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Nigeria equals Egypt’s CAF AFCON record

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Nigeria equals Egypt’s CAF AFCON record

Nigeria joins the Pharaohs at the top of the list of countries with the most appearances in the last four of the competition

Bouake Stadium, venue of Nigeria vs South Africa Credit Cafonline
Bouake Stadium, venue of Nigeria vs South Africa Credit Cafonline

 

Nigeria will be playing in the semi-finals of the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON for the 16th time, joining the Pharaohs at the top of the list of countries with the most appearances in the last four of the competition, CAFONLINE reports.

 

The Super Eagles secured their ticket to the semi-finals of the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON Côte d’Ivoire 2023 after a 1-0 win over Angola through Ademola Lookman’s strike.

 

Nigeria competes for the 16th time in 20 appearances in the semi-finals, equaling a record set by Egypt, who have also reached the last four 16 times in 26 appearances.

 

Behind these record-holders, Ghana comes third with 14 semi-finals played in 24 appearances.

 

Cameroon and Côte d’Ivoire have each reached the semi-finals of Africa football’s showpiece event ten times.

 

Nigeria, however, has only lifted the trophy three times, with Egypt winning it seven times as the record holder, followed by Cameroon, who have won it five times, and Ghana, who have four trophies.

 

On Wednesday, 7th February 2024, José Peseiro and his men will face South Africa to play in the semi-finals, hoping to qualify for their 8th final, one less than Ghana, two less than Egypt, and one more than Cameroon.

 

European golds on line in Bucharest

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European golds on line in Bucharest

Nine return to defend European titles in Women’s Wrestling

 

Nine out of the ten European women’s wrestling champions will return to the European Championships, hoping to defend their gold medals in Bucharest next week. The one not coming, Alina HRUSHYNA (UKR), has yet to recover from an injury that kept her out of the World Championships, Vinay Siwach reports for United World Wrestling.

 

Two of them, Andreea ANA (ROU) and Alexandra ANGHEL (ROU), will be the most keen on repeating as European champions. In Zagreb last year, they gave the double gold to Romania, but next week, wrestling at home will give them extra motivation to repeat.

 

Ana and Anghel will be in the 55kg and 72kg of non-Olympic weight classes, respectively. Ana is a two-time European champion and will be the favorite in Bucharest. If any, former age-group European champion Ekaterina VERBINA (AIN) can trouble Ana as she returns to competition. Ukraine is sending Mariia VYNNYK (UKR), while Mariana DRAGUTAN (MDA), Roksana ZASINA (POL), and Tuba DEMIR (TUR) are also in the field.

 

Anghel, who defeated 68kg world champion Buse TOSUN (TUR) to win the gold medal at 72kg last year, can have a more challenging time this year. 68kg European champion Yuliana YANEVA (BUL) is moving to 72kg after losing her place to Mimi HRISTOVA (BUL) at 68kg. Kendra DACHER (FRA), age-group world medalist Wiktoria CHOLUJ (POL), U23 world champion Nesrin BAS (TUR), and Anastasiya ALPYEYEVA (UKR) are also in this weight class.

 

Yasemin ADAR (TUR)Yasemin ADAR (TUR) is a six-time European champion. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

 

2022 world champion Yasemin ADAR (TUR) returns to the mat after one year, skipping all competitions after the 2023 Euros. Despite her time off, she will be the favorite to win the 76kg gold medal. Adar is chasing her seventh European title after six golds and a silver medal.

 

Former European champion Epp MAE (EST) will be her biggest threat as she also looks to return after a medalless World Championships. Mae recently trained in Japan with world champion Yuka KAGAMI (JPN). Anastasiia OSNIACH SHUSTOVA (UKR) also hopes to make the finals.

 

Turkiye’s world champion in 2023, Tosun, will be at 68kg. She had a disastrous start to the year, losing her first round at the Zagreb Open Ranking Series in January. Tosun will look to put that behind her and start afresh for the Bucharest tournament.

