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Japan Deny Zambia Freedom; Cage the Africans 5-0 in Women’s World Cup.

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The poetic lines that ZAMBIA SHALL BE FREE by Kenneth Kaunda was not realized at the Women’s World Cup as Japan caged the Copper Queens of Zambia 5-0 at FMG Stadium Waikato on Saturday morning Nigerian Time in an outstanding Group C match.

It would have been an avalanche of goals against the Africans as a Mina Tanaka goals in the 23rd and 50th minute were turned down by the VAR and a penalty awarded Japan in the 52nd minute was also overturned.

Miyazawa had scored a brace in the match with the first goals cored 43rd minute from Fujino right foot cross and in the 62nd minute making the 3rd goal for Japan when Tanaka made a dribble run to give Miyazawa the ball to tap into an empty net.

Tanakawa scored the 2nd goal in the 55th minute through J. Endo assist and Endo herself got a deserved goal from a left footed strike off Y. Hasegawa pass. The 5th goal was dramatic as substitute goalkeeper, Sakala of Zambia had saved a penalty from Riko Ueki but the VAR rejected the kick as Sakala was said to have violated the rules of goalkeeping at penalty kick times and Ueki scored it 90+11th minute.

Zambia was plagued by negative developments before the tournament as first choice goalkeeper, Hazel Nali could not make the team due to an ankle injury and Coach Bruce Mwape called on teenager, Catherine Musonda who was red carded in the 90+7th minute against Japan after the second yellow card. Chitundu was sacrificed to have another teenage goalkeeper, Eunice Sakala who was saddled to save a penalty on assumption of duty. Part of the plague was dependable defender Grace Chanda who had to be rushed to hospital on Tuesday for an undisclosed ailment but FIFA granted a replacement for her.

Zambia is one of the eight teams making their debut alongside Haiti; Ireland; Morocco; Panama; Philippines; Portugal and Vietnam.

The Japan versus Zambia match is the second game of Japan against an African side after their 2-1 win over Cameroon at the 2015 group stage.

Japan with nickname Nadeshiko is making her 9th appearance and were champions in 2011 at Germany and Silver Medalists at Canada 2015.

Spain had spanked Costa Rica in the group opener and is currently second on the table by goals aggregate.

The second round matches of Group C will be on Wednesday 26th July when Spain will play Zambia and Japan will tackle Costa Rica. The last group matches will be played on Monday 31st July with Japan versus Spain and Costa Rica versus Zambia.

Still today, England will trade tackles with Haiti at 1030 hours in a Group D match at Suncorp Stadium Australia and at 1300 hours, Denmark and China will take to the turf in a group D match at NIB Stadium, Perth Australia.

Tomorrow Sunday 23rd July, Netherlands will engage Portugal in the other group E first round match expected to be officiated by Ukrainian Ref Kateryna Monzul. On 27th July the second round matches of the group will see USA versus Netherlands at the Wellington Regional Stadium and Portugal versus Vietnam at Waikato Stadium, Hamilton. The last group matches slated simultaneously for 1st August is Portugal tackling USA at Eden Park and Vietnam locking horns with Netherlands at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin.
On Sunday 23rd July, Sweden versus South Africa at 0600 hours; Netherlands versus Portugal at 0830 hours and France versus Jamaica at 1100 hours Nigerian time.

 

By Eniola Olatunji

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Barca Pissed As Yamal Caught In All Night Romp With Strange Model

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Recently, Barcelona’s young star Lamine Yamal has once again found himself embroiled in off-field controversy. Just days after the defeat in the Clásico, on Monday local time last week, he was photographed travelling to Milan with several friends.

 

According to renowned paparazzo Jordi Martín, Yamal attended a party with a prominent Italian model during his trip and spent the night with her – a woman who is not his current girlfriend. Rumours suggest Yamal had previously shared an ambiguous relationship with this model before he began dating his current partner.

During his stay in Milan, Yamal attended a party with a prominent model who was not his current girlfriend Nicki Nicole. It is understood that this model, Anna Gegnoso, is Italian and rumoured to have had a prior romantic connection with Yamal before his relationship with Nicki Nicole began.

According to the photographer, Yamal first attended the party with Anna that evening before the pair spent the night together at Milan’s Armani Hotel – an incident that would undoubtedly displease Nicki Nicole should it prove true. Furthermore, Yamal and his accompanying friends deliberately obstructed media personnel from capturing photographs and footage at the scene.

Jordi Martin further disclosed that this behaviour has provoked considerable displeasure among Barcelona’s club hierarchy. They have grown weary of Yamal’s lifestyle. Several weeks prior, whilst injured, he flew to Croatia for a holiday with Nicki Nicole, publicly sharing photos of their trip on social media – an act that already drew criticism.

This latest incident – reportedly flying to Milan for revelry within hours of the Clásico defeat – has only exacerbated the situation. Particularly given his lacklustre performance against Real Madrid, he now finds himself dominating headlines for off-field reasons.

These successive off-field incidents, coupled with his earlier controversial remarks about Real Madrid at an event, have increasingly raised concerns within Barcelona’s ranks. Club officials fear he is becoming increasingly overwhelmed by this “noise,” drifting away from his core focus on football

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Ronaldo , Messi Top Penalty Misses Ranking List

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According to the statistics in 2025/10/13, here are the top 7 players who miss most of the penalty.

 

Ranking of the number of missed penalties:
1. Cristiano Ronaldo: Missed 34 penalties, a total of 211 penalties taken, penalty kick success rate 83.8%

2. Lionel Messi: Missed 32 penalties, a total of 145 penalties taken, penalty kick success rate 77.9%

3. Neymar: Missed 22 times, a total of 113 penalties, penalty kick success rate 80.5%

4. Francesco Totti: Missed 20 times, a total of 106 main penalties, penalty kick success rate 81.1%

5. Ciro Immobile: Missed 19 penalties, a total of 105 penalty kicks taken, penalty kick success rate 81.9%

6. Zlatan Ibrahimović: Missed 17 penalties, a total of 104 penalty kicks taken, penalty kick success rate 83.6%

7. Ronaldinho: Missed 16 penalties, a total of 85 penalty kicks taken, penalty kick success rate 81.1%

Note: This data does not include penalty kicks missed in penalty shootouts

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Former Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere has been named Norwich City caretaker manager

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Wilshere will take charge of the Sky Bet Championship club following the sacking of Johannes Hoff Thorup.

Thorup’s number two, Glen Riddersholm has also left Carrow Road on Tuesday.

Wilshere, who was part of the coaching crew under Thorup will be assisted by Tony Roberts and Nick Stanley.

Norwich City have two games left in their Championship campaign.

Sporting director Ben Knapper said: “Whilst we made this appointment with a long-term focus and in line with our wider club strategy and direction, unfortunately recent results and performances have deemed it necessary for us make a change.

“I’d like to place on record our sincere thanks to Johannes and Glen. They are both fantastic people who worked tirelessly to help improve and move our football club forward.

“We all wish the two of them the best in the next stage of their respective careers.

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