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It Is Going to Be Tough for Champions Senegal, Warns Mane

Senegal star Sadio Mane with the Africa Cup of Nations trophy after winning the 2022 final against Egypt. CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP/File
Senegal star Sadio Mane with the Africa Cup of Nations trophy after winning the 2022 final against Egypt. CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP/File
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It Is Going to Be Tough for Champions Senegal, Warns Mane

Senegal star Sadio Mane with the Africa Cup of Nations trophy after winning the 2022 final against Egypt. CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP/File
Senegal star Sadio Mane with the Africa Cup of Nations trophy after winning the 2022 final against Egypt. CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP/File

Senegal captain Sadio Mane predicts that "a really difficult group" lies ahead for the Africa Cup of Nations holders when they face Gambia, Cameroon and Guinea.
"The match against Cameroon is going to be very tough and we dare not underestimate our other opponents," the two-time African Player of the Year told reporters.
"While accepting that none of these matches will be easy, we have the ability and determination to reach the knockout stage," he said ahead of the tournament kick-off on Saturday.
Senegal defeated Cameroon 34 years ago in a group match in Algeria when they first met in the African football showpiece.
But Cameroon have had the upper hand since, winning a quarter-final, then the 2002 final and another quarter-final after penalty shootouts.
Senegal have beaten Guinea twice, but only drew 0-0 against them in the group stage two years ago en route to winning the Cup of Nations for the first time.
The Group C clash between the title-holders and surprise 2022 quarter-finalists Gambia will be the first in the tournament.
Mane, one of several Senegalese stars who joined the lucrative Saudi Pro League this year, admits that while winning two years ago was difficult, retaining the title will be even harder.
"I believe the 2024 Cup of Nations will be the toughest to win because the line-up is the strongest."
The 31-year-old, who reportedly wed his long-time sweetheart Aicha Tamba at a private ceremony this month, was referring to the fact that the top 15 ranked teams have qualified.
'Plotting to dethrone us'
Among the top 20, only Gabon, Uganda and Benin failed to make it to a tournament that will feature 12 former champions, including record seven-time winners Egypt.
"I cannot recall a stronger field. All the giants are going to be in the Ivory Coast and all of them will be plotting to dethrone us," added Mane.
He has won the Club World Cup, Champions League and Premier League with Liverpool, but says none of those triumphs compare with lifting the Cup of Nations trophy in Yaounde two years ago.
"Winning the last AFCON was the greatest moment of my career. No other success compares with it," said Mane, who converted the winning penalty in the final shootout against Egypt.
"It was a special achievement and one I dreamt of since childhood. Our victory had a massive impact on all Senegalese."
Since the Cup of Nations success, Senegal have also won the African Nations Championship for home-based players and the African under-17 and under-20 titles.
Cameroon, whose five titles makes them the second most successful country in the Cup of Nations, are among the most unpredictable qualifiers.
After a draw and loss to minnows Namibia in qualifying, they defeated modest Burundi to scrape through after being lucky not to trail by several goals at half-time.
Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana is expected to play at Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday -- one day before Cameroon face Guinea in their opening match in Yamoussoukro.
Cameroon coach Rigobert Song will rely on 2022 Cup of Nations leading scorer Vincent Aboubakar and Karl Toko Ekambi for goals after leaving out Bayern Munich forward Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting.
Guinea hope star forward Serhou Guirassy, scorer of 17 Bundesliga goals for Stuttgart this season, recovers from a thigh injury sustained in a warm-up win over Nigeria.

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Mahrez Leads Algeria to AFCON Cruise Against Sudan

Algeria's Riyad Mahrez celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Africa Cup of Nations group E soccer match between Algeria and Sudan in Rabat, Morocco, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025. (AP)
Algeria's Riyad Mahrez celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Africa Cup of Nations group E soccer match between Algeria and Sudan in Rabat, Morocco, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025. (AP)
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Mahrez Leads Algeria to AFCON Cruise Against Sudan

Algeria's Riyad Mahrez celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Africa Cup of Nations group E soccer match between Algeria and Sudan in Rabat, Morocco, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025. (AP)
Algeria's Riyad Mahrez celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Africa Cup of Nations group E soccer match between Algeria and Sudan in Rabat, Morocco, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025. (AP)

Captain Riyad Mahrez scored in each half as 2019 champions Algeria eased to a 3-0 win over 10-man Sudan in their opening game at the Africa Cup of Nations on Wednesday.

Mahrez got the opener after just 82 seconds to the delight of the Algerian fans who made up the vast majority of the 16,115 crowd at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat.

The former Manchester City winger, now with Al-Ahli of Saudi Arabia, got his and his team's second goal just after the hour mark and Ibrahim Maza wrapped up the win late on as Algeria started in the best possible fashion in Group E.

Among the spectators in the Moroccan capital was France legend Zinedine Zidane, whose parents came from Algeria and whose son Luca was starting in goal for the Desert Foxes.

His appearance on big screens in the ground drew huge cheers from Algerian supporters who will have been delighted to see their team produce a convincing performance.

Algeria were eliminated in the first round without a win at each of the last two AFCON tournaments but wasted no time in breaking the deadlock against the group outsiders.

The match was little over a minute old when Mohamed Amoura's ball across the penalty box was met by a back-heel from Hicham Boudaoui to tee up Mahrez. He took a touch before firing in.

Zidane then did well to save at the feet of Sudan's Yaser Awad Boshara but Algeria were by far the better side.

