Category: Sports

Dallas Mavericks coach Jason Kidd has seen enough to declare that All-Star guard Luka Doncic is the best player in franchise history.

In fact, Kidd took it much further than saying that Doncic has surpassed Dirk Nowitzki as the best player to ever wear a Mavericks uniform. During a Tuesday appearance on Dallas radio station 97.1 The Freak’s “The Downbeat,” Kidd proclaimed that Doncic, 24, belongs in the conversation with Michael Jordan and others on the short list of the greatest players in NBA history.

“He’s better than Dirk,” said Kidd, a Hall of Famer who was teammates with Nowitzki on the Mavs’ 2010-11 championship team. “He’s in the atmosphere of MJ, the best to ever do it, LeBron [James], Kobe [Bryant]. And so, just to appreciate what this young man’s doing at the age of 24, [it] is something that Dallas has never seen. I’ve said this internally: He is better than Dirk. He does things that Dirk could never do, and now is the opportunity of getting the right people around him to ultimately win a championship.”

Kidd made the bold comments in the wake of a historically remarkable three-game run for Doncic, beginning with a 73-point outburst in Friday’s win over the Atlanta Hawks, the highest-scoring performance in the league since Bryant’s epic 81-point night.

Doncic averaged 48.7 points and 13.0 assists in the three games over four nights, accounting for 79.7 points per game. According to ESPN Stats & Information research, only Wilt Chamberlain has generated more points in a three-game span in NBA history, accounting for averages of 82 and 81 points in overlapping three-game runs in 1962.

Doncic became the first player to average a 50-point triple-double over two games, following up his 73-point, 10-rebound, 7-assist performance in Atlanta with 28 points, 10 rebounds and 17 assists in the next night’s home loss to the Sacramento Kings. With Mavs co-star Kyrie Irving sidelined by a sprained right thumb, Doncic rested for a total of only five minutes in the back-to-back.

“I’m tired,” Doncic said postgame Saturday night. “I can’t wait to go to sleep, honestly.”

Doncic mustered enough energy two nights later to record 45 points, 9 rebounds and 15 assists in a comeback win over the Orlando Magic. He became the first player in NBA history with multiple 45-point, 15-assist performances. His first came on Christmas night, when Doncic had 50 points and 15 assists in a road win over the Phoenix Suns.

There is no doubt that Doncic, who is averaging 34.7 points, 8.6 rebounds and 9.6 assists for the 26-21 Mavericks this season, has statistical production that compares favorably with that of the league’s legends.

Dallas, however, has not had much playoff success during the five-time All-Star’s career. Doncic’s playoff average of 32.5 points per game ranks second behind Jordan’s 33.4, but the Mavs have advanced out of the first round only once with Doncic, reaching the Western Conference finals in 2022. Dallas did not qualify for the postseason last year.

Nevertheless, Kidd is comfortable including Doncic among the best players of all time and predicted that his championships will come, pointing out that Jordan had yet to win a title at this stage of his career.

“This young man is 24 and is breaking all the records that stand in front of him,” Kidd said. “He’s a winner, and his ultimate goal is to win a championship. And he will get there and not just win one, but he will win multiple when it’s all said and done.”

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Adam Gorney
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Rivals.com

National Recruiting Director

Naeshaun Montgomery is more than familiar with the Miami program and the football staff but another visit over the weekend could not hurt and it further solidified the Hurricanes as one of his top …

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With Cheltenham Trials Day over and done with, attention turns to the Dublin Racing Festival this weekend and the Off The Fence team are on-hand to preview a stellar weekend of racing at Leopardstown.

Host Vanessa Ryle is joined by regular guests Barry Geraghty and Tony Keenan as they look ahead to the Goffs Irish Arkle Novice Chase as well as the Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novice Hurdle.

The panel also look back at an excellent day of racing at Cheltenham last weekend and discuss the potential runners in the Irish Gold Cup.

‘Jetara has a leading chance’

Saturday’s Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novice Hurdle (1.20) sees Jetara set to face off against Willie Mullins’ trio of Predators Gold, Loughalynn and I Will Be Baie – all of whom have been positioned towards the head of the market by the bookmakers.

Tony Keenan said: “I think Jetara has a leading chance of winning this. This tends to be one of the weaker races over the few days and not always one that throws up the Cheltenham Festival winners that some of the others would.

“She had plenty of experience over hurdles last season but failed to win, but this season has come back a better mare – which isn’t surprising given she’s from the family of Jezki and Jetson who both improved with time. It’s the first time she’s stepped up beyond two-and-a-half miles which I think will definitely suit her, and I was really impressed with her around Christmas when she won the Mares’ Hurdle so easily.

“The one pity is I presume Jack Kennedy, who had the ride on her in her three wins this season, won’t be on board because I’m sure Gordon Elliott will have something for him, but I think she can go well in that race anyway.”

‘A little bit of value’

The Grade One McCann FitzGerald Spring Juvenile Hurdle (1.50) is dominated by entries from Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott, with the two Irish trainers accounting for 14 of the 22 runners in the nine-hurdle contest.

Unsurprisingly, Barry Geraghty is backing Mullins to bring home the €88,500 prize fund, although not through the current favourite Storm Heart.

Geraghty said: “The one I like is Kargese who was only three parts of a length behind Kala Conti at Leopardstown over Christmas but ran very, very keen throughout the race. He went a little bit steady and that didn’t help, but you’d like to think that in a better race with better pace, he could relax. I think there’s more to come from Kargese and there could be a little bit of value in an open race.”

What about the rest?

Geraghty said: “What I’m really looking forward to is the novices. Obviously Marine Nationale in the two-miler is a standout, but where will Gaelic Warrior go? The prices at the minute suggest he’s more likely to go for the two-miler than the two mile and five, which leaves the question where does Fact To File go? Could Facile Vega go two mile and five as well? There’s a lot of smart novice chasers, really.”

Keenan said: “I think they’re going to develop into Mullins winning them all, and possibly at short prices. Historically it has been a very good meeting for the short-priced punter, although not so much last year when Lossiemouth, Appreciate It and Facile Vega were beaten.

“If you are thinking of having a bet maybe wait until declarations. If all Mullins’ big ones don’t run [in the Irish Gold Cup] there might not be an awful lot left.”

Watch Off The Fence in full on the At The Races YouTube channel

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Adam Gorney
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Rivals.com

National Recruiting Director

Jahkeem Stewart has taken numerous visits to USC, has legitimate interest in the Trojans and the No. 1 player in the 2026 class was back over the weekend.USC might be moving even higher up the list…

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SANTA CLARA, Calif. — In the week before Sunday’s NFC Championship Game against the Detroit Lions, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy didn’t allow himself to go back to what happened the last time he played on that stage.

