WeeklySA_AdminJESSICA INSPIRES
Kaizer Chiefs Marketing and Commercial Director Jessica Motaung was a guest speaker at the inaugural Blue Bulls Company, Women in Sport event held at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria. Themed “Hashtag Women Who Defy Expectations”, it aimed to empower and celebrate women in sports.
The event was hosted to commemorate Women’s Day in South Africa. Over 100 women attended the occasion at the Presidential Suite, with the field as the backdrop.
Delivering her talk, Motaung spoke of the importance of women supporting each other, “We need to create supportive structures amongst ourselves. We must inspire each other by looking at women within our communities who have become a reflection of some of the achievements and benefits that societies enjoy” This support, she noted, “is crucial in helping women take opportunities and embrace them. “We must be bold and take advantage of opportunities that come our way and let’s not be afraid to step out of our comfort zones.”
SPAIN WILL CAUSE YOU PAIN
Spain prevailed in an eight-goal thriller to beat France 5-3 after extra time and win the Olympic men’s football gold medal for the first time since 1992. Sergio Camello grabbed a brace in the added period to settle a Parc des Princes classic after France had levelled by scoring twice in the final 11 minutes of normal time.
Thierry Henry’s Les Bleus started aggressively and took an 11th-minute lead when Alex Baena’s poor clearance fell to Enzo Millot and goalkeeper Arnau Tenas made a hash of his swerving shot. Baena atoned for his error inside seven minutes with a smart assist that Fermin Lopez converted from close range.
UNITED IN BASKETBALL
The United States remained on course for an eighth consecutive Olympic gold medal in women’s basketball by reaching the Paris 2024 final. The US stretched their Olympic winning run to 60 games as they beat Australia 85-64 in the semi-finals.
They led 45-27 at half-time and 66-40 at the end of the third quarter, before stretching their advantage to 30 points at one stage during the final quarter. The last time the US women’s team lost at the Olympics was in the semi-finals at Barcelona 1992, when they were beaten by a team from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), formed after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. The second semi-final on Friday proved to be a far closer contest as Belgium took France to overtime before the Games hosts clinched a nail-biting 81-75 victory in overtime.
‘DOWNS PULL TRIGGER ON RAYNERS
Mamelodi Sundowns are negotiating personal terms with striker Iqraam Rayners after triggering his Stellenbosch FC buyout clause, SABC Sport can reveal. It’s believed the side from the Winelands turned down several other offers from North Africa and the Gulf region for the Bafana Bafana international, making it clear he was not for sale as they tried to hold on to their best players.
But with Downs matching the release clause this has left Stellies no other choice other than to allow Rayners to enter into discussion with The Brazilians over a possible transfer likely to be concluded in the coming weeks. The public broadcaster has been informed the fee Sundowns will pay is well over R10-million after it was inserted into the player’s contract following his return to Stellenbosch in January last year after his stint at SuperSport United.
PEPE CALLS IT A DAY
Portugal legend Pepe has retired from football, the 41-year-old former Real Madrid defender said on Thursday. Pepe’s last game came at Euro 2024, where Portugal were defeated by France on penalties in the quarterfinals, and he became the oldest player to appear at a European Championship finals tournament.
Pepe made 141 appearances for his country, winning the Euros in 2016, and spent 10 seasons at Real Madrid, where he won three LaLiga titles and three Champions League trophies, as well as two FIFA Club World Cups. “I want to thank God for giving me the wisdom to be able to continue my journey,” an emotional Pepe said in a video on social media that looked back on his career.
