Mercato : Ça chauffe pour Belaghli !

Le dossier Rafik Belghali pourrait connaître une avancée majeure ce mercredi. Alors que l’avenir du latéral droit algérien reste encore en suspens, une rencontre entre les dirigeants de Sassuolo et ceux de l’Hellas Vérone est programmée dans la journée. L’objectif de cette réunion est de tenter de trouver un accord définitif pour le transfert du joueur. livefromquarantine.club

The post Mercato : Ça chauffe pour Belaghli ! appeared first on Football Algérien - DZFOOT.COM.

LONDON, England, August 19, 2026 – Arsenal have agreed a deal worth more than £50m to sign Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa.

The England international is set to have a medical before completing his move to Emirates Stadium.

BBC Sport revealed last week that Arsenal had reopened talks with Villa over a deal for Konsa but still fell short of reaching an agreement.

The Gunners then appeared to pivot to Bayer Leverkusen’s Jarell Quansah.

However, Arsenal refocused their efforts on Konsa and have now struck a deal for the player with Villa.

The 28-year-old, who joined the Villans in July 2019, has made 286 appearances over the past seven seasons.

Konsa featured 48 times last term in all competitions, scoring two goals and contributing one assist, as Unai Emery’s side lifted the Europa League and finished fourth in the Premier League to secure Champions League football for 2026-27.

Konsa has not featured at all during Aston Villa‘s pre‑season, including the 2‑1 defeat to Paris St‑Germain in the Uefa Super Cup, after Emery gave him four weeks off following the World Cup.

He played in every game of England’s World Cup run as the Three Lions finished third.

Speaking after the final warm‑up match against Borussia Monchengladbach, Emery explained the absence of Konsa, Emiliano Martinez and Ollie Watkins, saying: “They are joining us after this match.”

Analysis: Changes were expected but Villa’s squad could be transformed

Nick Mashiter

Football reporter

Usually, winning the Europa League and qualifying for the Champions League would leave a club in a position of strength.

However, Villa have been picked apart this summer to become a victim of the system they have been vocal against.

Ensuring they comply with Uefa and the Premier League’s financial rules led them to sell Morgan Rogers to Chelsea for a record £117m.

Even then, Youri Tielemans – who like Rogers scored in May’s Europa League win over Freiburg – was also sold to Manchester United.

Villa wanted to alter their left-back profile so Lucas Digne was allowed to join Paris St-Germain, with Atletico Madrid’s Matteo Ruggeri replacing him.

Now, though, there is still huge uncertainty over Villa’s squad just four days before they start the season at Brighton.

Villa face the prospect of losing the core of their squad by the end of the month with goalkeeper Martinez also set to leave.

Changes were expected, with an anticipation the squad would start to break up this summer – but Villa could undergo a transformation which would normally happen over two or three windows.

Skipper John McGinn was defiant last week when asked about changes, saying they still have the same structures and values which made them a success, and Villa still played well despite losing to PSG in the Super Cup.

But doubts over the squad remain.

Boss Emery squeezed everything he could out of them over the past two years and now Villa face a crucial two weeks before the end of the transfer window.

Sharks XV coach Mike Vowles has made several changes to his side for Friday night’s Currie Cup clash against the Lions at Woodburn Stadium in Pietermaritzburg.

Loosehead prop Rambo Kubheka rotates with Jaco du Toit, while Simphiwe Ngobese takes over from Lee-Marvin Mazibuko at tighthead.

Deon Slabbert returns to the side at No 5 lock, with Meno Barnard moving to blindside flank in a rejigged loose trio. Jean-Henri Smit comes in on the other side of the scrum and Tino Mavesere shifts to No 8.

There is one change to the backline, with Janco Purchase starting at inside centre and Albie Bester dropping down to the bench.

FREE DIGI-MAG: Sharks URC preview

The Sharks are seventh on the log heading into the penultimate round of the tournament and must beat the fifth-placed Lions to keep their slim semi-final hopes alive.