When asked what it meant to him to get another shot at the NFC title after tearing the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow early in a devastating loss to the Philadelphia Eagles last year, Purdy acknowledged that he “got hurt and it sucked.” That was about it.

Instead of a stroll down memory lane, Purdy wanted to speed into the future. With his team down 17 points to the Lions entering the third quarter Sunday night, Purdy’s refusal to look back manifested into the spark for San Francisco’s stirring comeback.

Sure, Purdy turned his first-half passing struggles around. but it was his electric scrambles (paired with a little bit of luck) that truly changed the 49ers’ fortunes. As coach Kyle Shanahan said, Purdy’s legs — be it from yards gained rushing or evading pressure to get the ball to his pass-catchers — was “the difference between winning and losing.”

Taking away a pair of kneel-downs, Purdy rushed three times for 52 yards, including a pair of 21-yard scrambles to set up the touchdowns that gave San Francisco the lead for good in the 34-31 victory which sent the 49ers to their eighth Super Bowl.

“You ever see one of those little water dragons that runs on the water?” tight end George Kittle said. “That’s what I envisioned every time he’s running [the] football. … He just is a tough kid. A lot of grit to him and he understands that when he’s playing at a high level, when he needs to play at a high level, everyone around him is better.”

All season, Purdy’s teammates and coaches have insisted that he has been a quarterback who makes everyone around him better. His many critics insist that Purdy has been a product of the talent around him and the scheme that he plays in. But as the 49ers head into a Super Bowl LVIII rematch against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas (6:30 p.m. ET, Sunday, Feb. 11, CBS), the experience of the past two weeks has only buoyed their belief in the second-year quarterback.

As the Niners racked up 12 regular-season wins and claimed the top seed in the NFC, they often ran away from opponents early in games. It left many wondering if they — and especially Purdy — were capable of coming from behind when things weren’t going well.

Lost in that conversation was Purdy being one of the primary reasons the Niners rarely trailed. When Purdy played well for the first three quarters, he often wasn’t needed to play in the fourth, let alone be tasked with delivering late-game heroics.

But these playoffs have changed the script. In each of the past two weeks, the Niners have fallen behind and teetered on the brink of their season falling apart. Purdy has struggled to get on track early, whether because of weather or simply missing throws he normally executes.

Yet, when the Niners have needed him most, Purdy has figured it out. It’s a trait they hope will serve them well and make the difference between winning and losing come Super Bowl Sunday.

“I don’t have enough good things to say about Brock,” running back Christian McCaffrey said. “All he’s done since he’s been here is play at an elite level. Everything starts with him. We’re lucky he’s our quarterback. He takes a lot of heat for absolutely no reason. All he has done has been a great leader and been a great player. I’m so proud of him and pumped up that I get another one with him this year.”

Purdy’s performance against the Lions was integral in ensuring McCaffrey and the Niners got that extra opportunity. While Purdy finished 20-of-31 for 267 yards with a touchdown pass and an interception to go with his five carries for 48 yards, his first- and second-half splits offered a spot-on reflection of how the game went for the Niners.

In the opening two quarters, Purdy was 7-of-15 for 93 yards with an interception. In the final 30 minutes, he was 13-of-16 for 174 yards with a touchdown pass and 49 rushing yards. That running ability generated a career-high plus-10.6 expected points added on scrambles, which led to six first downs. In addition to the scrambles for rushing yards, he was 3-of-4 for 41 yards and three first downs on scrambles that became passes.

Purdy’s 315 combined yards passing and rushing were the most by a 49ers quarterback in a conference title game victory.

“You’ve got to find a way,” Purdy said. “I feel like throughout my life I’ve scrambled and stuff here and there. Since I’ve been here, I feel like I haven’t done it a whole lot … I was just trying to keep the chains moving, keep the ball moving forward, then obviously give our team some momentum and some juice. I had to do it, so I did it.”

It’s that approach from Purdy that leads his teammates to come to his defense, even though Purdy doesn’t seem to pay attention to what is said about him. McCaffrey, Kittle, left tackle Trent Williams, fullback Kyle Juszczyk, defensive end Chase Young, defensive tackle Arik Armstead and safety Tashaun Gipson Sr. each offered high praise for Purdy and scoffed at the outside noise.

Even the team’s social media account took the opportunity to poke fun at the “game manager” label that is often thrown Purdy’s way.

Managed our way back into the Super Bowl 😏#FTTB pic.twitter.com/XYdY1dRJls

— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) January 29, 2024

Now, Purdy gets the chance to pull the ultimate trump card. He’s long past the elbow injury of last year and on to his first Super Bowl appearance. He’s one of four quarterbacks (joining Ben Roethlisberger, Russell Wilson and Mark Sanchez) to win four playoff games in his first two seasons.

But to get No. 5, Purdy and the Niners will have to go through Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. It’s a matchup Purdy called “special for all of us” given that the Chiefs denied the Niners a Lombardi Trophy in their Super Bowl LIV meeting four years ago.

Much will be made of whether Purdy, the former Mr. Irrelevant, can outduel Mahomes, the standard bearer at the position who has already thrust himself into “greatest of all time” conversations.

But that’s not how the Niners view it. They don’t want Purdy to be anyone but the guy who has repeatedly answered every question about him in the affirmative. They want him to be the guy who will do whatever it takes to win, just as he has in the past two weeks.

They want him to be himself.

“He’s an incredible quarterback,” Juszczyk said. “He’s a Super Bowl quarterback and I intend on him leading us to a win in two weeks.”

Eight NFL teams decided to move on from their head coaches either during or after the 2023 NFL regular season. Six of those jobs have since been filled — most recently Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh decided to return to the NFL as the Chargers’ new coach, the Panthers hired Dave Canales and the Falcons made Raheem Morris their next coach.

The Raiders started the coaching carousel Nov. 1, parting ways with coach Josh McDaniels and general manager Dave Ziegler. On Nov. 27, the Panthers fired Frank Reich, who has now been fired in back-to-back seasons. Then, on Dec. 15, the Chargers dismissed coach Brandon Staley and GM Tom Telesco, while the Falcons dismissed Arthur Smith after their season finale. The Commanders then fired coach Ron Rivera on Monday morning, and on Tuesday the Titans fired Mike Vrabel.

News broke after the season that the Seahawks had relieved Pete Carroll of head-coaching duties but are keeping him in the organization as an adviser. Later in the week after the season ended, the Patriots and coach Bill Belichick agreed to part ways, ending their 24-year run that included six Super Bowl championships. New England shortly afterward promoted Jerod Mayo to be its coach.

