Afcon injury bug strikes Pogba

Florentin Pogba has been ruled out for up to four months after a thigh injury against Cameroon.

This mean the Guinea star will definitely be out of the rest of the Afcon. With Syli Nationale playing Ghana on Sunday, this is a blow for them.

The 24-year old sustained the injury in the 1-1 draw with Cameroon and has already returned to his Saint Etienne base in France.

The development means that the defender, who is the older brother of France and Juventus midfield star Paul, with miss the rest of the Afcon including Sunday's quarter-final tie against Ghana.

Conakry-born Florentin had a brief stint with the France U-20 side before opting to play for Guinea, while Paul decided to stay with France.

He joins a growing list of players so far seriously injured at the Afcon, including the Zambian pair of striker Emmanuel Mayuka and midfielder Nathan Sinkala, as well as Mali's first choice goalkeeper Soumaila Diakite.

United edge Stars in Diski quaterfinal

A dominant SuperSport United won 2-0 against Platinum Stars 2-0 in the MultiChoice Diski Challenge quaterfinal clash at the King Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi, Durban on Saturday.

Ryan Chapman opened the scoring with a sharp finish with his head in the 23rd minute.

Zakhele Mgobhozi increased Matsatsantsa's lead when he found the back of the net with a header from Zama Rambuwane's free kick in the 35th minute.

SuperSport, who had new signing Luvolwethu Mpeta and Amajita's goalkeeper Dumisani Msibi, dominanted for most parts of the match.

Stars also got a couple of good chances with younsgters Kobamelo Kodisang and Sabelo Tsambo spearheading the attack.

But it who SuperSport who took advantage of their opportunities as Chapman headed the ball into the back of the net in the 23rd minute. And Mgobhozi doubled the advantage eleven minutes later.

They turned on the heat in the second half launching a number of attacks, with the combination Zama Rambuwane, Chapman and the overlappping Mpeta dominating the Stars' defence. But the Pretoria side couldn' t advantage and failed to add to their tally.

Stars' chances were far and few between, with Kodisang trying so hard to build the moves from the centre. He set up Ruele Modise let in the half but the striker's time shot was well dealt with by Msibi.

The introduction of Sikhumbuzo Mazibuko and Etam Mbebe fuelled SuperSport's dominance, but they also failed to convert their chances.

Chapman had good chances to complete his brace in a space of two minutes. He missed the target in the first one when he tried to loop the ball over Kagiso Mlambo. The keeper pulled off a spectacular save in the second one .

SuperSport will face the winner between Mamelodi Sundowns and Polokwane City in the semifinal on February 14 at the Wolfson Stadium in Port Elizabeth.

Teams

United: Msibi, Moeketsi, Mpeta, Dean, Sathekge, Mtshweni, Mgobhozi, Nel, Rambuwane, Mashiabe, Chapman

Subs: Mpoto, Mbebe, Zulu, Mazibuko, Seriba

Stars: Mlambo, Mabule, Njomo, Raphiri, Ramokgadi, Sejosingoe, Mnguni, Kodisang, Tsambo, Modise

Subs: Mathe, Lukhele, Matlawe, Mlilo, Lesabane, Mnguni

Gervinho poised for Ivory Coast return

Ivory Coast forward Gervinho is due to return to action at the African Cup of Nations on Sunday after completing a two-match suspension in a boost to his side's chances in their quarterfinal against Algeria.

"It is clear that we will face a good Algerian team. We will need to be at our maximum level if we are to advance to the semifinals of the Nations Cup," he told reporters on Saturday.

Television pictures of an animated Gervinho running a gauntlet of emotions while supporting his country from the stands have served as a reminder of the passionate approach he brings to the team.

The AS Roma winger was sent off for slapping Guinea's Naby Keita in his side's opening match at the tournament in Equatorial Guinea.

He apologised before turning anxious spectator as the Ivorians drew both their first two games before taking top place in Group D with a 1-0 win over Cameroon on Wednesday.

They now take on the continent's top-ranked team in the pick of the quarterfinals.

Tuks crush Bucs to reach Diski semis

University of Pretoria continued their giant killing act when they crushed Orlando Pirates 5-2 in their MultiChoice Diski Challenge quaterfinal match at the King Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi, Durban on Saturday.

Striker Letsie Koapeng opened the scoring with an emphatic finish in the first minute after finding himself unmarked inside the box.

Khethukuthula Zwane equalised when pounced on a loose ball inside the box in the 29th minute.

Tuks doubled the lead two minutes after the break when Mfulwane tapped in Itumeleng Nkwana's cross.

The Pretoria side continued their dominance as Mpho Maruping headed in the third in the 52nd minute.

Denver Mukamba added the fourth with a stunning shot from outside the box in the 67th minute.

Pirates' players didn't put their heads down as they started creating chances but were denied by the on-form Tuks' keeper Lebogang Ngubeni on a number of occasions.

