SPORTS
Women AFCON Qualifiers: Namibia knocks out Tanzania as Kenya Eases Past South Sudan on 15-0 into 2nd Round
In an upset 3 -2 win, Namibia on Saturday knocked COSAFA Women’s Championship winners Tanzania, out of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2022 qualifier played at the Dobsonville Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The Namibians’ came into the game smarting from a 1-2 loss they suffered in the first leg encounter, as a result of Zenatha Coleman’s brace at the National Stadium, Dar Es Salaam, last Thursday.
Determined for an away win, they showed resilience to overturn the one-goal deficit by gaining an early lead, courtesy of Omari Mwanahamis’ goal in the 13th minute of the game at the South African ground, Namibia’s adopted home ground.
However, Bakari Shime’s side early lead celebration was short-lived as Coleman levelled eight minutes later before the Sevilla striker bagged her second to put the hosts in front in the 21st minute
Two minutes before the break, red-hot Spain based forward notched her stunning hat-trick of the match in the space of 22 minutes to increase the hosts’ advantage over Tanzania.
After the recess, Clement Oppah pulled one back for the Tanzanians in the 58th minute but her effort was not enough to rescue her side from crashing out at the expense of Namibia.
The away and home triumphs, inspired by Coleman’s five goals in two games, saw the Brave Gladiators through to the second round via a 5-3 aggregate score line.
The Namibians are billed to square up with either Malawi or Zambia in the second round of the Women’s AFCON qualifying series.
In Nairobi, Kenya claimed heavy double triumphs over hosts, South Sudan, with a 7-1 goal haul to comfortably coast into the second round on a 15-1 goal aggregate on Saturday.
In the first leg played last Wednesday at Kenya’s Nyayo National Stadium, Neddy Atieno’s five goals, followed by Jentrix Shikangwa’s brace plus Mwanalima Adam’s strike condemned the Sudanese to an 8-0 whipping.
At the same venue, the Bright Starlets held their own in the opening half hour till Adam broke the deadlock from the spot in the 37th minute and doubled for Kenya on the brink of half time.
On return from recess, the Harambee Starlets continued business with Janet Bundi’s 48th minute strike before a Skiangwa double in the 67th and 73rd minute of the encounter.
However, Josephine Nyibol grabbed the consolation for Shilene Booysen’s side in the 81st minute, while Lydia Akoth and Neddy Atieno completed the rout for the Kenyans.
With their progression, Kenya will face off against the aggregate winner of Sunday’s match between Uganda and Ethiopia, in the second round in February 2022, for a ticket to the continent’s female soccer showpiece. (NAN)
SPORTS
Int’l Friendly: Super Eagles Hand Mali First Win in 49 Years
The Super Eagles were given a reality check by Mali’s Les Aigles as they succumbed to a 0-2 defeat in a friendly game in Marrakech, Morocco on Tuesday.
Reports says that the rare win by the Malians against Nigeria was their first in 49 years.
Goals by El Bilal Toure and Kamory Doumbia sealed the win for Mali.
The last time Mali defeated the Super Eagles was on Sept.
5, 1975, also in a friendly which ended 4-1.Prior to Tuesday’s game, the Eagles were unbeaten in eight straight fixtures against the Malians, recording five wins and three draws.
Interim coach, Finidi George, gave starting shirts to Jamilu Collins, Raphael Onyedika, and Kenneth Omeruo.
The trio replaced Bruno Onyemaechi, Frank Onyeka and Benjamin Tanimu, who all featured in the 2-1 win against Ghana on Friday.
The Malians dominated the early stages of the game and almost took the lead less than five minutes into the game, but were denied by goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.
The breakthrough for Mali eventually came in the 14th minute as El Bilal Toure capitalised on a defensive error by Nigeria to score.
The Eagles were forced into a first half change as Moses Simon went off injured in 34th minute and was replaced by Cyriel Dessers.
The early part of the second half saw the Super Eagles start brightly but the Malian defence held firm.
