Sports
Bayelsa Queens, Ampem Darkoa Ladies reach WAFU B Women’s CL final
Ghanaian side Ampem Darkoa Ladies will play Bayelsa Queens in the final of the Wafu B zonal qualifiers for the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Champions League following their semi-final victories on Wednesday.
The two clubs tooks different paths in the two last four matches to reach the final to be played at the Yamoussoukro Stadium in Cote d’Ivoire on Saturday.
While the ten-woman Ghanaians needed the shoot-out to be able to advance, the Nigerians hammered Espoir Ladies of Benin 6-0 in Wednesday’s second game to clinch their place.
Bayelsa Queens completely decimated the Benin side with a rampage in the second-half to set up a repeat of their group stage clash with the Ghanaians that ended in a draw.
Chinyere Igbomalu, who scored a brace in the match, grabbed the only goal in the first-half before the Beyalsa turned up the style after the break to make any thoughts of a comeback impossible.
Kafayat Bashiru made it 2-0 soon after the recess before Glory Edet and Etim Edidiong found the back of the net for the Nigerians to take the commanding lead.
Further goals by Igbomalu and Mary Anjor sealed the emphatic victory to line-up their final clash with the Ghanaians at the same venue.
Ampem Darkoa eliminated home side Africa Sports 6-5 on penalties after the game ended 1-1 in regulation time, leading to the shoot-out.
The semi-final lived up to the expectations of being a tight encounter as it kept the spectators in suspense until the end of the match, sparking wild Ghanaian jubilation.
However, it was the Abidjan-based club that opened the scoring under one minute through Adjoua Edwige Niamien which led to intense hope for the home fans.
The game remained balanced but came alive on the hour mark when Ampem Darkoa restored parity thanks to a strike by Gladys Amfobea.
The intensity of the game increased and the match became more aggressive leading to several strong tackles that left the Ghanaians stunned.
Ophelia Amponsah was shown a red card in the 66th minute for racking up two yellow cards in that match and Africa Sports could not make their numerical advantage count.
The two teams withstood the pressure until the end of regulation time and extra-time decided between the Ivorian and Ghanaian champions.
It took the fateful ordeal of penalties to see Ampem Darkoa qualify for the final.
Goalkeeper Safiatu Salifu managed to stop defender Linda Gauze’s shot that resulted in the victory.
Ampem Darkoa will now face the feared Nigerian side in the final scheduled for Saturday at 1800 GMT.
Source:CAFonline.com
Sports
Harry Maguire accepts Isaac Adongo’s apologies
Harry Maguire, a Manchester United defender, has accepted Hon. Isaac Adongo’s apologies for dragging him through the dirt.
The Ghanaian politician previously rated the former Leicester City captain as the worst player recruited by the Red Devils.
Adongo was discussing the budget when he likened Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia’s economic management to Maguire’s on-field performances.
Mr Adongo, however, apologised to Maguire in Parliament on Tuesday, saying the Manchester United defender now performed better for his club than Dr Bawumia, whom he said had repeatedly supervised the country’s economic incompetence and had subsequently gone to the (IMF) for a bailout.
“I was very quick to compare my big brother Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia to Harry Maguire. Mr. Speaker, I now apologize to Harry Maguire…Today Maguire has turned the corner; he is a transformational footballer. Maguire is now scoring goals for Manchester United.”
“Mr Speaker, Harry Maguire is now a key player for Manchester United. As for our Maguire, he is now roaming at the IMF with a cup in hand,” he stated.
Following the apology, Maguire stated on social media, “MP Issac Adongo apology accepted.” “Hope to see you at Old Trafford soon.”
Meanwhile, Everton will play Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday at Goodison Park.
Sports
Argentina’s World Cup-winning coach, Lionel Scaloni, has hinted that he may resign
Argentina’s World Cup-winning coach, Lionel Scaloni, has indicated that he is considering stepping down after five years in charge.
Scaloni made the stunning statement following Argentina’s 1-0 World Cup qualifying win against Brazil on Tuesday in Rio de Janeiro.
Before winning the World Cup in Qatar last year, the 45-year-old guided Argentina to the Copa America in 2021.
“Argentina needs a coach who has all the energy possible and who is well,” said Scaloni.
“I need to stop the ball and start thinking, I have a lot of things to think about during this time.
“It’s not goodbye or anything, but I need to think because the bar is very high and it’s complicated to keep going and it’s complicated to keep winning.
“These guys are making it difficult, so I need to think about it for a while. I will talk to the FA president and the players afterwards.”
Messi on fan-police clashes: “There could have been a tragedy.”
After a brief stint in command of Argentina’s under-20 team, Scaloni took over as manager in August 2018.
Argentina’s 2021 Copa America victory was their first major championship in 28 years, and it qualified them for the Finalissima against European champions Italy in June 2022, which they won 3-0 at Wembley.
Later that year, they won their third World Cup in Qatar, and first since 1986.
“We are sure and hope that Scaloni will continue,” said Argentina and Tottenham defender Cristian Romero.
“Let’s see now he will have time to think, he didn’t say anything in the dressing room about it. We will try to convince him.”
Argentina’s victory against Brazil on Tuesday was their first-ever away win over their rivals in World Cup qualification, and it took them two points clear at the top of the table.
The game at Rio’s Maracana stadium was delayed for 30 minutes due to a scuffle during the national anthems.
Sports
2026WCQ: Chris Hughton under pressure after Black Stars defeat in Comoros
Chris Hughton’s Black Stars suffered their first competitive loss as head coach, falling 1-0 to Comoros in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers.
Myziane Maolida’s first-half goal was enough to give the hosts their second straight victory over the Black Stars.
Ghana is now in fourth position, three points behind early group leaders Comoros, who have won both of their initial qualification games.
Following a tense, late win against Madagascar at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi last Friday, there was some hope that the Black Stars may capitalise on Mali’s slip-up against the Central African Republic to grab the group lead.
Ghana could have grabbed an early lead in Tuesday’s encounter when Inaki Williams set up Antoine Semenyo for a goal, but the Bournemouth striker hit the crossbar.