FEDERER WINS A RECORD 18TH GRAND SLAM TITLE

Roger Federer legendary career continues after winning his 18th Grand Slam title and first for five years with a thrilling five-set victory over Rafael Nadal in the Australian Open final.

The 35year-old Swiss maestro - who last won in Wimbledon 2012 - won 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 to claim his fifth Melbourne title and extend his lead at the top of the all-time men's major winners list.

The 30year-old Spaniard, Nadal remains tied in second with Pete Sampras on 14 Grand Slams following his first final since 2014.

Federer also became the oldest Grand Slam champion since Ken Rosewall won the 1972 Australian Open aged 37, prevailing in a 3hrs and 37mins classic to secure his first Aussie crown since 2010 with all five titles coming against different opponents.

The achievement in ending his drought is all the more remarkable for Federer given this was his first tournament since Wimbledon last July, after which he took the second half of the season off to recover from a knee injury.

He becomes the first man in history to win five or more titles at three different Grand Slam events - 5 Australian Open, 5 US Open and 7 Wimbledon titles.

"Tennis is a tough sport," said Federer. "There are no draws. If there were I would have been happy to accept one and share it with Rafa.

"Everybody says they work very hard - I do the same - but I try not to shout about it. I'd like to thank my team. It's been a different last six months. I didn't think I'd make it but here I am."

Nadal was also on the way back from injuries that curtailed his 2016 season, but the Spaniard could not improve his winning record against Federer - the Swiss has now won 12 of their 35 matches and 3 of 9 in Grand Slam finals.

Federer also said after the game to the crowd:
"I've been coming here for almost 20 years now, I've always enjoyed it and now my family does too.

"Thanks again for everything, to everybody. I hope to see you next year. If not, this was a wonderful run here and I can't be more happy to win."

Next after this for the legend is how to add to his solitary title at Roland Garros when the French Open begins in May.

WILLIAMS SISTERS TO BATTLE IT OUT FOR THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN TITLE

Australian Open 2017 final will be between two sisters. Venus will face-off with younger sibling Serena in an all-American showdown at the Melbourne park.

The 13th-seed Venus, who came from a set down to defeat Coco Vandeweghe 6-7, 6-2, 6-3 will fancy her chances against Serena who ended the magical run of Croatian Mirjana Lucic-Baroni with a 6-2 6-1 win.

It will be the first time that the pair will have met in a Grand Slam final since Wimbledon in 2009 and will be Serena’s eighth final at Melbourne Park.

The 22-time Grand Slam champion Serena is the bookmakers favourite against her sister, who had only amassed seven Grand Slam win in her two decades plus professional career.

It would also be a seventh Australian Open victory for the younger Williams sister, while Venus hopes to win an eighth major title, first in Melbourne and first since Wimbledon in 2008.

Serena is edging even closer to a 23rd Grand Slam crown, which would be one shy of Margaret Court's all-time record of 24 if she is able to defeat her sister.

"It is unbelievable to watch Serena play tennis - the way she hits the ball and the competitor she is," Venus Williams said after her semi-final win.

"It would be a dream to see her on the opposite side of the net on Saturday."

Speaking after her win also, Serena said: "I am really proud of Venus - she is a total inspiration. I am really happy for her and to be in the final together is a dream for us.

"She is my toughest opponent, no-one has ever beaten me as much as Venus.
"I feel no matter what that we have both won after all we have been through. I know a Williams is going to win this tournament."

The world no-2, Serena will be the overwhelming favourite against her sister, with a 16-11 head-to-head record and also the winner of 6 of 8 Grand Slam finals between them.

ANDY MURRAY AUSTRALIAN OPEN TITLE DREAM WILL HAVE TO WAIT

World No-1 Andy Murray hopes of winning a first Australian Open title ended with a shock defeat to No-50 Germany's Mischa Zverev in the fourth round.

The 29-year-old German, a contemporary of Murray from junior days, was ranked outside the world's top 1,000 two years ago after a succession of injury problems.

