Morocco won a Women’s World Cup match for the first time after Ibtissam Jraidi struck early to give them a stunning 1-0 victory over South Korea on Sunday.

Having been thrashed 6-0 by Germany on their World Cup debut, this hard-earned win kept alive Morocco’s unlikely chances of reaching the last 16 in Australia and New Zealand.

As well as the first Morocco victory ever at the tournament, there was another piece of history when defender Nouhaila Benzina became the first player to wear a hijab at the Women’s World Cup.

“We are just so glad that our efforts paid off,” said the goal-scorer Jraidi.

“I would like to dedicate this victory to Morocco and all the Arab nations at large. It was the fruit of our hard work.”

French coach Reynald Pedros saw his Morocco team take the lead after only six minutes in front of just over 13,000 fans in Adelaide.

Hanane Ait El Haj crossed and forward Jraidi nipped in ahead of her marker to expertly glance her header into the far corner.

Morocco, one of the lowest-ranked teams at the tournament at 72 in the world, were supposed underdogs against the 17th-ranked Koreans.

But they made by far the better start against shell-shocked opponents.

Colin Bell’s Korean side belatedly grew into the game towards the end of the first half, but like in their 2-0 opening defeat to Colombia, they lacked punch up front. Related New.

Many of the crowd were shouting for the Koreans and their team piled on the pressure in the second half as they attempted to keep their World Cup hopes alive.

Morocco were grimly hanging on.

The Koreans had three players on two as they raced towards Morocco’s goal, only for Benzina to cynically clip an advancing Korean attacker and earn a yellow card.

Bell threw on attacker Casey Phair, the United States-born 16-year-old who is the youngest player ever to feature at a Women’s World Cup.

But Morocco held on for a gritty win that left South Korea facing an early exit from Group H, having failed to get even one shot on target despite all their possession.

“First of all, congratulations to Morocco on the win, the first in their World Cup history,” the Englishman Bell said.

“I’m not going to say it was deserved. They got off to a good start and that affected us in the first half.

“Second half we had almost all of the play, but the chances that we did create, we rushed them, we didn’t take them.

“I’ve experienced many ups and downs in football, and this is definitely one of the worst moments.”

The highly anticipated clash between Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder, slated for a possible showdown in December 2023, has encountered a setback as promoter Eddie Hearn expressed doubts over the chances of the encounter taking place in the near future.

Joshua returns to action on August 12 when he takes on Dillian Whyte in a rematch of their 2015 contest live on DAZN and DAZN PPV, and this fight looks to have affected the prospect of facing the former WBC world heavyweight champion in the near future.

It was looking likely that a potential Joshua vs. Wilder fight would take place in Saudi Arabia and while this is still the desired, Hearn revealed that it will all depend on how the former two-time world champion fares against his domestic rival.

“Definitely, the finalisation of the Wilder fight is on hold until they (The Saudis) see what happen on August 12th and that’s the risk that we’re in,” Hearn told Boxing Social.

“It’s a big risk (facing Whyte), is it the right risk? We’ll find out, Joshua wanted a real fight, he wasn’t motivated to take a lesser, smaller fight, but the Wilder fight will be dependent on victory at the O2 Arena on August 12th.”

Hearn then went onto name a potential month for when a Joshua vs. Wilder fight could take place, but while there were plans to stage an undisputed fight between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk on the same card, he believes that this may not come to fruition.

“I think it will be January, I’m not sure whether Fury-Usyk will get made,” Hearn concluded.

Bassey returns to the UK after spending one season with Ajax in the Netherlands, where he played 39 matches.

Super Eagles defender Calvin Bassey Ughelumba has completed a move from Dutch side Ajax to Fulham in the English Premier League. Ajax signed the former Rangers defender in the last summer transfer window, but after one season and 39 games, Bassey is back in the UK with Fulham.

In a statement posted on the Fulham website, the club said: “The Club is delighted to confirm the signing of Calvin Bassey from Ajax for an undisclosed fee, subject to international clearance, which is expected to be received during the early part of next week.”

With the addition of the 23-year-old, Fulham hopes to improve on their 10th-place finish from the previous campaign, though another defender, Tosin Adarabioyo, is planning to leave during this transfer window.

“I know how big of a club Fulham is,” revealed Bassey in his first interview. “They always have quality players; they’re playing in the Premier League, the best league in the world, so I didn’t have to think much about it.

“It’s a London Club as well, so it’s always a plus to go home! I’m happy it’s all done now, and I can just focus on the football and help the team build on last season when they did amazing.”

The vice-chairman and director of football operations, Tony Khan, said, “I’m thrilled to welcome Calvin Bassey to Fulham Football Club!

