FIFA Series: Poor defending undoes Cape Verde; Wydad star sparks Boli…

Cape Verde showed signs of promise but folded in the second half of their 2-4 FIFA Series friendly defeat to Chile, while a Wydad Casablanca star came off the bench to play a big role in the 2026 World Cup qualifying inter-continental playoff for Bolivia.

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— cairnstopersz (@TGZ0010) March 27, 2026

For soon-to-be World Cup debutants Cape Verde, the Blue Sharks produced a strong half but a first half red card set the stage for a second half meltdown against Chile at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand. The South American nation got off to a strong start and took the lead through Derby Country striker Ben Brereton Díaz in the 16th minute.

But the island nation punched back and it was Benfica fullback Sidny Lopes Cabral who provided a perfect low cross for Dairon Livramento to finish five minutes later. The two switched roles with Livramento setting up Lopes Cabral for a shot that went in off the post in first half stoppage time.

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— cairnstopersz (@TGZ0010) March 27, 2026

Cape Verde wilt in the second half

But a few minutes prior, defender Diney Borges was issued a red card and the Blue Sharks had to play with a numerical disadvantage for the entirety of the second half.

Amateur defending allowed Chile to score three goals after the interval. Veteran defensive presences including central defender Roberto “Pico” Lopes and goalkeeper Vozinha looked vulnerable, giving coach Bubista some questions to ponder.

Also of note was the performance of Wydad AC attacker José Paniagua. The 18-year-old came off the bench to score his first goal for the senior national team of Bolivia, providing a crucial equalizer in their 2-1 comeback victory over Suriname.

Empate de Bolivia y locura en las gradas. pic.twitter.com/InPft9vYLw

— Tigo Sports Costa Rica (@tigosports_cr) March 26, 2026

After going down to the CONCACAF representatives from the northern coast of South America, Bolivia fought back through Paniagua who finished with a clever toe poke.

He is on loan at Wydad for the remainder of the current season and he will have an opportunity to help his nation make their first World Cup finals appearance since 1994. They will face Iraq on Monday where the winner will qualify.

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L’article 🇩🇿 Algérie – Guatemala : horaire, chaîne TV et enjeux du match des Fennecs est apparu en premier sur Shoot Africa.

Seventeen South Africans will hope to make an impact in the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL), kicking off on Saturday.

Last year, the batsmen had better fortune than the bowlers, though improved performances only followed late in the tournament. However, most had to leave before the playoffs to prepare for the Proteas’ World Test Championship final against Australia.

Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton and Heinrich Klaasen are among those who will want to build on their IPL form, while there are more who either seek a breakout season or want to relive their glory days.

Here’s a look at who’ll be in action, and for who, in IPL 2026.

Chennai Super Kings

Dewald Brevis: With just 16 matches under his belt in three IPL seasons, Brevis will look to build on his growing T20 stardom, especially since reaching number 10 in the ICC T20 batting rankings.

The last IPL season was by far his best, with 225 runs at an average of 37.5, and a strike rate of 180 with two 50s. But he has a long way to go to reach the star of AB de Villiers.

Delhi Capitals

Lungi Ngidi: Another South African with limited opportunities so far, Ngidi has 29 wickets from 16 matches. The paceman holds the IPL’s all-time best bowling average, at 18.24, but that will change with more game time.

He has much to do to restore the glory days of his 2018 debut season, and will likewise look to his national form, including a 3/30 against West Indies last month.

Tristan Stubbs: Stubbs followed an excellent 2024 with another good showing last year. The batter now has 705 runs at an average of 41.47 and strike rate of 163 in the showpiece.

However, he failed to score a single 50 last season and will hope use his diverse shot selection to good effect, while perhaps developing his mentorship in the team after captaining the Sunrisers Eastern Cape in the SA20.

David Miller: The veteran finisher will want to improve on his subpar 2025 season, where he top-scored with just 27* in 11 matches.

He comes into the tournament in decent form with the Proteas, scoring 63 against India last month.

Gujarat Titans

Kagiso Rabada: Rabada only played four matches last season after copping a ban for using a recreational drug. And we have to look back to 2022 for the last time the pace bowler had a decent IPL season.

The Proteas star has never matched his Test brilliance in T20s but will hope to rectify that.

Lucknow Super Giants

Aiden Markram: The top-order batsman had a stellar season in 2025, scoring 445 runs at an average of 34.23 and strike rate of 149, with five 50s.

He looks set to repeat that, with three 50s in his last eight matches for the Proteas.

Anrich Nortjé: The fast bowler only played two matches, taking one wicket, in the last IPL season. One has to look back to 2023 for a semblance of form in the competition

One of the IPL’s fastest-ever bowlers, Nortjé was picked up for ₹6.50 Crore at last year’s mega auction. This year he went for just ₹2 Crore in the mini auction.

Matthew Breetzke: The big-hitting batsman was only given one match in his debut season last year, where he scored 14 runs off 12 balls.

A strong SA20 campaign should see him given more opportunities in the IPL, but he will need to make the most of every one.

Mumbai Indians

Quinton de Kock: A long-time favourite in the IPL, the wicket-keeper batsman has been in somewhat of a decline the last two seasons, though he’s still offered a half-century here and there when needed.

