Global Pulse

分类： sports

  • Italy’s World Cup nightmare continues after shoot-out defeat to Bosnia

    Italy’s World Cup nightmare continues after shoot-out defeat to Bosnia

    Four-time World Cup champion Italy has etched a deeply unwanted place in global soccer history, becoming the first former tournament winner to miss out on three straight World Cup finals after a devastating penalty shootout defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina in Tuesday’s qualification play-off final. The shocking 4-1 result on penalties in Zenica ended Italy’s hopes of reaching this summer’s 26-team tournament co-hosted by Canada, the United States and Mexico, and extended one of the most painful droughts in international soccer.

    The match began with a fast start that seemed to point toward an Italian victory. Italian striker Moise Kean got his side on the board in the 15th minute, capitalizing on a catastrophic error from Bosnia goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj. Under intense pressure from Mateo Retegui, Vasilj played a direct pass straight to Italy’s Nicolo Barella, who quickly slipped a through ball to Kean. The Juventus forward curled a clinical finish past Vasilj from the edge of the 18-yard box, notching his eighth international goal in just six appearances to put Italy ahead.

    Bosnia refused to fold, however, and began to pile consistent pressure on the Italian defense, amplified by a game-changing red card four minutes before halftime. Italy defender Alessandro Bastoni was ejected for a crude, late chop on Bosnia’s Amar Memic, leaving the Azzurri down to 10 men for more than an hour of play. The home crowd erupted, sensing an opening that the Bosnian side fully exploited for the rest of regulation.

    Down a man, Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso adjusted his formation to absorb relentless Bosnian pressure, but the equalizer finally arrived in the 79th minute. After Edin Dzeko’s header was parried off the goal line by Italy keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, substitute Haris Tabakovic poked the loose ball into the net to level the score, sending the tie to extra time. The additional 30 minutes were just as tense: Italian players were furious that a second red card was not issued to Tarik Muharemovic for a foul on a breaking Marco Palestra, but Donnarumma’s two outstanding saves on headers from Dzeko and Ermedin Demirovic kept the score level to force penalties.

    The penalty shootout turned into a disaster for Italy from the very first kick. Pio Esposito hammered his opening effort well over the crossbar, and when Bryan Cristante’s subsequent strike clattered off the bar, Italy was already on the brink. Esmir Bajraktarevic converted the decisive spot-kick, squeezing his shot under Donnarumma to seal the historic win for Bosnia, sparking wild pitch invasions from thousands of elated home fans.

    For Bosnia, the result books their spot in Group B of this summer’s World Cup, paired with co-host Canada, Switzerland and Qatar. This marks just the second time the Balkan nation has qualified for the World Cup finals, with their only previous appearance coming back in 2014. “They’re guys with character. We have guys we’re proud of,” Bosnia coach Sergej Barbarez said after the match, joking that his goal was to qualify for a major tournament every two years.

    For Italy, the defeat extends a stunning streak of failure that began eight years ago. It marks the third consecutive World Cup the Azzurri have missed, following play-off eliminations at the hands of Sweden in 2018 and North Macedonia in 2022. They are the first ever World Cup winner to miss three straight editions of the tournament, a record that will stand as a dark mark on one of European soccer’s most successful programs.

    In the aftermath of the defeat, a visibly emotional Gattuso said he could not fault his team’s effort. “I don’t think the boys deserved to suffer such a blow, for the performance, the effort and the heart that they showed tonight… I’m proud of the boys,” he told reporters. “It’s difficult to digest.” When asked about his own future as head coach, Gattuso said that discussion was not important in the moment. Italian Football Federation president Gabriele Gravina later clarified that federation officials had asked Gattuso to stay on, and that the coach would not resign.

    The defeat also added an extra layer of embarrassment for Italian soccer, after footage emerged of multiple Italian players celebrating Bosnia’s semi-final penalty win over Wales just days earlier. That decision looks even more ill-advised after Bosnia’s focused, physical performance earned them a spot at the finals at Italy’s expense.

  • Woods ‘stepping away’ to focus on health after DUI arrest

    Woods ‘stepping away’ to focus on health after DUI arrest

    Golfing icon Tiger Woods has confirmed he will step away from professional competition to seek treatment and focus on his personal health, just days after his arrest on misdemeanor driving under the influence charges stemming from a car crash near his Florida residence. The 15-time major championship winner collided with a trailer pulled by a pickup truck last Friday, close to his Jupiter Island home, in an incident that left his sport utility vehicle overturned on its side. Remarkably, neither Woods nor the pickup truck driver suffered any physical injuries in the crash.

    Law enforcement officers responding to the scene assessed Woods as impaired behind the wheel. Officers documented in their official accident report that Woods displayed multiple visible signs of impairment: he was sweating heavily, moved slowly and lethargically, had bloodshot, glassy eyes, and stumbled while walking, favoring his right side. Authorities also found two hydrocodone pills, a prescription opioid painkiller commonly used to manage chronic pain, in Woods’ possession. A breathalyzer test conducted at the scene detected no alcohol in his system, and Woods refused to complete a required urine test, leading to an additional charge of refusing a lawful chemical test.

    Woods has entered a not guilty plea to all charges, telling investigators that his attention was distracted by adjusting his car radio and checking his mobile phone, which caused him to miss that traffic ahead had slowed down. He has waived his scheduled arraignment and formally requested a jury trial to resolve the case. He was released from Martin County Jail shortly after posting bond the same night as his arrest.

    In a public statement released Tuesday, the 50-year-old golfer acknowledged the gravity of his current situation. “I know and understand the seriousness of the situation I find myself in today,” Woods said. “I am stepping away for a period of time to seek treatment and focus on my health. This is necessary in order for me to prioritize my well-being and work toward lasting recovery.”

    Woods’ long history of debilitating sports injuries and major medical procedures is well-documented. The golf star survived a catastrophic 2021 single-car crash in Southern California that left him with multiple compound fractures in his right leg and a shattered ankle that required emergency surgery. He has since undergone seven separate back surgeries and more than 20 procedures on his injured leg, he told responding officers last week. Most recently, he underwent back surgery in October 2024 and suffered a ruptured left Achilles tendon in March 2025. He has not competed in a top-tier professional golf tournament since the 2024 British Open, though he did participate in a TGL indoor simulator golf event last week and had publicly discussed a potential return to competition at the upcoming Masters tournament. He previously made a widely celebrated return to the Masters in 2022, finishing 47th despite severe difficulty walking the full 72 holes at Augusta National.

    Woods is still scheduled to attend the traditional Champions Dinner at Augusta National next week, ahead of the 90th running of the Masters tournament. In closing his statement, Woods emphasized his commitment to long-term recovery, saying he is taking the necessary time to rebuild his health for both his personal and professional life. “I’m committed to taking the time needed to return in a healthier, stronger, and more focused place, both personally and professionally,” he wrote. “I appreciate your understanding and support, and ask for privacy for my family, loved ones and myself at this time.”

  • Tuanzebe sends DR Congo back to World Cup after 52 years

    Tuanzebe sends DR Congo back to World Cup after 52 years

    After more than half a century of waiting, the Democratic Republic of Congo has secured its spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with a 100th-minute strike from naturalized defender Axel Tuanzebe sealing a dramatic 1-0 intercontinental play-off final victory over Jamaica at Mexico’s Guadalajara Stadium. This breakthrough ends the Central African nation’s 52-year absence from the world’s biggest football tournament, marking their first qualification since the country competed as Zaire at the 1974 edition.

    Tuanzebe, a 28-year-old who only made his DR Congo debut in 2024 after switching allegiance from his former youth international role with England, entered the match already calling it the biggest contest of his career. Born in Bunia, a city caught in the ongoing eastern DR Congo conflict, his decisive goal has cemented his place as a national hero in Congolese football history. The moment of magic came from a Brian Cipenga in-swinging corner that glanced off the top of Jamaica defender Joel Latibeaudiere, falling perfectly into the path of the onrushing Burnley player. Tuanzebe redirected the ball into the net with his torso, and while celebrations were halted briefly for a handball check, video assistant referee (VAR) confirmed no infringement, allowing the goal to stand.

    The tightly contested clash was always on track for extra time, even before the deadlock was broken. DR Congo striker Cedric Bakambu had two goals correctly ruled out for offside across 90 minutes of regulation play. His first disallowed effort came as early as the fifth minute, when he poked home from six yards out off a low Meschack Elia cross, before a second late regulation offside call — after Theo Bongonda was ruled offside in the build-up to his assist — left the game scoreless heading into extra time.

    Both sides entered the play-off final on the back of momentum-boosting previous results. Jamaica defeated New Caledonia 1-0 in the play-off semi-final thanks to a single Bailey Cadamarteri goal, while DR Congo warmed up for the final with a 2-0 friendly win over Bermuda. Per FIFA’s play-off structure, DR Congo earned a direct bye to the final courtesy of their higher world ranking (49th, compared to Jamaica’s 68th) and had already navigated a 13-match qualifying campaign that stretched back to November 2023. After finishing second in their African group behind Senegal, Sebastien Desabre’s side defeated Cameroon and Nigeria in continental play-offs to earn their shot at a World Cup spot.

    Jamaica, who were targeting their second World Cup appearance following their 1998 run in France, grew into the contest after a slow first half. Interim coach Rudolph Speid, who took over in November after Steve McLaren stepped down, watched his side create several promising chances: Kasey Palmer saw a goal-bound effort blocked by Chancel Mbemba just before the half-hour mark, and Leon Bailey’s powerful long-range left-footed strike flashed across the goal line shortly before halftime. Second half chances saw Jamaica goalkeeper Andre Blake pull off a strong save to deny Bakambu’s curling long-range effort, before Bailey’s diving far-post header drifted just wide of the post.

    DR Congo dominated the added 30 minutes, and though Watford midfielder Edo Kayembe wasted a late clear counter-attack chance by blazing over an open goal, Tuanzebe’s early extra-time strike was enough to see the Leopards through. Jamaica never managed to carve out a clear equalizing opportunity after falling behind.

    For DR Congo, qualification means more than just a spot at the expanded 48-team 2026 tournament — it is a chance to erase 52-year-old ghosts from their only previous World Cup appearance. When the nation competed as Zaire in 1974, they left the tournament without scoring a goal, conceding 14 across three defeats and leaving a lasting unfair stain on African football after right-back Mwepu Ilunga’s infamous free-kick incident, where he charged out of the defensive wall to clear a Brazil free-kick before it was taken. That moment created a long-held misconception that African players did not understand the rules of the game, a stigma Tuanzebe and his 2026 squad are now poised to overcome.

    Desabre, who was appointed head coach in August 2022 with a mandate to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, has built a cohesive squad that leverages diaspora talent as a core strategic pillar. Tuanzebe is one of several high-profile players who switched from European youth setups to represent their country of birth, with former captain Gabriel Zakuani working to recruit players and their families, including West Ham’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who also recently switched from England. The squad’s semi-final finish at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations has already demonstrated the progress made under Desabre’s steady leadership. With 110 million people in DR Congo and a large global diaspora following the team, the squad carries far more than just footballing hopes into the tournament, where they will face Portugal, Colombia and Uzbekistan in Group K, kicking off their campaign against Portugal in Houston on June 17. For a nation marked by decades of conflict and instability, this long-awaited World Cup berth represents a moment of national unity and hope 52 years in the making.

  • Coach Gattuso not interested in talking about his future after Italy miss out on World Cup again

    Coach Gattuso not interested in talking about his future after Italy miss out on World Cup again

    For the four-time World Cup winning Italian men’s national football team, a historic and devastating streak has been confirmed: the Azzurri will miss a third consecutive World Cup tournament, following a cruel penalty shootout defeat to 66th-ranked Bosnia and Herzegovina in the European qualifying playoffs on Tuesday. The result compounds decades of growing turmoil for Italian football, leaving head coach Gennaro Gattuso’s future up in the air even as the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has publicly pushed for him to remain in the role.

