Category sport-news

After a stunning 2-1 victory over South Africa, the Super Falcons of Nigeria on Tuesday secured their place in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final in Morocco thanks to defender Michelle Alozie’s late goal.

Alozie launched a long ball into the South African penalty area, which evaded everyone but the goalkeeper, and nestled into the net to slay the Banyana Banyana defense as it appeared to be in extra time.

The winner put Nigeria in the lead in the final and put a passionate end to a fiercely fought semifinal contest.

The billed match was billed as a “clash of the titans” between the nine-time champions and the defending champions, which was almost called extra time.

Read more about Madugu’s Super Falcons over Zambia victory in “Good Performance.”

The South African defense made a number of crucial saves and a goal-line clearance to keep the scores level, but the Nigerian ladies did not start well, dominating the early proceedings.

When a South African defender was sent off for handling Folashade Ijamilusi’s cross in the box in the 44th minute, Rasheedat Ajibade, the country’s captain, calmly converted from the penalty spot.

As both teams entered the halftime break, Ajibade’s penalty remained decisive.

After the break, South Africa stepped up and dominated the opening exchanges, putting sustained pressure on the Falcons’ defense. Following a foul committed by Osinachi Ohale, who was penalized for pulling down a South African attacker in the box, they earned a penalty in the 56th minute.

Banyana Banyana level was dragged in by Linda Motlhalo when she stepped up and quietly slotted home the penalty.

Both coaches responded by bringing forth new legs in an effort to find the winning goal. Nigeria clinched a dramatic victory just as extra time appeared to be upon us.

After Esther Okoronkwo’s well-timed setup, Michelle Alozie fired home in the 94th minute, sealing a dramatic victory for the Super Falcons.

Lois Boisson, a semi-finalist for Roland Garros, announced on Tuesday that she had injured her left adductor muscle in the WTA 1000 event in Montreal. This is in response to the number of prominent Canadian Open absentees.

World number 44 Boisson posted on social media that “I (did) an echography this morning following the pain I experienced during the tournament in Hamburg. It appears that I need a little more time to rest and heal it properly.”

“I’m very disappointed that I didn’t make the trip to Obnmontreal,” said one participant.

The 22-year-old’s injury comes just days after she won her first tour-level event on clay in Hamburg and placed in the top 50 of the world following her strong performance at last month’s French Open.

RETTEGU, AKA AKA TALANTA, JOINS Saudi Club AL-QADSISH

Boisson, who finished third in the world behind Roland Garros, won the Grand Slam semi-finals, defeating top 10 players Mirra Andreeva and Jessica Pegula, who were also there.

Numerous well-known athletes have already withdrawn from the women’s and men’s draws for the Canadian Open.

Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, and Novak Djokovic will not compete in ATP action in Toronto, while Aryna Sabalenka and Zheng Qinwen will both miss the WTA event in Montreal.

The Montreal tournament, which runs from July 27 through August 7, is one of the main warm-up events for the US Open, which will take place on New York’s hard courts at the end of the summer.

After leaving Manchester United, Bryan Mbeumo says he is excited to be joining Cristiano Ronaldo at the “biggest club in the world.”

The 25-year-old finally completed his move from Brentford on Monday for £65 million ($87 million) plus a potential £6 million in add-ons after weeks of drawn-out discussions.

The forward has a contract with the “club of my dreams” through 2030, with the option of renewing it.

Read more about Mbeumo, a childhood fan, finishing Man Utd Move.

The Cameroon international told club media on Tuesday, “From the beginning, I wanted to join this massive club, and now I’m here, I’m just really happy.”

It’s the largest club in the world, in addition to England, according to me. I believe every player wants to play here because the stadium is amazing, the fans are crazy, and there is a lot of room for everyone.

“I believe Ronaldo left behind and Manchester United at the top.” I’m really happy to be in this club because it’s so big.

After the signings of left-back Diego Leon and forward Matheus Cunha, Mbeumo is Ruben Amorim’s third summer transfer window signing.

The right-winger has been signed to strengthen United’s attack. He scored 20 Premier League goals for Brentford last season.

Last season, the team finished a humiliating 15th in the table by scoring just 44 goals in 38 Premier League games.

Mbeumo believes Amorim approaches things in a similar way to Thomas Frank, who has since moved to Tottenham.

He continued, “I believe they share similar values.” He always seems very close to his players, and he always has a winning mindset. I require this for a reason.

“It seems like a really good group,” the group says. I believe winning depends a lot on the spirit, and I have only heard positive things about the team from the coach.

On Tuesday, United will make its pre-season trip to the United States.

On August 17, they travel to Arsenal for their first Premier League game of the season.

World number two Carlos Alcaraz, a five-time Grand Slam singles champion, has withdrawn from next week’s ATP Canadian Open in Toronto to recover from Wimbledon, organizers said on Monday.

The 22-year-old Spaniard lost to top-ranked Jannik Sinner in the Wimbledon final earlier this month in a bid for his third consecutive crown in the grass-court classic.

“I’m really sad to have to miss the National Bank Open in Toronto,” Alcaraz said in a statement.

“I tried my best to be ready for the tournament as it’s one I really enjoy playing, but it comes just too soon for me as I recover after Wimbledon. I wish the event well and look forward to being back on the Canadian courts next year. ”

Alcaraz had his best Canada run in 2023, falling to American Tommy Paul in the quarter-finals.

READ ALSO:  Fearless Alcaraz Has Third Wimbledon Title In His Sights

“It’s disappointing to lose a player of Carlos’ quality, as we know our fans were looking forward to watching him,” tournament director Karl Hale said.

