Algérie : Infantino attendu dans les prochains jours !

La visite de Gianni Infantino en Algérie, prévue le 6 avril, s’annonce comme un moment fort pour le football national. Invité par la Fédération algérienne de football et son président Walid Sadi, le patron de la FIFA effectuera une visite officielle de 24 heures, riche en rencontres et en symboles.

The post Algérie : Infantino attendu dans les prochains jours ! appeared first on Football Algérien - DZFOOT.COM.

The Hollywoodbets Sharks side to take on Cardiff in Friday evening’s Vodacom United Rugby Championship clash has a settled look about it as the team look to continue their march towards a top 8 finish.

Head coach JP Pietersen has opted not to tinker too much with the side that smashed Munster last week, adopting the motto: ‘Don’t fix what ain’t broke’ as his sideline up the fifth-placed Welsh for a date at the Tank.

Pietersen has rewarded the pack for their outstanding effort by retaining the same line-up, while two changes have been enacted amongst the backs, Bradley Davids coming in for injured Grant Williams at scrumhalf, while Ethan Hooker is back from family responsibility leave to partner captain Andre Esterhuizen in the midfield.

Something the team will be looking to continue is the sheer joy derived from playing the game they love. Last week, the eruption of jubilation in celebrating a team-mate’s massive milestone and the two tries he scored prove why he is such a valuable member of the side.

And more so, how much of a brotherhood exists in the team.

Emile van Heerden, gave insights from a player’s point of view of what Makazole Mapimpi – playing in his 101st game for the franchise – brings to the team, saying, “He means a lot to South African rugby, not just the Hollywoodbets Sharks, and playing 100 games is something to be celebrated. What made it even sweeter was him scoring two tries at the end.

“We want to make it special when it’s an occasion, be it your 100th game, your 50th or even your first.

“So a big win over Munster was a sweet finish.”

Friday’s match kicks off at 7pm.

Hollywoodbets Sharks
1. Phatu Ganyane
2. Fez Mbatha
3. Hanro Jacobs
4. Jason Jenkins
5. Emile van Heerden
6. Phepsi Buthelezi
7. Vincent Tshituka
8. Nick Hatton
9. Bradley Davids
10. Jordan Hendrikse
11. Makazole Mapimpi
12. Andre Esterhuizen (C)
13. Ethan Hooker
14. Yaw Penxe
15. Luan Giliomee

Replacements
16. Eduan Swart
17. Ox Nche
18. Vincent Koch
19. Corne Rahl
20. Jannes Potgieter
21. Jaden Hendrikse / Ross Braude
22. Jean Smith
23. Le Roux Malan

The post Sharks eyes top eight finish in URC appeared first on SportsClub.

Pour sa première apparition depuis son élimination en quart de finale de la CAN, la sélection nationale affrontera demain soir, à Gênes, le Guatemala dans une réplique amicale où Vladimir Petkovic devrait présenter une équipe new-look.

Avec la perspective de défier un adversaire du calibre de l’Uruguay trois jours plus tard, il paraît, en effet, évident que le sélectionneur national favorisera cette rencontre face à un sans-grade du circuit international comme le Guatemala pour s’adonner aux essais et tester d’éventuelles variantes. Car, avec six nouveaux joueurs à voir de près ou à découvrir, il semble assez entendu que le meilleur moment de les lancer dans le grand bain et de les mettre à l’essai dans les conditions du réel se présentera demain soir, à moins de trois mois de la Coupe du monde 2026.

Les gardiens Melvin Mastil (FC Stade Nyonnais – Suisse) et Kilian Belazzoug (Stade Rennais – France), le défenseur Achraf Abada (USM Alger), le milieu de terrain Adil Aouchiche (Schalke 04 – Allemagne), ainsi que les attaquants Ahmed Benbouali (FC Gyori – Hongrie) et Fares Ghedjemis (Frosinone – Serie B-Italie) découvriraient, ainsi, l’atmosphère d’un match international au sein d’une équipe dont il est beaucoup attendu après les promesses tenues à moitié au Maroc.

Le cadre idéal pour tester les variantes

Une vérité que le quart de finale de Marrakech a livrée et sur lequel penche depuis Vladimir Petkovic avec le souci d’en tirer les enseignements nécessaires et d’apporter des correctifs à tous les compartiments de jeu à travers certains changements qui devraient apporter, demain soir, quelques réponses à certaines questions qui demeurent encore en suspens. Sur le sol italien depuis lundi, les Verts poursuivent, à cet effet, leur préparation avec cette deuxième séance de travail programmée mardi après-midi sur l’un des terrains du centre d’entraînement de la Juventus à Vinovo. Axé principalement sur le travail technico-tactique, cet entraînement collectif a confirmé le forfait pour ce match face au Guatemala du milieu de terrain de l’OGC Nice, toujours souffrant d’un état grippal et qui n’a, du reste, pas pris part à la séance.

