Saturday, 14 November 2026
HOMECOMING STING: BENNI MCCARTHY PRAISES KENYA'S CHARACTER AFTER BAFANA BAFANA BAFANA DRAW
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| Bafana Bafana's Oswin Appollis tries to close down a Kenya player during their AFCON qualifier. Image: Phandulwazi Jikelo |
Kenya head coach Benni McCarthy believes his side deserved their share of the spoils after holding Bafana Bafana to a 2-2 draw at the Orlando Amstel Arena on Friday, although the Harambee Stars are still searching for their first victory in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
McCarthy’s men showed character to come from behind twice, with Ryan Ogam scoring a stoppage-time equaliser to deny Pitso Mosimane’s side all three points.
The result followed an opening 1-1 draw against Eritrea and a 1-0 defeat to Guinea, leaving Kenya with two points from their first three matches.
Despite not securing a victory, McCarthy was satisfied with his team’s performance and felt neither side could complain had the result gone the other way.
“Whoever had won this game, I don’t think people would have been angry or say one team was lucky, because I think both teams had their moments, both goalkeepers performed and kept both teams in the game,” McCarthy said.
The night ends with a 2-all draw for the first leg of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifier at the Orlando Stadium. Bafana Bafana 2 - 2 Kenya.
- Smiso Msomi
JESUS OWONO BAN: GOALKEEPER HANDED 12-MATCH SUSPENSIONAFTER FATAL COLLISION WITH JESUS DE MIGUEL
Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) Disciplinary Committee deliver strongest punishment possible
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| SUSPENDED: FC ANDORRA AND EQUATORIAL GUINEA GOALKEEPER JESUS OWONO AFP/GETTY |
FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono has been handed a 12-match ban following the collision that led to the tragic death of Tenerife striker Jesus de Miguel.
De Miguel suffered a cardiac arrest on the pitch earlier this month during a second-division match in Spain after a heavy collision with Owono, who came racing out of his penalty area to near the halfway line to attempt to intercept a long pass forward.
Owono flew into a reckless challenge and his right knee made contact with the chest of De Miguel, earning the goalkeeper a straight red card.
De Miguel received treatment on the pitch before being taken to hospital and placed in intensive care, where he was initially reported to be stable before his condition quickly deteriorated and he died on November 3.
Under Spanish law, all deaths regarded as non-natural are subject to a judicial enquiry, with police opening an investigation into possible involuntary manslaughter. However, prosecutors have said that criminal proceedings are unlikely.
Owono has now been handed a 12-match suspension from club football by the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) Disciplinary Committee, which was the maximum punishment permitted under articles 102 and 52 of the RFEF Disciplinary Code.
“The assessment of the conduct under consideration in these proceedings must be based on the facts expressly recorded in the referee’s report, which states that the player was sent off for ‘violently striking an opponent in the chest with his leg, using excessive force, while the ball was in play,’” the committee said in a statement.
“The tragic outcome of the incident, resulting in the death of Jesús de Miguel, is public knowledge. In view of the nature of the conduct described and the accompanying circumstances … the maximum sanction, 12 matches of suspension, is justified.”
FC Andorra manager Carles Manso said on Thursday that Owono had yet to decide if he would return to football at all following the death of De Miguel, with the goalkeeper having said that he was dealing the “hardest days of his life” following the incident.
“These are the hardest days of my life,” he said in a statement published by his club. “I struggle to find the words, and it is very difficult for me to process anything that has happened.
“I feel immense pain over the loss of Jesús. I think of him, of his family, and of all the people who loved him. I know there will be many issues to address and I will face whatever comes with the utmost respect.
“But right now, honestly, I cannot think about anything other than Jesús and the pain we are going through. Rest in peace, Jesús.”
Owono plays international football for Equatorial Guinea, but is not in the squad for this month’s pair of Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Zimbabwe.
- GEORGE FLOOD
DUPONT HAILS FRANCE GRIT AFTER 21-19 RUGBY STUNNER OVER SOUTH AFRICA
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| Getty Images |
PARIS — Captain Antoine Dupont praised the mentality and resilience of his France teammates after their stunning 21-19 takedown of world champion South Africa in Nations Championship rugby on Friday.
The French played at a breathless tempo in the first half and built a 21-7 lead. They spent most of the second half with 14 men and getting ground down in scrums and mauls but withstood the Springboks’ inevitable comeback to achieve a statement win.
The Six Nations champion beat South Africa at the Stade de France for the first time since 2005 and bolstered its lead in the northern hemisphere standings. France hosts Argentina next weekend and should clinch a berth in the final in two weeks at Twickenham.
“It’s important to win these games, and it shows the mindset of this team,” Dupont said. “We were able to contain them when they came into our half, we were able to fight and hold the score until the end.
“The South Africans always push us to our limits. Tonight, there wasn’t one guy who slacked off, not one who took a rest. We saw a great attitude.”
Dupont wore the No. 10 jersey in a test for the first time because of a spate of flyhalf injuries but he played mainly at scrumhalf to be closer to the ball and was the best player on the pitch. He set up a try for Louis Bielle-Biarrey, held up Pieter-Steph du Toit over the tryline and his vision on both sides of the ball was typically remarkable.