Their striker Koapeng had the ball in the back of the net but he was ruled offside. He had also missed a good scoring chance minutes earlier, putting his free header over the bar.

Substitutions Moses Mokasi and Neo Marks also had their one-on-one efforts saved by Ngubeni.

Thabo Rakhale decreased the deficit to 4-2 when his low drive went past the Tuks' keeper.

Pirates conceded a penalty in the 90th minute and Mukamba converted to complete his brace.

Tuks will face the winner between Bloemfontein Celtic and Mpumalanga Black Aces, who meet on Sunday, in the semifinals on February 14 at the Wolfson Stadium in Port Elizabeth.

Earlier, SuperSport United won 2-0 against Platinum Stars to reach the semifinals.

Teams

Pirates: Zikalala, Gumede, Mtshali, Gwala, Mkhize, Masalesa, Masuku K, Rakhale, Masuku M, Ngubo, Koapeng

Subs: Tsotetsi, Malepe, Marks, Faku, Mokasi

Tuks: Ngubeni, Nkwana, Nzimande, Sibande, Roberston, Luthuli, Kekana, Mfulwane, Mukamba, Maruping, Zwane

Subs: Fassen, Mabuza, Ngcobo, Motlhatsang, Mabena

Elephants, Foxes set for heavyweight battle

Heavyweights Ivory Coast and Algeria will meet in the quarterfinals of the Africa Cup of Nations at the Nuevo Estadio de Malabo on Sunday night, kick-off at 21:30 CAT.

Ivory Coast topped Group D – arguably the toughest of the tournament – thanks to draws with Guinea and Mali, as well as a narrow victory over Cameroon.

The Elephants have not been at their fluent best, but coach Herve Renard says their slow start to the tournament has not concerned him.

"I think we showed everything you need to win a competition. All the teams in the last eight will want to get to the final - we are only three steps from the title,” said Renard after the 1-0 win over Cameroon.

"We do this job to win. We won't be happy if we lose in the semifinals or even in the final, because if that happens it will always come into your mind for the rest of your life.

"I said before this game that it's not necessary in a Cup of Nations to start too quickly because it's a very difficult competition and with players like this they are ready to compete. They love games like this.”

Algeria have had a mixed tournament thus far. Impressive wins over South Africa and Senegal sandwiched a 1-0 loss to Ghana in which they conceded a last-gasp goal and never really found their stride.

The Fennec Foxes advanced as runners-up from Group C after those results and coach Christian Gourcuff feels his side has shown signs of their exceptional quality.

"After the Ghana game we were not the worst team in the world just because we conceded right at the end. Credit to the players for going out and getting the win [against Senegal]," said Gourcuff. “It was not easy to get out of this group.”

Algeria have had injury and health concerns over the trio of Yacine Brahimi, Madjid Bougherra and Islam Slimani, but Gourcuff has said that all three are likely to be available for Sunday, while Ivory Coast will have Gervinho back after serving out his two-game suspension for a red card in their opening match.

The teams have met in two of the last three Afcon tournaments. The Fennec Foxes defeated the Elephants 3-2 after extra time in the quarterfinals of the 2010 edition in Angola, while the teams drew 2-2 in a group stage match in South Africa 2013.

We lacked attacking efficiency - Moukandjo

Cameroon striker Benjamin Moukandjo has admitted that the lack of attacking efficiency is what cost them an early exit in the Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Equatorial Guinea.

The Indomitable Lions recorded two one all draws with Mali and Guinea before finally being knocked off by Ivory Coast in the group D stages by 1-0.

Although the four time Africa Cup of Nations winners have not been at their best in recent years, there was hope that they would bounce back in this tournament.

Striker Benjamin Moukandjo said they missed so many scoring opportunities as well.

“Overall, in our three games, we lacked attacking efficiency. We always succeed in taking the spaces and making the difference but we often missed the last move or the last pass.

"If we didn’t have chances to score, we could have asked ourselves some questions. We created many chances but lacked efficiency,” said Moukandjo.

The Stade de Reims forward said he felt that they were able to keep the fighting spirit till the end which is their strength.

“Our strength is our spirit, and what is encouraging is that we kept this spirit. The group didn’t explode following our results.

"I can repeat it 100 times, everything was going well between those who played and those who didn’t. It’s the people outside the group who were talking,” he said.

Younes seeks early goal against Eq Guinea

Tunisia striker, Hamza Younes, believes the best scenario for his country to progress to the Afcon semis is to score early against Equatorial Guinea in their quarterfinal clash on Saturday.

The Carthage Eagles of Tunisia play Africa Cup of Nations hosts Equatorial Guinea in Bata.

Younes is also confident that the Tunisians can overcome the hosts if they can manage to net early.

