Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

Ronwen Williams saves the spot-kick of Mischack Elia

AFCON: South Africa secure third place after shootout

South Africa claimed third place in the Africa Cup of Nations, beating DR Congo 6-5 in a tense penalty shootout after surviving a second-half onslaught in a 0-0 draw.

Soccer • 11 Feb 24

Sebastien Haller scored the only goal of the game after spurning a number of earlier chances

AFCON: Haller strike sends hosts Ivory Coast to final

Sebastien Haller fired hosts Ivory Coast into the final of the Africa Cup of Nations and to within one match of the ultimate redemption after beating DR Congo 1-0.

Soccer • 07 Feb 24

Nigeria's players celebrate after their penalty shootout victory

AFCON: Nigeria beat South Africa in penalty shootout

Nigeria reached an eighth Africa Cup of Nations final after winning a drama-fuelled last-four clash with South Africa 4-2 on penalties.

Soccer • 07 Feb 24

Nigeria players celebrate Ademola Lookman's winner against Angola

AFCON: Nigeria and DR Congo march on to semi-finals

Nigeria edged past Angola 1-0 to reach the Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals thanks to a first-half goal from Ademola Lookman, while DR Congo also advanced after they came from a goal behind to beat Guinea 3-1.

Soccer • 02 Feb 24

Ryan Mendes converted from the spot late on

AFCON: Lopes and Cape Verde march on, Senegal crash out

Ryan Mendes converted a late penalty as Cape Verde, with Roberto 'Pico' Lopes again lining out in defence, beat Mauritania 1-0 to seal their place in the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations, but the holders Senegal are out after losing on penalties to Ivory Coast.

Soccer • 30 Jan 24

DR Congo players celebrate their shootout victory over Egypt

AFCON: Penalty heartache for Egypt; Guinea snatch win

Egypt suffered more Africa Cup of Nations shoot-out heartache as goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi scored the winning penalty to send DR Congo through to the quarter-finals.

Soccer • 28 Jan 24

Ademola Lookman opens the scoring for Nigeria against Cameroon

AFCON: Lookman double puts Nigeria into last eight

Ademola Lookman's brace ensured Nigeria a place in next weekend's Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals as they beat long-standing foes Cameroon 2-0 in the last 16 on Saturday.

Soccer • 27 Jan 24

Morocco's Hakim Ziyech (R) scored the only goal at the Africa Cup of Nations on Wednesday

Updated AFCON: Morocco, South Africa and Namibia into last 16

Morocoo, South Africa, DR Congo and Namibia all advanced to the Africa Cup of Nations last 16 with Tunisia, Zambia and Tanzania crashing out.

Soccer • 24 Jan 24

Mauritania's midfielder #8 Bodda Mouhsine

Updated AFCON: Mauritania make history as Algeria exit

Algeria crashed out of the Africa Cup of Nations as Mohamed Dellahi's first-half goal proved enough to earn Mauritania a shock 1-0 win – their first in the history of the tournament – and a ticket to the last 16.

Soccer • 23 Jan 24

Mohamed Salah returned to Liverpool for treatment

Don't question Salah's loyalty to Egypt, says Lijnders

Liverpool's assistant manager Pep Lijnders has insisted Mohamed Salah's commitment should never be doubted after his imminent return from the Africa Cup of Nations to have treatment on a hamstring injury provoked criticism.

Soccer • 23 Jan 24

Hughton in the firing line as Ghana exit looks imminent

Ghana coach Chris Hughton is in the firing line after their participation at the Africa Cup of Nations looks to be at an end after a third group game without a win.

Soccer • 23 Jan 24

Guinea ask fans to tone down celebrations after six die

The Guinean Football Federation and national team have asked fans to tone down their celebrations after six people were killed following a 1-0 win over Gambia at the Africa Cup of Nations on Friday.

