Club Africain open the door for title rivals Espérance following draw

Helmi Jouidi’s late equalizer dealt a blow to the title hopes for current Tunisia Ligue 1 Professionnelle leaders Club Africain, who dropped points to relegation fighters AS Soliman in Wednesday’s 1-1 draw.

It was a devastating result for the leaders, who are attempting to end a two-season spell of dominance for title rivals Espérance Tunis. Heavy rain affected the match but it looked like business as usual for CA when Bilal Aït Malek headed in the opening goal from Oussama Shili’s free kick service in the 50th minute. fish-roadgame.com

And the victory appeared to be secure when a handball in the AS Soliman penalty area led to a VAR review and penalty kick awarded in favor of the leaders. League top scorer Firas Chaouat stepped up to finish off the victory but in a shocking moment, the experienced striker fired his spot kick off target.

The 13-time Tunisian club champions paid the price for failing to finish off their opponents. AS Soliman, five points from escaping the relegation zone before Wednesday’s match, had plenty of urgency to get a result and Jouidi overpowered the Club Africain defense to head in the crucial 83rd minute leveler following Manoubi Haddad’s corner kick.

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CA could have given themselves some important room to breath in the title race but now they are only three points clear of Espérance. EST can move level with a victory on Thursday when they host a difficult opponent in CS Sfaxien.

But regardless, the defending champions will receive a major boost with the news of Wednesday’s important result. The two title rivals will face off on May 8 in a critical Tunis derby clash, where Espérance can seize the initiative with a victory. Their previous meeting this season ended in a 0-0 draw.

AS Soliman 1-1 Club Africain: Full Highlights

Updated League Table

Title-holders Bordeaux Begles will be without two key figures on and off the field in Sunday’s Investec Champions Cup semi-final against Bath.

The defending champions have been dealt a blow with the news that prop Jefferson Poirot is ruled out after picking up a two-week ban for a high tackle.

Poirot, who was capped 36 times by France, was handed an orange card for a head-on-head tackle with Valentin Welsch during the defeat by Montpellier in the Top 14 match last week.

ALSO: Bordeaux wary of ‘world-class’ Russell

The LNR, the body that runs professional rugby union in France, announced a two-week ban on Wednesday, which includes matches in the Champions Cup.

Poirot will also miss the Top 14 match at Bayonne on 9 May. Either Matis Perchaud or Ugo Boniface are considered the likeliest replacement for him.

Another absentee for the knockout clash is Bordeaux head coach Yannick Bru.

He will be unable to take his place in the dugout after being punished for “lacking respect for the authority of a match official” due to remarks he made about the fourth official following the 45-15 thrashing by La Rochelle in the game preceding the Montpellier match.

– AFP

Photo: INPHO/James Crombie

The post Double blow for Bordeaux appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.

Africa’s representatives at the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup are poised to reap unprecedented financial rewards, with all ten qualified nations guaranteed a substantial windfall before a ball is even kicked.

The FIFA Council has confirmed an increase in the financial contribution for the 48 teams participating in @FIFAWorldCup 2026

— FIFA (@FIFAcom) April 29, 2026

World Cup prize money increase even with expanded format

Under a revamped distribution model by FIFA, each participating country will receive a minimum of USD $12.5 million.

This package is split into USD $2.5 million allocated for tournament preparation and an additional USD 10 million awarded upon qualification ensuring every team arrives at the global showpiece with a solid financial backing.

The boosted figures are part of a wider expansion that has seen the tournament’s total prize fund rise to USD $871 million, marking a 15% increase from previous editions.

For African teams, this translates into an improvement of roughly USD $2 million compared to past World Cup earnings.

Traditional powerhouses such as Morocco, Senegal, Ghana, Algeria, Egypt and Côte d’Ivoire will benefit alongside rising contenders including DR Congo, Cape Verde, Tunisia and South Africa highlighting both the depth and growing competitiveness of the continent.

Beyond the guaranteed sums, teams will also compete for performance-based bonuses, adding further incentive to push deeper into the tournament. The expanded 48-team format not only increases Africa’s representation but also raises the stakes in terms of financial and sporting ambition.

Speaking on the initiative, FIFA President Gianni Infantino underscored the governing body’s commitment to reinvesting in the global game, noting that stronger financial support allows member associations to better prepare and develop football structures at home.

For African football, the implications stretch beyond the tournament itself.

The increased funding is expected to enhance team logistics, upgrade training environments, and contribute to long-term development projects potentially reshaping the competitive landscape across the continent.

As anticipation builds, the 2026 edition is emerging not just as the most inclusive World Cup in history, but also one of its most financially transformative offering African nations a platform to compete, grow, and thrive on football’s grandest stage.

Christopher Bonsu Baah continued his strong form in the Saudi Pro League with Al Qadsiah while Houssem Aouar and Youssef En-Nesyri led Al Ittihad to victory on Wednesday.

