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• CAF eyes tenth World Cup slot as DR Congo set for historic playoff, Nigeria, Senegal, star anew

  While the DR Congo stands on the verge of a historic 2026 World Cup berth in the inter-confederation playoffs, Nigeria and Senegal begin new cycles following a turbulent period of coaching changes and administrative controversy. ​The Democratic Republic of Congo arrives in Zapopan, Mexico, as favorites to secure Africa’s tenth World Cup spot. Seeded in Path 1, Sebastien Desabre’s “Leopards” await the winner of the Jamaica versus New Caledonia semi-final for a decisive clash on March 31. Desabre, who has successfully recruited several diaspora stars, remains confident in ending a 52-year drought, noting, “The nation will come to a standstill for Congo DR’s final.” ​Nigeria’s Super Eagles travel to Antalya, Turkey, to face Iran and Jordan without talisman Victor Osimhen, who is sidelined following arm surgery. Head coach Eric Chelle has utilized this window to blood new talent like Philip Otele and Collins Sor while maintaining his tactical diamond formation. Despite missing the World Cup, Chelle is focused on the “Mission ’27” reboot, aiming to restore national pride after their recent AFCON semi-final exit. ​In a week dominated by off-field drama, Senegal officially begins its appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport after being stripped of their AFCON title. CAF awarded the trophy to Morocco following a chaotic final, citing Senegal’s brief walk-off as a forfeit. Amidst the tension, the Teranga Lions face Peru in Paris, where coach Pape Thiaw must stabilize a squad that feels “unequivocally rejected” by the continental governing body.

• Player Ratings: Raphinha gets 10/10 as Barcelona maul Newcastle

  Barcelona secured their place in the Champions League quarterfinals with a relentless display of attacking football at the Spotify Camp Nou on Wednesday night.

  While the first half was a chaotic, end-to-end affair that saw the Magpies equalize twice, a late Lamine Yamal penalty shifted the momentum permanently.

  Following the interval, the Catalan giants moved through the gears, with braces from Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski turning a competitive tie into a comprehensive 7-2 rout on the night.

  ​Barcelona Player Ratings 

  ​Joan Garcia: 7.5

  The Barça shot-stopper was a vital presence in the opening period, producing several high-caliber saves to keep the visitors at bay. While he might have reacted slightly faster to one of the goals conceded, his overall contribution was positive. Unfortunately, his night ended prematurely as he was forced off with an injury in the 81st minute.

  ​Joao Cancelo: 8

  Operating on the left flank, Cancelo provided a reliable outlet and linked up seamlessly with Raphinha. While he was less adventurous in the final third than in the previous leg, his technical quality shone through during counter-attacks, providing the stability needed to transition from defense to offense.

  ​Gerard Martin: 6

  The center-back demonstrated excellent tactical discipline, coordinating effectively with Cubarsi to catch Newcastle in offside traps. Beyond his defensive duties, he was a surprise creative force, providing a clever headed assist for Bernal’s goal and playing a key role in the buildup to Fermin Lopez’s strike.

  ​Pau Cubarsi: 6

  Cubarsi’s composure on the ball remains his greatest asset, helping the team play out from the back despite Newcastle’s aggressive high press. He faced some difficult moments against the Magpies’ rapid transitions, but much of the pressure resulted from a lack of cohesive pressing further up the pitch rather than individual failure.

  ​Eric Garcia: 5

  It was a frustrating evening for Garcia, who returned to the starting lineup only to be withdrawn early due to physical discomfort. His departure forced an unplanned reshuffle of the backline, bringing Ronald Araujo into the fold and disrupting the initial defensive rhythm.

  ​Ronald Araujo: 6.5

  Entering the fray to replace the injured Garcia at right-back, the Uruguayan brought much-needed physicality and leadership to a backline under fire. Although the first goal conceded originated from his side of the pitch, his aerial dominance and defensive intensity helped stabilize the team during the second-half surge.

  ​Marc Bernal: 8

  Bernal continues to prove he has an eye for goal, delivering another “clutch” finish in a major European fixture. While he struggled at times to fully dictate the tempo against Newcastle’s physical midfield, his individual moments of quality were essential in keeping Barcelona ahead during the first-half oscillations.

