Pyramids score late to win African Super Cup
CAIRO :Pyramids of Egypt snatched the African Super Cup with a late goal from striker Fiston Mayele as they beat Renaissance Berkane 1-0 in Cairo on Saturday.
Congo Sport News
Mayele wins CAF Super Cup for Pyramids
JOHANNESBURG: Star striker Mahmoud Mayele scored the only goal of the game as Pyramids of Egypt Renaissance Berkane of Morocco 1-0 in the CAF Super Cup match on Saturday in Cairo. The 31-year-old from the Democratic Republic of Congo struck on 75 minutes in the annual clash between the holders of the CAF Champions League and the second-tier CAF Confederation Cup.
Milan confirm Pulisic hamstring injury on US duty
MILAN: Christian Pulisic was confirmed by AC Milan on Friday to have injured his right hamstring while playing in a friendly for the United States this week. “An MRI scan performed today revealed a low-grade tear in his right hamstring,” Milan said, adding Pulisic “will be reevaluated in approximately 10 days.” Injuries like that can heal in as few as three weeks and a city derby against Inter Milan on Nov. 23 is one target for Pulisic’s return.
Jenni Hermoso recalled by new Spain women’s coach for Nations League semifinals
The forward for Mexican club Tigres has not played for Spain in a yearNew Spain coach Sonia Bermúdez recalled the 35-year-old Hermoso to her squad on Friday MADRID: Spain’s all-time top scorer Jenni Hermoso will return to the national team after being included in the first squad named by its new coach.Hermoso made global headlines when she denounced being kissed against her wishes by the former president of Spain’s soccer federation during the awards ceremony of the 2023 Women’s World Cup final in Sydney, Australia.The forward for Mexican club Tigres has not played for Spain in a year and was dropped from the team ahead of the 2024 European Championship, when the world champions finished runners-up.New Spain coach Sonia Bermúdez recalled the 35-year-old Hermoso to her squad on Friday. Bermúdez replaced former coach Montse Tomé, whose contract was not renewed by the federation after the Euros in August.The kiss by former boss Luis Rubiales led to calls for a national reckoning over sexism in sport and to his conviction for sexual assault in February.Bermúdez also recalled Barcelona central defender Mapi León, who has not played for Spain since she was part of a player revolt against then former coach Jorge Vilda in September 2022.Vilda kept his job through the 2023 Women’s World Cup but was fired shortly afterward when he backed Rubiales.
Cape Verde erupts in celebration after first World Cup qualification
PRAIA, Cape Verde: A carnival-like atmosphere erupted in the streets of Cape Verde’s capital Praia recently after the tiny archipelago nation qualified for the World Cup for the first time. Honking horns and street fireworks greeted euphoric fans pouring out of the Cape Verde National Stadium following the 3-0 victory over Eswatini, which secured the Blue Sharks a place in the 2026 finals, to be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico. In the street, people danced to the sound of reggae tunes and local funana music.
‘Very unlucky’ Odegaard faces weeks out, says Arteta
LONDON: Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said on Friday that captain Martin Odegaard could be missing until after the November international break due to the Norwegian’s latest injury setback. Odegaard set an unwanted record by becoming the first player in Premier League history to be substituted before half-time in three consecutive starts when he came off with a knee injury against West Ham on October 3. The 26-year-old had previously struggled with a recurring shoulder problem this season. “It will be weeks. No definite date for his return, but he’s evolving well.
Pairings set for next month’s African World Cup playoffs
ZURICH: Nigeria will take on Gabon and Cameroon will play the Democratic Republic of Congo in the World Cup African playoff semifinals next month, the latest FIFA rankings have confirmed. The four countries all advanced to the playoffs as the best runners-up across the nine African groups. There is the possibility of an added slot for Africa at next year’s finals with the winners of next month’s playoffs advancing to an intercontinental playoff tournament in March from which the last two World Cup places will be decided. The pairings for the African playoffs have the highest-ranked team in the FIFA rankings of October 23 playing the lowest-ranked, while the second-highest face the third-highest. FIFA, however, issued the October rankings on Friday, earlier than it had previously scheduled. Nigeria rose to 41st with Cameroon 54th and DR Congo 60th. Gabon jumped two places to 77th from the September 18 rankings. The semis will be on November 13 before a deciding match three days later, with the winners progressing. Morocco is hosting next month’s playoffs but the venues are yet to be announced. The group phase of the African qualifiers concluded on Tuesday with all the group winners qualifying automatically for next year’s tournament in Canada, Mexico and the US
Have the UAE missed a golden chance of World Cup return?
DUBAI: A dream delayed or never destined to materialize?