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If there was a moment that summed up Nigeria’s failed World Cup qualifying campaign, it was perhaps Victor Osimhen’s incredible miss during a crunch play-off against Gabon.

The usually lethal striker somehow fired wide with just the goalkeeper to beat right at the end of normal time in the November game in Rabat.

He did make amends by scoring twice in extra time as the Super Eagles eventually won that match, but their bid to make the finals in North America came to an end a few days later as they lost on penalties to the Democratic Republic of Congo.

READ ALSO: Traditional Healer Arrested For Alleged Fraud After Promising Mali AFCON Trophy Win

Nigeria, an African footballing superpower, will therefore be absent from a second consecutive World Cup while a record number of teams from the continent — 10 if DR Congo win an intercontinental play-off in March — will be present.

On Wednesday, however, the Nigerians will be back in the Moroccan capital for a blockbuster Africa Cup of Nations semi-final against the hosts and title favourites.

The only way the Super Eagles can really make amends is by beating Morocco and winning AFCON.

Nigeria, who lost the 2024 Cup of Nations final to hosts Ivory Coast, are looking for a fourth continental title to follow those won in 1980, 1994 and 2013.

It remains a big ask given the challenge of beating 2022 World Cup semi-finalists Morocco in front of almost 70,000 of their supporters in Rabat, as well as the fact that either Senegal or Mohamed Salah’s Egypt would then lie in wait in the final.

But Nigeria have arguably been the most impressive side these last three weeks in Morocco, scoring a tournament-high 14 goals in five matches.

Osimhen has four goals, including the opener in Saturday’s 2-0 quarter-final victory against Algeria in Marrakesh in which he also set up the clincher for Akor Adams.

A player who starred on the run to the final two years ago despite scoring just once is now at his prolific best for Eric Chelle’s team.

“I think as a man and as a player, I’ve improved a lot,” Osimhen said after Saturday’s game in which his connection with fellow forwards Adams and Ademola Lookman was showcased.

“I always come back to the mistakes I have made when I am in my spare time and try to see how I can improve.”

‘Peak at the right time’

Osimhen was brilliant despite his lack of goals at the last AFCON, working tirelessly for the team in the energy-sapping, and heat and humidity of Ivory Coast.

After seven Cup of Nations matches without scoring, he has now scored four in the last four games, and has nine in eight appearances for his country since mid-October.

That has left him just two goals away from equalling the national team record of 37 goals held by the late Rashidi Yekini.

Osimhen is also enjoying a fine campaign for Galatasaray, scoring 12 goals in 16 games for the Turkish giants, including six in the UEFA Champions League.

“Now I have so much confidence in the way I play with the help of my teammates, but for me it is not about the goals or assists, it is just about winning something with this squad,” said the 27-year-old former African player of the year.

Take away that fateful penalty shoot-out, and Nigeria, have not lost a competitive game since former Mali boss Chelle became coach a year ago.

They have put the distraction of a row over bonuses to one side on their AFCON run in Morocco, and Osimhen’s strop during the last-16 win over Mozambique appears to have been nothing more than a player’s competitive spirit going a little too far.

“In a tournament like this it is important to peak at the right time,” said defender Semi Ajayi, of English Championship side Hull City.

“I feel like in every single game we have taken a step forward and improved, and we are looking to improve again for the next one.”

So what about going into the lions’ den next against Morocco in Rabat?

“We have a lot of experience in the changing room. We have dealt with big situations and pressure before,” Ajayi added.

Manchester United have reached an agreement in principle to appoint Michael Carrick as interim manager until the end of the season, reports said Tuesday.

The former midfielder was pictured arriving at the club’s Carrington training ground, with his appointment likely to be confirmed later in the day.

Carrick previously had an unbeaten three-game stint as caretaker boss at Old Trafford in 2021.

READ ALSO: Arbeloa Replaces Alonso As Real Madrid Head Coach

The 44-year-old, who won 12 major trophies in his 12-year playing career at United, was appointed manager of Middlesbrough in October 2022.

Carrick guided Middlesbrough to the Championship play-offs in his first season in charge but was dismissed in June after the club finished 10th in the second tier.

United had also been in discussions with former player and boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer about a potential return to the club.

The Red Devils dismissed Ruben Amorim last week after a dismal 14-month stint under the Portuguese coach.

Caretaker boss Darren Fletcher oversaw a 2-2 draw against lowly Burnley in the Premier League and a 2-1 defeat to Brighton in the FA Cup.

United’s exit from both domestic cup competitions at the first hurdle, plus a lack of European football, means they will play only 40 matches this season — their lowest number since the 1914/1915 campaign.

The 20-time English champions are seventh in the Premier League, but just three points outside the top four and one point behind fifth-placed Brentford.

A top-four finish would guarantee a return to the lucrative Champions League and top five is likely to be enough thanks to the strong performance of English sides in European competition so far this season.

Álvaro Arbeloa has replaced Xabi Alonso as Real Madrid Head Coach, the club announced on Monday.

In a statement, the club said  Arbeola, B team manager, would take over the role as Real Madrid’s manager.

According to the club, Alonso left by mutual agreement.

In a separate statement Madrid then announced Arbeloa would take Alonso’s place, without specifying the length of the 42-year-old’s contract.

“Arbeloa has been the coach of Castilla since June 2025 and has developed his entire coaching career in Real Madrid’s academy since 2020,” said Los Blancos.

READ ALSO: Real Madrid Head Coach Alonso Leaves Club

A day after the team lost the Spanish Super Cup final against Barcelona, the club parted ways with the Basque coach eight months after his arrival and immediately appointed former Madrid player Arbeloa, who was coaching the reserve side.

“Real Madrid announces that, by mutual agreement between the club and Xabi Alonso, it has been decided to bring his tenure as first-team coach to an end,” said the Los Blancos in a statement.

Arbeloa’s first match at the helm is a Copa del Rey last-16 visit to face second-tier Albacete on Wednesday.

The Spaniard played 238 times for Madrid between 2009-2016, winning two Champions League titles and La Liga once, among other silverware.

Arbeloa also lifted the World Cup with Spain in 2010, as well as the European Championship in 2008 and 2012, playing alongside Alonso for club and country.

Alonso joined in June, replacing veteran Carlo Ancelotti, but Madrid struggled to find consistency under the Basque coach and are second in La Liga, four points behind Barcelona.

Los Blancos were outplayed in a 3-2 defeat in Saudi Arabia on Sunday by Hansi Flick’s side, the 44-year-old’s last at the helm.

Alonso was close to the sack towards the end of 2025 but a run of five consecutive wins kept him in his position, until the Super Cup defeat.

Alonso had signed a three-season deal after leaving Bayer Leverkusen, until June 2028.

The team were thrashed 4-0 by Paris Saint-Germain in July in the Club World Cup semi-finals, which was an early setback for the coach.

Despite a Clasico win over Barcelona in October, it appeared president Florentino Perez had not fully warmed to Alonso, who had intended to bring a modern coaching approach to the team.

The team struggled through a run of poor form amid an injury crisis, with Spanish media reporting some players had fallen out with him and that Alonso would be ousted if they failed to beat Manchester City in the Champions League in December.

Madrid lost but the performance was solid enough that Alonso was given more time to try and save his job.

A self-proclaimed marabout, or traditional folk healer, who allegedly collected €33,500 by promising victory for Mali in the Africa Cup of Nations, was arrested for fraud after the team lost.

Mali’s national team was eliminated last Friday in the quarter finals by Senegal 1-0.

READ ALSO: AFCON: Six Things We Learnt From Nigeria’s Victory Over Algeria

The man, identified only as Mr Sinayogo, allegedly collected more than 22 million CFA francs in donations, according to an associate.

Following Mali’s defeat, an angry mob showed up at his home before police intervened and removed him.

Sinayogo was arrested in the Malian capital Bamako on Saturday for alleged “fraud” and was being held at the cybercrime division, according to two videographers who visited him.

“Charlatanism is punishable by law in Mali,” an official from the division told AFP.

However, arresting the man while the national team was still competing would have been difficult “in the heat of the Africa Cup of Nations,” he added.

The man, formerly known as a political activist, “proclaimed himself a marabout overnight and made a fortune,” a social media content creator close to him said.

Senegal Triumph

Recalled Iliman Ndiaye scored in the first half to give Senegal a 1-0 victory over 10-man Mali in Tangiers on Friday in the first Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final.