His return to the Proteas has brought scrutiny to the 33-year-old, who will want an improved performance.

Ryan Rickelton: The big-hitting batsman had a breakout debut season last year, amassing 388 runs at an average of 29.85 and a strike rate of 151, with three 50s.

Controversy around his initial exclusion from South Africa’s T20 World Cup squad was never fully vindicated, after he struggled to kick on whenever he got his eye in.

Corbin Bosch: The all-rounder was only entrusted with three matches in his maiden season last year, scoring just 47 runs and taking one wicket.

But Bosch is ranked seventh in the world in T20 bowling after the T20 World Cup, where India will not forget his 2/12 off three overs during their super eights loss.

Punjab Super Kings

Marco Jansen: The bowling all-rounder had a less-than-memorable 2025 season, taking 16 wickets but at an average of 27.13 but a costly economy of 9.41.

He contributed 75 runs with the bat but his 119 strike rate was nothing to write home about.

Rajastan Royals

Nandré Burger: After a decent-enough 2024 season, the pace bowler suffered a bad run of injuries and has been out of action until recently.

The rising star will hope to get some game time that will also do him favours for national selection.

Kwena Maphaka: After playing just two matches each in 2024 and 2025, the rising fast bowler will look to get some international experience at this year’s IPL.

Donovan Ferreira: The batsman wasn’t able to take his opportunity in three matches since the 2024 season.

His achievements in the SA20 and recognition in the Proteas setup might see him granted another chance or two.

Lhuan-Dré Pretorius: The teenage sensation’s SA20 form earned him a spot as an injury replacement last year, though the team had already been knocked out of the tournament when he became available.

One hopes to see him given opportunities this year.

Sunrisers Hyderabad

Heinrich Klaasen: The veteran smasher is back for more after amassing 487 runs at an average of 44.27 last year at a strike rate of 173, with one hundred and one 50.

No other Sunrisers batter has hit more sixes than Klaasen’s tally of 88 sixes between 2023 and 2025.

La Mtn Elite One a franchi sa 12ᵉ journée borne ce jeudi. Le Canon sportif de Yaoundé recevait Gazelle FA au stade annexe 1 de l’Omnisports. Après la déculottée essuyée face à Stade Renard de Melong, Alioum Kada et ses poulains voulaient se relancer au classement. En effet, on s'attendait à un public des grands jours

L’article Elite One : Gazelle FA se relance face au Canon de Yaoundé est apparu en premier sur Camfoot.com.

Back in 2024, the Springboks made history by securing four consecutive wins against the All Blacks for the first time since 1949.

This milestone was achieved following their 18-12 victory in Cape Town, and also saw them win the Freedom Cup for the first time since 2009.

There was also something special in store last year when the Springboks rebounded from a disappointing 24-17 defeat in Auckland to inflict the heaviest loss ever suffered by the All Blacks, while scoring 36 unanswered second-half points in an unforgettable 43-10 victory.

It’s been a joyful time for Springbok fans as South Africa have recently got the upper hand in this age old rivalry, but what will this year bring?

Springboks and All Blacks set for four epic battles

While the Springboks have benefited from remarkable consistency in terms of both player and coaching staff, there has recently been a massive change at the All Blacks after the recent appointment of highly-respected Dave Rennie to take over from Scott Robertson.

In football terms, there is something called a ‘new manager bounce’ in which teams often enjoy an almost immediate resurgence once there is a change in coaching leadership.

It stands to reason as players often respond to new ideas and look to seize different opportunities to really make an impression on the new coaching staff.

The principle can of course be applied in this scenario to the All Blacks as Rennie will undoubtedly bring a fresh approach and energy to New Zealand alongside his assistant coaches Jason Ryan, Neil Barnes, Tana Umaga and Mike Blair.

It’s a strong group, and although it will of course take some time for players to get fully up to speed with new plans and strategies, the All Blacks do have a few perfect ‘warm up’ games in July.

Prior to their tour to South Africa, the All Blacks will face France, Italy and Ireland in three high profile fixtures as part of the newly-formed Nations Championship.

Understandably, all signs suggest that the Springboks could be in for a seriously challenging time during the four-Test series against the All Blacks, despite still being able to benefit from home ground advantage in the first three games.

It is hard to see New Zealand giving the Springboks a so-called ‘klap’, but it would be no surprise if the four-match series was shared 2-2.

In short, the Springboks certainly won’t have it all their own way, but it should be a cracking series nonetheless.

Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour fixtures 2026:

Friday 7 August: DHL Stormers v New Zealand at DHL Stadium, Cape Town
Tuesday 11 August: Hollywoodbets Sharks v New Zealand at Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban
Saturday 15 August: Vodacom Bulls v New Zealand at Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Saturday 22 August: First Test – South Africa v New Zealand at Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Tuesday 25 August: Lions v New Zealand at Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Saturday 29 August: Second Test – South Africa v New Zealand at DHL Stadium, Cape Town
Saturday 5 September: Third Test – South Africa v New Zealand at FNB Stadium, Johannesburg
Saturday 12 September: Fourth Test – South Africa v New Zealand at M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, USA