Sports

AWC Qualifiers: Nigeria stunned by Lesotho as Salah nets four against Djibouti

Published

3 weeks ago

November 17, 2023

The African edition of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers continued to throw up some surprising results as the star-studded Super Eagles of Nigeria were held to a 1-1 draw at home by the less-fancied Lesotho.

Nigeria, which paraded a team made up of Europe-based players had to come from behind to draw against the 153-ranked Lesotho which had stunned the Eagles with a shock lead early in the second half.

Despite dominating the entire match, it took defender Semi Ajayi’s late equaliser to spare Nigeria’s blushes after a Motlomelo Mkhwanazi opener.

The shock result in the Group C encounter at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Thursday evening ended Nigeria’s four-match winning streak against their visitors
who managed to hold on to secure a vital point in their World Cup qualifying journey.

In other qualifying games, Egypt spanked Djibouti 6-0, with star man, Mohamed Salah scoring four goals in front of a packed Cairo stadium to launch their bid for a place at the expanded 2026 finals.

The Liverpool star has now scored 53 goals in 93 games for his country.

It was a rare away win for Mozambique who defeated Botswana 3-2 at the Francistown Stadium, while Algeria thrashed visitors Somalia 3-1 in Group G.

Burundi won their first game in years with a 3-2 defeat of Gambia, while Sudan and Togo played out a 1-1 draw in their match played in Libya.

In Group D, Cape Verde and Angola drew 0-0, while Gabon defeated Kenya 2-1 with late goals from MLS top scorer, Denis Bouanga and Guelor Kanga.

With 40 African countries vying for the nine direct World Cup spots allocated to the continent, plus one inter-confederation playoff place, the stakes are enormous from the outset, going by the results in the opening two rounds of games.

Related Topics:Africa Egypt Featured Lesotho Super Eagles World Cup Qualifiers

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Sports

Zimbabwe seals last gasp winner over Ireland in T20 Series opener

Published

3 hours 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.

Sports

CAF Award: Osimhen, Salah, Hakimi make fiinal three shortlist

Published

1 day ago

December 7, 2023

Akanimoh Etim

In-form Nigeria and Napoli striker, Victor Osimhen, has made the final three-man list for the 2023 CAF Men’s Player of the Year Award which will hold on December 11 in Marrakesh, Morocco.

Osimhen, who had a sterling last season where he led Napoli to its first Italian league title in 33 years with 26 goals to end as the first African player to win the top scorer award in the Serie A, will battle for the crown with Egyptian captain and Liverpool star, Mohamed Salah, and Moroccan defender, Achraf Hakimi, who plays for PSG in the French Ligue One.

Many football pundits in the continent have so far tipped the Lagos-born Osimhen to pick the diadem ahead of Salah and Hakimi.

The latest to give the gong to the former Lille player was mercurial ex-Super Eagles captain, Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha, who believes Osimhen has done enough to be named CAF Player of the Year for 2023 after his exploits with his Italian club and the Eagles.

In an interview on Wednesday, Okocha said the 24-year-old Osimhen’s consistency at the highest level had won him the prestigious gong already.

“Osimhen deserves it because for me, he was the most consistent player of last season,” the former PSG midfield star said in the interview.

If Osimhen goes ahead to win the award, he will be the second Nigerian player to achieve the feat after Nwankwo Kanu who won the CAF Player of the Year Award in 1999.