Mali hopes were dealt a severe blow in first-half added time when captain Yves Bissouma was sent off after being shown a second yellow card.

The only goal followed a blunder by Mali goalkeeper Djigui Diarra, who then made a string of superb saves to prevent Senegal increasing their lead.

Seeking a third final appearance in four editions, 2022 champions Senegal will face title-holders Ivory Coast or record seven-time winners Egypt, who meet on Saturday, in the semi-finals.

“I am happy to have won the player of the match award, but the most important thing is we have progressed to the semi-finals. We played well and are constantly improving,” said Ndiaye.

The 25-year-old Everton striker started in all three group matches, but was an unused substitute in the last-16 victory over Sudan six days ago.

Senegal coach Pape Thiaw said: “It was not an easy match against a talented Mali team. Had we been more clinical in front of goal we could have scored more goals.”

“It was a difficult match for us because we had to play (half) of it with 10 men,” said Mali coach Tom Saintfiet. “I am proud of the players for what they did, not only tonight but throughout the AFCON.”

Bissouma was yellow-carded midway through the opening half for fouling Senegal striker and twice African player of the year Sadio Mane.

Mali striker Lassine Sinayoko then broke clear only to be foiled by superb sliding tackle from fellow French Ligue 1 player Krepin Diatta.

Manchester United’s problems mounted as the managerless Red Devils crashed out of the FA Cup after a 2-1 defeat against Brighton on Sunday.

Brajan Gruda put Brighton ahead in the first half at Old Trafford, and former United striker Danny Welbeck netted after the break.

Benjamin Sesko’s reply came too late to save his side from a third-round exit as United teenager Shea Lacey was sent off in the final moments.

United were barraged by jeers from furious fans following the latest miserable result in another troubled season.

Caretaker boss Darren Fletcher has failed to stop the rot following Ruben Amorim’s shock sacking on Monday, with United looking to appoint an interim manager until the end of the season

Former United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Michael Carrick, a decorated ex-United midfielder, have both been linked with the temporary role.

But regardless of United’s past pedigree, the chaos enveloping Old Trafford hardly makes it an appealing job for any manager of stature these days.

Welbeck, 35, was at United when they won their most recent Premier League title in 2013 under Alex Ferguson, who watched the Brighton debacle from the directors’ box as the current generation showed how far they have fallen from the Scot’s golden era.

United, currently a disappointing seventh in the Premier League, are without a win in four games and have managed only one victory in their last seven matches.

That wretched form is unlikely to improve anytime soon with United hosting Manchester City next weekend before travelling to Premier League leaders Arsenal on January 25.

After a humiliating League Cup loss at fourth-tier Grimsby in August, United have exited both domestic cups at the first hurdle for the first time since 1981-82.

Avenging their 2023 FA Cup semi-final loss to United, Brighton have now won on four of their last five visits to Old Trafford.

READ ALSO: Martinelli’s Hat-Trick Fires Arsenal Past Portsmouth In FA Cup

 United in disarray 

United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo started for only the second time this season as Fletcher left Casemiro on the bench in one of three changes from the midweek 2-2 draw at lowly Burnley.

Albion keeper Jason Steele made fine saves to deny Diogo Dalot and Bruno Fernandes in the early stages.

But Brighton made the most of those escapes to take the lead in the 12th minute.

Welbeck was the catalyst with an incisive run and cross to Georginio Rutter, whose header was cleared off the line by Lisandro Martinez before Gruda slammed past Senne Lammens from close-range.

United were in disarray, and chants against co-owners Jim Ratcliffe and the Glazer family rang around Old Trafford.

Fernandes sent a free-kick wide, and Matheus Cunha was narrowly off-target as United trudged off with boos ringing in their ears at half-time.

Mainoo was hauled off in the second half after a lacklustre display that did little to rebuke Amorim’s decision to ignore him for much of this season.

United’s problems are far wider than just Mainoo, and Brighton punished their shambolic defending to double the lead in the 64th minute.

Gruda was given time and space to pick out Welbeck inside the area, and he lashed an exquisite strike past Lammens as the atmosphere turned even more toxic.

Sesko set up a frenetic finale after heading home from Fernandes’ 85th-minute corner.

But United couldn’t muster a late escape as Lacey, already on a booking, brought a fitting end to a painful defeat when he was sent off for throwing the ball away in frustration.