Sports News 12:30

BULLETIN SPORTS NEWS 5 February 12:30 pm

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

# We begin with cricket: The final T20 between the Proteas Women and Pakistan on the 16th will now be played in Benoni, Gauteng, after being moved from Kimberley. The Northern Cape capital’s venue didn’t meet the required international norms and standards for match readiness. Cricket South Africa says comprehensive inspections over the past month identified several critical deficiencies related to the playing surface, the outfield, practise facilities and overall compliance. The first T20 takes place in Potchefstroom on Tuesday and the second also in Benoni next Friday.

# Moving on to rugby: This year’s Six Nations kicks off in Paris between defending champions France and Ireland tonight. The match starts at the Stade de France at ten past ten, South African time. Italy will welcome Scotland to the Stadio Olimpico in the capital of Rome on Saturday afternoon, and England and Wales will do battle at Twickenham in London that evening. The competition is reduced from seven to six weekends this year, with the final round taking place on the 14th of next month.

# Soccer: Morocco’s governing body will appeal disciplinary sanctions imposed by African body CAF following last month’s chaotic Africa Cup of Nations final against Senegal. Morocco lost 1-0 in extra time amid a 14-minute stoppage caused by a Senegalese walk-off, a disallowed goal, and pitch invasions. CAF fined Morocco five-million-rand and handed bans to players, including Achraf Hakimi. The federation called the sanctions disproportionate, while CAF maintains the measures remain in force.

More soccer news is Manchester City cruised into their tenth Carabao Cup final when beating holders Newcastle United 3-1 at the Etihad Stadium to win 5-1 on aggregate in their second-leg semifinal. Already 2-0 up from the first leg, City tightened their grip with a double from Omar Marmoush and a goal from Tijjani Reijnders to seal the victory for Pep Guardiola’s side. Anthony Elanga scored the only goal for Newcastle. City will face Arsenal in the final at Wembley on 22 March.

# And finally, Olympics: Local Olympic champions Alberto Tomba and Deborah Compagnoni will have the honour of lighting the cauldrons when the Milano Cortina Winter Games start in Northern Italy tomorrow. The athletes, now in their 50s, both clinched three gold medals and are regarded as among the most popular Italian athletes of their generation. Tomba will light the cauldron at the culmination of the opening ceremony in Milan, while Compagnoni will light a second cauldron at co-host Cortina d’Ampezzo.

Stay tuned for more news………….