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Sunday evening features Forest taking on City, with the Nottingham club looking to repeat their 1-0 triumph over their Manchester counterparts from when the teams last met (in early March, a Premier League clash at the City Ground) and return to the FA Cup final for the first time since 1991.

“We are so happy, all of us. It was a dream seeing our fans like that. There is nothing better,” said Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo after their penalty shootout win over Brighton & Hove Albion in the previous round.

Goalkeeper Matz Sels added: “It’s been a few years since the supporters have been to a semi-final so we’ll look forward to it as a team, hopefully we can go there and do something greater.”

City, meanwhile, overcame Bournemouth to earn a seventh successive appearance in the FA Cup semis – an achievement manager Pep Guardiola labelled as “outstanding”.

“We love the FA Cup. Hopefully, we can reach the final,” added the Spanish tactician, who has won the tournament twice with Man City, in 2019 and 2023.

Saturday’s match pits Crystal Palace against Aston Villa. The Eagles overpowered Fulham in the previous round and will be hoping to reach the FA Cup final for a third time (having been runners-up in 1990 and 2016), while the Lions comfortably saw off lower-league Preston North End and aim for a first final since 2015 (and to win the Cup for the first time since 1957!).

“I don’t want to talk about winning the trophy because even in the next game we can’t win it,” said Palace manager Oliver Glasner. ‘It’s just the semifinals and in a cup competition, it doesn’t matter if you lose in round one or the semifinal, you enter the competition to win it.

“But, yes, it is a great achievement to reach the semifinals, and especially in this environment, because it’s at Wembley and this is typically English, and I like it.”

Villa’s Unai Emery, meanwhile, noted: “This competition means a lot for supporters and to play at Wembley will be fantastic and the supporters are the very heart of the club. It is always very important to try and get our responsibility to give them a moment like that.”

The two winners will return to Wembley Stadium on Saturday 17 May to meet in the FA Cup final.

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• Broadcast details

Times CAT

Saturday 26 April

• 18:15: Crystal Palace v Aston Villa – LIVE on SuperSport Premier League, SuperSport Maximo 1 and SuperSport Maximo 2

Sunday 27 April

• 17:30: Nottingham Forest v Manchester City – LIVE on SuperSport Variety 3, SuperSport Maximo 1 and SuperSport Maximo 360

GOtv Broadcast details

• Times CAT

Saturday 26 April

• 18:15: Crystal Palace v Aston Villa – LIVE on SuperSport GOtv Premier League and SuperSport GOtv Football

Sunday 27 April

• 17:30: Nottingham Forest v Manchester City – LIVE on SuperSport GOtv Football and SuperSport Maximo 360

The Porcupine Warriors secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over lower-tier side True Democracy in their quarterfinal clash at the Baba Yara Stadium on Sunday.

Goals from Saaka Dauda and Kwame Opoku ensured Kotoko’s progression to the next stage of the competition.

Speaking after the match, Ogum emphasized his determination to bring success to the club.

“The aim of every coach is to win trophies…the aim of every player is to win trophies so that one day you can be remembered,” he said.

“To me, we have to take it game by game. We are going to play against Berekum Chelsea in the semis. We have to now switch our attention to the league.

“When the time is due, we refocus to that but I want to tell you we are working harder to make sure we get the results,” he added.

In addition to their impressive FA Cup run, Kotoko currently sit at the top of the Ghana Premier League standings.

Meanwhile, the FA Cup semifinals are scheduled to take place at the Tarkwa TNA Park in two weeks.

READ ALSO

• FA Cup: Kwame Opoku strikes late as Asante Kotoko beat True Democracy to secure semis berth

Golden Kick stun Karela United to secure FA Cup semifinal slot

Following an exciting quarterfinal stage held at the Baba Yara Stadium over the weekend, four teams—Asante Kotoko, Berekum Chelsea, Golden Kick, and Attram de Visser—have secured their spots in the last four.

Speaking about preparations for the semifinals, Arthur highlighted plans to create a festival-like atmosphere for the concluding stages of the tournament.

“It’s a good thing to create a mini-festival out of quarterfinals, semifinals and the final,” he told 3Sports.

“It means that we will have to do a lot more of work, and we don’t have to play games on a Saturday.

“We are having the semifinals at Tarkwa TNA Park,” he added.

