Sports
WWC: Columbia’s Power-puff Girls stop the Reggae Jamz of Jamaica by a Lone Goal.
DASH BOARD GLANCE OF QUARTERFINAL.
1ST QF. SPAIN VS NETHERLANDS AT WELLINGTON STADIUM ON FRIDAY 11TH AUGUST AT 0200 HOURS.
2ND QF. JAPAN VS SWEDEN AT AUCKLAND ON 11TH AUGUST AT 0830 HOURS.
3RD QF. AUS VS FRA/MOR AT BRISBANE ON 12TH AUGUST AT 0800 HOURS.
4TH QF. ENG VS COL AT SYDNEY ON 12TH AUGUST AT 1130 HOURS.
Players Jubilating
Captain fantastic, Catalina Usme of Columbia whose grandfather and father played football for the nation, Columbia on Tuesday led Columbia to their first quarterfinal like Moses led Israel out of Egypt with just a marvelous goal at the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, Australia in the round of 16 of the 2023 women’s world cup.
It was the only goal scored against the Reggae Girlz of Jamaica that had not conceded a single goal at the mundial that became the Achilles’ heel that stopped the fast becoming Reggae Jamz that followers had to party till the morning light.
Usme who scored in the 2-0 drubbing of Korea at the games, collected a pass from Ana Guzman who played out her heart in the match, controlled the ball and curled it into a far corner and that wiped off the record of clean sheet of Jamaica at the 2023 world cup.
The Powder-puff Girls of Columbia will now meet England that defeated Nigeria at the quarterfinal on Saturday 12th August at Stadium Australia in Sydney at 1130 hours.
To get to the Round of 16, Jamaica played a goalless draw with France on the 23rd of July; piped Panama 1-0 on 29th of July and played another barren draw with Brazil on the 2nd of August having three clean sheets (that means Jamaica is yet to concede a goal) and they scored only a goal so far.
To get to the round of 16, Columbia banged Korea 2-0 on 25th of July; defeated Germany 2-1 on 30th July and lost to Morocco 0-1 on 30th of July. Columbia scored four goals and conceded 2 vital goals.
This is the first game between the two countries at the world cup. Columbia has never won against CONCACAF teams as the nation drew a match and lost two while Jamaica are winless in their two games against South American teams drawing one.
In the only match between the two countries played on 13th July 2003, Jamaica lost by a lone goal.
This is the second appearance of Columbia at the round of 16 stages at the world cup after 2015 where they were eliminated at that stage by eventual winners USA 0-2. Among South American teams, only Brazil has managed to win a game at the Knockout stage in 1999 and 2007.
Jamaica qualified for the Knockout stage for the first time and they are the only third CONCACAF tem to reach that stage after USA and Canada.
Jamaica lost their three matches in 2019 at their debut but was unbeaten at the group stages in 2023. They became the second team to progress from the group stage despite scoring only a goal after China in 2019.
Columbia nicknamed THE POWERPUFF GIRLS, seem to have been fired up while on preparation for the tournament defeating Paraguay 2-0 on 20th November 2022; played goalless with USA on 29th January 2023; defeated Japan 2-1 on 28th March 2023; piped Iraq 1-0 on 16th June 2023 and on 20th June unbelievably beat Germany 2-0.
Columbia is in her third appearance at the world cup but her best performance was to place 12th at the games in Canada 2015 after losing to USA 0-2 in the Round of 16 at Edmonton on 22nd June.
Jamaica is in their second appearance at the world cup. In 2019 Jamaica lost all her three matches in group C that had Italy, Australia and Brazil scoring just a goal and conceding a whopping 12 goals.
The Jamaican girls had challenges of government acceptance or support because of assumed low performances. The team is backed by Ambassador Cecedalla Marley, daughter of Legendary Bob Marley the Reggae Crooner. She helps raise awareness for the team encourages development and provide for them financially.
At 12 noon today, it will be France versus African representative, Atlas Lionesses of Morocco at the Hindmarsh Stadium with Mexican Ref Caesar Palazuelos in charge
The first of the quarterfinals of the tournament will be played in the wee hours of Friday, West African Time of 0200 hours at Wellington Regional Stadium between Spain and Netherlands. Italian Ref Davide Massa will be in charge.
The second quarterfinals will be played at Eden Park same Friday at 0830 hours and it will be Japan versus Sweden.
