Tunisia, one of the great nations of continental football, was surprised at home by the Comoros, winners 1-0 on Friday in Radès during the third day of the qualifiers for the African Cup of Nations (CAN). Already victorious over Madagascar (1-0) and Gambia (2-1), the Carthage Eagles needed a positive result to validate their qualification for the final phase of the competition, organized in Morocco (December 25, 2025 to 18 January 2026). Despite a slew of chances, they never managed to break through the opposing defensive lock.

The Comoros, 118th nation in the Fifa rankings, took the lead shortly after the hour mark thanks to a goal from Rafiki Saïd (63), who plays for Troyes (French D2). They then suffered attacks from Faouzi Benzarti’s men but held on until the final whistle to place second in the group. The two teams meet on Tuesday in Abidjan for the return match, the Comoros not having a stadium that meets international standards. The Comorians had already created a surprise in 2022 for their first participation in the CAN by beating Ghana to reach the round of 16. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

Egypt and Cameroon OK

Egypt, driven by goals from Mahmoud “Trezeguet” Hassan and star Mohamed Salah, dominated without forcing Mauritania (2-0) to widen the gap at the top of its group with three successes in as many matches. In Douala, Cameroon crushed Kenya (4-1) thanks to the achievements of captain Vincent Aboubakar, Martin Hongla, Christian Bassogog and Bryan Mbeumo. The Indomitable Lions lead their group with 7 points.

Cholet largely won at home on Friday against Saint-Quentin (82-59) on the 4th day, and continues its march forward in the championship. In this meeting of the undefeated in Betclic Elite this season, alongside Asvel which hosts Le Portel on Sunday, it is the Choletais who emerged victorious on their floor, and in the long distance, to maintain the lead with three successes in as many matches. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

The locals, who had widened a slight gap before the break (44-32), subsequently unfolded, thanks in particular to Stefan Smith’s 13 points, and despite 11 points from young Nolan Traoré, 18 years old and a great French hope at the position of leader.

With familiar faces back in the team, Mexico will look to capitalize on two more tests with coach Javier Aguirre starting Saturday when they face Valencia of Spain in a friendly match.

Goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, Raúl Jiménez and Andrés Guardado, Tri’s references in the last World Cups, were summoned by “Vasco” for the match against the Spanish team and for one more against the United States next Tuesday, in Guadalajara.

“Now that the call has been given, I want to respond and let everyone know that I can,” Jiménez told TUDN. “I am here to help as I have been doing with my team.”

Jiménez, who is having a good time with Fullham of the Premier League, has not played with the national team since November last year.

“I am doing things well and helping the team in the aspirations we have, now we must reflect it here too,” said the forward.

Ochoa played his last match last March in the final of the Nations League where Mexico succumbed to the United States.

The starting goalkeeper in three of the five World Cups he has played in has not hidden his desire to participate in an unprecedented sixth World Cup. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

Guardado has not participated in the Mexican team since the World Cup in Qatar and his return is symbolic because he only returned for a tribute to his career of five World Cups.

“I told Javier that I want to hinder him as little as possible, if I play 15 minutes, 10 or four, whatever he considers because I know that these games are important for the goal of reaching the 2026 World Cup well,” Guardado told TV Azteca. .

Ochoa and Jiménez were relegated from the team that participated in the last Copa América in which Mexico was eliminated in the first round, a result that eventually cost coach Jaime Lozano his job.

Aguirre, who is in his third stage with the national team, took over in August and appeared last month with a win against New Zealand and a draw against Canada.

Against Valencia, the Mexican team starts as a favorite because the Spanish team is experiencing low hours and is second to last in the League standings, in addition to landing on Aztec soil with only 13 players from the base squad and had to complete the team with players of the lower ones.

The match will be in Puebla, a city located about 130 kilometers southwest of the country’s capital.

It will be the first game of the senior team in that city since 2007, when the Mexican team faced Panama.