JUST IN: CYRIEL DESSERS SENT HOME! NIGERIA’S STRIKER CRISIS EXPLODES JUST BEFORE THE KNOCKOUT STAGE
Cyriel Dessers ruled out of AFCON 2025 as injury crisis hits Nigeria. See the latest on Alebiosu & Nnadi ahead of Mozambique clash.
Nigeria just took a big hit at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. Cyriel Dessers is out for the rest of the tournament with a thigh injury, so that’s one less weapon for the Super Eagles.
Dessers, who plays for Panathinaikos, had been struggling with his thigh for a while and missed all three group games—Tanzania, Tunisia, and Uganda. They sent him for a scan, and the news wasn’t good. He’s heading back to Greece to recover and won’t play any part in Nigeria’s chase for their fourth continental crown.
A Super Eagles official said that losing Dessers is a tough blow. “He left the team’s hotel a few hours ago, and it’s a big blow for us because we all know what he brings to the group,” the official said. You could hear the disappointment. Everyone knew Dessers had his heart set on this tournament.
Still, the mood in the camp hasn’t wavered much. The official insisted the squad is locked in, ready to face whatever comes next. “We’re confident the other players are ready to step up and fill the gap. This team has options, and we’re all focused on Mozambique.” They’re not letting this derail the mission. They want Dessers back healthy as soon as possible.
Things aren’t much clearer in defence either. Blackburn Rovers’ Alebiosu is a serious doubt for the Mozambique game. He missed Friday’s training after picking up a nasty cut to his leg during that 3–1 win over Uganda, where he played the whole match in place of Bright Osayi-Samuel. They had to take him to the hospital, and now nobody’s sure if he’ll be fit in time.
And there’s more. Tochukwu Nnadi also sat out training, sidelined by a cold. The Zulte Waregem midfielder came on for the last 14 minutes against Uganda, but now he’s questionable as well.
Next up, Nigeria faces Mozambique on January 5 at Fez Stadium. Make it through, and they’ll square off against either Algeria or DR Congo in the quarterfinals. Lots of questions, but the team’s eyes are still on the prize.
MARSEILLE MELTDOWN: WHY MEDHI BENATIA QUIT AFTER A BITTER MASON GREENWOOD FALLOUT
Marseille meltdown: Medhi Benatia resigns as Sporting Director after clashes with Mason Greenwood. Get the latest on De Zerbi’s exit.
Marseille’s sporting director, Medhi Benatia, has quit his job after reports of friction with Mason Greenwood, the former Manchester United striker.
It’s a tough time for the club. Benatia’s exit comes with pressure piling up; Marseille’s going through a rough patch that also saw Roberto De Zerbi walk out. De Zerbi left after that brutal 5-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain. The team are sitting in fourth, and they just missed out on the next round of the Champions League in dramatic fashion.
Benatia, who used to play for Morocco and had a solid career with Bayern Munich, Roma, and Juventus, confirmed he’s stepping down. In his statement, he didn’t hold back: “Since I got here, I’ve poured my heart into this job with one goal: getting Marseille back where it belongs. I know this club inside out. I understand what it asks of you and the passion behind it.”
He tried to keep things positive: “We’re still in the fight. Making the Champions League is within reach, and we’re still gunning for the Coupe de France. Even with the setbacks and bad luck, the project’s still moving forward on the pitch. But I can’t ignore what’s happening around us.”
Benatia pointed to growing frustration and a communication breakdown: “In Marseille, results speak for themselves. You know I don’t sugarcoat things. With all the tension in management, I’ve handed in my resignation because, to me, the club always comes first. I don’t want to be an obstacle or a burden.”
He finished with a note of regret: “I did everything I could, but I couldn’t calm things down around the team even though I really believe they can hit their targets.”
Apparently, Benatia and Greenwood just didn’t get along. Greenwood’s been crucial for Marseille since joining in 2024, and while De Zerbi backed him publicly, things between Benatia and Greenwood reportedly got icy. L’Equipe claimed the two barely spoke, and Benatia didn’t hide his criticism on or off the field.
Some say Benatia got fed up with Greenwood ignoring commercial duties last summer and not caring about the fallout. Now De Zerbi’s on the market, a familiar name for clubs like Manchester United and Tottenham, both hunting for new managers.
De Zerbi’s already been linked to United before. After his stint at Brighton, he was apparently considered for the Old Trafford job before they stuck with Erik ten Hag.
ARRESTS AT THE MKM: WHY POLICE INTERVENED DURING HULL CITY’S FA CUP DEFEAT
Police made arrests at the MKM Stadium as Chelsea beat Hull 4-0. Read the full report on Pedro Neto's hat-trick and the fan fallout.
Hull City say police made arrests after fans started up discriminatory chants during their 4-0 FA Cup loss to Chelsea on Friday night. Early in the game, the stadium’s PA system cut in with a warning: stop the chanting, or face arrest. Stewards and police didn’t mess around in the second half; the club announced they’d actually detained some supporters.
The chant targeted Chelsea and was homophobic. It’s not the first time this kind of thing has happened. Back in 2022, the Crown Prosecution Service made it clear that a certain lyric in the chant is a homophobic slur, and using it can land you in legal trouble. Just ask Paul Boardman, a Liverpool fan who got slapped with a Wembley ban and a £500 fine for shouting it at a train station.
Meanwhile, the game itself got away from Hull. Chelsea rolled over them, with Pedro Neto bagging a hat-trick. Hull boss Sergej Jakirovic still found a few positives, though. He liked the team’s defensive setup and thought they could’ve used their counterattacks better. “We deserved at least one goal,” he said, “but if we play like this, we’ll be in a good spot in the Championship.” He’s already thinking ahead to the next match against QPR.
On the other side, Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior was back at the MKM Stadium, his old stomping ground. He was buzzing about his team’s attitude and effort, especially in the first half. “Hull are flying in the Championship, and I hope they make the Premier League,” he said. “But our mentality and quality tonight made the difference.” He singled out Pedro Neto for his work rate and finishing, but really, he seemed proud of the whole squad. “Everyone put in a shift. The mentality was spot on.”
The night was extra special for Rosenior. He had more than 20 family members in the stands and got warm applause from both sets of fans. “This club means a lot to my family and me,” he said. “I really appreciate the welcome. It was a good night all around.”