Sport

The qualifying draw for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will take place in Johannesburg, South Africa on July 4, according to the Confederation of African Football (CAF). The 48 competing teams will be split into 12 groups of four, with the top two in each group reaching the finals in Morocco. The tournament hosts will be included in the draw but, given the Atlas Lions are already assured of qualification; only one team in their group will book a ticket to Morocco.

Premier League champions Manchester City have initiated a legal dispute against the Premier League to challenge the league's Associated Party Transaction (APT) rules. This unusual action will be resolved through a private arbitration hearing set to commence next week. The APT rules were implemented in 2021 to stop clubs from artificially inflating sponsorship agreements with businesses connected to their owners, thus promoting fair competition.

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has released key centreback Grant Kekana from his squad for the forthcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Nigeria and Zimbabwe with a hamstring injury, replacing him with Kaizer Chiefs’ Given Msimango. As Broos prepared for Bafana’s qualifiers against Nigeria in Uyo on Friday (9 pm SA time) and Zimbabwe in Bloemfontein next Tuesday (6 pm), the coach disclosed he has six injuries among his Mamelodi Sundowns contingent. However, apart from Kekana’s the rest were niggling and not expected to keep anyone out of action.

Despite Real Madrid’s 2-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League final last night, defender Dani Carvajal, admitted that his team didn’t even merit a draw against the Bundesliga side. Carvajal, who scored the opening goal for Real Madrid in the 74th minute, was candid about the Los Blancos’ performance.  The Spain international was speaking via (MadridXtra on X) in a post-match interview. 

Kobbie Mainoo has been pencil to sign a lucrative new contract at Manchester United. Daily Star reports that the England midfielder wants to put talks on hold until after the Euros. Mainoo has enjoyed a breakout campaign with the United since he made his first start in October. The Ghana international bulldoze his way to establish himself and score in the FA Cup final, as they beat Manchester City 2-1 at Wembley. 

The Nigerian Football Federation, NFF has revealed venues and date for the quarter-final fixtures of President Federation Cup. NFF, being the organisers of the competition has fixed all the quarter-final matches to be played on Wednesday, June 5. Meanwhile, headline fixture of the round between Sunshine Stars and Kano Pillars will be played at the Area 3 Pitch, Abuja. Former champions El-Kanemi Warriors will lock horns with Inter Lagos at the Bwari Stadium, Abuja.