Al-Ahly and Zamalek face must-win matches in African Champions League

Al-Ahly also are in need of points in Africa but their situation on and off the pitch is more stable than their city rivals. (Twitter: @AlAhly)
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Updated 11 March 2022
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Al-Ahly and Zamalek face must-win matches in African Champions League

  • Two Cairo giants won trophy combined 15 times but poor form may see embarrassing exits

RIYADH: There is no such thing as an unimportant match if you happen to be a fan, player or coach of Al-Ahly and Zamalek, with their combined 15 African Champions League titles.

But both Cairo giants face must-win games this week if there is to be a chance of a 16th continental crown. Any group stage exit for either team would be a major shock and while it has already been a big week for both clubs, it is about to get bigger.

For Zamalek, Friday’s game against Wydad Casablanca is the first for Jesualdo Ferreira in his second spell in charge of the club. It was a 3-1 defeat at the hands of the Moroccan giants on Feb. 26 that spelled the end of Patrice Carteron’s tenure in charge.

That also left the White Knights with just two points from the first three games in Group D. Should they lose in Cairo on Friday and group leaders Petro de Luanda defeat fellow Angolans Sagrada Esperanca, as is expected, then Zamalek are out.

It would be a desperate way for Ferreira — something of a fan-favorite after winning the league and cup double in 2015 — to restart his Zamalek career. At the age of 75, it remains to be seen if the former boss of Porto, Benfica and Sporting Lisbon has the energy to revitalize Zamalek over the 18 months of his contract but a good result means that he could hit the ground running.

“Thanks for the many messages and the kind words that the Zamalek fans dedicated to me. I return with pleasure and great ambition. See you soon,” the Portuguese boss said on social media.

Wydad, winners in 1992 and 2017, arrive in Egypt in a confident mood, though coach Walid Regragui is prepared for a tough game.

“We will have to rise up to the occasion. Zamalek will have their fans’ support and it will be a challenge,” Regragui said. “Zamalek have a number of international players, and they now have a new head coach. The game won’t be easy. However, we will not be playing for a draw, we are travelling to Egypt for victory.”

Ferreira will turn his thoughts to domestic matters after the big champions league tests to come. Defending champions Zamalek are currently third in the league with 25 points from 11 matches, one behind Pyramids and three behind Al-Ahly (who have played one fewer game). The next Premier League action comes early next month with a big game against Pyramids.

Al-Ahly also are in need of points in Africa but their situation on and off the pitch is more stable than their city rivals with head coach Pitso Mosimane signing a new contract on Wednesday.

“Al-Ahly are delighted to announce that Pitso Mosimane has signed a contract extension with the club for two more years,” the club said in a statement. “The coach and his assistants signed the new contract, ensuring they will remain at the helm until 2024.”

The South African boss went north in October 2020 and has been a major success, winning back-to-back CAF Champions League titles as well as steering the Red Giants to successive third place finishes at the FIFA Club World Cup. He has been in charge of the club in 83 matches, winning 59, drawing 17, losing just seven, scoring 182 goals while conceding 70. There had been rumors swirling around whether the 57-year-old would stay but now there is clarity.

“The (real) contract is on the pitch,” said Mosimane. “We had been back and forth about it. The team is happy, and I am happy; that’s more important. So, where do you want to go if you don’t want to stay here?”

It is a triumph for the boss who has, at times, struggled with negative comments publicly expressed from former players, especially early on in his tenure. The reaction this week has been positive, however, with Mido, a former Egyptian international and ex-Zamalek player, welcoming the news. “Al-Ahly renewing Mosimane’s contract is more important than any other trophy right now,” Mido said. “Mosimane’s contract renewal with Al-Ahly is a major trophy in itself.”

Mosimane has a big game to prepare for against his former club Mamelodi Sundowns on Saturday after losing against the South African giants at home in the previous round. That defeat left the 10-time champions second in Group A, three points behind Sundowns and level with Sudan’s Al-Merrikh.

Should Al-Ahly lose in Johannesburg then they could be three points off second with two games remaining — not quite time to panic but certainly time to worry. Three points will be most welcome then although right-back Mohamed Hany, midfielder Hamdi Fathi, and winger Hussein El-Shahat are all struggling and face late fitness tests before being cleared to play.