Here’s everything you need to know about the latest NFL head-coach movement, with news and intel on open jobs, pros and cons for each opening, and candidates who could be in the mix for interviews. Plus, we have updates on offensive coordinator and defensive coordinator openings.

Jump to an opening:
Commanders | Seahawks
Head coach hires | Coordinator hires
Coordinators who have been fired

Head-coach openings

Former coach: Pete Carroll (fired Jan. 10)
Record with Seahawks: 137-89-1 over 14 seasons

What happened: The Seahawks announced that Carroll will no longer be the team’s head coach after a 9-8 season in which Seattle missed out on the playoffs for the second time in three years, a span in which they went 25-26. Carroll, the most successful coach in franchise history, is ostensibly transitioning into an advisory role with the Seahawks, but he made it clear during his farewell news conference that he wanted to remain Seattle’s coach and that, at 72, he still has the juice for the job. Which suggests he’d entertain another head-coaching job should the right opportunity arise.

Pros of the job: The Seahawks have arguably the best roster of any of the teams that had vacancies at head coach, with on-the-rise young players such as Devon Witherspoon, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Boye Mafe and Kenneth Walker III. Receiver DK Metcalf, who just finished his fifth season, is still only 26. They’ve also got a world-class practice facility and perhaps the loudest stadium in the NFL.

Cons of the job: Seattle is no longer flush with draft capital and cap space like it was after the Russell Wilson trade. It has the 16th overall selection but no second-rounder after giving it up for Leonard Williams, who will be a free agent in March. The Seahawks are projected to be a few million over the 2024 salary cap, and while they’ll free up money with cuts and restructures, they probably won’t have enough to be big players in free agency. There’s also a long-term ownership question. Jody Allen is eventually going to sell the team in accordance with her late brother Paul’s wishes, although it’s not expected to happen until 2025 at the earliest.

Latest intel: The Seahawks have been interested in Mike Macdonald even though they didn’t conduct a virtual interview with the Ravens’ DC during wild-card week. Because of that, they had to wait until Baltimore’s season ended in order to meet with him for the first time, which they can now do after the Ravens lost in the AFC Championship Game. Whether Detroit won or lost in the NFC Championship Game, the Seahawks would have been allowed to interview Lions OC Ben Johnson this week because they had virtually interviewed him already. Johnson would be the fifth candidate to get a second interview with Seattle, following their in-person meetings last week with Raiders DC Patrick Graham, Giants OC Mike Kafka, Cowboys DC Dan Quinn and Panthers DC Ejiro Evero. Raheem Morris was slated for a second-interview before he accepted the Falcons’ job. The Seahawks don’t have to wait any longer on Macdonald or Johnson, which means they could have the eighth full-time head coach in franchise history hired by the end of the week.

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Former coach: Ron Rivera (fired Jan. 8)
Record with Commanders: 26-40-1 over four seasons

What happened: New Commanders owner Josh Harris made his first major staffing move since buying the franchise last summer, firing Rivera after four seasons with the team. The Commanders finished the 2023 season 4-13 after a loss to the Dallas Cowboys in the season finale Sunday.

Pros of the Washington job: Washington has a new owner with a reputation for providing resources and for being patient. The Commanders are in a far better spot under Harris than they were with previous owner Dan Snyder. Also, they have the second overall draft pick and five selections in the top 100. Plus based on early salary cap projections, they’ll have the most space in the NFL.

Cons of the Washington job: Washington needs to rebuild both lines and find a quarterback. The roster needs work, which it can address in the draft. The stadium needs upgrades and the team will be there for at least another six years. The team facility is small and, despite recent improvements, considered outdated. They might not build a new one for several more years.

Latest intel: The Commanders will have second interviews next week with Detroit offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, Dallas defensive coordinator Dan Quinn and Baltimore defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald and Ravens’ associate head coach/defensive line Anthony Weaver. They also interviewed Houston offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik Jr., in person last week. Washington spoke with its offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy two weeks ago, but he would be a longshot candidate. Multiple league sources said they anticipate Johnson getting the job, but the Commanders have been mum throughout the process. Washington hired general manager Adam Peters two weeks ago to lead the search. The Commanders also have former NBA executive Bob Myers and former NFL general manager to assist in finding the next coach. — John Keim

Head-coach jobs that have been filled

Former coach: Arthur Smith (fired Jan. 7)
New coach: Raheem Morris (Jan. 25)

What happened: Atlanta hired Morris as its coach on Thursday, making him the first former NFL head coach owner Arthur Blank has hired in his 20-plus-year tenure. He’s also the first full-time Black head coach in the franchise’s history.

Morris’ hire comes after an extensive search that featured 14 candidates, including former New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick and ex-Tennessee Titans coach Mike Vrabel.

This marks a return to Flowery Branch, Georgia, for Morris, who was Atlanta’s interim coach for 11 games in 2020 after it fired Dan Quinn midway through the season. Morris went 4-7 but was not given the full-time job. Instead, the Falcons hired Arthur Smith. — Michael Rothstein

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Former coach: Frank Reich (fired Nov. 27)
New coach: Dave Canales (Jan. 25)

What happened: The Panthers have hired Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Dave Canales as head coach, the team announced. Terms of the deal were not announced, but a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter that the contract is for six years.

The Panthers hope Canales, 42, can do for Bryce Young what he did for quarterbacks Russell Wilson, Geno Smith and Baker Mayfield. — David Newton

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Former coach: Brandon Staley (fired Dec. 15)
New coach: Jim Harbaugh (Jan. 24)

What happened: Harbaugh is leaving the national champion Michigan Wolverines to coach the Chargers, the team announced Wednesday. Harbaugh’s deal is for five years, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

The Chargers fired coach Brandon Staley and general manager Tom Telesco on Dec. 15, following a 63-21 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 15. The Chargers held an extensive search after firing Staley, interviewing a league-high 15 candidates.

As a collegiate coach, Harbaugh has a 144-42 record, winning three Big Ten championships and Michigan’s first national title since 1997.

Harbaugh also spent four seasons (2011-14) as the coach of the 49ers, where he was named the NFL’s Coach of the Year in his first season. Harbaugh led the 49ers to the Super Bowl XLVII, where they lost to the Ravens who were coached by his brother John.

Harbaugh left the 49ers after the 2014 season with a 44-19-1 regular record. — Kris Rhim

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Former coach: Mike Vrabel (fired Jan. 9)
New coach: Brian Callahan (hired Jan. 22)

What happened: The Titans fired Vrabel, who led Tennessee to four consecutive winning seasons after arriving in 2018. But the Titans experienced back-to-back frustrating seasons in 2022 and 2023, finishing multiple games under .500 both times. They finished 6-11 this past season, resulting in Vrabel’s dismissal.

