South Africa Beat DR Congo In shootout To Finish Third At AFCON

Published

3 months ago

February 11, 2024

Captain and goalkeeper Ronwen Williams was the hero again as South Africa beat the Democratic Republic of Congo 6-5 on penalties in the Africa Cup of Nations third-place play-off on Saturday.

After a 0-0 draw following 90 minutes in Abidjan, Williams saved spot kicks from Chancel Mbemba and Meschack Elia to give Bafana Bafana the bronze medal in the Ivory Coast.

Before Elia had his kick saved, Siyanda Xulu converted to give South Africa the decisive lead in the shootout.

Williams saved four shootout kicks last weekend to help South Africa get past Cape Verde after a goalless quarter-final.

DR Congo will regret many missed chances during regular time in a lively match. South Africa maintained a perfect record in third-place play-offs having beaten Tunisia on penalties 24 years ago.

South Africa made three changes to the team beaten in a penalty shootout by Nigeria after an incident-packed semi-final three days ago.

Nkosinathi Sibisi, Thapelo Morena and Mihlali Mayambela came in for suspended Grant Kekana and injured duo Mothobi Mvala and Percy Tau.

DR Congo retained only two of the side that lost to hosts Ivory Coast in the other semi-final — captain and centre-back Mbemba and midfielder Samuel Moutoussamy.

But eight of the nine who were dropped sat on the bench, leaving French coach Sebastien Desabre with multiple options should he wish to make changes.

– Threatening –

Although the Congolese had less of the ball in the opening half at Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in the Ivorian economic capital, they were the more threatening team in the attacking third.

Physically imposing Silas Mvumpa came close to breaking the deadlock after just eight minutes, but as he tried to round Williams in the area, the goalkeeper snatched the ball.

Simon Banza worked his way into a dangerous position close to the South African goal midway through the half, only to deliver a weak shot that posed no danger.

Despite some neat build-up play, it took South Africa 43 minutes to get a shot on target, and the effort from Mayambela went straight to goalkeeper Dimitry Bertaud.

As the match reached the midpoint of the second half, Congo continued to look the side more likely to break the deadlock.

When Williams fumbled the ball and lost possession, the ball went across the goalmouth and Silas fired wide when he should at least have hit the target.

So should Mbemba, who had ventured forward for a free-kick, but he blazed over when the ball fell invitingly into his path close to goal. Substitute Fiston Mayele also wasted a chance.

A captivating tournament concludes on Sunday in another Abidjan stadium with the Ivory Coast facing Nigeria in the final with a seven million dollar prize on the line.

The countries met at the group stage last month in the same venue and the Super Eagles won 1-0 thanks to a William Troost-Ekong penalty.

AFP

5 Games That Will Decide Who Wins EPL Title

Published

8 hours ago

April 28, 2024

Editor

With the run-in to the English Premier League (EPL) title heating up, Manchester City and Arsenal are having a fierce go at each other, not to forget a Liverpool that cannot be totally ruled out of the race just yet.

Currently leading the pack, Arsenal sit atop the Premier League table with 80 points, closely followed by Manchester City with 79 points and a game in hand. Mikel Arteta’s side has been stellar this season, picking up from where they left off last campaign and ensuring that they don’t repeat the mistakes that saw the League title painfully slip off their hands.

Manchester City, on the other hand, are very familiar with this competition, and the odds are right in their favour to go ahead and do what no team has ever done, that is, win the EPL title four consecutive times.

But to do that, they need an impeccable run of results in their remaining four games in the current campaign, and the title will remain at the Etihad.

For Liverpool, it is almost over after managing to pick up a meagre one point from their last three games to leave them gasping for breath in chase of the top two.

Be that as it may, in less than three weeks, the new champions of England will be known, and that event will most likely be decided by these five upcoming games:

Man United vs Arsenal (12 May)
The biggest game Arsenal have left in the current campaign. On this day, Arsenal will make a trip to Old Trafford for a match that could decide whether or not they end the season trophyless.

Arsenal vs Everton (19 May)
Arsenal faithfuls will hope this day will be the day they get to lift the English Premier League at the Emirates after 20 years should Man City falter in their remaining games, and they get a perfect run-in to close the league. However, it will be delusional for Arsenal to expect an easy game against a rejuvenated Everton side who just survived relegation and would want to end the season on a good note.

