Sports
Senegal defeats Egypt to win first-ever AFCON title
The Senegalese national team on Sunday defeated Egypt to win the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The pulsating and energy-sapping encounter was decided via penalties after a goalless 120 minutes.
Four minutes into the game, Senegal had a great opportunity to take the lead. Saliou Cisse made a fine run off the ball and chipped it over Emam Ashour, after which he darted into the box. Mohamed Abelmonem was caught on his heels and he brought down the left-back.
Egyptian goalkeeper, Abou Gabal Gabaski, denied Sadio Mane from the penalty spot. The Liverpool man elected for power and smoked it down the middle. Gabaski dived to his right, got his hands to the ball and palmed it away.
Minutes later, Ismaila Sarr put another dangerous cross into the box. Emam Ashour threw himself at the ball but missed it, and although it fell to Mane, the Liverpool attacker couldn’t control it as it bounced out of the penalty area.
Mo Salah, who had just a few chances throughout the game, eventually found himself in possession on the right wing.
He went on a brilliant run into the box, shaking off a couple of tackles and avoiding four defenders before rolling the ball onto his left foot and firing off a shot. Edouard Mendy dropped to his left and smothered the ball to deny the Egyptian captain an opener.
Apart from Sadio Mane missing a penalty, the game played out as predicted in the first stanza. Senegal were more aggressive, creating a lot more chances.
In the second half, the pattern did not change. Senegal’s attack repeatedly came agonisingly close to scoring the first goal but they were always denied by the Egyptian shot-stopper.
At full time, it ended in a goalless draw, sending the game to extra time — and with the stalemate remaining unchanged after an added 30 minutes, penalties were needed.
The Teranga Lions held their nerve to win 4-2 on penalties, with Sadio Mane netting the decisive kick.
Sports
South African FA president, Danny Jordaan arrested over misappropriation of funds
Danny Jordaan, the president of the South African Football Association (SAFA), has been arrested for alleged misappropriation of R1.3 million.
According to the South African police service, the 73-year-old was apprehended on Wednesday in Johannesburg.
Police said Jordaan used the federation’s resources for his gain, “including hiring a private security company for personal protection and a Public Relations company without authorisation from the SAFA Board”.
Authorities added that alleged misappropriation happened between 2014 and 2018.
“The Serious Commercial Crime Investigation charged with probing the allegations executed search seizure warrants, 08 March 2024 at the South African Football Association’s office where an assortment of electronic gadgets and files were seized for further investigation, thus leading to the arrest,” the statement reads.
Gronie Hluyo, SAFA chief financial officer, and Trevor Neethling were also arrested.
The trio are due to appear in court later on Wednesday.
Sports
Gift Atulewa, ex-Flying Eagles player, dies after battling high blood pressure
Gift Atulewa, the former Flying Eagles player, is dead.
In a chat with TheCable, Azuka Chiemeka, spokesperson for the Delta State Football Association, said the ex-footballer died on Tuesday morning.
Chiemeka said Atulewa died after suffering complications from high blood pressure, which the ex-footballer had been battling for a while.
The DSFA spokesperson added that the ex-footballer’s remains have been taken to the Central Hospital in Warri.
Atulewa was a member of the Flying Eagles squad that participated in the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship in the Netherlands.
The team, which had Mikel Obi, Chinedu Obasi, and Taiye Taiwo, finished with a silver medal after losing to Lionel Messi’s Argentina in the final.
Atulewa played professional football for Bayelsa United F.C. before moving to Ocean Boys F.C. and Warri Wolves F.C.
He had recently returned from Cote d’Ivoire, where he earned a coaching certificate.
Sports
French footballer Ben Yedder gets suspended jail term for sexual assault
Former France international footballer Wissam Ben Yedder received a suspended two-year jail sentence on Tuesday for sexually assaulting a woman in September.
Ben Yedder, 34, is the former captain of French Ligue 1 side Monaco and is second on the club’s list of all-time leading goalscorers. He left Monaco at the end of last season and has been without a club since.
On the evening of September 6, Ben Yedder met a woman during an inebriated outing and invited her into his car, according to the investigation.
There, the woman told police, he performed a sex act in front of her.
The woman immediately filed a complaint with police, who arrested Ben Yedder later that night.
“I don’t remember anything, I can’t say if I did it. It’s because of alcohol that I’m here,” Ben Yedder, who entered a rehab programme after the incident, said during the trial. He did not attend the sentencing on Tuesday.
Ben Yedder is also the defendant in another case going to trial in December in which he is charged with psychological violence against his wife. The couple is in the process of divorcing.
Ben Yedder also stands accused by another woman of raping her in the summer of 2023. Police are still investigating that claim.
He has denied both accusations.
Ben Yedder started his professional career in Toulouse before moving to Spanish side Sevilla.
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