Everything you need to know about TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations
With today marking 24 days to kickoff, CAF General Secretary, Veron Mosengo-Omba and Moumouni Sylla, Executive Director of the Local Organising Committee (COCAN) of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations Cote d’Ivoire 2023 addressed the media today in Abidjan on preparations for the tournament.
CAFOnline highlights interesting and topical issues raised by the CAF General Secretary during the press briefing;
Readiness of Infrastructure for the tournament
I have visited facilities at the venues for the tournament, and can confidently say that Cote d’Ivoire is ready to host Africa and the rest of the world for the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations Cote d’Ivoire 2023.
CAF commends the Ivorian Government headed by His Excellency Alassane Ouattara for the massive and unprecedented investment in infrastructure for the competition. There are new Stadiums across the country in Ebimpe, Yamoussoukro, Bouake, Korhogo and San Pedro whilst Felix Houphouet Boigny has been renovated to meet international standards
Ticketing
First the first time, CAF has online ticketing portal for fans across the world to access the ticket. There is the option of over the counter tickets for local fans. Over 30,000 tickets sales were realized from the first phase of ticket sales online for only group phase matches. The second phase opened last week for knockout stage and remaining stages of the tournament.
Television Rights and Broadcast
The TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations will be beamed across 150 countries including new territories in the Balkan region and Brazil. This development is an indication of the the huge appetite for African football from broadcasters around the world emanating from the investment by CAF under the leadership of CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe towards enhanced viewer experience. CAF is working with COCAN, partners MediaLuso and host broadcaster RTI to ensure world class viewing experience for the global audience.,
Tournament Legacy
In terms of infrastructure, it has been a big win for Cote d’Ivoire. The Cite CAN, an accommodation project for teams in Bouake, San Pedro and Yamoussoukro similar Games Village for other international sporting competitions is a game changer. The facility is state-of-the-art and I can testify the quality of the facilities having spent a couple of nights during inspection visits.
Also, the bigger news is the allocation of 20 per cent of total revenues from the tournament to the Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) as announced by CAF President for the development of infrastructure across the West African counter. This is a first by CAF and we will work together with FIF to ensure the finances are utilized for the intended purposes.
Sponsors
Sponsors and business entities have suddenly developed interest in partnering CAF thanks to the astute leadership of Dr Patrice Motsepe. The TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations Cote d’Ivoire 2023 has attracted sponsors from various sectors and industries. Few days ago, we announced new sponsors such as Ecobank and AGL. There are two major announcement to be made in the coming days.
Fulham Fans mock Everton for former star player’s decision to leave them
BBC journalist Shamoon Hafez shared what Fulham fans chanted to Everton fans about why Alex Iwobi left Goodison Park in the EFL Cup quarter-final clash on Tuesday, reports Anthony Onifade for Goodison News.
The Toffees were aiming to continue their winning ways by securing their EFL Cup semi-final place against the Cottagers at Goodison Park on Tuesday (19 December) but fell to a 7-6 penalty shoot-out defeat.
During the game, Fulham fans were in full voice as they taunted the Everton faithful regarding former player Iwobi who left the Toffees in the summer transfer window for a price of up to £22million.
Hafez shared on the BBC Sport live coverage of the encounter (19 December, 7:59 pm):
“Fulham fans are chanting, “Alex Iwobi, he left coz you’re *rubbish*.”
“Or words to that effect.”
No regrets
When Iwobi left the club during the summer, some Everton fans were certainly reeling given his tremendous influence on the pitch last season.
But it is certainly not how fans would have envisaged his time at the club ending when a year ago he was being regularly praised as the star of Frank Lampard’s side.
There were several talks before then that he had been expected to sign a new contract at Goodison Park but a deal was struck on deadline day (1 September) to send him to Craven Cottage.
Everton did indeed need to raise funds somehow and Iwobi leaving certainly made a big difference on their wage bill and right now, the way the Toffees are performing, there will be no regrets from anyone associated with Everton.
