International Football
SUPER FALCONS IN MAKE-OR-MAR SITUATION AT WOMEN’S AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS
BY APESIN ADEMOLA.
To land in the knockout stages without bringing out the calculator or depending on other considerations, the Super Falcons have to beat former champions Equatorial Guinea.
Ten years ago when Equatorial Guinea broke the Nigerian monopoly in this competition by hosting and winning the title, the Super Falcons were halted in the semifinal 1-0 by the central African country.
Four years and two editions later, Africa’s elite female footballers returned to Equatorial Guinea for the tournament. Again, Nigeria got beaten in the last four, but this time by South Africa 0-1 while Equatorial Guinea went on the lift the trophy yet again.
Nigeria have since made amends by winning the two editions that followed Equatorial Guinea 2012.
Equatorial Guinea have been on the decline. They failed to qualify for Namibia 2014 to defend their title and also missed the last finals in Cameroon.
That dip in form has caused Equatorial Guineans two defeats in as many matches in the ongoing competition with 12 goals conceded and only one scored.
On paper, Nigeria should beat Equatorial Guinea to avenge the 2008 loss and be among the semi finalists. But the Falcons themselves have not given their fans so much hope, particularly after losing their opening fixture to South Africa.
If the determination with which the Nigerian women responded in bashing Zambia 4-0 in their last match returns, Equatorial Guinea will have a competition to forget.
In the other fixture, South Africa, who have been in conquering form, will need only a point or Nigeria not winning to join Cameroon and Mali in the semifinals.
If Nigeria triumph and South Africa crash, both teams will be on same points with Zambia and a head-to-head rule will be applied to determine the two teams progressing to the last four.
Topping the group will mean Nigeria will avoid Cameroon in the semifinal to face Mali.
Fixtures…
Equatorial Guinea v Nigeria (5pm)
South Africa v Zambia (5pm)
International Football
Two Moroccan football players lost at sea, says club official
![](https://www.sportsvillagesquare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Abdellatif-Akhrif.png)
Two Moroccan players from top-flight soccer side Ittihad Tanger have been missing at sea since Saturday after strong currents drifted their small yacht, a club official said on Sunday.
They were in a group of five players from the club who went cruising off the northern city of Tangier when strong currents and heavy winds drifted their yacht away as they were swimming in deep waters, club deputy president Anass Mrabet told Reuters.
“Three players have already been rescued on Saturday, while research is still ongoing for the missing Salman Harraq and Abdellatif Akhrif,” he said.
The players did not have buoys on them when they jumped from the small yacht to swim, he said citing recounts by rescued players.
While Akhrif, 24, is already a full member of the squad, Harraq, 18, was about to move up to the senior team this year, Mrabet added.
Ittihad Tanger have been in the Moroccan top flight since 2015 and won the league title for the first and only time in their history in the 2017-18 season. However, they have struggled in the lower half of the standings in recent years.
-Reuters
International Football
FIFA launches ‘Football Manager’ World Cup with $100,000 in prize money
![](https://www.sportsvillagesquare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/arsene-wenger.jpg)
FIFA will host its first ever FIFAe World Cup of Football Manager this year to crown the best virtual manager on the highly-popular video game, world soccer’s governing body said on Thursday.
FIFA is partnering with Sports Interactive, the developers of the game that has sold millions of copies and has also been used by several football clubs to scout players and opponents thanks to its extensive database.
Players will compete for $100,000 in prize money in the final event from Aug. 29 to Sept. 1.
“This competition requires participants to demonstrate a profound understanding of football strategy and tactics,” said former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who is the ambassador for the esports event.
“Success demands not only mastery of game mechanics but also in-depth football knowledge, making this format a fascinating blend.”
FIFA said in the inaugural year of the event, selected member associations will be invited to be represented at the final event.
Member associations from all six confederations are expected to be invited while players can sign up on FIFA’s website.
-Reuters
International Football
Former Italy international Roberto Baggio robbed at gunpoint
![](https://www.sportsvillagesquare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/baggio.jpg)
Former Italy international Roberto Baggio was assaulted and robbed at gunpoint at his home in northern Italy while watching his country’s match against Spain in the Euro 2024 tournament on Thursday, local police said.
Burglars broke into Baggio’s house near Vicenza, hit him on the head with a gun butt and locked him and his family in a room while they stole jewellery, watches and cash, daily Il Corriere della Sera reported. It said he suffered a deep wound.
“Luckily, the violence I suffered only resulted in a few stitches, bruises and a lot of fear. Now it is to overcome the fear,” Baggio was quoted as saying by Italian news agency ANSA.
Baggio, 57, played for clubs including Juventus (JUVE.MI), opens new tab, AC Milan and Inter Milan. He also played 56 times for Italy, scoring 27 goals, and is widely seen as one of his country’s all-time greats.
After the robbery, Baggio, widely known as the “divine ponytail”, was treated at a local hospital where he received stitches for the head wound, Italian media reported.
Italy lost to Spain 1-0 on Thursday and now must avoid defeat by Croatia to guarantee progression in the tournament.
-Reuters
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