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Français (Afrique)2027 AFCON: Mafoso says Seychelles were aggressive against Lesotho
Lesotho national team coach Bob Mafoso has explained how Seychelles suffocated his team into a goalless draw in Thursday’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) preliminary round qualifying match.
The islanders, faced with a lack of a certified home venue back home, hosted Likuena at Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein, South Africa in the preliminary round first leg match.
AFCON 2027 Qualifiers Update
Lesotho were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by Seychelles in the first leg of their preliminary round clash in Bloemfontein.
Likuena dominated but couldn’t find the breakthrough, while Seychelles put up a solid defensive display to earn a valuable… pic.twitter.com/jYSm0F6AcA
— Football Intel Africa (@_footballintel) March 26, 2026
Seychelles, playing to their strength, came up with a suffocating game-plan that left Lesotho with the ball but with nothing much to do with it.
How Lesotho tried to manage Seychelles aggression
In a post-match interview with the Lesotho Football Association, Mafoso credited the result to the hosts’ defensive solidity.
“It was a 90 minutes I would say where we controlled most phases, he said. “In the first 20 minutes we had the ball, we had the spaces to play into and they were a bit aggressive with transitions.”
Having struggled with Seychelles game-plan, the Lesotho coach noted improvements from his charges.
Mafoso said: “We managed to control their transitions and aggressions. Then from there, we controlled the game until the end of the first half. It was played in their defensive third but it was too compact. We were not patient enough. We rushed some of the decisions.
“We had a chance and if we had scored, they could have at least not have played in their box. It was a game where the home team defended very well with their numbers. I feel that one or two decisions could have helped us to win especially against a team playing in such a low block and you know you won’t have many opportunities because of the discipline of the home team.”
What next now between Lesotho and Seychelles?
Now it is the turn of Lesotho to host Seychelles on March 31 at the same venue in the reverse fixture.
The overall winner between Lesotho and Seychelles will secure a spot in the group phase of the AFCON finals which Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya will co-host in 2027.
A previous meeting with Seychelles in the preliminary round of the 2023 AFCON qualifiers, saw Likuena advance to the next stage via a 3-1 aggregate score.
Lions back duo to slay Dragons
The Lions are entrusting two talented players to step up in the absence of two Springboks when they host the Dragons at Ellis Park on Saturday.
As expected, Bok scrumhalf Morné van den Berg misses out due to a leg injury sustained against Edinburgh last week and is replaced in the starting lineup by 23-year-old Nico Steyn with Haashim Pead on the bench.
The Lions also confirmed on Friday that Springbok prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye is absent this weekend due to his Saids (South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport hearing, which is currently underway.
Ntlabakanye, who tested positive for a banned substance last year, did not train with the team this week, so his No 3 jersey is taken by 22-year-old RF Schoeman.
MORE: Lions to unleash ‘wild dog’ on Dragons
There are also changes to the second row, with Etienne Oosthuizen returning from illness to partner Reinhard Nothnagel, who replaces Darrien Landsberg.
The Lions remained seventh on the Vodacom URC log after beating Edinburgh 54-17 last weekend, while the Dragons’ 29-21 loss to the Stormers left them languishing in 15th.
AFRICA PICKS: URC Round 14 – Betting preview
LIONS – 15 Quan Horn, 14 Angelo Davids, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Bronson Mills, 11 Erich Cronjé, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Nico Steyn, 8 Francke Horn, 7 Ruan Venter, 6 Siba Mahashe, 5 Reinhard Nothnagel, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 RF Schoeman, 2 PJ Botha, 1 SJ Kotze.
Bench: 16 Morné Brandon, 17 Eddie Davids, 18 Sebastian Lombard, 19 Ruan Delport, 20 Batho Hlekani, 21 Renzo du Plessis, 22 Haashim Pead, 23 Richard Kriel.
Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images
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La Croix-Rouge burkinabè dresse le bilan d'une réponse humanitaire majeure face aux déplacements de populations
Réunis à Banfora ce jeudi 26 mars 2026, acteurs humanitaires, autorités administratives et partenaires techniques et financiers ont passé en revue les résultats d'une intervention d'urgence menée au profit des populations déplacées. Portée par la Croix-Rouge burkinabè avec l'appui de ses partenaires, cette action a permis de toucher des milliers de personnes vulnérables.
C'est dans un contexte national marqué par la persistance des défis humanitaires que s'est tenu à Banfora l'atelier bilan du DREF (Disaster Relief Emergency Fund, ou Fonds d'urgence pour les secours en cas de catastrophe) « Mouvements de populations ». Cette rencontre a constitué un cadre d'échanges, de redevabilité et de capitalisation des acquis autour des actions mises en œuvre dans les régions affectées.
