Herndon runs past Wakefield to win first boys' soccer title since 1986
GLEN ALLEN, Va. — The Virginia Class 6 boys' soccer final sat on a knife's edge as the second half progressed Saturday morning. In some ways, the scoreless, deadlocked game was not surprising. Herndon and Wakefield, two teams that had squared off three times already this spring, had each played 100 minutes of state semifinal soccer Friday. Both schools had earned their spot in this championship game via penalty shootout.
So on Saturday, two tired teams were seeking just one quality chance. In the final 22 minutes of the game, Herndon produced three of them to earn a 3-0 win and run away with its first state title since 1986 at Glen Allen High School.
Senior Otu Bisong scored what would be the game-deciding goal in the 58th minute with a header into the top right corner. The assist was a corner kick from junior Angel Romero-Rivas. Bisong celebrated by running to the corner flag and celebrating in front of the seniors from last year's team, a group that fell in the state semifinals to eventual champion Cosby.
'After scoring that goal, seeing all of our seniors that graduated from when we fell short in the semis last year — celebrating with them will be a really good memory,' said Bisong, an Old Dominion signee. 'It just felt really nice to show them that we won it for them.'
The loss of that 12-player senior class raised doubts, both internally and externally, as to whether the Hornets (16-5-1) could return to the level of last year's team.
A 4-4 start to the season could've exacerbated those concerns. Instead, Herndon went 12-1-1 in its last 14 games to claim the program's second state title.
'More than a tactical shift — that definitely helped us — it was just a mindset shift,' Coach Jordan Steffey said. 'Coming in 4-4 was not our standard. So I asked the guys, 'Do we change the standard, or do we pick ourselves back up and go to where we can?' They answered the call.'
Herndon's second-half scoring outburst ended Wakefield's improbable postseason run. The Warriors overcame a two-goal deficit in its region quarterfinal against Chantilly, downed No. 4 McLean on penalty kicks in the region semifinal and topped No. 9 Robinson and No. 2 Gar-Field in penalty kick shootouts during their second-ever state tournament appearance.
Saturday's title game finished 3-0 after senior Bilal Hawa scored a penalty kick won by Eric Marenco in the 64th minute and junior Amanueil Mequanint bagged a goal on an assist by Bisong to ice the victory in the 71st minute.
'We've always had our eyes set on states,' Hawa said. 'The years before, we went to regional finals, district finals every year. We knew starting the season 4-4, that's not going to cut it. We just realized it's our final year for all the seniors and we had to do what we had to do to make it far.'
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CNN
an hour ago
- CNN
How Zambian soccer recovered from a plane crash that killed a golden generation
In 1993, Zambia's national soccer team had captivated the nation. For once, there was real, genuine hope that this young, exciting squad could qualify for its first World Cup in 1994. To do so, the team would need to navigate the qualifying stages, where it would face other African teams battling for a position at the world's biggest sporting event, set to be hosted in the United States. But, in pursuit of that dream, Zambia suffered a disaster that would shock the world and kill almost the entirety of its golden generation. The Chipolopolo ('The Copper Bullets') had been due to play Senegal in a World Cup qualifier in Dakar, requiring a long and arduous plane journey up the continent of Africa. Such was the economic state of Zambia at the time, the team would often fly in a DHC-5 Buffalo military plane which would need multiple stops in order to refuel. The laborious route was set. The team would leave Zambia and fly to the Republic of Congo, then to Gabon, then to the Ivory Coast, before eventually landing in Senegal. Tragically, the plane never made it to its final destination. On April 27, 1993, the aircraft carrying the Zambian national team crashed into the Atlantic Ocean, shortly after leaving Gabon. A total of 18 players were killed, along with everyone else onboard. As often is the case in aviation disasters, the cause of the crash was a mixture of both bad luck and a series of errors. In his book 'Crash of the Buffalo' – which details the Zambian tragedy – author and former journalist Jay Mwamba said a fire in the left engine of the plane broke out shortly after leaving Gabon. In a panic, he said, the pilots shut down the right engine by mistake, causing the aircraft to plunge into the water below, killing everyone onboard. Before moving to the US to study, Mwamba had spent time following the team in his former role as a sports journalist. He knew many of the Zambian players personally and still remembers where he was when he heard about the tragedy. In the week prior to the crash, Mwamba had spoken to Kalusha Bwalya – the standout star of the Zambian team. Bwalya was playing in Europe for Dutch side PSV Eindhoven at the time and was due to meet up with the national team after it had landed in Senegal. It was Bwalya who rang Mwamba on that fateful morning to tell him the news. 