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Salah faces hectic 2021 with Egypt, CAF to elect new president Johannesburg (AFP) – Liverpool sharpshooter Mohamed Salah will be a star in demand during 2021 with Egypt wanting him not only for World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, but also the Olympic Games. The record seven-time African champions face between six and eight World Cup matches and two in the Cup of Nations as the continent plays catch-up after 2020 schedules were severely affected by the coronavirus. Qualifiers for the Olympics are permitted three over-age players in a tournament otherwise restricted to under-23 footballers and Salah tops the Egyptian wish list as they plan for Tokyo. Here, AFP Sport outlines what lies ahead for African football with a new Confederation of African Football (CAF) president set to be elected in March after incumbent Ahmad Ahmad was banned for five years by FIFA. World Cup Salah and fellow former African Footballer of the Year Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will come face to face in Group F where Gabon are likely to pose the biggest threat to Egypt. Libya, who cannot play at home because of a violent struggle for political control of the oil-rich country, and off-form Angola are also in the section and only the team finishing first survive. African champions Algeria, Tunisia, Nigeria, Cameroon, Mali, Egypt, Ghana, Senegal, Morocco and the Democratic Republic of Congo are seeded to win the 10 groups and reach the two-leg final phase. Cup of Nations Among the last 10 champions, 2012 title-holders Zambia are in most danger of missing the 24-team tournament in Cameroon, which has been put back one year to the beginning of 2022 because of Covid-19. The Chipolopolo (Copper Bullets) are last in a group where defending champions Algeria have already qualified, Zimbabwe lie second and Botswana third. Zambia have lost three of four qualifiers and host Algeria and visit Zimbabwe during March as they try to avoid missing three consecutive Cup of Nations finals. Nations Championship Hosts Cameroon hope to emulate 2018 champions Morocco and win at home a 16-team competition reserved for footballers playing in their country of birth. It will be a tough task for the Cameroonians, though, after a change of coaches and disappointing warm-up results for the January 16-February 7 tournament. Qualifying was riddled with shocks and Algeria, Ghana, the Ivory Coast, Nigeria and Senegal were eliminated while former champions Tunisia withdrew after securing a place, citing fixture congestion. Olympic Games Africa has collected two gold, a silver and two bronze medals from the last seven Olympic Games football tournaments with Nigeria winning in 1996 and Cameroon emulating them four years later. Neither country will be in Tokyo, however, with Egypt, the Ivory Coast and South Africa the African representatives. It will be the 11th appearance by Egypt — a record for an African nation — and their best showings were finishing fourth at the 1928 Amsterdam and 1964 Tokyo Games. Champions League Al Ahly of Egypt will not only defend the Champions League title, but also face Renaissance Berkane of Morocco in the CAF Super Cup, and try to improve a poor FIFA Club World Cup record. The greatest threats to the Red Devils in the Champions League are likely to come from Cairo neighbours Zamalek, Casablanca clubs Raja and Wydad and Esperance Tunis. Ahly have regularly flopped in the Club World Cup, losing nine of 12 matches in five appearances, including a 5-1 trouncing by Mexicans Monterrey. Confederation Cup Berkane defeated expensively assembled Egyptian outfit Pyramids in the 2020 final and both look among the strongest contenders again. Etoile Sahel of Tunisia, the only club to win all five current and past CAF competitions, and 2015 Confederation Cup runners-up Orlando Pirates of South Africa could go far. Champions League last 32 losers join the African equivalent of the UEFA Europa League at the playoffs stage and they could include CS Sfaxien of Tunisia, winners of the Confederation Cup a record three times. CAF presidency Malagasy Ahmad was a hot favourites to secure a second term as CAF president until FIFA barred him from all football activities for five years. A FIFA statement said the 60 year old had “breached his duty of loyalty, offered gifts and other benefits, mismanaged funds and abused his position as the CAF president”. With Ahmad sidelined, Ivorian Jacques Anouma, Mauritanian Ahmed Yahya, Senegalese Augustin Senghor and South African Patrice Motsepe will contest the election in Rabat on March 12. TV blackout Football followers in the many African countries where Johannesburg-based SuperSport provide coverage of CAF competitions will be hoping for the end of a blackout with the Nations Championship looming. CAF last year ended a $1 billion (815 million euros) contract with French company Lagardere, due to run until 2028, after a Cairo court said the agreement breached Egyptian competition rules. SuperSport, who screened matches along with Canal+ (French) and BeIN Sports (Arabic), said they could not continue as they had signed a contract with Lagardere.

