BBC African Footballer of the Year: Voting open as shortlist named

The five candidates for the 2015 BBC African Footballer of the Year have been revealed during a special live launch broadcast in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Algeria's Yacine Brahimi, the 2014 winner, is on the shortlist along with Gabon's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Ghanaian Andre Ayew, Senegal's Sadio Mane and Yaya Toure of Ivory Coast.
The winner will be decided by African football fans, who have until 18:00 GMT on 30 November to vote for their choice.

Floyd Mayweather beats Manny Pacquiao

Floyd Mayweather emerged victorious from the most lucrative fight in history, beating Manny Pacquiao via a wide unanimous decision in Las Vegas. American Mayweather, 38, delivered a defensive masterclass against his Philippine rival, making the necessary adjustments after only a few rounds before disappearing out of sight. Mayweather, who added the WBO welterweight title to the WBC and WBA titles he already owned, was awarded the fight 118-110, 116-112 and 116-112 by the three judges. With his victory, Mayweather also cemented his status as the greatest pound-for-pound boxer of his generation. The five-weight world champion is now undefeated in 48 professional fights, stretching back 19 years. Six-weight world champion Pacquiao, 36, falls to 57 wins, six losses and two draws. Tickets for the bout - billed as 'The Fight of the Century' - changed hands for as much as $350,000 (£232,000) and American fans were charged almost $100 (£66) to watch on television.

Olympic swimmer Missy Franklin turns pro

Missy Franklin has bid farewell to college swimming and is turning pro.

The four-time Olympic gold medalist went out with a bang, winning three individual events and helping her California team win the NCAA championship last weekend.
Now, Franklin can start competing for money and endorsement deals, and she's signed with a sports agent connected to Hollywood.
Franklin told The Associated Press in a phone interview that she's chosen Mark Ervin of WME-IMG to represent her. She will be the first swimmer in his client stable that includes Olympic champion skier Lindsey Vonn. Ervin used to work with Olympic snowboarder Shaun White.
''I am so confident in my choice,'' she said. ''I felt this incredible connection with him. I feel like 100 percent we stand for the same things.''
The swimmer, who turns 20 in May, had help in making the decision. Her parents vetted a slew of potential representatives and narrowed down the field, allowing Franklin to enjoy her second - and last - year as a collegiate athlete.
''There's no one that knows me better than my parents,'' said Franklin, an only child.
WME-IMG is based in Beverly Hills, California, and some of its other athletes include tennis player Maria Sharapova and NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick. Besides sports, the mega-agency has ties to entertainment, fashion and event management.

Others Premier League Four Universities Start Final Push For 2015 UPAC Basketball Championship

Ghanaian basketball talents descend at the University of Professional Studies (UPSA) court on Saturday March 14 ahead of the hugely-anticipated Greater Accra Zone 1 qualifiers. Players have entered the homestretch of their buildup for the 2015 UPAC Basketball Championship as they set up their respective camping base.

CAF Duties: GFA Hands $30,000 to Kotoko, Hearts

The Ghana FA has handed $30,000 to Asante Kotoko and Accra Hearts of Oak ahead of their CAF Inter-club matches this weekend, DailySoccerGhana .com can exclusively report.

Kotoko will rely on the cash boost to offset the hotel accommodation expenses and flight ticket costs as they face Algerian club MC El Eulma at the 25,000 seater Stade Messaoud Zougar on Saturday.