'I instantly called my old newspaper in Zambia to find out more and they confirmed what I had heard. I started reeling off names (of players who might have been on the plane),' Mwamba told CNN Sports. Mwamba said he experienced a delayed reaction to the tragedy, with the reality only hitting him when he was watching a soccer match between England and the Netherlands later that day. 'They held a minute of silence for the Zambian team and that's when I started crying. That's when it really hit me,' he added. 'You see some of my favorite players bowing their heads, holding a minute's silence. I was devastated.' Back in Zambia, the news broke the hearts of a nation. At that time, the nation's economy was struggling and the men's soccer team was one of the few things that offered any glimmer of hope. After the crash, it appeared that light had been extinguished for good. The morning after the plane had crashed, debris and luggage from the plane started washing up on the shores of Gabon. The 30 people onboard were eventually buried just outside Independence Stadium in Lusaka, Zambia, at a memorial site called the 'Heroes' Acre.' Devastated by the disaster, Mwamba waited over 10 years before starting to research and write his book about the incident, which focuses heavily on the incredible comeback story of the national team. 'I was like everybody else. I was just shattered, just horrible, you know, just depressed for a year and I never thought of writing a book until a bit later, around 2007,' he said. 'I thought this has to be chronicled. I thought I could do a decent job since I knew a lot of the players. In fact, I knew one of the pilots.' Over a few years, Mwamba set about interviewing people about the incident – including people who were supposed to be flying on the plane. He also spoke to those tasked with rebuilding a team that Zambia could be proud of. He told CNN Sports that the decision to rebuild the team was made by those in charge of the national team as they flew to Gabon to retrieve the bodies. The call then went out to Bwalya, asking if he would lead the team in its World Cup qualifying campaign. He accepted and trials were held to find the new generation of stars. Incredibly, the new team gelled quickly and it beat Morocco 2-1 just 10 weeks after the disaster. However, despite the positive start, the Chipolopolo came up just short of qualifying for the 1994 World Cup. The team lost 1-0 in a rematch against the Atlas Lions in the final playoff game, bringing a gut-wrenching campaign to a heartbreaking conclusion. Despite the defeat, the team returned home heroes and refocused ahead of the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Led by Bwalya again, the new squad went on to reach the AFCON final but once again fell just short of continental success, losing 2-1 to Nigeria. It would be 18 years until Zambia found itself back with a shot at glory and it appeared destiny had an important role to play. In 2012, the team went into the AFCON unfancied. Bwalya had since retired from playing and was now serving as the head of the Zambian soccer federation. Much to some people's surprise, Bwalya had re-hired head coach Hervé Renard the year before, after the Frenchman had left the role in 2010. He was tasked with guiding the underdog side through what many expected to be a difficult tournament. Incredibly, against all odds, Zambia reached the final of the tournament, which was to be played in Gabon, just a few miles away from where the crash occurred 19 years before. Before the final, the team visited the shoreline where the plane had plunged into the ocean, laying flowers in an emotional ceremony. Then, with the memory of that golden generation in their heads, the Zambian team beat Ivory Coast in the final, courtesy of a dramatic penalty shootout. With the win, Zambia secured its first – and only – Africa Cup of Nations title. 'We wanted to honor the dead players and that strengthened us. Our first game was against Senegal and the team was on its way to Senegal for a match when the plane crashed,' Renard said at the time. 'The plane crashed in Gabon and we won the final in Gabon. It is a sign of destiny.' Mwamba told CNN Sports that the memory of those who died in 1993 still lives on in the team today – despite many of the players not being born when the tragedy occurred. Now, 32 years on, the Zambian men's team has another chance of reaching a World Cup in the US. It currently sits third in its qualification group and has three games left including matches against two teams above it – Morocco and Tanzania – later this year. Mwamba said the team has a 50/50 chance of securing a playoff place for the 2026 World Cup, which is set to be hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico. If Zambia is to reach the tournament, you feel it might be destiny playing a part once again.
