Alphonso Davies, a Munich, Bayern full-back, will need surgery to repair his cruciate ligament injury in his right knee for “several months.”
Davies was hurt on Sunday in Canada’s 2-1 Concacaf Nations League third-place play-off victory over the United States.
Dayot Upamecano, a Bayern defender, will also be sidelined for a number of weeks due to a knee problem that he picked up while on international duty with France.
Our squad is strong, and we will make up for these absences. We’ll work together even more closely now. We have the ability to carry on our lofty objectives.
Since joining Bayern from Vancouver Whitecaps at the age of 17, Davies has made 226 appearances.
To end rumors linking him to a move to Real Madrid, the 24-year-old signed a new five-year contract in February.
Since leaving RB Leipzig for a reported 42.5 million euros (£38 million) in 2021, Upamecano has made 147 Bayern appearances.
With eight games to go, Vincent Kompany’s team is six points clear of the top of the Bundesliga as they attempt to win the 34th German title.
In the Champions League quarter-finals, they also host Inter Milan, with the first leg taking place on April 8 in Munich.
In Nigeria and Uganda, MTN Group and Airtel Africa have come to a mutual agreement to share mobile network infrastructure.  ,
The agreement, according to the duo’s statements on Wednesday, aims to reduce investments while maintaining service coverage.
Although there is still a lot of demand for digital and financial services in Africa, network construction and maintenance is expensive, especially for fast 5G connections.
Additionally, the businesses stated that they would look into potential business opportunities in other nations, including Congo-Brazzaville, Rwanda, and Zambia.
The majority of the costs in network deployment and operation are covered by radio access network sharing, they continued, along with commercial and technical agreements for sharing of fibre infrastructure and, if necessary, fiber network construction.
The companies stated that “this engagement does not prevent the parties from collaborating with other operators in any particular market.”
According to MTN Group CEO Ralph Mupita, “We are driven by the vision of delivering digital solutions that drive Africa’s progress,” in a statement.
“Across our markets, there is still a strong structural demand for digital and financial services. To provide our customers with high-quality connectivity, we continue to invest in coverage and capacity to meet this demand.
However, there are opportunities for sharing resources within regulatory frameworks to increase efficiency and increase returns.
Read more about African National Oil Companies’ Innovative Financing Strategies for Project Development.
Sunil Taldar, the CEO of Airtel Africa, claimed the agreement would prevent costly infrastructure from being duplicated.
The Nevada Athletic Commission has outlawed former UFC competitors Jeff Molina and Darrick Minner.
Minner, 34, was given a 29-month suspension for failing to report a “serious injury” prior to a UFC fight on November 5, 2022.
Molina, 27, has received a three-year suspension for backing his team-mate’s injury and placing a significant wager on Minner’s fight.
According to the Nevada Athletic Commission, Molina acknowledged the crime.
Minner was quickly completed by Shayilan Nuerdanbieke in round one despite missing out on a pre-fight medical questionnaire.
US Integrity identified the featherweight fight as a suspicious betting bet and launched an investigation into an illegal gambling arrangement involving UFC fighters and coaches.
Featherweight Molina’s suspension expires on November 5, 2025, while Minner can start fighting again on March 26, 2025.
Former UFC fighter turned coach James Krause served as Molina and Minner’s training partner.
Krause is being investigated for allegedly engaging in an illegal gambling ring, and the UFC has forbid cornerbacks from Krause’s gym sessions.
If you were to believe Charlotte Tilbury’s Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales couldn’t possibly get any better, we have some good news for you: the company just introduced its renowned Mystery Boxes with a massive 50% discount, giving you the opportunity to purchase either four or seven of its exquisite items for the same price.
Beauty enthusiasts can choose between a box of unknown goodies, which typically costs just £110 for just £55, or a stocking containing seven products valued at £203 for £101. This is a popular deal year-round. While The Beauty Trinkets Mystery Boxes, £55, come filled with make-up looks that are centred around two shades, pink and peach, the stocking seems to have a mixture.
You’ll be in for a treat if you’re looking for a mystery treat, including the Beautyverse Palette and a miniature Magic Cream, though we’re not sure what four hand-picked “beautiful secrets” are contained in this night-crimson gift box are contained.
Read more: New Look’s ‘ super soft ‘ £33 pyjamas ‘ almost identical ‘ to £590 designer pair
Read more to learn how to save up to 40% on YSL perfume, which I wear every time.
As for the stocking, fans of Charlotte Tilbury will receive seven mystery products for the skin, eyes, lips and cheeks. A stunning red stocking with white and gold stars, worth £25, contains the five make-up products and two skincare items. This would make a wonderful addition to your Christmas decor.
A luxurious filled stocking and a Beauty Trinket box both have 50% off (Charlotte Tilbury) and have been released as part of Charlotte Tilbury’s Mystery bundles.