“Although he has been on the scene for a while, he’s still at the beginning of his career and there will be plenty of opportunities for Canadians to see him again in the future. ”

As the wealthy Gulf state looks to diversify its energy-reliant economy, Qatar is bidding to host the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games, according to authorities on Tuesday.

Qatar, one of the Gulf’s smallest and richest nations, has already hosted the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Qatar would host the Olympics as the first Middle Eastern and North African nation, according to Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, the prime minister and foreign affairs minister.

Read more about Mbeumo, a childhood fan, finishing Man Utd Move.

In a statement shared on the official Qatar News Agency, he stated that the Qatar Olympic Committee’s (QOC) official bid to host the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games “represents a new milestone in Qatar’s journey.”

Sheikh Mohammed continued, “The bid builds on Qatar’s proven track record of successfully hosting major international sporting events, most notably the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.”

Despite Doha claiming only 37 workers on World Cup projects perished and only three in work-related accidents, Amnesty International and other rights organizations claimed thousands of migrant workers perished in the lead-up to the 2022 tournament.

Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani, the president of the Qatar Olympic Committee, claimed that Doha has “made sport a pillar of our national strategy.”

He stated that we currently have complete national plans to make sure all facilities are fully prepared and that we have the necessary sports infrastructure in place to host the Games.

Countries no longer are required to disclose their Olympic bids.

Every season, the Games are supposed to rotate continents. There are good chances that the 2036 Olympic Games will take place in either Asia or Africa, which would be a first, with the 2024, 2028, and 2032 editions scheduled for Europe, North America, and Oceania.

It is more than just a game when South Africa and Nigeria play football, at any level. The Super Falcons’ semi-final match against the Banyana Banyana at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) on Tuesday is more than just a fixture because of their rich history and fierce rivalry between the two nations.

Fans have been anticipating the encounter since the start of the tournament because it is a showdown between two African powerhouses. &nbsp,

Preview of Nigeria vs. South Africa in the WAFCON 2024 Semi-Finale

The Super Falcons have only lost once to the title, making it nine straight wins. In Morocco, South Africa, the defending champion, won their first crown in 2022. They want to reach the tournament’s third final in a row.

After 120 minutes of grueling football, the Super Falcons defeated Zambia’s Copper Queens 5 – 0 while South Africa defeated Senegal 4-1 on penalties. &nbsp,

Head-to-Head: Nigeria vs. South Africa in the history contest

Nigeria are eager to reaffirm their dominance on the African stage while South Africa want to show that their victory three years ago was not a fluke. No one side knows the other. South Africa has steadily closed the gap despite Nigeria’s early scorelines’ favorable results. &nbsp,

The nine-time WAFCON champions have faced off ten times in the competition, with Nigeria retaining the lead with eight victories. The first victory came in the 2018 group stage, and the most recent came in the final season of the women’s football showpiece. Both teams have met 23 times overall, with South Africa winning four and Nigeria winning 15. The remaining matches ended in draws. &nbsp,

Watch the key players in Nigeria vs. South Africa in WAFCON 2024.

With a spot in the Saturday final in play and the chance to win the title, Tuesday’s showdown will be decided by both South Africa and Nigeria’s individual brilliance. After a shaky group stage finish, the Super Falcons are beginning to appear to be working.

Esther Okoronkwo, one of the players who has helped change the narrative of Nigeria, is one of them. With four assists to her name, the AFC Toronto player ranks first overall in the tournament. In the decisive victory over Zambia, she scored one and added another. &nbsp,

Captain Rasheedat Ajibade has won Woman of the Match in two of Nigeria’s previous four games, further highlighting her class in the 2024 World Cup. Chinwe Ihezuo’s contributions have been just as important as those of Ajibade, who has set the standard. With three goals, the Pachuca forward is Morocco’s top scorer among the Super Falcons. The Mares of Botswana’s decisive late winner, among others, secured Nigeria’s place in the quarter-finals. &nbsp,

The 2018 champions have been solid in their defense, led by accomplished fullbacks Michelle Alozie and Ashley Plumptre, and supported by seasoned fullbacks Osinachi Ohale. Nigeria is still a difficult team to beat because they have not given up a goal in the competition. &nbsp,

South Africa also has a wealth of seasoned, battle-tested players ready to defend their crown, just as Nigeria boasts of attacking fire and an unstoppable defense.

Desiree Ellis’ side may not have had access to the pacey Thembi Kgatlana, but Banyana Banyana can still rely on the likes of Hildah Magaia, Lebogang Ramalepe, and Jermaine Seoposenwe to cause problems for Nigeria and help them win another World Cup game against bitter rivals. &nbsp,

South Africa defeated Morocco 2-1 in the 2022 final with a pair of Magaia’s braces. The Banyana Banyana player’s contributions to the club have been significant to the team’s advancement, despite the fact that she may not have scored so far in this edition. &nbsp,

Details of the 2024 World Cup match between South Africa and Nigeria

At the 2024 edition of the WAFCON, Nigeria and South Africa will square off against one another. &nbsp,

What is the complete history of Moroccan football:

Date: July 22, 2025

Kickoff is at 5 p.m. (WAT/Nigeria time).

Location of the match: Casablanca, Morocco’s Stade Larbi Zaouli. &nbsp,

With so much to gain, Tuesday’s contest is sure to be a thrilling encounter with pride and history on the line. A victory for the Super Falcons would bring them one step closer to a 10th WAFCON title, a milestone that Nigeria have coined “Mission X.” Meanwhile, South Africa is eager to establish themselves as a rising force in African women’s football. &nbsp,