"I think that is the best scenario is to score so early that will frustrate their plans, and will make the mission easy for us. To be honest Equatorial Guinea is not that strong team, so I can say we can beat them easily but the fans may make the difference for them, but we will take them serious," the striker said.

"If we beat Equatorial Guinea I think we will have the chance to qualify for the final match and play for the title.

"We took some rest after the last match and we prepared well for Equatorial Guinea and we are ready for them."

Carry on with nutmegs - Barca coach

Barcelona coach Luis Enrique has told Neymar to carry on regardless after the Brazilian received criticism for provoking Atletico Madrid players with his "nutmegging and talking".

Juanfran and Fernando Torres argued with two-goal Neymar at halftime in Barca's midweek King's Cup quarterfinal victory while opposition captain Gabi Fernandez was red-carded after a fracas in the tunnel.

Atletico substitute Ruben Cani said after the game that "one day he will have problems for his style of play, the nutmegging and talking".

Luis Enrique went on the counter attack on Saturday, saying there was nothing wrong.

"You have to consider the player and the culture from where he is from," the Barca coach told reporters ahead of Sunday's La Liga game at home to Villarreal.

"Brazilians look to enjoy themselves playing football and it is the same for all the Brazilian players at the club. We are in a strange country where people are more offended by a nutmeg than by five dangerous tackles.

"Hopefully he can be remembered as a great player and he is certainly at the right club at the moment to achieve that. It would be great if it happened," said Luis Enrique.

"Lionel Messi is the best player in the world and he has put the marker very high if he is to achieve that. If you take away football, samba and so on then a Brazilian is no longer Brazilian."

Barca are a point behind leaders Real Madrid in La Liga and face a tough clash against sixth-placed Villarreal who are on an 18-match unbeaten run.

"They move the ball around well, they have strong defensive tactical discipline. They are doing very well at the moment and we will try and break their run although it will be difficult," said Luis Enrique.

"The team is continually in evolution and we change depending on how we cause most problems for the opposition. This is down to whether we are against a side which is defending deeply or one that comes out to attack us.

"The key is to have different options to play and not be predictable," added Luis Enrique.

Time for Bolasie to step up

When DR Congo face rivals Congo on Saturday, it will be time for Yannick Bolasie to leave an Afcon mark.

The Crystal Palace man will lead his DR Congo in the first quarterfinal tie of the ongoing Afcon.

Bolasie came into the tournament on good form for his English Premier League side, but has just managed a goal throughout the two weeks of African football.

“I hope I can score the goals that can take the team to the next level,” he Bolasie.

Meanwhile, with talented teammates in Chancel Mbemba, Firmin Mubele Ndombe and Cedrick Mabwati helping him search for goals, it will be the man in the opposition dugout who will be feared most.

Former coach Claude Le Roy leads the Congolese charge, and the Frenchman is aware of how tough the task will be.

"We know that it is going to be tough. It is four million people against 70 million with players in all the top leagues," says Le Roy.

He goes on: “My players are beginners. They have the desire to win, after defeating the title holders Nigeria in the qualifiers, Gabon and vice-champions Burkina Faso.”

Bolasie will also have to contend with Thievy Bifouma, who has two goals in the tournament. Other threats for DR Congo will be Dore Ferebory, Cesair Dorlich Sidney Gandze.

The hugely awaited derby kicks off at the Estadio de Bata from 5pm CAT

Garba dismisses F/Eagles invincibility

Despite the impressive showing of the Flying Eagles at the ongoing Glo Premier League Invitational Tournament, head coach Manu Garba says the team has not reached their peak yet.

The national Under-20 team defeated Glo Premier League side Dolphins FC in swashbuckling style on Friday, which drew praise from fans and pundits alike.

Garba, who led the national Under-17 team to win the Fifa Under-17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates in 2013, is optimistic that they will soon hit top gear.

"The team has gained much playing against much older and experienced players at this Super Four tournament which I believe will serve them well," he told supersport.com

"Despite the victories, we are not going to be over confident, it will serve as a morale booster for the boys.

"We are also going to work on converting our goalscoring chances. We created a lot but we didn't score as many as we should.

"Chances like we got won't come easy in tight and competitive matches, so we have to work on those."

The Flying Eagles are currently without some their regulars like Kelechi Iheanacho and Chidiebere Nwakali, who will not be released by their club, Manchester City, for the Africa Youth Championship in Senegal.

But Garba is confident the players he has on ground can do the business as they prepare for the Africa Youth Championship in March.

"I'm satisfied with what we have on ground now. We still have a few weeks to work on the team so we can still fortify the team," the former Gombe United man said.

"We have already seen some good players from the teams we have played here and we might invite them to come and fight for places in the team.

"If someone like Isaac Success comes in definitely he will have a good chance of making the team because he is already playing in the first team of Granada, who play in La Liga.

"We are also expecting our defender Wilfred Ndidi from Genk in Belgium. If he comes in, it will make our defence much more solid."

