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Mane, Salah and More -- Six Stars to Watch at the Cup of Nations

Liverpool's Sadio Mane, who played in the Senegal team that lost the 2019 final. Oli SCARFF AFP/File
Liverpool's Sadio Mane, who played in the Senegal team that lost the 2019 final. Oli SCARFF AFP/File
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Mane, Salah and More -- Six Stars to Watch at the Cup of Nations

Liverpool's Sadio Mane, who played in the Senegal team that lost the 2019 final. Oli SCARFF AFP/File
Liverpool's Sadio Mane, who played in the Senegal team that lost the 2019 final. Oli SCARFF AFP/File

The Africa Cup of Nations begins in Cameroon on Sunday with the continent's top-ranked side Senegal seen as the team to beat alongside reigning champions Algeria.

AFP Sport picks out six stars to watch at the tournament:

Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (Bayern Munich and CameroonChoupo-Moting was dismissed at times during his two-year stint at Paris Saint-Germain, where he was a back-up in attack to superstars Neymar and Kylian Mbappe. Yet he still popped up with some important goals and has netted 17 times in 44 appearances since signing for Bayern Munich in 2020.

The 32-year-old, who stands 1.91m tall, was born in Germany and notably played for Hamburg and Schalke at the start of his career before a stint in the Premier League at Stoke City.

Eligible for Cameroon through his father, he represented the Indomitable Lions at the 2010 and 2014 World Cups and captained them at the AFCON in 2015 and 2017. He did not go in 2017, when Cameroon won the trophy in Gabon, but is the biggest name in the hosts' squad this time as they look to win the trophy for the sixth time.

Sadio Mane (Liverpool and Senegal)Senegal are the leading African side according to the FIFA rankings and Liverpool forward Mane is their star player. A former African Footballer of the Year who also came fourth in the Ballon d'Or rankings in 2019, Mane will be hugely missed by Liverpool as he heads to Cameroon -– he has 10 goals this season for his club.

However, the 29-year-old is desperate to win African football's biggest prize after Senegal lost to Algeria in the 2019 final. The west African country has never won the Cup of Nations.

Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain and Morocco)At 23, right-back Hakimi is starring for PSG having already played for Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund and Inter Milan, and is arguably the best attacking full-back on the planet today. He will therefore be the man to watch in a Morocco side among the leading contenders to go all the way.

Hakimi, who joined PSG from Inter last July for 60 million euros ($71 million), is in theory a defender, but he is chiefly a key creative and attacking outlet down the right. Born and brought up in Madrid to Moroccan parents, Hakimi was just 18 when he scored on his competitive debut for the Atlas Lions.

Mohamed Salah (Liverpool and Egypt)Many scoffed when Salah came seventh in the final Ballon d’Or rankings in November. It could be argued there is no better player in the world right now than the 29-year-old forward, who has scored 54 times for Liverpool since the start of last season.

Jurgen Klopp's side will miss him and Mane while they are gone for up to a month, but Salah carries the hopes and dreams of 100 million Egyptians on his shoulders. He is the headline act in a squad made up largely of home-based players as The Pharaohs chase a record-extending eighth African crown.

Salah played in the team that lost the 2017 final to Cameroon before losing to South Africa as hosts in the last 16 in 2019.

Riyad Mahrez (Manchester City and Algeria)Another former African footballer of the year, Mahrez captained Algeria to victory in 2019 and is again the star man as they look to defend their title.

The winger has been in fine form for Manchester City, with 13 goals in 25 games this season for the Premier League leaders. Now 30, Mahrez was born and brought up in the Paris suburbs but Algeria was the land of his late father's birth and Riyad made his international debut just before the 2014 World Cup, not long after he first moved to England with Leicester City.

Sebastien Haller (Ajax and Ivory Coast)The tall 27-year-old striker has been one of the stars of this season's UEFA Champions League, scoring 10 goals in the group stage for Ajax. He became just the second player to score in all six group games, following Cristiano Ronaldo in 2017.

Haller, who has 22 goals this season, joined Ajax last January from West Ham United for 22.5 million euros ($27.5m), calling time on a disappointing spell in England to return to the Dutch league, where he was based previously.

Born and brought up in the Paris suburbs, he played for France Under-21s but opted to represent the Ivory Coast –- the land of his mother's birth -– after getting the call aged 26.