The semifinal games are set to take place in two weeks.

READ ALSO

• Golden Kick stun Karela United to secure FA Cup semifinal slot
• FA Cup: Kwame Opoku strikes late as Asante Kotoko beat True Democracy to secure semis berth

The draw took place ahead of City’s 2-1 comeback victory over Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium, in which they sealed their place in the final four of the competition for the seventh year running.

City fell behind to Evanilson’s goal on 21 minutes after Erling Haaland failed to convert an early penalty.

But the Norway international did end up finding the back of the net, equalising just four minutes after the half-time break, before Omar Marmoush netted the winner two minutes after being introduced as a substitute.

Pep Guardiola’s side last claimed the FA Cup trophy in 2023, and this year’s iteration stands as the final chance to salvage their season with domestic silverware, as they sit 22 points behind leaders Liverpool in the Premier League.

City, seven-time winners of the competition, fell to a 2-1 defeat against rivals Manchester United in last year’s final.

Forest’s run to the semi-finals continues a superb 2024/25 campaign, which has seen a sustained push for a UEFA Champions League finish – with Nuno Espirito Santo’s side sitting third in the Premier League.

Nuno’s men advanced to the semi-finals with a penalty shoot-out victory over Brighton & Hove Albion, with the two sides locked level at 0-0 over 120 minutes. Forest also beat Ipswich Town on penalties in the fifth round.

Forest have not won a major trophy for 35 years, and should they win the FA Cup and finish in a Champions League spot, they would open up another spot in Europe for a Premier League team.

Aston Villa, meanwhile, beat Preston North End 3-0 to seal their spot in the final four, and they will face Crystal Palace.

Marcus Rashford scored for the first time in an Aston Villa shirt, netting a brace, while Jacob Ramsey notched a third to send Unai Emery’s side to Wembley.

Villa, seeking an end to their near-30-year major trophy drought, also remain in the UEFA Champions League while maintaining a push for the Premier League top five.

The first leg of their European tie against Paris Saint-Germain – who knocked Liverpool out of the competition – is on April 9.

Villa will meet Palace – who defeated Fulham 3-0 to reach the Wembley semi-finals and are hunting their first FA Cup triumph.

The Eagles finished as runners-up in the competition in 2016, taking a late lead in the final against Manchester United before being pegged back by Juan Mata, with Jesse Lingard scoring the winner in extra time.

Palace also reached the FA Cup final in 1990, but again fell at the final hurdle, and they now look to go one step further – a feat which would secure a spot in the UEFA Europa League for the first time in the club’s history.

Oliver Glasner’s side defeated Villa 4-1 in front of the TNT Sports cameras when the two sides met in February.

The semi-final ties will be held on the weekend of April 26 and 27.

GoldStars secured their place in the Round of 32 after an impressive 2-0 victory against FC Samartex in the Round of 64.

Sharing his thoughts on the team’s goals, Manso acknowledged the unpredictable nature of the competition, particularly when facing underdog opponents.

“It is our hope to reach the semifinals, but it will be difficult,” Manso admitted.

He highlighted the unique challenges of the FA Cup, where lower-league teams often rise to the occasion with nothing to lose.

“The FA Cup can be difficult sometimes because any team can cause an upset. Lower league teams come into games believing they can cause an upset, so we need to be focused,” he added.

Bibiani GoldStars are enjoying a stellar campaign in the ongoing 2024/25 Ghana Premier League, where they currently lead the league table.

READ ALSO

• Black Stars challenges are beyond coaching – Ex-GFA spokesperson
• GFA has been advised to sack Otto Addo – NPP guru reveals

Kazakhstan’s Rybakina was a level above Svitolina in a 6-3 6-2 victory that took just 62 minutes, and will play in the last four for the first time since she won the competition in 2022.

The 25-year-old will face Czech Barbora Krejcikova, who battled past Jelena Ostapenko on Court One to reach the last four at Wimbledon for the first time.

Rybakina and Svitolina traded breaks in the opening games of an initially even first set, with the Ukrainian then dropping serve to love when trailing 4-3.

Rybakina carried her momentum through to the second set, immediately breaking with a deep forehand into the corner.

She broke again at 4-2 and served out for the match to reach the last four of a Grand Slam for the first time since she reached the Australian Open final in 2023.