 

To avoid any disappointments, Tosun will have to navigate past world bronze medalist Koumba LARROQUE (FRA), Elis MANOLOVA (AZE), 65kg European champion Mimi HRISTOVA (BUL) and former European champion Tetiana SOVA RIZHKO (UKR). Larroque won the European Championships gold medal in 2021 and will be keen on returning to the podium.

 

Vanesa KALADZINSKAYA (AIN)Vanesa KALADZINSKAYA (AIN) will look to win her first European title since 2020. (Photo: UWW / Amirreza Aliasgari)

 

Two world silver medalists, Vanesa KALADZINSKAYA (AIN) at 53kg and Anastasia NICHITA (MDA) at 59kg, will also be in action in Bucharest.

 

Kaladzinskaya last wrestled at the European Championships in 2020 and won the gold medal. She will start as the favorite at 53kg despite Jonna MALMGREN (SWE) and Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE) entering the tournament.

 

Kaladzinskaya won the silver medal at the World Championships, dropping the final to Akari FUJINAMI (JPN). It was her first competition since winning a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympic Games.

 

The two-time defending champion Malmgren will have her task cut out this year. She lost to Kaladzinskaya at the World Championships, but that loss can only be a lesson for the former U20 world champion.

 

Former Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE), Ekaterina POLESHCHUK (AIN), Sztalvira ORSUS (HUN), Iulia LEORDA (MDA), and Mariia YEFREMOVA (UKR) can upset the field in Bucharest and finish on the podium.

 

Defending champion Nichita is the clear front-runner for the gold at 59kg. After winning a silver medal at the World Championships at 57kg, Nichita returned to competition in Zagreb but suffered a loss to Kexin HONG (CHN).

 

Nichita will be drawn randomly into the bracket as she has no ranking at 59kg. The top seed will be Othelie HOIE (NOR), a returning European and world bronze medalist. Age-group world medalists Alesia HETMANAVA (AIN) and Anastasiia SIDELNIKOVA (AIN) can also finish on the podium.

 

Grace BULLEN (NOR)Grace BULLEN (NOR) and Bilyana DUDOVA (BUL) put up a thriller last year in the 62kg semifinal. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

 

At 62kg, world bronze medalist Grace BULLEN (NOR) will have a chance to win her first European gold medal since 2020. She was a silver medalist last after suffering a heartbreaking loss to Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) in the final. She will have a chance to win the gold medal this year. Koliadenko has moved to 65kg for this tournament and is replaced by veteran Yuliia TKACH (UKR), which will also be a big test for Bullen.

 

Tkach, the silver medalist at 59kg last year, has moved to 62 kilograms after world bronze medalist Koliadenko moved to 65kg. Tkach has every trick up her sleeve to keep Bullen at bay. But the Norway wrestler has recently improved by leaps and bounds and can be called the favorite for this event.

 

One wrestler who will be waiting keenly to meet Bullen on the mat is Bilyana DUDOVA (BUL). She suffered a 7-6 loss to Bullen in the semifinal last year and finished with a bronze medal. Dudova, a former world champion at 59kg, still tries to find her feet at 62kg. The two can only meet in the final, thanks to being seeded one and two.

 

Former U20 world champion Alina KASABIEVA (AIN) will also like to finish on the podium.

 

Mariya STADNIK (AZE)Mariya STADNIK (AZE) became a nine-time European champion last year. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

 

At 50kg, Mariya STADNIK (AZE) will look to extend her record streak of 10 European titles [12 as she has two European Games gold as well]. Last year, Oksana LIVACH (UKR) gave Stadnik a scare in the final, but the Azerbaijan wrestler controlled the second period to keep her energy and win the gold.

 

A year older at 35, Stadnik will again be tested by the young wrestler participating in Bucharest. Livach will look to avenge the loss from last year, while Miglena SELISHKA (BUL) and Emilia VUC (ROU) will also have a chance to upset the wrestling legend.

 

The 57kg class will see a new European champion, as Hrushyna has not entered for her title defense. Tokyo silver medalist Iryna KURACHKINA (AIN) will be the favorite, along with returning silver medalist Zhala ALIYEVA (AZE) and bronze medalist Evelina NIKOLOVA (BUL). Veteran Veronika CHUMIKOVA (AIN), U20 world champion Aurora RUSSO (ITA), and former world bronze medalist Anhelina LYSAK (POL) are also entered.

