Sports
Visa to Support Women-Owned Businesses at FIFA Women’s World Cup
By Adedapo Adesanya
Global payment service giant, Visa, will celebrate the numbers, and the stories behind them throughout this year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, scheduled to start later this month in Australia and New Zealand.
Visa, a FIFA Women’s Football Partner, announced a first-ever extension of the coveted Visa Player of the Match athlete award to support women-owned small businesses (WSMB) with $500,000 in total grant funding across the 64 matches and potentially 32 qualifying countries.
Speaking on this milestone, Mr Andrew Uaboi, Vice President and Head of Visa West Africa, said, “Visa understands equity requires action and resources. We’re excited to use the world’s biggest stage for women’s sports to put the power for change into the athlete’s performance – and uplift a business in the home country of each game’s Player of the Match.”
“Nigeria is one of the leading African countries with the highest number of female entrepreneurs. We are passionate about using this initiative to create a positive impact on society, in addition to advancing the growth of women-owned small businesses in our region. We also see this as an opportunity to inspire young girls to dream big and pursue their passion for the beautiful game,” he added.
The Visa Player of the Match trophy is awarded at each of the 64 matches to the player who fans vote to be the most outstanding of the match. At this year’s tournament, which is scheduled to start on July 20 through August 20, audiences watching at home will once again have the opportunity to celebrate the women on the pitch and for the first time, help elevate women in business at the same time.
Building up to the final match, Visa will award 64 grants to women small businesses from the same country as the national team represented by the winning footballer.
This means if a player from first-time entrant Panama or a veteran from the defending champion United States team wins the player of the match, a woman small business owner in her country will receive a grant to help towards her own goals.
In Nigeria’s case, if Barcelona forward, Asisat Oshaola, wins any of the awards, a woman’s business owner in the country will be rewarded.
The funding ranges in value from $5,000 for the 48 first-round matches up to $50,000 for the final. The winning small businesses will be announced live at the athlete trophy presentation.
This initiative stems from Visa’s multi-year commitment to helping women entrepreneurs access crucial financial resources and empower inclusion in the global economy, noting that supporting women in sports is important for future business success.
Visa noted that it is committed to empowering women across its organization and through its brand support. For more than 15 years, Visa’s investment in women’s football has advocated for equity, inclusion, and creating meaningful connections with athletes, fans, and communities around the world.
Visa is the first FIFA Women’s Football Partner, the first standalone sponsor of UEFA Women’s Football, and a sponsor of national teams, including the US Soccer Federation and Mexican Football Federation.
In the host countries of Australia and New Zealand, Visa’s FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 tells the story behind the FIFA Women’s World Cup athletes, honouring and spotlighting their own numbers and journey.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Senegalese Football Federation has said it would appeal against the decision of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to strip it of the 2025 AFCON trophy at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
It called the decision “an unfair, unprecedented and unacceptable decision which brings discredit to African football”.
CAF on Tuesday night declared Morocco champions, following a walkout staged by the Senegal team, but later returned to defeat Morocco 1-0.
CAF, in a statement yesterday, said “the Senegal national team is declared to have forfeited the match,” a 1-0 victory in the final, “with the result being officially recorded as 3-0” in favour of Morocco.
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) said in a statement “its action was never intended to contest the sporting performance of the teams participating in this competition, but solely to request the application of the competition regulations”.
During the final on January 18, with the scoreline 0-0, Congolese referee Jean Jacques Ndala gave a spot-kick in the eighth minute of added time.
Ndala was advised by the video assistant referee (VAR) to consult the pitchside monitor and review defender El Hadji Malick Diouf’s challenge on Diaz.
Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw, still incensed by Ndala’s decision a few moments earlier to disallow a Senegal goal from Ismaila Sarr, ushered his team off the field.
The decision follows an appeal by the Moroccan FA, which CAF said is “declared admissible in form” and was upheld.
CAF added that “through the conduct of its team”, Senegal infringed on Article 82 of the regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations, and as a result, Article 84 became applicable.
Article 82 states that if a team refuses to play or leaves the ground before the end of regulation time without the referee’s authorisation, it will be considered the loser and eliminated from the competition.
Article 84 complements this provision, stating that any team that violates Article 82 will be permanently eliminated and will lose the match 3-0.
By Dipo Olowookere
Senegal has been stripped of the 2025 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) trophy it won on January 18, 2026.
In a statement on Tuesday night, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) said the trophy now belongs to Morocco, which hosted the tournament.
Senegal defeated Morocco by a lone goal to clinch the title in extra time after earlier leaving the pitch due to a penalty awarded to the host nation, which was later lost after a restart.
The penalty was awarded in the last minute of the match following a VAR check by Congolese referee, Jean-Jacques Ndala, after Brahim Diaz had been tugged to the ground by Senegal full back, El Hadji Malick Diouf.
The Senegalese team was not happy with the call because they had earlier been denied one against Morocco. The Teranga Lions’ coach, Pape Bouna Thiaw, ordered his players to leave the pitch in protest, but Sadio Mane persuaded them to return after a 14-minute delay, and when the spot kick was taken by Diaz, he played it into the hands of Édouard Mendy.
