Egypt midfielder Amr Warda, who was kicked out of the squad over claims of sexual harassment, will return for the Africa Cup of Nations knockout stages at the request of his teammates, the country’s football association said on Friday.

The 25-year-old Warda was excluded ahead of Wednesday’s 2-0 victory over the Democratic Republic of Congo after sexual harassment claims surfaced earlier this week on social media platforms. Multiple women posted screenshots and testimonies of Warda’s alleged lewd comments, as well as explicit videos attributed to the player.

The head of the Egyptian FA, Hani Abou Rida, “has decided to reduce the suspension of the player so it only runs until the ends of the first round,” the association said in a statement.

Hosts Egypt are already qualified for the last 16 of the competition after victories in their first two games in Group A.

Warda’s teammates expressed support for him both during and after the win over DR Congo, with Mohamed Salah calling for “a second chance” while strongly condemning harassment.

Warda, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Atromitos from PAOK in Greece, issued an apology to supporters in a video on Facebook.

“Hani Abou Rida recognised the spirit of solidarity between the players and their wish to forgive their teammate Amr Warda,” the Egyptian FA added.

His reintegration into the squad sparked controversy on social media in Egypt, considered one of the worst offenders worldwide for sexual harassment – endured by more than 99 percent of women in the county according to a 2013 United Nations report.

A lot of internet users, including women, took to his defence while the “team of harassers” hashtag, in Arabic, was the most shared in Egypt on Friday according to Twitter.

Faced with calls for leniency towards Warda, other internet users denounced a double standard in a country where several women and homosexuals are imprisoned for “inciting debauchery”.

France-based Bongani Zungu scored as unimpressive South Africa laboured to a 1-0 Africa Cup of Nations Group D win over Namibia on Friday to keep alive hopes of making the second round.

However, to book a last-16 place the winners will probably need at least a point against leaders Morocco, who defeated the Ivory Coast 1-0 in the first match of a double-header.

Already qualified Morocco have six points, the Ivory Coast and South Africa three each and Namibia remained pointless after two solitary-goal losses.

With Ivory Coast set to beat Namibia Monday, the best South Africa can realistically hope for is one of four places reserved for the best third-place finishers.

It looks increasingly likely that teams coming third in the six groups will need a minimum of four points to be among the quartet that survives.

Zungu netted on 68 minutes with a header off a corner to settle a match that lacked the quality of the clash between Morocco and the Ivory Coast.

South Africa made four changes to the team that started in a loss to the Ivory Coast four days ago, including the shock demotion of goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, who was outstanding.

He was replaced by Darren Keet and Hlompho Kekana, Zungu and Sibusiso Vilakazi were also promoted with Kamohelo Mokotjo, Lebohang Maboe and injured Dean Furman dropping out.

Namibia coach Ricardo Mannetti included Egypt-based Benson Shilongo for Absalom Limbondi in the lone change to the side that unluckily lost to Morocco after conceding a late own-goal.

BLAZED OVER

South Africa had a chance to go ahead on 16 minutes, but Vilakazi blazed over at the Al Salam Stadium in the Egyptian capital after a Themba Zwane backheel gave him a clear sight of goal.

Mannetti must have been pleased when the 21st minute passed as he was part of the side trailing South Africa 4-0 at that point when they last met 21 years ago in Burkina Faso.

Now retired Benni McCarthy scored all four Bafana Bafana (The Boys) goals in the victory and how England-born coach Stuart Baxter must have longed for someone similarly clinical in this match.

South Africa had plenty of possession, but lacked creativity in the final third of the pitch and their frustration led to many hopeful, long-range shots.

Namibia, with four South Africa-based players in the line-up, held their own and did not resemble a side 41 places lower in the world rankings.

Percy Tau, of whom much had been expected in this Cup of Nations, could have broken the deadlock as halftime approached but a weak shot was comfortably saved by Loydt Kazapua.

Deon Hotto came close to putting Namibia ahead midway through the second half after Keet spilt a cross and the Namibian had his shot cleared off the line by Buhle Mkhwanazi.

Almost immediately, South Africa forced a corner and Zungu from Ligue 1 outfit Amiens rose unchallenged in the middle of the six-yard box to nod the former champions into the lead.

?? ZUNGU ????#BafanaBafana have broken the deadlock against Namibia at last as Bongani Zungu heads home the opener!#TotalAFCON2019 pic.twitter.com/ztN0fWFXVn— SuperSport ???? (@SuperSportTV) June 28, 2019

Senegal coach Aliou Cisse has been battling to convince the media and public that his team are not favourites to win the Africa Cup of Nations and his players might have inadvertently done the job for him.

The Lions of Teranga certainly did not look like potential champions as they allowed themselves to be bullied by Algeria’s more physical approach during their 1-0 defeat on Thursday.

They must now beat Kenya in their final group C game to qualify for the last 16 without having to rely on other results going their way.

In a tournament where many players ply their trade in the lower divisions of European leagues or are still based in Africa, Senegal are an exception.

The squad, entirely based in Europe, brims with talent and top-level experience, boasting players such as Liverpool’s Sadio Mane, Inter Milan’s Keita Balde and Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly, who is arguably one of the world’s top central defenders.

They also enjoy a stability rare in African football with coach Aliou Cisse, himself with wide European experience from his playing days, into his fifth year in charge.

Cisse had become exasperated at having to explain that Senegal, who have never won the competition before, were not favourites this time.

“They have talked about Senegal being favourites for years,” he said before the match.

