ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Manchester City finally confirmed Enzo Maresca as Pep Guardiola’s successor.

The former Chelsea boss left Stamford Bridge on New Year’s Day following a steep breakdown in relations with the club’s hierarchy and returns for his third spell at the Etihad.

Maresca, 46, walked away from a five-year deal worth £4million-a-season and was NOT sacked by the Blues board.

The five-week wait to announce the new boss was partly due to compensation talks with Chelsea.

City finalised a £17m compensation fee for the Italian last week, leaving the path clear for Maresca to join on a three-year deal.

He managed Chelsea for two years, helping to deliver the Europa Conference League and Club World Cup in his first season.

Maresca previously won Premier League 2 with the Man City second side and was Pep Guardiola‘s assistant during their brilliant Treble-winning 2022/23 season.

Maresca said: “Manchester City is a club I know very well and to have the chance to manage this team is a brilliant opportunity for me.

“City is an incredibly well-run football club. Everything they do is innovative, planned and purposeful. For a manager, that is a dream situation. It provides the consistency I need to do my job effectively.

“This will be my third spell here. I know this club, I know the demands and I know the expectations. The quality of the people who work here is what makes it so special, and I want to thank them for showing faith in my ability.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

By Francesca Hangeior

Cape Verde national team captain Ryan Mendes has been accused of rape by a team translator, who alleged that he entered her hotel room and assaulted her during the team’s trip to New Zealand in March.

According to Brazil’s Globo news outlet, the 36-year-old footballer, who has featured in all three of Cape Verde’s World Cup matches, is accused of sexually assaulting a Brazilian woman hired to serve as the team’s translator during the FIFA Series in New Zealand.

The woman, whose identity has not been disclosed, reportedly said she informed at least three officials of the Cape Verde Football Federation about the alleged incident but received no response.

New Zealand Police are investigating the allegations. Authorities have reportedly obtained security camera footage from an Auckland hotel and are awaiting the results of forensic examinations before deciding whether to file charges against Mendes.

The alleged assault was first reported by New Zealand media last month, although the player’s identity was not disclosed at the time. Reports only indicated that the suspect was a member of the Cape Verde national team.

In her statement, the translator said she had been hired to work with the Cape Verde squad during their matches in the FIFA Series.

She explained that after the team’s first game against Chile, she was invited to what she believed would be a work-related meeting in one of the hotel rooms reserved for the national team.

However, she claimed that upon arriving, she realized her translation services were not required and that the gathering was purely social. She said she returned to her room shortly afterward, where she later heard a knock on her door.

The investigation remains ongoing, and no criminal charges have been announced. Mendes has not publicly responded to the allegations.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Canada beat South Africa 1-0 thanks to a stoppage-time strike by Stephen ⁠Eustaquio from distance to reach the FIFA World Cup last 16 for the first time in their history.

Eustaquio received the ball on the edge of the ⁠South Africa penalty area and hammered it past diving goalkeeper Ronwen Williams in a thrilling conclusion to the first knockout-round match of the tournament on Sunday.

South Africa, who had seemed ⁠content to play for extra time and a possible penalty shootout, made a few furious but unsuccessful attempts to level before the final whistle as the sun broke through the clouds at Los Angeles Stadium.

Canada will next face either the Netherlands or Morocco on July ‌4 in Houston for a place in the quarterfinals.

“It’s about the two years we’ve been together,” Canada coach Jesse Marsch told the team in a huddle after the final whistle.

“Think about how we talked about sticking to the plan – you guys showing your character. You guys are Canadian heroes here.”

Chances were scarce in a cagey first half, with little to separate the sides, who were both playing ⁠in the knockout rounds for the first time.

Canada’s best opening ⁠came just before half-time when a corner sparked a scramble in the South Africa box. Moise Bombito sent a header goal-wards, which was cleared off the line by Aubrey Modiba, before Tajon Buchanan’s close-range effort struck ⁠Williams in the chest.

Moments later, Richie Laryea went down in the area, prompting Canadian appeals for a penalty, but the decision ⁠not to award a spot kick stood after a ⁠VAR review, prompting loud boos from Canada’s red-clad army of supporters dominating the stands.

Marsch continued to protest as the teams left the field at half-time, with Bombito appearing to urge him away from the referee.

Frustration ‌for Canada only grew early in the second half, as South Africa appeared in no rush to press the issue.

Canada had another chance just before the second-half hydration ‌break, ‌when Tani Oluwaseyi’s shot hit the keeper, and Jonathan David was unable to head the ricochet home, thanks to an excellent defensive effort by Mbekezeli Mbokazi to clear the ball.

Eustaquio dedicated the win to “all Canadians” when he spoke to reporters after the match.

“I think it was an amazing goal. When I shot, I thought everyone shot with me. Everyone added a little power to it when it went into the back of the net.

“[The belief] It started when we came out of group stage. Belief is a big part of it. We will now get either Netherlands or Morocco. Anything can happen. If we keep working like we are doing, we might even win it.”