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Athletic Bilbao - Inaki Williams: "I think I'm in one of my best moments thanks to this decision"

Athletic Bilbao striker Inaki Williams has spoken out about his decision to join the Ghanaian national team once again.And all we can say is that the player has no regrets about his decision, despite the frustrating AFCON experience with the Black Stars.

"I would never have imagined this. I had to make a decision and I don't regret being able to represent the country of my parents and my family, to go back to my origins, to be able to travel more and see my loved ones in Ghana. It's true that things didn't work out as we'd all hoped, but it's true that on a sporting and personal level, it helped me a lot. In fact, I think I'm in one of my best moments thanks to this decision."

The player who has scored 9 goals this season also spoke about the fight against racism in stadiums. "It's true that La Liga is taking good steps by naming those who commit these insults. Perhaps the players, between all of us, we should help each other a little more, but the sanctions should be severe, so that we can eradicate it as quickly as possible, because soccer is an example for many children. Soccer is a sport of camaraderie and teamwork, and that's what it should convey."

Saudi Pro League: Edouard Mendy stops Al-Ittihad in derby match

In the Jeedah derby, Al-Ahli came out on top against Al-Ittihad (1-0) on the 26th day of the Saudi Pro League. The hero of the match was Edouard Mendy. The Senegalese international goalkeeper put in an outstanding performance. While Karim Benzema and his team-mates had several clear-cut chances, they came up against the talent of the former Chelsea keeper. With 4 decisive saves, he enabled his team to maintain their advantage and win the match. Al-Ahli (3rd, 51 points) moved ahead of Al-Ittihad (4th, 46 points) in the standings.

Futsal AFCON 2024: Morocco unveils its list

Morocco's futsal coach Hicham Dguig, has unveiled the list for the Africa Cup of Nations that the Kingdom will host from April 11 to 21, 2024. The 14 Atlas Lions will defend the national colors on home soil. Morocco is in Group A alongside Angola, Ghana and Zambia. Group B includes Egypt, Libya, Namibia and Mauritania.

Ligue 2: Ibrahim Sissoko scores his 11th goal of the season for Saint-Etienne

AS Saint-Etienne have won for the third time in a row. On Saturday March 30, as part of Ligue 2 matchday 30, the Verts beat Valenciennes and Malian international Ibrahim Sissoko was at the forefront of the game once again. He opened the scoring in the 20th minute, his 11th goal in 26 matches this season. Irvin Cardona rounded off the scoring to propel Les Verts into second place in Ligue 2.

WTA 5000 Charleston: Ons Jabeur confirms her participation

 

Ons Jabeur will kick off her clay-court season in Charleston. The Tunisian has confirmed her participation in the tournament scheduled from April 3 to 7. Africa's top player is seeded no. 2. Jabeur will be looking to bounce back after a disastrous start to the hard-court season. The Madrid Master 1000 winner has already suffered five defeats this season.Worse still, she is unable to string together two wins in a tournament.

 

 CAF CL - 1/4 final first leg: A gloomy evening!

The evening's Champions League quarter-final first leg was a very poor one. The three matches on the program on Saturday March 30 ended in goalless draws.

No winner at Lubumbashi stadium. TP Mazembe and Petro Luanda went out back to back in the first leg of their CAF LDC quarter-final.No goals were scored during the 90 minutes (0-0). All will now be decided in the second leg, scheduled for April 6.

It was also a goalless draw between Young Africans and Mamelodi Sundowns. It was a hard-fought match although Sundowns dominated the game, they came up against a solid Tanzanian defense.

Young Africans had a golden opportunity to open the scoring in the 68th minute. Kennedy Musonda found himself one-on-one with Williams, but the Sundowns keeper made a fine save to save his team. And the score remained level. The South Africans will attempt to qualify for the semi-finals of at Pretoria's Loftus Versfeld stadium.

Another match that ended in a draw was between Esperance de Tunis and Asec Mimosas. Despite 82% possession, the Tunisians were unable to break down the Ivorians, who held out to the end. The two sides will now square off in the second leg of the quarter-finals.

Metz: Oukidja pleads guilty

Metz were outclassed 5-2 by Monaco on Saturday afternoon. Algerian goalkeeper Alexandre Oukidja was guilty of a blunder on the 4-0 goal. He admits his mistake and takes responsibility. "I simply don't know what I'm doing...It put my team on the back foot even though we were already 3-0 down. Tonight, I abandoned my team-mates. I take full responsibility for that mistake. It's a match and a defeat to forget, because it hurts. I'll take the criticism and the insults. But it's more for the kids with us, they're going to have to be mentally tough. But we won't give up," says Oukidja on Prime Vidéo.

Seventeenth and second-bottom in Ligue 1, Metz are more than ever in danger of relegation to Ligue 2.

Diamond League: Faith Kipyegon launches her season in Xiamen on April 20

Faith Kipyegon will kick off her track season in Xiamen on April 20. The Kenyan will take part in the first stage of the Diamond League. The double Olympic champion will compete in her favorite distance, the 1500 m. Kipyegon, a four-time world champion, has not been beaten in a 1,500 m race since 2021. But in Xiaman, she will face stiff competition. She will face 10 women who have run under four minutes, including Ethiopian 10,000 m world champion Gudaf Tsegay, who broke Kipyegon's 5,000 m world record last year.

Diribe Welteji, who beat Kipyegon to the world road mile title in Riga last year, will also be in contention, as will 1,500 m world indoor champion Freweyni Hailu. It's going to be an extremely strong field.

Other African athletics stars will also be in the running. These include Tobi Amusan (100 m hurdles), Hughes Fabrice Zango (triple jump) and Beatrice Chepkoech (steeplechase).

Dortmund: Sébastien Haller fit to face Bayern

Sébastien Haller is available for the clash between Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich scheduled for Saturday March 30. "Jadon Sancho was able to train during the break and Julian Ryerson was also on the training pitch with the national team. We're also pleased to welcome back Seb Haller, who will be available this weekend," announced BVB coach Edin Terzic at a press conference on Thursday March 28. The Ivorian striker has not played a match since his return from the AFCON 2023. He was injured during the final.

 

Frankfurt: Marmoush's price set at €50-60 million

According to Bild, German club Frankfurt have set the price of their Egyptian winger Omar Marmoush between 50 and 60 million euros. The player has seen his value skyrocket, with the brilliant season he's currently having. He is the club's top scorer with 15 goals, and has also provided 6 assists in 33 games. Performances that would not leave several clubs unmoved. Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Arsenal are all said to be interested.