分类： sports

The race for the 2026 FIFA World Cup spots in Africa is heating up as the group stage of the qualifiers approaches its climax. With seven places available, the competition is fierce, and only the nine group winners are guaranteed a spot in the expanded 48-team tournament. Morocco and Tunisia have already secured their places, while other teams are fighting tooth and nail to join them. Cape Verde is on the verge of making history with their first-ever World Cup appearance, needing just one more victory. Egypt and Algeria are also in strong positions, with three points from their next two games likely securing their spots. The four best-ranked second-placed teams will enter play-offs next month, with the winners getting another chance to qualify via an intercontinental route. Continental heavyweights like Cameroon and Nigeria are in danger of missing out, adding to the drama. Egypt has a five-point lead over Burkina Faso and is expected to secure qualification with a win against Djibouti. Burkina Faso, Senegal, and DR Congo are also in the mix, with Senegal holding a one-point lead in Group B. South Africa’s chances took a hit after FIFA ruled they fielded an ineligible player, turning a 2-0 win into a 3-0 forfeit. Cape Verde’s shock victory over Cameroon has put them in a strong position, while Morocco has already qualified with two games to spare. Ivory Coast, Gabon, Algeria, and Tunisia are also in strong positions, with Ghana leading their group. The final rounds of qualifiers promise to be thrilling, with much still to be decided.

The Confederation of African Football (Caf) has announced a significant expansion of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon), increasing the number of participating teams from 12 to 16 starting from the 2026 edition. This decision marks a pivotal moment for women’s football on the continent, reflecting Caf’s commitment to fostering growth and inclusivity in the sport. The upcoming 2025 tournament in Morocco will still feature 12 teams, with the qualifying process already in its final round. However, the expansion will necessitate an additional preliminary round, where 11 nations will compete for the remaining four spots. Further details are expected to be unveiled following discussions at Caf’s executive committee meeting in Kinshasa. Since its inception in 1998, Wafcon has evolved from an eight-team competition to its current 12-team format, which resumed in 2022 after a hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Caf’s investment in women’s football has been substantial, with this year’s tournament in Morocco seeing a 45% increase in the prize pool to $3.45 million. Nigeria, the reigning champions, were awarded $1 million for securing their record-extending 10th title. Caf President Patrice Motsepe expressed optimism about the progress made in women’s football, emphasizing the importance of fair compensation and career opportunities for female athletes. ‘I am pleased with the progress we’ve made in women’s African football,’ Motsepe stated. ‘Part of my starting point is making sure [men and women] are paid well and they can make a career out of football. I can assure you women’s football will continue to improve because that is an area we are focusing on a lot.’

In a gripping showdown at Allianz Stadium, South Africa emerged victorious over Argentina with a narrow 29-27 win, securing back-to-back Rugby Championships for the first time in their history. The Springboks’ triumph was fueled by standout performances from Cobus Reinach and Malcolm Marx, each scoring two tries, while fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu contributed crucial points with his boot. Despite a spirited start from Argentina, who led 13-10 at halftime thanks to Bautista Delguy’s early try, South Africa’s relentless power game and tactical prowess turned the tide in the second half. The match, played in front of a record-breaking crowd of 70,360, saw Argentina opt for the London venue to maximize financial returns and fan engagement. South Africa’s head coach, Rassie Erasmus, praised his team’s resilience and adaptability, highlighting their ability to bounce back from early championship setbacks. The victory not only cements South Africa’s dominance in world rugby but also sets the stage for their ambitious preparations for the 2027 Rugby World Cup. Erasmus’ strategic squad rotation and development of young talents like Ethan Hooker and Canan Moodie underscore the Springboks’ commitment to sustained excellence. Argentina, despite finishing at the bottom of the championship table, showcased moments of brilliance, with Rodrigo Isgro’s late try earning them a losing bonus point. The Springboks’ ability to perform under pressure, coupled with their depth and tactical ingenuity, reaffirms their status as rugby’s reigning powerhouse.

England Women’s cricket team delivered a masterclass performance in their ICC Women’s World Cup opener, thrashing South Africa by 10 wickets in Guwahati. South Africa, opting to bat first, were bowled out for a paltry 69 runs in just 20.4 overs, marking their third-lowest ODI total. Left-arm spinner Linsey Smith was the standout performer, claiming 3-7, including the prized wickets of Laura Wolvaardt, Tazmin Brits, and Marizanne Kapp. Captain Nat Sciver-Brunt, returning to competitive bowling, took 2-5, while spinners Sophie Ecclestone and Charlie Dean chipped in with two wickets each. England’s openers, Amy Jones (40*) and Tammy Beaumont (21*), chased down the target effortlessly in 14.1 overs, showcasing patience and discipline on a tricky pitch. This emphatic win not only boosts England’s confidence but also significantly enhances their net run rate early in the tournament. South Africa’s batting woes were evident as they struggled against England’s spin-heavy attack, managing only six boundaries throughout their innings. The match highlighted England’s strategic brilliance and South Africa’s inability to adapt to the conditions. With this victory, England have sent a strong message to their competitors, positioning themselves as serious contenders for the title.

Luca Zidane, the son of French football icon Zinedine Zidane, has been selected to represent Algeria in their upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Somalia and Uganda. Born in Aix-en-Provence, France, the 27-year-old goalkeeper has previously played for France at various youth levels but recently opted to switch his international allegiance to Algeria, the homeland of his paternal grandparents.

Zimbabwe and Namibia have successfully secured their places in the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup after advancing to the final of the African qualifying tournament held in Harare. Namibia triumphed over Tanzania by a significant margin of 63 runs in their semi-final clash, marking their fourth consecutive appearance in the World Cup finals. Meanwhile, hosts Zimbabwe showcased a dominant performance, defeating Kenya by seven wickets to qualify for the first time since 2022. Kenya, after winning the toss and choosing to bat first, managed to post a total of 122-6, largely due to Rakep Patel’s impressive 65 off 47 balls. However, Zimbabwe’s Brian Bennett stole the show with a rapid 51 off just 25 balls, guiding his team to victory with five overs to spare. Namibia and Zimbabwe are set to face off in the tournament final on Saturday, with both teams already looking forward to competing in the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted by India and Sri Lanka. Earlier in the day, Namibia overcame a shaky start against Tanzania, recovering from 41-4 to post a formidable 174-6, thanks to a crucial 88-run partnership between captain Gerhard Erasmus (55 off 41) and JJ Smit (61 not out off 43). Smit later contributed with the ball, taking 3-16, while Ben Shikongo recorded figures of 3-21 to restrict Tanzania to 111-8. Namibia, who made their T20 World Cup debut in 2021, had previously exited in the Super 12s and failed to progress beyond the group stage in the 2022 and 2024 editions. The 2026 T20 World Cup will feature twenty nations and is scheduled to take place from February 7 to March 8.

Rachel Iliya, a 23-year-old Nigerian rugby league player, has become a beacon of hope for her nation as the Green Falcons aim to make history by qualifying for the 2026 Women’s Rugby World Cup. Iliya, who only took up the sport last year, scored two tries on her international debut against Kenya in a World Cup play-off, showcasing her immense potential. Her journey from working as a part-time cleaner to becoming a national team star is a testament to her resilience and determination.