Latest news with #Leopards'
CAF
8 hours ago
- Sport
- CAF
Lamlioui: Morocco's win built on team spirit, not individuals
Published: Sunday, 17 August 2025 Oussama Lamlioui says the team spirit in the Morocco team is what has helped the Atlas Lions to progress to gthe knock-out stages of the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024. The midfielder emerged as Morocco's hero in Nairobi as his commanding midfield display earned him the TotalEnergies Man of the Match award in the 3-1 victory over DR Congo at the Nyayo National Stadium. The result sealed Morocco's passage into the quarter-finals of the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) PAMOJA 2024, alongside hosts Kenya, and ended the Leopards' hopes of progressing. Difficult contest, collective response Speaking after receiving his award, Lamlioui admitted the intensity of the encounter tested Morocco's resolve but praised the team's unity and ambition. 'For sure it was a difficult game out there today, but we had one ambition as a team to go out, win and secure a place in the quarter finals. I am delighted to be named man of the match but this was a collective team effort. From the word go we played as a team and we got the result,' he said. The midfielder's composure under pressure was pivotal as Morocco overcame Congo's stubborn resistance and capitalised on second-half openings to secure victory. Eyes fixed on the next stage While the personal recognition brought pride, Lamlioui stressed that Morocco's journey is far from complete, with bigger challenges ahead in the knockout stages. 'We are thankful and now all the focus is on the quarter final. Our ambition is to go match by match and find our way to the final,' he added. With Morocco improving game by game, Lamlioui's words reflected the confidence growing within the Atlas Lions' camp. Their next test will be against the winner of Group C, with the midfielder determined to help his side take another step toward glory.
Hans India
a day ago
- Sport
- Hans India
SG Pipers Cheetahs beat Vedanta Leopards in super shootout to defend World Padel League title
SG Pipers Cheetahs successfully defended their World Padel League title with a thrilling one-point victory over debutants Vedanta Leopards in a contest that kept spectators on the edge of their seats. With both teams locked at 17–17 after three fiercely contested sets, the championship was decided in a nail-biting super shootout that pushed into sudden death. Under immense pressure, the Cheetahs held their nerve to snatch victory by the narrowest of margins, etching their name in league history with back-to-back titles. The summit clash began with the Cheetahs stamping their authority as Teo Zapata and Fede Mourino opened with a flurry of smashes to beat Ignacio Piotto and Javi Mora 6-3. In the second set, however, Leopards' Tamara Icardo and Marta Ortega clawed their side back from the brink, saving multiple set points before clinching a pulsating 7-5 win over Sofia Araujo and Claudia Fernandez. With championship glory at stake in the final set, Leopards' Jairo Bautista and Sanyo went toe-to-toe against Victor Ruiz and Maxi Sanchez. The final set began with the Cheetahs leading 11-10 overall, with high-flying smashes and engaging rallies fittingly taking the decider to a tiebreak. With both teams not willing to give up, the tiebreak swung back and forth, with the Leopards holding their nerve to edge it 7-6 and force a super shootout. Tension was through the roof as both teams traded blows point-for-point, but the Cheetahs kept their composure to take it 10-9 in sudden death, clinching back-to-back World Padel League titles. What stood out just as much as the Cheetahs' triumph was the grit of the Vedanta Leopards. Making their debut this season, the Leopards fought their way to the final, first surviving the Eliminator and then stunning Khan Tigers in the Qualifier. Carrying that momentum into the final, they pushed the reigning champions to the edge, refusing to bow down and proving themselves as a force to be reckoned with. Their fearless performance, taking the battle to a sudden-death shootout, underlined the spirit of a team that will only grow stronger in the seasons to come.
