SPORTS
Senegal gained a measure of revenge over West Africa rival Mali to record a sensational win en route to night’s final at the 2023 FIBA Women’s Afrobasket Championship in Kigali, Rwanda.
Senegal denied Mali back to back final appearance with 75-65 points victory at the BK Arena on Thursday night in the second semi final of the competition and the 11 times champions will now face Nigeria’s D’Tigress in the final.
Senegal had initially lost 72-49 points to Mali in the group games in which they actually lost both games but they came back when they had another chance through the qualification to the Quarter final and they have seized it with both hands.
They have won a the three games they have played against Egypt, Cameroon and now Mali.
Senegal won the first quarter 20-16 points but they were behind 38-36 points at the end of the first half. They had their best spell of the game in the third quarter which they won with 13 points and despite losing the last quarter 16-15 points they were still able to win the game by 75-65 points.
They will face D’Tigress on tonight after playing thrice in the final in 2005, 2017 and 2019. They lost all the three against the Nigerian team.
Senegal are the record winners off the FIBA Women’s Afrobasket Championship with 11 titles in their kitty. They also hold the record for consecutive wins which they set in 1981 having it for four consecutive periods in 1974, 1977, 1979 and 1981.
Nigeria’s D’Tigress are aiming to equal that record having won the last three editions of the competition from 2017 to 2021 and they will achieve that if they beat Senegal in tonight.
Former Chelsea defender, Gary Cahill has backed centre-back Levi Co to have a big 2023/24 season.
Cahill said that Colwill, who recently signed a new long-term deal with Chelsea, has massive potential.
According to him, the 20-year-old defender is a very good player and will learn a lot
from teammate Thiago Silva at Stamford Bridge.
Speaking about Colwill, Cahill said (per Chelsea’s official website): “You look at attributes you want in a centre-back and ask: Is he tall and good in the air? Does he have a good presence? Is he quick? Does he take up good positions to receive the ball? Is he composed on the ball? Levi Colwill has those attributes – now he must keep learning and progressing.
“So will playing alongside Thiago [Silva], who has achieved so much in the game. He can soak up things from him, carry on learning and learning. It will be a big season for him. It is clear he’s got massive potential and is a very good player.”
[DailyPost]
Aisha Falode, the Chairperson of the Nigerian Women’s Football League, has said that FIFA will still pay the 2023 Women’s World Cup prize money through the country’s federation.
FIFA secretary-general, Fatma Samoura following the qualification of Super Falcons to the second round of the Mundial, reportedly said the world’s football governing body would send unpaid allowance to the country’s women’s football team to the players directly.
FIFA had announced that every player participating in the World Cup group stage will earn $30,000.
The match bonuses will increase to $60,000 in the second round of the competition.
By this virtue, each player of the Nigerian team is expected to earn at least $60,000 for reaching the round of 16 in Australia and New Zealand.
Falode, while making the clarification during a chat with Lagos Talks FM on Wednesday, said that the World Cup prize money will be “ring-fenced” to ensure it gets to the players without interference from a third party.
She noted that Falcons’ prize money from the ongoing World Cup will still be routed through the NFF.
She said, “FIFA did not say it would pay the players directly. It says working through the member association – working through your federations, we will pay you this money through the federations,” the NWFL chair said.
“FIFA will pay the federations the money, and the federation pays the players with the instruction. Everybody knows it is there in black and white.”
Nigeria will battle England in a second-round contest on Monday.
The 24-year-old Nigerian striker penned a three-year deal at The Hawthorns on Tuesday after leaving French club Bordeaux at the end of the 2022/23 campaign.
Maja spent the last four-and-a-half years in the south of France having previously represented Sunderland, with loan spells to Fulham and Stoke City in 2021 and 2022 respectively also forming part of his senior career C.V.
The striker was incredibly impressed by Corberán’s vision and mentality when speaking before making the switch to B71, and Maja says he’s excited to see just how much he can improve under Albion’s head coach.
Josh said: “It was certainly a fun experience playing in France. It’s completely different to the United Kingdom in terms of style and tempo, but I feel like I learnt a lot.
“Last year was probably the best year of my career in terms of consistency, goals and game time, so yeah, I would say it was a great experience overall.
“However, I felt like I needed a fresh start just because I had been away from the United Kingdom for a while. I spent four-and-a-half years in France. “We knew Albion were one of the clubs interested in me and our ambitions seemed to match quite well.
“The conversation I had with Carlos Corberán was short. I’ve only spoken to him once, but that’s probably all I needed.”
He continued: “I got a really good energy from him. He’s a serious coach with intense ideas and an intense mentality which is something that matches up with me and my values.
“He’s a football head, which I am as well.