Murray dropped serve eight times as Zverev won 7-5 5-7 6-2 6-4 on Rod Laver Arena. It is the Briton's earliest defeat in Melbourne since 2009, and the lowest-ranked player he has lost to at a Grand Slam since the 2006 Australian Open.

With Novak knocked out in the last round, most of the pundits have given Andy the edge to win his maiden Australian title of which he will have to wait another 12 months.

The last time the top two seeds failed to reach the quarter-finals of a slam was at Roland Garros in 2004.

Mischa - the elder brother to 19year-old sensation Alexander Zverev - took the first set 7-5, but Murray seemed to get back on track after taking the second by the same scoreline.

But Zverev was relentless in his approach and took the next two 6-2, 6-4 to produce the sporting shock of 2017 so far.

After the match, he said: “Honestly I don't know how I did it. I was in a little coma, I served and volleyed my way through. I don't know how I did it. Somehow I did it."

Zverev will face Roger Federer or Kei Nishikori in the quarter-finals.

DJOKOVIC DUMPED OUT OF THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN

Novak Djokovic lost in the 2nd-round of the Australian Open to Uzbekistan's Dennis Istomin 7-6, 5-7, 2-6, 7-6, 6-4.

The last time the six-time Australian Open champion, Djokovic lost in the 2nd-round of a grand slam was at the 2008 Wimbledon and only the second time in seven years that he has lost to a player ranked outside the top 100 - his defeat by Juan Martin del Potro, ranked 145th, at the Rio Olympics in 2016 being the other occasion.

The world number 117, Istomin matched his best performance in the opening Grand Slam of the year with this shocking victory by advancing to the 3rd round.

"He deserved to win. No doubt, he was a better player in the clutch moments," Djokovic said.
"Many things came together for him today and he's a well-deserved winner. There's not much I could do."

Prior to his win over Djokovic, Istomin had won just one of 33 matches against a player ranked in the world's top 10.

'I surprised myself! It is the biggest win [of my career] for me and means so much, now I feel I can play with these guys and be with them on the same level," said Istomin.

Istomin will next face Spain's Pablo Carreno Busta, who beat Britain's Kyle Edmund on Thursday.

MERCEDES ANNOUNCES REPLACEMENT FOR ROSBERG

World champion Mercedes has made the announcement everyone has been waiting for in the Formula One arena - the new driver to partner Hamilton in 2017 - and it is 27year-old Finnish, Valtteri Bottas.

After four seasons of solid performances with Williams, he has been rewarded with every driver's dream - a seat with the best team in Formula 1.

Bottas has signed a one-year deal with the option for more with the German team, while  retired world-champion Rosberg moves into an ambassadorial role.

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Mercedes' young driver Pascal Wehrlein, passed over in favour of Bottas, joins the Swiss Sauber team for the season. Also coming in to replace Bottas in Williams is Brazilian Felipe Massa, who rescinded on his earlier decision to retire after the end of last season.

Rosberg's shock retirement, announced just five days after he wrapped up his maiden world title, was a "challenging situation for the team to handle", according to Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff.

"Sometimes in life, unexpected circumstances provide interesting opportunities," he added. "Nico's decision in December was a big surprise.
"But weathering the storm makes you more resilient and we see this as another opportunity for the team to grow.

"I think Valtteri fits very well in our team, as a driver he's very fast, and he has also the heart in the right place.
"He shares our values and passion, and he's modest and humble and he's hard wworkingorking."

With his talent and calm disposition - which can be likened to Rosberg - and barring a remarkable slip in form for Mercedes, Bottas will morph from being an occasional podium visitor to a race-winner and possibly title contender this year.

HOME-BOY NICK KYRGIOS KNOCKED OUT OF THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN

Nick Kyrgios was knocked out of his home Grand Slam as he blew a two-set lead and a match point in losing to Andreas Seppi at the Australian Open.

The 32year-old Italian, Seppi triumphed 1-6 6-7 (1-7) 6-4 6-2 10-8 against the typically unpredictable Australian.

Kyrgios was given two warnings, for swearing and racquet abuse, before the 89th-ranked Seppi clinched victory.
The 21-year-old Australian was in control before losing his temper as he complained of a knee injury midway through the third set.

Kyrgios won a five-set scrap with Seppi on the same court in 2015 to reach the quarter-finals, but the roles were reversed here.

Kyrgios, returning to tennis at the Australian Open after a ban for not trying at the Shanghai Masters ended his 2016 season, was given a warning for swearing and later docked a point for his second code violation after launching his racquet into the ground in frustration.

VENUS WILLIAMS DEFILING THE ODDS AS SHE REACHES THE THIRD ROUND IN AUSTRALIA

A straight-sets victory earned Venus Williams safe passage through to the Australian Open third round, as the former world number one quietly went about her business at Melbourne Park.

Williams is seeded 13 and she encountered little trouble in defeating Swiss qualifier Stefanie Voegele in an hour and 23 minutes, winning 6-3, 6-2 on Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne.

Williams, who played at her first Australian Open in 1998, is the oldest woman in the singles draw at 36year-old and is competing at her 73rd majors.

"I have to talk about my age every interview!" the American said. "I've played some of the greats.
"It's an honour and privilege to start that young, and play this old."

Venus alongside her sister has pulled out of the doubles competition as a precaution to rest a sore elbow.

The 17th seed has never won the title, her best result finishing is being a runner-up to her sister Serena in 2003.

ANGELIQUE KERBER IS AIMING TO DEFEND HER AUSTRALIAN OPEN TITLE

World number one and defending champion Angelique Kerber survived an onslaught from fellow German Carina Witthoeft to advance to the 2017 Australian Open third round.

She is a top-seed at a Grand Slam for the first time, and did struggled with her serve in a second-set tie-break before prevailing 6-2 6-7 (3-7) 6-2 over the 21year-old Carina.

Also, she had started the year in less-than-convincing style, going out in the
last eight in Brisbane and the second round in Sydney just few days before the first grand slam of the year.

"To have this pressure is a privilege," she said. "It's completely new for me, but I'm doing well. I'm just trying to enjoy it."

Kerber who was 29 on Wednesday and had the crowd singing her "Happy Birthday" will be facing Czech Kristyna Pliskova next.

FEDERER THROUGH TO THE THIRD ROUND OF AUSTRALIAN OPEN

Four-time Australian Open champion, Roger Federer is through to the third-round after holding off the challenge of American prospect Noah Rubin.

The 35year-old Swiss maestro, who is seeded 17th after missing the second half of the 2016 season with a knee injury, saved two set points in the third to win 7-5 6-3 7-6 (7-3).

He is looking forward to be the second oldest male winner of a grand slam in the Open era. After winning the 20year-old Noah, he attributed the win to experience.

"I have played out here many, many times, that's my advantage maybe," he said, after claiming victory in two hours four minutes.
"If I could have signed (a contract) to be in the third round, feeling this way, weeks or days or a month ago, I would have taken it.
"I'm still hoping to feel better and better and better as we go along."

The 17-time grand slam winner will now play 2010 Wimbledon finalist Tomas Berdych next. He had defeated the Czech star in the quarterfinal stage last year.

CAMEROON 2019 AFCON QUALIFIER DRAW UNVEILS

The qualifying draw for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations has pitted several former champions against one another.

Number one ranked team in Africa at the moment, Senegal will face off with Equatorial Guinea, Sudan and the winner between Sao Tome and Principe and Madagascar in Group A. 4-time champion Cameroon, who qualify automatically as the host are in Group B alongside 1976 champions Morocco, Malawi and either Comoros or Mauritius.

Record 7-time winners Egypt will meet North African rivals Tunisia, who won in 2004, in Group J. 3-time winners, Super Eagles of Nigeria will also face Bafana Bafana of South Africa who were 1996 winner in Group E.

Group G also features a clash between Congo and the Democratic Republic of Congo, with both sides having previously lifted the trophy.

In addition to hosts Cameroon, the 12 group winners will qualify alongside the the 3 best runners-up.

