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CAF Confederation Cup Semi-finals: Five Things to Know 

Ramadan Sobhi (R) of Pyramids and Mpho Mvelase of Gallants (R) in action during the CAF Confederations Cup quarter-finals, 1st leg match between Pyramids FC and Marumo Gallants in Cairo, Egypt, 23 April 2023. (EPA)
Ramadan Sobhi (R) of Pyramids and Mpho Mvelase of Gallants (R) in action during the CAF Confederations Cup quarter-finals, 1st leg match between Pyramids FC and Marumo Gallants in Cairo, Egypt, 23 April 2023. (EPA)
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CAF Confederation Cup Semi-finals: Five Things to Know 

Ramadan Sobhi (R) of Pyramids and Mpho Mvelase of Gallants (R) in action during the CAF Confederations Cup quarter-finals, 1st leg match between Pyramids FC and Marumo Gallants in Cairo, Egypt, 23 April 2023. (EPA)
Ramadan Sobhi (R) of Pyramids and Mpho Mvelase of Gallants (R) in action during the CAF Confederations Cup quarter-finals, 1st leg match between Pyramids FC and Marumo Gallants in Cairo, Egypt, 23 April 2023. (EPA)

A new name will be engraved on the CAF Confederation Cup trophy this season as the Moroccan near monopoly of the competition comes to an end.

In the semi-final first legs on Wednesday, Young Africans of Tanzania host Marumo Gallants of South Africa and ASEC Mimosas of the Ivory Coast entertain USM Alger of Algeria.

The line-up contains several surprise qualifiers and is unusual in that the dominant region in African club football -- the north -- has only one representative.

Moroccan clubs Raja Casablanca and Renaissance Berkane each won two of the previous five finals with Egyptian outfit Zamalek the other side to win the African equivalent of the Europa League.

AFP Sport introduces some of the stars who could play key roles in deciding which teams advance to the final.

Menacing Mayele

Young Africans forward Fiston Mayele has scored 12 goals this season in the two CAF club competitions -- the Champions League and Confederation Cup.

A 28-year-old from the Democratic Republic of Congo, he bagged seven goals in the Champions League, including two hat-tricks.

When the Dar es Salaam outfit were demoted to the Confederation Cup, he continued to torment rivals, scoring the two goals that eliminated Rivers United of Nigeria in the last round.

Red-hot Chivaviro

Ranga Chivaviro of Marumo is the joint leading scorer in the Confederation Cup with six goals, and will appreciate the hot weather forecast for the first leg against Young Africans.

"I spent six months playing for a club in Kosovo two years ago and could not get used to the cold conditions," said the 30-year-old.

His quarter-final first-leg header against Pyramids in Egypt earned Gallants an unexpected draw, and a solitary goal gave the South Africans victory in the return match.

Twin threats

It is 24 years since ASEC last experienced African glory by defeating Tunisian giants Esperance to lift the CAF Super Cup one season after winning the CAF Champions League.

Now, the goals of Aubin Kramo and Pacome Zouzoua have brought the Abidjan outfit to the brink of another final appearance.

Kramo has netted four times and Zouzoua on three occasions as ASEC hope to become the third west African winners of the competition after Hearts of Oak from Ghana and Stade Malien of Mali.

Beware Mahious

Sharpshooter Aymen Mahious experienced heartbreak this year as hosts Algeria lost a penalty shootout against Senegal in the African Nations Championship (CHAN) final.

He was one the stand-out players in the tournament for home-based stars, scoring the only goal in each of three group victories and winning the Golden Boot with five goals.

Mahious has proven equally threatening in the Confederation Cup by netting three times -- one of four USM players to achieve that feat in the African campaign.

History seekers

Young Africans, Marumo, ASEC and USM are carrying the hopes of four countries who have never lifted the Confederation Cup since its introduction in 2004.

South African clubs Orlando Pirates (twice) and SuperSport United have lost finals while a similar fate befell Algerian trio Entente Setif, Mouloudia Bejaia and JS Kabylie.

Sewe Sport were the only finalists from the Ivory Coast, losing to Egyptian giants Al Ahly in 2014, while Young Africans are the first Tanzanian side to get beyond the quarter-finals.

