CASABLANCA-(MaraviPost)-Nigeria have finished the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in third place after edging past seven time champions Egypt 4–2 on penalties following a goalless draw in the third place playoff.
The encounter, played on Saturday evening in Morocco, was a tightly contested affair with both sides struggling to break the deadlock in regulation time. E
gypt and Nigeria created half chances but solid defending and disciplined goalkeeping ensured the match ended 0–0, forcing a penalty shootout to decide the bronze medal.
In the shootout, Nigeria showed greater composure from the spot. The Super Eagles converted four of their penalties, while Egypt missed two, handing Nigeria a deserved victory and confirming their place on the AFCON 2025 podium.
Nigeria’s goalkeeper emerged as one of the key figures of the night, making crucial saves that swung the momentum in favour of the West Africans.
For Nigeria, the result caps off a strong campaign, especially after narrowly missing out on a place in the final. Finishing third adds another respectable achievement to their rich AFCON history and reinforces their reputation as one of Africa’s most consistent footballing nations.
Egypt, meanwhile, had to settle for fourth place despite their experience and pedigree in the competition. The Pharaohs will reflect on missed opportunities in both the semi final and the third place match as they look ahead to future tournaments.
The AFCON 2025 final is scheduled for Sunday with hosts Morocco facing Senegal.
BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-Football Association of Malawi (FAM) president Fleetwood Haiya has issued a legal demand against former FAM president Walter Nyamilandu, accusing him of making defamatory remarks following the association’s presidential election.
Haiya, through his lawyers Blackstone Chambers, is demanding K200 million in damages, a public apology and the removal of statements allegedly made on the Face2Face sports platform on January 5.
According to the demand letter, the remarks allegedly implied that Haiya won the FAM presidency through fraudulent means.
Haiya’s legal team argues that the statements have damaged his reputation and questioned his integrity as the head of Malawi’s football governing body.
The lawyers have given Nyamilandu seven days to comply with the demands, failing which further legal action may be taken.
The dispute follows the FAM elective general assembly held on December 16, 2023, where Haiya emerged victorious in the presidential race in Mzuzu.
Haiya defeated Nyamilandu by 23 votes to 13, bringing an end to Nyamilandu’s long tenure at the helm of the association.
Nyamilandu had served as FAM president for 19 years, making the election one of the most significant leadership transitions in Malawian football.
The legal action relates to comments allegedly made after the election, which Haiya says undermine the legitimacy of the electoral process.
The matter has attracted attention within football circles due to the senior positions previously held by both individuals.
By the time of publication, Nyamilandu had not responded to the allegations or the legal demand.
As many as 10 million visitors will head to 11 U.S. cities this summer, helping to turn the FIFA World Cup 2026™ into the largest sporting event in history.
While U.S. host cities like Los Angeles, Miami, New York and San Francisco are world-famous, lesser-known U.S. cities are primed to host soccer fans. In Kansas City, Missouri, for instance, Café Corazón owner Dulcinea Herrera says that people underestimate the Midwestern city of 500,000 (in a larger metro area of 2 million). Herrera and other local business owners are preparing for 650,000 visitors for FIFA World Cup 2026™.
In addition to coffee, an American staple, Café Corazón serves yerba mate, a tea popular with South American soccer stars, including Lionel Messi, who will lead Argentina in an early round match scheduled for Kansas City. One of Herrera’s three locations is in the downtown area where officials plan a massive viewing party near the stadium.
White House World Cup Task Force Executive Director Andrew Giuliani calls it “a tremendous privilege” to host the FIFA World Cup 2026™ during the year the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary, and says the federal government is working with host cities to ensure a safe and welcoming tournament.
“Hosting the world during this historic year … gives us a chance to show the very best of America — our hospitality and our innovation — while also showcasing the America spirit of which we’re so proud of,” Giuliani said.
Here is an introduction to the 11 U.S. cities that will host international soccer fans:
Atlanta
Famous for peaches, pecans and Southern hospitality, the Georgia state capital is a cultural and economic hub of the South. It boasts the country’s busiest airport and was home to famed Civil Rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.
Atlanta is home to numerous industries, including aerospace and financial technologies, as well as soft drink giant Coca-Cola. The city has several professional sports teams and has hosted three Super Bowls, as well as the 1996 summer Olympics.
Boston
The birthplace of the American Revolution, the city of Boston will be fully in celebration mode for the 250th anniversary when the fans arrive. International visitors who are in the city during the July 4th Independence Day celebrations can experience the Boston Pops , a fireworks show over the Charles River set to live music from the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
FIFA and the U.S. Soccer Foundation are building soccer fields around Boston to turn the excitement of the city’s seven matches into lasting participation in the sport. Boston previously hosted three FIFA championships: the 1994 FIFA World Cup USA™, and the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ in 1999 and 2003.
Dallas
Dallas, Texas – September 17, 2024: Bronze sculpture of a trail boss on his horse and longhorn cows in Pioneer Plaza in Dallas, TX
With its frequent rodeos, Dallas offers an up-close look at America’s cowboy culture. Pioneer Plaza in downtown honors this Western tradition. Even the name of the city’s pro football team, the Dallas Cowboys, references this distinct Western culture.
