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Crystal Palace 0 – 0 Brentford

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Crystal Palace 0 - 0 Brentford

Brentford maintained an unbeaten start to their first Premier League season with a goalless draw against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

The Eagles had the better of the chances in Patrick Vieira’s first home game in charge, with debutant Conor Gallagher hitting the inside of the post early on.

Captain James McArthur then saw a curling effort from the edge of the box tipped away by David Raya after the break as the Eagles pushed for a breakthrough.

The best opportunity for Thomas Frank’s Brentford, who beat Arsenal in their opening game last weekend, came when Bryan Mbeumo’s free-kick from out wide clipped the top of the crossbar.

For Crystal Palace, this game was always likely to be a more accurate guide to the early progress made under Vieira than last weekend’s defeat at European champions Chelsea.

On this evidence, effort and commitment are not in doubt, but the Eagles lack a killer instinct in front of goal.

Vieira is looking to impose a new, more progressive style of play and called for his side to be “really brave” on the ball against Brentford, deploying an attacking-looking 4-3-3 formation with Christian Benteke recalled as the central striker.

Their cause was helped by a raucous welcome from the crowd and perhaps buoyed by that boisterous welcome, Palace made the better start, harrying Brentford when they were in possession and going close through Gallagher, who put in an all-action display.

However, their attacking threat waned as the game wore on, allowing Brentford to regain some control.

It was perhaps little surprise that the home side’s best chance after the break came from an effort from distance, with McArthur, a captain in absence of Luka Milivojevic, firing in an effort that was superbly tipped over by Raya.

In contrast to Palace’s summer of change, Brentford has largely picked up where they left off last season, with Frank keeping faith with the majority of the players who secured promotion from the Championship.

He named an unchanged starting XI from last weekend’s raucous win against Arsenal, but they offered little attacking threat in the opening stages, although Ivan Toney went close with a snapshot from distance.

After that uncertain start, the Bees grew into the game and ended the half on top, with Mbeumo’s free-kick clipping the bar and Frank Onyeka having a fizzing effort from distance saved by Vicente Guaita.

Toney remained their greatest threat in the second half, twice going close with headers from corners, while they rarely looked like conceding at the other end.

A return of four points and two clean sheets represents a fine start to what is their first top-flight campaign for 74 years.

In Other News – Leeds United 2 – 2 Everton

Raphinha came to Leeds’ rescue with a superb curling finish to rescue a point against Leedsin the club’s first home Premier League game with a full stadium in 17 years.

Leeds United 2 - 2 Leeds

The Brazilian, who scored home and away against the Toffees last season, struck with 18 minutes remaining of a pulsating, ferocious and closely contested match played out to near-constant noise from the stands. learn more

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Nigerian soccer fans confident of AFCON win

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Nigerian soccer fans

Soccer fans in Nigeria have expressed their confidence that the Super Eagles will win the Africa Cup of Nations tournament.

The Nigerian team qualified for the finals after defeating South Africa in the semi-final round of the competition. They face hosts Ivory Coast for the last game of the tournament today.

This will be the second match between both teams. The elephants of Ivory Coast suffered a 1- 0 defeat in their encounter with the Super Eagles at the group stage. Nigerian soccer fans say they are confident that the team will also win the final game.

Moshood Olatunji says, “We’re taking the cup. We’re not bragging and we’re not being pretentious and we’re not underestimating any group. But I think the Nigerian team started slow and they really worked as a team. The thing they had that I could see was the teamwork. They play for each other, they’re not playing for the coach, they’re actually playing for each other as a team. And I think if they carry that attitude into the finals, there’s no stopping us.”

Maxwell Ogbaje says, “I’m not surprised that we got to where we are today. We actually have a strong team. We have been at our best. It’s not just by chance, people see it that the one zero, one zero has always been a lucky thing, but it’s not. There’s actually good effort from the team that has brought that success.”

“Let them keep doing what they are doing especially the back 5. It’s a fantastic tactic that the coach Peseiro has been able to knock the boys with, so they should do what they do. They should be tight behind and they should take their chances. They should hit them on the counter and I believe if they are able to do that and they stay together, then Nigeria will be able to carry the day,” says Sam Maimagani.

It’s the eighth time Nigeria has made it to the finals in the Africa Cup of Nations and the 4th for Ivory Coast.

Nigeria is already a three-time winner of the Africa Cup of Nations and a triumph in today’s encounter will make it the 4th in 10 years.

