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.
Old foes duel in Marrakech with World Cup qualifiers in mind
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.
Roman Reigns to come face-to-face with Cody Rhodes on SmackDown
This Friday on SmackDown, Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes meet face-to-face inside the ring, just two weeks before WrestleMania!
With little time left before their epic rematch, what will The American Nightmare and The Head of the Table say to each other?
Rey Mysterio looks for payback against Santos Escobar
After missing more than five months due to a savage attack by Santos Escobar, The Master of 619 will finally get his hands on his nemesis, the very man who betrayed him.
Since ejecting himself from The LWO, Escobar has found new allies in Angel, Berto, and Elektra Lopez, forming a new Legado del Fantasma.
When Mysterio made his stunning return three weeks ago, it sent Escobar into a manic frenzy. Now, Escobar will stop at nothing to take down Mysterio and finish the job he started.
Who will win this epic grudge match?
The O.C. battle Grayson Waller and Austin Theory for chance at Undisputed WWE Tag Team Titles
The tournament to decide the two teams to compete in the Six-Pack Ladder Match for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Titles at WrestleMania is heating up, and two more teams battle for a chance at glory next week.
Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson of The O.C. will face Grayson Waller and Austin Theory, seeking to return to WrestleMania.
At last year’s WrestleMania, Theory defeated “The Greatest of All Time,” John Cena, to retain the United States Title and is now looking to capture a tandem championship.
Which team will progress in the tournament?
Next week, The StreetProfits will finally get their hands on Akam and Rezar of the AOP for a chance to progress in the tournament to determine the two SmackDown teams competing in the Six-Pack Ladder Match at WrestleMania for the Undisputed WWE Tag team Titles.
The Street Profits and AOP have been warring as The Pride and The Final Testament look to tear each other apart.
Which team can take out the other to clear a path to WrestleMania?
Jordynne Grace retains Knockouts World Championship
Knockouts World Champion Jordynne Grace vs. Tasha Steelz – Knockouts World Championship
After laying out the challenge for a 1-on-1 match last week, Tasha Steelz challenges Jordynne Grace for the Knockouts World Title! The bell rings and Steelz immediately charges at Grace, TNA iMPACT reports. The champ shakes it off and whips her into the corner turnbuckles. Steelz avoids a sliding dropkick, then delivers a pump kick on the floor. Steelz counters a delayed vertical suplex into a neckbreaker on the outside. Back in the ring, Grace turns her opponent inside out to create separation. Grace hits a big Spinebuster for two. Grace connects with a pair of powerbombs for another near fall. Steelz avoids the Vader Bomb, then hits Sliced Bread out of the corner for a near fall of her own. Steelz picks her off the top rope but Grace counters the follow-up Blackout. Grace hits a spinning back fist, followed by the Juggernaut Driver to win the match and retain the Knockouts World Title.
Leon Slater vs. Chris Bey vs. Alan Angels vs. Jason Hotch vs. Kevin Knight vs. Jake Something – Rebellion Referendum, Winner Challenges for X-Division Title at Rebellion
X-Division Champion Mustafa Ali joins Tom Hannifan and Matthew Rehwoldt on commentary for the Rebellion Referendum, which will determine his challenger at the spring pay-per-view extravaganza! There are no disqualifications, no count-outs and the only way to win is by pinfall or submission inside the ring. Knight dives over the top rope, taking out Hotch on the outside. In the ring, Hotch bounces back with a rolling suplex to Knight. Bey hits Hotch with a Spinebuster but Angels catches him off-guard with a DDT. Angels hits Something with an assisted double underhook powerbomb as Knight and Slater help him pick up the big man. Bey spikes Something with a tornado DDT. Slater dives from the ring over the corner turnbuckle, colliding with Hotch, Angels and Bey on the outside. John Skyler provides a distraction from the outside but it doesn’t faze Something. Something sends Hotch Into the Void to win.
Jake Something def. Jason Hotch, Leon Slater, Chris Bey, Alan Angels & Kevin Knight – Rebellion Referendum, Winner Challenges for X-Division Title at Rebellion
On commentary, Mustafa Ali is overwhelmed by Something’s victory.
BREAKING: @MustafaAli_X will defend the TNA X Division Championship against @JakeSomething_ at #Rebellion on April 20 LIVE on PPV and TNA+ from the Palms in Las Vegas
Backstage, Gia Miller asks Rich Swann for an explanation as to why he betrayed Joe Hendry and joined forces with AJ Francis. Francis tells her that she will find out at the same time as everyone else, next week.
