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
International News
Barca Transfermarket Values: Raphinha, 8 Others Drop, 3 Players Rise
June 5th, Transfermarkt updated. The new market values of Barcelona players. Three players increased and nine decreased, with Raphinha dropping by 10 million to 70 million euros.
Increase (Euros)
Joan-Garcia increased by 5 million to 45 million
Eric-Garcia increased by 5 million to 40 million
Gerard-Martin increased by 10 million to 35 million
Decrease (Euros)
Raphinha decreased by 10 million to 70 million
Kounde decreased by 5 million to 60 million
Balde decreased by 5 million to 50 million
De Jong decreased by 10 million to 35 million
Casado decreased by 2 million to 18 million
Christensen decreased by 1 million to 8 million
Cancelo decreased by 1 million to 8 million
Lewandowski decreased by 1 million to 7 million
Szczesny decreased by 100,000 to 800,000
Unchanged (Euros)
Yamal 200 million
Pedri 150 million
Fermin 100 million
Cubarsi 80 million
Olmo 60 million
Ferran Torres 50 million
Rashford 40 million
Gavi 30 million
Bernal 30 million
Araujo 20 million
Bardghji 15 million
International News
Man City Threaten Legal Action Over Erling Haaland!
Man City are considering taking legal action after a Real Madrid presedential candidate said he would sign Erling Haaland, if elected.
What actually happened?
Real presidential candidate Enrique Riquelme, who faces current president Florentino Perez in Sunday’s vote, claimed on Spanish TV show El Hormiguero on Wednesday night that Haaland had a release clause and wants to move to the Bernabeu. He also held up a Real shirt with ‘Haaland 9’ on the back.
Riquelme, who also promised to sign Haaland’s City team-mate Rodri, said: “If I break my promises regarding either of these players, I’ve signed a guarantee where I’d pay 100 per cent of membership costs for next season.
“Haaland has a release clause, and he wants to come to Madrid.”
What was City’s response?
However, Manchester City have moved quickly to refute those claims, saying in a statement that there is “no chance” Haaland will be leaving the Etihad Stadium any time soon. The Premier League club also said they are considering legal action over the shirt stunt.
A City spokesperson said in a statement: “The stories which have emerged from Spain regarding the future of Erling Haaland are untrue.
“There is no chance of this happening and there is no contractual clause to enable it.
“We are considering legal action for the use of our player image in this context.”
Haaland is under contract at the Etihad until the summer of 2034 and Haaland’s agent Rafaela Pimenta and his father Alfie Haaland laughed off suggestions the 25-year-old could soon be heading to the Spanish capital.
A joint-statement released in the early hours of Thursday morning said: “All very entertaining but not true. We wish all the best for both candidates in the Real Madrid elections.”
What was Perez’s response?
Meanwhile, current Real president Florentino Perez made his own election pledge on Wednesday night, seemingly confirming Jose Mourinho’s return to Real Madrid as manager, if he wins next Sunday’s presidential election.
Perez posted a video on X in which Mourinho features in a Real shirt saying: “Yes”, while the only other words to accompany it say: “Meanwhile, on TV, they just keep talking and talking and talking. So much history to be made.”
The video was posted in response to Riquelme’s TV apperaance promoting his rival bid.
Perez has made no secret of his intention to name Mourinho as head coach should he win the vote and remain for an eighth term in the role, but his social media post appears to have made it official.
Mourinho is widely expected to agree a three-year-deal to return to the Bernabeu Stadium and replace Alvaro Arbeloa, who was appointed in January after Xabi Alonso’s departure.
Benfica have yet to confirm Mourinho’s departure, while speculation has been mounting that Marco Silva is being lined up as his successor after the Portuguese announced he will leave Fulham when his contract expires in June.
Real Madrid’s presidential election on Sunday will be decided by the club’s members. It is the first contested election since 2006 as club members will choose between incumbent Perez, 79, and businessman Riquelme, 37.
International News
Liverpool Legend Sir Dalglish Down With Cancer!
According to an official statement from Liverpool, Liverpool legend Sir Kenny Dalglish has been diagnosed with cancer and is currently undergoing treatment.
Sir Kenny Dalglish posted an update on social media today. The full text is as follows:
The news was leaked when I accidentally posted something due to a slip of the hand. I am currently receiving treatment for cancer. Although I am clumsy with my phone, the treatment is progressing well.
This matter was intended to be handled privately and not disclosed to the public, but I am not very good at using digital devices and accidentally leaked the news.
I never intended to make my illness public, and I urge all parties to respect my privacy and that of my family, and to refrain from disturbing us.
As always, I thank the medical staff, who not only took meticulous care of me but also consistently upheld the principle of confidentiality, diligently protected countless patients, and honored their profession.”
Liverpool officials stated: All staff at Liverpool Football Club will send their best wishes and support to Sir Kenny Dalglish and his family, now and in the future. The club also echoed his request, calling on the outside world to respect his privacy.
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