Yoane Wissa: Eddie Howe raises concerns about attacker’s form

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has raised concerns about the performance of DR Congo forward, Yoane Wissa.

The 29-year-old has struggled for form this season with a knee injury limiting him to just 15 appearances with just a goal. newssport.cv

Having picked up a knee injury in 2025 during international duty with Leopards, the former Brentford forward is battling to earn more minutes with the Magpies.

Eddie Howe gave a candid opinion about the performance of Wissa.

“The shoulder problem Yoane had was the injury he suffered in September. When he came back, he still wasn’t physically capable of providing the quality of performance he had traditionally provided in Premier League.

“He doesn’t doubt the quality of the player, but we had to put him in a physical condition so that he could deliver his best performances ahead of the end of the season – that’s the challenge.

“Since we sometimes come back to full training with the equipment, I think we have a better amortization in his performances, because trying to get him back in shape with a little number of days of training is difficult. As long as he continues to show that trajectory ascending, I think we will see the best of him coming.”

Wissa joined Newcastle United from Brentford in a deal worth £55million last summer but is yet to find his feet.

He has 36 caps with eight goals for the Leopards who have qualified for their second ever World Cup in Mexico, Canada and USA.

Wissa won his maiden call into the DR Congo squad for a pair of friendly matches in October 2020.

He scored his first two international goals on his second and third caps, in friendly and 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches versus Morocco respectively.

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La RD Congo a découvert jeudi les sanctions des États-Unis à l'encontre de Joseph Kabila. Il est accusé par Washington de "semer l’instabilité" dans son pays en soutenant le groupe armé AFC/M23. En septembre 2025, l'ancien président congolais avait été condamné à mort par contumace dans son pays pour complicité avec le M23. Précisions d'Aurélie Bazzara-Kibangula, correspondante de France 24 à Kinshasa.

Uganda U-20 Women’s National Team head coach Sheryl Botes has expressed strong belief in her squad after naming the final team set to face Ghana in the first leg of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers.

Speaking after the team’s final training session in Uganda, Botes struck a confident tone, emphasising the unity and readiness within the camp ahead of the high-stakes encounter.

“The camp is very positive, and we are looking forward to the match. We have a good squad, and we believe in them,” she said.

Uganda will face Ghana this Sunday at the Accra Sports Stadium, knowing that a strong result away from home could prove decisive in their quest to reach the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland.

BOTES STRUCK BY POSITIVITY AS UGANDA GEAR UP FOR GHANA SHOWDOWN

Botes acknowledged the challenge that lies ahead but remained optimistic, revealing that her technical team has done a thorough analysis of their opponents.

“We know it’s going to be a tough match against Ghana, but we analysed their game against South Africa. We believe it will be a difficult match for both teams,” she noted.

The team departed on Thursday under the leadership of head of delegation Agnes Mugena, carrying the hopes of a nation eager to see the young side make history on the global stage.

Botes also rallied support from Ugandans, underlining the team’s determination to fight for qualification.

“We need all the support from the people of Uganda. We are going to fight and make you proud. World Cup qualification is a high possibility; we are going to do this for the Ugandan people,” she added.

Travelling Squad of the Uganda U-20 Women’s National Team

Goalkeepers: Lillian Nakirya, Angella Adele

Defenders: Desire Katisi Natooro, Barbara Anomo, Phiona Arach, Martha Babirye, Zabinah Nambozo, Vicky Atyeronimungu, Ritah Kadondi

Midfielders: Agnes Nabukenya, Krusum Namutebi, Imelda Kasemire, Zainabu Birungi, Patricia Nayiga, Sylvia Kabene, Peace Muduwa, Sumaya Nalumu, Angel Kigongo Auki

Forwards: Mary Katono, Yasmeen Nalukwago

Officials
Agnes Mugena (Head of Delegation), Sheryl Ulanda Botes (Head Coach), Collins Ahumuza (Assistant Coach), David Ribeiro (Goalkeeper Coach), Sefika Pelin Bal (Sports Scientist), Allan Magunda Nsubuga (Video Analyst), Mable Kabatalindwa (Team Doctor), Jackline Nakuya (Physiotherapist), Cissy Gaudensia Nakiguba (Equipment Manager), Leilah Shamirah Nabisere (Media Officer)

After an impressive performance against Argentina in the opening round of the tournament, the Junior Springboks next face Australia at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha on Sunday.

