Sports

Heartbreak for Ons Jabeur as she loses second Wimbledon final

Published

1 year ago

July 16, 2023

It was another heart break for Tunisian tennis star, Ons Jabeur after she lost her second Wimbledon final in two years following her defeat on Saturday by unseeded Marketa Vondrousova of Czech Republic.

Jabuer, who is seeded sixth in the WTA, lost 6-4, 6-4 to Vondrousova who made history as the first unseeded Grand Slam champion in the open era.

The defeat also means Jabuer’s quest to become the first African woman to win a Grand Slam will have to wait.

Jabeur is also still searching for her first Grand Slam title having also reached the final of the US Open last year, but despite pundits rating her above the 24-year-old Vondrousova, let a volley of unforced errors to mar her chances.

After the game, a tearful Jabeur told journalists she would try and come back stronger next year.

“I will try but this is very, very tough but I’m gonna look ugly in the photos so,” Jabeur said.

“I think this is the most painful loss of my career so. First I wanna say congratulations to Marketa and her team for this amazing win. You are an amazing player and I know you had a lot of injuries so I’m very happy for you.

“I don’t know, it’s just going to be a tough day for me today but I’m not going to give up and I’m going to come back stronger.

“It’s an amazing tournament for me I wish I continued until the end I wanna thnk my team for always believing in me and we’re going to make it one day, I promise you.

“Thank you guys for coming thank you for cheering for me, the energy is amazing. I really appreciate your support, it’s been a tough journey but that’s tennis but I promise I’ll come back one day and win this tournament.”

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Sports

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

Published

3 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

1 day 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).