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Senegal parades AFCON trophy at match in France despite being stripped of title

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Senegal on Saturday paraded the Africa Cup of Nations trophy they have been ordered to return before beating Peru 2-0 in a friendly at the Stade de France in Paris.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) on March 17 reversed Senegal’s 1-0 final victory over Morocco in Rabat on January 18 and awarded a 3-0 victory to the hosts.

On Saturday, Senegal captain Kalidou Coulibaly and his teammates came onto the pitch with the AFCON trophy for a lap of honour after a pre-match concert by Senegalese superstar Youssou Ndour.

Coulibaly and goalkeeper Edouard Mendy went up to the stadium’s presidential box to place the trophy there in front of Abdoulaye Fall, the president of the Senegalese Football Federation, among others.

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The AFCON final descended into chaos when Senegal players walked off in protest after the hosts were awarded a penalty late in second-half stoppage time.

The players were coaxed back onto the pitch by captain Sadio Mane. After Morocco’s Brahim Diaz missed the penalty, Pape Gueye scored in extra time to gave Senegal a 1-0 victory.

Read moreSenegal stripped of AFCON title: CAF ruling sets a ‘very dangerous’ precedent

CAF ruled that Senegal’s players had broken the rules by leaving the field without the referee’s permission.

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The Senegalese Football Federation lodged an appeal against the CAF decision with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Wednesday and has not given up on keeping the title.

‘Welcome to Saint-Denis’

A crowd of 70,000 was expected for the match at 1600 GMT on Saturday. Thousands of Senegalese supporters, sprinkled with Peruvian fans, were already in the Stade de France by the time the players showed off their trophy.

Earlier, nearly 200 Senegal supporters gathered in front of the nearby Basilica of Saint-Denis before making their way to the Stade de France to the sound of traditional drums and percussion.

Bally Bagayoko, the new-elected mayor of Saint-Denis, briefly joined the procession.

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“Welcome to Saint-Denis,” said the mayor. “I wanted to thank everyone who organised this wonderful initiative.”

“You are the pride of the residents of working-class neighbourhoods. We have often been discriminated against and often looked down upon.”

“You are showing that you are capable, at such an important moment, of coming together. Today, Africa is united. Everyone behind Senegal.”

The friendly against Peru was due to be the Lions of Teranga’s first match since the Africa Cup of Nations final.

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They are preparing for the World Cup where they have been pitted in a group with France, Norway and either Bolivia or Iraq.

Their squad on Saturday was almost identical to the one that competed in the Africa Cup of Nations. 

(FRANCE 24 with AFP)

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Rangers Fight Back to Beat Enyimba 2-1 in Oriental Derby

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Rangers International came from behind to beat Enyimba 2-1 in a tense Nigeria Premier Football League Matchday 35 Oriental derby at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium.

The match started slowly, but Rangers soon began to control the game. Ikechukwu Mgbemena tested Enyimba goalkeeper Kelvin Ogunga with a long-range effort.

The home side continued to push forward, with Oputa Chibueze delivering dangerous crosses and Waheed Adebayo trying his luck from outside the box.

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Despite the pressure, clear chances were few. Adebayo missed a big chance after beating several defenders, while Enyimba’s Williams Wonah made a strong run but was stopped at close range.

Enyimba took the lead early in the second half against the run of play. Wonah scored from distance with their first shot on target, the first time Rangers had gone behind at home this season.

Rangers reacted quickly. Chidozie Iwundu, who had earlier hit the post from a free-kick, scored the equaliser in the 61st minute after a poor clearance by Enyimba. It was his ninth goal of the season.

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The comeback was completed when substitute Igwilo Chimobi sent in a cross, and Ifeanyi Onyebuchi headed home to give Rangers the lead.

Adebayo missed a late chance to make it 3-1, but Rangers held on to secure the win and end a three-match winless run.

The victory moves Rangers to the top of the NPFL table with 59 points.

