CK Updates
Espérance’s Beaumelle says full focus is on Al Ahly
Esperance Sportive de Tunis’ new coach French Patrice Beaumelle attends a press conference in Tunis, Tunisia, 23 February 2026. Beaumelle, who led the Angolan national team during the 2025 CAF Africa Cup of Nations, has signed a contract running through June 2027. EPA/MOHAMED MESSARA
Monday Mar 09, 2026. 15:00
Espérance Sportive de Tunis head coach Patrice Beaumelle stated his side’s attention is firmly on the CAF Champions League ahead of their quarterfinal clash with Al Ahly at the Stade Olympique Hammadi Agrebi in Tunis on Sunday.
Espérance finished second in group D behind Stade Malien, managing two wins, three draws and one loss from their six group stage games.
Speaking after his side’s 1-0 victory over AS Marsa in the Tunisian Ligue Professionnelle 1 on Satirday, the coach emphasised the importance of a positive result in the home leg of their upcoming clash with the Egyptian giants on Sunday.
“We have a home game in a week and we must play that match with all our strength,” said Beaumelle, as per CAF Online.
“We want to give everything in front of our fans in the first leg so that we can approach the away match in the best possible way.”
The French tactician was taking no chances in Saturday’s game, making changes at half time to avoid any potential injuries for the upcoming continental clash.
“During half-time, we had some small muscle warnings for three players,” he said.
“I did not want to take any risks, so I made changes quickly even though they were not part of my original plan. These kinds of matches are difficult because injuries can disrupt our momentum.”
Looking forward to the weekend’s action, Beaumelle emphasised that his side has one singular focus in mind.
“Our focus now is completely on the Al Ahly match,” he said.
“Preparation is important not only for the players but also for the fans. We hope we will have the final say.”
Espérance will be looking to take advantage of playing the first leg at home to get ahead in the tie.
“Playing in front of our supporters gives us extra motivation,” he said.
“We must be ready, be decisive, and show our determination from the first minute.”
The two sides have faced one another on 18 previous occasions, with Al Ahly claiming 10 wins to Espérance’s three and five games drawn.
By Nic Gleeson
Former West Ham, QPR and Czech Republic goalkeeper Ludek Miklosko has died at the age of 64.
Miklosko made almost 400 appearances for the Hammers from 1990 to 1998 and was much loved by supporters, who regularly sang his name long after he left the club.
He later returned as a goalkeeping coach.
Miklosko withdrew from cancer treatment in December 2024, three years after his diagnosis.
Days later he returned to West Ham’s London Stadium for a Premier League match against Liverpool to a hero’s reception.
A West Ham statement read: “It is with deep and profound sadness that West Ham United announces the passing of legendary former goalkeeper and coach, Luděk Miklosko.
“Rest in peace Ludek, our beloved, inspirational goalkeeper and gentle giant of a man.”
More to follow.
Going into the 2026 season, few people would have backed Zverev to win two Grand Slam tournaments, with the German having already lost three major finals in a career which looked in danger of not living up to expectation.
But injuries to his biggest rivals – Alcaraz missing the French Open and Wimbledon, with Sinner ruled out of the US Open – opened the door for Zverev.
A below-par Zverev scraped through the opening rounds at Flushing Meadows in a series of early-morning finishes, but he gradually improved over a fortnight where he did not play a top-20 opponent until Shelton.
Zverev had not lost to Shelton in their five previous meetings and immediately capitalised on a nervy start by his opponent.
Shelton double-faulted on break point in the first game of the match, handing over the type of initiative that opponents often struggle to wrestle back from Zverev.
Through the strength of his first serve, and his ability to unpick Shelton’s weaker backhand in the baseline exchanges, Zverev rolled through the opening set and clinched it when Shelton hit another double fault on set point.
Zverev continued to patiently draw mistakes from Shelton in the second set, but without being gifted a break when his only opportunity arrived in the fourth game.
He instead showed why he has a strong tie-break record with another nerveless display and, unlike in the 2020 US Open final when he lost from a two-set lead, kept his composure in the pressure moments to secure a commanding victory.
Addressing his team which is led by his father Alexander senior and brother Mischa, Zverev said: “We went 30 years without winning a Grand Slam title and now won two in the span of three months.
“I think God has seen how hard we have worked, how hard we have suffered and how much pain we went through.
“I think 2026 is the outcome of all the years that happened before.”
With Haaland’s goal settling the match, United were unsurprisingly disappointed by the decision.
“I think it was offside,” said Martinez. “And what I can’t understand is the rules. I want to be calm now, I want to control myself.
“It’s so hard because you lose a derby, you lose three points at home, and every season they’re [referees] coming to our club, they explain for one hour the rules, and they look so confident with that, and then after [there are] five or six people doing these kind of mistakes in the Premier League – it’s unacceptable.
“It’s the best league in the world, you have the best teams in the world, the best players in the world, and now we have to go home with this injustice.”
United boss Carrick also expressed his confusion.
“We put things in place in the game now, we have people in offices with all the screens for this decision,” he said.
“It’s more worrying about if that’s the interpretation of football now. If that’s the interpretation of not interfering in the game now, that’s really worrying for me. It’s a staggering explanation.
“The decision isn’t going to change the season, but it’s had a major impact on the game.”
Wayne Rooney, part of the BBC’s MOTD2 team, said: “Surely it’s offside. Martinez is impacted by Fernandez’s movement, and he is offside.”
Gary Neville said on Sky Sports: “I think we’ll see some sort of apology from the referee’s association, there’s no doubt Fernandez is playing that ball and is trying to put off Martinez. I think it’s one they’ll recognising they got wrong.”
Micah Richards added: “I think it’s been a bad day for referees. They got the Foden decision wrong and the Fernandez decision wrong. I think they got it so wrong but I don’t think it takes anything away from City’s performance.”
Meanwhile, City boss Maresca said: “I think it was onside clearly so it’s good.”
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