标签： Africa

Fulham Football Club secured a crucial 1-0 victory against Nottingham Forest in Monday’s Premier League clash at Craven Cottage, significantly altering the relegation landscape. Mexican striker Raul Jimenez proved the difference-maker, converting a first-half penalty to maintain his impeccable record from the spot in England’s top flight.

The match represented a classic six-pointer between teams positioned near the bottom of the table. Marco Silva’s Fulham entered the contest merely two points above their opponents, but Jimenez’s clinical finish in stoppage time of the opening half propelled them to a more comfortable position in the standings.

Forest, despite arriving with momentum from six wins in their previous eight matches across all competitions—including a impressive 3-0 triumph over Tottenham—failed to replicate their recent form. Manager Sean Dyche lamented his team’s lack of cutting edge, noting their inability to convert opportunities into meaningful threats on goal.

The game’s decisive moment arrived when Douglas Luiz fouled Fulham’s Kevin in the penalty area deep into first-half added time. Jimenez stepped up and calmly dispatched the spot-kick, marking his 11th successful penalty from 11 attempts in Premier League competition, sending goalkeeper John Victor the wrong way.

Forest created several opportunities to equalize, particularly through Brazilian striker Igor Jesus who wasted two first-half chances and saw a second-half chip drift just over the crossbar. Additional efforts from Murillo and Morgan Gibbs-White tested Fulham’s defense but ultimately failed to beat goalkeeper Bernd Leno.

The victory provides Fulham with consecutive league wins following their triumph over Burnley, despite missing several key players including Samuel Chukwueze, Alex Iwobi, and Calvin Bassey who are representing Nigeria at the Africa Cup of Nations.

The Africa Cup of Nations witnessed thrilling opening encounters in Group B as continental heavyweights Egypt and South Africa emerged victorious in hard-fought matches on Monday. In a dramatic conclusion in Agadir, Egypt’s Mohamed Salah delivered a decisive blow deep into stoppage time, securing a 2-1 comeback victory against a resilient Zimbabwe. The Pharaohs found themselves trailing after Prince Dube’s 20th-minute opener but equalized through Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush in the 63rd minute before Salah’s last-gasp heroics.

Simultaneously in Marrakesh, South Africa ended their longstanding opening-match jinx with a 2-1 triumph over Angola. Burnley striker Lyle Foster became the match-winner with his 79th-minute strike, capitalizing on South Africa’s second-half dominance. The 2024 bronze medalists had taken an early lead through Oswin Appollis before Angola’s Show leveled the scoreline. The victory marked South Africa’s first opening match win since 2006, setting up a crucial top-of-the-table clash against Egypt on Friday.

In Group A action, Mali experienced late disappointment as they conceded a stoppage-time equalizer to Zambia in Casablanca, settling for a 1-1 draw. Lassina Sinayoko’s 61st-minute opener was canceled out by Patson Daka’s dramatic header in added time. Mali coach Tom Saintfiet described the result as ‘very painful,’ particularly after El Bilal Toure had missed a first-half penalty. The result leaves hosts Morocco atop Group A with three points following their opening victory against Comoros.

In a significant reshuffling of their championship squad, Cricket Australia has announced major roster changes ahead of the final Ashes Tests. Spinner Todd Murphy has been called up to replace the injured Nathan Lyon, while captain Pat Cummins will sit out the remainder of the series to manage his back injury.

The changes come despite Australia’s decisive victory in the third Test at Adelaide, where they clinched the series 82 runs against England to retain the Ashes. Lyon’s hamstring injury, sustained during Sunday’s match, has ruled him out for the remainder of the competition, creating an opportunity for Murphy, long considered Lyon’s natural successor.

Steve Smith returns to captaincy duties despite missing the third Test due to vertigo. Smith, who previously led the side during the first two Tests in Cummins’ absence, will resume leadership responsibilities for the upcoming matches.

Coach Andrew McDonald explained the strategic decision regarding Cummins at a Melbourne Cricket Ground press conference: “Pat won’t play any part in the rest of the series. We were taking on some risk with him, and we’ve now won the series—that was the goal. To position him for further risk and jeopardize his long-term fitness is not something we want to do.”

The bowling attack will likely see Brendan Doggett or Michael Neser replacing Cummins, who delivered an impressive six-for-117 performance in Adelaide. Additionally, Jhye Richardson has been called into the squad following strong domestic form after shoulder surgery rehabilitation.

Murphy, 25, brings considerable experience with seven Tests since his 2023 debut in India. The selection panel faces strategic decisions regarding spin options, with all-rounder Beau Webster providing part-time off-spin alternatives.

McDonald expressed confidence in Murphy’s readiness: “Todd’s been an important part of key overseas series. He played in the last Ashes back in 2023, and we feel Todd’s back to his best.”

Meanwhile, veteran spinner Lyon underwent surgery Tuesday for his hamstring injury. McDonald described the 38-year-old as “devastated” but already focused on returning for Australia’s 2027 tour of India.

Top-order batsman Usman Khawaja retains his squad position despite briefly being dropped for the Adelaide Test, only to be recalled when Smith was ruled out minutes before play.

The revised Australian squad for remaining Tests: Steve Smith (captain), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Todd Murphy, Michael Neser, Jhye Richardson, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster.

Brentford’s record signing Dango Ouattara credits the club’s African stars for smoothing his transition to Premier League football, revealing how former players Yoane Wissa and Bryan Mbeumo inspired his promising start. The Burkina Faso international, who joined from Bournemouth for £42 million in August, has become the latest African talent to thrive with the Bees following the departures of Mbeumo to Manchester United and Wissa to Newcastle.

Ouattara shared insights from his conversations with DR Congo forward Wissa, who emphasized Brentford’s unique player-focused environment. “I was fortunate to connect with him briefly, which proved beneficial,” Ouattara told BBC Sport Africa. “He highlighted the club’s supportive staff and their close relationships with players—something I’ve now experienced firsthand.”

The 23-year-old winger has made an immediate impact at Brentford, scoring three goals and winning four penalties—the highest tally in the Premier League this season. His contributions have helped maintain the club’s competitive edge despite losing last season’s prolific duo. Wissa had delivered 19 goals and 4 assists before his £50 million move to Newcastle, while Mbeumo contributed 20 goals and 7 assists prior to his £65 million transfer to Manchester United.

Ouattara particularly admires Wissa’s achievement of nearly 20 non-penalty goals last season: “Whether African or not, their performances inspire all strikers.”

The transition period under new manager Keith Andrews has been smoother than many anticipated. Following Thomas Frank’s departure to Tottenham after seven successful years, Andrews has maintained team cohesion with his attentive approach. “He’s genuinely supportive,” Ouattara noted. “Even before I played, he was there for me—that meant a lot.”

As Ouattara prepares for his third Africa Cup of Nations appearance with Burkina Faso, he acknowledges the leadership of captain Bertrand Traore. The Sunderland forward’s calm authority and selective communication have created a balanced squad dynamic. “He speaks when he has something positive to contribute,” Ouattara explained.

Burkina Faso begins their Afcon campaign against Equatorial Guinea on Wednesday, with potential knockout stage meetings against former Brentford teammates Mbeumo’s Cameroon and Frank Onyeka’s Nigeria.