World record holder Tobi Amusan says she is not under pressure to maintain her top form this season after claiming victory of the year at the Paris Diamond League on Sunday, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Amusan equalled her season’s best of 12.28s to win the women’s 100m hurdles ahead of American duo Grace Stark, who finished second in 12.38s, and Alaysha Johnson, who placed third in 12.39s.

It was the third time the 29-year-old had clocked 12.28s this season, having posted the same time at the Xiamen Diamond League and the Rabat Diamond League in May.

The victory was her second on the Diamond League circuit this season, following her triumph in Rabat. She had earlier won the New Taipei City Athletics Open this month and also claimed gold at the African Championships in Botswana.

Poised to challenge for another Diamond League title after winning three consecutive crowns between 2021 and 2023, and having recorded the second-fastest time in the world this season behind Masai Russell’s 12.14s, the Nigerian insisted she was not feeling any pressure to finish the campaign strongly.

“I do not like the warm weather at all, but whatever the weather, I was going to come out here and kill it. My execution was alright. I am just happy to be injury free,” she told the Diamond League website.

“The pressure does not get to me. I have grace, a very strong support system around me, and that finish line. So I am never worried about pressure on the night.

“My approach to the hurdles varies. Sometimes you are thinking about what has just happened. Other days, it is really sloppy and I still come out and run a fast time. I try to take a shot at every race.

“I’ll be competing at the Prefontaine Classic next, but I am yet to decide where to race after that.”

Amusan, who won three straight Diamond League titles from 2021 to 2023, will be aiming to reclaim the trophy this season.

punch.ng

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

The captain of Cape Verde, Ryan Mendes, has been accused of rape by a team translator after he allegedly entered her hotel room and choked her.

According to a report by Brazil’s Globo news outlet on Saturday, the 36-year-old Cape Verdean captain, who has played in all three of the African island country’s World Cup games so far, was accused of sexually assaulting a Brazilian woman hired to be the team’s translator during a trip to New Zealand to play a game in March.

The unidentified woman said she approached at least three officials from the Cape Verdean soccer authorities, who did not respond, according to Brazilian media.

The case is now being investigated by New Zealand police, who have collected security camera footage from an Auckland hotel and are awaiting the results of a forensic investigation before deciding whether to charge Mendes.

The alleged sex assault was reported by New Zealand media last month, but the name of the player was not revealed,  only that he was on Cape Verde’s team.

In her statement, the woman said, “I was hired by Cape Verde’s soccer team for their games in the FIFA Series in New Zealand, and after the first match against Chile, I was invited to a meeting in one of the hotel rooms reserved for the national side.

“But when I realised that I wasn’t needed to translate and that this was a social gathering, I returned to my room and, shortly after, heard knocking on the door.”

When she opened it, Mendes allegedly forced his way into her room, throttled, punched, and bit her, before raping her, the lady was quoted as saying in a statement to New Zealand police.

She shared pictures of injuries to her mouth, neck, leg, and side, which were handed to the police.

Mendes, whose Cape Verde team made history as the smallest nation to reach the World Cup knockout rounds, has not yet responded to the allegations.

Soccer’s governing body, FIFA, issued a statement hours after the allegations were first reported on Sunday.

The organisation said it is in contact with New Zealand authorities and takes allegations of misconduct “extremely seriously,” according to Brazil’s media.

However, it said it could not comment on the allegations or confirm whether any investigations are underway.

punch.ng

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

South Africa coach Hugo Broos has explained why Bafana Bafana were eliminated from the FIFA World Cup, saying his side could not match the power and speed of Canada in their last-32 defeat.

This is as he also suggesting he may reconsider his decision to retire from coaching.

Speaking after South Africa’s 1-0 loss to co-hosts Canada in Los Angeles on Sunday, the 74-year-old Belgian admitted that physical qualities made the difference between the two teams.

“I have said many times that modern football is more than just technique. There is power and speed, and we do not have it in our team yet. Canada had those qualities,” said Broos in an AFP report.

South Africa’s World Cup campaign ended when Stephen Eustaquio scored a dramatic 92nd-minute winner to send Canada into the round of 16.

Broos had previously announced that he intended to step away from football after South Africa’s participation at the World Cup, bringing an end to a coaching career spanning more than three decades.

“I want to spend more time with my wife, children and grandchildren,” he told AFP in a pre-World Cup interview.

However, the veteran coach indicated after the defeat that he may not be ready to make a final decision on his future.

“It is not clever to make decisions when you are disappointed, so I will not do it here,” Broos said during his post-match press conference.

Reports from within the South African Football Association suggest Broos could yet remain involved with the national team.

A football association insider said: “Hugo may continue as head coach or fill some other role, such as scouting and watching South Africans playing in Europe.”

Broos has earned widespread praise for transforming South Africa’s fortunes since taking charge in 2021. Under his leadership, Bafana Bafana qualified for the World Cup for the first time in 16 years and reached the knockout stage for the first time in their history.

His tenure has also coincided with a resurgence in support for the national team. While fewer than 200 spectators attended a friendly against Botswana shortly after his appointment, a World Cup warm-up match against Panama in Cape Town attracted a capacity crowd of 50,000 fans.

The coach also guided South Africa to a landmark Group A victory over South Korea during the tournament, helping the team advance beyond the group stage for the first time after three previous first-round exits.

While South Africa head home following their elimination, Canada will face either the Netherlands or Morocco in the round of 16 in Houston.

The next assignment for South Africa will be the qualification campaign for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, where they have been drawn in Group D alongside Kenya, Guinea and Eritrea.

punch.ng

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN