Latest news with #FifaWomen'sWorldCup
IOL News
16 hours ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Thembi Kgatlana's bombshell leaves Banyana Banyana's Wafcon hopes in jeopardy
Thembi Kgatlana's unexpected withdrawal from Banyana Banyana's Wafcon squad raises serious questions about the team's chances in the upcoming tournament. Photo: BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix Star striker Thembi Kgatlana has dropped a bombshell by declaring herself unavailable for Banyana Banyana, who will defend their Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title in Morocco next month. This decision, attributed to personal reasons, has sent shockwaves through the South African football community and raised concerns about the team's championship aspirations in the continent's premier women's tournament. Kgatlana, whose presence has been pivotal for almost a decade in the national set-up, first made her mark as a teenager when she represented South Africa at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. Her ascendancy accelerated in 2018 during the Africa Women's Cup of Nations in Ghana, where she was not only a standout performer but also took home the Player of the Tournament trophy while finishing as the top goal scorer, helping the team to a runners-up finish against eventual champions Nigeria. Her international career includes numerous milestones, notably being the first South African to score a goal at the Fifa Women's World Cup during the 2019 tournament in France. More recently, Kgatlana played a decisive role in Banyana Banyana's historic journey at the 2023 Fifa Women's World Cup, scoring the winning goal in a 3–2 victory over Italy — the team's first-ever win at a World Cup, which secured their place in the knockout stage. With an impressive tally of 31 goals in 82 appearances for the national side, Kgatlana stands out as one of South Africa's most accomplished players. Her club form has also been exceptional; she scored 14 goals last season for Tigres UANL in Mexico, making her one of the most valuable players in Mexican women's football. It is difficult to fathom why Kgatlana has made herself unavailable. She has thrived on the biggest stages and once said: 'Who doesn't want to show up for big games? "I love big games because they motivate me. It allows me to express myself.' Despite her stellar achievements, Kgatlana's sudden withdrawal raises eyebrows. Traditionally, such decisions might stem from conflict with coaching staff or dissatisfaction with administrative issues — concerns which intensified when Banyana Banyana protested over remuneration and treatment by Safa ahead of their trip to the 2023 Fifa Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. Coach Desiree Ellis has announced a preliminary squad of 28 players, who will assemble in Johannesburg for an intensive training camp starting June 19. From this group, 24 players will prepare for the tournament, with Kgatlana notably absent. Among other concerns is the fitness of Hildah Magaia — another key figure from the 2023 squad — who will join the team after completing medical assessments. Banyana Banyana's final 23-player squad will be announced on 23 June, ahead of the team's departure for Oujda, Morocco, where they will be based during the group stage of the tournament.
The 42
5 days ago
- Sport
- The 42
'It's another chance for us. We want to be at that World Cup in Brazil'
FOR DENISE O'SULLIVAN, the disappointment of not completing the Nations League mission in Páirc Uí Chaoimh, soon gave way to the optimism that the impending play-offs bring. Preparation for that begins with an international friendly double-header against the United States in June. O'Sullivan has confirmed that she will be available for selection. She had over 40 family members in the crowd on Tuesday night, all watching on as Ireland tried relentlessly to get the four-goal victory they needed against Slovenia. Saoirse Noonan provided the only goal of the night as Ireland came up short at full-time. 'They're waiting for me up in the lounge and all having a beer,' O'Sullivan said after another one of her trademark performances that was built on workrate. She shared the pitch with two other Cork natives Saoirse Noonan and Megan Connolly and was thrilled to be playing in front of a home crowd again. 'A different buzz. I know there were fewer fans compared to France last year but the crowd was still really good. They were really noisy and I'm proud to come back here.' That 1-0 result means Ireland finish second in Group B2 and must go to promotion/relegation play-offs in October. Their opponents will be third-placed League A outfit, and a draw on Friday afternoon at 12pm will determine who Ireland will face in a two-legged tie. Austria, Iceland, Belgium and Denmark are all in the mix to face Carla Ward's side. League A status would significantly boost their 2027 World Cup qualification hopes. Advertisement 'All high level,' O'Sullivan said about the quality of those teams. 'We'll have to be ready for that but it's another chance for us. We want to be at that World Cup in Brazil. That defeat against Wales from last year can stand to us going into the playoff. We've learnt a lot, it still hurts a lot because the pain hasn't gone from that game.' That Wales defeat last December denied Ireland a place at the European Championship which gets underway next month. O'Sullivan will be trying her best to avoid the coverage of the games but will monitor the results for her North Carolina Courage teammates who will be playing. 'I think I'll be switching the TV off, doing everything I can not to watch it but I have teammates from Courage playing in it. I know I'm saying I'll be switching the TV off but I'll watch to cheer them on. It's still devastating not to be there, for sure.' Reflecting on the campaign as a whole, O'Sullivan is content with Ireland's record of five wins from six games. She points to the change in management which took place in January when Carla Ward took over from Eileen Gleeson to guide Ireland through the rest of their 2027 Fifa Women's World Cup campaign. O'Sullivan says the team is still learning to adapt to the former Aston Villa manager's preferred style of play. 'It will definitely take time. The way Carla and staff are implementing her style of play, it doesn't happen overnight. You can see even in the first half how we created a number of chances. As a team we want to keep doing that and get better. 'There's definitely been a lot of change. It took a long time to find our feet and way. In We didn't start well in any game but came out with wins which shows the team's character. I still think we're still trying to get used to the way Carla and the staff want us to play but five wins out of six is positive.' Looking ahead to the friendlies against the United States, O'Sullivan says she is looking forward to sidestepping the usual jetlag that comes with reporting for international duty. Captain Katie McCabe will not be travelling due to a hectic season which ended in Champions League glory with Arsenal recently. Ireland boss Ward says that there are others in similar circumstances who are likely to miss the trip. But O'Sullivan is happy to be involved. 'I'll be in the US,' says O'Sullivan. 'It's my one week in the whole year I get off from Courage but that's okay. I'm happy to play because any chance I get playing for my country I want to be there. 'I'm excited. For once, I don't have to travel 20 hours. I won't have jet lag but the rest will. 'USA are a top, top team and we can go out to challenge ourselves. It will be a brilliant experience.'
IOL News
27-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Refiloe Jane grateful for Banyana return after tough time on sidelines
Refiloe Jane Banyana stalwart Refiloe Jane in action during training in Atteridgeville this week. Photo: BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix Refiloe Jane is filled with gratitude after she finally returned to the pitch following a daunting time in the medical room due to a long-term injury. Jane signed for Hollywoodbets Super League side TS Galaxy during the start of the season, ending any speculation about her career going forward. The future of the Banyana Banyana captain had been a major talking point after she left Serie A side Sassuolo in June last year amid her injury woes. It was at the Fifa Women's World Cup in Australasia in which Jane got injured, which saw her missing out on the team's maiden last-16 clash against The Netherlands. The 32-year-old's journey back to full fitness was not easy. As such, she's grateful to everyone that played a huge supportive role in her recovery. 'It was a really tough period. It wasn't easy – a lot of things happened behind the scenes,' Jane explained. 'But I am grateful to all the doctors, and physios. I am also grateful to my families, and the trainers who also tried to help me as well. 'A lot of us things happened in making sure that I stayed motivated. I would like to say thank you to TS Galaxy for making sure that I had recovered whatever I had lost.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Galaxy played a significant role in helping Jane return to full fitness, and that's why it was easy for her to choose to play for the club when the Super League season started. 'It's a lot of things that I needed to consider before choosing the team that I was going to play for,' Jane explained. 'While I was still overseas, I was in contact with a lot of owners. When I came back, I trained with TS Galaxy before I fully returned to competitive football. 'The environment inspired me to what made me link with the team – how they were gelling together – and the players were welcoming and loving. 'That environment was really critical for me in coming back. I had to find a place where I would be happy first, and not be put under so much pressure.' Joining Galaxy helped Jane to easily transition back into competitive football, and she has also earned a call-up back to the Banyana team. Jane is part of the South African squad that will face Botswana and Zambia in the one-day Three Nations tournament set to be hosted at Lucas Masterpieces Stadium in Atteridgeville on Wednesday. A lot has changed since Jane was in the Banyana fold, with coach Desiree Ellis integrating some new blood into the team. Jane has opened up on their senior players' new role. 'We are trying to help the youngsters and make sure that they move forward as individuals and as a team,' Jane revealed. 'We try to give them guidelines and tools to succeed, both locally, continentally and internationally.' Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis is happy with the return of senior players who were ruled out of international football to injuries, including captain Refiloe Jane and star defender Bambanani Mbane. 📹 #SABCSport's @flexmpumi #SABCSportFootball — SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) May 26, 2025 The Three Nations tournament is set to prepare Banyana for their Wafcon title defence, which is set to take place in Morocco between July 5 and July 26. 'Over the years, there've been challenges when it comes to preparing for major tournaments, but thanks to Sasol and Safa, things have changed,' Jane said. 'In every Fifa window, we try to get to play in tournaments and things like that. 'That gives the team enough time to gel together, and the coaches time to work with the players.'
BBC News
21-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
The 2030 Solheim Cup needs a host - is it England's time?
