CK Updates
AFCON Report – Cameroon off to a winning start – 2025 Africa Cup of Nations
Bryan Mbeumo of Cameroon challenged by Bruno Ecuele of Gabon during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations AFCON match between Cameroon and Gabon at the Adrar Stadium, Agadir on the 24 December 2025 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Thursday Dec 25, 2025. 00:00
Cameroon got their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations campaign off to a winning start, as they edged Gabon 1-0 in a Group F match played at the Adrar Stadium in Agadir on Wednesday night.
Karl Etta Eyong scored the only goal of the game just a few minutes after kick-off, with the Indomitable Lions joining Ivory Coast (who defeated Mozambique 1-0 earlier in the evening) on three points at the top of the table.
The Panthers put up a battling display – including a surprise appearance off the bench for Pierre Emerick Aubameyang, who was reportedly unavailable due to injury – but they were unable to get the better of the five-time AFCON champions.
Cameroon got off to a flying start and claimed the lead in the sixth minute, with Karl Etta Eyong shooting through the legs of goalkeeper Loyce Mbaba, following a smart pass behind the defensive line from Bryan Mbeumo.
Etta Eyong’s strike was initially ruled out by the offside flag, but a VAR review confirmed the goal in favour of the Indomitable Lions.
The team in green and red almost doubled their advantage midway through the first half when Junior Tchamadeu played in a low cross from the right to pick out the late run of Danny Namaso, but the French-based forward drove a low shot just wide of the mark.
Just past the half-hour mark, Gabon took a major gamble with a double change which saw the introduction of Mario Lemina and Aubameyang. The Panthers created some attacking pressure late in the first half, but the interval arrived with Cameroon still a goal to the good.
And the Indomitable Lions should have added to their lead five minutes after the restart, as Mbeumo played a great pass to put Tchamadeu in on goal, but the wingback blasted an effort high and wide.
Gabon’s best chance of an equaliser arrived in the 72nd minute when Royce Openda was put into space down the right of the Cameroon penalty area, but goalkeeper Devis Epassy closed down the angle and made a fine save.
Cameroon were inches away from a second goal in the 79th minute when substitute Frank Magri powered a header on target from a corner kick, but his effort deflected off a Gabon defender and rattled the crossbar.
The teams will continue their Group F campaign on Sunday 28 December, with Gabon tackling Mozambique in Agadir, while Cameroon will face fellow heavyweights Ivory Coast in Marrakesh.
Cameroon (1) 1 (Etta Eyong 6’)
Gabon 0
Cameroon: D. Epassy, C. Malone Junior, S. Kotto, T. Nouhou, J. Tchamadeu, C. Baleba (J. Onana 46’), A. Avom (G. Nyamsi 90’), D. Yongwa, B. Mbeumo, D. Namaso (E. Dina Ebimbe 67’), K. Etta Eyong (F. Magri 67’)
Gabon: L. Mbaba, A. Poko (C. Loufilou 72’), B. Ecuele Manga, A. Oyono, A. Moucketou-Moussounda (S. Babicka 85’), D. Ndong, J. Ekomie, T. Averlant (P.E. Aubameyang 33’), R. Openda (J. Allevinah 72’), E. Bocoum (M. Lemina 33’), D. Bouanga
CK Updates
Commonwealth Games 2026: Gymnast Ruby Evans wins first gold for Wales
Gymnast Ruby Evans has won Wales’ first Commonwealth Games gold in Glasgow with victory in the floor final.
Evans, 19, performed the final routine of the women’s programme and defeated England’s Abigail Martin into silver, with her team-mate Shantae-Eve Amankwaah securing bronze.
Evans left the arena in tears on Sunday after her disappointing sixth in the all-round individual competition, that after Wales finished fourth in the team event.
Now, after Welsh identical twins Abigail and Emily Roper won bronze medals within a couple of hours of each other on Monday, Evans has delivered gold.
It was the first victory for Team Wales in Scotland and a ninth medal alongside two silver and six bronze.