CAF
04-08-2025
- Sport
- CAF
Ngoma seeks quick fix after shaky start for two-time champions DR Congo
DR Congo head coach Otis Ngoma cited poor preparation and limited match fitness as key reasons behind his side's disappointing 1-0 defeat to Kenya in their opening match of the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) PAMOJA 2024. The Leopards, two-time champions of CHAN, began their Group A campaign on the back foot, falling to the Harambee Stars on Sunday in a match where possession and effort weren't enough to avoid defeat. Despite a spirited second-half display, the Congolese side failed to convert their chances and now face a crucial second group game against Zambia. Poor build-up proves costly for Ngoma's side DR Congo's struggles, according to coach Ngoma, stem from a combination of rustiness and an inadequate pre-tournament camp. With the domestic league season ending prematurely and players inactive in the lead-up to CHAN, Ngoma's men entered the tournament undercooked. 'We have players who are lacking in competition. Today we lost a lot of balls, missed goal opportunities—perhaps due to fatigue, inattention, lack of concentration, but also other details,' Ngoma said at the post-mmatch press conference. The Congolese side had only two and a half weeks of preparation, a period Ngoma admitted was insufficient to build team chemistry and cohesion. 'The pre-competition training camp wasn't what it should have been. The early end of our championship meant the players hadn't played enough. This is what hurt us tonight,' he said. Missed opportunities in a balanced contest Despite the defeat, the match against Kenya was not entirely one-sided. The Leopards enjoyed large spells of possession, particularly in the second half, and created several openings that could have changed the outcome. However, the Kenyan defence proved resolute, snuffing out Congolese attacks with composure and tactical discipline. The lack of clear automatisms and cutting edge in the final third was evident—another reflection of the Leopards' disrupted preparation. 'We weren't incisive enough. There was good ball circulation, but the execution in the attacking third lacked bite,' said a member of the Congolese technical team. The defeat continues a worrying trend for Ngoma, who is still searching for his first win in the final phase of a CHAN tournament as head coach. It also places DR Congo in a precarious position ahead of a crucial second game. Eyes on Zambia clash: "Nothing is lost" Despite the loss, Ngoma struck a hopeful tone as he looked ahead to the remainder of the group stage. With three matches to play, the Congolese tactician remains confident his team can turn things around. 'We'll get back into shape as the matches go by. We only need six points to qualify, and there are still three matches to go,' he said. 'I'm confident the players will bounce back quickly.' DR Congo's next assignment is a high-stakes encounter with Zambia on Thursday, 7 August 2025. A win is now seen as non-negotiable if the Leopards are to remain in contention for a place in the knockout stages. 'Another defeat would put us on the brink of elimination,' Ngoma admitted. 'We need to restore confidence in the group and go for that first victory.' Pressure mounts as DRC seeks revival The early loss has intensified pressure on the Congolese squad, who now carry the burden of both expectations and legacy. As two-time champions, DR Congo arrived in Kenya with aspirations of a strong run, but those hopes now hang in the balance. The mood in the camp remains focused but cautious, with the technical staff set to address key tactical adjustments and mental readiness during training in the coming days. The emphasis will be on sharper transitions, better finishing, and tighter organisation in defence. Zambia, who boast a physical and experienced squad, will offer no easy path. The Chipolopolo themselves are chasing progression and will smell blood when they face a wounded DRC side. For Otis Ngoma and his men, the message is clear: the margin for error has disappeared. Only victory will do.
