Ivorian attacker Wilfred Zaha out of trip to Everton

Ivorian attacker Wilfred Zaha out of trip to Everton

Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson has confirmed that Wilfried Zaha picked up a knee injury in the draw during the match against Newcastle United.

The Ivorian international will not be part of the Palace trip to Everton on Saturday.

Hodgson told club’s website: “We don’t know how long he is out for, that is the bottom line and it’s amazing he was able to play so long in the game with the injury.”

“The good news for us is that he is a very quick healer, he and the medical staff will work very hard to get him back on the field as soon as possible.”

The Palace boss added: “The doctors won’t give you a time frame, they won’t be put under that pressure if he recovers in a week or two it would be a fantastic effort from his point of view.”

He has scored four goals for Palace this season with the Eagles 14th in the Premier League.

The injury to Zaha follows Palace’s forward Bakary Sako being ruled out of the rest of the season with a fractured ankle and damaged ligaments, while Ruben Loftus-Cheek, on loan from Chelsea, is also out.

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#CHAN2018: Host Morocco Crowned Champions

#CHAN2018: Host Morocco Crowned Champions

Host and tournament favourite, Morocco thrashed Nigeria 4-0 in the final on Sunday to claim the African Nations Championship (CHAN) at a packed Complexe Mohamed V in Casablanca at a packed Complexe Mohamed V in Casablanca.

A brace from Zakaria Hadraf and a goal each from Walid El Karti and Ayoub El Kaabi were enough for the Moroccans as they won their first major continental title since the 1976 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Atlas Lions become the fourth different winner of the Chan, joining DR Congo, Tunisia and Libya on the honours board after they overpowered the Super Eagles, who played most of the second half with just 10 men.

Read Full Article Host Morocco Crowned Champions

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Sudan win on penalties to earn CHAN third spot

Sudan win on penalties to earn CHAN third spot

Sudan beat Libya 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 play-off draws in Marrakech on Saturday.

The result means the Falcons of Jediane ended up third for the second time in the African Nations Championship.

Sudan impressively took the lead on eight minutes when Walaa Eldin Musa headed in to break the deadlock.

The Libyans fought hard for their equaliser just six minutes to the end with a goal from Salem Ablo.

Another bronze medal for Sudan at the CHAN finals after they were third when they hosted the tournament in 2011, while Libya were champions three years later.

Morocco host Nigeria Sunday in an eagerly anticipated final at the 65,000-capacity Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca with a record $1.25 million (about one million euros) first prize at stake.

Total man of the Match: Mohamed Taher (Sudan)

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Konyaspor unveil Samuel Eto’o at Metropolitan Municipal ceremoney

Konyaspor unveil Samuel Eto’o at Metropolitan Municipal ceremoney

Former Cameroon striker Samuel Eto’o, who joined struggling Turkish top-flight side Konyaspor was unveiled at the Metropolitan Municipal Stadium on Wednesday.

The 36-year-old signed on a two-and-a-half year deal on 31 January 2018, after leaving Antalyaspor by mutual consent.

President Fatih Yilmaz told club’s website: “We have strengthened our team by adding Samuel Eto’o. Eto’o is going to be a very important for us and in Turkey. We are very happy to see him in Konya.

The African and Cameroon legend reiterated he was pleased to join the Turkish bottom club side.

The former Barcelona and Chelsea striker said: “First of all I am very grateful to you all. I thank the managers for inviting me here.”

“There is someone I want to thank you here for Aydin Tekin. He urged me to Antalya, Turkey. I would like to thank Menderes Bey, the President of Antalya, as a father. I am very grateful to all of you.

“To all the managers, employees, fans at the club, some people will have difficulty understanding it, but I believe they will understand me. I would like to thank our Chairman and our Administrators,”

The veteran last played Antalyaspor between 2015 -2018 where he scored 44 goals in 77 appearances, for Konyaspor league rivals.

He is the all-time leading scorer for his country Cameroon with 54-goals won back-to-back Africa Cup of Nations titles with his country at the 2000 and 2002 editions.

The former Inter Milan, Sampdoria and Everton striker is also the leading all-time scorer in the Nations Cup with 18 goals and he appeared at four World Cup finals – 1998, 2002, 2010 and 2014 – playing in eight matches and scoring three goals.

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#CHAN2018 Nigeria to face Morocco in final

#CHAN2018 Nigeria to face Morocco in final

Nigeria narrowly defeated Sudan 1-0 on Wednesday to set up a cracking contest against hosts Morocco in the final of the 2018 African Nations Championship on Sunday.

Gabriel Okechukwu scored the local Eagles only goal in the 16th minutes as Coach Salisu Yusuf side will slug it out with Morocco the host of the biennial tournament.

Nigeria’s Total Man of the Match: Gabriel Okechukwu.

In the first semi-finals, hosts Morocco beat North African neighbours 3-1 to overcome a resilient Libyan side to book their spot in the final.

A brace from Ayoub El Kaabi and one from Walid El Karti was enough for host Morocco to see off Libya in Casablanca.

“It was really hard for both sides. They (Sudan) pushed us to the wall, especially after the red card,” Coach Yusuf Salisu told cafonline.com

“We tried to go on the counter-attack and make the defence compact defence so as not to give spaces for them at the back.

“They had some good moments but we defeated them in the end.

“For the game against Morocco, every team is beatable. If we do the right things, why not! We can beat Morocco,” he passionately added.

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Sudan down Zambia to reach #CHAN2018 Semis

Sudan down Zambia to reach #CHAN2018 Semis

Sudan managed to hold their nerves as they narrowly defeated one of the tournament favourites Zambia 1-0 in Saturday’s quarterfinals in Marrakech, to reach the semis of the 2018 African Nations Championship (Chan).

Saifeldin Bakhit accounted for the Sudanese only goal on 32 minutes as they continue their fairytale run in the competition.

The Falcons of Jediane will play in the second semi-final – in Marrakech on January 31 – after Morocco booked their spot in the final four with a 2-0 victory over Namibia earlier on Saturday.

The Atlas Lions will meet either Congo-Brazzaville or Libya, who go head to head on Sunday.

Zambia played a lot of attractive football during the first half in Marrakech, but for all their pretty build-up, they lacked the penetration to truly trouble the Sudanese.

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