Sport

The adjudicatory chamber of the independent Ethics Committee has found Mr Samson Siasia, a former official of the Nigeria Football Federation, guilty of having accepted that he would receive bribes in relation to the manipulation of matches in violation of the FIFA Code of Ethics.

According to a statement posted on FIFA’s website, the formal ethics proceedings against Mr Siasia were initiated on 11 February 2019 and stem from an extensive investigation into matches that Mr Wilson Raj Perumal attempted to manipulate for betting purposes.

This large-scale investigation was conducted by FIFA via its competent departments and in cooperation with the relevant stakeholders and authorities, it said.

In its decision, the adjudicatory chamber found that Mr Siasia had breached art. 11 (Bribery) of the 2009 edition of the FIFA Code of Ethics and banned him for life from all football-related activities (administrative, sports or any other) at both national and international level. In addition, a fine in the amount of CHF 50,000 has been imposed on Mr Siasia.

The decision was notified to Mr Siasia today, the date on which the ban comes into effect.

Siasia is yet to comment on the development.

Zenith Bank Plc has hailed the Nigerian female basketball team, D’Tigress for their exploits at the ongoing FIBA Women’s Afrobasket 2019 in Dakar, Senegal.

The Nigerian football team has progressed to the quarterfinal stage of the competition.

The Group Managing Director/ Chief Executive, Mr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu commended the team for their hard work, dedication and team spirit, and urged them to go all the way to the final and bring the trophy home.
Zenith Bank is the sole sponsor of the Nigerian Female Basketball League.

Onyeagwu expressed delight at the heroics of the team, comprised mostly of products of the Zenith Bank Women Basketball League, which the bank has sponsored solely for 15 years consecutively.

Reigning champions, D’Tigress of Nigeria are through to the quarterfinal stage of the ongoing FIBA Women’s AfroBasket 2019 after a resounding victory against Cameroon in their last group game match on Tuesday, finishing off with a 106-39 points.

The Nigerian female basketball team had earlier defeated Tunisia 75-26 in their opening match of the competition at the magnificent Dakar Arena on Saturday to kickstart the defence of the title they won two years ago in Mali.

Barcelona and Real Madrid have made unsuccessful offers for Paris St-Germain forward Neymar, says BBC Radio 5 Live’s Guillem Balague.

Neymar’s former club Barcelona are believed to have offered 100m euros (£92.4m) plus Philippe Coutinho.

Ivan Rakitic was also discussed with the French club as part of the deal for the 27-year-old Brazil international.

Real have put forward a deal that includes money as well as Gareth Bale and James Rodriguez.

PSG asked for Vinicius Junior but Real did not put his name in the frame.

Neither bid has been accepted, but it is thought PSG would prefer to sell to Real.

Neymar became the world’s most expensive player in 2017 when PSG paid him 222m (£205m) so that he could buy himself out of his contract at Barcelona.

The striker has scored 34 league goals in two seasons for the French champions, although injuries interrupted both of those campaigns.

PSG fans held up a banner telling Neymar to “go away” on Sunday as he missed his side’s Ligue 1 opener against Nimes after sporting director Leonardo said on the eve of the game that talks about the Brazilian’s exit were “more advanced than before”.

Manchester United delivered a counter-attacking masterclass to demolish a new-look Chelsea 4-0 at Old Trafford Stadium with a blistering second-half performance.

This was United’s biggest Old Trafford win over Chelsea since 1965.

A brace from Marcus Rashford and further goals from Anthony Martial and newcomer, Daniel James proved decisive against a young Chelsea team coached by new manager and club legend, Frank Lampard.

Chelsea dominated the first quarter of the match, Tammy Abraham hitting the post with a fierce angled shot while De Gea saved from Mason Mount.

Man United would, however, score against the run of play in the 18th minute through Marcus Rashford.

The 21-year old was brought down in the box by Kurt Zouma after breaking loose in the box on the counter. The fleetfooted wing forward dispatched the spotkick to hand the Red Devils a 1-0 lead.

It was all Chelsea onward as the unlucky Blues dominated United’s midfield and kept creating chances. Emerson Palmieri hit the bar with a fierce shot at the back post, while Jorginho and Ross Barkley were both thwarted by De Gea who preserved the home side’s lead at the interval.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s boys would improve in the second half and on the hour, scored two goals in two minutes to seal the game 3-0 on the counter.

Andreas Pereira’s cross was converted by Anthony Martial from three yards, while Pogba’s exquisite ball over the top freed Rashford who finished with aplomb for his second goal of the game.

Man United would put the icing on the cake with a fourth goal from £15 million new signing, James. From another counter-attack, Martial freed Pogba behind Chelsea’s leaky defence, and the Frenchman laid it off for 19-year old James to finish off the move with a deflected strike.

In other games, the top two from last season, Manchester City and Liverpool both thrashed opponents, West Ham and Norwich City respectively.

At West Ham, Raheem Sterling bagged a hattrick as Pep Guardiola’s EPL Champions won 5-0 at the London Stadium.

In a game dominated by the VAR system newly introduced to the league this season, one of Sterling’s goals was chalked off for an arm on the wrong side of the offside line, while Sergio Aguero’s saved penalty was retaken- and he scored- due to VAR penalising a West Ham player for encroaching the area as Aguero dispatched the missed penalty.

Liverpool, second last season, could only score four in their own opener, with goals from Mohammed Salah and Roberto Firmino helping the UCL winners to a 4-1 win at Anfield Stadium.

SUPER EAGLES EPL WATCH
Wilfred Ndidi played all 90 minutes as his Leicester City team was held to a 0-0 draw by Wolverhampton Wanderers at home.

His Nigeria teammate, Kelechi Iheanacho, was however rooted to the bench for 90 minutes.

It was a worse situation for Leon Balogun at Brighton and Hove Albion, the central defender was not in the 18-man team that thrashed 3-0 win at Watford.

Isaac Success was, however, a 75th-minute substitute in the game but the sturdy winger could not salvage the game for the Hornets who were picked apart by the Seagulls of Brighton.

At Everton, new £40 million signing, Alex Iwobi, was not listed for the 0-0 draw against Crystal Palace following his last-minute deadline day move from Arsenal.

RESULTS
Liverpool 4-1 Norwich
Leicester 0-0 Wolves
Watford 0-3 Brighton
Burnley 3-0 Southampton
Everton 0-0 Crystal Palace
Bournemouth 1-1 Sheffield United
West Ham 0-5 Man City
Tottenham 3-1 Aston Villa
Newcastle United 0-1 Arsenal
Man United 4-0 Chelsea

Manchester United have signed England centre-back Harry Maguire from Premier League rivals Leicester City for £80m – a world record fee for a defender.

The 26-year-old has agreed a six-year contract at Old Trafford, with the option of a further year.

The fee for Maguire eclipses the £75m Liverpool paid Southampton for Virgil van Dijk in January 2018.

“When Manchester United come knocking on your door, it is an incredible opportunity,” said Maguire.

Maguire is the second most expensive signing in English top-flight history after new team-mate Paul Pogba (£89m), and becomes the second most expensive British player after Wales winger Gareth Bale, who joined Real Madrid from Tottenham for £85m in 2013.

He is United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s third summer signing, after right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka arrived from Crystal Palace for £50m and winger Daniel James joined from Swansea for £15m.

Maguire added: “From my conversations with the manager, I am excited about the vision and plans he has for the team.

“It’s clear to see that Ole is building a team to win trophies. I am now looking forward to meeting my new team-mates and getting the season started.”

Solskjaer said: “Harry is one of the best centre-backs in the game today.

“He is a great reader of the game and has a strong presence on the pitch, with the ability to remain calm under pressure.

“He will fit well into this group both on and off the pitch.”

Premier League clubs have now spent more than £1bn this summer with three days remaining until the transfer window closes.

United had a long-standing interest in Maguire but backed away from a deal 12 months ago because they felt the £70m asking price at the time was too high.

Maguire, who signed a five-year contract at Leicester last September, made 69 Premier League appearances for the club he joined from Hull City in 2017.

He began his career at Sheffield United, making 139 league appearances for the Blades before moving to Hull in 2014.

He was part of the side that earned promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs in 2016, but left for Leicester in a £17m deal following the Tigers’ relegation 12 months later.

Maguire made his England debut in August 2017 and helped his country reach the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup in Russia, scoring in the 2-0 quarter-final win over Sweden.

He becomes one of seven centre-backs in United’s squad, alongside Eric Bailly, Phil Jones, Victor Lindelof, Marcos Rojo, Chris Smalling and Axel Tuanzebe.

