Sports
Benin Make History with Maiden AFCON Finals Victory
- /home/naijuinz/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 27
https://naijablitznews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Benin-Make-History.jpg&description=Benin Make History with Maiden AFCON Finals Victory', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
- Share
- Tweet /home/naijuinz/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 72
https://naijablitznews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Benin-Make-History.jpg&description=Benin Make History with Maiden AFCON Finals Victory', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
Yohan Roche etched his name into Benin’s football history on Saturday, scoring the decisive goal in a 1–0 victory over Botswana in Group D of the Africa Cup of Nations.
The defining moment came in the 28th minute when Roche combined neatly with captain Steve Mounié before firing from close range. A slight deflection off a defender wrong-footed the goalkeeper, sending the ball into the net and sparking celebrations among the Benin supporters.
The result marked Benin’s first-ever win at the AFCON finals after 16 previous appearances since their debut in 2004. Before this breakthrough, they had recorded five draws and suffered ten defeats, even though they managed to reach the quarter-finals in 2019.
Botswana struggled to pose a serious threat throughout the contest. Their best opportunity arrived when Mothusi Johnson curled a free-kick that struck the crossbar. Benin, however, could have extended their lead. Goitseone Phoko produced a sharp low save to deny Tamimou Ouorou, while Dodo Dokou squandered a late chance in stoppage time, firing over from 12 yards.
The victory lifts Benin to three points in Group D, level with Senegal and DR Congo, who were scheduled to face each other later in Tangier.
For Botswana, the defeat prolongs a difficult AFCON history. They remain without a win in the competition, having now lost all five of their Africa Cup of Nations matches since making their tournament debut in 2012.
Attention now turns to the next round of fixtures. Benin will face Senegal on Tuesday, while Botswana take on DR Congo. The top two teams in each group, along with the four best third-placed sides, will progress to the Round of 16.
Sports
Ex – Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba is expected to leave Monaco amid talks over a possible contract termination.
The former World Cup winner joined the Ligue 1 side last summer after he was permitted to return to professional football after a doping suspension.
Pogba signed a two-year contract that was set to run until the end of the upcoming season, but a new injury setback has disrupted his plans.
The French midfielder collapsed in severe pain in his leg during a training session, accelerating Monaco’s decision to terminate his contract, according to L’Equipe and Nicemartin.com.
Pogba only returned to training last week but sustained the thigh injury in a small-sided game and was scheduled for an MRI this week.
The club will now try to reach an agreement with Pogba and his representatives over paying out his deal, which expires next summer.
Pogba was allowed back into football in March 2025 after his doping ban was reduced on appeal.
He had already left Juventus after having that contract terminated by mutual consent in December 2024.
Monaco was his route back into the game but he only managed to play in six matches last term due to persistent injury problems.
Katsina State was thrown into mourning on Tuesday after the tragic death of Katsina United Football Club player, Chinedu Ozor, who collapsed during a pre-season friendly match against Niger Tornadoes FC at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium.
The promising footballer, who recently joined Katsina United from Kano Pillars FC, reportedly suffered a medical emergency during the encounter and was rushed to K-Dara Specialist Hospital, Katsina, where he was confirmed dead in the early hours of Tuesday, August 11, 2026.
Reacting to the heartbreaking incident, Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, expressed profound shock and sadness over the untimely passing of the young player, describing the loss as a devastating blow to the football community and the state.
In a statement issued on Tuesday night by his Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Mohammed, Governor Radda said the tragedy was especially painful as Ozor had been preparing to begin a new chapter of his career with Katsina United.
“The sudden death of Ozoh Chinedu is deeply shocking and heartbreaking. It is particularly painful that a young footballer with a promising career has lost his life at such a time,” the Governor said.
Governor Radda extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, Katsina United Football Club, the player’s teammates, coaches, management, supporters, his former club Kano Pillars FC, and the wider Nigerian football community.
“On behalf of the Government and people of Katsina State, I extend our condolences to the family of Ozoh Chinedu, Katsina United FC, his teammates, coaches, management, supporters, Kano Pillars FC and the entire football community,” he added.
The tragic incident has sent shockwaves across the country’s football fraternity, with tributes expected to pour in for the late midfielder, whose career was widely regarded as one of great promise.
Ozoh’s sudden passing has once again highlighted concerns over player health and emergency medical preparedness in competitive football, as the football community mourns the loss of a talented athlete whose life and career were cut short.
Sports
Countries That Qualified For 2027 Women’s World Cup As Cameroon Beat Nigeria In Quarter- Final
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.
FG plans digital registration of cattle to tackle rustling
INEC accommodates SDP in Osun guber poll ballot
Ex – Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba is expected to leave Monaco amid talks over a possible contract termination.
-
News17 hours agoFormer President, Goodluck Jonathan Gets Chieftaincy Title In Bauchi
-
News17 hours agoOsun Poll: Adeleke Demands Fadahunsi’s Arrest Over Alleged Killings Threat Against Accord Members
-
News17 hours agoOkpebholo Sacks SUBEB Chairman
-
News17 hours agoOsun 2026: ‘Trump’s People Have Reached Out’ — Davido
-
News17 hours agoShehu Sani Reacts As Davido Appeals To Trump Over Osun Election
-
Foreign17 hours agoTrump Hid In Catering Truck During Secret Plane Swap Over Iran Threat – Report
-
News17 hours agoKatsina deploys 23 APCs, drones, 200 patrol vans against banditry
-
News17 hours agoASUU declares indefinite strike in Ondo varsities