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Chad move on in AFCON 2025 qualifier

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Chad move on in AFCON 2025 qualifier

Join Liberia, Eswatini in TotalEnergies driving seat

 

 

Following Liberia and Eswatini’s emphatic first-leg wins in the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 qualifiers on Wednesday, 20 March, Chad joined the two nations in the driving seat following their slender 1-0 win over Mauritius on Friday.

 

Liberia edged Djibouti 2-0 at home, while Eswatini were happy travelers when they cruised to a 3-0 victory over Liberia to mark the start of the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON Morocco 2025 qualifiers.

 

The slim victory sees coach Kevin Nicaise’s charges take an important lead in the two-legged affair. The return leg in Mauritius will be even tougher against the islanders on Tuesday, 26 March.

 

Meanwhile, nothing could separate Sao Tome, Principe, and South Sudan when the two sides played out to a goalless draw in Berkane on the same evening.

 

The 0-0 draw will be highly welcomed by South Sudan, hoping to secure a victory at the expense of their opponents, who failed to take their chances in the first leg.

 

Eight (8) of the lowest-ranked nations, as per the FIFA Rankings, are competing in a home-and-away knockout format for the preliminary stage of the qualifiers. The four (4) remaining countries will be eligible to join the 44 nations that will be engaged in the group stages of the qualifiers.

 

TotalEnergies CAF AFCON Morocco 2025 Preliminary Qualifiers Results:

 

First Leg Fixtures:

Wednesday, 20 March 

 

Somalia 0 – 3 Eswatini

Djibouti 0 – 2 Liberia

 

Friday, 22 March

Chad 1 – 0 Mauritius

Sao Tome and Principe 0 – 0  South Sudan

 

Return Leg Fixtures:

Tuesday, 26 March

13:00 GMT | Eswatini – Somalia

16:00 GMT | Liberia – Djibouti

17:00 GMT | South Sudan – Sao Tome and Principe

15:00 GMT | Mauritius – Chad

 

SmackDown highlights: March 22, 2024

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SmackDown highlights: March 22, 2024

Theory & Waller steal a qualifying win with WrestleMania implications: SmackDown, March 22, 2024

 

IYO SKY attacks Bayley and steals win from Naomi: SmackDown highlights, March 22, 2024

 

 

After emerging to help Bayley against Damage CTRL, Naomi is forced to go it alone against WWE Women’s Champion IYO SKY. Catch WWE action on Peacock, WWE Network, FOX, USA Network, Sony India and more. #SmackDown

 

“Dirty” Dominik Mysterio helps Santos Escobar defeat Rey Mysterio: SmackDown highlights, March 22, 2024

 

 

“Dirty” Dom provides surprise interference while wearing his father’s mask and helps Santos Escobar emerge victorious over the legendary luchador. Catch WWE action on Peacock, WWE Network, FOX, USA Network, Sony India and more. #SmackDown

 

LA Knight incites a brawl at AJ Styles’ home and gets arrested: SmackDown highlights, March 22, 2024

 

 

Following AJ Styles’ chair attack on LA Knight last week, LA Knight shows up at his WrestleMania opponent’s house and pays the price. Catch WWE action on Peacock, WWE Network, FOX, USA Network, Sony India and more. #SmackDown

 

Damage CTRL uses the numbers game to beatdown Naomi and Bianca Belair: SmackDown highlights, March 22, 2024

 

 

After stealing a win, IYO SKY and Damage CTRL deliver a post-match beatdown on Naomi and the emerging EST of WWE. Catch WWE action on Peacock, WWE Network, FOX, USA Network, Sony India and more. #SmackDown

WWE.COM

Ghana secures continental victory

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Ghana secures continental victory

Clinches Gold in 2023 African Games men’s football final

 

 

Ghana secured victory in the 2023 African Games Men’s Football tournament by defeating Uganda with a solitary goal at the Accra Sports Stadium on Friday.

 

Jerry Afriyie emerged as the hero for the Black Satellites, scoring the decisive goal in the final match witnessed by a capacity crowd.

 

Under the guidance of Coach Desmond Offei, the Ghanaian team, exhibited a determined performance right from the start, clearly aiming for the gold medal.

 

Despite an intense and captivating first half from both sides, the score remained goalless, with Ghana coming close to breaking the deadlock several times.

 

Returning from halftime with renewed vigor, Ghana intensified their attacking efforts and nearly found the net on the hour mark, only to be denied by inches.

 

However, Jerry Afriyie, the Thoughts FC striker, finally delivered the breakthrough in the 90th minute with a spectacular strike, securing victory for the Black Satellites.

 

Following the final whistle, Ghana was awarded the coveted Gold Medal, while Uganda claimed the Silver Medal for their commendable performance throughout the tournament.

Having triumphed over Congo earlier in the day, Senegal received the Bronze Medals for their achievements.

 

The victory marks a significant triumph for Ghana in African football as they completed a clean sweep by winning gold in both men’s and women’s football.

 

Algeria wins five Paris 2024 quotas

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Algeria wins five Paris 2024 quotas

 Shows strength at African & Oceania qualifiers, Elsayed falls

 

 

ALEXANDRIA, Egypt (March 22) — Algeria emerged as the most successful nation on the first day of the African & Oceania OG Qualifiers, with five Greco-Roman quotas in Alexandria. Egypt was second with four spots, Tunisia won two, and Morocco managed to grab one, Vinay Siwach reports for UWW.

 

Egypt has the chance to complete the line-up with six quotas as it has already won one at the World Championships and was hoping to win the remaining five in Alexandria. But Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist Mohamed ELSAYED (EGY), the top seed and favorite to win one of the two 67kg spots, lost to Souleymen NASR (TUN) 7-4.

 

For Algeria, Tokyo Olympians Abdelkarim FERGAT (ALG) and Bachir SID AZARA (ALG) led a strong performance, qualifying for the 60kg and 87kg weight classes. Fadi ROUABAH (ALG) grabbed the quota at 97 kilograms, Abd OUAKALI (ALG) made it at 77kg, and Ishak GHAIOU (ALG) won at 67 kilograms.

 

Fergat controlled his semifinal against Ismail ETTALIBI (MAR) and scored two turns from par terre, while Ettalibi failed to score any. Fergat won 5-1. In the second semifinal, Moamen MOHAMED (EGY) survived a scare against Latuf MADI (COM), winning 6-5.

 

Mohamed ELSAYED (EGY)

 

Made did well in not giving up any points from par terre in the first period, but Mohamed managed to push out in the second period to make it 2-0. As Mohamed tried to hit another big move on Madi, he fell on his own back, giving Madi two points. A lost challenge from Egypt made it 3-2. It became 5-2 when Madi once again blocked an attempted throw from Mohamed.

 

With time ticking, Mohamed got Madi in a bear hug and launched a big move, earning him four points and a 6-5 lead. He kept Madi in danger till 10 seconds left, which he saw off.

 

Sid Azara dominated his bouts, winning all three, including the semifinals, via superiority. He defeated Roberto NSANGUA (ANG) 8-0 in a minute and 52 seconds to earn a Paris ticket.

 

Fellow Tokyo Olympian Mohamed METWALLY (EGY) also dominated his earlier bouts but was in trouble in the semifinal against Hakim TRABELSI (TUN). Metwally perhaps took it easy against Trabelsi, who threw him for four and used a headlock in the first second of the semifinal.

 

He mentally gathered himself after that eye-opener. Trabelsi was penalized for a headbutt but kept a 4-3 lead. The referees then cautioned Metwally for a headbutt, extending Trabelsi’s lead to 6-3. But Metwally came out all guns blazing in the second period and, at one point, caught Trabelsi in a lock. Unfortunately, he fell back and gave up two points before scoring a reversal. As Metwally tried scoring from that position, Trabelsi committed a leg four, getting him a second caution and a two-point penalty. Trabelsi was finally cautioned out of the way when he blocked Metwally, who hit a four and tried to pin Trabelsi.

 

At 67kg, after beating Elsayed, Nasr earned a Paris quota with a solid 11-0 win over Sahid KARGBO (SLE) in the semifinals. In the quarterfinal, Nasr was the first to get the par terre advantage, and he rolled Elsayed twice to lead 5-0 before Elsayed scored a step out to cut it to 5-1. In the second period, Elsayed scored a turn from par terre to make it 5-4, and as he was trying to lift Nasr for a throw, Nasr’s head touched outside the zone, and the referee blew the whistle. Elsayed gave up another point for a challenge.

