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Nervy Proteas Back on Track After Dercksen and Kapp Secure Edgbaston Cliffhanger
BIRMINGHAM – It was a victory that arrived with a massive sigh of relief rather than a roar of dominance. South Africa successfully resuscitated their 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup campaign at Edgbaston, grinding out a tense two-wicket win over Pakistan. hilogame.news
While the scoreboard records a crucial first two points on the board for the Proteas in Group A, it masks a roller-coaster encounter that saw South Africa ruthlessly dismantle Pakistan’s top order, squander a commanding position, and ultimately stumble over the finish line.
Kapp Sparks an Early Demolition
Choosing to bowl first, the Proteas could not have dreamt of a more explosive start. Veteran all-rounder Marizanne Kapp delivered a masterclass in opening bowling, striking with the very first ball of the match by trapping Muneeba Ali leg-before. Five balls later, a beautiful delivery held its line to shatter Gull Feroza’s stumps, leaving Pakistan reeling at 3/2.
Kapp (3/23) returned in her next over to remove Ayesha Zafar, while Ayabonga Khaka induced a chop-on from Natalia Pervaiz. With Shabnim Ismail (1/15) keeping things incredibly tight at the other end, the pressure completely unhinged Pakistan’s running between the wickets. A comedy of communication errors resulted in four farcical run-outs, and by the 10th over, Pakistan had collapsed to a seemingly terminal 50/8.
“Lovely way to start the game with a wicket on the first ball. Kappie was excellent… so nice to have them bowling up front to set up the innings.”
— Laura Wolvaardt, South Africa Captain
The Sana Fightback
Just as South Africa looked poised to wrap up the innings quickly and give their Net Run Rate a massive boost, Pakistan captain Fatima Sana staged a magnificent counter-attack.
Sana played a lone hand of pure defiance, anchoring a world-record ninth-wicket World Cup partnership of 71 runs alongside Tuba Hassan (23). Sana finished unbeaten on a brilliant 55 off 38 balls, launching a brutal final-over assault against Nadine de Klerk that leaked 19 runs. From the depths of despair, Sana dragged Pakistan to a defendable, hard-fought 126/9.
Dercksen’s Onslaught and the Middle-Order Jitters
South Africa’s chase began in sluggish fashion, crawling to 20/1 in the fourth over after Suné Luus fell early. However, Annerie Dercksen single-handed shifted the momentum.
Showing total disregard for the sluggish, spinning Edgbaston surface, Dercksen launched a devastating counter-offensive. She brutally targeted Rameen Shamim’s fifth over, plundering 21 runs, including two massive sixes. Dercksen blasted her way to a 32-ball half-century, completely shifting the pressure back onto the bowling side.
When Dercksen fell for a magnificent 52 off 35 balls, quickly followed by Kapp (10), South Africa looked safe at 76/4. Yet, true to the theme of the day, the Proteas made heavy weather of the finish.
Pakistan’s spinners, led by Sadia Iqbal and a fiery spell from Sana (), began choking the runs. Chloe Tryon and Kayla Reyneke fell cheaply as panic crept into the South African dugout. Nadine de Klerk became the vital anchor, scoring a gritty, composed 37 off 28 balls to keep the scoreboard ticking.
A Sigh of Relief
The drama peaked in the 17th over when Sana struck twice, removing De Klerk and Sinalo Jafta to leave the Proteas eight wickets down with the scores level. In a fitting end to a chaotic match, Pakistan’s discipline deserted them at the final hurdle, gifting South Africa the winning run via a stray down-leg wide.
While captain Laura Wolvaardt conceded the performance was “a little scratchy,” the points are secured. The road only gets steeper from here; the Proteas travel to Manchester to face a world-class Indian side at Old Trafford on Sunday, 21 June. To challenge the group favourites, the middle order will need to replicate Dercksen’s clinical edge and eliminate the tactical collapses that nearly cost them dearly today.