Johannesburg (AFP) – Liverpool sharpshooter Mohamed Salah will be a star in demand during 2021 with Egypt wanting him not only for World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, but also the Olympic Games. The record seven-time African champions face between six and eight World Cup matches and two in the Cup of Nations as the continent plays catch-up after 2020 schedules were severely affected by the coronavirus. Qualifiers for the Olympics are permitted three over-age players in a tournament otherwise restricted to under-23 footballers and Salah tops the Egyptian wish list as they plan for Tokyo. Here, AFP Sport outlines what lies ahead for African football with a new Confederation of African Football (CAF) president set to be elected in March after incumbent Ahmad Ahmad was banned for five years by FIFA. World Cup Salah and fellow former African Footballer of the Year Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will come face to face in Group F where Gabon are likely to pose the bi...

Ex-France coach Domenech gets a clown’s welcome at Nantes Nantes (France) (AFP) – Raymond Domenech’s first training session at Ligue 1 club Nantes Wednesday was marred by a band of supporters playing circus music with a ‘ringmaster’ taking aim at the former France coach and club owner Waldemar Kita, and comparing players to goats. An onlooking Domenech, who has signed a six-month contract with Nantes for his first job since the fiasco at the 2010 World Cup, had taken a back seat to allow club trainer Cyril Moine to put the players through their paces. But the peaceful atmosphere soon changed, with Domenech, who last coached a club side in 1993 and left his role as les Bleus boss after finishing bottom of the group and suffering a player revolt in South Africa, the clear target. “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Kita Circus! The Kita Circus brings you some new amazing new acts,” boomed a member of the ‘Brigade Loire’ supporters’ club to a background of deafening circus music. “Raymond Domenech will explain to us his vision of football, what will make us laugh on the upcoming weekends.” Domenech and Kita aside, the players were also targeted. “And finally the Kita Circus brings you its traditional animal act. Eleven goats will be dispersed on a green rectangle and will have to pass a ball. “Exclusively at the Kita Circus, a show that has lasted 13 years, for the young and the old,” the ‘ringmaster’ said in reference to the arrival of Kita as club president in 2007. The criticism did not sit well with the players, Abdoulaye Toure having to be held back by his teammates. Flanked by two bodyguards, Kita himself attended the end of the training session to talk with the players in front of a complete turnout of backroom staff.

Nantes (France) (AFP) – Raymond Domenech’s first training session at Ligue 1 club Nantes Wednesday was marred by a band of supporters playing circus music with a ‘ringmaster’ taking aim at the former France coach and club owner Waldemar Kita, and comparing players to goats. An onlooking Domenech, who has signed a six-month contract with Nantes for his first job since the fiasco at the 2010 World Cup, had taken a back seat to allow club trainer Cyril Moine to put the players through their paces. But the peaceful atmosphere soon changed, with Domenech, who last coached a club side in 1993 and left his role as les Bleus boss after finishing bottom of the group and suffering a player revolt in South Africa, the clear target. “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Kita Circus! The Kita Circus brings you some new amazing new acts,” boomed a member of the ‘Brigade Loire’ supporters’ club to a background of deafening circus music. “Raymond Domenech will explain to us his vision of football...

