Police Ladies continued their impressive journey in the Women’s FA Cup by defeating holders Ampem Darkoa Ladies 2-1 in a thrilling quarter-final match on Sunday, March 31st.
The match began with Juanita Aguadze giving Police Ladies an early lead, finding the net in the eighth minute. However, Ampem Darkoa Ladies responded with determination, equalizing through Latifa Abesik in the 52nd minute.
Despite the momentum shift, Police Ladies demonstrated resilience, reclaiming the lead with a goal from substitute Sophia Mabena Agyaakwa in the 57th minute. Ampem Darkoa Ladies were awarded a late penalty opportunity to level the score, but they failed to capitalize, securing Police Ladies’ well-deserved victory.
Police Ladies will now face Supreme Ladies in the semi-finals, who secured their spot after a penalty shootout victory against Nasara Ladies following a 1-1 draw in regular time.
In another compelling match at the Auntie Aku AstroTurf, Division One League side Epiphany Warriors emerged victorious against Jonina FC with a 2-1 win. Sonia Opoku opened the scoring for the Warriors in the 61st minute, followed by Leticia Adjei’s dramatic goal in the 112th minute of extra time. Jonina FC managed to pull one back through Eunice Kpentey’s penalty in the 85th minute, but it was not enough.
The Epiphany Warriors, the only Division One League team remaining in the tournament, now face the formidable challenge of Army Ladies in the next round of the Women’s FA Cup.
In a surprising turn of events, MultiChoice SuperSport has reversed its decision and will now broadcast all 52 matches of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) live. Just a week ago, SuperSport had sent shockwaves through the continent by announcing it wouldn’t be broadcasting the prestigious tournament scheduled for January 13th to February 11th, 2024, in Ivory Coast.
In a U-turn, MultiChoice, the parent company of SuperSport, secured the broadcasting rights in collaboration with New World TV (NWTV), ensuring that football fanatics across Africa can enjoy every electrifying moment of the tournament.
Rendani Ramovha, SuperSport CEO, expressed delight, stating, “We are delighted to be able to showcase the best of African football live to our viewers.” Nimonka Kolani, Managing Director of NWTV, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of bringing happiness to African fans during the continent’s premier football competition.
DStv and GOtv subscribers across Africa can now cheer for their favorite teams, and Ghanaian fans can also enjoy the action on free-to-air channels such as GTV, GTV Sports Plus, and pay television broadcaster Startimes. The reversal ensures that football enthusiasts will have access to comprehensive coverage of AFCON 2023, adding excitement and anticipation to the upcoming tournament.
As the much-anticipated TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations Côte d’Ivoire 2023 approaches, football enthusiasts are gearing up for a month-long spectacle of intense competition. Here’s everything you need to know about the 34th edition of Africa’s premier sporting event:
Hosts and Opening Match:
– Host Country: Côte d’Ivoire
– Opening Match: Côte d’Ivoire vs. Guinea-Bissau
– Date and Venue: Saturday, 13 January, Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan.
Historic Context:
– Côte d’Ivoire is hosting the tournament for the first time since 1984.
Venue Overview:
– Matches will be held in six stadiums across five host cities: Abidjan, Bouake, Korogho, San Pedro, and Yamoussoukro.
Official Mascot:
– Named “Akwaba,” meaning “Welcome” in the Baoulé language.
– Represented by an elephant, Akwaba’s attire reflects Côte d’Ivoire’s home colors.
Official Match Ball:
– Named “Pokou” in honor of Ivorian football legend Laurent Pokou.
– Pokou achieved historic fame by scoring five goals in the 1970 tournament.
Official Song Celebration:
– The official song, “Akwaba,” features Yemi Alade, Mohamed Ramadan, and Ivorian band Magic System.
– A blend of afrobeat, rap, and zouglou captures the tournament’s musical essence.
Group Structure:
– 24 teams divided into six groups.
– Intriguing match-ups like Egypt vs. Ghana in Group B and Senegal vs. Cameroon in Group C.
Tournament Format:
– Top two teams in each group and the four best-ranked third-placed teams advance to the last 16.
– Followed by quarter-finals, semi-finals, a match for third place, and the grand finale.
Kick-off Times:
– Group stages feature at least two games each day at 14:00, 17:00, and 20:00 (all times GMT).
– Similar timings continue in the knockout stages starting on Saturday, 27 January.
Opening Weekend Highlights:
– Record seven-time champions Egypt vs. Mozambique in Group B.
– Defending champions Senegal kick off against The Gambia in Group C on Monday, 15 January.
Key Fixtures:
– Second Round: Commences on Saturday, 27 January, with intriguing matchups.
– Quarter-Finals: Friday, 2 February, featuring winners from the second round.
– Semi-Finals: Wednesday, 7 February, at Bouake and Alassane Ouattara Stadium.