 

World bronze medalist and returning silver medalist Irina RINGACI (MDA) will be at 65kg, hoping to win the gold she dropped against Hristova last year. Ringaci will be tested by Taybe YUSEIN (BUL), Kriszta INCZE (ROU), and a world bronze medalist at 62kg Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR).

 

Stunning World Indoor Athletics medals

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Stunning World Indoor Athletics medals

Special medals for spectacular Athletics champions

WICGlasgow24 Medals (© Mark Gibson)

With less than four weeks until the first champion is crowned, organizers have today revealed the medals specially commissioned for the World Athletics Indoor Championships Glasgow 24 following a design competition, World Athletics reports.

Taking place from 1-3 March this year, the World Athletics Indoor Championships will feature more than 700 athletes as they compete across 26 events, aiming to come out victorious and secure a coveted medal, with up to 108 medals being awarded (allowing for up to six in a relay team).

 

The pinnacle of every athlete’s career is to stand on the podium at a major championship and be presented with a unique medal that recognizes and reflects the magnitude of their achievement at the highest level.

 

Although this is the 19th edition of the championships, this is the first time the event has been held in Scotland. This is reflected in the design of the medal, which incorporates the thistle-inspired event brand, complemented by a selection of well-known Glasgow landmarks around its outer rim, giving athletes a little piece of Glasgow to remember their triumph long after they leave the city.

 

Event organizers launched an open call last summer, giving Scottish artists a chance to submit their designs in a bid to become a part of history. Winning artist Graeme Clark from Edinburgh is proud to see his illustrations transformed into a stunning creation that will be presented to all the medallists.

 

Speaking about his design and inspiration, Clark said: “As a man from Edinburgh, I’ve always enjoyed trips through to Glasgow for various exhibitions, gigs, and shopping. It’s a city entirely of culture and is a great creative inspiration for designers like me.

 

“It’s also a place full of inspiring talent and iconic architecture. I’ve worked with many Glaswegian brands over the years, and the city always seems to birth amazing things. The city has a lot of iconic monuments and structures that served as the inspiration for the design.”

 

Bailie Annette Christie, Chair of Glasgow Life, who coordinated the design competition, said: “When we issued a callout to the Scottish craft and design community, we knew the standard of submissions would be high, but we were hugely impressed with the quality of the response.

 

“While we had a tough decision to make, Graeme’s design stood out as the clear winner, and we are delighted to create a medal that incorporates so much of Glasgow’s iconic skyline and has a distinctly Scottish feel.

 

“Glasgow is proud to be hosting one of the biggest sports events in Scotland this year, and I can’t wait to see the medals presented at the Championships next month. I am sure the winning athletes will all treasure the small part of Glasgow they take home.”

 

Among the first to set eyes on the medals were young athletes from the team representing Glasgow at the European City Challenge last October, Shettleston Harriers, and Victoria Park Glasgow Athletics Club. They were given a sneak peek by event ambassador, world and Olympic medallist, and European champion Eilidh Doyle, and three other Scottish athletics legends, 1980 Olympic 100m champion Allan Wells, and 1993 world indoor champions Yvonne Murray-Mooney (3000m) and Tom McKean (800m).’

 

Doyle said: “As an athlete, it is always exciting when the medals are revealed as you know the championships are getting close, so it creates a real buzz. And when you see them for real, it makes you want one and spurs you on that little bit more.

 

“The medals are all quite different, and it is great to see a strong Scottish and Glasgow theme on this one, creating a sense of place for the championships that will be remembered.”

 

The medals have been produced by specialist manufacturers Toye, Kenning, and Spencer, who have made a range of high-quality championship medals, including the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. In addition to the gold, silver, and bronze editions, a pewter coaches medal has been made to recognize the coaches of the winning relay teams.

 

Looking forward to the Championship, Wellbeing Economy Secretary Neil Gray said: “The World Athletics Indoor Championships offers Glasgow – and Scotland – a further opportunity to shine on the world stage and showcase our reputation for hosting and delivering major international events.

 

“From the thistle-inspired medals to the warm welcome which will be extended to athletes and spectators coming from across the globe, I have no doubt that a successful and uniquely Scottish event will be taking place in March, one which will inspire a new generation of young people to join their local athletics clubs and perhaps become the future Scottish stars.”

 

Ian Beattie, Chair of UK Athletics, said: “Every athlete competing in Glasgow will dream of winning a medal, and it is fantastic to see that those who are successful will have such a stunning memory of their achievement.

 

“As the event gets nearer, the excitement is increasing. I know the Glasgow crowd will create an electric atmosphere within the arena to support world-class Scottish and British athletes to perform at the highest level.”

 

Paul Bush OBE, VisitScotland Director of Events, said: “Glasgow and Scotland will provide the perfect stage as the final countdown begins for next month’s 2024 World Athletics Indoor Championships at Emirates Arena.”

 

New Jersey Stadium: Need to know

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New Jersey Stadium: Need to know

New York New Jersey to host FIFA World Cup 26 final

 

 

Iconic New York New Jersey Stadium will stage the showpiece fixture from the biggest-ever World Cup on Sunday, 19 July 2026.

 

New York New Jersey Stadium has been confirmed as the location for the FIFA World Cup 26™ final on Sunday, 19 July 2026.

 

The full match schedule for the biggest-ever FIFA World Cup has now been unveiled, providing the framework for the 104-game tournament featuring 48 teams across 16 host cities in three countries – Canada, Mexico and the United States.

 

The iconic New York New Jersey venue was awarded the honour of hosting the showpiece fixture, which will bring the curtain down on the most inclusive FIFA tournament ever.

 

Stadium details

 

  • Name: New York New Jersey Stadium

  • Location: East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA

  • Capacity: 82,500

  • Opened: 2010

 

 

While this stadium has been more used to hosting the superstars of the NFL down the years, the best that soccer has to offer will head to the ground come 2026 as a different sport takes centre stage.

 

A multipurpose stadium which opened in 2010, the ground currently hosts the NFL’s New York Giants and New York Jets, as well as the XFL’s New York Guardians and was the venue for the final of the 2016 Copa America Centenario, when Chile defeated Lionel Messi’s Argentina on penalties.

 

Numerous A-list performers have featured at New York New Jersey Stadium, including Bruce Springsteen, Beyonce, Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift.

 

Did you know?

  • New York’s most famous natives include NBA legend Michael Jordan and actress Scarlett Johansson.

  • The iconic Monopoly board is largely based on the streets and locations withing New Jersey’s Atlantic City.

  • New York Yankees have won a record 27 World Series titles – more than double any other MLB team.

  • New Jersey-born USMNT legend Tim Howard’s 16 saves against Belgium at Brazil 2014 is a World Cup record.

  • The famous ‘leave the gun, take the cannoli’ scene from The Godfather was set in Jersey City.

 

New York New Jersey has two professional football teams, NYCFC and New York Red Bulls, and a huge youth football base that will only increase in both size and quality of play as interest in those teams grows.

 

Football in the region has always drawn large crowds. Highlights include Pele and the Cosmos in the 1970s, the 1994 FIFA World Cup USA™ (seven matches including a quarter-final and semi-final), the FIFA Women’s World Cup 1999™ (opening Ceremonies and USA’s opening round match), the Concacaf Gold Cup Final in 2009, and the Copa America Centenario Final in 2016, which drew a record crowd of 82,026.

 

New York is also the league headquarters for the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL and MLS. Other than the major football events, the metropolitan area also hosts high-profile sporting events, including the New York City Marathon, the US Open tennis tournament and was the site of the 2008 MLB All-Star Game and the 2014 Super Bowl.

 

Culled from fifa.com

 

New Jersey to host FIFA’26 final

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New Jersey to host FIFA’26 final

FIFA announces World Cup 2026 match schedule

 

 

FIFA has revealed the match schedule for the FIFA World Cup 26™, with the final in New York, New Jersey, and the opening match at the iconic Estadio Azteca, FIFA reports.