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Sports

Real Madrid Replaces Coach Xabi Alonso with B Team Manager Alvaro Arbeloa

Real Madrid's defender Alvaro Arbeloa celebrates after scoring a goal during the Spanish league football match Real Madrid CF vs UD Almeria at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on April 29, 2015. (AFP)
Real Madrid's defender Alvaro Arbeloa celebrates after scoring a goal during the Spanish league football match Real Madrid CF vs UD Almeria at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on April 29, 2015. (AFP)
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Real Madrid Replaces Coach Xabi Alonso with B Team Manager Alvaro Arbeloa

Real Madrid's defender Alvaro Arbeloa celebrates after scoring a goal during the Spanish league football match Real Madrid CF vs UD Almeria at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on April 29, 2015. (AFP)
Real Madrid's defender Alvaro Arbeloa celebrates after scoring a goal during the Spanish league football match Real Madrid CF vs UD Almeria at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on April 29, 2015. (AFP)

Real Madrid replaced coach Xabi Alonso with B team manager Alvaro Arbeloa on Monday.

Madrid said in a statement that Alonso left by mutual agreement.

The announcement came a day after Madrid lost to Barcelona 3-2 in the final of the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia. It ended a tumultuous stint that lasted less than eight months for the former Madrid and Spain midfielder.

“Real Madrid wishes to announce that, by mutual agreement between the club and Xabi Alonso, it has been decided to bring his time as first team coach to an end,” Madrid said. “Xabi Alonso will always carry the affection and admiration of all Madridistas because he is a Real Madrid legend and has always represented the values of our club. Real Madrid will always be his home.”

The club thanked Alonso and his coaching staff for “their hard work and dedication throughout this time and wish them the best of luck in this new stage of their lives.”

Alonso was under pressure as the team struggled to play well under his command. He had spats with players such as Vinícius Júnior and widespread media reports said he'd lost the locker room.

Madrid trails Barcelona by four points at the halfway point of La Liga.

Like Alonso, Arbeloa is a former player of the Spanish powerhouse, helping it win eight titles from 2009-16, including two European Cups and one Spanish league. Arbeloa also helped Spain win the 2010 World Cup and the 2008 and 2012 European Championships.

He had been coaching the B team since June. He had also coached youth teams at the club.

Alonso arrived in May with high expectations and a contract to June 2028. He led Bayer Leverkusen to an unprecedented German league and cup double in his first full season after taking over the team when it was in the Bundesliga relegation zone the season before.

As a midfielder, Alonso won six titles with Madrid from 2009-14 and a World Cup and Euros champion teammate of Arbeloa's.

Sports

Teenage Super Sub Mbaye Could Prove Decisive for Senegal

Senegal's Ibrahim Mbaye celebrates after scoring during the Africa Cup of Nations best of 16 soccer match between Senegal and Sudan in Tangier, Morocco, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP)
Senegal's Ibrahim Mbaye celebrates after scoring during the Africa Cup of Nations best of 16 soccer match between Senegal and Sudan in Tangier, Morocco, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP)
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Teenage Super Sub Mbaye Could Prove Decisive for Senegal

Senegal's Ibrahim Mbaye celebrates after scoring during the Africa Cup of Nations best of 16 soccer match between Senegal and Sudan in Tangier, Morocco, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP)
Senegal's Ibrahim Mbaye celebrates after scoring during the Africa Cup of Nations best of 16 soccer match between Senegal and Sudan in Tangier, Morocco, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP)

Senegal’s 17-year-old Ibrahim Mbaye has emerged as a potential future star for African football, and his role as a super substitute at ​the Africa Cup of Nations could yet prove decisive for his team.

One of a number of exciting new players on display over the last three weeks at the tournament in Morocco, Mbaye has made the biggest impact, featuring in each of Senegal’s matches off the bench.

As they prepare to face Egypt in Wednesday’s semi-final in Tangiers, his impact will be part of the planning as Senegal look to advance to Sunday’s final.

His powerful and pacy running, dribbling skills, and a sharp nose for goal have given Senegal a ‌serious addition ‌to their already much-vaunted attack.

“He’s a gem, and we need ‌to ⁠nurture ​him,” said ‌coach Pape Bouna Thiaw.

“We know what he can bring to this team, and we will do everything we can to ensure he thrives and is at his best.”

Mbaye netted in Senegal’s 3-1 win over Sudan in the round of 16, officially becoming, at 17 years, 11 months, and 11 days, the second youngest scorer in tournament history. The youngest is Chiva Nzigou of Gabon, who was allegedly 16 when he scored in the 2000 finals, but has since ⁠admitted being an age cheat, although the record is not expunged.

