Latest news with #WAFCON2024
The Citizen
5 hours ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Videos: Banyana Banyana star hospitalised after horror injury in Wafcon defeat
South African Football Association (SAFA) chief medical officer Dr Thulani Ngwenya has provided an update on Gabriela Salgado, who suffered a serious injury during Banyana Banyana's 2-1 loss to Nigeria at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca last night. According to The Citizen, the serious injury to Salgado happened in the 83rd minute, leaving the Banyana Banyana players traumatised, and the defending Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) champions never recovered after the incident. The game was locked at 1-1 at the time of the incident, and the match seemed to be heading for extra time until the horror injury to Salgado. Warning: Video footage may be upsetting to sensitive viewers Nigeria strike late to seal victory Nigeria scored the opening goal from the penalty spot through captain Rasheedat Ajibade after Bambanani Mbane was adjudged to have handled the ball inside the box. Banyana's equaliser also came from the penalty spot in the 60th minute through Linda Motlhalo after Hilda Magaia was pulled down in the box by Osinachi Ohale. Nigeria, however, went on to win the encounter through Michelle Alozie's stoppage-time long-range strike. Salgado taken to hospital 'Gabby had a serious injury during the game and was rushed to the hospital immediately after the incident for further assessment and management. The extent of the injury is unknown at this stage, and we will give an update once all the facts are known,' Dr Ngwenya told Safa media. Banyana struggled to recover Banyana coach Desiree Ellis said the Salgado incident killed the team's momentum and might have led to the players losing focus, which resulted in Nigeria's winning goal. 'I think from the reactions of the players, it was bad. I haven't seen the medical report yet,' Ellis told the media after the game. 'But from the players' side, it looked bad because we had to calm them down, we had to make them refocus, which was very difficult after that moment.' Banyana Banyana's disappointment was evident after their loss to Nigeria. Despite the defeat, the team fought valiantly. Well done Banyana Banyana! Mzansi is very proud of how far you've come.👏⚽️ #BanyanaBanyana #WAFCON2024 #SuperFalconsVsBanyana #BanyanaFanPark… — Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (@SportArtsCultur) July 22, 2025 Safa president Danny Jordaan wished Salgado a speedy recovery. 'First of all, we would like to wish a speedy recovery to Gabriela Salgado. We are all waiting to hear what the doctors have to say, either tonight or tomorrow,' said Jordaan before applauding Banyana for their gallant effort despite their defeat to Nigeria. 'Banyana fought very well, and it was a brave performance from the Wafcon defending champions. You have established yourselves as one of the best teams on the continent. We fought bravely, and we are proud of your performance,' added Jordaan. Nigeria will face hosts Morocco in the final on Saturday, while Banyana will play Ghana in the third-place play-off on Friday. Watch the highlights:
The Hindu
10 hours ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
WAFCON 2024 semifinals: Nigeria knocks South Africa out; Morocco joins Super Falcons with win on penalties
Michelle Alozie's long ball bounced into the goal in stoppage time to give Nigeria a 2-1 victory over South Africa on Tuesday and send the Super Falcons into the final at the Women's Africa Cup of Nations. The Super Falcons have won nine WAFCON titles. Disappointed by their fourth-place finish in the 2022 tournament, they dubbed their goal to win this event as 'Mission X.' Alozie, who plays in the National Women's Soccer League for the Houston Dash, sent the ball forward from distance four minutes into stoppage time. Although two teammates were in front of South Africa's net, neither of them touched the ball as it bounced into the goal. Rasheedat Ajibade, who plays for Atlético Madrid, converted a penalty just before half-time to put Nigeria ahead 1-0. The Super Falcons were awarded the penalty because of a handball in the box. South Africa, the defending WAFCON champion, pulled even on Linda Motlhalo's penalty in the 60th minute. Nigeria, which had not previously conceded a goal in the tournament, routed Zambia 5-0 in the quarterfinals to advance. South Africa, led by coach Desiree Ellis, advanced on penalties after a scoreless draw with Senegal. There was a scary moment in the 84th minute when South Africa midfielder Gabriela Salgado went down with an injury and players from both teams frantically gestured for help. Salgado was stretchered off with her left leg heavily wrapped as her teammates sobbed. The crowd at Stade Larbi Zaouli chanted her name. Morocco sets final with Nigeria Goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi blocked Comfort Yeboah's attempt as host Morocco advanced to the championship of the Women's Africa Cup of Nations on a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw with Ghana on Tuesday. Ghana took a first-half lead. Er-Rmichi got a hand on Josephine Bonsu's header, but it bounced off the post and skittered across the goal for Stella Nyamekye to push it into the net in the 26th minute. Morocco equalised in the 55th when Sakina Ouzraoui bounced a pass from her chest to her feet and scored from underneath diving Ghana goalkeeper Cynthia Konlan. ALSO READ: Why is CAF investigating Algeria at WAFCON 2024? Scoreless for the rest of regulation, the match went to extra time at Rabat's Olympic Stadium. Morocco has seen its national team rise in recent years. The team reached the WAFCON final in 2022 but fell to South Africa. Morocco also went to the Women's World Cup for the first time in 2023 and advanced to the round of 16. Morocco advanced to the semifinals with a 3-1 victory over Mali, while Ghana downed Algeria 4-2 on penalties after a scoreless draw.
The Hindu
a day ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
Morocco vs Ghana, WAFCON 2024: How to watch MAR v GHN semifinals of Women's African Cup of Nations?
The 2024 Women's Cup of Nations has reached its business end, with just four teams left in the race for the title. South Africa, the defending champion, remains in the competition, and will face Nigeria in the first final-four clash. In the other match, host Morocco will play Ghana, a side that which beat Algeria in penalties after a goalless draw. Goalkeeper Cynthia Konlan rose to the occasion as the Black Queens won 4-2 in the shootout. Meanwhile, Morocco's captain Ghizlane Chebbak has led her side from the front, and is the joint-highest goalscorer in this edition of the tournament, at four goals, with Senegal's Nguenar Ndiaye. The Atlas Lionesses beat Mali 3-1 in the quarterfinals to secure a spot in the final four. Morocco vs Ghana Head-to-head: Morocco and Ghana have played five matches since 2020, with the former winning three games and the Black Queen taking the honours in the remaining two. All matches have been international friendlies. Morocco 1-0 Ghana - February 21, 2025 Morocco 2-0 Ghana - April 12, 2022 Ghana 2-0 Morocco - November 30, 2020 Ghana 3-1 Morocco - November 26, 2020 Morocco 3-2 Ghana - March 8, 2020 Morocco vs Ghana LIVE Streaming info The Nigeria vs Zambia WAFCON 2024 quarterfinal will start at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat in Morocco, on Tuesday, July 22, at 9 PM local time (1:30 AM IST). Where to watch the match in Africa? Where to watch the match outside Africa?
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
Nigeria vs South Africa LIVE streaming info, WAFCON 2024 semifinal: When and where to watch around the world?
Nigeria will clash against South Africa in a Women's African Cup of Nations 2024 semifinal match at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca, Morocco on Tuesday. When and where will the Nigeria vs South Africa WAFCON 2024 semifinal start? The Nigeria vs South Africa WAFCON 2024 semifinal will start at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca, Morocco, on Tuesday, July 22, at 5 PM local time (9:30 PM IST). Where to watch the match in Africa? Where to watch the match outside Africa?