Enyimba, whose three-game unbeaten run ended, remain 12th with 43 points. Rangers will next travel to face Bayelsa United, while Enyimba will host Remo Stars in their next match.

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Coming off gem, Reid Detmers leads Angels vs. Jays

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MLB: Seattle Mariners at Los Angeles AngelsApr 3, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Los Angeles Angels pitcher Reid Detmers (48) delivers during the first inning against the Seattle Mariners at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Liang-Imagn Images

Los Angeles Angels left-hander Reid Detmers will try to build on one of the best starts of his career when he takes the mound Monday night against the defending American League champion Toronto Blue Jays in the opener of a three-game series in Anaheim, Calif.

Detmers (1-1, 3.57 ERA) comes off a 7-1 victory over the Yankees in New York last Tuesday. He allowed one run on four hits and no walks over seven innings while striking out nine, including reigning American League MVP Aaron Judge twice.

Detmers, who had a scheduled Sunday start against San Diego pushed back a day to recuperate, left after throwing 99 pitches, 69 for strikes.

“He pitched great,” Angels manager Kurt Suzuki told the Orange County Register. “Using all his pitches, mixing it up. I thought (catcher Logan O’Hoppe) did a great job mixing it up with that. He pitched to all quadrants of the strike zone and attacked and kept them on their heels. It was awesome.”

“It was one of those games where everything felt good,” Detmers said. “Heater command was pretty good, but the changeup was really good. I was able to get the changeup in the zone, get some swings and misses, and it kind of freed everything else up.”

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Four of his nine strikeouts came on changeups that hovered around 85 mph.

“That changeup is the best I’ve seen from him,” said teammate Mike Trout, who got a good view of it from center field.

Detmers is 1-1 with a 4.76 ERA in six career appearances (three starts) against Toronto. He will face a Blue Jays team that has struggled offensively but erupted for eight first-inning runs Sunday in a 10-4 victory at Arizona.

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Toronto, which had scored a total of seven runs in four straight losses heading into the contest, started the game with eight straight batters reaching base, tying a franchise record accomplished twice before.

The first seven batters all reached base with hits, including Kazuma Okamoto’s two-run double and Nathan Lukes’ bases-loaded double to cap the outburst. Toronto had been just 1-for-20 with the bases loaded.

“That’s what we were missing, stringing the hits together and then hitting with runners in scoring position at that time,” Lukes said. “It was huge. It’s that little nudge that we needed, and we’ve just got to use it going forward.”

Toronto manager John Schneider credited a better approach at the plate for the big offensive turnaround.

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“I feel like for the past week or so, there have been pitchers pitching us deliberately on the edges and us not making great quality of contact,” Schneider said. “Today, I thought we did a really good job of forcing (Arizona starter Ryne Nelson) into the middle of the zone, whether it was early or later in the count. That’s what we’re talking about, having a little bit of intent when it is where you can handle it.”

Jays right-hander Dylan Cease (0-0, 1.74) is 1-2 with a 3.49 ERA in seven career starts against Los Angeles, and has struggled in four career starts at Angel Stadium, compiling a 0-2 record and 4.98 ERA.

–Field Level Media

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Barcelona youngster still not back in group training, a doubt for Celta Vigo clash

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After a week-long break, FC Barcelona will be back in action on Wednesday when they take on Celta Vigo at the Spotify Camp Nou in La Liga.

The break will have done the squad some good, allowing them to put behind the disappointment of the Champions League exit and focus on securing the La Liga title in the coming weeks.

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However, as things stand, it appears that Barcelona will go into Wednesday’s game without one of the club’s most precocious young talents – Marc Bernal.

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Indeed, according to SPORT, Bernal has still not returned to training with the group. The midfielder continues his recovery from the ankle injury that has kept him out for two weeks and, for now, has not yet resumed work on the pitch alongside his teammates.

As such, he is now seen as a doubt for the game against Celta Vigo on Wednesday.

Still not back in training. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Bernal was injured in the La Liga match against Atletico Madrid last month after suffering a sprain to his left ankle.

