Sports

Inter Top Of Serie A After Sweeping Aside Cagliari

Published

1 year ago

December 28, 2024

Inter Milan moved provisionally top of Serie A on Saturday with a 3-0 win at Cagliari which put the champions ahead of Atalanta on goal difference.

Second-half goals from Alessandro Bastoni, Lautaro Martinez and Hakan Calhanoglu decided an engaging match in Sardinia to give Inter their fifth straight win in Italy’s top flight.

Atalanta can reclaim top spot later on Saturday when they face fourth-placed Lazio in Rome, looking for a club record-extending 12th league win on the bounce without injured star striker Mateo Retegui.

“The most important thing is that Inter win. If I get a goal too, then that’s a bonus,” said Martinez, who broke an eight-match scoring drought with his 71st-minute strike.

“We work hard every day to win trophies and anyone who sets foot on the pitch will give their all for the team. We’ve just got to keep going and make 2025 like this year.”

Inter could have won by a more convincing scoreline at the Unipol Domus stadium had captain Martinez not wasted great chances in each half before prodding home Nicolo Barella’s cross.

Argentina striker Martinez hadn’t scored since November 3 and looked to be having another bad day in front of goal when he somehow failed to push home Calhanoglu’s cross midway through the first half.

He then flashed a low drive just past the post eight minutes after the break, moments after Bastoni gave Inter the lead with a brilliant looping header.

But he did net his seventh goal this season in all competitions and seven minutes later Calhanoglu made absolutely sure of the points from the penalty spot.

Next up, Inter travel to play the Italian Super Cup in Saudi Arabia, where Simone Inzaghi’s side take on Atalanta on Thursday.

Sports

AFCON 2025: Four Teams Qualify For Round Of 16

Published

6 days ago

December 29, 2025

Editor

South Africa became the fourth team to confirm their place in the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Bafana Bafana edged a five-goal thriller against rivals Zimbabwe, winning 3-2 on Monday evening.

Tshepang Moremi opened the scoring for Hugo Broos’ side, before Tawanda
Maswanhise equalised in the 19th minute.

Lyle Foster restored South Africa’s lead five minutes after the break, but Aubrey Modiba drew the match level in the 73rd minute.

The winning goal came with eight minutes remaining, as Oswin Appollis converted from the penalty spot.

The result took South Africa to six points, one behind group winners Egypt. Both sides have qualified for the next round, alongside Nigeria and Algeria.

Sports

AFCON: Uganda Coach Lists Three Things His Team Must Do Against Nigeria

Published

6 days ago

December 29, 2025

Editor

Uganda head coach Paul Put has outlined three key areas his side must focus on to secure victory against Nigeria when both teams clash in Tuesday’s Africa Cup of Nations tie.

Put’s side must claim all three points against the Super Eagles or risk an early exit from the competition. The Cranes have just one point in Group C after their opening two matches.
A win against Nigeria could see Uganda qualify as one of the best third-placed teams.

However, speaking at his pre-match press conference on Monday, Put said that for Uganda to overcome Eric Chelle’s side, they must “concentrate be very prepared and win their duels” against Nigeria.

“We have to go for it [win against Nigeria] and we will do it,” Put said.

“Nigerians play at a high level in Europe, so we have to be very concentrated, very prepared and win our duels, which is one of the strong points of Nigeria.”