There is also a guaranteed podium position for boxer Connor Williams after he reached the semi-finals.
CK Updates
Saltburn-Norton match investigated over alleged ‘finger clicking’ cheating
An amateur cricket match has made global headlines after a fielder was accused of cheating by clicking his fingers to get a wicket.
The North Yorkshire and South Durham Cricket League has started an investigation into a second XI Division 2 game between Saltburn and Norton.
A viral video on social media appears to show a Saltburn fielder clicking his fingers as the ball passes Noman Shabir’s bat before being caught by wicketkeeper Josh Bowes. Saltburn appeal and the umpire gives Shabir out.
It has been suggested that the finger-clicking was designed to trick the umpire into thinking the batter edged the ball.
Saltburn won by 159 runs and are top of Division 2 by 17 points.
“The league have received a formal complaint regarding alleged incidents in a Division Two game on Saturday,” the league said in a statement on X.
“A full investigation has been initiated and until such time as the formal processes are complete no further comment will be made.”
Last week Bowes took eight catches in Saltburn’s 22-run win over Shildon Railway. The men’s Test record for catches by a keeper in an innings is seven.
Bowes leads the league standings with 31 catches, 10 more than any other player.
Rory Cotterill, who captained Middlesbrough second XI during a 29-run defeat by Saltburn last month, responded to a social media post containing the video and alleged two further incidents of cheating by Saltburn in that match.
The original video of the incident has had more than three million views on X, with publications in Australia and New Zealand among those to report it.
The BBC has contacted the league and Saltburn. Norton declined to comment.
CK Updates
West Indies v Pakistan: Justin Greaves takes five wickets for none in incredible spell
First Test, Tarouba (day three of five)
West Indies 311 (Hope 92; Ali 4-50) & 126-7 (Chanderpaul 35, Abbas 3-14)
Pakistan 282 (Masood 109; Greaves 5-27)
West Indies lead by 155 runs
West Indies all-rounder Justin Greaves took five wickets without conceding a run in an incredible spell of bowling on day three of the first Test against Pakistan.
Greaves, who is playing in his 17th Test, claimed his maiden Test five-wicket haul to help dismiss Pakistan for 282 in response to West Indies’ first-innings total of 311.
The 32-year-old Barbadian’s spell – five consecutive wicket maidens – was all the more remarkable given he had bowled six overs earlier in the day for 27 runs without taking a wicket.
“When I came on captain Roston Chase just said ‘continue to be disciplined in what you are doing’ and to see if I can get some wickets for the team,” Greaves said.
“The ball nipped around and I got some reward. Anytime I get the ball in hand the team looks to me to be that solid player for them [and] try to dig us out of situations.
“To get five wickets for the first time in Test cricket, I’m really happy, but there’s still a lot of work to do in the game.”
Pakistan captain Shan Masood was Greaves’ first wicket at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad when he was bowled for 109 in the 64th over following a superb set-up.
Greaves had pushed the ball wide to the left-hander from over the wicket before he tailed a delivery back into Masood who played down the wrong line and inside edged on to his stumps.
Aamer Jamal had his middle stump uprooted in Greaves’ next over as the seamer speared one through his defences.
Greaves then trapped Ali Usman lbw before he had Mohammed Rizwan and Mohammad Abbas both caught behind as Pakistan lost their last seven wickets for just 38 runs.
West Indies reached stumps on day three on 126-7 in their second innings – a lead of 155 runs – to leave the match finely poised.
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CK Updates11 hours agoSaltburn-Norton match investigated over alleged ‘finger clicking’ cheating
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CK Updates23 hours agoCommonwealth Games 2026: Scotland’s Archie Goodburn on battling brain cancer
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CK Updates5 hours agoCommonwealth Games 2026: Gymnast Ruby Evans wins first gold for Wales
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CK Updates17 hours agoWest Indies v Pakistan: Justin Greaves takes five wickets for none in incredible spell

