JOHANNESBURG: Prolific Liverpool scorer and Egypt captain Mohamed Salah will be among the stars in action this week when 2026 World Cup qualifying in Africa kicks off with two match days.
His two Premier League goals against Brentford at the weekend raised his total to 200 in English football, and he is now set to shine against Group A rivals Djibouti and Sierra Leone.
Salah was the second highest ranked African in the Ballon d’Or last month behind Napoli and Nigeria forward Victor Osimhen, who misses the first matchdays due to an injury.
Omar Marmoush of Eintracht Frankfurt and Mostafa Mohamed of Nantes are other Egyptians who have been scoring regularly in major European leagues this season.
Djibouti, who face Egypt in Cairo on Thursday, are among the weakest African national teams and have twice suffered eight-goal hidings in World Cup qualifiers.
Sierra Leone will be handicapped at having to stage a home fixture against Egypt on Sunday in Liberia because they lack an international-standard stadium.
Egypt have won the Africa Cup of Nations a record seven times, but struggle in World Cup qualifying, reaching the finals only three times, compared with eight appearances by Cameroon.
The strongest challenge to Salah and his teammates could come from Burkina Faso, ranked 10th in Africa, five places below Egypt. Guinea-Bissau and Ethiopia are the other Group A contenders.
Nigeria must do without Osimhen, one of the favorites to win the CAF Footballer of the Year award next month, and injured AC Milan winger Samuel Chukwueze against Lesotho and Zimbabwe.
But Portuguese coach Jose Peseiro has many talented replacements to choose from, including Victor Boniface of Bayer Leverkusen and Taiwo Awoniyi of Nottingham Forest.
There are concerns, however, about the Super Eagles’ defense with Cyprus-based goalkeeper Francis Uzoho coming under fire for his performances in two recent friendly matches.
Zimbabwe are back in international football after a FIFA ban for government interference prevented them competing in 2024 Cup of Nations qualifying.
They are among 17 African countries who cannot play at home either because of sub-standard stadiums or safety concerns and will host Nigeria in the Rwandan city of Butare.
South Africa are considered the biggest threats to Nigeria in Group C, but will tackle Benin at home and Rwanda away minus star Lyle Foster.
The Burnley forward and only South African in the Premier League has been sidelined by the recurrence of a mental health issue.
Former Premier League manager Chris Hughton admits he is under pressure as Ghana coach ahead of qualifiers at home to Madagascar and away to the Comoros.
“They are two games we must do well in,” he said amid media calls for his dismissal after a four-goal friendly hiding by the United States last month.
Veteran Andre ‘Dede’ Ayew, who joined Ligue 1 outfit Le Havre last weekend, has been recalled, but an injury rules out another midfielder, Thomas Partey from Arsenal.
Last December in Qatar Morocco became the first World Cup semifinalists from Africa, but they will not be involved in matchday one as opponents Eritrea withdrew without an explanation.
So Saudi Arabia-based goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi and Sevilla forward Youssef en-Nesyri go into action for the Atlas Lions only next Tuesday.
Their belated entry into qualifying will be away to Tanzania in Group E, which also includes resurgent Zambia, Congo Brazzaville and Niger, who are set to hire Moroccan coach Badou Zaki.
The nine group winners after 260 qualifiers that stretch to October 2025 qualify for the record 48 nation finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
There could be a 10th African qualifier as the best four runners-up enter a mini-tournament and the winners advance to inter-continental play-offs with two finals places up for grabs.
Egypt captain Salah leads African stars into World Cup qualifying
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Egypt captain Salah leads African stars into World Cup qualifying
- Salah was the second highest ranked African in the Ballon d’Or last month behind Napoli and Nigeria forward Victor Osimhen
Al-Ittihad crowned as champions after Al-Raed victory
- The Tigers are now nine points clear of Al-Hilal
- Al-Ittihad now take the Saudi Pro League trophy back to Jeddah
JEDDAH: Al-Ittihad are champions of Saudi Arabia for the 10th time after winning 3-1 at Al-Raed on Thursday.
The Tigers are now nine points clear of Al-Hilal and as the second-placed team have just three games remaining and have an inferior head-to-record, there is no way they can catch the leaders.
Just two years after their last title triumph, Al-Ittihad now take the Saudi Pro League trophy back to Jeddah and for the rest, the focus is now all about finishing in second and qualifying for the 2025-26 AFC Champions League Elite.
It looked as if there would be another twist at the top when Oumar Gonzalez put Al-Raed, who are officially relegated, ahead after just nine minutes. The Cameroonian pounced on a rare defensive mistake from N’Golo Kante to fire home from close range.
