ALG : Villarreal se renseigne sur Boudaoui

L’international algérien Hicham Boudaoui suscite l’intérêt de Villarreal. Selon le média français Foot Mercato, le club espagnol a récemment pris des renseignements sur la situation du milieu de terrain avec l’OGC Nice, en vue d’un éventuel passage à l’action durant ce mercato estival. Les dirigeants du « Sous-marin jaune » suivraient avec attention le profil du joueur de 26 ans, dont les qualités auraient retenu leur attention. Arrivé à Nice en 2019 en provenance du Paradou AC, Boudaoui entame une période importante de son aventure avec le club azuréen. djcc.club

Son contrat court en effet jusqu’en juin 2027, une situation qui pourrait pousser les dirigeants niçois à envisager une vente cet été afin d’éviter de prendre le risque de le voir partir libre à l’issue de la prochaine saison. Devenu au fil des années un élément important de l’effectif niçois, l’Algérien affiche une solide expérience du championnat français. En près de sept ans sous les couleurs du Gym, il a disputé 207 rencontres et inscrit 14 buts. L’intérêt de Villarreal pourrait ainsi ouvrir une nouvelle perspective dans la carrière du milieu algérien

L’article ALG : Villarreal se renseigne sur Boudaoui est apparu en premier sur Foot Afrique.

Springbok hooker Johan Grobbelaar said his team’s performance was far from perfect in their one-off Test in Buenos Aires on Saturday.

But the hard-fought 17-10 victory against a determined Argentina at home laid a foundation to build on for South Africa’s four Tests against New Zealand in the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series.

Springboks under par against Argentina

Argentina’s young side, which featured four debutants in the absence of several stars, capitalised on a slew of Springbok errors, especially in the first half.

South Africa was dismally poor in the aerial contest, made handling errors, lost scrum penalties, and were bumped off in tackles. They only started to improved when the bomb squad came on after 50 minutes, and they re-adjusted their kicking game plan.

In the end, one score was the difference as the Springbok defence held fast when it mattered.

The result extended South Africa’s winning streak over the South American nation to four games, as well as their unbeaten run at the venue going back to 1993.

“It was a massive grind,” Grobbelaar said.

“It was always going to be difficult. I’m glad we go the win at the end. The Argies, they never go away.

“We had to fight for it right until the end. It could have easily been a draw.”

He referred to Argentina’s 15-phase attack at the death, when they looked certain to score before a knock-on just in front of the try line.

‘We’ll build on it’

While Grobbelaar’s long-range lineouts were iffy, he was one of the better Springboks on the day.

His throw-ins were otherwise good, and he busied himself in the loose, getting stuck into the action all over the field.

Still, he was straightforward about his own performance. “Not perfect. A few mistakes, but we’ll build on it,” he said simply.

The Springboks now have a week off before preparation begins for the four-Test series against the All Blacks, starting in Johannesburg on 22 August.

By then, the visiting side would have played against the Sharks and Bulls, after already beating the Stormers 38-21 in Cape Town on Friday.

“We always knew this one [Argentina Test] was going to be very big to prepare ourselves for the coming Tests, and start implementing the plan we want to take in [to that series]. It was a massive game for us.

“Well done to the guys. I think everyone was zoomed in 100% on Argentina. That was the big focus for the week. So I’m glad we got the win. We are going to build on that for the next couple of games.”

Head coach Frans Steyn says the Cheetahs need to be switched on from the start after snatching a last-gasp Currie Cup win at Athlone Stadium on Sunday.

Faf de Klerk’s 80th-minute try, the result of a 29-phase attacking play, secured a 31-26 victory over the Stormers XXIII. It boosted the Cheetahs to second on the table and level with defending champions Griquas with three rounds left before the semi-finals.

The Free Staters face the winless Bulls XV in Pretoria next Sunday, and speaking post-match, Steyn admitted his men were slow out the blocks before digging deep for the W.

“We were a bit asleep at the beginning,” Steyn said. “One day, I just want to have fun while I’m in the coaches’ box – I’m getting old and fat!

RECAP: Fantastic Faf snatches victory for Cheetahs

“But that last sequence at the end, it shows what this jersey means to us, and hopefully we can keep going.

“Since I’ve been with the Cheetahs, we weren’t able to go week in, week out, and we had a few good shifts now. That’s the biggest thing.”

Steyn credited his troops’ preparation for helping them absorb Stormers pressure, the visitors twice holding up the hosts over the tryline in the opening exchanges.

“Some people might think it’s luck, but if you have 150kg forwards coming at you, we adapt,” he said. “We want to be a team that plays with the ball at a high tempo; today it didn’t work out like that.”

Despite their strong log position, Steyn was quick to temper expectations.