Femi Otedola, billionaire businessman, has fulfilled his $25,000 per goal pledge to the Super Eagles.

Otedola had pledged the sum of $25,000 for each goal scored by the Eagles during the just concluded 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

He made the promise alongside Aliko Dangote, president of Dangote Group, who doubles as Africa’s richest man, before the Eagles’ semi final clash against Algeria in Egypt.

A brilliant free kick from Riyad Mahrez, however, ensured that Algeria defeated Nigeria 2-1 in the semi final at the Cairo International Stadium.

On Tuesday, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) took to its Twitter page to announce that the business mogul has made good his pledge to the Super Eagles.

“Business mogul Femi Otedola has fulfilled his pledge of $25,000 to the @NGSuperEagles for their one goal against Algeria in AFCON 2019 semi final,” the NFF wrote.

Otedola has constantly proven to be a man of his word and this was evident recently when he assisted Christian Chukwu, former coach of the Super Eagles, who was in need of medical attention.

The business tycoon, who had previously pledged to foot his bill, presented Chukwu with a cheque of $50,000.

On July 21, the philanthropist, and former chairman of Forte Oil PLC, also promised to take care of the medical expenses of Sadiq Daba, an ailing nollywood actor.

Nigerian veteran sports journalist and retired Director Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Akinloye Oyebanj, has died at the age of 62.

His family confirmed to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that Oyebanji, passed on at National Hospital, Abuja, on Saturday morning after protracted battle with heart failure.

Bukoye Oyebanji and Dr Steve Olarinoye, family member and closed friend, disclosed that Oyebanji had been ill for almost four months now and the family had spent millions of naira to save his life without any improvement.

They said some time ago, he had the misfortune of losing his kidneys, and they were replaced successfully through a transplant in India.

“But one of the side effects of kidney transplant is heart failure, which he had experienced on two occasions and survived.”

NAN reports that Oyebanji served the NTA for 35 years in different capacities, including being a sports broadcaster, and later as General Manager (Sports).

He retired as Managing Director of NTA Properties at the authority’s headquarters in Abuja.

Oyebanji, who hailed from Kwara, is survived by four children and a wife.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President, Amaju Pinnick, has denied reports suggesting plans to sack Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr, at the end of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations.

Opinions have always been divided on Rohr’s suitability for the Nigeria national team with some agreeing that the Franco-German has had a positive impact on the team while others claim he is not technically savvy enough to lead the Eagles to the next level.

While Mr Pinnick admitted that there were areas of disagreements with Rohr, he told journalists in Cairo why the coach will stay on the job and the plans being made by the NFF to help the manager get better.

“He (Rohr) will remain in the job. I have complete confidence in him,” the NFF president assured even though there were renewed calls for Rohr’s sack following Sunday’s semi-final defeat to Algeria.

“Gernot has taken us to the semi-final, the target we set for him. Right now, we have a third-place match to play for and we intend to have our team leave Egypt with honour.

“There are some people that have been calling on me and the federation to sack Gernot. But I am not going to do that. In fact, Gernot is going on a refresher training period with Bayern Munich after the Nations Cup. We have a long-term plan with him.

‘We have had rocky and difficult moments in our relationship, but this is normal in any relationship between two people. He is a good coach and we want him to remain with us. That said, we will work together on what needs to be improved upon.”

With Nigeria getting set to face Tunisia in the AFCON third-place match at the Al Salam Stadium, Cairo on Wednesday, coach Rohr is more preoccupied with that assignment and not talks of him losing his job anytime soon.

Rohr told BBC Sport: “There is no hurry because we want to finish third now. We will take a look at my overall results after the third-place match.

“I’m still under contract for another year, so we will see what is decided together.

“There are positives for us to look at on this journey, but after this final game we can think and then talk about the future.”

Rohr took charge of Super Eagles in August 2016 and qualified for the 2018 World Cup in Russia where the team failed to make it past the group stage.

Neymar showed up for training at Paris Saint-Germain on Monday, according to French media reports, a week late and days after controversially claiming his best football memory was beating PSG when he played for Barcelona.

A video posted on the website of leading sports daily L’Equipe showed the 27-year-old Brazilian – his hair dyed peroxide blonde – getting out of a black Mercedes van at the club’s training ground in the suburbs of the French capital.

PSG officially began pre-season training last Monday but Neymar, linked with a move back to Barcelona, was not there with the player’s camp maintaining he had a prior agreement to stay away.

