Latest news with #AfricaCup
The Citizen
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Young karateka earns South African colours
WARNER Beach Preparatory School's learner, Calin Chetty, represented KZN in the Japan Karate Association (JKA) Africa Cup karate tournament, which was held in Johannesburg over two days from May 23. Also read: Karate gold medallist earns provincial colours Calin was one of over 2 000 participants from all over Africa in the event organised by the SA JKA Karate Association, earning himself a bronze medal in kumite, as well as being awarded his South African JKA colours. Calin is also a double gold KZN champion. For more South Coast Sun news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter and get news delivered straight to your inbox. Do you have more information pertaining to this story? Feel free to let us know by commenting on our Facebook page or you can contact our newsroom on 031 903 2341 and speak to a journalist.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
🐣 Gem of the week: Emile Witbooi 🇿🇦
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here. Every week, OneFootball introduces you to the new gems of world football. Today, we're heading to Cape Town! After closely following the U17 Africa Cup, we were impressed by a dozen hidden talents from the continent of Mandela. One of the brightest gems of this competition is South African: Emile Witbooi. Emile Witbooi's skills speak for themselves. 🇿🇦The journey's just beginning. 👀@Football2Gether | #TotalEnergiesAFCONU17 — CAF_Online (@CAF_Online) April 9, 2025 Last March, Witbooi made his professional debut at the age of 16 in the South African championship (one of the most competitive on the continent), becoming the youngest player in Cape Town City's history. A record of precocity that calls for others. Long before stepping onto the Premiership pitches, he had started training with the first team at the age of... 15! History made ✨A proud moment as Emile Witbooi, at just 16 years, 6 months, and 2 days old, becomes the youngest player to ever represent Cape Town CityA special milestone 💎#iamCityFC — Cape Town City FC (@CapeTownCityFC) March 2, 2025 Witbooi's signature move is the step-over. He uses his low center of gravity to his advantage and always looks to operate vertically. A true old-school number 10 who fits with the long tradition of tiki-taka of the Bafana Bafana. Orphaned by the legendary Steven Pienaar, South Africa has been searching for a top-notch metronome for many years. Witbooi could well embody this talismanic figure in the future. No doubt he has the intellectual football quotient to achieve it. Last November, Witbooi was invited by Chelsea for a four-week training session in the U18 category. The London club has already sniffed out the good deal. Other contenders may rush to the gate. Meanwhile, Puma and Roc Nation have already taken him under their wing. Witbooi's emergence confirms a clear trend: South African football is on the rise. Semi-finalists of the 2024 CAN and winners of the U20 CAN, the Bafana Bafana are finally capitalizing on their local nurseries. An image to summarize Emile Witbooi's dazzling dribbles. For the love of the step-over. Also read: - The five revelations of the U17 Africa Cup - The gem of the week: Malian Seydou Dembélé
Morocco World
19-04-2025
- Sport
- Morocco World
Morocco vs Mali: When, How to Watch, Score Prediction
Morocco's U17 team is just one step away from winning the Africa U17 Cup of Nations when they face Mali today at Stade El Bachir in Mohammedia. Kick-off is at 3 p.m. Moroccan time (GMT+1) and fans can catch the action live on Arriyadia. National team head coach Nabil Baha captured the squad's mood perfectly, saying, 'The players are determined to make history and win the Africa Cup.' Voir cette publication sur Instagram Une publication partagée par Équipe du Maroc (@equipedumaroc) The Atlas Cubs were so close to clinching their first African title last time against Senegal, but are now fully focused on giving their all on home soil in front of their fans. Throughout this competition, the Moroccan side Voir cette publication sur Instagram Une publication partagée par Équipe du Maroc (@equipedumaroc) ">has impressed. They've shown off their future footballing potential, with a tight defence and an energetic, dynamic attack. Under Baha's guidance, the team has been in perfect sync, adapting to the powerful physical play typical of African football. The penalty shootout heroics of Chaib Belarrouch against Cote D'Ivoire are a prime example of this adaptability. Baha has made it clear that his team has studied every possible scenario against Mali, a side that regularly reaches the final stages of African tournaments. Going into this crucial match, Morocco has a solid defence, having conceded just one goal in the competition, and a ferocious attack that's netted 11 goals. With players like Elias Belmoukhtar, Zakaria Wazzan, Ziyad Baheya, and Mounsef Zakri, Morocco has the talent to break down the Mali defence, which coach Adama Diallo insists is ready to give everything for the win. Mali, meanwhile, will leave nothing to chance as they aim for a third title. Their collective spirit and resilience have been clear from the start of the tournament, with a relentless attacking style. Score Prediction: Morocco 2-0 Mali The post Morocco vs Mali: When, How to Watch, Score Prediction appeared first on Morocco World News.