L’Uruguay dira tout

Prévoyant une conférence de presse ce matin à partir de 10h00 où il sera accompagné de deux joueurs, comme détaillé par le média channel de la FAF, le coach national Vladimir Petkovic devrait repartir sur les bases du onze qui a triomphé du Congo en huitième de finale de la Coupe d’Afrique des Nations avec, bien entendu, les correctifs dictés par les impératifs du moment. A la lecture de l’équipe qu’il compte lancer en premier, l’on apprendra, d’ailleurs, davantage sur sa conception de la hiérarchie dans les bois et ce qui en ressortira en perspective du Mondial américain, même si Luca Zidane paraît désormais être le plus indiqué pour porter la tunique floquée du 1.

L’on suivra, tout autant, avec curiosité l’alliance offensive que le tacticien bosnien a mise en place, quand bien même il ne faudrait assurément pas prendre la mouture présente sur l’herbe du stade Luigi Ferraris comme définitive vu que c’est, aussi et surtout, le choc face à l’Uruguay qui devrait livrer la véritable pensée du sélectionneur et le résultat final de sa réflexion post-CAN.

-RACHID BELARBI

L’article Algérie – Guatemala : Sceller le processus est apparu en premier sur Foot Afrique.

Exeter Chiefs director of rugby Rob Baxter has dismissed suggestions that Joseph Dweba is struggling to settle in England.

The former Springbok hooker, who joined the Premiership club from the Stormers, has scored five tries in 15 appearances this season but has not featured since the Premiership Cup final defeat to the Leicester Tigers two weeks ago.

His recent absence – including being left out against the Sale Sharks –has fuelled speculation, but Baxter was quick to shut it down.

“I think he misses his family without a doubt. But the plan is that they’ll be over here shortly now. I think they’re coming over this summer. So, there’s absolutely no reason for him not to be settled in more than he is now,” Baxter explained to RugbyPass.

Baxter acknowledged the challenges Dweba has faced off the field, but praised his professionalism.

“I think he’s fitted in really well. It’s clearly not easy. We gave him some additional time, obviously, to make it worth travelling back to South Africa, spending time with his family.

“He got held up, not being able to fly back through the Middle East, because of all the bits and pieces that happened. But, you know, those issues will happen every now and again, but I think Joseph’s handled it really well.

“He’s been very professional about things and how he has to get on with stuff. So, no, he’s dealing with it as best he can. I can only see things improving in that realm, not getting worse.”

SAFFAS ABROAD: Hat-trick hero Faf soars for Eagles

Importantly, Baxter believes Dweba remains a key figure in the Chiefs’ progress this season and expects him back in the mix soon.

“I think he’s been one of the factors in improving large parts of how we played over the season. I think without doubt, I think Joe knows he was a bit off the pace in the Premiership Cup final.

“But he’s back on it now, he’s working hard, doing lots of extras. He’s going to get sharp again, and he’ll be back in the side relatively quickly.”

FULL STORY

Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images

The post Bok hooker backed amid ‘unsettled’ whispers appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.

Uganda’s government is taking decisive steps to address gaps in its sports infrastructure ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), State Minister for Sports Hon Peter Ogwang has said.

Speaking on the CAF inspection of Uganda’s stadiums last month, Ogwang confirmed that the assessment was part of quality control and assurance measures ahead of the tournament.

The inspections focused on Mandela National Stadium (Namboole) and Hoima City Stadium, both earmarked to host matches.

“CAF highlighted a few gaps, particularly at Hoima Stadium. These have been brought to the attention of the contractor, SUMMA, who has since engaged closely with us to address the issues and ensure compliance with CAF standards ahead of the next inspection in August,” Ogwang said.

The CAF report revealed that none of Uganda’s proposed competition stadiums currently meet the Category Four standards required to host AFCON.

The third stadium, Aki-bua Stadium, is still under construction and was not inspected. CAF noted: “The site was not visited during the inspection mission, and therefore its current technical status requires further verification.”

Ogwang highlighted that while Kampala benefits from relatively developed infrastructure, readiness across Hoima and other host locations remains a work in progress.

On training facilities, the CAF report pointed to uneven levels of preparedness, particularly in the Hoima and Kampala clusters. Key challenges include:

• Insufficient number of compliant training grounds in Hoima;
• Pitch rehabilitation requirements;
• Lighting installation and certification (≥500 lux);
• Completion of dressing rooms and technical facilities.

CAF also raised concerns over supporting infrastructure critical to tournament success, such as airports, hotels, and road connectivity.

In particular, the Hoima Airport’s operational readiness, limited high-category hotel capacity, road connections between Kampala and Hoima, and validation of medical and emergency services require attention.

Ogwang reassured the public that the government, together with Kenya and Tanzania under the “East Africa Pamoja” bid, is fully committed to ensuring a successful AFCON 2027 campaign.

He also noted that broader infrastructural challenges outside the Education and Sports sector are being addressed. “The Minister of Education and Sports, Hon Janet Museveni, submitted a cabinet paper securing additional government resources to fill these gaps,” he said.

The minister emphasized that SUMMA is already implementing corrective measures at Hoima Stadium and other areas to satisfy CAF requirements.

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