Former Manchester City captain and manager Tony Book has died at the age of 90, the Premier League club announced on Tuesday.

Right-back Book captained City as they won four major trophies, including the English top-flight title and European Cup Winners’ Cup, in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

He later led them to League Cup success as manager in 1976.

Tony made 315 appearances for City in total between 1966 and 1974, scoring five goals. Credit: X/@ManCity
Book was subsequently named as an honorary president at City as well as life president of the official supporters club.

“For nearly sixty years Tony helped to shape Manchester City,” said City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak.

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“Not just in what he contributed as a player, captain and manager, but in the way he conducted himself. His hopes and ambitions for his club were matched only by his incredible humility regarding his own significant achievements.”

He added: “Tony’s devotion to his club meant he was still fulfilling club duties earlier this season I will miss seeing him at our games enormously.”

AFP

Former Cameroon coach Rigobert Song has been appointed the new Central African Republic manager, the country’s sports minister said late Monday.

Song will aim to guide the country to qualification for the Africa Cup of Nations finals for the first time in its history.

The Wild Beasts missed out on the 2023 tournament after losing their last two qualifiers.

Cameroon chose not to renew the 48-year-old former Liverpool and West Ham defender’s contract after the Indomitable Lions crashed out of the Africa Cup of Nations at the last 16 stage in January last year, when they were beaten 2-0 by Nigeria.

Song also guided Cameroon to qualification for the 2022 World Cup finals in Qatar, with a goal late in extra time in a qualifier against Algeria sealing their spot.

In Qatar, they were eliminated in the group phase despite a 1-0 win against Brazil.

In 23 matches in charge of Cameroon, Song won six games, with nine defeats and eight draws.

As a player, Song made 137 appearances for Cameroon.

AFF

The Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, has fined Nasarawa United N3 million for breaching its framework and rules in their matchday 18 fixture against Rivers United on December 22, 2024.

According to NPFL, the Lafia club will pay N1 million each for encroachment on the pitch, failure to ensure proper conduct of their team and supporters, and failure to provide adequate and effective security.

DAILY POST recalls the club’s supporters assaulted centre referee Musibaudeen Ibrahim after the game.

Three points and three goals will also be deducted from Nasarawa United’s accrued points and goals for the assault on Ibrahim.

The Solid Miners have been ordered to identify and prosecute the individual(s) involved in the assault of the away team with details of their progress submitted to NPFL within seven days.

They have 48 hours to appeal the sanctions.