The North Africans will go toe to toe today in the 2021 FIFA Arab Cup final group match to seal the top spot in Group D at the Al Janoub Stadium.

The two sides share the same points, goal difference, goals scored and even fair play points. 

The victors will finish on top of the group, while a draw means that tie-breakers will be used to determine the group winners.

“Now, we need to rest and prepare to face Algeria. Both teams performed well. It is time to decide who will end up at the top of the group,” said Egypt, Carlos Queiroz after his team’s big victory on Saturday night against Sudan (5-0). 

In the first match, Egypt managed a 1-0 win over Lebanon Al Thumama Stadium, Mohamed Afsha scored the only goal. Their second was a 5-0 win over Sudan.

In the same group, Algeria thrashed Sudan 4-0 and won their second game 2-0 over Lebanon as they progressed to the quarter-final stage. 

The Desert Warriors are unbeaten in 37 international games tonight will be crucial to test in their unbeaten campaign.

According to coach Carlos Queiroz, the Pharaohs will have to go into the game without one of their most important players in Al Ahly attacking midfielder Mohamed Magdy Afsha.

In his pre-match interview, he confirmed that Afsha isn’t 100% fit due to a minor injury and prefers to sit him out for this game.

Morocco, Egypt and Algeria have secured their spots in the quarter-finals of the FIFA Arab Cup. 

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Trevoh Chalobah was injured in Chelsea 2-1 win over Watford on Wednesday night at Vicarage Road Stadium.

The In-form defender is a doubt for the Blues tough trip to West Ham, their fifth London derby of the season on Saturday, after limping off on Wednesday.

Chalobah, 22, was replaced by Hakim Ziyech an hour into the match, with the Moroccan scoring the match-winner for the visitors. 

The Sierra Leone-born has added to the Premier League leaders long injury list alongside notable absentees N’Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic and Ben Chilwell, whilst Reece James missed the trip to Watford.

He appeared to have suffered hamstring after he moved into midfield in the second half before limping off.

The defender after the game posted on Twitter that God is in control and he will be back soon. “Jehovah is in control, back soon.”

Chelsea have won their last seven London derbies conceded just one goal, but the trip to the London Stadium is set to be a tricky task. 

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Reigning African champions Al Ahly will start their Club World Cup journey in the second round, where they will face CONCACAF Champions League champions CF Monterrey. 

The winner between giants Al Ahly and Mexico’s Monterrey will face Copa Libertadores champions, Palmeiras of Brazil, for a place in the final.

The tournament, which was initially scheduled to take place between December 9-19, 2021, has been rescheduled to February next year.

Fifa announced that the Club World Cup will run from 3 to 12 February 2022 in the United Arab Emirates as original hosts Japan pulled out due to concerns around the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Red Devils have previously faced their Mexican counterpart twice in the tournament. In 2012, during the third-place playoff, Monterrey came out victorious 2-0. The following year, in the fifth-place decider, Al Ahly suffered a 5-1 thumping. 

Meanwhile, Premier League leaders and European champions Chelsea will play Al Hilal, Al Jazira or Auckland City in semis.

Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Hilal cut being named victors of the 2021 AFC Champions League, Egypt’s Al Ahly through the CAF Champions League and Mexico’s Monterrey through the CONCACAF Champions League. 

The tournament six teams are as follows: 

Chelsea – UEFA Champions League winners

Al Hilal – AFC Champions League winners

Al Ahly – CAF Champions League winners

Monterrey – CONCACAF Champions League winners

Auckland City – OFC representatives

Al Jazira Club – UAE Pro League winners

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The Confederation of African Football, CAF has on Tuesday unveiled the official match ball of the Africa Cup of Nations next year in Cameroon.

The tournament is set to run from 9 January to 6 February 2022. The Indomitable Lions of Cameroon will kick the competition off against Burkina-Faso at the Olembe Stadium in Yaoundé.

“As part of the countdown to Africa’s biggest sporting event, CAF yesterday announced the launch of the official match ball for the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations,” CAF stated.

The new official match ball, named “Toghu” after the traditional outfit that is very popular in Cameroon, will be used by the 24 teams during the 52 matches to be played at the competition between 09 January 2022 and 06 February 2022.

Victor Osimhen was operated on this morning by Prof. Tartaro, assisted by dr. Mario Santagata on his fractured cheekbones, the Italian club have confirmed.

SSC Napoli says his prognosis is estimated to be around 90 days.  As a result, he is set to miss the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.

The Super Eagles striker, who is Napoli’s top scorer this season with nine goals in 14 appearances, was substituted in the 52nd minute following a nasty clash of heads with Inter’s Milan Skriniar.

“Titanium plates and screws were used in the operation,” said a statement on the Napoli website.

“The player is doing well and will remain under observation for the next few days.”

His injury will serve as a devastating blow for the Serie A leaders, who top the table by goal difference after 13 games.

Connect with us @football_sierra, on Facebook/ Instagram Football Sierra Leone, writer Lamin Turay in Freetown.