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Although the club’s medical staff initially estimated an absence of around ten days for the teenage midfielder, Barcelona have opted for a cautious approach and have avoided taking risks.

In fact, he was not even included in the matchday squad for the second leg of the CL quarter-finals against the Colchoneros, despite travelling with the squad – a clear indication that the coaching staff preferred not to take any chances.

Hansi Flick had already confirmed that no risks would be taken with him, as he is considered a key and essential player for the final stretch of the season, during which Barcelona aim to secure the La Liga title.

For now, Bernal continues to train separately, and his return to group sessions will have to wait.

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Iheanacho Shines as Celtic Reach Scottish Cup Final After Extra-Time Win

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Martin O’Neill praised Kelechi Iheanacho after Celtic fought back to beat St. Mirren 6-2 after extra time and reach the Scottish Cup final.

Celtic looked in full control early in the match at Hampden Park, taking a 2-0 lead through Daizen Maeda and Anthony Ralston.

However, St. Mirren responded in the second half as Mikael Mandron scored to reduce the gap. He then struck again in stoppage time to make it 2-2 and force extra time.

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Celtic took charge in the added 30 minutes, scoring four more goals to seal a 6-2 victory. Iheanacho was the star, scoring twice, while Luke McGowan and Benjamin Nygren also found the net.

After the match, O’Neill praised the Nigerian forward for his impact.

“Kelechi has had a great career,” he said. “He has had injury problems, but he looks sharp and wants to do well. I have praised him a lot in the dressing room.”

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Celtic will now face Dunfermline Athletic in next month’s final.

The game will see O’Neill come up against Neil Lennon, his former player, in a repeat of the 2007 final which Dunfermline lost 1-0.

O’Neill said Iheanacho’s goal in extra time changed the game.

“We found something in extra time, and his goal gave us belief again,” he added.

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Celtic’s strong finish ensured they moved into the final in style after an exciting eight-goal match.

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WrestleMania 42: Iyo Sky helps Rhea Ripley win WWE women’s title over Jade Cargill

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Rhea Ripley’s path back to the top of the women’s division was a long one, but on Sunday night, she survived the storm and recaptured the WWE Women’s Championship at WrestleMania 42.

Ripley won the Women’s Elimination Chamber match back in February to earn a shot at a title. She chose to set her sights on Jade Cargill’s championship. What transpired next was a war of words between the two goddess-like figures in the pro wrestling industry.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

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Rhea Ripley standing in the ring at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas

Rhea Ripley is introduced before the WWE Women’s Championship match against Jade Cargill during WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on April 19, 2026. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Cargill vowed to bring the disrespect to Ripley, even turning B-Fab and Michin against Ripley in the process. The match at WrestleMania was supposed to be a one-on-one match, but Michin and B-Fab got involved in the action.

Cargill had the advantage for most of the match. And just as the referee was going to throw Michin and B-Fab out, Iyo Sky came to the rescue. She hit a springboard moonsault on B-Fab and Michin.

‘DEMON’ FINN BALOR SETTLES SCORE WITH DOMINIK MYSTERIO AT WRESTLEMANIA 42

Jade Cargill standing in the ring before WWE Women's Championship match at Allegiant Stadium

Jade Cargill is introduced before the WWE Women’s Championship match against Rhea Ripley during WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev., on April 19, 2026. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Ripley hit Cargill with a headbutt and a Riptide. But she couldn’t get the pin on Cargill.

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Cargill hit Ripley with a boot, but it was almost to no avail. Ripley countered Cargill’s finisher, put her in the Riptide and pinned her for the win.

It marks the first WrestleMania loss for Cargill since she joined WWE.

Rhea Ripley standing in the ring at Allegiant Stadium

Rhea Ripley is introduced before the WWE Women’s Championship match against Jade Cargill during WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev., on April 19, 2026. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

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Ripley is now a two-time holder of the WWE Women’s Championship and a four-time women’s champion overall. Her last reign started on Night 2 of WrestleMania 37 when she defeated Asuka in Tampa, Florida.

