Sports
Chelsea Rout Man United, Crowned Women’s Super League Champions
Chelsea were crowned Women’s Super League champions for a fifth successive season as boss Emma Hayes bowed out in style with a title-clinching 6-0 rout of Manchester United on Saturday.
Hayes’ side went into the last day of the season ahead of second-placed Manchester City on goal difference in a thrilling finish to the title race.
Chelsea raced into a four-goal lead by half-time at Old Trafford and, with City unable to match that spree in their 2-1 win at Aston Villa, the silverware was destined for Stamford Bridge once again.
Level on points with City, the Blues finished on top with a +53 goal difference compared to City’s +46.
“What a wonderful performance. The hardest thing to do is five in a row because people take their eye off the ball,” Hayes said.
“I can’t say it’s my most enjoyable title. It’s definitely been the toughest without doubt, for that reason probably the sweetest.”
It was a fitting finale for Hayes, who was saying farewell to the club she has brought so much success during 12 years in charge.
Hayes is leaving to take over as United States Women’s boss after winning seven Super League titles, five FA Cups and two League Cups.
“Great memories, listening to the fans, the connection with the players. I just haven’t got any more to give, I know that,” Hayes said.
The 47-year-old’s legacy is not just the silverware in Chelsea’s trophy cabinet, but also her key role in helping the huge growth in popularity of the women’s game in Britain.
“Everyone said girls can’t play, nor can they fill stadiums, nor can they get paid, nor can they create history,” Hayes said.
“Not only are we not going away but we are going to fill them every week. Women’s football now is a serious business and that for me is what it’s about.”
No mercy
City had hoped to spoil Hayes’ leaving party by winning the title for the first time since 2016.
But Chelsea had spent 153 days on top of the table, compared to 64 for City, and they rounded off their seventh title in eight seasons in blistering fashion.
Chelsea made a dream start against Women’s FA Cup winners United in the second minute as Guro Reiten’s cross picked out Mayra Ramirez and she rose highest to head home.
Six minutes later, Hayes was punching the air in delight as Johanna Kaneryd clipped a composed finish past United keeper Mary Earps.
Over at Villa Park, Mary Fowler gave City hope with a powerful strike in the 21st minute.
But Ramirez ensured Chelsea would not have to worry about being caught by City.
Surging away down the right flank, Ramirez’s pin-point cross was tapped in by Sjoeke Nusken in the 43rd minute.
And Ramirez waltzed through the hapless United defence and smashed a thunderous drive into the roof of the net in first-half stoppage time.
Hayes’ team showed no mercy and Melanie Leupolz scored their fifth in the 47th minute with a close-range effort.
Their title hopes gone, City conceded a 67th-minute equaliser to Rachel Daly before Lauren Hemp at least ensured the visitors finished on a winning note.
Fran Kirby, making her final Chelsea appearance after nine years, capped her own farewell with the sixth goal in the 85th minute as the title celebrations started in earnest.
AFP
Sports
I Failed In Front of the World Four Years Ago — Lookman’s Touching Speech After Winning CAF Award
Super Eagles star, Ademola Lookman had delivered a touching speech after winning the 2024 CAF Men’s Player of the Year award.
According to him, he learned from his failure four years ago which made him a better player.
He said: “Just over four years ago I failed in front of the world. Fast forward four years, I’m the best player in Africa,” Lookman said after receiving the award.
“I want to say to the young children and people watching this: don’t let your failures weigh you down that they break your wings. Matter of fact, turn your pain into your power and continue to fight.
“Firstly. I want to thank the Almighty God for everything he has been doing in my life, and everything he has been blessing me with.
“I want to thank the president, I want to thank all my teammates- club and country. I want to thank them for all their support and love that they gave me.”
“This award today is a blessing to me, to my family, to my nation, and to be recognized as the best player in Africa. It’s something incredible and I’m extremely proud of.”
Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman, South Africa’s Ronwen Williams, and Nigeria’s Chiamaka Nnadozie emerged as some of the standout winners at the 2024 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Awards.
Lookman, who plays for Atalanta, clinched the prestigious CAF Men’s Player of the Year title, beating contenders such as Simon Adingra, Achraf Hakimi, Ronwen Williams, and Serhou Guirassy.
South African goalkeeper Ronwen Williams dominated the night, bagging both the Men’s Interclub Player of the Year and the Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year awards.
Nigeria’s Chiamaka Nnadozie, known for her stellar performances, was named Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year.
Full List of CAF Awards 2024 Winners
CAF Men’s Player of the Year: Ademola Lookman (Nigeria)
Women’s Interclub Player of the Year: Sanaa Mssoudy
Men’s Interclub Player of the Year: Ronwen Williams (South Africa)
Women’s Club of the Year: TP Mazembe
Men’s Club of the Year: Al Ahly FC
Men’s National Team of the Year: Ivory Coast
Women’s National Team of the Year: Nigeria
Men’s Young Player of the Year: Lamine Camara
Women’s Young Player of the Year: Doha El Madani
Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Nigeria)
Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year: Ronwen Williams (South Africa)
Women’s Coach of the Year: Lamia Boumehdi
Men’s Coach of the Year: Emerse Faé
Goal of the Year: Mabululu (Angola)
Brazil legend Ronaldo has confirmed he wants to become president of the country’s football governing body to address a “deep crisis” the sport is facing nationally.
“I have hundreds of motivations, but I think the biggest of them is really to restore international respect to Brazilian football,” he said in an interview on Monday with the Globoesporte website.
Ronaldo said he wanted to be an “alternative for significant change” as candidate for the job of running the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF).
“O Fenomeno” (“The Phenomenon”), as the 48-year-old became known over the course of his 1993-2011 career, said he wants to use the CBF presidency to help Brazil’s national team to regain its glory as five-time world champions.
“The Selecao has to recover its prestige. I’ll do everything so that the players understand the historic importance of playing for the national team,” he said.
Ronaldo scored both goals when Brazil beat Germany in the 2002 World Cup final in Japan, and was twice winner of the Ballon d’Or.
To lodge his CBF candidacy, he needs the support of Brazilian regional clubs and federations.
To get those, he promised to travel “all around Brazil” and share the “incredible plans” he has for the sport.
The date of the next CBF election has not yet been set, but should happen between March 2025 and March 2026, according to Brazilian media.
‘Much deeper problem’
Current CBF chief Ednaldo Rodrigues has been criticized for slotting in temporary coaches for the national team after Tite’s 2022 exit while waiting for Carlo Ancelotti to arrive — something that did not happen when the Italian decided late last year to extend his contract as manager of Real Madrid.
Currently coached by Dorival Junior, the Selecao are fifth in South America qualifying for the 2026 World Cup tournament, seven points behind leaders Argentina.
“My problem is not Ednaldo. The problem is much deeper. My goal is to bring the people closer to the Selecao. Today, the people are indifferent when the Selecao plays,” Ronaldo told Globoesporte.
“I am an alternative of significant change for Brazilian football, which is going through a deep crisis,” he said.
Ronaldo, a former star for Barcelona, Inter Milan and Real Madrid, already has leadership experience.
In 2018, he took majority control of Spain’s Real Valladolid, and in 2021 did the same for Cruzeiro, the Brazilian club where he started his career.
He sold his Cruzeiro stake in April this year.
In his interview, Ronaldo said he was in talks to “very soon” sell his Valladolid stake to avoid “any obstacle” to his CBF candidacy.
AFP
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