27/03/2026

SPORTS FRIDAY | MAR 27, 2026

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SENEGAL have lodged an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) over the decision to strip them of the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) title and hand the trophy to Morocco, the Swiss-based tribunal confirmed yesterday. “The Court of Arbitration for Sport confirms receipt of an appeal by the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) against the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation,” the CAS said in a statement. Senegal are hoping to overturn the decision by African football’s govern ing body to strip them of the title after several of their players walked off the pitch in protest at a penalty awarded

Ryan is set to earn his 102nd cap against Cameroon as he prepares for a fourth World Cup. “I live to win in this industry and so I’m trying to put everything I can together to help the team that I’m representing win,”said the Levante goalkeeper. “Whether that’s communicating or sharing opinions with someone about certain moments … first and foremost I need to make sure that I’m delivering from a performance per spective from my own side. Because actions always speak louder than words.” Australia are in Group D and will face co hosts the United States, Paraguay and a yet-to be-confirmed Uefa playoff winner. – AFP Hesham Yakan, a former defender with famed Cairo club Zamalek and part of the Egypt squad at the 1990 World Cup, was appointed coach and he chose 14 for eign-based Eritreans in a 24-man squad. The return match is on March 31 in Eswatini and the winners reach the six round group phase of qualifying from September to November. Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda will co host the 2027 Cup of Nations – the first time three countries will do so. – AFP FORMER Manchester United youth team striker Siem Eyob-Abraha scored yester day as Eritrea ended an 18-year absence from the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) by defeating Eswatini 2-0 in a qualifier. The 18-year-old, now with English sec ond-tier club Sheffield United, struck after 84 minutes and Egypt-based Ali Suleiman added a second goal four minutes into added time. Eritrea does not have an international standard stadium so the preliminary round first leg was switched to Moroccan city Meknes. After competing in 2008 Cup of Nations qualifying, Eritrea missed the fol lowing nine editions of the premier African national team competition with out giving an explanation. It is widely believed the isolation was triggered by players seeking asylum when they travelled to other African countries. The United Nations estimates about 80 Eritrean footballers and coaches defected, citing political repression and lengthy military service as the main reasons. Eritrea has been governed by President Isaias Afwerki since gaining independence from Ethiopia in 1993 and human rights groups consistently describe his rule as “highly repressive”. Speaking in Morocco ahead of the 2025 Cup of Nations there, Eritrean national football federation president Paulos Andemariam announced that the isolation would end. “After positive discussions with our government we have registered to play in the 2027 Afcon. “I believe we will have a strong team, including many Eritreans playing outside Africa,” he said. goalkeeper, Edouard Mendy. Pape Gueye then went on to score the goal in extra-time that gave Senegal a 1-0 victory, and their sec ond continental title after their maiden triumph in 2022. The Moroccan Federation reacted to CAF’s decision to overturn the result by saying it had “never intended to contest the sporting performance of the teams participating in this com petition, but solely to request the application of the competition regula tions”. In the immediate aftermath of the final, Fifa president Gianni Infantino, who attended the match, had con demned “some Senegal players” for the “unacceptable scenes”. – AFP Eritrea return in style after 18 years

Senegal take Afcon fight to CAS

Ndala right at the end of the allotted eight added minutes in normal time following a VAR check for a challenge on Brahim Diaz by El Hadji Malick Diouf. Some Senegalese supporters attempted a pitch invasion out of anger, while Senegal’s players halted the game for nearly 20 minutes to protest the penalty award. After Senegal’s players eventually returned having been coaxed back onto the pitch by Sadio Mane, Morocco’s Diaz took the kick but his penalty was saved by Senegalese

the FSF winners of Afcon”. CAS Director General Matthieu Reeb added: “We understand that teams and fans are eager to know the final decision, and we will ensure that arbitration proceedings are con ducted as swiftly as possible, while respecting the right of all parties to a fair hearing.” The final flashpoint came when Morocco were awarded a hotly con tested spot-kick in injury time with the game goalless. The penalty was given by Congolese referee Jean-Jacques

to Morocco during the Cup of Nations final on January 18, which the Senegalese side went on to win 1-0 in extra-time. CAF announced on March 17 that it had upheld an appeal by the Moroccan Football Federation, saying that Senegal had infringed tourna ment regulations by walking off. As a result, it declared Senegal to have forfeited the match, turning its 1-0 victory into a 3-0 defeat, making hosts Morocco the champions. CAS said Senegal’s appeal “seeks to set aside the CAF decision and declare

