WAFCON: Falcons battle Zambia for consolation medal – Newstrends
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WAFCON: Falcons battle Zambia for consolation medal

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3 years ago

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Super Falcons

After seeing their chances of winning the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations for the 10th time quenched by hosts Morocco, the Super Falcons turn their attention to a third-place finish as they face Zambia for the consolatory bronze medals at the Complex Mohamed V in Casablanca on Friday (today), The PUNCH reports.

The Falcons will hope to make it three out of three when they face the Copper Queens in Casablanca, having dominated their previous meetings, winning 6-0 in their first clash at the 2014 edition, before defeating the Queens 4-0 in Ghana in 2018, on their way to a ninth title.

Heading into this clash, Nigeria are the clear favourites against the Zambians, who made it past the group stages for the first time in three attempts.

This is only the third time, since the women’s tournament began in 1998, that Nigeria would play in a third-place match – winning one and losing the other.

Seeking to reach the final and retain the title they won in Ghana four years ago, the nine-time champions were eliminated by the Atlas Lionesses, who won 5-4 on penalties, after a 1-1 deadlock in regular and extra-time.

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Despite being reduced to nine players, following the sending off of Rasheedat Ajibade and Halimatu Ayinde, Falcons held Morocco and forced the game into a penalty shootout.

The duo will be highly missed, especially the Atletico Madrid forward Ajibade, who alongside Morocco’s Ghizlane Chebbak, are the tournament’s top scorer with three goals each.

Their absence will however provide an opportunity for Uchenna Kanu and Gift Monday to fill as they hope to come out victorious against the Zambians.

Also out is captain Onome Ebi, who was knocked out by a hamstring injury – that could require between six weeks to two months to recover – during the gruelling semi-final clash against Morocco on Monday.

Having picked up a World Cup ticket, Randy Waldrum’s side will hope to put their defeat behind them and get the better of Zambia, who lost to South Africa in the other semi-final.

Speaking during a press conference ahead of the game, impressive defender Ashleigh Plumptre admitted that the Falcons had a mountain to climb against the Zambians.

“We have a mountain to surmount, surely, but we are ready and will approach the game like the final match,” defender Ashleigh Plumptre said at Thursday’s pre-match conference.

On his part, head coach Waldrum remains optimistic despite missing three of his key players.

The American said, “We have two players suspended as a result of red cards in the last game, and we also have some players down with an injury. So, there will be changes but we will go for the best legs that would give us victory on Friday.”

The Queens were silenced 1-0 in their last four clash by the Banyana Banyana, with Linda Motlhalo’s last-minute penalty sending them packing.

Both the Falcons and the Queens were the victims of controversial refereeing decisions in their semi-final losses.

While the Falcons were hard done by the two red cards, the Queens saw a late penalty handed to the Banyana and both will target winning the bronze medal in this clash as some consolation.

Speaking ahead of today’s clash, Zambia head coach, Bruce Mwape, said his players had put their semi-final disappointment against South Africa behind them and were aiming to win the third-place game against Nigeria.

“We gave our all and created chances but we failed to take them and that was a mistake that we paid dearly for in the end. We have put that behind us and now, we want to win the bronze medals for our people,” Mwape said.

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Barcelona go three points clear after beating Osasuna

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2 days ago

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March 28, 2025

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Barcelona go three points clear after beating Osasuna

Barcelona beat Osasuna in their rearranged La Liga fixture to move three points clear at the top of the table.

The game was meant to be played on 8 March but was called off 20 minutes before kick-off after the death of Barcelona’s first-team doctor Carles Minarro Garcia.

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick criticised the timing of this rescheduled match, coming a day after the end of the international break – with 27-goal Raphinha missing out after travelling back from Brazil duty.

“It’s disrespectful to the club to schedule that match on that date, no matter what club it is,” Barca defender Jules Kounde told DAZN.

“I think that beyond the lack of respect for the clubs, it’s a lack of respect for the players, because we have to understand that we’re not machines.”

Kounde played a full 90 minutes plus extra time and penalties in France’s victory over Croatia in the Nations League on Sunday.

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On Thursday, the Catalans were comfortable winners at their temporary Olympic Stadium home.

Ferran Torres slid them into the lead from Alex Balde’s cross.

Dani Olmo then won a penalty after being fouled by goalkeeper Sergio Herrera.

Herrera saved Olmo’s spot-kick – but it had to be retaken because an Osasuna player encroached in the box. Olmo scored the second time around, but in a busy first half later had to be replaced because of injury.