The result ended Svitolina’s run, with the Ukrainian unable to repeat her semi-final appearance of last year.

Svitolina, 29, said she “tried everything in her power” to advance but felt she was unable to match Rybakina’s aggressive style.

“It’s very, very difficult because I feel like I’m in a good form,” she added.

“Of course, when the opponent is striking the ball that big, everything goes in. Serve goes really quick. Lots of aces. It’s tough to do anything.”

Rybakina has hit the joint-most aces at this year’s tournament, tied on 31 with New Zealand qualifier Lulu Sun, and is the only former winner left in the women’s draw.

Krejcikova battles past Ostapenko

Krejcikova started the 2024 season as the world number 10, but she has been hampered by a back injury and illness, causing her to slip to 32nd in the rankings.

But a 6-4 7-6 (7-4) win to move past fellow Roland Garros champion Ostapenko marks an impressive return to form for the 28-year-old.

The 31st seed had not advanced past the last eight of a Grand Slam since triumphing at the French Open in 2021.

“It’s an unbelievable moment that I’m experiencing right now in my tennis career,” Krejcikova said.

“There have been many doubts from inside but also from the outside world, but I’m super happy that I never give up and that I’m standing here right now and that I qualified to be in the semi-finals.”

Apart from a double fault in her first service game, Krejcikova was clinical on her serve and a single break at 1-1 was enough for her to clinch the opening set.

But Ostapenko, a notorious slow starter, struck the first blow in the second, letting out a huge roar as Krejcikova netted and a topsy-turvy set followed.

Hitting erratic forehands, Ostapenko continued to wrestle through her service games.

After saving three break points en route to a 4-1 lead, she conceded twice to help her opponent nudge ahead.

However, Krejcikova became tense when attempting to serve out the match and a nervy double fault brought her big-hitting opponent level.

Krejcikova, cheered on by the Court One crowd, asserted control in the tie-break before raising her hands outstretched in celebration after sealing a semi-final spot on her second match point.

Spain were the first to advance to the final four with a hard-fought victory over hosts Germany, and their opponents were decided later in the day when France held on to beat Portugal on penalties.

For France, they advance to the semi-final despite not yet scoring a single goal from open play at the tournament. An own goal and a Kylian Mbappe penalty led them through the group stage, after which Jan Vertonghen fired into the back of his own net to dump Belgium out in the last 16. Les Bleus then drew a blank against Portugal but won under the pressure of penalties.

Making up the second tie, England needed their own shoot-out to see off Switzerland in perhaps the Three Lions’ strongest showing of the summer so far, and they were joined by the Netherlands, who had to come from behind to see off surprise packages Turkey.

Cody Gakpo was the Netherlands’ hero once again. The Liverpool forward forced a late own goal to seal a dramatic 2-1 victory.

Euro 2024 semi-final draw

• Spain vs France
• England vs Netherlands

When will the Euro 2024 semi-finals be played?

The first semi-final will be contested between Spain and France, who will grace Munich’s Allianz Arena on Tuesday 9 July.

England and the Netherlands will do battle 24 hours later at Westfalenstadion, the home of Borussia Dortmund, on Wednesday 10 July.

The Euro 2024 final is scheduled for Sunday 14 July at the Olympiastadion in Berlin.

All four clubs vying for a spot in the final are from the Premier League.

? The stage is set for the #MTNFACup semi finals!

Nsoatreman FC clashes with Legon Cities on Saturday, May 11, 2024, while Bofoakwa Tano will lock horns with Dreams FC on Sunday, May 12, 2024, for a spot in the final.⏳@MTNGhana pic.twitter.com/PqXANOqbGd

— MTN FA CUP (@MTNFACupGH) May 7, 2024

On Saturday, May 11, Nsoatreman FC will face Legon Cities. Nsoatreman with an impressive five goals scored, and yet to concede, will look to continue their dominant streak.

Under Paa Kwesi Fabin’s guidance, Legon Cities have focused on the FA Cup for silverware this season amid a mid-table finish in the Ghana Premier League.

On Sunday, May 12, defending champions Dreams FC take on Bofoakwa Tano. Dreams FC, led by Karim Zito, aims for a back-to-back final appearance after winning last season.