“He’s a young and versatile defender; a homegrown player who developed at Leicester City’s academy before moving on to play for Rangers and then for Ajax, as well as Nigeria’s national team.

“Calvin’s been a top target for us, so we’re all delighted that he’s committed for the long term with Fulham, and we’re looking forward to watching him progress. Come on Fulham!”

Fulham will kick off their 2023/24 campaign against Everyone on 12 August at Goodison Park.

The winner of Sunday’s clash between Nigeria and Egypt will secure automatic passage to the quarter-final.

After Friday’s opening day win over DR Congo, the Nigeria national women’s basketball team, D’Tigers, are set for action today (Sunday) at the 2023 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket tournament ongoing in Kigali, Rwanda.

D’Tigress will be up against North African powerhouse Egypt in what many predict will be a tougher contest compared to the tie against the Congolese.

Even though some feel D’Tigress did not play well enough in Friday’s outing, the Rena Wakama-tutored side still breezed to a huge 69-35 victory over their opponents from central Africa.

Egypt like Nigeria also defeated DR Congo on Saturday but it was a closer contest in which the North Africans eventually prevailed 89-78.

With this scenario, the winner of Sunday’s tie between Nigeria and Egypt is guaranteed an early berth in the quarter-final.

As explained by FIBA, the teams that finish in the first positions in Groups A, B, C and D, qualify directly for the quarter-finals.

The teams that finish in second and third places of each group will have a second chance to remain in the competition by playing in the Qualification Round to the quarter-finals, where the losing teams will be eliminated.

Though largely made up of new players now, D’Tigress have a good record in previous meetings against Egypt.

Reigning champions Nigeria outclassed Egypt 106-72 in Bamako in 2017.

Captain Ogoke

One player that was part of the 2017 class and still very much around for D’Tigress in Kigali is Sarah Ogoke

A three-time champion with Nigeria, Ogoke has displayed her talent in six previous editions of the tournament.

Since making her debut in 2011, Ogoke has gone on to feature in 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2021.

The 33-year-old, who is D’Tigress captain in Kigali, was among the top performers in Friday’s game.

Ogoke’s experience should come in handy as Coach Wakama, the only female head coach at the 2023 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket, seeks to get past Egypt into the quarter-finals.

Ogoke after the victory against DR Congo assured that D’Tigress will keep improving in Kigali.

She said: “It’s our first win with this young team. We’ll continue to improve throughout the tournament.

“We have to give credit to DR Congo. They are a good team and they played a very physical game. They played well but we were able to take in the pressure.

“Now, we’re going to focus on our next game, against Egypt. We’re going to rest, have a good training session and look forward to having a great game on Sunday.”

The magnetic attraction that the Saudi Pro League have on ageing stars in Europe may soon net in Senegal’s Sadio Mane. His german club, Bayern Munich has revealed that the reigning African Footballer of year  is in talks over a potential move.

He is most likely  going to Join Cristiano Ronaldo as the  Senegal forward, 31, has received an offer to join Al Nassr.

It was that club to triggered off the movements of stars to Saudi Arabia after netting Ronaldo at the start of the 2023 season.

Mane travelled on Bayern’s pre-season tour of Asia but has been left out of Saturday’s friendly with Kawasaki Frontale in Tokyo.

“Sadio Mane is in contract talks ahead of a possible transfer and so is not in today’s squad,” the German club revealed.

Mane only joined Bayern last summer, signing a three-year contract after a 35m Pounds move from Liverpool.

He scored 12 goals in 38 appearances as Bayern won an 11th straight Bundesliga title.

But he fell out of favour during an underwhelming season, reportedly punching teammate Leroy Sane following a Champions League defeat by Manchester City in April, for which Mane was dropped from the squad as well as fined.

Al-Nassr signed five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo  in December and have followed up this summer by signing Croatia midfielder Marcelo Brozovic,  Brazil full-back Alex Tellas and Cote d’Ivoire’s  midfielder Seko Fofana.

First Vice President of Nigeria Football Federation, Felix Anyansi-Agwu has declared that the Nigeria Football Federation is proud of the Super Falcons’ outing so far at the 9^th FIFA Women’s World Cup finals, while expressing confidence that the team will get to the latter stages of the tournament.

After two matches at the global showpiece in Down Under, the Falcons have earned four points, with a draw against Canada and defeat of co-host nation Australia, in itself a record for Nigeria’s participation at the championship that began in 1991.

“I am aware that our country has been in the quarter-finals of the World Cup previously in 1999, but I also know the four points we have now is the best harvest we have made after just two matches. That is gladdening, even as we encourage the girls to keep their eyes on the ball and do the business against the Republic of Ireland.