“If I had the recipe for winning the tournament, I wouldn’t tell anyone what it was. To play at the Africa Cup of Nations is complicated, the conditions are difficult, the matches are tough… you have to be ready to suffer.

“This generation of 2019 is an extraordinary one with very good players, but that does not mean we are favourites. The favourites are the teams who have won the competition before.”

After Thursday’s defeat, Cisse blamed “details” and the absence of three regular starters – Marissa Gueye, Ismailia Sarr and Salif Sane.

He said he expected more of Mane who was neutralised by the aggressive Algerians.

“Of course Sadio Mane can do better,” he said. “In this match, we let our technical ability go to waste.

“We need to get ready for the match against Kenya which will not be a formality. This was a warning and we need to mobilise quickly. I have confidence in the players and the team but the whole team has to raise their level.”

Burundi will battle with Guinea in their final 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) Group B match at the Al Salam Stadium in Egypt on Sunday.

Kick-off is at 6:00 pm CAT.

The Swallows’ hopes of reaching the knockout stages were dented when they suffered a 1-0 defeat to fellow tournament debutants Madagascar on Thursday.

The defeat left Burundi placed fourth on the group standings without a single point and they can only reach the Round of 16 if they defeat Guinea and the results in the other groups go their way.

Burundi head coach Olivier Niyungeko has made it clear that they have not lost hope of advancing to the knockout phase.

“I don’t think we deserved to lose (against Madagascar) because we created the chances to score. I am sad we couldn’t get a win and now this makes work harder for us,” Niyungeko said.

“We can’t lose hope, we will continue fighting. We will go in and give everything we have to ensure we win the last game against Guinea.”

The Swallows will look to their England-based captain and striker Saido Berahino, who will be keen to inspire his nation to victory over the National Elephants.

Meanwhile, Guinea’s hopes of advancing to the knockout phase are still alive despite losing 1-0 to Nigeria in their previous match on Wednesday.

The National Elephants are placed third on the group standings with one point and they will stand a good chance of reaching the Round of 16 if they defeat the Swallows.

Guinea coach Paul Put has stressed the importance of winning their last group match against a wounded Burundi side.

“We had a small moment of lapse of concentration from a set-piece and we conceded (against Nigeria),” Put said.

“It is disheartening because this was an important game for us which we really needed to win. It is now tough for us; we must win against Burundi in our final game to stand a chance.”

In Head-to-Head stats, Burundi and Guinea have clashed three times and the matches have all ended in a draw.

Full Time

South Afrika 0-0 Namibia.

LIVE #AzamUTV

#AFCON #AFCON2019 #Egypt2019 #AzamTVUpdates #Sports #Michezo #SOUTHAFRICA #NAMIBIA #RSANAM

⚽ 🇿🇦RSA vs NAM🇳🇦

RSA🇿🇦
1 Darren Keet (Goalkeeper)
18 Sifiso Hlanti (Defender)
5 Thamsanqa Mkhize (Defender)
14 Thulani Hlatshwayo (Defender)
2 Buhle Mkhwanazi (Defender)
20 Hlompho Kekana (Midfielder)
17 Sibusiso Vilakazi (Midfielder)
8 Bongani Zungu (Midfielder)
11 Themba Zwane (Midfielder)
19 Percy Tau (Forward)
9 Lebo Mothiba (Forward)

NAM🇳🇦
23 Lloyd Junior Kazapua (Goalkeeper)
6 Larry Horaeb (-)
4 Riaan Hanamub (-)
2 Denzil Haoseb (Defender)
22 Ryan Nyambe (Defender)
19 Petrus Shitembi (-)
7 Deon Hotto (Midfielder)
10 Manfred Starke (Midfielder)
12 Ronald Ketjijere (-)
9 Benson Shilongo (Forward)
13 Peter Shalulile (Forward)

Game figures.

FT: Morocco 1-0 Ivory Coast.

The next match is South Africa’s neighbors in Namibia at 4:00 pm LIVE #AzamUTV

#AFCON # AFCON2019 # Egypt2019 #AzamTVUpdates #Sports #MOROCCO #IVORYCOAST #MARCIV

Arsenal have made a €25 million (£22.5m/$28.5m) bid to sign Saint-Etienne defender William Saliba although they are set to face competition from their north London rivals Tottenham for the 18-year-old.According to sources close to the player, the Gunners have opened discussions with ASSE and put their first offer on the table, although no agreement has yet been reached.As reported earlier, Saliba is Arsenal’s top summer transfer target as Unai Emery looks to improve his defence ready for the 2019-20 campaign.There is, however, likely to be strong competition from Spurs for the centre-back, with the Champions League finalists expected to make a counter offer for Saliba in the coming days.Indeed, it is expected that there will be a battle between the north London clubs to secure the French youngster’s signature, although Arsenal are still considered to be the favourites to win the race.https://cc.sporttube.com/embed/qg8CCCG/no-preload

Juventus have yet to agree a fee for Ajax’s Matthijs de Ligt – with the Dutch club seeking €75m for the defender, according to reports in Italy.

The Italian champions have agreed personal terms with the 19-year-old – who has accepted a five-year contract offer which would see him earn €12m (£10.75m) a season.

However, Juventus now need to agree a price with Ajax for the highly-rated defender, who helped Ajax to a Dutch league and cup double, as well as the semi-finals of the Champions League last season.

Ajax want €75m (£67m) for De Ligt and Paris Saint-Germain remain in the hunt.

The Ligue 1 champions are understood to be willing to pay the asking price for the Netherlands international.