Mel Reid's appointment as a Solheim Cup vice-captain for the third time serves as a timely reminder of English golf's contribution to the biennial as Reid prepares to assist Europe skipper Anna Nordqvist for next year's attempt to wrestle back the trophy from the United States, a wider campaign to bring the match to England for the first time will Derby golfer played in four Solheim Cups - winning two - before serving as a vice-captain in last year's defeat in Virginia. She was also alongside Catriona Matthew for the epic win at Gleneagles six years was the most recent occasion when the UK has held a match that has never been more popular with golf fans. It was also held in Scotland at Loch Lomond in 2000 and Dalmahoy in 1992 as well as St Pierre in Wales in despite a record 12 appearances for Europe by Dame Laura Davies, with a haul of 25 points (another record) and stalwart contributions from the likes of Reid and Trish Johnson (eight appearances) England has never hosted the Solheim coming weeks are thought to be crucial in determining where the 2030 contest will be held, with a concerted effort to bring the match to England. The Grove, in Hertfordshire is considered the most likely venue. 'I'm honoured to be a vice-captain' Any bid will require government funding and staging the Solheim Cup sits on the UK sports' major events hosting target list which also includes the Fifa Women's World Cup in last month the outgoing chair of UK Sport, Dame Katherine Grainger expressed frustration that Britain is not staging more major events over the coming decade."We don't want fallow years," she told BBC Sport. "After 2028, we don't really have anything named. That is quite a big gap."There are plenty of events that still are there for the taking. It's quite obvious why these mega-events are so important to the country, and yet maybe we haven't made the case clear."It will be at least a decade before the Ryder Cup could be staged in England - Bolton is staging an audacious bid to hold the 2035 match - so the time would appear ripe for Solheim Cup to come to England for the first immediately Reid - surely a compelling candidate for the 2030 captaincy - and Sweden's Caroline Hedwall have been announced as vice-captains to Nordqvist for the 2026 contest at Bernardus Golf in the Netherlands."If the Solheim Cup is happening, I want to be there for Europe in whatever way I can contribute," said the 37-year-old Englishwoman, who is a seven-time winner on the Ladies European Tour and LPGA."Some of my fondest core memories have been during a Solheim Cup week and in that European team room. I am honoured that Anna asked me to be one of her vice-captains."I know she is going to be an amazing captain, and I am so happy that I will be there to support her and the team and to help in any way to make Anna and the team successful."Golfing attention this week is firmly on the women's game with the first major of the year, the Chevron Championship, being held at The Club at Carlton Woods in the Woodlands near Houston in Hull spearheads the British challenge. The 29-year-old Englishwoman has banked three top-11 finishes already this 10 in the world, the Kettering star is chasing her first major title in an event where world number one Nelly Korda will begin her title defence on Thursday.
Observer
03-04-2025
- Sport
- Observer
USA sole bidder for 2031 Women's World Cup, UK set to host in 2035
BELGRADE: The United States is the sole bidder for the 2031 Women's World Cup, and the United Kingdom is set to host the 2035 tournament, Fifa president Gianni Infantino announced on Thursday. "Today I can confirm that we have received one bid for 2031 and one valid bid for 2035," said Infantino on stage at the Uefa Congress in Belgrade. "2031 is from the USA and potentially some other Concacaf members together, and '35 is from Europe, from the home nations," he added, referring to England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Infantino also said Fifa planned to increase the number of participating teams at the Women's World Cup from 32 teams to 48 in time for the 2031 tournament. Thursday's announcement comes after the football associations of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland revealed last month that they would submit an expression of interest in staging the tournament. World football's governing body last month said it would only welcome bids for 2035 from Europe or Africa, with expressions of interest to be made in the first quarter of this year. "We are honoured to be the sole bidder for the Fifa Women's World Cup 2035," English Football Association chief executive Mark Bullingham said in a statement. President of FIFA Gianni Infantino addresses media during the 49th UEFA ordinary Congress held at the 'Sava Centar' congress centre in Belgrade on April 3, 2025. (Photo by PREDRAG MILOSAVLJEVIC / AFP) "Hosting England's first Fifa World Cup since 1966, along with our home nations partners, will be very special. The hard work starts now, to put together the best possible bid by the end of the year." Fifa has said that the identity of the hosts would be officially confirmed at its congress in the second quarter of 2026. The United States also confirmed in early March that it would push ahead with a bid for 2031. South Africa and Morocco had also been in the running with African nations invited to bid too, but Infantino's comments suggest they are now out of contention. The next Women's World Cup will take place in Brazil in 2027. The United States will co-host the 2026 men's World Cup with Canada and Mexico, and will also host the first edition of Fifa's expanded Club World Cup this June and July. Next year's World Cup will be the first time 48 teams have participated in the men's tournament, up from 32. The Women's World Cup was expanded from 24 teams to 32 for the first time for the 2023 tournament in Australia and New Zealand. The United Kingdom and Ireland will co-host the men's European Championship in 2028, while the Women's Euro in 2022 took place in England. Fifa has already attributed the 2030 men's World Cup jointly to Morocco, Spain and Portugal, with three games also being played in South America. Saudi Arabia will then host in 2034. — AFP
