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AFCON 2023: Semifinal against Nigeria will be different, says S/African coach

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3 years ago

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Bafana coach Hugo Broos

AFCON 2023: Semifinal against Nigeria will be different, says S/African coach

Hugo Bruce, South African coach, says he will approach the semi-final match against Nigeria differently from Bafana Bafana’s style in their quarter-final game against Cape Verde on Saturday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Goalkeeper Ronwen Williams was the hero as South Africa beat Cape Verde 5-3 on penalties following a goalless 120 minutes to advance to the Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals.

After an impressive four penalty saves by Williams, Bafana Bafana secured their place in the semi-finals for the first time since 2000 where they will meet Nigeria.

Bruce told newsmen at a post-match conference that the game against Nigeria would be an entirely different ‘kettle of fish.’

“The semi-final match will be different against Nigeria, which has good players like (Ademola) Lookman.

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“We will not lose focus. The players will be in good condition, so we need to rest and recover to start our preparation,” he said.

He noted that the pressure of qualifying for the semi-finals for the first time in AFCON made the game tougher, adding that winning the game by penalty shootout wasn’t a fluke.

“When we got to the penalty shootout, it was a special thing for the players, because during training they were scoring them.

“When we have a goalkeeper who stops four penalty kicks, this is not luck but a lot of hard work.

“There was a lot of pressure in the match. Everyone wanted to qualify.

“This match was unlike the previous ones. We did not show the same performance as we had in previous matches,” he said.

He also noted that not many people in South Africa believed in the team, saying that he was proud of what his boys had achieved so far.

“In spite of all the doubts, we believed in it, and the players believed in themselves as well.

“Reaching the semi-finals is in itself a good thing for South African football,” Bruce said.

AFCON 2023: Semifinal against Nigeria will be different, says S/African coach

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U-17 WWC: Umejiaku Wins Golden Ball As FIFA Announces Full List Of Award Winners

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6 hours ago

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November 8, 2026

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U-17 WWC: Umejiaku Wins Golden Ball As FIFA Announces Full List Of Award Winners
Oluebube Umejiaku
U-17 WWC: Umejiaku Wins Golden Ball As FIFA Announces Full List Of Award Winners

Nigeria’s Oluebube Umejiaku has been named the best player of the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup after helping the Flamingos win their maiden title in Morocco.

Umejiaku received the prestigious adidas Golden Ball award following her outstanding performances throughout the competition, which ended on Saturday, November 7, with Nigeria defeating Japan 2-1 in the final in Rabat.

The Nigerian forward scored the decisive second goal in the final, taking her tournament tally to four goals and capping an impressive campaign with the individual honour.

She also played a crucial role in Nigeria’s historic run, contributing to goals in all seven of the team’s matches.

U-17 WWC: Umejiaku Wins Golden Ball As FIFA Announces Full List Of Award Winners

U-17 WWC: Umejiaku Wins Golden Ball As FIFA Announces Full List Of Award Winners

DPR Korea’s Yu Jong-hyang won the Silver Ball, while Japan’s Fuki Ito received the Bronze Ball.

Despite the United States’ quarter-final elimination, forward Maddie DiMaria emerged as the tournament’s highest goalscorer, claiming the adidas Golden Boot with an impressive 12 goals.

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DiMaria scored six goals against Samoa, four against Kenya and one each against China PR and Spain.

Yu Jong-hyang received the Silver Boot, while her DPR Korea teammate Ri Ui-gyong claimed the Bronze Boot.

DPR Korea goalkeeper Kim Son-gyong was named winner of the adidas Golden Glove after helping her country secure third place in the tournament.

Japan, despite losing the final to Nigeria, received the FIFA Fair Play Trophy.

The full list of award winners is as follows:

  • Golden Ball: Oluebube Umejiaku (Nigeria)
  • Silver Ball: Yu Jong-hyang (DPR Korea)
  • Bronze Ball: Fuki Ito (Japan)
  • Golden Boot: Maddie DiMaria (United States) – 12 goals
  • Silver Boot: Yu Jong-hyang (DPR Korea)
  • Bronze Boot: Ri Ui-gyong (DPR Korea)
  • Golden Glove: Kim Son-gyong (DPR Korea)
  • FIFA Fair Play Trophy: Japan

Nigeria’s triumph marked a historic milestone as the Flamingos became the first African nation to win the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.

The team also became the first African women’s side to win a FIFA World Cup title at any level, following their remarkable 2-1 victory over Japan.

Awawu Bashiru opened the scoring for Nigeria in the 39th minute before Umejiaku doubled the advantage two minutes into the second half. Fuki Ito pulled one back for Japan in the 80th minute, but Nigeria held on to secure the historic victory.

