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African Players in Europe: Klopp Salutes Calm Match-winner Salah

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp and Salah - File Photo DPA
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp and Salah - File Photo DPA
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African Players in Europe: Klopp Salutes Calm Match-winner Salah

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp and Salah - File Photo DPA
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp and Salah - File Photo DPA

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp hailed the composure of Mohamed Salah after his goal delivered a 2-1 Premier League win over Brighton at the weekend, and first place with nine matches remaining.

"Being that calm in the decisive moment with the biggest chance we had from the best football we played, then that makes a real goalscorer so we are happy with everything," said Klopp.

Liverpool lead Arsenal by two points and defending champions Manchester City by three, but face three away matches in eight days during a challenging run-in.

- MOHAMED SALAH (Liverpool)

Egypt's captain sent the Reds to the top with his second-half winner against Brighton. Klopp's side trailed to Danny Welbeck's second-minute goal at Anfield, but Salah's deflected header set up Luis Diaz for a volleyed equaliser before the interval, AFPreported. After missing several chances, Salah sealed three priceless points for Liverpool when he calmly slotted home from Alexis Mac Allister's pass in the 65th minute. Salah's third goal in his last three games was his 22nd in all competitions this term.

- MOHAMMED KUDUS (West Ham)

The Ghana midfielder scored for the east London club in a dramatic 4-3 defeat at Newcastle. Kudus fired home from Jarrod Bowen's pass in the first half to put West Ham 2-1 ahead. But the Hammers eventually blew a two-goal lead as Newcastle's Harvey Barnes struck twice in the closing stages. Kudus was also less than impressed when one of the ball-boys at St James' Park refused to give up his stool to allow him to do his 'take-a-seat' celebration after scoring.

- SERHOU GUIRASSY (Stuttgart)

Guirassy scored the opener in Stuttgart's pulsating 3-3 Bundesliga draw with visiting Heidenheim, tapping in a cross from Angelo Stiller after 41 minutes. The goal was Guirassy's 23rd in 21 league games this season. The Guinea international has now scored in his past four matches. His tally is eight less than Bundesliga top scorer Harry Kane of Bayern Munich, but Guirassy has played six games fewer.

- SEBASTIEN HALLER (Borussia Dortmund)

Haller returned from an ankle injury in Borussia Dortmund's 2-0 win at Bayern Munich. He came off the bench late, his first match for Dortmund since December and his first game since he scored the winner in Ivory Coast's 2-1 victory over Nigeria in the Africa Cup of Nations final in February. Nine minutes after coming on, the 29-year-old forward found Julian Ryerson in the box, and the Norwegian scored Dortmund's second goal to seal their first league win in Munich since 2014.

- MOSTAFA MOHAMED (Nantes)

The Egypt striker's late penalty gave struggling Nantes a 2-1 Ligue 1 win at Nice in their first game under new coach Antoine Kombouare. The goal was an eighth of the season for his club for Mohamed, who had an impressive Cup of Nations at the beginning of the year as Egypt went out in the last 16. The result lifted Nantes out of the bottom three in Ligue 1. Nigeria's Terem Moffi netted a penalty for Nice in the same game.

- JOSEPH OKUMU (Reims)

The 26-year-old Kenyan international central defender scored his first goal since moving to France from Belgian side Gent last year to put Reims ahead at Lyon. However, it was not enough to earn his side all three points as Ghana's Ernest Nuamah equalised at the other end to secure a 1-1 draw for Lyon.

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Sports

Morocco Fans Celebrate ‘Justice’ After AFCON Title Decision, but Appeal Worries Linger

A man holds a Moroccan newspapers following CAF’s decision to strip Senegal of its Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title in Rabat on March 18, 2026. (AFP)
A man holds a Moroccan newspapers following CAF’s decision to strip Senegal of its Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title in Rabat on March 18, 2026. (AFP)
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Morocco Fans Celebrate ‘Justice’ After AFCON Title Decision, but Appeal Worries Linger

A man holds a Moroccan newspapers following CAF’s decision to strip Senegal of its Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title in Rabat on March 18, 2026. (AFP)
A man holds a Moroccan newspapers following CAF’s decision to strip Senegal of its Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title in Rabat on March 18, 2026. (AFP)

Moroccan fans have welcomed their team's ‌controversial coronation as Africa Cup of Nations champions, though some urged caution as Senegal prepare to challenge the ruling that has sent shockwaves through African football.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) declared Morocco champions on Tuesday after ruling Senegal forfeited the January 18 final in Rabat by walking off the pitch for 14 minutes in protest at a potentially decisive penalty awarded against them.

Although Senegal later returned and secured a 1-0 extra-time victory, CAF's Appeal Board reversed the result, awarding Morocco a 3-0 victory.

The Senegalese Football Federation said it would appeal the "unprecedented and unacceptable" ruling to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), while the Royal Moroccan Football Federation said the "strict application" of the rules ‌would help African ‌football.

Reactions within Morocco were largely positive, with supporters hailing the ‌ruling ⁠as overdue justice.

"The ⁠surprise was that a fair decision was actually made, but if we look at the reasoning behind it, it is logical and does justice to the team that truly deserved the title. It also sets a precedent - walking off the pitch because a match is slipping away is not acceptable," said Abdelmalek Hamza, a fan in Casablanca.

"The decision was taken firmly, and the national team and the Moroccan people deserve this victory and ⁠this title."

Rabat-based Oussama Ouaddich, who attended the tournament, welcomed the ‌verdict, saying: "I am overjoyed. We deserved this trophy. After ‌a brutal injustice, justice is finally rendered to Morocco."

CAUTION AMID LEGAL CHALLENGE

However, some fans remained ‌cautious with a potential appeal to CAS still pending.

"Honestly, I am not happy yet. ‌We need to wait and see what happens with the appeal. The decision is not final," said Imane Fakhir, a university student.

Omar Fallouji, a football fan in Casablanca, added: "Thankfully, CAF was fair to us, and I hope the trophy will be given to us after the ‌Senegalese team appeal to CAS."

Others expressed little concern over the appeal.

"The Cup was stolen from us. CAF's decision corrected the situation ⁠and made justice ⁠to the Moroccan people," said Mohammed Akherraz, a lawyer in Rabat.

"Appealing the decision... is only to gain time but it is a right that would not alter the result."

Some Moroccans highlighted the need to avoid escalating tensions with Senegal.

"As a Moroccan, yes I am proud. But what I want even more is for this not to become a wound between our peoples," said Bilal Jouahri, an entrepreneur in Rabat.

"Let the lawyers, the committees, the institutions do their work. The anger and insults serve nobody. Football lives on emotion, but emotions pass. It is just a game and should not fuel hate," he added.

CAF President Patrice Motsepe defended the ruling on Wednesday, saying it was important that decisions by the organization's disciplinary and appeals bodies were respected while Senegal's players ridiculed the decision on social media.

Sports

Real Madrid Faces Atletico in Key La Liga Derby as it Tries to catch Barcelona

16 March 2026, United Kingdom, Manchester: Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe and Trent Alexander-Arnold with team mates practice during a training session at the Etihad Stadium, ahead of Tuesday's UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg soccer match against Manchester City. Photo: Martin Rickett/PA Wire/dpa
16 March 2026, United Kingdom, Manchester: Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe and Trent Alexander-Arnold with team mates practice during a training session at the Etihad Stadium, ahead of Tuesday's UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg soccer match against Manchester City. Photo: Martin Rickett/PA Wire/dpa
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Real Madrid Faces Atletico in Key La Liga Derby as it Tries to catch Barcelona

16 March 2026, United Kingdom, Manchester: Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe and Trent Alexander-Arnold with team mates practice during a training session at the Etihad Stadium, ahead of Tuesday's UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg soccer match against Manchester City. Photo: Martin Rickett/PA Wire/dpa
16 March 2026, United Kingdom, Manchester: Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe and Trent Alexander-Arnold with team mates practice during a training session at the Etihad Stadium, ahead of Tuesday's UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg soccer match against Manchester City. Photo: Martin Rickett/PA Wire/dpa

Real Madrid’s bid to catch Barcelona and win La Liga faces a critical test in the Spanish capital derby this weekend.

Real Madrid hosts Atletico Madrid on Sunday trailing Barcelona by four points with 10 rounds remaining.

A win ensures Real stays close to Barcelona or even gains ground on the front-runner if Hansi Flick's side were to stumble against Rayo Vallecano earlier on the same day, The AP news reported.

But a Real loss combined with a Barcelona victory would put Barcelona in a strong position to successfully defend its crown.

Real, Atletico and Barcelona are all feeling good after eliminating English opponents in the Champions League round of 16 this week.

Key matches Real will be seeking some vengeance for the 5-2 drubbing Atletico dealt it in their first league meeting at Metropolitano Stadium in September.

That result started the downfall of then-coach Xabi Alonso.

