SPORTS

Nairobi, Kenya | AFP | Zanzibar reached the semi-finals of the Cecafa Cup on Saturday after holding Kenya to a goalless draw in their Cecafa Cup Group A clash in Machakos. Both teams missed opportunities to collect three points, with the hosts having the dominant possession for the better of …

Los Angeles, United States | AFP | The United States Olympic Committee said Friday 2030 was the preferred option as it eyes a bid for the Winter Olympics. USOC chief executive Scott Blackmun said US officials were tilting away from a bid for the Winter Olympics in 2026. The United States …

COSAFA U20: Swaziland 2  ?? Uganda 2 CECAFA: South Sudan 1  ?? Uganda 5 Kitwe, Zambia | INDEPENDENT & AFP | Swaziland threw group A of the COSAFA Under-20 Championships open by picking their first point in 2-2 draw with highly fancied Uganda. While the result kept Uganda top of the group, they …

London, United Kingdom | AFP | Liverpool playmaker Philippe Coutinho has refused to commit his future to the Premier League club, saying he does not know whether he will be the subject of a transfer bid in January. Barcelona made repeated efforts during the summer window to land the Brazil international …

Paris, France | AFP |  Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo won a record-equalling fifth Ballon d’Or award for the year’s best player on Thursday. The Real Madrid forward’s second successive win draws him level alongside Barcelona rival Lionel Messi on five Ballon d’Ors, after beating the Argentinian and Brazilian Neymar. ?⚽ …

Madrid, Spain | AFP | Portugal’s favourite son Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to collect a record-equalling fifth Ballon d’Or on Thursday, but the Real Madrid star is not the only Portuguese footballer to be crowned the best in the world. The lesser known Ricardinho and Madjer have dominated their respective disciplines …

Madrid, Spain | AFP | Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane admitted injuries will force him into patching up a makeshift defence for Saturday’s visit of Sevilla after Raphael Varane joined an increasing list of absentees. The French international limped off holding his left leg as Madrid edged out Borussia Dortmund …

Liverpool, United Kingdom | AFP | Jurgen Klopp urged his Liverpool players not to succumb to the hype generated by their own scintillating performances after they crushed Spartak Moscow to reach the Champions League knockout rounds. Liverpool’s ‘Fab Four’ shone in a 7-0 trouncing of Spartak on Wednesday, with Philippe …

Madrid, Spain | AFP | Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player to ever score in all six Champions League group games in one season as Real Madrid edged out a dispirited Borussia Dortmund 3-2 on Wednesday. Lucas Vazquez grabbed the winner nine minutes from time for the European champions, who …

Zambia ?? 0-2 ??Uganda Kitwe, Zambia | COSAFA U20 MEDIA | Striker Muhammad Shaban scored a brace of goals as East African guest nation Uganda stunned holders and hosts Zambia with a 2-0 victory in their Group A opener at the 2017 Mopani Copper Mines COSAFA Under-20 Championships in Kitwe …