Deaner is in the ring and places blame on himself for the failure of Violent By Design and subsequently, The Design. Deaner regrets the decisions he made over the last several years, and admits that he lost his passion for professional wrestling. Deaner says that from this day forward, his decisions are in the hands of the fans. The Grizzled Young Vets interrupt as Gibson tells Deaner that he should take advice from them instead, because they know how to succeed in this industry. Gibson tells Deaner to quit and hang up his boots. Deaner lives up to his promise and, after the fans tell him to stay, begins to attack GYV. Deaner falls victim to the numbers game when the Time Splitters make the save, leading to our next match.
Grizzled Young Vets (Zack Gibson & James Drake) vs. Time Splitters (Alex Shelley & KUSHIDA)
GYV are out to prove that they’re the top tag team in TNA as they face off against the Time Splitters! Shelley whips Drake’s arm into the steel ring post. Shelley employs joint manipulation as he bends the fingers and wrist of Drake. Moments later, Drake launches himself off the back of Gibson to dropkick KUSHIDA off the apron. Gibson distracts Shelley, allowing Drake to catch him off-guard. Gibson begins to target Shelley’s left knee. Drake tries to take away the tag option for Shelley but KUSHIDA fights him off. Shelley makes the tag and KUSHIDA quickens the pace. KUSHIDA picks Drake off the top for a Hurricanrana but Drake counters. GYV hit a double team Sliced Bread on KUSHIDA. KUSHIDA prevents the Doomsday Device as Shelley takes out Gibson with Shellshock. Shelley superkicks Drake into the Hoverboard Lock from KUSHIDA to win by submission.
Time Splitters (Alex Shelley & KUSHIDA) def. Grizzled Young Vets (Zack Gibson & James Drake)
Tom Hannifan conducts a sit-down interview with one of TNA Wrestling’s newest stars, Hammerstone. Hammerstone is coming off a huge victory over Josh Alexander at Sacrifice. Hannifan reminds Hammerstone that he lost their first encounter at Hard To Kill. Hammerstone excuses the loss, saying that he had Alexander beat but he rolled out of the ring like a coward. Hannifan criticizes Hammerstone for how he won the rematch at Sacrifice, with the use of a low blow. Hammerstone presents Alexander’s headgear that he stole, and says that it is a reminder for what will happen to Alexander if he wants another match. Hammerstone storms off the interview set.
Digital Media Champion Crazzy Steve vs. PCO – Digital Media Championship
After gloating about how he handles the pressure of being Digital Media Champion, Steve must now face the wrath of PCO! PCO is distracted by the crowd chanting his name, allowing Steve to blindside him for the early advantage. Steve drives him face-first into the steel ring post. Back in the ring, Steve continues the assault. Steve tries to snap his neck but that only angers PCO. PCO hits a Lungblower in the corner, followed by a leaping leg drop off the second rope. PCO connects with the Deanimator on the hardest part of the ring. PCO is setting up for the PCO-Sault but Kon makes his way to ringside. Kon throws a collection of weapons into the ring. PCO turns his attention towards Kon and attacks him with a trash can. Steve capitalizes off the distraction as he rakes the eyes of PCO. Steve distracts the referee, allowing Kon to slam PCO into multiple steel chairs. Steve rolls up PCO to score the pinfall and retain the Digital Media Title.
Digital Media Champion Crazzy Steve def. PCO – Digital Media Championship
Decay and MK Ultra argue over who will be the first to receive their rematch against Spitfire for the Knockouts World Tag Team Titles. The only way to settle it is in the ring!
Eric Young is at the top of the ramp to speak on his loss to TNA World Champion Moose at Sacrifice. Young admits that he came up short but he kept his promise by continuing to come forward. After being screwed by Frankie Kazarian, Young warns him to watch what he wishes for. Young lays out the challenge to Kazarian for a Full Metal Mayhem match at Rebellion.
Ash By Elegance competes in her third match since arriving in TNA Wrestling! Ash offers a handshake but Sparx declines. Ash delivers a series of knees, followed by a clothesline. Sparx creates a momentary window of opportunity but Ash quickly shuts her down. Ash hits her signature handspring back elbow in the corner. Ash soars with Rarified Air to score another dominant victory.
Ash By Elegance def. Seleziya Sparx
After the match, Ash By Elegeance continues to attack Seleziya Sparx when Xia Brookside comes to her aid.
