LATEST NEWS
Congratulations to Spain who won their second World Cup title, after they edged Argentina by a single Ferran Torres goal following extra time in New Jersey.
The last remaining African nation, Morocco, had lost out to France in the quarter-finals and they were one of the nine African countries who progressed into the knockout stages.
The group phase of qualification for the 2027 AFCON will begin in September.
48 countries will be divided into twelve groups of four with 24 countries going through to the final tournament (including the joint hosts, Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania)
Mamelodi Sundowns, led by Portuguese coach Miguel Cardoso, beat FAR Rabat 2-1 on aggregate, after the sides drew in Rabat, to claim their second Champions League title.
As per last season 36 teams will contest the league phase, including newcomers LASK, Viking Stavanger, Sabah, and Cesc Fabregas’s Como.
Of those the leading 24 will then go on to the knockout matches with the likes of Arsenal, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and the holders PSG among the favourites.
The battle for this years UEL title could involve a number of teams without an obvious favourite giving Juventus, AC Milan, Bayer Leverkusen, and the EPL’s Bournemouth all a chance for glory.
Fabian Hurzeler’s Brighton are reckoned to be the top contenders for the Conference League, which would be their maiden European crown.
Atalanta, Monaco, Freiburg and Braga will be among those aiming to stop the Seagulls from emulating their great rivals Crystal Palace.
Going into the extended international break, Enzo Maresca’s Manchester City are the only team with a 100% record after their entertaining 5-3 defeat of Sunderland at the Etihad.
That was after the champions, Arsenal, slipped to their first loss at third-placed Brighton.
Currently at the other end of the table, and without a win, are London sides, Tottenham and Fulham.
The champions, Barcelona, made it seven from seven with victory at Sevilla and they now have a five point advantage over Atletico (who beat Real in the Madrid clasico) and Betis.
It is tight at the top in Italy with Roma and Inter, who drew 2-2 in the capital, level with Lazio and just ahead of Cagliari and AC Milan.
PSG won 2-1 at ten-man OM to move up to 6th in the table, but it is Monaco who lead the way in front of OL and Paris FC.
Dortmund’s 1-0 win at Stuttgart maintained their perfect league record and a two point lead over Freiburg and Bayern Munich (for whom Harry Kane netted league goals 100 and 101 in their thrashing of Union Berlin)
Porto marched on to 21 points from 7 games after they beat great rivals Benfica 3-1 at the Dragao.
GENERAL
Morocco, who performed with credit at the World Cup, remain the leading African nation (and now in 6th overall) as per the latest FIFA rankings table.
