Sports

AFCON: South Africa edges past DR Congo in third place match

Published

10 months ago

February 10, 2024

South Africa on Saturday picked up her second bronze medal in the African Nations Cup (AFCON) after defeating the Democratic Republic of Congo 6-5 on penalties following a goalless 90 minutes.

Once again, it was South Africa goalkeeper, Ronwen Williams, who turned out the hero for Bafana Bafana, saving two of DRC’s penalties to see them claim third spot for the second time.

DRC was heading for a win after Mokoena missed his spot kick but with the scores at 4-4 and Congo needing to convert their last kick, Williams rose up to the occasion by first denying captain Chancel Mbemba’s kick before proving that his heroics against Cape Verde was no fluke when he denied Meschack Elia in sudden death.

Congo had dominated much of the play after South African coach Hugo Broos decided to field a second string side but were wasteful in front of goal as they missed many scoring chances that would have ended the game in regulation time.

With the defeat, DR Congo missed the chance to add to its continental trophy since winning the African cup in 1974, though under the name Zaire.

Related Topics:AFCON Bronze DR Congo Featured South Africa

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Sports

TP Mazembe pip AS FAR to win African Women’s Champions League

Published

13 hours ago

November 24, 2024

Isaac Dachen

TP Mazembe of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) became the third team to win the 2024 African Women’s Champions League after narrowly defeating AS FAR of Morocco 1-0 in the final played on Sunday at the El Jadida’s Stade Ben Ahmed El Abdi Stadium.

TP Mazembe claimed the title for the first time courtesy of a 10th minute penalty which was converted by Marlene Kasaj after AS FAR captain Aziza Rabbah handled the ball in the box.

The Congolese side should have doubled their lead six minutes later when an unmarked Merveille Kanjinga fired wide from seven yards out before the more fancied home team gradually grew into the match and looked to cancel the deficit and add to their continental triumph in 2022.

But AS FAR put in a subdued display and failed to test Mazembe’s goalkeeper Fideline Ngoy, with tournament top scorer Doha El Madani who had netted six goals in their run to the final, wasting their best chance as she sliced a first-half free-kick wide.

With the triumph, TP Mazembe carted home the giant trophy and a cheque for $600,000 (£479,000) after the prize money was increased for the fourth edition of the tournament, while the AS FAR went home with $400,000 (£319,000).

Sports

Wafcon 2024 draw throws up interesting pairings

Published

2 days ago

November 23, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The draw for the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) holding in Morocco from July 5 to 26 next year which was held on Friday, threw up some interesting match-ups to look forward to as hosts Morocco found themselves in what has been described as the group of death.

The Atlas Lionesses will have to contend with Zambia, DR Congo and Senegal in Group A, while Group B has record 11-time continental champions, the Super Falcons of Nigeria slugging it out with Tunisia, Algeria and Botswana, just as current defending champions, Banyana Banyana of South Africa will do battle with Ghana, Mali and Tanzania in Group C.

The top two sides in each group will progress to the quarter-finals, alongside the two best third-placed finishers.

Though qualification for the 2024 Wafcon was completed in December last year, the Confederation of African Football (CAF), was forced to push the finals into 2025 because of international football’s congested calendar, which included the participation of Nigeria and Zambia at the Olympics.

Morocco also staged the 2022 edition of Wafcon, ending as runners-up, and former international Fatiha Laassiri believes home support will provide “a real advantage” next year.

Wafcon 2024 group draw with world ranking in brackets:

Group A: Morocco (hosts, 59), Zambia (62), Senegal (83), DR Congo (102).

Group B: Nigeria (36), Tunisia (78), Algeria (84), Botswana (153).

Group C: South Africa (holders, 50), Ghana (66), Mali (81), Tanzania (145).