Sports
South Africa FA abandons Super Falcons after win over Banyana Banyana
South Africa FA abandons Super Falcons after win over Banyana Banyana
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has disclosed that the South Africa Football Association (SAFA) neglected their duties towards the Super Falcons after failing to secure the 2024 Paris Olympics ticket.
After securing a crucial 1-0 victory over the Banyana Banyana in Abuja last Friday, the Super Falcons clinched a hard-fought scoreless draw to secure Nigeria’s spot in the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament for the first time in 16 years.
Ruth David, the NFF’s Director of Competitions, recounted the ordeal, stating that SAFA officials abandoned the Super Falcons immediately after the final whistle by Tunisian referee Dorsaf Ganouati confirmed Nigeria’s qualification.
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“SAFA officials made it clear that they were washing their hands off any further responsibilities. They refused to provide transportation, stating that their obligations ended with the final whistle. They only escorted us back to the hotel and withdrew security personnel from the delegation,” David explained.
David commended the efforts of Mr. Alexander Tope Ajayi, the Charge d’Affaires in the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria, for his support. Ajayi ensured the team’s comfort upon their arrival, organized dinner, and arranged transportation for Nigerian supporters in Pretoria.
Nigeria’s delegation returned to the country on Wednesday night following the game. While some players and Coach Randy Waldrum departed for their destinations from Johannesburg, eight players and other team officials flew back to Lagos aboard a South African Airways flight.
Captain Rasheedat Ajibade’s decisive penalty secured the Falcons’ victory, booking their ticket to France. However, the Banyana Banyana will miss out on a second Olympics appearance after their debut in London 12 years ago.
South Africa FA abandons Super Falcons after win over Banyana Banyana
Sports
Newcastle stun Liverpool to secure Carabao Cup victory
Newcastle stun Liverpool to secure Carabao Cup victory
Newcastle United clinched their first domestic trophy in 70 years with a stunning 2-1 victory over Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley on Sunday. Goals from Dan Burn and Alexander Isak sealed a historic win, igniting celebrations among the club’s passionate supporters.
Defender Burn put Newcastle ahead just before halftime, powering in a header from a corner to send the black-and-white-clad fans into raptures
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Buoyed by their lead, Newcastle doubled their advantage in the 52nd minute when Swedish forward Isak coolly slotted the ball past Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher.
Premier League leaders Liverpool pulled one back deep into stoppage time through Federico Chiesa, but it was too little, too late as Eddie Howe’s side held firm to lift their first major domestic trophy since 1955.
Newcastle stun Liverpool to secure Carabao Cup victory
Sports
EPL: Merino header gives Arsenal slim win over Chelsea
EPL: Merino header gives Arsenal slim win over Chelsea
Chelsea’s challenge for a place in next season’s Champions League faltered in a toothless 1-0 defeat at Arsenal on Sunday as Fulham beat Tottenham 2-0.
Mikel Merino scored the only goal of a disappointing contest at the Emirates as Arsenal pulled clear in second place and to within 12 points of runaway leaders Liverpool.
Chelsea badly missed the presence of the absent Cole Palmer due to illness as they meekly surrendered to a damaging defeat for their hopes of a top-four finish.
The Blues remain in fourth for now but have five sides from Manchester City in fifth to Aston Villa in ninth within four points of Enzo Maresca’s team.
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Arsenal have struggled badly for goals since the loss of Kai Havertz to a season-ending injury has forced midfielder Merino into a makeshift centre-forward role.
The Spanish international proved the match winner from a corner as he looped a header from Martin Odegaard’s delivery inside the far post on 20 minutes.
Chelsea barely threatened but were nearly gifted a route back into the game when David Raya fumbled Marc Cucurella’s shot and the ball trickled wide.
At the other end, Chelsea’s Robert Sanchez made a brilliant stop to prevent Merino doubling Arsenal’s lead with the best effort of the second half.
But the game petered out with little goalmouth action as a limp performance will do little to quieten the critics of Maresca’s style of play among the Chelsea support.
EPL: Merino header gives Arsenal slim win over Chelsea
Sports
Chelsea beat Man City to win Women’s League Cup
Chelsea beat Man City to win Women’s League Cup
Chelsea edged past Manchester City in the Women’s League Cup final to win their first trophy under Sonia Bompastor and keep their bid for a historic quadruple alive.
Bompastor has exceeded expectations since succeeding Emma Hayes as head coach last May, winning 26 of her 28 games.
Mayra Ramirez netted an early opener for Chelsea, bundling in a rebound that bounced off City skipper Laia Aleixandri at Derby County’s Pride Park.
Aoba Fujino levelled after the break with a stunning strike, but an own goal by Yui Hasegawa restored Chelsea’s lead and ended their three-year losing streak in League Cup finals.
“It feels great, for sure. I’m really happy,” Bompastor said.
“From the beginning of the season we said we are going to be ambitious and when you have the opportunity to win a first title that is always really positive so I am really happy for that reason and I am really proud of my players.”
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City, who were playing their first game under interim boss Nick Cushing following Gareth Taylor’s sacking five days ago, dominated play after Chelsea’s opener.
But they were unable to find a way through during the first half as Chelsea’s solid centre-back paring of Millie Bright and Nathalie Bjorn stood firm, limiting City’s chances to ambitious efforts from the edge of the box.
Chelsea appeared to regain control after the interval, but Fujino’s powerful strike flew past Hannah Hampton and into the roof of the net before Hasegawa’s own goal handed momentum back to Bompastor’s side.
They remain in the hunt for the Champions League and FA Cup, while they have all but secured a sixth successive Women’s Super League (WSL) title, sitting eight points clear at the top of the table with six games remaining.
This final marked the start of an intense 12-day battle, with Chelsea and City playing each other four times in a row.
Chelsea beat Man City to win Women’s League Cup
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