Sports News 12.30

BULLETIN SPORTS NEWS 8 February 12:30 pm

Good day, let’s look at the latest sports news and scores:

# We start with soccer: Bafana Bafana’s campaign for continental glory ended in the semifinal of the Africa Cup of Nations last night when they were beaten by Nigeria on penalties. The match ended one-all after extra time and then goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali saved two penalties as Nigeria booked a place in the final. Bafana coach Hugo Broos says they put South African soccer back on the map:

# Cricket: Two former champions, Australia and Pakistan, will fight it out today for a place in Sunday’s final of the Under 19 World Cup. The winner will face five-time champion India, who broke local hearts on Tuesday when they beat the young Proteas in the first semifinal in Benoni on the Gauteng East Rand. Australia won the tournament three times in the past and Pakistan once, while also losing in two finals. Today’s match as well as the final will also be played at Willowmoore Park.

# Rugby: The World Rugby Under 20 Championship will again be hosted in the Western Cape in June and July this year. After claiming the bronze medal last year, the Junior Springboks will aim to impress once again on home soil. They are in Pool C with England, Argentina and Fiji. SA Rugby CEO, Rian Oberholzer, says they are determined to improve on last year’s event and to present a memorable, world-class tournament that players, match officials and rugby fans will thoroughly enjoy.

# Golf: Fifteen-time major champion, Tiger Woods, will make his season debut at The Genesis Invitational in California next week. The 48-year-old underwent ankle surgery in April last year after withdrawing from the Masters during the third round, and did not compete again until the Hero World Challenge in December. American’s Justin Thomas and Will Zalatoris and Australia’s Adam Scott will also be competing in The Genesis Invitational. Woods’ last win on the PGA Tour was at the 2019 Zozo Championship in Japan.

# And finally, tennis: Former world number one Simona Halep is fighting for her career in the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland. The 32-year-old Romanian was provisionally suspended in October 2022 after a positive drug test conducted during the US Open. The two-time Grand Slam champion was charged with another doping offence last year. Halep vehemently denies the charges, blaming contaminated licensed supplements for her positive test. The hearing will continue until tomorrow, and it’s not clear when a ruling may be announced.

Stay tuned for more news………….