– Third-Place Play-Off: Saturday, 10 February, at Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium.
– Grand Finale: Sunday, 11 February, at Alassane Ouattara Stadium.
Tournament Favorites:
– Senegal, the current champions, considered favorites despite key player movements.
– Other strong contenders include Morocco, Nigeria, Algeria, and Côte d’Ivoire.
Key Matches:
– Côte d’Ivoire vs. Nigeria: Group A clash on 18 January at Alassane Ouattara Stadium.
– Senegal vs. Cameroon: Group C heavyweight encounter on 20 January at Charles Konan Banny Stadium.
As the countdown to the kickoff continues, the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, Côte d’Ivoire 2023, promises a month-long celebration of African football excellence, filled with drama, brilliance, and unforgettable moments. Get ready for a footballing spectacle!
Roma’s head coach, José Mourinho, shed light on his future at the club following his team’s comeback victory against Cremonese in a Coppa Italia Last-16 clash at the Stadio Olimpico.
Despite a shaky start with Cremonese taking the lead through Frank Tsadjout, Roma secured the win with Romelu Lukaku’s equalizer and a late goal from Paulo Dybala.
In the post-match press conference, Mourinho discussed various topics, including the Giallorossi’s performance and his own future with the club.
The question of Mourinho’s plans beyond the summer has been a prominent topic in the Italian headlines as his contract expiration approaches. In response, Mourinho indicated that a resolution remains uncertain, stating, “I haven’t signed yet.”
Addressing recent rumors linking him with the Brazil national team coaching position, Mourinho dismissed the speculation: “About Brazil, I don’t know if it’s true or not. They didn’t talk to me. I told my agent that until we know that a club is interested, he shouldn’t talk to anyone while I’m here.”
The Portuguese coach emphasized trust in the honesty of Roma’s ownership but acknowledged that his future with the club is yet to be finalized. The comments leave room for speculation about Mourinho’s next move, keeping fans and pundits alike eagerly awaiting further developments.
In a recent holding statement, SuperSport Channel has officially declared that it will not be broadcasting the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023, scheduled to take place from January 13th to February 11th, 2024. The channel cited the non-secured rights to broadcast the tournament as the primary reason for this decision.
Football enthusiasts need not be disheartened, however, as AFCON 2023 games will still be accessible through partner broadcast stations on Free-to-Air (FTA) channels. This strategic move ensures that fans will not miss out on the thrilling moments and competitive matches expected during the prestigious tournament.
Multichoice Africa, the parent company of SuperSport, reiterates its unwavering commitment to providing unparalleled access to entertainment and football games across the continent. While AFCON 2023 may not be part of their broadcast lineup, football fans can still enjoy a diverse range of football content on DStv and GOtv platforms. These platforms continue to showcase prominent leagues such as the Premier League, LaLiga, Serie A, Zambian Super League, and many more of football’s most prestigious competitions.
In a message addressed to valued customers on social media, SuperSport Channel expressed regret over the inability to broadcast AFCON 2023 while assuring their dedication to offering an exceptional football-viewing experience through their established platforms.
As the countdown to AFCON 2023 begins, fans are encouraged to explore alternative viewing options on partner FTA channels and to stay tuned to DStv and GOtv for an extensive array of football content. The commitment to keeping football enthusiasts entertained remains at the forefront of Multichoice Africa’s mission. The statement concludes with a firm declaration of dedication to delivering quality football programming to fans across the continent.
In a significant move at Camp Nou, Barcelona has officially welcomed Vitor Roque, the latest addition to their squad. The Brazilian talent, having completed his transfer from Athletico Paranaense, is set to inherit the iconic No.19 shirt, a number previously worn by the legendary Lionel Messi during his early years at the club.
Vitor Roque, donning the No.19 jersey, follows in the footsteps of Messi, who initially wore the same number for two seasons before switching to the iconic No.10 after the departure of Ronaldinho. This symbolic gesture reflects Barcelona’s confidence in Roque’s abilities and potential to make a mark on the team.
As Barcelona navigates a challenging season, currently sitting seven points behind league leaders Girona after 18 games, the addition of Vitor Roque is expected to inject fresh energy into the squad. The team has faced difficulties in front of goal, with Robert Lewandowski leading the league goal charts with eight goals, followed by Ferran Torres with three.
The No.19 shirt holds a special significance, with Franck Kessie, Sergio Aguero, Martin Braithwaite, and Torres being its recent bearers. Roque’s association with this number adds a layer of anticipation, and fans are eager to witness his impact on the pitch.
Having already participated in training with Xavi’s squad, Vitor Roque is poised for his debut with Barcelona, who kick off their 2024 campaign against Las Palmas in La Liga on Thursday. The anticipation is high as Roque aims to carve his own legacy while honoring the esteemed history associated with the No.19 shirt at Camp Nou.
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