CK Updates
AFCON Report – Nigeria power into AFCON quarterfinals – 2025 Africa Cup of Nations
Victor Osimhen of Nigeria celebrates goal with teammates during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations AFCON match between Nigeria and Mozambique at Fez Stadium in Fes, Morocco on 05 January 2026 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Monday Jan 05, 2026. 23:06
Nigeria powered into the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinals with an emphatic 4-0 triumph over Mozambique at the Fez Stadium on Monday.
Ademola Lookman (one goal, two assists), Akor Adams (one goal, two assists) and Victor Osimhen (two goals) were the stars for the Super Eagles, who have sent a statement of intent with this win – further underlining their status as one of the title favourites.
As for the Mambas, reaching the knockout phase of an AFCON for the first time was already a victory, and they were ultimately outclassed by a team with both superior talent and far greater tournament experience.
Nigeria settled into dominance of possession and territory from the early minutes, with Victor Osimhen seeing a goal ruled out for offside, while Alex Iwobi forced a sharp save from Mozambique goalkeeper Ernan Siluane with a snap shot.
The West Africans claimed the lead in the 20th minute, as Ademola Lookman crisply struck home a low cross from the left flank by Akor Adams.
Lookman went from scorer to provider five minutes later, playing an in-swinging cross from the left which took a deflection off Adams and allowed Osimhen an easy finish from close to make it 2-0 and put the Super Eagles in firm control.
Mozambique’s only threat on goal in the first half was a glancing header from a free kick by Faisal Bangal which skidded wide in the 35th minute.
Nigeria spurned further scoring opportunities through Adams and Lookman late in the first half, leaving the score 2-0 in their favour at the interval.
Mozambique made a couple of changes at the start of the second half, sending on Nanani and Manuel Kambala in place of Diogo Calila and veteran Elias Pelembe.
However, Nigeria needed less than 120 seconds after the restart to make it 3-0, with Lookman’s low cross from the left by-line turned home at close range by Osimhen.
Midway through the second stanza, Adams almost added his name to the score sheet, but his curling shot was well saved by Siluane.
However, the Sevilla striker would not be denied in the 75th minute, picking up a pass from Lookman before drilling a powerful shot into the net from the right side of the penalty area to complete the 4-0 score line.
The Super Eagles will face either Algeria or DR Congo in a quarterfinal at the Marrakesh Stadium on Saturday 10 January.
Nigeria (2) 4 (Lookman 20’, Osimhen 25’ 47’, Adams 75’)
Mozambique 0
Nigeria: S. Nwabali, B. Osayi-Samuel, S. Ajayi, C. Bassey, B. Onyemaechi, F. Onyeka (F. Dele-Bashiru 83’), W. Ndidi (R. Onyedika 83’), A. Iwobi, A. Lookman (P. Onuachu 86’), V. Osimhen (M. Simon 68’), A. Adams (S. Chukwueze 86’)
Mozambique: E. Siluane (I. Urrubal 82’), D. Calila (Nanani 46’), Mexer, Mandava, B. Langa, Guima, A. Amade, G. Catamo, E. Pelembe (M. Kambala 46’), Witi (Chamito 62’), F. Bangal (S. Ratifo 67’)
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.”