 

With 1:33 left on the clock, Nasr scored a step out when Elsayed tried an arm throw. Nasr’s lead swelled to 7-4, and Elsayed found no opening in the remaining time. Elsayed was in disbelief as he left the mat.

 

Ghaiout denied Australia a Greco-Roman qualification after he defeated Ando LEHTMETS (AUS) 5-1 in the semifinal.

 

 

At 97kg, Rouabh denied Tokyo Olympian Mohamed MISSAOUI (TUN) another trip to the Games after an 8-0 Win in a minute and 57 seconds. The other Tokyo Olympian in this weight class, Mohamed GABR (EGY), won a spot with a 10-0 win over Wissam KOUAINSO (MAR).

 

The same set of countries earned the Paris spots at 77kg as well, with Abd OUAKALI (ALG) beating Yassine CHEKLY (MAR) 11-0 and Mahmoud ABDELRAHMAN (EGY) blanking Dean VAN ZYL (RSA) 9-0 just before the first period ended.

 

Four wrestlers were entered in the tournament in the 130 kg weight class. Oussama ASSAD (MAR) confirmed his Paris Olympic qualification in the morning, while Amine GUENNICHI (TUN) got a walkover from Marcus CARNEY (NZL) and earned the ticket to Paris.

 

The African & Oceania OG Qualifiers will continue on Saturday, with Women’s Wrestling and Freestyle on Sunday. Watch live on uww.org or UWW+.

 

RESULTS

60kg

Paris Qualification Bouts
SF 1: Abdelkarim FERGAT (ALG) df. Ismail ETTALIBI (MAR), 5-1
SF 2: Moamen MOHAMED (EGY) df. Latuf MADI (COM), 6-5

67kg

Paris Qualification Bouts:
SF 1: Souleymen NASR (TUN) df. Sahid KARGBO (SLE), 11-0
SF 2: Ishak GHAIOU (ALG) df. Ando LEHTMETS (AUS), 5-1

77kg

Paris Qualification Bouts:
SF 1: Mahmoud ABDELRAHMAN (EGY) df. Dean VAN ZYL (RSA), 9-0
SF 2: Abd Elkrim OUAKALI (ALG) df. Yassine CHEKLY (MAR), 11-0

87kg

Paris Qualification Bouts:
SF 1: Mohamed METWALLY (EGY) df. Hakim TRABELSI (TUN), via cautions (13-9)
SF 2: Bachir SID AZARA (ALG) df. Roberto Mbaio NSANGUA (ANG), 8-0

97kg

Paris Qualification Bouts:
SF 1: Mohamed GABR (EGY) df. Wissam KOUAINSO (MAR), 10-0
SF 2: Fadi ROUABAH (ALG) df. Mohamed Skander MISSAOUI (TUN), 8-0

130kg

Paris Qualified Wrestlers

Amine GUENNICHI (TUN)
Oussama ASSAD (MAR)

 

Power of football is in Beach Soccer

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Power of football is in Beach Soccer

Beach Soccer is a beacon of hope in Mozambique – Saidate Abudo Moveia

 

Image credit: CAFonline

 

While the traditional eleven-aside full-pitch football format remains the leading and conspicuous sport of choice for most Mozambique, Saidate Abudo Moveia, head coach of the nation’s Beach Soccer national team, believes that Beach Soccer has given a uniquely exciting option and beacon of hope for youngsters in the country.

 

Moveia spoke to CAFOnline from the sidelines of the ongoing COSAFA Beach Soccer Championship in Durban, South Africa, where Mozambique is competing with eight other nations.

 

Moveia, who aims to lift the title, shared the importance of the sport’s beach format and how it creates hope for youngsters who may not have been fortunate enough to get into a football academy or club.

 

“Football is big in Mozambique, and so is the sport of Beach Soccer, which has grown in Mozambique over the years,” says the coach.

 

Mozambique has become one of the best Beach Soccer nations in southern Africa.

 

Their last appearance at the COSAFA Beach Soccer Championship saw them finish third. In contrast, their most impressive showing on the continental stage saw them finish second to current champions Senegal at the CAF Beach Soccer CAF Africa Cup of Nations in the 2021 edition.

 

“Today, we have more Beach Soccer teams around the country, some of which are part of our Football Association and play in structured competitions. This is encouraging and results in more kids having the option of playing Beach Soccer as a sport in addition to the standard eleven-aside football”, said Moveia.

