⚽ 🇳🇬NGA vs RSA🇿🇦

⚽ 🇳🇬NGA vs RSA🇿🇦

NGA🇳🇬
16 Daniel Akpeyi (Goalkeeper)
20 Chidozie Awaziem (Defender)
5 William Troost-Ekong (Defender)
22 Kenneth Omeruo (Defender)
3 Jamilu Collins (Defender)
8 Oghenekaro Etebo (Midfielder)
4 Wilfred Ndidi (Midfielder)
13 Samuel Chukwueze (Midfielder)
18 Alex Iwobi (Midfielder)
7 Ahmed Musa (Midfielder)
9 Odion Ighalo (Forward)

RSA🇿🇦
22 Ronwen Williams (Goalkeeper)
5 Thamsanqa Mkhize (Defender)
14 Thulani Hlatshwayo (Defender)
2 Buhle Mkhwanazi (Defender)
18 Sifiso Hlanti (Defender)
8 Bongani Zungu (Midfielder)
15 Dean Furman (Midfielder)
12 Kamohelo Mokotjo (Midfielder)
19 Percy Tau (Forward)
9 Lebo Mothiba (Forward)
23 Thembinkosi Lorch (Forward)

Gueye takes Senegal to semifinals after 13 years

Senegal reached the Africa Cup of Nations semifinals for the first time since 2006 when Idrissa Gueye scored to deliver a 1-0 last-eight win over Benin in Cairo on Wednesday.

Everton midfielder Gueye struck on 70 minutes, side-footing the ball into the net from close range after being set up by Liverpool star Sadio Mane.

This was the first Cup of Nations match to use the VAR (video assistant referee) system and there were no controversial incidents.

Benin were reduced to 10 men in the closing stages when Olivier Verdon was given a straight red card for a last-defender foul.

Senegal coach Aliou Cisse made one change to the team that defeated Uganda to reach the last-eight stage with Keita Balde replacing fellow forward Ismaila Sarr.

Benin boss Michel Dussuyer changed three of the team that shocked Morocco after a penalty shootout to reach the quarterfinals for the first time.

Khaled Adenon missed out due to a suspension and Seibou Mama and Jodel Dossou were benched with Seidou Baraze, Sessi D’Almeida and Steve Mounie taking their places.

This was only the third time the countries met in a competitive match with Senegal winning 1-0 at home and drawing 1-1 away in 2002 World Cup qualifying.

Senegal applied most of the early pressure with Benin content to sit back and soak it up before a small crowd at the 30 000-capacity 30 June Stadium in the Egyptian capital.

But the first scare for Benin was self-inflicted as goalkeeper Owolabi Kassifa fumbled a weak shot and had to swiftly regain possession as Mane darted forward.

AGONISINGLY CLOSE

Mickael Pote, the veteran Benin forward who bagged a brace in a group draw with Ghana, came agonisingly close to putting the Squirrels ahead midway through the opening half.

He cleverly backheeled a free-kick driven low into the box and the ball flew just wide with goalkeeper Alfred Gomis beaten.

A free-kick at the other end offered Kalidou Koulibaly a chance to break the deadlock, but he narrowly failed to connect with the ball after it eluded the defensive wall.

There was intense Senegal pressure as the opening half drew to a close with Verdon coming to the rescue by clearing a Henri Saivet cross.

Verdon and his fellow defenders then blocked three close-range attempts by the Teranga Lions to end the stalemate before the break.

Senegal did get the ball in the net nine minutes after halftime, but the Algerian referee blew for offside and VAR confirmed that his decision was correct.

A howler from Gomis nearly gifted Benin a mid-second-half lead as he miscued his clearance of a back-pass and the ball trickled just wide of the goal.

Soon after, Senegal were rewarded for their dominance of possession and territory when Gueye burst into the box and fired over Kassifa.

Benin were lucky not to fall further behind in the following few minutes as Senegal had a shot cleared off the line and Mane was denied by a marginal offside call.

Senegal (0) 1 (Gueye 70’)

Benin 0

Senegal: Gomis, Gassama, Kouyate, Koulibaly, Sabaly, Ndiaye, Saivet, Gueye (Sane 89’), Balde (Diatta 65’), Niang (Diagne 64’), Mane

Benin: Allagbe, Baraze, Adilehou, Verdon, Imorou, Soukou (Djigla 81’), D’Almeida (Seibou 69’), Adeoti, Sessegnon, Pote (Dossou 77’), Mounie

Neymar Can Leave PSG 📢: Sporting Director

Paris Saint-Germain sporting director Leonardo has said Neymar is allowed to leave the club but says there have been no offers despite “superficial” talks with Barcelona.

