International Football
South Africa inch closer to play-off round, qualified Senegal draw with Togo
Teboho Mokoena’s 26th minute goal handed South Africa a precious 1-0 victory over Zimbabwe as the Bafana Bafana inched closer to the play-off round of the qualifiers for the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Elsewhere, Senegal left it late before scoring an additional time equalizer to play out to a 1-1 draw with Togo and remain unbeaten in the group round.
South Africa 1-0 Zimbabwe
With Ghana having earlier on been held to a 1-1 draw by Ethiopia at the Orlando Stadium, South Africa had fate dangling on their side just seven kilometres out at the FNB Stadium as they needed to win to keep their hopes alive.
After a cagy start, they finally got the lead against their COSAFA region neighbours, Mokoena nodding down the ball brilliantly across the face of goal to the far post off a well weighted Keegan Dolly cross from the right.
It was the closest and best chance from both sides in the opening 45.
The pace of the game picked up midway through the second half and Zimbabwe keeper Petros Mhari was called to make two back to back saves to keep his side in the game.
He did well to tip over Dolly’s well taken shot before rising to do the same and deny Thibang Phete who had connected to a Percy Tau cross.
Zimbabwe’s best chance of the half and by far the game was in the 67th minute when Ishmael Wadi headed Khama Billiat’s corner just wide.
South Africa held on for the win to remain top of Group G with 13 points, three ahead of second placed Ghana with whom they face off in the final match in Accra.
Togo 1-1 Senegal
In Lome, substitute Habib Diallo scored the equalizer in the second minute of added time as Senegal preserved their unbeaten run in the group phase with a 1-1 draw against Togo.
The Sparrow Hawks were headed to a priceless victory against the already qualified Senegal, but the Lions of Teranga roared late to deny them victory.
Senegal defender Pape Abou Cisse headed the ball into his own net as he tried to cut out Richard Nane’s nod from a recycled ball off a corner, as Togo went to the break 1-0 up.
In the second half, Senegal tried to get their feet back into the game. Krepin Diatta had a rasping shot from inside the box go agonizingly wide while Mamadou Ndiaye headed over the bar unmarked from a Nampalys Mendy corner.
They however got the equalizer at the death when off a long ball, Diallo raced to a flick before lifting it over the advancing keeper.
Senegal face Congo Brazzaville in their last match on Sunday while Togo will be away to Namibia.
Brazil will round off their 2025 calendar with two friendly matches in Europe next month, taking on Senegal and Tunisia as part of their preparations for the 2026 World Cup, the Brazilian FA (CBF) announced on Thursday.
The five-time world champions, managed by Carlo Ancelotti, will face Senegal on November 15 at Emirates Stadium in London and, three days later, they will meet Tunisia in Lille, France.
The CBF announced that these fixtures were designed to “provide the team with valuable experience against African opposition” ahead of next year’s tournament in North America.
After the conclusion of the South American qualifiers, the choice of opponents follows October’s encounters against Asian teams, which saw Brazil beat South Korea 5-0 but suffer a stunning first defeat to Japan.
With coach Ancelotti facing limited preparation time after arriving in May from Real Madrid, the matches form part of a broader plan to expose Brazil to a variety of playing styles in preparation for next year’s the World Cup.
Looking ahead to March 2026, the CBF has indicated that Brazil’s next set of friendlies will likely be against top-level European nations, with the U.S. as the expected venue.
Ancelotti has been steadily implementing his vision for the squad and has emphasised the importance of adapting to diverse tactical challenges, particularly against teams from other continents.
CBF sources indicated that the plan for the three remaining international breaks would be to make final observations regarding players and tactical adjustments in November, lock in the starting line-up in March and strengthen ties with Brazilian fans with a final friendly at Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana before departing for the tournament.
The upcoming friendlies against Senegal and Tunisia will provide an opportunity to test Brazil’s readiness against two of Africa’s strongest sides.
Senegal boast a formidable squad featuring Sadio Mane, Nicolas Jackson and Kalidou Koulibaly. They shocked Brazil 4-2 in their last encounter, a friendly played in Lisbon two years ago.
Tunisia, meanwhile, are known for their defensive organisation and have consistently performed well in African competitions.
Back in September they were the second African team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup with two games to spare.
-Reuters
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Well-travelled Portuguese coach Paulo Duarte has been named as Guinea’s new coach, less than a month before their next round of World Cup qualifiers.
Duarte, 56, has twice previously coached Burkina Faso and taken charge of Gabon and Togo, while also coaching at clubs in Portugal, France, Tunisia, Angola and Saudi Arabia.
Guinea’s football federation gave no contract details when they made the announcement on Monday, but said they would be looking for Duarte to “restructure their national team”.
Guinea trail leaders Algeria by eight points in their World Cup qualifying group with four games remaining, leaving them with only a slim chance of qualification.
They play Somalia away on September 5 and then Algeria at home on September 8 in their next two qualifiers although a stadium ban means Guinea have moved their home game to Casablanca, Morocco.
-Reuters
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Veteran coach Louis van Gaal says he has been cured of cancer and is keen for a return to the higher levels of the game.
The 73-year-old announced three years ago that he was suffering from prostate cancer, but told a Dutch television talk show, “I’m no longer bothered by cancer.”
When he announced his illness, Van Gaal was the coach of the Dutch national team, but he has not worked since the last World Cup in Qatar in 2022.
“Two years ago, I had a few operations. It was all bad then. But it all worked out in the end. I have check-ups every few months, and that’s going well. I’m getting fitter and fitter,” he said.
Van Gaal, whose career has included stints at Ajax Amsterdam, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Manchester United, reiterated a lack of interest in returning to club management but said becoming the national coach of a top-tier country could tempt him back.
He now serves as a special advisor to Ajax.
-Reuters
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