Fulham vs Man City (11 May)
Fulham can be a potential banana skin to any team, and you want to avoid them especially when you are chasing a very important trophy. Pep Guardiola, however, has them to worry about and engineer his side to get past for a perfect run to the title.

Tottenham vs Man City (14 May)
The outstanding match that gives Manchester City a subtle edge in the standings. This has every sign to be the ‘final’ of the Premier League season, and Manchester City know they have their work cut out going to a tough ground like the Tottenham Stadium to grind out a win against a team desperately chasing a Champions League ticket.

Man City vs West Ham (19 May)
Like Arsenal vs Everton, Man City could lift their fourth consecutive EPL title should they avoid defeat prior and get a win at the Etihad against West Ham in the final day of the Premier League season.

Sports

Former Manchester United Striker, Carlos Tevez Rushed To Hospital

Published

4 days ago

April 24, 2024

Editor

Former Argentina international Carlos Tevez has been admitted to hospital after suffering chest pains.

The former Manchester United and Manchester City striker reportedly spent the night at a clinic in the upmarket Buenos Aires neighbourhood of San Isidro after seeking medical help.

He was due to undergo more tests today at another nearby hospital.

The club he manages, top-flight Argentinian side Independiente, confirmed his hospital admission overnight as it said the initial results had been ‘satisfactory.’

Local reports have linked the problems to stress. Tevez has yet to make any official comment.

Independente said in an overnight statement on X, formerly Twitter after initially denying the father-of-three had been admitted to the hospital: ‘Our coach, Carlos Tevez, went to the La Trinidad Hospital in San Isidro with chest pain.

‘They carried out the corresponding tests and they were satisfactory.

‘Today he will continue with a series of tests scheduled in advance as part of a general check-up.’

It added in a subsequent message: ‘Carlos Tevez will be hospitalised as a precaution until the corresponding tests are completed.’

It was not immediately clear whether he would be able to attend a club training session scheduled for later today.

The hospital where he is set to undergo further tests has been named the Finochietto Hospital in Buenos Aires.

Tevez is understood to suffer from high blood pressure and regularly undergoes medical checks.

Sports

Two Premier League Stars Arrested In R@pe Probe, Suspended By Cub’

Published

4 days ago

April 24, 2024

Editor

Two Premier League stars who were both arrested in a police rape probe have now reportedly been suspended by their football club.

The two unnamed footballers, both 19, are from the same club and were arrested over the weekend after the alleged victim made a report to police.

One player, 19, was reportedly spoken to by police on suspicion of assault and aiding and abetting a rape at the club stadium before he was formally arrested after leaving the grounds.

He was detained overnight and was later questioned by police under caution.

The other player, who is also 19, was arrested the next day and was later quizzed by officers on suspicion of rape.

He was detained overnight and was later questioned by police under caution.

The other player, who is also 19, was arrested the next day and was later quizzed by officers on suspicion of rape.

Both players have since been released on bail pending further enquiries, police have said.

The alleged rape reportedly took place on Friday night, with the alleged victim contacting police and filing a formal complaint hours later.

The force said: ‘Officers have arrested two men following a report of a rape.

‘A 19-year-old man was arrested on Saturday (20 April) on suspicion of assault and aiding and abetting a rape. A second 19-year-old man was arrested on Sunday (21 April) on suspicion of rape.

‘Both men have since been released on police bail.’

A club spokesman told The Sun yesterday: ‘As the matter is now in the hands of the police, the Football Club will not be making further comment at this stage.’

Police officers arrived at the stadium to speak to the footballer and spoke with him in a private room, a source told the paper.

They said the player left with another person and was arrested that night.

It is not the first time the Premier League has been at the centre of a police investigation over an alleged rape.

Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood, 22, was charged with attempted rape, assault and coercive behaviour in October 2022.

The case against him was subsequently dropped in February 2023 after key witnesses withdrew. Greenwood denied all the allegations against him.

After an internal club investigation, the decision was taken to send Greenwood out on loan to Spanish club Getafe.