International Football
African Qualifiers – FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 – Matchday 2 Roundup
Only one game remains outstanding as the African Qualifiers for FIFA World Cup, Qatar 2022 reached the end of Matchday 2 this week. Consequently, the 10 groups have started to take shape on the road to Qatar.
The only outstanding match is that of Guinea and Morocco which was postponed due to the political situation in Guinea.
The following is a look on how it stands in the 10 groups, with top side reaching the third and final qualification round
GROUP A
Algeria extended their unbeaten record to 29 games, after holding Burkina Faso to 1-1 draw in Marrakech. Both sides are on four points, but Les Fennecs lead the group on goal difference.
In Rabat, Niger defeated Djibouti 4-2 to record their first win in the campaign and go third.
Results:
- Djibouti 2-4 Niger
- Burkina Faso 1-1 Algeria
Standings
1. Algeria – 4 points (+8)
2. Burkina Faso – 4 points (+2)
3. Niger – 3 points (0)
4. Djibouti – 0 points (-10)
Matchday 3
- Algeria – Niger
- Djibouti – Burkina Faso
GROUP B
Tunisia continued their perfect start, beating Zambia 2-0 in Ndola to go on top with maximum points, and without conceding a goal. Meanwhile Equatorial Guinea revived their hopes, beating Mauritania 1-0 in Malabo.
Results
- Zambia 0-2 Tunisia
- Equatorial Guinea 1-0 Mauritania
Standings
1. Tunisia – 6 points (+5)
2. Zambia – 3 points (-1)
3. Equatorial Guinea – 3 points (-2)
4. Mauritania – 0 points (-2)
Matchday 3
- Equatorial Guinea – Zambia
- Tunisia – Mauritania
GROUP C
Nigeria needed the help of luck to come from behind and defeat Cape Verde 2-1 in Mindelo, courtesy to a late bizarre own goal. The Super Eagles top the goal with maximum points. Meanwhile in Douala, Liberia defeated Central African Republic 1-0 to record their first win.
Results
- Cape Verde 1-2 Nigeria
- Liberia 1-0 Central African Republic
Standings
1. Nigeria – 6 points (+3)
2. Liberia – 3 points (-1)
3. Cape Verde – 1 point (-1)
4. Central African Republic – 1 point (-1)
Matchday 3
- Liberia – Cape Verde
- Nigeria – Central African Republic
GROUP D
Sebastien Haller produced a “Man of the Match” performance to guide Cote d’Ivoire to a home 2-1 win over Cameroon in Abidjan, in the group’s Clash of Giants. Haller’s brace in the opening half put Les Elephants on top of the group on four points, one more than the Indomitable Lions.
Elsewhere in Johannesburg, Malawi managed a vital 1-0 win over Mozambique to go third.
Results
- Cote d’Ivoire 2-1 Cameroon
- Malawi 1-0 Mozambique
Standings
1. Cote d’Ivoire – 4 points (+1)
2. Cameroon – 3 points (+1)
3. Malawi – 3 points (-1)
4. Mozambique – 1 point (-1)
Matchday 3
- Cameroon – Mozambique
- Malawi – Cote d’Ivoire
GROUP E
It was a tale of two draws, as Kenya held Rwanda to a 1-1 draw in Kigali, while Uganda and Mali played to a barren stalemate in Entebe. Mali leads the pack on four points, have achieving the only group win so far.
Results
- Rwanda 1-1 Kenya
- Uganda 0-0 Mali
Standings
1. Mali – 4 points (+1)
2. Kenya – 2 points (0)
3. Uganda – 2 points (0)
4. Rwanda – 1 point (-1)
Matchday 3
- Mali – Kenya
- Rwanda – Uganda
GROUP F
Libya surprised Angola 1-0 in Luanda to shockingly lead the group with maximum points. While Egypt scored a last minute equalizer to hold Gabon 1-1 in Franceville. In the aftermath, The Pharaohs coach Hossam Elbadry was sacked to become the qualifiers’ first victim.
Results
- Angola 0-1 Libya
- Gabon 1-1 Egypt
Standings
1. Libya – 6 points (+2)
2. Egypt – 4 points (+1)
3. Gabon – 1 point (-1)
4. Angola – 0 points (-2)
Matchday 3
- Egypt – Libya
- Angola – Gabon
GROUP G
A late goal in Johannesburg gave South Africa a famous 1-0 win over Ghana to go on top of the group on four points. Ethiopia scored from the spot in injury time to secure their first win 1-0 over Zimbabwe in Bahir Dar and go third.