Here is the draw in full:

Group A: Senegal, Equatorial Guinea, Sudan, Sao Tome/Madagascar

Group B: Cameroon, Morocco, Malawi, Comoros/Mauritius

Group C: Mali, Gabon, Burundi, Djibouti/South Sudan

Group D: Algeria, Togo, Benin, The Gambia

Group E: Nigeria, South Africa, Libya, Seychelles

Group F: Ghana, Ethiopia, Sierra Leone, Kenya

Group G: DR Congo, Congo, Zimbabwe, Liberia

Group H: Ivory Coast, Guinea, Central African Republic, Rwanda

Group I: Burkina Faso, Angola, Botswana, Mauritania

Group J: Tunisia, Egypt, Niger, Swaziland

Group K: Zambia, Mozambique, Guinea-Bissau, Namibia

Group L: Cape Verde, Uganda, Tanzania, Lesotho

The qualifier will kick off in June 2017 and rounds up in November 2018.

THE BEST FOOTBALL AWARDS FOR 2016: WHO ARE THE NOMINEES

The clock is ticking down to the inaugural edition of The Best FIFA Football Awards in Zurich tonight. It's going to be taking place at Technology Production Center (TPC) studios, Zurich, Switzerland, with the winners of each accolade decided by the global football community.

The winners of The Best FIFA Men's and Women's Player, and The Best FIFA Men's and Women's Coach awards , are determined through a combined voting process, in which 50 per cent of the decision is based on the votes of captains (25 per cent) and head coaches (25 per cent) from national teams all around the globe.

The remaining 50 per cent is split equally between an online public ballot of football fans (25 per cent) and submissions from a selected group of media representatives (25 per cent) from all around the world. The vote took place between Friday 4 November and Tuesday 22 November 2016.

The awards to be given out includes;

The Best FIFA Men's Player Award Nominees
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
Antoine Griezmann (France)
Lionel Messi (Argentina)

The Best FIFA Women’s Player Award
Nominees:
Melanie Behringer (Germany)
Carli Lloyd (United States of America)
Marta (Brazil)

The Best FIFA Men’s Coach Award
Nominees:
Claudio Ranieri (Leicester City)
Fernando Santos (Portugal)
Zinedine Zidane (Real Madrid)

The Best FIFA Women’s Coach Award
Nominees:
Jill Ellis (United States of America)
Silvia Neid (Germany)
Pia Sundhage (Sweden)

The FIFA Puskás Award 2016 
Nominees:
Marlone (Brazil)
Daniuska Rodriguez (Venezuela)
Mohammed Faiz Subri (Malaysia)

The FIFA Fan Award
Nominees:
ADO Den Haag supporters
Borussia Dortmund-Liverpool supporters
Iceland supporters

The FIFA Fair Play Award

According to FIFA.com the winners of The Best FIFA Men's and Women's Player, and The Best FIFA Men's and Women's Coach awards will be given a newly-designed, platinum-coated trophy.

The trophy has a shape which resembles the iconic FIFA World Cup Trophy, an homage to tradition with a contemporary, dynamic design. The winners of the other awards will also be handed different, platinum-coated, trophies during the ceremony.

Pick your choice and leave it in the comment box below.

WESTBROOK LEADS THUNDER TO VICTORY

Russell Westbrook was scary enough already.

Now, the league's scoring leader is hitting 3-pointers as well as he does everything else.

Westbrook had 32 points, 17 rebounds and 11 assists for his 17th triple-double of the season as the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Denver Nuggets 121-106 at Chesapeake Energy Arena.

Westbrook made 7 of 12 3-pointers after hitting a career-high eight 3s on Thursday at Houston. He made four 3-pointers in the fourth quarter to turn the game into a rout.

''Obviously, Russ started hitting pull-up 3s from 30 feet, and there's not a lot you can do with that,'' Denver coach Michael Malone said.

Westbrook, who entered the game as a 33 percent 3-point shooter for the season, said there's no magic in his 15-for-27 shooting behind the arc the past two games.

''Just try to stay on balance and concentrate on making the shot,'' he said.

Westbrook matched his season high in rebounds in the 54th triple-double of his career. The Thunder improved to 32-3 the past two seasons when Westbrook gets a triple-double.

