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Salah: Egypt not Among AFCON Favorites but Will Keep Fighting

Egypt's Mohamed Salah celebrates after scoring the 3-1 goal during the CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2025, Round of 16 match between Egypt and Benin in Agadir, Morocco, 05 January 2026. EPA/JALAL MORCHIDI
Egypt's Mohamed Salah celebrates after scoring the 3-1 goal during the CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2025, Round of 16 match between Egypt and Benin in Agadir, Morocco, 05 January 2026. EPA/JALAL MORCHIDI
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Salah: Egypt not Among AFCON Favorites but Will Keep Fighting

Egypt's Mohamed Salah celebrates after scoring the 3-1 goal during the CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2025, Round of 16 match between Egypt and Benin in Agadir, Morocco, 05 January 2026. EPA/JALAL MORCHIDI
Egypt's Mohamed Salah celebrates after scoring the 3-1 goal during the CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2025, Round of 16 match between Egypt and Benin in Agadir, Morocco, 05 January 2026. EPA/JALAL MORCHIDI

Egypt forward Mohamed Salah said his team was not among the favorites to win the Africa Cup of Nations title, but insisted they would give their best to go deeper in the tournament in Morocco.

Liverpool forward Salah scored the third goal to secure Egypt's spot in the quarter-finals with a hard-fought 3-1 extra-time victory over Benin on Monday.

Hossam ⁠Hassan's side are bidding to win the title for the first time since 2010 and a record eight times overall.

"I don't think we are a favorite at all (to win the title)" Salah told reporters.

"We have young ⁠players, and most of them play in Egypt. We just fight for our country... but everybody gives their best and you could see today".

According to Reuters, the 33-year-old said there were no easy games in AFCON.

"The level is quite similar, I told the team yesterday that no side loses by four or five goals. (Benin) have a good team ⁠and a good coach... I'm glad we managed to win in the end". Salah has scored 10 goals in 22 games in the AFCON, two fewer than Hassan El-Shazly, Egypt's all-time top scorer in the tournament and one fewer than his current coach Hassan.

Egypt will face defending champions Ivory Coast or Burkina Faso in the quarter-finals in Agadir on Saturday.

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Djokovic Says he Will Keep Playing as Long as he Has 'Fire and Flair'

INDIAN WELLS, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 04: Novak Djokovic of Serbia fields questions form the media during Day 1 of the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 04, 2026 in Indian Wells, California. Matthew Stockman/Getty Images/AFP
INDIAN WELLS, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 04: Novak Djokovic of Serbia fields questions form the media during Day 1 of the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 04, 2026 in Indian Wells, California. Matthew Stockman/Getty Images/AFP
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Djokovic Says he Will Keep Playing as Long as he Has 'Fire and Flair'

INDIAN WELLS, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 04: Novak Djokovic of Serbia fields questions form the media during Day 1 of the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 04, 2026 in Indian Wells, California. Matthew Stockman/Getty Images/AFP
INDIAN WELLS, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 04: Novak Djokovic of Serbia fields questions form the media during Day 1 of the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 04, 2026 in Indian Wells, California. Matthew Stockman/Getty Images/AFP

Novak Djokovic said he sees no reason to retire from tennis given that he is still motivated to compete and capable of beating the best players in the world.

The 38-year-old Serb defeated defending champion Jannik Sinner in a thrilling semi-final at the Australian Open in January before falling to world number one Carlos Alcaraz in the final, proving he is still a force on ⁠the sport's biggest ⁠stages.

"It was an incredible feeling to be able to beat Sinner in five sets in one of the epic matches that I played in recent times in Australia, and then have another great match with Carlos, who was just too good in the end," Djokovic told ⁠reporters at Indian Wells.

"For me, that has been a phenomenal result. So I have proven to myself primarily and to others that I can still compete at the highest level and beat these guys," Reuters quoted him as saying.

"So my logic is why not keep going as long as I have that fire and flair and quality and the motivation to do that."

The 24-times Grand Slam champion said he enjoys picking and choosing his schedule, which revolves mostly ⁠around the ⁠four Grand Slams and tune-up events. He also makes space for the Indian Wells tournament in the California desert, where he is a five-time champion.

"I really enjoy the thrill of competition," he said.