Results
- South Africa 1-0 Ghana
- Ethiopia 1-0 Zimbabwe
Standings
1. South Africa – 4 points (+1)
2. Ghana – 3 points (0)
3. Ethiopia – 3 points (0)
4. Zimbabwe – 1 point (-1)
Matchday 3
- Ghana – Zimbabwe
- Ethiopia – South Africa
GROUP H
Senegal proved their favorites’ tag, beating Congo in Brazzaville 3-1, with Ismaila Sarr and Sadio Mane scoring two late goals to secure top spot with maximum points. Meanwhile, Namibia returned from Lome with an away 1-0 win over Togo to continue their dream start.
Results
- Congo 1-3 Senegal
- Togo 0-1 Namibia
Standings
1. Senegal – 6 points (+4)
2. Namibia – 4 points (+1)
3. Congo – 1 point (-2)
4. Togo – 0 points (-3)
MATCHDAY 3
- Senegal – Namibia
- Togo – Congo
GROUP I
Guinea Bissau achieved a remarkable away victory, beating Sudan 4-2 in Khartoum to go top on four points.
The current situation in Guinea forced its game with Morocco to be postponed.
Results
Sudan 2-4 Guinea Bissau
Standings
1. Guinea Bissau – 4 points (+2)
2. Morocco – 3 points (+2)*
3. Guinea – 1 point (0)*
4. Sudan – 0 points (-4)
* From one match
Matchday 3
- Morocco – Guinea Bissau
- Sudan – Guinea
GROUP J
Tanzania defeated Madagascar 3-2 in a five goal thriller in Dar es Salaam, while DR Congo held Benin to a 1-1 draw in Cotonou, as the group looks still open to all probabilities.
Results
- Tanzania 3-2 Madagascar
- Benin 1-1 DR Congo
Standings
1. Tanzania – 4 points (+1)
2. Benin – 4 points (+1)
3. DR Congo – 2 points (0)
4. Madagascar – 0 points (-2)
Matchday 3
- DR Congo – Madagascar
- Tanzania – Benin
International Football
Players’ union, FIFPRO, wants 20-minute halftimes, more cooling breaks amid extreme heat
Global players’ union FIFPRO is exploring whether extending halftime to 20 minutes and introducing more frequent cooling breaks could better protect players from extreme heat.
Nine of the 16 host cities for the 2026 World Cup face conditions considered “extreme risk” for heat-related illness.
Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Guadalajara, Houston, Kansas City, Miami, Monterrey and Philadelphia are expected to face dangerous levels of heat and humidity, posing player safety concerns and fuelling calls for mandatory cooling aids or schedule changes.
FIFPRO’s heat risk assessments are based on wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT), a measure combining temperature, humidity, solar radiation and wind speed to estimate how environmental conditions affect the body’s ability to cool itself.
Under FIFPRO guidelines, a WBGT reading above 28 degrees Celsius indicates conditions in which matches should be postponed or rescheduled to protect players’ health.
By comparison, world soccer governing body FIFA’s own guidelines set the extreme risk threshold higher, at 32 degrees Celsius WBGT – but even by that standard, six of the nine cities are still projected to exceed safe limits.
Major League Soccer in the U.S. has a threshold of 29 degrees Celsius WBGT.
“Cooling breaks at the 30th minute and 75th minutes are quite traditional, but from a physiological point of view it does not make sense,” said Vincent Gouttebarge, FIFPRO’s Medical Director.
“Even if you ingest more than 200 millilitres of fluid, you already cannot take it all. So I would definitely like to see some project where we look at the efficacy of perhaps more frequent but shorter cooling breaks – every 15 minutes, rather than only one during each half.”
LONGER HALFTIMES
Gouttebarge also questioned whether the traditional 15-minute halftime interval is sufficient when matches are played in extreme heat.
“You can imagine that halftime of 15 minutes might not be enough in order to decrease the core temperature,” he said.
“It could be a halftime of 20 minutes which would be significant. That has been shown in the laboratory and FIFPRO, together with the national union in Portugal in August, we are going to test this kind of mitigation strategy.”
The urgency of stronger heat protocols became clear at this month’s Club World Cup where two matches — Benfica-Bayern Munich in Charlotte and Chelsea-Esperance in Philadelphia exceeded the WBGT threshold FIFPRO considers unsafe.
“According to our position, those games should have been postponed later that day or rescheduled,” Gouttebarge said.
FIFPRO officials acknowledged that FIFA has responded constructively during the tournament by lowering thresholds for mandatory cooling breaks and improving pitch-side hydration, but stressed that proactive planning is critical.
“FIFA have been quite responsive once the tournament was under way,” said Alex Phillips, FIFPRO General Secretary.
“They have actually modified how they’ve been dealing with heat during the matches based on FIFPRO’s input, which is credit to the work of the team. Obviously, it would have been better if that happened in advance, but it’s better that they have adapted.”
