“Victor didn't want to travel to Italy. From the beginning, he has been stuck on the thought of playing in Serie A,” Goal quoted Benoit Czajka in an interview with France Football.

“He told me that racism issues scared him which he didn’t feel it. He even told me in March-April: “I don’t want to travel and play in Italy even if it’s for Juventus at €10 million net per year.

“I told Victor that before having such strong ideas, that he had to travel to see for himself, meet people, talk with players who are confronted with racism, etc.

“Something that we finally did on July 1, 2 and three where we met the coach, the sports director, also because the president De Laurentiis who is a man with values and experience, and who seems to have convinced the player. Victor also spoke tons with Kalidou Koulibaly and this was decisive in his choice for Napoli.”

Osimhen enjoyed an incredible debut season in France, scoring 13 Ligue 1 goals for Lille who ended the campaign within the fourth spot before the league was canceled due to the coronavirus outbreak.

It is reported that Osimhen is now one step away from officially becoming a Napoli player as the club chieftains and all parties involved eagerly wait for De Laurentiis to sign his dotted.

Tuttomecartowebb reported on Wednesday afternoon that only Laurentiis signature is missing from the contract paperwork that's about 36 pages after which the previous Lille striker will officially become Napoli’s newest buy.

The announcement of the long-awaited contract is expected to be concluded soon. Garmablog

AC Milan Defender Maldini and his Lovely Son Infected with Coronavirus.

Football - Newcastle United Legends vs AC Milan Legends - Steve Harper 20 Years Charity Match - St James' Park Paolo Maldini - AC Milan Legends. 

Former AC Milan defender Paolo Maldini and his son Daniel, a current player for the same club, have both contracted the coronavirus, the club said in a statement on Saturday.

Paolo Maldini, 51, a one-club player and current technical director at the club, is regarded as one of the best defenders Italy has ever produced and made a joint-record 647 Serie A appearances.

Daniel, 18, made his AC Milan debut this season.

"Paolo Maldini learned that he had contact with a person who tested positive and was suffering from symptoms of the virus.

He was tested yesterday and found positive for the coronavirus," the club said during a statement. "The same goes for his son Daniel.

"Paolo and Daniel are in fitness and, having already spent more than two weeks at home without outside contact, as needed by medical and health protocols, will extend the quarantine for the time necessary for a complete clinical recovery."

the Asian Football Confederation has Decided today to Postpone all AFC Cup 2020 Matches until Further Notice

"Following the imposition of further preventive measures and travel restrictions by several national governments due to the current COVID-19 pandemic," the body said in a statement, "the Asian Football Confederation has decided today to postpone all AFC Cup 2020 matches until further notice."

Games in the west of Asia had already been suspended prior to the announcement. The decision means matches due to be played in March and April in the confederation's other four zones around Asia - south, central, south-east and east - have now also been postponed.

The AFC Cup is the continent's second-tier club competition and features teams from countries such as Jordan, Lebanon, Singapore, Bangladesh and Tajikistan.

Asian Football Confederation suspends play in AFC Cup competition

The Asian Football Confederation has postponed all matches in the AFC Cup tournament, the regional body announced on Wednesday, as the coronavirus pandemic continues to hit sporting events around the world.

"Following the imposition of further preventive measures and travel restrictions by several national governments due to the current COVID-19 pandemic," the body said in a statement, "the Asian Football Confederation has decided today to postpone all AFC Cup 2020 matches until further notice."

Games in the west of Asia had already been suspended prior to the announcement. The decision means matches due to be played in March and April in the confederation's other four zones around Asia - south, central, south-east and east - have now also been postponed.

The AFC Cup is the continent's second-tier club competition and features teams from countries such as Jordan, Lebanon, Singapore, Bangladesh, and Tajikistan.

"The AFC will closely monitor the situation before deciding when to recommence the 2020 AFC Cup season," the statement said.

"The decision, which was also made in conjunction with the competing clubs and their respective member associations, is a precautionary measure to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all participating players and teams, match officials and spectators as well as designed to protect the integrity of the competition."