He acknowledged only one of France’s three converted tries came off the training ground, the 16-phase effort finished by winger Aaron Grandidier-Nkanang, including a kick-pass by Dupont.
“We weren’t able to show the full range of what we had worked on in training,” he said. “Tonight, it was mainly a question of energy and attitude.”
Also outstanding were No. 8 and former captain Grégory Alldritt, recalled for the first time in a year after Paul Boudehent was injured against Fiji last weekend, and rookie lock Florian Verhaege, who has been grabbing his chance in the absence of the injured Thibaud Flament.
- Associated Press
BREAKING: MAX DOWMAN IS THE YOUNGEST U21 PLAYER EVER TO PLAY FOR ENGLAND
Max Dowman is now officially the youngest ever player to feature for the England U21s
He is now the youngest…
- Champions League player
- Premier League goal scorer
- Premier League starter
- Premier League winner
- Arsenal scorer
- Arsenal starter
- Arsenal u18 player
- Arsenal u21 player
- Arsenal u21 scorer
- Premier League 2 player
- UEFA Youth League scorer
- England u17 player
- England u17 scorer
- England u19 player
- England u19 scorer
- England u21 player
Friday, 13 November 2026
BARCELONA SET SIGHTS ON 18-YAR-OLD BRAZILIAN CENTRE-BACK WHO COULD COST €14 MILLION - REPORT
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| Photo by Pedro Vilela/Getty Images |
According to reports in England, as relayed by Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona are keeping tabs on Atletico Mineiro centre-back Vitao.
The 18-year-old defensive prospect has emerged as a potential target for several clubs across Europe, with the Blaugrana among his admirers.
Vitao rated highly in Brazil
Only 18 years old, Vitao has already established himself as a regular in the Atletico Mineiro first-team setup.
So far, the teenage defender has racked up 18 senior appearances for the Brazilian club, even chipping in with one goal in the process. Meanwhile, the defender has also earned three caps for the Brazil U20 national team.
Standing at 1.94m tall, Vitao is right-footed and offers a strong aerial presence at the back. His physicality, aggression, and immense potential have made him one of the most highly-rated young defensive talents in Brazil.
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| Vitao (L) is a target for several European clubs. (Photo by Pedro Vilela/Getty Images) |
As such, a number of top clubs across Europe have taken note of the 18-year-old Brazilian talent, including Barcelona.
Barça eyeing defensive reinforcements
Heading into the January transfer window, Barcelona are eagerly scouring the market for a new centre-back to ensure adequate depth in the squad.
Injuries to the likes of Andreas Christensen, Eric Garcia, and Jules Kounde left the Catalans’ exposed in the position, leading to the sporting department prioritising a new signing in January.
Ruud Nijstad of FC Twente has emerged as the priority target, but his €20 million price tag is seen as an obstacle. The likes of Alessandro Bastoni and Levi Colwill of Chelsea have also been linked but would command a significant fee.
- Michel Durant
USMAN NURMAGOMEDOV GETS GETS PRISON TIME FOR HOTEL BRAWL WITH EX-UFC CHAMP
Nurmagomedov confronted UFC fighter Merab Dvalishvili at a hotel
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| Jan 18, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Merab Dvalishvili (red gloves) fights Umar Nurmagomedov (blue gloves) during UFC 311 at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images Credit: USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect (Reuters) |
Usman Nurmagomedov, the former Bellator lightweight champion and current PFL lightweight champion, has been sentenced to six months in prison in Abu Dhabi. Nurmagomedov is one of nine people convicted by the Abu Dhabi Criminal Court following a hotel brawl involving himself, UFC fighter Merab Dvalishvili and a number of other people, according to The National News.
Nurmagomedov, who was the one to start the melee because he had someone record the whole thing, was one of six people who received a prison sentence for “disturbing public security, causing panic and endangering lives.” They will also be deported once they are done serving that sentence and have been fined Dh300,000, which is approximately $81,000 in U.S. currency.
Dvalishvili was fined Dh50,000, which is about $13,000.
Video of Usman Nurmagomedov-Merab Dvalishvili altercation
As mentioned, someone from Nurmagomedov’s crew was filming the entire thing. You can see Nurmagomedov approached Dvalishvili from behind and started the confrontation. Nurmagomedov and Dvalishvili have history. Dvalishvili beat Usman’s brother, Umar, in a UFC bantamweight championship fight in January 2025. Dvalishvili had another run-in with one of the Nurmagomedov associates at another Real American Freestyle event over the summer.
The UFC fighter lost to Petr Yan at a UFC event in Abu Dhabi in October. He remained in the UAE and was scheduled to compete in another RAF event this weekend. Nurmagomedov was in town to support his brother.
Dana White reacts to Nurmagomedov-Dvalishvili incident
UFC president Dana White was asked about the incident at a press conference on Thursday and did not sound impressed. Nurmagomedov, who is undefeated in his career, hoped to sign with the UFC once his PFL contract expired, but that is officially on hold for the next six months.
- Stephen Douglas
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