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Hosts Ivory Coast Make Perfect Start in African Nations Cup

People celebrate in the streets as Ivory Coast gears up to host the Africa Cup of Nations which begins on Saturday January 13, 2024 in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. © Luc Gnago, Reuters
People celebrate in the streets as Ivory Coast gears up to host the Africa Cup of Nations which begins on Saturday January 13, 2024 in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. © Luc Gnago, Reuters
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Hosts Ivory Coast Make Perfect Start in African Nations Cup

People celebrate in the streets as Ivory Coast gears up to host the Africa Cup of Nations which begins on Saturday January 13, 2024 in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. © Luc Gnago, Reuters
People celebrate in the streets as Ivory Coast gears up to host the Africa Cup of Nations which begins on Saturday January 13, 2024 in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. © Luc Gnago, Reuters

Hosts Ivory Coast started the African Nations Cup with a 2-0 win over Guinea-Bissau in the opening match in Abidjan on
Saturday. The two teams' other opponents in Group A are Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea.
The favorites for the 34th edition of the men's continental tournament are expected to be defending champions Senegal and last time's runners-up Egypt, along with World Cup 2022 semi-finalists Morocco.
Three matches are scheduled to be held later, Sunday, the second day of the tournament, where the Egypt national team will meet its Mozambican counterpart, the Nigeria national team will play with Equatorial Guinea, and the Ghana national team will face its Cape Verdean counterpart.

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Ricciardo Knew He Was Out before Singapore, Says RB Boss

RB's French principal Laurent Mekies attends a press conference after the practice session for the United States Formula One Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, on October 18, 2024. (AFP)
RB's French principal Laurent Mekies attends a press conference after the practice session for the United States Formula One Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, on October 18, 2024. (AFP)
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Ricciardo Knew He Was Out before Singapore, Says RB Boss

RB's French principal Laurent Mekies attends a press conference after the practice session for the United States Formula One Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, on October 18, 2024. (AFP)
RB's French principal Laurent Mekies attends a press conference after the practice session for the United States Formula One Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, on October 18, 2024. (AFP)

Daniel Ricciardo and his RB Formula One team knew before last month's Singapore Grand Prix that he was leaving and having to pretend otherwise was "not ideal", principal Laurent Mekies said on Friday.

The Australian spent much of that weekend awkwardly side-stepping questions about his unconfirmed departure and replacement by New Zealander Liam Lawson for this weekend's US Grand Prix.

Asked by reporters in Austin why 35-year-old Ricciardo had not been given a proper chance to say goodbye, Mekies said the eight-times race-winner's departure could have been handled better.

"It was frustrating, and yes, you're right, it was not ideal to go through the weekend in that way, first of all for him, on a professional and on a personal matter, and for the whole team around him," said the Frenchman.

"Yes, Daniel was aware. We did have discussions before the weekend. For many different reasons, we chose together to go into that weekend without announcing. And from that point onwards, we had to deal with it.

"It's a decision that, in hindsight, we may or may not do differently," he added.

Ricciardo's departure was announced on Sept. 26, four days after the Singapore race.

The Australian this week appeared in a photo on the Instagram account of friend and former motocross racer Adam Cianciarulo wearing a cap with the words "I'm retired. Having a good time IS my job" on it.

Mekies said the team and fans had still found a way to convey their affection for Ricciardo, one of Formula One's most popular drivers, who is famed for his light-hearted approach and smiling personality.

"I can hopefully say that the amount of love and empathy we felt through that weekend was something outstanding and something that shows that he's bigger than an F1 driver, he's bigger than F1," he added.