To Continue to Receiving Updates From this App. Please Update your App to the Latest Version.

News

• Watch Live AFCON 2019 MATCH
• Get All Football Updates
• Copa America updates
• Afcon 2019 Updates
• Results

CLICK THIS PICTURE TO UPDATE

CLICK ABOVE PICTURE TO GET LATEST VERSION

Thanks

William Troost-Ekong’s late winner sent Nigeria through to the semifinals of the Africa Cup of Nations on Wednesday after a tense 2-1 victory over South Africa in Cairo.

Samuel Chukwueze fired the Super Eagles ahead in the first half in front of a healthy, largely pro-Nigerian crowd at the 75 000-capacity Cairo International Stadium.

But Bongani Zungu’s looping header brought South Africa level on 70 minutes, the goal awarded with the aid of VAR – introduced for the first time at the tournament from the quarterfinal stage onwards – after it was initially ruled out for offside.

Centre-back Troost-Ekong then turned home at a corner a minute from time to set three-time champions Nigeria up with a clash against Algeria or Ivory Coast for a spot in the July 19 final.

IT’S ALL OVER ??Heartbreak for #BafanaBafana as the #SuperEagles advance to the semifinals of the #TotalAFCON2019 pic.twitter.com/wt0j8yVBmy— SuperSport ???? (@SuperSportTV) July 10, 2019

“We were lucky in the end to score this second goal because in the second half South Africa played much better,” said Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr.

“We’re happy, we have to recover well because the next game, either Algeria or Ivory Coast will be very difficult also.”

South Africa boss Stuart Baxter admitted the nature of the defeat was tough to digest.

“It’s difficult when you’ve lost a game in the dying minutes, it’s difficult to find positives. I’m sure in one week’s time I will find some positives, but at this moment I’m finding it very difficult,” he said.

Left-back Jamilu Collins made his first appearance in Egypt after shaking off a pre-tournament injury while Villarreal forward Chukwueze came in for Moses Simon in the Nigerian attack.

Baxter stuck with the same side that shocked hosts Egypt in the last round, as match-winner Thembinkosi Lorch retained his place despite Themba Zwane’s return from suspension.

It hurts ??#BafanaBafana pic.twitter.com/zMBvPWM2aj— SuperSport ???? (@SuperSportTV) July 10, 2019

VAR MAKES ITS MARK

Rohr had suggested South Africa were favourites in the build-up following their defeat of the record seven-time champions, a tag Baxter promptly rejected with Bafana Bafana’s lone competitive win over Nigeria coming in qualifying for these finals.

Odion Ighalo’s goals have been the driving force behind Nigeria’s run here but it was emerging young forward Chukwueze, coming off a solid debut season in Spain’s top flight, who struck just before the half-hour to end the impasse.

Alex Iwobi skipped past a couple of defenders down the left before pulling back for Chukwueze, who swept into the corner as the ball trickled back his way after a first shot was blocked.

Following a stodgy first half Nigeria appeared the far sharper after the break, Peter Etebo rattling the crossbar with a superb 25-yard free-kick destined for the top corner but for the fingertips of Ronwen Williams.

A number of promising attacks fizzled out for Nigeria and their lack of precision came back to haunt them when Zungu hauled South Africa level, nodding back across goal after a Percy Tau set-piece was shown upon a video review to have been flicked on by Ighalo.

But after their stunning elimination of Mohamed Salah’s Egypt there was to be no follow-up act from South Africa as Williams flapped at an inswinging corner and Troost-Ekong forced over the line with his knee to clinch victory for Nigeria.

Liverpool are set to win the race to sign Fulham’s teenage midfielder Harvey Elliott, as per reports.

The 16-year-old holds the record as the youngest player to play in the Premier League, and has attracted interest from top European clubs such as Barcelona, Real Madrid and RB Leipzig.

But he is now poised to join European champions Liverpool after his youth contract expired in June.

He has already rejected a new contract at Craven Cottage and has not been named in the club’s new intake of scholars.

Elliott will join up with Liverpool’s first team, although FA rules dictate U17s cannot sign professional deals.

Liverpool will have to negotiate a compensation package with Fulham as the England U17 international is regarded as a highly-prized prospect.

Rumoured Manchester United target Mario Lemina has confirmed he is seeking a move away from Southampton and would prefer to remain in the Premier League.

The 25-year-old has been left out of the Saints’ squad for their pre-season training camp in Austria amid reports that United have been given permission to speak to him.

Arsenal and Leicester City are also said to have made contact with Lemina, who arrived at St Mary’s Stadium from Juventus two years ago in a reported £15 million ($19m) deal that could potentially rise to £18 million ($23m).

But the Gabon international has made it clear he wants to further his career elsewhere, with a move to another English club his priority.

“I am physically preparing myself at the training centre, with a few other players including Charlie Austin and Jordy Clasie,” he told France Football.

“I did not accompany the team in training in agreement with the coach [Ralph Hasenhuttl]. He wants to build his group with the players who want to stay at the club, so he left me out.

“The best option for me would be to stay [in the Premier League], but I do not close the door to any club, no country. I aspire to play for the biggest clubs.”

Divock Origi has ended speculation regarding his future by signing a new long-term contract at Liverpool.

The Reds’ Champions League hero had entered the final year of his current deal, but has now put pen to paper on an extension that will keep him at Anfield for the foreseeable future.

There will be no release clause in Origi’s new contract, with Liverpool viewing the 24-year-old as part of their plans going forward.

Liverpool fielded a number of enquiries from clubs across Europe about a potential transfer, both in January and earlier this summer. Bayer Leverkusen, Roma and Sevilla were among the clubs interested in signing the Belgium international.

Wolves, too, remained keen. Origi had the chance to move to Molineux last summer in a deal worth more than £20 million ($25m) but opted to stay and fight for his place on Merseyside.

Paris Saint-Germain are in talks over whether to withhold Neymar’s monthly bonus after he failed to attend their pre-season training sessions this week, as per reports.

It is believed the club are treating his no-show seriously after claiming there was no agreement for him to extend his stay in Brazil after Copa America.

PSG’s version of events is disputed by the player following a strongly-worded statement on Monday.

It is understood PSG are considering whether to withhold a monthly bonus in his contract, determined by a percentage of his salary, for allegedly failing to honour his club commitments this week.

Every player at the club is entitled to receive the bonus, based on fulfilling contractual obligations which include conduct.

Neymar’s salary is more than £500,000-a-week, and his impacted bonus is likely to exceed £100,000.