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Mali Beat Bafana To Reach Semis

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Mali beat Bafana Bafana 3-1 in a penalty shoot-out to reach the Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals after the teams were tied 1-1 after extra-time.

Bafana scored first during the first-half through Tokelo Rantie and Seydou Keita got the equaliser in the second half.

The hosts played very well in the first-half dictating play through the midfield and deserved to go into the break leading but Mali played well in the second half and when they scored early in the second half it seemed to knock the wind out of Bafana. Extra-time was fairly even with both sides having slight chances to score.

South Africa started the match well putting Mali under pressure, getting the crowd on their side from the start.

Bernard Parker found space in the 6th minute but his shot lacked direction and did not trouble the Mali keeper.

Seydou Keita hammered and powered in a shot from distance in the 9th minute, but it went well over the bar.

In the 13th minute Mahlangu burst into the danger area beating defenders, passing to Letsholonyane but nothing came of it.

Mahlangu turned the Mali defence with a great through ball to Tokelo Rantie, but keeper Diakite just beat Rantie to the ball.

Bafana took the lead in the 31st minute when Mahlangu broke free and slipped the ball to his left to Thuso Phala, who whipped a pass across goal for Rantie to stab home from close-range, 1-0.

Goal scorer Rantie had to be replaced by Lehlohonolo Majoro in the 44th minute due to an injury.

Majoro was put through on goal by Letsholonyane in the 55th minute but good defending and brave goalkeeping saw the chance go to waste.

An unmarked Keita scored for Mali in the 58th minute against the run of play when he got on the end of a Mahamadou Samassa cross and put his header past Khune to bring Mali level, 1-1.

Then a mistake by Gaxa four minutes later allowed Samassa a shot at goal, but Khune saved well. Then it was Mahlangu who went close in the 80th minute after a good combination with Majoro that resulted in a first time effort on goal, which was saved.

The match went into extra-time with both sides looking fatigued but giving away nothing and the match ended 1-1 after 30 minutes.

Mali kept their nerve in the penalty shoot-out as Bafana failed to score three of their four penalties while Mali did not miss. The Mali goalkeeper was the star of the shoot-out making three saves.

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CAFCC: Enyimba International In Pot 3 For Draws

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African soccer governing body has released the pots for the qualified teams for the group stage of the Confederation Cup, Tidesports sources reports.
Enyimba International is among the 16 qualified teams for the group stage of the competition.
The People’s Elephant was placed in pot 3 alongside ASJaaraf, CS Constantine; Bravos Do Maquils, Lunda Suliat, Orapa United, Black Bulls, and Stellenbosch. Pot 1 consists of Zamalek, RS Berkane, Simba SC, and USM Algers while Pot 2 has ASEC Mimosa, Stade Malien, Al Masry, and CS Sfaxien.

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AFCON 2025 Qualifiers : Super Eagles Host Libya, Oct 11

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The Super Eagles of Nigeria will host the Mediterranean Knights of Libya in a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matchday three encounter at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo on Friday, October 11.
The two teams will clash in a matchday four encounter at the Tripoli International Stadium four days later.
The Super Eagles started their qualifying campaign with a 3-0 home win against the Cheetahs of Benin Republic.
The three-time African champions were held to 0-0 draw by the Amavubi of Rwanda in their second group game.The West Africans occupy top spot in Group D with four points from two games.
Libya are bottom of the group after amassing one point from two games.
Only the top teams in each group will advance to the tournament proper in Morocco beginning in December 2025.
Meanwhile, Libya has opted to host Group D leaders Nigeria at the Martyrs of Benina Stadium, in their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying Matchday 4 encounter. The facility is located in the city of Benina, some 19 kilometres outside the country’s second city, Benghazi.
Known previously as Hugo Chávez Stadium, the stadium is a 10,000-capacity facility with an artificial turf.
Both countries will do a Matchday 3 battle at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo on Friday, 11th October, before the clash in the city at the edge of the Mediterranean Sea on Tuesday, 15th October.
While the match in Uyo will kick off at 5pm, the battle in Benina will commence at 8pm Nigeria time.
Libya remain bottom of Group D after two rounds of matches, following a 1-1 at home to Rwanda (a game that was played at the Tripoli International Stadium) and a 1-2 loss to the Cheetahs of Benin Republic in Abidjan.
Nigeria tops the pool with four points, after a 3-0 spanking of Benin Republic in Uyo on Matchday 1 and a scoreless draw with Rwanda’s Amavubi in Kigali on Matchday 2.

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NYG: Kano Athletes Protest Over Allowances In Asaba

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Kano State athletes, who participated in the concluded 8th edition of the National Youth Games (NYG) in Asaba, Delta State, last Friday called on Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to address the issue of their poor camp allowances.
The athletes, speaking anonymously, expressed dissatisfaction with the daily allowance they received, claiming it was significantly lower than that of their counterparts from neighbouring Northwestern states.
“We were given less than N20,000 for ten days, while athletes from Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara received N50,000. Jigawa athletes were paid the highest, receiving N80,000,” one of the athletes said.
Despite the disparity in allowances, the athletes secured five gold, three silver, and one bronze in the competition.
They urged the governor to intervene and resolve the issue.
Also, the athletes commended the Kano State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Mustapha Rabiu Kwankwaso, for supporting other athletes representing the state in sports like football and basketball and hoped for similar support.
The objective of the National Youth Games, initiated by former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2013, is to promote unity, peace, and understanding among youths while addressing issues of restiveness and unemployment across the country.

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