MORE: Cheetahs get investment from Gayton’s son

“If anybody told us after four rounds we’d be tied at the top, we would have taken it. But we haven’t played the best rugby and for us to be able to win this thing, we need to be switched on from the first minute, so there’s a lot of work to do.”

Steyn also provided an update on veteran fullback Clayton Blommetjies, who was carted off the field following a heavy collision late in the match.

“I think it’s just a concussion. I still need to confirm with the doctor… He’s on his feet, so that’s good.”

The former Springbok, too, applauded the Stormers’ junior structures that produced such a competitive clash.

“I don’t know if we thought it was going to be easier because of the weather, but the Stormers put in a massive effort and lots of respect for what they do here,” he added.

ICYMI: Vowles hails Sharks’ KwaMashu grit.

Photo: Cole Cruickshank/Gallo Images

The post Steyn feeling old after Cheetahs fightback appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.

Le Malawi continue d’écrire l’histoire. Pour sa toute première participation à la Coupe d’Afrique des nations féminine, la sélection des Scorchers a décroché son billet pour les demi-finales après avoir battu le Ghana (2-1), ce dimanche 9 août. Ce résultat lui permet également de se qualifier pour la Coupe du monde 2027 au Brésil.

Le Ghana avait pourtant parfaitement lancé la rencontre. Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah a ouvert le score dès la 7e minute d’une belle reprise de volée, profitant d’un centre en retrait. Mais la réaction malawite n’a pas tardé. Temwa Chawinga a remis les deux équipes à égalité quelques instants plus tard, avec l’aide de Kusi, qui a dévié le ballon dans son propre but (12e).

Après une première période équilibrée, les deux équipes ont continué à se livrer un véritable duel au retour des vestiaires. Le Ghana a même cru reprendre l’avantage, mais son but a été refusé pour une position de hors-jeu après intervention de la VAR.

Le Malawi a finalement fait la différence à la 79e minute. Rose Kadzere a parfaitement exploité une passe de Temwa Chawinga pour éliminer son adversaire et inscrire le but de la victoire d’une frappe du gauche.

Malgré une fin de match sous pression, les Scorchers ont résisté aux dernières offensives ghanéennes. Elles décrochent ainsi la première demi-finale de CAN de leur histoire et, surtout, une qualification inédite pour le Mondial 2027.

Le Malawi poursuit donc son incroyable parcours continental et attend désormais de connaître son prochain adversaire dans le dernier carré.

The post CAN féminine 2026 : le Malawi réalise un double exploit face au Ghana appeared first on AfricaFootUnited.

Head coach Frans Steyn says the Cheetahs need to be switched on from the start after snatching a last-gasp Currie Cup win at Athlone Stadium on Sunday.

Faf de Klerk’s 80th-minute try, the result of a 29-phase attacking play, secured a 31-26 victory over the Stormers XXIII. It boosted the Cheetahs to second on the table and level with defending champions Griquas with three rounds left before the semi-finals.

The Free Staters face the winless Vodacom Bulls XV in Pretoria next Sunday, and speaking post-match, Steyn admitted his men were slow out the blocks before digging deep for the W.

RECAP: Fantastic Faf snatches victory for Cheetahs

“We were a bit asleep at the beginning,” Steyn said. “One day, I just want to have fun while I’m in the coaches’ box – I’m getting old and fat!

“But that last sequence at the end, it shows what this jersey means to us, and hopefully we can keep going.

“Since I’ve been with the Cheetahs, we weren’t able to go week in, week out, and we had a few good shifts now. That’s the biggest thing.”

Steyn credited his troops’ preparation for helping them absorb Stormers pressure, the visitors twice holding up the hosts over the tryline in the opening exchanges.

“Some people might think it’s luck, but if you have 150kg forwards coming at you, we adapt,” he said. “We want to be a team that plays with the ball at a high tempo; today it didn’t work out like that.”

MORE: Cheetahs get investment from Gayton’s son

Despite their strong log position, Steyn was quick to temper expectations.

“If anybody told us after four rounds we’d be tied at the top, we would have taken it. But we haven’t played the best rugby and for us to be able to win this thing, we need to be switched on from the first minute, so there’s a lot of work to do.”

Steyn also provided an update on veteran fullback Clayton Blommetjies, who was carted off the field following a heavy collision late in the match.

“I think it’s just a concussion. I still need to confirm with the doctor … He’s on his feet, so that’s good.”

ICYMI: Vowles hails Sharks’ KwaMashu grit

The former Springbok, too, applauded the Stormers’ junior structures that produced such a competitive clash.

“I don’t know if we thought it was going to be easier because of the weather, but the Stormers put in a massive effort and lots of respect for what they do here,” he added.

Photo: Cole Cruickshank/Gallo Images

The post Steyn feeling old after Cheetahs fightback appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.