FOOTBALL - The African Mirror

Apr

2024

Disputed cup tie awarded to Moroccan side after kit confiscated

MOROCCAN club Renaissance Berkane have been awarded a 3-0 win over hosts USM Alger (USMA) in the first leg of their African Confederation Cup semi-final despite refusing to play when their kit was confiscated by Algerian customs. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) said on Thursday that Sunday's second leg in Morocco would go ahead as scheduled. CAF added that USMA, who are the defending champions, would face further sanctions. Berkane went to the stadium in Algiers last Sunday for the first leg but did not leave the changing rooms at kick off time after their kit had been confiscated by Algerian…

Apr

2024

By Mpho Rantao

Zambia Football President Kamanga arrested for laundering

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THE President of the Zambian Football Association (FAZ), Andrew Kamanga, has been arrested and charged with offences related to money laundering. The country’s Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) announced the joint arrest and charging of FAZ President Andrew Kamanga and his deputy Reuben Kamanga and two other individuals for money laundering offences. In violation of Zambia's Penal Code, the DEC has charged the arrested individuals with conspiring to defraud, collecting money via false pretence, and acquiring financial advantage through false pretence. Kamanga is accused of using the money to fund trips for associates linked to him to the 2023 Africa Cup…

Apr

2024

By The African Mirror

African club semi-final fails to take place following dispute over Moroccan club’s jersey

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ALGERIAN side USM Alger's African Confederation Cup semi-final first-leg tie against Morocco’s Renaissance Berkane did not go ahead because of a political dispute over the visiting team’s jersey, leaving the outcome of the tie in doubt. The Berkane shirt features an expansive map of Morocco, including the disputed Western Sahara which has been a bone of contention between Rabat and Algiers, with the border between the neighbouring North African countries closed since the 1990s. When the Moroccan side arrived in Algeria on Friday, their kit was confiscated by customs and the team detained at the airport for several hours before…

Apr

2024

By The African Mirror

Premier League talking points

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TALKING points from the latest round of Premier League games. ARSENAL SHOW GRIT TO PROVE DOUBTERS WRONG Defeats by Aston Villa and Bayern Munich in their last two matches called Arsenal's backbone into question but Mikel Arteta's side answered the doubters with a gritty 2-0 win at Wolves to show that their title challenge is not over yet. It was a dour affair and though the statistics might suggest that Arsenal had it easy, they had to grind it out, scoring late in each half to show a different side of themselves that might prove vital as the title race…

Apr

2024

By The African Mirror

Everton grab 2-0 victory over Forest to boost survival hopes

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EVERTON secured three crucial points when they beat relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest 2-0 at Goodison Park to improve their own Premier League survival hopes and move five points clear of the drop zone. With Everton and Forest being docked eight and four points respectively for financial breaches, Everton is 16th in the standings with 30 points, having played one game fewer than Forest, who sit four points below in 17th place. Forest was furious at being denied three penalty claims and issued a strongly worded complaint on social media immediately after the game. There was little to separate the two sides…

Apr

2024

By The African Mirror

Roma players did right refusing to play after Ndicka collapsed, says coach

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AS Roma coach Daniele De Rossi defended his players who did not want to continue their Serie A match at Udinese on Sunday after defender Evan Ndicka collapsed onto the pitch. The score was 1-1 when the Ivory Coast central defender fell backwards onto the pitch 18 minutes from time and had to be taken off on a stretcher. "First and foremost he's okay, which is the most important thing," De Rossi told a press conference on Wednesday before Roma host AC Milan in the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final on Thursday. "He's as good as a lad who's just…

Apr

2024

By The African Mirror

Roma’s Ndicka discharged from hospital after collapsing on the pitch

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AS Roma defender Evan Ndicka has been discharged from hospital and will undergo additional tests in Rome after he collapsed on the pitch during their match at Udinese on Sunday, the Serie A club said. The 24-year-old Paris-born player, who represents the Ivory Coast, was carried off on a stretcher after falling backwards onto the pitch in the 18th minute with the game later abandoned at 1-1. Ndicka was conscious but visibly in pain, rubbing his chest with his right hand as the medical team rushed towards him. Roma later said he was in "good spirits". "First and second-level cardiological…

Apr

2024

By MITCH PHILLIPS

Chelsea coach fumes over African star’s penalty row

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CHELSEA coach Mauricio Pochettino should have been beaming after his team destroyed Everton 6-0 but rather than celebrating Cole Palmer’s remarkable four-goal display he instead fumed about his players arguing on the pitch. Chelsea were leading 4-0 after Palmer's first-half hat-trick and a goal for Nicolas Jackson when they were awarded a penalty after Noni Madueke was tripped in the Premier League clash at Stamford Bridge. Madueke and Jackson then wrestled each other for the ball as the referee awaited a VAR confirmation, with regular taker Palmer standing bemused alongside them. Eventually, captain Conor Gallagher had to intervene to shove the…

Apr

2024

By The African Mirror

Premier League talking points

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TALKING points from the weekend's Premier League matches. 'CHOKERS' TAG REARS ITS HEAD AFTER ARSENAL LOSS Arsenal's league form in 2024 has been scintillating, the side picking up 31 points from 11 games before a 2-0 defeat by Aston Villa on Sunday saw them lose ground on Manchester City. But the nature of the loss, squandering multiple chances in a dominant first-half display before conceding a late quickfire double, will revive questions about the Gunners' mentality after their title challenge petered out last season. This term Arsenal have largely answered those questions, displaying greater mental strength, and remain just two points behind…

Apr

2024

By The African Mirror

Talking points from European soccer

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TALKING points from the weekend in European soccer leagues: ITALY INTER AIM TO SEAL TITLE IN MILAN DERBY Inter Milan were held to a 2-2 draw by lowly Cagliari on Sunday but can still claim the Serie A title with five games to spare if they beat second-placed AC Milan in their next match and recent meetings between the sides suggest that is likely. Inter have won the last five Milan derbies in all competitions, thrashing Stefano Pioli's side 5-1 in their most recent encounter in September., They beat Milan 3-0 on aggregate in the 2022-23 Champions League semi-finals and won 3-0…