Daily Archives: January 15, 2026

Eritrea, a return to AFCON, and the footballers who escaped one of the world’s most dangerous countries

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“‘We see potential spies and enemies everywhere,’ says David. ‘It can be at border control or it can be in a cafe. The other day, a guy was looking at me strangely, so I left without finishing my breakfast, and jumped in a taxi — asking the driver to take me to the wrong address.’ David is an Eritrean footballer, a refugee who — when we speak in late 2023 — thinks government agents are still watching him even though he fled the country a long time ago and is now thousands of miles away. Though he has claimed asylum abroad, his fears mean he often sleeps with a chair pressed against the door of his bedroom. Sometimes he will have nightmares about a group of men armed with weapons bursting in and taking him away. …”
NY Times/The Athletic

The Alternative Premier League Table: No 22 – Dribbles

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“Welcome to the latest edition of The Alternative Premier League Table, where each week, The Athletic analyses the entire division through a specific lens. Dribbling is back in fashion in the Premier League. With teams going more direct, opportunities for isolating defenders and contesting individual duels in the attacking third have increased. The pace, power and technical quality these players possess, especially in wide areas, makes it a valuable tool to progress play. So, this week’s Alternative Table will rank the league in terms of take-ons (also known as dribbles) attempted per 90 minutes across the pitch and successful take-ons in the box. Key takeaways include. …”
NY Times/The Athletic

Morocco 0 Nigeria 0 (4-2 pens) – Bassey heroics in vain, Bounou saves hosts

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Morocco’s goalkeeper Yassine Bounou makes a crucial penalty save against Nigeria Morocco’s goalkeeper Yassine Bounou makes a crucial penalty save against Nigeria
“In a fervent atmosphere in Rabat, Morocco held their nerve in a penalty shootout to reach the AFCON final at the expense of a courageous Nigeria. The host nation now has the chance to win the trophy for the first time in 50 years when they face Senegal in the final on Sunday. The saves of Yassine Bounou were the difference in the shootout and a packed stadium was sent into raptures when Youssef En-Nesyri scored the decisive penalty. This was a game short on clear chances. Morocco had more of the ball, and built more sustained pressure, but rarely put Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali under pressure. An early shot from Brahim Diaz and a decent chance for Abde Ezzalzouli were as good as it got in the first half. The second was, if anything, even more closely contested and it was little surprise when it went to extra time. With both sides tiring, the game got more stretched, mistakes proliferated, but clear chances remained at a premium. Penalties awaited. Carl Anka and Mark Carey analyse the key talking points of this dramatic semi-final. …”
NY Times/The Athletic
BBC – Morocco win 4-2 on pens
YouTube: NIGERIA vs MOROCCO – Penalty Shootout | SEMI FINAL

Senegal 1 Egypt 0 – Sadio Mane gets one over Mohamed Salah, but is this the end for the Egyptian?

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“Sadio Mane’s late strike took Senegal into the final of the Africa Cup of Nations at the expense of Egypt, eliminating his former Liverpool team-mate Mohamed Salah in the process. Despite both sides fielding some explosive talent, the game failed to ignite until the closing stages. The pattern was soon established, with Senegal dominating the ball but Egypt defending with discipline and resolution. Then came Mane’s moment. An initial shot by Lamine Camara rebounded off an Egyptian defender and landed at the feet of Mane just outside the box. The 33-year-old Al Nassr forward shot crisply into the bottom corner, past a wrong-footed Mohamed El-Shenawy in the Egypt goal. Egypt rallied late, and Omar Marmoush finally managed to earn his side a shot on target, but Senegal held on to reach the final in Rabat. …”
NY Times/The Athletic 
NY Times/The Athletic – Achraf Hakimi is the face of this AFCON. But there is a cloud hanging over him
Guardian – Sadio Mané strikes to deny Salah’s Egypt and send Senegal to Afcon final – Jonathan Wilson
BBC – Mane destroys Salah’s Afcon dream again – will he get another chance?
YouTube: ᏚепеɡɑӀ vs Еɡурт 1–0 Ніghlіghts & Gоаlѕ