The Under-20 national team will clash with the national Under-23 team in the last match of the Glo Premier League invitational series on Sunday.

Newcastle add to Hull relegation woes

Hull City's Premier League relegation fears increased on Saturday when they lost 3-0 at home to Newcastle United who won for the first time since interim manager John Carver took over from Alan Pardew at the start of the year.

It was Hull's sixth home defeat of the season and they have now failed to score in their last four matches since beating Everton 2-0 on New Year's Day.

All three Newcastle goals came from left-foot shots from outside the penalty area, Remy Cabella making the breakthrough with his first goal for the club after 40 minutes.

Sammy Ameobi doubled the lead 10 minutes later with another long-range effort before substitute Yoan Gouffranmade it 3-0 with 12 minutes to play, the ball taking a deflection off Ahmed Elmohamady.

Elmohamady was involved in the only controversial moment of the game, punching the ball into the net just before halftime and reeling away to celebrate his "goal" which did not stand.

Newcastle moved up to 10th in the table and Hull stayed 18th before the rest of Saturday's matches, including leaders Chelsea against second-placed Manchester City.

Australia crowned Asian Cup champs

The 120 minutes it took Australia to beat South Korea in Saturday's Asian Cup final were the culmination of an ambitious 10-year plan to gain the respect of the footballing world.

A decade ago, Australia were marooned in Oceania, the biggest fish in world soccer's smallest pond, but had much grander aspirations.

The game was struggling for recognition in Australia, where success in sport is taken for granted, partly because the Socceroos hadn't qualified for the World Cup in 32 years.

Being the champions of Oceania didn't count for much. It earned Australia a ticket to the Confederations Cup but not the World Cup as Oceania does not have direct entry.

Australia broke their long World Cup drought when they qualified for the 2006 tournament, and made a big impression by reaching the round of 16, losing to the eventual champions Italy.

One of soccer's sleeping giants was starting to awaken but to be taken seriously, the Australians knew they needed to find regular, tougher opposition, so they ditched Oceania and joined the Asian Football Confederation.

The enormous challenge of conquering the world's most populated and diverse region immediately became apparent.

At the 2007 Asian Cup, Australia's first appearance at the tournament, they needed a goal in stoppage time to salvage a draw with Oman in their opening group match.

They were beaten by the eventual champions Iraq in their next match and although they defeated Thailand to sneak into the knockout phase on goal difference, they lost to Japan on penalties in the quarterfinals.

A year later, Adelaide United made the final of AFC Champions League, Asia's top club competition, but were thrashed 5-0 by Japan's Gamba Osaka.

Australia did claim one of the four Asian qualifying spots for the 2010 and 2014 World Cups but didn't make it past the first round either time.

In 2011, the Socceroos made the final of the Asian Cup but once again came unstuck against Japan, losing in extra time. Australia were making progress and had found a new sporting rival but the trophy cabinet was still bare.

The tide began to turn last year. The Western Sydney Wanderers won the AFC Champions League and now the Socceroos have won the Asian Cup.

Fittingly, it was a struggle to win. Saturday's final against South Korea was a battle from start to finish.

Australia led 1-0 at halftime after a superb goal from Massimo Luongo but South Korea, chasing their first Asian Cup title in 55 years, equalised through Son Heung-min in stoppage time at the end of the match.

The Socceroos' long suffering fans began to fear the worst but the nation's nerves were calmed when substitute striker James Troisi scored in extra time, triggering a celebration for a goal that had been a decade in the making.

Tunisia face Eq Guinea without Bedoui

Tunisia will miss the service of their defender Rami Bedoui in their Afcon quarterfinal match against Equatorial Guinea on Saturday.

According to Tunisian media, Bedoui is nursing a muscle injury which he suffered during the team's training on Friday.

The medical staff of the Tunisian contingent stated that the Etoile du Sahel defender will be unavailable to play Saturday's match after undergoing X-ray to know how many days he needs to sit out on the sidelines.

Tunisia head coach, George Leekens, fielded Bedoui in the second match against Zambia.

The Carthage Eagles will player against Equatoral Guinea in Bata after they came on the top of their group.

Blatter booed at Asian Cup final

Fifa chief Sepp Blatter often talks about being the head of the "football family" but if the boos that greeted his appearance at the Asian Cup final on Saturday are anything to go by, he is not too popular with his Australian cousins.

The Swiss, who is expected to win a fifth term as president of soccer's world governing body in May, was roundly jeered when he was introduced to the crowd at the trophy ceremony after Australia beat South Korea 2-1 in extra time.

Blatter was standing alongside Asian Football Confederation (AFC) chief Salman Bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, who had provoked the ire of many in Australia when he was quoted in an interview as saying some Gulf nations wanted the Socceroos out of Asia.