Soccer • 22 Jan 24

Mohamed Salah watched Egypt's training session in Abidjan, Ivory Coast on Sunday

Salah will return to Liverpool for treatment on injury

The Egyptian FA has confirmed that Mohamed Salah will return to Liverpool for treatment on the muscle issue he sustained at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Soccer • 21 Jan 24

Achraf Hakimi (L) opened the scoring for the Atlas Lions but Silas (C) ensured DR Congo got their second draw at the tournament

AFCON: Favourites Morocco held, big South Africa win

Morocco scored early but the pre-tournament favourites had to share the points in a 1-1 draw with the Democratic Republic of Congo in their Africa Cup of Nations Group F clash.

Soccer • 21 Jan 24

Baghdad Bounedjah was the key man for the Desert Foxes with a brace

AFCON: Algeria snatch draw, Angola win thriller

Algeria netted a stoppage-time equaliser to avoid defeat at the Africa Cup of Nations in a 2-2 draw with Burkina Faso in Group D.

Soccer • 20 Jan 24

Shamrock Rovers defender Roberto 'Pico' Lopes (l) helped Cape Verde keep a clean sheet

AFCON: Pico, Cape Verde and Senegal coast into last 16

Shamrock Rovers defender Roberto 'Pico' Lopes played his part as Cape Verde beat Mozambique 3-0 to book their place in the last 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations.

Soccer • 19 Jan 24

Mohamed Salah reacts after suffering an apparent hamstring injury

AFCON: Salah injured in draw between Egypt and Ghana

Egypt captain Mohamed Salah was forced off with an injury before his side twice came from behind to draw 2-2 with Ghana in the Africa Cup of Nations, while Emilio Nsue scored a rare hat-trick in the competition as Equatorial Guinea roared to a 4-2 win over Guinea-Bissau.

Soccer • 18 Jan 24

Romain Saiss opened the scoring for Morocco

AFCON: Tournament favourites Morocco make winning start

Goals from Romain Saiss, Azzedine Ounahi and Youssef En-Nesyri fired Morocco to a 3-0 win over Tanzania in a one-sided Africa Cup of Nations opener.

Soccer • 17 Jan 24

Hughton thankful for support after attack from fan

Ghana coach Chris Hughton said he was thankful for messages of support received after an angry supporter tried to attack him at the Africa Cup of Nations over the weekend but preferred not to dwell on the incident on Wednesday.

Soccer • 17 Jan 24

AFCON: Burkina Faso and Mali win, Namibia stun Tunisia

Bertrand Traore scored a late penalty as Burkina Faso snatched a 1-0 victory over Mauritania in their Africa Cup of Nations opener, while Namibia saw off Tunisia on the same scoreline to record their first-ever win in the competition.

Soccer • 18 Jan 24

Lamine Camara (C) celebrates with Sadio Mane

AFCON: Senegal cruise to win, Cameroon and Algeria held

Senegal began their Africa Cup of Nations title defence with a 3-0 victory over 10-man Gambia.

Soccer • 18 Jan 24

Cape Verde's Rodrigues celebrates scoring late winner

AFCON: Joy for Lopes as Cape Verde shock Ghana

Mo Salah scored a stoppage-time penalty as Egypt salvaged a 2-2 draw with Mozambique in their opening Africa Cup of Nations game.

Soccer • 18 Jan 24

L-R: Jean-Philippe Krasso, Ibrahim Sangare and Jonathan Bamba celebrate Ivory Coast's second goal

Hosts Ivory Coast kick off AFCON with comfortable win

Ivory Coast's Seko Fofana and Jean-Philippe Krasso scored in each half as the hosts completed a 2-0 Group A victory over Guinea Bissau in the Africa Cup of Nations opening game played in energy-sapping humidity on Saturday.

Soccer • 13 Jan 24

Mohamed Salah in action for Egypt against Tanzania ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations

In-form Salah brings confidence to attack-minded Egypt

Egypt hope a new attacking approach will bear fruit as they launch a fresh bid to win a record-extending eighth Africa Cup of Nations title in the Ivory Coast, putting behind them the disappointment of two recent near misses.

Soccer • 11 Jan 24

Morocco reached the semi-finals of the Qatar World Cup

Morocco under pressure to repeat World Cup heroics

Morocco set new standards for African football just over 12 months ago at the Qatar World Cup but the pressure is now on to improve a dismal record in the Africa Cup of Nations, which kicks off on Saturday.

Soccer • 10 Jan 24