Dallas will host a tournament-leading nine World Cup matches. The country’s fifth-largest media market, Dallas hosted the International Broadcast Center during the 1994 matches, and its massive convention center will again serve as the tournament’s media hub
Houston
Home to NASA’s Johnson Space Center, Houston has commanded America’s space exploration through landmark achievements, including the first moon landing on July 20, 1969.
With major oil and natural gas resources, Houston is a center of the U.S. energy industry. Local companies are teaming up to support soccer’s growth in the city. This “bayou city” offers visitors cuisine ranging from barbecue and seafood to Mexican-influenced “Tex-Mex.” Houston is also bidding to be a host city for the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ in 2031.
Kansas City
J.C. Nichols Memorial Fountain, by Henri-Leon Greber in Kansas City Missouri
The Midwestern city called Kansas City straddles parts of two U.S. states — Kansas and Missouri — and is known as the “City of Fountains,” as it has more in use than any other U.S. city. Its famed Power & Light District boasts eight blocks of restaurants where visitors can sample the region’s famous barbecue.
Kansas City’s strong sports culture includes the National Football League’s Chiefs — winners of two of the last three Super Bowls. And the Kansas City Current is the world’s only women’s professional soccer team that plays in a stadium designed especially for women’s soccer. The team draws sellout crowds.
While Hollywood gives Los Angeles its reputation as movie capital of the world, a mild climate and famous beaches offer visitors a lot more. Tourists can sample music and cuisine influenced by LA’s large Latin American and Asian American populations. The arresting desert landscape of Joshua Tree National Park is a two-hour drive away.
LA has proven a draw for global soccer stars, as David Beckham of the United Kingdom and Son Heung-min of the Republic of Korea have played for the LA Galaxy and Los Angeles FC, respectively.
Los Angeles is gearing up to host the Summer Olympics in 2028, after previously hosting the Olympics in 1932 and 1984.
Miami
Travel destination and tourism infrastructure in southern USA. South Beach sandy surface with tourists relaxing on hot Florida sun. Miami Beach city with high luxury hotels and condos.
Miami’s Bayfront Park Fan Festival will offer musical performances and stunning ocean views in addition to soccer matches. With its thriving Latin American communities, Miami has long boasted a devoted soccer fan base. The city’s enthusiasm grew even greater when Argentina’s Lionel Messi began playing for the city’s professional club, Inter Miami, in 2023.
Fans looking for adventure can drive an hour to Everglades National Park, a vast wetland wilderness that is home to alligators and flamingos.
New York/New Jersey
Manhattan, New York City/New York-07/22/2019 photo from Central Park in New York
New York — famous for skyscrapers, Broadway theater and the lights of Times Square — will host the FIFA World Cup 2026™ finals at a stadium in neighboring New Jersey. In addition to bustling sidewalks along rows of restaurants serving every imaginable type of international cuisine, New York offers museums, libraries, walks in Central Park and the iconic Statue of Liberty, a testament to America’s friendship with France.
Having served as an early U.S. capital, Philadelphia is where America’s founding documents were written and is home to the Liberty Bell, which draws 2 million visitors annually. It is the city with the closest ties to the nation’s founding and, appropriately, will host a FIFA World Cup 2026™ match on July 4, the day the United States was founded 250 years earlier.
Known as the “city of brotherly love,” Philadelphia has a passionate fan base that has turned out 26,000 interested volunteers who want to help support the city’s six planned matches.
Known for the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco is a city of steep hills, scaled by streetcars and packed with colorful row houses. It’s the northern hub of California’s Silicon Valley, a center of technological innovation. Between matches, fans can visit nearby Napa Valley wineries or check out the stunning vistas of Yosemite National Park.
After hosting American football’s 2026 Super Bowl in February, San Francisco will be ready will to host six FIFA World Cup 2026™ matches.
Seattle
Seattle, Washington, USA downtown skyline at twilight with Mt. Rainier.
Known for a drizzly climate, a pedestrian-friendly downtown and a thriving entrepreneurial spirit, Seattle will offer international visitors the chance to sample seafood at Pike’s Place Market and take in a view of the entire city from the Space Needle. Seattle’s pioneering companies include airplane manufacturer Boeing, software developer Microsoft, and Starbucks, which operates in 85 countries.
The city, where the U.S. National Team will make an early-round appearance, plans nine “fan zones” for the FIFA World Cup 2026™, each offering big screens, food and live entertainment.
LONDON-(MaraviPost)-Manchester United have dismissed head coach Ruben Amorim after just 14 months in charge, bringing an end to a turbulent spell marked by inconsistent results, internal tensions and a public fallout with the club’s hierarchy.
The decision was taken following United’s 1-1 Premier League draw away to Leeds United, on Saturday a match that proved to be the final straw for the Old Trafford board.