“I’m hoping to learn a lot from him and to perform well. I’ve heard a lot of great things from team-mates from the past who have said good things about him.
“It’s exciting to be here and I’m looking forward to working with him.”
Maja heads to The Hawthorns off the back of an impressive term with Bordeaux in Ligue 2.
The forward scored 16 times in 38 appearances and was the division’s fourth most prolific marksman.
[Nation]
At least 14 countries have confirmed their spots in the Round of 16 at the ongoing FIFA Women’s World Cup in New Zealand and Australia, following the conclusion of Wednesday’s group stage fixtures.
South Africa defeated Italy 3-2, and France won 6-3 against Panama to book their places in the last 16. Jamaica drew 0-0 against Brazil, and Sweden won 2-0 against Argentina.
This means Sweden are through to the Round of 16 as they top Group G with nine points from three games, while Jamaica also qualified ahead of Brazil as they finished in second place in Group F.
The likes of Nigeria, England, Denmark, Netherlands, United States, Japan, and Spain are already qualified for the last 16.
Others are Australia, Norway, and Switzerland.
The final two countries that will claim the last two spots in the last 16 will be determined tomorrow.
[DailyPost]
Manchester United fans are no doubt in a celebration mood as club finally secure top transfer target.
National Daily can confirm that Rasmus Hojlund has almost completed his move to United after a successful medical. The 20-year-old has also filmed his first interview as Red Devils’ player after arriving at Carrington on Tuesday.
It is believed that Hojlund’s arrival will United fix their striking challenge
The Dane underwent his medical at United’s training ground and is reportedly set to sign a contract on Wednesday. The Old Trafford club thereafter confirm the move.
READ ALSO: Finally, Erik ten Hag gets his top transfer target, star arrives England for medicals
The striker will become Erik ten Hag’s third signing of the summer after Atlanta and United agreed a deal worth €75m (£64m) plus £10m (£8m) in add-ons.
National Daily learnt that the Red Devils have already agreed personal terms with Hojlund. The forward is to sign a five-year deal at United with the option of a further year.
A move to Old Trafford has been Hojlund’s preference with Ten Hag making him a top target after the Red Devils were priced out of a transfer for Harry Kane.
The striker was absent as Atalanta clashed against Bournemouth in pre-season on Saturday. This could be as result of his imminent summer switch ahead.
Hojlund is thought to have said his goodbyes to his team-mates and will soon become a United player.
The young striker registered nine goals and four assists across 32 Serie A games for Atalanta last term.
United have been in urgent need of more firepower this summer having relied heavily on Marcus Rashford last season, National Daily gathered.
[NationalDaily]
South Africa’s Banyana Banyana, on Wednesday, beat Italy 3-2 to qualify for the Round of 16 of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
South Africa’s Chrestinah Kgatlana’s scored a 93rd-minute winner in stoppage time to seal a second-round qualification. This is a historical feat for the South Africans as it is their first time ever.
Although South Africa led 2-1 with Magaia strike in the 67th minute, Italy levelled the scores after a crucial header from Arianna Caruso.
Italy needed at least a draw to qualify for the knockout round but Kgatlana’s late strike was the difference. The Africans finished on four points, behind group leaders Sweden. They join the Super Falcons of Nigeria in the next round of the tournament
South Africa’s Bayana Bayana will play the Netherlands in the last 16 on Sunday, while Nigeria will face England on Monday.
Flying Eagles forward, Salim Fago Lawal has linked up with Croatian club, NK Istra 1961.
Lawal, who joined NK Istra from Mavlon FC, signed a three-year contract.
The young striker was part of Nigeria’s squad to the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup hosted by Argentina in May.
The 20-year-old made five appearances for the Flying Eagles at the competition and registered one goal.
The Flying Eagles were eliminated in the quarter-finals by South Korea.
Mavlon FC received several offers for the player but opted for him to move to Croatia to continue his development.
FIFA has announced that the 2023 World Cup prize money will be paid directly to the players — without interference from a third party.
In a viral video on social media, Fatma Samoura, FIFA secretary-general, said the policy change is due to unpaid allowance issues involving Nigeria’s Super Falcons.
During the lead-up to the World Cup, Randy Waldrum, Falcons head coach, revealed that some players are owed “per diem and bonuses” from two years ago.
The development caused a stir and almost affected the preparation of the Nigerian players.
However, in the video, Samoura acknowledged that “things have been tough” for the Falcons.
She added that FIFA — for the first time — will monitor that match bonuses get to the players directly.
“I know that things have been tough. We have to face the realities of Nigeria. It pains me a lot. It is because of you [the Super Falcons] that, for the first time, the prize money has been ring-fenced in the history of FIFA to ensure that it goes to you,” the FIFA secretary-general said.