Nic Nemeth addresses his upcoming TNA World Title match against Moose at Rebellion. Nemeth says that he made his intentions clear when he arrived, his goal is to become TNA World Champion – but he wanted to earn that opportunity. Nemeth reflects on his issues with Steve Maclin, who was unable to drive him out of TNA Wrestling. Nemeth says he was going to wait for the perfect opportunity to challenge for the TNA World Championship, but Moose just couldn’t wait and that’s when The System attacked Nemeth last week. Speaking of The System, TNA World Champion Moose and TNA World Tag Team Champions Brian Myers and Eddie Edwards interrupt. Moose praises Ziggler for defeating some of the greatest of all time – but he’s never been able to beat The System.
Nigeria’s Ifeanyi late Thursday night secured a 5-2 victory over Anthony Lazare Emmanuel Bweluzeyi of DR Congo in a Men’s 92+ semi-finals bout at the Bukom Boxing Arena in Accra Ghana.
The Nigerian will now meet Equatorial Guinean boxer Yann Mike Alo Mansogo Ada, who defeated Senegalese Diarga Balde 5-2 Thursday at the Bukom Boxing Arena in Accra, Ghana, on Thursday night.
We are on the road to Rebellion! Don’t miss an all-new TNA iMPACT! This Thursday at 8/7c on AXS TV and 8:30 pm ET on YouTube for Insiders!
At Sacrifice, Jordynne Grace again conquered the odds as she defeated Xia Brookside and Tasha Steelz to retain the Knockouts World Championship. The following week on iMPACT!, Steelz interrupted the show to deliver a verbal address to Grace, stating that she wasn’t the one pinned at Sacrifice. Steelz laid out the challenge for a singles rematch, and it was made official for this Thursday. Who will leave Windsor, Ontario, as the Knockouts World Champion?
Nic Nemeth and Speedball Mountain defeated Steve Maclin and the Rascalz last week; they were targeted by The System, who unleashed a brutal assault on the unsuspecting trio. Later that night on social media, it was revealed that Nic Nemeth would challenge Moose for the TNA World Championship at the spring pay-per-view extravaganza, Rebellion. Nemeth made his intentions clear that his ultimate goal is to become TNA World Champion for the first time – but he’ll have to beat The System. This Thursday, we’ll hear from the “Wanted Man”.
After turning away Chris Sabin’s challenge in his contractually obligated rematch, Mustafa Ali is in firm control of the new-era X-Division. But who will be Ali’s next challenger for the X-Division Championship? We find out this Thursday as Ali hosts the Rebellion Referendum, where the winner will become the #1 Contender at Rebellion. Who will outlast the competition for a golden opportunity?
Disaster struck at Sacrifice when Chris Sabin inadvertently kicked Alex Shelley, leading to the six-man tag team victory for X-Division Champion Mustafa Ali and the Grizzled Young Vets. One week later, Zack Gibson and James Drake looked to add insult to injury when they confronted Time Machine and declared themselves as the new top team in TNA. Shelley dared them to prove it, not against him and Sabin, but against him and another longtime ally in KUSHIDA. After Shelley failed to recapture the TNA World Championship at No Surrender, tensions continued to rise between him and his friends.
Since arriving in TNA Wrestling, Ash By Elegance has done everything in her power to ensure that the spotlight of the Knockouts division is focused solely on her. While securing two dominant in-ring victories, Ash has also been scouting her competition, sitting ringside for numerous Knockouts World Title bouts. The news was broken last week on Alan Angels’ Sound Check that Ash By Elegance will compete in her third match this Thursday.
Crazzy Steve defeated Joe Hendry to remain the Digital Media Champion on Countdown to Sacrifice. Of course, it wasn’t without the help of AJ Francis, who sent Hendry crashing into the steel ring post before Steve put him away with Belladonna’s Kiss. Steve would boast about his recent victories over legends like Rhino and Tommy Dreamer. But then, Steve was confronted by a man – or monster – that he’d never defeated. Can Steve continue his horrific wave of momentum this Thursday when he defends the Digital Media Title against PCO?
iMPACT
Watch iMPACT!
USA: Thursdays 8 pm ET on AXS TV, Thursdays 8:30 pm ET on YouTube (Insiders), Thursdays 10 pm ET on TNA+
Canada: Thursdays 8 pm ET on Fight Network, Thursdays 8:30 pm ET on YouTube (Insiders), Thursdays 10 pm ET on TNA+, Thursdays 11:30 pm ET on GameTV
Cynthia Ogunsemilore, Blessing Oraekwe, and Shukura Kareem fought their way to the final of their respective boxing weight categories after winning their African Games bouts at the Bukom Boxing Arena in Accra, Ghana, on Thursday evening.
