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Qatar 2022: Morocco storm into knockout stage of World Cup ahead of Croatia, Belgium

Published

1 year ago

December 1, 2022

The Atlas Lions of Morocco defied all odds to win Group F ahead of Belgium, ranked second by FIFA, and last World Cup runners up, Croatia, after an impressive 2-1 defeat of Canada on Thursday.

The African team thus qualify as Group F winners to reach the knockout stages of the World Cup for the second time in its history of World Cup participation.

The Moroccans got their first goal through Hakim Ziyech after an howler from Canada goalkeeper, Milan Borjan, before Youssef En-Nesyri doubled their lead after 23 minutes with a brilliant finish.

They were however, pegged back by an own goal from Nayef Aguerd who deflected a Sam Adekugbe cross into the back of the net, giving Canada a glimmer of hope but Morocco held on in the second half despite the barrage of attacks from the Canadians.

This is the first time since 1986 that the Atlas Lions have advanced past the group stage, and only the second time ever and joins Senegal as the other African team in the knockout stages.

Cameroon and Ghana are yet to play their final group matches, and they both have a shot at booking their berth to the Round of 16 as well.

Related Topics:Africa Belgium Croatia Featured Morocco Qatar 2022 World Cup

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Sports

South Africa to host Ireland in Rugby Two-Test summer tour

Published

2 days ago

December 9, 2023

Akanimoh Etim

Current Rubgy World Cup champions, South Africa, will host Ireland, in a two-Test series in July, 2024, which will be Ireland’s first trip to the nation in eight years.

Ireland was the only country to defeat South Africa as they went on to win the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France in October.

South African Rugby Federation which made the announcement on Friday, said the two countries will first meet on Saturday, July 6, in Pretoria, with the second Test in Durban on 13 July.

When the two sides first met on South African soil in 2016, the Springboks came out victorious, edging the Three-Test series 2-1.

In the first test in the 2016 series, Ireland won 26-20 in Cape Town, before losing the next two games, 32-26 in Johannesburg and 19-13 in Port Elizabeth.

Apart from the Ireland games, SA Rugby also confirmed that the team will face Portugal on 20 July at a venue yet to be announced.

South Africa will also host New Zealand, who they beat in the World Cup final, in Johannesburg on 31 August and Cape Town on 7 September as part of the Rugby Championship before concluding their home schedule against Argentina on 28 September, the Federation said.

Sports

Zimbabwe seals last gasp winner over Ireland in T20 Series opener

Published

3 days ago

December 8, 2023

Akanimoh Etim

Host, Zimbabwe, started its 2023 T20 Series on a winning note after rallying back to defeat Ireland from 88-7 to 106-7 in their pursuit of an 118 to end the tie for victory, with the home side requiring 12 runs from as many deliveries at that point.

In the thrilling game played in Harare on Thursday, Ireland’s fightback was not enough as they fell just short as Zimbabwe sealed a last-ball win in the series opener.

Ireland had earlier taken control of the game and posted 147-8 while the hosts needed nine runs from their final over, winning it with two from Blessing Muzarabani off the last delivery.

Captain Sikandar Raza who was voted man of the match, took three wickets and scored 65 to lead their run chase.

Raza was supported with the bat by Wesley Madhevere, who scored 25, with wicketkeeper Clive Madande hitting 20.

Two further T20 contests between the sides will take place at the Harare Sports Club on Saturday and Sunday before three one-day games at the same venue on 13, 15 and 17 December.