It was only when Blatter himself took centre stage, however, that the boos reached a crescendo, echoing the reception he received at the World Cup final in Brazil last year.

Many Australian soccer fans are still unhappy that their government-funded bid to host the 2022 World Cup earned just one vote and lost out to Qatar, whose campaign has been dogged by controversy.

Blatter gave an interview with TV station SBS during his time Down Under and said Australia should not be put off having another go at bidding.

"I am convinced that Australia could and should organise the World Cup but it was not easy, they were candidates for the 2022 World Cup but the opposition was a very big opposition and they passed at the last place," he said.

"This should not mean that they should not come back and try again because if you never take a risk you will never have a chance, but if you take a risk you also have a chance to lose."

Al Khalifa, who released a statement on Friday saying Australia had earned its place in Asia after making the switch from Oceania in 2006, later offered his congratulations to the host nation.

"Australia has won the competition for the very first time in their history, and to do this in front of the home crowd is truly special. I would like to commend the team for their deserved victory," he said.

"Australia's win and their standard of performance throughout the competition is a yardstick that all Asian nations should look to follow, and this also goes for their organisation of the whole event."

Grant keen to avoid quarters penalties

Ghana coach Avram Grant has bad memories of penalties and would like to avoid an African Nations Cup shootout in Sunday's quarterfinal against Guinea.

The Israeli was on the losing side when his Chelsea team were beaten by Manchester United on penalties at the end of the 2008 Champions League final in Moscow.

It was a defeat that cost Grant his job at Stamford Bridge and led him on an unusual path through Portsmouth, West Ham United and on to coaching jobs in Serbia and Thailand.

"We need to prepare ourselves for everything," he told a news conference on Saturday. "I don't want to look into the past, I have some experience of penalties."

Grant took over at Ghana just weeks before the Nations Cup started and said he was delighted with his squad's approach and the standard of the tournament in Equatorial Guinea.

"In my team there is a lot of passion, a lot of people around the team ready to do their best for the team," he explained.

"There is a lot of talent here, the quality of the players is good and so is the quality of the games. There have been many, many good games."

Ghana were last in Group C until 20 minutes from time in their final match on Tuesday before a dramatic surge saw them score twice to beat South Africa 2-1 and finish top.

Guinea can't rely on luck in quarters

Guinea won't be able to rely on simple luck at the African Cup anymore.

The west African country, one of the three worst affected by the Ebola outbreak, won a drawing of lots this week to get its spot in the quarterfinals of the tournament. The national team will next face Ghana on Sunday.

"I can say we have luck and I can say we deserve it also," Guinea captain Ibrahima Traore said Saturday. "Tomorrow is a big day for all Guinea, after all we've been through."

In the other quarterfinal match later Sunday at Malabo Stadium, tournament favourite Ivory Coast will play Algeria. The Ivorians came into the tournament as one of the favourites, but Guinea's path to the quarterfinals has become a fascinating tale.

The team was unable to host qualifying matches, instead playing home games in Morocco and away matches at opposing countries - in many cases getting frequent temperature checks to test for symptoms of Ebola. But the Guineans qualified despite the difficulties and the hardships, and they have played well through three draws in three matches in Equatorial Guinea.

"I was very impressed, not just because of football," Ghana coach Avram Grant said of Guinea. "Their spirit is good. It's not easy for this country. I have a lot of respect to them."

The route to the quarterfinals wasn't straightforward, however. After their third straight 1-1 draw, the Guineans and Malians were exactly tied for second place in Group D. To separate them, two green balls were put into a bowl on Thursday at a hotel in Malabo and the representative from Guinea chose the one that got them through.

"Sometimes you can say that when you work hard, you deserve the luck," Guinea coach Michel Dussuyer said. "Of course we have been lucky with the draw, but before the draw we have fought very hard to reach this level."

In qualifying, Guinea and Ghana were in the same group, so they have played twice recently. Ghana held Guinea to a 1-1 draw in Morocco before winning 3-1 at home.

The Ivory Coast came into the tournament as one of the favourites, mainly due to its star-filled starting line-up. With Yaya Toure and Wilfried Bony alone, the Ivorians may have the best two players at the competition.

But they started slowly in Equatorial Guinea, being held to 1-1 draws by both Guinea and Mali. It was only after a 1-0 victory over Cameroon in the final group match that Ivory Coast assured itself a spot in the quarterfinals.

"We are just thinking about victory," Ivory Coast coach Herve Renard said. "We won't be happy after the competition if we are in semifinals and we lose. Or even if we play the final. Because if you play one final - and you lose this final - it's terrible.

"It will always come into your mind for the rest of your life."

Crisis will force Inter to buy - Mancini

A defensive crisis will force Inter Milan to make a late move in the transfer market before Tuesday's deadline, coach Roberto Mancini said on Saturday.