CAF
18-04-2025
- Sport
- CAF
TotalEnergies CAF U17 AFCON: Morocco on the Brink of a Historic Leap
On Saturday, Morocco will be playing for more than just the final of the TotalEnergies CAF U17 Africa Cup of Nations. They'll be playing for history. In front of their home crowd, in a buzzing El Bachir Stadium. Unlucky finalists in 2023 against Senegal (2-1), Nabil Baha's squad now have a chance for a moment of glory. This time, the stage is set at home. 'It's a moment we've been preparing for a long time,' Baha admits. 'Playing in an Africa Cup final is every coach's, player's, and supporter's dream. And playing it at home, in front of your people, makes it even more powerful. In his players' eyes, the former Moroccan international sees determination—the look of those who know they have a date with history. 'Of course there's pressure, because we're at home. But the boys are motivated, they want to go and get this victory. We'll face Mali with respect, but without fear.' A Legacy Embraced Baha has never claimed to be a saviour. He knows where he came from, and above all, what he is building upon. Taking over the team after Saïd Chiba—who led them to the final in the 2023 edition—Baha has always made it clear that his work is a continuation. 'Saïd did remarkable work. He built a solid group and laid the foundations for a competitive team. What we're experiencing today is also thanks to him. It's important to acknowledge that.' The new head coach hasn't brought about a revolution. He has fine-tuned, structured, and reinforced. Under his guidance, the Atlas Cubs have become more defensively disciplined, without losing their attacking edge. A Final to Experience—and to Win Morocco hasn't had an easy ride in the competition. In the semi-final against a tenacious Cote d'Ivoire side (0-0, 4-3 on penalties), they had to dig deep. 'That match forged us. It showed we can suffer and bounce back. It also proved we're mentally ready for this kind of battle.' Though many scenarios are possible, Baha and his staff have considered them all—scoring early, defending a lead, coming back from behind, going to penalties. 'We've prepared for every possibility. Finals like this are decided on the smallest details—on freshness, on the moment. Our players are ready.' And when asked what winning a continental title at home would mean, the coach doesn't hide his emotion: 'It would be a tremendous honour. A source of pride for me, for my staff, for everyone who worked behind the scenes. But above all, for these young players, who deserve to make history.' In Mohammedia, it won't just be about playing a final. It will be about winning it. To close a chapter. To honour a legacy. And above all, to open a new, golden chapter in Moroccan football.
CAF
29-03-2025
- Sport
- CAF
TotalEnergies CAF U-17 AFCON 2025: Lopez confident ahead of Cameroon's tournament opener
Published: Saturday, 29 March 2025 The Cameroon U-17 national team touched down in Morocco last week to continue final preparations for the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations, which will run from 30 March to 19 April 2025. With spirits high in the camp, coach Alioum Saidou and his squad have drawn reassurance from a series of strong performances in three friendly matches since arriving in the North African kingdom. After falling 3-0 to Cote d'Ivoire last Saturday, the Young Indomitable Lions responded emphatically with an 8-3 demolition of hosts Morocco on Monday. Goals came from Franck Mafany Luma (2), David Yannick Bondoma (2), André Jordan Emini Zibi (2), Oumar Amir Tsombeng (1), and Arnold Massokon (1). The team wrapped up its build-up campaign with another morale-boosting victory, edging Uganda 4-3 on Wednesday. One of the key figures in this Cameroonian side is goalkeeper and captain Junior Abou Lopez, who is preparing to feature in his second TotalEnergies CAF U-17 AFCON following his participation in the 2023 edition held in Algeria. 'First of all, we are very happy with this victory,' said Lopez following the final warm-up match. 'We played three games—lost one against Cote d'Ivoire—but we bounced back well to build confidence for the tournament. That was the goal of these friendlies.' Looking ahead to Cameroon's opening Group B clash against Burkina Faso on Monday, 31 March, Lopez added: 'We hope to be fully ready for our first match and aim to give everything to win it.' Aiming for the Final For the young shot-stopper, Cameroon's ambition in Morocco is crystal clear. 'Our objective is to be among the teams that reach the final of this Africa Cup,' said Lopez. 'To our fans back home, all I can ask is that you support and encourage us. It's thanks to your energy, your belief, and your cheers that we can go far in this competition.' Road to the Title and Beyond Cameroon has been drawn into Group B, based in Casablanca, alongside Burkina Faso, Egypt, and South Africa. After Monday's opener against Burkina Faso, the Indomitable Lion Cubs will take on South Africa on Thursday, 3 April, before rounding out their group campaign against Egypt on Sunday, 6 April. Aiming for their third continental title—following triumphs in 2003 and 2019—Cameroon also has their sights set on securing qualification for the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup, to be held in Qatar from 3 to 27 November. With more slots available for African teams, a strong showing in Morocco would mark a significant step forward for one of the continent's traditional youth powerhouses.
