‘If football didn’t work out for me, I was finished’ — Ola Aina
Nigeria defender Ola Aina has admitted that football was his only realistic path to success, revealing that he struggled academically and had little confidence that he would have excelled outside the sport.
Senegal finish year top of Africa rankings
Senegal ended this year as the highest ranked African national team, edging Cup of Nations title-holders the Ivory Coast for top spot in the December listings released Thursday.
Struggling Crystal Palace sack manager Pardew
Alan Pardew has been sacked as Crystal Palace manager with the club just above the relegation places, the Premier League side’s chairman Steve Parish said on Thursday.
Senegal’s Sakho to miss AFCON
Injured West Ham United striker Diafra Sakho is facing a two-month lay-off, ruling the Senegal international out of the Africa Cup of Nations, Hammers’ manager Slaven Bilic revealed on Thursday.
FC Barcelona pummel Hercules in Copa del Rey
Turkey international Arda Turan scored a hat-trick as holders Barcelona thrashed third-division side Hercules 7-0 in the second leg of their Copa del Rey last-32 tie.
Balotelli off as Monaco close gap on Nice
Mario Balotelli and Younes Belhanda were sent off in the dying seconds as Ligue 1 leaders Nice stumbled into the winter break with a 0-0 draw at Bordeaux, allowing Monaco to trim the gap at the top to two points.