    Tuesday’s match was a rocky encounter from the start, with Italy reduced to 10 players for the majority of the clash. Despite the disadvantage, the side pushed the game to penalties, only to fall at the final hurdle and end their 2026 World Cup dreams. Speaking immediately after the final whistle, a clearly shaken Gattuso said he refused to discuss his own contract or future in the role, arguing that the national team’s failure far outstripped any personal questions.

    “It hurts, it really hurts. More than hurting me, it hurts to see this group which has really given everything in these months and I think we deserved to get back what we put in,” Gattuso told reporters. “I honestly think it is too reductive and too immature to be talking about my future today. Here we should be talking about Italy, about the national team shirt, that it is yet another blow even though this time we didn’t deserve it. We deserved more, and that is why my future doesn’t matter.”

    Gattuso was only appointed to the role last June, brought in to replace the dismissed Luciano Spalletti when Italy’s qualifying hopes were already fading. His short-term contract ran through the end of the 2026 World Cup, built in with an automatic five-year extension through 2028 if the side secured qualification. The streak of missed tournaments stretches back to 2018, when Italy fell to Sweden in qualifying playoffs, then repeated the upset loss to North Macedonia ahead of the 2022 tournament in Qatar.

    While Gattuso has not yet announced whether he will step down or stay, FIGC president Gabriele Gravina made the federation’s stance clear in comments Tuesday: he has directly asked Gattuso to remain at the helm. “I have to praise Gattuso. I think he’s been a great coach, he is a great coach,” Gravina said. However, Gravina’s own position is now under intense scrutiny, as calls for his resignation grow. He called a FIGC council meeting for next week to review the situation and evaluate possible changes at the administrative level. Gravina took over the federation in 2018, after predecessor Carlo Tavecchio stepped down following Italy’s first 2018 qualifying exit, and has overseen both of the latest two disappointing qualifying campaigns.

    For many Italian fans, the problem extends far beyond individual coaching or administrative roles. Speaking to reporters outside a Rome bar, 30-year-old fan Federico Barbieri argued the entire Italian football system is fundamentally broken. “I feel really bad, the system is rotten, the football system in Italy is rotten,” Barbieri said. “A country which is made for football and lives for football and now, like, everything is rotten. We knew that the team has its limits but … not going to the World Cup three times in a row? Sweden, North Macedonia and Bosnia. What else can I say?”

    The aftermath of qualifying failures has not followed a fixed pattern for the federation in recent cycles. Gian Piero Ventura was fired immediately after the 2018 loss to Sweden, but Roberto Mancini retained his job despite the shock 2022 defeat to North Macedonia. That decision came just eight months after Mancini had led Italy to a surprise European Championship title, and the federation opted to retain the manager who had reinvigorated the national program. Mancini ultimately resigned just over a year later, moving to take the top job with the Saudi Arabian national side, and Spalletti was appointed in his place. After a disappointing Euro 2024 campaign, Spalletti was dismissed after just one World Cup qualifier in charge, clearing the way for Gattuso’s appointment.

    For long-time fans of Italian football, the current streak feels like an unthinkable nightmare. Fifty-six-year-old Rome-based building contractor Roberto Silvi, who grew up watching Italy consistently compete for World Cup titles, called the result impossible to process. “I grew up with an Italy that always came in the top four at the World Cup,” Silvi said. “I’ve seen Italy as world champion twice, and close another couple times. I took Italy’s qualifications for granted and now it seems like a nightmare to me. I don’t even believe it. The Italy that misses a World Cup is outside of the world. The Italy that misses three, if they had told me, I never would have believed it.”

  • Woods to ‘step away and seek treatment’ after crash

    Woods to ‘step away and seek treatment’ after crash

    One of the most decorated figures in golf history, 50-year-old Tiger Woods, has announced he will pause his professional career to pursue inpatient health treatment and prioritize personal wellness, just days after a car crash in Florida led to his arrest on multiple charges including driving under the influence.

