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Zambia thumps Congo 4-2 in thrilling World Cup qualifier

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The Chipolopolo of Zambia kickstarted their African 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign on a sound footing by thumping Congo Brazzaville 4-2 in a thrilling encounter played at Ndola’s Levy Mwanawasa Stadium on Friday.

The Zambian team began the goal rout with a brace from former Leicester striker, Patson Daka, before Italy-based forward, Lameck Banda and Fashion Sakala added a goal each to take the east Africans to the summit of Group E.

Zambia had drawn the first blood through Daka early in the 5th minute of the match but the Congolese soon responded with two quick goals in the space of two minutes from Silvere and Bons Bassouamina to cause panic for the home team.

Congo got the equalizer in the 13th minute through Silvere before taking the lead two minutes later after a Bassouamina goal.

But in the 31st minute, Banda struck Zambia’s equalizer from six yards out.

The Copper Bullets were denied another goal in the 36th minute when a Fashion goal was ruled offside.

Banda’s goal was a beauty to behold as he picked up a loose ball from outside the box and dribbled past a Congolese defender inside the eighteen yard box before firing home to restore parity at the stroke of half time.

Zambia took control of the second half and continued to dominate possession but it was not until the 70th minute that Fashion scored from a Banda cross to put Zambia ahead for the second time in the match.

Zambia will travel to Niger Republic next week Tuesday in the quest for a maiden World Cup appearance.

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FIFA officially confirms Morocco 2030 World Cup co-host

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World football governing body, FIFA, has officially confirmed Morocco as the co-host of the 2030 world cup along with Spain and Portugal, which will make the north African country the second nation in the continent to host the tournament after South Africa in 2010.

The announcement, which was made on Wednesday by FIFA President Gianni Infantino during FIFA’s virtual extraordinary Congress, also awarded the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia.

The Spain, Portugal and Morocco
joint bid code-named “Yalla Vamos,” represents the collaborative effort between the three countries aimed at uniting different continents through sport’s universal language.

President of Morocco’s Football Federation (FRMF), Fouzi Lekjaa who spoke on the development, emphasized the importance of the bid, extending his thanks to FIFA and the football community for contributing to making Morocco’s hosting the event possible.

Lekjaa stressed that the decision is a testament to the three countries’ commitment to growth and development, noting that sports, especially football serve as a powerful leverage for socio-economic progress and the betterment of humanity.

The bid which was presented with a captivating visual presentation, showcasing iconic football players who represent the three countries, including Portugal’s Luis Figo and Morocco’s Nordin Naybet.

The presentation underlined the unique strengths of each host nation, spotlighting their football legacy alongside touristic landmarks, culinary traditions, and cultural heritage.

One of the key infrastructure highlights is the planned 5,000-kilometer railway network that aims to connect Lisbon, Madrid, and Casablanca in just three hours.

The World Cup tournament carries special significance as it marks exactly 100 years since Uruguay hosted the inaugural World Cup in 1930 and in this sense, the 2030 edition will feature a unique format, beginning with three opening matches in South America before moving to the main hosts for the remaining 101 matches scheduled between June 13 and July 21, 2030.

Six Moroccan cities, Rabat, Casablanca, Fez, Tangier, Marrakech, and Agadir, will host matches, requiring significant infrastructure upgrades.

The 2030 World Cup marks a significant achievement for Morocco after five unsuccessful bids spanning three decades.

The tournament will begin with symbolic matches in Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay on June 8 and 9, 2030, commemorating the centenary of the first World Cup, before moving to Morocco, Spain, and Portugal for the remainder of the competition.

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For swearing during news conference, Verstappen to do ‘public interest’ work in Rwanda

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Formula 1 world champion, Max Verstappen, has been mandated to do an activity with junior competitors in Rwanda after swearing in a news conference at the Singapore Grand Prix.

The punishment was slammed on Verstappen by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), or International Automobile Federation, the governing body for many international motor sports, including Formula 1.

According to reports, the world champion was ordered to complete some “work of public interest” for the transgression, a punishment he described as “ridiculous” at the time.

The FIA said after the season-closing Abu Dhabi Grand Prix that Verstappen’s duty would coincide with its prize-giving in the African country’s capital next week.

The top three drivers in the F1 world championship are required by regulation to attend the end-of-season FIA prize-giving ceremony with Verstappen’s punishment tagged on to the mandatory trip.

“While in Kigali, Verstappen will undertake some work with junior competitors as part of the grassroots development programme organised by the Rwanda Automobile Club (RAC),” the FIA said in a statement.

“The activity will involve an FIA affordable cross car which was built locally in Rwanda by the RAC from blueprints provided by the FIA,” it added.

Verstappen’s penalty is along with a fine for Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc for a similar offence at the Mexico City Grand Prix, led the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association to publish an open letter asking the FIA to treat them like adults.

The letter also criticised the FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who has caused widespread dismay in F1 at his actions this year, for his tone and language when addressing the topic.

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