 

U-17 WWC: Umejiaku Wins Golden Ball As FIFA Announces Full List Of Award Winners

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Messi Breaks MLS Record, Becomes First Player To Win Back-to-Back Golden Boots

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7 hours ago

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November 8, 2026

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Messi Breaks MLS Record, Becomes First Player To Win Back-to-Back Golden Boots
Messi Breaks MLS Record, Becomes First Player To Win Back-to-Back Golden Boots

Argentine football superstar Lionel Messi has made history in Major League Soccer (MLS), becoming the first player to win the league’s Golden Boot award in consecutive seasons.

The Inter Miami captain secured the 2026 Golden Boot after finishing the regular season with 26 goals, retaining the individual honour he won in 2025 when he scored 29 times.

The MLS announced the achievement on Saturday, November 7, following the conclusion of the regular season.

Messi finished ahead of FC Dallas striker Petar Musa, who scored 22 goals, while Nashville SC forward Sam Surridge came third with 21 goals.

The 39-year-old’s latest achievement further strengthens his remarkable influence on American football since joining Inter Miami in July 2023.

Despite scoring fewer goals than he did in the previous campaign, Messi remained the league’s most productive attacking player, recording 17 assists to finish with 43 goal contributions in 2026.

According to MLS statistics, he also led the competition in goals per game, averaging 0.84, and was among the leaders in multi-goal performances, recording six such matches.

His 26 goals came in 31 regular-season appearances, with only one scored from the penalty spot.

Messi’s latest Golden Boot triumph also makes him the sixth player in MLS history to win the award more than once, joining Bradley Wright-Phillips, Chris Wondolowski, Jeff Cunningham, Taylor Twellman and Preki.

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However, none of the previous winners achieved the feat in consecutive seasons, making the Argentine the first to accomplish the milestone.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner had previously claimed the 2025 Golden Boot with 29 goals and 19 assists, helping Inter Miami establish themselves among the leading teams in the competition.

His influence has extended beyond goalscoring. Messi became the first player in MLS history to record at least 40 goal contributions in consecutive regular seasons, registering 43 in 2026 after an equally impressive campaign in 2025.

The Argentine also holds the record for the most non-penalty goals in a single MLS season, having scored 28 in 2025.

Messi’s latest individual success came on the final day of the regular season when Inter Miami played out a 3-3 draw against Charlotte FC.

Although he did not score, the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain forward provided assists from two corner kicks as Miami surrendered a three-goal advantage.

The result ensured Inter Miami finished second in the Eastern Conference, securing home-field advantage for the opening stages of the MLS Cup playoffs.

Miami will face Columbus Crew in the opening round of the postseason as they seek to defend their MLS Cup title.

Messi joined Inter Miami in 2023 after leaving Paris Saint-Germain and quickly transformed the club’s fortunes, leading them to the Leagues Cup title in his debut season.

He subsequently helped the club win the Supporters’ Shield in 2024 and its first MLS Cup championship in 2025.

The latest Golden Boot award adds another milestone to an extraordinary career that has already produced eight Ballon d’Or titles, multiple domestic league championships and the 2022 FIFA World Cup with Argentina.

Messi Breaks MLS Record, Becomes First Player To Win Back-to-Back Golden Boots

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BREAKING: Flamingos Make History, Defeat Japan 2–1 to Win First FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup

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17 hours ago

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November 7, 2026

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BREAKING: Flamingos Make History, Defeat Japan 2–1 to Win First FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup

Nigeria’s Flamingos have made history after defeating Japan 2–1 to lift the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup trophy in Morocco on Saturday, November 7.

The Nigerian girls produced an impressive performance in the final to secure the country’s first-ever championship title in the competition.

Awawu Bashiru opened the scoring for Nigeria in the 38th minute of the first half with a long-range effort that slipped through the hands of Japanese goalkeeper Kou Kadowaki.

The Flamingos doubled their advantage early in the second half through Oluebube Umejiaku, who calmly lifted the ball over the advancing goalkeeper to give Nigeria a commanding 2–0 lead.

Japan fought back and reduced the deficit through Ito in the 80th minute, but the Nigerian side held on to secure a historic 2–1 victory.

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The triumph marks a major milestone for Nigerian and African football, as the Flamingos become the first African team to win the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.

Nigeria booked their place in the final after defeating Brazil 3–1 in the semi-finals, while Japan secured their ticket following a dramatic penalty shootout victory over defending champions North Korea.

The victory represents a remarkable achievement for coach Akeem Busari and his players, who have brought global recognition to Nigeria with their outstanding campaign.

The historic triumph is also Nigeria’s first title at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, having previously finished third in the 2022 edition.

Nigeria’s victory over Japan has further established the Flamingos as one of the emerging forces in women’s youth football.

BREAKING: Flamingos Make History, Defeat Japan 2–1 to Win First FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup

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