Brief Scores
- Pakistan Women: 126/9 in 20 overs (Fatima Sana 55*, Tuba Hassan 23; Marizanne Kapp 3/23, Shabnim Ismail 1/15)
- South Africa Women: 127/8 in 16.5 overs (Annerie Dercksen 52, Nadine de Klerk 37; Fatima Sana 3/16, Sadia Iqbal 2/17)
- Result: South Africa Women won by 2 wickets.
For More South African Sports News: Sport South Africa Home Page
The post Nervy Proteas Back on Track After Dercksen and Kapp Secure Edgbaston Cliffhanger appeared first on South Africa Sports News and Blog Site | South Africa Sport.
AFCON 2027: Everything you need to know
The CAF Africa Cup of Nations PAMOJA 2027 (AFCON 2027) will be one of the most significant tournaments in the history of African football, with Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda set to jointly host the competition.
It will be the first AFCON to be staged by three countries, marking a major moment for East African football and for the wider continent.
The opening match will be played on Saturday, 19 June 2027, while the final is scheduled for Saturday, 17 July 2027.
Twenty-four teams are expected to compete for the continental title, with the three host nations qualifying automatically.
Although the stadiums and host cities are yet to be officially confirmed, the tournament already carries huge sporting, cultural and economic significance.
Here are the key things to know about TotalEnergies CAF AFCON PAMOJA 2027.
What is TotalEnergies CAF AFCON PAMOJA 2027
The tournament is the next edition of Africa’s flagship men’s national team football competition. It will bring together the best teams on the continent to compete for the title of African champions. The word “PAMOJA” means “together” in Swahili, reflecting the spirit of unity behind the joint hosting by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. It is a powerful name for a tournament being staged across three East African nations with shared history, culture and football passion.
When will AFCON PAMOJA 2027 take place
The competition will begin on Saturday, 19 June 2027, with the opening match. The final will be played on Saturday, 17 July 2027. These dates give the tournament a clear one-month window and allow CAF, the hosts, teams, broadcasters and supporters to plan well in advance. The exact match schedule, venues and kick-off times will be announced later by CAF.
Who will host the competition
Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda will jointly host the tournament. This makes AFCON PAMOJA 2027 historic because it will be the first edition of the Africa Cup of Nations to be hosted by three countries. It is also a major breakthrough for East Africa, a region that has long had passionate football support but has not hosted AFCON for many decades.
Why the tournament is historic for East Africa
CAF has described the 2027 tournament as the return of AFCON to East Africa for the first time since Ethiopia hosted the competition in 1976. That makes PAMOJA 2027 more than just another tournament. It is a chance for the region to showcase its football culture, infrastructure, hospitality, tourism and growing ambition on the continental stage.
Which edition of AFCON is PAMOJA 2027
The 2027 tournament is expected to be the 36th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations. The competition has grown from a small tournament involving a few nations into one of the biggest football events in the world. PAMOJA 2027 will continue that evolution, with three countries sharing responsibility for delivering Africa’s biggest football showpiece.
How many teams will play at AFCON 2027
Twenty-four teams are expected to qualify for the final tournament. This is the same modern AFCON format used in recent editions, allowing a wider spread of African nations to compete. The expanded format gives traditional powerhouses, rising teams and emerging football nations a chance to reach the finals and test themselves against the best on the continent.
Will the host nations qualify automatically
Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda are guaranteed places at the finals as co-hosts. However, they will still take part in the qualification campaign. This means their matches will still matter for group standings, but their presence at the final tournament is already secured. Their automatic qualification also affects how teams qualify from groups that contain one of the host nations.
How qualification will work
A total of 48 teams, including the three co-hosts, will take part in the main qualifying group stage. They will be drawn into 12 groups of four teams each. In most groups, the top two teams will qualify for the finals. However, in the groups containing Kenya, Tanzania or Uganda, only the highest-ranked team outside the host country will qualify because the host nation is already guaranteed a place.