CNN
2 hours ago
- CNN
How Zambian soccer recovered from a plane crash that killed a golden generation
In 1993, Zambia's national soccer team had captivated the nation. For once, there was real, genuine hope that this young, exciting squad could qualify for its first World Cup in 1994. To do so, the team would need to navigate the qualifying stages, where it would face other African teams battling for a position at the world's biggest sporting event, set to be hosted in the United States. But, in pursuit of that dream, Zambia suffered a disaster that would shock the world and kill almost the entirety of its golden generation. The Chipolopolo ('The Copper Bullets') had been due to play Senegal in a World Cup qualifier in Dakar, requiring a long and arduous plane journey up the continent of Africa. Such was the economic state of Zambia at the time, the team would often fly in a DHC-5 Buffalo military plane which would need multiple stops in order to refuel. The laborious route was set. The team would leave Zambia and fly to the Republic of Congo, then to Gabon, then to the Ivory Coast, before eventually landing in Senegal. Tragically, the plane never made it to its final destination. On April 27, 1993, the aircraft carrying the Zambian national team crashed into the Atlantic Ocean, shortly after leaving Gabon. A total of 18 players were killed, along with everyone else onboard. As often is the case in aviation disasters, the cause of the crash was a mixture of both bad luck and a series of errors. In his book 'Crash of the Buffalo' – which details the Zambian tragedy – author and former journalist Jay Mwamba said a fire in the left engine of the plane broke out shortly after leaving Gabon. In a panic, he said, the pilots shut down the right engine by mistake, causing the aircraft to plunge into the water below, killing everyone onboard. Before moving to the US to study, Mwamba had spent time following the team in his former role as a sports journalist. He knew many of the Zambian players personally and still remembers where he was when he heard about the tragedy. In the week prior to the crash, Mwamba had spoken to Kalusha Bwalya – the standout star of the Zambian team. Bwalya was playing in Europe for Dutch side PSV Eindhoven at the time and was due to meet up with the national team after it had landed in Senegal. It was Bwalya who rang Mwamba on that fateful morning to tell him the news. 'I instantly called my old newspaper in Zambia to find out more and they confirmed what I had heard. I started reeling off names (of players who might have been on the plane),' Mwamba told CNN Sports. Mwamba said he experienced a delayed reaction to the tragedy, with the reality only hitting him when he was watching a soccer match between England and the Netherlands later that day. 'They held a minute of silence for the Zambian team and that's when I started crying. That's when it really hit me,' he added. 'You see some of my favorite players bowing their heads, holding a minute's silence. I was devastated.' Back in Zambia, the news broke the hearts of a nation. At that time, the nation's economy was struggling and the men's soccer team was one of the few things that offered any glimmer of hope. After the crash, it appeared that light had been extinguished for good. The morning after the plane had crashed, debris and luggage from the plane started washing up on the shores of Gabon. The 30 people onboard were eventually buried just outside Independence Stadium in Lusaka, Zambia, at a memorial site called the 'Heroes' Acre.' Devastated by the disaster, Mwamba waited over 10 years before starting to research and write his book about the incident, which focuses heavily on the incredible comeback story of the national team. 'I was like everybody else. I was just shattered, just horrible, you know, just depressed for a year and I never thought of writing a book until a bit later, around 2007,' he said. 'I thought this has to be chronicled. I thought I could do a decent job since I knew a lot of the players. In fact, I knew one of the pilots.' Over a few years, Mwamba set about interviewing people about the incident – including people who were supposed to be flying on the plane. He also spoke to those tasked with rebuilding a team that Zambia could be proud of. He told CNN Sports that the decision to rebuild the team was made by those in charge of the national team as they flew to Gabon to retrieve the bodies. The call then went out to Bwalya, asking if he would lead the team in its World Cup qualifying campaign. He accepted and trials were held to find the new generation of stars. Incredibly, the new team gelled quickly and it beat Morocco 2-1 just 10 weeks after the disaster. However, despite the positive start, the Chipolopolo came up just short of qualifying for the 1994 World Cup. The team lost 1-0 in a rematch against the Atlas Lions in the final playoff game, bringing a gut-wrenching campaign to a heartbreaking conclusion. Despite the defeat, the team returned home heroes and refocused ahead of the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Led by Bwalya again, the new squad went on to reach