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Record-chasing debutants, Morocco in last effort at crossing the group stage

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The last of the groupstage matches at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 take place in Group H as Morocco and Colombia meet in Perth/Boorloo, with both teams vying with Germany and Korea Republic to claim the remaining two roundof-16 berths.

Morocco are aiming to make history and qualify for the knockout phase in their debut FIFA Women’s World Cup campaign.

By beating Korea Republic, the North Africans became only the fourth CAF representatives to have won a match at the finals (Zambia have since become the fifth), after Nigeria, Cameroon and Ghana, as well as the first Arab team to have registered a victory in the history of the tournament. In order to progress, the Atlas Lionesses must better Germany’s result against Korea Republic.

Colombia are bidding to reach the knockout phase for the second time, having previously done so in their last appearance at the finals, in 2015. They produced a scintillating performance to beat Germany 2-1 last time out, and a point here will mathematically secure a last-16 spot.

KEY FACTS

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  • Ibtissam Jraïdi scored Morocco’s first-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup goal in their 1-0 win over Korea Republic.
  • Colombia’s sixpoint haul is their highest tally in a FIFA Women’s World Cup group stage, bettering their four-point return in 2015.
  • Colombia’s Las Cafeterashave won successive matches at a FIFA Women’s World Cup for the first time.
  • Colombia have won three and drawn two of their last six FIFA Women’s World Cup group-stage outings (Win 3, Draw 2,  Lost 1).
  • This is Colombia’s first FIFA Women’s World Cup match against an African team.
  • Colombia’s Linda Caicedo, aged 18 years and 158 days, is the second-youngest South American player to have scored in two FIFA Women’s World Cup encounters, coming in behind Brazil’s Marta, who scored in three matches at the 2003 finals at the age of 17.

MOROCCO TEAM FACTS

FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP TEAM RECORDS

  • Overall record: Play2, Win 1, Draw 0,  Lost 1, Goals For: 1,  Goals Against 6,  Goal Difference: -5
  • Biggest win: 1-0 Morocco v. Korea Republic (30/07/2023)
  • Biggest defeat: 0-6 Morocco 0-6Germany (24/07/2023)
  • Highest scoring match: 6 goals – Morocco 0-6 Germany (23/07/2023)
  • Most goals scored in a match: 1 – Morocco 1-0 Korea Republic (30/07/2023)
  • Most goals conceded in a match: 6 – Morocco 0-6 Germany (23/07/2023)
  • Most goals scored at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 1 (2023 – 2 matches)
  • Fewest goals scored at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 1 (2023 – 2 matches)
  • Most goals conceded at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 6 (2023 – 2 matches)
  • Fewest goals conceded at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 6 (2023 – 2 matches)

FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP STREAKS

  • Successive wins: 1 (2023-present)
  • Successive defeats: 1 (2023)
  • Successive draws: 0
  • Successive matches without a defeat: 1 (2023-present)
  • Successive matches without a win: 1 (2023)
  • Successive matches with a goal scored: 1 (2023-present)
  • Successive matches without scoring: 1 (2023)
  • Successive clean sheets: 1 (2023-present)

COLOMBIA TEAM FACTS

FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP TEAM RECORDS

  • Overall record: Play9,  Win 3, Draw 2,  Lost 4,  Goals For 8, Goals Against: 10,  Goal Difference: -2
  • Biggest win: Colombia 2-0France (13/06/2015), 2-0 Colombia 2-0 Korea Republic (25/07/2023)
  • Biggest defeat: Colombia 0-3. USA (02/07/2011)
  • Highest scoring match: 3 goals – Colombia 0-3 USA (02/07/2011), Colombia 1-2 England (17/06/2015)and Colombia 2-1 Germany (30/07/2023)
  • Most goals scored in a match: 2 – Colombia 2-0 France (13/06/2015), Colombia 2-0 Korea Republic (25/07/2023)and Colombia 2-1 Germany (30/07/2023)
  • Most goals conceded in a match: 3 – Colombia 0-3 USA (02/07/2011)
  • Most goals scored at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 4 – 2015 (4 matches)and 2023 (2 matches)
  • Fewest goals scored at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 0 – 2011 (3 matches)
  • Most goals conceded at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 5 – 2015 (4 matches)
  • Fewest goals conceded at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 4 – 2011 (3 matches)

FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP STREAKS

  • Successive wins: 2 (2023-present)
  • Successive defeats: 2 (2011 and 2015)
  • Successive draws: 2 (2011-2015)
  • Successive matches without a defeat: 3 (2011-2015)
  • Successive matches without a win: 4 (2011-2015)
  • Successive matches with a goal scored: 3 (2015)
  • Successive matches without scoring: 3 (2011)
  • Successive clean sheets: 1 (2011, 2015 and 2023)

 

Kunle Solaja is the author of landmark books on sports and journalism as well as being a multiple award-winning journalist and editor of long standing. He is easily Nigeria’s foremost soccer diarist and Africa's most capped FIFA World Cup journalist, having attended all FIFA World Cup finals from Italia ’90 to Qatar 2022. He was honoured at the Qatar 2022 World Cup by FIFA and AIPS.

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Ahead of Nigeria-Libya match: Some kidnapped journalists regain freedom

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An unspecified number of Nigerian journalists travelling to Uyo for Friday’s Nigeria versus Libya’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match have been rescued.

This is contained in a press release by the Sports Writers’ Association of Nigeria (SWAN) on Thursday. The association commended the Nigerian security forces for their efforts in the rescue operation.
From the press release, it was gathered that the media men were abducted within the  Anambra and Imo states axis.

”SWAN therefore commends the security operatives, particularly the Nigerian Army and Police for their prompt action which ensured that up to six of the held Sports Journalists regained their freedom with efforts to get the remaining person freed”, reads the SWAN statement.

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Klopp becomes Red Bull global soccer chief in first job after Liverpool

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Liverpool v Wolverhampton Wanderers - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - May 19, 2024 Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp reacts as he gives a speech after his last match as Liverpool manager REUTERS/Phil Noble/File Photo

German coach Juergen Klopp has been appointed head of global soccer for Red Bull, owners of several clubs including RB Leipzig and New York Red Bulls, the company said on Wednesday, in his first job since leaving Liverpool earlier this year.

Klopp, who ended his successful nine-year stint with Liverpool at the end of last season, will be starting on January 1, 2025.

“After almost 25 years on the sideline, I could not be more excited to get involved in a project like this,” Klopp, who also coached Mainz 05 and Borussia Dortmund, said in a statement.

“The role may have changed but my passion for football and the people who make the game what it is has not.”

The 57-year-old joined Liverpool in October 2015 and won the Champions League, their first English League title since 1990, the Club World Cup, FA Cup, League Cup and Super Cup, as well as the Community Shield during his time in charge.

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Klopp, who also led Dortmund to two Bundesliga titles, a German Cup and a Champions League final in 2013, had announced in January he would be leaving Liverpool at the end of the season.

Klopp will not be involved in the day-to-day operations of the Red Bull-owned clubs in Germany, United States, Brazil and Austria, the company said.

“He will provide strategic vision, supporting individual sporting directors in advancing the Red Bull philosophy,” Red Bull said.

Klopp will also support the organisation’s global scouting operation, and contribute to the training and development of coaches.

“I see my role primarily as a mentor for the coaches and management of the Red Bull clubs but ultimately I am one part of an organisation that is unique, innovative and forward looking. As I said, this could not excite me more,” Klopp said.

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Some German media reported his Red Bull contract included an exit clause for the post of Germany national team coach.

Klopp has long been linked to that job, especially after his successful stint at Liverpool and with Germany struggling to make an impact on the international stage in the past decade.

-Reuters

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Cape Verdean, Delgado Rocha, to take charge of Libya, Nigeria battle in Benina

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Referee Delgado Santos Rocha Lenine of Cape Verde

The Confederation of African Football has appointed Delgado Santos Rocha Lenine, from Cape Verde, as referee for Tuesday’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match between the Super Eagles and the Mediterranean Knights of Libya at the Martyrs of Benina Stadium in Benina, close to Benghazi.

He will be assisted by compatriots Djêry Gomes Lopes (assistant referee 1) and Jorge Santos Fonseca Aritson (assistant referee 2), with Hamidou Diero from Burkina Faso as fourth official.

Amir Abdi Hassan from Somalia will be in the role of commissioner, with Malian Dramane Dante as referee assessor and Rachid Medjiba from Algeria as security officer.

Tuesday’s encounter, which is at the back-end of a double header between both nations, will kick off at 9pm Libya time (8pm Nigeria time).  

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