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CAF
15 hours ago
- Sport
- CAF
TotalEnergies CAF CHAN 2024: Morocco team profile
Published: Tuesday, 29 July 2025 Morocco enters the TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 looking to make history by becoming the first nation to win the tournament three times, having already claimed back-to-back titles in 2018 and 2020. Factfile Nickname: Atlas Lions Previous Appearances: 4 (2014, 2016, 2018, 2020) Best Finish: Champions (2018, 2020) CHAN Titles: 2 FIFA Ranking: 14 Head Coach: Tarik Sektioui Know Your Coach: Tarik Sektioui Former international Tarik Sektioui brings considerable experience to his role as head coach of the Atlas Lions. His playing career saw him don the colors of several European clubs, including FC Porto and AJ Auxerre, before transitioning into coaching where he has enjoyed success with various Moroccan clubs including FUS Rabat, RS Berkane, and AS FAR. His appointment marks a new chapter as Morocco seeks unprecedented success in the competition. Sektioui, who has previously managed Morocco's U19 and Olympic teams, faces the considerable challenge of maintaining the nation's dominance in the competition. His extensive experience with local football, having managed several top-tier Moroccan clubs and won both domestic and continental titles, positions him well for this task. How They Qualified The Atlas Lions qualified automatically for CHAN 2024 as the only representative so far from the North African Football Union zone. They enter the tournament sharing the record for most titles (2) with DR Congo, making their fifth appearance in the competition since their debut in South Africa 2014. Morocco at CHAN Morocco's journey in CHAN has been particularly impressive in recent years. After their first appearance in 2014, they participated in three consecutive tournaments (2016, 2018, and 2020), culminating in back-to-back victories in their last two appearances. Their absence from the 2022 edition has only heightened their determination to reclaim the trophy. Fun Fact: Morocco became the first host nation to win the CHAN tournament in 2018 and the first country to win back-to-back titles (2018, 2020) What to Expect The Atlas Lions will be eager to demonstrate why they are considered among the favorites for the title, as they aim to become the first nation to win three CHAN tournaments and establish themselves as the most successful team in the competition's history.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Juventus confirm new signing Joao Mario's squad number for 2025-26 season
Juventus have confirmed that new summer signing Joao Mario will wear the no.25 shirt during his first season at the Allianz Stadium following the completion of his transfer from FC Porto on Thursday. Juventus confirm Joao Mario squad number for 2025-26 Joao Mario became Juventus's third signing of the summer on Thursday following the previous arrivals of Francisco Conceicao and Jonathan David. New Juventus signing Joao Mario will wear the no.25 shirt during his first season in Turin (picture via www, The Bianconeri paid a fee of €11.4m plus €1.2m in ancillary costs to secure the deal. January recruit Alberto Costa has also since moved in the opposite direction for a fee of €16m. The 25-year-old is a right-back by trade, capable of playing in either a back four or at wing-back, which is where he is expected to be deployed by Igor Tudor in Turin. He is also capable of covering in a number of more advanced roles in wide midfield or further up the wing. EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – JUNE 15: Joao Mario #23 of FC Porto controls the ball against Anibal Moreno #5 of SE Palmeiras during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group A match between SE Palmeiras and FC Porto at MetLife Stadium on June 15, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by) Having begun his senior career as a winger, Joao Mario was later converted into a more defensive role by former Milan coach Sergio Conceicao. This will be the first time that Joao Mario has played his football away from Porto.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Official: Juventus sell Alberto Costa to FC Porto for 16m
As expected, Juventus have completed the sale of Alberto Costa to FC Porto for €15m plus €1m in add-ons, but with Joao Mario going the other way in a separate deal. The two moves were inextricably linked, but for accounting purposes will be treated as separate and distinct transactions. As Juventus are floated on the stock exchange, they have to release statements giving very precise details of their financial transfers. Juventus give Alberto Costa transfer details ORLANDO, FLORIDA – JUNE 26: Alberto Costa #2 of Juventus FC during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group G match between Juventus FC and Manchester City FC at Camping World Stadium on June 26, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by) It is therefore confirmed that FC Porto will pay €15m over four financial years for Alberto Costa, plus bonuses to a maximum of €1m. Considering Juventus only purchased the full-back from Vitoria Guimaraes in January for €13.8m including add-ons, this means making a profit on the player. He only made 14 competitive appearances for the Turin giants, contributing three assists. At the same time, the Bianconeri purchased Joao Mario from FC Porto for €11.4m plus €1.2m in ancillary costs. It means effectively Juve get Joao Mario plus a €3m profit in the exchange.