    The incident unfolded last Friday, when Woods clipped a parked truck before rolling his vehicle in Palm Beach County. Following the crash, law enforcement officials placed Woods under arrest, charging him not only with DUI but also with property damage stemming from the collision and refusal to complete a standardized sobriety test. A police report released earlier this week documented that officers found two hydrocodone pills, a prescription opioid commonly used to manage severe chronic pain, in Woods’ possession at the time of the crash. The report also noted that Woods displayed visible signs of impairment: he moved slowly, appeared lethargic, sweated heavily, and had extremely dilated pupils.

    Through his legal team, Woods entered a formal not guilty plea to all charges on Tuesday. The golf legend broke his public silence on the incident hours later, releasing a statement on the social platform X acknowledging the gravity of his situation.

    “I know and understand the seriousness of the situation I find myself in today,” Woods wrote. “I am stepping away for a period of time to seek treatment and focus on my health. This is necessary in order for me to prioritize my well-being and work toward lasting recovery. I’m committed to taking the time needed to return in a healthier, stronger and more focused place, both personally and professionally. I appreciate your understanding and support and ask for privacy for my family, loved ones and myself at this time.”

    Prior to last week’s crash, Woods had not ruled out competing in the upcoming Masters Tournament, scheduled to kick off next month. It is worth noting that the 15-time major champion has not played in a major championship since he missed the cut at the 2024 Open Championship, and he has only competed in a handful of events over the past several years as he recovered from a series of severe injuries.

    Just last week, Woods made his return to competitive golf after more than a year on the sidelines, competing in the newly launched TGL indoor golf league. The event marked his first competition following additional back surgery and treatment for an Achilles injury.

    In the wake of Woods’ announcement, the PGA Tour issued its first official public response, expressing unified support for the golf icon. “Tiger Woods is a legend of our sport whose impact extends far beyond his achievements on the course,” the organization said in a statement. “But above all else, Tiger is a person, and our focus is on his health and well-being. Tiger continues to have our full support as he takes this important step.”

    PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp expanded on the organization’s support in a personal comment, noting: “Tiger Woods is one of the most influential figures the sports world has ever known. Over the last year, I have come to deeply appreciate Tiger not only for his impact on the game, but for his friendship and the perspective he has shared with me as I joined the golf industry. My thoughts are with him and his family as he takes this step, for which he has my full respect and support.”

    Last week’s incident adds another chapter to a series of high-profile personal and physical challenges that have marked Woods’ public life over the past 15 years. In 2009, a single-car crash outside Woods’ Florida home opened the door to public allegations of multiple extramarital affairs, leading to the end of his marriage and the loss of dozens of lucrative brand sponsorship deals. In 2017, Woods pleaded guilty to reckless driving after police found him unconscious in his running car near his home; a toxicology report later revealed multiple prescription medications and the active compound of marijuana were in his system, resulting in a one-year probation sentence. In 2021, Woods survived a catastrophic single-car crash that left him with life-altering, extensive leg injuries, requiring multiple surgical procedures and forcing him to drastically cut back on his competitive schedule.

    Woods currently holds the second-most major championship wins in professional golf history, with 15 titles. Only Jack Nicklaus, who won 18 majors over his career, sits ahead of him on the all-time list.

  • Tuchel confident England’s 1-0 friendly loss to Japan won’t hurt World Cup chances

    Tuchel confident England’s 1-0 friendly loss to Japan won’t hurt World Cup chances

    LONDON – In a warm-up fixture that failed to deliver the positive momentum England was hoping for ahead of this summer’s World Cup, head coach Thomas Tuchel is adamant that his side’s disappointing 1-0 defeat to Japan at Wembley Stadium on Tuesday will not impact the team’s performance in the upcoming tournament.

