MENA Sports activities Wrap: Arab stars compete in Asian Cup and African Cup of Nations

Two of the world’s best-loved soccer tournaments will happen this month, with the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) and the Asian Cup hosted within the Ivory Coast and Qatar respectively.

Among the largest names within the Arab world will compete for the continental soccer trophies, with Qatar and Saudi Arabia tipped for achievement within the Asia match and Egypt, Algeria, and Morocco in West Africa.

The New Arab and MENA Sports activities Wrap shall be offering in-depth protection of each tournaments.

AFC Asian Cup to kick off in Qatar as Gaza battle rages

Asia’s largest soccer match will start in Qatar on Friday, with Israel’s battle on Gaza more likely to loom massive over the occasion.

Palestine will compete within the AFC Asian Cup, and we are able to count on acts of solidarity from gamers and followers horrified by Israel’s air and floor assault on Gaza that has lasted three months and killed greater than 23,000 individuals.

Host nation Qatar will play Lebanon on the Lusail Stadium within the opening sport of the match.

The Asian Cup, which is able to run till 10 February, was meant to happen in China final summer time which withdrew as match host in 2022 on account of its “zero-Covid” coverage.

Qatar was named because the alternative host however the match was postponed as a result of Gulf state’s summer time warmth and its workforce’s participation within the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Qatar is not any stranger to internet hosting main footballing occasions. In 2022, it turned the primary nation within the Arab world to carry the World Cup, and it has twice hosted the Asian Cup.

Exhibits of solidarity with Palestine punctuated the 2022 World Cup. Followers refused to talk to Israeli media, and gamers and followers waved Palestinian flags in stadiums.

Japan and South Korea are favourites to win the Asian Cup.

There’s, nonetheless, a sizeable Center East contingent current, and a few groups, together with Iran, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, might effectively upset the favourites and nab the title.

Match organisers said last month that revenues from the Asian Cup can be donated for reduction efforts in Palestine, amid the battle on Gaza.

Former Palestinian Olympic soccer workforce coach dies after Israeli strike accidents

Israel’s bombardment of Gaza is killing Palestinians from all walks of life, together with from the sporting world.

Hani al-Masdar, the previous coach for Palestine’s Olympic soccer workforce, died after sustaining accidents in an Israeli strike close to his residence within the village of Al-Masdar, central Gaza, the Palestinian Soccer Affiliation (PFA) stated on Saturday.

The 42-year-old was often known as Abu al-Abd. He was a midfielder throughout his taking part in profession, together with on the Gaza Sports activities Membership, till he retired in 2018. The PFA stated he possessed “magical passes”.

Abu al-Abd started his managing profession on the identical membership he performed at, earlier than taking the helm of the Olympic workforce in 2021.

Al-Masdar was one in every of dozens of Palestinian athletes in Gaza who’ve been killed in Israel’s three-month onslaught.

In line with the PFA, some 88 athletes have been killed, 67 of them footballers. Two dozen sporting “directors and technicians” have died.

Dozens of athletes have additionally been detained by Israeli forces, the soccer affiliation stated.

Africa’s finest groups compete in Ivory Coast as Africa Cup of Nations kicks off

One of many African continent’s largest soccer competitions – the Africa Cup of Nations – kicks-off on Saturday, with groups trying to be topped champions this 12 months.

The match shall be held within the Ivory Coast and can see the likes of Senegal, Egypt, Morocco, and Nigeria vie for the coveted trophy. It was initially slated for 2023, however opposed climate situations postponed the competitors for the winter season as a substitute.

The hosts shall be opening the match in a match performed in opposition to Guinea-Bissau on the Olympic Stadium of Ebimpe in Abidjan, whereas seven-time champions Egypt shall be seen in motion on Monday.

The competitors shall be bringing among the African continent’s largest stars collectively – although this implies many shall be absent from European membership soccer for the subsequent few weeks, together with the Premier League.

The New Arab takes a have a look at the gamers and groups to look out for:

-Mohamed Salah

Egypt and Liverpool juggernaut Mo Salah will captain the Pharaohs within the Ivory Coast, and shall be hoping so as to add an African Cup of Nations winners medal to his already-impressive cupboard. Salah is taken into account among the many most prolific goal-scorers of his technology and shall be trying to web extra for Egypt within the pan-Africa video games.

Egypt was the runners-up in 2017 and 2021, however they have not gained since 2010. They may face stiff competitors within the group levels from Ghana, who’re among the many favourites to win the match.

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-Morocco

The Atlas Lions are the highest-ranking workforce within the competitors, boasting a star-studded squad starting from Paris Saint-German right-back Achraf Hakimi, Al-Hilal goalkeeper Yassine Bounou and Galatasaray ahead Hakim Ziyech, who’s on mortgage from Chelsea.

Expectations are excessive for Walid Regragui’s males following a formidable efficiency on the 2022 World Cup the place they completed fourth total, having crushed Belgium, Portugal, and Spain to succeed in the semi-finals – earlier than being knocked out by runners-up France.

Morocco, nonetheless, has had considerably of an unfortunate run in then African match, having solely gained as soon as – again in 1976 and was final seen in an AFCON last in 2004.

-Riyad Mahrez

The Algeria captain is among the many MENA area’s most well-known and expert gamers, having gained a number of trophies with prime English Premier League membership Manchester Metropolis.

Now primarily based in Saudi Arabia, Mahrez shall be trying to recreate Algeria’s 2019 glory, when the Fennec Foxes final gained the AFCON trophy, with assist from the Al-Ahli striker.

-Victor Osimhen

The Nigerian ahead was just lately voted as African Participant of the Yr, and emerged as one in every of European soccer’s brightest stars after ending prime scorer in Italy’s Serie A league final season having scored 26 for Napoli. The 25-year-old – who has 20 targets in 27 video games for the Tremendous Eagles – shall be eager to shine on the worldwide stage, after not having the prospect to take action on the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

-Andre Onana

The world’s eyes will keep on Cameroonian aim stopper Andre Onana, who solely just lately got here out of worldwide retirement to rejoin the squad.

Onana’s function within the Cameroon aspect has been marred with controversy, as he made the choice to overlook his nation’s opening match on Monday in opposition to Guinea – as a substitute opting to play for his membership Manchester United once they play Tottenham on Sunday.

Onana, famous for his wide selection of abilities, is taken into account a trailblazer for Black goalkeepers worldwide. The Cameroonian has steadily highlighted the challenges Black shot-stoppers expertise in European soccer leagues.

Senegal

Group Senegal are the reigning AFCON champions, and shall be looking for to efficiently defend their title this 12 months. All eyes shall be on Sadio Mane, the previous Liverpool striker who’s central to the workforce’s success. The Teranga Lions are the second-highest-ranked African workforce and shall be trying to trigger a number of upsets all through the match.