FOOTBALL - The African Mirror

May

05

2024

Dortmund crush Augsburg 5-1 ahead of Champions League semi-final

FOOTBALL

BORUSSIA Dortmund demolished Augsburg 5-1 in the Bundesliga in a perfect dress rehearsal ahead of next week's Champions League semi-final return leg at Paris St Germain. Dortmund, who face PSG on Tuesday after their 1-0 first-leg win in Germany earlier this week, enjoyed a whirlwind start with three goals in the first 29 minutes. Youssoufa Moukoko struck either side of Doneyll Malen's 20th-minute goal to quickly put the game to bed. Augsburg cut the deficit in the 32nd minute with Ruben Vargas but the visitors restored their three-goal cushion with Marco Reus, who will leave the club after 12 years…

May

02

2024

By The African Mirror

Atletico Madrid hit with two-match partial stand closure after racist abuse

FOOTBALL

ATLETICO Madrid have been ordered to partially close their south stand for two matches by the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) after Athletic Bilbao player Nico Williams suffered racist abuse in Saturday's LaLiga game. Referee Juan Martinez Munuera stopped the match in the 36th minute as part of LaLiga's protocol against racism after he heard racist abuse directed at the 21-year-old Spain international, who was born in Pamplona to Ghanaian parents. Atletico, who did not immediately respond when contacted by Reuters for comment, has also been fined 20,000 euros ($21,360). They have 10 days to appeal. The RFEF said in a statement…

Apr

30

2024

By The African Mirror

Nigeria name Finidi George as manager

FOOTBALL

NIGERIA have appointed their former winger Finidi George as head coach, officials said, elevating the 53-year-old from his previous role as assistant. George worked under former coach Jose Peseiro and took over after the latter's contract was not renewed despite leading Nigeria to the final of this year's Africa Cup of Nations in the Ivory Coast where they lost to the hosts. George was interim coach for two friendlies in March, a 2-1 victory over Ghana and a 2-0 defeat by Mali, and now has the job on a permanent basis. His immediate task will be to get Nigeria’s 2026…

Apr

30

2024

By The African Mirror

Premier League talking points

FOOTBALL

TALKING points from the latest round of Premier League games. POROUS TOTTENHAM JOIN 50 CLUB AS DEFENCES STRUGGLE Tottenham Hotspur's concession of three goals before halftime against Arsenal meant they became the 16th club to let in 50 in the top flight this season. That is the most in a top-flight season consisting of 20 clubs since the 1909-10 season when 17 clubs reached that landmark and there could be more yet with Everton having shipped 48 with three games left. The reasons are complex, however, with VAR, teams playing out from the back and a glut of top-quality strikers…

Apr

30

2024

By The African Mirror

Talking points from European soccer

FOOTBALL

TALKING points from the weekend in European soccer leagues: ITALY ATALANTA FOCUS ON EUROPEAN GLORY Gian Piero Gasperini's Atalanta are having a great season, with the Bergamo club chasing a top-four finish in Serie A, and looking to win the Europa League and Coppa Italia. However, the 66-year-old coach is clear about where his priorities lie as they prepare to face Olympique de Marseille on Thursday in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final. "Right now, the Europa League is the target we care about most, but we must be careful because Marseille are a strong side," Gasperini said.…

Apr

29

2024

By The African Mirror

Manchester City keep pressure on Arsenal with 2-0 win over Forest

FOOTBALL

MANCHESTER City took another step in their bid to win a fourth consecutive Premier League title with a 2-0 victory over relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest, with Josko Gvardiol and Erling Haaland on target. Pep Guardiola's men kept the pressure on leaders Arsenal, pulling to within a point of the Gunners -- who held on to win 3-2 at Tottenham Hotspur earlier in the day -- in the table with a game in hand. "I think the most important thing is to not think (about the title race), especially these moments, but take it day by day," Haaland told Sky Sports. "Honestly…

Apr

29

2024

By KEN FERRIS

Arsenal must keep feet on the ground after Spurs win says Arteta

FOOTBALL

ARSENAL must not get carried away with their Premier League title chances after edging local rivals Tottenham Hotspur 3-2 in a hard-fought London derby, manager Mikel Arteta said on Sunday. The Gunners raced into a three-goal lead by halftime but Spurs battled back with two goals and left the visitors holding on for the points after a storming late comeback. "Don't get carried away with yourself. Just understand we have to be better, we want to be better. There's a margin for improvement and we go again against Bournemouth," said Arteta. League leaders Arsenal host the Cherries on Saturday before…

Apr

26

2024

By MARK GLEESON

Disputed cup tie awarded to Moroccan side after kit confiscated

FOOTBALL

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

24

2024

By Mpho Rantao

Zambia Football President Kamanga arrested for laundering

FOOTBALL

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

23

2024

By The African Mirror

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

FOOTBALL

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…