With top scorer Karim Benzema watching injured from the sidelines, there may have been a few concerns but if Laurent Blanc’s men were rattled, they didn’t let it show as they were back level after just 21 minutes thanks to Steven Bergwijn. Abdulrahman Al-Oboud broke into the right side of the area and squared the ball for the Dutchman who made no mistake.
It was obvious from the reactions of the Al-Ittihad attackers that they wanted more and they took the lead five minutes before the break. Unai Hernandez swung over a corner from the left and Danilo Pereira was the first to the ball at the near post to head smartly past the ‘keeper.
From then, it was always going to be difficult for the hosts and it was game over just two minutes after the restart. Bergwijn chipped a pass or a shot through a crowded area and Al-Aboud was there on the goal line to bundle the ball home to seal the win and the title.
The t-shirts with ‘Champions 25’ were soon put on and the celebrations started. They may continue for some time.
Ronaldo tops Forbes’ list of highest-paid athletes for third year in a row
- Since he joined Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr, the Portuguese forward’s estimated total earnings are around $275 million
- Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry is second at $156 million, followed by boxer Tyson Fury with $135 million
Cristiano Ronaldo topped Forbes’ list of the world’s highest-paid athletes for the third consecutive year and the fifth time in his career.
Following his move to Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr, Ronaldo’s estimated total earnings are around $275 million.
The Portuguese forward increased his income by $15 million through off-field endorsements as well as lucrative sponsorship deals backed by his large social media followers: 939 million in total as of May.
Meanwhile, Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, who in March became the first NBA player to reach 4,000 career three-pointers, jumped to second place in the rankings with $156 million.
Boxer Tyson Fury claimed third place with $135 million. Despite losing his world heavyweight titles to Oleksandr Usyk in December, Fury’s income has been boosted by partnerships promoting Maltese tourism and his Netflix reality show.
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, reached fourth with $137 million, thanks to record-breaking signing bonuses and a lucrative contract extension.
Meanwhile, Argentine Lionel Messi dropped to fifth place with $135 million — the same as last year — having moved to Major League Soccer side Inter Miami, as well as continuing to receive high-profile endorsements from Adidas and Apple.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, nearing the end of his illustrious career, came sixth with $133.8 million.
MLB New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto came in at a remarkable seventh place, earning $114 million. The 26-year-old Dominican signed a $765 million, 15-year contract, the largest in baseball history.
French striker Karim Benzema, who plays for Saudi Arabia’s Al Ittihad, is eighth with earnings of $104 million.
Japanese Shohei Ohtani is in ninth place with $102.5 million, having deferred most of his earnings from his mega-contract with MLB team Los Angeles Dodgers. His earnings were boosted significantly by their World Series victory last year.
NBA Phoenix Suns’ Kevin Durant rounds off the top 10 with $101.4 million.
Sinner sends message by demolishing Ruud to reach Italian Open semis
- Ruud was supposed to be Sinner’s toughest test in Rome
- The 23-year-old demolished sixth seed Ruud in just over an hour with an ominous display of tennis
ROME: Jannik Sinner marched into the semifinals of the Italian Open on Wednesday after destroying Casper Ruud in straight sets 6-0, 6-1 and sending a warning that the world number one is officially back.
Ruud was supposed to be Sinner’s toughest test in Rome since he came back from his three-month doping ban, as the Norwegian came into the match in hot form on clay after winning in Madrid earlier this month.
In his previous matches Sinner looked to be still finding his feet after his suspension, accepted from the World Anti-Doping Agency for testing positive for traces of clostebol in March last year.
But the 23-year-old demolished sixth seed Ruud in just over an hour with an ominous display of tennis, his domination such that the home fans at the packed center court, seemingly out of sympathy, began to cheer the rare points that Ruud won.
Ruud even got the loudest cheer of the match when he held his serve for the only time, in game three of the second set, holding his arms aloft in ironic celebration.
“I was feeling great on court today. I think we all saw that,” said Sinner.
“How I felt today was very, very positive signs for me... I was serving well and also returning well. Moving great on the court, so I’m very happy about that.”
Tommy Paul, a 7-6 (7/4), 6-3 winner over Hubert Hurkacz in the day’s first match, will have wondered what on earth he can do to stop Sinner if the Italian brings that form to Friday’s last-four clash.
Sinner won the first set in just 27 minutes, giving up only seven points as he stalked the court with intent, dressed all in black as he has been all week.
And he then maintained his record of not dropping a set in the tournament to not so much stroll as smash into the last four, and send a message to Carlos Alcaraz.
