Newly crowned African Player of the Year Victor Osimhen is a star on a mission. He wants to transform the suffering of Nigerian supporters into joy with an Africa Cup of Nations title.

The governing body has refused to budge on the issue, believing selecting players enticed overseas on big-money contracts would weaken the domestic game at Super Rugby and provincial level.

Novak Djokovic is once again red-hot favourite at the Australian Open as he chases an unprecedented 25th Grand Slam title, but a wrist problem and the emergence of Carlos Alcaraz puts his all-conquering reign under threat.

Tiger Woods announced Monday that he was ending a longstanding partnership with Nike, thanking the sports brand in a social media post that alluded to ‘another’ unspecified chapter.

Beckenbauer, one of only three men to win the World Cup as player and as a coach, passed away on Sunday, the DFB said.

Host nations have often struggled to turn home advantage into success with only 11 of the previous 33 AFCONs won by the home side.

Arteta’s side should have been in complete control of Sunday’s clash after a dominant first half at the Emirates Stadium. A combination of poor finishing and good keeping from Alisson Becker frustrated the Gunners, who paid for their profligacy with a late collapse.

Dakar Rally veteran Stephane Peterhansel notched up a record-equalling 50th stage win on Sunday as Spanish rider Carles Falcon was reported in a ‘serious condition’ after crashing in Saudi Arabia.

Elena Rybakina will head to the Australian Open full of confidence after demolishing world number two Aryna Sabalenka in the Brisbane International final on Sunday.

Zagallo was the first person to win the FIFA World Cup as both a player and coach and was the only surviving member of the Brazil team that lifted the 1958 World Cup trophy – the country’s first title.

World number four Elena Rybakina put on a serving masterclass as she stormed into the final of the Brisbane International with a 6-3, 6-2 win over Linda Noskova Saturday.

Rafael Nadal said he had plenty of chances to win, but just couldn’t take them.

Swede Ekstrom set a time of 16min 30sec, some 23sec ahead of the American Seth Quintero of Toyota, making his debut at this level.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp joked Friday that he is not wishing Mohamed Salah too much luck at the Africa Cup of Nations as he prepares for a crucial spell of games without his top scorer.

Steve Borthwick is confident that England will head into the Six Nations with the right ‘foundation’ after their run to the World Cup semifinals.

Ratcliffe’s INEOS group will assume control of United’s football operations once the purchase of a 25 percent share in the Old Trafford club is ratified.

On Friday, the Stormers confirmed that Wandisile Simelane has joined the Cape franchise. This was part of a player exchange which will see Cornel Smit heading to the nation’s capital.

The AFCON prize money is 40 percent more than what Senegal pocketed for winning the last edition, in Cameroon two years ago.

Set to make 79 to win, India needed just 12 overs to secure the victory.

Rafael Nadal continued his impressive comeback by overpowering wildcard Jason Kubler 6-1, 6-2 to move into the quarterfinals of the Brisbane International on Thursday.

A 425-strong colourful caravanserai made up of cars, bikes, quads and trucks sets out from Al-Ula on a treacherous 4,900-mile odyssey around the Gulf kingdom with a 19 January finish in Yanbu on the Red Sea.