According to a league source, they are hiring Callahan, who has served as the Cincinnati Bengals‘ offensive coordinator the past five seasons. Callahan becomes the sixth coach for the Titans’ franchise since it moved from Houston to Tennessee prior to the 1997 season.

In five seasons as the Bengals offensive coordinator, Callahan helped establish an offense that fueled Cincinnati to two AFC North Division championships and a Super Bowl appearance following the 2021 season.

He broke into the NFL as an offensive assistant for the Denver Broncos in 2010. Callahan served in various roles including coaching assistant, offensive quality control coach and offensive assistant through 2015, when Peyton Manning quarterbacked the Broncos to a Super Bowl-winning season. He’s also worked with Matthew Stafford, Derek Carr and Joe Burrow and will be tasked with helping develop young Titans quarterback Will Levis. — Turron Davenport

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Former coach: Josh McDaniels (fired Nov. 1)
New coach: Antonio Pierce (hired Jan. 19)

What happened: The Raiders fired McDaniels and general manager Dave Ziegler one day after losing 26-14 at Detroit on “Monday Night Football,” their second consecutive defeat in which the team’s offense could get no traction. With the defeat, the Raiders dropped to 3-5.

The Raiders named linebackers coach Pierce as their interim coach and assistant general manager as their interim GM. Raiders players bought into Pierce’s leadership style, with All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams saying he would “run through a wall for that man.” Three-time Pro Bowl edge rusher Maxx Crosby, who had a career-high 14.5 sacks this season, also voiced support for Pierce. Pierce led the Raiders to a 5-4 record as an interim coach, highlighted by a Christmas Day win at the Chiefs. The Raiders’ defense led the league in fewest points allowed per game (16.0), most defensive touchdowns (4) and fewest penalties received (31) after Pierce took the reins.

“It’s legendary,” Crosby said after the season finale. “When you have the right culture, a guy like A.P. that embraces the history of the Raiders, it’s special. … A ton of legends [visit] consistently because the amount of respect they have for him. So it makes you, as a player, want to go out there and show who you are. You know what I mean? You want to be at that level one day.”

Many saw the removal of the interim tags from Kelly and Pierce as a fait accompli, with their public appearance during Las Vegas’ MLK Day Parade further signaling they would be hired full-time. — Paul Gutierrez

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Former coach: Bill Belichick (agreed to parts ways Jan. 11)
New coach: Jerod Mayo (hired Jan. 12)

What happened: Moving swiftly one day after parting ways with Belichick, the Patriots hired Mayo as his successor and the 15th coach in franchise history, the team announced. Mayo, 37, will be the youngest coach in the NFL, taking over a title that Sean McVay has held since being named Los Angeles Rams coach in 2017; Mayo is a month younger than McVay.

A linebacker for the Patriots from 2008 to 2015 after being selected in the first round of the draft out of Tennessee, Mayo joined Belichick’s coaching staff in 2019, serving as linebackers coach. The Patriots were able to forgo the standard NFL hiring process and immediately hire Mayo because they established a succession plan in the contract extension he signed last offseason, similar to what the Baltimore Ravens did with their general manager position when Eric DeCosta succeeded Ozzie Newsome in 2019.

Coordinator openings

Former offensive coordinator: Dave Canales (became Panthers HC)

The Panthers hired Canales as their head coach, leaving a vacant spot for the Buccaneers at offensive coordinator.

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Former defensive coordinator: Vic Fangio (parted ways on Jan. 24)

Fangio is out after just one season with the team. Under Fangio, the Dolphins’ defense improved from 18th in yards allowed per game in 2022 to 10th this season. Miami was one of the best defensive teams in the NFL during the second half of the season, notably after the return of CB Jalen Ramsey.

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Former offensive coordinator: Shane Waldron (hired as Bears’ OC on Jan. 22)

With Carroll’s departure as coach, the future of the Seahawks’ entire coaching staff is unclear. Typically when a new coach is hired, they form their own staff. Waldron didn’t wait for a new coach to be hired before he took the Bears’ offensive coordinator job after three years in Seattle.

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Former offensive coordinator: Pete Carmichael Jr. (fired Jan. 16)

Carmichael was the longest tenured offensive coordinator in the NFL and had been with the Saints since Sean Payton hired him as part of his first staff in 2006. Carmichael was a key part of the Saints’ Super Bowl in the 2009 season and the most successful offenses in franchise history. However, the offense has faced inconsistency since Carmichael took over as playcaller following Payton’s departure after the 2021 season. The team struggled in the red zone for a large part of the season and had trouble getting the offense on the same page as quarterback Derek Carr.

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Former defensive coordinator: Wink Martindale (parted ways Jan. 10)

A source had told ESPN on Monday that Martindale was expected to resign from his job. That decision came after the team fired two of his closest assistants, moves that prompted Martindale to curse out coach Brian Daboll, a source confirmed to ESPN. Martindale is free to sign elsewhere without restrictions, a source told ESPN. The Giants will keep the $3 million he was owed, according to the agreement by both parties, the source said.

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Former defensive coordinator: Jack Del Rio (fired Nov. 24)

The Commanders fired Del Rio after a 45-10 loss to the Cowboys, which was their eighth loss in 10 games. They had hoped the defense would be a consistent force, but instead, the defense became an albatross, as the team ranked worst in points allowed. Coach Ron Rivera took over the defensive playcalling for the rest of the season.

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Former offensive coordinator: Matt Canada (fired Nov. 21)

Citing offensive inconsistencies and lack of improvement, the Steelers fired Canada, who had been the Steelers’ offensive coordinator since 2021. Pittsburgh’s offense struggled through Canada’s tenure as offensive coordinator, never eclipsing 400 yards of offense in his 45-game career, including the playoffs. Running backs coach Eddie Faulkner took over offensive coordinator duties, but quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan will take the “bulk” of the playcalling responsibilities.

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Former offensive coordinator: Mick Lombardi (fired Nov. 1)

When the Raiders parted ways with coach McDaniels and general manager Ziegler, they also fired Lombardi, with quarterbacks coach Bo Hardegree being promoted to offensive coordinator. At the time, the Raiders had the No. 31 total offense in the NFL, ranked No. 32 in rushing yards per game (70) and ranked No. 30 in points per game (15.8).

Coordinator jobs that have been filled

Former offensive coordinator: Brian Johnson (fired Jan. 23)
New OC: Kellen Moore (Jan. 28)

Former defensive coordinator: Sean Desai (fired Jan. 22)
New OC: Vic Fangio (Jan. 25)

The Eagles are hiring former Chargers and Cowboys offensive coordinator Kellen Moore as their offensive coordinator, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

The move comes two days after the Eagles hired Vic Fangio as defensive coordinator in the first move of a coaching staff overhaul by Nick Sirianni.