    The result marked a second consecutive underwhelming outing for England under Tuchel, following a hard-fought draw with Uruguay on the same pitch just four days prior. The only goal of the game against Japan came from Brighton winger Kaoru Mitoma in the first half, a score that would ultimately decide the tie.

    Tuchel has offered context for the two underwhelming results, noting he fielded experimental lineups for both pre-tournament friendlies. Several of England’s most important regular starters – including captain Harry Kane, Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka – missed the fixtures due to minor injury concerns, forced to sit out to protect their fitness ahead of the World Cup. The German manager added that most of his squad are already carrying heavy workloads from their ongoing club seasons at this point in the calendar, leaving many fatigued ahead of the international camp.

    For these reasons, Tuchel made clear that the results from this international break will not define his side ahead of the World Cup, which is being hosted in the United States this summer. “It’s just a reality if teams like Uruguay or Japan come well-drilled, with their top lineup, it’s a difficult task,” he told reporters after the match. “It was not necessary to lose the match. Unfortunately, we lost it, which is disappointing, and I hate losing, like no one else, and it will take a while to digest. But it will not affect us massively for when we arrive in the U.S.”

    The defeat offered a particularly underwhelming opportunity for two of England’s attacking Premier League stars, Cole Palmer and Phil Foden, who were hoping to cement their places in Tuchel’s final World Cup squad. The pair, who have been battling to secure their spots in the 26-man group, were handed starting spots against Japan – but failed to convert their chance into a convincing performance.

    Opta statistics confirm that England’s first-half display against Japan was the team’s first goalless, shot-on-target-free first half in a friendly match since 2017. With young talents like Morgan Rogers pushing for inclusion alongside established starter Jude Bellingham in attacking midfield roles, Palmer and Foden now face an anxious wait to learn if they will be on the plane for the tournament. Deployed as a false nine in the absence of Kane, Foden could not create the attacking threat Tuchel’s side needed.

    “I’m not the biggest fan of talking about individuals, but, of course if we put offensive players on the pitch, we demand offensive actions, we demand creativity, we demand shots, we demand assists, and we clearly didn’t have enough. We could not create,” Tuchel said. “We made it difficult for us to find them in the half-spaces. We struggled to open up these spaces. We played against the deep 5-4-1. We didn’t use the width of the field enough to make the difference, and our offensive players struggled to make the difference.”

    Tuchel openly acknowledged that the absence of captain Harry Kane had a noticeable impact on the side’s performance. “No team in the world has the same threat (without Kane),” he said. “It’s just normal. On top of it, Harry dropped out so we lost not only him as a player, but we lost him as a personality. It’s always a bit disruptive if the captain leaves the last training after 15 minutes and is out of the squad. We can win games without Harry. We will win without Harry. We have won without Harry, but it’s easier to win matches with Harry, of course.”

    Ahead of the World Cup, other top contenders also played out their final pre-tournament friendlies on the same day. Euro 2024 champions Spain were held to a goalless draw by Egypt, while another tournament favorite, the Netherlands, settled for a 1-1 home draw against Ecuador. The Dutch were forced to play more than 78 minutes with 10 men after right back Denzel Dumfries received a red card in the 12th minute of the fixture.

  • Eritrea advance after 19-year absence from Afcon qualifying

    Eritrea advance after 19-year absence from Afcon qualifying

    After nearly two decades on the sidelines of continental competition, Eritrea’s national men’s football team has pulled off one of the most surprising results in recent African football, advancing to the group stage of 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifying following a 4-1 aggregate preliminary round win over Eswatini.

    The milestone marks Eritrea’s first appearance in Afcon qualifying in 18 years, and comes after a years-long pattern of withdrawals and absences that left the side almost entirely absent from top international competition. Their last outing in an Afcon qualifier dates all the way back to September 2007, in a fixture that, in a striking turn of irony, was also against Eswatini.