Real has had some more bad losses under Álvaro Arbeloa but Alonso’s replacement got a huge boost after his team handily defeated Manchester City 5-1 on aggregate to reach the Champions League quarterfinals.

Atletico is in third place in La Liga and a full 13 points behind Barcelona.

Atletico’s 7-5 aggregate win over Tottenham in the Champions League this week set up a European quarterfinal with Barcelona next month.

Barcelona will be heavily favored to dispatch Rayo at Camp Nou after it blasted Newcastle 7-2 on Wednesday.

Players to watch Raphinha is on fire after five goals in his last two games for Barcelona. He netted a hat trick in a 5-2 win over Sevilla in the last round and added two goals against Newcastle.

Kylian Mbappé played the last 20 minutes against City after missing several games with a knee injury. Arbeloa will now have to decide if his star striker is ready to start against Atletico or if it is best to use him off the bench.

Out of action Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois tore a muscle in his upper right leg against City, meaning Andriy Lunin will be between the posts against Atletico.

Atletico goalie Jan Oblak is doubtful for the derby after a muscle injury in his torso ruled him out of the last game.

Barcelona goalkeeper Joan García also left the midweek Champions League game with an injury scare, but his club said on Thursday he was fine and will be available for Rayo.

Sports

Man Utd Boss Carrick Expects Hard Test Against Resolute Bournemouth

Manchester United Manager Michael Carrick in action during the English Premier League match of Manchester United against Aston Villa, in Manchester, Britain, 15 March 2026. (EPA)
Manchester United Manager Michael Carrick in action during the English Premier League match of Manchester United against Aston Villa, in Manchester, Britain, 15 March 2026. (EPA)
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Man Utd Boss Carrick Expects Hard Test Against Resolute Bournemouth

Manchester United Manager Michael Carrick in action during the English Premier League match of Manchester United against Aston Villa, in Manchester, Britain, 15 March 2026. (EPA)
Manchester United Manager Michael Carrick in action during the English Premier League match of Manchester United against Aston Villa, in Manchester, Britain, 15 March 2026. (EPA)

Michael Carrick has told his Manchester United side to ready themselves for an awkward encounter away to Bournemouth on Friday as they look to maintain their challenge for a Champions League place.

The Red Devils have enjoyed a resurgence since former United and England midfielder Carrick was appointed caretaker boss in January until the end of the season.

United are now third in the Premier League ahead of their trip to south coast side Bournemouth after recovering from their first loss under Carrick, away to Newcastle, by beating top-four rivals Aston Villa 3-1 on Sunday.

Bournemouth, however, are 10th in the table and have made life difficult for United in recent seasons, with December's remarkable 4-4 draw at Old Trafford extending their recent unbeaten run in this fixture.

Cherries boss Andoni Iraola, tipped as a possible permanent manager of the Red Devils has not lost in five previous matches against United.

But such has been the club's revival under Carrick, appointed after former United team-mate Darren Fletcher's two-game spell in temporary charge following the sacking of Ruben Amorim, that the Old Trafford hierarchy may well stick with the 44-year-old come the end of the current campaign.

"It's a tough game," Carrick said of Bournemouth, undefeated in their last 10 matches in the Premier League.

"It's a tough place to go. They're on a really good run of form, so, yeah, a difficult game," he also told a pre-match press conference on Thursday.

"We're obviously going down there, we've had a good run and the boys are in good shape but, yeah, always a difficult game. Always has been and probably always will be.

"We know that, they're a really good team, well coached, really well coached, and good energy. We know we'll be in for a game down there on Friday."

United have won just two of their last seven away matches following a last-gasp 2-1 loss at Newcastle.

But Carrick said: "Whether it's home or away, it's not something we kind of look at too much. It's the next game, really."

He added: "It's been nice to be able to win at home and put that in place, and to go and play at Old Trafford with a real feeling of confidence and looking forward to the game and for the supporters to feel that as well and leaving with a good feeling."

Matthijs de Ligt, Patrick Dorgu and Lisandro Martinez remain sidelined for Friday's match, but the latter is expected to be available when United return to action against Leeds on April 13.

The international break, lack of European fixtures and an early FA Cup exit mean United have an unusually long, 24-day, wait for a game after the Bournemouth match.

"You've got to be really flexible, you know, to come off the back of it in good shape," Carrick said.

"The boys will have a break, in some way, but we're definitely mindful of it for sure and it's a little bit unique in some ways, having the week after the internationals to prepare for the next game."