 

MIAMI, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 4: FIFA President Gianni Infantino, FIFA Legend Heather O'Reilly, Jenny Taft,FIFA Legend Cafú, FIFA Vice-President and CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani, Kevin Hart, Jenny Taft and Andrés Cantor at FIFA World Cup 2026 Match Schedule announcement on February 4, 2024 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Eva Marie Uzcategui - FIFA/Getty Images)

  • The FIFA World Cup 26™ final is scheduled for Sunday, 19 July 2026, in New York, New Jersey, with kick-off at iconic Estadio Azteca Mexico City on Thursday, 11 June 2026

  • Toronto (Canada), Mexico City (Mexico), and Los Angeles (USA) to host respective national teams’ FIFA World Cup™ opening matches

  • Innovative match schedule designed to minimize travel for teams and fans alike, ensuring that players’ rest and recovery are prioritized throughout the tournament

 

FIFA has revealed the match schedule for the FIFA World Cup 26™, with the final to be held in New York, New Jersey, on Sunday, 19 July 2026, and the opening match featuring the Mexican national team scheduled to be played at the iconic Estadio Azteca, Mexico City on Thursday, 11 June 2026. Like Mexico, the national teams of Canada and the United States will each play their three group-stage matches on home soil. Canada will kick off their campaign in Toronto on Friday, 12 June 2026, while the United States will begin its journey in Los Angeles on the same day. The schedule for the tournament was revealed live on Sunday and can be reviewed on FIFA.com and FIFA+. The match schedule can also be accessed here.

 

 

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said: “The most inclusive and impactful FIFA World Cup ever is no longer a dream but a reality that will take shape in 104 matches in 16 state-of-the-art stadiums across Canada, Mexico and the USA. From the opening match at the iconic Estadio Azteca to the spectacular final in New York, New Jersey, players, and fans have been at the core of our extensive planning for this game-changing tournament.” “I would like to thank our three host countries and 16 Host Cities for the unwavering commitment to staging a FIFA World Cup that will not only set new records but also leave an indelible legacy.”

 

FIFA Vice-President and Concacaf President Victor Montagliani said: “The FIFA World Cup 26 will be a watershed moment that will trigger massive football development in our region and worldwide. While each Host City is unique, they all have something in common – they are passionate about football and cannot wait to welcome the world in June and July 2026.” The tournament’s innovative match schedule will minimize travel for teams and fans while maximizing the number of rest days between fixtures. Having been drawn up in consultation with key stakeholders, including national-team coaches and technical directors, the schedule will also increase the prospect of matches being played in the best possible conditions and ensure that fans have shorter travel times when following their teams. Match pairings and kick-off times will be confirmed following the Final Draw for FIFA World Cup 26, expected towards the end of 2025.

 

FIFA World Cup 26 match schedule – summary:

 

  • FIFA World Cup 26 will kick off at the iconic Estadio Azteca Mexico City on Thursday, 11 June 2026, with the final scheduled for Sunday, 19 July 2026, in New York, New Jersey.

  • Toronto, Mexico City, and Los Angeles will host the opening matches of their respective national teams.

  • Canada, Mexico, and the United States can play their three group-stage matches on home soil. Guadalajara, Vancouver, and Seattle were also selected to stage host countries’ group-stage matches.

  • Miami will host the bronze final, Dallas and Atlanta will stage the highly anticipated semi-finals, and Dallas will host nine (9) matches – the most of any host city at the tournament.

  • An innovative match schedule ensures that three days of rest for teams is observed for 103 of the tournament’s 104 matches. Most matches will be played in three regionalized zones (east, central, and west) to reduce travel for teams and fans.

  • Group stage:

The first matchday of the tournament features two matches, including the tournament curtain-raiser in Mexico City and a match in Guadalajara. – Day two will feature two matches involving hosts Canada and the United States, respectively. – The final four matchdays of the group stage will feature six matches per day. Matches in the same group will be played simultaneously to maintain the integrity of the competition. – All other group-stage matchdays will feature four daily matches across four kick-off times.

  • Estadio Azteca Mexico City is set to host the opening match for the third time, making FIFA World Cup history as the first stadium to do so.