CAF
5 days ago
- Sport
- CAF
Nine days to go: CHAN is the start of Kenya football revolution
Benni McCarthy is a name that needs little introduction in African football. The South African legend, who lit up the pitch as a striker for Bafana Bafana and won the UEFA Champions League with FC Porto, has now stepped into the dugout as head coach of Kenya's Harambee Stars. His first major test? The TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 – a competition exclusively reserved for players active in domestic leagues. McCarthy, who left his role at English Premier League giants Manchester United, has taken on the challenge of leading Kenya not just in a debut CHAN tournament, but also as one of the co-hosts, alongside Tanzania and Uganda. It's a baptism of fire that the charismatic coach embraces with the same passion that marked his playing days. In this candid Q&A with McCarthy shares his thoughts on Kenya's preparations, the hunger of his squad, managing a tough group, and how CHAN is a springboard for his long-term vision for Kenyan football – including the road to AFCON 2027. Confident, passionate and hungry for history, McCarthy believes the stars are aligning for Harambee Stars. Coach, how significant is it for Kenya to host this CHAN tournament alongside Tanzania and Uganda? It is very important for East African countries to show Africa and the world that they are well structured, organized and have the capabilities to make themselves heard. This is also a great opportunity for East Africa just to show their facilities, infrastructure, organization and what they can bring to everyone else coming to watch the CHAN. When it comes to football, they have a chance to show just how far they have come and grown to become hopefully one day forces in African football. Group A includes former champions like DR Congo and Morocco—how do you plan to navigate such a tough group? Whoever drew these balls…. Mariga (Macdonald) killed us.. (laughs). But, honestly, it's a great challenge. When you play football and then convert to become a coach, you always have that saying that to win anything you've got to beat the best. For you to get to what you want, to be the best, the difficult teams will always be in your path and you have to beat them anyway. We have a great opportunity with two-time champions in the DRC and Morocco, Angola which is also very well respected as well as a tough nation in Zambia who have always been there in Africa football. And now, we have a Kenya who want to have a taste of the top. This is our time and the squad we have gathered is hungry and want success. How better than start this in your own backyard. We play our matches on our home ground infront of the home fans and this is a perfect opportunity to do exceptionally well and eliminate teams that could probably get to final early. This will be a massive challenge and a good test for the boys as well. We will be ready and come CHAN, I can very confidently state that we will be a team fearful of no one. What are your expectations from the local-based players representing Kenya at CHAN 2024? I have watched lots of them in the league and I know that we have picked quality. I have also had the chance to for a few training camps after I arrived here and I got a first-hand experience to work with some of these players and judge them by myself. I see them and what levels they are at hand what I think we can get them to be. They have a mentality, mindset, work ethic and talent to get the work done. I know their abilities and I know what they can do. Now it is just a matter of implementing it on the pitch on matchday. How has the support from the FKF and government impacted your team's preparation? Honestly, it has been amazing. With the limitations that are there, they try to give us everything. They are doing the best they can knowing that this is not the same ideal situation like for the coach of England or France national team who have everything at their disposal. For Africa, it is a process but we are working to get to the level where the established nations are and it is just a matter of time. We are moving in the right direction and that is helpful when you see they are trying, then as a coach you become a bit lenient with expectations but I am truly grateful to FKF and the government because they have been very supportive throughout. In terms of tactics, how different is CHAN compared to other continental tournaments? I think they don't differ much this is just the same continental competition with equal pressure, equal expectation. The only difference is that you are playing with local based players. But in terms of the pressure, and what you want to do and implement as a coach, it is the same. This is the first time CHAN will be hosted across three countries. How do you plan to manage the logistical and travel challenges? This will be a great opportunity to see Tanzania and Uganda if we manage to get to that stage of the competition. For us it is not much about a challenge because football world over is about travelling and movement