Amorim’s exit comes after an extraordinary post match press conference in which the Portuguese coach launched a thinly veiled attack on senior club officials, questioning recruitment decisions and expressing frustration over his authority within the club.
His comments reportedly angered the board, who moved swiftly to terminate his contract with immediate effect.
The 40-year-old leaves United with a disappointing record, having won just 24 of his 63 matches in charge.
His win percentage of around 38 per cent places him among the least successful managers in the club’s modern history, underlining the scale of the struggles United faced during his tenure.
On the pitch, Amorim was unable to steady a side plagued by defensive frailties.
United endured a historically poor run without an away clean sheet and failed to build any sustained momentum in the league, managing consecutive wins only once during his time at the club.
Last season’s 15th-place Premier League finish and a Europa League final defeat to Tottenham further intensified pressure on the former Sporting Lisbon boss.
Despite heavy investment in the transfer market, including the arrivals of high profile attackers and young defensive prospects, Amorim’s favoured 3-4-3 system never truly took hold.
Critics argued that his tactical rigidity left the team exposed, while Amorim himself later admitted the formation required significant financial backing to function properly.
Behind the scenes, relations between the coach and the club’s recruitment department reportedly deteriorated.
Disagreements over transfer targets and long-term strategy created a growing rift, culminating in Amorim’s public complaints about his role being labelled “head coach” rather than “manager”.
With Amorim now gone, former United midfielder Darren Fletcher is expected to take charge on an interim basis as the club begins the search for a permanent successor.
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RABAT-(MaraviPost)-Cameroon booked their place in the quarterfinals of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 after a tense 2–1 victory over South Africa in the Round of 16.
The match,saw the Indomitable Lions take control early and withstand a late fightback from Bafana Bafana.
The first breakthrough came in the first half when Junior Tchamadeu opened the scoring for Cameroon.
His goal rewarded the Lions’ early dominance and left South Africa trailing as the teams went into halftime.
The goal also highlighted Cameroon’s clinical approach in taking chances when they arise.
South Africa tried to respond but struggled to create clear-cut opportunities in the first half.
Cameroon’s midfield controlled the tempo and limited the South African attacks, frustrating Bafana Bafana’s attempts to level the score before the break.
Cameroon returned from halftime with renewed energy. Just minutes into the second half, Christian Kofane doubled the lead for the Indomitable Lions.
His composed finish gave Cameroon a 2–0 advantage and put South Africa under significant pressure to mount a comeback.
Trailing by two goals, South Africa intensified their attacking efforts.
They pressed higher up the field and tried to exploit spaces left by Cameroon, determined to keep their AFCON dreams alive.
The persistence paid off when Evidence Makgopa scored for Bafana Bafana on 88 minutes, reducing the deficit to 2–1.
The goal injected belief into the South African side and made the final stages of the match highly competitive and tense.
Cameroon, however, relied on their experience and composure to manage the closing minutes. They defended resolutely and slowed down the tempo whenever South Africa threatened, ensuring the lead remained intact.
Despite South Africa’s late pressure and attacking forays, they could not find the equalizer.
Cameroon’s defensive discipline and strategic play proved decisive in securing the win.
The victory ensures Cameroon progresses to the AFCON 2025 quarterfinals, keeping their hopes of winning the tournament alive since winning AFCON in 2017.
South Africa, meanwhile, exit the competition after a spirited but ultimately unsuccessful effort.
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LONDON-(MaraviPost)-Chelsea’s 1-1 draw away to Manchester City may only go down as a single point in the table, but in the wider context of a club in transition, it felt like much more than that.
Thrown into the deep end following Enzo Maresca’s sudden exit, interim head coach Calum McFarlane faced the ultimate baptism of fire a trip to the Etihad to take on Pep Guardiola’s champions.
Instead of retreating into damage limitation, Chelsea responded with bravery, structure and a refusal to accept defeat.
City’s early dominance was expected, and when Tijani Reijnders punished a costly Chelsea error before half time, it appeared the script was following a familiar path.
Erling Haaland had already rattled the post, and the home crowd sensed another routine win.
But Chelsea did not unravel. McFarlane tweaked his shape at the break, introducing Andrey Santos and asking his side to be braver in transition. The change worked.
Chelsea began to carry a greater attacking threat, even if Pedro Neto’s glaring miss threatened to undo their renewed momentum.
What followed was a test of mentality. Chelsea stayed compact, pressed intelligently and defended as a unit.
Young players like Josh Acheampong and Estevao Willian showed maturity beyond their years, while Enzo Fernandez led by example in midfield. The reward came in the dying seconds.
Malo Gusto’s delivery found Fernandez once more and this time the Argentine made no mistake.
The away end erupted, the bench emptied and a moment of collective release followed weeks of uncertainty.
Beyond the drama, the performance felt like a quiet message to the club’s hierarchy and to likely incoming manager Liam Rosenior.
This squad, often criticised for inconsistency and fragility, showed togetherness, commitment and a willingness to absorb pressure for the greater good.
With this draw Manchester City remain on position two with 42 points from 20 games while Chelsea remain on position 5 with 31 points from same number of games
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