FIFA had announced that every player participating in the World Cup group stage will earn $30,000.
The match bonuses will increase to $60,000 in the second round of the competition.
The Falcons have qualified for the round of 16 after finishing second in group B. Every player on the team will be earning at least $60,000 for the feat.
Nigeria is billed to take on England in the second-round contest on Monday.
[TheCable]
The Super Falcons of Nigeria are through to the round of 16 of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup after a 0-0 draw against Ireland yesterday.
The feat means Nigeria is the first African country to have reached the World Cup knockout rounds in two successive finals as well as becoming the first African team to keep two clean sheets in the tournament.
Following their qualification, the Super Falcons are guaranteed at least $1, 380,000 (N1.1bn) in prize money to be shared amongst the players, a figure that could rise depending on their progress in the competition.
The money promised to teams that reach the round of 16 by FIFA will amount to $60,000 (N46m) per player when divided amongst the 23 Super Falcons squad members.
The nine-time African champions dominated the game from the blast of the whistle but were a bit wasteful and unlucky in getting the goal as the first half ended 0-0.
During the second half, Coach Randy Waldrum made the changes, introducing Monday Gift and Ifeoma Onumonu as he sought to get a goal, which failed to come as the game became stagnant for a while with both teams creating little in the closing stages.
In the end, the Super Falcons were able to hold off Ireland late in the game, settling for a draw.
Meanwhile, the Secretary-General of world football-governing body, FIFA, Ms Fatma Samoura commended the Super Falcons for reaching the Round of 16 saying their feat has brought joy to women’s football as a whole with their elegance and self-assuredness on the pitch, as well as African women football and the African girl-child.
“I must say that personally, I am proud of you. As you know, I am the first woman to be Secretary General of FIFA since the organisation was founded in 1904, and I am also an African. So, I am easily excited by any accomplishment that glorifies women’s football and African football.
“You have won one match here, as Morocco and Zambia, but you are the only team that has made it to the knock-out stage yet. I am also excited because when FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced my name as the new FIFA Secretary-General, I was in Nigeria working for the United Nations. So, Nigeria is a second home for me.”
[DailyTrust]
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Paris Saint-Germain are planning to report Real Madrid to FIFA over what they deem a potential illegal tapping up of Kylian Mbappe, the UK Telegraph reports.
Mbappe is unwilling to extend his contract with the Ligue 1 champions beyond June 2024.
The extension clause that exists in the 24-year-old’s current contract expired on July 31.
As things stand, Mbappe will become a free agent in the summer of 2024.
There have been suggestions that Madrid already have an agreement in place with Mbappe, which will see the player pocket a €160million signing on fee if he joins the LaLiga giants.
Such agreements are banned by FIFA as they require a player to have been approached without the blessing of his current employers being sought first.
[NewsDirect]
Liverpool manager, Jurgen Klopp, has claimed Manchester City is the only team that can realistically aim to win the Premier League title next season.
The Reds endured a poor 2022/2023 campaign, finishing fifth in the league and failing to win any silverware.
Ahead of the new season, Klopp has admitted that his team can only challenge City, who he rates at the favourites to retain their crown.
“Nobody besides maybe City can have the real target to become champions again this year.
“All the other teams fight for the Champions League and that’s what we do as well. The earlier you qualify for the Champions League, the higher you are in the table.
“If you are second and in striking distance to first then you might have a chance. I don’t know who will be there,” Klopp said ahead of Liverpool’s friendly against Bayern Munich on Wednesday.
[DailyPost]
The Super Falcons registered five points to finish second behind Australia with six points. The Nigerian women will now face England in the last 16 after the Lionesses thrashed China 6-1 to finish as leaders of Group D.
The Lionesses of England on Tuesday thrashed China 6-1 to set up a last 16 clash against the Falcons
The Randy Waldrum tutored side defeated the Maltidas of Australia 3-2 to register their only victory in their group after playing out goalles s draws in their remaining two games against Canada and Republic of Ireland.
The Lionesses of England on the other hand made a dream start against China on Tuesday to settle any nerves as Russo fires a low shot into the bottom corner.
Russo started the move with a great ball down the line for Hemp who made a cross. James then set it back for Russo to bury it brilliantly past the China goalkeeper.
England soon after got their second with a a sensational goal from Lauren Hemp. Bright had picked up the ball in midfield before slotting it through for James.
The forward then spots Hemp in between the defenders, playing a fizzing ball into the Man City’s winger’s feet.
It’s then an easy run and finish for Hemp, which she takes delightful leaving England up and running.