FIFPRO warned that the risks highlighted at the Club World Cup are a preview of what players could face at the expanded 2026 World Cup.
“This is not just affecting the Club World Cup, but also future tournaments either in the U.S. or elsewhere in the world,” said Alexander Bielefeld, FIFPRO Director of Policy & Strategic Relations.
“We need a better balance between commercial interests and the health and safety of players,” he added, referring to earlier kick-off times to accommodate European television audiences.
-Reuters
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
Former Manchester United and England midfielder Paul Ince has been charged with drink-driving, police said on Monday.
Ince, who earned 53 caps for England and won two Premier League titles during his six years at United, has been released on bail and will appear in court on July 18.
“The incident involved a black Range Rover which had collided with the central reservation barrier. Officers attended the scene and arrested a 57-year-old man,” the Cheshire police said in a statement.
“Paul Ince, of Quarry Road, Neston, has since been charged with drink-driving.”
Reuters has contacted Ince’s representative for comment.
After retiring as a player, Ince led Milton Keynes Dons to a League Two title in 2007-08. He most recently managed Reading during 2022-23.
-Reuters
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
International Football
From garbage collector to Starman of Ancelotti’s Brazil team: the story of Ribeiro
“I was without a team for a year and a half, doing trials… and no club in Brazil wanted me.!” Alex Ribeiro
Alexsandro Victor de Souza Ribeiro (Rio de Janeiro, 1999) was, until a few days ago, a semi-unknown to the general public in Brazil.
However, Carlo Ancelotti, impressed by his strong performance against Real Madrid in the Champions League, insisted on calling up the Lille centre-back… and giving him his debut.
Not only that. He started alongside Marquinhos against Ecuador (0-0) and Paraguay (1-0) and helped the Seleçao keep two consecutive clean sheets for the first time in the qualifying rounds.
Alex, as he likes to be called, impressed with his 1.92 meters (6′ 1″) frame and confidence. According to ‘R10Score’, he was the Brazilian player who completed the most actions with the ball (186) and the second with the most cuts (11).
He completed 154 of the 166 passes he made (92% accuracy) and won 12 of the 16 duels he was involved in: 5 of 7 at ground level and 7 of 9 in the air. “A gentleman defender,” boasted the official Ligue 1 Portuguese account.
His path to the elite wasn’t easy. “I don’t think you know this, but this is my first game as a professional in Brazil. Strange, isn’t it? There’s nothing better. To debut in Brazil like this, with a win and qualification,” he boasted after defeating Paraguay.
These first few days with Ancelotti have been unique; I’ll remember them for the rest of my life. I’ve responded well not only to myself, but also to the coach and the Brazilian people. I was able to demonstrate my ability to those who had doubts. Few people give me the opportunity that the manager has given me,” he insists
The Lille centre-back took his first steps in Flamengo’s youth system, where he even met Vinicius.
“When we played against Real Madrid, Vini came up to me and hugged me. He said, ‘I’m glad to see you here, brother.’ That inspired and motivated me even more,” he told ‘Globo Esporte’.
‘Fla’ cut him off. He had to make a living as a street vendor. He also collected trash, especially cans. “I was without a team for a year and a half, doing trials… and no club in Brazil wanted me, so I went to Europe to play in Portugal’s Third Division.”
Praiense (2018-20), Amora (2020-21), and Chaves (2021-22)—the latter already in the Second Division—were his springboard to Lille. The Bulldogs signed him in 2022-23 for €2 million. He has become a more than worthy successor to his compatriot Gabriel Magalhaes.
“Little by little, my name is spreading. My football is reaching everywhere. This includes Brazil,” he said before making his debut with the Seleçao. Now that he’s made it, he has another challenge: “I want to continue it.”
-Marca
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
- OBITUARY2 days ago
BREAKING: Nigerian Goalkeeping Legend Peter Rufai is dead
- Nigerian Football2 days ago
Football Agent John Shittu Demands Retraction and ₦250 Million Damages from Samson Siasia Over Bribery Allegation
- WAFCON1 week ago
Super Falcons Land in Morocco, Eye Historic ‘La Decima’ Women’s AFCON Title
- FEDERATION CUP1 week ago
Kwara United Clinch Historic First Title as President Federation Cup Final Goes to Penalties for the 18th time
- FEDERATION CUP1 week ago
Rivers Angels Crowned 2025 Female Federation Cup Champions After Penalty Shootout Thriller
- OBITUARY2 days ago
Peter Rufai looked lean when I last saw him, says mourning NFF President, Gusau
- OBITUARY2 days ago
Family issues statement on Peter Rufai
- IMMEMORIAL1 day ago
Peter Rufai’s Death Adds to Long List of July Tragedies in Nigerian Football