After tonight’s result though, there will be no regrets on Iwobi’s end as he led his new side to the EFL Cup semi-final at Everton’s expense on Tuesday night.
Nottingham Forest have relieved Steve Cooper of duties after two years, Mark White reports for Four Four Two.
Nottingham Forest have sacked manager Steve Cooper, with a new manager already lined up for the Tricky Trees.
That’s according to the Athletic, who claims that the former England youth manager has been dismissed with his side hovering above the relegation zone. Nottingham Forest have won just once since the start of September.
Cooper leaves the club having guided the Garibaldi successfully to the Premier League via the playoffs, and having kept the club up in his first season in the top flight. Former Wolves and Tottenham boss, Nuno Espirito Santo, is set to assume control in the coming days.
Nuno Espirito Santo is being lined up by Forest (Image credit: PA)
Forest were bottom of the Championship when Cooper arrived at the club in September 2021. He took Forest back to the Premier League for the first time in 23 years and oversaw a huge squad turnover last season, with the side going on a big spending spree.
But things have been a lot tougher this term. A 5-0 defeat to Fulham recently compounded matters for the Welshman, following losses at home to Brighton and Everton. So far, only Sheffield United’s Paul Heckingbottom has been sacked this season.
The Dallas Mavericks suffered a 130-106 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Monday, and head coach Jason Kidd spoke about what the team needs to improve on after the loss.
“We’ve got to be better defensively if we’re not scoring,” Jason Kidd said, via Brad Townsend of The Dallas Morning News. “So this is two games as a coach I’ve got to be better. The big thing is our defense has to be better; we just can’t rely on Luka to have 40 and bail us out.”
It would have been a tall task for the Mavericks to win against the Nuggets on Monday, as they were without both Kyrie Irving and Dereck Lively II. Both Kyrie Irving and Dereck Lively II were in walking boots.
Luka Doncic did play, but he was feeling sick. Luka Doncic produced and put up 38 points with 11 rebounds and eight assists, but the performance from the rest of the team was not enough, as Kidd emphasized.
The Mavericks dropped to 16-10 on the season with the loss to the Nuggets, and it will be worth monitoring the injuries to Irving and Lively ahead of Wednesday’s matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers, who are on a hot streak after gelling with James Harden in the fold.
A win on Wednesday against the Clippers would be a nice bounce back against arguably the hottest team in the NBA. As Kidd said, the team has to be better defensively, especially if Irving and Lively are not going to be on the floor
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba beats Philadelphia Eagles cornerback James Bradberry for a 29-yard game-winning touchdown catch during the fourth quarter Monday, Dec. 18, 2023 in Seattle. (Jennifer Buchanan / The Seattle Times)
By Ed Emeanua
Monday night primetime football saw the Philadelphia Eagles fail to beat Seattle at the the Seahawks’ Lumen Field in the visitors’ quest to supplant the Dallas Cowboys from the NFC East leadership.
The Eagles collapsed to a stunning 20-17 defeat to a Drew Lock inspired Seattle as the host clinched a last-minute victory.
In a game filled without disappointments, the Eagles traded Hawks in end to end offensives and counteracting actions which kept fans glued to the edge of their seats.
The winning play also came in riveting construct with Lock being fed by newbie wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, allowing Seahawks effect the vital touchdown to win the game with just 30 seconds left to play.
Lock, who replaced the injured Geno Smith achieved 22-of-31 passing for 269 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions to help his side end a four-game losing streak.
The visitors with a most recent 28-16 loss to the 49ers before last night’s fray may have corrected their sojourn on bad ways, while their opponents who also had similar problems continues.
The Eagles has now lost their last three games in as many matches.
Nigerian star and Cameroonian teammate are injury doubts for Napoli showdown with AS Roma
Victor Osimhen and André-Frank Zambo Anguissa are on standby and could miss Saturday’s party at José Mourinho’s Roma when champions Napoli visit Roma at Stadio Olimpico in their Serie A fixture.
