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    Luke Fleurs dead at 24: Kaizer Chiefs defender and Olympics star tragically killed in botched hijacking, reports say

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    A SOUTH AFRICAN footballer has been tragically killed aged 24 after being shot dead in a botched car hijacking, according to reports.Kaiser Chiefs defender Luke Fleurs was allegedly fatally wounded during the shocking attempt in the Florida region of Gauteng, ten miles west of Johannesburg.Luke Fleurs was reportedly killed aged 24 in a failed car hijackingCredit: GettyThe devastating incident is said to have taken place on Wednesday evening.SA Police Spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo told Sunday World in South Africa: “The police are waiting for information on the incident for now.“We will comment further on the matter as soon as we gather the details thereof.”Sports news website iDiski Times added that a family member of Fleurs confirmed the news. READ MORE ON FOOTBALLSouth African publication Times Live reported that the news was confirmed by “a source close to Kaizer Chiefs”.Kaiser Chiefs are yet to make a public statement. But comments flooded in from heartbroken fans stunned and saddened by the awful news.One said: “REST IN PEACE LUKE. It is too sad and sorry, my heartfelt condolences to his loved ones. RIP.”Most read in FootballAnother wrote: “Rest in peace King.”A third added: “Sad day for South African sport.”A fourth commented: “I can’t believe this.”A fifth typed: “He had his whole life ahead of him.”A sixth responded: “I cannot believe this after seeing him a few days ago, incredibly sad moment, my heartfelt condolences to his loved ones.”And a final user replied: “Sorry Luke. We failed you bro. This country is in a terrible place. Rest softly Luke Fleurs.”Fellow club Cape Town FC tweeted: “We are saddened to learn of the passing of Kaizer Chiefs defender Luke Fleurs.”Centre-back Fleurs joined the Joburg-based club from SuperSport United on a two-year contract in October 2023. Upon signing, he wrote on Instagram: “Dreams do come true,” with a photo of his beaming smile in the famous gold shirt.Just two weeks later, the Cape Town-born star added: “Yeah, momma, I made it out of the streets, I hope you finally proud.”Fleurs was dubbed one of the brightest rising defensive talents in South African football. However, he cruelly did not make his debut for the Kaiser Chiefs, making the bench once for the 12-time league title winners on March 5, two days after his 24th birthday.Fleurs was not named in the matchday squad for yesterday’s 1-0 home defeat to Stellenbosch.He represented South Africa at Under-17 and U23 level.And that included competing for his country at the delayed Tokyo Olympics in 2021. READ MORE SUN STORIESBut despite twice being called up to the men’s squad, he was not handed a senior Bafana Bafana cap.Fleurs met his centre-back idol Carles Puyol for his 18th birthday, posing for a photo with the Barcelona and Spain legend. He joined Kaiser Chiefs in October but did not make his debutCredit: INSTAGRAMOlympian Fleurs met Carles Puyol for his 18th birthdayCredit: INSTAGRAM More

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      Fans left stunned by Afcon turnaround as Osimhen scores to seal win… only for VAR to give PENALTY at the other end

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      NIGERIA’S semi-final clash against South Africa was turned on its head by VAR in the dying minutes of the match.Victor Osimhen thought he had doubled Nigeria’s 1-0 lead in the last five minutes – but play was brought back.
      SOUTH AFRICA EQUALISE IN THE 90TH MINUTE! 😱Nigeria have a goal disallowed after a VAR check and South Africa are awarded a penalty! pic.twitter.com/IGbjBhNK0s— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) February 7, 2024

      Teboho Mokoena converted a last-minute penalty to equalise for South AfricaCredit: AP
      South Africa stars celebrate the last-gasp turnaroundCredit: AFP
      Victor Osimhen thought he had sealed the win by doubling Nigeria’s leadCredit: AFP
      VAR reviewed the passage of play and after a lengthy delay decided there had been a foul on a South African player in Nigeria’s box before the Super Eagles broke free.
      Referee Amin Omar eventually blew for a penalty which was converted by Teboho Mokoena in stoppage time.
      That levelled the score and South Africa even had a chance to win it late on but Khuliso Mudau blazed over from a rebound which was easier to score.
      The match went to extra-time but Nigeria were not to be denied a place in the final, as they won the shoot-out 4-2.

      They will now face hosts Ivory Coast in Sunday night’s final after they beat DR Congo 1-0, thanks to Sebastien Haller’s second half goal.
      Osimhen had poked home from close range from a low cross for Nigeria to spark furious protests from South Africa.
      VAR then reviewed an incident involving South Africa star Percy Tau, who just pipped opponent Alhassan Yusuf to the ball before being tripped just inside the box.
      The ref was left with no option but to chalk off Osimhen’s goal before pointing to the spot in a dramatic sequence of events.
      Most read in Football
      South Africa were surprise participants in the Africa Cup of Nations semi-final having not reached the last four of the competition since 2000.
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      They had goalkeeper Ronwen Williams to thank for progressing from the quarter-final as he saved an astonishing four penalties in the shoot-out win over Cape Verde.
      Fans were amazed by the latest thriller, with one saying: “Afcon moving like Eastenders.”
      William Troost-Ekong opened the scoring for Nigeria from the penalty spotCredit: AFP
      Fans left devastated as ‘breathtaking’ Afcon Goal of the Tournament contender disallowed and say ‘if only…’ More

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      Afcon 2023 semi-finals LIVE SCORES: Latest updates, Nigeria vs South Africa before Ivory Coast vs DR Congo TONIGHT

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      NIGERIA will face South Africa this evening in the first Afcon semi-final of the day.The Super Eagles are eying their first Nations Cup triumph since 2013 when they beat Burkina Faso 1-0 in the final.
      Later tonight, Ivory Coast will take on DR Congo after Oumar Diakite’s 122nd-minute match-winner against Mali booked the host’s spot in the final four.