  • Canada will host its first FIFA World Cup, complementing its proud history of hosting top FIFA women’s and youth tournaments, including the successful FIFA World Cup 2015™.

  • The USA will host the FIFA World Cup for the second time, following the record-setting 1994 edition. USA has also hosted two successful FIFA Women’s World Cups (1999 and 2003).

 

The World under Noah Lyles’ feet

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The World under Noah Lyles’ feet

US sprinter breaks 60m meeting record in Boston with 6.44

 

Noah Lyles wins the men’s 60m at the World Athletics Indoor Tour Gold meeting in Boston (© Dan Vernon)

 

On a day when nine meeting records fell at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix, perhaps the one with the most significant impact came from Noah Lyles as the US sprinter charged to a 6.44 victory over 60m at the World Athletics Indoor Tour Gold meeting in Boston on Sunday (4), Jon Mulkeen reports for World Athletics.

Last year, Lyles showed he was more than a 200m specialist, taking gold over 100m, 200m, and 4x100m at the World Athletics Championships Budapest 23. After winning the 60m in Boston, the 26-year-old declared his sights on winning a world title over the shortest sprint discipline in Glasgow next month.

 

He won his heat in 6.54, finishing 0.05 ahead of 2018 world indoor bronze medallist Ronnie Baker. Domestic rival Fred Kerley, the 2022 world 100m champion, won the second heat in 6.57 – a PB by default, given it was his first-ever indoor 60m race.

 

Kerley got off to a strong start in the final, but Jamaica’s Ackeem Blake then powered into a lead and looked to be on his way to victory. But, as he often does in his outdoor races, Lyles timed his finish to perfection with a late-race surge to finish first in 6.44.

 

Not only was it a PB by 0.07 and a world-leading mark, but it also shaved 0.01 off the meeting record set 25 years ago by Maurice Greene. Blake was a close second in 6.45, and Baker took third in 6.54, just 0.01 ahead of Kerley.

 

“I knew that my first 10 meters are always going to be kind of sluggish, but so long as I’m next to everybody, I don’t care,” said Lyles. “All I was thinking about was winning. That’s all that matters.

 

“My confidence has now skyrocketed,” he added. “Let’s go get a world indoor medal!”

 

USA’s Tia Jones got the evening off to an explosive start, winning the 60m hurdles in a world-leading meeting record of 7.72.

 

In the first discipline on the main program, Jones was up against world leader Devynne Charlton and outdoor world record-holder Tobi Amusan. Both women performed at or near their best, but it wasn’t enough to catch Jones, who powered through to win in 7.72, just 0.04 shy of the world indoor record.

 

Amusan was second in an African record of 7.75, while Charlton was close behind in third in 7.76, just 0.01 shy of her recent Bahamian record. Four women broke 7.85 in one race for the first time in history as Masai Russell took fourth in 7.84.

 

“The race was pretty clean, but we still have some work to do,” said Jones, the 2018 world U20 champion. “I’ve been having trouble with my start, but if I can get that first half right, I can get closer to the world record.”

 

The meeting record also fell in the men’s 60m hurdles as two-time world champion Grant Holloway extended his unbeaten streak in the event to a 10th year.

 

The world indoor record-holder equaled his meeting record of 7.37 to win his heat, while 2022 world silver medallist Trey Cunningham took the other heat in a season’s best of 7.44.

 

 

Holloway dominated the final in 7.35, the fifth-fastest time of his career and equal to his best-ever season opener. Cunningham took second place in 7.49, marginally ahead of world bronze medallist Daniel Roberts, who was given the same time for third place.

 

In other sprint action, world indoor silver medallist Mikiah Brisco won the women’s 60m in a season’s best of 7.10.

 

Area records for Arop and Hull

 

World 800m champion Marco Arop wrapped up his brief but impressive indoor campaign by winning the 1000m in a North American indoor record of 2:14.74 – the second-fastest indoor clocking in history.