The two Africans are integral features in Napoli’s plans, but are doubtful to make the road trip to Rome for the engagement.
The importance in Napoli’s lineup could be seen from the events of last season when the Partenopei was sent packing from knocked out from the Champions League quarterfinals because the pair were unplayable in the key knockout matches against fellow Serie A powerhouse AC Milan.
Napoli will visit the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday, Dec. 23, to take on AS Roma in Serie A, but, as of Anguissa and Osimhen copped likely injuries in Napoli’s 2-1 defeat of Cagliari, the pair could be sidelined for this crucial joust.
Napoli has endured a rather frustrating start to their scudetto defence this season, first under Rudi Garcia, and now Walter Mazzarri. The Partenopei currently lie in fifth place in Serie A, and outside the top four, a less befitting spot for a side that won the scudetto last season in a campaign with a fairytale ending. Not having these two against Roma would be a massive blow indeed.
Joint announcement hands South Korea hosting right
By Rasheed Adewuyi
The Homeless World Cup Foundation and The Big Issue South Korea today announced that the 2024 Homeless World Cup will take place in Seoul, the first time the Homeless World Cup has been held in Asia since the tournament was introduced in 2003.
The Seoul 2024 Homeless World Cup, set to take place in October next year across 8-days in South Korea’s capital city, marks a significant milestone in the Homeless World Cup’s 20-year history and promises to be a once in a lifetime moment for everyone involved.
The location and dates of the tournament will be announced early in 2024 and this exciting announcement will be welcomed by nearly 70 Homeless World Cup Member Countries across the globe.
The Homeless World Cup is a world class sporting spectacle which has the power to change the lives of participants and shape attitudes towards the global issue of homelessness, using the universal language of football.
Advanced discussions are also in place for the 2025 and 2026 Homeless World Cups after the tournament made an emphatic return in July, the 2023 Sacramento Homeless World Cup, held in California’s state capitol was the first time the event had visited the US.
Mel Young, HWCF President and co-founder, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be able to confirm our 2024 Homeless Would Cup will be held in Seoul, South Korea and thrilled to be visiting Asia for the first time since the tournament started in 2003.
Sooryul Kim, The Big Issue South Korea President, said: “We are thrilled from the bottom of our hearts to share in the passion and delight of homeless players around the world. We aim to raise awareness in Korean society about homelessness through the Homeless World Cup.
Monday Night RAW show: Ever explosive, sensational, and captivating
Royal Rumble may be just more than a month away and dominating focus as a major event, but that did not stop the WWE from putting up a Monday Night Raw episode of December 18, 2023 that was explosive, sensational and riveting.
The event cataloged three championship matches, including one title turnaround. Just as Gunther, the brand’s intercontinental title holder and The Judgment Day, the company’s undisputed WWE tag team champions, held on to their marbles through victories against The Miz and The Creed Brothers, in that order, Katana Chance and Kayden Carter recorded an upset by defeating Chelsea Green and Piper Niven to snatch the women’s tag team champions.
Show Opener: R-Truth and JD McDonagh kickoff the event at the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa
Monday Night RAW show was truly explosive, sensational, and euphoric. Let’s pay justice to a great edition of the WWE flagship by taking a look at everything that transpired on the episode.
R-Truth vs. JD McDonagh
The Raw show opened up with The Judgment Day invading the ring in enforce for a ringside view of the action involving JD McDonagh and R-Truth in a Miracle on 34th Street battle.
Their discussion was brief before Truth interrupted by joining them in the ring since he felt he was one of The Judgment Day. Truth was realistic in saying that everyone in Group wanted a fight and he was not the exception, making McDonagh to offer him a fight.
Both men engaged in a jocular and insulting foreplay before getting on with their match. Truth employed several ringside decoration objects to beat down on his opponent, just as Dominik Mysterio tried to lend a helping a helping hand to McDonagh in the hope of turning the tide including shoving Truth into the ring post.