across different cultures, different languages and all and this will give the players a better understanding that if you make it in football this will be part of your daily life. You have to adapt real quick. For us we are lucky that we are playing all our group stage matches at home and we will try to finish on top so that at least we also play the knockouts a home. What role do you expect the Kenyan fans in Nairobi to play in motivating the team? The fans have a huge role to play in every tournament especially for the home team. Throughout my career both as a coach and player I have seen what kind of difference the home crowd can make. This is the point where we want to have a full stadium every time we play because we need that 12th man push. We are not in an easy group and for such you need every little advantage you can get for yourself. The fans will play a really huge role. We saw the kind of passion Kenyan fans when we played at home against Gabon and we want to witness that same passion at Kasarani on August 3 when we play our first match against DR Congo. Which local clubs have contributed the most players to the squad, and what does that say about domestic football? We have tried to put in a balance from across the leagues. Of course we didn't have an ideal situation especially towards the end of the season with several venue closures because of the CHAN preparations and this limited the number of local matches we watched. But those I watched plus the number of local training camps we had already gave me a picture of who to use. I think the Kenyan league is growing and we are yet to see the best of it. There is more space for growth and improvement but I am really impressed with the quality and competition in the league. What would you consider a successful CHAN campaign for Kenya? When you are champions, that is success. Anything else, that's progress especially in a short space of time. We need to see how far the players have come and how well they have done. So far, they have pushed themselves to a decent standard where we expect bigger and better things. But the ultimate success, is to win CHAN. Beyond CHAN, how do you plan to use this experience to build towards AFCON 2027? The experience I want out of this is that you have a team so well groomed, they end up leaving international players out of the senior team because of how well they have done and how competitive the locals have become. This will only be of massive benefit to the national team, the players themselves and the country. I hope that this team becomes so formidable that it will become difficult to integrate the international players. This is the best test for them.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Manchester City Are Eyeing A Move For This Talented Keeper: Good Option For Pep?
In a recent report, Fichajes stated that Manchester City are eyeing a move for FC Porto keeper Diogo Costa this summer. It has been stated that the Mancunian club have identified the Portuguese goalie as a target for this transfer window. Costa's Impressive Form In Portuguese Football Costa enjoyed an excellent run of form at the Portuguese club after he put in a handful of impressive displays for them in Liga Portugal. The 25-year-old conceded 45 goals and kept 19 clean sheets in 43 matches for FC Porto last season across all competitions. The gifted talent proved his worth as one of the best keepers in Portuguese football. He even distributed the ball relatively well from the back based on his pass completion rate of 83.1% in Liga Portugal (stats via His current contract at the Portuguese club will run out in the summer of 2027. Hence, it won't be easy for Man City to get a deal done for him on the cheap this off-season. ATLANTA, GEORGIA – JUNE 19: Diogo Costa #99 of FC Porto arrives at the stadium prior to the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group A match between Internacional CF Miami and FC Porto at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on June 19, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) Will Costa Be A Good Option For Manchester City Boss Pep Guardiola? Costa is a solid handler of the ball and can be a safe pair of hands in between the sticks as he can use his quick reflexes to make a few solid saves at the back. The Portuguese sensation can even use his strong 1.86m frame to dominate his penalty area. Costa is a tidy passer of the ball as well. However, it remains to be seen whether he can make a smooth transition to life in the Premier League. Costa would undoubtedly enhance the quality of Man City head coach Pep Guardiola's first XI. He is more than capable of serving as a decent replacement for Ederson at the Mancunian club. At 25, Costa has his best years ahead of him which makes him a good option for Man City to consider in this summer transfer window. He might even help the Mancunian giants challenge for a lot of major trophies over the next few years. Thus, Guardiola should focus on trying everything in his power to lure him to the Etihad Stadium ahead of the new campaign.