SHARKS XV – 15 Luan Giliomee, 14 Christie Grobbelaar, 13 Lyle Matthews, 12 Janco Purchase, 11 Khuthi Rasivhaga, 10 Tim Swiel, 9 Ross Braude (c), 8 Tino Mavesere, 7 Meno Barnard, 6 Jean-Henri Smit, 5 Deon Slabbert, 4 Johan Momsen, 3 Simphiwe Ngobese, 2 Liam van Wyk, 1 Rambo Kubheka.
Bench: 16 Jacques Marais, 17 Jaco du Toit, 18 Dian Heunis, 19 Danio Botha, 20 Wasi Vyambwera, 21 Juan Loots, 22 Siya Masuku, 23 Albie Bester.

Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images

The post Sharks shuffle pack for must-win match appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.

According to a statement released ahead of the first Test in Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry, the concept of the trophy was developed exclusively for the revival of tours between the nations. It aims “to capture a simple truth: that as distinct and proud as are the two rugby cultures, each is inexorably drawn to the other as two halves of the greatest rivalry”.

The South African ‘half’ of the trophy features artwork by Bonolo Chepape, whose work explores the idea that greatness is never achieved alone.

“Through layered patterns inspired by community, culture and shared experience, her artwork celebrates the many people who shape sporting excellence in South Africa,” the statement added.

The New Zealand blade carries artwork by Kereama Taepa, inspired by the Māori creation story of Tāne and Whiro – two brothers whose rivalry sees them pursue the same goal by different paths. His work reflects the tension, respect and connection that sit at the heart of great rivalries.

“The trophy’s shape is inspired by a blade of grass, an element common to every player’s experience, and was developed by Strategy Creative of New Zealand alongside both unions. It is formed from two individual blades, one representing South Africa and one representing New Zealand,” the press release further stated.

“Each blade stands independently, reflecting the unique identity, culture, and history of its nation. Only when the two pieces come together does the complete trophy emerge.”

YOU CAN SEE PICTURES OF THE TROPHY FOR RUGBY’S GREATEST RIVALRY BELOW

tour fixtures and results

• Friday, 7 August: Stormers 21-38 New Zealand, Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town
• Tuesday, 11 August: Sharks 0-54 New Zealand, Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban
• Saturday, 15 August: Bulls 19-50 New Zealand, Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
• Saturday, 22 August: First Test, Ellis Park, Johannesburg – 17:10
• Tuesday, 25 August: Lions vs New Zealand, Ellis Park, Johannesburg – 19:00
• Saturday, 29 August: Second Test, Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town – 17:10
• Saturday, 5 September: Third Test, FNB Stadium, Johannesburg – 17:10
• Saturday, 12 September: Fourth Test, M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, United States – 23:00 (SA time)

NAIROBI, Kenya, August 19, 2026 – FKF Premier League side Shabana have confirmed receipt of Ksh 10 million from President William Ruto as was promised in April, this year.

In a statement, the club’s secretary general Elizaphan Kerama said they have received the remaining half of the Ksh 20 million that Ruto had promised to help them relocate to Afraha Stadium in Nakuru.

“We are grateful to formally acknowledge receipt, through H.E. Team Patron Governor Simba Arati, of the Ksh 10 million balance of the Ksh 20 million you pledged to support Shabana FC during our relocation to Afraha Stadium, as Gusii Stadium undergoes reconstruction and upgrading to international standards,” Kerama, in a letter to the President, said.

During a visit to the Gusii region, Ruto announced that the Gusii Stadium would undergo a facelift for an approximately Ksh 1 billion — a project expected to take six to nine months.

At the same time, he pledged Ksh 20 million to Tore Bobe — who use Gusii Stadium as their home ground — to aid their temporary relocation to Afraha Stadium.

With the disbursement of the full amount, the team can now breathe easy, focusing its attention on the start of the 2026/27 Premier League season.

Under the hawk eyes of new coach Ahmed Fathi, the Glamour Boys have been undergoing preseason preparations in Nakuru, playing a number of friendlies against local sides to gauge their readiness.

Their first match is against Posta Rangers on the weekend of August 29-30.