Burkina Faso were clearly on top in the first half and they took a 2-0 lead into half-time. The underdogs were also able to score a third just four minutes into the second half. However, Edmond Tapsoba and his teammates then conceded three goals between minutes 71 and 87 – the match went to penalties. All the Cameroon penalties found the back of the net while Burkina Faso missed one. The tournament hosts finished in third place with Tapsoba and Co. in an impressive fourth spot. Sunday’s final is between Senegal and Egypt.
Odilon Kossounou, the second Werkself player at this year’s Africa Cup of Nations, was on the wrong end of the 1-0 scoreline for Ivory Coast against the finalists Egypt in the Round of 16. The Ivorian returned to Leverkusen at the start of the week and is available for selection by Gerardo Seoane for the Bundesliga big match at Borussia Dortmund.
In mid-August, the Werkself will set off on a four-day trip to England to play their final two friendly matches of the 2026/27 pre-season against Premier League clubs Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United. The match in Nottingham against the Tricky Trees is on Wednesday 12 August at 20:45 CEST (19:45 BST) at the City Ground. The game against the Magpies in Newcastle is on Saturday 15 August at 16:00 CEST (15:00 BST) at the atmospheric St James’ Park. Details on ticket sales for both matches.
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Black and Red talent development at the highest level – even off the pitch: Apprentices Jule Suermann, Leandra Bellia and Julia Niederheide have successfully completed their two- or three-year apprenticeships at the club. Bayer 04 honoured the trio at the BayArena on Tuesday.
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The Germany U19 team were beaten 2-0 by record champions Spain in the final of the U19 European Championship in Wales. Bayer 04 players Montrell Culbreath and Francis Onyeka (on loan at SV 07 Elversberg) were in the starting line-up and played the full 90 minutes.
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Bayer 04 Women have boosted their firepower with the signing of Poland international Paulina Tomasiak. The 24-year-old striker moves to Leverkusen from Gornik Leczna in her homeland on a two-year contract.
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