International Football
Bayelsa Queens win WAFU B zonal qualifiers and clinch CAF Women’s Champions League ticket
Bayelsa Queens of Nigeria clinched the WAFU B title of the zonal qualifiers for CAF Women’s Champions League after defeating Ghana’s Ampem Darkoa Ladies 3-0 in the final on Saturday.
The Nigerian league champion won the trophy thanks to three first-half goals at the Yamoussoukro Stadium in Cote d’Ivoire to secure the rights to represent Wafu B at the top-flight women’s continental club competition to be played later this year
Goals by Miracle Joseph, Flourish Sabatine Choma and Chinyere Igbomalu before the break sealed the emphatic victory and secure their place at the tournament in Morocco.
Bayelsa Queens took charge of the midfield at the start of the game allowing them to penetrate the Ghanaian half easily which resulted in the first goal with Joseph scoring from a penalty kick after her team-mate was brought down in the box.
They extended their lead nine minutes through Choma, a standout player in the tournament, who had no trouble in easily beating the Ghanaian goalkeeper Safiatu Salifu from close range with a beautiful solo effort.
The Nigerians continued their dominance and four minutes before the break Igbomalu easily tapped in to give Bayelsa the commanding 3-0 advantage at half-time.
Ampem Darkoa Ladies coach Nana Joe Adarkwa tweaked his tactics after the recess which gave the Ghanaian hope of a revival.
The Ghanaians were much more organized after the break as they took control of the game by becoming more aggressive and very fast but could not find the opening in the Nigerian defence who became more resolute.
Ampem Darkoa Ladies had lot of chances to win the match but Bayelsa defence worked overtime to ensure that the Ghanaians were kept at bay until the end of the match.
Bayelsa Queens were thus crowned champion of Wafu B who succeeded Ghanaian side Hasaacas Ladies who won the title last year by defeating Rivers Angels of Nigeria 3 -1 in the final of the zonal competition.
The Nigerian side will be seeking to improve on the performance of their predecessors Hasaacas Ladies who reached the final of the previous edition of CAF Women’s Champions League but lost 2-0 in final against Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa.
Meanwhile Africa Sports of Cote d’Ivoire clinched third place after defeating Espoir on Benin 4-0 in the third place playoff match on Saturday.
-cafonline
International Football
Former Chelsea manager, Pochettino takes over US men’s team
Former Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has been named new coach of the United States men’s team, U.S. Soccer announced on Tuesday.
Pochettino, who parted ways with Premier League side Chelsea in May after one season in charge, will take the reins of the national team ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Mexico, Canada and the United States.
The Argentine, a former Paris St Germain and Tottenham Hotspur manager, said his decision to join U.S. soccer was not just about football, but about the journey the country was on and he could not pass up the opportunity.
“The energy, the passion, and the hunger to achieve something truly historic here – those are the things that inspired me,” he said in a statement.
“I see a group of players full of talent and potential, and together, we’re going to build something special that the whole nation can be proud of.”
U.S. Soccer Sporting Director Matt Crocker said Pochettino was a “serial winner with a deep passion for developing players”.
“His track record speaks for itself, and I am confident that he is the right choice to harness the immense potential within our talented squad. We are thrilled to have Mauricio on board as we embark on this exciting journey to achieve success on the global stage.”
The U.S. have been without a permanent coach since a humiliating early exit from the Copa America on home soil in July led to the sacking of Gregg Berhalter after his second stint as head coach.
The 51-year-old boss was first appointed in 2018 and led the Americans to the knockout stages of the 2022 World Cup, but just weeks later found himself embroiled in a bitter public row with one of the team’s brightest emerging talents, Gio Reyna.
U.S. Soccer’s search for a new coach when Berhalter’s contract expired at the end of 2022 included names such as Canada coach Jesse Marsch, but they ultimately rehired Berhalter in June last year with the full support of the players.
However, it proved unsuccessful as the U.S. failed to progress beyond the group stages of the Copa America after a shock 2-1 defeat to Panama and a crushing 1-0 loss to Uruguay.
Pochettino will take over after Mikey Varas, who has been appointed interim coach, oversaw friendlies against Canada last Saturday and New Zealand on Tuesday.
The U.S. drew 1-1 with New Zealand in Cincinnati after Christian Pulisic’s goal was cancelled out by Ben Waine’s late equaliser.
The U.S. will next play friendlies against Panama on Oct. 12 and Mexico three days later.
-Reuters
International Football
BREAKING – Video: Osimhen accepts to join Galatasaray
At last, Nigeria’s striker Victor Osimhen is out of the limbo. He has accepted to join Galatasaray on loan.
He is now asking for a release clause at Napoli to become €75m instead of €130m
He also wants a break clause for January in case top clubs approach him over move.
The final points are being discussed. He has been videoed celebrating with the Turkey club’s fans.
International Football
Uruguay striker Suarez to play last international match on Friday
Uruguay striker Luis Suarez announced his international retirement on Monday, ending a 17-year career with his national team as their top scorer with 69 goals.
The 37-year-old, who has 142 caps for his country, made his international debut in 2007 and was key in the squad that reached the semi-finals of the 2010 World Cup and won the Copa America a year later.
“Friday will be my last match with my country’s national team,” an emotional Suarez told a press conference.
“The fact that is my decision to retire and that I’m not retired because of injuries or that they stop calling me for one thing or another, that gives me a lot of comfort, it helps me individually.
“It’s difficult but it gives me peace of mind that until the last game I have given my all, and that flame has not been extinguished little by little,” the striker added.
Uruguay take on Paraguay at the Centenario stadium in Montevideo on Friday in the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup before facing Venezuela four days later.
Suarez scored the stoppage-time goal against Canada that secured third place at the Copa America in July and the striker added that one of his aims was to show he could continue to contribute to the national team.
“My dream was for my children to see me win something important with the national team … that last goal was very nice for them and even though it wasn’t a trophy to take home, it was very nice for them,” he said.
“I wanted to show people again that I can continue to contribute to the national team and, well, I had the Copa America and yes, I could have done it (retired) perfectly after that, but having analysed the situation, I want to do it with my people, in my stadium.
“I want my children to live this experience. Saying goodbye with the people here is something that I don’t know if many have done.”
Suarez has already said Inter Miami will be his last club after joining the Major League Soccer side last year to reunite with former Barcelona teammates Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba.
-Reuters
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