Sports

OFFICIAL: Tunisia Appoint Renard New Head Coach

Published

1 month ago

June 16, 2026

Tunisia have acted swiftly to revive their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign, appointing experienced French tactician Hervé Renard as head coach following the departure of Sabri Lamouchi, reports Completesports.com.

The change comes after the Carthage Eagles suffered an opening-match defeat at the tournament, prompting the federation to make an early managerial switch.

The North Africans are rooted to the bottom of their group after the 5-1 defeat to Sweden, and facing an uphill battle to qualify for the knockout stages.

Tunisia Turn To Renard For Redemption

Renard is expected to arrive in Monterrey on Tuesday and will take charge of the team’s training session later in the day.

The 57-year-old’s first assignment will be a crucial Group F encounter against Japan on 20 June in Monterrey.

The Carthage Eagles will face Netherlands in their last group game.

Experience Will Be Vital

Renard is no stranger to African football. He remains the only coach to have won the Africa Cup of Nations with two different nations, guiding Zambia to a remarkable triumph in 2012 before leading Côte d’Ivoire to continental glory three years later.

His coaching résumé also includes spells with Morocco and Saudi Arabia, as well as appearances at the FIFA World Cup.

Renard’s most recent World Cup experience came with Saudi Arabia at Qatar 2022, where his side produced one of the biggest shocks in tournament history by defeating eventual champions Argentina in the group stage.

The Tunisian federation believes that experience could prove invaluable as the Eagles attempt to rescue their campaign against strong opposition in Group F.

Although Renard’s initial appointment runs until the end of the current World Cup, reports indicate that discussions are already in place regarding a possible extension should both parties wish to continue beyond the tournament.

Sports

World Cup 2026: Messi Pinpoints What Argentina Did Wrong Against Cape Verde

Published

2 weeks ago

July 4, 2026

Uthman Abdulganiyu

Argentina captain, Lionel Messi, has pinpointed what his team did wrong against Cape Verde during both sides’ World Cup Round of 32 encounter.

The match ended 1-1 after 90 minutes at the Miami Stadium, but Argentina went on to win 3-2 in extra time.

Diney Borges’ own goal ensured Lionel Scaloni’s side eliminated the Blue Sharks from the competition.

Speaking at his post-match interview after the game, Messi admitted that Argentina couldn’t press Cape Verde properly during the encounter.

According to him, Scaloni’s side was also disjointed against the African side, and their lines were far apart.

“I think we couldn’t press them well, our lines were kind of far apart at times,” Messi said via FIFA’s website.

“When we wanted to jump from the defensive pivot, it was too far a distance for the center-backs, and we ended up a bit disjointed.

“They always had an extra man because we couldn’t match up, and that’s why they kept the ball and made us run, because we couldn’t press them properly.”

Sports

‘We Dignify Our Country’ — Bubista Hails Cape Verde’s Historic World Cup Run

Published

2 weeks ago

July 4, 2026

Uthman Abdulganiyu

Cape Verde head coach Bubista has said they can be proud of their historic run at the FIFA World Cup 2026, Completesports.com reports.

The Blue Stars bowed out of the competition following a 3-2 defeat to defending champions Argentina in Miami.

Blue Stars Put Up Brave Fight

Argentina took the lead twice in the keenly contested encounter and the West Africans answered both times, but with ten minutes to play in extra time a Lionel Messi corner led to an own goal from Diney Borges that sent La Albiceste into the Round of 16.

Messi opened the scoring shortly after the first hydration break, calmly lifting the ball over the advancing Vozinha after bringing down Lisandro Martinez’s precise pass over the top.

Cape Verde equalised in the 59th minute through Deroy Duarte.

Vozinha made several key saves, including blocking Messi from point blank range to send the game to extra time

It took the Albiceleste just two minutes of extra time to retake the lead. Lisandro Martinez collected a loose ball from a corner kick and lashed over Vozinha at the near post.

Cape Verde refused to surrender. Left-back Sidny Lopes Cabral produced one of the goals of the tournament, curling a sensational effort into the top corner from the edge of the box to draw Bubista’s side level for the second time in the contest.

Messi’s corner however caused an own goal that saw Argentina through to the last 16.

Bubista Thumbs Up Players

Bubista said Cape Verde, who were making their maiden World Cup appearance, had dignified themselves with their performances in the competition.

“We dignify what our country is. We drew twice against the world champions, we took it to extra time… More than anything, it’s being proud of our players who were dignified in the World Cup. We showed our identity,” Bubista was quoted by FIFA.com.

Sports

World Cup 2026: Ghana’s Performance Was Below Average —Gyan

Published

2 weeks ago

July 4, 2026

Uthman Abdulganiyu

Former Black Stars captain Asamoah Gyan has delivered a candid assessment of Ghana’s performance following the team’s 1-0 defeat to Colombia, describing the display as below the expected standard and insisting the South Americans fully deserved their victory.

Ghana’s hopes of advancing at the FIFA World Cup came to an end after Colombia capitalised on a first-half opportunity to secure the only goal of the match, sending the Black Stars out of the tournament.

Reacting to the outcome, Ghana’s all-time leading scorer said the Black Stars lacked the intensity and attacking determination required in a match of such importance.

“Today’s performance was below average, no sense of urgency,” Gyan was quoted by Ghana sport platform Joy Online.

Gyan expressed concern about Ghana’s inability to commit enough players forward, particularly after falling behind, noting that the Black Stars struggled to pose sustained attacking threats inside the Colombian penalty area.

“We (Ghana) did not have men in the box.”

Also Read:World Cup 2026: Semenyo Calls On Black Stars To Be More Aggressive With Referees After England Penalty Row

He contrasted Ghana’s approach with that of Colombia, saying the South Americans maintained their attacking intent even after taking the lead instead of merely defending their advantage.

“Colombia were ahead but kept fighting to score more.”

Summing up the contest, the former Sunderland and Al Ain striker conceded that Colombia were the better side on the day.

“To summarise everything, Colombia deserved the win.”

Gyan’s comments add to the growing post-match analysis following Ghana’s exit from the tournament, with several players and football analysts pointing to the team’s struggles in the attacking third despite signs of improvement in defensive organisation under newly appointed head coach Carlos Queiroz.