The Citizen
29-06-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Valke overpower Leopards with six tries to maintain unbeaten Currie Cup run
Valke overpower Leopards with six tries to maintain unbeaten Currie Cup run Barnard Stadium erupted with cheers and song as fans created an electric atmosphere when the Valke clashed with the Leopards on June 21 in the second round of the Currie Cup First Division. The home side delivered a commanding performance from the first whistle, securing a resounding 50–24 victory. The Valke dominated from the outset, fortifying their backline to thwart the Leopards' attempts at running tries, while creating ample scoring opportunities for their forwards. Despite their efforts, the Leopards' defence struggled to contain the relentless pressure. ALSO READ: Valke dominate Border Bulldogs with 72-28 win in SA Cup home finale Leopards coach Riaan van Straten acknowledged his team's shortcomings but took heart from their improved second-half performance. 'We're obviously disappointed. We wanted to do better. We didn't start well, but we finished strong and played much better rugby in the second half,' said Van Straten. 'It was a game of two halves. The Valke won the first half 38–7; we won the second 17–12. We'll need to replicate our second-half effort from the start next time. Discipline and ball retention are areas that need serious attention.' The Valke ran in six tries in the first half, including one by Mosolwa Mafuma, putting the visitors under immense pressure. A brief lapse allowed the Leopards to capitalise and score their first try, but the Valke still led comfortably at the break. Valke head coach JP Immelman was pleased with the result and especially proud of the team's attacking execution. ALSO READ: Valke stun Griffons with historic comeback win 'You don't just put 50 points on any team in this competition,' said Immelman. 'I'm proud of how we attacked and of the overall performance. The only downside was conceding three tries. That's something we'll work on. Still, it's great when the work you put in during the week pays off.' Immelman highlighted improvements in controlling possession and territory, as well as dominance at set pieces. These were areas the team had targeted after a previous clash with the Leopards in the SA Cup six weeks ago. 'In the second half, we gave them too much ball and struggled to transition quickly from attack to defence,' he added. The Leopards returned with renewed energy after half-time, quickly scoring a try and showing urgency in closing the gap. However, the Valke struck back with a try from Sergio Stalmeester, maintaining their lead despite conceding the second half 12–17. Leopards captain Ignatius Prinsloo expressed disappointment in the result but remained hopeful. ALSO READ: Valke earns victory after beating Sanlam Boland Cavaliers 'It's tough to lose, but sometimes an early-season defeat is a blessing in disguise. We showed what we're capable of in the second half. We're a young squad with limited experience, so setbacks like this are part of our learning curve,' said Prinsloo. With this win, combined with their opening-round victory over the NovaVit Griffons on June 14, the Valke remain unbeaten and top the First Division standings with 10 points. They are the only team yet to lose in the competition. Individual performances were also recognised. Pierre Rabie was named Forward of the Match, Waqar Solaan took Back of the Match honours, and Zingisa April received the Player of the Match award. Valke captain Andrew Volschenk praised his side's effort and composure. 'We led 38–0 at one point, gave away a try before half-time, and started the second half slowly, but we regrouped and finished strong. Winning 50–24 against the Leopards is a big achievement,' he said. 'It's always a privilege to play them. I'm a fan of theirs. This competition gives us great exposure and we're loving every minute of it.' The Valke now prepare for tough fixtures against the Border Bulldogs, Phangela SWD Eagles and Eastern Province Elephants. With two convincing wins under their belt, they have emerged as strong contenders in the First Division. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Advertiser
23-05-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Cartwright chuffed, Aussie star shines in Hull win
John Cartwright hailed a clinical display from his side as Hull ended a four-game losing run with a 26-12 Super League win at Leigh. Cartwright's side scored all their points in the first half on Thursday as they ran in tries through Cade Cust, Herman Ese'ese, Lewis Martin and Sam Eseh while an inspirational Aidan Sezer kicked five goals in his 250th career appearance. The Australian coach said: "We set it up in the first half. The first 15 minutes was an arm wrestle but we didn't panic and stuck at it. "We then got a bit of decent ball and Sezer was at his very best on his 250th. "To go out and compete like they did, and attack the way they did, it was good to see. "I know we're capable of that. It's not always possible to do every time we go out and play but tonight was nice and clinical." Leigh coach Adrian Lam held the opposite view of his side and was heavily critical of the Leopards' defence. Lam