SPORTS

Paris, France | AFP | With a potent attack featuring teenage sensation Kylian Mbappe and Atletico Madrid hotshot Antoine Griezmann and a midfield stuffed with talent, France should be among the World Cup favourites. With Alexandre Lacazette offering yet another attacking threat, a top-class goalkeeper in Hugo Lloris and depth …

Tokyo, Japan | AFP | Japan coach Vahid Halilhodzic promised to avenge his side’s humiliating 4-1 thrashing by Colombia at the 2014 World Cup following Friday’s draw for next summer’s finals in Russia. The firebrand Franco-Bosnian admitted “it could have been worse” after the Blue Samurai were drawn alongside the …

Moscow, Russia | AFP | Russia breathed a collective sigh of relief on Friday after avoiding Spain and looking like favourites to make it out of their group in their first home World Cup. “The ideal group,” the government-run R-Sport news agency shouted in a banner headline on its website …

Spain and Portugal drawn in same World Cup group Moscow, Russia | AFP |  The 2010 World Cup winners Spain were placed in the same group as Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal in an exciting draw for the 2018 tournament in Russia on Friday. Neymar’s Brazil meanwhile will have to negotiate a …

Tweets about @FIFAWorldCup Moscow, Russia | AFP |  Russian leader Vladimir Putin and FIFA President Gianni Infantino on Friday opened the ceremony for the 2018 World Cup draw in the Kremlin in Moscow. “Our country is looking forward to the championship and intends to hold it at the highest level,” …

London, United Kingdom | AFP | Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is not expecting Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho to set his team up defensively when the sides clash on Saturday despite his reputation for “parking the bus” in big matches. United travel to the Emirates Stadium sitting second in the Premier …

London, United Kingdom | AFP | Manchester City’s dramatic 2-1 win over Southampton on Wednesday restored their eight-point lead at the Premier League summit and further enhanced their status as overwhelming title favourites. Pep Guardiola’s sparkling team have smashed record after record since the start of the season and are currently on a …

Nairobi, Kenya | AFP | Kenya’s new coach Paul Put has warned his players to expect Rwanda and Libya to be at full strength when they meet in the group phase of the Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup. In his first game since taking over from Stanley Okumbi last month, the Belgian-born …

London, United Kingdom | AFP | London will host the world chess championship match on November 9-28 next year against current incumbent Magnus Carlsen of Norway, organisers said on Wednesday. The 12-game match will see Carlsen defend his title against a challenger to be decided at a separate tournament in …

Nairobi, Kenya | AFP | Zimbabwe have pulled out of the Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup starting in Kenya this week, citing security concerns. Zimbabwe had been invited to take part in the December 3-17 tournament as one of two guest teams, along with Libya. “Following wide-ranging consultations with all stakeholders, …