The French champions responded last week by threatening to take “appropriate action” against the world’s most expensive player, who said he had stayed in Brazil to attend a charity five-a-side football tournament run by his foundation, the Neymar Institute.

On Saturday, Neymar, who joined PSG for €222 million (Dh913m) from Barcelona in 2017, made a series of remarks that strained his relationship further with the club and sparked outrage on social media.

Asked by online sports channel Oh My Goal about his best memory in football, the troubled superstar cited Barcelona’s incredible 2017 Champions League victory over PSG when he was part of the team that overturned a 4-0 first-leg deficit by winning 6-1 in the second leg of their last-16 tie.

Neymar posted a 10-second video of himself in a Barcelona shirt and a quote from the Bible: “No weapon turned against you will prosper.”

Neymar’s father, who is also the player’s representative, later defended his son in an Instagram post, saying: “At no point did my son show a lack of respect to PSG or the players who played in that game in 2017.”

“My son plays for PSG, but he can’t simply ignore his past. A past that led to him arriving at the French club,” Neymar Senior added.

Christian Chukwu, former Super Eagles coach, says he lack words to use in thanking Femi Otedola, billionaire businessman, for footing his medical bill.

Through the assistance of Otedola, Chukwu, who was down with prostrate cancer, underwent a surgery at Wellington Hospital in London.

Otedola had issued him a cheque of $50,000 ahead of the medical trip.

When he visited the billionaire upon his return to the country, Chukwu said after God, Otedola is the next person in his life.

“Otedola has made me, I can play football again. If you saw me before I left for London, you won’t believe I’ll be here talking to you. I think I won’t be making a mistake if I say after God, it’s Otedola in my life,” he said.

“I had many complications and I couldn’t walk. When I heard Otedola brought out money for my treatment, I marvelled because in my circle, we didn’t know him before then. We have people with us but maybe they forgot or it’s not in their character (to help). I don’t know how to thank Otedola enough, God bless him.”

Lilian, Chukwu’s wife, who was with him, said God used Otedola to bring her husband back to life.

Earlier, Otedola had said he was glad to have been of help to the sportsman, saying assisting people is his way of life.

He said while some of his friends could spend N50 million on champagne, he would rather spend money on people.

Lewis Hamilton made the most of a favourable safety car intervention on Sunday to claim a record sixth British Grand Prix victory at a packed Silverstone.

The defending five-time world champion clocking fastest lap on his final lap to finish 25 seconds clear of Mercedes team-mate and nearest title rival Valtteri Bottas after an action-packed contest.

The Briton moved 39 points clear of the Finn behind in the title race, but Bottas was unlucky with the timing of the safety car which effectively gave Hamilton a free pit stop.

Charles Leclerc of Ferrari was third.

Pierre Gasly finished fourth ahead of his Red Bull team-mate Max Verstappen, whose race was compromised by a late collision when Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari drove into him, and Carlos Sainz of McLaren.

It was Hamilton’s seventh win in 10 races this year and the 80th win of his career. He had shared the British Grand Prix record of wins, on five, with fellow-Briton Jim Clark and Frenchman Alain Prost.

Daniel Ricciardo was seventh for Renault ahead of Kimi Raikkonen of Alfa Romeo, Daniil Kvyat in a Toro Rosso and Nico Hulkenberg in a Renault.

“What a day,” said Hamilton. “To all the crowd, thank-you so much for coming out.”

Hamilton, who stopped on his slow-down lap to collect a British ‘Union Jack’ flag, added: “I love you Silverstone. I appreciate everything and the opportunity to be a part of this.

“I couldn’t have done this without these guys or without my team.”

A glum Bottas said: “Congrats to Lewis…It wasn’t my day.”

A much happier Leclerc said: “It’s probably the race I’ve enjoyed the most in my career.”

The safety car was deployed when Antonio Giovinazzi spun into a gravel trap in his Alfa Romeo – gifting Hamilton a ‘free’ first, and only, pit stop. The luckless Bottas, on a two stop strategy, had already pitted before the incident.

On an overcast and cool afternoon, Justin Whiting, the 12-year-old son of the late Charlie Whiting, the official Race Director who died suddenly in Melbourne in March, started the race. before a crowd of 141,000 at Silverstone.

As the lights went out, the Mercedes pair pulled clear, Hamilton chasing Bottas throughout the first lap ahead of Leclerc and Verstappen with Vettel fifth.