  ​Pedri: 7

  The midfield maestro had an uncharacteristically quiet start, finding it difficult to escape the visitors’ suffocating press in the first 45 minutes. However, he emerged after the break with renewed focus, regaining his signature control over the ball and allowing Barcelona to dominate possession as the game wore on.

  ​Fermin Lopez: 7.5

  Preferred over Dani Olmo, Lopez justified his selection with a tireless and clinical performance. He provided the perfectly timed assist for the opening goal and later found the net himself with a composed finish in the 51st minute, acting as the primary link between the midfield and the frontline.

  ​Lamine Yamal: 7

  The 18-year-old superstar was once again the protagonist, becoming the youngest player to reach ten Champions League goals. Despite a rare error that led to a Newcastle equalizer, he showed immense character to slot home a critical penalty before half-time and later provided a brilliant assist for Lewandowski with a deceptive dummy.

  ​Raphinha: 10

  The captain delivered a flawless performance, leading by example with an immense work rate and clinical finishing. He opened the scoring early, won the penalty that Yamal converted, and provided two assists before grabbing a second goal of his own in the 72nd minute. It was a complete display that earned him a perfect score.

  ​Robert Lewandowski: 8

  After being kept quiet by Newcastle’s physical defense in the first half, the veteran striker proved his elite status after the break. He buried a powerful header in the 55th minute to effectively end the contest and followed it up with a clinical second shortly after, demonstrating that his predatory instincts remain as sharp as ever.

• Senegal’s government calls for corruption investigation after being stripped of AFCON title

  The Senegalese government has formally rejected CAF’s decision to strip its national team of the AFCON title, calling for an international corruption investigation into the governing body’s administrative processes.  

  ​The Senegalese government has called for an independent international inquiry into alleged corruption within CAF following the “unlawful” decision to strip the nation of its AFCON title.

  Authorities expressed “deep dismay” over the ruling, which overturned Senegal’s 1–0 victory on the pitch in favor of a 3–0 forfeit for Morocco.

  The government maintains that the decision contravenes sporting ethics and undermines the truth of the field.

  ​The dispute centers on a sixteen-minute protest during the final where players briefly left the pitch.

  While CAF cited a breach of regulations regarding unauthorized walk-offs, Senegal argues this is a “manifestly erroneous interpretation.”

  As the state prepares legal action, a government statement warned: “Senegal cannot tolerate an administrative decision that erases commitment, merit and sporting excellence. Senegal unequivocally rejects this attempt at unjustified dispossession.”

• Key questions answered and potential ramifications as Senegal stripped of AFCON title

  The CAF Appeal Board has stripped Senegal of the 2025 AFCON title and awarded a 3–0 forfeit victory to Morocco, citing a strict violation of tournament regulations following a mid-match protest by the Senegalese squad.  

  ​The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has delivered an unprecedented ruling, stripping Senegal of their 2025 AFCON title and awarding it to tournament hosts Morocco.

  The decision centers on a 17-minute protest during the January 18 final, where Senegal players vacated the pitch after a controversial penalty was awarded to Morocco.

  Although play eventually resumed and Senegal won on the field, CAF determined the initial walk-off constituted a “refusal to play.”

  ​The legal basis for this reversal rests on Articles 82 and 84 of the AFCON regulations. Article 82 dictates that leaving the field without referee authorization results in elimination, while Article 84 mandates a 3–0 forfeit loss for the offending side.

  Following a formal appeal by the Moroccan federation, the board ruled that these statutes must be applied strictly, regardless of the match being completed or the trophy previously being presented.

  ​This administrative shift has sparked outrage in Dakar, with the Senegalese Football Federation branding the decision “iniquitous” and “unacceptable.”

  While Morocco celebrates their first continental title in 49 years, the matter is far from settled.

  Senegal has confirmed they are escalating the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Switzerland, seeking to overturn the forfeit and restore their status as champions.

• Player Ratings: Strong 8/10s dominate as Eze and Rice lead Arsenal to the Champions League quarter-finals

  Arsenal marched into the Champions League quarter-finals with a commanding 2-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen at the Emirates, progressing 3-1 on aggregate.

  Following a tense first leg in Germany, Mikel Arteta’s side found another gear on home soil, dictated by a midfield masterclass and clinical finishing.