Hugo Campagnaro and Marco Andreolli will miss Sunday's Serie A match at 12th placed Sassuolo through injury while Andrea Ranocchia is a fitness doubt.

Juan Jesus is also auspended after elbowing Giorgio Chiellini in a recent game against Juventus.

"Most of our centre backs are out so we need to go out and buy someone," Mancini told reporters. "The problem with this market is there aren't many available players.

"One possibility is to get a younger player and work with him so that you will have a starter when next season begins. Or you have 30 million euros ($33.86 million) ready to spend."

Inter thrashed Sassuolo 7-0 in the second game of the season, the same margin of victory they defeated Sunday's opposition last year.

After making a promising start to the New Year with an away draw at Juve and a home win against Genoa, Inter have claimed one point from their last two games.

"The team is improving game after game even though we haven't been able to win many of them," said Mancini. "We have to be fearless inside the box and need a little bit of luck as well."

Inter are 10th on 26 points, 10 shy of a Champions League spot.

Bundesliga pays tribute to Malanda

Bundesliga clubs paid tribute to Junior Malanda ahead of the first Saturday matches of the year following the league's winter break.

Malanda died in a car accident three weeks ago while travelling as a passenger on his way to join his Wolfsburg teammates departing for a training camp in South Africa.

At several grounds players joined spectators for a minute's applause in memory of the Belgian Under-21 midfielder.

At Schalke's Gelsenkirchen stadium, players from Schalke and Hanover lined up in the middle of the pitch in a tribute to Malanda. Similar tributes were held at other other stadiums including Hamburg and Freiburg.

A minute's silence was held before the match between VfB Stuttgart and Borussia Moenchengladbach.

The German Football League (DFL) had recommended clubs play tribute to Malanda before the first matches following the winter break.

On Friday, there was a moving tribute before the match between Wolfsburg and Bayern Munich when players from both sides, wearing black armbands, lined up to join spectators for a minute's applause.

Spectators raised a banner which read "Fuer immer in unseren Herzen" -which translates as Always In Our Hearts - as applause ran out around the Wolfsburg ground.

Wolfsburg won the match 4-1, and captain and goalkeeper Diego Benaglio said the victory was for Malanda.

Teammate Maximilian Arnold said of the tribute: "It was very beautiful but it was also very emotional. I was fighting back the tears, but it helped push us on."

Al Ahly announce signing of Helmke

Egyptian giants Al Ahly have confirmed they have signed midfielder Hendrik Helmke for three and a half years.

The contract starts off from February after Hendrik joined on a free. Al Ahly also had to end the contract of Burkina Faso attacking midfielder, Moussa Yedan, to bring in the player who is of Brazilian descent.

Al Ahly officials assured in the past weeks that they will sign two foreign players, a striker and a midfielder. First, they signed Nigerian striker Peter Ebimobowei and then brought in Hendrik.

"We completed the signing of Hendrik Helmke after negotiations. He passed the medical tests and will join the team's training on Sunday," Al Ahly announced.

Al Ahly official, Alaa Abdel Sadek, also said of the signing of Helmke: "We knew that Helmke suffered a knee injury but our medical staff assured he is fit and ready to play. He is a very good player and will help us."

After the signing of Helmke, Al Ahly's quota for foreign players rose to four and they had to end the contract of Yedan to pave way for Helmke since the Egyptian Football Association rules allows only three foreign players per club in a season.

"We decided to end the contract of our player Moussa Yedan and we thanked him for his efforts with the team," Alaa said.

Yedan joined to Al Ahly last summer from Coton Sport of Cameroon.

'Hull players must fight harder to avoid crisis'

Hull City manager Steve Bruce warned his players that they must fight harder if they are to avoid a Premier League relegation scrap after they slumped to a 3-0 home defeat by Newcastle United on Saturday.

Bruce had emphasised the importance of winning games at their KC Stadium ahead of the visit of Newcastle, who were without an away victory since November.

Instead of rising to the occasion, an abject Hull performance ended in their fourth consecutive defeat with goals from Remy Cabella, Sammy Ameobi and Yoan Gouffran for the visitors.

The manor of the defeat, leaving Bruce's men without a goal since a 2-0 home win against Everton on New Year's Day, was a cause for concern for the under-pressure manager.

"Against any Premier League team, when you're at home, you need to see more resilience, a bit more fight and a bit more determination to make sure it's not going to be an embarrassing afternoon, which it turned into," Bruce told BT Sport.

The loss left Hull in the relegation zone in 18th place, one point adrift of safety.

Bruce confirmed that the club have agreed a fee for Lokomotiv Moscow forward Dame N'Doye and are in talks to sign Tottenham Hotspur winger Aaron Lennon.

Senegalese striker N'Doye has scored 27 goals in 66 appearances for the Russian club.

Asked if attacking reinforcements will help to end Hull's poor run of form, Bruce said it was his current players who should take responsibility for reversing the team's fortunes.

