Sports
FWWC: South Africa in First Knockout Stage, Edge Italy 3-2 in Group G
The Banyana Banyana of South Africa on Wednesday stunned the Azzurre of Italy with a 3-2 victory enough to send the Italian girls back home from the Wellington Regional Stadium in the last group G games.

The Italians drew the first blood via a penalty kick through Juventus Forward, Ariano Caaruso who scored from the penalty spot in the 11th minute after Dhlamini bumped on Becccarri.
The equalizer came in the 32nd minute through an own goal when Benedetta Orsi’s back pass to goalkeeper Durante went out of reach for her.
Unmarked Hildah Magaia got assistance from Kgatlana in the 67th minute to put it over Durante for South African goal number two but Caruso completed her brace in the 74th minute when a ball came to her from a crowded box touching her on her hips and rolling into the net for the equalizer. South Africa 2 Italy 2.
The decider came 90+2nd minute when Racing Louisville player, Thembi Kgatlana who had scored against Argentina beat three players to just push it past helpless Durante. Africa went wild with jubilation as the Argentines wept knowing they are out of the tournament by whiskers.
The South Africans missed their Captain 30 year old Refiloe Jane who plays for Sassuolo of Italy as she got a knock along the line. Their dependable midfielder, Kholosa Biyana who plies her trade with Sporting de Gijon had two yellows and is suspended for this game.
Both teams only met once on 17th October 2007 when Italy won 2-0. Italy won their only African opponents, Nigeria 1-0 in 1991.
Sweden had dazed South Africa 2-1 in the first round matches and Italy won 1-0 over Argentina but in the second round matches, Argentina played 2-2 draw while Sweden ponded Italy 5-0.6 goals and conceding 6 also; Italy could only make 3 points from a win and two loses scoring 3 goals and conceding 8 while Argentina brought up the rear with only a point scoring 2 goals and conceding 5.
Sweden topped group G with maximum points of 9 scoring 9 goals and conceding only one; South Africa came second with 4 points from a win, a draw and a loss scoring
With the results today, South Africa will face Netherlands on Sunday at 0300 hours at the Allianz Stadium while Sweden that placed second will play four times champions USA at the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium also on Sunday at 1000 hours in the Round of 16.
The Banyana Banyana team coached by Desiree Ellis is at the World Cup for the second time but they were sent out at the group stage in their last outing at France 2019. The team is in their first ever qualification for the Knockout stages.
We are still expecting at 1100 hours Group F matches. Panama the whipped team of the group will try to survive against former Champions, France at the Allianz Stadium while the Reggae Girlz will try to obtain another miracle with a win over the Samba Girls of Brazil at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium.
The last group games meant for Group H will be decided at 1100 hours tomorrow Thursday. African representative, Morocco will trade tackles with Columbia at the Perth Rectangular Stadium with Ref Maria Caputi of Italy in charge.
At the same time, South Korea that is yet to score a goal or score a point will engage the German Machine at the Lang Park Stadium also called Suncorp Stadium with New Zealand Ref Anne-Marie Keighley.
By Eniola Olatunji
Sports
Forget it, I Won’t Apologise To Ronaldo — Jorge Jesus
Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus has made it clear he will not apologise to Cristiano Ronaldo amid their ongoing rift.
Speaking after Portugal’s Nations League victory over Norway, Jesus was asked whether he owed the five-time Ballon d’Or winner an apology following the events that led to Ronaldo’s abrupt departure from the national team camp.
Jesus remained adamant that he did not owe anyone an apology, despite calls from the likes of Rio Ferdinand and others in the Ronaldo camp, to do so.
“I take responsibility for the decision and for what happened,” Jesus said.
“But apologise for what? To whom? That is a lie. Apologise for what? What was there to apologise for?”
The 72-year-old was even more direct in another exchange, declaring: “I don’t apologise to anyone.”
The dispute erupted after Ronaldo was left as an unused substitute against Norway despite being sent out to warm up for a significant period.
The Al-Nassr striker later left the camp and has not featured since.
Jesus insisted his decisions as coach are non-negotiable and that the priority was the team’s results.
He did, however, leave the door open for Ronaldo’s return, stating the veteran would be called up for the next international window if he is playing regularly for Al-Nassr and wishes to come back.
“It’s his decision,” Jesus added.
“You can’t break up a year-long friendship over a situation that is difficult to understand.”
The firm stance from the Portugal coach suggests any reconciliation will depend more on Ronaldo’s willingness to move past the episode than any public apology.
Portugal return to Nations League action in November with games against Denmark and Wales.
Sports
Former Aston Villa Striker Agbonlahor Claims Rooney Is Better Than Kane
Former Aston Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor has said Wayne Rooney was better than Harry Kane.
Discussing the comparison between the two, Agbonlahor said: “I really like Wayne Rooney. It’s a different era, isn’t it? But for me, Rooney still edges Kane.”
Agbonlahor continued: “Everyone has different opinions, the new generation will pick Kane, but I would pick Rooney. It’s easy for people to forget how good he was. I love everything about Rooney, he was fearless. We used to play against him, and he would absolutely go for you.
“I remember once, the referee dropped the ball for a 50-50 challenge. It was against Dawson of Hull City, and Rooney went into him so hard.
“Rooney could do everything, he was faster than you’d think. He could run from deep, and he could play as a number 10. Look at some of the goals he scored, like the one from near the halfway line when he returned to Everton.”
Sports
2028 OlympicsQ: Omenazu Earns First Super Falcons Call-Up For Comoros Clash
MK Dons Women captain Favour Omenazu has received a late invitation to join the Super Falcons squad for Nigeria’s 2028 Olympic Games qualifying double-header against Comoros.
Interim head coach Augustine Eguavoen called up the versatile midfielder following the withdrawal of some of the players initially invited for the second-round qualifying fixture.
The call-up marks the first time the 24-year-old has been selected to represent the Super Falcons.
Omenazu was eligible to play for both England and Nigeria but has opted to represent the 10-time African champions at international level.
MK Dons have congratulated their women’s captain on earning her maiden international call-up.
“We are all incredibly proud of #MKDonsWomen’s captain, Favour Omenazu, who has received her first international call-up to represent Nigeria’s Super Falcons,” the club said in a post on X.
“Favour has been selected for Nigeria’s upcoming 2028 Olympic qualifying double-header against Comoros on Friday 9th and Tuesday 13th October.
“Go and smash it, Favour we know you will “
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