    Ali Sulieman, a striker plying his trade with Egyptian Premier League side Kahrabaa Ismailia, emerged as the hero of the two-legged tie, netting a hat-trick across both matches to power the Red Sea Camels to victory. Eritrea, which lacks any international-standard football stadium to host home matches, played its first leg in neutral Morocco last Wednesday, securing a 2-0 win thanks to strikes from Sulieman and attacking teammate Siem Eyob-Abraha, a former Manchester United youth prospect who currently plays for Sheffield United in England’s EFL Championship. The side extended their aggregate lead in the return leg in Eswatini, holding on for a 2-1 victory despite the hosts scoring a late stoppage-time consolation goal in the 96th minute.

    Ranked 184th in the current FIFA global rankings — with only four African nations sitting lower than Eritrea — the side has played barely a handful of senior international matches over the past six years. Its last competitive fixture before this qualifying tie was a 2022 World Cup qualifier against Namibia in September 2019, and after a friendly match against Sudan in January 2020, the senior men’s side did not compete in another fixture until a pair of friendlies against Niger in May 2024. Most recently, Eritrea was scheduled to face bitter regional rival Ethiopia in 2024 African Nations Championship qualifying, but pulled out of the fixture at the eleventh hour.

    Industry analysts widely attribute Eritrea’s long history of withdrawals from international competition to longstanding concerns over domestic-based players defecting while traveling abroad. This fear was realized in 2019, when multiple members of an Eritrean youth side absconded during a regional tournament hosted in Uganda. Beyond player concerns, Eritrea, a one-party state that gained independence from Ethiopia in 1993, has faced decades of tense regional relations and domestic political unrest, including a bloody two-year border war with Ethiopia between 1998 and 2000 that has left cross-border relations fractured ever since.

    Under new management led by former Egypt international defender Hesham Yakan, who represented the Pharaohs at the 1990 FIFA World Cup in Italy, Eritrea has made a deliberate return to continental football this cycle, building a mixed squad that blends both homegrown talent and players from the large Eritrean diaspora. The side is one of six nations that have secured their place in the group stage of qualifying, joining Burundi, Ethiopia, Lesotho, Somalia and South Sudan from the preliminary round.

    The 2027 Afcon tournament, set to be hosted jointly by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, makes history as the first edition of the continental showpiece to be co-hosted by three countries. Group stage play is scheduled to kick off in September 2025, with the Confederation of African Football (Caf) yet to announce an official date for the group stage draw.

    Full preliminary round qualifying results, decided by aggregate score over two legs, are as follows: Djibouti 1-4 South Sudan; Chad 0-8 Burundi; Somalia 0-0 Mauritius (Somalia advanced 4-2 on penalties); Seychelles 1-2 Lesotho; Eritrea 4-1 Eswatini; Sao Tome and Principe 0-4 Ethiopia.

  • Chinese manufacturer secures historic double victory at World Superbike Championship

    Chinese manufacturer secures historic double victory at World Superbike Championship

    In a groundbreaking achievement for Chinese motorsports, manufacturer ZXMOTO has captured an unprecedented double victory at the World Superbike Championship’s Portuguese round, concluded March 29. The remarkable feat marks the first time a Chinese motorcycle manufacturer has claimed victory in the World Supersport category, breaking the longstanding dominance of established European and Japanese brands that have traditionally ruled the premier global competition.

    The historic triumph represents the culmination of an extraordinary journey by founder Zhang Xue, whose path from rural workshop apprentice to international racing champion embodies determination and technical innovation. Born in a small Hunan province village, Zhang began his mechanical education at age 14 as a motorcycle repair apprentice, spending countless hours dismantling and studying engines while saving for his first second-hand motorcycle.

    Zhang’s persistence became evident in 2006 when, at 19, he rode over 100 kilometers through rain for a television appearance opportunity to demonstrate his riding skills. Though initially unsuccessful, his dedication eventually earned him a position with a professional racing team where he served as both stunt rider and mechanic, achieving podium finishes in domestic competitions.

    After years of high-intensity training led to injuries, Zhang recognized the technological gap between China’s motorcycle industry and global leaders, prompting his strategic shift from racing to manufacturing. Between 2009-2012, he mastered full vehicle development processes at a Zhejiang province factory before relocating to Chongqing, China’s motorcycle manufacturing hub, to begin his own production journey.