Steven Adams also scored 16 points and Victor Oladipo added 15 for Oklahoma City, which snapped a three-game losing streak.

It was Denver's fifth consecutive loss, and the Nuggets allowed at least 120 points in all of them.

The game was tied at 60 points apiece at halftime. Westbrook had 12 points, eight rebounds and five assists at the break, while Chandler had 19 points for the Nuggets.

Westbrook reached double figures in rebounds early in the third quarter. He sat down for a rest late in the period with nine assists and the Thunder leading 85-73.

Westbrook re-entered the game with 8:35 remaining and the Thunder leading 97-89. He claimed the triple-double less than a minute after he returned, then later put the game away with a pair of 3-pointers 32 seconds apart that put Oklahoma City up by 18.

The Thunder's next game will be against Chicago Bulls on the 10th of January.

MAHREZ, OSHOALA AND THE OTHER WINNERS AT THE 2016 CAF AWARDS

At the International Conference Center in Abuja, Nigeria last night a new King of African Football Stars emerged.

25year-old Riyad Mahrez became the first Algerian to win the gong after his wonderful exploits and football artistry with Leicester City last season in England.

He claimed the Premier League title, PFA Player of the Year and BBC African Footballer of the Year to capped an amazing year for himself.

For African Player of the year based in Africa, it was Uganda goalkeeper Dennis Onyango that won it.

The Mamelodi Sundowns player stood in post as his club won the CAF Champions League for the first time - second time for a South African club - and also helps qualify his country for the Africa Nations Cup in Gabon.

The Women Player of the year was won by Nigeria and Arsenal Ladies striker, Asisat Oshoala.

In recent years, Asisat has shown like a beautiful star that she is with the Super Falcons as well as Arsenal Ladies. She was the top-scorer with six goals at the Africa Women Cup of Nations in Cameroon where her team won the title for the 8th record time.

Below are other winners on the night.

African Player of the Year
Riyad MAHREZ (Algeria and Leicester City) – 361 votes

Pierre-Emerick AUBAMEYANG (Gabon and Borussia Dortmund) – 313 votes

Sadio MANE (Senegal and Liverpool) – 186 votes

African Player of the Year – Based in Africa
Denis ONYANGO (Uganda and Mamelodi Sundowns) – 252 votes

Khama BILLIAT (Zimbabwe and Mamelodi Sundowns) – 228 votes

Rainford KALABA (Zambia and TP Mazembe) – 206 votes

Women’s Player of the Year
Asisat OSHOALA (Nigeria and Arsenal Ladies)

Most Promising Talent
Kelechi IHEANACHO (Nigeria and Manchester City)

Youth Player of the Year
Alex IWOBI (Nigeria and Arsenal)

Coach of the Year
Pitso MOSIMANE (Mamelodi Sundowns)

Club of the Year
Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)

National Team of the Year
Cranes of Uganda

Women’s National Team of the Year
Super Falcons of Nigeria

Referee of the Year
Bakary Papa GASSAMA (Gambia)

Football Leader of the Year
Manuel LOPES NASCIMENTO (President of Guinea Bissau Football Federation)

Legend Award
Laurent POKOU - Former player of Cote d’Ivoire
Emilienne MBANGO - Former player of Cameroon

Platinum Award
His Excellency Muhammadu Buhari (President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria

MIKEL MOVES ON FROM EUROPE

Super Eagles captain, Mikel John Obi has left Chelsea to join other stars moving to the Chinese league by signing with Super League side Tianjin TADA.

The 29year-old who has not played a single match for the Blues this season is expected to be paid £140,000 per week by the club.

He was signed from Lyn Oslo of Norway by Chelsea in 2006 after his magnificent display at the 2005 U-20 World Cup in Netherlands.

Mikel played 374 games and won 11 titles with Chelsea. The titles are 1 UEFA Champions League, 1 UEFA Europa League, 2 Premier Leagues, 4 FA Cups, 2 League Cups and 1 Community Shield.

