Coupe du monde 2026 groupe I : Didier Deschamps revient sur l’arrivée…

Arrivée hier à Boston par avion, l’équipe de France a pris ses quartiers à l’hotel Four Seasons à quelques jours de son entrée en Coupe du monde. Le sélectionneur de l’équipe de France Didier Deschamps s’est exprimé quelques heures après au micro d’un des diffuseurs de la compétition en France et évoqué le décalage horaire à absorber pour bien préparer la compétition.

« On va se mettre à l’heure américaine » indique Deschamps

« On a bien voyagé. On a eu une arrivée fluide, simplifiée, car apparemment, il y a beaucoup d’équipes qui ont eu quelques soucis. Cela n’a pas été notre cas. On a pu rejoindre notre camp de base assez rapidement. », a déclaré Deschamps dans un entretien à beIN Sports, un des diffuseurs de la compétition. Un environnement qu’il a déjà eu l’occasion de visiter en mars dernier avec son stafff. « On a des installations et des infrastructures qui sont agréables. Surtout la tranquillité, c’est ce qui est important pour le groupe. On va se mettre à l’heure américaine.(…) c’est une étape de mettre le pied ici. On se rapproche de la compétition. », a-t-il ajouté. Les Bleus entreront en lice, mardi prochain dans le New-Jersey contre le Sénégal pour le premier match de la poule I. newsbetting.bond

The post Coupe du monde 2026 groupe I : Didier Deschamps revient sur l’arrivée des Bleus à Boston appeared first on AfricaFootUnited.

Vodacom Bulls fullback Willie le Roux has proven this season that his experience remains a valuable commodity.

The 36-year-old has been one of South African rugby’s most debated players.

Every missed pass, every risky kick and every error has been dissected. Questions about his place at the highest level have followed him throughout much of his career, even as his trophy cabinet continued to grow.

Now, as the Bulls prepare to face Leinster in next Friday night’s URC final at Croke Park, the veteran fullback finds himself in familiar territory: proving people wrong.

MORE: Bulls locked in on Dublin

Le Roux is no longer the explosive runner who burst onto the scene more than a decade ago. What he offers now is something different, and arguably even more valuable.

That value has been evident throughout the Bulls’ run to another final. While younger stars like Embrose Papier and Cameron Hanekom have grabbed headlines, Le Roux has quietly gone about his business, steering the side through high-pressure moments and delivering the kind of composure only years of experience can bring.

ALSO: Polly resets after ‘terrible’ kicking

He still has the ability to create something out of nothing, like his moment of brilliance in the quarter-final against Munster at Loftus, where his goose step and manipulation of space put winger Kurt-Lee Arendse away for a try.

A moment of magic from Willie le Roux and Kurt-Lee Arendse

Catch the Quarter-Finals, LIVE on SuperSport @Vodacom #URC | #BULvMUN pic.twitter.com/ogRJhPOwhR

— Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial_RSA) May 30, 2026

The criticism has never fully disappeared – it probably never will – but neither has Le Roux.

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS: Farewell to a Leinster legend

A Springbok centurion and one of the game’s great survivors, he heads to Dublin with another opportunity to show that class, vision and rugby intelligence never go out of fashion.

And if the Bulls are to end Leinster’s reign, there is every chance their veteran playmaker will be at the heart of it.

Photo: Anton Geyser/Gallo Images

The post Friday Night Lights: The Bulls’ Grandmaster appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.

South Africa and France produced a blockbuster finish to the opening day of the FIH Men’s Hockey Nations Cup in Cape Town, but it was the relentless European side who finally came away with a deserved 4-2 win.

Watched by a large crowd at the Hartleyvale Stadium, the home team were able to produce two stunning field goals through debutant Kenton Melville and Carlon Mentoor, but they were hurt by the loss of key player Mustaphaa Cassiem in the first quarter with an ankle injury

For much of the game they were a real threat to their higher-ranked opponents before the French team’s slick ability to turn defence into attack paid off as big forward Victor Charlet cashed in with a hat-trick.

France forced four penalty corners after halftime and Charlet’s precise placement eventually made the difference after an opening goal from Corentin Selliers.

SA captain Dayaan Cassiem acknowledged that they had areas in which to improve but also drew some positives from their performance.

“In the first two quarters we showed what we are made of, and I think the quicker we play the ball forward, the better will be,” he said.

“It’s quite difficult losing a player of Mustaphaa’s ability and vision in the midfield, but now the other guys will just have to work a bit harder.”

Earlier Malaysia and Scotland delivered a sizzling start to the tournament, with the Asian side eventually taking control in a convincing 5-2 victory.

The second match of the day between Korea and Japan proved equally dramatic, ending in a 1-1 draw. Japan were denied a last-gasp winner after a video review determined that the final hooter had sounded before the ball crossed the line.

Japan manager Jung Min Jang felt his side had reason to be encouraged despite the disappointment.

“At least we got one point,” he said. “We didn’t start well and it wasn’t a good first half, but we were much better in the second half.

“Going forward, we want to improve our attacking phase and create more opportunities to score goals.”

In the tournament opener, Mohammad Abu Kamal Azrai starred for Malaysia with a hat-trick as they took a 3-1 lead into halftime and repeatedly responded whenever Scotland threatened to fight back.

