Sakala’s sudden illness puts Chipolopolo Boys in disarray: AFCON 2025

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Airtel Malawi

CASABLANCA-(MaraviPost)-Fashion Sakala, captain of the Chipolopolo Boys, was rushed to a hospital in Rabat today after falling ill, team doctor Wesley Ngongo confirmed.

This unexpected turn of events has left the team scrambling to adjust their lineup.

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Sakala was taken to Hôpital Universitaire International Mohammed VI in the Moroccan capital at around 12:30 local time after complaining of abdominal discomfort, dizziness, and general weakness during a routine medical check.

The symptoms raised concerns among the medical team, prompting immediate action.

“This morning Fashion complained of experiencing abnormal pain, feeling weak and dizzy during my routine check on the players. We have rushed him to the hospital,” Dr. Ngongo said, highlighting the sudden nature of Sakala’s illness.

The team’s medical team is closely monitoring the situation.

Following the incident, Sakala has been officially ruled out of tonight’s decisive AFCON 2025 Group A fixture against hosts Morocco, a significant setback for the Copper Bullets.

The team’s reliance on Sakala’s skills makes his absence a major concern.

As head coach Moses Sichone finalizes his starting XI and substitutes, the Saudi Arabia–based striker will not be available for selection, forcing the team to regroup and strategize.

This unexpected change may impact the team’s performance against Morocco.

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Security forces neutralize armed group in Guinea’s Capital

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Airtel Malawi

CONAKRY-(MaraviPost)-Guinean security forces have neutralized an armed group in the capital city, Conakry, authorities said on Saturday.

The operation, carried out by a joint unit composed of police, soldiers, and customs officers, resulted in the complete neutralization of the group and the arrest of individuals involved after several exchanges of gunfire.

Capital One

According to an official statement, the armed group had subversive intentions threatening national security, prompting the security services to conduct a targeted operation in a compound in the suburbs of Conakry.

Residents reported hearing gunfire on Friday night and early Saturday in Sonfonia, a neighborhood located about 15 km from downtown Conakry.

The incident comes a day before Guinea holds presidential elections, with nine candidates participating, including junta leader General Mamady Doumbouya.

The security forces’ swift action underscores the government’s commitment to maintaining stability and security in the country.

Guinea has a complex history of military and authoritarian rule, with the current junta having seized power in September 2021.

The country is rich in minerals, but more than half of its inhabitants live below the poverty line, according to World Bank figures for 2024.

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No walkover to Senegal as DRC hold Lions to draw: AFCON 2025

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Airtel Malawi

CASABLANCA-(MaraviPost)-Senegal and Democractic Republic of Congo played out a hard fought 1–1 draw in their AFCON 2025 Group D clash on 27 December 2025, proving that there was no easy passage for Senegal.

The first half was closely contested, with both teams approaching the match cautiously due to the high stakes involved. Chances were limited as each side focused on maintaining shape and discipline.

Capital One

Senegal enjoyed more of the ball in the opening stages and attempted to dictate the tempo through controlled build up play. However, DR Congo stayed organised and frustrated their opponents with a solid defensive display.

Despite Senegal’s pressure, the Leopards stood firm and ensured the match remained goalless at halftime. Their resilience set the tone for what would become a highly competitive second half.

The breakthrough came after the restart when Cédric Bakambu struck to give DR Congo the lead. His goal caught Senegal off guard and underlined the Leopards’ ability to punish any lapse in concentration.

Bakambu’s opener shifted momentum in DR Congo’s favour and silenced Senegal’s dominance, sending a clear message that the Lions of Teranga would not have things their own way.

Forced to respond, Senegal raised the intensity and pushed forward in search of an equaliser. Their pressure eventually paid off when captain Sadio Mané found the back of the net.

Mané’s goal restored parity and injected fresh energy into the contest, setting up an open and tense final phase of the match.

Both sides created opportunities as the game opened up with Senegal hunting for a winner and DR Congo threatening on the counterattack.

DR Congo defended resolutely and held on to secure a valuable point.

The draw saw both Senegal and DR Congo move to four points each after two matches in Group D, keeping the qualification race wide open.

With one round of group games remaining, the result confirmed that at AFCON 2025 there are no easy matches and certainly no walkover for Senegal.

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Benin narrowly survive againt Botswana: AFCON 2025

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Airtel Malawi

CASABLANCA-(MaraviPost)-Benin breathed new life into their Africa Cup of Nations 2025 campaign after claiming their first three points with a narrow 1–0 victory over Botswana in a closely contested Group D encounter.

