South Africa beats Guinea in the 2027 African Nations qualifiers, and Eritrea draws with Kenya

South Africa left-back Samokele Kabeni scored his first international goal 13 minutes from time to lead his country to a 2-1 win at home against Guinea in the opening of the two teams’ matches in Group D of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in Soweto, on Saturday.

Eritrea imposed a 1-1 draw on Kenya, which is co-hosting the finals, in Nairobi in the other match in the group, so that South Africa began its campaign strongly under the leadership of its new coach, Pitso Mosimane, who takes charge in a third term.

Defender Emi Okon put the hosts in front at the end of the first half hour with a powerful shot that hit the near post and into the net, but Guinea equalized through Siduba Cisse when he was the quickest to follow up on a rebound after a free kick hit the human wall.

This result would have been satisfactory for Guinea, but its defense collapsed when substitute Yanela Mbuthuma passed the ball from behind the defenders to his fellow substitute Kabeni, who put it past the goalkeeper.

With Kenya automatically qualifying as co-hosts, only one team will clinch the other place in Group D for the 24-team finals, with Guinea appearing to be South Africa's main rival.

Eritrea took the lead in Kenya through Nahum Girmay, who took advantage of a defensive confusion in Kenya's ranks, but the home side equalized the score through Ryan Ogam three minutes before the end.

South Africa will host Eritrea on Wednesday in Cairo at a neutral stadium, while Guinea will host Kenya the next day.

Pierre-Emil Hojbjerg, captain of the Danish national football team and player of the French Olympique de Marseille, apologized to his teammates, the coaching staff and the fans, after his statements following the loss to Norway sparked widespread controversy in his country.

Denmark lost to Norway 3-2 last Thursday, and Hojberg felt frustrated after the match, publicly criticizing his partnership in midfield with his compatriot Morten Heulmand.

“The problem is that we have two players with the same characteristics in midfield,” Hojberg said. The coach must choose one and leave the other on the bench. In the end, we have to think about the interests of the team, not our personal interests. I'm not ashamed to say it, but it's clearly not working. "It's a little embarrassing."

The Danish national team captain's statements sparked widespread criticism in his country, before Hojberg admitted that he "made a mistake" and apologized through his account on the Instagram photo-sharing platform.

Hojbjerg said: “I am a human being, a person who loves the national team, Denmark and football. “When I feel frustrated after a loss like Thursday’s, after a great comeback in the match, and after failing to qualify for the World Cup, my emotions are strong and I say things without thinking.”

The Golden State Warriors have extended the contract of star Stephen Curry for at least two years in a deal valued at $116 million, according to the NBA.

The California-based club said: “A true legend of the club, and he continues with us. The Golden State Warriors have signed a new contract with Stephen Curry, a four-time NBA champion and two-time NBA MVP award winner.

The sports network ESPN reported that the playmaker, the king of triples, signed a new two-year contract, with the option to extend for an additional year, worth $116 million.

Curry (38 years old) holds a number of records, including the historic league record for scoring three-pointers.

Curry will begin his eighteenth season at the highest levels of world basketball in late October, after spending his entire professional career with the same team.

This summer, the Warriors also extended the contract of another of their mainstays, Draymond Green, for one season for $28 million, after an attempt to sign star LeBron James failed.

Green (36 years old), in turn, spent his entire professional career with the Warriors, who selected him in the draft in 2012.

In May, coach Steve Kerr signed a new two-year contract with the Warriors, noting that he joined the team in 2014 and has since led them to win the league title four times, in the years 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2022.