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• Emerse Fae still haunted by loss to Egypt at AFCON 2006 ahead of quarter-final showdown

  Emerse Fae is drawing on personal heartbreak from 2006 to ensure his defending champions do not underestimate a resilient Egyptian side in their upcoming AFCON quarterfinal.

  Ivory Coast head coach Emerse Fae has issued a stern warning to his squad ahead of Saturday’s Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinal against Egypt.

  Recalling the 2006 final where he suffered a penalty shootout defeat as a player, the 41-year-old cautioned against complacency.

  Fae noted that the current Egyptian side mirrors the resilient teams of the past, stating, “This is exactly the Egypt I expected… that looks like it’s about to crack, but almost never does.”

  The defending champions enter the match following a dominant 3-0 victory over Burkina Faso, highlighted by a standout performance from Manchester United’s Amad Diallo.

  In contrast, Egypt required extra time to dispatch Benin. Despite their recent struggles, Fae emphasized that the seven-time champions remain master tacticians in knockout football.

  He observed: “Egypt absorbs pressure; they don’t control [games]. It’s about disrupting the opponent and, whenever they get a chance, punishing them.”

  The tactical battle will pit the Elephants’ momentum against an Egyptian attack featuring superstars Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush.

  Fae insisted that mental discipline is the only way to overcome the North African giants, who have reached two of the last four finals.

  He concluded with a final warning regarding the opponent’s clinical nature: “You should never be overconfident against Egypt. If you arrive overconfident, you have no chance.”

• AFCON 2025: Quarter-final fixtures, date, time, venue all set

  The AFCON 2025 quarter-final fixtures have been largely finalized, featuring high-profile matchups such as Nigeria vs Algeria and Cameroon vs Morocco.

  The quarter-final lineup for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations is nearly complete following Algeria’s dramatic 1-0 extra-time victory over DR Congo on Tuesday.

  Substitute Anis Boulbina scored a decisive goal in the 119th minute in Rabat to secure the Desert Warriors’ progression.

  This victory sets up a highly anticipated clash against Nigeria, who advanced earlier in the week after a dominant performance against Mozambique.

  Seven of the eight quarter-finalists are now confirmed, with Senegal, Mali, hosts Morocco, Cameroon, Egypt, Nigeria, and Algeria all securing their spots.

  The final place in the bracket will be determined by the ongoing match between Côte d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso.

  Early reports indicate the defending champion Elephants are leading 2-0 in the first half, thanks to goals from Amad Diallo and Yan Diomande.

  The confirmed fixtures are set to begin on Friday, January 9, featuring a double-header.

  Mali will face Senegal in Tangier at 5pm WAT, followed by a blockbuster encounter between Cameroon and tournament hosts Morocco in Rabat at 9pm WAT.

  These matchups bring together some of the continent’s most successful footballing nations in a bid for a place in the semi-finals.

  On Saturday, January 10, the action shifts to Agadir and Marrakech. Nigeria will take on Algeria at 5pm WAT at the Stade de Marrakech, while Egypt awaits the winner of the Côte d’Ivoire versus Burkina Faso tie for an 8pm WAT kickoff.

  With the “quarter-final line-up… now clearer,” fans across the continent are preparing for a weekend of elite international football across Morocco’s premier venues.

• The Briefing: Pressure mount on Amorim, Dyche, Santo, while Arsenal couldn’t be happier

  Ruben Amorim has hinted at a power struggle with Manchester United’s leadership while Arsenal extended their Premier League lead following Manchester City’s dramatic late draw with Chelsea.  

  Ruben Amorim has signaled growing tension with the Manchester United hierarchy following a 1-1 draw at Leeds United.

  Despite being appointed as a “head coach” under Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s new sporting structure, Amorim pointedly asserted his desire “to be the manager of Manchester United” three times during post-match comments.

  The shift suggests a burgeoning power struggle over the club’s tactical direction, specifically regarding Amorim’s insistence on his signature 3-4-3 formation amidst a squad built for a back four.

  The dysfunction at Old Trafford contrasts with the clinical efficiency of Arsenal, who saw their Premier League lead extend to six points this weekend.

  Manchester City’s title defense stuttered after a 94th-minute Enzo Fernández equalizer earned managerless Chelsea a 1-1 draw at the Etihad.

  City appeared fatigued following a midweek stalemate against Sunderland, allowing Arsenal to capitalize on their rivals’ inconsistency as they prepare for a high-profile home clash against Liverpool this Thursday.

  Chelsea’s resilient performance under U21 coach Calum McFarlane provided a morale boost ahead of the expected appointment of Liam Rosenior.

  The incoming boss will be encouraged by the displays of Reece James and Josh Acheampong, who helped exploit City’s uncharacteristic sloppiness.

  Meanwhile, City boss Pep Guardiola must find solutions to his side’s sudden dip in form, having dropped four points in a week during the most congested period of the English football calendar.

