标签： Africa

As Senegal prepares to face Morocco in the Africa Cup of Nations final this Sunday in Rabat (19:00 GMT), all eyes are on legendary forward Sadio Mane, who might be making his final appearance in the continental championship. The 33-year-old Al-Nassr striker, who scored the decisive penalty against Egypt to secure Senegal’s first AFCON title in 2021, now stands on the brink of claiming his second continental crown.

Mane’s journey began on the red-earth streets of Bambali in southwestern Senegal, where he first developed his passion for football. His career has since blossomed into an extraordinary legacy that includes Premier League and Champions League triumphs with Liverpool, alongside his historic achievements with the Teranga Lions.

Despite his global success, Mane has remained deeply connected to his roots. His philanthropic efforts in Bambali include funding hospital and school construction, supporting mosque projects, and contributing to pandemic relief efforts. This humility was evident during his time in England when he anonymously helped clean toilets at a Liverpool mosque after matches.

On the pitch, Mane has been instrumental in Senegal’s 2025 AFCON campaign, leading the tournament in chances created (18), shots on target (10), and touches in the opposition half (295). His 78th-minute semifinal strike against Egypt—another chapter in his ongoing rivalry with the Pharaohs—secured Senegal’s place in the final.

Teammates describe Mane as both a tactical leader and spiritual motivator. Midfielder Pape Gueye revealed how Mane’s pre-match speeches have galvanized the squad, while defender Moussa Niakhate called him “an incredible man” whose legacy transcends football.

The Senegalese squad now hopes to convince their record goalscorer (53 goals in 120+ caps) to reconsider his potential AFCON retirement and continue through the 2027 edition. Coach Pape Thiaw stated unequivocally: “The country does not agree with his decision, and I as coach do not agree at all. We would like to keep him for as long as possible.”

As Sunday’s final approaches, Senegal’s players have extra motivation: to deliver a second star for the man who has given so much to Senegalese football. As Gueye expressed, “If this really is his last AFCON, we want to offer him this trophy.”

As Morocco prepares for Sunday’s Africa Cup of Nations final, all eyes are on their unexpected national icon: Real Madrid forward Brahim Diaz. The 26-year-old scoring sensation, born in Malaga to a Spanish mother and Moroccan father, has become the tournament’s top scorer while embodying a modern multicultural identity that resonates across continents.

Diaz’s football journey began in the tight spaces of futsal courts, where he developed the technical excellence that now defines his game. His patient development path—from modest Malaga teams to Manchester City’s academy and ultimately to Real Madrid—reflects a family philosophy prioritizing education and gradual growth over shortcuts. Despite early injury setbacks at Madrid and a transformative loan spell at AC Milan where he won Serie A wearing the iconic number 10, Diaz persevered with unwavering self-belief.

His 2023 decision to represent Morocco rather than Spain culminated years of courtship by the Moroccan federation. Since debuting in 2024, he has scored 13 goals in 21 appearances, finding the net in every round leading to the AFCON semifinals—a first for any Moroccan player. His celebration gesture, lifting elbows and hands as if to say “what looks difficult becomes easy with work,” has become a national symbol of perseverance.

Beyond the pitch, Diaz’s impact resonates throughout Moroccan society. His social media engagement surpasses that of African superstars like Mohamed Salah, while his image dominates billboards and promotional campaigns. Though maintaining a deliberately private profile at the request of both Real Madrid and the Moroccan federation, his spontaneous traditional dance celebration during the tournament went viral and became a national victory ritual.

Now, as Morocco seeks only its second AFCON title while hosting the tournament amid enormous expectations, Diaz carries the hopes of a nation that sees in him the embodiment of their footballing ambition. His technical excellence in crowded spaces, experience in high-pressure matches, and dual cultural heritage have positioned him as the symbol of a modern, ambitious Morocco—with Sunday’s final offering the ultimate stage for his remarkable journey.

Gusting winds continued to dominate the narrative at the Dubai Creek Resort, presenting a formidable challenge for the elite field competing in the DP World Tour’s 2026 season opener. Amidst these testing conditions, Spain’s Nacho Elvira demonstrated remarkable composure, carding a third-round 68 to solidify his position at the top of the leaderboard. His steady performance brings him to eight under par, establishing a two-stroke advantage heading into the tournament’s final day.