These items have received praise from those who have purchased them in the past for being both the “perfect Christmas gift” and being “full of must-haves.”
The offers don’t just include one box or one stocking either; instead, you can purchase a Mystery Box Duo for £156 (was £313) or the Pink or Peach Beauty Trinkets Mystery Box Duo for £110 instead of £220.
The only drawback to these Mystery Bundles is that you don’t know what will be inside, which could result in an unwelcome product. Although many Charlotte Tilbury products cost more than £50 on their own, it’s a significant saving if you’re just testing out a few items before purchasing them as gifts.
Meanwhile, Charlotte’s Black Friday reductions are still ongoing with up to 40% on selected sets, like this 3 Steps to Beautiful Lips set now £42 from £70, and individual items, so you can stock up on your favourite creams, bronzers, beauty wands and more whilst saving money.
You can get yours hands on some pretty epic bargains elsewhere, such as 25% off Charlotte Tilbury’s Magic Cream from Cult Beauty, now costing £39 instead of £52. This Cult Beauty Buyers’ Edit has also been reduced by 25%, resulting in savings of £29.25 versus £39. Over on LookFantastic, you can grab the Black Friday edit for £28 instead of £40, snagging some Sol de Janeiro perfume, a hydrating face mask and more.
Tanya Oxtoby, the manager of Northern Ireland, describes Laura Rafferty as “integral” to their continued growth as she wraps up 50 caps.
Rafferty, a Rangers defender, will be eligible for the milestone if she plays on Friday night in Croatia’s opening Euro 2025 play-off game.
And Oxtoby heaped praise on the 28-year-old, who has also captained her country on numerous occasions recently.
“I always say about Raff, you know exactly what you’re going to get, she’s fully committed, gives 100% to the group and as a coach that is all you can ask for”, Oxtoby told BBC Sport NI.
We have a lot of tactical flexibility, they claim.
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The Northern Ireland squad has undergone a number of changes since Bosnia-Herzegovina’s final Euro 2025 qualifier in July.
Former captain Marissa Callaghan and Glentoran’s Demi Vance are two high-profile omissions, with the likes of Joely Andrews, Nadene Caldwell, Caragh Hamilton and Kerry Beattie ruled out through injury.
Oxtoby reiterated that “the door will remain open” for their return despite the numerous adjustments, but believes the squad has enough experience and quality to overcome Croatia.
“Those conversations]on the absences] will remain private between myself and the players as I think that is respectful, they have been given feedback like every player does”, Oxtoby explained.
“We feel we have a great squad composition, we have a lot of tactically flexibility, so I feel like we’re in a really good place”.
After impressing for her club, Nat Johnson, Nottingham Forest defender, was pleased to join Oxtoby’s first squad since making her debut at Euro 2022.
“She’s fitted in really with this group, brought a lot of positive energy and really wants to be a sponge”, the manager added.
Magill “exemplifies” the leadership qualities that NI desire.
Press Eye
Oxtoby also believes that new captain Simone Magill “epitomises” qualities she wants in an on-field leader.
Marissa Callaghan, who left the position in May, took over as Northern Ireland’s captain on Monday.
Simone epitomizes the qualities and traits we sought in our leadership team, according to Simone.
No matter who wears the armband, we have a great group of leaders in this group and we’re continuing to develop them, according to the players, who were a part of a really diligent process.
Northern Ireland will face the winner of the tie between Norway and Albania in Switzerland’s European Championships if they advance past Croatia.
Due to the absence of the Women’s Premiership players, the play-off will take place in December, which opens a new ambiguous window for Oxtoby.
The manager is happy to have a season window open for players from Northern Ireland and England and Scotland and for those who have just finished their studies.
“We’re going to be back in that difficult position in the next window, but we’re in a good position in this one.”
Coco Gauff, the fourth seed, defeated Paula Badosa in the first China Open final after going set and break.
The 20-year-old American dug deep to come through 4-6 6-4 6-2.
Spaniard Badosa served with a 4-3 lead in the second set, which was a 19th-ranked player but a former world number two.
However, Gauff eventually won the game in two hours and 21 minutes by breaking and rattled off the next four games to set up a decider.
Badosa, who was in the top 140th place in the world rankings in May, had a strong start to the semi-finals in Beijing, winning over Jessica Pegula, the second seed, and Jessica Pegula, the finalist.
And she took advantage of Gauff’s inconsistencies, particularly on her serve which produced 11 double faults, to win the opening set and break in the first game of the second.
After resuming her relationship with Brad Gilbert last month and avoiding contention for the US Open in the fourth round, Gauff is now working with new coach Matt Daly.
The American gained momentum as Badosa recovered with her composure after she dropped her first set of the week after saving four break points to avoid falling to 4-1 in the second set.
In the final match, Gauff broke three times to claim the victory as she competes for Auckland’s only title of the year so far in January.
