Nigeria's Bayelsa Queens got off to a losing start on Monday against the Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies in the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League in Morocco.

 

Despite creating a handful of goal-scoring opportunities, Bayelsa Queens suffered a 2-1defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns in their group opener. A goal in each half by Lelona Dawetti saw the defending champions cruise to victory.

 

Bayelsa Queens, however pulled one back through Mary-Magdalene Anjor in the 80th minute but it was but a consolatory effort after having more possession and shots on target.

 

Though Sundowns Ladies won the 2021 CAF WCL without conceding a single goal in their five games in the tournament, they looked quite vulnerable at the back against Bayelsa Queens who have themselves to blame for being wasteful in front of goal.

 

The Prosperity girls dominated the game in the first half, but it was Sundowns that opening the scoring through Dawetti with their first shot on target and the South Africans held on to the slim lead heading into the half-time break.

 

The Nigerian outfit continued their dominance in the second term but were let down by their final touch and after a string of missed chances, the Queens were made to pay as Dawetti found the back of the net again as she doubled her side's lead before Anjor pulled one back to lessen the deficit and gave Bayelsa Queens a lifeline late on in the encounter.

 

The Nigeria champions could not get the equaliser before full-time and will now have to shift focus to Thursday's second group game against TP Mazembe.

Sri Lanka bid to clinch a semifinal spot received a boost following a six-wicket win over Afghanistan at the Men's T20 World Cup in Brisbane.

 

Spinner Wanindu Hasaranga took 3-13 as Sri Lanka restricted Afghanistan to 144-8 despite another sloppy performance in the field.

 

Dhananjaya de Silva's unbeaten 66 then steered Sri Lanka to their target with nine balls to spare at the Gabba.

 

Afghanistan, whose two previous games were washed out, have now been eliminated following another defeat.

 

Sri Lanka need to get past England and for Afghanistan to beat Australia in order to qualify for the semis.

 

After winning the toss and choosing to bat, Afghanistan openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Usman Ghani added 42 for the first wicket as they capitalised on some loose bowling and fielding errors.

 

But the introduction of Hasaranga changed the course of the game as he applied the pressure and did not concede a boundary in four overs.

 

It was a below-par total and on a pitch with large boundaries, Sri Lanka made light work of the chase.

 

But there are concerns for Afghanistan ahead of their final game as Rashid Khan limped off with a leg injury towards the end of Sri Lanka's chase.

 

Afghanistan play Australia in Adelaide on Friday at 08:00 GMT, while Sri Lanka face England in Sydney on Saturday at 08:00.

 

 

 

Erling Haaland had to be taken off at half-time in the goalless draw at Borussia Dortmund because he had a fever and a knock to his foot, according to Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola.

 

Guardiola said "I don't know right now" when asked if the knock is serious.

 

Haaland, who has already earned the reputation of being a "danger-man" upfront has scored a record-breaking 22 goals in his first 15 games for City.

 

But at Dortmund he only had 13 touches and one blocked shot in a subdued first half, before being replaced along with Joao Cancelo at the break.

 

"[There were] three things. I saw him so tired. Second one, he had a little bit of influenza in his body. Like Joao - Joao had a fever," said Guardiola.

 

"Then the third, he had a knock in his foot. That's why he was not able to play the second half.

 

"I spoke with [the medical staff] at half-time and they were a little bit concerned, but I saw him walking more or less normally. We will see."

 

City sealed top spot in their Champions League group with their point in Germany.

 

They visit Leicester in the Premier League on Saturday.