"We've got to look at ourselves and what we've got here. It's the first time in two and half years since these players have been with me that we've been, I wouldn't say in crisis, but in a bit of trouble," said Bruce who guided Hull tothe FA Cup final last year.

"We need to roll our sleeves up and show what we're about, and give it more than we did today. If we do, we'll be okay but if we don't we'll be in big trouble."

Moenchengladbach and Schalke earn narrow wins

Borussia Moenchengladbach won 1-0 at Stuttgart and Schalke defeated Hanover by the same scoreline for both to stay near the top of the Bundesliga Saturday.

Patrick Herrmann hit a second-half winner for Moenchengladbach at VfB Stuttgart who drop back into the relegation zone.

Coach Lucien Favre's Gladbach side go third, level on 30 points with Schalke, who defeated Hanover thanks to a first-half goal from Marco Hoeger but had Dutch striker Klaas Jan Huntelaar sent off five minutes from time.

Leverkusen could go back to third with a win over visiting Borussia Dortmund in the day's late kick-off. Dortmund go into the match in last place, two points adrift of Stuttgart, Werder Bremen and Hamburg.

Elsewhere Mainz thrashed Paderborn 5-0, Freiburg came from behind to beat Eintracht Frankfurt 4-1, and Cologne won 2-0 at SV Hamburg.

Herrmann's 71st-minute strike from a pass by Branimir Hrgota gave Moenchengladbach the points at Stuttgart, but the visitors were lucky to see a close-range shot from Georg Niedermeier come back from the underside of the bar in stoppage time.

In Gelsenkirchen, Schalke took the points but Huntelaar's red card for a needless foul from behind in the middle of the pitch on Manuel Schmiedebach took some of the shine off the victory by Roberto di Matteo's side.

In Mainz, midfielder Yunus Malli scored in the sixth and 46th minutes, and set up a third for Pablo de Blasis before Sami Allagui and Johannes Geis from the penalty spot completed the rout of Paderborn.

Freiburg conceded a first-minute goal when Marco Russ scored from close range for Frankfurt, but responded with three second-half goals in eight minutes - a penalty from Vladimir Darida and two from Nils Petersen, with Petersen completing a hat-trick two minutes from time.

Croatia striker Ivica Olic went straight into the Hamburg side on his return to his former club from Wolfsburg, but it was visiting Cologne who took the points to leave the northern Germans in trouble near the foot of the table.

Marcel Risse struck an angled shot through the legs of keeper Jaroslav Drobny in the 62nd minute and bagged his second for Cologne on another break 16 minutes later.

On Friday, Wolfsburg stunned leaders Bayern Munich 4-1 in the first match after the league's winter break. Champions Bayern stay on 45 points, eight clear of Wolfsburg, who are seven ahead of Moenchengladbach and Schalke.

The league's resumption saw clubs pay tribute to Junior Malanda, who died in a car accident three weeks ago while travelling as a passenger on his way to join his Wolfsburg teammates departing for South Africa.

At several grounds players joined spectators for a minute's applause in memory of the Belgian Under-21 midfielder. Elsewhere a minute's silence was held.

On Friday, there was a moving tribute before the match between Wolfsburg and Bayern Munich when players from both sides, wearing black armbands, lined up to join spectators for a minute's applause.

Liverpool beat West Ham

England striker Daniel Sturridge celebrated his return after a five-month injury layoff when he came off the bench to score as Liverpool beat West Ham United 2-0 in the Premier League on Saturday.

Sturridge, who last played on August31, came on in the 68th minute and found the net 12 minutes later to seal the points for Liverpool who climbed above West Ham into seventh spot in the table.

Raheem Sterling had given them the lead six minutes into the second half at Anfield.

Manchester United avenged their shock 5-3 defeat at Leicester City in September when they crushed Nigel Pearson's bottom-of-the-table side 3-1 at Old Trafford to maintain their challenge for a top-four finish.

Tottenham Hotspur also kept up their push for a Champions League spot when they won 3-0 at West Bromwich Albion, who inflicted a surprise 1-0 defeat on Spurs at White Hart Lane.

Chelsea lead the table with 52 points, five ahead of Manchester City, who they play at Stamford Bridge at 1730GMT.

Manchester United are third on 43, ahead of Southampton on 42, Spurs 40, Arsenal 39 and Liverpool 38.

Robin van Persie, Radamel Falcao and an own goal by Wes Morgan before halftime put United in command against Leicester who replied with a consolation from Marcin Wasilewski 10 minutes from the end.

Spurs were 2-0 up in 15 minutes at The Hawthorns thanks to goals from Christian Eriksen and Harry Kane, who added the third with a second-half penalty, his 20th goal of the season.

The only winners among the bottom eight clubs were Sunderland, who beat Burnley 2-0 thanks to goals fromConnor Wickham and Jermain Defoe, who scored his first goal for his new club after 34 minutes.