Their progress assures Nigeria of at least three more silver medal posts on the Africa Games 2023 medals log after tomorrow’s boxing finals event in Accra.
While Ogunsemilore scored a 4-1 win over Hadjila Khelif in their Women’s 60 Kg semi-final clash, Oraekwe and Kareem won their Women’s 70 Kg and 54 Kg events, respectively, via RSC (Referee Stopped Contest).
Oraekwe stopped Tunisia’s Iben Zina Eya, and Kareem halted Amina Martha Faki of Kenya to book their final bouts in the ongoing Games.
At the time of filing this report, Onyekwere Ifeanyi was still waiting for his bout with Bwuewuzelu Anthony Lazare Emmanuel of DR Congo in their Men’s 92+ Kg semi-final clash.
Ghana were crowned champions of the women’s football tournament at the 13th African Games after a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory over defending champions Nigeria on Thursday night, CAFonline reports.
The U20 side had to do it the hard way, falling behind to Edeh Njideka’s 28th-minute strike for the Falconets at the Cape Coast Stadium.
But inspired by a vociferous home crowd, the Black Princesses rallied impressively in the second half to turn the final round and win the gold medal.
Tracey Twum’s exemplary 78th-minute equalizer took the match to extra time before Mukarama Abdulai wrote her name into Ghanaian folklore with a classy winner.
Abdulai’s decisive strike sparked wild celebration as the hosts claimed their second African Games women’s football gold medal.
“I’m so proud of this team. We never stopped believing even when we went behind,” said Ghana coach Yussif Basigi.
“To win a final like this in front of our home fans is an incredible feeling. These girls are champions in every sense.”
The defeat was harsh on Nigeria, which looked to be cruising to the African Games title until Ghana’s thrilling fightback.
The Falconets had to settle for silver, while Uganda took bronze after defeating Senegal in the third-place playoff earlier.
But it was Ghana’s night as the nation’s rising stars announced themselves on the continental stage with a triumph for the ages.
Former Manchester City and Real Madrid striker Robinho must serve a nine-year prison sentence in his native Brazil as a result of a 2017 rape conviction in Italy, Brazilian judges have ruled, Andrew Warshaw reports for Inside World Football.
Robinho has always denied the claims that he took part in the gang rape of a 22-year-old Albanian woman at a nightclub in Milan in January 2013. But the court decided by nine votes to two in favor of an Italian request that Robinho be jailed in his home country.
His lawyer, Jose Alckmin, told reporters he would work to keep his client out of jail while they appealed.
The former Brazil international, now 40, was initially convicted by an Italian court for the crime committed four years earlier when he played for AC Milan.
He lost in the Milan Court of Appeal in 2020. In 2022, his sentence was upheld by Italy’s highest court, after which Italian prosecutors issued an international arrest warrant for him.
However, Brazil does not extradite its nationals, and Italy asked that Robinho be made to serve his sentence in his home country instead.
Robinho said in an interview on Sunday that racism was to blame for his conviction in Italy.
“I played only four years in Italy, and I got tired of seeing stories of racism. Unfortunately, that exists to this day. (The rape case) was in 2013, and now we are in 2024. The same people who don’t do anything against it (racism) are the ones who sentenced me,” he declared.
“I was unfairly convicted in Italy for something that did not occur.”
For Robinho, who won 100 caps for Brazil, it has been a dramatic fall from grace.
Having begun his career in 2002 at Santos, a team made famous by Brazil’s great Pele, Robinho was touted as the successor to the golden generation of Ronaldo, Rivaldo, and Ronaldinho.
2005, he joined Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo, and David Beckham at Real Madrid. He played for Manchester City from 2008 to 2010 and Milan for four years until 2014.
He also played in China with Guangzhou Evergrande, Atletico Mineiro in Brazil, and Turkish club Istanbul Basaksehir.
Lawyer Jacopo Gnocchi, who represented the victim, said he and his client were satisfied by the Brazil court’s ruling.
“We believe that this is the fair conclusion of a case that took place in Italy, with assurances for all the defendants who were then found guilty,” Gnocchi told Brazilian news website UOL.
“We respected and understood that the Brazilian Constitution does not allow the extradition (of its citizens), but that does not change the fact that when the sentence is final, it is fair… that the sentence is applied.”