 

For Moveia, the COSAFA Beach Soccer Championship allows him to assess his team’s standard ahead of this year’s CAF Beach Soccer AFCON tournament, which will take place in Egypt later this year.

 

Senegal currently holds the African title. They were crowned champions in Mozambique in 2022, a feat that saw them and silver-medalists Egypt earn the right to represent the continent at the recently concluded FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.

 

“The COSAFA Beach Soccer Championship is a competition that we appreciate and gives us great confidence. It’s fantastic, and we would like to take this opportunity to thank COSAFA”, concluded the coach.

 

The COSAFA Beach Soccer Championship concludes on Saturday, 23 March in Durban.

 

Friendly: Future Eagles confront Morocco

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Friendly: Future Eagles confront Morocco

Face the Royal U15 boys on a two-match tour of Kenitra

 

 

By Rasheed Adewuyi

 

Nigeria’s U15 boys, nicknamed Future Eagles, are in Morocco for a two-match tour of that country with the Morocco U15 team in the city of Kenitra.

 

Kenitra is two-and-a-half hours by road from Casablanca, Morocco’s industrial and economic capital.

 

Coach Patrick Bassey and assistants Hussein Lawal and Augustine Iyamu are in Morocco with 21 future stars eager to take their first steps in international football. The delegation is led by former Nigerian winger and captain Dr. Felix Owolabi, MON.

 

The first encounter between the two countries will be held in Kenitra on Friday night starting at 10 pm Morocco time (11 pm Nigeria time), hours after the Super Eagles and the Black Stars would have ended their potentially explosive encounter at the Grand Stade de Marrakech.

 

The Future Eagles’ tour has been arranged by the Nigeria Football Federation in accordance with the Ibrahim Gusau-led administration’s vision of developing football from the grassroots and actively providing avenues for young talents to fulfill their potential and realize their dreams.

 

Super Eagles perch on Black Star

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Super Eagles perch on Black Star

Edge Black Stars 2-1 in a brutal duel in Marrakech ahead of World Cup qualifiers match with Bafana Bafana

 

Nigerian Super Eagles
Nigerian Super Eagles

 

By Rasheed Adewuyi

 

In his first bow as helmsman of the Super Eagles, goals by Cyriel Dessers and Ademola Lookman put smiles on Finidi George’s face as Nigeria defeated Ghana 2-1 in a friendly match full of steel and streaks of flavor in the Moroccan city of Marrakech on Friday.

 

At the Africa Cup of Nations finals in Cote d’Ivoire earlier in the year, goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali proved key to the Super Eagles’ performance. He showed plenty of poise, confidence, and comfort on the ball and pulled off a string of saves to ensure Nigeria’s first win over Ghana at senior level in 18 years.

 

The result was an exact reverse of the scoreline when George, as a player, first featured for Nigeria against Ghana in an Africa Cup of Nations semi-final clash in Senegal 32 years ago.

 

Returning forward Cyriel Dessers sent Lawrence Ati-Zigi the wrong way from the penalty spot in the 38th minute after Jerome Opoku handled a shot by Kelechi Iheanacho. The Leicester City of England man had struck the woodwork as Nigeria pressed.

 

Opoku would pick up a red card in the 57th minute for dissent, leaving the Black Stars with ten men.

 

The Black Stars came close to restoring parity two minutes after Nigeria went in front, with Antoine Semenyo all by himself at the other end, but Nwabali proved the rock.

 

Both teams showed good composure and firm control on the lush turf of the Grand Stade de Marrakech. Nigeria stretched its lead with six minutes left when substitute Ademola Lookman calmly slotted past goalkeeper Ati-Zigi and an onrushing defender after a good team move that involved fellow substitute Moses Simon and Alex Iwobi.

 

In four minutes of added time, Bright Osayi-Samuel brought down forward Semenyo well into the Nigeria box, and captain Jordan Ayew made no mistake from the spot.

 

The Super Eagles will play a second friendly against the Les Aigles of Mali on Tuesday night at the same venue.   

 

African sides shine in maiden FIFA Series

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African sides shine in maiden FIFA Series

 As Guinea win big in friendly match

 

 

Guinea was the biggest winner as African national teams were engaged in friendly matches on Thursday as part of the maiden FIFA Series.

African teams use March’s international window to face opponents from different confederations and gain match practice in either the FIFA Series or friendly matches.