His contributions to the team where he played under different managers cannot be undermined. He did wrote a letter to the fans after the announcement of his departure from the Stamford Bridge outfit.

Best of luck to him as he takes this next step of his career.

AUBAMEYANG LEADS OTHER STARS AS CAF NAMED TEAM OF THE YEAR

The Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) on Wednesday named his team of the year with current African Player of the Year, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang leading the line alongside other nominees for the 2016 award.

Only the reigning AFCON champion Cote d'Ivoire has 2 players in the squad which comprises of 10 nationalities and also boast of 5 players based in Africa and 6 foreign-based.

CAF Africa Finest XI

Goalkeeper: Denis Onyango (Mamelodi Sundowns, Uganda).

Defenders: Serge Aurier (Paris Saint-Germain, Ivory Coast), Aymen Abdennour (Valencia,
Tunisia), Eric Bailly (Manchester United, Ivory Coast), Joyce Lomalisa (AS Vita, Democratic
Republic of Congo).

Midfielders: Khama Billiat (Mamelodi Sundowns,
Zimbabwe), Rainford Kalaba (TP
Mazembe, Zambia), Keagan Dolly (Mamelodi Sundowns,
South Africa).

Forwards: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Borussia Dortmund, Gabon), Sadio Mané (Liverpool, Senegal), Riyad Mahrez (Leicester City, Algeria).

Substitutes
Aymen Mathlouthi (Etoile du Sahel, Tunisia), Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli, Senegal), Salif Coulibaly (TP Mazembe, Mali), Islam Slimani (Leicester City, Algeria), Mohamed Salah (Roma, Egypt), Kelechi Iheanacho (Manchester City, Nigeria), Alex Iwobi (Arsenal, Nigeria).

WHO IS THE KING OF AFRICAN FOOTBALL STARS?

Today 5th of January 2017, curtains will be raise, excitement will fill the hall and there will be a toast of wine when the 2016 Glo-CAF African Player of the year is announced tonight at the International Conference Center in Abuja, Nigeria.

The award which is the 25th edition is also part of the celebration of CAF 60th anniversary. Over the years, 16 different players from 10 different nations have claimed this award with the current holder being Gabonese forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

The nominees for this year are...

Gabon and Borussia Dortmund striker, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang(27)

Algeria and Leicester City winger, Riyad Mahrez (25)

Senegal and Liverpool winger, Sadio Mané (24)

The trio made the cut following votes from Head Coaches or Technical Directors of the National Associations affiliated to CAF, Media Committee, Technical & Football committee and a panel of Media Experts.

For the African Player of the Year (Based in Africa), we have...

Uganda and Mamelodi Sundows goalkeeper, Denis Onyango

Zimbabwe and Mamelodi Sundows forward, Khama Billiat

Zambia and TP Mazembe midfielder, Rainford Kalaba .

It promises to be filled with music, fun and glitz as top African music stars are set to light up the stage. Artistes such as Femi Kuti, Yemi Alade, Diamond Platinumz, Flavour and others as well as DJ Jimmy Jatt and comedians will be there to spice it all up.

Hosting this year will be top sports presenter Mimi Fawaz and Nollywood veteran actor Richard-Mofe Damijo.

Other awards for the night include; Women’s Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, National Team of the Year, Women’s National Team of the Year, Most Promising Talent of the Year, Youth Player of the Year amongst others.

MAN UNITED LOANS OUT GOALKEEPER

Manchester United has confirmed the on-loan departure of Sam Johnstone to Aston Villa for the rest of the season.

Sam Johnstone was Manchester United's third-choice goalkeeper. The 23year-old will spend the rest of the campaign at the Villa park after only featuring for Manchester United Under-23 this season

United manager Jose Mourinho recently admitted Johnstone would be the only player to leave Old Trafford on loan during the January window.

The club statement read: "Manchester United goalkeeper Sam Johnstone has joined Aston Villa on loan for the remainder of the season."

And the former England Under-20 international, who was behind David De Gea and Sergio Romero in Mourinho's pecking order, is looking forward to working under Steve Bruce.

He told Villa's official website: “I’m really pleased to have joined Aston Villa - it’s a massive club.

