CK Updates
AFCON Report – Mali frustrate Morocco in Rabat – 2025 Africa Cup of Nations
Sofyan Amrabat of Morocco challenged by Lassine Sinayoko of Mali during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations AFCON match between Morocco and Mali at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, Morocco on 26 December 2025 ©Samuel ShivambuBackpagePix
Friday Dec 26, 2025. 23:48
Mali ended Morocco’s record winning run by holding the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations hosts to a 1-1 draw in a Group A match played at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on Friday night.
The result, which was secured by VAR-awarded penalties for Brahim Diaz and Lassine Sinayoko, prevented the Atlas Lions from guaranteeing a last 16 berth with a game to spare (and ended a 19-game winning streak), though they remain very well placed to advance – topping the group with four points.
The Eagles, meanwhile, are level with Zambia on two points, with Comoros in last place on one point.
Morocco created the first scoring chance of the match on 17 minutes, with a slick move putting Brahim Diaz free down the right of the penalty area, but his low shot was turned away by goalkeeper Djigui Diarra.
The Atlas Lions began to build real momentum and attacking pressure from around the half-hour mark, though the Eagles always looked a threat on the counter due to their speed and physicality – especially Lassine Sinayoko.
Morocco’s Ayoub El Kaabi had a great chance in the 43rd minute, as he got on the end of a cross from the left flank, but failed to hit the target.
The match looked set to be goalless at the interval, but in injury time the Atlas Lions claimed the lead via Diaz, who earned and then converted a penalty. The Real Madrid attacker won the spot kick in a challenge with defender Nathan Gassama, who handled the ball and was penalised after a VAR review.
Another VAR-awarded penalty arrived just before the midway point of the second half, but this time it was in favour of Mali – with Sinayoko upended in the 18-yard area by Jawad El Yamiq. The French-based forward took the spot kick himself and struck a low shot under the diving Yassine Bounou to make it 1-1 in the 64th minute.
Morocco rung the changes in an effort to try and reclaim the ascendancy, and substitute striker Youssef En Nesyri almost put them back ahead in the 78th minute with a sharp turn and shot, but Diarra made a fine save with his legs.
The teams will conclude their Group A campaigns on Monday 29 December: Morocco face Zambia in Rabat, at the same time that Mali play Comoros in Casablanca.
Morocco (1) 1 (Diaz 45+5’ pen)
Mali (0) 1 (Sinayoko 64’ pen)
Morocco: Y. Bounou, N. Mazraoui, N. Aguerd, J. El Yamiq, A. Salah-Eddine, N. El Aynaoui, S. Amrabat (E. Ben Seghir 82’), A. Ounahi (B. El Khannouss 71’), B. Diaz (A. Ezzalzouli 71’), A. El Kaabi (Y. En Nesyri 70’), I. Saibari (S. Rahimi 82’)
Mali: D. Diarra, W. Coulibaly, O. Camara, A. Dieng, A. Diaby, N. Gassama, L. Coulibaly, Y. Bissouma (G. Diarra 58’), M. Doumbia (K. Doumbia 90+1’), L. Sinayoko (E. Toure 76’), M. Sangare (D. Nene 90+1’)
CK Updates
Ludek Miklosko: Ex-West Ham goalkeeper dies aged 64
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.
CK Updates
US Open 2026 results: Alexander Zverev beats Ben Shelton for second Grand Slam title
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.”
CK Updates
Erling Haaland goal: Was Haaland’s derby winner a VAR error?
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.”

