As the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) heads toward its final stages, hosts Morocco have become the first team to book their place in the semi-finals after a 3–1 win over Mali. Nigeria also advanced with a dominant victory over Zambia, while South Africa, Algeria, Ghana, and Senegal are still vying for the remaining spots in what has been a fiercely competitive tournament.
Meanwhile, in Saudi Arabia, Al-Nassr have appointed Jorge Jesus as their new head coach, hoping the veteran Portuguese manager can deliver silverware with Cristiano Ronaldo at his side. And in European football, Barcelona have secured the signing of Swedish-Syrian talent Roony Bardghji, a promising winger who could emerge as the club’s next breakout star.
Hosts Morocco storm into WAFCON semi-finals with 3-1 win over Mali
Morocco sealed their place in the 2024 WAFCON semi-finals with a confident 3-1 win over Mali in Rabat on Friday.
Striker Ibtissam Jraidi opened the scoring early, tapping in Sakina Ouzraoui’s low cross in the seventh minute. Jraidi struck again in the 79th, converting a penalty after Sanaa Mssoudy was brought down in the box. Kenza Chapelle added a third just before full-time, capitalising on a handling error by Mali keeper Fatoumata Karentao.
Although Aissata Traore pulled one back for Mali with a late penalty deep into stoppage time, the result was never in doubt.
Morocco advance to their second consecutive Wafcon semi-final and will face either Algeria or Ghana on Tuesday.
Despite being favourites, the Atlas Lionesses had a shaky start, with Mali's Agueissa Diarra heading wide in the third minute. Ouzraoui responded with a shot on target before Jraidi broke the deadlock. She had to wait for a brief VAR check before celebrating.
Mali had a goal disallowed before the break when Aicha Samake’s free-kick was ruled offside. They improved in the second half, with Fatoumata Diarra testing Morocco’s Khadija Er-Rmichi, but lacked the finishing touch.
Morocco's win follows a group stage campaign that saw them score four penalties in as many games. Coach Jorge Vilda again named an unchanged starting XI.
Jorge Jesus to become new Al-Nassr coach
Al-Nassr has brought in 70-year-old Jorge Jesus as their new manager, after Stefano Pioli and the Riyadh club parted ways last month.
Jesus has long experience in the Saudi Pro League and huge success, winning the domestic treble for Al-Nassr's rivals, Al-Hilal, last year and reaching the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League that season.
He guided Al-Hilal to the semi-final of the AFC Champions League again in the 2024-25 season with the Riyadh team finishing second in the Saudi Pro League to Al-Ittihad.
He left the club in May with a staggering 77 percent win rate for the club during his second spell at Al-Hilal and an 80 percent win rate during his first term there, so Jesus clearly knows the magic formula for the Saudi Pro League.
Former AC Milan manager Sergio Conceicao was linked to Al-Nassr, but it was Jesus who ended up taking the job in the end.
"It’s official Mr. Jorge Jesus is the new coach of Al-Nassr," the Riyadh club said on X.
No manager has ever won a Saudi Pro League title with both Riyadh teams, but Jesus will be able to rely on Cristiano Ronaldo to help make that happen, after the 40-year-old signed a new contract with Al-Nassr in June.
There have been more big names entering the Saudi Pro League with French international Theo Hernandez signing for Al-Hilal last week.
Spurs star Son Heung-min has also been linked to a move to the Saudi Pro League, with one betting company putting his odds of moving there this summer at 4/9 - i.e., a dead cert.
Meanwhile, an unnamed Saudi Pro League has reportedly offered Manchester United striker an "astronomical sum" to sign for them, but his teammate Alejandro Garnacho rejected a move to Al-Nassr this week.
Barcelona complete signing of Swedish talent Roony Bardghji
Barcelona have confirmed the signing of 19-year-old Swedish winger Roony Bardghji, a Kuwait-born talent of Syrian descent.
The deal, reportedly worth €2 million, comes after Barça missed out on Athletic Bilbao's Nico Williams and instead opted for a promising young alternative with high upside.
Bardghji, born in Kuwait to Syriac parents originally from Aleppo, Syria, has been on the radar of top European clubs for several years.
Despite a knee injury that limited him to just 243 minutes of action last season, he arrives at Barcelona with a solid record of 15 goals and one assist in 84 matches for Copenhagen.
His standout moment came in the 2023-24 Champions League, scoring in a dramatic 4-3 win over Manchester United as Copenhagen advanced to the Round of 16.
Barcelona have tied Bardghji down to a contract running until June 2029. He is expected to initially compete for minutes under Hansi Flick but may also spend time with the club's second team to regain match fitness after a long spell out.
With Ansu Fati loaned to Monaco, Bardghji could step into a similar role as an affordable and dynamic option on the wing. While it may take time for him to adapt to Barça's system, his talent and versatility make him one to watch.