Sports
S’Africa Gives Up Lead, Falls To Algeria
Faouzi Ghoulam scored
his first international goal as Algeria completed a dramatic fightback to beat South Africa 3-1 in the Africa Cup of Nations on Monday.
Christian Gourcuff’s Algeria side, the top-ranked national team in Africa, is among the favourites to win the tournament but looked to be heading for defeat when Thuso Phala gave Bafana Bafana a deserved second-half lead at Estadio de Mongomo.
South Africa striker Tokelo Rantie then missed a penalty a few minutes later and that was to prove costly as Algeria fought back to win their Group C opener.
Thulani Hlatshwayo’s own goal pegged Shakes Mashaba’s men back and Napoli defender Ghoulam added insult to injury by putting Algeria in front five minutes later.
Islam Slimani then sealed the points with a third goal, which goalkeeper Darren Keet should have kept out, as South Africa were left to reflect on what might have been.
South Africa did not allow their opponents to settle in the first half and they were unfortunate not to be in front when captain Dean Furman rattled the crossbar with a rasping long-range drive 22 minutes in.
Bafana Bafana then suffered a blow when they lost a distraught Rivaldo Coetzee to injury, meaning Siyabonga Nhlapo entered the fray after only half an hour.
South Africa looked increasingly threatening and had two great chances to take the lead just before half-time as Algeria rode their luck.
Algeria were unable to live with the pace of Bafana Bafana and Mashaba’s men should have doubled their lead two minutes later, when Aissa Mandi clattered into Vilakazi as he raced into the area and referee Noumandiez Desire Doue pointed to the spot.
Mandi was somewhat fortunate to escape with only a yellow card and Algeria were given another let off when Rantie’s penalty hit the crossbar and went behind for a goal-kick.
Algeria responded and Keet denied Slimani, who reacted quickly but saw his header palmed onto the post by the South Africa keeper.
Gourcuff’s men were then gifted an equaliser when defender Hlatshwayo could only head Yacine Brahimi’s cross into his own net after 67 minutes.
And worse was to come for South Africa five minutes later, when Ghoulam surged into the penalty and found the back of the net with a left-footed strike that Keet ought to have done better with at his near post
Slimani then stole in to add a third goal seven minutes from time, as Keet had another moment to forget by allowing a tame shot to squirm under his body and into the net.
The Head Coach of Okrika United FC, IsaacTama has commended the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara for hosting of the Simplified Football Tournament in the State.
Coach Tama made the commendation yesterday after Okrika United defeated Degema LGA 2-0 at the competition holding at the Sharks Football Stadium in Port Harcourt.
He expressed joy over his side’s victory, saying that his team had worked so hard before the kick-off of the tournament.
“The Governor has done very well because it has been like five to six years we saw competions among the 23 LGAs in the State.
” As you can see, we are very happy because this tournament is showcasing our local players from all the LGAs.
” So, I thank Governor Sim Fubara. We trained over two months before the competition so we prepared very well, I am surprised that we scored only two goals. The first half was so tough because the Degema team was so hard and rough in their approach, so my players were distraught. In the second half, I made two substitutions that yielded the two zero win. I saw that they were playing karate football so I changed the strategies to play from defence and attacking from the wings.
” You know, the competition has three phases, the first is to come out of the group stage, for now, we are pushing from the group stage, then, we move on” Tama said.
He described the CTC chairman of Okrika LGA, Princess Oga as the best chairman in the State, adding that she released money for the team on time.
“Before we started, we asked for N12.8 million and she did not delay in taking action. She even promised to pay players N30, 000 each if we win the match we just played. “Women CTC Chairmen are the best ooh?, ” Tama stated.
The 8th editon of National Youth Games (NYG) was declared opened by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday, at Stephen Keshi Stadium Asaba, Delta State.
It was a colourful opening ceremony characterized with funfares, even as the heavy down could not stop the colorful ceremony.
Excitment was on the air when athletes, coaches and people from all works of life witnessed the ceremony in a full capacity Stadium.
Speaking Presidency Tinubu said the game was to hunt talents and noture them to stadium, as he accepted the abysmal performance of Nigeria’ athletes at the just concluded Paris Olympics.
He noted that Sports in Nigeria’ is declining occasion by ageing Sportsmen and stressed for norturing young athletes that will represent the country.
The President who was represent by the minister of youth and sports, Hon. John Enoh said sports plays a crucial role in creating wealth, peace and international diplomacy.
Tonye Orabere
The Caretaker Chairman of Bonny Local government Council of Rivers State, Hon Anengi Barasua Claud – Wilcox has promised to retain the Bonny Stars FC after the Simplified Football Tournament currently going on at the Sharks Football Stadium in Port Harcourt.
According to her, Bonny LGA is known for footballing, so retaining the team at the end of the tournament would help the youths to promote their careers in the round leather game.
Hon Claud – Wilcox made the promise in an interview with sports journalists shortly after Bonny Stars FC played out a goalless draw against Eleme LGA at the Simplified Governor’s Cup for the 23 LGAs in Port Harcourt.
She praised her team despite the goalless draw, adding that the Eleme team were also a good team.
” I am very proud of my team as you can see, the opponents look young but my boys look stronger.
” The game ended well, 0-0. I think our main purpose in the tournament is to win the cup and it will go a long way for our support to Governor Sim Fubara.
“The name of the tournament, Simplified football Cup Rivers State shows that the 23 LGAs are all Simplified.
” We want to ensure we win the competition and bring the cup to Bonny LGA.
” Retaining the team yes because Bonny is known for good footballing and is also a way of encouraging the youth for them to promote their career” Hon Wilcox said.
The Bonny CTC Boos also revealed to empower other sport like female football, tennis, track and some indoor games most especially in school to keep the youths busy..
” Our target is to win the competition to showcase that the Governor is our own.
” We will try as much as possible to keep the team because is a way of encouraging the youth and to set the mind a way crime” She said.
The Chairman used the medium to advise Rivers people to engage the youth in sporting activities because it goes a long way to encourage them and keep them active, while advancing their fitness and health.
Kiadum Edookor
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