When will the qualifiers be played
The qualifiers will be played across three FIFA international windows. Matchdays 1 and 2 will take place from 21 September to 6 October 2026. Matchdays 3 and 4 will be played from 9 to 17 November 2026. Matchdays 5 and 6 will be played from 22 to 30 March 2027. By the end of March 2027, the full line-up for the tournament is expected to be known.
• What happened in the preliminary round:
Before the main group stage, lower-ranked teams took part in a preliminary round to decide who would join the highest-ranked nations in the qualifiers. The winners of those ties advanced to join the main qualifying stage. This system gives lower-ranked countries a pathway into the competition while ensuring the group phase includes 48 teams.
Which teams are expected to qualify
The traditional giants of African football will be expected to reach the finals, although qualification in Africa is rarely simple. Morocco, Senegal, Nigeria, Egypt, Côte d’Ivoire, Algeria, Tunisia, Cameroon, Ghana, Mali, South Africa, DR Congo and Burkina Faso will all be among the teams watched closely. Recent AFCON tournaments have shown that reputations alone are not enough, and emerging nations such as Cape Verde, Comoros, Equatorial Guinea, Mozambique and The Gambia have proved they can trouble bigger names.
Teams to watch at AFCON PAMOJA 2027
Morocco will be one of the headline teams after their historic World Cup semi-final run in 2022 and continued rise in African football. Côte d’Ivoire will be closely followed after their recent AFCON success. Senegal remain one of the strongest and most balanced teams on the continent. Nigeria will always carry expectation because of their talent pool, while Egypt, Algeria, Cameroon and Ghana bring deep tournament history. South Africa, Mali, DR Congo and Tunisia could also be serious contenders if they qualify.
Players likely to be among the stars
The tournament could feature some of Africa’s biggest names if their countries qualify. Mohamed Salah, Achraf Hakimi, Victor Osimhen, Sadio Mane, Mohammed Kudus, Serhou Guirassy, Riyad Mahrez, Ademola Lookman, Nicolas Jackson, Simon Adingra, Amine Gouiri, Pape Matar Sarr, Yves Bissouma and Ronwen Williams are among the players who could attract major attention. By 2027, a new generation of African talent may also emerge, making the tournament a platform for both established stars and future global names.
What PAMOJA 2027 means for Kenya
For Kenya, hosting AFCON will be a major football and national moment. The Harambee Stars will have the chance to compete at home in front of passionate supporters. The tournament could also accelerate investment in stadiums, training facilities, transport, tourism and football development. Kenya will want to use the competition to strengthen its domestic game and inspire a new generation of players.
What PAMOJA 2027 means for Tanzania
Tanzania has one of the most passionate football cultures in East Africa, with huge support for clubs such as Simba and Young Africans. Hosting AFCON will give the country a chance to show its football energy to the continent. For Taifa Stars, automatic qualification provides a rare opportunity to compete at the highest African level in familiar conditions and in front of home support.
What PAMOJA 2027 means for Uganda
Uganda has a proud football tradition and a passionate national fan base. The Cranes will see the tournament as a chance to return to the centre of African football. Hosting matches could also strengthen facilities, grow fan engagement and create a legacy for football development. For many Ugandan supporters, AFCON at home will be one of the biggest sporting events in the country’s history.
Economic impact of AFCON 2027
The tournament could bring major economic benefits to Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. Hotels, airlines, restaurants, transport companies, media organisations, security services, tourism operators and small businesses are all expected to benefit from the arrival of teams, officials, fans and journalists. If properly managed, AFCON 2027 could create jobs, boost regional tourism and bring long-term investment into sports infrastructure.
What infrastructure will be needed
The hosts will need quality stadiums, training pitches, hotels, airports, medical facilities, media centres, broadcast facilities and reliable transport systems. Security, crowd control and fan experience will also be crucial. CAF has not yet confirmed the final stadium list, so any article on AFCON PAMOJA 2027 should make clear that venues remain subject to official confirmation.
