Senegal declares national holiday to celebrate historic AFCON win

Senegal’s President Macky Sall has declared Monday, February 7, a public holiday – a paid day off – to celebrate the national football team’s first ever African Cup of Nations crown following their victory against the Pharaohs of Egypt.

The Teranga Lions triumphed on penalties over seven-time winners Egypt in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) to lift the first ever AFCON in their history.

Due to visit Comoros at the end of a trip that took in Egypt and Ethiopia, Sall has cancelled his trip to welcome the triumphant Lions on their return to Dakar at 1300 GMT Monday.

The determined Lions had a chance within four minutes to roar when Mohamed Abdelmonem brought down Saliou Ciss in the penalty area. ‘Teranga Lions’ talisman Sadio Mané stepped up to take the spot-kick against Gabaski – who saved two penalties during Egypt’s semi-final shoot-out win over Cameroon – but the heroic shot-stopper parried Mané’s effort around the post.

Despite Senegal being the better side with several scoring opportunities, no goal to separate the two sides even after extra time as Gabaski denied the Teranga Lions with incredible saves while Édouard Mendy refuses to let Salah shine at the other end.

It was Egypt who first missed a kick but Gabaski immediately restored his side’s hope when he saved Senegal’s next kick. Surprisingly, Édouard Mendy saved Egypt’s fourth kick to give Mané – who had missed a penalty early in the game – all the needed confidence to take the last kick that won Senegal its first AFCON title.

After two previous final defeats in 2002 and 2019, Aliou Cissé triumphed in what is his third final involvement.

Marie-Antoinette Katoto becomes all-time leading PSG goalscorer with 132 goals

Paris Saint-Germain women earned a 6-2 win over Guingamp on Saturday, in their matchday 14 of the Arkema Division-1 Ligue, and star striker Marie-Antoinette Katoto became the highest-ever goalscorer for the Parisians with her 131st and 132nd goal in 148 appearances.

The previous record was held by Marie-Laure Delie, who scored 131 times for the club between 2007 and 2018.

Katoto who joined PSG as a 12-year-old in 2011 and remained with the club throughout her whole youth career, is now on her way to extend the record.

Just a few months after making her professional debut with the club, the French international scored her debut goal for PSG in May 2015 against Rodez.

Marie-Antoinette Katoto, who is only 23 years old, has achieved a new world record, and Paris Saint-Germain would like to congratulate her on her achievement.

Katoto finished as the top scorer in the 2017/18 season with 22 goals throughout the campaign. Her winning goal in the Coupe de France final versus Olympique Lyonnais came in the same year she won the French championship.

The following season, the 23-year-old striker was named the league’s top scorer again, this time with 16 goals.

Toni Payne impressive in Sevilla 1-1 draw against Ohale’s Deportivo Alaves

Toni Payne played an impressive role in Sevilla’s 1-1 against Deportivo Alaves on Sunday at the

After the two defeats against Real Madrid and Villarreal CF, Sevilla showed a little more superiority in the opponent half.

The Nigerian international assisted Jessica who made a shot from the right side and beat Cornejo with power in the 29th minute before Carrillo managed to beat Sullastres to equalize in the 36th minute.

Toni Payne was the most active player in the second half, with several scoring opportunities but the Super Falcons failed to finish off with luck being she was substituted in the added time of the second half.

At the other end, her compatriot Osinachi Ohale saw the duration of game as her defensive prowess prevented the visitors from taking all maximum points.

AFCON 2021: Burkina Faso blows a 3-goal lead as Cameroon wins on penalty

Cameroon completed a remarkable comeback, recovering from 3-0 down to eventually win a dramatic penalty shootout and secure third place at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Issa Kaboré’s cross met the arriving Steeve Yago, who provided a sublime finish as he kept his half-volley on target to beat André Onana in the 24th minute.

On the 43 minutes, Kaboré with another cross from the byline was fumbled into the net by André Onana in a bizarre circumstance that required a VAR intervention to reached conclusion.

Despite the introduction of tournament top scorer Aboubakar at the break, Burkina Faso found the back of the net once again as Bertrand Traoré’s pinpoint cross was turned in at the near post by Djibril Ouattara in the 49th minute.

When we thought it’s a done game, Stephane Bahoken took advantage of a goalmouth scramble to fire home from close-range in the 71st minute, a moment that turned it for the hosts.

Aboubakar then netted brace, first from nodding a corner home in the 85th minute, then two minutes later capitalized on Soufian Farid Ouédraogo blunder to tap-in the equalizer.

Vincent Aboubakar’s eight goals at this year’s AFCON is the second-most at a single Africa Cup of Nations in the tournament’s history tied with Laurent Pokou 1970 record and was just a goal away from breaking Ndaye Mulamba (9) 1974 record.

Penalties would decide the fate of the match but Ibrahim Touré’s spot-kick was denied by Onana at 2-2 and Cameroon grabbed thee bronze medal.

FIFA U20 WWCQ: Senegal survives Morocco threat to book date with Falconets

The young Teranga Lionesses are through to the next round on a 5-4 penalty shoot-out victory over the Moroccans.

After playing a one all draw in the first leg, Senegal and Morocco refused to succumbed and settled for another 1-1 draw in the second leg at the Lat-Dior Stadium. With a 2-2 aggregate, the winner was decided via the penalty shootout.

Diallo opened the scoring for Senegal in the 33rd minute but El Amrani restored parity in the 49th minute to force a shootout but it was Senegal who emerged the eventual winner.