    The technological breakthrough came with the 2024 founding of ZXMOTO and development of fully independent engine technology. The mass-produced 820RR civilian motorcycle, powered by this domestically developed engine and adapted for racing, ultimately delivered the team’s historic double victory in Portugal, demonstrating Chinese engineering capability on motorsports’ global stage.

  • Harry Kane misses England friendly against Japan because of ‘minor issue’

    Harry Kane misses England friendly against Japan because of ‘minor issue’

    LONDON — Three key England first-team players will miss the international friendly against Japan at Wembley on Tuesday, after a series of fitness issues hit the Three Lions’ squad just 24 hours ahead of kickoff.

    The biggest absentee is captain and star striker Harry Kane, the all-time leading goalscorer for both England and Bayern Munich. The forward picked up a minor knock during a team training session, according to the English Football Association, and coaching staff made the call to rest him as a precautionary measure. Despite being ruled out of the match, Kane has remained with the national squad to undergo ongoing evaluation of his injury, with no major concerns raised about the severity of the issue.

    Kane is far from the only high-profile name missing from Thomas Tuchel’s lineup for this international break. The England head coach already confirmed on Monday that Arsenal stars Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice would also be sidelined for the fixture, after both players reported feeling unexplained discomfort during routine pre-camp medical assessments.

    The spate of fitness issues comes at a highly sensitive point of the season for all three players, who face a grueling run of fixtures over the coming weeks with their domestic clubs. Both Kane’s Bayern Munich and Arsenal sit atop their respective national leagues — the Bundesliga and the Premier League — and both sides have advanced to the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League, putting them in contention for major domestic and European titles before the end of the campaign. Clubs and national team staff alike have prioritized player welfare in this congested fixture schedule, leading to the decision to rest the injured stars rather than risk further damage that could impact their club campaigns.

  • Chinese startup ZXMOTO wins big at superbike championship

    Chinese startup ZXMOTO wins big at superbike championship

    In a stunning upset that has reshaped the global motorcycle racing landscape, Chinese manufacturer ZXMOTO has claimed back-to-back victories in the World Superbike Championship’s Supersport class. The weekend triumph at the Portugal round marks the first time any Chinese manufacturer has achieved top podium finishes in this elite racing category, breaking decades of dominance by established European and Japanese brands including Ducati, Yamaha, and Kawasaki.

    French professional rider Valentin Debise piloted ZXMOTO’s flagship 820RR model to victory in both races, demonstrating exceptional performance from the relatively unknown manufacturer. The World Superbike Championship holds particular significance in the motorsports world as it requires competitors to use production-based motorcycles, making it both a competitive arena and a critical showcase for manufacturers’ engineering capabilities.

    The company’s remarkable journey began just two years ago in April 2024 when founder Zhang Xue, a former mechanic’s apprentice from Hunan province, established ZXMOTO in Chongqing’s Liangjiang New Area. The startup made its market debut at the 22nd China International Motorcycle Trade Exhibition in September 2024 with its inaugural 500RR model.

    ZXMOTO’s rapid ascent has been nothing short of extraordinary. Initial deliveries commenced in March 2025, with annual sales surging past 25,000 units by year’s end. Founder Zhang Xue recently disclosed impressive financial metrics for 2025, reporting a total output value of 750 million yuan ($108.54 million) with substantial reinvestment of 69.58 million yuan into research and development.

    Zhang attributes much of his company’s success to its strategic location in Chongqing, renowned as China’s ‘Motorcycle Capital.’ Despite arriving in the city in 2013 without established connections, he recognized the unparalleled advantages of the region’s dense manufacturing ecosystem. Chongqing hosts over 40 vehicle manufacturers and more than 400 parts suppliers, boasting an annual production capacity of 10 million vehicles and 20 million engines. According to local authorities, one of every three motorcycles exported from China originates from Chongqing’s manufacturing base.