The game went into extra time, and in the 94th minute, Pape Gueye netted the only goal.
After the tournament, Morocco launched an appeal to void Senegal’s win, but lost as CAF said Articles 82 and 84 of the Regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations were not violated.
However, in a twist, the football governing body on the continent made a U-turn, declaring Morocco the 2025 AFCON champions.
It recorded the final match as 3–0 in favour of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF), setting aside the earlier decision of the CAF Disciplinary Board.
CAF upheld “the appeal lodged by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF)” and declared it “admissible,” agreeing that “Articles 82 and 84” were breached.
“The CAF Appeal Board further finds that the conduct of the Senegal team falls within the scope of Articles 82 and 84 of the Regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations,” a part of the statement read.
“In application of Article 84 of the Regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations, the Senegal team is declared to have forfeited the match, with the result recorded as 3–0 in favour of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF),” it further announced.
The UEFA Champions League Round of 16 concludes this week as the second-leg fixtures determine which teams will advance to the quarter-finals. All the key fixtures will be broadcast live on SuperSport across DStv and GOtv.
Tuesday: Rescue Missions and Defensive Masterclasses
Tuesday’s action begins at 6:45 pm as Sporting Lisbon hosts Bodo/Glimt. The Norwegian side produced one of the competition’s standout results with a 3–0 first-leg victory and will aim to protect that advantage in Lisbon, while Sporting must deliver a remarkable comeback to keep their European hopes alive. The match airs on SS Football Plus HD (DStv Ch. 202).
At 9:00 pm, Manchester City face Real Madrid in another high-profile encounter. Madrid holds a commanding 3–0 advantage after an impressive first-leg performance, leaving City with a daunting task at the Etihad Stadium against the most decorated club in the competition. The match will be shown on SS Football Plus HD (DStv Ch. 202).
Also at 9:00 pm, Chelsea welcomes Paris Saint-Germain to Stamford Bridge. PSG arrive with a 5–2 aggregate lead and the attacking quality to threaten on the counter, while Chelsea must produce a near-perfect performance to overturn the deficit. The match airs on SS Premier League (GOtv Ch. 65, DStv Ch. 203).
At the same time, Arsenal take on Bayer Leverkusen with the tie finely balanced at 1–1. Both teams impressed in the first leg, and the decisive encounter at the Emirates Stadium promises a tightly contested tactical battle. Watch live on SS La Liga (GOtv Ch. 62, DStv Ch. 204).
Wednesday: Deciders Across Europe
Wednesday’s programme begins at 6:45 pm as Barcelona host Newcastle United with the aggregate score level at 1–1. Newcastle travel to Spain with renewed confidence after recent domestic victories, while Barcelona will rely on their experience and home support to push for qualification. The match airs on SS Premier League (GOtv Ch. 65, DStv Ch. 203).
At 9:00 pm, Liverpool welcome Galatasaray to Anfield, trailing 1–0 from the first leg. With the tie still within reach, Liverpool must produce a strong performance at home to overturn the deficit against a Galatasaray side full of belief. The match will be shown on SS Football Plus HD (DStv Ch. 202).
Also at 9:00 pm, Tottenham face Atletico Madrid in North London. Atletico carry a commanding 5–2 advantage after the first leg and will look to rely on their defensive organisation, while Spurs must deliver an attacking display to keep the contest alive. The match airs on SS Premier League (GOtv Ch. 65, DStv Ch. 203).
The night concludes in Munich, where Bayern Munich hosts Atalanta with a comfortable 6–1 aggregate lead. Bayern appear firmly in control of the tie, while Atalanta will aim to restore pride after a difficult first leg. Watch live on SS La Liga (GOtv Ch. 62, DStv Ch. 204).
Round of 16 – Second Leg Fixtures
Tuesday, 17 March
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Sporting Lisbon vs Bodo/Glimt — 6:45 pm (SS Football Plus HD)
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Manchester City vs Real Madrid — 9:00 pm (SS Football Plus HD)
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Chelsea vs Paris Saint-Germain — 9:00 pm (SS Premier League)
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Arsenal vs Bayer Leverkusen — 9:00 pm (SS La Liga)
Wednesday, 18 March
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Barcelona vs Newcastle United — 6:45 pm (SS Premier League)
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Liverpool vs Galatasaray — 9:00 pm (SS Football Plus HD)
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Tottenham Hotspur vs Atletico Madrid — 9:00 pm (SS Premier League)
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Bayern Munich vs Atalanta — 9:00pm (SS La Liga)
Catch Every Game
Catch all the UEFA Champions League action live on SuperSport on DStv and GOtv. Matches are also available to stream via DStv Stream and GOtv Stream. Manage or upgrade your subscription via the MyDStv or MyGOtv apps, visit www.dstv.com or www.gotvafrica.com, or dial *288# to stay connected.
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