Moore, 35, leaves Los Angeles after just one season. Before that, he was the Cowboys’ offensive coordinator from 2019 to 2022, with his offense ranking in the top four in points per game (27.7), yards per game (391) and third-down conversion percentage (44%) in that span.

Fangio left as defensive coordinator of the Dolphins, who announced they “mutually agreed to part ways” with the veteran assistant coach after one season.

Fangio, 65, worked with the Eagles for two weeks last year as a consultant, helping them prepare for Super Bowl LVII, before eventually joining the Dolphins.

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Former offensive coordinator: Dave Ragone
New OC: Zac Robinson (Jan. 28)

The Falcons are bringing over more than just their new head coach from the Rams. In one of the first hires for new Falcons coach Raheem Morris, he is tabbing Robinson to be the team’s offensive coordinator, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Robinson, 37, had been the quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator for the Rams for the past two seasons as he worked his way up the coaching ranks there.

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Former offensive coordinator: Alex Van Pelt (exited Jan. 17)
New OC: Ken Dorsey (Jan. 28)

Dorsey was the Buffalo Bills’ offensive coordinator the past two seasons before being fired in November. He will replace Van Pelt, who mutially parted ways with the Browns earlier this month. It is unclear if Dorsey will call plays for Cleveland but head coach Kevin Stefanski has been the team’s primary playcaller since taking over before the 2020 season.

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Former defensive coordinator: Jerod Mayo (became head coach)
New DC: DeMarcus Covington (Jan. 27)

The Patriots are moving forward with plans to promote defensive line coach DeMarcus Covington to defensive coordinator, a source confirmed to ESPN on Saturday. The Patriots have informed other candidates that Covington is the choice, a source relayed to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

The move was expected as Covington, 34, enters his eighth season with the Patriots. He has worked closely with first-year head coach Jerod Mayo, first as outside linebackers coach in 2019 and the past four seasons as defensive line coach.

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Former offensive coordinator: Brian Callahan (became Titans HC)
New OC: Dan Pitcher (Jan. 24)

The Bengals didn’t wait long to fill an important vacancy, promoting Pitcher to offensive coordinator, the team announced Thursday.

The promotion was made one day after Callahan, who previously held the position, was announced as the Titans’ new head coach.

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Former offensive coordinator: Ken Dorsey (fired Nov. 14)
New OC: Joe Brady (elevated from interim OC role Jan. 28)

Brady, who was elevated from his role as quarterbacks coach when Dorsey was fired, had his interim tag removed as expected one week after Buffalo’s playoff road ended against the Chiefs.

Brady, who received high marks for his work with an attack that was consistent during a season-saving, six-game winning streak, also received an endorsement from quarterback Josh Allen. “I love Joe. I love what he brings to this team, to our offense, the juice that he has, the passion he has for football … he’s got my vote,” Allen said last week.

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Former defensive coordinator: Mike Caldwell (fired Jan. 8)
New DC: Ryan Nielsen (Jan. 22)

One day after the Jaguars failed to make the playoffs after starting the season with an 8-3 record, they fired Caldwell. The Jaguars are now set to hire Ryan Nielsen as their new defensive coordinator, league sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Nielsen spent the past season as the Falcons’ DC after spending the previous six seasons with New Orleans as a defensive line coach, assistant head coach and co-defensive coordinator.

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Former defensive coordinator: Alan Williams (parted ways Sept. 20, Matt Eberflus called plays rest of season)
New DC: Eric Washington (hired Jan. 27)

Washington has spent 20 seasons as an NFL coach, including the past four with Buffalo. He comes to Chicago after serving as the Bills’ assistant head coach and defensive line coach during the 2023 season. Buffalo’s defense allowed the fourth fewest points (18.7) per game and generated the fourth-most sacks (54) in 2023.

Former offensive coordinator: Luke Getsy (fired Jan. 10)
New OC: Shane Waldron (Jan. 22)

The Bears’ offense showed improvement in Getsy’s second season in Chicago, but it was ultimately not enough for the team to move forward with the 39-year-old offensive coordinator. Chicago’s offense ranked 17th in offensive points per game (20.4), which is its highest mark since ranking 11th in 2018, according to ESPN Stats & Information. The Bears are finalizing a deal to make Waldron their next offensive coordinator, a source confirmed to ESPN. He comes to Chicago after spending the past three seasons as the offensive coordinator for the Seahawks.

ALABAMA

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ARIZONA

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DUKE

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HOUSTON

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INDIANA

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MICHIGAN

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MICHIGAN STATE

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MISSISSIPPI STATE

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NORTHWESTERN

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OREGON STATE

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SYRACUSE

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TEXAS A&M

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WASHINGTON

In 2019 Moises Caicedo was spotted in Ecuador and signed for £4.5m.

Two years later Alexis Mac Allister was plucked out of Argentina for £7.7m.

The pair would go on to play crucial roles in Brighton securing European football for the first time in their history last season – before they were sold on for a combined profit which could reach £165m.

Decent business.

Brighton have made cherry-picking South America’s rising stars look easy. Julio Enciso and Facundo Buonanotte also came directly from the region and look to have huge ceilings on their potential too.

Nineteen-year-old Valentin Barco, signed this month from Boca Juniors for £7.9m, is the latest rough diamond recruited who could be a prize asset in the future.

So what’s the secret to this scouting success story?

Perhaps surprisingly, Brighton don’t have scouts on the ground on the continent. It all starts with video analysis on a massive scale.

“It’s a continual process,” Brighton’s technical director David Weir tells Sky Sports. “We’re constantly monitoring all the leagues, all the players, to try to get an assessment of where the good players are.

“We recruit from all around the world. We have no real restrictions or barriers within that.

“If we see something we like or there’s a deal to be done we will get out there and we’ll try to make it happen. It’s not necessarily something that you can do via email. It’s about being able to react quickly, getting out there and presenting your case and being on the front foot.

“We’re very fortunate to have Sam Jewell, our head of recruitment. He’s experienced in terms of working in South America and he’s comfortable jumping on a plane and, once you’ve identified who the right people are, dealing with them in Spanish. Previously, Paul Winstanley [now Chelsea’s director of global talent and transfers] did the same.”

But it’s not just Brighton scouring the South American market for the next big thing.

Last season saw an all-time high number of players from that continent playing in the Premier League. There were none when the league launched in 1992/93. After England, Brazil now has the second-most representatives in the division.

While the likes of former Premier League players Roberto Firmino, Gilberto Silva and Sergio Aguero have carved out iconic legacies in England’s top-flight, the game in this country now moves to the beat of its Samba stars or Tango talent like never before.

Weir believes the schooling of these players in South America prepares them well for the rigours of the Premier League.

