Hosts Egypt began their African Cup of nations campaign in fine style by beating Zimbabwe 1-0 at the Cairo International Stadium, but it was their fans who earned most praise in the aftermath.

Clarence Seedorf insists his Cameroon side are fully focused as they prepare to begin the defence of their Africa Cup of Nations title.

Mali opened their Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a resounding 4-1 triumph over Mauritania at the Suez Stadium.

Sadio Mane has admitted he would swap the Champions League win with Liverpool to claim AFCON glory with his beloved Senegal. 

Mali took the cliche of a 'like for like' substitution to a whole new level on Monday night after two Adama Traore's found the net after one replaced the other from the bench.

Amr Warda has been reinstated in Egypt's African Cup of Nations squad, the country's FA has confirmed. Warda had originally been dropped for after claims made by model Merhan Keller.

Ahmed Elmohamady and Mohamed Salah fired Egypt into the last-16 of the Africa Cup of Nations with a goal each in a 2-0 win against DR Congo in Cairo on Wednesday.

Bafana Bafana boss Stuart Baxter had warned his side ahead of the match not to underestimate Namibia and they did indeed prove tough opposition until Zungu's header won the game.

Liverpool forward Sadio Mane scored twice after missing a penalty as Senegal reached the last 16 at the Africans Cup of Nations with a 3-0 win over Kenya.

Adam Ounas and Islam Slimani inspired Algeria to a comfortable 3-0 win over Tanzania as they completed a 100 per cent Group C record in the Africa Cup of Nations.

Riyad Mahrez scored a wonderful goal as Algeria underlined their status as one of the favourites for the Africa Cup of Nations with a 3-0 win over Guinea which booked their place in the quarter-finals.

Yannick Bolasie missed from the spot as Africa Cup of Nations debutants Madagascar beat DR Congo in a dramatic penalty shootout to reach the quarter-finals.

Liverpool's Sadio Mane has stepped down from taking Senegal's penalties at the Africa Cup of Nations after missing twice from the spot in the tournament.

The game had looked to be heading to extra time as the two teams battled for the right to play Senegal in Friday's showpiece, but Man City midfielder Mahrez won it for Algeria late on.

The Dutch legend has been confirmed as the club's new head of La Masia academy after he was sacked as Cameroon assistant manager after a poor AFCON campaign.

The Senegalese forward will return to the club on Monday after a 16-day break following his exertions at the African Cup of Nations - late calls will be made on Mo Salah and Roberto Firmino.

 Wilfried Bony has revealed he is close to moving abroad after leaving Swansea this summer - and is training with League Two Newport County to keep his fitness up.

'It's the Nicolas Pepe show in north London,' came the commentator's scream as he fired in his second free-kick of the night. 16 miles south, another Ivorian winger will have been watching with interest.

Didier Drogba has backed Sadio Mane to be a front-runner for the Ballon d'Or and hopes the Senegalese winger can become only the second African to win the award - after George Weah in 1995.

Riyad Mahrez has pulled-out of the Algeria squad ahead of their African Cup of Nations clash with Botswana on Monday. He assisted in the 5-0 thrashing of Zambia, has not travelled to Botswana

Instantly naming Mahrez as the best current Arab player in the world, former City midfielder Nasri admitted he had reached his verdict 'because (Mahrez) is Algerian and I like his style of play.'

The tournament was moved to the summer months following a decision by their executive committee in 2017. However, a decision has been made to reverse that call on Wednesday.

Ghana were on the verge of becoming the first African team to reach a World Cup semi-final when they were awarded a penalty in added time of extra time after a Luis Suarez's handball.

BUMBLE AT THE TEST: Jofra Archer was at the centre of it all again as he picked up three more scalps as the Ashes tide started to turn as England drew the second Test with Australia.

Headingley will host the third Ashes Test as England aim to draw level with Australia in Yorkshire, starting on Thursday. Sportsmail's DAVID LLOYD has everything you need to know.

After years of playing and commentating, David Lloyd knows a thing or two about how to enjoy the perfect day out at the cricket.

DAVID LLOYD AT THE OVAL: England's batting line-up is flimsy. At 130 for two, you would have thought it would be plain sailing for them, with most of the top order getting starts

The Dutchman played a huge part in the 0-0 as he was involved in an altercation with Arsenal's Patrick Vieira that saw the Frenchman sent off for a second yellow and also missed a late penalty.

Roma are considering a summer move for Alexis Sanchez as Manchester United look to offload the Chilean winger at the end of the season, according to Sky Sports.

Inter Milan striker Romelu Lukaku declared that he has been 'a man on a mission' ever since Belgium's third-placed finish at the 2018 World Cup.

All games for the under-23 competitions and below have been terminated for the rest of the season, with a means of determining final standings still to be announced.

The Daily Mirror claim Paul Pogba has told Manchester United he wishes to join Real Madrid, but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is said to have plans to make him part of the club's future midfield.

United are preparing for a return to Carrington in the coming weeks with the Premier League's restart in the offing, but for now the Red Devils stars are still having to keep themselves ticking over in their homes.

Dimitar Berbatov believes Harry Kane should follow in his footsteps and swap Tottenham for Manchester United this summer for the good of his career. The Bulgarian made the same move back in 2008.

Paul Pogba has struggled to settle at United since his £89million return from Juventus in 2016 and has been been linked with moves to Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain as well as a Juve return.

The Serie A club are willing to entertain offers for the 28-year-old Senegal centre back when the transfer window finally opens this summer with Liverpool reportedly leading the chase.

David Beckham was sent off in the second-half of England's last 16 game with Argentina after kicking out at Diego Simeone. The Three Lions would go on to be knocked out by their rivals on penalties.

Former Manchester United defender Jaap Stam has been out of a job since resigning as boss of Eredivisie side Feyenoord in October after less than five months in charge of the club.

According to Tutto Mercato, Manchester United scouts have attended four of Juventus' Champions League fixtures this season to run the rule over midfielder Adrien Rabiot.

Alexis Sanchez is currently on loan at Inter Milan after struggling to adapt to life at Manchester United. Sanchez's future at Old Trafford is uncertain, but he is reportedly keen on a move back to Chile.

The Manchester United forward has not played since sustaining a back injury against Wolves in an FA Cup third round replay on January 15, but is nearing full fitness as he trains during lockdown.

Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand's comments discussing Ravel Morrison's wasted '£100million' potential have 'upset' the former Manchester United wonderkid.

Giggs won plenty of silverware under Ferguson at Old Trafford including 13 Premier League titles and two Champions League wins, but it is Van Gaal who he claims has shaped his managerial style.

The Red Devils captain, who joined the club last summer from Leicester for £80million, has seen his side miss multiple chances to break into the top four before the season was suspended.

Man United midfielder Fred has put his hands up and admitted to having an 'awful' first season after struggling to settle into the Premier League. He failed to make his mark under ex-boss Jose Mourinho.

The defender celebrated his 16th birthday last month but turned down the offer of a contract extension from Barcelona in favour of making the move to England.

The 24-year-old has been linked with a move to Old Trafford since the beginning of the season and could set the Red Devils back £80million should they want him this summer.

Brighton chief executive Paul Barber is among those opposed to the idea, with the Seagulls hovering two points above the drop zone with nine fixtures remaining - five of which would have been at home.

Fernandes has hit the ground running at Old Trafford since joining in January and won February Player of the Month in the Premier League. But he is yet to play alongside Pogba.

Borussia Dortmund are not in a position where they have to sell the winger at the end of the season and will not be lowering their asking price in spite of the financial impact of the coronavirus crisis.