Coutinho injury blow for Barcelona Madrid (AFP) – Barcelona midfielder Philippe Coutinho needs surgery to mend a torn meniscus after the Brazilian limped off the pitch late in Tuesday’s drab home draw with Eibar. His loss adds to a long list of injuries including Lionel Messi with the club sixth in La Liga seven points off leaders Atletico Madrid. “It’s the meniscus in his left knee and it needs surgery, which will be carried out in the coming days,” a Barcelona statement said. Coutinho was recruited from Liverpool for £142 million pounds (157m euros) in 2018. But Coutinho failed to replicate the success he enjoyed on Merseyside in Barcelona, where his talent has withered in Messi’s shadow. He was loaned out to Bayern Munich last season but the Germans opted against signing him permanently.

Madrid (AFP) – Barcelona midfielder Philippe Coutinho needs surgery to mend a torn meniscus after the Brazilian limped off the pitch late in Tuesday’s drab home draw with Eibar. His loss adds to a long list of injuries including Lionel Messi with the club sixth in La Liga seven points off leaders Atletico Madrid. “It’s the meniscus in his left knee and it needs surgery, which will be carried out in the coming days,” a Barcelona statement said. Coutinho was recruited from Liverpool for £142 million pounds (157m euros) in 2018. But Coutinho failed to replicate the success he enjoyed on Merseyside in Barcelona, where his talent has withered in Messi’s shadow. He was loaned out to Bayern Munich last season but the Germans opted against signing him permanently. from World Soccer Talk https://ift.tt/3o0ctnl

Where to find Newcastle vs. Liverpool on US TV and streaming If you’re trying to find out how you can watch Newcastle vs. Liverpool on US TV in the Premier League, you’ve come to the right place. For viewers in the US, Newcastle vs. Liverpool will be shown on TV and streaming (more details below). Match: Newcastle vs. Liverpool Kickoff: Wednesday, 3pm ET Looking to watch Newcastle vs. Liverpool online from your work, home or on the go? If you live in the USA, there are several options to catch all the action. We Recommend: US Only. Here are all of the details of where you can watch it on television and via legal streaming: Who: Newcastle vs. Liverpool What: Premier League When: Game kicks off at 3pm ET / Noon PT; Wednesday, December 30, 2020 Where: Live on NBCSN, Universo, fuboTV, Hulu Live and Sling Blue (free trial) With fuboTV, you can watch Newcastle vs. Liverpool and tons more Premier League games with a 7-day trial. With the legal streaming service, you can watch the game on your computer, smartphone, tablet, Roku, Apple TV or hook it up to your TV with Google Chromecast. Now with fuboTV, you can stream NBCSN, ESPN, ESPN2, FS1, FS2 as well as beIN SPORTS, beIN SPORTS en Español, beIN SPORTS Connect, NBC (in select cities), CNBC, USA, FOX (in select cities), FOX Soccer Plus, FOX Deportes, FOX Sports Net, RAI Italia, Telemundo, Univision, Univision Deportes, UniMas, Eleven Sports, CBS, CSN, RAI Italia and YES. Plus fuboTV, the legal streaming service, also streams Euro 2020, Serie A (in Italian via RAI), La Liga, Liga MX, World Cup, Women’s World Cup, MLS, UEFA Champions League (in Spanish), Europa League (in Spanish), Primeira Liga, Ligue Un, World Cup qualifiers, select USMNT games, select USWNT games, select Mexico games, select England games and more. The fuboTV app is available for Windows PC, Mac, Apple iPhone, Apple iPad, Apple TV, Android smartphones, Android tablets, Roku, Amazon Fire TV and Amazon Kindle. Courtesy of World Soccer Talk, download a complimentary copy of The Ultimate Soccer TV And Streaming Guide, which features details on where to watch all of the leagues from around the world on US TV and streaming. SEE MORE: Schedule of Premier League games on US TV and streaming

