SPORTS

Barcelona coach Luis Enrique is convinced Lionel Messi is happy at the club despite the Argentine hinting this week that he could be open to a move away from the Nou Camp. Messi said that ideally he would stay at Barca forever before adding that not everything happens in the way you like and that it was a “complicated” situation. ...

Zambia coach Honour Janza has disclosed that Cape Verde had given them sleepless nights in the just ended 2015 Africa Cup qualifiers. Chipolopolo beat The Blue Sharks 1-0 on Wednesday at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola in a formality Group F match after both sides secured qualification heading into the mid-week fixture. Wednesday’s victory saw Zambia avenge their 2-1 Group ...

Wigan owner Dave Whelan has apologised for remarks he used in a controversial newspaper interview. In defending new manager Malky Mackay, Whelan made comments about Jewish and Chinese people described as “offensive” by West Ham owner David Gold. “If I have upset one person, I apologise,” said Whelan, who believes he was misquoted by The Guardian. Anti-racism campaigner Kick It ...

As the old adage goes, if it’s meant to be it will be. This was the tale of the Guinea national team, qualifying for the 2015 African Cup of Nations despite having to play home away from home and depriving its fans of their journey to Equatorial Guinea over the Ebola outbreak. The ultimate ‘written in the stars’ story of ...

With South Africa and Zambia making the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) finals’ cut, Southern Africa has barely met its self-prescribed quota, whereas the absence of East Africa representation is a fresh harsh reality. So, going to Equatorial Guinea next January for the final, West and North Africa will have a lion’s share of representation, thereby increasing their players’ ...

Zambia beat Cape Verde 1-0 on Wednesday to settle scores against their Group F nemesis to wrap up their 2015 AFCON qualifying race. The home win at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola was sweet revenge for Zambia coach Honour Janza whose side only Group F loss came at the hands of Cape Verde. Cape Verde beat Zambia 2-1 in the ...

Tunisia will look to end their 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign on a high when they welcome a determined Egyptian outfit to the Stade Mustapha Ben Jannet in Monastir on Wednesday. Kick-off is currently scheduled for 9pm but could be moved to 9:15 pm due to a problem with TV rights. A win for the Eagles of Carthage ...

Defending champions Nigeria will lead several top teams on Wednesday including four-time winners Ghana and the Ivory Coast in a final bid to qualify for next year’s CAF Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea. The Super Eagles got their tottering campaign back on track at the weekend in Pointe-Noire, beating hosts Congo to cancel out a 3-2 shock home ...

Cape Verde coach Rui Aguas says he will be field a competitive but weakened side against Zambia on Wednesday. The Blue Sharks, who qualified to the 2015 Africa Cup with two games in hand, enjoy an unassailable lead in Group F heading into their final qualifier at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola. “We hope to finish this qualification with a ...

Defending champions Nigeria will lead several top teams on Wednesday including four-time winners Ghana and the Ivory Coast in a final bid to qualify for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea. The Super Eagles got their tottering campaign back on track at the weekend in Pointe-Noire, beating hosts Congo to cancel out a 3-2 shock home loss ...