Sports
Own goal helps Arsenal win at Palace in Premier League opener
Arsenal battled to beat Crystal Palace 2-0 on Friday as the new Premier League season got underway.
Gabriel Martinelli opened scoring for the first goal before home defender Marc Guehi turned the ball into his own net late on at Selhurst Park.
Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus, who arrived from Manchester City in the close season, looked set to get off to a flying start by dancing through the Palace defence only to see his shot blocked, with Martinelli dragging the rebound wide of the post.
Oleksandr Zinchenko, another new signing from City, also looked lively and had an early shot blocked as Arsenal quickly raised the tempo but the Ukrainian soon had a hand in the opening goal as Palace were caught flat-footed at a corner.
Bukayo Saka’s inswinger found Zinchenko in acres of space and he headed the ball back across goal where Martinelli was on hand to nod it into the net.
Palace could have levelled before the break as Odsonne Edouard headed goalwards, but visiting goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale pulled off a superb reflex save to preserve his side’s lead.
The hosts wasted another great chance to draw level after the break when Wilfried Zaha sliced open the Arsenal defence with a perfect pass but again Ramsdale was quick to react, getting out to block Eberechi Eze’s shot.
Bukayo Saka’s inswinger found Zinchenko in acres of space and he headed the ball back across goal where Martinelli was on hand to nod it into the net.
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The hosts wasted another great chance to draw level after the break when Wilfried Zaha sliced open the Arsenal defence with a perfect pass but again Ramsdale was quick to react, getting out to block Eberechi Eze’s shot.
After guiding his side to a fifth-place finish last term, Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta looked worried as they became increasingly ragged in the second half but, aside from Zaha, the Palace attack looked out of sync.
Sensing they might snatch a draw, Palace coach Patrick Viera threw everyone forward for the last 15 minutes but the visitors doubled their lead when Saka’s cross was deflected into his own goal by Guehi in the 85th to seal the points for the away side.
“We started really sharp … to win here you need to suffer,” Arteta told Sky Sports.
“We’ve done it and that’s part of the mentality that we want to build, to come to these places and find a way to win”
French defender William Saliba was outstanding for Arsenal as he finally made his debut after three years spent on loan at different clubs in France.
“We knew it would be hard here but we were strong and solid,” the 21-year old said.
“I’ve waited a long time to make my debut and I’m happy to start with a clean sheet and a win, it’s important for confidence.”
The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) draw held in Rabat, Morocco, on Monday, has set the stage for an exciting football spectacle.
The tournament, scheduled to kick off on December 21, will see 24 teams battle for continental glory, with intriguing matchups promising thrilling action.
Morocco, the tournament hosts and one of Africa’s strongest teams, will begin their quest for the title against Comoros in Group A.
They are joined by Mali and Zambia, completing a group filled with potential surprises.
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Morocco, armed with Europe-based stars like Achraf Hakimi, will aim to become only the fourth AFCON host to win the title this century, following Tunisia (2004), Egypt (2006), and Ivory Coast (2024).
CAF president Patrick Motsepe expressed optimism about the tournament, calling it the “most successful AFCON yet.”
He praised Morocco’s preparations and highlighted the significance of hosting the AFCON as a stepping stone for the kingdom’s 2030 World Cup ambitions, which it will co-host with Spain and Portugal.
Originally planned for mid-2025, the tournament was rescheduled to avoid clashing with FIFA’s revamped Club World Cup in the United States.
Despite the change, excitement remains high as Africa’s best footballers converge on Morocco to vie for the continent’s top prize.
Group Stage Draw:
Group A: Morocco, Mali, Zambia, Comoros
Group B: Egypt, South Africa, Angola, Zimbabwe
Group C: Nigeria, Tunisia, Uganda, Tanzania
Group D: Senegal, DR Congo, Benin, Botswana
Group E: Algeria, Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, Sudan
Group F: Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Gabon, Mozambique
Former Belgian international footballer, Radja Nainggolan was arrested on Monday in connection with a large-scale investigation into cocaine trafficking through the port of Antwerp, the Brussels prosecutor’s office has confirmed.
The arrest followed a series of raids conducted across Belgium in the early hours of the morning. Several suspects were detained, including Nainggolan, as part of the operation.
“The investigation concerns alleged facts of importation of cocaine from South America to Europe, via the port of Antwerp, and its redistribution in Belgium,” prosecutors said in a statement.
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Further details regarding the case have not yet been made public.
Nainggolan, 36, who was born in Antwerp, recently came out of retirement to join Belgian second-division club Lokeren. The midfielder made his debut over the weekend, scoring a goal in a 1-1 draw against K. Lierse.
The former national team star enjoyed a decorated career, earning 30 caps and scoring six goals for Belgium. He also played for top Italian clubs, including Roma, Inter Milan, and Cagliari, before returning to Belgium in 2021 to join Royal Antwerp. However, his stint there ended in early 2023, following a series of controversies.
Known for his brash personality and off-field incidents, Nainggolan was suspended in late 2022 after being caught smoking an electronic cigarette on the bench, according to Belgian media.
No timeline has been given for further proceedings.
Reigning Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) champions, Rangers International F.C., will be flying into Maiduguri, Borno State, for their crucial Matchday 21 clash against the President Federation Cup holders, El-Kanemi Warriors F.C.
Biztellers reports that the Flying Antelopes would be flown by Max Air.
Inside sources at the Enugu Rangers have it that following a disappointing home loss in their previous match, the “Flying Antelopes” are determined to regain their winning form.
It was gathered that a 27-man delegation will depart Abuja on Monday morning for the short flight to Maiduguri, with the match scheduled for Wednesday, January 29th, 2025.
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The team aims to swiftly move past their recent setback against Niger Tornadoes and climb back up the league table.
“We are heading to Maiduguri with the sole objective of securing a positive result and keeping pace with the front-runners,” declared team captain, Ugwueze Chinemerem. “We have analyzed our previous match and are fully focused on regaining the lost ground.”
It’s worth noting that in the reverse fixture earlier this season on August 31st, 2024, Rangers and El-Kanemi played to a goalless draw at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu.
AFCON 2025 Draw: Nigeria To Face Tunisia In Group C (Full List)
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