French back ‘elitist’ Champions Cup

French league president Yann Roubert supports reducing the Investec Champions Cup from 24 teams to 16 and says South Africa’s future will need to be discussed.

The tournament currently consists of eight qualifiers from each of the French Top 14, English Premiership and URC. mchezo.life

English clubs are reportedly driving plans for a revamped 16-team competition that would scrap the pool stage and begin with a two-legged round of 16 before moving into quarter-finals, semi-finals and a final.

The proposal has now received backing from France.

“We are in favour of having a more elite European competition, maybe by coming down to 16 clubs rather than 24, so we have only very high-level matches,” Roubert told The Telegraph.

“We would provide five or six [teams], because we are three leagues, so we should have at least five, plus the winner [of the Champions Cup],” he said.

“That is less than eight, but I think that for the good of rugby, even if obviously it will leave two clubs out, it seems to be the right solution to have this more elite competition.”

ALSO: Champions Cup fixtures confirmed

Any significant overhaul would have to address the involvement of South African teams, who joined EPCR competition via the URC in 2022.

The Sharks became the first South African team to win an EPCR trophy when they lifted the second-tier Challenge Cup in 2024, but none of the country’s clubs has progressed past the Champions Cup quarter-finals.

Roubert acknowledged that their longer-term participation remains uncertain.

“They have never made it to the semi-finals and we do not know what happened, because for sure they’ve got the players to succeed,” he said.

The current competition arrangements run until 2030, with Roubert expecting discussions over the next format to take place within EPCR.

“This is where we might think of being maybe a bit more selective, elitist,” he said.

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Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images

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L’Algérie poursuit sa campagne dans les éliminatoires de la CAN 2027 avec un déplacement au Burundi, ce mardi 29 septembre. Les Fennecs affrontent les Hirondelles au stade Intwari de Bujumbura, à partir de 13h00 GMT, soit 14h00 en Algérie, pour le compte de la deuxième journée du groupe I.

Après leur victoire contre la Zambie (3-1) lors de leur entrée en lice, les hommes de Brahim Hemdani veulent confirmer leur bon départ et décrocher un deuxième succès consécutif. Les Algériens occupent actuellement la première place du groupe avec trois points, tandis que le Burundi a débuté ces qualifications par une défaite face au Togo (0-1).

Un déplacement à ne pas prendre à la légère

Sur le papier, l’Algérie part avec l’ambition de poursuivre sur sa lancée, mais ce premier déplacement de la campagne constitue un nouveau test pour les Fennecs. Le Burundi évoluera à domicile et cherchera à se relancer après son revers inaugural.

Pour l’Algérie, l’objectif sera donc de ramener les trois points de Bujumbura afin de consolider sa position dans le groupe I et d’aborder la suite des qualifications avec davantage de sérénité.

Où voir Burundi – Algérie en direct ?

Le match Burundi – Algérie sera diffusé en direct sur beIN Sports.

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[The Conversation Africa] Senegal has made major investments to build, renovate and modernise its sports facilities to host the Youth Olympic Games, set for 31 October to 13 November 2026. New or upgraded venues now stand in Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly. These three cities will host the competitions. But the facilities raise bigger questions than just organising the Games. How should the government finance, manage and maintain them in the long term after the competition?

Lesotho vs Morocco meet in AFCON 2027 qualifying Group A at Free State Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein on Tuesday, 29 September 2026, with kick-off at 16:00 SAST. Morocco arrive with three points after beating Gabon 2–0, while Lesotho are looking for their first points after a 2–1 defeat to Niger.

The match brings the two national teams together again after Morocco won both of their meetings during qualifying for AFCON 2025. This preview covers the match details, possible lineups, team news, statistics, head-to-head record, recent form and Group A standings before kick-off. For changing scores and confirmed match information, follow SP Score.

The Lesotho vs Morocco AFCON 2027 qualifier is the second Group A match for both teams, with Lesotho hosting the fixture in Bloemfontein, South Africa.