“Every case is different, but I think typically South American football is tough physically, in terms of contact,” he says. “From that you get tough kids and tough people.

“A lot of them have come from very little in terms of the economic climate and they will be the breadwinners and support a lot of the families.

“From that, you get certain characteristics within the person that are really important and which help your environment as well, because you get hungry people.”

Buying direct: 40 per cent signed directly from South America

Significantly there has also been a shift in how the deals to sign these players are done.

Previously, it was common to see South American players first head to more culturally familiar countries such as Portugal or Spain. If they settled and showed their quality on the European stage, English clubs would then make their move – albeit having to pay an inflated fee.

It was the price of waiting for proof the player could adapt. Chelsea suffered it last winter, when they paid £106.8m for Enzo Fernandez, who had cost Benfica £10m the previous summer.

But now 40 per cent of the South American players currently in the Premier League came directly to this country from South America. That has been aided by new work permit rules which came into force at the start of 2021 and made signing from that continent easier.

The direct approach allows English clubs to secure bargain buys, such as Caicedo and Mac Allister. But it also comes with challenges. Those two players both spent significant time out on loan – Mac Allister back in Argentina, Caicedo in Belgium – before they were ready for the Brighton first team.

“You’ve got to allow them time to acclimatise because, coming from South America, it’s a long way away and it’s very different culturally,” says Weir.

“Some people hit the ground running and surprise you but some naturally take a little bit more time. So it’s just about trying to individualise that and support them as well as you can to enable them to be able to adapt on the field as well.

“Valentin will come in with us and develop within our building and on a day-to-day basis, for example.

“We can afford to be relatively patient with those players and use them sparingly to allow them to understand what we are all about and adapt to being away from home.”

Buying potential

The importance of handling that transition period correctly is particularly significant given the fact the recruits from South America are increasingly young, rising stars who have barely been tested in their own domestic leagues, let alone in the European proving grounds.

Manchester City, for instance, have just signed Claudio Echeverri, a player with just five first-team appearances for Argentine side River Plate.

“The way that the market works now is that South American football is no longer losing its best players. It’s losing its best promises,” Brazil-based journalist Tim Vickery tells Sky Sports from Rio de Janeiro. “The European clubs are buying not on reality, they’re buying on promise.”

Identifying that talent is one thing. Finding the correct people to speak to for the deal is another. Brighton and Southampton – who signed Carlos Alcaraz last January from Argentine side Racing Club – are among the teams using TransferRoom to find the right contacts. It acts an online meeting room for verified officials at both ends of the deal.

“We use TransferRoom because it’s instant access to people we need to speak to,” says Sam Stanton, the Head of Scouting Operations at Sport Republic, the ownership group in charge of Southampton.

“We want to get deals done on certain players, especially players in South America where getting hold of agents can be a little more difficult because of the language.”

The transfer business – and growing competition for South America’s rising stars

Selling on these bright young things has become a financial model in itself for some South American clubs.

Vickery picks out the small Ecuadorian club Independiente del Valle as an example. It was the club which honed the talents of Caicedo. Their current 16-year-old star Kendry Paez will join Chelsea in the summer of 2025.

“It’s a tiny little club built by investors for the express purpose of developing and selling,” he says. “They’re really doing it systematically and clubs have latched onto the idea that this is their financial future.”

It’s a trend in bigger clubs, too, such as Lucas Paqueta’s former side Flamengo. “They’re giants,” says Vickery. “But their business model is absolutely explicit: they sell the promises in order to finance a deep squad, where they’ll bring back players who have gone to Europe and it hasn’t come off or players at the end of their careers coming back.”

If it feels somewhat sad that South American clubs have to operate in this way, Vickery says there is a recognition of where they are in the food chain – and an appreciation that Brazil itself has become a collector of the best talent from the rest of the continent.

But it’s also true that a move to Europe is a dream for these emerging players. Real Madrid and Barcelona retain their romantic allure but increasingly the Premier League – a division now closely followed in South America – is where the rising stars of Brazil, Argentina and beyond want to end up.

The competition for these hot young talents is now fierce, though.

“If it is a wonder kid, then everyone else knows about him,” says Vickery. “A few years back, when Neymar went to Barcelona and Chelsea thought they had him, Real Madrid were furious about missing out on him.

“So when Real paid all that money [£38m] for Vinicius Jnr [then aged 16], it just seemed like madness. He hadn’t played a senior game. It turned out to be a bargain.”

The rewards, as Brighton have seen, can be enormous. But the battle to sign the next South American star is only going to get harder…

Follow the January transfer window

The winter transfer window is open and will close at 11pm in England and 11.30pm in Scotland on Thursday February 1.

To ensure harmonisation with the major leagues in Europe, the closing dates were set following discussions with the EFL, DFL, Serie A, LaLiga, and LFP, who will all close their summer and winter windows on 1 September and 1 February respectively.

Keep up to date with all the latest transfer news and rumours in our dedicated Transfer Centre blog on Sky Sports’ digital platforms, while you can also catch up with the ins, outs and analysis on Sky Sports News, including daily transfer shows, and listen to our Transfer Talk podcast.

DENVER — Before Doc Rivers took the sideline for his first game as coach of the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday night in Denver, he was already emphasizing the need for patience.

For the first time in his 25-year coaching career, Rivers is taking over a team midseason, a challenge he said “he wouldn’t wish on anybody.” Meanwhile, the Bucks are adjusting to an entirely new voice in the huddle after first-year coach Adrian Griffin was replaced by Rivers.

“It’s going to take a minute,” Rivers said prior to Monday’s 113-107 loss to the Nuggets. “What I’m trying to do really slowly is put in some of my stuff and simplify some of their stuff.

“One thing you don’t want to do and we’re so fearful of doing it is paralyzing their brain and now they’re thinking it. So it’s just going to take a while.”

Denver spoiled Rivers’ Bucks coaching debut with a loss, dropping him to 1-4 in his career in his first game with a new team, but the Bucks were still encouraged by one of their most inspired defensive efforts of the season.

They held the Nuggets, one of the league’s most prolific offenses, to 113 points, forcing two-time MVP Nikola Jokic to take 25 shots to score 25 points — although he still finished with a triple double with 16 rebounds and 12 assists. Jamal Murray added 35 points.

But it was an improvement from a Bucks team that ranks 24th in the league in defensive efficiency, prompting Rivers to joke that the “cat was out of the bag” now that the Bucks have proved they can play defense.

“I told our guys, anyone who told you you couldn’t play defense lied,” Rivers said after the game. “You proved that tonight. You competed tonight. … Our half-court defense was excellent. I think tonight was an offensive loss. I didn’t think we were crisp offensively.