Despite starting the half on a positive note, it was Mali who almost doubled their lead but the Eagles defence intercepted a dangerous cross from the left.
Dessers was presented an opportunity in the 65th minute as he was sent through on goal but blasted his shot over the bar with only the keeper to beat.
Iheanacho had a chance of his own barely a minute later, but took a low shot which was parried away for a corner.
With 12 minutes left, the Eagles won a freekick in a decent position but Iheanacho’s floated attempt was again cleared away by the keeper.
Mali then doubled their lead in the 87th minute thanks to Kamory Doumbia who raced into the Eagles’ 18 yard box and fired past Nwabali to earn his side a well deserved win.
Up next for the Super Eagles is the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in June against South Africa who held Algeria to a 3-3 draw at the Nelson Mandela Stadium on Tuesday. (NAN)
SPORTS
Wrestling : 4 Nigerian Wrestlers Secure Olympic Qualification in Egypt
Four Nigerian Wrestlers on Saturday qualified for the Paris 2024 Olympics in their various events at the ongoing African championships and Olympics qualifiers in Alexandria, Egypt.
Reports says that the wrestlers will now join Odunayo Adekuoroye, who secured qualification in 2023 after winning a bronze medal in the women’s 57kg category at the World Championships in Belgrade.
Tokyo 2020 Olympics silver medalist Blessing Oburududu booked a place at the 2024 Paris Olympics after a 2-0 pinfall victory over Uilau Tarkong of Palau in the 68kg.
World Military Champion, Hannah Reuben Pipped Amy Youin of Cote D’Ivoire 6-0 in the 76kg category to secure Olympics slot in Paris .
Esther Kolawole joined the list of Nigerian athletes going to Paris for the Olympics after overcoming Angelina Rodrigues of Cape Verde 10-0.
African Games champion, Christiana Ogunsanya in the 53kg category overpowered Egyptian Shaimaa Mohamed 10-0 to secure qualification.
However, Mercy Genesis narrowly missed out on Paris Olympics in this window after a 5-7 defeat to Nada
Mohamed of Egypt in the 50kg weight class.
Reports says that five female wrestlers will represent the country in the Paris 2024 Olympics .
NAN reports that Nigerian male freestyle wrestlers will hope to join their female counterparts on Sunday when they take to the mat.
Sunday will be the final day of this window’s qualifiers.
NAN reports that the remaining Olympic slots will be decided on May 9 to 12 at the 2024 World Qualification Tournament in Istanbul, Turkey.
NAN reports that the African championships and Olympic qualifiers which started on Monday in Alexandria, Egypt is expected to end Sunday.(NAN)
SPORTS
Flying Eagles Crash Out of African Games
The Flying Eagles of Nigeria have been knocked out of the men’s football event of the 2023 African Games in Ghana after a 3-2 defeat by Senegal.
Reports says that the Flying Eagles took an early lead in the second minute through Charles Agada in the match played at the Accra Sports Stadium on Friday evening.
Idrissa Traore, however, equalised for Senegal in the 21st minute when his low shot beat the time in the encounter.
Chibuzor Izuogu put Nigeria back into the game when he equalised to make it 2-2 through a brilliant free kick.
Pape Diouf converted from the spot for the winning goal to send Senegal to the semi finals.
The Flying Eagles ended their campaign with only one victory against South Sudan, losing their opening match 2-1 to Uganda and 3-2 to Senegal.
Nigeria finished third in the group behind Uganda and Senegal, with South Sudan coming fourth.
After the match, Bosso said he was disappointed at the result and blamed poor preparation for the performance.
“I’m disappointed because this game was the best we have played so far in this tournament.
” I didn’t have enough time to scout for players and what I did was to watch few games in Uyo and other places .That’s where I saw the two Enyimba players, Daga and Chibueze,” Bosso said.
Nigeria won the men’s football silver at the last African Games in Rabat, Morocco in 2019 after a 2-0 loss to Burkina Faso in the final.(NAN)