After their champions league commitments, the league leaders will return to domestic concerns against Al-Ittihad on April 6.

The situation in Africa is brighter for several other Arab clubs. Raja Casablanca have won all three games in Group B with Algeria’s ES Setif in third with three points from three games. Tunisian clubs Esperance and Etoile du Sahel are in first and third in Group C with CR Belouizdad of Algeria in second.

Most of the attention, however, will be on the fate of the two Egyptian giants and whether they can bounce back from damaging defeats — especially Zamalek.


Giannis, Lillard lead Bucks over Hornets as Spurs beat Warriors

Updated 32 sec ago
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Giannis, Lillard lead Bucks over Hornets as Spurs beat Warriors

  • Despite a career-high 50-point performance by Hornets guard LaMelo Ball, the host Bucks improved to 8-9 on the season with a 4-0 home streak
  • At Chicago, Scotty Pippen Jr. — the son of former Chicago Bulls legend Scottie Pippen — scored 30 points and added 10 assists to lead Memphis over the Bulls 142-131

LOS ANGELES: Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 32 points and Damian Lillard added 31 to lead the Milwaukee Bucks over visiting Charlotte 125-119 on Saturday, stretching their NBA win streak to four games.

Despite a career-high 50-point performance by Hornets guard LaMelo Ball, the host Bucks improved to 8-9 on the season with a 4-0 home streak while Charlotte fell to 6-10.

“It just feels great to get another win on our home floor,” Lillard said.

“The way we started the season was rough. We’re starting to play the kind of basketball we wanted to play coming into the season. Now we’re starting to feel good about ourselves, on offense and defense.

“We’re starting to do what the coaches want us to do and we’re starting to get the results we want.”

Greek star Antetokounmpo went 12-of-23 from the floor and 7-of-10 from the free throw line while adding 11 rebounds and six assists for Milwaukee. Ball had 10 assists for the Hornets.

Brandon Miller, who had 32 points and 11 rebounds, sank a 3-point shot with 15 seconds remaining to lift Charlotte within 121-119 but Taurean Prince sank two free throws for the Bucks. Ball and Miller missed late 3-point attempts and Antetokounmpo added two final free throws to seal the victory.

Lillard said the players had to find a deeper bond to escape an early season funk.

“Just having to figure it out,” said Lillard. “Nobody is going to come save us. Nobody is going to feel bad for us having a hard time.

“We had to come closer, come together in practice, we’re talking through things in film, talking good things on the court, getting shots up together. Our group chat has been extremely active trying to encourage each other. It’s just coming together on the court.”

French star Victor Wembanyama had 25 points, seven rebounds and nine assists to spark the San Antonio Spurs over Western Conference leader Golden State 104-94.

The host Spurs also had 22 points from Harrison Barnes, 19 by Stephon Castle plus nine points and seven assists from Chris Paul, who played for Golden State last season.

San Antonio outscored the Warriors 33-13 in the final quarter to rally for the victory, improving to 9-8 while Golden State tumbled to 12-4, the same record as Oklahoma City.

The Warriors, who shot only 36.9 percent from the floor, were led by 20 points from Andrew Wiggins and 14 from Stephen Curry.

Finland’s Lauri Markkanen scored 34 points to lead the Utah Jazz over visiting New York 121-106, snapping the Knicks’ four-game win streak and a four-game Utah losing skid.

Markkanen hit 11-of-15 shots from the floor, 5-of-8 from 3-point range, and 7-of-8 free throws for the Jazz, who also had 25 points from Collin Sexton.

O.G. Anunoby led New York with 27 points while Jalen Brunson added 23 and Karl-Anthony Towns had 16 points and 16 rebounds.

At Chicago, Scotty Pippen Jr. — the son of former Chicago Bulls legend Scottie Pippen — scored 30 points and added 10 assists to lead Memphis over the Bulls 142-131.

Pippen topped eight double-figure scorers for the Grizzlies while Zach LaVine led the Bulls with 29 points.

Germany’s Franz Wagner had 30 points, nine rebounds and eight assists to lead Orlando over Detroit 111-100, the Magic improving to 8-0 at home.