A win for Ivory Coast will make them a three-time champion of the AFCON. Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu is expected to be at the game today to cheer the Super Eagles to victory.

Source: SABC

In other news – Phelo Bala’s father has passed away

His death was announced by his stepson and musician Loyiso Bala on Saturday, 10 February on his social media platforms. Jafta died this morning in the hospital.

The Bala Family

The Bala Family is deeply saddened to announce the passing of our beloved father, Sebenzile Jafta. He departed this morning. Read more

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Bayern Munich wins 11th straight Bundesliga title

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Bayern

Bayern Munich leapfrogged rivals Borussia Dortmund to clinch their 11th consecutive Bundesliga title in a last-day drama in German football on Saturday, May 27.

In a climactic season finale, Bayern Munich ended up celebrating an unexpected title win while Dortmund’s dream of their first league trophy since 2012 was left in tatters following a 2-2 draw with Mainz.

Dortmund were leading by two points before their last match for the season but were held to a 2-2 draw at home by Mainz on Saturday, allowing Bayern to finish in first place with a goal difference.

RB Leipzig and sensational Union Berlin are third and fourth respectively and will also compete in the Champions League next season.

Hertha Berlin and Schalke 04 have been relegated, while VfB Stuttgart will go into the relegation playoff.

In other news – Celine Dion cancels 2023-2024 shows over health

Last year Celine Dion revealed that she was suffering from a rare neurological disorder. The Pop icon on Friday canceled all her remaining shows scheduled for 2023-2024, saying she was not strong enough to tour as she battles a rare neurological disorder.

Last year the 55-year-old Canadian singer revealed that she was suffering from the rare medical condition that was affecting her singing. Learn More

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India look to next generation at Women’s T20 World Cup

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Women's T20 World Cup

India is looking to a new generation of talented young cricketers led by teenage batter Shafali Verma to propel them to a first Women’s T20 World Cup title this month. Long-serving skipper Mithali Raj and record-breaking fast bowler Jhulan Goswami, trailblazers for women’s cricket in India, both retired last year.

New captain Harmanpreet Kaur said both players are still on hand to give advice, but it is time to look forward. Whenever we need they are always available to us, that’s what you expect from senior players,” the 33-year-old told a recent press conference.

“Nobody can fill their places, but the young girls who are getting the chances are doing well. One of the players who has grabbed her chance is Verma, an attacking opening batter who led India to victory in the inaugural U19 T20 World Cup in South Africa last month.

The 19-year-old will be back on familiar ground for the T20 World Cup, which is again in South Africa. It starts on February 10 and India are chasing a breakthrough first title, having been runners-up behind hosts Australia in the last edition, in 2020. Their first match is against arch-rivals Pakistan on February 12 in Cape Town.

Verma made her international debut at the age of just 15 and was in the team that reached the T20 World Cup final in 2020.

She also played in the one-day World Cup and was a member of the Indian side which took silver at last year’s Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

The youngster looks up to big-hitting England batsman Liam Livingstone for inspiration and considers Indian great Sachin Tendulkar a role model. After captaining India to victory in the U19 World Cup, Verma said: “This is just the beginning.”

“When I entered the Under-19s, I only focused on winning the Under-19 Cup and we have won that today,” ESPNCricinfo quoted her as saying. I will look to take this winning confidence with me and win the senior World Cup.”

Besides Verma, the India team also includes Smriti Mandhana, Richa Ghosh, Deepti Sharma and Renuka Singh. The women’s game is making inroads in the cricket-mad country, with the inaugural Women’s Premier League set for March, ahead of the men’s IPL.

Last month, India’s cricket board auctioned off five women’s IPL teams for $572.5 million. The new generation “are ready to be the representatives of the modern generation of women’s cricketers”, cricket journalist Sharda Ugra told AFP.

“The women’s IPL is going to start and they are the perfect representation of the kind of Indian women cricketers that belong to the T20 generation. They have the right mindset and they are very, very talented.

Source: eNCA

In other news – Idols SA canceled after 21 years

Idols SA is reportedly coming to an end after 21 years of entertainment. Phil Mphela, an entertainment commentator announced the latest development about the show on Twitter.

Idols SA

After 21 years, #IdolsSA will be bowing out of our screens. The show has been renewed for a 19th season, which will be the show’s final season,” he wrote. Learn more

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