"I enjoy still getting out there in front of the fans and being competitive. Still number three in the world, so I don't think it's too bad in terms of the ranking and results and performances.

"So I'm still competitive. I still have that edge, and I'll keep on going as long as I feel like it."

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Andreeva Ready for Role as Defending Indian Wells Champion

Mar 2, 2026; Indian Wells, CA, USA; Mirra Andreeva (RUS) holds her dog Ressi during her practice session for the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Mar 2, 2026; Indian Wells, CA, USA; Mirra Andreeva (RUS) holds her dog Ressi during her practice session for the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
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Andreeva Ready for Role as Defending Indian Wells Champion

Mar 2, 2026; Indian Wells, CA, USA; Mirra Andreeva (RUS) holds her dog Ressi during her practice session for the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Mar 2, 2026; Indian Wells, CA, USA; Mirra Andreeva (RUS) holds her dog Ressi during her practice session for the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva said she will go into her Indian Wells title defense without worrying about the potential for dropping ranking points after being swept up in the excitement of being defending champion at last month's tournament in Dubai.

Andreeva toppled world number one Aryna Sabalenka in last year's final in Southern California for back-to-back WTA 1000 titles after her triumph in Dubai, but struggled to find similar form thereafter as she navigated the demands of her breakthrough season.

The search for consistency continued after the 18-year-old won the Adelaide crown ⁠at the start ⁠of 2026 before a run to the quarter-finals in Dubai, where she embraced the added scrutiny that comes with past success.

"I was worried about defending points in Dubai since Roland Garros," Andreeva told reporters on Wednesday, according to Reuters.

"I was thinking about it a lot, but when I came to ⁠Dubai the only thing I felt was the excitement of being there again, feeling new emotions at the tournament as defending champion.

"It was all new to me but I didn't feel the pressure for some reason as I thought I would. And here it's the same thing. I'm just so excited to be here as a defending champion, to see my photos almost everywhere.

"It's just nice to be here again and now I don't feel any pressure ⁠defending points."

Andreeva, ⁠who also beat Elena Rybakina, Elina Svitolina and Iga Swiatek en route to winning the Indian Wells title, said she is better equipped to handle drop-offs in form.

"I was just struggling to play and use that level in all the tournaments that I played," she added.

"It was a bit on and off, which was a new experience for me. But now if that happens again, I know how to deal with it."

Eighth seed Andreeva has a bye into the second round where she faces either Peyton Stearns or Solana Sierra.

Sports

Travel Chaos Threatens Iraq's Participation in World Cup Playoffs

Iraq are favorites to win the playoff and become the ninth Asian team to qualify for the finals (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Iraq are favorites to win the playoff and become the ninth Asian team to qualify for the finals (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Travel Chaos Threatens Iraq's Participation in World Cup Playoffs

Iraq are favorites to win the playoff and become the ninth Asian team to qualify for the finals (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Iraq are favorites to win the playoff and become the ninth Asian team to qualify for the finals (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Iraq's participation in the inter-confederation playoffs in Mexico that will decide two berths at this year's World Cup is in doubt because of the travel chaos triggered by the conflict in neighboring Iran.

The Iraqis are scheduled to play the winners of an earlier tie between Bolivia and Suriname in Monterrey on March 31 for a spot at the World Cup finals but are concerned they might not be able to get everyone to Mexico, Reuters reported.

Iraqi airspace has been closed ⁠since the United ⁠States and Israel launched air attacks on Iran last weekend and Tehran responded by firing missiles and drones at Israel, Gulf states and other countries.

"FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation are fully aware of every development regarding our team's ⁠situation," the Iraq national team said in a statement.

"Because of airspace closures, our head coach Graham Arnold is unable to leave the United Arab Emirates. In addition, several embassies remain closed at the present time, preventing several players, technical and medical staff from obtaining entry visas to Mexico.

"We assure our loyal supporters that we remain in close contact with both FIFA and the AFC, who are ⁠keeping tabs ⁠on the situation."

Iraq, who have played only once at the World Cup back in 1986, are favorites to win the playoff and become the ninth Asian team to qualify for the finals.

New Caledonia, Jamaica and the Democratic Republic of Congo will travel to Guadalajara later this month to compete in the other three-way playoff for a ticket to the World Cup finals.

The finals take place in the United States, Mexico and Canada from June 11 to July 19.