Why the tournament matters for African unity
PAMOJA 2027 is built around the idea of togetherness. A three-nation tournament can show how African countries can work together to host major events. It also gives fans from across East Africa and the continent a chance to travel, connect and celebrate football across borders. If successful, it could become a model for future joint hosting in Africa.
What supporters should expect
Fans can expect a colourful and emotional tournament with strong regional identity. East African music, culture, food, travel and hospitality will form part of the experience. The presence of three host nations should create different atmospheres across the tournament. Supporters should also expect ticketing, travel guidance, match schedules and venue details to be released later by CAF and the local organising structures.
Why AFCON PAMOJA 2027 could be a turning point
The tournament gives East Africa the opportunity to reshape its place in African football. For years, the region has been known more for passion than for major continental success. Hosting AFCON could change that. If Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda deliver a strong tournament, PAMOJA 2027 could leave a legacy in infrastructure, youth football, tourism, coaching, administration and regional belief.
What happens next
The key next steps are the qualification campaign, confirmation of venues, release of the official match schedule, ticketing information and operational planning. The qualifiers will determine the 21 teams that join the three co-hosts at the finals. Once the full line-up is known, attention will turn to the draw, fixtures, team bases and the major storylines that will shape Africa’s biggest football event.
Major test
The TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations PAMOJA 2027 is already historic before a ball is kicked.
It will be the first AFCON hosted by three countries, the return of the competition to East Africa after more than 50 years, and a major test of the region’s ability to stage Africa’s biggest football tournament.
Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda will qualify automatically, but the rest of the continent must fight through a demanding qualification campaign.
The giants of African football will be expected to reach the finals, but recent tournaments have shown that surprises are now part of AFCON’s identity.
With 24 teams, three host nations, passionate supporters and major economic potential, PAMOJA 2027 has the chance to be one of the most memorable editions in the history of the competition.
SOURCE: CAF ONLINE
The post AFCON 2027: Everything you need to know appeared first on SportsAfrica - Sports news | Live scores | Match highlights | Betting tips.
Supercoupe d’Europe : 7000 places pour le PSG pour ses supporters en Autriche pour défier Aston Villa
Le PSG disposera de 7000 places pour ses supporters concernant la Supercoupe d’Europe contre Aston Villa.
L’UEFA a dévoilé, ces dernières heures, le nombre de places allouées au PSG et Aston Villa pour la Supercoupe d’Europe 2026, qui aura lieu le 12 août prochain à Salzbourg à 19h GMT, en Autriche. Le double champion d’Europe en titre, le club parisien joueront le club de Premier League, vainqueur de la Ligue Europa au Stadion Salzburg de Salzbourg.
« Comme d’habitude, la majorité des billets est réservée aux supporters des équipes participantes et au grand public. Sur les 28 500 places disponibles (capacité nette du stade), 9000 billets seront proposés au grand public, tandis que chaque club recevra 7000 billets. », a écrit l’instance sur son site officiel.
The post Supercoupe d’Europe : 7000 places pour le PSG pour ses supporters en Autriche pour défier Aston Villa appeared first on AfricaFootUnited.
Cullen hails Leinster’s final push
Leinster coach Leo Cullen says reaching another Vodacom URC final is a testament to his squad’s resilience after a difficult start to the season.
The Irish giants will host the Bulls at Croke Park on Friday night, looking to defend the title they won with a 32-7 victory over the Pretoria-based outfit in last season’s final.
On Wednesday, Cullen reflected on Leinster’s journey to the showpiece after losing three of their opening four URC matches.
“I think it’s an amazing competition, and it’s an unbelievable privilege to be here at this stage of the competition, at a final,” he said.
“If you’d asked me when we were sitting here last, after round four, when we lost three of our first four games, would we be in the situation we’re in, playing in a final in Croke Park? I think everyone would have thought we were crazy at that point.
“It’s been an amazing squad effort, I think, to get to this stage.”