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Sports

By the Numbers: A Look the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics

A general view of a screen showing the Olympic flame in the Olympic cauldron designed by Marco Balich, next to the Olympic Rings during the opening ceremony of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games at the San Siro stadium in Milan, northern Italy, on February 6, 2026. (AFP)
A general view of a screen showing the Olympic flame in the Olympic cauldron designed by Marco Balich, next to the Olympic Rings during the opening ceremony of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games at the San Siro stadium in Milan, northern Italy, on February 6, 2026. (AFP)
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By the Numbers: A Look the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics

A general view of a screen showing the Olympic flame in the Olympic cauldron designed by Marco Balich, next to the Olympic Rings during the opening ceremony of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games at the San Siro stadium in Milan, northern Italy, on February 6, 2026. (AFP)
A general view of a screen showing the Olympic flame in the Olympic cauldron designed by Marco Balich, next to the Olympic Rings during the opening ceremony of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games at the San Siro stadium in Milan, northern Italy, on February 6, 2026. (AFP)

The Milan Cortina Winter Olympics officially started on Friday, with the opening ceremony and the lighting of the cauldrons.

And these Games are particularly supersized.

These are the first Olympics to fully embrace cost-cutting reforms installed by the International Olympic Committee, and use mostly existing venues — which has meant scattering the Games all over northern Italy.

Here’s a look at some of the key numbers ahead of the opening ceremony:

1 The number of new sports at these Games. Ski mountaineering — also know as skimo — is making its Olympic debut. The sport combines uphill sprinting (on boots and on skis) and downhill skiing.

2 That's how many times Italy has hosted the Winter Olympics previously: in Cortina d’Ampezzo in 1956 and Turin in 2006. Italy has held the Summer Games once, in Rome in 1960.

8 The number of locations for events in the most spread-out Winter Games ever. Ice sports will take place in Milan and women’s Alpine skiing, curling and sliding events in Cortina — the two main hubs. But there will also be competition in Bormio, Livigno, Predazzo, Tesero and Anterselva, and the closing ceremony will take place in Verona.

13 Number of Russian athletes set to compete as neutral individuals along with seven Belarusians. They are not allowed to compete under their national flag or anthem and cannot take part in the opening ceremony athlete parades.

19 The number of days of competition.

39 The age difference (in years) between Team USA's oldest athlete at the Games and its youngest. Curler Rich Ruohonen will set a Team USA Winter Olympic record at age 54, while the youngest member of the team is 15-year-old freeskier Abby Winterberger.

41 Lindsey Vonn's age at her fifth Olympics after making a sensational return to ski racing. If she wins what would be a fourth Olympics medal she would edge France’s Johan Clarey — who was also 41 when he claimed downhill silver in 2022 — to become the oldest Olympic Alpine skiing medalist ever.

100 How old San Siro turns this year. The stadium that will host the opening ceremony will be knocked down in the next few years after a new arena is built next to it.

116 The number of medal events at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. If that sounds like a lot, it's not even close to the Summer Games. There will be more than 350 medal events at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

2,900 The number of athletes competing at the Milan Cortina Games. The United States will have the largest presence with 235 athletes — the largest ever US Winter Olympics team. Host nation Italy will have 196.

18,000 That's how many volunteers will be helping out at the Games. About 900 of them will be working behind the scenes at the opening ceremony.

Sports

Italy’s Meloni Plays Down ICE Agent Furor as She Meets Vance

Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, right, and US Vice President JD Vance hold a bilateral meeting during his visit to the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Friday, Feb. 6, 2026. (Kevin Lamarque/Pool Photo via AP)
Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, right, and US Vice President JD Vance hold a bilateral meeting during his visit to the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Friday, Feb. 6, 2026. (Kevin Lamarque/Pool Photo via AP)
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Italy’s Meloni Plays Down ICE Agent Furor as She Meets Vance

Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, right, and US Vice President JD Vance hold a bilateral meeting during his visit to the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Friday, Feb. 6, 2026. (Kevin Lamarque/Pool Photo via AP)
Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, right, and US Vice President JD Vance hold a bilateral meeting during his visit to the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Friday, Feb. 6, 2026. (Kevin Lamarque/Pool Photo via AP)

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni met US Vice President JD Vance in Milan on Friday, hours before the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics, using the encounter to reaffirm the strength of US–Italian ties despite tensions around the presence of US security personnel at the Games.

The meeting was also attended by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani.

"They are here for the opening ceremony of the Olympics, but it is also an opportunity for us ‌to discuss our ‌bilateral relations," Meloni said after welcoming ‌the ⁠two US leaders ‌at the Milan prefecture, according to Italian news agency ANSA.