Coming into the match under pressure following an opening defeat, the Cheetahs knew a positive result was crucial to keep their hopes of reaching the knockout stage alive.

Capital One

Benin showed greater urgency from the start, pressing high and moving the ball quickly as they looked to unsettle a disciplined Botswana side.

The breakthrough arrived in the 28th minute when Yohan Roche struck the decisive goal, calmly finishing inside the box to put Benin ahead.

Roche’s goal gave Benin confidence, allowing them to control the tempo for the remainder of the first half and head into the break with a deserved lead.

Botswana responded after halftime by pushing forward in search of an equaliser, increasing the intensity and committing more players into attack.

Despite Botswana’s improved performance, Benin’s defence remained compact and organised, frustrating their opponents and limiting clear scoring opportunities.

As the match entered its closing stages, Botswana applied late pressure but Benin showed composure, discipline and tight security at the back to protect their narrow advantage.

The final whistle confirmed a vital win for Benin, marking their first victory and first three points of the AFCON 2025 tournament.

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Salah strike sends Egypt into AFCON 2025 round of 16

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Airtel Malawi

CASABLANCA-(MaraviPost)-Egypt became the first nation to book a place in the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, according to CAF standings, following a hard-fought 1–0 victory over South Africa in a tense Group B encounter on Friday evening.

The Pharaohs leaned on Mohamed Salah’s first half penalty to secure all three points in a match marked by VAR drama and resolute defending.

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The decisive moment arrived just before half time when VAR intervened after South Africa defender Khuliso Mudau was judged to have fouled Salah inside the penalty area.

The Liverpool forward stepped up confidently and converted from the spot, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way to give Egypt the lead.

Egypt’s task became significantly tougher minutes later when right back Mohamed Hany was shown a second yellow card and sent off.

The dismissal forced the Pharaohs to reshuffle and adopt a more conservative approach for the remainder of the contest.

South Africa came out with renewed intensity in the second half, dominating possession and pinning Egypt deep in their own half.

Bafana Bafana moved the ball purposefully and attempted to stretch Egypt’s compact defensive block, creating pressure but failing to carve out a clear cut chance.

Despite playing with ten men, Egypt remained a threat on the counter attack with Salah and his teammates exploiting spaces whenever they appeared. Their backline stayed disciplined under sustained pressure, frustrating South Africa’s attacking efforts.

Late in the game, South Africa appealed for a penalty after another VAR review but the decision went against them, compounding their frustration as the clock ticked down.

Egypt’s goalkeeper and defenders showed composure in the closing moments to preserve their slender advantage.

At the final whistle, Egypt celebrated a vital victory that strengthened their grip on Group B with six points from two games and boosted confidence ahead of the knockout stages.

South Africa, it was a painful defeat, especially after a much improved second half performance that ultimately went unrewarded.

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Burkina Faso complete late comeback against Equatorial Guinea: AFCON2025

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Airtel Malawi

CASABLANCA-(MaraviPost)-The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations produced early fireworks in Group E as Burkina Faso faced Equatorial Guinea in a dramatic encounter that lived up to the tournament’s reputation.

Both teams entered the match with one mission to make a strong statement in Group E, knowing that early points could prove decisive in the race to reach the knockout stages.

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The opening half was tightly contested with Burkina Faso pushing forward while Equatorial Guinea remained disciplined at the back, and the teams went into the break deadlocked at 0-0.

The game’s first major turning point arrived in the second half when Basilio Ndong of Equatorial Guinea was shown a red card, becoming the first player sent off at AFCON 2025.

Reduced to ten men, Equatorial Guinea were forced into a defensive shape as Burkina Faso intensified their attacks in search of a breakthrough.

The Stallions believed they had taken the lead when Lassina Traoré found the net but celebrations were cut short after VAR ruled the goal out, keeping the score level.

Against the run of play, Equatorial Guinea stunned their opponents when Marvin Anieboh opened the scoring, giving the National Thunder a surprising 1-0 advantage.

The goal injected new belief into Equatorial Guinea as they fought bravely to protect their lead despite their numerical disadvantage of ten men.

Burkina Faso refused to surrender and were rewarded when Georgi Minoungou struck to level the match at 1-1, reigniting hopes of a comeback in Group E.

The Stallions pushed forward relentlessly in the closing minutes of the game.

Their persistence paid off when Edmond Tapsoba netted the decisive goal, completing a dramatic turnaround and sealing a 2-1 victory for Burkina Faso.

The win handed Burkina Faso vital three points in Group E of AFCON 2025, while Equatorial Guinea were left to reflect on a spirited performance undone by a red card and late goals.

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