TEAM: Furlong returns for Leinster, Porter ruled out
Leinster will tackle the Bulls without Ireland loosehead prop Andrew Porter, who has been ruled out with a calf injury.
His absence means Jerry Cahir will start, while 20-year-old Alex Usanov is set to provide cover off the bench against a powerful Bulls scrum featuring Springbok Wilco Louw.
Cullen, however, has no doubts about his young front rowers.
“Andrew has missed a big chunk of the season already so guys have plenty of exposure throughout the season,” he said.
“We would always have huge faith in the group that we have. It’s one guy down, next guy up. I don’t try to get too bogged down by that.”
FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS: Five battles that will decide URC final
Cullen reserved special praise for Cahir.
“To see his progression through the season has been amazing,” he said. “It’s a great story of persistence, perseverance, isn’t it?
“He was back playing club rugby, battling it out in the AIL [All-Ireland League] with a few different teams.
“To see him progress with us through the course of the season, he’s had some huge moments for us, some huge games.”
Cullen backed both Cahir and Usanov to rise to the occasion.
“I don’t think anyone thinks they’re going to let the team down on Friday, because they’re bloody great characters.”
JAKE: Bulls have never been better
The Leinster coach expects another stern examination from the Bulls.
“We know it’s going to be a serious challenge, because we’re up against a serious team,” he said.
“We want to be really respectful to the opposition, but we also need to be very focused on ourselves and what makes Leinster great.”
Photo: Leinster Rugby
The post Cullen hails Leinster’s final push appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
URC final: Stormers gave Bulls blueprint to beat Leinster – Rassie
Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus said that besides ill discipline that cost them dearly, the Stormers showed the Bulls exactly how they could beat Leinster in their URC final at Croke Park on Friday (kick-off 8.30pm).
The teams clash in Dublin after the Bulls beat Glasgow Warriors 22-21 and Leinster beat the Stormers 20-11 in their respective semi-finals.
The Bulls fought back from 21-3 down to secure a massive result in Edinburgh, while Leinster’s victory was ground out until three yellow cards, one upgraded to red, turned momentum late in the second half.
They were also aided by the fact that several Stormers stars were out injured.
The Cape side otherwise turned in a huge defensive effort and won the forward battles. Stormers boss John Dobson said Leinster would now have respect for their side.
‘Real desperation to win’
Erasmus said, “We are really proud of what the Stormers did. I thought they pitched up with a competitive mindset for 80 minutes.
“Some things didn’t go their way, and some were their own doing… They were physical and never gave up. You could see when the guys went out at half-time, there was real desperation to win the game.
“Leinster is going to be tough, we all know that. But I think if they want to look at the blueprint of how to beat them, without getting a red card here or yellow card there, I think the Bulls can look at what the Stormers did. They came really close.”
The Bulls are almost at full strength and riding a wave of confidence following their win in Scotland and an eight-match winning streak in the URC.
Former Bulls and Springbok captain Victor Matfield said the Bulls should also use their set-piece dominance to good effect against Leinster.
Erasmus added that whether the Bulls win or lose, the Springbok contingent there would bolster the Boks when they return for the opening Nations Championship fixture against England on 4 July.
“If they win, they come back with a winning feeling and we will get that into the system. If they lose, they will come up with solutions. We’ll see the positive in both.
Springboks wish Bulls, Leinster coaches well
Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick said the national side would always have a place in their hearts for Leinster senior coach Jacques Nienaber, for winning the 2019 World Cup as assistant coach and 2023 as head coach of the Boks.
However, Bulls coach Johan Ackermann always supported what the Boks wanted to achieve, for example, giving Marco van Staden and Jan-Hendrik Wessels opportunities at hooker when that is what the national squad envisioned for them.
“The better the Bulls do in the final, the better we are as a team when they join us. You will have a happy changing room and team environment. We wish them all the best.
“Credit must go to Ackers. We know what the Bulls have been through so for him to turn things around and now all of a sudden most of our players are performing well.”