July 27, 07:45

Banyana Banyana prepares for WAFCON start against Tanzania in Morocco

The Banyana Banyana team will begin its journey towards continental recognition in the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) by playing Tanzania on Monday in Group B's opening match, which will take place in Morocco.

Team Expectations and Experience

As Banyana Banyana is the paper favorite (the match starts at 19:00), the South African team possesses significant experience in major tournaments and has established itself as a consistent contender on the continent over the last decade. The squad also includes players with experience in leading foreign leagues and in the Women's World Cup.

Nevertheless, Tanzania arrives in Morocco with the determination to produce an early surprise. The East African national team has shown steady improvement in recent years and secured its spot in the tournament through an impressive qualifying campaign. Their disciplined defensive style and physical strength make them a difficult opponent, especially for the continent's traditional leaders.

Coach's Preparation and Tactical Aspects

Banyana's head coach, Desiré Ellis, stated that her team has prepared for the challenges posed by Tanzania. She noted that previous encounters have always been intense, and despite the opponents' physical play, the team is ready for such tests after working with many physically strong sides last year.

Ellis also emphasized that Banyana's attacking capabilities, including players like Thembi Kgatlana, Hilda Magaya, and Amogelang Motau, could be a decisive factor, as it was in the past. The coach added that the primary objective is to keep a clean sheet, as the team tends to create scoring opportunities, and they need to maintain control of the game.

Historical Context and Importance of the Start

Match history shows that Banyana should not expect an easy evening, as Tanzania has often proven to be a tenacious opponent, forcing Banyana to fight for victories. A win in the opening match is crucial for South Africa as it strengthens their chances of advancing to the playoffs before more difficult matches in Group B against Burkina Faso and Côte d'Ivoire.

In case of a draw or a loss, the pressure will increase on the remaining group games. Banyana's ability to control the midfield and quickly move the ball between lines could prove decisive against a deep-lying Tanzania, which will look for opportunities on the counterattack. Furthermore, set pieces may play a crucial role in the game, as both teams possess aerial threats.

Motivation of Both Sides

Although South Africa carries high expectations, Tanzania has little to lose. The underdog team is pleased to test its mettle against one of Africa's recognized powers, and gaining points in the first match will significantly boost their qualification chances. However, for Banyana, the goal is clear: any result other than three points will be considered a poor start to a tournament in which they are expected to be title contenders.

uza.uzJuly 26, 13:07

The 14th round of the Uzbekistan Super League starts today with a Tashkent derby match

The 14th round of the Uzbekistan Super League begins today, featuring a Tashkent derby match. The start of the tournament is scheduled for 20:00.

Derby and participating teams

The 14th round will feature the Tashkent derby, which has a 19-year history. This match will take place between the teams 'Bunyodkor' and 'Pakhtakor.'

Recent team results

Analyzing recent games in the Super League, it is clear that the team 'Qaldirg'ochlar' is showing a streak of three consecutive defeats. Meanwhile, 'Sherlar' drew with 'Lokomotiv' in the 12th round, but managed to win against 'Khorezm' with great difficulty in the 13th round.

Tournament table standings

According to the current tournament standings, 'Pakhtakor' is in second place with 30 points. The team 'Bunyodkor' is in seventh position with 19 points.

www.aajtak.inJuly 26, 11:03

Former player Akash Chopra raises issue of chances for reserve players after series against Zimbabwe

After the Indian team secured a confident victory in the first two matches of the three-match T20 series against Zimbabwe, the team is preparing to play the third match. Under the guidance of Shreyas Iyer, India has gained an early advantage of 2-0.

Opportunity for Reserve Players

Following the conclusion of the series, there was a demand to give a chance to players who were on the bench. Former Indian cricketer Akash Chopra advocated for including Prabhsimran Singh, an experienced batsman and wicketkeeper from Punjab Kings, in the starting eleven. He noted that Prabhsimran Singh has established himself as an opener in the IPL while playing for Punjab and has many memorable innings.

Arguments in Favor of Prabhsimran

Discussing the situation on his YouTube channel, Akash Chopra stated that winning the series is an ideal moment to test new players. He expressed his intention to consider giving Prabhsimran a chance, questioning: 'What is his fault? You selected Prabhsimran Singh for the team, and we have no idea when he will be selected again. Now that you have won the series, he should be given a chance.'

Team Composition Suggestion

Chopra also suggested that Ishan Kishan could be rested to make way for Prabhsimran. He advised resting Ishan because Prabhsimran can easily handle the wicketkeeping duties, allowing him to be used as a full-fledged player.

Stance on Other Players

Previously, Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, and Ishan Kishan played in the top order of India in the first two matches. Although Ishan delivered an impressive performance, scoring 81 runs off 44 balls in the second match, Abhishek Sharma failed to perform well in both matches. Despite the poor performance, Akash Chopra does not believe it is right to exclude Abhishek. He insists that Abhishek should be given another chance in the third match so he can score runs. Furthermore, he emphasized that Abhishek can act as a bowler if necessary.