International Football
Hasaacas stun Rivers Angels to win WAFU B CAF WCL qualifiers
Hasaacas Ladies pulled off a remarkable feat by defeating favourites Rivers Angles of Nigeria 3-1 on a wildly dramatic final night to win the WAFU ‘B’ CAF Women’s Champions League qualifiers tournament in Abidjan on Thursday.
The Ghanaians stunned the highly-fancied Angels, at the Stade Robert Champroux in the Ivorian capital, who had been dominant in the competition before the two sides met for the second time in the tournament on a cloudy night.
Striker Veronica Appiah put the Ghanaians into an early lead with a well-timed effort, just at the start of the match, but the Angels hit back seven minutes later through Vivian Ikechukwu goalmouth’s effort.
Defender Perpetual Agyekum scored a stunning free-kick from 30 yards to restore the lead of Hasaacas Ladies four minutes before the break to maintain their hopes.
Azumah Bugre struck with a 20-yard thunderbolt that goalkeeper Whyte Ibubeleye struggled to deal with to complete the spectacular win for the Ghanaian club and secure the historic first title in the maiden women’s clubs championship for the region.
It completed a sweet revenge for Hasaacas, who lost 2-0 to the Nigerians in their first meeting of the tournament, and they were clearly determined to amends for their opening day defeat.
The Sekondi-based team raced into the lead just at the start of the match when attacker Rahman Jafaru controlled a free-kick in the box before her shot ricocheted against the crossbar back into play.
Appiah, who was waiting at the edge of the box, smashed the returning ball into the far post to send the numerous Ghanaian supporters in the stands into raptures.
Angels, who had been tipped by the connoisseurs thanks to their dominant showing prior to Thursday’s match, showed why they were the fans’ favourite.
They pinned the Ghanaians to their half and were rewarded with a free kick near the goal area of Hasaacas which was not competently dealt with by the Ghanaians.
Ikechukwu, who was lurking in the goal area, struck through a forest of legs leaving goalkeeper Faustina Nyamekye bewildered to hand the Angels the equalizer.
Hasaacas should have restored their lead moments later but Doris Boaduwaa made a light work of Angels defenders Mary Saiki and Rofiat Imuran to set Pokuaa Milot up on a one-on-one situation with the Ibubeleye but striker shot feebly into waiting hands of the shot-stopper.
The Nigerian goalkeeper did not have an answer to the thunderous free-kick of dead ball specialist Agyekum, who stunned the Angels from a distance with her swerving kick that went into the top corner to make it 2-1 in the 41st minute.
Hasaacas returned from half-time more confident over their performance on the night. Captain Janet Egyir effectively dealt with some early attacks of Angels as they pressed for the equalizer.
The Nigerian side’s quest for the equalizer permitted Hasaacas to also attack and on 57 minutes Bugre pounced on a poor clearance by Rivers defenders to drive home a left-footed shot into the top corner.
Angels mounted a nervy late attack on the Hasaacas goal area but the Ghanaians held on for the victory with Egyir getting the award for the Woman of the Match.
The two sides will represent WAFU B at the maiden TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Champions League to be played in Egypt later this year.
Earlier in the day Togolese side Amis du Monde defeated USFA of Burkina Faso 2-0 to clinch third place at the tournament.
-cafonline
Nigeria’s Super Eagles put up a spirited performance but were edged 2-1 by Portugal in an international friendly at the Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa in Leiria on Wednesday night.
The match served as Portugal’s final tune-up ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America and offered the Nigerians a chance to test themselves against one of Europe’s leading sides led by veteran captain Cristiano Ronaldo.
Portugal drew first blood in the 23rd minute when Pedro Neto broke the deadlock, firing past Nigerian goalkeeper Maduka Okoye after a lively opening period in which both teams created opportunities.
The Super Eagles responded positively and were rewarded eight minutes before halftime when striker Akor Adams found the equaliser. The goal capped an impressive Nigerian fightback and ensured the teams went into the break level at 1-1.
Ronaldo, making a rare appearance against Nigeria, started the match and remained on the pitch until the 67th minute. The 41-year-old was given a standing ovation by the home crowd when he was replaced by Gonçalo Ramos.
Portugal made several changes after the interval as coach Roberto Martinez rotated his squad in preparation for the World Cup. Despite the substitutions, the hosts continued to press for a winner.
Their persistence paid off in the 75th minute when Francisco Conceição struck the decisive goal, restoring Portugal’s lead and ultimately securing victory for the European side.
Nigeria battled to find another equaliser in the closing stages but Portugal’s defence held firm to preserve the 2-1 result.
The defeat means Portugal have now won both meetings between the two countries. Their first encounter came in Lisbon in November 2022, when the Portuguese recorded a convincing 4-0 victory in a pre-World Cup friendly.
While the result will disappoint Nigerian supporters, the Super Eagles can take encouragement from their resilient display against one of the teams widely tipped to make a strong impact at the World Cup. Akor Adams’ goal and Nigeria’s competitive showing against a star-studded Portuguese side provided positive signs as the team continues its rebuilding process under the national team set-up.
For Portugal, the victory provides a confidence boost as they head to North America, where they hope their talented midfield and experienced squad can propel them to a successful World Cup campaign.
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Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo will be in the starting line-up when the Selecao take on Nigeria in an international friendly match which kicks off in a few minutes tonight.
The 41-year-old forward, who remains a key figure in the Portuguese national team, has been named among the starters as Portugal continue preparations for upcoming competitive fixtures.
Ronaldo’s inclusion is expected to add further excitement to the encounter, with Nigerian fans eager to see one of football’s greatest players in action against the Super Eagles.
The match offers Nigeria another opportunity to test themselves against top European opposition, while Portugal will look to sharpen their squad ahead of future international assignments.
Kick-off is scheduled for later tonight, with both teams expected to field strong line-ups in what promises to be an entertaining contest.
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By Kunle Solaja
Nigeria’s Super Eagles and Portugal will meet for only the second time at the senior level when they clash in an international friendly in Leiria on Wednesday night.
The encounter comes under remarkably similar circumstances to their first meeting in November 2022, when Portugal defeated Nigeria 4-0 in Lisbon just days before the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Once again, Portugal are using Nigeria as their final warm-up match before the World Cup. Four years ago, the Portuguese selected the Super Eagles to prepare for a group-stage clash against Ghana, the team that denied Nigeria a place at Qatar 2022.
History appears to be repeating itself. This time, Portugal are preparing for a World Cup opening fixture against the Democratic Republic of Congo, another team that shattered Nigeria’s World Cup ambitions by eliminating the Super Eagles from the qualification race.
The match at the 29,000-capacity Estádio Dr Magalhães Pessoa offers Nigeria an opportunity to avenge the heavy defeat suffered four years ago and test themselves against one of Europe’s strongest sides.
Portugal coach Roberto Martinez has assembled a star-studded squad featuring five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias, Rafael Leão and João Félix.
The Portuguese head into the encounter unbeaten in their last four matches, having recorded victories over the United States and Chile while drawing with Mexico.
Nigeria, under coach Eric Chelle, have also enjoyed an impressive run. Since taking charge 15 months ago, the Franco-Malian tactician has overseen 24 matches and suffered only one defeat in regulation time.
With both teams carrying impressive recent records, Wednesday’s friendly promises to be far more competitive than the scoreline from their last meeting suggests.
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