the AFCON final but once again fell just short of continental success, losing 2-1 to Nigeria. It would be 18 years until Zambia found itself back with a shot at glory and it appeared destiny had an important role to play. In 2012, the team went into the AFCON unfancied. Bwalya had since retired from playing and was now serving as the head of the Zambian soccer federation. Much to some people's surprise, Bwalya had re-hired head coach Hervé Renard the year before, after the Frenchman had left the role in 2010. He was tasked with guiding the underdog side through what many expected to be a difficult tournament. Incredibly, against all odds, Zambia reached the final of the tournament, which was to be played in Gabon, just a few miles away from where the crash occurred 19 years before. Before the final, the team visited the shoreline where the plane had plunged into the ocean, laying flowers in an emotional ceremony. Then, with the memory of that golden generation in their heads, the Zambian team beat Ivory Coast in the final, courtesy of a dramatic penalty shootout. With the win, Zambia secured its first – and only – Africa Cup of Nations title. 'We wanted to honor the dead players and that strengthened us. Our first game was against Senegal and the team was on its way to Senegal for a match when the plane crashed,' Renard said at the time. 'The plane crashed in Gabon and we won the final in Gabon. It is a sign of destiny.' Mwamba told CNN Sports that the memory of those who died in 1993 still lives on in the team today – despite many of the players not being born when the tragedy occurred. Now, 32 years on, the Zambian men's team has another chance of reaching a World Cup in the US. It currently sits third in its qualification group and has three games left including matches against two teams above it – Morocco and Tanzania – later this year. Mwamba said the team has a 50/50 chance of securing a playoff place for the 2026 World Cup, which is set to be hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico. If Zambia is to reach the tournament, you feel it might be destiny playing a part once again.
Yahoo
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Vincent Kompany: "Every win is difficult, so it is a brilliant win"
FC Bayern coach Vincent Kompany spoke to the media after his side's 2-1 victory against Boca Juniors in the second match of the group stage at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup tournament. With the result, FC Bayern became the first team to qualify for the knockout stages, 2-0-0 with a +11 goal differential (12-1). When asked to give an overall summary of the match, Kompany said, 'Really pleased - we have seen how tough it has been for the European teams to play against the South American teams. I thought we did really well, managed the emotions of the game - would like not to concede, but we stayed calm, and the way we finished the game was really mature as well'. Advertisement He added, 'Solid performance - if we had to be hypercritical, I think we have to score a few more goals, and that we would not have this, I would not say nervy finish, but the chance we have for the opponent to get back into the game - othwerise, it is the Club World Cup, every win is difficult so it is a brilliant win'. When asked about Boca Juniors' energy in the second half and whether they are in better physical shape compared to the Bayern players, Kompany said: 'I think in the first half, we were playing the game we wanted to have - in the second half, they are a team with heart and passion, they came back into it'. He continued, saying, 'We made some mistakes - it was not like we were conceding big chances, but momentum shifts really quickly; striker has one chance, scored, well done to him, but then, we just got back in the game, we got more dangerous, we combined with a bit more purpose. I am happy because part of the emotions of these games in this tournament is to stay calm, and I feel like it was a German-esque like performance in that sense'. Regarding the upcoming match against SL Benfica on Tuesday, and whether it will be an opportunity to 'rotate' players and give certain players added minutes of experience, Kompany stated: 'I do not like the word rotation, it is a seven-game competition; the main thing for us is to win the first tournament, that being the group stages'. Advertisement 'In the second tournament [the knockouts], you have all the energy to go game-by-game and like today, maybe win a little bit late, but to have these moments - we will see from a physical point of view what is necessary, but otherwise, we want to go with good momentum into the next stages'. Lastly, he was asked about the atmosphere at Hard Rock Stadium, and said: 'It was amazing. If you are not here, it is sometimes hard to understand it, but being here is an experience, a privilege. Any of us [at Bayern], we are used to so many big evenings, big moments, and still, this is something totally different - interesting from a fan perspective, if you take away the money, if you take away all of that, it is just incredibly interesting, and we are happy to start with two wins'.
