IFFHS NEWS OF THE WEEK 4
Picture : Palmeiras, winner of the Copa Libertadores
PALMEIRAS WON THE COPA LIBERTADORES 2020
Second of the IFFHS CLUB WORLD RANKING 2020 just behind FC Bayern München, Palmeiras SE confirmed his fantastic form, winning last Saturday their second Copa Libertadores Title with a 1-0 victory over Brazilian rivals Santos at Rio de Janeiro's Maracana stadium.
Traditionally decided over two legs, for the second edition running the final -- delayed two months by the Covid-19 pandemic -- was played as a one-off contest, kicking off in the heat and lengthening shadows.
Breno (Picture), coming as substitute, planted a magnificent header beyond Santos goalkeeper. He helped Palmeiras to join the next month's Club World Cup in Qatar !
Santos, who last won the competition a decade ago when a teenaged Neymar scored in the final, missed out on the opportunity to become the first Brazilian club to lift the trophy for a fourth time. Despite the ban on supporters from the iconic 80,000-capacity Maracana stadium, the site of one of the city's coronavirus field hospitals, local authorities agreed to grant entry to a few thousand invitees.
Palmeiras, who held on to overcome River Plate in the semi-finals, won his second Copa Libertadores since 1999 !
CHAN 2020 – DAY BY DAY
30 January 2021
Mali, Cameroon qualify for semifinals.
The Eagles of Mali and The Intermediate Lions of Cameroon qualified tonight for the semifinals of the CAF Total African Nations Championship, Cameroon 2020, by eliminating The Red Devils of Congo and the Simbas of the Democratic Republic of Congo, respectively.
It took a penalty shootout lottery at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaounde for the Eagles of Mali to sail through after a 120-minute 0-0 tie with The Red Devils of Congo. The Eagles scored all their 5 kicks through Issaka Samaka, Moussa Kyabou, Makan Samabaly, Mamadou Doumbia and Mamaye Coulibaly. The Red Devils lost the opening shot taken by Prince Mouandza Mapata; while Julfin Ondongo, Hardy Biguila, Yann Mokombo and keeper Pavelh Ndzila scored theirs. While the Malian team celebrated their semifinal qualification, their player, Sadio Kanoute took the Man-of-the-match award.
At the Japoma Sports Stadium, The Intermediate Lions of Cameroon obtained their first ever semifinal qualification by defeating The Simbas of the Democratic Republic of Congo 2-1. Makabi Lilepo of The Simbas opened scores at the 21st minute following a corner kick. Seven minutes on, Congolese keeper and captain, Matampi Ngumbi fumbled with the ball following a corner kick, allowing Joseph Yannick Ndjeng to equalize for Cameroon. Four minutes to the half, Felix Oukine scored the second goal when his long distance shot was deflected, beating keeper Matampi for 2-1. Cameroon thus obtained their first ever semifinal qualification in the tournament while Martin Loic Ako Assomo was named Man-of-the-match for the second time in the tournament.
31 January 2021
Mali vs Guinea and Cameroon vs Morocco will be the CHAN 2020 semifinals.
The semifinals fixtures were known tonight following the last two quarterfinals played at Bepanda and Limbe, respectively.
At the Reunification Stadium, Bepanda, The Atlas Lions of Morocco scored the fastest goal of the tournament when Soufiane Rahimi outpaced his marker to find the net barely 36 seconds after kickoff. The second goal was scored at the 8th minute when Mohammed Ali Benammer intercepted a corner kick just inside the Zambia area. The irate Chipolopolo of Zambia fell prey to the temptations that came with the early Moroccan lead and took the first red card of the tournament at the 20th minute through the 22-year-old defender, Zachariah Chilongoshi. That tilted the balance in favour of Morocco whose captain, Ayoub El Kaabi got the third goal from the penalty spot after Paul Katema touched the ball with the hand in the area. Substitute, Moses Phiri scored Zambia’s lone goal at the 80th minute when he powered the ball past keeper Anas Zniti. Moroccan player, Mohammed Ali Bennamer was named the Man-of-the-match.
At the Limbe Omnisports Stadium, Guinean player, Mory Kante took the second red card of the tournament when the VAR found his tackle at the 11th minute too hard. Rwandan goalkeeper, Olivier Kwizera took yet a red card after the VAR found his 20th minute rush out of his box illicit. His substitute, Eric Ndayishimye was unable to stop the 60th minute free kick taken by Morlaye Sylla to land the Guineans a 1-0 victory. The scorer was named Man-of-the match for the third time in the tournament.
Next Wednesday’s semifinals will be as follows: Japoma at 4pm: Mali versus Guinea; Limbe at 8pm: Cameroon vs Morocco.