“Dame and Giannis have played 40 games together in their life, Joker and Murray have played — you know? And if you looked at the game tonight, they had it going, our guys couldn’t get it going and that was the difference.”

Damian Lillard finished with 18 points on 5-of-13 shooting, and Giannis Antetokounmpo put up 29 points and 12 rebounds. Antetokounmpo was happy with the way the Bucks played in their first game under Rivers but also preached the need for patience with the learning process.

“He was great,” Antetokounmpo said about Rivers. “Everybody has to have patience. It’s new — the way we play, the way we defend, it’s going to take a while to get used to. We’re slowly, slowly adjusting, changing a couple stuff. Coaching staff got to have patience with the players. Players got to have patience with the coaching staff, but I feel like for the first game, it was good.”

The improved intensity on defense was a direct sign to Antetokounmpo of how the players responded under Rivers.

“At the end of the day, the game plan is one thing, but our effort [has] always got to be there,” he said. “We have very, very smart players on the team and sometimes when the game plan is not as accurate, sometimes our effort might not be there and that’s not good.

“We cannot just pick and choose. Like, in order for you to win, you have to do it all the time. There’s going to be times that you lose games, but in order for you to win at a high level, there’s got to be a standard. And today, I think we set the standard as a team.”

Rivers takes over the Bucks in the midst of a five-game, nine-day road trip, a chance to get acquainted with his new team away from home. He envisions longer shootarounds and maybe a few more extra practice days than usual to help the players get up to speed on adjustments he wants them to make.

With 35 games remaining on the Bucks’ schedule before the playoffs, Rivers takes the reins knowing it all can’t be solved in a day. But the subtle tweaks with an experienced leader at the helm already have Bucks players buying in for the process.

“I thought there was just a great sense of composure, calmness,” Bucks center Brook Lopez said about Rivers’ first day as coach. “Nothing too high or too low. I mean that in the best way possible. He handled everything great. He did a good job making sure everyone was clear on their responsibility, what to do defensively, what to do offensively, and there weren’t any real hiccups.

“He did a good job making sure everyone was on the same page pretty much from the get-go.”

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker has warmed up before games the same way for 12 years and had never encountered a problem before — until Sunday’s AFC Championship Game.

About 90 minutes before kickoff, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and quarterback Patrick Mahomes took exception to Tucker stretching close to where Mahomes was warming up. Multiple videos showed Mahomes twice tossing Tucker’s kicking tee aside and then Kelce kicking some of Tucker’s footballs off to the side and flinging Tucker’s helmet off the field.

“I just thought it was all some gamesmanship, all in good fun,” Tucker said Monday, a day after the Ravens’ 17-10 loss to the Chiefs. “But it seemed to be taken a little more seriously. I’m totally willing to let it all go.”

Tucker, the most accurate kicker in NFL history, explained that this is how kickers around the league have always gotten ready for games. Kickers will make several attempts at both goal posts to get a feel for the wind and the playing surface.

On Sunday, Mahomes was taking his dropbacks near his own goal line, where Tucker had his helmet, kicking tee and three kicking balls. Mahomes asked Tucker if he could move his helmet.

“So I happily got up and I moved my helmet out of the way,” Tucker said. “At least, I think it was enough out of the way.”

Tucker described Kelce and Mahomes as “two of the best players that have ever played the game at their respective positions.” He acknowledged that it was an intense environment but found it “silly” that he had to address something that happened before the game.

“I really don’t see it as a big deal,” Tucker said. “I think if you just see the whole interaction and then you just see us at the coin toss — we’re all dapping each other up and then we just get on with the football game.”

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — An emotional Dan Campbell strolled out of Levi’s Stadium on Sunday evening with his arm wrapped around veteran quarterback Teddy Bridgewater after his team fell to the San Francisco 49ers 34-31 in the NFC Championship Game.

Despite the loss, the third-year Detroit Lions coach continued to hold his head high and said he had no regrets about two critical failed attempts on fourth down in the second half.

“It’s easy hindsight. I get it. I get that, but I don’t regret those decisions, and it’s hard,” Campbell said. “It’s hard because we didn’t come through, and it wasn’t able to work out, but I don’t. And I understand the scrutiny I’ll get — that’s part of the gig — but it just didn’t work out.”

After a dominant first half by the Lions gave them a 17-point lead, things turned on their head in the second half — including a third quarter in which they were outscored 17-0, their worst point differential in a quarter this season. Rookie running back Jahmyr Gibbs had a costly fumble with 5:15 remaining in the third quarter, and the Lions had three dropped passes in the second half.

“A few third downs we wish that we could have converted,” said Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, who had seven receptions for 87 yards. “We went for it on fourth down a few times; I wish we would have had those. They played well on defense that second half. We were still moving the ball quite a bit, a turnover and whatnot. We both had one turnover, so it was tough.”

One of Campbell’s decisions to go for it was on fourth-and-2 from the San Francisco 28-yard line with 7:03 left in the third quarter; Lions quarterback Jared Goff‘s pass went incomplete to veteran wide receiver Josh Reynolds. ESPN Analytics slightly favored the decision to go for it (90.5% chance to win the game) as opposed to attempting a field goal (90.3%).

The other decision, on fourth-and-3 at the San Francisco 30-yard line with 7:38 remaining in the fourth quarter, was also considered a toss-up according to ESPN’s model, which leaned very slightly toward going for it (39.1% vs. 38.8%). Goff threw an incomplete pass to St. Brown.

Campbell generally isn’t afraid to pull the trigger on fourth-down situations. The Lions went for it on fourth down 34% of the time during the regular season, the highest rate of any team this century, according to ESPN Stats & Information research. Goff said he is all-in on Campbell’s decisions to go for it but noted that the Lions have to convert.

“I love it. Keep us out there. We should convert,” said Goff, who completed 25 of 41 passes for 273 yards and a touchdown. “He believes in us. I don’t know what the numbers are, but we had a lot of big-time conversions this year that changed games.

“But it can change a game if you convert them, and we didn’t, and that’s part of the reason why we lost.”

Prior to this postseason run, the Lions hadn’t won a playoff game since the 1991 campaign. Campbell said Sunday’s defeat felt like “getting your heart ripped out” but that the bar has now been raised within the organization.

“It’s Super Bowl or bust,” Detroit linebacker Alex Anzalone said. “That was our mindset this year, even though the outside people didn’t necessarily think that or believe that. But inside our team, that’s our standard, and that should be our standard going forward.”

After failing to reach the playoffs last season, the Lions tied the franchise mark for most wins in a single season at 12 with this group. However, they have now lost 12 straight road playoff games, the longest such streak in NFL postseason history, with their last away win coming in the 1957 divisional round against the 49ers.

