CAF Confederation Cup: here are the possible semi-final matchups — and more

CAF Confederation Cup: the semi-final bracket is set

CAF Confederation Cup: here are the possible semi-final matchups

The quarter-final draw for the CAF Confederation Cup has delivered its verdict, and the final bracket is now fully set, including all potential semi-final pairings. With North African showdowns, a possible all-Moroccan clash, and tricky away trips in Central Africa, this knockout stage promises to be wide open and full of suspense.

England Women’s head coach Sarina Wiegman has asserted that ongoing discussions regarding a potential extension to her contract will not serve as a distraction as the Lionesses commence their qualification campaign for the 2027 World Cup.

Wiegman, who has guided her team to consecutive European Championship victories, signed her current deal just over a year ago, which is set to conclude at the end of next year’s tournament.

While she indicated in December that “clear conversations” about a further extension had not yet taken place, the 56-year-old confirmed during her squad announcement for next month’s qualifiers against Ukraine and Iceland that talks are progressing.

However, she emphasised that these discussions would not impede their immediate objective of securing a spot in Brazil next year.

“No update. It’s pretty far away. We are in conversations all the time, and we’re still very happy from both sides,” Wiegman stated.

“There is no distraction whatsoever. We want to really focus on this qualification. We want to qualify and the best possible way is to do that in June. We’re going for that and let’s first do that.”

The squad sees the welcome return of captain Leah Williamson, who missed friendly victories over China, Ghana, and Australia, as well as a defeat to Brazil late last year due to injury.

Other prominent players such as Chelsea forward Lauren James, Manchester City defender Alex Greenwood, and goalkeeper Hannah Hampton are also included.

Conversely, the team will be without key figures, Beth Mead and Ella Toone, both sidelined with injuries.

Wiegman acknowledged the impact of these absences, stating: “Of course you want them (Mead and Toone) in the team.

“You know you have seen in all of the camps we have had, players have lots of games, very high level, and there are always a couple of players who are injured who we can’t bring in. That’s part of our football life too.”

She added: “You just have to move on and hopefully the players get fit soon and we have more options. The more options the better it is for us and the harder to make the right decisions. It’s part of life now and hopefully for the players, they get fit quick.

“There is a little bit of a puzzle at the moment but at the same time I think we have enough players in the squad to play good games and to have players on the pitch who are fit and can perform at the highest level.”

In a notable addition, London City Lionesses’ Poppy Pattinson has received her first senior call-up.

Wiegman praised the left-back, noting: “I think she had some good performances, a left-back who is very proactive across the whole wing, takes a lot of initiative and in possession she really wants to play forward. I liked her performances. She was really excited by the call-up.”

The focus remains squarely on the upcoming qualification matches.

With the start of the new league year rapidly approaching, the talking heads around the internet are putting out their think pieces about what teams should do in order to start preparing for it. Once such piece from the folks up in Bristol, Connecticut is proposing potential trades, and it has one for our Minnesota Vikings that is. . .well, not something I would be in favor of.

Bill Barnwell of ESPN has put together a piece about 11 NFL trades that would make sense for both teams, and he’s proposed a trade between the Vikings and the San Francisco 49ers that would allow the Vikings to “find some QB room insurance.” The trade sees the Vikings sending a 2026 second-round pick, a conditional 2027 fifth-rounder, and a conditional 2028 third-rounder to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for quarterback Mac Jones and a 2027 third-round pick.

That’s some damn expensive insurance.

Here’s some of the logic and reasoning that Barnwell has put behind his trade proposal:

This would be sort of a complicated trade, but the Vikings would be adding a quarterback who showed some of his upside in San Francisco. Jones posted a 62.3 Total QBR during his lone season with the 49ers, coming in a little more than 10 points behind Brock Purdy‘s 73.0 mark. Jones is due just $4.7 million in 2026, which will be the final year of his contract. And of course, we know that the Vikings have been willing to take a swing on quarterbacks who have gone through the Kyle Shanahan rejuvenation cycle before, having signed Sam Darnold after the now-Super Bowl champion’s only year in San Francisco.

I note we’ve glossed over Kevin O’Connell’s role in the Sam Darnold reclamation project. Okay.

While this sounds feasible on the surface, Mac Jones is nowhere near the physical talent that Sam Darnold is, and he never has been. Darnold always had the physical tools and just needed things to fall into place. Jones, who was way overdrafted when he was selected at #15 overall in 2021, isn’t on that level.

Basically, if you’re giving up the sort of compensation that Barnwell is proposing here, you’d better come out with something a heck of a lot better than Mac Jones. Honestly, this does nothing to move the proverbial needle for me. Even if you believe that Jones is a significant improvement over J.J. McCarthy, he’s likely just good enough to get the Vikings to the fringes of the playoff hunt, which is not where this team wants to go. Frankly, I’m not convinced that a healthy McCarthy. . .which, yes, I realize is a contradiction at this point in his short career. . .doesn’t provide more upside than Jones would.

There is one other quarterback trade in Barnwell’s piece, and it involves a player that I talked about briefly the other day in Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray. Barnwell has the New York Jets sending a 2026 fourth-round pick to Arizona for Murray and a 2026 sixth-round pick. Honestly, that’s a whole lot more intriguing than the Mac Jones deal. Yes, Murray’s contract is significantly more expensive, but he’s certainly a whole lot better and could do much more for the Vikings than Jones could, in my opinion.

What do you think of the Vikings pulling off a potential trade for Mac Jones, folks? Are you intrigued by the idea or do you dislike it as much as I do?

One of the most viral moments of the Olympics came in an unexpected sport.