If you’re trying to find out how you can watch Newcastle vs. Liverpool on US TV in the Premier League, you’ve come to the right place. For viewers in the US, Newcastle vs. Liverpool will be shown on TV and streaming (more details below). Match: Newcastle vs. Liverpool Kickoff: Wednesday, 3pm ET Looking to watch Newcastle vs. Liverpool online from your work, home or on the go? If you live in the USA, there are several options to catch all the action. We Recommend: US Only. Here are all of the details of where you can watch it on television and via legal streaming: Who: Newcastle vs. Liverpool What: Premier League When: Game kicks off at 3pm ET / Noon PT; Wednesday, December 30, 2020 Where: Live on NBCSN, Universo, fuboTV , Hulu Live and Sling Blue (free trial) With fuboTV , you can watch Newcastle vs. Liverpool and tons more Premier League games with a 7-day trial. With the legal streaming service, you can watch the game...

Where to find Spurs vs. Fulham on US TV and streaming If you’re trying to find out how you can watch Spurs vs. Fulham on US TV in the Premier League, you’ve come to the right place. For viewers in the US, Spurs vs. Fulham will be shown on TV and streaming (more details below). Match: Spurs vs. Fulham Kickoff: Wednesday, 1pm ET Looking to watch Spurs vs. Fulham online from your work, home or on the go? If you live in the USA, there are several options to catch all the action. We Recommend: US Only. Here are all of the details of where you can watch it on television and via legal streaming: Who: Spurs vs. Fulham What: Premier League When: Game kicks off at 1pm ET / 10am PT; Wednesday, December 30, 2020 Where: Live on NBCSN, fuboTV, Hulu Live and Sling Blue (free trial) With fuboTV, you can watch Spurs vs. Fulham and tons more Premier League games with a 7-day trial. With the legal streaming service, you can watch the game on your computer, smartphone, tablet, Roku, Apple TV or hook it up to your TV with Google Chromecast. Now with fuboTV, you can stream NBCSN, ESPN, ESPN2, FS1, FS2 as well as beIN SPORTS, beIN SPORTS en Español, beIN SPORTS Connect, NBC (in select cities), CNBC, USA, FOX (in select cities), FOX Soccer Plus, FOX Deportes, FOX Sports Net, RAI Italia, Telemundo, Univision, Univision Deportes, UniMas, Eleven Sports, CBS, CSN, RAI Italia and YES. Plus fuboTV, the legal streaming service, also streams Euro 2020, Serie A (in Italian via RAI), La Liga, Liga MX, World Cup, Women’s World Cup, MLS, UEFA Champions League (in Spanish), Europa League (in Spanish), Primeira Liga, Ligue Un, World Cup qualifiers, select USMNT games, select USWNT games, select Mexico games, select England games and more. The fuboTV app is available for Windows PC, Mac, Apple iPhone, Apple iPad, Apple TV, Android smartphones, Android tablets, Roku, Amazon Fire TV and Amazon Kindle. Courtesy of World Soccer Talk, download a complimentary copy of The Ultimate Soccer TV And Streaming Guide, which features details on where to watch all of the leagues from around the world on US TV and streaming. SEE MORE: Schedule of Premier League games on US TV and streaming

If you’re trying to find out how you can watch Spurs vs. Fulham on US TV in the Premier League, you’ve come to the right place. For viewers in the US, Spurs vs. Fulham will be shown on TV and streaming (more details below). Match: Spurs vs. Fulham Kickoff: Wednesday, 1pm ET Looking to watch Spurs vs. Fulham online from your work, home or on the go? If you live in the USA, there are several options to catch all the action. We Recommend: US Only. Here are all of the details of where you can watch it on television and via legal streaming: Who: Spurs vs. Fulham What: Premier League When: Game kicks off at 1pm ET / 10am PT; Wednesday, December 30, 2020 Where: Live on NBCSN, fuboTV , Hulu Live and Sling Blue (free trial) With fuboTV , you can watch Spurs vs. Fulham and tons more Premier League games with a 7-day trial. With the legal streaming service, you can watch the game on your computer, smartphone, tablet, Roku, Apple T...