There was no joy for any of the bottom four, with Leicester and Burnley losing along with Queens Park Rangers who went down 3-1 at Stoke City for whom Jonathan Walters scored a hat-trick.

Hull City lost 3-0 at home to Newcastle United and Everton won 1-0 at Crystal Palace.

Falcao scores as United beat Leicester

Radamel Falcao scored only his fourth goal for Manchester United in a 3-1 victory over Leicester in the English Premier League on Saturday.

The striker, who is on loan until the end of the season from Monaco, scored between Robin van Persie's first goal since last month and Wes Morgan's own goal.

Marcin Wasilewski scored in the second half, but the Foxes were unable to pull off another great comeback like they did in the reverse fixture last September, which they won 5-3.

While Leicester remained bottom, United provisionally rose to third in the league above Southampton, which hosts Swansea on Sunday.

For the first 20 minutes at Old Trafford, United looked just as flat as the team did in its last home match - a 1-0 loss to Southampton.

But then Van Persie looked more like the striker who scored 30 goals in his debut season at the club in 2012-13, giving United the lead in the 27th minute.

The Netherlands striker watched Daley Blind's chip pass over his left shoulder before expertly stabbing the ball past Mark Schwarzer with his right boot.

Falcao rounded off a move which Van Persie started five minutes later and the three points were in the bag at halftime after Morgan turned Wayne Rooney's corner into his own net

The win - and the fact that they scored three goals - will give confidence to Van Gaal's team, who had scored just five goals in their previous six matches.

Benzema double sinks Sociedad

Karim Benzema scored twice in the second half as Real Madrid beat Real Sociedad 4-1 to go four points clear at the top of La Liga on Saturday.

Real had to come from behind after being caught out inside the first minute with Aritz Elustondo heading the visitors in front.

However, Real missing the suspended Cristiano Ronaldo, quickly got back on level terms with James Rodrigueznodding in a Marcelo cross.

Sociedad have stood out for their giant-killing this season – with victories over the top three at home in La Liga – but have been poor away as they have failed to win a league match outside the Anoeta stadium in San Sebastian.

Sergio Ramos gave Real the lead in the 37th minute by smashing home a rebound after a Benzema shot had been saved by keeper Geronimo Rulli.

The game opened up for Real after the break and Benzema combined with Gareth Bale to slot in his first before curling a sweet effort into the top corner 15 minutes from the end.

Later third-placed Atletico Madrid, seven points off the pace on 44 points, face Eibar away. Barcelona, in second, host Villarreal on Sunday.

Afcon heads into knockout stage

At least one of the leading contenders for the Africa Cup of Nations title will be eliminated at the weekend when Algeria meet the Ivory Coast in the quarterfinals.

Sunday's clash in Malabo between two teams who took part in last year's World Cup is the headline game of the last eight as the three-week tournament enters the knockout stage.

Ghana, another of the African sides who featured in Brazil six months ago, play Guinea in Malabo earlier on Sunday.

On Saturday, hosts Equatorial Guinea seek to continue their fairytale run when they face Tunisia in Bata after a derby between Congo and neighbours the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Matches previously scheduled for the small eastern town of Ebibeyin and Mongomo have been moved because of fears over security and the condition of the pitches.

Algeria, the leading African team in the Fifa rankings, have continued their marked improvement over the last 12 months, including taking Germany to extra time at the World Cup.

Since then five wins out of six in Nations Cup qualifying have been followed by victories in the group stage over South Africa and Senegal.

But Ivory Coast, who got off to a slow start before eliminating Cameroon in a crunch game on Wednesday, are now brimming with confidence.

"We are three steps from the deciding game and the teams in the quarter-final can't help but dream of the final. We will not lose this quarterfinal," said coach Herve Renard, who will have forward Gervinho back from suspension.

Ghana will start as favourites against Guinea, whose place in the last eight was secured on Thursday when they won a rare drawing of lots to pip Mali to second place in their group.

INTIMIDATING ATMOSPHERE

Equatorial Guinea, catapulted into the finals when they took over as emergency tournament hosts just over two months ago, need to again draw extra energy from what is expected to be a capacity crowd in Bata for their match against Tunisia.

But while the intimidating atmosphere might have spooked their group opponents they will find the Tunisians wily operators with a stubborn defence and a bustling attack.

The clash of the Congos will be "the match of the tournament", according to DR Congo midfielder Neeskens Kebano.

"We are the same country separated by a river. We know our brothers, we are the same people, the same lives," added their coach Florent Ibenge on Thursday.

Two years ago at the last finals in South Africa veteran French coach Claude Le Roy failed to get past the first round with DR Congo. Now he takes charge of their northern neighbours.

"Our potential, talent, vigour make us a good bet for the semi-finals. We are not finished with this tournament yet," he told reporters.