Sports
Wobbling Man United shocks Mancity 2-1
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Manchester United scored twice in the final three minutes to deepen Premier League champions Manchester City’s crisis with a 2-1 win at the Etihad on Sunday.
City have now won just once in their last 11 games, a run that includes eight defeats.
Josko Gvardiol’s first-half header had put Pep Guardiola’s men in front.
But United hit back for just Ruben Amorim’s second win in five league matches since taking charge last month.
Bruno Fernandes’ penalty levelled before Amad Diallo squeezed home the winner from a narrow angle in the last minute of regular time.
Defeat leaves City still in fifth, nine point off leaders Liverpool, who have a game in hand.
United climb to 12th and within five points of their city rivals.
The Red Devils will be hoping a dramatic victory can also be the starting point for Amorim to turn around the momentum of a rivalry that City have dominated over the past decade.
Amorim made a bold call before kick-off as both Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho were left out of the United squad with the Portuguese saying he “pays attention to everything”.
The United boss may have regretted that call as early as the 12th minute when Mason Mount limped off to continue his injury-ravaged spell since joining from Chelsea 18 months ago.
A shortage of confidence in both sides was clear to see in a cagey start.
It took 20 minutes for Phil Foden to have the first attempt on goal with a volley that flew just wide of Andre Onana’s goal.
But United’s set-piece defending has been at the root of their poor start to life under new management.
For the third consecutive Premier League game they conceded from a corner as Kevin De Bruyne’s deflected cross looped perfectly into the path of Gvardiol to head in on 36 minutes.
A slow burn of a derby finally came to life seconds later when Kyle Walker and Rasmus Hojlund went head-to-head with both ending up getting booked.
Foden’s double win this fixture for City last season on their way to an unprecedented fourth consecutive league title.
The England international’s lack of form and fitness has been one of the causes of City’s struggles this season.
However, Foden looked more like his old self as a jinking run and shot that deflected just wide came close to doubling City’s lead before half-time.
United did not manage a single shot on target in the first 45 minutes and Amorim was growing visibly frustrated at his side’s poor play on the ball as the second period started in a similar manner.
A vintage City side under Guardiola would have put their neighbours to the sword, but English champions created nothing of note in the second period.
Diallo finally forced Ederson into action with a header that the Brazilian clawed around the post on the hour mark.
Fernandes then missed a glorious chance to equalise 15 minutes from time when his dink over Ederson drifted wide with just the Brazilian to beat.
However, City were to be the architects of their own downfall.
Matheus Nunes’ short backpass played in Diallo, who was then chopped down by the Portuguese midfielder in his desperation to atone for the original error.
Fernandes this time coolly sent Ederson the wrong way to level.
City’s defence was then undone by one simple long ball over the top by Lisandro Martinez that Diallo raced onto, rounded Ederson and kept his composure to find the net.
AFP
Atlas Lions rule in Houston as second-half blitz ends co-hosts’ dream as
Morocco delivered a commanding second-half performance to hammer co-hosts Canada 3-0 on Saturday night, securing a place in the quarterfinals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Atlas Lions remained patient throughout the opening 45 minutes as Canada stood firm, with the home crowd creating an electric atmosphere and believing their dream run could continue.
However, Morocco returned from the break with renewed purpose and completely took control of the contest.
The breakthrough goal opened the floodgates before a second strike put the result beyond doubt. A third goal sealed an emphatic victory, leaving Canada with no way back.
By the final whistle, Morocco had dominated possession, controlled the tempo, and capitalised on every mistake made by the Canadians. What started as a competitive encounter ended as a convincing statement of intent from the African side.
The victory sends Morocco into the last eight of the tournament, keeping Africa’s hopes alive on North American soil, while Canada’s World Cup campaign comes to an end on home ground.
Sports
Nigeria’s Team D’Tigers risks hotel ejection in Angola, over unpaid bills, possible disqualification
Ugly development unfolding as Nigeria’s men’s basketball team, D’Tigers, is facing another administrative and funding crisis after reports emerged that the players risk being evicted from their hotel in Angola and could even face disruption of their campaign in the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup African Qualifiers over unpaid accommodation and participation fees.
The latest development comes barely a day after D’Tigers boosted their qualification hopes with a hard-fought 84-81 victory over Tunisia in their opening Group C game in Luanda on Thursday.
However, despite the impressive result on the court, officials familiar with the tournament say Nigeria has yet to settle its financial obligations to the organisers and hotel management.
A source within the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) told journalists on Friday that the situation could escalate if the payments are not made promptly.
“Your team is looking good, but I don’t know if their participation will be disrupted by their situation here,” the FIBA official said.
“Nigeria has not paid for anything here, even though we understand your government officials could be in Luanda on Friday. I hope they are not ejected from their residence or even stopped from the competition.”
The funding crisis threatens to derail Nigeria’s bid to secure one of Africa’s qualification tickets to the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup, scheduled to be hosted by Qatar.
D’Tigers entered the second qualification window under pressure after managing just one victory from three games in the opening window.
To keep realistic hopes of qualifying alive, the Nigerian side is expected to win all three matches in Angola.
The latest controversy adds to a growing list of administrative setbacks that have plagued Nigerian basketball in recent years.
Only months ago, D’Tigers also battled funding challenges that delayed their preparations and forced the team to arrive at an international competition just moments before tip-off, raising concerns over the welfare of Nigerian athletes and the country’s approach to sports administration.
The crisis also comes after years of instability within Nigerian basketball, including the Federal Government’s suspension of the Nigeria Basketball Federation from international competitions in 2022 following a prolonged leadership dispute. Although the suspension was later lifted after intervention by the International Basketball Federation, concerns over poor funding, administrative inefficiency and inadequate planning have continued to dog the country’s basketball programmes.
Sports stakeholders have repeatedly warned that recurring financial and organisational failures risk undermining the performance of Nigerian teams despite their abundant talent.
Egypt have become the second African country to qualify for the last 16 of the 2026 World Cup.
The Pharoahs beat Australia 4-2 on penalties after the game ended 1-1 after 120 minutes.
Emam Ashour opened the scoring in the first half, before Mohamed Hany’s own goal levelled the game in the 55th minute.
It’s a first ever World Cup knockout win for Egypt and they will face either Argentina or Cape Verde next.
Morocco were the first African team to progress into the Round of 16 and they will take on co-hosts Canada.
Six countries from the continent have already been eliminated.
Atlas Lions zoom into World Cup quarter finals, hammer co-hosts Canada 3-0
Nigeria’s Team D’Tigers risks hotel ejection in Angola, over unpaid bills, possible disqualification
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