Elvira’s round was nearly flawless, with his only setback occurring at the seventh hole. He responded emphatically with birdies on the ninth, tenth, thirteenth, and seventeenth holes, showcasing the mental fortitude that has characterized his play throughout the event. The 38-year-old veteran, whose last victory came at the 2024 Soudal Open, now stands on the precipice of his third DP World Tour title.

The chasing pack features several notable contenders locked at six under par. South Africa’s Dylan Frittelli delivered the day’s most impressive performance with a bogey-free 66, catapulting himself into a tie for second place. He joins Ireland’s Shane Lowry and England’s Marcus Armitage, who secured his position with a spectacular 21-foot birdie putt on the final hole.

World Number Two Rory McIlroy carded a steady 68 to remain in contention at five under par, while Denmark’s Thorbjørn Olesen and South African Jacques Kruyswijk both recorded flawless rounds of 66 to position themselves at four under.

In the team competition, Geoff Wang claimed victory with an impressive 17 under par total. Wang expressed particular admiration for the tournament organization and the Dubai Creek Resort course, noting the exceptional quality of the event.

Reflecting on the challenging conditions, Elvira acknowledged the difficulty of the wind-affected course, particularly when players found themselves off the fairway. He specifically noted the strength of his competitors, including Lowry whom he described as “a level above,” but remained committed to focusing on his own game strategy for the final round.

Dubai-based Tommy Fleetwood made a significant move up the leaderboard, climbing to tied 20th after matching the day’s best score with a 66. Final round tee times are scheduled from 7:15 am to 12:10 pm local time.

Dubai prepares to host the prestigious 10th edition of the Al Salam Cycling Championship on Sunday, January 18, featuring a substantial Dh1 million cash prize pool. Organized under the auspices of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s Private Office, the elite cycling event will commence at 12:45 PM from the historic Ruler’s Court in Al Fahidi.

The championship will showcase Dubai’s most skilled cyclists competing along a meticulously designed route that passes significant cultural and urban landmarks, culminating at the picturesque Al Marmoom Reserve in Saih Al Salam. The competitive race is anticipated to span approximately four hours, testing athletes’ endurance and strategic prowess.

In preparation for the major sporting event, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced temporary road closures affecting key transportation arteries. The affected routes include Jumeira Street, Al Wasl Road, Al Meydan Road, Al Mina Street, Al Arouba Street, Al Hadiqa Road, Expo Road, Al Qudra Road, Al Manam Street, Lehbab Road, and Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street.

Road closures will be implemented approximately ten minutes before the race commencement and will remain in effect until all participants have cleared the respective routes. Motorists are advised to plan alternative routes and exercise caution in the affected areas during the event hours.

The championship represents Dubai’s continued commitment to promoting sports excellence and healthy lifestyle initiatives while showcasing the emirate’s iconic landmarks to both participants and spectators.

In a spectacular display of endurance racing mastery, Qatari motorsport legend Nasser Al-Attiyah has cemented his legacy by capturing an unprecedented sixth Dakar Rally car championship title. The 55-year-old champion, piloting a Dacia vehicle, maintained his commanding position through the final stage in Saudi Arabia on Saturday, demonstrating strategic brilliance by avoiding any critical errors that could have jeopardized his hard-earned lead.

Al-Attiyah’s latest triumph adds to his impressive Dakar victories spanning 2011, 2015, 2019, and two consecutive wins in 2022. The achievement becomes even more remarkable considering his multidisciplinary athletic prowess, having previously earned an Olympic bronze medal in clay pigeon shooting at the 2012 London Games.

The rally’s motorcycle category delivered one of the most dramatic finishes in Dakar history as Argentina’s Luciano Benavides claimed victory by the narrowest of margins—a mere two seconds—denying American rider Ricky Brabec his third title. The 30-year-old KTM rider executed a flawless final stage strategy, capitalizing on a critical navigation error by the Honda rider near the Yanbu finish line.

“I’ve envisioned this moment throughout my entire life,” an emotional Benavides stated after his debut Dakar crown was secured. “Even yesterday, victory seemed improbable, but I maintained belief. When I observed Ricky taking an incorrect route, I seized the opportunity and pursued the proper trajectory with absolute determination.”

Benavides’ victory continues a family legacy in the rally, with his brother Kevin having previously won the marathon race in both 2021 and 2023. The podium was completed by Spain’s Tosha Schareina on a Honda, who captured third position in the overall standings, while Edgar Canet claimed victory in the final bike stage.