Spaniard Alcaraz, Sinner’s key Grand Slam rival ahead of the French Open, will contest the other semifinal with Lorenzo Musetti on Friday afternoon, with the blockbuster final tennis fans wanted still on.
Home hope and sixth seed Paolini became the third Italian woman to reach the Foro Italico final, and the first since her doubles partner Sara Errani was thumped by Serena Williams in 2014.
Late bloomer Paolini, 29, will face one of Coco Gauff and China’s Zheng Qinwen, who beat world number one Aryna Sabalenka on Wednesday night, after beating Peyton Stearns 7-5, 6-1.
“It’s a privilege to be in this position. I matured late as a tennis player but everyone has their own path. Some mature earlier and some later,” said Paolini.
“I’m just enjoying it without thinking too much about the past.”
Paolini was favorite to get past unseeded Stearns but early on her American opponent showed why she got to her first 1000 series semifinal by knocking out a succession of big names including Naomi Osaka and fifth seed Madison Keys.
Paolini looked way off the pace when she lost the first three games of the match in surprisingly timid fashion, serving weakly and mishitting a host of simple shots.
But she slowly began to force herself back into the contest, putting pressure on Stearns to find shots with her serving and finding both more power and accuracy on her forehand.
Stearns’ frustration was clear to see after being broken to allow Paolini to serve for the set, lashing her racket into her bag before giving herself a telling off in her seat.
And a break of serve in the third game of the second set deflated Stearns, whose fate was sealed two games later when Paolini took the third of three break points, roaring her joy to her delighted supporters in the center court stands before comfortably seeing out the match.
Paolini could yet win both the singles and women’s doubles tournaments, with her and Errani taking on Mirra Andreeva and Diana Shnaider in the semifinals on Friday.
Sports minister approves formation of Saudi Boxing Federation’s board of directors
- Turki bin Abdulmohsen Alalshikh chairs the board
- The step marks an important move to enhance Saudi Arabia’s presence on the global sports stage
RIYADH: Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, minister of sports and president of the Saudi Olympic & Paralympic Committee, approved the formation of the Saudi Boxing Federation’s board of directors on Thursday.
Turki bin Abdulmohsen Alalshikh will chair the board, which was formed in a step that marks an important move to enhance Saudi Arabia’s presence on the global sports stage and develop the sport of boxing locally, said a media statement.
The board also includes Eng. Faisal Bafarat, Dr. Rakan Al-Harthy, Mohammed Al-Khereiji, Abdulrahman Al-Hamoud, Majid Al-Gharabi, Mohammed Al-Hamdan, Firas Moaddan, and Sultan Alalshikh.
The members bring with them a range of expertise and experience, according to the statement, that will significantly contribute to the growth of the sport and help expand its presence in the Kingdom, paving the way for global aspirations.
Alalshikh extended his thanks and appreciation to Prince Abdulaziz and to Prince Fahad bin Jalawi bin Abdulaziz bin Musaed, the committee’s vice president, for their trust and continued support in developing Saudi sports in general, and boxing in particular.
This appointment aligns with a comprehensive vision aimed at expanding the base of boxing practitioners in the Kingdom, raising the level of competitiveness, and hosting international tournaments that reinforce Saudi Arabia’s status as a leading destination for major global sports events.
The decision comes at a time when the sports sector in the Kingdom is witnessing a major leap in terms of investment and event hosting.
Boxing has received considerable attention following the organization of several world class bouts that drew global audiences, in addition to the participation of Saudi champions in various continental and international championships, concluded the statement.
Spurs’ Kulusevski out for a few months after knee surgery, Postecoglou says
- The Sweden international was injured in the 2-0 Premier League defeat to Crystal Palace
- “Obviously disappointing news,” Postecoglou told reporters
LONDON: Tottenham Hotspur attacking midfielder Dejan Kulusevski will be out for a few months after having knee surgery, said manager Ange Postecoglou, and will miss Wednesday’s Europa League final.
The Sweden international was injured in the 2-0 Premier League defeat at home to Crystal Palace at the weekend
“Obviously disappointing news. Initially we thought it wasn’t too serious ... it kind of blew up the day after and we knew there was an issue,” Postecoglou told reporters on Thursday.
“He’s had the surgery which will put him out for at least a few months.”
Asked if Kulusevski would be back for the start of next season, Postecoglou said it was too early to say.
“We’ll see. I only have basic information at the moment in terms of recovery, but it’ll certainly put him out for a while,” he added.
Spurs face fellow Premier League strugglers Manchester United in the Europa League final in Bilbao.