Football markets for the day’s fixtures can be found on SportPesa South Africa Soccer. Odds and market availability can change before kick-off. 18+.

READ ALSO: Türkiye v France: Nations League Preview, Prediction, Team News & H2H

The Lesotho national football team vs Morocco national football team lineups will be confirmed closer to kick-off. The selections below are possible XIs based on the latest team information available before the match and should not be treated as confirmed starting teams.

Moerane; Makhetha, Makhele, Mokokoane; Falene, Koaeane, Mokhachane, Toloane; Fothoane, Sefali; Motebang.

Bono; Maamar, Diop, Aguerd, Mazraoui; El Aynaoui, Bouaddi; Yassine, Ounahi, Ezzalzouli; Zabiri.

Confirmed starting XIs can differ from pre-match projections. Follow SP Score for live scores, lineups, H2H and match statistics once the teams are announced.

Lesotho vs Morocco team news centres on how Bob Mafoso and Mohamed Ouahbi shape their teams after contrasting opening results in Group A.

Lesotho scored through Sera Motebang in the 2–1 defeat to Niger, keeping the striker central to their attacking plans. Mafoso also has players such as Neo Mokhachane, Teboho Sefali and Jane Thabantso’s wider squad competition to consider as Lesotho try to improve on their opening result.

Morocco began the group with a 2–0 victory over Gabon, with Noussair Mazraoui and Soufiane Rahimi scoring. Ouahbi’s September squad also introduced younger players including Abdellah Ouazane, Soufian El Faouzi and Yassir Zabiri alongside established names such as Yassine Bounou, Nayef Aguerd, Azzedine Ounahi, Bilal El Khannouss and Abdessamad Ezzalzouli.

Ayoub El Kaabi was listed as injured in the pre-match data supplied for this fixture. His final availability should be checked against the official matchday squad before publication or kick-off.

READ ALSO: Canada vs Morocco Prediction: 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16

The Lesotho national football team vs Morocco national football team stats show a clear difference in their starts to Group A and in their two most recent meetings.

The numbers provide context rather than a guarantee of how the match will unfold. Lesotho are at home for competition purposes but are playing in Bloemfontein, while Morocco enter the fixture with the stronger recent head-to-head record and a winning start to the group.

The recent Morocco national football team vs Lesotho national football team matches have both ended in Morocco victories. The teams met twice during qualifying for AFCON 2025.

The 1–0 meeting was far tighter than the return match, which Morocco won 7–0. Those results give Morocco the recent H2H advantage, although both national teams are now working under the demands of a new qualifying campaign.

READ ALSO: France vs Morocco Prediction: 2026 FIFA World Cup Quarter-Final

Lesotho vs Morocco stats are more useful when read alongside each side’s recent results rather than in isolation.

Morocco opened AFCON 2027 qualifying with a 2–0 win over Gabon. The broader pre-match form supplied for the fixture shows four wins in their last five listed matches, with the only defeat coming against France.

The Lesotho national football team vs Morocco national football team standings place Morocco first and Lesotho third before Round 2, with Niger second and Gabon fourth.

The table will change as Group A progresses, so live standings should be checked after each round rather than treated as permanent.

Sera Motebang gave Lesotho their goal against Niger and remains one of the home side’s most important attacking players. Lesotho will also need discipline through midfield and defence if they are to limit Morocco’s ability to create chances between the lines and from wide areas.

Morocco have several routes to goal. Mazraoui and Rahimi scored against Gabon, while Ounahi and El Khannouss can influence possession and chance creation. Ezzalzouli provides direct running in attack, Aguerd brings experience in defence and Bono gives Morocco an established presence in goal.

The Lesotho vs Morocco prediction discussion starts with Morocco’s stronger opening result, higher FIFA ranking and two recent wins over Lesotho, but the final team sheets and how Lesotho approach the game in Bloemfontein still matter.