  Eberechi Eze’s moment of individual brilliance broke the deadlock, while Declan Rice’s second-half strike ensured the North London side remains a formidable force in this year’s competition.

  ​The victory sets up an intriguing final-eight clash against Sporting CP, keeping Arsenal’s hunt for a historic quadruple firmly on track.

  Leverkusen struggled to live with the intensity of the Gunners’ press, and despite some late pressure, the German side could find no way past a resilient defense.

  It was a mature European performance from Arsenal, characterized by defensive solidity and the “magic moments” they have become known for this season.

  ​Arsenal Player Ratings

  ​David Raya: 7/10

  Aside from one shaky moment during a crowded corner, the goalkeeper was a picture of composure. He maintained his focus throughout a relatively quiet night, producing a top-tier save late in the game to deny Christian Kofane and preserve a well-earned clean sheet.

  ​Ben White: 7/10

  White offered a timely reminder of his reliability in high-stakes matches. He linked up seamlessly with Saka to overload the right flank and remained defensively sound, though a slight dip in energy after the hour mark led to a rare lapse in his passing.

  ​William Saliba: 8/10

  Tasked with neutralizing the physical threat of Kofane, Saliba was imperious. His recovery pace was vital when Leverkusen attempted to go direct, and he dominated the aerial duels, ensuring Patrik Schick had no impact after being introduced from the bench.

  ​Gabriel: 7/10

  While he will be frustrated at missing two golden headed opportunities from corners, the Brazilian was a wall at the back. He led the team in successful tackles and provided the physical edge needed to disrupt Leverkusen’s attacking rhythm.

  ​Piero Hincapie: 8/10

  A standout performer on the night, Hincapie was relentless on both sides of the ball. He nearly turned provider with an excellent cross for Saka and bailed out his defensive partners with a crucial, perfectly timed interception when the line was stretched.

  ​Martin Zubimendi: 7/10

  Zubimendi looked back to his sharpest, playing with a “zip” that troubled the Leverkusen midfield. He facilitated the transition from defense to attack with clever vertical passing and made a vital tactical foul to stop a dangerous second-half counter.

  ​Declan Rice: 8/10

  Rice produced a quintessential performance, capped by a goal that defined his playing style. After mopping up a loose ball, he drove into the final third and unleashed a clinical finish. His positional discipline ensured Arsenal never lost control of the central zones.

  ​Bukayo Saka: 8/10

  The winger was a recurring nightmare for the Leverkusen left-back, creating a plethora of chances in a dominant first-half display. His delivery from set-pieces was consistently dangerous, and he was unlucky not to find the net himself after several goalbound efforts.

  ​Eberechi Eze: 9/10

  The undisputed man of the match, Eze provided the spark Arsenal needed with a world-class long-range opener. Beyond the goal, he dictated the flow of the game, gliding past challenges and working tirelessly in defense to regain possession.

  ​Leandro Trossard: 7/10

  Operating in a fluid role between the lines, Trossard was heavily involved in Arsenal’s intricate buildup play. Although he was sometimes too hesitant to pull the trigger in the box, he forced the Leverkusen keeper into two spectacular saves.

  ​Viktor Gyokeres: 7/10

  A tireless presence leading the line, Gyokeres made life difficult for the Leverkusen center-backs with his physical hold-up play. While his finishing was slightly erratic, his work rate created the space necessary for his teammates to exploit.

  ​Substitutes

  ​Christian Norgaard: 6/10

  Replacing Zubimendi, the midfielder took a moment to adjust to the high intensity of the game but eventually settled in to provide a stable screen in front of the back four.

  ​Cristhian Mosquera: 7/10

  Coming on for White, Mosquera was excellent in lockdown duty. He nullified any threat down his wing and looked comfortable joining the attack, suggesting he is ready for a starting role if needed.

  ​Gabriel Martinelli: 6/10

  While he didn’t have much room to showcase his blistering pace on the break, his defensive discipline and pressing helped Arsenal see out the final twenty minutes without incident.

  ​Kai Havertz: 6/10

  Introduced against his former club, Havertz used his aerial prowess to good effect, winning several flick-ons that allowed Arsenal to move up the pitch and relieve pressure in the closing stages.

  ​Myles Lewis-Skelly: N/A

  A very late substitution; did not have sufficient time to impact the game.