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Zimbabwe Hold Firm to Stall South Africa’s World Cup Push

In a fiercely contested Southern African Derby, Zimbabwe held South Africa to a goalless draw on Friday night at Moses Mabhida Stadium, dealing a blow to Bafana Bafana’s hopes of automatic qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

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In a fiercely contested Southern African Derby, Zimbabwe held South Africa to a goalless draw on Friday night at Moses Mabhida Stadium, dealing a blow to Bafana Bafana’s hopes of automatic qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

South Africa dominated possession and created the bulk of the chances, but their finishing let them down. Zimbabwe’s goalkeeper Washington Arubi was a standout performer, denying Sipho Mbule early on and watching Mohau Nkota’s powerful strike rattle the post just before halftime.

The second half saw even more pressure from the hosts. Lyle Foster’s goal-bound effort was cleared off the line, and Zimbabwe’s task became tougher when Knowledge Musona was sent off in the 62nd minute for a second yellow card. Despite being a man down, the Warriors dug deep, with Arubi again coming to the rescue in stoppage time to deny Teboho Mokoena.

South Africa’s frustration peaked when Mbekezeli Mbokazi was also sent off late in the game, meaning he’ll miss their crucial final qualifier against Rwanda on Tuesday. Bafana Bafana remain second in Group C, trailing Benin by two points. A win against Rwanda could still see them through—if other results go their way.

Zimbabwe, meanwhile, sit sixth in the group and will look to end their campaign on a high against Lesotho.

Zimbabwe 0: 0 South Africa

Zimbabwe: Arubi, Zemura, Garananga (Jalai 86′), Lunga (W. Musona 86′), Hadebe, Billiat (Antoine 86′), Nakamba (Fabisch 89′), Chirewa (Maswanhise 59′), Munetsi, Musona, Takwara

South Africa: Williams: Mbokazi, Sibisi, Modiba (Makgopa 84′), Mudau, Mokoena, Sithole (Aubaas 46′), Mbule, Nkota (Morena 46′), Apollis (Moremi 80′), Foster

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Football

Arsenal Beat Chelsea to Reach Carabao Cup Final

Arsenal secured their place in the Carabao Cup final after defeating Chelsea 1–0 in the second leg of the semi-final at the Emirates Stadium. The victory sealed a 4–2 aggregate win for the Gunners, booking their first domestic cup final appearance since 2020.

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Kai Havertz

Arsenal secured their place in the Carabao Cup final after defeating Chelsea 1–0 in the second leg of the semi-final at the Emirates Stadium. The victory sealed a 4–2 aggregate win for the Gunners, booking their first domestic cup final appearance since 2020.

The reigning Premier League leaders will face either Manchester City or Newcastle United in the final, scheduled for March 22, 2026, at Wembley Stadium.

Arsenal’s disciplined performance ensured they held off Chelsea’s late pressure, with the decisive goal in the 97th minute by Kai Havertz proving enough to send Mikel Arteta’s side through to a much-anticipated showdown at Wembley.

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Nakamba Signs with Sheffield Wednesday

Sheffield Wednesday, a Championship (English second-tier) club, has signed Zimbabwe international Marvelous Nakamba on a deal until the end of the season after he was released by League One (English third tier) side Luton Town FC.

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Sheffield Wednesday, a Championship (English second-tier) club, has signed Zimbabwe international Marvelous Nakamba on a deal until the end of the season after he was released by League One (English third tier) side Luton Town FC.

The club confirmed the latest development on their social media platforms.

Sheffield Wednesday are currently at the bottom of the table (24th place) with –7 points after 29 matches.

The Sky Bet Championship club was last year deducted 12 points for multiple breaches of EFL regulations relating to the payment of players.

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When Moroccan Journalists Walked Out… A Sad Day for AFCON and Media Ethics

On Sunday night, Senegal etched their name into African football history by clinching their second AFCON trophy in a decade. Led by captain Sadio Mané, the Lions of Teranga defeated hosts Morocco 1–0 in a dramatic final that will be remembered for both its footballing brilliance and its controversies.

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On Sunday night, Senegal etched their name into African football history by clinching their second AFCON trophy in less than five years, having won the previous one in 2021. Led by Sadio Mané, the Lions of Teranga defeated hosts Morocco 1–0 in a dramatic final that will be remembered for both its footballing brilliance and its controversies.

By Tongai Mwenje

The decisive moment came in the 94th minute when Pape Gueye struck the winning goal, sending Senegalese fans into wild celebrations. Just minutes earlier, the match had been overshadowed by a contentious penalty awarded to Morocco while the score was still goalless.

In protest against the decision, Senegal coach Pape Thiaw and his players, except captain Mané, walked off the pitch, halting the game for nearly fifteen minutes. Eventually, they returned to allow Morocco to take the spot kick. Real Madrid’s Brahim Díaz stepped up to face Senegal’s goalkeeper, former Chelsea man Édouard Mendy. Attempting a Panenka, Díaz saw his effort easily saved, setting the stage for Gueye’s late strike that sealed Senegal’s triumph.

The drama did not end on the pitch. When the victorious coach Thiaw arrived for his post-match press conference, smiling, holding a young girl, and waving to foreign journalists who applauded him, the local Moroccan press staged a walkout. Packing up their equipment, they exited the room, leaving behind a scene of confusion and disappointment. The press conference was ultimately cancelled.

This act of protest by Moroccan journalists blurred the line between professional reporting and activism. Journalism is guided by ethics, truth, fairness, independence, and accountability. Walking out rather than questioning the coach directly undermined these principles. If concerns existed, they should have been raised through dialogue, not through symbolic gestures that silenced the exchange of information.

By abandoning their role as impartial observers, the journalists acted more like activists than professionals. Their behaviour cast a shadow over what should have been a celebration of African football and highlighted the importance of media ethics in safeguarding the integrity of the profession.

It was, indeed, a sad day for the beautiful game.

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