Former captain of the Super Eagles, Sunday Oliseh, has said the big teams will begin to go home from the quarter-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

There have been no upsets so far at the tournament, with the final eight among the top 10 countries on the continent, according to the latest FIFA rankings.

However, they have all been paired against each other, for places in the semi-finals.

Hosts Morocco take on Cameroon, Nigeria are up against Algeria, Mali will play Senegal and Egypt have been drawn against Ivory Coast.

Oliseh, reacting to a post on X by BBC Sport broadcaster John Bennett, who noted that this AFCON has produced no major shocks heading into the quarter-final stage.

Quoting Bennett’s tweet, he wrote: “Spot on. So far, no huge surprises yet! But this is where it ends!”

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has suggested why his team was defeated 2–1 by Aston Villa in the Premier League on Saturday.

Arteta watched as Aston Villa took the lead through Matty Cash in the first half.

But Arsenal fought back and equalised through Leandro Trossard in the second half.

However, a late goal from Emiliano Buendia ensured the hosts defeated the Gunners at Villa Park.

Speaking to TNT Sports after the game, Arteta admitted it was painful to lose against Aston Villa.

According to him, Arsenal failed to have dominance and allowed open spaces in the second half, adding that they gave two balls away to the opponent.

“In the first half we had moments, obviously had the best chance after a foul on Riccy [Calafiori] that Watkins goes through,” Arteta said.

“In the second half we started really well. Scored a goal and we were really dominant.

“But then we had periods again where the same issue appeared and then we didn’t have the dominance and we allowed the open spaces, we gave two balls away ourselves to the opponent which could have cost us the game before actually the goal.

“Last kick of the game we have the chance with the cross from Declan for Noni and Viktor. We don’t score. Goal kick long, second ball, clear the ball, individual action. The ball comes inside the box and you end up losing it. It is painful.”

Alexander Isak admitted a weight had finally lifted after breaking his Premier League duck for Liverpool in a badly needed win at West Ham.

Isak struck on the hour at the London Stadium, guiding Cody Gakpo’s pass into the bottom corner to set Arne Slot’s side on their way to a 2-0 victory that stopped a grim run of nine defeats in twelve matches.

The £125million striker had been denied repeatedly by Alphonse Areola before he finally scored, ending a ten-game wait that summed up Liverpool’s wider struggles during a damaging spell for their new manager.

Asked if the goal felt like a release, Isak said: ‘Yeah of course, I’m aware that it’s been a long time coming and I’ve been trying to get back to my best form. I’m still on the way, but I’m happy to have that goal.’

‘The best feeling today is that we win the game, that’s the best way to get a good spirit within the group. That’s helpful for the individual as well. Of course I’m a striker, so scoring goals will always help me.’

Isak warned Liverpool could not allow one result to distort their judgement, reflecting that consistency had been missing across recent setbacks.

‘We have to use this win in a good way but also be humble, because we’ve had a tough time. One win doesn’t necessarily mean we’re back; we have to stay focused and keep working hard to keep this momentum.’

His breakthrough came on a night when Slot reshaped his attack. Mohamed Salah was dropped to the bench and Florian Wirtz returned, bringing the sharper movement behind Isak that Liverpool had lacked during their slump.

Wirtz drifted between the lines, linked with Gakpo and Ryan Gravenberch and helped Liverpool control the game during a composed opening hour in which they created the better chances and kept West Ham at arm’s length.

Slot’s calls followed scrutiny after the Champions League defeat to PSV, and the Dutchman argued that his side showed more balance after a period in which structure and confidence had wavered.

He said his overriding feeling at full time was relief, and he thanked the travelling support for backing him during a difficult run.

He said: ‘(It means) a lot. It says a lot about the club and fans that they were not only supportive of me but the whole team.

‘If you have such a run of form we are having, and have an away game, and the away end is so full and supports the team from start to finish, including me, that is special.’

Liverpool now move into a decisive week, with Sunderland travelling to Anfield in midweek before Slot’s side head to Leeds on Saturday in fixtures that will show whether this win is a turning point or merely a pause.