The coronavirus outbreak has had a major impact on football across Asia, with the start of the Chinese Super League and the K-League in South Korea suspended indefinitely while Japan's J-League was halted after the opening round of matches.

The Asian Champions League, the region's leading club competition has also been severely affected, with the schedule of the group phase threw into disarray since the tournament kicked off in early February.

Liverpool are in Doha preparing for their Club World Cup.

Liverpool is in Doha getting ready for their Club World Cup semi-final against Mexico's Monterrey, but before that game, Jurgen Klopp can spy on their potential final opponents whereas ensuring he tunes in to look at the Anfield club's second string in league Cup action on Tuesday.

The runaway Premier League leaders are in the bizarre position of having to play 2 matches in 2 days on 2 separate continents, almost 7,000 kilometers apart, with the League Cup quarter-final away to Aston Villa being followed by the meeting with the CONCACAF Champions League winners in Qatar on Wednesday evening.

The club's under-23 coach, Neil Critchley, can lead Liverpool's youngsters against Villa, while Klopp and all of his star players arrived in Doha on Sunday trying to end a fine year by winning the Club World Cup for the first time. Brazilian giants Flamengo, the Copa Libertadores winners, meet Asian champions Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia within the 1st semi-final at Doha's Khalifa International Stadium on Tuesday at 8:30 pm standard time (1730 GMT), with Liverpool's League game kicking off at 1945 GMT.

"Tomorrow night we tend to begin with watching the other semi-final live in the stadium, I think it should be possible. so we will leave there a bit earlier and sit here in front of the television and watch that game," Klopp told Liverpool's official website.

"Aston Villa is the big favorite, that's clear, but who cares? It's football and the ball rolls in every direction, that is pretty cool."

Liverpool arrived in Qatar without injured defender Dejan Lovren but with Georginio Wijnaldum, who came off in Saturday's 2-0 win over Watford. Welsh right-back Neco Williams and midfielder Curtis Jones, both 18, may ordinarily are in the team against Villa but were instead known as up by Klopp to travel to Qatar. Monterrey reached the semi-final when beating Al-Sadd, coached by Barcelona great Xavi Hernandez, on Sat.

'Massive' for Flamengo

Al-Sadd is involved in this tournament by their status as champions of the host nation. This remains a strange, disjointed competition, and one that will soon disappear in its current format as FIFA press the reset button and come back with a controversial, 24-team extravaganza in China from 2021.

The importance of the trophy to Liverpool is debatable, and for sure none of their supporters would prefer winning the Club World Cup to claiming a primary English title since 1990.

Nevertheless, it's not one thing that Klopp and his aspect are dismissing, because the Anfield outfit look to continue recent European dominance within the competition -- the last six editions are won by the European representative, with Real Madrid taking the last 3.

Chelsea was the last European participant to fail to carry the trophy as they lost to Corinthians in 2012.

It is a competition that tends to mean more for South American clubs, representing a chance for them to measure themselves against Europe's best. Flamengo secured a ticket to Qatar once they won the Copa Libertadores last month, beating stream Plate within the final with 2 late goals by Gabriel Barbosa, the one-time Inter Milan flop.

This may be a large title. we all know this can be the ultimate for clubs around the world which means a lot in South America too," said Flamengo defender Rafinha, who played for Bayern Munich once they won the competition in 2013. Flamengo won the recent Intercontinental Cup in 1981 by beating Liverpool and they have their sights set on another meeting with the Anfield side, but 1st they must see off Al Hilal.

"In Brazil, people are talking a lot regarding Liverpool and forgetting that we've got a game before that. they're being forgotten as a result of they're from Saudi Arabia, they're not European and so they're under-appreciated," warned Flamengo coach Jorge Jesus Christ, who was previously in charge of Al Hilal.

Millions of People paid to watch Anthony Joshua Regain Title.

Criticism of Anthony Joshua for boxing in the Asian nation doesn't seem to have affected his quality with the British public, with over 1,000,000 people paying a minimum of £24.95 to look at the heavyweight regain his world titles on Saturday – a figure that's likely to be a United Kingdom record.

Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, said: “We are waiting on the final number but it has almost certainly broken the United Kingdom pay-per-view record.”

The 30-year-old Joshua earned regarding £60m for his WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO heavyweight rematch with the Mexican-American Andy Ruiz Jr, a record fee for a British athlete for one sporting event.

Anthony Joshua

However, his call to fight in Riyadh led to extended criticism from Amnesty International that warned he was being duped by a Saudi a regime with an “absymal” human rights record that enclosed the murder of the journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Human rights organizations have also warned about significant restrictions on freedom of expression and women’s rights, as well as the use of the death penalty for offenses not recognized as crimes under international law. The heir to the Saudi throne, Mohammad bin Salman, has denied any involvement in Khashoggi’s murder, line it a “mistake” and “a heinous crime” by his country’s agents.

Crown Prince Mohammad, who runs the country on behalf of his father, was at the fight on Saturday and was fist-pumped by Joshua once his victory.

Hearn, who hailed the fight as a huge success, confirmed the exchange afterward. “He did a fist-pump to Joshua, and he did a fist-pump back,” said Hearn. “I spoke to the Saudi sports minister, Abdulaziz bin Turki al-Faisal, afterward. they just desire it was a huge moment for the country.”

Speaking last night, Joshua said he did not mind the pressure he faced from human rights groups to talk out, but he felt unable to do so because he wasn't aware of all the issues. “It’s good people ask me the queries – they require to hear my view about it,” he added. “I assume you guys have made me more aware of the problems. I swear the fight was my main focus but that may change. 

I thought I was going to see some serious stuff going on – you would expect that from what you hear about Saudi – however, I will only maintain what I have experienced.”

Hearn also insisted that it had been unfair to single out Joshua for criticism when so many other athletes were returning to The Asian nation, including ATP tennis players this week, Spanish football stars in January and therefore the world’s high cyclists a month later. “We have said right along with that everyone these sports are returning here and however you guys are writing articles criticizing Joshua however not others,” he said. “Tyson Fury came here 3 weeks past to make cash for doing a WWE wrestling event, not a correct sporting event.”

Joshua is probably going to fight next in England, with a fight at Tottenham’s new 60,000-capacity stadium in either April or May, with the IBF champion Kubrat Pulev the preferred choice.

“I’m obtaining a lot of and more experienced, understanding myself, and that’s an honest issue,” he added. “Even though I took my loss [against Ruiz], I had to find out, didn’t I? I didn’t lose heart. I’m back once more, I’m learning. And we’re planning to go back to the gym. I’m planning to go to the city [his coaching camp] early, and simply keep practicing my skills.

“I ought to keep active and have the hunger to find out,” he continues. “I took my loss to Ruiz in June and got my belts back, and here we return. I actually have to defend my titles.”

Saudi Arabia has announced that it'll host a ranking snooker event in Riyadh for the first time once signing a 10-year alter World Snooker. The Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters will take place from 4-10 October next year, with an award of £2.5m. The champion can receive £500,000, a constant amount because of the winner of the sport’s World Championship.

“This is a big leap forward for our sport,” said World Snooker chairman Barry Hearn, Eddie Hearn’s father. “Snooker has fully grown to such an extent that we are now creating exceptional tournaments at this level.”

Million Investment Jimmy Flops.

The 49ers went all-in on a former New England Patriots second-string Quarterback a year ago and so far it hasn’t shown signs of being a wise investment. Former Tom Brady backup Jimmy Garoppolo was given a 5-year $137 million contract with San Francisco after performing at a high level for the franchise in 2017.

Garoppolo was traded to the 49ers midseason and finished with a formidable 67 percent completion share and many solid wins which prompted the new contract. the following season, Garoppolo as the day one starter played in just 3 games before suffering an ACL tear against the Kansas City Chiefs.

In his 1st game action since the September 2018 injury, the 27-year-old looked rusty, to say the least posting a 0.0 Quarterback rating (QBR) with one completion on six attempts for zero yards, and an interception against the Denver Broncos.

Garoppolo admitted that he was frustrated by his play and wished he could’ve contended the full game to “bounce back.”