“So much is possible if the team stays focused and ambitious, which is what they have shown in their first two matches,” said Anyansi-Agwu, who is the leader of Nigeria’s delegation here.

Nigeria is one of only seven countries to have played in every single edition of the FIFAWomen’s World Cup since it started in 1991, but the Falcons’ best harvests previously after two matches have been their three points at the 2019 finals in France. In 1999, when they defeated North Korea after losing to the USA, two points were still awarded for a win in the game.

The Falcons take on the Republic of Ireland’s ‘Girls in Green’ on Monday night in Brisbane, needing a point from the encounter to be sure of a place in the knockout rounds.

Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Australia, Anderson Madubike on Saturday reiterated that the Super Falcons have provided himself, officials of the Nigeria High Commission and indeed all members of the Nigerian community in Australia huge bragging rights with their win over the Matildas on Thursday evening.

“I can tell you that we are very happy. Now, we walk with a fresh spring in our steps anywhere we go in the whole of Australia. The Super Falcons have done us proud and we want them to continue winning,” Madubike said in Brisbane.

The diplomat, who alongside his mission staff have worked assiduously to mobilize Nigerians across the huge territory that is Australia to support and encourage the Super Falcons since they arrived here, spoke as he hosted some board members and Management staff of the NFF at a place nicknamed Little Lagos in Brisbane.

“What we have been doing for the team is nothing special; these are the things that any mission should do for a Nigerian team wherever they find themselves. However, we are overjoyed that our little efforts have not gone in vain. The Falcons are making us happy and we believe they can go all the way,” said Madubike, who previously served in South Africa and China.

In his response, NFF’s 1^st Vice President,  Felix Anyansi-Agwu thanked the High Commissioner and his officials for being at the disposal of the team and going to lengths to support and encourage Nigeria’s campaign at the finals.

Following the 3-2 defeat of the co-hosts, Australia, by the Nigeria Super Falcons, some newspapers in Australia are calling for the sack of Australia’s Swedish coach, Tony Gustavsson.

Loud in the call was the write-up of  Robbie Slater serialised in some Australian newspapers such as The Australian.

He wrote that Australia’s Matildas’  entire World Cup is in danger of blowing up in the face of coach Tony Gustavsson, there is no doubt his job is on the line. He’s made a mess of the whole thing.

In another publication, the coach rues  making changes too late in his team’s shock defeat to Nigeria

Meanwhile the Matildas believe Sunday will be D-Day for their star player, Sam Kerr as she bids to prove her fitness for the must-win match against Canada.

Sprint hurdler and reigning World 100m hurdles champion, Tobi Amusan and three time Nigeria Shot Put king, Chukwuebuka Enekwechi have retained their number one status in the overall Nigerian women and men’s rankings for the ongoing year 2023 athletics season.

Amusan expectedly leads the rankings with 1429 points following the latest update by World Athletics on Tuesday.

The 26 year old who has been provisionally suspended by World Athletics following three Whereabouts Failures leads second place Ese Brume (1307) by 122 points.

Both athletes have been the shinning light for Nigerian track and field since 2021.

While Amusan made history by winning the Diamond League title and the World title as well as setting a 12.12 World record in the high hurdles, Brume became the second Nigerian to win medals at the World indoor and outdoor championships and in the same year after Glory Alozie.

The very pretty Favour Ofili (1243) is ranked the third best with Ruth Usoro (1233) and Rosemary Chukwuma (1229) completing the top five.

For the men, Enekwechi (1320) towers above the chasing pack led by former World U20 champion, Udodi Onwuzurike (1279) who had an impressive NCAA outdoor season, Emmanuel Bamidele who allegiance, according to World Athletics, is still with Nigeria.

Reigning Nigeria 100m champion, Ushoritse Itshekiri (1242) and Godson Oghenebrume (1240) complete the top five.

Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang has approved the appointment of former Super Eagles captain, John Mikel Obi as his Honorary Adviser on Sports.

Mikel’s appointment was contained in a statement issued by the Governor’s Director of Press and Public Affairs, Gyang Bere.

The 36-year-old was born in Jos, the capital of Plateau State.

The former Chelsea star started his career at local club, Plateau United, before moving to Norwegian outfit, Lyn Oslo at the age of 17 in 2004.

Mikel had an illustrious career winning multiple titles with Chelsea, including the UEFA Champions League and Europa League.

The former midfielder represented Nigeria for 14 years, winning the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.

Mikel represented Nigeria 91 times and scored six goals.

He quit the round leather game in 2022.