Sports
2013 AFCON Qualifiers: Lone Star Denies Super Eagles In Monrovia
Liberia and Nigeria played out a 2-2 draw on a bumpy pitch at the Samuel Doe Stadium in Monrovia.
Omega Roberts stunned the Super Eagles with a goal after just eight minutes.
But the lead was short-lived as Nosa Igiebor found the equaliser just six minutes later.
Ike Uche then put the visitors in front from the penalty spot after the impressive Victor Moses was brought down inside the box.
A goalkeeping howler by Vincent Enyeama allowed Sekou Oliseh to score Liberia’s second deep into the second half.
Zambia with work to do after narrow win over Uganda
BBC Sport reviews Saturday’s final-round first-leg qualifiers for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.
Zambia 1-0 Uganda
Christopher Katongo’s first-half strike has handed the reigning champions a slender advantage ahead of what will surely be a tough return leg in Kampala.
The Zambian goal came after 20 minutes, an easy tap-in from the skipper following Davies Nkausu’s long throw.
Uganda threatened little and will feel relieved to head home trailing by just a lone goal.
Katongo had an effort ruled out for offisde. The Chipolopolo also hit the post during a long spell of domination, as they went hunting for a second.
Uganda have not lost at home since 2004. This tie is far from over.
CAR 1-0 Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso will have to come from behind in their final round qualifier for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations after losing 1-0 to Central African Republic in Bangui on Saturday.
‘The Stallions’, who have been regular participants at AFCON tournaments in recent years, succumbed thanks to a first half goal from the host team’s Vianney Mabide.
They will try to turn the tie on its head in the second leg in Ouagadougou next month.
For CAR, who shocked former African champions Egypt in the previous round, this result puts them on course to qualify for their first ever Nations Cup finals.
Gabon 1-1 Togo
A late equaliser from Emmanuel Adebayor – on his return to the Togo team – gives them the upper hand after a dramatic finale in Libreville.
Meeting for only the second time in a competitive fixture, the 2012 co-hosts Gabon proved stubborn opponents and did well to initially keep the Sparrow Hawks at bay.
It was Gabon who finally broke the deadlock, when veteran striker Daniel Cousin powered in a header with around 15 minutes remaining.
But Adebayor, back after yet another self-imposed exile, struck moments later to set up an intriguing second leg in Lome next month.
Ghana 2-0 Malawi
A goal in each half handed the Black Stars a comfortable victory in Accra, leaving Malawi with much to do in the return leg.
Christian Atsu gave Ghana the perfect start, settling any nerves with the opener after just eight minutes.
With Malawi sitting deep and seeking to soak up Ghana pressure, the hosts were made to work for their second, which fell the way of Anthony Annan only six minutes after the interval.
Malawi’s cause was not helped when James Sangala was dismissed in the latter stages, and they now face a big ask if they are to reach the Cup of Nations finals for only the third time in their history.
Sierra Leone 2-2 Tunisia
Tunisia twice came from a goal down to severely dent Sierra Leone’s hopes of reaching their first Nations Cup finals since 1996.
The Leone Stars led through Azerbaijan-based Sheriff Suma after only seven minutes.
They held that advantage until midway through the second period, whereupon Fateh Gharbi beat Christian Caulker with a left-foot shot following a fine move.
Alhassan Kamara headed in what he felt must have been the winning goal just five minutes before the end, only for Youssef M’sakni to equalise two minutes later.
Ivory Coast 4-2 Senegal
Ivory Coast came out on top in the clash of the titans but they had to twice come from behind against a determined Senegal.
A late surge by the Ivorians – beaten finalists earlier this year at the 2012 Cup of Nations – ensured they go to Dakar for the return leg with a bit of breathing space.
Dame N’Doye opened for Senegal, before Salomon Kalou punished the visitors just before the break to level matters.
The home crowd was hushed once again when Papiss Cisse hit Senegal’s second on the hour mark, before the Elephants stormed back with goals from Gervinho, Didier Drogba (pen) and Max Gradel.
Drogba also had a late goal disallowed for handball.
Cape Verde 2-0 Cameroon
Cape Verde recorded arguably one of their greatest-ever results as they triumphed 2-0 at home to the four-times champions Cameroon.
The second leg awaits, but goals from Ricardo – his first at international level – and Djaniny will have the minnows believing that they can reach the Cup of Nations finals for the first time in their history.
Without Samuel Eto’o, it seems, Cameroon are finding goals hard to come by, but it is goals they so desperately need in the return leg if they are to avoid missing successive Nations Cups for the first time since 1980.
Mali 3-0 Botswana
Mali trounced Botswana 3-0 in Bamako on Saturday to give themselves a great chance of making it to South Africa next year.
France-based Cheick Diabate put the home side in front after 27 minutes when he converted a penalty, before Mahamadou Ndiaye added a second just before the hour mark.
Modibo Maiga sealed victory 20 minutes from time as Mali’s superiority in all areas of the game left the Zebras chasing shadows.
A three-goal cushion means the Eagles, who finished third at this year’s finals in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon, head into the return leg in Gaberone with no major fears.
For Botswana, the result was another reality check for a team that made its debut at the continental showpiece this year and promised to do it again in South Africa next year.
Sports
Tottenham Fight Back To Hold Brighton
Tottenham fought back from two-goals down to secure a deserved point against Brighton.
The Seagulls were second best for much of the match but found themselves 2-0 up after 31 minutes thanks to Yankuba Minteh’s early strike and Yasin Ayari’s powerful drive.