"Italy and the United States have always maintained very significant ties," she added, stressing that the two governments were working to strengthen cooperation across multiple fronts and address ongoing international issues.

Her words were echoed by Vance.

"We love Italy and the Italian people. As you said, we have ⁠many excellent relations, many economic connections and partnerships," he said.

"In the Olympic spirit, competition ‌is based on rules. It’s good ‍to have shared values, and ‍we will have a very constructive exchange on many topics."

Energy security ‍and the creation of safe and reliable supply chains for critical minerals were also discussed during the talks, along with the latest developments in Iran and Venezuela, the Italian prime minister’s office said in a statement issued later in the day.

The meeting comes amid a backlash in Italy following the disclosure that analysts ⁠linked to a branch under US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) would support the US delegation during the Games.

The news triggered political criticism and concerns that spectators might boo US athletes or officials.

Over the past week, hundreds of demonstrators — including student groups and families — have staged protests across Milan highlighting ICE’s record and demanding clarity on its role in Italy.

Meloni, speaking in a Thursday night interview with broadcast group Mediaset, called the uproar "surreal," stressing that the investigative branch involved has long cooperated with Italy.

"It has never carried out, could ‌never carry out, and will never carry out police operations — immigration enforcement or checks — on our territory," she said.

Sports

Arteta Upbeat on Arsenal’s Title Push but Expects Tough Sunderland Challenge

Football - Carabao Cup - Semi Final - Second Leg - Arsenal v Chelsea - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - February 3, 2026 Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta reacts. (Action Images via Reuters)
Football - Carabao Cup - Semi Final - Second Leg - Arsenal v Chelsea - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - February 3, 2026 Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta reacts. (Action Images via Reuters)
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Arteta Upbeat on Arsenal’s Title Push but Expects Tough Sunderland Challenge

Football - Carabao Cup - Semi Final - Second Leg - Arsenal v Chelsea - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - February 3, 2026 Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta reacts. (Action Images via Reuters)
Football - Carabao Cup - Semi Final - Second Leg - Arsenal v Chelsea - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - February 3, 2026 Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta reacts. (Action Images via Reuters)

Arsenal have been plotting their Premier League title charge since before pre-season began, manager Mikel Arteta said on Friday as they prepare for a potentially pivotal clash against Sunderland that could extend their lead to nine points.

After three straight runners-up finishes, Arteta said he believed before the season began that Arsenal could end their title drought, with the London side now six points clear of Manchester City.

Chasing their first league title since 2003-04, Arteta said the squad had stayed united and blocked out the noise surrounding the pressure of the title race, taking things day by day.

"Before pre-season started, we started to prepare everything with the intention to be where we are and make sure the players are convinced we're ‌going to achieve ‌it," Arteta told reporters on Friday.

"Then go day ‌by ⁠day, that's it... ‌I don't like comparing (to his previous squads). It's an amazing group and they're doing an incredible job so far.

"We are very excited and privileged to have each other. We are going to enjoy it until the last day of the season."

'WELL-COACHED' SUNDERLAND

But first, Arsenal must navigate what Arteta expects to be a stern test against a Sunderland side that sit eighth in the standings after gaining promotion to the top flight last ⁠season.

Regis Le Bris's Sunderland have held Arsenal, City and champions Liverpool to draws this season while also remaining ‌unbeaten at home in 12 matches.

"We do what we ‍have to do. It's going to ‍be a really tough match. They've been in an incredible run all season. ‍We know the complexity of the match," Arteta said ahead of Saturday's home game.

"They are extremely competitive, really well-coached. They have really good individuals and a very clear identity of what they want to do and where they want to take the game, and they're very good at it.

"You can see the results they've had against the top sides, so we know what to expect and we need ⁠to deliver that tomorrow."

SAKA GETTING BETTER BUT NOT READY

Arteta said Bukayo Saka's hip was in better shape but that he was not yet ready to return. Skipper Martin Odegaard remains sidelined with a niggle while right back Jurrien Timber is ready to play.

Arsenal are also without midfielder Mikel Merino - who faces months on the sidelines after surgery on a foot fracture - a setback Arteta described as "a big blow".

The Spanish midfielder has an eye for goal and has also played as a stand-in striker when Arsenal were in the midst of an injury crisis.

"Mikel offers something different in the team, but he's going to be out for months so we need to support him, make ‌sure he's connected with the team," Arteta said.

"He can still add a lot of value to the players and staff and keep being around."