National League previews: Who plays who this weekend
Boston United's clash with Morecambe was postponed on Saturday due to the latter's ongoing financial issues. The Pilgrims visit Isuzu FA Trophy holders Aldershot Town.
The two sides promoted from National League South last term, Truro City and Boreham Wood, will be searching for their first three points of the season when they face title hopefuls York City and Carlisle United respectively.
Robbie Savage welcomes Yeovil Town to the New Lawn in his first home outing as Forest Green Rovers boss while Rochdale host Altrincham in the early kick-off.
Eastleigh and Gateshead face off with both sides looking to get off the mark for the season and Sutton United host Solihull Moors.
Scunthorpe United's first home match since securing promotion from the National League North sees Woking come to town.
Wealdstone will be hoping to follow-up an impressive opening day win over Truro City when FC Halifax Town head to Ruislip.
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Yahoo
12 minutes ago
- Yahoo
After deadly protests, Kenya's Ruto seeks football distraction
Whether in a sports jersey or a suit, Kenyan President William Ruto is casting himself as a model supporter of the national football team as an international tournament provides respite from recent bloody protests against his regime. In June and July, the east African country, usually known as a beacon of calm in the turbulent Horn of Africa region, saw violent anti-government protests that left 65 dead, according to a police watchdog. While the protests have disappeared from the streets, many of the issues -- police brutality, a troubled economy -- have not. But thanks to football, public anger against Ruto's administration seems to be fizzing out. Kenya is co-hosting the African Nations Championship (CHAN), with its national team winning both on and off the pitch -- a stark contrast to their historically dismal performance -- while Ruto coattails on their success at every turn. He was in the stands cheering their inaugural game and in the dressing room making promises to the players. At the start of the tournament, he promised each Harambee Stars player, as the national team is called, one million Kenyan shillings (about $7,740) for every win, and half that for a draw. He later raised the reward to 2.5 million shillings plus a two-bedroom house if they beat Zambia in Sunday's quarter-finals. Ruto's strategy appears to be paying off. While public gatherings for months were dominated by "Wantam" chants -- to mean he will be a one-term president -- energetic Kenyan fans are now filling stadiums with "One Million" shouts, referencing the presidential bonuses. "Most people are happy that the national team has been rewarded for their performance," Bernard Ndong, sports editor and anchor at one of Kenya's biggest stations, told AFP. But not everyone was convinced by Ruto's sudden, and generous, attitude to the players, he added. "Some skeptics are wondering where that money is coming from and whether it's also a subtle way for him to endear himself to the people through football." Just a few weeks before the CHAN games kicked off, Ruto called on police officers to shoot and maim violent protesters, remarks that sparked public outrage. - 'Soft-power tactics' - But the tournament now "offers Ruto respite" even as his administration faces allegations of other "mega corruption scandals," observed a column in the Standard, a daily critical of the president. According to analyst Chris Sambu, CHAN "is not just a sporting event; it is a calculated opportunity where soft-power tactics, national pride, and targeted public engagement intersect to blunt criticism and reopen channels of support." It offers Ruto a strategic opening to reposition his image and tie it to moments of pride and economic hope, rather than recent political controversies, Sambu said on X. Enthusiastic Kenyan fans without tickets have breached security to enter stadiums, angering the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and resulting in hefty fines for the country. Ruto has promised to install screens around the city so everyone can watch the games. "It is the Harambee Stars who have reunited the nation," he said to the players on Monday. "I am proud that thanks to your talents, the nation stands tall, united, and inspired." "Sport and politics are powerful tools," Ruto supporter Amina Muchiri, 44, told AFP, adding that after a shake-up by the youth-led protests "this is the best chance to get to them through these boys who are also Gen-Z". Elias Makori, a former sports editor at Kenya's Nation newspaper and now on the CHAN committee, judged it a "clever" move by Ruto. "It's a good comeback against the Gen Z unrest, but how long it can be sustained is another question," Makori added. The CHAN is limited to players from domestic national leagues, unlike the African Cup of Nations which is open to Africans playing for clubs abroad. aik-rbu-jf/mnk/gv
Yahoo
17 minutes ago
- Yahoo
B.C. Lions look to continue growth against Caleb Evans and the Montreal Alouettes
VANCOUVER — Halfway through the CFL season, quarterback Nathan Rourke believes his B.C. Lions still have obstacles to overcome — namely, their own mistakes. The Lions (4-5) are coming off an overtime win against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats last week, but have seen some close games fall the other way this year thanks to one or two errant plays. During the victory in Hamilton, B.C. took eight penalties for a total of 65 yards, and had a giveaway, a fumble and an interception. 'I really feel like for this team, throughout the entire year, the only people really who can get in our way are us, right?" Rourke said. "We've certainly had our fair share of penalties and dumb mistakes and bad decisions. And it seems, at the end of the day, that's what's stopping us more than the other team. "So obviously, they're gonna make some plays and stuff like that, but I think we've done a good job managing that. We've just got to make sure that we clean up that stuff, and I think it'll be OK.' All season long, the Lions have been growing, said first-year head coach Buck Pierce. Now the team needs to learn from those lessons, he said. "That's really what I hope that we've taken from it, is, 'Hey, the past is the past. This is where we are. Understand where we are, understand what it takes for us to get better,'" he said. "I think I've seen some growth, and I've seen some guys, some light bulbs start to come on a bit, which is good. But we need to just continue to lift the group up, and everybody else gets to that level.' B.C.'s next chance to showcase its growth and climb the West Division standings comes Saturday when the Lions host the Montreal Alouettes (5-4). The Als dropped a 23-22 decision to the Edmonton Elks last week and are looking to snap a two-game skid. They're also looking for their first win against the Lions since Sept. 9, 2022. Montreal will turn to third-string quarterback Caleb Evans this week with both No. 1 Davis Alexander and backup McLeod Bethel-Thompson relegated to the six-game injured list. Saturday will mark Evans' first start since July 25 of last year when he helped the Als to a 20-16 win over the Saskatchewan Roughriders. The 27-year-old American is 6-10 in his first 16 CFL starts, but hasn't ever started against B.C. Alouettes head coach Jason Maas isn't concerned about swapping out another QB. 'We've won games with backups here, with guys that are second- and third-string quarterbacks here over the last three years," he said. "We did it already this year, we've done it with a backup quarterback, as people will say. … So you ask me where my belief comes from, it's been shown. We've won games, and that's all I need to see." Facing a quarterback who hasn't played much brings some unique challenges for a defensive unit. "We can't do as much tape on him, but we have enough to know what he's about," Lions defensive back Christophe Beaulieu said of Evans. "He likes travelling, so we'll take care of that, and we're ready to go. We're ready to go. Whatever he throws at us, we'll be ready.' Montreal and B.C. have already met once this season with the Lions taking a 21-20 victory back on June 5, thanks to a walk-off field goal from Sean Whyte. The visitors felt like they "got away with one" in that game, Rourke said. "It was good to be able to execute down the stretch when we needed to and put together a drive. It was good to see," the QB said. "But ultimately, I know for me, I've got to play better. And this is a great opportunity to do so at home, where we haven't been our best either. So hopefully we can put it all together this weekend.' MONTREAL ALOUETTES (5-4) AT B.C. LIONS (4-5) Saturday, B.C. Place NO RUSH: The Alouettes have been superb at limiting opponents' run games this season. Last week, the team held Edmonton running back Justin Rankin to zero yards on six attempts. Montreal is allowing a league low 4.4 yards per attempt on the ground in 2025. HISTORY BOOKS: Montreal has traditionally struggled against B.C., particularly on the road. The Lions hold a 50-36-1 edge in all-time meetings between the two teams, and are 32-9-1 at home against the Als. HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE?: The Lions have lost three straight games at B.C. Place and are at risk of matching their longest home losing skid since 2021 when the team dropped four in a row. --- With files from Daniel Rainbird in Montreal. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 15, 2025. Gemma Karstens-Smith, The Canadian Press
Yahoo
28 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Donnarumma jokes abound after Chevalier howler on PSG debut
Lucas Chevalier's howler in the UEFA Super Cup against Tottenham prompted PSG fans to worry they will regret forcing Gianluigi Donnarumma out. Inevitably, the decision to freeze out hero of the Champions League campaign Donnarumma in favour of Chevalier poured extra pressure on the new goalkeeper. On his debut, he saw Palhinha's effort come off the bar with Micky van de Ven ready to turn in the rebound. UDINE, ITALY – AUGUST 13: Marquinhos, Lucas Chevalier and Willian Pacho of Paris Saint-Germain line up prior to the UEFA Super Cup 2025 match between Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham Hotspur at Stadio Friuli on August 13, 2025 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by) Far worse was the second goal, as Cuti Romero's diving header on a Pedro Porro free kick found Chevalier totally unprepared, the finish bending back his gloves to loop into the empty net. Chevalier comparison to Donnarumma doesn't start well TOTTENHAM DOUBLE THEIR LEAD! ⚽️⚽️ New captain Cristian Romero on the scoresheet! 📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK — Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) August 13, 2025 It was a real howler from the €40m plus bonuses purchase and did not go unnoticed by PSG fans who felt Donnarumma was harshly treated. The error was followed by numerous jokes on social media with supporters pointing out Donnarumma was probably at home chuckling as he watched his replacement struggle so badly. But that's none of Gianluigi Donnarumma's business 🐸☕ — B/R Football (@brfootball) August 13, 2025 Many more pointed out the Italian 'would've saved that easily' and while he may not have the skills with the ball at his feet that Chevalier might command, he is still perhaps the best shot-stopper in the game right now. 48′: PSG 0-2 Tottenham 😳 — CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) August 13, 2025 Set-piece perfection 😮💨 Cristian Romero doubles Tottenham's lead against the UCL Champions 🔥