Substitute Robert Lewandowski headed in a third goal to cap a swift counter-attack.

Barcelona, who are three points above Real Madrid and seven clear of Atletico Madrid, are next in action at home to neighbours Girona in La Liga on Sunday.

 

Barcelona go three points clear after beating Osasuna

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Messi-less Argentina thrash Brazil 4-1 to secure World Cup qualification

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4 days ago

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March 26, 2025

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Messi-less Argentina thrash Brazil 4-1 to secure World Cup qualification

Argentina qualified for the 2026 World Cup with a stunning 4-1 victory over archrivals Brazil in Buenos Aires on Tuesday.

Julian Alvarez, Enzo Fernandez, Alexis MacAllister, and Giuliano Simeone clinched an impressive victory for the world champions, who had already been assured of a World Cup spot following Bolivia’s 0-0 draw with Uruguay earlier Tuesday.

The goalless draw created a joyous mood at the Estadio Monumental before a ball was kicked, and Argentina continued the party with a scorching performance.

Alvarez of Atletico Madrid opened the scoring after only six minutes, latching onto Thiago Almada’s through cross and finishing from close range beyond Brazil goalkeeper Bento.

Argentina’s fortunes improved six minutes later when Chelsea’s Fernandez scored the hosts’ second goal of the night after Brazil’s back four failed to deal with a low cross.

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Brazil, trailing a surging Argentina, was given a lifeline on 26 minutes when Cristian Romero made a mistake, allowing Mattheus Cunha to score.

Tottenham defender Romero was caught in possession 25 yards from goal, allowing Cunha to break in and shoot low past Emiliano Martinez to make it 2-1.

However, any thoughts of a Brazilian comeback were dashed in the 37th minute with a spectacular goal by Mac Allister.

Almada was once again the provider, lofting a pass into the box, which Mac Allister met with a first-time volley to make it 3-1.

With Argentina in perfect control, Simeone scored his first international goal in the 71st minute, making the score 4-1.
Argentina won without their talisman and eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi, while Brazil were without their star forward Neymar Jr.

Both players were forced to pull out of the squad last week due to minor injuries, thwarting the chance to see the two ageing stars resume their international rivalry.

 

Messi-less Argentina thrash Brazil 4-1 to secure World Cup qualification

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Nigeria’s Super Eagles falter in W’Cup qualifiers against Zimbabwe, S’Africa lead, Egypt, Morocco qualify

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4 days ago

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March 26, 2025

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Nigeria’s Super Eagles falter in W’Cup qualifiers against Zimbabwe, S’Africa lead, Egypt, Morocco qualify

 

Nigeria’s Super Eagles on Tuesday conceded a last-minute goal that dealt a major blow to their 2026 World Cup qualifying hopes.
While the Nigerian team failed to beat Zimbabwe in their sixth game played in
Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Bafana Bafana of South Africa defeated Benin 2-0 to consolidate the top spot.

The South African team leads with 13 points from six rounds, five clear of Rwanda (which drew with Lesotho 1-1) and Benin. Nigeria stayed fourth in the group with just seven points.
Elsewhere, Egypt and Morocco all but booked their places at next year’s tournament.
In the game between Nigeria and Zimbabwe, Victor Osimhen with a powerful header put the Super Eagles on course to claim just their second win in Group C after Friday’s 2-0 victory over Rwanda had rekindled their qualification hopes.
But the 21-year-old Chirewa, a late substitute, equalized in the 90th minute to earn Zimbabwe’s draw.
Eric Chelle, Super Eagles coach, named the same line-up that started the team’s 2-0 win over Rwanda on Friday.
Washington Arubi, the Zimbabwean goalkeeper, produced a couple of impressive saves to keep Nigeria at bay.
The goalkeeper clawed out a swerving header from Osimhen before denying the striker a few minutes later with another acrobatic dive to save a shot fizzing into his top corner.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles have three more matches in September and October to finally determine their fate for the next World Cup proper.
They are to meet Rwanda, South Africa and Lesotho on September 8, October 6 and October 13 respectively.
Only the nine group winners secure automatic qualification. The four best-placed runners-up will compete to be the African contender in FIFA’s six-country playoff for the last two qualification spots at the World Cup next year in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

How They Stand Now

South Africa — 13 points
Rwanda — 8 points
Benin Republic — 8 points
Nigeria — 7 points
Lesotho — 6 points
Zimbabwe — 4 points

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