Sports

Attention again on Paris as Paralympics take centre stage

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2 years ago

August 23, 2024

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The Place de la Concorde, set to host the opening ceremony on 28 August, promises a showcase of talent for over 4,000 athletes who will compete in a display of skill.

With 22 sports on the agenda and a total of 549 events across 19 stunning venues, epic Paralympic sporting stories will unfold.

At the Paralympic Games, fans from every corner will have the chance to rediscover the magic that made the Olympics unforgettable through the same iconic venues and fierce competition for medals. France will be dressed to impress with celebrations throughout the country, creating a unique sphere where everyone can experience the Paralympic excitement together, with renewed intensity and significance.

The party is far from winding down. For this reason, the French capital invites the public to extend the celebration by joining the thrilling athletic performances of the best Paralympic athletes from around the world. This is the message conveyed by the Organising Committee with the slogan “The Game isn’t over,” in their ground-breaking Paralympic campaign, signalling that there’s still plenty of success, excitement, tension, effort, and medals to be shared in the first weeks of September.

Just yesterday, the Olympic and Paralympic Gala Dinner of New South Wales took place at The Venue in Sydney, Australia, featuring one of the federations that will provide strong competition in Paris in just a few days. China, the champion of the Paralympic medal table at Tokyo 2020, aims to defend a throne that is increasingly being challenged by the Anglo-Saxon nations, Great Britain and the United States, with their blend of talent and experience across many disciplines. Not to be forgotten, the hosts, France, are eager after a stellar performance in the recent Games.

The excitement is palpable. In fact, ticket sales for the Paralympic Games have been booming recently and will continue to rise as the 28th approaches, marking the start of the event. Nearly 1.5 million tickets have been sold, including around 500.000 since the beginning of the Olympic Games, though many seats remain. They are likely to be snapped up, considering the frenzy of the Paralympics always delivers unique moments for spectators.

Some events have already surpassed demand: wheelchair fencing and adapted taekwondo at the Grand Palais are box office hits, as well as adapted cycling, adapted equestrian events at the majestic Château de Versailles, and adapted triathlon at the iconic Alexandre III Bridge. Likewise, wheelchair rugby finals at Arena Champ de Mars and the final rounds of wheelchair basketball and blind football at the Eiffel Tower Stadium have also vanished in the blink of an eye.

Recently, Tony Estanguet, President of Paris 2024, spoke and promised an unforgettable experience: “After two weeks of extreme emotions and moments that will make history in the Games, we don’t want to say goodbye. But we’re in luck, because in two weeks, the Games return with 4,500 athletes ready to compete with the same wild energy.”

Meanwhile, Andrew Parsons, President of the International Paralympic Committee, didn’t hold back on his enthusiasm with his recent statement, “After a successful Games, I am more convinced than ever that Paris 2024 will host the most spectacular Paralympic Games in history. The celebration continues, and people should get ready for a sporting event that will be astonishing and impressive like never before.”

Sports

Countries That Qualified For 2027 Women’s World Cup As Cameroon Beat Nigeria In Quarter- Final

Published

1 day ago

August 10, 2026

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Cameroon on Sunday secured their place at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup after edging Nigeria’s Super Falcons 1-0 in their 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final encounter.

The victory also sent the Indomitable Lionesses into the WAFCON semi-finals, securing their qualification for next year’s global tournament in Brazil.

The 2026 WAFCON doubles as Africa’s qualifying competition for the 2027 Women’s World Cup, with the four semi-finalists earning the continent’s automatic tickets to the tournament.

Cameroon join Algeria and Morocco, who had already sealed their places after reaching the semi-finals on Saturday.

Brazil will host the 2027 tournament, while the remaining qualifying places are being determined through continental competitions across the various confederations.

See full list of countries that qualified:

Host:

Brazil

AFC:

Australia
China PR
Japan
Korea DPR
Korea Republic
Philippines

CAF:

Algeria
Cameroon
Morocco

Concacaf:

None yet

CONMEBOL:

Argentina
Colombia

OFC:

New Zealand

UEFA:

Denmark
France
Germany
Spain

More teams are expected to secure qualification as the various continental qualification campaigns conclude.

The 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup will feature 32 teams.

Sports

Just in: Unlucky Sunday for Nigeria as Super Falcons, Flying Eagles crumble, World Cup hopes dimmed

Published

1 day ago

August 10, 2026

Austin Ojomah

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It is an unlucky Sunday for two National teams of Nigeria, the Super Falcons fell to Cameroon just as Nigeria’s Flying Eagles have been knocked out of the race for the 2027 FIFA U-20 World Cup after suffering a heavy 4-1 defeat to Burkina Faso in the final of the 2026 WAFU Zone B U-20 Championship.

The defeat at the Stade Charles Konan Banny in Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire, also ended Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for the 2027 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations.

The WAFU Zone B final carried added importance, as the winner was guaranteed a place at the 2027 U-20 AFCON, which will serve as the qualifying tournament for the FIFA U-20 World Cup.

With Burkina Faso emerging victorious, the Young Stallions secured the region’s ticket, while Nigeria’s hopes of returning to the global youth tournament came to an end.

Burkina Faso took control of the final from the opening whistle, scoring three goals within the first 15 minutes and leaving the Flying Eagles with a huge deficit.

Nigeria struggled to contain the Young Stallings’ attacking pressure and could not recover from the early setback before the break.

Coach Abdu Maikaba’s side attempted to fight back after the interval but failed to produce the response required to turn the game around.

Burkina Faso eventually added another goal to complete a convincing 4-1 victory, while Nigeria’s consolation effort was not enough to change the outcome.

The result was particularly painful for the Flying Eagles after Burkina Faso had already defeated them 2-0 during the group stage.

Nigeria had hoped to avenge that earlier loss in the final but instead suffered another defeat to the Young Stallions when the stakes were highest.

The Flying Eagles had reached the final after overcoming Côte d’Ivoire in a dramatic semi-final.

Sports

WAFCON 2026: Super Falcons suffer shock defeat as Cameroon gets automatic ticket for World Cup

Published

1 day ago

August 9, 2026

Austin Ojomah

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The defending champions Nigeria Super Falcons suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to Cameroon at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca, ending their WAFCON title defense and missing an automatic spot for the World Cup.

A 20th-minute free-kick by Maeva Nyadjou sealed the historic win for the Indomitable Lionesses .

Breakthrough: Teenage defender Maeva Nyadjou scored from a powerful 20th-minute free-kick to put Cameroon ahead.Nigerian Pressure: Nigeria dominated possession and created numerous chances, racking up heavy pressure and shots on goal, but couldn’t break down a resolute Cameroonian defense.Goheroics: Cameroon’s goalkeeper put in a player-of-the-match performance, denying late attacks including a final-moments chance from Esther Okoronkwo.Consequences of the LossWorld Cup Qualification: Cameroon booked an automatic ticket to the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil and advanced to the WAFCON semi-finals against Morocco.Play-off Path: Nigeria’s title defense is over, but they move into a Wednesday play-in match against South Africa to chase a remaining inter-confederation play-off spot.Watch the match highlights and key moments from the dramatic quarter-final encounter: