African football’s governing body has stripped Senegal of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title they won in a  chaotic final two months ago and declared Morocco the champions.

In a stunning decision, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) said on Tuesday that its appeals board ruled that Senegal is “declared to have forfeited” the match, a 1-0 victory. The result, it said, was now “being officially recorded as 3-0” ‌in favour of host nation Morocco.

At the January 18 final in Rabat, Senegal’s players walked off the pitch, led by coach Pape Thiaw, in protest against a penalty awarded late in regulation time to Morocco.

When play resumed after a delay of about 15 minutes, Morocco forward Brahim Diaz’s penalty was saved. In extra time, Pape Gueye scored the decisive goal that saw Senegal become champions of Africa for the second time.

The heated final also saw supporters trying to storm the field, players scuffling on the sidelines, reporters from the two countries fighting in media areas, and a bizarre sequence in which Moroccan ball boys tried to seize a towel being used by Senegalese goalkeeper Edouard Mendy – in an apparent bid to distract him and help their team win the continental title.

At a disciplinary hearing in January, CAF imposed fines of more than $1m as well as bans for Senegal and Morocco players and officials, but it had left the result untouched.

The case could go to a further appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

[Aljazeera]

As Sri Lanka marked the 30th anniversary of their Cricket World Cup triumph, the odds they overcame remain the stuff of cricketing folklore. Barely 15 years into their journey as a full member of the ICC, they didn’t just compete – they turned the game on its head, blindsiding the cricketing world with a brand of cricket that was as audacious as it was effective.

With field restrictions in place for the first 15 overs, Sri Lanka cashed in like seasoned pros at the top of their game. They went after bowlers with a nothing-to-lose attitude, throwing caution to the wind and runs on the board. By the time opponents tried to plug the gaps, the horse had well and truly bolted, the damage was already done.

Arjuna Ranatunga had long been tipped for greatness. Sir Garry Sobers, Sri Lanka’s first coach after gaining Test status, had earmarked him as one to watch. While Ranatunga’s contributions with the bat were invaluable, it was his leadership that truly set him apart, a skipper who knew how to marshal his troops and bring out the best in each of them.

A towering presence in Sri Lankan cricket, Ranatunga, much like Imran Khan in 1992 was handed the reins and the freedom to build a side in his own image. More than half a dozen players in that World Cup squad hailed from outstations, many of them taken under the captain’s wing and housed in his own home, a gesture that spoke volumes of the unity and trust within the camp.

“I was very lucky to have guys like Duleep Mendis, Roy Dias and Ranjan Madugalle working closely with the team. We had developed this side for about two years and our batting unit from number one to number seven had collectively played over 1000 ODIs. We knew no team could match that,” Ranatunga told Telecom Asia Sport.

For Ranatunga, success was about spotting raw talent and backing it to the hilt.

“It was clear to me there was a lot of hidden talent in the outstations. You had to identify them and give them confidence. Take Sanath Jayasuriya; in his early years he struggled. I think he had just one half-century in his first 50 games. But we knew what he was capable of. Once he got his confidence, he was unstoppable,” he said.

Sri Lanka’s triumph was not built on luck or favourable conditions, it was forged in the fire of big-match pressure. They beat India twice in their own backyard, a feat that underlined their dominance.

“Why our win is special is because we beat India twice in that tournament, in their own backyard. They had a very strong side, but we outplayed them. Aravinda’s knocks in the semi-final and final were sensational. At that point, he was the best player in the world and I was fortunate to have played alongside him,” Ranatunga recalled.

The ICC recently presented Sri Lankan players
with medallions to mark the World Cup win.

Until 1996, Sri Lanka had never made it past the first hurdle in a World Cup. But in that tournament, they were unstoppable, brushing aside England in the quarter-finals, overwhelming India in the semis and then outplaying a formidable Australian outfit in the final.

Ranatunga, never one to shy away from a verbal duel, believed that taking the fight to Australia was half the battle won.

“I always tried to get under the Australians’ skin. I knew that if you gave it back to them, they could crack under pressure,” he said.

There was much chatter ahead of the final about how Sri Lanka would handle Shane Warne. But Ranatunga had his cards in place.

“We had four left-handers in the top seven, so we knew we could counter him. Australia rely on building dot-ball pressure when wickets don’t come. But we handled it well. Asanka Gurusinha stepped out to Warne and hit a few boundaries and from there, we had the chase under control.”

Three decades on, that triumph still stands tall, not just as a victory, but as a turning point. It was the day Sri Lanka didn’t just win a World Cup, but rewrote the script of one-day cricket, proving that even the underdogs can have the last laugh if they are willing to play with courage, conviction and a touch of madness.

