Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe has recovered from a thigh injury and will travel to Doha for the Intercontinental Cup final, the Spanish club announced on Monday.

Mbappe sustained a left thigh injury during last week’s 3-2 Champions League victory against Atalanta, where he scored before pulling up in discomfort. The injury sidelined him for Saturday’s 3-3 La Liga draw against Rayo Vallecano.

However, the 25-year-old has been included in the squad for Wednesday’s final against Mexican side Pachuca, which will take place at Lusail Stadium in Doha.

“Mbappe participated in part of the training session with the squad and completed additional individual work,” Real Madrid stated after their final session before traveling to Qatar.

Real Madrid, currently third in La Liga and one point behind joint leaders Barcelona and Atletico Madrid with a game in hand, will return to host Sevilla next Sunday.

The Intercontinental Cup pits winners of major continental tournaments against each other, with Real Madrid securing a direct spot in the final as the reigning UEFA Champions League champions.

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has praised Amad Diallo following his key role in the team's 2-1 victory over Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday. Amorim described the Ivorian winger as "so good, so humble," highlighting his impressive performance at the Etihad Stadium.

Amad won a penalty for United, which was converted by Bruno Fernandes, and also scored the winning goal. After the match, Amorim acknowledged the contributions of previous coaches Erik ten Hag and Ruud van Nistelrooy in developing the 22-year-old, adding, "Let’s stay calm with Amad, keep calm," before emphasizing the importance of continuing to nurture his progress.

England captain Ben Stokes suffered a setback on Monday, aggravating a hamstring injury while bowling during the third Test against New Zealand in Hamilton. Stokes, who previously tore the same hamstring in August, left the field during the afternoon session after clutching his left leg mid-delivery. He was scheduled for a scan later that evening or the following morning to assess the severity of the injury.

The 33-year-old all-rounder is now doubtful to bat in the fourth inning as England faces an uphill battle, chasing a daunting target of 658. They ended day three at 18-2.

Batting coach Marcus Trescothick described Stokes’s injury as a tough pill to swallow. “It’s the same hamstring as before,” Trescothick confirmed. Stokes had bowled 23 overs in New Zealand’s first innings—the most he’s bowled in a single day across his 110-Test career—and was midway through his 13th over in the second innings when the injury resurfaced.

“He’s been going so well, playing his role as an all-rounder and captain,” Trescothick said. “He’s shown signs of getting back to fitness throughout this series.”

Stokes has struggled with injuries in recent months. He missed England’s home Test series against Sri Lanka and returned only for the second Test in Pakistan after tearing his hamstring. Despite fitness concerns, he has bowled 66.3 overs in this series—the most he has bowled in any series as captain.

Trescothick admitted that the injury was unexpected, saying, “We didn’t see it coming. These things just happen. He’s realistic about it, but it’s always tough when you realize you’re injured again.”

Stokes also dealt with a back problem during the first Test in Christchurch but had been deemed fit for the remainder of the series. Despite his relentless efforts to maintain fitness, his latest injury raises concerns about how he can be managed moving forward.

Today Monday, Ademola Lookman will lead Nigeria’s charge for honors at the CAF Awards in Marrakech, Morocco. The Atalanta forward is a strong contender for the CAF Player of the Year 2024, following an exceptional season highlighted by his historic hat-trick in the Europa League final, which secured the trophy for his team.

Last year, Nigerians Victor Osimhen and Asisat Oshoala claimed the men’s and women’s top prizes, respectively. This year, Lookman faces stiff competition from South Africa’s Ronwen Williams, Cote d’Ivoire’s Simon Adingra, Guinea’s Serhou Guirassy, and Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi. Despite the tough lineup, Lookman is heavily favored to succeed Osimhen as the best footballer on the continent, thanks to his remarkable achievements.

In the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Lookman was a standout player for Nigeria, scoring three goals and providing two assists as the Super Eagles finished as runners-up. He delivered crucial performances, including a brace against Cameroon in the Round of 16 and a decisive goal in the quarterfinals against Angola. His efforts earned him a spot in the Team of the Tournament, cementing his influence two years after switching allegiance to Nigeria from England.

Lookman’s club performances have been equally impressive. He scored a hat-trick in Atalanta’s Europa League final victory over Bayer Leverkusen, ending the German side’s unbeaten run and securing Atalanta’s first major title in decades. This season, he has already recorded 11 goals and five assists in 18 matches across all competitions. On the international front, Lookman played a vital role in Nigeria’s qualification for the 2025 AFCON, contributing two goals despite controversial disallowed efforts.

The 27-year-old was also the only African player shortlisted for the 2024 Ballon d’Or, where he finished in an impressive 14th place.

Nigeria’s hopes in Morocco aren’t limited to Lookman. Chiamaka Nnadozie, a standout goalkeeper for Paris FC, is in contention for the Women’s Player of the Year award, a title previously won six times by Oshoala. Nnadozie was instrumental in securing Nigeria’s return to the Olympics after a 16-year absence and is also favored to retain her Goalkeeper of the Year title. She faces competition from South Africa’s Andile Dlamini and Morocco’s Khadija Er-Rmichi.

Another young Nigerian star, Chiamaka Okwuchukwu, is a finalist for the Women’s Young Player of the Year award. Her performances at the U-20 World Cup and the Africa Games solidified her position as one of the continent’s rising talents.

Nigeria’s national teams and clubs are also in the spotlight. The Super Eagles and Super Falcons have been nominated for the Men’s and Women’s Teams of the Year awards, respectively. Meanwhile, Edo Queens earned a nomination for Women’s Club of the Year after reaching the semifinals of the CAF Women’s Champions League in their debut campaign.

As the 2024 CAF Awards ceremony approaches, the spotlight will be on Lookman and the other Nigerian nominees to bring glory to their nation in the historic city of Marrakech.