Africa Roundup: Tunisian Club Monastir Succeed After 97 Years

Struggling Niger hope new coach Jean-Michel Cavalli from France can revive hopes of qualifying for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations. | AFP
Struggling Niger hope new coach Jean-Michel Cavalli from France can revive hopes of qualifying for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations. | AFP
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Africa Roundup: Tunisian Club Monastir Succeed After 97 Years

Struggling Niger hope new coach Jean-Michel Cavalli from France can revive hopes of qualifying for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations. | AFP
Struggling Niger hope new coach Jean-Michel Cavalli from France can revive hopes of qualifying for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations. | AFP

US Monastir ended a 97-year pursuit of a Tunisian trophy by shocking treble-seeking Esperance 2-0 to win the FA Cup final.

The unanticipated triumph completed a memorable season for the club from the Mediterranean tourist resort, who finished third in the league behind Esperance and CS Sfaxien.

Third place secured Monastir a first appearance in a Confederation of African Football (CAF) competition and they will participate in the second-tier Confederation Cup next season.

Here, AFP Sport rounds up football news from across the continent:

Tunisia

Four-time African champions Esperance fell at the final hurdle in pursuit of a Tunisian treble having won the league with an unbeaten 26-match record, then the Super Cup.

The Blood and Gold were the architects of their downfall with Algerian Abdelkader Bedrane conceding an own goal as half-time approached.

Yassine Amri scored on 82 minutes to seal success for Monastir, whose joy was diluted by the fact that the historic triumph came behind closed doors owing to the coronavirus.

Niger

Jean-Michel Cavalli has replaced fellow Frenchman Jean-Guy Wallemme as Niger coach with the task of lifting the team off the bottom of a 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying group.

The country ranked 28th in Africa and 112th in the world started their Group K campaign with a 1-0 loss in the Ivory Coast, then suffered a 6-2 drubbing at home from Madagascar.

Niger have home and away games against Ethiopia in November and a minimum of four points will be needed to get them into contention for a top-two finish and qualification for the finals.

Zambia

Mumamba Numba has set the bar high after being named coach of Zambian giants Zesco United in succession to sacked George Lwandamina.

"My dream is to assemble a formidable squad that can conquer Africa," said Numba, referring to a feat only one Zambian club, Power Dynamos, has achieved in 48 years.

Lwandamina paid the price for finishing fifth in the championship, which excluded the club from the two 2020/2021 CAF competitions.

Egypt

Vastly experienced Portuguese Jaime Pachedo, 62, has been named coach of five-time African champions Zamalek after Frenchman Patrice Carteron quit to join Al Taawoun in Saudi Arabia.

His immediate task is to ensure the White Knights hold on to the second place behind Egyptian Premier League winners Al Ahly and qualify for the 2020/2021 CAF Champions League.

Then, he must prepare for a two-leg 2019/2020 Champions League semi-final against Raja Casablanca in October as Zamalek seek to win the competition for the first time in 18 years.

Guinea

French coach and former national team winger Didier Six, 66, has chosen Guineans based in 18 countries for friendlies against Cape Verde and the Gambia in Portugal next month.

Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita is the only English Premier League representative for the warm-up games ahead of back-to-back Cup of Nations qualifiers against Chad in November.

Six chose goalkeeper Moussa Camara and defender Abou Mangue Camara from Conakry-based Horoya, the only non-north African club to reach the 2019/2020 CAF competitions semi-finals.

South Africa

South Africa captain and defender Thulani Hlatshwayo has joined former African champions Orlando Pirates from disbanded fellow Premiership club Bidvest Wits.

While he can play right-back, the 30-year-old is more likely to partner veteran Pirates captain Happy Jele in the center of defense.

Pirates conceded 29 goals in 30 league matches last season when finishing third behind Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs and qualifying for the CAF Confederation Cup.

Algeria

African champions Algeria will play a friendly on October 9 in Austria against Nigeria -- a repeat of the dramatic 2019 Cup of Nations semi-final.