 

In what turned out to be a solo run, the Canadian went through 400m in 52.84 and 600m in 1:19.60, by which point he had a 1.3-second lead over USA’s Bryce Hoppel. Arop extended his lead with each lap, going through 800m in 1:46.69 before powering through the last lap to win by more than two seconds in 2:14.74.

 

Hoppel took the runner-up spot in 2:16.91, just ahead of US compatriot Sam Ellis (2:17.10).

 

Australia’s Jess Hull produced an impressive final lap to sprint past world indoor silver medallist Elle St Pierre and win the 3000m in an Oceanian indoor record of 8:24.93.

 

The field was paced through the first 1000m in 2:47.87 and halfway in 4:12.63, after which St Pierre took up the running, going through 2000m in 5:39.38. St Pierre, returning to action following a maternity break last year, kicked on the final lap and looked to be on her way to victory, but Hull responded and caught the US runner just before the line, winning in a meeting record of 8:24.93.

 

St Pierre was rewarded with a PB of 8:25.25, while Ethiopia’s indoor debutante Melknat Wudu took third place in 8:32.34, breaking the world U20 indoor record set 20 years ago by Tirunesh Dibaba.

 

Lamecha Girma also broke meeting records in the men’s 3000m and Gudaf Tsegay in the women’s 1500m.

 

Girma was ahead of the world indoor record pace at one point, but with no opponents to help push him, the steeplechaser’s pace faded over the final few laps. Nevertheless, he finished comfortably inside the meeting record to win by 10 seconds in 7:29.09. Kenya’s Edwin Kurgat was a distant runner-up in 7:39.38.

 

Tsegay was pushed by younger compatriot Birke Haylom throughout the women’s 1500m but held on to win in a US indoor all-comers’ record of 3:58.11. Haylom was second in a world U20 indoor record of 3:58.43.

 

In a global middle-distance gold medallists clash, world road mile champion Hobbs Kessler got the better of 2022 world champion Jake Wightman in the 1500m. Kessler kicked ahead on the final two laps to win in a PB of 3:33.66, while Wightman – returning from an injury-hit 2023 – finished second in 3:34.06, also a PB.

 

Meeting records were broken in the first rounds of both long jump contests. Jamaica’s Carey McLeod sailed out to 8.20m with his first leap in the men’s event, ultimately winning by 18cm from Britain’s Jacob Fincham-Dukes.

 

World silver medallist Tara Davis-Woodhall opened with a world-leading 6.86m in the women’s event and backed it up with leaps of 6.83m in rounds three and six.

 

Elsewhere, world 200m silver medallist Gabby Thomas won the women’s 300m in a world-leading 35.75, just 0.02 shy of her meeting record. 2016 world U20 champion Sammy Watson won the women’s 800m in 2:01.20, and world 4x400m champion Vernon Norwood took the men’s 400m in 45.76.

 

Bayley’s full-course WWE career journey

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Bayley’s full-course WWE career journey

 From Hugger to Royal Rumble winner

 

Bayley’s journey from Hugger to Royal Rumble winner: WWE Playlist

José Peseiro wants more from Eagles

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José Peseiro wants more from Eagles

Nigeria’s boss demands more goals despite a watertight defense

 

ademola-olajide-lookman-of-nigeria-celebrates-goal-during-the-2023-africa-cup-of-nations-quarterfinal-between-nigeria-and-angola credit Cafonline
Ademola-olajide-lookman-of-Nigeria-celebrates-goal-during-the-2023-africa-cup-of-nations-quarterfinal-between-Nigeria-and-Angola credit Cafonline

 

Nigeria manager José Peseiro has called on his side to be more clinical up front despite boasting the most vigorous defense at the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire, CAFonline reports.

 

The Super Eagles are into the semi-finals after a 1-0 win over Angola, representing their fourth clean sheet at the competition.

 

Quietly and without fanfare, Nigeria is steadily advancing in the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2023 with a clash with South Africa on Wednesday.

 

The coach and his players are now two matches away from a fourth triumph for Nigeria.

 

While praising Nigeria’s defensive solidity, Peseiro hopes to see improvements in attack.

 

“Once again, we played without conceding and scored a goal, but I would have liked more. The team could have created more opportunities,” he said.