  At the bottom of the table, West Ham United manager Nuno Espírito Santo faces a precarious future.

  After suffering a 3-0 defeat to his former club Wolverhampton Wanderers, Nuno is at risk of becoming a statistical anomaly by struggling at two different clubs in a single season.

  Although the club insists his position is not under immediate threat, a looming “relegation six-pointer” against Nottingham Forest on Tuesday has placed the Portuguese coach under immense scrutiny.

  Nottingham Forest arrives at the London Stadium under the guidance of Sean Dyche, who is facing his own crisis after four consecutive defeats.

  The match represents a collision of two embattled managers at clubs currently mired in institutional turmoil.

  With Forest sitting just four points ahead of third-bottom West Ham, the result could dictate whether either board decides to implement further managerial changes before the January transfer window closes.

• AFCON Preview: Heavyweights clash as Algeria and Burkina Faso eye first Group G knockout ticket

  Algeria and Burkina Faso meet in a decisive battle for Group G supremacy, with both teams looking to extend unbeaten runs and secure early qualification.

  Group G leaders Algeria and Burkina Faso are set for a high-stakes showdown at Stade Prince Moulay Hassan this Sunday evening.

  Both nations enter the fixture following impressive opening-day victories, knowing that another three points would virtually guarantee a spot in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations knockout rounds.

  However, history suggests a deadlock, as the last three encounters between these two sides have ended in draws.

  The Desert Warriors arrive in peak form following a dominant 3-0 victory over Sudan. Legendary captain Riyad Mahrez was the catalyst, netting twice to put Vladimir Petkovic’s side in control.

  Algeria is determined to move past the ghosts of the previous two tournaments, where they suffered premature group-stage exits.

  With a fully fit squad, Petkovic has the luxury of naming an unchanged side to maintain their current momentum.

  Burkina Faso’s path to this fixture was far more dramatic. Despite playing against ten men for nearly half of their opener against Equatorial Guinea, the Stallions fell behind late in the game.

  In a stunning stoppage-time reversal, substitute Georgi Minoungou and defender Edmond Tapsoba scored in the 95th and 98th minutes, respectively, to snatch a 2-1 win.

  This resilience has placed Brama Traore’s side in a strong position ahead of their toughest group test.

  Squad depth will be a key factor in Sunday’s late kickoff. For Algeria, Rayan Ait-Nouri has overcome fitness concerns, while Mahrez continues his pursuit of the national appearance record.

  Burkina Faso may handed a starting role to Minoungou following his heroics off the bench.

  Both managers have reported no fresh injury concerns, ensuring both nations can field their strongest possible lineups for this pivotal top-of-the-table clash.

  Statistically, there is very little to separate the two sides. Algeria remains unbeaten in their last 11 outings, while Burkina Faso has not tasted defeat in their last seven matches.

  Given their recent history of competitive stalemates, including a 2-2 thriller in the 2023 edition, analysts are predicting another closely fought contest.

  A draw would likely satisfy both camps, keeping them both on track for qualification heading into the final matchday.

• Preview: Nzalang Nacional and Sudan face a must-win AFCON tie

  Equatorial Guinea and Sudan meet in a pivotal Group E fixture where a victory is essential for either side to maintain hope of reaching the AFCON knockout stages.

  Equatorial Guinea and Sudan prepare for a high-stakes encounter at Stade Mohamed V this Sunday, with both nations desperate to revive their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations campaigns.

  Sitting at the bottom of Group E after opening-day defeats, neither side can afford another loss.

  Equatorial Guinea enters as the favorite, ranked 20 places higher by FIFA and boasting a superior recent head-to-head record against their East African opponents.

  The “Nzalang Nacional” are looking to move past a heartbreaking collapse against Burkina Faso, where they conceded two stoppage-time goals to lose 2-1.

  Despite the result, manager Juan Micha remained upbeat in his post-match press conference, though he must now navigate the absence of suspended left-back Basilio Ndong.

  Marvin Anieboh, who scored shortly after coming off the bench in the opener, is expected to be rewarded with a place in the starting lineup.

  Sudan’s “Falcons of Jediane” face an uphill battle following a demoralizing 3-0 loss to Algeria. James Kwesi Appiah’s squad struggled significantly after Salaheldin Adil’s first-half dismissal and has now failed to win in their last four outings.

  Compounding their issues is an injury cloud over key players Abo Eisa and Abuaagla Abdalla, though both are currently expected to be passed fit for this critical survival match in Casablanca.

  With only one game remaining after today, the tactical stakes are high. Equatorial Guinea is expected to lean on their historical scoring prowess, having netted nine goals in the previous tournament, while Sudan must find a way to end their goal drought.

  Analysts predict a cagey, defensive affair where a single goal could decide the fate of both teams’ tournament aspirations before the final round of group fixtures on Wednesday.