With extra time looming in Cairo last July, captain Riyad Mahrez scored direct from a free-kick to snatch a 2-1 victory for the Desert Foxes over the Super Eagles.

Algeria will also meet Mexico, in the Netherlands, on October 13 during the nine-day FIFA international window.



Tottenham Hotspur Sack Head Coach Thomas Frank

(FILES) Tottenham Hotspur's Danish head coach Thomas Frank gestures on the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Burnley and Tottenham Hotspur at Turf Moor in Burnley, north-west England on January 24, 2026. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP)/
(FILES) Tottenham Hotspur's Danish head coach Thomas Frank gestures on the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Burnley and Tottenham Hotspur at Turf Moor in Burnley, north-west England on January 24, 2026. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP)/
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Tottenham Hotspur Sack Head Coach Thomas Frank

(FILES) Tottenham Hotspur's Danish head coach Thomas Frank gestures on the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Burnley and Tottenham Hotspur at Turf Moor in Burnley, north-west England on January 24, 2026. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP)/
(FILES) Tottenham Hotspur's Danish head coach Thomas Frank gestures on the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Burnley and Tottenham Hotspur at Turf Moor in Burnley, north-west England on January 24, 2026. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP)/

Thomas Frank was fired by Tottenham on Wednesday after only eight months in charge and with his team just five points above the relegation zone in the Premier League.

Despite leading Spurs to the round of 16 in the Champions League, Frank has overseen a desperate domestic campaign. A 2-1 loss to Newcastle on Tuesday means Spurs are still to win in the league in 2026.

“The Club has taken the decision to make a change in the Men’s Head Coach position and Thomas Frank will leave today,” Tottenham said in a statement. “Thomas was appointed in June 2025, and we have been determined to give him the time and support needed to build for the future together.

“However, results and performances have led the Board to conclude that a change at this point in the season is necessary.”

Frank’s exit means Spurs are on the lookout for a sixth head coach in less than seven years since Mauricio Pochettino departed in 2019.


Marseille Coach De Zerbi Leaves After Humiliating 5-0 Loss to PSG 

Marseille's Italian coach Roberto De Zerbi looks on from the technical area during the French Cup round of 32 football match between FC Bayeux and Olympique de Marseille (OM) at the Michel-d'Ornano Stadium in Caen on January 13, 2026. (AFP) 
Marseille's Italian coach Roberto De Zerbi looks on from the technical area during the French Cup round of 32 football match between FC Bayeux and Olympique de Marseille (OM) at the Michel-d'Ornano Stadium in Caen on January 13, 2026. (AFP) 
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Marseille Coach De Zerbi Leaves After Humiliating 5-0 Loss to PSG 

Marseille's Italian coach Roberto De Zerbi looks on from the technical area during the French Cup round of 32 football match between FC Bayeux and Olympique de Marseille (OM) at the Michel-d'Ornano Stadium in Caen on January 13, 2026. (AFP) 
Marseille's Italian coach Roberto De Zerbi looks on from the technical area during the French Cup round of 32 football match between FC Bayeux and Olympique de Marseille (OM) at the Michel-d'Ornano Stadium in Caen on January 13, 2026. (AFP) 

Marseille coach Roberto De Zerbi is leaving the French league club in the wake of a 5-0 thrashing at the hands of PSG in French soccer biggest game.

The nine-time French champions said on Wednesday that they have ended “their collaboration by mutual agreement.”

The heavy loss Sunday at the Parc des Princes restored defending champion PSG’s two-point lead over Lens after 21 rounds, with Marseille in fourth place after the humiliating defeat.

De Zerbi's exit followed another embarrassing 3-0 loss at Club Brugge two weeks ago that resulted in Marseille exiting the Champions League.

De Zerbi, who had apologized to Marseille fans after the loss against bitter rival PSG, joined Marseille in 2024 after two seasons in charge at Brighton. After tightening things up tactically in Marseille during his first season, his recent choices had left many observers puzzled.