(Telecom Asia Sport)

Richmond College Team

‎Seated (from left) Ravinu Randinu, Avindu Theekshana (Asistant Coach), Lahiru Maduwantha (Assistant Coach), P.A Dharmarathne (Assistant Principal), Bevin Jayawardena (Captain), Rusira Maddumahewage (Principal), Tenusha Nimsara (Vice Captain), Chamith Wickramasingha (MIC), Mahesh Sandaruwan (Head Coach), Sidath Priyankara (Assistant Coach), Nethuja Basitha.

‎Standing (from left) Hiruk Akalanka, Daham Sathsara, Ameesha Rasanjana, Chalindu Karunarathne, Punal Hansajith, Ranindu De Silva, Tenura Dias, Vihanga Indusara, Shevan De Soyza, Nethsara Akash, Minaga Ariyadasa, Risinu Rupasinghe, Senuk Dulmeth.

One of the most anticipated school cricket encounters in the south, the “Lovers’ Quarrel” between Richmond College and Mahinda College returns with high expectations as the 2026 edition gets underway at the iconic Galle International Stadium on Thursday.

‎Despite its rich legacy and passionate following, the series has been locked in draws, with no outright winner emerging over the past six years. While such streaks are not uncommon in Sri Lanka’s school cricket circuit, the nature of play both Richmond and Mahinda bring to the field has only intensified the calls for a decisive result. With two well-balanced sides, 2026 could well be the year that produce a result.

‎Richmond enter the contest with memories of their last victory still relatively fresh, having triumphed under Thaveesha Abishek in 2019. Mahinda, on the other hand, are eager to end a much longer drought, with their last win dating back to 2008 under the captaincy of Rajitha Priyan. Over the years, both teams have come close, producing thrilling contests, yet the elusive result has remained just out of reach.

‎This year, Richmond skipper Bevin Jayawardhana leads from the front with a consistent run tally exceeding 500 runs for the season. He is well supported by a formidable batting unit featuring Ameesha Rasanjana, who has amassed over 600 runs including a century and four half-centuries. Risinu Rupasinghe and Tenusha Nimsara, both with over 500 runs, add further depth, with Nimsara also contributing a century and three fifties—making Richmond a side capable of posting imposing totals.

‎Their strength extends into the bowling department, where spin is likely to play a decisive role. Off-spinner Minaga Ariyadasa, with 39 wickets, leads the attack, backed by left-arm spinners Nethuja Basitha and Tenusha Nimsara, who have claimed over 30 and 26 wickets respectively. Seam option Ranindu de Silva adds variety and could be a key factor with the new ball.

‎Mahinda, led by Arosha Udayanga, boast an equally dangerous lineup. Wicketkeeper-batsman Randula Mabarana has been in sublime form, accumulating 692 runs, including a century and four fifties, highlighted by a fine 115 against S. Thomas’ College. Thevindu Rashmika has also impressed with 680 runs and two centuries, including a commanding 151 against Nalanda College. Deputy skipper Dulsith Darshana (578 runs) and Dineth Pahasara, who struck a notable 175 against Nalanda, strengthen a batting order that can turn matches on its head.

‎Their bowling attack is spearheaded by off-spinner Manitha Rajapaksha, who has taken over 50 wickets this season, making him one of the most potent threats in the encounter. Leg spinners Sehas Ashinsa and skipper Udayanga add further depth with their all-round capabilities, giving Mahinda a well-rounded edge.

‎With both teams stacked with proven performers and match-winners, the stage is perfectly set for a gripping contest. The question remains whether either side will seize the initiative and push for victory, or if the Lovers’ Quarrel will once again end in a stalemate.

‎Cricket’s unpredictability has long defined this historic encounter—but as anticipation builds, fans in Galle and beyond will be hoping that 2026 finally delivers the result they have been waiting for.

Mahinda College Team

‎Seated (from left) G.H. Sachith Lakmal (Asst. Coach), Jagath Samarakoon (Master in Charge – Junior), M.W. Ajith (Prefect of Games), Arosha Udayanga (Captain), Janaka Peduruhewa (Principal), Dulsith Darshana (Vice Captain), L.P. Weeraman (Deputy Principal – Sports), Y. Nishantha Kumara (Master in Charge – Senior), T.D. Ajantha Kumara (Head Coach ‎Standing (from left) Ruvinda Deshanjana, Kavindu Nimsara, Buddima Tharupathi, Naviru Nishitha, Kaveesha Githmal, Sehas Ashinsa, Thiyon Helika, Manitha Rajapaksha, Sadew Nethmina, Thevindu Rashmika, Randula Mabarana, Vishmitha Sathsara, Gesandu Bisas, Dineth Pahasara, Mandith Manodara.