Sudan's chances of getting back into the game were then severely dented when Salaheldin Adil was sent off six minutes before the interval for a second booking for chopping down Rayan Ait-Nouri.

Ramy Bensebaini had a goal disallowed for offside moments later but Mahrez made it 2-0 on 61 minutes as he connected with a lovely outside-of-the-boot assist from Amoura.

Mahrez, appearing at his sixth AFCON, now has eight goals at the tournament. He came off to an ovation from the Algerian fans late on.

Substitute Maza, of Bayer Leverkusen, finished from Baghdad Bounedjah's knockdown with five minutes left to score Algeria's 100th AFCON goal and make it 3-0.

Sudan have now won just once in 17 Cup of Nations matches since lifting the trophy in 1970.

Earlier in the same group, Burkina Faso came from behind to beat 10-man Equatorial Guinea 2-1 thanks to two goals deep in injury time in Casablanca.

Basilio Ndong was sent off just after half-time for Equatorial Guinea but they looked set to win the game when substitute Marvin Anieboh headed in on 85 minutes.

However, Georgi Minoungou equalized in the fifth added minute before Leverkusen defender Edmond Tapsoba grabbed a dramatic 98th-minute winner.

Sports

Boulevard City Hosts Open Training Sessions for 'Ring V: Night of the Samurai' Stars

The open training sessions are part of the Fight Week program - SPA
The open training sessions are part of the Fight Week program - SPA
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Boulevard City Hosts Open Training Sessions for 'Ring V: Night of the Samurai' Stars

The open training sessions are part of the Fight Week program - SPA
The open training sessions are part of the Fight Week program - SPA

The Global Theater at Boulevard City hosted on Wednesday the open training sessions for the stars of “Ring V: Night of the Samurai,” as part of the second day of Fight Week during Riyadh Season 2025.

The event drew strong public and media attendance, giving boxing fans a close look at the fighters’ preparations ahead of the much-anticipated fight night.

The world’s top boxing talents, led by Japanese world champion Naoya Inoue, alongside Alan Picasso, Junto Nakatani, Kenshiro Teraji, Taiga Imanaga, Rito Tsutsumi, and other fighters, featured on the Night of the Samurai fight card. The interactive atmosphere reflected the global interest surrounding the upcoming event, according to SPA.

The sessions showcased the fighters’ skills, physical strength, and sharp focus, as the stars delivered technical highlights for fans and media alike, marking the final stages of preparation ahead of the official bouts to be hosted in Riyadh as part of one of the biggest boxing nights of Riyadh Season.

The open training sessions are part of the Fight Week program, designed to enhance fan engagement with the participating fighters and offer a closer look at the competitive build-up, reflecting Riyadh Season’s commitment to delivering exceptional sports and entertainment experiences.

The press conference will be held on December 25, 2025, with all fighters in attendance, as final preparations are discussed and statements exchanged ahead of the main fight night.

Sports

Frank Warns Squad to Be ‘Grown-Up’ as Spurs Players Get Christmas Day Off

Tottenham Hotspur's manager Thomas Frank gestures during the English Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool FC, in London, Britain, 20 December 2025. (EPA)
Tottenham Hotspur's manager Thomas Frank gestures during the English Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool FC, in London, Britain, 20 December 2025. (EPA)
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Frank Warns Squad to Be ‘Grown-Up’ as Spurs Players Get Christmas Day Off

Tottenham Hotspur's manager Thomas Frank gestures during the English Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool FC, in London, Britain, 20 December 2025. (EPA)
Tottenham Hotspur's manager Thomas Frank gestures during the English Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool FC, in London, Britain, 20 December 2025. (EPA)

Thomas Frank will give his Tottenham squad Christmas Day off but only because it fits in with their schedule ahead of Sunday's match away to London rivals Crystal Palace.

Spurs have struggled since Frank replaced the sacked Ange Postecoglou and are 14th in the Premier League table following a run of five defeats in eight matches in all competitions.

The club's form has led to a rising tide of anger among Tottenham fans, many of whom are already losing faith in Frank and the 52-year-old's decision to give his side Christmas Day off may not go down well with supporters.

But Frank, explaining the reason behind his decision, said: "This week we actually handle in the same way I would have done with any other week. If it was not Christmas, it was still done the same.

"So, we have two days leading to the game, day off, two days. So Tuesday and Wednesday, then off on 25th and then two days. Then it's perfectly fit the Christmas family schedule, which is very good.

"I'm a big believer of being a top professional and that's something I believe the players are and should be. Some need to be guided more than others, but also they are grown-up individuals.

"If I need to hold their hand the whole time, we have a bigger problem in my opinion."
Frank will be without captain Cristian Romero and Xavi Simons at Selhurst Park due to suspension in a fresh setback for the Danish coach.

But the former Brentford boss pointed to his spell at Brondby in 2013, where he recovered from a poor start to enjoy success over a three-year period, as an indication of how things could turn around at Spurs.

"I think I see a lot of similarities to my first head coach job," he said. "Of course, completely different scale.

"This is, of course, a massive club. One of the biggest clubs in the world and so much focus on it, so that makes it of course bigger and a different challenge.

"But I see a lot of similarities when I had my first head coach job in Brondby and here where you try to build something over time.

"You inherit something that you need to try to get right with a lot of good people around me and then where this makes it extra challenging is that we play Champions League and Premier League at the same time.

"And we try to improve while we are driving 100 miles an hour, but that's part of it. That's a good challenge."