Author: Bernard Okumu

South Africa are through to the last 16 after claiming their first Women’s World Cup win with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Italy in Wellington.

Thembi Kgatlana’s 92nd-minute winner proved the difference after Italy fought back to level with an Arianna Caruso header.

A draw would have been enough to take Italy into the knockout rounds.

South Africa will play Group E winners the Netherlands on Sunday.

After earning a first World Cup point in their 2-2 draw with Argentina, South Africa have shown significant progress from their debut appearance at the tournament in 2019, when they lost all three group matches.

There were scenes of jubilation for the South Africa players when the final whistle confirmed they had made history for their nation.

With a win certain to guarantee their place in the knockout rounds, Italy got off to the perfect start when they were awarded a penalty as Karabo Dhlamini caught the heels of teenager Chiara Beccari.

Referee Maria Carvajal awarded a free-kick, but a swift video assistant referee intervention concluded the foul had been committed inside the penalty area and Caruso calmly converted from the spot to put Italy in command of their World Cup future.

However, South Africa were gifted a leveller as Benedetta Orsi, playing her first World Cup match, was left red-faced when she hit a no-look back pass to an unexpectant Francesca Durante and it rolled into her own net.

Desiree Ellis’ side burst into the lead when Kgatlana slipped a clever ball through the Italy defence to put Hildah Magaia through on goal and she lifted it over Durante.

VAR seemed like it may have come to South Africa’s rescue when Caruso equalised from a corner, but after a lengthy delay the goal was given.

Italy hearts were broken when Magaia stepped through the defence and squared it Kgatlana, who made no mistake in finding the back of the net.

Lauren James produced a sensational individual performance as England entertained to sweep aside China 6-1 and book their place in the last 16 of the Women’s World Cup as group winners.

It was a display worthy of their status as European champions and James once again lit the stage alight in Adelaide with two sensational goals and three assists.

The 13,497 in attendance were treated to a masterclass from Chelsea’s James, who announced her arrival at the World Cup with the match-winner against Denmark on Friday.

She helped England get off to the perfect start when she teed up Alessia Russo for the opener, and later slipped the ball through to Lauren Hemp to coolly place it into the bottom corner.

It was largely one-way traffic as England dominated and overwhelmed, James striking it first time into the corner from the edge of the box to make it 3-0 before another stunning finish was ruled out by video assistant referee (VAR) for offside in the build-up.

China knew they were heading out of the tournament unless they responded, so they came out with more aggression in the second half, unnerving England slightly when Shuang Wang scored from the penalty spot after VAR picked up a handball by defender Lucy Bronze.

But James was not done yet – she volleyed Jess Carter’s deep cross past helpless goalkeeper Yu Zhu for England’s fourth before substitute Chloe Kelly and striker Rachel Daly joined the party.

England, who had quietly gone about their business in the group stages, will have raised eyebrows with this performance before their last-16 match against Nigeria on Monday.

China are out of the competition after Denmark beat Haiti to finish in second place in Group D.

Over one hundred students from various secondary schools in Mandera are readying themselves for the regional term two secondary school games scheduled this week in Wajir County.

According to Ibrahim Hillow, the North Eastern chairman for Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association, the county will be represented by two girls’ and three boys’ secondary schools.

The five schools  emerged victorious during the  three-day Mandera county school games championship. The schools are:  Mandera Secondary, Elwak Boys and Girls Secondaries, Banisa Mixed, and Moi Girls Secondary School.

The schools battled for honours in football, volleyball, basketball, netball, and racket, .

While challenging the schools to do their best in regional games Hillow urged the county government to support the schools and individual students who show exceptional abilities in sports.

During the boys football final  Mandera Secondary School beat  Lafey Boys 1-0.

Mandera Girls Secondary School emerged as overall winners coming home with four trophies and 26 medals after clinching victories in four out of five games.

Mandera Secondary School, not only receiving Kshs 30,000 but also 23 medals and 2 trophies, demonstrated their athletic prowess, while Elwak Secondary School proudly took home 12 medals.

Banisa Mixed, having triumphed in volleyball, was awarded one trophy and 12 medals for their impressive performance.

The Republic of Ireland ended their first World Cup with a 0-0 draw with Nigeria, who progressed to the last-16 and could face England.

The result, coupled with Australia’s win over Canada, meant the Super Falcons, the lowest-ranked side in Group B, qualified in second place at the expense of the Olympic champions.

In a low-key encounter in Brisbane, the Nigerians came closest to making the breakthrough when Courtney Brosnan pushed Uchenna Kanu’s header on to the crossbar with a stunning save.

Nigeria will face the winners of Group D in Brisbane, which could be England if they draw with or beat China on Tuesday.