Algerian players Luca Zidane and Rafik Belghali have been banned for two and four matches, respectively, for their part in ugly scenes following a quarter-final defeat to Nigeria at the African Cup of Nations.

The news was announced on Wednesday by the Algerian football federation (FAF), which was fined $100,000 for security lapses and improper conduct by players, officials, and supporters.

Goalkeeper Zidane and defender Belghali will serve their suspensions during qualifying for the 2027 tournament.

The FAF said it was lodging an appeal to challenge the sanctions.

Algeria were denied a penalty with the game locked at 0-0 before they eventually lost 2-0 to Nigeria thanks to second-half goals by Victor Osimhen and Akor Adams.

After the final whistle, a scuffle broke out between both sets of players and staff.

The FAF said the fines included charges for fans attempting to invade the pitch and displaying banknotes towards match officials.

Super Eagles booked their place in the semi-finals after a commanding victory over Algeria at the Grand Stade de Marrakech.

The Desert Foxes, who had conceded just one goal throughout the tournament before the quarter-final, were undone by Nigeria’s relentless pressure and clinical second-half finishing.

Alex Iwobi split the Algerian defence with a delightful outside-of-the-boot pass, Osimhen selflessly squared the ball across goal, and Adams calmly rounded goalkeeper Luca Zidane before slotting into an empty net.

Algeria struggled to impose itself and failed to register a single shot on target throughout the match, despite second-half changes that included the introduction of Baghdad Bounedjah.

The Eagles, who lost to hosts Morocco in the semi-final, however, won the third-place match against Egypt.

This gave Nigeria their ninth third-place finish at the continental showpiece.


AFP

Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior has expressed his delight with the Blues’ victory over Pafos stating the result was well deserved.

The Cypriot put up a dogged performance at Stamford Bridge with goalkeeper Jay Gorter making several crucial saved.

However, they were rewarded 12 minutes from full time with Moises Caicedo heading home the winner to hand the Premier League side all points at stake.

“You have to keep banging on the door,” said Rosenior.

“Obviously you want to get the breakthrough earlier to open up the game. I felt it was a harsh decision on Enzo. Maybe he puts his hands on him but in the Premier League it’s probably a goal.

“You just have to keep going. There are things I was pleased with, things we need to improve on, but overall we kept going.

“They were making block after block, save after save, and I was delighted for Moi to get the goal and the result we deserved.”

Mario Guiffredi, agent of Luca Marianucci and Giuseppe Ambrosino has hurled a scornful attack on Antonio Conte accusing the Napoli manager lacking the courage to use the youngsters and holding them hostage.

This comes in the wake of the Parthenopeans’ unispiring 1-1 draw against Danish side FC Copenhagen.

“I will not let myself be mocked by him. It’s just shockingly ridiculous. If Conte lacks the courage to use young players, that is not my problem,” said Guiffredi.

“Allegri plays Bartesaghi, who was in the Under-23 side that got relegated, at Milan. Bernasconi played for the Atalanta Under-23 team and he starts with both Juric and Palladino as coach.

“Francesco Pio Esposito plays regularly for Inter, Gasperini picked a player born in 2009 like Arena, who a year ago was in Serie C.”

“Conte has to decide if Marianucci and Ambrosino are Napoli players. If they are, then he must have the courage to actually use them,” continued Giuffredi. “That does not mean a few minutes every 10 years! Otherwise, just say they don’t belong at Napoli, and let them prove themselves elsewhere.

“He cannot just continue to keep them hostage. We already had an agreement in place with Cremonese and Venezia for these players, but for the last month this man has refused to let the players go. If he keeps them here and then doesn’t even give them a minute on the field, then what is it for?”