Neymar’s future at PSG has been in doubt this summer amid reports he wants to return to his former side Barcelona, while Real Madrid have also been linked.

But Leonardo has now revealed that the French champions are willing to let him leave if a club matches their asking price.

“Neymar can leave PSG, if there is an offer that suits everyone,” Leonardo told Le Parisien . “But to date, we do not know if anyone wants to buy him or at what price. All this is not done in a day, that’s for sure.

“It’s clear to everyone [that Neymar wants to leave], but in football, you say one thing today and tomorrow another. It’s amazing but it’s like that.

“We talked with his entourage too. Everyone knows everything. The position is clear for all participants. But one thing is concrete today: he still has three years of contract with us and since we have not received an offer, we cannot discuss anything.”

He added: “PSG wants to rely on players who want to stay and build something big. We do not need players who would do a favour for the club by staying here.”

Although Leonardo confirmed informal talks with Barcelona about a potential deal, he said no offer has been made for the 27-year-old.

“We have not received any offers. But we had, it’s true, very superficial contacts [with Barcelona]. They said they wanted to buy but we were not sellers.”

Neymar’s Father Says PSG Knew He Would Return only by Jul 15📆

Neymar’s father has again insisted that Paris Saint-Germain were well aware the Brazil star would not be returning for pre-season training on July 8.

The Ligue 1 champions said they would take “appropriate action” against the forward after he did not appear for club duties on Monday.

The news has fuelled rumours Neymar will look to force through a move away from the club in the transfer window, with a return to Barcelona mooted as well as a possible switch to Real Madrid.

PSG said in a statement that they had not authorised the player’s absence, but Neymar Sr. is adamant they had agreed he would not be back until July 15 due to commitments with Instituto Neymar, a charitable organisation set up by the 27-year-old and his family.

“The reason [for his absence] is known and was scheduled one year ago, with the annual schedule of his institute, and we couldn’t change it,” he first told Fox Sports Brazil .

“His return will be on the 15th. It’s as simple as that… no controversy. And PSG are aware and are part of the institute’s actions.”

Arsenal in Talks to Sign William Saliba✍

Arsenal are in talks to sign centre-back William Saliba from Saint Etienne, as per reports.

It is understood that Arsenal are negotiating a deal which would see the 18-year-old loaned straight back to the Ligue 1 side next season, with the defender joining Arsenal’s squad for the beginning of the 2020/21 season.

That deal would help ease the strain on the Gunners transfer budget this summer as they look to get transfers for Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha, and Celtic defender Kieran Tierney over the line.

Saint Etienne president Roland Romeyer said last week that the defender would be staying in Ligue 1 for another season.

“He will stay at the club this season,” he said.

“It is an imperative condition should we come to an agreement for his transfer. It’s also William’s wish.”

AFCON🏆: Tunisia Edge Ghana in Shootouts💥 📹

http://v.duta.us/-sAVtAAA

Tunisia recorded yet another shock result at this year’s Africa Cup of Nations by beating Ghana 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw to reach the quarter-finals.

Alain Giresse’s side drew all three of their group games but seemed set for a first victory thanks to Taha Khenissi’s second-half strike, only for substitute Rami Bedoui to head an own goal with his first touch in added time.

Tunisia sent on goalkeeper Farouk Ben Mustapha to replace Mouez Hassen ahead of the shoot-out and he kept out Caleb Ekuban’s poor effort, allowing Ferjani Sassi to hit the winning spot-kick and book a last-eight clash with tournament debutants Madagascar.

AFCON🏆: Zaha Fires Ivory Coast🇨🇮 into Quarter-finals

Ivory Coast reached the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations on Monday as Wilfried Zaha gave them a 1-0 win over Mali.

The Crystal Palace winger, a reported transfer target for Arsenal, struck with 14 minutes of regulation time remaining after his side had survived some heavy pressure during the first half.

Two-time champions Ivory Coast will meet Algeria in the last eight after they dispatched Guinea 3-0 in Cairo on Sunday.

Hamari Traore blasted over after being backheeled into a good position by Moussa Marega, as Mali started the stronger of the teams.

Ivory Coast improved after the break, though, and should have taken the lead 67 minutes in when Jonathan Kodjia could only find the side-netting after goalkeeper Djigui Diarra had slipped.

Zaha made no such mistake nine minutes later, though, guiding a finish past Diarra after Kodjia glanced on a long kick up the field and Mali’s defence were left in disarray.

Mali, who have now failed to win any of their five meetings with Ivory Coast, pushed for a late leveller but Gbohouo made a fine stoppage-time save to keep out a fierce strike from Kalifa Coulibaly.