These holiday Street Fights are never to be taken seriously. It’s mostly done to pop the crowd and give a couple of wrestlers a chance to do some comedic wrestling for a change. McDonagh and Truth did a great job making this feel competitive while still giving us plenty of reasons to laugh.
After a mishap with Dom, Truth ended up putting McDonagh through a table to get the win. Before the match, they had jokingly agreed that this was a Loser Leaves Judgment Day match, so we’ll see where this leads.
Result: R-Truth defeated JD McDonagh
The Miz vs. Gunther (IC Title)
Miz came to fight. But two skull crushing finales, with one of them delivered from the second rope, and The Awesome one still couldn’t get the cover instantly, allowing the foxy GUNTHER to roll out of the ring. It turned out to be Miz’ undoing, as GUNTHER returned to deliver a powerbomb, a clothesline, and another powerbomb, before pinning Awesome to keep his Intercontinental crown.
Katana Chance And Kayden Carter Win WWE Women’s Tag Titles On WWE RAW
Katana Chance & Kayden Carter capture the WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles: Raw highlights, Dec. 18, 2023
The December 18 event of WWE RAW saw Katana Chance and Kayden Carter post an upset win over Chelsea Green and Piper Niven to win the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships. The pair thus recorded their first double titles win since moving to RAW in the 2023 WWE Draft.
Carter and Chance are not new to titles win and moved over to RAW as former NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions. They annexed the belts in August of 2022 and were forced to relinquish them at NXT Vengeance Day in February, 2023.
Chance and Carter finished off Green with the Afterparty to become champions. After addressing other women’s tag teams backstage, the new champions left, only for Natalya and Tegan Nox to point out to Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark that new champions need new challengers. The teams will now meet at Day One Raw.
Piper Niven & Chelsea Green are furious after losing their titles
https://youtu.be/7rKP5-FfW18
Ivar vs. Akira Tozawa
After going to Pearce to request a match, Akira Tozawa found himself in the ring against Ivar. He came out of the gate hot and hit a flurry of strikes, but the Viking eventually overpowered him.
Tozawa avoided a splash from the top rope and Maxxine Dupri took out Valhalla at ringside, but Ivar was still able to kick out of Tozawa’s senton finisher. Ivar finished him off with a World’s Strongest Slam from the middle rope.
This was better than expected but it was still a glorified squash match.
Result: Ivar defeated Akira Tozawa
Ludwig Kaiser vs. Jey Uso
Seth Rollins and Drew McIntyre had an in-ring segment to hype their upcoming title match at Day 1. As expected, this ended with them fighting until McIntyre left Rollins down and out.
When Kofi Kingston was throwing some gifts out to the crowd, Ludwig Kaiser and Giovanni Vinci attacked him, but Jey Uso made the save and set up the next match in the process.
This was a decent match that probably lasted a bit longer than it needed to. Having competitive bouts is always great, but when there is little to no story behind it, it’s sometimes better to keep it short so other segments have more room to breathe.
Both Usos have developed well into singles stars who no longer need each other to be relevant. Kaiser has been especially good in recent months, so pairing these two together for a fight was a good way to get some quality in-ring action on the show.
Main Event Jey was able to pick up the win with an Uso Splash. Kingston celebrated with him after having taken out Vinci during the match.
Result: Jey Uso defeated Ludwig Kaiser
Judgment Day vs. Creeds (Tag Titles)
Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship — The Judgment Day (Finn Balor & Damian Priest) def. The Creed Brothers via pinfall
After Priest hit South of Heaven. The wild tag match saw a series of near falls, including two Brutus Balls almost resulting in new tag champs before Judgment Day found a way to win and hang onto the gold.
Raw didn’t feature one “main story” over the course of the night but did feature plenty of solid wrestling. Gunther once again proved his talent by bringing Miz along on a great match. But it was the Creeds who stole the show once again, showcasing a sort of wildly off-beat style for WWE with a chaotic approach to their matches. While many acts have fizzled on the main roster after coming up from NXT, the Creeds feel special. The women’s tag titles still largely feel like an afterthought with no champions ever really getting on track during a reign but we’ll see if Chance and Carter gain some momentum with the belts. Overall, it’s hard to be a wrestling fan and have a problem with shows featuring good wrestling.