“It is what it's. It’s season right now, therefore, you’ve just got to take it in stride,” Garoppolo told reporters after the sport.

The 49ers finished 4-12 last season, but are expected to be a lot higher this year with an improved defense and hopefully a healthy and productive quarterback. before last night’s game, reports on Garoppolo from the camp weren't promising when he reportedly threw 5 straight interceptions in apply.

The 49ers are in a tough division with the defending NFC champion Los Angeles Rams, the Seattle Seahawks who also created the playoffs last year, and an Arizona Cardinals team that has a promising rookie QB in Kyler Murray.

Despite the poor play, Jimmy G says his knee has nothing to do with his poor play that if true is a good sign for his health.

NBA things I like and don't like, including Luka Doncic

Credit: ESPN

As we put the first 10% of the season in the books, here are 10 things to check out: Nikola Jokic has most likely racked up more "likes" during this space than any other player.

And so it's with a heavy heart that I note: Jokic does not look right, and the issues appear to go beyond his early-season, umm, learning.

His shots, free throws, and assists are down. Jokic is recording only 8.8 post touches per 100 possessions, down from 12 last season, per Second Spectrum, and that's a problem considering he is a devastating scorer and passer on the block. Things are just ... weird.

Against Orlando on Saturday, Jokic did not even look to post up for the entire first half. The coaches should have gotten on him at halftime. On Denver's 1st possession of the third quarter, Jokic jacked a contested above-the-break triple as soon as he touched the ball.

He did it again two possessions later. Those shots seemed like messages: Buckeye State, you want me to shoot? How about this?
He is pouting more even by his mopey standards: waving his arms in frustration at inaccurate passes, and slapping opponents to stop play after what he considers bad calls.

We haven't even addressed the defense. Jokic has never exactly been agile, but he makes up for it to some degree with canny positioning, quick meat-hook hands, and voracious rebounding. Awkward appearances aside, the Nuggets have forever been stingier with Jokic on the floor.

They still are, per NBA.com. But Jokic is barely moving. He paws at bodies as they fly around him, like a toddler reaching for bubbles.
Jokic is contesting only 3.9 shots per game around the basket, per NBA.com, a remarkably low number for a starting center logging 30 minutes per game.

Some players contesting at least that many close shots: Bruce Brown, James Harden, Lonzo Ball, Darius Garland, and Mason Plumlee -- Jokic's backup. (Jokic opposes six such shots per game last season.).

It's easy to laugh this off -- Buckeye State, that Jokic! -- and assume all will be well by the postseason. It is a great sign that Denver is 5-2 despite unremarkable starts from everyone other than will Barton. Their starting 5 has mauled opponents by 38 points in 98 minutes.

But winning a title is hard. It takes full engagement from everybody on the roster. Franchise players set the tone. Fissures openly easily in the NBA.

The super-deep Nuggets will probably be fine. Jokic is still having a solid season. But this bears watching.

2. The arrhythmic greatness of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
There just aren't many humans this shifty:

A lot of players toggle between 2 gears: fast and slow, or (in the case of men like Kyle Anderson) slow and a little less slow. Gorgeous-Alexander operates along nearly the entire speedometer, and he's so limber, with such arrhythmic patterns, it sometimes looks as if different parts of his body are moving at different rates.

That's just filthy. Utter filth. That hesitation dribble followed by a one-handed lefty gather? Come on.
Gorgeous-Alexander is mostly deliberate, but he will explode in straight lines when he needs to -- and finish over and through bigger defenders.

His growth in Year 2 has been incredible. Gorgeous-Alexander is averaging twenty-two points and shooting 400th from deep. He has already canned six pull-up 3s after hit just seven all of last season. He's a menace on defense, good for a steal and a block per game. His arms are everywhere.

He has functioned well on and off the ball in Oklahoma City's triple purpose guard lineup, with Chris Paul and Dennis Schroder; Oklahoma City is plus-28 in the 47 minutes those three have played together. Hopefully, Gilgeous-Alexander gets more solo point duty later in the season. Sources: ESPN