🇳🇦NamibiaSouthern Africa
Arsenal advances to Champions League semi-finals after tense draw with Sporting
via The Namibian3 min read
Arsenal secured a spot in the Champions League semi-finals with a goalless draw against Sporting Lisbon, resulting in a 1-0 aggregate victory. The team, led by Mikel Arteta, delivered a performance that was described as below par in the quarter-final second leg at the Emirates Stadium. Despite their recent struggles, including three losses in their last five games and a single win, Arsenal maintained their slender first-leg advantage. They are set to face Atletico Madrid, who defeated Barcelona 3-2 on aggregate. Arsenal had previously beaten Atletico 4-0 in the group stage in October. The Gunners, who haven't won the Premier League since 2004 and have never won the Champions League, are currently six points ahead of second-placed Manchester City in the Premier League. The team's recent form has raised questions about their character, particularly after losing the League Cup final, the FA Cup quarter-final, and a home defeat against Bournemouth. Key players Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard were absent due to injury, impacting Arsenal's attacking play. Sporting had several opportunities, with Francisco Trincao and Geny Catamo coming close to scoring. Arsenal will need to improve significantly to reach the Champions League final for the first time since 2006.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by The Namibian.
Novak Djokovic experienced an early elimination from the Italian Open, losing to qualifier Dino Prizmic in the second round with a score of 2-6, 6-2, 6-4. This defeat raises questions about Djokovic's physical condition ahead of Roland Garros. The 24-time Grand Slam winner was making a comeback from a shoulder injury, and expressed uncertainty about being at his best for the upcoming clay-court Grand Slam, citing persistent physical issues. Djokovic had not been knocked out this early in a tournament since the Madrid Open last year. Prizmic, a 20-year-old Croatian, achieved a significant victory against his idol, setting up a match with either Ugo Humbert or Vit Kopriva. In other tournament news, Alexander Zverev advanced to the third round by defeating Daniel Altmaier 7-5, 6-3, and three-time champion Iga Swiatek battled into the third round of the women's tournament with a 6-1, 6-7 5/7, 6-3 win over Caty McNally.
Barcelona is set to host Real Madrid in a Liga Clasico, needing only a draw to secure back-to-back La Liga titles. Hansi Flick’s team currently leads by 11 points. A victory would keep them on track to potentially match or break several league records, including the all-time high of 100 points, first achieved by Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid and then Tito Vilanova’s Barcelona. If Barcelona wins all their remaining four league games, they could also break the record for most victories in a season 32 and become the first team to win all home matches in a 38-game La Liga season. The team will be without teenage star Lamine Yamal due to a hamstring injury, while Raphinha recently returned from injury. This match marks the first Clasico at the partially-rebuilt Camp Nou in over three years. Real Madrid, facing internal issues, hopes to postpone Barcelona's celebrations, with Vinicius Junior expected to lead their attack. Kylian Mbappe's involvement is uncertain due to a thigh injury. Historically, only once before has a Clasico directly decided the title, in the 1931-32 season when Real Madrid clinched it with a draw against Barcelona.
Namibia's swimmers achieved a podium finish and several top-8 results on Day 3 of the 17th African Swimming Championships in Oran, Algeria. Roselinda Matyayi earned a bronze medal in the Girls’ 50m backstroke 14–18 years with a time of 28.95, marking her second medal of the competition and Namibia's third overall. Luke Beukes finished 4th in the Boys’ 100m butterfly 14–18 years in 56.48 seconds, while Lorenzo Esterhuizen also secured 4th place in the Boys’ 200m backstroke 14–18 years with a time of 2:09.43. Victoria De Sousa placed 8th in the Girls’ 400m freestyle 14–18 years with 4:40.77, and Nathan Bock was 8th in the Boys’ 100m butterfly 14–18 years. Jose Canjulo finished 6th in the Men’s 100m butterfly 19+ years in 55.37 seconds, and Molina Smalley secured 7th place in the Women’s 200m breaststroke 19+ years with 2:48.79. Day 3 concluded with one bronze medal for Namibia, six individual finalists, and two near-podium finishes, demonstrating strong performances across various age groups.
Must ReadPresident Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has paid tribute to former Botswana president Festus Mogae, who passed away on Friday at the age of 86. She described him as a distinguished statesman, committed pan-Africanist, and principled leader whose contributions to regional unity and development will be remembered across Africa. In a statement issued on Friday, Nandi-Ndaitwah highlighted Mogae’s significant contributions to Botswana, the Southern African Development Community SADC region, and the African continent. She noted that during Mogae's presidency, Namibia was led by founding president Sam Nujoma and later by second president Hifikepunye Pohamba, a period during which the warm and historic ties between Namibia and Botswana flourished, strengthened by a shared vision for regional peace, stability, economic cooperation, and African unity. Nandi-Ndaitwah emphasized Mogae’s key role in deepening the longstanding bonds of friendship and cooperation between the two neighboring countries. She added that his calm leadership, wisdom, humility, and commitment to good governance earned him admiration beyond Botswana’s borders. The president recalled the spirit of solidarity and mutual respect that characterized relations between Namibia and Botswana during Mogae’s presidency, as both countries collaborated through SADC to advance regional integration, development, and prosperity. Nandi-Ndaitwah concluded by stating that Namibia stands in solidarity with the people of Botswana during this