The second-round encounter kicks off at 16:10 and will be broadcast live on SuperSport. The first match of the day, between New Zealand and Argentina, starts at 14:00. Tickets, from only R35, are available here.

According to coach Kevin Foote, the team enjoyed a productive week of preparation in the build-up to Sunday’s meeting with Australia.

“We had a really good review of our performance against Argentina and, while we are very pleased with the result and the way the players performed on defence and attack for long periods of the match, there are obviously aspects of our game that need improvement,” said Foote.

“Our focus is playing the full 80 minutes and ensuring that we stay on our game model to meet what will be a huge challenge against an Australian side that is well coached and who boasts strong skill sets across the park.”

Junior Springboks set to kick off another exciting battle

The Junior Boks’ starting pack to face Australia shows only one change from the side that impressed against Argentina, with Wasi Vyambwera coming in at blindside flanker in place of Thomas Beling.

Among the backs, Khuthadzo Rasivhaga is preferred to Lindsey Jansen on the left wing, and Akahluwa Boqwana gets the nod at fullback ahead of Alzeadon Felix.

On the bench, Luan van der Berg (prop) fills the gap left by the injured Kai Pratt, while Gert Kemp will provide loose forward cover in the place of Risima Khosa, with Rasivhaga’s spot amongst the replacements filled by Jade Muller as the reserve outside back.

Foote expressed the team’s immense pride and excitement on returning to the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium for their second fixture. More than 10,000 specators attended the opening round of matches.

“The support we received against Argentina last week was absolutely fantastic, and we are excited to be playing in front of the passionate Eastern Cape rugby fans once again,” he said.

Victory for the Junior Boks would put them in a strong position heading into the final round of the tournament.

TEAM LINE UP

JUNIOR SPRINGBOKS – 15 Akahluwa Boqwana, 14 Jack Benade, 13 Samuel Badenhorst, 12 Ethan Adams, 11 Khuthadzo Rasivhaga, 10 Yaqeen Ahmed, 9 Hendré Schoeman, 8 Kebotile Maake, 7 Wasi Vyambwera, 6 Luke Canon, 5 Riley Norton (c), 4 Heinrich Theron, 3 Danie Kruger, 2 Liam van Wyk, 1 Rambo Kubheka.
Bench: 16 Mahle Sithole, 17 Oliver Reid, 18 Luan van der Berg, 19 JD Hattingh, 20 Gert Kemp, 21 Jayden Brits, 22 Vusi Moyo, 23 Jade Muller.

Dani Carvajal sera absent pour le match de ce dimanche comptant pour la 34e journée journée de LaLiga espagnole contre l’Espanyol de Barcelone. Le capitaine merengue a eu une fracture de la phalange distale du cinquième orteil du pied droit. Le latéral droit de 34 ans souffre d’une blessure au pied droit, comme l’a annoncé le club madrilène dans un communiqué médical : « Suite aux examens effectués par les services médicaux du Real Madrid sur notre joueur Dani Carvajal, une fracture de la phalange distale du cinquième orteil du pied droit a été diagnostiquée. Son rétablissement sera suivi de près », peut-on lire le communiqué du Real Madrid. Cette absence tombe au pire moment pour la Maison Blanche, déjà engagée dans une fin de saison mitigée. En plus de manquer ce rendez-vous face à l’Espanyol, Dani Carvajal devrait également être forfait pour le très attendu Clasico contre le FC Barcelone le weekend prochain. Fin de saison pour Dani Carvajal ? L’incertitude plane désormais sur la durée de son indisponibilité. Le staff médical suit de près son évolution, mais aucun délai précis n’a été communiqué quant à son retour sur les terrains. Cette blessure pourrait contraindre Dani Carvajal à ne plus rejouer cette saison avec le Real Madrid. Sur le plan statistique, le défenseur espagnol a disputé 20 matchs toutes compétitions confondues cette saison. Alors que son contrat arrive à expiration en juin 2026, son avenir au Real Madrid reste également en suspens.

L’article Real Madrid : Dani Carvajal forfait contre l’Espanyol de Barcelone est apparu en premier sur AfricaFootUnited.