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Hardik Pandya Grilled By Ex KKR Star: “When Was Your Last Match-Winning Knock?”

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Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya hasn’t had much going his way in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season. While MI are languishing at the bottom of the 10-team points table, Hardik hasn’t been able to create much impact on the field, be it with the bat or with the ball. The all-rounder has even had his captaincy skills questioned, including his inability to get the best out of Jasprit Bumrah, the finest fast bowler in the world. Ahead of MI’s clash against GT, former Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) star Aakash Chopra has asked Hardik when his last match-winning knock was for MI.

Hardik, widely considered as India’s most prominent pace-bowling all-rounder, has struggled this season. He has only scored 81 runs in 4 matches this campaign for Mumbai. Chopra, in a video on his YouTube channel, has asked some tough questions to the MI skipper.

“You have corrected the batting order now. I won’t talk about Surya because he played many match-winning knocks last time, but Hardik, I don’t remember when the last match-winning knock you played was. We have seen many good cameos, but that match-winning 70 or 80 runs where you win the match alone, Hardik is capable of that,” Chopra said.

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The former India opener also feels Mumbai need some fresh ideas to bring their campaign back on track. Chopra backed the promotion of Sherfane Rutherford to help MI overcome the current middle-order crisis.

“If you get less than that repeatedly, you think this is the time when Hardik does what he can do, because you are capable of doing that. They need fresh ideas and freshness, a little fearless approach, and Sherfane Rutherford should bat slightly up the order. All of that is required because the truth is that the five-time champions, the Mumbai Indians, are at No. 10 at this point in time,” he added.

At present, MI are placed 10th in the points table with just one win in 5 matches.


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Liv Morgan addresses Dominik Mysterio after his loss at WrestleMania 42

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Liv Morgan has addressed Dominik Mysterio’s loss to Finn Balor at WrestleMania 42. While Morgan was victorious against Stephanie Vaquer in Night 1, his Daddy Dom failed to beat Demon Finn.

The reigning AAA Mega Champion appeared confident ahead of his Street Fight against his former Judgment Day stablemate. However, The Demon had a different aura and energy that got Dirty Dom scrambling at the start.

Dominik Mysterio had several chances of getting the win over Finn Balor, but The Demon was on another level on Sunday night. He hit a devastating Shotgun Dropkick to Dominik while a chair was around his neck before putting him away with a Coup de Grace through a table.

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In a post on Instagram, Liv Morgan seemingly doesn’t care about the outcome of Dirty Dom’s match.

“Always a winner in my eyes 🫶✨ @dominik_35,” Morgan wrote.

It will be interesting to see what’s next for Dominik and Liv for Monday’s post-WrestleMania episode of Raw. Liv is expected to celebrate her championship win, but Dominik and JD McDonagh were unsuccessful in their respective WrestleMania matches.

McDonagh failed to capture the Intercontinental Championship in the Six-Pack Ladder Match on Sunday.


Why did WWE make Dominik Mysterio vs. Finn Balor match a Street Fight?

The initial match between Dominik Mysterio and Finn Balor at WrestleMania 42 was just a singles match. A week later, WWE announced that Balor will be using The Demon in the match, marking the return of his alter ego after nearly three years.

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Fast forward to Sunday, and WWE made another change to the match, making it a Street Fight. According to Fightful Select, the company decided to add a stipulation due to the number of singles matches on the card.

“Fightful Select has learned that the street fight stipulation was added to Finn Balor vs. Dominik Mysterio within the last week due to the number of singles matches on the Wrestlemania 42 card,” the report said.

There were six matches on Night 2 of WrestleMania 42, five of which were one-on-one matches. Three of the five were title matches, while the opener was Brock Lesnar vs. Oba Femi, so adding a stipulation to a heated rivalry like Dominik vs. Finn wasn’t too complicated to make.