SPORTS

Milan, Italy | AFP |  A tearful Gianluigi Buffon quit international football as four-time champions Italy sensationally missed out on their first World Cup finals in 60 years after a playoff defeat to Sweden on Monday. Coach Gian Piero Ventura also said he would consider his future after the Azzuri …

Johannesburg, South Africa | AFP | Rwanda filled the final place at the 2018 African Nations Championship (CHAN) Sunday despite only drawing 0-0 in Kigali against Ethiopia in the second leg of a play-off. The Rwandans qualified 3-2 on aggregate having won the first leg by that score in Addis Ababa …

Paris, France | AFP | Kylian Mbappe insisted his Paris Saint-Germain team-mate Neymar is “human like everyone else” after the Brazilian was reduced to tears on Friday by the controversy that has followed him since his arrival from Barcelona. A tearful Neymar pleaded with the media to stop the “false …

?? Congo 1-1 Uganda ?? (Goal Milton Karisa ) ??  Ghana  1-1  Egypt ?? Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT & AFP | Uganda ended their 2018 World Cup qualification campaign with a draw away in Brazaville courtesy of a first half goal by Milton Karisa. Marvin Baudry gave the home team an early lead that was …

THIS WEEK: Airtel resumes Cranes’ sponsorship Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Airtel Uganda has resumed sponsorship of the National Football team – the Cranes sponsorship with Shs10billion. This meant that the Telecom Company has renewed its ongoing partnership with the Federation of Uganda Football Association (FUFA) as the official sponsor …

Athens, Greece | AFP | Samuel Kalalei won the 35th Athens Classic Marathon on Sunday as Kenyan runners dominated the gruelling, largely uphill course by sweeping the top five places in the men’s race. The 23-year-old crossed the line in two hours, 12 minutes and 17 seconds, ahead of Milton Kiplagat …

Johannesburg, South Africa | AFP |  North African nations Morocco and Tunisia took contrasting routes Saturday as they qualified for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Morocco scored twice within five minutes through Nabil Dirar and Medhi Benatia during the opening half to triumph 2-0 in the Ivory Coast and …

Moscow, Russia | AFP | The Russian government said Friday it was shortening the academic year at universities in some cities hosting the 2018 World Cup to make room in dormitories for police. The decision drew protests from the country’s largest student union and underscored the concern Russia devotes to …

London, United Kingdom | AFP |  England debutants Jordan Pickford and Ruben Loftus-Cheek caught the eye as Gareth Southgate’s injured-ravaged side played out a 0-0 draw with world champions Germany in Friday’s Wembley friendly. Everton goalkeeper Pickford, 23, made a number of smart saves, while 21-year-old Chelsea midfielder Loftus-Cheek, who …

Johannesburg, South Africa | AFP |  English Premier League pair Diafra Sakho and Sadio Mane played key roles as Senegal defeated South Africa 2-0 in Polokwane Friday to qualify for the 2018 World Cup. West Ham striker Sakho opened the scoring off a pass from Liverpool attacker Mane and both …