Latest news with #Casablanca
The Herald
3 hours ago
- Sport
- The Herald
‘We'll do this for Gabi,' says Ellis as Banyana fight for bronze at Wafcon
Salgado was successfully operated on at Mohammed VI University Hospital in Casablanca, but is likely to spend six months on the sidelines. Banyana coach Desiree Ellis said she had to play a different role for distraught Banyana players — like midfielder Linda Motlhalo — when they could not keep hold of their emotions after Salgado's horror injury on Tuesday. 'I was a mother, and I was just trying to say to her, 'Stay calm, just do that for Gabi'. That was the talk: 'Do that for Gabi and make sure you get over the line for Gabi', because that's what it was all about at that moment. 'It was very difficult to keep them calm because a lot of them broke down. Going back onto the field I think some were still crying and I think that's really what got to them.'
Zawya
4 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
African Development Bank and Casablanca Finance City Host Strategic Dialogue to Accelerate African Economic Integration concluded by the Casablanca Call to Action
The African Development Bank ( and Casablanca Finance City (CFC), Africa's leading financial centre, have jointly organized a high-level strategic dialogue in Casablanca to accelerate private sector engagement in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The dialogue, under theme 'Connecting Africa – The AfCFTA Pathway,' was held on 23 July 2025. It brought together African private sector executives and representatives from major pan-African institutions, including Arab Maghreb Union (UMA), Afreximbank, the African Union Development Agency (NEPAD), the West African Development Bank (BOAD), the Africa Commission of the Moroccan Employers' Confederation (CGEM), OCP Group, Attijariwafa Bank, Africa 50, Tanger Med Zone, Orange, Africa Properity Network and experts from the Boston Consulting Group. The sessions focused on evaluating the current state of AfCFTA implementation and emphasized the need to enhance private sector competitiveness, financing trade-enabling infrastructure, and operationalizing regional value chains. Participants also highlighted the need for a pragmatic approach to regional integration, anchored in the free movement of goods, people, and ideas, and unlocking new investment and trade opportunities. Unlocking a USD 3.4 Trillion Market With a population exceeding 1.5 billion and a combined GDP of $3.4 trillion, Africa holds significant economic potential. Projections indicate that full implementation of the AfCFTA, through the removal of tariff and non-tariff barriers, could boost intra-African trade by 52% by 2035. This momentum comes as Africa positions itself within a rapidly evolving global trade landscape, with 11 of the world's 20 fastest-growing economies located on the continent, according to the IMF and World Bank. Laying the Foundation in Casablanca 'We are here today to lay the foundation for a partnership with CFC, a key player capable of bringing together major operators in Morocco and Africa to harness the full potential of the AfCFTA,' said Joy Kategekwa, Director of Regional Integration at the African Development Bank. 'It is regional actors who will build the business networks capable of catalysing investment, integrating regional value chains, and driving trade.' Lamia Merzouki, Chief Operating Officer of Casablanca Finance City Authority, stated: 'The successful implementation of the AfCFTA hinges on the effective mobilization of the private sector. That's what today's discussion with the African Development Bank is all about, looking at concrete tools to stimulate intra-African trade, identify relevant investment opportunities and facilitate the integration of African businesses into continental value chains.' Achraf Tarsim, Country Manager of the Bank for Morocco, noted: 'This regional approach is effective. We are already supporting it across the continent through strategic investments in transformative infrastructure — roads, ports, railways, logistics corridors—as well as dedicated credit lines to facilitate trade.' Participants reiterated the urgency of bridging Africa's annual infrastructure financing gap, estimated at $130 billion, to fully leverage the opportunities presented by the AfCFTA. Casablanca Call to Action At the end of the meeting, the participants called for the creation of a platform dedicated to the private sector based on four operational priorities: Accelerate market access for African businesses through structured public-private dialogue and by providing practical tools such as market data, market entry guides, policy recommendations, and a continent-wide directory of bankable projects. Bridge infrastructure gaps to support 'Made in Africa' by developing integrated