“I’m really excited to be here. Aston Villa were interested and it’s an opportunity I jumped at. It’s one you simply can’t turn down. 

“I’m really delighted to be here and I’m happy that it’s all sorted. I can’t wait to work with Steve Bruce too. 

“I’ve heard very good things about the manager. You can see his track record. He’s good for the club and I can’t wait to get going now.”

MERCEDES READY TO LAUNCH CAR FOR 2017 SEASON

Current champion Mercedes will launch the 2017 car they which to defend their Formula 1 titles at their home ground Silverstone on Thursday, February 23.

The triple champions will unveil the F1 W08 and take to the British GP track for its very first laps on the same day as a part of an initial pre-testing shakedown and filming day. This is happening just a day before rivals Ferrari  take the covers off their new car at their private Fiorano test circuit in Italy and complete initial shakedown laps before winter testing begins on February 27 in Barcelona.

The Silverstone event will also involve a fan meet-and-greet with Lewis Hamilton and his yet to be announced new team mate, with the Silver Arrows offering a few lucky supporters the chance to join them for the launch.

The unveiling of the new Mercedes W08 will invariably be one of the most eagerly-anticipated of 2017's 'launch season', particularly as it will be the first chance for rivals to catch a glimpse of the world champions' interpretation of the sport's new aero rules.

In a drive for faster and more aggressive-looking cars, 2017's challengers will feature wider front wings, shorter rear wings and overall increases in downforce.

It promises to be a whole lot of fun and excitement this season as Red Bull are expected to mount a more sustained challenge to Mercedes' recent dominance of F1 in 2017, while Ferrari are also eyeing significant strides after they failed to win a single race throughout the 2016 season.

MADRID EXTENDS UNBEATEN RUN AS JAMES SCORES TWICE IN SEVILLA MAULING

Real Madrid first game of the new year ended with a win over Sevilla in the 1st-leg of their Copa del Rey quarter final clash at the Santiago Bernabeau.

On the day that marked the first year of club legend Zinedine Zidane being named as coach of the side, it was the Colombian midfielder James Rodriguez who was the star of the match by bagging in a brace as Los Blancos won the Andalusian side 3-0 with all the goals being scored in the first half of the encounter.

Even without the front-trio BBC - Bale, Benzema and Cristiano - the Madrid side rose to occasion. With that win they have now extended their unbeaten run to 38 matches across all competitions, a run which started since April 2016.

After few minutes of play, Brazilian midfielder Casemiro slide in a pass for James to score his first goal in the 11th minute.

The second came in a moment later through a corner kick delivered by Toni Kroos and dispatched into the net by Raphael Varane who jumped ahead of every other players to do so in the 29th minute.

Sevilla could have reduced the deficit a bit if Joaquin Correa had buried the chance when he was one-on-one with Kiko Casilla, but the Madrid goalkeeper did well to save it with the follow up also messed up by Vicente Iborra despite the goal at his mercy.

Vitolo was also culpable some minutes later when he was also through on goal. He could only muster a straight shot into the hands of the Spanish goalkeeper.

Madrid wouldn't have to wait much longer to put the game to bed as Luka Modric appeared to be pushed in the area and referee Mateu Lahoz controversially pointed to the penalty spot. James stepped up and slot into the net for the third goal of the match and his third as well in the competition.

The second half did not produce any goal despite the two teams making their three maximum substitution as it appears that the Los Merengues are happy to let the game wane off.

The two teams meet for the 2nd-leg at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan stadium on January 12 with Sevilla hoping to comeback from the mauling and qualify for the next round.

DELE'S BRACE HALT CHELSEA WINNING STREAK

In a supposedly nervy encounter involving the two best defence in the Premier League this season, it was the 20yr-old double header that gave the host the maximum points.

The England midfielder of Nigeria descent found the back of the net either side of the interval to make it seven goals in his last four matches

The game started at the White Hart Lane with both Chelsea and Tottenham trying to lay claim to the possession, but it was the Blues that got the first chance of the game in the fifth minute when Eden Hazard hit wide a Nemanja Matic's lofty pass.