The Senegalese will now face off with Nigeria in an all West African final round showdown in March. The winner over the two legs will grab one of the two tickets to represent Africa at the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica.

FIFA U20 WWCQ: Black Princesses of Ghana condemn Uganda, progress to final round

The Black Princesses of Ghana power past Uganda to seal a date with Ethiopia in the final round of the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers, extending their quest to qualify for a sixth successive outing.

Having won the reversed 2-1 at the St. Mary’s Stadium in Kitende, the Black Princesses progressed on a 7-1 aggregate after winning 5-0 at the Cape Coast Stadium on Saturday.

Captain Evelyn Badu opened the scoring in the 23rd minute after sliding home a low cross from the left. Three minutes later, Abdul Salamatu doubled the lead to end the first half 2-0 in favour of Ghana.

When it seems the game would end with that scoreline, substitute Jafaru Rahama latched in from close range with just seven minutes of regular time remaining. Doris Boaduwaa then bagged a late minute brace to wrap the rout, with her first coming on the 88 minutes before scoring from the spot in the third minute of added time.

Only two teams will represent the continent at the 2022 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica.

FIFA U20 WWCQ: Falconets advance to final round with a 3-0 win over Cameroon

Nigeria’s U-20 women’s football team, Falconets are through to the final round of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers following a 3-0 win against Cameroon at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja on Saturday.

The Africa most successful age grade women’s team, Falconets were held to a 0-0 draw away against Cameroon in the first leg fixture played a fortnight ago.

A brace from Esther Onyenezide and a goal from Precious Vincent were enough as Falconets opened the newly renovated MKO stadium with a convincing victory.

Esther Onyenezide broke the deadlock in the 20th minute to put the Falconets in front while Precious Vincent doubled their advantage in the 37th minute.

Onyenezide scored her second of the game in the 72nd minute to seal a 3-0 victory for the Falconets.

The Nigerian side will now play the winner between Senegal and Morocco and a victory in the next qualification stage will seal the Falconets place at the 2022 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup scheduled for Costa Rica in August this year.

The Super Falcons were all present at the stadium to cheer the sterling performance of the ladies.

The Super falcons will be delibrate in their approach as they aim to replicate or better today’s scoreline as they confront the lady Elephants of Ivory Coast in the last leg of the AWCON qualifier on the 18th of Febuary in the same stadium.

Patience Ndidi To Officiate Ghana vs Uganda Match

Nigerian referee, Patience Madu Ndidi has been appointed to officiate the second leg fixture of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifier between the Black Princesses of Ghana and the Young Crested Cranes of Uganda.

The 33-year-antique FIFA referee will be assisted by compatriots Mimisen Agatha Iyorhe (Assistant I), Beauty Kabeda Terah (Assistant II) and Hannah Elaigwe (Fourth Referee).

The famous referee handled the Ghana (Black Maidens) and Liberia game in March 2020.

Ghana holds a 2-1 advantage from the first leg and will be hosting their Ugandan opponent at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium today, February 5, at 3pm.

NNL rejects home grounds of four Clubs ahead of the new season

The Nigeria National League (NNL) led by the Chief Operating Officer has announced a new home grounds for four clubs ahead of the new season.

The affected clubs are Adamawa United, Apex Krane, J’Atete And Malumfashi Football Club.

In a statement released by NNL on Friday, these teams have been moved to another Stadia to prosecute the 2021/2022 season due to the poor condition of their respective pitches.

“Nigeria national league (NNL) have announced that, Adamawa United, Apex Krane, J’Atete and Malumfashi football clubs will have their home matches in its fresh season which begins on Friday February 11, 2022 at designated centres across the country played kilometers away from their traditional home grounds,” the statement reads.

Adamawa United has been moved to the Pantami International Stadium, in Gombe State from Township stadium in Fufore, Yola.

Apex Krane of Agbor were moved to the Stephen Keshi Stadium in the capital city of the ‘Big Heart’ state from Agbor Township Stadium, Delta State.

Malumfashi FC will play their home games at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium in Katsina instead of the Township stadium in Malumfashi.

J’Atete FC will now use the Warri Township Stadium and not the Otu-Jeremi Stadium Ughelli in Delta State.

With twenty-two (22) matches to be played in the first week in both the North and South conferences, NNL have warned other clubs given provisional approval to complete upgrading of facilities in their venues before time or face relocation to other venues for their home matches.

Lokoja Confluence Stadium Complex also inspected ahead of the commencement of the League in a week’s time.

FIFA U20 WWC Qualifier: Rediet Asresahegn’s brace overturn first leg defeat to advance Ethiopia to the final qualifying round

Rediet Asresahegn’s brace helped Ethiopia secure a 2-0 (agg. 2-1) victory over Tanzania and a spot in the final round of the African U20 Women’s World Cup Qualification.

The reigning CECAFA U20 women champions turned a 0-1 first leg deficit to aa massive comeback.

Ridet Assrasang break the deadlock in the 31st minute and could have double the lead before halftime but, Tanzania’s goalkeeper, Asha Mrisho denied the hosts from the penalty spot in the 40th minute.

However, her second would come in the 76th minute as Ethiopia overturn first leg defeat to advance to the final round of the qualifiers.

Ethiopia will meet the winner of the Ghana – Uganda clash in the final round of qualifiers, where the winner of the final round will book a slot for Costa Rica 2022.

Only two teams will represent the continent at the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup.