Liverpool’s unbeaten start to the season ended on Saturday after Eddie Nketiah scored a dramatic 97th-minute winner to give Crystal Palace a 2-1 victory at Selhurst Park.
Palace struck first in the 9th minute when Ismaïla Sarr pounced on a loose ball from a corner to score from close range.
The hosts could have extended their lead, but Alisson denied both Yeremy Pino and Jean-Philippe Mateta.
Liverpool created chances of their own, with Ibrahima Konaté heading wide and Alexander Isak missing after rounding goalkeeper Dean Henderson.
After the break, Liverpool pushed harder. Substitute Cody Gakpo went close, while Florian Wirtz also forced Henderson into a save.
Their pressure finally paid off in the 84th minute when Federico Chiesa bundled the ball over the line, and a VAR check for a possible handball by Mohamed Salah did not overturn the goal.
Just as it looked like both sides would share the points, Palace struck again deep into stoppage time. Nketiah reacted quickly in the box to slot home the winner, sparking wild celebrations in South London.
The result extends Palace’s unbeaten run to a club-record 18 matches and lifts them into second place, three points behind Liverpool, who suffered their first defeat of the season.
The Confederation of African Football has unveiled the nominees in the men’s categories for the CAF Awards 2025, celebrating the continent’s top performers among players, coaches, clubs, and national teams.
The awards recognise the impact of players and coaches on African and global football during the period from January 6 to October 15, 2025. The nominations highlight those who have made major contributions to the sport across the continent.
According to a statement posted on the CAF website on Monday, a panel of experts, including members of the CAF Technical & Development Committee, experienced coaches, CAF Legends, and selected media representatives, selected 10 nominees for each category, considering performances across all competitions.
Cameroon’s Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa and Egypt’s Mohamed Salah headline the list after commanding seasons with Napoli and Liverpool, respectively, as well as with their national teams.
Other notable nominees include Fiston Mayele (DR Congo/Pyramids), whose prolific scoring powered his club to the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League title, Achraf Hakimi (Morocco/PSG), Victor Osimhen (Nigeria/Galatasaray), and Iliman Ndiaye (Senegal/Everton).
The nominees are listed below:
Men’s player of the year nominees
Men’s player of the year nominees. Photo: CAF
Andre Frank Zambo-Anguissa (Cameroon/Napoli)
Fiston Mayele (DR Congo/Pyramids)
Mohamed Salah (Egypt/Liverpool)
Denis Bouanga (Gabon/Los Angeles FC)
Serhou Guirassy (Guinea/Borussia Dortmund)
Achraf Hakimi (Morocco/Paris Saint-Germain)
Oussama Lamlioui (Morocco/RS Berkane)
Victor Osimhen (Nigeria/Galatasaray)
Iliman Ndiaye (Senegal/Everton)
Pape Matar Sarr (Senegal/Tottenham Hotspur)
Men’s goalkeeper of the year nominees
Men’s goalkeeper of the year nominees. Photo: CAF
Andre Onana (Cameroon/Trabzonspor)
Vozinha (Cape Verde/Chaves)
Ahmed El Shenawy (Egypt/Pyramids)
Munir Mohamedi (Morocco/RS Berkane)
Yassine Bonou (Morocco/Al Hilal)
Stanley Nwabali (Nigeria/Chippa United)
Edouard Mendy (Senegal/Al Ahli)
Marc Diouf (Senegal/Tengueth)
Ronwen Williams (South Africa/Mamelodi Sundowns)
Aymen Dahmen (Tunisia/CS Sfaxien)
Men’s interclub player of the year nominees
Men’s interclub player of the year nominees. Photo: CAF
Former international, Victor Ikpeba says it is important for the Super Eagles to grab the chance to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup through the playoffs.
Eric Chelle’s side failed to secure automatic qualification to the mundial despite a convincing 4-0 home victory over Benin Republic last week.
The three-time African champions, however, did enough to earn a place in the playoffs having finished second in Group C behind the Bafana Bafana of South Africa.
They will square up with the Panthers of Gabon in an all West African affair in the semi-final of the playoffs in Morocco next month.
The winner will face either Cameroon or Democratic Republic of Congo in the final.
Ikpeba reckoned it is important for the Super Eagles to qualify for the World Cup
“We can qualify for the World Cup, it is another chance for them to play at the World Cup,” Ikpeba said on Monday Night Football on Supersport TV.
“They have a second lifeline, they have to grab it.”
Super Falcons stars Asisat Oshoala and Folashade Ijamilusi are among the first set of players to arrive at the team’s camp in Lomé, Togo, ahead of their 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifying match against the Amazons of Benin Republic.
Six other players have also reported to the camp at the Hotel Sarakawa in Lomé, including new invitee Joy Omewa, alongside Miracle Usani, Taiwo Afolabi, Anderline Mgbechi, Blessing Illivieda, and Kafayat Mafisere.
Head coach Justine Madugu is still awaiting the arrival of 13 more players to complete the squad. The team is scheduled to hold its first training session later tonight.
The first leg of the qualifier will be hosted by Benin at the Stade Kegue in Lomé on Thursday, with the reverse fixture slated for the Moshood Abiola Sports Arena, Abeokuta, next week Tuesday.