Solskjaer sees Man Utd of old in late win over Wolves Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Manchester United are recreating the habit of late winners that could lead to an unexpected Premier League title challenge, according to manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Marcus Rashford’s deflected strike deep into stoppage time beat Wolves 1-0 on Tuesday to move United up to second and within two points of leaders Liverpool. After come from behind wins at Brighton and Southampton already this season, United have now won three of their first 15 games of the season in added time, a trait Solskjaer knows well from his playing career at Old Trafford under Alex Ferguson. “It’s one of the points we brought up early in the season, that we didn’t win many points towards the end of games,” said Solskjaer. “We have a tradition for it at this club. Obviously we’ve normally got many more supporters helping us to do that. “Now we’ve won many more points towards the end of games and that’s both a mental aspect and a physical aspect.” United laboured for long spells against a youthful Wolves side despite having a day’s extra rest than the visitors, who were in action just 48 hours previously against Tottenham. But Solskjaer described snatching victory from an uninspired performance as a “big step forward” as United beat Wolves for the first time in five meetings between the sides since Nuno Espirito Santo’s men returned to the top flight two-and-a-half-years ago. “We didn’t perform as well as we want to do but we win a game against a very difficult side to play against,” added Solskjaer. “We’ve struggled against them, this is the first win in the league. We’ve played them seven times (over the past three seasons) and there has never been many goals in the games. “This is a big step forward that you don’t perform, but you still win.” United’s victory continues an excellent run of 23 points from the last possible 27 to mount a title challenge that looked unlikely after winning just two of their opening six league games. Solskjaer’s men host Aston Villa on New Year’s Day before travelling to face Liverpool on January 17, in a match which could have huge ramifications on the title race. “We cannot get too far ahead of ourselves,” said Solskjaer. “We’ve got to a decent position at the moment but we are not even halfway, there is a long, long way to go.” Defeat was harsh on Wolves, who competed manfully given the tight turnaround for two hugely demanding fixtures. However, the visitors again lacked a goal threat in the absence of Raul Jimenez, who is expected to miss much of the rest of the season due to a fractured skull. “This is football and a learning process,” said Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo. “It’s cruel in the moment but you can’t stay feeling sorry. You have to move forward.” The last clash between the sides at Old Trafford in February was Bruno Fernandes’s debut for United. The Portuguese has had a transformative impact on the United’s fortunes, but he could not beat international teammate Patricio with by far the hosts’ best chance of the first-half as he snuck in at the back post to meet Mason Greenwood’s cross. Solskjaer lauded Edinson Cavani’s predatory instincts on the eve of the game, suggesting the Uruguayan will be handed an extension to his contract for next season. The 33-year-old did find the net with his only chance 20 minutes from time, but was offside as the ball broke his way from a corner. Instead it was Rashford who made the telling impact as he raced onto Fernandes’s hopeful long ball over the top. The England international cut inside, but Patricio looked to have his shot covered until it hit Saiss and flew in at the near post.

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Manchester United are recreating the habit of late winners that could lead to an unexpected Premier League title challenge, according to manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Marcus Rashford’s deflected strike deep into stoppage time beat Wolves 1-0 on Tuesday to move United up to second and within two points of leaders Liverpool. After come from behind wins at Brighton and Southampton already this season, United have now won three of their first 15 games of the season in added time, a trait Solskjaer knows well from his playing career at Old Trafford under Alex Ferguson. “It’s one of the points we brought up early in the season, that we didn’t win many points towards the end of games,” said Solskjaer. “We have a tradition for it at this club. Obviously we’ve normally got many more supporters helping us to do that. “Now we’ve won many more points towards the end of games and that’s both a mental aspect and a physical aspect.” United laboured for ...