As a player, Campbell appeared in the Super Bowl during the 2000 campaign with the New York Giants but never won a title. After Sunday’s game, he told his players how difficult it is to go on deep playoff runs and how they would have to capitalize on this momentum in the future.

The goal, of course, is to go even further next year.

“Look, I told those guys, this may have been our only shot. Do I think that? No. Do I believe that? No. However, I know how hard it is to get here. I’m well-aware. It’s going to be twice as hard to get back to this point next year than it was this year,” Campbell said. “That’s the reality. And if we don’t have the same hunger and the same work — which is a whole nother thing — once we get to the offseason, then we’ve got no shot of getting back here.

“I don’t care how much better we did or what we add or what we draft. It’s irrelevant. It’s going to be tough. But then our division’s going to be loaded back up. You’re not hiding from anybody anymore. Everybody’s going to want a piece of you, which is fine. So, it’s hard. You want to make the most of every opportunity, and we had an opportunity — and we just couldn’t close it out, and it stings.”

Many Kansas City Chiefs fans will book flights from Kansas City International Airport (MCI) to Las Vegas International Airport (LAS) in February to watch the defending Super Bowl champions attempt to repeat against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII.

But Chiefs fans won’t be the only ones making the estimated three-hour flight to Sin City.

Fans of Grammy-winning artist Taylor Swift — who is dating Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce — will also attend to see Kansas City potentially win another Super Bowl.

Ahead of Kansas City’s fourth Super Bowl appearance since 2020, American Airlines decided to do something special to honor Chiefs Kingdom and the Swifties.

“You could say that after [Sunday’s] games, we are in our football era, and we are thrilled to provide additional direct flights from Kansas City to Las Vegas,” American Airlines told The Associated Press in a statement making references to Swift’s music. “To our customers who are huge sports fans, look what you made us do.”

The airline decided to take things a step further by tailoring their flight numbers to figures associated with the Chiefs.

American Airlines is offering a trio of Flight 15s — dedicated to quarterback Patrick Mahomes — one from Kansas City to Las Vegas and two returning flights from Sin City back to the barbecue hot spot.

American Airlines is also allowing Swifties to be a part of the thrill. There will be two opportunities to fly Flight 1989 from Kansas City to Las Vegas on Feb. 9 and Feb. 10 — a nod to the songstress, who was born in 1989 and has a hit album by the same name. There will also be a Flight 87 dedicated to Kelce that returns to Kansas City from Las Vegas after the Super Bowl on Feb. 12.

American is also offering a Flight 1521 that combines Mahomes’ and Chiefs safety Mike Edwards‘ numbers that departs from Kansas City and lands in Las Vegas.

Franck Kessie stepped up from the penalty spot to send defending champions Senegal tumbling out of the Africa Cup of Nations and spark wild celebrations in Yamoussoukro.

Kessie had given hosts Ivory Coast hope when he coolly dispatched an 86th-minute spot-kick past Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy to send the tie into extra-time.

The 27-year-old delivered once again with the crucial kick to seal a 5-4 win in the shoot-out after Moussa Niakhate had missed his earlier effort for the favourites.

The Ivory Coast’s win continued a remarkable revival for the hosts who had looked down and out in the group stage after a 4-0 humiliation at the hands of Equatorial Guinea.

Senegal had looked set to end the curse that had seen no defending champions reach the last eight since 2010 when Habib Diallo rifled home with just four minutes on the clock.

The hosts responded well as they pinned Senegal back in their own half, but the holders’ defence held firm and Ivory Coast were restricted to a succession of half-chances.

Seko Fofana’s run into a dangerous area was superbly snuffed out by Niakhate and Senegal almost extended their advantage on the stroke of half-time when Ismaila Sarr stumbled over a shooting chance.

Sarr came close again early in the second half but Ivory Coast continued to press through Oumar Diakite, who almost served up a leveller for Jean Philippe Krasso just before the hour mark.

The holders missed an even better opportunity in the 74th minute when Kessie’s free-kick was parried by Mendy, who somehow got in the way of the same player’s follow-up from a tight angle.

Substitute Nicolas Pepe missed another huge chance when he lashed a curling effort straight at Mendy, but earned his side their crucial penalty four minutes from time when he was tripped by Mendy in the box.

Kessie kept his cool to force the additional half-hour and after neither side could break the deadlock, it came down to the shoot-out where the hosts scored all five to seal a famous triumph.

Cape Verde edge past Mauritania to book quarter-final spot

Ryan Mendes converted a late penalty as Cape Verde beat Mauritania 1-0 in Abidjan to seal their place in the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations.

Cape Verde captain Mendes struck the decisive spot kick in the 88th minute and the Blue Sharks will now face either Morocco or South Africa in the quarter-finals.

Cape Verde, one of the surprise teams of the tournament after finishing unbeaten at the top of Group B ahead of Egypt and Ghana, were second best for most of the first half, but finished strongly to secure their passage.

Mauritania reached the tournament’s knockout stages for the first time by defeating two-time winners Algeria 1-0 in their final group game to progress as one of the best third-placed teams.

The first-half action was end-to-end, but clear-cut chances were at a premium, while Mauritania were dealt a blow in the 35th minute when Omare Gassama was carried off on a stretcher and replaced by Guessouma Fofana.

Mendes’ early effort for Cape Verde was deflected into the side-netting and Mauritania captain Mouhsine Bodda curled a 15th-minute free-kick just wide.

Mauritania made all the early running in the second period and Souleymane Anne missed the game’s best chance from open play when firing wide after Sidi Amar’s surging run into the penalty area just before the hour mark.

Cape Verde came on strongly in the closing stages with both Garry Rodrigues’ drive and Mendes’ header forcing Mauritania goalkeeper Babacar Niasse into excellent saves.

The game’s decisive moment came in the 87th minute when Yassin El Welly’s misplaced headed back-pass was pounced on by substitute Gilson Benchimol, who was brought down by Niasse for a clear penalty.

Mendes held his nerve, drilling his spot-kick down the middle and the Blue Sharks saw out 10 minutes of added time to seal their place in the last eight.

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Adam Gorney
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Rivals.com

National Recruiting Director

A visit over to Miami while Derek Meadows was in town for the Battle tournament definitely left a major impression especially since he got to see his old Las Vegas Bishop Gorman teammate.So if the …

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c3M9J3ZpZGVvLWFkLXdyYXBwZXInPgo8c2NyaXB0IGFzeW5jIHNyYz0nLy9j
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Adam Gorney
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Rivals.com

National Recruiting Director

Maybe it’s as easy as Trey McNutt, the Ohio State legacy, ends up picking the Buckeyes and starring in their secondary for years to come.But at Battle Miami over the weekend, the high four-star saf…

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