Benin return with ambitions of surpassing their 2019 breakthrough, Botswana enter only their second finals seeking credibility, DR Congo draw on deep tournament pedigree, and Senegal arrive as recent champions determined to reassert their continental influence.
Cameroon have sacked Belgian coach Marc Brys and dropped Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) from December 21 in Morocco.
Nigeria enter with historic weight and a squad built for a deep run, while Tanzania arrive on the back of unprecedented progress.
Egypt enter AFCON 2025 as perennial contenders with unmatched continental pedigree, while Bafana Bafana arrive buoyed by renewed stability and recent qualification success.
Morocco enter the Africa Cup of Nations as hosts and group favourites, returning to the continental stage with strong form and a deep, experienced squad.
Chelsea slugged it out with Premier League leaders Arsenal in a fiery 1-1 draw that set the stage for a gripping title battle. Alexander Isak finally produced a riposte to critics branding him an expensive flop, while Thomas Frank’s problems mounted at Tottenham.
Mikel Merino rescued Arsenal as the Premier League leaders battled to a 1-1 draw against 10-man Chelsea in a heavyweight title clash, while Alexander Isak finally scored his first top-flight goal for troubled Liverpool in a 2-0 win at West Ham on Sunday.
Phil Foden spared Manchester City’s blushes after the Premier League title challengers blew a two-goal lead in a dramatic 3-2 victory over Leeds, while Tottenham boss Thomas Frank’s problems mounted in a 2-1 defeat to Fulham on Saturday.
Dani Olmo struck twice for Barcelona to take the Catalans provisionally top of La Liga with a 3-1 win over Alaves on Saturday.
Luis Diaz scored in stoppage time to help Bayern Munich bounce back from Wednesday’s Champions League loss to Arsenal in a 3-1 comeback victory at home to St Pauli on Saturday.