Man Utd move up to second amid Covid concerns for the Premier League London (AFP) – Marcus Rashford’s 93rd minute strike beat Wolves 1-0 to move Manchester United into second in the Premier League as fears over the continuation of the season due to rising coronavirus infection rates grew on Tuesday. A record 18 positive tests for Covid-19 among players and staff were detected in the weekly round of testing. After Manchester City’s trip to Everton on Monday was postponed due to a Covid outbreak in Pep Guardiola’s squad, all five matches scheduled for Tuesday went ahead despite disruption for Sheffield United and Southampton. Bottom-of-the-table United revealed they had suffered a number of positive cases but were still able to field a squad of 18 for their 1-0 defeat at Burnley. Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl coached his side from his home for a 0-0 draw against West Ham after a member of his household tested positive. The Telegraph reported the Premier League will discuss plans for a two-week circuit breaker with infection rates soaring across England. However, Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer called for the competition to continue. “I’m not sure if stopping playing football will make a difference,” said Solskjaer, whose side are mounting an unexpected title challenge after a slow start to the season. “In our bubble we’ve proven to be quite (safe), we haven’t had too many cases transmitting within the group.” On the field, United were fortunate to escape with all three points against a youthful Wolves side, who were in action just 48 hours ago against Tottenham. In keeping with several meetings between the sides in recent years, chances were few and far between. But United answered Solskjaer’s call to win more games late on in the style he did as a player during Alex Ferguson’s time at Old Trafford as Rashford’s shot took a wicked deflection off Romain Saiss deep into stoppage time. “This is a big step forward that you don’t perform, but you still win,” added Solskjaer. – Winning the best medicine for Arsenal – Arsenal eased fears they could be dragged into a relegation battle with a 3-1 win over Chelsea on Saturday and can now look up the table with hope thanks to Alexandre Lacazette’s winner in a 1-0 victory at Brighton. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang returned from injury in the place of Lacazette in the only change made by Arteta. But the French striker came off the bench to make an instant impact with a fine near-post finish from Bukayo Saka’s pass just 21 seconds after coming on Victory moves the Gunners up to 13th, within six points of the top six. “The best medicine is wins. When you win it’s a different story and the picture looks better at the moment,” said Arteta. – ‘Big Sam’ battered by Leeds – West Brom are next up for Arsenal at the weekend and the Baggies confidence after a shock 1-1 draw at Liverpool on Sunday quickly evaporated in a 5-0 hammering by Leeds. A miserable night for West Brom started with a self-inflicted wound as Romain Sawyers scored a remarkable own goal as his backpass sailed past Sam Johnstone. Ezgjan Alioski, Jack Harrison and Rodrigo made it 4-0 before half-time and Raphinha’s powerful strike into the top corner inflicted Sam Allardyce’s heaviest ever home defeat as a Premier League manager. Allardyce said new recruits in the January transfer window were now a “necessity” with West Brom five points from safety. Sheffield United are the only side below West Brom in the table and their chances of survival are diminishing rapidly with just two points from their opening 16 games. Blades manager Chris Wilder said “a couple of players were missing through illness” plus “four or five backroom staff have tested positive”. Ben Mee scored the only goal at Turf Moor as Burnley moved five points clear of the relegation zone and above Brighton into 16th. Southampton missed the chance to move into the top four as they failed to score for the third consecutive game in a 0-0 draw with West Ham.

London (AFP) – Marcus Rashford’s 93rd minute strike beat Wolves 1-0 to move Manchester United into second in the Premier League as fears over the continuation of the season due to rising coronavirus infection rates grew on Tuesday. A record 18 positive tests for Covid-19 among players and staff were detected in the weekly round of testing. After Manchester City’s trip to Everton on Monday was postponed due to a Covid outbreak in Pep Guardiola’s squad, all five matches scheduled for Tuesday went ahead despite disruption for Sheffield United and Southampton. Bottom-of-the-table United revealed they had suffered a number of positive cases but were still able to field a squad of 18 for their 1-0 defeat at Burnley. Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl coached his side from his home for a 0-0 draw against West Ham after a member of his household tested positive. The Telegraph reported the Premier League will discuss plans for a two-week circuit breaker with infection rates soaring acro...