At Houston, Portland’s Anfernee Simons scored 25 points, Shaedon Sharpe added 24 and Donovan Clingan grabbed 19 rebounds to spark the Trail Blazers over the host Rockets 104-98.

Simons sank a 3-pointer with 27 seconds remaining to give the Blazers a 99-96 lead and late free throws by Deni Avdija, Simons and Sharpe clinched the triumph.


Jeeno Thitikul makes late charge to catch Angel Yin in the LPGA finale

Updated 5 min 5 sec ago
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Jeeno Thitikul makes late charge to catch Angel Yin in the LPGA finale

  • At stake is the richest payoff in women’s golf, $4 million to the winner
  • Thitikul already picked up a $1 million bonus this week through the Aon Risk-Reward Challenge

NAPLES: Angel Yin was making putts from across the green and threatening to build a big lead until Jeeno Thitikul finished eagle-birdie for a 9-under 63 to share the lead Saturday going into the final round of the CME Group Tour Championship with $4 million on the line.

Yin had a 69 after another day of big putts and one chip-in from some 60 feet for eagle on the par-5 sixth hole that put her comfortably ahead at Tiburon Golf Club.

She holed a 30-footer on the eighth hole, another birdie from about 25 feet on the ninth hole and another one from the 30-foot range on the 12th.

Thitikul seemed to be an afterthought until she lit it up on the back nine for a 30. The Thai started the back nine with three straight bogeys, but she made up quick ground at the end with her eagle on the reachable par-5 17th and a birdie on the closing hole.

The birdie briefly gave her the lead until Yin made birdie on the 17th to join her. They were tied at 15-under 201, three shots head of Ruoning Yin, who birdied her last two for a 66.

Charley Hull had seven birdies in her round of 66 and was at 11-under 205, along with Narin An of South Korea.

Nelly Korda, who got back into the mix on Friday after a sluggish start, lost ground with a 69 on a pleasant day that left her six shots back going into the final round. Korda has won four of her seven LPGA titles this year coming from behind. This could be a tall order.

At stake is the richest payoff in women’s golf, $4 million to the winner, nearly as much as Korda has made all year in her seven-victory season.

Thitikul already picked up a $1 million bonus this week through the Aon Risk-Reward Challenge, a competition based on how players score on a designated hole each week. Now she could leave Florida with a total of $5 million.

“Actually, $1 million is really good enough for me,” Thitikul said. “If I can get more, it’s definitely going to be nice, because as my team know I spend a lot of money. That’s why I have to keep playing good golf, like spending on shopping day.”

Angel Yin heard plenty of cheers for her long birdie putts, and the chip-in for eagle. She also was helped by a couple of pars after bad drives. She went well to the left at No. 10, did well to blast out on a blind shot just short of the green and then got up-and-down with a pitch to 4 feet.

And then on the 13th, another tee shot went well to the left. She tried to get it back in play from just in front of some bushes, and from 50 yards hit wedge to about 15 feet. She holed that putt, too, that kept her in front.

“I’m scoring still,” Yin said. “Making some mistakes, but saving a bunch, so a lot of positives.”


Retegui fires Atalanta to top of Serie A ahead of Inter Milan

Updated 24 November 2024
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Retegui fires Atalanta to top of Serie A ahead of Inter Milan

  • Retegui claimed his 12th league goal of the campaign after just four minutes for the visitors before Ederson and Ademola Lookman scored to send Atalanta above Inter
  • Juventus failed to impress in a goalless stalemate with AC Milan

VERONA, Italy: Serie A’s leading scorer Mateo Retegui netted as Atalanta beat Parma 3-1 on Saturday to go top of Serie A on goal difference, overtaking Inter Milan despite the reigning champions’ rout of Verona.

Retegui claimed his 12th league goal of the campaign after just four minutes for the visitors before Ederson and Ademola Lookman scored to send Atalanta above Inter, who hammered Verona 5-0 earlier.

Napoli drop to third before they host Roma on Sunday on Claudio Ranieri’s return to top-flight management.

Juventus, meanwhile, failed to impress in a goalless stalemate with AC Milan and are sixth, one place above their opponents.

Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini said his team were developing a winning mentality.

“We have to focus on winning every game we can and the rest is not really in our minds,” he told Sky Sport Italia.

“That was the case in the Europa League too, we didn’t start out thinking we’d win it, but as time wore on and we found ourselves in that position, we weren’t going to hold back either.”

Argentina-born Italy striker Retegui, 25, opened the scoring early on with a deft header.

The reigning Europa League champions doubled their lead after 39 minutes as Brazil midfielder Ederson scored his second goal of the season.

But five minutes into the second half, the hosts cut the deficit as Matteo Cancellieri fired home.

Retegui was replaced by attacking midfielder Charles De Ketelaere as Gasperini rested the attacker before Tuesday’s Champions League trip to Swiss side Young Boys.

Parma’s hopes of denying Atalanta a seventh straight league win were dashed with a quarter of an hour to play as Nigerian international Lookman finally scored, netting for a seventh time this campaign to ensure his side take top spot in the table.

Earlier, Marcus Thuram scored twice in Inter’s easy win over Verona as Joaquin Correa, Stefan de Vrij and Yann Bisseck were also on the scoresheet.

Correa’s opener in the 17th minute, a delightful dink after smart interplay with Thuram, didn’t just spark a rout, it was also the Argentine’s first Serie A goal in more than two years.

Out-of-favor Correa had only played 38 minutes this season before this weekend but was excellent in place of captain and star striker Lautaro Martinez who was sent home early on Saturday with the flu.

“I know him well, he’s been training brilliantly since July, he’s got a lot of competition,” Simone Inzaghi told DAZN.

“I’m pleased for him but I’m also pleased for the boys because they played really well,” he added.

Verona have lost nine of their 13 league matches this season and sit 14th, just three points above the relegation zone.

Inter now host Leipzig on Tuesday as they push for direct qualification for the last 16 of the Champions League, having thumped Verona with a clutch of starters either injured or rested.

As well as Martinez, Hakan Calhanoglu, Federico Dimarco and Benjamin Pavard missed Saturday’s match after a busy period on international duty.

Juventus trail Inter and Atalanta by three points after offering little to shout about against AC Milan at the San Siro.

Ravaged by injuries, including to starting center forward Dusan Vlahovic, coach Thiago Motta was forced into an experimental line-up featuring midfielder Teun Koopmeiners up front.

“I’m pleased with our performance, especially defensively against a team which created very little,” Motta told DAZN.

“All in all we played well, I think a point right now keeps us going. I’m happy to see that we’re well-organized and are capable of playing like a big team should.”


10-man Barcelona concede two late goals in draw at Celta Vigo

Updated 24 November 2024
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10-man Barcelona concede two late goals in draw at Celta Vigo

  • Celta poured forward at Balaidos Stadium and Hugo Alvarez rifled in the 86th-minute equalizer with Barcelona unable to mark the extra man
  • Antoine Griezmann converted a late penalty to equalize and Alexander Sorloth struck an 86th-minute winner to give Atletico Madrid a 2-1 win at home over Alaves

BARCELONA: Celta Vigo gave 10-man Barcelona a shock by scoring two late goals and snatching a 2-2 draw at home in the Spanish league on Saturday.

Barcelona were minutes away from a win to pad their league lead after Raphinha and Lewandowski had put Barcelona ahead.

But the game dramatically swung after Barcelona defensive midfielder Marc Casado was sent off with a second booking in the 81st. Moments later Jules Kounde’s poor control of a ball in his area allowed Alfon Gonzalez to pick his pocket and give the hosts hope in the 84th minute.

Celta poured forward at Balaidos Stadium and Hugo Alvarez rifled in the 86th-minute equalizer with Barcelona unable to mark the extra man.

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick, however, said that he saw it coming since his team had never been able to establish their passing game and was making mistakes even when up 2-0.

“It was not only the 10 last minutes, it was the whole match. We played today a really bad game,” Flick said. “The passing game for us was bad. We made a lot of mistakes and at the end we had no confidence with the ball.”

This was Barcelona’s second straight stumble since Lamine Yamal was sidelined with a right-ankle injury. Barcelona lost 1-0 at Real Sociedad without Yamal before the international break.

Barcelona is seven points ahead of third-place Real Madrid, which has played two fewer games.

Koundé accepted the blame for what he called his “gross mistake” that helped give Celta hope.

“We didn’t do what we needed to all game, and at the end they made us pay,” Koundé said. “It starts with me. I can’t lose my focus like that. It was a gross mistake that can’t happen. I accept that it was my fault.”

The late rally by Celta came after Raphinha had led Barcelona as he filled in for Yamal on the right side of the front three.

Raphinha opened the scoring in the 15th when he ran onto a long pass by Kounde that bounced over left back Óscar Mingueza, cut back to his left foot and fired home.

Lewandowski doubled the lead in the 61st after Raphinha intercepted a pass by Minqueza and set up his strike partner. The Poland striker scrambled the ball past two defenders before slotting beyond Vicente Guaita.

Lewandowski took his league-leading tally to 15 goals in 14 rounds, while Raphinha has added eight league goals.

Raphinha came close to a second goal that would have made it 3-0 when he hit the post in the 77th, just moments before the wild final stretch when it all crumbled for the visitors.

“We have to learn from this. This can’t happen just because we had a player sent off. But onto the next game,” said Gavi Paez, who started his first match since returning from a serious leg injury last season.

Atletico move into second place

Antoine Griezmann converted a late penalty to equalize and Alexander Sorloth struck an 86th-minute winner to give Atletico Madrid a 2-1 win at home over Alaves.

The comeback victory lifted Atletico into second place — five points behind Barcelona.

Coach Diego Simeone showed his sensitive side after the match when he choked up when speaking about this love for the team he has coached for nearly 13 years.

Valencia honor flood victims

Valencia played their first home game since last month’s devastating floods that killed over 200 people in eastern Spain.

The club honored the victims before kickoff when several fans were seen to cry during the ceremony.

Hugo Duro led the 4-2 win over Real Betis by scoring a double.

Elsewhere, Girona routed Espanyol 4-1 in a Catalan regional derby with Bojan Miovski’s first two goals since joining the club.

Mallorca forward Johan Mojica scored off a set piece from a free kick inside Las Palmas’ area to complete a 3-2 win for the visitors in injury time.


Al-Khaleej stun Al-Hilal with comeback win

Updated 23 November 2024
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Al-Khaleej stun Al-Hilal with comeback win

  • Defeat was first for reigning champions in the league in 46 games since May 2023

RIYADH: Al-Hilal lost 3-2 at Al-Khaleej on Saturday, a result made even more stunning as the all-conquering champions had been winning 2-0.

It is a defeat, a first in the league in 46 games since May 2023, that not only blows the title race wide open but shows that the champions are not invincible.

Al-Ittihad will go two points clear at the top of the Saudi Pro League if they beat Al-Fateh on Sunday. It also means that Al-Nassr stay five points behind and are not out of the running.

The Blues had the better of the play from the beginning and few were surprised when Marcos Leonardo put the leaders ahead after just 12 minutes.

Sergej Milinkovic-Savic won the ball on the edge of the area as Khaleej tried to play out from the back and there was Leonardo to stroke a low shot home.

Eight minutes before the break, Aleksandar Mitrovic struck with his 12th goal in the SPL this season. Salem Al-Dawsari, such a big miss for Saudi Arabia in recent World Cup qualifiers, curled over a corner and there was the Serbian striker to head home.

It seemed to be all over but then the hosts were handed a lifeline on the stroke of half time. Kalidou Koulibaly made a clumsy challenge in the area and while Yassine Bounou saved the penalty from Konstantinos Fortounis, Abdullah Al-Salem reacted the quickest to shoot the rebound home.

Al-Salem stunned Al-Hilal soon after the restart with a stunning goal. The hosts made uncharacteristic defensive mistakes and Khalid Narey fed the ball  to the 31 year-old who chipped Bounou delightfully from the right side of the area.

With five minutes remaining, Fabio Martins side footed home from another Narey assist to provoke wild celebrations as Al-Khaleej move into sixth. Al-Hilal stay top but maybe not for much longer.