Africa

No one scored more for Cameroon than former Barcelona and Inter Milan superstar Samuel Eto’o. The lethal striker scored 56 times in 118 appearances for the Indomitable Lions, and now his son appears ready to pick up the mantle. 

Etienne Eto’o Pineda, Samuel Eto’o’s son, scored two goals in his first start for Cameroon, leading the U-20 Indomitable Lions to a 4-1 win over Mozambique at the Africa U-20 Cup of Nations on Saturday in Mauritania. 

Nigeria Professional Football League side Wikki Tourists had a lucky escape when the team bus carrying them to their away fixture against Dakkada in Uyo burst into flames and burnt to the ground, officials said.

All players, coaches and team officials survived unscathed in the incident on Saturday, but they lost the team kit and many of their belongings as the blaze moved quickly through the vehicle.

The bus in which Wikki Tourists players and officials were travelling, burst into flames this morning.

As we approach the New Year and the halfway point of domestic seasons, it’s become evident that the resources and depth boasted by Europe’s top clubs should be enough to weather the wildest of campaigns. Bayern Munich and Liverpool are favorites to defend their respective titles, while Real Madrid’s only genuine challenger appears to be Atlético.

CAIRO — Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been fined $10,000 for social media posts that tarnished the "honour and image" of the Confederation of African Football after his Gabon team spent the night on an airport floor ahead of an African Cup of Nations qualifier last month.

Aubameyang and his team mates were stuck at the airport in the Gambia after arriving for a qualifying game. They were not allowed to leave as officials argued over COVID-19 testing.

Crystal Palace forward Wilfried Zaha scored twice on his return to the team following illness and Christian Benteke also grabbed a double in the second half as they cruised to a 5-1 win over 10-man West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League on Sunday.

Ivorian Zaha marked his comeback from self-isolation after contracting COVID-19 by curling the ball in on his 200th Premier League start and doubled his tally by tapping home after a fine run from Eberechi Eze to seal the victory at The Hawthorns.

Former Senegal midfielder Papa Bouba Diop, who scored the first goal of the 2002 World Cup against France, has died at the age of 42, world governing body FIFA said on Sunday.

"FIFA is saddened to learn of the passing of Senegal legend Papa Bouba Diop. Once a World Cup hero, always a World Cup hero," the world governing body said in a statement on Twitter.

Africa's oldest footballing rivalry has an elevated prize on offer on Friday when Egypt's Al Ahly meet their arch rivals Zamalek in the African Champions League final in Cairo.

Bitter adversaries for more than a century, Friday’s clash for the top club trophy on the continent is the 239th meeting between the two teams, each of whom can count their support in the Arabic speaking world in the tens of millions of fans.

Al Ahly dominate the past win count 102-58 but this is first time the Cairo clubs face off in a continental competition final.

The head of African football, Ahmad Ahmad, has been banned from football for five years by FIFA following an ethics investigation by world soccer's governing body.

Ahmad, who is president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), had intended to stand in an election in March in which he would have faced a number of challengers. FIFA said in a statement the independent Ethics Committee has found Ahmad guilty of offering and accepting gifts and other benefits, and misappropriation of funds.

The FIFA Club World Cup, originally planned for December, will now be held from Feb. 1 to Feb. 11 in Doha, Qatar, organizers FIFA said on Tuesday.

The tournament brings together the six continental champions from across the world, with European Champions League winners Bayern Munich the first to have qualified. Last season's tournament ended with Liverpool beating Brazilian club Flamengo in the final.