Miami showdown Sabalenka, Rybakina renew Melbourne feud, each chasing the supremacy after trading final wins in 2026

W ORLD NO. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina yesterday booked a blockbuster semifinal at the Miami Open in a rerun of their Melbourne Grand Slam decider. Defending champion Sabalenka held off big hitting 45th-ranked American Hailey Baptiste 6-4, 6-4. World No. 2 Rybakina beat fifth-seeded American Jessica Pegula – runner-up to Sabalenka last year – 2-6, 6-3, 6-4. Rybakina beat Sabalenka in a nail-biting Australian Open final in January – the world No. 1’s only defeat in 2026 – but the Belarusian avenged it with victory in the Indian Wells final this month. “We’ve been playing a lot of matches, recently actually, and all of them have been a battle, all of them been a show,” Sabalenka told the Tennis Channel . “I’m super-excited facing her.” Sabalenka is now two wins away from complet ing the “Sunshine Double” of Indian Wells and Miami. Baptiste, playing her first WTA 1000 quarter final, failed to convert three break points in Sabalenka’s first two service games. Sabalenka finally broke Baptiste when the American double-faulted on set point. Sabalenka gained an early break in the second, but Baptiste broke back and held confidently to level at 4-4. But as she served at 4-5 to stay in the match, the American opened with three straight double faults. Sabalenka pounced, converting her second match point with a blistering return. “She really pushed me,” Sabalenka said. “The rhythm, the heaviness of her shots is incredible. I’m super happy that I was able to hold the pressure and to get the win.” She’ll now face a familiar foe in Rybakina, who shrugged off a slow start to post her fifth straight win over Pegula – a streak that includes a semi final victory at the Australian Open and a quarter final win at Indian Wells. Pegula, who won last month’s WTA title in Dubai, broke twice to jump to a 4-0 lead and took the opening set in 35 minutes. But Moscow-born Kazakh Rybakina was find ing her rhythm and broke for a 4-2 edge on the way ANTE SUTO had never set foot on Australian soil until this week – but today he could be a capped Socceroo and heading to the World Cup. The Hibernian striker was a surprise call-up for Australia’s final two home games before the global showpiece in North America this sum mer. They face Cameroon in Sydney today (5.10pm Malaysian time) and fellow World Cup qualifiers Curacao in Melbourne on Tuesday. The 25-year-old Suto was born and raised in Croatia but holds an Australian passport through his father. “It’s actually the first time I’ve been here,: said Suto. “All I can say is it’s much better weather

Ryabakina (left) and Sabalenka will both meet in the Miami Open semis. – A FPPIC / R EUTE R S PIC

four straight match points before prevailing in two hours and 49 minutes. “It was a dog fight and I never back down from a fight,” Fils said. “Even if I lose, it’s OK, I just fought the best that I could. “That’s the best result I’ve had in my life so far,” the 21-year-old added. He reached the semifinals of an ATP Masters 1000 event for the first time, where he’ll face 21st seeded Czech Jiri Lehecka. Fils beat Lehecka in the quarterfinals in Doha last month. – AFP “My job is to score goals and I’m good at it also, and hopefully I’m going to score some goals for the Socceroos.” With Norwich attacker Mohamed Toure – the EFL Young Player of the Month in February – absent with a groin injury, Suto could well get to show his prowess. Australia coach Tony Popovic said the games were “a final chance” to impress before the team heads to its World Cup base in Oakland, California. At the other end of the scale, skipper Mat

to forcing a third set, gaining control of the decider with an opening break. “She started playing well, and I was a bit rush ing and frustrated, but I’m happy that I managed to bounce back and turn it around in the second set,” said Rybakina, who is seeded third despite ris ing to No. 2 in the world for the first time this week. In the men’s draw, 28th-seeded Arthur Fils of France saved four match points on the way to a 6 7 (3-7), 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (8-6) victory over 22nd seeded American Tommy Paul. Fils trailed 6-2 in the third-set tiebreaker, saving than in Scotland and I’m happy to be here. It’s a great opportunity for me.” Suto has three goals in seven games for Hibs since his move last month from Croatian top flight side Slaven Belupo. He is teammates in Scotland with fellow Australian international Martin Boyle. Suto said he got goosebumps thinking about his rapid rise. “When I moved to Scotland I started well. I expected to start well, but not like that. So it happened quickly, and I can’t be more happy than I am now,” he said.

First time in Australia for Socceroo Suto