Sports

WAFCON Semi-Final: Super Falcons Vow To Break South Africa’s Unbeaten Streak

Published

6 months ago

July 22, 2025

Super Falcons head coach, Justine Madugu says the Nigerian side is fully prepared to break South Africa’s long-standing unbeaten record in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).

At 5 p.m. later today, July 22, the Super Falcons will face South Africa’s Banyana Banyana in the semi-final stage of the 2024 WAFCON.

South Africa, the reigning champions, are going into the game with a 15-match unbeaten streak in WAFCON competition, a run that began after a painful loss to Nigeria back in 2016.

But Madugu is not intimidated by history. He said, “Yes, South Africa have not lost a game within regulation time since 2016. Like we said, records are meant to be broken. No matter how long it takes, one day it will be broken, and we are hoping that by Tuesday, by the grace of God, that record will no longer exist.”

Despite South Africa’s recent form, Nigeria still holds the bragging rights in their overall WAFCON head-to-head: eight wins out of eleven meetings, with a goal difference of 16-5 in the Falcons’ favour.

However, Banyana Banyana turned the table in the 2022 edition by defeating Nigeria in the group stage and going on to clinch their first continental title.

Madugu, fully aware of how much South Africa has grown under coach Desiree Ellis, is not underestimating the opposition.

“They have a very good team. For them to have won all their games to get them to where they are, obviously, we must appreciate and respect what they have done. So, we are not taking that for granted,” he said.

“You know football games can be very deceiving sometimes. You don’t judge teams based on what you see, particularly in their last game. But the prestige is equally there, so we are not looking at them as underdogs. They will be favourites as defending champions. They took the crown from us, and we want to do the same.”

On the other side of the touchline, South Africa’s coach Desiree Ellis remains unfazed by the forthcoming encounter. For her, the rivalry itself is all the motivation her team needs.

“We know what this match means. We know what it takes to beat Nigeria,” she told CAF Online.

“I don’t think that you need to communicate anything. It’s like a derby where you know who you’re up against. Players know the strength of Nigeria. So I don’t think any motivation is needed. The motivation is obviously the semi-final, but I don’t think it needs motivation because of the rivalry that there is.”

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Sports

Atletico push for Lookman as Fenerbahce near deal

Published

15 hours ago

January 31, 2026

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Atletico Madrid have intensified efforts to sign Ademola Lookman as the Turkish club Fenerbahce edge closer to completing a deal for the Nigeria forward, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The Spanish side tried to sign the 28-year-old last summer but failed to reach an agreement with Atalanta.

Their primary midfield target, Leon Goretzka, announced on Friday that he would not leave Bayern Munich until the summer, forcing Sporting Director Mateu Alemany to pursue alternative options.

Atletico are now targeting Inter Milan’s Davide Frattesi for midfield reinforcement, but Lookman remains their priority signing.

However, competition for the Nigeria international is fierce. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reports that Fenerbahce’s deal is at the final stages, with the Turkish club offering a package worth €40m including variables.

According to Spanish publication Marca, Atletico acknowledge that Fenerbahce’s bid is currently higher than theirs, though they will do all they can to bring Lookman to Spain.

The player had expressed interest in a move to Spain during the summer.

Diario AS reports that Fenerbahce sporting director Devin Ozek is currently in Bergamo trying to finalise the deal.

Romano posted on Friday that while Atalanta and Fenerbahce have a verbal agreement on a €40m package, they are yet to agree on payment terms and conditions.

He added that Atletico Madrid have been calling in recent hours to ask about deal conditions.

Atletico could return for both Goretzka and Lookman in the summer, depending on what business Alemany completes before February 2.

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Sports

Bayern confirm Goretzka’s end-of-season exit

Published

1 day ago

January 30, 2026

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FC Bayern Munich have confirmed that midfielder Leon Goretzka will leave the club at the end of the season when his contract expires.

The confirmation was given by Bayern sporting director Christoph Freund, who said the 29-year-old will complete the season with the club before moving on as a free agent in the summer.

According to Fabrizio Romano’s post on Friday, Freund was quoted as saying, “Leon Goretzka will leave FC Bayern in the summer as a free agent, not now. Leon’s time at FC Bayern will be over in the summer. He will go another way after 8 successful years. We’ll fight together in the coming months to achieve big things.”

The statement rules out any immediate departure, with Bayern expecting Goretzka to remain part of the squad for the rest of the campaign.

Goretzka joined Bayern in 2018 from Schalke and has been a key member of one of the most successful periods in the club’s history.

During his time in Munich, he won multiple Bundesliga titles, domestic cups, and the UEFA Champions League.

Despite increased competition for places in recent seasons, the Germany international has remained an experienced figure within the squad.

Bayern and Goretzka are now set to focus on their remaining objectives for the season before the midfielder begins a new chapter in his career this summer.

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Sports

West Ham sign Fulham winger Traore

Published

3 days ago

January 28, 2026

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West Ham announced on Wednesday that they had signed winger Adama Traore from Fulham for an undisclosed fee.

The 30-year-old will be reunited at the London Stadium with manager Nuno Espirito Santo, with whom he worked previously at Wolves.

The Premier League strugglers described the forward as “strong, quick and able to create and score goals”.

Traore, who has been a peripheral player for Fulham this season, came through Barcelona’s youth system before joining Aston Villa in 2015. He has also played for Middlesbrough and Wolves.

The winger, who has made 262 Premier League appearances, scoring 14 goals, said he wanted to help relegation-threatened West Ham to the “maximum”.

“I love the challenges,” he said. “I think, of course, we have to go game by game. And this is what we’re going to do, trying to do our best. I think everything comes from belief. And I believe we’re going to achieve what we’re looking for.”

Nuno is relishing the chance to link up again with Traore, who has won eight caps for Spain.

“Adama is someone who knows the Premier League very well, and his qualities, both as a player and a person, will help us between now and the end of the season,” he said.

“He will give us a different option in attacking areas. He is also motivated to fight for us and ready to bring energy, commitment and determination to our challenge.”

West Ham are third from bottom of the Premier League, five points from safety, but have won their past two matches, against Tottenham and Sunderland.

The club has been active in the January transfer window as they battle for survival, signing forwards Pablo Felipe and Taty Castellanos earlier this month.

The January window closes on Monday.

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