Malaysia stretched their advantage to 4-1 in the third quarter, and although Scotland reduced the deficit to 4-2 through Andrew McConnell, Azrai completed his treble to ensure there would be no late nerves.

Malaysia’s South African-born coach, Brendan Carolan, was pleased with the result, although he admitted the contest had been closer than the final scoreline suggested.

“We were fortunate to come through that yellow-card period without any damage, and it helped that our penalty-corner defence was very good,” he said.

“If they had converted more of their penalty corner opportunities, it would have been a lot closer.

“But it’s good to get a win in your first game and we know we have some tough matches ahead, including Japan on Friday.”

Scotland captain Robert Field acknowledged that missed opportunities had proved costly.

“We had some good chances early on and they just didn’t fall our way,” he said. “They managed to score at key moments that pegged us back, and that was the story of the game.

“We were chasing the game for long periods, but there are some good building blocks for us to take forward. We know it’s going to be tough, but the boys are really motivated and we’ll take a lot of confidence from some of our play today.”

Ireland, at No 9 in the world the top-ranked team in the tournament, laid down a marker when they outgunned United States of America 3-0.

Even then, player of the match Ben Johnson said they would be looking to improve going forward, especially against testing opposition.

“There were patches where we were a bit disappointing and not quite as quick to the mark,” he said. “But the conditions (cold and windy) possibly played a role in that as we only flew in a few days ago. I think we will grow as the tournament goes on.”

He acknowledged the need to keep improving.

“There are no easy matches in this tournament and very little between the teams on the day, but we are looking to go all the way and pick up as many ranking points as possible.”

Top of Form

The first day results were:

Pool A

Malaysia 5 (Mohammad Abu Kamal Azrai 3, Aiman Niik Rozemi, Mohamad Esook Anuar); Scotland 2 (Andrew McConnell, Jamie Golden).

Korea 1 (Dohyun Lim); Japan 1 (Tsubasa Tanaka).

Pool B

Ireland 3 (Fergus Gibson, Ben Johnson, Gregory Williams); US 0.

France 4 (Corentin Sellier, Victor Charlet 3); SA 2 (Kenton Melville, Carlon Mentoor).

Friday’s fixtures are:

16.45: Malaysia v Japan; 19.00: New Zealand v Scotland

Photo credits: Ray Chaplin Sports Media

The post South Africa Fight Hard Before Relentless French Finally Take Control appeared first on SportsClub.

NAIROBI, Kenya, June 12 – Junior Starlets head coach Mildred Cheche has unveiled her final squad for the CECAFA U17 Women’s Championship, which is scheduled to kick off in Tanzania on Saturday, June 13, 2026.

The regional tournament arrives at a critical juncture for the Kenyan youngsters.

Beyond the pursuit of regional supremacy, the championship serves as the ultimate testing ground for the Starlets to sharpen their tactical setups and build deeper chemistry before their high-stakes, final-round FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualifying showdown against South Africa later this year.

Coach Cheche has opted for stability, preserving the vast majority of the core group that recently went toe-to-toe with Uganda in the World Cup qualifiers.

To inject fresh energy and plug minor tactical gaps, the technical bench has made four personnel changes.

The quartet of Jael Nanjala, Lindey Weey, Grace Chari, and Elizabeth Awuor have earned call-ups to reinforce the travelling party.

They step into the final squad to replace Ivy Atieno, Idah Matara, Daisy Adongo, and Grace Wangari from the previous international window.

The Junior Starlets concluded their domestic preparations with a final residential training session at the Kasarani Annex on Thursday, June 11, before jetting off to Tanzania on Friday, June 12.

Kenya faces a busy and competitive group stage schedule:

Matchday 1: Kenya vs. Sudan | June 13 | 1:00 PM (EAT) | KMC Stadium
Matchday 2: Somalia vs. Kenya | June 15 | 4:00 PM (EAT) | Azam Complex
Matchday 3: Tanzania vs. Kenya | June 17 | 4:00 PM (EAT) | KMC Stadium

Having already demonstrated immense grit on their road through the qualifiers, the technical bench intends to treat every minute in Tanzania with maximum intensity.

The target is clear: sustain the winning momentum and use the tournament as a springboard to ensure the team is firing on all cylinders as they chase a second consecutive ticket to the global showpiece
.
CECAFA U17 Women’s Championship Squad
Goalkeepers:
Mishel Okoyo, Martha Wekhomba, Vallary Achieng.

Defenders:
Namisi Pauline, Jael Nanjala, Boke Faith, Atieno Sheila, Grace Mumo, Bevarline Awuor.

Midfielders:
Bakari Mwanakombo, Beryl Awuor, Khatenje Fleviah, Noelina Akuku, Brenda Awuor, Grace Chari, Gaudancia Maloba, Lindey Weey Atieno.

Forwards:
Brenda Achieng, Elizabeth Alizeba, Patience Waithira, Emily Adhiambo, Wambui Tabitha, Elizabeth Awuor.

The post Mildred Cheche Names Final Junior Starlets Squad For CECAFA U17 Championship appeared first on Capital Sports.