and sustainable economic corridors (roads, ports, rail, and digital infrastructure) and by creating an attractive legal and regulatory environment to mobilize private capital, technical expertise, and regional operators. Enhance regional financial integration through capital markets harmonization, development of trade finance solutions, and mobilization of innovative instruments, including blended finance, pan-African funds, and tailored guarantees to scale up transformative projects. Position financial centres and business hubs as accelerators of the AfCFTA by creating an enabling business environment, attracting talent, building conducive ecosystems, and promoting Africa as an opportunity through awareness-raising, training, and advocacy initiatives. The platform would act as a strategic tool to amplify the voice of the private sector in the implementation of the AfCFTA. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB). Media Contacts: Casablanca Finance City Authority Communications Department Email: events@ African Development Bank Group Fahd Belbachir Principal Communications and External Relations Officer Email: media@
News24
7 hours ago
- Sport
- News24
Banyana's Gabriela Salgado ruled out for rest of the year after horrific injury
Banyana Banyana's versatile player Gabriela Salgado has been ruled out for the rest of the year due to the mid-shaft fracture she suffered against Nigeria on Tuesday. Salgado underwent a successful operation in Casablanca, where she will remain in hospital until Banyana fly back home after their third-place play-off against Ghana. The 27-year-old was visited in hospital by her teammates along with members of Nigeria's Super Falcons, while President Cyril Ramaphosa sent her well wishes. For more Banyana Banyana news, please visit the News24 local soccer page. Banyana Banyana's Gabriela Salgado will be out of action for the rest of the year after suffering a mid-shaft fracture on her left leg during the team's 2-1 loss to Nigeria in the semi-finals of the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon). Banyana Banyana players and staff visited star Gabriela Salgado at the Mohamed VI University Hospital in Casablanca, Morocco, following her successful operation on Wednesday. Nigeria's Super Falcons also visited Salgado after her injury on Tuesday. #LiveTheImpossible — Banyana_Banyana (@Banyana_Banyana) July 24, 2025 The South African Football Association announced that Salgado underwent a successful operation in Casablanca on Wednesday. She will remain in hospital there until the team flies back to South Africa early next week after taking part in the third-place play-off with Ghana on Friday, at the same Larbi Zaouli Stadium where they lost to Nigeria. The final will be played in Rabat on Saturday by Nigeria and hosts Morocco. Banyana teammates, technical team members and support staff visited Salgado in hospital after her operation on Wednesday. Members of Nigeria's Super Falcons also paid Salgado a visit in hospital on Tuesday, presenting the 27-year-old with a signed jersey before they flew to Rabat on Wednesday to prepare for the final. We wish Gabriela Salgado a speedy and full recovery. 💚 #WAFCON2024 #MissionX #SoarSuperFalcons — NGSuper_Falcons (@NGSuper_Falcons) July 23, 2025 'Gabi sustained a fracture of the mid-shaft of her left leg during the fixture against Nigeria and underwent a successful surgery at the Mohamed VI University Hospital in Casablanca,' said team doctor Dr Lindi Mokoena. 'She will be out of action for the rest of the year, but we are pleased that she received exceptional care from the medical team of Banyana Banyana, CAF (Confederation of African Football) and the hospital.' Dr Lindi Mokoena. Mokoena continued: 'We were fully confident and comfortable with the procedure being performed in Morocco and would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to CAF and the dedicated staff at the Mohamed VI University Hospital for their professionalism and outstanding support during this time.' Today, our thoughts are with Banyana Banyana's @G_Salgado9 as we wish Gabriela a comfortable and speedy recovery from her traumatic injury in last night's WAFCON semi-final against a victorious Nigeria. I know you're a woman of deep and public faith, Gabriela, and you're a woman… — Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 (@CyrilRamaphosa) July 23, 2025 Salgado received numerous well-wishes, including one from South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa. Her injury was an unfortunate end to her debut Wafcon appearance after missing the successful 2022 campaign due to injury. Salgado is on the books of JVW, a club that's owned by former Banyana Banyana captain Janine van Wyk and campaigns in the Hollywoodbets Super League – Mzansi's semi-professional women's league.