said: "I'm very disappointed. I didn't see that coming. "They were 10 times better than us but when you make decisions like we made, it can really hurt you heavily. "There were several players that played their worst rugby of the year. It was unacceptable." Tries from Edwin Ipape and Owen Trout in the final quarter added some respectability to the scoreline but the result was never in doubt. Ex-NRL star Sezer was at his creative best for Hull, spreading the play for Cust to show his strength to burrow through several challenges to touch down. Sezer then landed a 40-20 kick which led to Will Pryce driving close to the line and Ese'ese crashing over. Another followed on the stroke of half-time, Eseh finishing off more good work from Sezer under the posts. With five goals from Sezer, Hull held a commanding 26-0 advantage at the break. Ipape finally got them on the scoreboard with just over an hour gone when he wriggled under the posts after a Tesi Niu break and Ben McNamara converted. Trout cut the arrears further and Josh Charnley threatened to create another after an electric break, but Sezer got back to cut out Ipape's pass. John Cartwright hailed a clinical display from his side as Hull ended a four-game losing run with a 26-12 Super League win at Leigh. Cartwright's side scored all their points in the first half on Thursday as they ran in tries through Cade Cust, Herman Ese'ese, Lewis Martin and Sam Eseh while an inspirational Aidan Sezer kicked five goals in his 250th career appearance. The Australian coach said: "We set it up in the first half. The first 15 minutes was an arm wrestle but we didn't panic and stuck at it. "We then got a bit of decent ball and Sezer was at his very best on his 250th. "To go out and compete like they did, and attack the way they did, it was good to see. "I know we're capable of that. It's not always possible to do every time we go out and play but tonight was nice and clinical." Leigh coach Adrian Lam held the opposite view of his side and was heavily critical of the Leopards' defence. Lam said: "I'm very disappointed. I didn't see that coming. "They were 10 times better than us but when you make decisions like we made, it can really hurt you heavily. "There were several players that played their worst rugby of the year. It was unacceptable." Tries from Edwin Ipape and Owen Trout in the final quarter added some respectability to the scoreline but the result was never in doubt. Ex-NRL star Sezer was at his creative best for Hull, spreading the play for Cust to show his strength to burrow through several challenges to touch down. Sezer then landed a 40-20 kick which led to Will Pryce driving close to the line and Ese'ese crashing over. Another followed on the stroke of half-time, Eseh finishing off more good work from Sezer under the posts. With five goals from Sezer, Hull held a commanding 26-0 advantage at the break. Ipape finally got them on the scoreboard with just over an hour gone when he wriggled under the posts after a Tesi Niu break and Ben McNamara converted. Trout cut the arrears further and Josh Charnley threatened to create another after an electric break, but Sezer got back to cut out Ipape's pass. John Cartwright hailed a clinical display from his side as Hull ended a four-game losing run with a 26-12 Super League win at Leigh. Cartwright's side scored all their points in the first half on Thursday as they ran in tries through Cade Cust, Herman Ese'ese, Lewis Martin and Sam Eseh while an inspirational Aidan Sezer kicked five goals in his 250th career appearance. The Australian coach said: "We set it up in the first half. The first 15 minutes was an arm wrestle but we didn't panic and stuck at it. "We then got a bit of decent ball and Sezer was at his very best on his 250th. "To go out and compete like they did, and attack the way they did, it was good to see. "I know we're capable of that. It's not always possible to do every time we go out and play but tonight was nice and clinical." Leigh coach Adrian Lam held the opposite view of his side and was heavily critical of the Leopards' defence. Lam said: "I'm very disappointed. I didn't see that coming. "They were 10 times better than us but when you make decisions like we made, it can really hurt you heavily. "There were several players that played their worst rugby of the year. It was unacceptable." Tries from Edwin Ipape and Owen Trout in the final quarter added some respectability to the scoreline but the result was never in doubt. Ex-NRL star Sezer was at his creative best for Hull, spreading the play for Cust to show his strength to burrow through several challenges to touch down. Sezer then landed a 40-20 kick which led to Will Pryce driving close to the line and Ese'ese crashing over. Another followed on the stroke of half-time, Eseh finishing off more good work from Sezer under the posts. With five goals from Sezer, Hull held a commanding 26-0 advantage at the break. Ipape finally got them on the scoreboard with just over an hour gone when he wriggled under the posts after a Tesi Niu break and Ben McNamara converted. Trout cut the arrears further and Josh Charnley threatened to create another after an electric break, but Sezer got back to cut out Ipape's pass.
