SPORTS
UNITED STATES: Serena Williams in tears after Australia Open semifinal defeat
America’s Serena Williams lost in two sets (6-3, 6-4) on Thursday to Japan’s Naomi Osaka in the Australian Open semi-final. She was very moved in the post-game press conference.
Is it retirement time for Serena Williams? The question deserves to be asked in the light of his deep emotion as he greets the audience after his defeat in the semi-final of the Australian Open. Serena Williams greeted the crowd one last time before laying her hand on her heart as a sign of farewell.
She then showed no complacency with her game at the post-game press conference. “I made so many mistakes today (24 direct mistakes for only 12 winning points). Honestly, I had opportunities, I could have led 5-0 (in the first set). I just made so many mistakes and especially direct mistakes in forehand! It was a big problem for me today.I felt good, I felt my shots. I hit this whole tournament. I made too many mistakes on easy things. It’s not like it’s at the end of a race, a long exchange,” said the youngest of the Williams sisters.
What about greeting the crowd? She was evasive. “I don’t know. The Australian audience is so amazing. It was nice to find him», replied the tenniswoman. About her possible retirement, Serena Williams was very clear. “If I ever said goodbye, I wouldn’t tell anyone,” she said. The American then broke down by melting in tears and interrupting her face-to-face with the journalists. A sequence that greatly moved the Internet users.
Serena Williams has played 986 games in her career, including 414 in the Grand Slam and 105 at the Australian Open. She has won 23 Grand Slam titles. She is the second most sacred player in women’s tennis history, just behind the legend Margaret Smith Court and her 24 crowns.
The African Football Confederation (CAF) has just unveiled the emblem and the official poster of the Women’s African Nations Cup TotalEnergies, Morocco 2024. A symbolic launch that embodies the renewal and growing ambition of women’s football in Africa.
This is a new milestone for African women’s football. This Wednesday, JUNE 11, 2025, the CAF revealed the visual identity of the Women’s African Nations Cup TotalEnergies, which will be held in Morocco from July 5 to 26, 2025. Through this modern and powerful emblem, the CAF intends to reflect the growing prestige of the tournament, while paying tribute to the cultural richness of the host country, Morocco, and the diversity of women’s football on the continent.
Morocco, the host country of the previous edition in 2022, had already made an impression by hosting a high-caliber competition, crowned by record attendance and an internationally acclaimed organization. The 2025 edition therefore promises to take things up a notch, both in terms of sports and media.
Photo credit: cafonline
SPORTS
SENEGAL – Awa Naar Fall takes over the leadership of the African Confederation of Football Skating
In Trabzon, Turkey, the World Cup of Football Skating is in full swing and Senegal is making a splash. But this time, it’s not just on the pitch that the Teranga Lions shine. Awa Naar Fall, president of the Senegalese Roller Soccer Federation, won a major victory as president of the African Confederation of Football Skating. With a skilful strategy, she has managed to outperform candidates of impressive profile, thus marking a historic turning point for this discipline in Africa. News that, hopefully, bodes well for Senegal in this global competition.
Awa Fall “don’t fall”
At this 2024 World Cup in Turkey, the players of skating football also organized the election of the presidency of the African Confederation. In the face of fierce competition, Awa Naar Fall did not race after this victory like a ball does, but she proved her ability to climb to the top through experience and commitment. Founder of “My Club Roller” in 2002, she has established herself as a key figure in roller soccer in Senegal. Under his leadership, the country has become a true continental power, accumulating more international trophies than any other African country.
What is roller soccer?
The sport of speed, balance and strategy, roller soccer was born in the 1990s in San Francisco and arrived in Africa a decade later. Played on a handball field, this sport is halfway between football and ice hockey. Introduced in Senegal in 2015, it has quickly flourished there, allowing the country to establish itself as the African leader of the discipline in less than ten years.
Despite its success, roller soccer remains underreported in Africa. As president of the African Confederation, Awa Naar Fall wants to reverse this trend. It aims to professionalize the discipline by strengthening local federations, developing adapted infrastructures and training coaches. It also plans to host more pan-African competitions, giving African athletes a platform to compete internationally. To do this, it relies on increased support from governments, media and sponsors to stimulate public interest.
Senegal ignites the World Cup
On the pitch, Senegal impressed at this 2024 World Cup. Placed in Group E, the Lions crushed India 15-1 before beating DRC 1-0. In the semi-finals, they beat Kenya 3-1 to qualify for the quarter-finals where they will face the United Arab Emirates. Driven by this momentum and the leadership of Awa Naar Fall, all hopes are allowed to bring the cup back to Africa.
Awa Naar Fall, an example for women
The election of Awa Naar Fall as president of the African Confederation of Football Skating is a strong signal. It illustrates the growing role of women in an African sports landscape still dominated by men. With boldness and determination, Awa Naar Fall shows that it is possible to break the norms and open new perspectives for future generations.
Yamoussoukro, December 26, 2023- After an impregnation visit of the Charles Konan-Banny stadium in Yamoussoukro, Tuesday, December 26, 2023, the Prime Minister, Minister of Sport and Living Environment, Robert Beugré Mambé, said reassured. The stadium, he said, is ready to host Group C matches from Senegal, Cameroon, Guinea and The Gambia.
‘What we have seen is reassuring. Technically, from the equipment point of view, we are ready at the Yamoussoukro stadium. But we will remain vigilant until the end,” said Robert Beugré Mambé.
The Prime Minister called for on-call teams to be set up in all sectors. We will have specialists permanently because Côte d’Ivoire wants to be up to date, in all circumstances, with the expected benefits of this great country. We have given indications that vigilance is needed,’ insisted the Head of Government.
For this visit, which is part of the visits of infrastructure related to the CAN 2023, the Vice-President of the Republic, Tiémoko Meyliet Koné, accompanied by the Prime Minister and other members of the government, visited the host infrastructure, in particular the President’s Hotel where official delegations will stay.
CAN 2023 is scheduled from January 13 to February 11, 2024 in Côte d’Ivoire with 24 teams.
CICG