Mbaye, who turns 18 this month, was close to a ‌goal in Senegal’s second group game against the Democratic ‍Republic of Congo when he was brought ‍on a minute after the Congolese took the lead in Tangiers.

IMPACT EIGHT MINUTES AFTER ‍COMING OFF THE BENCH

Eight minutes later, a surging run down the right led to him firing off a shot that the goalkeeper could not hold, allowing Sadio Mane to equalize.

"He has this spark within him. He's young, but you don't notice that on the pitch. Every time he comes on, ​he brings something extra," said Senegal teammate Krepin Diatta.

Mbaye won his first cap in November, in a friendly against Brazil, having one month previously played ⁠for France’s under-19 team, with Thiaw visiting him at Paris St Germain to persuade him to switch allegiance.

"It was easy to convince the player. Ibrahim wanted to play for Senegal," said the coach.

They had been tracking him from last season when PSG used him as a starter for their opening match of the Ligue 1 campaign. He was an unused substitute in the Champions League final against Inter Milan in May and this season has started eight times for the French giants, including October’s Champions League win at Barcelona.

Thiaw says the experience of rubbing shoulders with Senegal’s top players will be beneficial for Mbaye.

“He is in a squad where he has the chance to work with players like Sadio Mane, who has won everything ‌and can guide him, like Kalidou Koulibaly and Gana Gueye, who are familiar with the highest level. Now, we need to protect him properly,” added the coach.

Sports

Barcelona Beats Real Madrid Again to Win Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia Clasico

Players of Barcelona celebrate with the trophy after winning the Spanish Super Cup final soccer match between Barcelona and Real Madrid in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, 11 January 2026. (EPA)
Players of Barcelona celebrate with the trophy after winning the Spanish Super Cup final soccer match between Barcelona and Real Madrid in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, 11 January 2026. (EPA)
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Barcelona Beats Real Madrid Again to Win Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia Clasico

Players of Barcelona celebrate with the trophy after winning the Spanish Super Cup final soccer match between Barcelona and Real Madrid in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, 11 January 2026. (EPA)
Players of Barcelona celebrate with the trophy after winning the Spanish Super Cup final soccer match between Barcelona and Real Madrid in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, 11 January 2026. (EPA)

Raphinha scored twice as Barcelona beat Real Madrid 3-2 on Sunday in the final of the Spanish Super Cup played in Saudi Arabia.

Raphinha's 73rd-minute winner came in a fortuitous manner after he slipped while shooting and the shot deflected off Madrid defender Raúl Asencio to fool goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.

The clasico final featured a hectic end to the first half when three stoppage-time goals were scored before the break, two by Real Madrid and one by Barcelona. Barcelona beat Madrid 5-2 in last year's final, when Raphinha also scored twice.

“We gave all we had,” Raphinha said. “I was emotional at the end of the match, we needed a win like this."

It was the 16th Super Cup title for Barcelona, more than any other club. Madrid is second with 13 titles.

Kylian Mbappé, who had missed the semifinals of the mini-Super Cup tournament because of a knee issue, entered the match in the 76th but couldn't do enough to help Madrid equalize. The France forward missed Madrid’s win over Atletico Madrid in the semifinals on Thursday but then traveled from Spain to Saudi Arabia to be available for the final of the mini-tournament.

Robert Lewandowski also scored for Barcelona. Madrid’s goals were scored by Vinícius Júnior and Gonzalo García.

The trophy was lifted by Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo, who had been out since November because of private reasons. Spanish media reports said he was on a mental health break.

The Catalan club opened the scoring in Jeddah on Sunday with Raphinha in a breakaway in the 36th. Madrid equalized with a superb goal from Vinícius two minutes into first-half added time, with the Brazil forward capping a nice run by splitting a couple of defenders before scoring from inside the area.

Vinícius hadn’t scored in 16 matches with Madrid, since October.

Lewandowski put Barcelona back ahead two minutes after Vinícius’ goal, and García evened the game again three minutes later at the end of the first half.

Madrid had two golden chances to equalize again in added time but couldn't capitalize on them.

“We have to turn the page as soon as possible,” Madrid coach Xabi Alonso said. "It’s just one game, one competition, and it’s the least important one we have. We have to look ahead, try to get everyone back together, recover our morale, and move on.”

Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong was sent off in second-half stoppage time.

Barcelona reached the Super Cup final by routing Athletic Bilbao 5-0, while Madrid defeated Atletico Madrid 2-1.

Barcelona is the first league champion in eight seasons to win the Super Cup, and the first team to retain the trophy since Pep Guardiola’s team won three in a row in 2010, 2011 and 2012.