15/12/2025

SPORTS MONDAY | DEC 15, 2025

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Elephants coach under fire … as Ivory Coast seek back-to-back Afcon titles C OACH Emerse Fae has defended several contentious squad decisions as Ivory Coast attempt to become the first Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) holders to defend All six mini-league winners and runners-up automatically advance to the round of 16 in Morocco. They will be joined by the best four third-placed teams.

Hamilton tells critics ‘you’re not on my level’ LEWIS HAMILTON says he would not even dignify his critics with a response despite suffering a poor debut season with Ferrari. The seven-time world cham pion said himself that his dream move had turned into a “night mare” and an already difficult year ended on a sour note as he recorded four consecutive Q1 exits in qualifying for the Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix, including the Sprint race in Losail. Hamilton insists he continues to believe that he can achieve his goal of challenging for the cham pionship in a Ferrari next year. However, his struggles in 2025 have let to some questioning whether the Brit, who turns 41 in January, is still at the peak of his powers. Asked what response he would give to those who doubt his chances, Hamilton remained defiant. He said: “I would not say anything to them. None of them have done what I have done, so they are not even on my level.” Hamilton has always worn his heart on his sleeve in the media pen but has this year given some of his most concerning inter views. At the Hungarian Grand Prix in August he called himself “absolutely useless” after qualify ing 12th and, at last month’s Las Vegas Grand Prix, said he felt “ter rible” and that he was enduring “the worst season ever” following a new career low of 20th and dead last on the grid. By that time he was very much ready for the end of the season and said after last Sunday’s finale in Abu Dhabi that he planned to “unplug from the matrix” for a while. Nevertheless, the Brit continues to insist that his love for F1 has not dimin ished. Asked what is keeping him going, Hamilton replied: “It is the love for what you do, it is the love for racing. I have got amazing support from people around me, my fans. It is that constant keep ing an eye on the dream. I still have a dream that I hold hope in my heart for and that is what I work towards.” With Hamilton having already been indirectly criticised in recent weeks by Ferrari chairman John Elkann, who chalked the team’s problems up to its drivers who he said should “focus on driving and talk less”, Sky Sports pundit Karun Chandhok said he can see the seven-time cham pion’s relationship with the team souring next year unless results improve. He said: “That picture of Lewis in front of Enzo Ferrari’s house, that was the statement of the season and we had so much opti mism based on the last part of Ferrari’s last season “We had China, the Sprint, and thought, ‘This could be magic, this could happen’, but from that Sunday in China it just fell apart. “Hopefully he will have a good reset and come back. “It is a make or break season, I think, for that relationship.” – Express Newspapers

factors have led to Nico not being on the list.” Fae did not reveal what factors led to former Arsenal striker Pepe being omitted despite good form in La Liga, where he won a player of the month award this season. Turning to Adingra, Fae said: “Simon is struggling to earn a starting spot at Sunderland. We had to do without his qualities when making our selection.” Former Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha has been recalled after a three-year absence having impressed for Major League Soccer outfit Charlotte. “His ability to beat defenders and his current form worked in his favour,” said Fae of an attacker who has scored 10 goals this season and created six more. “Ivory Coast can benefit from his experience and capability to create scoring opportunities for teammates.” Despite upheavals, Cameroon are likely to pose the greatest threat to Ivory Coast in Group F as Gabon have a suspect defence and Mozambique have never won an Afcon match in 15 attempts. Recently re-elected Cameroon national football federation president and former star Samuel Eto’o fired Belgian coach Marc Brys after his team last month failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. The pair had been at loggerheads since the government appointed Brys – a decision usually taken by football officials. David Pagou, who has coached local clubs, took over, and his squad announcement contained several shocks with Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana, who is currently on loan at Trabzonspor, and veteran forward Vincent Aboubakar axed. “We wanted to do things differently. They are good players, but we set our sights on others to create a different mindset,” said Pagou. Star Gabon striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang calls the section the “group of death. If you survive, it means you are capable of winning the Afcon.” – AFP

It is difficult to imagine the Ivorians not progressing to the knockout stage, and Fae is upbeat while answering critics of several selections. The exclusions of Villarreal forward Nicolas Pepe and Sunderland winger Simon Adingra were at the forefront of media criticism. “If we were to consider only the sporting aspect, he (Pepe) would be with us,” said Fae, a 41 year-old former Ivory Coast midfielder. “To make a list you have to take into account many factors, both on and off the field. All these

the title since Egypt did so 15 years ago. Since Egypt defeated Ghana in the 2010 final, there have been eight Afcon tournaments that produced seven different winning nations. The exception was Ivory Coast, who conquered Africa in 2015 after a penalty shootout with Ghana and triumphed again last year, coming from behind at home to edge Nigeria. The Elephants, whose first of three Afcon titles came in 1992, begin their defence against Mozambique on Dec 24 in Group F, then face five time champions Cameroon and Gabon.

