Mahmoud Alaa converted a 55th-minute VAR spot-kick to give Zamalek a 1-0 second-leg win over Renaissance Sportive Berkane of Morocco

Fifa president Sepp Blatter has declared the Confederations Cup football tournament a success, despite clashes between police and protesters.

Many are angry at the $15-billion bill for hosting the competition and next year’s World Cup, which will take place next June.

Spain coach has said fatigue would be no excuse for failure in the Confederations Cup final against Brazil after his side edged Italy 7-6.

Brazil’s current side are not good enough to win the Confederations Cup, football legend Pele has said.

Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has also overlooked Alexandre Pato and Ramires for the World Cup warm-up tournament that Brazil will host in June.

Next time Joel Santana selects a team of locally based players for a friendly he should be reminded that he can use more than five substitutes.

President Kgalema Motlanthe appealed to South Africans to treat each other with respect in his New Year’s message late on Wednesday.

Eric Bekoe converted a penalty one minute from full-time on Sunday to squeeze Asante Kotoko of Ghana into the African Confederation Cup group phase.