However, Richarlison halved the deficit just before half-time when he stopped a shot by Mohammed Kudus before slotting in.
Spurs dominated the second half but their finishing let them down as Richarlison and substitute Xavi Simons were both unable to make the most of promising opportunities.
But the equaliser came eight minutes from time when Jan Paul van Hecke turned Kudus’ cross into his own net.
Spurs then pushed for a winner as they looked to continue their impressive start to the season, but Brighton held on for the point.
Bundesliga: Kane Continues Goal Harvest (5)
Harry Kane scored his second hat-trick of the season as Bayern Munich overcame a shaky start to win at Hoffenheim and continue their 100% start.
The England captain, 32, broke the deadlock on the stroke of half-time with a clinical first-time finish from a cleverly worked low corner, and doubled Bayern’s lead from the spot after Albian Hajdari was harshly penalised for a handball.
That broke Hoffenheim’s resistance and Kane completed his ninth Bundesliga hat-trick with another penalty, given for a foul on substitute Michael Olise after a video assistant referee (VAR) check.
This time Kane sent home keeper Oliver Baumann the wrong way for his 13th Bayern goal in seven matches across all competitions this season, adding to his Champions League double against Chelsea last Wednesday.
“Hat-trick Harry is what they called me in school,” Kane told Tidesports source after the match. “That one kind of stuck when I was younger.”
“Any ball in the box, whether penalty or not, I back myself to hit the target.”
Hoffenheim had the better of the first 45 minutes, Fisnik Asllani only able to hit the post after goalkeeper Manuel Neuer passed straight to the Kosovan.
They eventually got some reward for their efforts, former West Ham full-back Vladimir Coufal’s deflected free-kick beating Neuer to earn the Czech his first goal for the club.
Ex-Liverpool winger Luis Diaz hit the top of the bar late on as he failed to continue his record of scoring in every Bundesliga game this season, but Serge Gnabry added a fourth for Bayern with the last kick, converting a rebound from a tight angle after Baumann saved from Joshua Kimmich.
Nicolas Jackson made his first start since joining Bayern on an initial loan deal from Chelsea, but the Senegal striker had a very quiet game before being replaced in the 62nd minute.
In Italy, Lorenzo Pellegrini fired Roma into the Serie A top four as Lazio had two players sent off in a fiery derby.
The midfielder found the bottom corner in the 38th minute as Roma extended their unbeaten run to four games against their city rivals.
Lazio have lost three of their opening games of the season and had Reda Belahyane and former Arsenal midfielder Matteo Guendouzi dismissed in late drama.
Roma started well and Rome-born Pellegrini claimed the vital goal – his fourth in a Rome derby after being available for transfer in the summer – following good work down the right by Matias Soule.
But the hosts will rue missed opportunities as Boulaye Dia, Mattia Zaccagni and Alessio Romagnoli all had openings.
With four minutes left substitute Belahyane was shown a red card for a late studs-up challenge on Manu Kone.
Danilo Cataldi struck the outside of the post for Lazio in a last-gasp effort to snatch a point, while team-mate Guendouzi was sent off for dissent after the final whistle.
Sports
Zidane’s Son Switches Allegiance To Algeria
Luca Zidane, the son of France’s World Cup-winning playmaker Zinedine, has switched his international allegiance from France to Algeria.
Born just outside Marseille, the 27-year-old goalkeeper had appeared for France at various youth levels.
The move, which was approved by Fifa, may enable Zidane to follow in his father’s footsteps by appearing at a World Cup, with Algeria expected to secure a place at the 2026 finals in North America in their qualifier against Somalia next month.
Zidane, who is the second of four brothers, all of whom came through the Real Madrid academy, currently plays for Spanish second tier side Granada.
He played two matches for Madrid and has La Liga experience at Rayo Vallecano, but dropped a level in 2022 to play for Eibar before heading to Andalusia in 2024.
Zidane qualifies for the North African country through his father, whose parents hailed from the Kabylie region of Algeria.
Zinedine Zidane, who is regarded as one of the games greatest players scored twice for France in their 1998 World Cup final victory over Brazil, but was famously sent-off in the 2006 final, which was won by Italy after a penalty shootout.
Sports
Man Utd Beat Chelsea To Ease Pressure
Manchester United capitalised on Robert Sanchez’s fifth-minute red card to secure a crucial victory over Chelsea in torrential rain at Old Trafford.
The first match in Premier League history to see two or more goals, red cards and substitutions in the first half was settled by goals from United skipper Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro, who was the other player sent off before the break.
It was Sanchez’s dismissal that set the course of the game though.
The Spain international raced from his goal to meet Bryan Mbeumo as the striker ran beyond the Chelsea defence.
Sanchez then upended the forward outside his area rather than allow him past to tap the ball into an empty net.
Enzo Maresca’s response to the red card was to take off both Pedro Neto and Estevao Willian and, as Cole Palmer had to be replaced after suffering a recurrence of a groin injury, Chelsea had lost three attacking players in the space of 20 minutes.
Trevor Chalobah pulled one back for Chelsea with a header 10 minutes from time but United kept their nerves at bay to make it to the final whistle with their lead intact.
The victory was United’s second of the season and came in front of minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who gave head coach Ruben Amorim assurances over his future 48 hours earlier.
It also means Chelsea have still not won at Old Trafford since 2013, when Sir Alex Ferguson was United manager.
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