What else happened on WWE Raw?
Nia Jax refused to fight Becky Lynch for the second straight week. After the two exchanged words, Jax called for a referee to start a match but then backed out. Jax then said they’d have their match when she decides, before saying they could do it in her home town at the Day One edition of Raw. Lynch attacked Jax but Jax landed a punch after officials restrained Lynch.
Cody Rhodes attacked Shinsuke Nakamura, brawling with him throughout backstage before the fight spilled into the arena and through the crowd. Nakamura was eventually able to escape.
Seth Rollins and Drew McIntyre came to blows. Rollins cut a promo addressing his confrontation with CM Punk last Monday before McIntyre came to the ring. The two traded words about McIntyre challenging for Rollins’ world heavyweight championship in two weeks before Rollins told McIntyre he pities him because the only man Rollins has to blame for not being champion is himself. This led to a brawl in which Rollins initially had the upper hand before he was slammed onto the ring steps by McIntyre.
Chicago Bears vs. Cleveland Browns in preseason action
by Todd Welter
The Chicago Bears were a long shot to make the playoffs even before Darnell Mooney dropped Justin Fields’ Hail Mary pass in the endzone.
Now they are dead and buried after losing by a field goal to the Cleveland Browns.
The Bears are not officially eliminated from the playoff picture. They still have a 3% chance of getting in. It would take a lot of help and trying to overcome offensive coordinator Luke Getsy’s terrible playcalling.
Drops, the inability to properly execute help blocking for Braxton Jones against Myles Garret, and another bad game plan by Getsy led to a bad day offensively.
The Chicago Bears needed Justin Fields to play well enough to get victory in a do-or-die game. He did not reach that level.
Fields was 19 of 40 for 166 yards with a touchdown pass and two interceptions. That type of performance was not good enough to rise to the level of a quarterback capable of elevating his team to an improbable playoff run.
Fields wasn’t to blame for that game man so many drops by WRs. That was tough and my bad on that
However I think elite QBs get the job done and that game likely didn’t persuade leadership to keep him
Fields was not the reason the Bears lost. The receivers dropped some potential big plays. Those two picks came on Hail Mary passes, and the first one should not have even counted as it hit the ground. It came on the last play of the first half, so it was not like the refs were in a hurry to change the call.
The defense played well enough to secure a victory. The Chicago Bears even had a 17-7 lead in the third quarter.
Like we saw against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field, the game plan went too conservative in the fourth quarter and the defense could not slam the door shut on the Browns.
Joe Flacco, who was picked off three times, ended up slinging the ball all over the field in the fourth quarter as the Browns scored 13 unanswered points.
What makes this one hard to take is the defense did not badly collapse like they did at Detroit. It was just Amari Cooper making an amazing 51-yard touchdown catch to tie the game up. Flacco did just enough with his arm in the final quarter to get the Browns into field-goal range for the winning score.
This one hurts even more as Fields still had one last chance to win the game in the closing seconds. He launched a Hail Mary pass that Mooney almost caught. Instead, it bounced out of his hands and into a Browns’ defender’s arms to seal the Bears’ fate.
This loss proved that this team was not capable of making a miracle run to the playoffs. They still lack the talent to make winning plays in big games.
You cannot run the table when your team does not know how to win and has a coaching staff that is incapable of getting it there. The overall talent is still not there to overcome a thin margin for error. That was evident as the Browns had enough talent to overcome Flacco’s three interceptions, with one that turned out to be a pick-six.
There are still three games left, but for all intents and purposes, there is nothing left to play for in those games.
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba beats Philadelphia Eagles cornerback James Bradberry for a 29-yard game-winning touchdown catch during the fourth quarter Monday, Dec. 18, 2023 in Seattle. (Jennifer Buchanan / The Seattle Times)
