Everton defender Joseph Yobo grabbed the winner as Nigeria triumphed 1-0 in Equatorial Guinea on Sunday to maintain their perfect record in the 2010 World Cup-Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
It was the second consecutive weekend that Yobo was the Super Eagles’ star after he scored the only goal in Sierra Leone the previous weekend just 60 seconds from time. There was no late drama in Malabo, as Yobo struck after only five minutes to give Nigeria their third consecutive win in Group 4 and a six-point advantage over second-placed South Africa.
Radhi Jaidi, from Birmingham City was another England-based defender who was a match-winner, scoring on 66 minutes to earn resurgent Tunisia a vital 1-0 Group 9 victory over Burundi in Bujumbura. After a sensational home loss to Burkina Faso, the Carthage Eagles have bounced back under new Portuguese coach Humberto Coelho with away victories in the Seychelles and Burundi.
Giant killers Swaziland, who stunned 2006 World Cup qualifiers Togo in Group 11 the previous weekend, were indebted to goalkeeper Njabuliso Simelane as they fought out a 0-0 draw with Zambia. The visitors forced nine corners as they tried to atone for an away loss to Togo, but a string of acrobatic saves from Simelane kept the Copper Bullets at bay. Swaziland remain on top with four points, followed by Togo (3) and Zambia (1).
Libya joined leaders Ghana on six points in Group 5 thanks to a 1-0 away win over minnows Lesotho courtesy of a goal from Ahmed Osman nine minutes from time in the central South African city of Bloemfontein. Lesotho have been forced to switch their three home fixtures because the National Stadium in Maseru is being renovated. It was the second consecutive home loss for the Lesotho Crocodiles and realistically rules them out of contention.
Madagascar drew for the third consecutive weekend in Group 7 with Guy Mamihasindrahona scoring in the final minute to snatch a 1-1 draw against visiting Mozambique, who took a 33rd-minute lead through Dario Monteiro..
Cape Verde moved within one point of Group 1 pacesetters Cameroon thanks to a 1-0 win on the Indian Ocean island of Mauritius, courtesy of a late first half penalty from Portugal-based Eduardo ‘Dady’ Gomes.
Results from Sunday’s CONCACAF World Cup 2010 qualifying:
• USA 8, Barbados 0
• Mexico 2, Belize 0
• St. Vincent 0, Canada 3
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Revelations of positive doping tests for nearly two dozen Chinese swimmers that went unpunished sparked an intense flurry of accusations and legal threats between the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the head of the US drug-fighting organization, who has long been one of WADA’s fiercest critics. WADA on Saturday said it was turning to legal counsel to address a statement released by US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) CEO Travis Tygart, who said WADA and anti-doping authorities in China swept positive tests “under the carpet by failing to fairly and evenly follow the global rules that apply to everyone else in the world.” The
Taiwanese judoka Yang Yung-wei on Saturday won silver in the men’s under-60kg category at the Asian Judo Championships in Hong Kong. Nicknamed the “judo heartthrob” in Taiwan, the Olympic silver-medalist missed out on his first Asian Championships gold when he lost to Japanese judoka Taiki Nakamura in the finals. Yang defeated three opponents on Saturday to reach the final after receiving a bye through the round of 32. He first topped Laotian Soukphaxay Sithisane in the round of 16 with two seoi nage (over-the-shoulder throws), then ousted Indian Vijay Kumar Yadav in the quarter-finals with his signature ude hishigi sankaku gatame (triangular armlock). He
Rafael Nadal on Wednesday said the upcoming French Open would be the moment to “give everything and die” on the court after his comeback from injury in Barcelona was curtailed by Alex de Minaur. The 22-time Grand Slam title winner, back playing this week after three months on the sidelines, battled well, but eventually crumbled 7-5, 6-1 against the world No. 11 from Australia in the second round. Nadal, 37, who missed virtually all of last season, is hoping to compete at the French Open next month where he is the record 14-time champion. The Spaniard said the clash with De Minaur was