CAF
4 days ago
- Sport
- CAF
A synergy of wit & bold calls: The Twin Referees at WAFCON 2024
Rwandan pride Aline Umutoni and Alice Umutesi flying high at WAFCON 2024 Former footballers now turning heads as referees Pair building legacy to inspire generations Football does more than meets the eye. The stories behind every whistle and call are steeped in beautiful tales that stick like glue, and age like fine wine. At the ongoing TotalEnergies CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, two women from Rwanda have not just stuck as a pair, they've added layers of allure and feel that is striking. Twins Aline Umutoni and Alice Umutesi are living the dream and mirror intentional synergy, strength and sisterhood. In the quiet valleys and green hills of Rwanda, where resilience echoes in every breath and every heartbeat tells a story of rebirth, these two sisters have risen. Theirs is a tale of storied grace, grit and glory. Their dominance, is not merely reflections of each other, but as beacons of hope. Aline and Alice are not just twins by birth, but twin flames in the world of African Football officiating, dominating a sport that few decades ago was a no-go-area for women. Their journey began on familiar fields, laced with childhood dreams and teenage tenacity. 'I remember when we were just in Germany with the national team,' Aline recalls, her voice a nostalgic brushstroke on the canvas of memory. What was once a playground became a proving ground; what started as a love for the game transformed into a deep vocation to interpret, protect, and elevate it. Their roles are distinct yet complementary, Aline, the central referee, presiding with poised authority; Alice, the assistant referee, scanning every inch of the pitch with an eagle eye and unwavering discipline. 'Yes, our styles are different,' Alice affirms. 'She's in the center. I'm on the flank. But we move with the same heart.' The two have always shared more than just DNA. Their journey into football officiating wasn't just a career choice, it was a reflection of their bond. 'Because we are real twins, if she likes something, I have to like it too. It's mandatory,' said Aline, with a laugh that punctuates their sibling dynamic. But sharing the same ambition also required compromise. Initially, both trained as central referees until their Coach Mbake offered them advice that would later prove useful. 'He told us, 'Alice, if you stay as a referee, and Aline also stays as a referee, it's as if you are competing,'' Alice recalled. 'So we decided Aline would stay as central referee, and I'd work as an assistant.' That decision wasn't just practical, it aligned with their personalities. 'I chose to be the central referee because I'm bossy. Secondly, I'm responsible. I like to make decisions,' said Aline. Alice quickly adds, 'But you're a little shy', to which Aline replied: 'I'm not shy on the pitch.' The pair add that given the nature of football, they've had to make room for critcism as that was the only way they could grow. 'Of course we criticize each other,' Alice admits 'That's how we grow. That's how we get better.' Aline agrees, unapologetically candid: 'We tell each other the truth. And when the truth brings change, we embrace it. Then life goes on.' '…If you work according to the law,' Alice says firmly, 'you stay strong and keep working. That's it.' 'Her mistakes are my mistakes,' said Alice. 'So if she makes mistakes, I have to criticize her to correct her next time. It's for our own good.' Aline nodded in agreement. The two carry Rwanda proudly on their shoulders, not as a cross to bear, but as a beautiful badge of honour. As the only set of twin referees in a major continental tournament in recent memory, they represent a profound national and symbolic significance. 'It's good when you represent your country,' said Aline. 'So we're very proud to represent Rwanda.' 'To represent your country as twins,' Alice says, 'is a pleasure. We are very, very proud.' And they've earned that pride. Aline's greatest moment? Standing tall at the TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON, Morocco 2024, officiating a match between Botswana and Nigeria. 'So much was going on,' she reflects. 'But we managed. And I was very happy.' But behind the polished boots and sharp whistles is a story of transition and transformation. Before refereeing, they were players. And when their days with the ball at their feet began to fade, they chose not to walk away but to launch deeper into football – a love affair that is unwavering. 'In life, you must have a goal,' Aline explains. 'Ours was to stay in football. So we trained, we committed. And now, we are here.' 'At first, we just had the goal to work, to get far, to stay in the field of sport. That's why we worked a lot, we did a lot of training. And here we are today,' Alice re-echoed Aline's thoughts. Off the pitch, their personalities blossom in simpler expressions. On a good day, when the whistles are silent and the pressure momentarily subsides, their sense of fashion is evident; the pair love dresses, the flowing and elegant type that allows them to be as expressive as they can. 'From the top down,' Alice says, 'it's about what one wants to have. 'But there are times when I choose a dress, she says, no, I'm going to wear a jacket. No, I say no, Aline. Today, it's a dress.' In an age where representation matters more than ever, Aline and Alice stand as radiant symbols not just of women in sport, but of what happens when discipline dances with passion, when family fuels ambition, and when dreams, though born in quiet corners, echo across continents. Their unique pairing often means they are assigned to matches together, something both find comforting and empowering. 'That's the advantage for us,' Alice said. 'We play the same matches, we travel together.' To young girls who believe the field belongs only to men, Alice has this to say: 'Refereeing is not only for men. We are women, and we are here. You can earn a living. You can buy a house. You can help orphans. You can do everything. The field is yours. For us, refereeing is life.' As they take to the field over the course of the WAFCON and beyond, they represent the unique African woman's trait of tenacity and sheer determination. Rwandan Pride. Aline and Alice. Not for Self, But for Others – A Life of Service, Sacrifice and Higher Calling. Aline and Alice will officiate in the Algeria Vs. Ghana Quarter-Finals match on Saturday, 19 July at 16:00 GMT Further Inquiries: communications@ CAF | Communication Department