Au cours des travaux, il est ressorti que 1 376 ménages, soit 8 895 personnes, ont bénéficié d'une assistance multisectorielle couvrant des domaines essentiels tels que la sécurité alimentaire, les abris, l'eau, l'hygiène et l'assainissement (WASH), la santé, la nutrition, ainsi que la protection et l'engagement communautaire.
Dans le détail, 1 176 ménages ont reçu une assistance alimentaire, tandis que 1 100 ménages ont été appuyés en abris et articles ménagers essentiels, avec la construction de 650 abris d'urgence et la distribution de kits adaptés. Parallèlement, des actions WASH ont permis d'améliorer les conditions d'hygiène et de prévenir les maladies hydriques au sein des communautés bénéficiaires.
Les interventions en santé et nutrition ont touché 7 584 personnes et ont inclus des activités de soutien psychosocial. Une attention particulière a également été portée à la protection, avec la distribution de kits de dignité à 1 100 femmes et jeunes filles, renforçant ainsi l'approche genre et inclusion. Au-delà des statistiques, les participants à l'atelier ont mis en lumière l'impact humain de cette intervention. Les témoignages recueillis sur le terrain illustrent des conditions de vie améliorées et une dignité restaurée pour de nombreuses familles.
Dans son allocution, le conseiller technique du gouverneur, Mamadou Traoré, a salué « une initiative importante d'échanges et d'analyse », soulignant que les actions menées « répondent à un besoin réel exprimé par les populations » et accompagnent les efforts du gouvernement. Le secrétaire général de la Croix-Rouge burkinabè, Lazare W. Zoungrana, a, pour sa part, insisté sur la portée humaine de l'intervention : « Au-delà des chiffres, il y a des vies soulagées, des familles soutenues et une dignité préservée. »
Mise en œuvre avec l'appui technique et financier de la Fédération internationale des Sociétés de la Croix-Rouge et du Croissant-Rouge (FICR) et de la Croix-Rouge de Monaco, cette initiative a été présentée comme l'une des illustrations de la force de la solidarité humanitaire. À l'issue de cet atelier, les acteurs ont unanimement souligné la volonté d'inscrire davantage les interventions dans une dynamique de relèvement et de renforcement de la résilience, afin d'accompagner durablement les communautés affectées.
FIFA Series: Poor defending undoes Cape Verde; Wydad star sparks Bolivia in WC qualifying
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.
— 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.
— 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.
Ackers backs Vorster, Gans to give midfield bite
Johan Ackermann has lifted the lid on his key selection calls ahead of their crunch Vodacom URC clash against Munster at Loftus.
The biggest talking point is a rejig in the midfield, with Harold Vorster returning, Stedman Gans shifting to outside centre, and Canan Moodie moving back to the wing.
“There are a few reasons. Harold played well before the concussion so he obviously deserves his position. We also feel that Stedman has been playing well and gives us the option of playing at 13, and Canan is also one of the world’s best wingers as well as 13, so he’s proven himself. He just shifts out. Cheswil [Jooste] is still in his process of learning and developing. It’s a massive game for us before we go in tour, so we just felt it gives us a little more experience and stability.”
TEAM: Bulls back Willie for Munster clash
Ackermann admitted that strong competition within the squad continues to make selection a balancing act.
“The loosies make it difficult. If you look at the team, Juandré [Rudolph] isn’t even in the team and that’s the difficult part of coaching. Here and there we’ve tried to rotate, but the core of the team we’ve tried to keep as far as possible just to build that continuity.
“The reality is we have to rotate, and much of what determines rotation is how we want to play given our opposition. It’s not a perfect science and sometimes changes are forced on you.”
Looking to Saturday, the Bulls boss expects a fired-up Munster outfit, regardless of their blanking at hands of the Sharks in Durban last weekend.
ALSO: Season over for Bok big gun
“They’ll be highly motivated and will be coming out with an intensity and a determination that we expect. Regardless of the result against the Sharks, if you look at their history, Munster is one of the most consistent URC teams and in Europe, so I think they’ll come to set things right.
“Tactically, they have the ability to string several phases together and to shift the ball to the edges, so our defence will have to be sharp. We’re also expecting their nine and ten – who’ve just returned from international rugby – will do a lot of tactical kicking so we’ll have to be good at dealing with that as well.”
AFRICA PICKS: URC Round 14 – Betting preview
Photo: Anton Geyser/Gallo Images
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