Morocco have shown they can hurt Lesotho in different ways, from the narrow 1–0 win in September 2024 to the 7–0 result two months later. Their 2–0 win over Gabon also gave Ouahbi a positive start to the current qualifying campaign.

Lesotho’s task is to stay compact, avoid giving Morocco easy space around the penalty area and make more of the attacking moments they create. Motebang’s goal against Niger showed that Likuena can find a route to goal, but they will need a more complete performance against a Morocco side with greater depth across the pitch.

Rather than relying on a fixed score call, the confirmed lineups, Lesotho’s defensive shape, Morocco’s selection in attack and the first phase of the match offer better context for assessing how the fixture develops.

For the Lesotho vs Morocco live score, confirmed lineups and changing match statistics, use SP Score. The service covers live scores, fixtures, H2H information and match statistics.

For more previews and football coverage, visit the SportPesa South Africa Blog. Match markets can be checked through SportPesa South Africa Soccer where available.

When is Lesotho vs Morocco?

Lesotho vs Morocco is scheduled for Tuesday, 29 September 2026.

What time is Lesotho vs Morocco?

Kick-off is scheduled for 16:00 SAST.

Where is Lesotho vs Morocco being played?

The match is being played at Free State Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein, South Africa.

What competition is Lesotho vs Morocco in?

The fixture is part of AFCON 2027 qualifying Group A, Round 2.

What is the Lesotho vs Morocco head-to-head record?

Morocco won the two most recent meetings: 1–0 in September 2024 and 7–0 in November 2024.

Who coaches Lesotho and Morocco?

Bob Mafoso coaches Lesotho, while Mohamed Ouahbi is Morocco’s head coach.

Where can I follow Lesotho vs Morocco live?

SP Score provides live scores, confirmed lineups, H2H information and changing match statistics.

Lesotho vs Morocco brings together two Group A teams that made very different starts to AFCON 2027 qualifying. Morocco arrive in Bloemfontein with three points after beating Gabon 2–0, while Lesotho are looking to respond after their 2–1 loss to Niger.

The recent H2H record favours Morocco, but the confirmed lineups, Lesotho’s response at home and Morocco’s selection under Ouahbi will determine the shape of the match. Kick-off is at 16:00 SAST on Tuesday, 29 September 2026.

Follow SP Score for the live score and match information, and visit SportPesa South Africa Soccer for available football markets. 18+. Gamble responsibly. National Responsible Gambling Programme: 0800 006 008.

Fabián Ruiz garde une idée précise pour la dernière étape de sa carrière. Présent en conférence de presse avant la rencontre entre l’Espagne et la Croatie, le milieu du PSG a réaffirmé son envie de retrouver un jour le Betis, où il a été formé.

Malgré son parcours loin de l’Andalousie, l’international espagnol reste un fidèle observateur de son ancien club. « Je l’ai toujours dit, j’essaie de regarder tous les matchs et je suis content de leurs bons résultats. Je suis supporter du Betis, tout le monde le sait », a-t-il confié.

Un retour souhaité, mais pas dans l’immédiat

Si son attachement reste intact, Fabián Ruiz n’envisage pas encore de concrétiser ce projet. « j’aimerais terminer ma carrière ici, ce n’est pas le moment, mais cela se fera sûrement à l’avenir. » Une déclaration qui traduit une volonté personnelle, sans fixer d’échéance à un éventuel retour.

Son passage à Séville a également ravivé le souvenir du derby remporté face au Séville FC en janvier 2018 (5-3). Buteur ce jour-là, le Parisien conserve une émotion particulière : « j’en garde de bons souvenirs. C’était ma première victoire dans un derby, mon premier but, c’était l’Épiphanie… C’était magique, j’espère que nous ferons aussi bien demain ». Un épisode marquant d’une histoire qu’il espère donc prolonger sous le maillot du Betis.

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