After dominating the possession for the majority of the half, Spurs turned it into a goal in the added minute of the first half through a Christian Eriksen cross which was perfectly placed into Courtois' goalpost by Dele Alli.

His second goal of the game came in a similar fashion in the 54th minute with Christian Eriksen also putting up another impeccable cross for Dele to nod into the net having found space between Victor Moses and Cesar Azpilicueta.

Mauricio Pochettino's side who are also  enjoying a purple patch of their own, having won five from five since losing at Manchester United won the game and with that they put an end to Antonio Conte's team 13-match winning run. The last time the Blues lost a game was also in North London, losing 3-0 to Arsenal in October.

With the win, Tottenham are now third on the log just above Manchester City on goal difference but reducing the point between themselves and Chelsea to seven points.

Michael Schumacher: The world awaits the Legend

Yesterday marks the 48th birthday of racing legend and all-time Formula One record holder Michael Schumacher. The German who won 7 World titles as well as 91 Grand prix wins and 155 podium finishes, with teams such as Jordan, Benetton, Ferrari and Mercedes is still in recovery.

Three years have now passed since
Schumacher was left fighting for his life following an accident sustained while skiing in the French Alps with his son. He was airlifted to a hospital and placed in a medically induced coma, having suffered a traumatic brain injury.

He was in the coma for six months before he left the hospital in Grenoble for further rehabilitation at the University Hospital (CHUV) in Lausanne, Switzerland.

In September 2014, Schumacher was relocated to his family home on the shores of Lake Geneva where he continues to receive medical treatment and rehabilitation privately.

Official updates on the F1 legend has been been very scarce in the following months and years, though latest reports have it that his medical bill within these years has reached approximately $25million.

The first pictures of Schumacher since the accident were touted around European media outlets for £1million earlier this month, with police launching an investigation in to how the photographs were taken from the legend's home.

Sabine Kehm, Schumacher's manager, said before Christmas that there are no plans to release a statement with an update on his current plight.

"Michael's health is not a public issue, and so we will continue to make no comment in that regard," Kehm said.

"We have to protect his intimate sphere. Legally seen and in the longer term, every statement related to his health would diminish the extent of his intimate sphere."

His fans across the globe are all hoping and praying to see him back on his feet, just as his family keeps caring for the legend of the race circuit.

Happy Birthday Schumi!
Get well soon!

 

Missing Players at AFCON 2017 in Gabon

The 2017 Africa Cup of Nations is set to be light up from 14th of January at the 40,000-seat capacity Stade de l'Amitié in Libreville, Gabon.

Here are some of the African stars who will not be adorning their Fatherland colour at the 31st Africa mundial despite their country flag being hoisted in the West Africa nation.

There are different reasons that these stars will not be participating at this year footballing showpiece which is also part of the Africa Cup of Nations 60th Anniversary. While some were due to injuries and some were not called up, others pulled out due to club commitments.

Here are the names of some of these players and the country they represent;

Carl Medjani(Leganes/Algeria), Sofiane Feghouli (West Ham/Algeria), Adam Ounas(Bordeaux/Algeria), Ishak Belfodil(Standard Liege/Algeria), Kwadwo Asamoah(Juventus/Ghana), Jeffrey Schllup(Leicester City/Ghana), Adam Kwarasey(Rosenborg/Ghana),

Benik Afobe(Bournemouth/DR Congo), Yannick Bolasie(Everton/DR Congo), Allan Nyom(West Brom/Cameroon), Eric Choupo-Moting(Schalke 04/Cameroon), Ibrahim Amadou(Lille/Cameroon), Joel Matip(Liverpool/Cameroon), Younes Belhanda(Nice/Morocco),

Pape Souare(Crystal Palace/Senegal), Diafra Sakho(West Ham/Senegal), Brice Dja Djedje(Watford/Cote d'Ivoire), Gervinho(Hebei China Fortune/Cote d'Ivoire), Abdoulaye Doukoure(Watford/Mali)

The tournament runs from January 14th through 5th of February 2017 in four different venues across the nation.