“Following consultations involving all stakeholders in the club’s leadership — the owner, president, director of football and head coach — it was decided to opt for a change at the head of the first team,” Marseille said. “This was a collective and difficult decision, taken after thorough consideration, in the best interests of the club and in order to address the sporting challenges of the end of the season.”

De Zerbi led Marseille to a second-place finish last season. Marseille did not immediately announce a replacement for De Zerbi ahead of Saturday's league match against Strasbourg.

Since American owner Frank McCourt bought Marseille in 2016, the former powerhouse of French soccer has failed to find any form of stability, with a succession of coaches and crises that sometimes turned violent.

Marseille dominated domestic soccer in the late 1980s and early 1990s. It was the only French team to win the Champions League before PSG claimed the trophy last year. It hasn’t won its own league title since 2010.


Olympic Fans Hunt for Plushies of Mascots Milo and Tina as They Fly off Shelves 

Fans take selfies with the Olympic mascot Tina at the finish area of an alpine ski, slalom portion of a women's team combined race, at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026. (AP)
Fans take selfies with the Olympic mascot Tina at the finish area of an alpine ski, slalom portion of a women's team combined race, at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026. (AP)
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Olympic Fans Hunt for Plushies of Mascots Milo and Tina as They Fly off Shelves 

Fans take selfies with the Olympic mascot Tina at the finish area of an alpine ski, slalom portion of a women's team combined race, at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026. (AP)
Fans take selfies with the Olympic mascot Tina at the finish area of an alpine ski, slalom portion of a women's team combined race, at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026. (AP)

For fans of the Milan Cortina Olympic mascots, the eponymous Milo and Tina, it's been nearly impossible to find a plush toy of the stoat siblings in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo.

Many of the official Olympics stores in the host cities are already sold out, less than a week into the Winter Games.

“I think the only way to get them is to actually win a medal,” Julia Peeler joked Tuesday in central Milan, where Tina and Milo characters posed for photos with fans.

The 38-year-old from South Carolina is on the hunt for the plushies for her niece. She's already bought some mascot pins, but she won't wear them on her lanyard. Peeler wants to avoid anyone trying to swap for them in a pin trade, a popular Olympic pastime.

Tina, short for Cortina, is the lighter-colored stoat and represents the Olympic Winter Games. Her younger brother Milo, short for Milano, is the face of the Paralympic Winter Games.

Milo was born without one paw but learned to use his tail and turn his difference into a strength, according to the Olympics website. A stoat is a small mustelid, like a weasel or an otter.

The animals adorn merchandise ranging from coffee mugs to T-shirts, but the plush toys are the most popular.

They're priced from 18 to 58 euros (about $21 to $69) and many of the major official stores in Milan, including the largest one at the iconic Duomo Cathedral, and Cortina have been cleaned out. They appeared to be sold out online Tuesday night.

Winning athletes are gifted the plush toys when they receive their gold, silver and bronze medals atop the podium.

Broadcast system engineer Jennifer Suarez got lucky Tuesday at the media center in Milan. She's been collecting mascot toys since the 2010 Vancouver Games and has been asking shops when they would restock.

“We were lucky we were just in time,” she said, clutching a tiny Tina. “They are gone right now.”

Friends Michelle Chen and Brenda Zhang were among the dozens of fans Tuesday who took photos with the characters at the fan zone in central Milan.

“They’re just so lovable and they’re always super excited at the Games, they are cheering on the crowd,” Chen, 29, said after they snapped their shots. “We just are so excited to meet them.”

The San Franciscan women are in Milan for the Olympics and their friend who is “obsessed” with the stoats asked for a plush Tina as a gift.

“They’re just so cute, and stoats are such a unique animal to be the Olympic mascot,” Zhang, 28, said.

Annie-Laurie Atkins, Peeler's friend, loves that Milo is the mascot for Paralympians.

“The Paralympics are really special to me,” she said Tuesday. “I have a lot of friends that are disabled and so having a character that also represents that is just incredible.”