Sports

Morocco wins gold at COSAFA Beach Soccer Tournament in South Africa

Published

8 months ago

March 25, 2024

Morocco has been crowned champions of the COSAFA Beach Soccer Tournament after defeating hard-fighting Mozambique 4-3 following a pulsating 4-4 draw in the final match played at the Durban South Beach Arena in South Africa.

Morocco which was one of the invited Nations at the tournament, was a few seconds away from losing to Mozambique, trailing at 4-3 before an inspired goal from Yassir Abada took the game to extra-time and ultimately penalties, where the north African team triumphed.

During the penalty shootout, the Moroccan Beach Soccer Lions triumphed thanks to Zouhir Jabbari, Adnan Oubahri, Badr El Kraichly, and Yasser Abada who all scored to silence the Mozambicans after qualifying for the final by beating Malawi 9-6.

Mozambique got their goals through Rachide Simithe, Antonio Namape Jnr and a brace via Angelo Tomas.

Morocco was the top-ranked side going into the COSAFA Beach Soccer and their victory did not come to many as a surprise owing to their superb run of form in the game in the continent.

In the bronze medal match,
Malawi claimed the bronze with a thrilling 5-4 victory over another guest nation, Saudi Arabia, the first non-African team to compete at a COSAFA event.

It was a contest that swung one way and then the other as Malawi eventually came put on top thanks to two goals from their inspirational captain Isaac Kajam, Oblen Khumbula who also scored twice and Dala Dala.

Saudi Arabia fought hard and scored their goals through a brace each for Khaled Al Mowallad and Eslam Sarraj, and go home satisfied having said their target was a place in the semifinals when they arrived in Durban.

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Sports

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

Published

6 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).