By Eniola Olatunji
Team Nigeria will today, Wednesday, March 25, 2026, depart the country for the Lefika International Relays in Gaborone, Botswana, as the nation intensifies its push to qualify for the World Relay Championships later this year.
The Nigerian contingent is scheduled to travel aboard Ethiopian Airlines, with a stopover in Addis Ababa before arriving in Gaborone on March 26.
At the competition, Nigeria will compete in four key events: the men’s 4x100m, mixed 4x100m, men’s 4x400m, and mixed 4x400m relays.
These races are crucial, as the country aims to secure remaining qualification slots for the World Relay Championships scheduled for May in the same city.
Nigeria’s women’s 4x100m and 4x400m relay teams have already booked their places at the global event, shifting focus to the other relay squads that must now deliver strong performances in Botswana to join them.
The delegation is led by top officials of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, including President Tonobok Okowa, Secretary General Isreal Inwang, and Technical Director Gabriel Okon.
Team Nigeria boasts a blend of emerging talents and experienced athletes expected to make a strong impact.
Among those to watch are Enaruna Anita Itohan, Badmus Gafari Atanda, Ezeakor Chidera, Emmanuel James Taiwo, Ojeli Ifeanyi Emmanuel, and George Patience Okon.
Also named in the squad are Nathaniel Samson, Adeyemi Sikiru Adewale, Sampson Victor Ime, Godwin Tejiri, Andrew Jecinter Lawrence, Chukwuka Obi Jennifer, and Omokwe Maria Thompson, all of whom have been part of an intensive preparation programme.
The athletes have spent the last six weeks training in Asaba, where they focused on sharpening race strategies, perfecting baton exchanges, and building team chemistry ahead of the decisive qualifiers.
With the World Relays serving as a gateway to global competitions, expectations are high that Team Nigeria will rise to the occasion in Botswana and secure the remaining tickets needed to complete its relay lineup for the prestigious event.
Former captain of the Super Eagles, Sunday Oliseh, has said the big teams will begin to go home from the quarter-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
There have been no upsets so far at the tournament, with the final eight among the top 10 countries on the continent, according to the latest FIFA rankings.
However, they have all been paired against each other, for places in the semi-finals.
Hosts Morocco take on Cameroon, Nigeria are up against Algeria, Mali will play Senegal and Egypt have been drawn against Ivory Coast.
Oliseh, reacting to a post on X by BBC Sport broadcaster John Bennett, who noted that this AFCON has produced no major shocks heading into the quarter-final stage.
Quoting Bennett’s tweet, he wrote: “Spot on. So far, no huge surprises yet! But this is where it ends!”
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has suggested why his team was defeated 2–1 by Aston Villa in the Premier League on Saturday.
Arteta watched as Aston Villa took the lead through Matty Cash in the first half.
But Arsenal fought back and equalised through Leandro Trossard in the second half.
However, a late goal from Emiliano Buendia ensured the hosts defeated the Gunners at Villa Park.
Speaking to TNT Sports after the game, Arteta admitted it was painful to lose against Aston Villa.
According to him, Arsenal failed to have dominance and allowed open spaces in the second half, adding that they gave two balls away to the opponent.
“In the first half we had moments, obviously had the best chance after a foul on Riccy [Calafiori] that Watkins goes through,” Arteta said.
“In the second half we started really well. Scored a goal and we were really dominant.
“But then we had periods again where the same issue appeared and then we didn’t have the dominance and we allowed the open spaces, we gave two balls away ourselves to the opponent which could have cost us the game before actually the goal.
“Last kick of the game we have the chance with the cross from Declan for Noni and Viktor. We don’t score. Goal kick long, second ball, clear the ball, individual action. The ball comes inside the box and you end up losing it. It is painful.”
-
News3 years agoJust In: President Tinubu returns to Nigeria
-
News3 years ago2023 Elections: Outgoing Rwandan High Commissioner say s Nigeria, ‘ handle their destiny’ in a peaceful way.
-
Entertainment3 years agoSocial media cloth Vendor Found Dead In Ibadan Hotel.
-
News3 years agoOgun HoS Solicit Affordable Housing For Civil Servants
-
Sports3 years ago
CAF SALUTES RIVERS UNITED AFTER SEALING QUARTER-FINAL TICKET.
-
Trending News3 years agoFG begins 40% pay rise for workers.
-
Entertainment3 years ago9mobile Ambassadors Begin “Meet And Greet” Session With Staffs, Customers.
-
Health & Wellness3 years agoBreastfed babies have lower risks of diabetes – Nutritionist