      Nigeria vs South Africa kick off time: 5pm GMT
      Ivory Coast vs DR Congo kick off time: 8pm GMT
      TV channel: BBC Two/Three
      FREE live stream: BBC iPlayer

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      Follow our live blog below…
      Team news
      Starting with Nigeria, who will be thrilled to have Victor Osimhen fit for this one.
      He gets the nod in a stellar attacking line-up filled with Premier League stars, past and present.
      Fulham’s Calvin Bassey also takes his place in defence.
      NIGERIA XI: Nwabali, Aina, Ekong, Ajayi, Bassey, Osay-Samuel, Onyeka, Iwobi, Lookman, Simon, Osimhen
      Copy linkCopiedTop hosts
      Ivory Coast and DR Congo meet in the other semi final later tonight.
      The host nation are just favourites in the betting to reach the final – after a hugely dramatic campaign to date.
      They sacked head coach Jean-Louis Gasset after a hugely disappointing group stage campaign – which they ended up QUALIFYING from to reach the last 16.
      A penalty shoot out win over Senegal followed, with them needing extra time to beat Mali in the quarter finals.
      Who could begrudge them a final on home turf?
      Copy linkCopiedNigeria record at this stage…
      Incredibly, this is Nigeria’s record 15th appearance in the semi finals of this competition.
      But it’s been a stage they’ve stuttered at recently.
      In fact, they’ve only reached the final once from their last six games in the AFCON semis.
      Though the one time they did progress to the final in that time – in 2013 – they went on to claim the trophy.
      The hosts that year? South Africa.
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      Nigeria boss Jose Peseiro has lauded his side’s defensive displays after four consecutive clean sheets to reach the final four.
      But he’s pleaded with his side to create more scoring chances tonight.
      He reckons a more prolific display in the final third will be necessary to reach the final.
      He said: “The team could have created more opportunities. 
      “We are a quality team Angola was very good, but we had more luck. I remain satisfied with my players but want us to be more efficient.
      “We’re missing key creators like Iheanacho and Aribo, so it’s been hard. But others must now step up.”

      Copy linkCopiedFears over
      Victor Osimhen’s participation tonight looked in serious jeopardy when Jose Peseiro refused to give an update on his fitness.
      The Napoli superstar’s abdominal discomfort forced him not to travel to Bouake.
      But the Super Eagles’ X account calmed fears yesterday, revealing he will be fit this evening.
      The statement read: “Victor Osimhen has been declared fit and available for selection in the semi-final clash against South Africa on Wednesday,’ the statement read.
      “He has joined the team in Bouaké and has trained with the squad today.”
      Copy linkCopiedWelcome!
      A very good evening and welcome to tonight’s first African Cup of Nations semi final between Nigeria and South Africa.
      Nigeria secured their passage to this stage with a 1-0 win over Angola in the quarters.
      Former Everton and Fulham winger Ademola Lookman with the only goal in the game in the first half.
      That was their third 1-0 victory of the competition.
      South Africa’s quarter final was an even tenser affair, relying on a penalty shoot out to prevail beyond Cape Verde.
      Goalkeeper Ronwen Williams was the hero on the night saving FOUR penalties in that shoot out.
      That’s led both sides to tonight….
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      Bizarre moment commentator sings SHAKIRA song before crucial final kick of penalty shootout at Afcon

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      FOOTBALL fans were left in stitches after a commentator began singing a Shakira song before Cape Verde were eliminated from the Africa Cup of Nations.South Africa booked their place in the semi-finals for the first time in 24 years with a penalty shoot-out victory on Saturday night after a goalless 120 minutes.
      Commentator Mohamed Barakat left fans in hystericsCredit: BEIN SPORTS
      The hilarious piece of commentary came moments before South Africa clinched victoryCredit: AP
      It was a bizarre homage to Shakira’s song from 2010Credit: Youtube @Shakira
      Keeper Ronwen Williams proved to be the hero as he saved four of Cape Verde’s five spot kicks with a remarkable set of stops – including one from Manchester United flop Bebe.
      And it was before Patrick Andrade’s decisive miss that the superb piece of Qatar-based beIN Sports commentary took place.
      Bizarrely, broadcaster Mohamed Barakat broke out in song and began performing “Waka Waka (This Time For Africa)” by Shakira.
      The clip went viral on social media following South Africa’s victory as fans reacted to the unique commentary.
      READ MORE ON AFCON
      One said: “I love how unhinged Arabic commentary is. Feels real and connected rather that whatever s*** they spew in EPL.”
      Another added: “This is Afcon heritage.”
      A third replied: “More of this please, commentators!”
      While a fourth responded: “Honestly, the best thing about BeIN is the Arabic commentators. They’re absolutely GOAT’ed lol.
      Most read in Football
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      “I don’t envy those who see the games without Arabic commentary.”
      South Africa will now face Nigeria on Wednesday as they eye a first Africa Cup of Nations final since 1998.
      In the other semi, hosts Ivory Coast take on DR Congo, with the final set to take place on Sunday. More