FOOTBALL - The African Mirror

Jun

03

2024

Mourinho unveiled as new Fenerbahce manager

FOOTBALL

JOSE Mourinho was unveiled as the new manager of Turkish Super Lig club Fenerbahce in front of thousands of enthusiastic fans on Sunday. Mourinho, 61, has been out of a job since he was sacked by Serie A side AS Roma in January. The Turkish club held a signing ceremony for Mourinho in Fenerbahce's Ulker Stadium in Istanbul as thousands of supporters cheered the Portuguese coach's name and sang songs. "Normally a coach is loved after victories, in this case, I feel that love before victories. And that for me is a big responsibility that I feel and I promise…

Jun

02

2024

By MITCH PHILLIPS

Real Madrid strike late to beat Dortmund and win 15th European Cup

FOOTBALL

REAL Madrid were crowned kings of Europe for a record-extending 15th time with a trademark 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League final at a raucous Wembley on Saturday as they were outplayed for an hour but then showed their class. After Dortmund had made, but spurned, several good chances, particularly in a one-sided first half, Real turned the game around with goals by Dani Carvajal and Vinicius Jr after 74 and 83 minutes to delight their fans. It gave them the trophy for the sixth time in 11 seasons, matching the run of the team that started…

May

30

2024

By The African Mirror

Osimhen out of Nigeria’s World Cup qualifiers due to injury

FOOTBALL

NAPOLI striker Victor Osimhen will miss Nigeria's two upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers due to injury, the Nigeria Football Federation said. The federation gave no details about the injury but said the 25-year-old would be out for four weeks. Osimhen will miss the clashes against South Africa in Uyo on June 7 and Benin in neutral Ivory Coast three days later. His absence will make it difficult for recently appointed head coach Finidi George to get the side's qualification campaign back on track after surprise 1-1 draws with tiny Lesotho at home and Zimbabwe in neutral Rwanda.

May

30

2024

By The African Mirror

Cameroon appoint Ndtoungou as interim coach after Brys is sidelined

FOOTBALL

THE organisation said that the Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT) have sidelined newly-appointed Belgian coach Marc Brys and replaced him with Martin Ndtoungou on an interim basis ahead of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers next month. The decision follows a heated exchange between Brys and federation president Samuel Eto’o on Tuesday, the culmination of a stand-off between the pair after the Belgian was appointed by the country’s sports ministry in April, against the wishes of Eto’o. Brys had been invited for a working session on Tuesday but several of his support staff, also appointed by the sports ministry, were refused entry to the…

May

29

2024

By OLIVER OCHIENG, BIRD STORY AGENCY

‘Eat, dream football culture’ propels Al Ahly to 12th CAF Champions League title

FOOTBALL

IT is no surprise that Egyptian giants, Al Ahly are the Confederation of African Football (CAF) TotalEnergies 2023/2024 Champions League winners for a record 12th time, according to a Kenyan footballing strategist and coach. The Egyptian ‘Red Devils’ beat Tunisia’s Esperance Sportive de Tunis 1-0 at a packed Cairo International Stadium on Saturday, May 25, 2024, in the second leg of the final to clinch the title, a week after a 0-0 draw in the first leg encounter in Tunisia. Speaking after the Champions League title triumph, Al Ahly coach Marcel Kohler attributed his team’s success to a tactical style…

May

29

2024

By The African Mirror

Ronaldo breaks Saudi League’s single-season scoring record

FOOTBALL

AL Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo capped his first full Saudi Pro League season in style as he broke the record for the most goals scored in one campaign. The Portuguese 39-year-old scored a brace in his side's 4-2 win over Al Ittihad on the final matchday to bring his league tally this season to 35 goals. The previous record was held by former Al Nassr forward and Moroccan international Abderrazak Hamdallah, who scored 34 goals in 2018-19. Ronaldo, who played for Sporting, Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus, joined Al Nassr in January 2023.

May

29

2024

By Manfred Zwecker

Martial confirms departure from Man Utd

FOOTBALL

MANCHESTER United forward Anthony Martial will leave the club when his contract expires at the end of June, the Frenchman said on Monday. The 28-year-old arrived at Old Trafford from AS Monaco in 2015 and has since scored 90 goals in 317 games for the Red Devils. The departure was expected, as he had struggled with injuries in recent seasons and had not been in the squad for months. He was not in the team for the 2-1 FA Cup final victory against Manchester City on Saturday. "It's with great emotion that I write to you today to say goodbye.…

May

28

2024

By MICHAEL CHURCH

The week in Asian football

FOOTBALL

TALKING points from the week in Asian football: SHIMODA'S LATE PENALTY KEEPS MACHIDA ON TOP IN JAPAN Machida Zelvia stayed top in Japan after Hokuto Shimoda's stoppage-time penalty secured a 2-1 win over Urawa Reds. Machida lead Kashima Antlers by three points after the former champions downed Consadole Sapporo 3-0 on Saturday, while current title holders Vissel Kobe dropped further off the pace following a 1-0 defeat by Tokyo Verdy. LUDWIGSON SCORES TWICE AS ULSAN THRASH DAEJEON Defending champions Ulsan Hyundai went top of the Korean league on Saturday after Gustav Ludwigson's double helped them to a 4-1 win over…

May

28

2024

By FERNANDO KALLAS

Spain name Torres, Perez in Euro 2024 squad, Asensio left out

FOOTBALL

FORWARD Marco Asensio was the surprise omission when three-time champions Spain named their 29-man preliminary squad for the European Championship as Ferran Torres and Ayoze Perez made the cut. Barcelona teenagers Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsi were also included along with teammate Fermin Lopez who received his first call-up. Real Madrid centre-back Nacho returned to the squad as defenders Sergio Ramos, Pau Torres and Pedro Porro missed out but the omission of Paris St Germain's Asensio was the biggest shock. "I admire Asensio. Let's focus on those who are here and give them the value they deserve," coach Luis de…

May

27

2024

By SAMUEL INDYK

Southampton promoted to Premier League with 1-0 playoff win over Leeds

FOOTBALL

SOUTHAMPTON won promotion back to the Premier League by beating Leeds United 1-0 in the Championship playoff final at Wembley Stadium, earning an immediate return to England’s top tier in a game considered the richest in world football. Adam Armstrong was the match-winner as his first-half goal was enough to see off a Leeds side that struggled to muster a meaningful response, with substitute Daniel James coming closest when his shot hit the bar late in the second half. Southampton join Championship winners Leicester City and runners-up Ipswich Town in the Premier League next season, the latter promoted after a…