Latest news with #AfricanNationsCup
Daily Mirror
08-08-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Carlos Baleba told one club wouldn't be a good choice as Man Utd's rivals enter £104m race
Manchester United have registered their interest in Brighton's Carlos Baleba, who has been warned to avoid one club in particular and told which rival may be a better fit Carlos Baleba has been strongly advised to reject any future advances from Chelsea. The Manchester United target has been linked with many top clubs over the past 12 months, but a former Cameroon star thinks Liverpool would be his best fit. United are reportedly weighing up a move for the 21-year-old box-to-box star this summer after a breakout campaign on the south coast. However, Brighton are understood to be seeking a fee of around £104million for the player, who is also attracting interest from Manchester City. Former Cameroon striker Bernard Tchoutang represented the country on 42 occasions, winning the African Nations Cup in 2000. And he has told his compatriot that a move to United's greatest nemeses would suit him the most, but thinks Chelsea should be avoided at all costs. "For me, Liverpool is the club that would suit him best," Tchoutang told AfricaFoot earlier this year. "And I'm not just saying that because they're by far the best team in the Premier League this season and one of the strongest in Europe. " Arne Slot 's system of play would suit him very well. The Reds like to attack, press and make quick transitions. We also know that this is a club that knows how to trust young players and give them responsibility. "As for Chelsea, I'm not sure it would be a good choice. The team is having a decent season, but it's a step below Liverpool or Arsenal. And I think that Baleba has what it takes to play for one of the best teams in England! He's ready for it and he's working hard for it." Chelsea and Liverpool are not actively being linked with the midfielder, but have shown interest in him in the past. United are thought to be Baleba's biggest admirers considering a deal this summer, though the club are aware that agreeing a transfer for him will be incredibly difficult. Baleba joined Brighton from Lille in the summer of 2023 as part of a £23.m deal. Fast forward two years, and Fabian Hurzeler's side are reportedly hoping to fetch almost four times that amount if they're to part ways with the player this summer. It seems highly unlikely Ruben Amorim 's side will be able to compete for Baleba's signature this summer on the current terms. United have agreed a £74m deal to sign Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig, which would take their summer spending to just north of £200m, and have already ruled out using Toby Collyer in a swap deal to save them some money up front. Liverpool, meanwhile, appear unlikely to move for a new midfielder after the quartet of Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Dzobozslai, Ryan Gravenberch and Curtis Jones helped fire them to Premier League glory last season. They've also got Stefan Bajcetic back following his loan at Las Palmas, though reports suggest a loan move to Celtic could be in the offing. As for Chelsea, their midfield also appears settled as the likes of Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia look set to rule the roost. The Blues were also hit with £78.5m in UEFA fines, £51m of which is suspended, just last month for failing to comply with spending restrictions. Worryingly for United, that could leave City in the best position to meet Brighton's demands and sign Baleba this summer. Pep Guardiola already recruited £46m Tijjani Reijnders to replace Kevin De Bruyne, though City's summer spending has been relatively modest compared to some rivals, while Brighton are said to be extremely reluctant to cash in on him at the moment.
The Star
29-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Blue Sharks can't wait to sink their jaws into Malaysia
PETALING JAYA: Cape Verde head coach Pedro Brito, better known as Bubista, says playing Malaysia is more than just a friendly — it's a vital part of his team's road to the 2026 World Cup. The Blue Sharks, currently ranked 75th in the world and pushing for qualification to their first-ever World Cup, are in Kuala Lumpur for two matches against Malaysia – at the Cheras Football Stadium today and at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil (June 3). The African side see the games against the Harimau Malaya as a valuable and different challenge. 'We like to play two very good games. It would be a good preparation for us and also for Malaysia who have a big game against Vietnam,' said Brito during a press conference at the Cheras Football Stadium in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. 'We want to experience different kinds of football that these nations can present. With more experience, we are closer to our target which is the World Cup in 2026.' This will be the first meeting between Cape Verde and Malaysia, and for a small island nation from West Africa with a population of just over half a million, every international exposure counts. 'We are playing Malaysia for the first time. It's a different challenge. It is important to play against different teams. It is an opportunity for us to see how we can adapt to various styles,' said the 54-year-old Brito. Cape Verde have been steadily rising in the global football scene. They reached the quarter-finals at the 2023 African Nations Cup and regularly compete with top African sides. Despite having players based across Europe and the Americas, Brito believes the test against Malaysia comes at a good time – not only for tactical development but also for integrating young talents. 'We have many young players, some first-timers, so it is important for them too. 'The ranking doesn't matter as we are seeking a challenge from the match.' Ranked more than 56 places above Malaysia (No. 131), Cape Verde could have opted for stiffer tests in Europe or Africa but the decision to travel to South-East Asia was intentional - to face a different kind of footballing culture and continue building their identity on the global stage.
BBC News
12-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Former Nigeria captain and coach Christian don die at di age of 74
Former Super Eagles captain and head coach Christian Chukwu don die at di age of 74 on Saturday 12 April. Di Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) announce dis informate on Saturday. "Di Nigeria Football Federation don express deep sorrow afta e dey confirmed say Christian Chukwuemeka Chukwu, wey bin captain Nigeria1980 Africa Cup of Nations-winning squad and later coach di team, bin die for im native city of Enugu on Saturday. Im be di first Nigerian captain to lift di African Nations Cup trophy afta a 3–0 victory over Algeria for di final of di 1980 tournament for Lagos. Chukwu bin assist Dutch coach Clemens Westerhof wen Nigeria win a second Afcon title for 1994 en route to di country's maiden appearance at di 1994 USA World Cup. Di Enugu-born legend bin also lead di Super Eagles to a third-place finish at di 2004 Africa Cup of Nations for Tunisia. We dey update dis tori