By lap 10, the lead was three-tenths, Hamilton oozing confidence could not pass Bottas slithering to protect his lead. Behind them, Leclerc blocked attacks from Verstappen.

But on lap 17, Bottas came in for a new set of mediums and Hamilton inherited the lead ahead of Vettel, the pair delaying their stops as long as possible. Then Giovinazzi beached his Alfa Romeo at Club.

Hamilton took advantage and pitted for hards, followed by Vettel and Verstappen, making a second stop. Ferrari, reacting slowly, called in Leclerc, who emerged sixth behind Gasly and Verstappen. All this left Hamilton leading Bottas with Vettel third.

Racing resumed on lap 23, the field, backed up by Hamilton, swarming like bees at the re-start.

Bottas, on mediums, traded fastest laps with Hamilton, knowing he had to make a second stop. Verstappen, helped by quick thinking from Red Bull, rose to fourth when Gasly moved over on Hangar Straight and began his pursuit of Vettel.

The Dutchman caught and passed him at Stowe only for the German to ram into the rear end of the 007-branded Red Bull, who had Bond actor Daniel Craig in their garage, both spinning into the gravel but surviving to re-join the fray.

A stewards’ investigation followed, but both races were compromised.

Leclerc rose to third and Gasly to fourth. Verstappen regained fifth while Vettel pitted for a new nose, fell to 17th and was then given a 10-seconds time penalty.

With eight laps remaining, Hamilton was told to pit, but ignored the call, persuading Mercedes to bring in Bottas for softs, a tilt at fastest lap and a secure run to the flag.

(AFP)

Aliko Dangote and Femi Otedola, Nigerian billionaires, have promised the Super Eagles $75,000 for every goal scored in their remaining games at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations.

Dangote has promised $50,000 per goal, while Otedola pledged the sum of $25,000 for each goal scored by the Eagles.

Earlier in the group stage of the 2019 AFCON, Aiteo group, one of the official sponsor of the senior men national team gave the Eagles $75,000 for the three goals scored in their 3-2 victory over Cameroon in the Round of 16.

Hosea Wells Okunbo, a businessman, also pledged the sum of $20,000 per player, while Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos state governor, rewarded the team with $5,000 per player.

The Gernot Rohr’s men defeated Bafana Bafana of South Africa 2-1 to qualify for the semifinals on Wednesday night at the Cairo International stadium.

The Super Eagles will take on the winner between Algeria and Cote D’Ivoire in the semi final game.

Femi Otedola recently donated $50,000 to Christian Chukwu, former Super Eagles coach in need of medical attention.

Algeria beat Ivory Coast 4-3 during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final football match at the Suez stadium

Nigeria has defeated South Africa in a gruelling match ..2-1 to qualify for the Semi Finals of the African Cup of Nations football competition holding in Egypt.

Details later

Senegal reached the Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals for the first time since 2006 when Idrissa Gueye scored to deliver a 1-0 last-eight win over Benin in Cairo Wednesday.

Everton midfielder Gueye struck on 70 minutes, side-footing the ball into the net from close range after being set up by Liverpool star Sadio Mane.

This was the first Cup of Nations match to use the VAR (video assistant referee) system and there were no controversial incidents.

Benin was reduced to 10 men in the closing stages when Olivier Verdon was given a straight red card for a last-defender foul.

(AFP)

Roger Federer racked up his 100th match win at Wimbledon on Wednesday as he reached his 13th semi-final at the All England Club and a possible duel with old rival Rafael Nadal.

Eight-time champion Federer recovered from losing the opening set to defeat Japan’s Kei Nishikori 4-6, 6-1, 6-4, 6-4 to book his place in the semi-finals of a Grand Slam for the 45th time.

The 37-year-old is also the oldest man to make the last four of a major since Jimmy Connors at the 1991 US Open.

Federer will now face Nadal at Wimbledon for the first time since their epic 2008 final should the two-time champion Spaniard defeat Sam Querrey in his quarter-final.

“We have a lot of information on Rafa and so does he about us. I know people always hype it up in a big way,” said Federer.

“They did that again in Paris this year (when Nadal won their semi-final in straight sets). I’d love to play against him here at Wimbledon.

“But I go about it like every other match.”

Federer and Nadal have met 39 times in their careers but just three times at Wimbledon.

