Thu 22 Jan 2015:

Zambia 1 – 2 Tunisia

Cape Verde 0 – 0 Congo DR

Fri 23 Jan 2015:

Ghana vs Algeria 5pm

South Africa vs Senegal 8pm

Four-time champion Roger Federer is out of the Australian Open after being beaten in the third round by unheralded Italian Andreas Seppi. The 33-year-old Swiss second seed went down 6-4 7-6 (7-5) 4-6 7-6 (7-5) to Seppi, who is ranked 46 in the world. Seppi, 30, had never beaten the 17-time Grand Slam champion in 10 previous meetings and his win ends a 23-match losing streak against top 10 opponents. “I just tried my best and it was one of my best matches for sure,” said Seppi. It is the first time since 2003 that Federer has failed to reach at least the semi-finals in Melbourne, and extends his run without a Grand Slam title which stretches back to Wimbledon 2012. He enjoyed a revival last year, vying with Novak Djokovic for the number one ranking, and began 2015 with his 83rd career title in Brisbane. However, there had been signs in his previous match against another Italian, Simone Bolelli, that the Swiss was not at his best as he dropped the opening set.

The king of Saudi Arabia, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz has died, royal officials have announced, weeks after he was admitted to hospital. King Abdullah, who was said to be aged about 90, had been suffering from a lung infection. BBC reports that a statement early on Friday said his 79-year-old half brother, Salman, had become king. Abdullah came to the throne in 2005 but had suffered frequent bouts of ill health in recent years. King Salman, 79, had recently taken on the ailing monarch’s responsibilities. Before the announcement, Saudi television cut to Koranic verses, which often signifies the death of a senior royal. The late king’s half brother Muqrin, who is in his late 60s, has been named the new crown prince, the official statement said. All three are sons of the founder of modern Saudi Arabia, King Abdulaziz, usually referred to as Ibn Saud, who died in 1953. King Salman called on the royal family’s Allegiance Council to recognise Muqrin as his crown prince and heir. “His Highness Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud and all members of the family and the nation mourn the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, who passed away at exactly 01:00 this morning,” the statement said.

The 1980 African Cup of Nations was hosted and won by Nigeria. That was the Green Eagles (as the Super Eagles were then known) first continental triumph in soccer. The then Green Eagles played their first group game against Tanzania and defeated them 3-1. Their second game was against Ivory Coast and ended 0-0. The final group game saw the Green Eagles facing beating Egypt 1-0 to top Group A with 5 points. Eagles would go on to defeat Morocco 1-0 in the semi final and ultimately won the cup by defeating Algeria 3-0 in the final game. The Green Eagles were rewarded with a house each at FESTAC town in Lagos and also given a national award each; Member of the Order of the Niger (MON). As we celebrate our recent victory in AFCON 2013 in South Africa, let us remember these heroes (some of whom are dead). They are:

The 2015 African Cup of Nations is still going on in Equatorial Guinea albert Super Eagles absence.

Yesterdays results:

Equatorial Guinea 0 – 0 Burkina Faso

Gabon 0 – 0 Congo

Today’s games:

Zambia vs Tunisia 5pm

Cape Verde vs Congo DR 8pm

Time: Nigerian time

DELOITTE FOOTBALL MONEY LEAGUE:

• 1. Real Madrid: 549.5m (518.9m)

• 2. Man Utd: 518m (423.8m)

• 3. Bayern Munich: 487.5m (431.2m)

• 4. Barcelona: 484.6m (482.6m)

• 5. Paris Saint Germain; 474.2m (398.8m)

• 6. Manchester City: 414.4m (316.2m)

• 7. Chelsea: 387.9m (303.4m)

• 8. Arsenal: 359.3m (284.3)

• 9. Liverpool: 305.9m (240.6m)

• 10. Juventus: 279.4m (272.4m)

Source: Deloitte, revenues in euros for 2013-14 season. Note: 2012-13 revenues in brackets

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