Guinea secured a resounding 6-0 victory over Vanuatu in a match held in Saudi Arabia. The team showcased a stellar offensive performance under the guidance of coach Kaba Diawara.

Morlaye Silla and Mamadou Keita scored a brace for Syli Nationale, with Assmane Kamara and Kandet Diawara scoring the others to seal the emphatic victory.

Meanwhile, Cape Verde also won, defeating Guyana 1-0 in the match played on Saudi soil.

 

The lone goal in the match was scored by key player Ryan Mendes, who was the side star when they reached the quarter-finals in the recent TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations, Cote d’Ivoire 2023.

The match between South Africa and Andorra ended in a 1-1 draw at the 19 May 1955 Stadium in Annaba, Algeria.

Andorra took an early lead in the 5th-minute courtesy of a goal by Ricard Fernandez Petrio before Bafana Bafana equalized in the 25th minute through Elias Sifiso Mokoena.

In another international friendly match, Ethiopia faced Lesotho, with the latter emerging victorious with a 2-1 scoreline.

 

The friendly matches for African national teams will continue during the international break, including fixtures in the FIFA Series on Friday.

 

WATCH LIVE: GHANA versus NIGERIA

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GHANA VRS NIGERIA – INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY

 

Eagles, Black Stars, clash in friendly

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Eagles, Black Stars, clash in friendly

Old foes duel in Marrakech with World Cup qualifiers in mind

 

PHOTO: Super Eagles in training in Marrakech on Tuesday
PHOTO: Super Eagles in training in Marrakech on Tuesday

 

By Rasheed Adewuyi

 

Nigeria and Ghana will clash in a prestigious international friendly match in Morocco on Friday with the minds of players of both teams attuned to their Matchday 3 and 4 encounters in the 2026 FIFA World Cup African qualifying campaign in the first week of June.

 

The Super Eagles, with only two points from a possible six in their first two matches, entertain South Africa’s Bafana Bafana in Uyo before squaring up to the Cheetahs of Benin Republic away in the Matchday 3 and 4 games. With three points from beating Madagascar and losing away to Comoros, Ghana’s Black Stars are up against Les Aigles of Mali in Bamako before hosting the Central African Republic during the same international window.

 

While Nigeria is in Group C of the FIFA World Cup race alongside South Africa, Benin Republic, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, and Lesotho, Ghana is housed in Group I with Mali, Madagascar, Central African Republic, Comoros Islands, and Chad.

 

With seven AFCON titles between them, both teams will duel without their top-impact players. Reigning African Player of the Year Victor James Osimhen, Nigeria’s major fear-carrier to the opposition, has had to scratch the big game due to an injury, same as his opposite number in the Black Stars camp, Mohammed Kudus.

 

The Black Stars will also play Uganda’s Cranes in Morocco, while the Super Eagles face Ghana’s group mates Mali on Tuesday.

 

Nigeria and Ghana were tied 0-0 in their last friendly game, which was played in London in October 2011.

 

Just as Thomas Partey’s first-half strike that went past Francis Uzoho’s flailing arms sent Ghana to the 2022 FIFA World Cup in a 1-1 draw with Nigeria in Abuja on 29th March 2022, Asamoah Gyan’s header that flew past Vincent Enyeama in Luanda on 28th January 2010 sent Ghana to the AFCON final and Nigeria to the third-place match.

 

The Super Eagles have not beaten the Black Stars in an official match since the latter fell to a well-taken free kick by Taye Taiwo in an AFCON group phase encounter in Port Said, Egypt, 18 years ago.

 

On Friday, an opportunity arises for new heroes to emerge as Nigeria banks on AFCON 2023 stars Ademola Lookman and Moses Simon, as well as Kelechi Iheanacho and Sadiq Umar, at the fore to light up the Grand Stade de Marrakech.

 

Italy-based Lookman’s three goals sent Cameroon (two) and Angola (one) packing from the AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire and sent Nigeria to the last four.

 

Cyriel Dessers, who scored a delight against Mexico in a friendly in Dallas in the summer of 2022, and Nathan Tella are also available to Coach Finidi George.

 

At the rear, George is likely to stick to AFCON 2023 number one Stanley Nwabali in goal and perhaps Chidozie Awaziem, Kenneth Omeruo, Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey, and Jamilu Collins behind a midfield of Alex Iwobi and Frank Onyeka or Alhassan Yusuf.

 

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