 

With just six goals scored in five games, the Portuguese feel Nigeria aren’t capitalizing on their quality.

 

“We are a quality team. Angola was excellent, but we had more luck. I remain satisfied with my players but want us to be more efficient,” Peseiro added.

 

The manager did admit that injury absences haven’t helped chance creation.

 

“We’re missing key creators like Iheanacho and Aribo, so it’s been hard. But others must now step up,” he noted.

 

As Nigeria chases a fourth AFCON crown, Peseiro knows finding a clinical edge could be decisive.

 

On Wednesday, a victory against South Africa at the Stade de la Paix in Bouaké (5:00 PM GMT) would bring them closer to this critical goal.

 

The Super Eagles have ground-out results thanks to their miserly defense. But should they rediscover their scoring touch, Peseiro may lead Nigeria back to the pinnacle of African football.

 

‘We died, but we rose again’

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‘We died, but we rose again’

Testimony of Cote d’Ivoire coach Emerse Fae

 

 

As Cafoline reports, Cote d’Ivoire stop-gap coach Emerse Fae’s side felt “resurrected” at the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations after overturning their disastrous start to remarkably reach the semi-finals.

 

The Elephants only qualified from the group stage as one of the best third-placed teams after defeats to Equatorial Guinea and Nigeria.

 

Fae was named to take charge of the team on an interim basis after coach Jean Louis Gasset was sacked for the host nation’s disastrous start to the competition.

Hosts Cote d’Ivoire failed to secure automatic qualification to the tournament’s knockout stage when Equatorial Guinea was beaten 4-0 in its final group game, which led to the sacking of the Frenchman.

 

The side looks to have turned the corner after Fae took over and steered the side to the last four.

 

But Fae revealed: “I told the players we were dead after the defeat against Equatorial Guinea, and we were resurrected after the Morocco game with Zambia.”

 

That lifeline allowed Cote d’Ivoire to stun defending champions Senegal and overcome 10-man Mali after extra time to set up a semi-final with DR Congo.

 

Fae admitted experiencing a whirlwind of emotions during the dramatic Mali win. “I had all the emotions running through my head, trying to reflect to see the ideal substitutions,” he said.

 

With the Elephants excelling after being written off, Faé takes nothing for granted ahead of facing DR Congo.

 

“When you reach the semi-finals, you play with high-quality teams, so we are going to prepare ourselves,” the coach asserted.

 

After the embarrassment of the group stage, Faé has masterminded a remarkable reversal of fortunes.

 

His resurrected Elephants now stand just two games from incredibly winning the tournament.

 

Desabre dreams big for Leopards

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Desabre dreams big for Leopards

DR Congo boss wants to taste TotalEnergies CAF AFCON glory after quarter-final win

 

Credit: Cafonline
Credit: Cafonline

 

DR Congo head coach Sébastien Desabre says his side has “points” to win the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations after finally recording their first tournament victory against Guinea in the quarter-finals.

 

The Leopards had drawn all four previous games against Zambia, Morocco, Tanzania, and Egypt. But their 3-1 triumph over Guinea on Saturday earned a semi-final clash with hosts Cote d’Ivoire.

 

For Desabre, the long-awaited win shows his team is hitting form at the perfect time.

 

“This victory comes at the right time as we gain momentum in the competition. We won, drew, but did not lose,” the Frenchman said.

 

Desabre now believes DR Congo can dream of the ultimate prize. “It would be foolish not to believe in the final victory. But it will be difficult,” he conceded.

 

The coach feels DR Congo has the firepower to trouble any defense despite only scoring three goals before the quarters.

 

“We have forwards like Bakambu, Banza, and Mayele Fiston. We know it was a matter of time before we succeeded,” Desabre insisted.

 

With momentum building and a first AFCON crown now within reach, the DR Congo boss is daring to dream.

 

“When you reach the semi-finals, you first want to reach the final. And if you can reach the final, you want to win it,” said Desabre.

 

“We will do everything to have no regrets.”

 

After finally finding their attacking spark, Desabre and DR Congo can be forgiven for believing their AFCON fairytale may have a glorious ending.

 

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