Banyana Boost World Cup Hopes with Win Over Nigeria

Banyana Banyana have kept their World Cup hopes alive with a crucial 2-1 victory over Nigeria at the Moulay Rachid Stadium in Casablanca. fish-roadgame.online

Goals from Thembi Kgatlana and Refiloe Jane cancelled out a goal from Christy Ucheibe to qualify for the FIFA Playoff tournament for next year’s Women’s World Cup in Brazil.

WATCH: Banyana Banyana vs Nigeria

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Le club Aiglons football club de N’Djaména annonce, à travers un communiqué de presse, le transfert de son joueur Daniel Mbaïtoloum au club turc de Samsunspor. Agé de 18 ans, Daniel Mbaïtoloum fait le grand saut en ralliant la Turquie. Un transfert dont se réjouit son club. » Cette opération marque une étape historique pour […]

L’article Football : Daniel Mbaïtoloum du club Aiglons de N’Djaména transféré au Samsunspor en Turquie est apparu en premier sur Tchadinfos.

Ghana came from behind to defeat Côte d’Ivoire 2-1 and secure a place in the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 inter-confederation play-offs after a dramatic TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON 2026) play-off in Casablanca.

The Black Queens trailed after just four minutes at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium when Ines Konan converted a penalty to give Côte d’Ivoire the perfect start.

But Ghana produced a determined second-half response, with Princess Marfo equalising in the 59th minute before Josephine Bonsu scored from the penalty spot in the 72nd minute to complete the turnaround.

The result keeps alive Ghana’s hopes of returning to the Women’s World Cup for the first time since 2007 and gives the Black Queens another route towards qualification for Brazil 2027.

For Côte d’Ivoire, the defeat ends their hopes of reaching a second Women’s World Cup following their sole previous appearance in 2015.

Côte d’Ivoire make flying start

Both teams entered the match knowing there was little margin for error after missing out on automatic World Cup qualification through the WAFCON quarter-finals.

Côte d’Ivoire responded to that pressure quickest.

The Lady Elephants were awarded a penalty in the opening stages and Konan made no mistake, scoring in the fourth minute to put her side 1-0 ahead.

Ghana were forced to chase the match almost immediately, while Côte d’Ivoire looked to protect their advantage and exploit opportunities on the break.

The first half became increasingly physical, with Bernadette Amani cautioned for Côte d’Ivoire in the 13th minute before Ghana’s Portia Boakye was booked in the 25th.

Aïssata Gbehi also received a yellow card for the hosts before Ghana were forced into a change in first-half stoppage time, with Evelyn Badu replacing Doris Boaduwaa following an injury.

Despite those disruptions, the Black Queens remained in the contest and reached half-time only one goal behind.

Marfo sparks Ghana comeback

Ghana returned after the interval with greater purpose and were rewarded in the 59th minute.

Princess Marfo found the breakthrough the Black Queens had been searching for, scoring to level the contest at 1-1 and completely change the momentum of the game.

Having been forced to respond from an early setback, Ghana now sensed an opportunity to take control.

That opportunity arrived in the 72nd minute when the Black Queens were awarded a penalty.

Bonsu stepped forward under considerable pressure and converted to put Ghana 2-1 ahead, completing a remarkable second-half turnaround.

Côte d’Ivoire responded with changes as they searched for an equaliser, but Ghana defended their advantage with growing determination.

The Black Queens also refreshed their team late on, with Sharon Sampson, Alice Sarpong and Linda Owusu among those introduced as the closing stages became increasingly tense.

Badu was booked in the 85th minute as Ghana battled to protect their slender lead.

World Cup dream remains alive

Ghana eventually held firm to complete a victory that could prove hugely significant for a generation of players seeking to return the country to the biggest stage in women’s football.

The Black Queens featured at three successive Women’s World Cups in 1999, 2003 and 2007 but have failed to qualify for the four editions since.

Their hopes of ending that long absence remain alive.

By winning the play-off, Ghana advance to the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 inter-confederation play-offs, where further matches will determine the remaining qualifiers for the tournament in Brazil.

It also represents an important response from Kim Lars Björkegren’s side after the disappointment of missing out on a WAFCON semi-final and automatic World Cup qualification.

Côte d’Ivoire, meanwhile, will reflect on a campaign in which they showed considerable attacking quality but ultimately fell short of returning to the global stage.

For Ghana, however, one more hurdle has been cleared.

After falling behind inside four minutes, the Black Queens showed resilience to turn the match around and move another step closer to ending a 20-year absence from the Women’s World Cup.

SOURCE: CAF ONLINE

The post WAFCON 2026: Ghana beat Côte d’Ivoire to book spot in FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 play-offs appeared first on SportsAfrica - Sports news | Live scores | Match highlights | Betting tips.

Springboks Elrigh Louw and Johan Grobbelaar have joined the Vodacom Bulls squad for Saturday’s match against the All Blacks at Loftus Versfeld.

The pair were released to gain more playing time ahead of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series.

They will play from the bench after returning from Argentina and completing one training session with the Bulls.

“It’s great to have them with us, and we’re looking forward to the challenge,” coach Johan Ackermann said.

Curwin Bosch starts at flyhalf

The Bulls have selected Curwin Bosch at flyhalf following his return from a two-year spell in France.

Bosch partners scrumhalf Embrose Papier, one of the Bulls’ leading performers during their Vodacom United Rugby Championship campaign.

Captain Marcell Coetzee leads the team from flank, while Springbok Willie le Roux starts at fullback.

Hanro Liebenberg returns to South Africa

Hanro Liebenberg starts at flank after returning to South Africa following his time with Leicester Tigers in the English Premiership.

Jeandre Rudolph starts at No 8, completing the loose trio alongside Liebenberg and Coetzee.

The Bulls have selected Ruan Vermaak and JF van Heerden in the second row.

Thaakir Abrahams starts on the wing

Former Sharks and Munster wing Thaakir Abrahams starts on the right wing.

Stravino Jacobs takes the left-wing position, while Harold Vorster and Stedman Gans form the midfield partnership.

Hakeem Kunene included among replacements

Hakeem Kunene was included in the initial match-day squad after impressing since joining the Bulls for the Currie Cup.

The initial replacements list also featured Jaundre Schoeman, Sti Sithole, Khuta Mchunu, Reinhardt Ludwig, Mpilo Gumede, Paul de Wet and Katlego Letebele.

Louw and Grobbelaar were subsequently added to the bench.

The supplied update did not confirm their jersey numbers or identify which players would make way in the revised match-day squad.

All Blacks lead the historic rivalry

The Bulls and All Blacks have met four times since 1949, with New Zealand winning three matches.

The Bulls’ only victory came in August 1976, when Northern Transvaal beat the tourists 29-27.

Saturday’s fixture takes place close to the 50th anniversary of that result.

Vodacom Bulls starting XV

1. Alu Tshakweni
2. Juann Else
3. Francois Klopper
4. Ruan Vermaak
5. JF van Heerden
6. Marcell Coetzee, captain
7. Hanro Liebenberg
8. Jeandre Rudolph
9. Embrose Papier
10. Curwin Bosch
11. Stravino Jacobs
12. Harold Vorster
13. Stedman Gans
14. Thaakir Abrahams
15. Willie le Roux

Initial replacements announced

16. Jaundre Schoeman
17. Sti Sithole
18. Khuta Mchunu
19. Reinhardt Ludwig
20. Mpilo Gumede
21. Paul de Wet
22. Katlego Letebele
23. Hakeem Kunene

Elrigh Louw and Johan Grobbelaar have since been drafted into the squad. The revised numbered replacements list was not supplied.

Bulls vs All Blacks match details

Fixture: Vodacom Bulls vs All Blacks

Date: Saturday, 15 August 2026

Venue: Loftus Versfeld

South African kick-off: 19:00 SAST

United Kingdom kick-off: 18:00 BST

New Zealand kick-off: 05:00 NZST on Sunday, 16 August 2026

Read Inbound SA online

The post Springbok pair added to Bulls squad for All Blacks clash at Loftus appeared first on InBound South Africa.

No 8 Zinzan Brooke’s drop goal in the second Test of the 1996 series against the Springboks at Loftus gave the All Blacks a 33-26 lead – which they hung on to.

𝗜𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗜𝗖.

Pretoria, 1996 ~ Zinzan Brooke hits a historic drop goal to secure a series win… and we’re back there this weekend

Read more:https://t.co/utzhwnfAet pic.twitter.com/6YYCKYXuh8

— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) August 14, 2026

Photo: Dave Rogers/Getty Images

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