ثنائية
بونسو باه إلى جوليان كينيونيس #الرياض_القادسية | #دوري_روشن_السعودي pic.twitter.com/kFJDEJZumU

— رياضة ثمانية (@thmanyahsports) April 29, 2026

Ghanaian winger Bonsu Baah is making a strong push to be included in Ghana national team coach Carlos Queiroz’s final list for the 2026 World Cup after providing two assists in a dominant 4-0 victory for Qadsiah at Al Riyadh.

The 21-year-old helped the visitors get off to a brilliant start in the 7th minute. Played in behind on the left wing, Bonsu Baah’s cross found Abdullah Al Salem for an accurate low finish.

هدف!
عبدالله السالم لا يتوانى، ويمنح القادسية التقدم سريعًا أمام الرياض #الرياض_القادسية | #دوري_روشن_السعودي pic.twitter.com/bxHJCS5KgU

— رياضة ثمانية (@thmanyahsports) April 29, 2026

Hosts Al Riyadh kept the deficit at one goal by halftime but collapsed in the final twenty minutes. Al Salem doubled his tally in the 77th minute before Bonsu Baah added another assist. In the 87th minute, the Ghanaian collected a cross that fell to him on the left wing before setting up Mexico national team forward and the Saudi Pro League’s new top scorer, Julián Quiñones, for the third goal.

Bonsu Baah ranks high among Saudi Pro League’s elite playmakers

Quiñones added his second in stoppage time to complete the lopsided victory. Bonsu Baah is now tied for third on the league’s assists chart, level with Kingsley Coman on ten for the season and only one less than co-leaders Kostas Fortounis and João Félix. Bonsu Baah also has three goals in a truly impressive debut campaign in the Saudi top flight.

In another match played at the same time, Algeria playmaker Houssem Aouar and Morocco striker Youssef En-Nesyri were influential in a 2-0 victory for Al Ittihad at Al Taawon.

ماريو ميتاي في الصناعة
وحسام عوار في التسجيل

قصة الهدف الأول للاتحاد كاملًا

⁩ #التعاون_الاتحاد | #دوري_روشن_السعودي pic.twitter.com/j3SSKL8oaV

— رياضة ثمانية (@thmanyahsports) April 29, 2026

It has been a disappointing campaign for the defending champions but they took a big step towards returning to a top-5 position. Aouar opened the scoring in the 19th minute with a finish in the penalty area.

The Algerian then turned provider early in the second half to finish off the victory. In the 52nd minute, Aouar’s excellent pass from the midfield found the run of En-Nesyri and the Moroccan did the rest, bursting away from the defense before finishing his 6th goal in 13 matches since joining Ittihad.

هدف!
يوسف النصيري يعزز النتيجة بالثاني لصالح الاتحاد في شباك التعاون

⁩ #التعاون_الاتحاد | #دوري_روشن_السعودي pic.twitter.com/XWJaplhAJ0

— رياضة ثمانية (@thmanyahsports) April 29, 2026

Mamelodi Sundowns are at the Seshego Stadium to battle Rise and Shine in the Betway Premiership at 19:30.

Polokwane City starting line up: Mathebula, Matuludi, Nkwe, Ramaja, Nkaki, Kambala, Kelepu, Maphangule, Ramabu, Dlamini, Tshabalala.

Mamelodi Sundowns starting line up: Williams, Mudau, Cupido, Ndamane, Modiba, Mokoena, Adams, Allende, Zwane, Rayners, Shalulile.

BETWAY PREMIERSHIP: POLOKWANE CITY VS MAMELODI SUNDOWNS

Currently sitting in second place with 58 points, Kabo Yellow have a golden opportunity to leapfrog Orlando Pirates, who lead by a single poinyt, and reclaim the top spot with a victory.

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Despite an impressive run of 10 consecutive wins to start the year, Miguel Cardoso’s side enters this fixture looking to snap a streak of two straight draws. Sundowns have named a powerful starting lineup anchored by Ronwen Williams in goal.

The defensive unit features Khuliso Mudau, Keanu Cupido, Khulumani Ndamane, and Aubrey Modiba, providing a blend of youth and international experience.

In the heart of the pitch, the duo of Teboho Mokoena and Jayden Adams will look to dictate the tempo, supported by the creative orchestration of Marcelo Allende and the veteran leadership of Themba Zwane.

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In a major boost for the visitors’ firepower, the attack is led by a formidable partnership of Iqraam Rayners and Peter Shalulile. This selection highlights Sundowns’ intent to break through Polokwane City’s disciplined defense, which has conceded fewer than 12 goals at home this season.

While “Rise and Shine” remains unbeaten in their last four league matches under Phuti Mohafe, they will face a Sundowns side determined to use this elite line up to secure all three points and return to the summit of the table.

DO YOU EXPECT KABO YELLOW TO WIN ANOTHER BETWAY PREMIERSHIP TITLE?

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