The Herald
10 hours ago
- Sport
- The Herald
Banyana's Salgado has ‘successful operation', Ramaphosa sends well wishes
'She will be out of action for the rest of the year but we are pleased she received exceptional care from the medical teams of Banyana, Caf [the Confederation of African Football] and the hospital. 'We were fully confident and comfortable with the procedure being performed in Morocco and would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Caf and the dedicated staff at the Mohamed VI University Hospital for their professionalism and outstanding support.' Ramaphosa posted on X: 'Today, our thoughts are with Banyana Banyana's @G_Salgado9 as we wish Gabriela a comfortable and speedy recovery from her traumatic injury in last night's Wafcon semifinal against a victorious Nigeria. 'I know you're a woman of deep and public faith, Gabriela, and you're a woman of bravery and skill on the pitch. The nation wishes you well. 'Casablanca was always going to be a tough ask for our national team as Africa's defending champions and Nigeria's breakthrough in extra time proved this. We are confident Banyana will regroup and return to Wafcon as future champs. 'We wish Nigeria's Super Falcons and Morocco's Atlas Lionesses well for Saturday's dream home final for the host nation.'
BBC News
3 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Continental giants clash in Wafcon 2024 semi-finals
There are two intriguing semi-final clashes in store at the 2024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) in Morocco on up, nine-time champions Nigeria have a mouth-watering tie against defending champions South Africa in Casablanca at 16:00 in Rabat, hosts Morocco face Ghana, the lowest-ranked side remaining, at 19:00 is still a chance we could see a repeat of the 2022 final, when Banyana Banyana beat the Atlas Lionesses 2-1, back in the capital on Saturday and expectation would point towards a meeting between Nigeria and Morocco, while an all-West African affair could add an extra element to a tournament that has already provided plenty of talking and Ghana would be first-time winners, while the Confederation of African Football has doubled the prize pot for the victors to $1m and also unveiled a new trophy. A rivalry renewed Nigeria delivered a statement to the rest of the continent when they thrashed much-fancied Zambia 5-0 in Casablanca in the last Super Falcons striker Desire Oparanozie described the scoreline as "unexpected" but saw a vast improvement from their outings from the group stage."The Super Falcons have that winning mentality - they show up for big games," she told Sportsworld on the BBC World Service."They showed who the African giant really is."The onus is now on the West Africans to back up that comprehensive performance against another of the continent's top sides when they return to the Larbi Zaouli Stadium."We hope to keep this mentality," goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie told the BBC World Service."Big games define Nigeria."While they are yet to concede in their quest for a record-extending 10th Wafcon crown - a bid that has been dubbed Mission X - South Africa will pose the most difficult challenge holders squeezed past Senegal 4-1 on penalties after a 0-0 draw and have had 24 hours less to recover from those exertions – as well as travelling west from the city of Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis says her players will not use that as an excuse."One hundred and 20 minutes with a day less to prepare, with a day to travel, takes a lot out of you."But I don't have enough words to describe this team: the resilience, the courage, the never-say-die attitude, the willing to fight for each other."Nigeria got the better of South Africa in the Wafcon final in both 2000 and 2018, but Ellis' side triumphed 2-1 when they met in the group stage three years ago."They are the defending champions and the pressure is really on them," Oparanozie said."The rivalry has been on for years and the semi-final is going to be a tough one for Nigeria."The Mission X agenda has been pushed. South Africa seemed to be the only team that would actually prevent Nigeria from achieving that." Atlas Lionesses eye return to final The tournament hosts remain on track for a second successive appearance in the final after easing past Mali fervent home crowd at the 21,000-capacity Olympic Stadium is expected in the capital to cheer on the Atlas Lionesses."The public that has come to the stadium has helped us from the first moment," coach Jorge Vilda said."It has always been like that and we hope it will be the same in the semi-final. What we have in our head is the intention to reach the final."Ghana are back in the last four for the first time since 2016, having overcome Algeria on penalties after a scrappy 0-0 draw on coach Kim Lars Bjorkegren is not fazed by the likelihood of a partisan crowd and thinks his side could feed off any nerves amongst the home fans."It can help you if you have a good day as a home country, but I know it can be the opposite," the Swede said."I know how quiet it can be, even if you are 21,000 or whatever you will be. If we score a goal, the boost it will give us will be huge, and you can change how you think about the situation."We know they have quality, but like all teams they have their weaknesses as well."Vilda is aiming for his second major trophy after guiding Spain to the Women's World Cup in to Moroccan journalist Saad Moufakkir, the 44-year-old has added extra layers to the North Africans' game since his appointment in October 2023."He brings the Spanish vibe and now we are better as a unit," he said."We are confident we can finish games earlier. With this coach, especially on the tactical level, I think we have a lot of weapons."We can attack from the wings, we can go through the middle and we can press high or sit back and wait for the counters. We have got options and I think this is the biggest impact [he had on] the national team."