Despite league inconsistencies, they’ve shown prowess in cup competitions, reaching the semifinals of the CAF Confederation Cup.

Bofoakwa Tano, like Dreams FC, has conceded only one goal in the competition but scored two fewer goals.

John Eduafo’s side overcame Skyy FC in a penalty shootout to secure their semifinal spot.

Dreams FC’s journey to the semis has seen them concede just one goal and score eight in four matches, while Bofoakwa Tano has matched them defensively but scored fewer goals on their path to this stage.

First to seal their spot in the final four were Borussia Dortmund. It hasn’t been a glamorous season for the German outfit, whose Bundesliga struggles leave them battling for a spot in next year’s Champions League, but they came from behind to dump Atletico Madrid out and book their place in the semi-final.

Dortmund will face off against Paris Saint-Germain, who also had to overturn a deficit. They fell 3-2 to Barcelona in the first leg of the quarter-final, after which both Xavi and Luis Enrique insisted PSG remained the favourites to advance. That proved to be the case as a 4-1 thumping in the second leg saw the Parisians advance in style.

Bayern Munich advanced after a thrilling tie which saw the spoils shared with Arsenal after a 2-2 draw in the first leg. The two sides met at the Allianz Arena for a straight shoot-out, and it was Thomas Tuchel’s team who made it through thanks to a 1-0 win on home soil.

Rounding things off are Real Madrid, who put on a real thriller with Manchester City. An enthralling 3-3 draw meant it was all to play for in the second leg, where the Spanish outfit prevailed on penalties.

Champions League semi-final draw in full

• Borussia Dortmund vs Paris Saint-Germain
• Bayern Munich vs Real Madrid

When will the Champions League semi-finals be played?

Fans don’t have to wait long for the action to get underway.

The first leg of the ties will be played across April 30 and May 1, before the return fixtures are held a week later on May 7 and May 8.

When is the Champions League final?

The four sides are battling for a spot in this year’s Champions League final, which will be held on June 1.

Jurgen Klopp’s side thrashed West Ham 5-1 on Wednesday evening to reach the last four, while Fulham won a penalty shootout at Everton on Tuesday.

Chelsea also beat Newcastle on penalties in their quarter-final, while Middlesbrough won 3-0 at Port Vale to set up a repeat of the 1998 final.

The two-legged ties will be played in the weeks commencing 8 and 22 January.

Liverpool are aiming to reach their 14th final and claim a 10th success in the competition they first triumphed in back in 1981.

Marco Silva’s Fulham, who travel to Anfield in the first leg, are making their bow in the last four and have not featured in a semi-final of any sort since 2010 when they went on to the final of the Europa League.

Meanwhile, Championship club Boro, who host Chelsea in the first leg of their tie, are appearing in the semi-finals for the first time since 2004, when they won the competition to claim their only major trophy.

Chelsea, who won both the 1997 FA Cup final and the League Cup final a year later against the Teessiders, are looking to win the tournament for a sixth time and collect a first piece of silverware since they lifted the delayed 2021 Club World Cup in February last year.

EFL Cup draw:

Liverpool v Fulham

Middlesbrough v Chelsea

On Tuesday, Real Madrid recorded a 2-0 win against Chelsea in the return game in the quarterfinals at Stamford Bridge to go through with a 4-0 aggregate scoreline after recording a 2-0 win in the first leg in Spain.

AC Milan were held to a 1-1 draw game against Napoli in the return game in Naples to go through on a 2-1 goal aggregate after recording a 1-0 hard-fought win in the first leg.

On Wednesday, Manchester City booked their place in the semifinal with a 4-1 goal aggregate after a 1-1 drawn game in the return leg at the Allianz Arena having recorded a 3-0 win in the first leg at Etihad Stadium.

At San Siro, despite drawing 3-3 with Benfica, Inter Milan have qualified for the semifinals with a 5-3 aggregate.

Inter recorded a 2-0 win in Portugal in the first leg.

In the last four, Real Madrid will host Manchester City at the Santiago Bernabéu.

AC Milan will host Inter Milan at the San Siro.

The first leg of the semifinal games will kick off on May 9 and 10 with the return games scheduled on May 16 and 17.

The final has been scheduled to kick off at the Atatürk Olympic Stadium Istanbul in Turkey on June 10, 2023.