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OPINION: VLADIMIR PETKOVIC IS RIGHT—ALGERIA WERE PHYSICALLY OUTCLASSED BY A SUPERIOR NIGERIA SQUAD

Vladimir Petkovic quotes, Riyad Mahrez reaction, Nigeria vs Morocco semi-final, AFCON 2026 news.

Opinion: Vladimir Petkovic is right—Algeria were physically outclassed by a superior Nigeria squad
Algeria’s unbeaten streak was shattered against Nigeria

Algeria’s coach, Vladimir Petković, didn’t sugarcoat it—Nigeria was just stronger everywhere on the pitch. After losing their quarter-final in Morocco, Algeria bowed out of the Africa Cup of Nations.

Victor Osimhen made the difference, scoring in both halves and setting up Akor Adams for the second goal. Algeria, unbeaten until this point, just couldn’t keep up with the Super Eagles.

Algeria actually started the tournament in style. They cruised past Sudan 3-0, edged Burkina Faso 1-0, and topped their group with a 3-1 win over Equatorial Guinea. In the Round of 16, they squeezed past DR Congo 1-0 to reach the last eight. But against Nigeria, they just couldn’t break down a tough, organised defence. They looked flat up front and never really threatened.

Petković gave credit where it was due. “Nigeria deserved the win,” he said. “They played better than us. We couldn’t find our rhythm or concentration. I won’t get lost in the details—Nigeria was just better. We missed a lot. We wanted to control things, but they shut us down. Their individual talent showed, and physically, we were a step behind. We tried to rally after halftime, but our attack couldn’t get going.”

He admitted his players were gutted. “They did well in this tournament. The journey’s over; another one is coming. We have to hold our heads high.”

Winger Riyad Mahrez felt the same. “That’s football—they were better, and that’s the reality. We have to keep working and move forward. We were slow in our positioning, and maybe we lacked balance. Nigeria was strong, and we couldn’t keep the ball long enough to trouble them. We did everything we could, but sometimes you just face a stronger team.”

Asked about the refereeing, Mahrez didn’t blame the loss on it but was clearly frustrated. “Everyone saw what happened. The referee was quick to book us but not them. These little things matter in high-level football, but that’s the game.”

Now, Nigeria heads to their 16th AFCON semi-final, where they’ll play tournament hosts Morocco. The Atlas Lions advanced after a 2-0 win over Cameroon. That semi-final kicks off on Wednesday at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.

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.

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Medhi Benatia Resigns From Marseille

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.

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Hull City And Police Crushed Discriminatory Chanting During Cup Clash

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.”

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