The Swiss star won their first two encounters in the 2006 and 2007 finals before Nadal famously triumphed in 2008 in a five-set epic which is widely regarded as the greatest Slam final ever played.

Federer said he was unaware that he had become the first player ever to win 100 matches at the same Slam.

“A fan told me congratulations on your hundredth win and I thought, oh yes, you’re right!”

Nishikori, bidding to become the first Japanese man to reach the semi-finals since Jiro Satoh in 1933, broke Federer in the first game on Centre Court.

It was enough for the 29-year-old to pocket the first set.

However, 20-time Grand Slam title winner Federer roared back, levelling the quarter-final with breaks in the second and sixth games of a 22-minute second set.

It was more of the same in the third as Federer found his range with a break for 4-3 before taking the set on a fourth set point.

Uganda have parted company with coach Sebastien Desabre in spite of performing above expectations at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Egypt where they reached the last 16.

The Ugandan Football Federation (FUFA) said in a statement in Cairo on Sunday that it had “mutually agreed” to end the Frenchman’s contract.

“The reasons for termination of the employment contract are for the benefit and growth of both parties,” it said.

Desabre is the second coach to part company with his team at the tournament.

This was after hosts Egypt sacked Javier Aguirre immediately following their shock elimination against South Africa in the round of 16 on Saturday.

Uganda’s announcement was surprising as Desabre had led the team into the knockout round for the first time in 41 years.

He had also spoken about the importance of developing football in the country.

Uganda, playing a bold attacking game, beat Democratic Republic of Congo in their opening game and outplayed hosts Egypt in spite of losing 2-0.

They also gave Senegal a run for their money in the round of 16 before losing 1-0.

However, their campaign was also hit by a payment row with players at one point refusing to train.

It was settled after FUFA said it had offered the players an additional $6,000 each.

“FUFA recognises the contribution by Mr Desabre for the improvement of the sporting and professional organisation of the Uganda Cranes, inclusive of qualification to the AFCON 2019 Finals and also to the Round of 16,” said the statement.

“Mr Desabre is grateful to the people and the government of Uganda, FUFA, sponsors, staff and the players who have provided him a good environment to fulfil his obligations in his first time role as a National Team Coach.”

Desabre, 42, only played football semi-professionally and abandoned his career early to concentrate on coaching.

Before being appointed by Uganda in December 2017, he coached clubs in Cote d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Algeria, Morocco and Egypt.

Egypt coach Javier Aguirre has become the first casualty of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

He was sacked just hours after the hosts were bundled out of the tournament by South Africa in the round of 16 on Saturday in Cairo.

Hosts Egypt lost 0-1 after an 85th minute goal from Thembinkosi Lorch.

It was for Egypt a lacklustre display in which their talisman Mohamed Salah looked out of sorts and they produced few goalscoring chances.

Egypt Football Association president Hany Abo Rida announced the firing of the Mexican coach.

Abo Rida also announced his own resignation, less than three hours after the game as a stunned host nation digested the defeat.

He also called on his board members to step down, calling his resignation a “moral obligation, although the football association had given the national team full material and moral support”.

Aguirre had told reporters after Saturday’s defeat that he took sole responsibility but was proud of all of his players.

“The game was open and saw many chances. The only difference was that South Africa managed to score,” he said.

Aguirre, 60, departs after less than a year in the job but not before setting a unique record by coaching at four different continental championships.

He won the CONCACAF Gold Cup with his native Mexico in 2009.

Aguirre took them to the final of the Copa America and was in charge of Japan four years ago when they went out in the Asian Cup quarter-finals.

The USA have won the Women’s World Cup for the fourth time after beating the Netherlands 2-0 in Sunday’s final.

Megan Rapinoe opened the scoring with a second-half penalty, which was awarded by VAR after Stefanie van der Gragt brought down Alex Morgan.

Rose Lavelle then made certain of the victory with a powerful strike from the edge of the area.

Rapinoe’s goal also meant she won the Golden Boot after finishing with six goals and three assists.

The USA’s triumph adds to previous World Cup victories in 1991, 1999 and 2015.

The Netherlands, in the final for the first time in their history, had done well to frustrate the USA for long periods before they finally made the breakthrough, with goalkeeper Sari van Veenendaal making a string of fine saves in the first half.

Van Veenendaal also prevented the USA from winning by a bigger margin as she denied Morgan and Crystal Dunn late on.