Ivory Coast players celebrate with the trophy after winning the Afcon final against Nigeria in 2024. – REUTERSPIC

England ‘nowhere near’ their best: McCullum

Green says no complacency as Australia aim to seal Ashes

ALL-ROUNDER Cameron Green said yesterday there was no room for complacency in the third Test this week, conscious that Australia let England bounce back from 2-0 down in the last Ashes series. Australia were on top in England in 2023, winning at Edgbaston and Lord’s, before the hosts won two of the last three Tests with the other drawn. Despite the series ending 2-2, Pat Cummins’ side retained the Ashes as holders. “That’s a good reminder for our team to stay really level,” Green told reporters ahead of the third Test at the Adelaide Oval starting on Wednesday. “I think you can at times look a bit far ahead, but that’s a great reminder for us to stay as good as we can be and finish it off.” The odds are stacked in Australia’s favour on home soil after eight-wicket wins in Perth and Brisbane, with England winless Down Under since their 2010-11 tour. Ben Stokes’ side have been widely panned for their lack of fight and perceived poor preparation, with the team under an intense media glare. A security guard for the team had

a run-in with a cameraman on Saturday as they departed Brisbane airport for Adelaide, with pictures showing him seemingly pushing the Channel Seven operator away. Green said he had sympathy for England. “You never like getting filmed, especially when you want to get away from it,” he said. “There’s always sympathy for anyone in life that’s getting filmed in public or in a private space, it’s never a nice feeling.” Australia opener Usman Khawaja said he had recovered from the back spasms that have plagued him all series. The 38-year-old did not open in the first Test, scoring just two batting at No. 4 in the first innings, and was ruled out of the second, with Travis Head stepping up spectacularly alongside Jake Weatherald. Whether he slots back in again at the top remains to be seen. “I’m feeling 100%,“ he told reporters yesterday. “Obviously, I hope to play. I don’t really know.” Should selectors stick with Head and Weatherald to open, the 85-Test veteran Khawaja could still bat in the middle order, which would likely mean Josh Inglis making way. – AFP

DEFIANT England coach Brendon McCullum brushed off concerns yesterday that his job was on the line heading into the third Test against Australia, while admitting the team have been “nowhere near” their best. The tourists were crushed in the first two Ashes Tests in Perth and Brisbane by eight wickets and only a win at Adelaide Oval this week will be enough to keep the five-match series alive. McCullum confirmed they would stick with the same top seven, keeping under-fire Ollie Pope at No. 3 rather than bring in Jacob Bethell. “Knee-jerk reactions and chopping and changing settled batting line-ups is not really our way,” he said. “We know we haven’t got enough runs so far in the series. But for us to go on and win the series it’s not about throwing out what’s been successful for us over the past few years.” England’s lack of fight and questionable preparations have drawn scrutiny, while McCullum’s claim that they “trained too much” prior to Brisbane was met with disbelief by former greats. A decision for the team to lounge on the beach in tourist playground

Noosa last week before heading to Adelaide was also panned. But McCullum was unfazed, dismissing talk that his job could be threatened by another defeat. “I don’t know, but it doesn’t really bother me, to be honest,” he said. “I mean professional sport, it’s not easy, right? “You do the job to the best of your ability. You have conviction in what you’re doing, and whatever happens, happens.” McCullum admitted England must improve to keep the series alive, but suggested they would not change their gung-ho approach. “We knew when we came here that we had to win three Tests to win the series, and the fact we’re 2-0 down has made it harder on ourselves, but it doesn’t stop the belief that you have within the dressing room,” he said. “I don’t think we’ve been anywhere near our best so far in these last two Tests… but what’s been has been. Now, it’s focusing on the one that’s coming. “I firmly believe that if we play our best cricket, we’re a massive chance in this Test match. We do that, and the narrative changes in the series,” he added. – AFP