Lauren James eventually registered her name on the score sheet for England’s third goal. It was a well-worked free-kick routine as Greenwood plays a ball to James on the edge of the box and she whips a first-time finish into the bottom corner.
The 21-year-old is having an exciting outing with a goal and two assists for the forward in this game.
Meanwhile, China were able to pull one back from the spot. Wang made no mistake when she put her penalty down the middle with Earps diving to her left. The goal saw England conceding their first goal at this tournament.
James was really the lady on fire after another sensational goal from the Chelsea forward secured England’s third. Carter has put a cross in to the back post. This has allowed James produce a sublime first-time side-footed volley into the far corner. The 21-year-old Chelsea forward would have been on her hat-trick. VAR’s controversy had ruled out her earlier fabulous strike.
A special goal from a special player has restored England’s three-goal lead ending any hopes of an unlikely China comeback.
Chloe Kelly and Rachel Daly completed England’s goals riot in the 77th and 84th minutes respectively to finish as fantastic Group D leaders.
[NationalDaily]
China 1-6 England: Lauren James unplayable as rampant Lionesses set up last-16 clash against Nigeria
AdminTo be honest, it doesn’t matter what formation England play when Lauren James is in this kind of form.
The Chelsea forward tore China to pieces, scoring two goals and laying on three assists for her team-mates. Had it not been for VAR, which was more of a thorn in England’s side than China, James would have had a hat-trick.
The 21-year-old deserved one as she was simply unplayable here as the Lionesses well and truly clicked into gear at this World Cup.
This 6-1 victory over China secured them top spot in Group D and setup a last-16 showdown against Nigeria in Brisbane on Monday. On the evidence of this, England will take some stopping as they excelled with a formation that caught everyone off guard.
The belief before this World Cup was that Sarina Wiegman is reluctant to make changes. But faced with the major headache of having no Keira Walsh for this final group game, the Lionesses boss sprung a huge tactical surprise.
Wiegman made three changes to her starting XI, the most she has ever made for a game at a major tournament during her managerial career, and England lined up in a back-three.
The last time they did that was November 2021, when England won 20-0. This victory over China wasn’t quite as emphatic, but the Lionesses still ran out comfortable winners and sent out a message to their tournament rivals.
After winning their first two matches 1-0, the Lionesses looked like themselves again here in Adelaide.
The new 3-4-1-2 formation got them flowing in attack as all of Wiegman’s tactical tweaks paid off. The Dutch women’s golden touch has not evaded her since Euro 2022.
The back-three looked solid, with Jess Carter justifying her place. Captain Millie Bright also looked the sharpest she has all tournament and was involved in the first two goals, winning the ball and setting England on their way to scoring.
In midfield, Katie Zelem, starting her first ever game for England, was neat and tidy. She wasn’t Walsh, no one is, but she was a solid understudy who should get more minutes going forward.
Zelem kept it simple and let those ahead of her thrive, in particular James. The 21-year-old was the match winner for England’s win over Denmark last Friday and she was the star of the show here too.
James was the Lionesses’ spark and around her everyone shone. Rachel Daly had boundless energy as a left wing-back, causing China all manner of problems. In attack, Alessia Russo and Lauren Hemp clicked as a front-two, with both putting sub-par starts to the tournament behind them.
Indeed, it was Russo and Hemp who put England two goals to the good within the first half an hour.
Russo’s goal came in under four minutes, when everyone inside the Hindmarsh Stadium was still working out what formation England were playing. Hemp got in down the left and her cross found James, who set it to Russo to score.
Just over 20 minutes later, it was Hemp’s turn. Bright won the ball, shrugged off another player and fed James. The Chelsea forward then found Hemp with a through-ball which split the defence. Hemp has looked short of confidence recently, but she raced through and slotted the ball home with so much composure.
By now, England were flying and James made it three just before the break. A free-kick was rolled to her on the edge of the box and she curled it first time into the bottom corner. Leah Williamson was right, James is a “cheat code”.
She should have had a second before half-time when she curled one into the top corner, this time with her left foot. VAR, however, baffling judged Lucy Bronze was offside in the build-up.
Shortly after half-time, Bronze was on the wrong side of another VAR call. This time she was said to have handled a goal-bound shot. A penalty was given and Wang Shuang made no mistake.
For a brief moment after that, it looked like China may rally. They had the vast majority of support here inside this 14,000-seater stadium and the goal got their tails up.
James, however, swiftly ended that comeback. First she volleyed one home with her left foot from a Bronze cross, and then she setup Chloe Kelly for a fifth.
England added a sixth late on through Daly and, for once, James wasn’t involved. By that point she was, literally, wrapped in blanket on the bench.
And no wonder, the 21-year-old is England’s new star.
[https://www.standard.co.uk]