FOOTBALL - The African Mirror

Nov

08

2023

Nine-man Spurs miss out on top spot in chaotic 4-1 loss to Chelsea

FOOTBALL

TOTTENHAM Hotspur's hopes of returning to the top of the Premier League were dashed in extraordinary fashion as they lost 4-1 at home to Chelsea after a Nicolas Jackson hat-trick in a chaotic London derby that they finished with nine men. It was a triumphant return to Spurs for Mauricio Pochettino who got the biggest win of his short Chelsea tenure, though few could have imagined how it would be achieved on a mind-boggling night of VAR calls, hot tempers, disallowed goals and injuries. Previously unbeaten Tottenham went ahead after six minutes thanks to Dejan Kulusevski's deflected shot and minutes…

Nov

07

2023

By BONFACE ORUCHO, BIRD STORY AGENCY

CAF Women’s Champions League sees surge in debutant clubs

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THE upcoming CAF Women’s Champions League will feature an impressive five debutant clubs out of the eight competing, underscoring its growing nature and the dynamic opportunity it is availing to women footballers on the continent. The tournament, which is Africa’s premier women’s club competition, will be held in Ivory Coast between November 5 and 19, in the cities of Korhogo and San Pedro, and will feature five first-time participating teams and only three returning teams. It is a critical moment for women’s football with this competition being held in sub-Saharan Africa for the first time, the past two editions having…

Nov

07

2023

By The African Mirror

Premier League talking points

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TALKING points from the 11th round of the Premier League season: MAGUIRE AND FERNANDES ANSWER CRITICS Manchester United's Harry Maguire and Bruno Fernandes have come in for more than their fair share of criticism this season but both stood up to be counted in a vital 1-0 win at Fulham on Saturday. Maguire, who has been given a first-team reprieve largely because of injuries to Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane, was a rock at the heart of United's defence, repelling numerous Fulham attacks and showing composure on the ball. Manager Erik Ten Hag described Maguire's display as massive but the…

Nov

06

2023

By The African Mirror

Newcastle’s Bruno and Willock racially abused on social media after Arsenal game

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NEWCASTLE United have condemned racist abuse sent to Bruno Guimaraes and Joe Willock on social media following Saturday's 1-0 victory over Arsenal in the Premier League. "Our message is clear. There is no room for racism in football or society," the club said. "We are providing support to Bruno and Joe and will work with relevant authorities and social media platforms to identify those responsible so that they can be held to account." Bruno escaped a booking for a late elbow on Arsenal midfielder Jorginho in a tense and fractious contest at St James' Park. Willock, a former Arsenal player, was involved…

Nov

06

2023

By The African Mirror

Brazil submits letter of intent to host 2027 Women’s World Cup

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BRAZIL has submitted a letter of intent to soccer's governing body FIFA to host the 2027 Women's World Cup, the South American country's Minister of Sports Andre Fufuca said. Fufuca presented the documents to FIFA President Gianni Infantino while he was in Rio de Janeiro for the Copa Libertadores final, which was won by Brazilian club Fluminense for the first time. "I delivered it to FIFA and Brazilian Football Confederation on behalf of President Lula," Fufuca said on X, formerly known as Twitter. "The Government Declaration formalising Brazil's intention to host the 2027 Women's Football World Cup and the government…

Nov

05

2023

By The African Mirror

Toure joins Mancini’s Saudi Arabia coaching team

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YAYA Toure has been named assistant coach of Saudi Arabia's national team and will work alongside manager Roberto Mancini, the Saudi Football Federation said. The former Ivory Coast captain played for Mancini when the Italian was manager of Premier League Manchester City. Toure, 40, began his coaching career four years ago, working at Ukraine’s Donetsk Olympic, Russia’s Grozny, Belgium's Standard Liege and with the Under-16 team at England’s Tottenham Hotspur. He played more than 100 internationals for clubs including City, AS Monaco and Barcelona. Saudi Arabia has lost twice under former Italy coach Mancini who took the job in August,…

Nov

05

2023

By The African Mirror

Invest in Man Utd with Ratcliffe? I support Guardiola, says Wolff

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MERCEDES Formula One boss Toto Wolff has suggested his support of Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola would make it hard to join team co-owner Jim Ratcliffe in buying into rivals Manchester United. Ineos's Manchester-born billionaire chairman Ratcliffe is poised to take a 25% stake in the Premier League side. Asked whether he might be tempted to join the Briton, Austrian Wolff -- also a co-owner of the Mercedes team -- distanced himself from any immediate involvement. "Here we go," he told Sky Sports television when the question was put to him. Wolff said Ratcliffe was "such a clever person" that he would…

Nov

04

2023

By The African Mirror

Colombia’s ELN guerrillas says kidnapped father of soccer star Luis Diaz will be freed soon

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A representative of Colombia's National Liberation Army (ELN) guerrillas said that the group will free the father of Liverpool football star Luis Diaz "as soon as possible", days after kidnapping him in the country's north. Diaz's mother Cilenis Marulanda and father Luis Manuel Diaz were taken by armed men as they were driving in La Guajira province on Saturday. Marulanda was freed within hours. Liverpool's Luis Diaz during the warm-up before the match. REUTERS/Molly Darlington

Nov

03

2023

By KAROLOS GROHMANN

Mainz surprised by latest El Ghazi statement on Gaza, will make legal checks

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A new statement by Mainz 05 forward Anwar El Ghazi regarding the Israel-Hamas war has left his Bundesliga club perplexed considering he was sanctioned just days ago after posting another comment about the conflict on social media. The Dutch player, who was handed a warning and suspended following his previous remarks about the war, was cleared to return to training on Monday after showing remorse, the club said in a statement at the time. El Ghazi, however, posted another statement on Wednesday that the club said was 'incomprehensible' and would now examine it from a legal perspective. "For the avoidance…

Nov

03

2023

By MARTYN HERMAN

Beleaguered Ten Hag needs away-day boost at Fulham

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SO dire has Manchester United's home form been this season that perhaps the only saving grace as they prepare for the next match of a so-far torrid campaign is that it is away at Fulham. Erik Ten Hag's stumbling United side were booed at halftime and full-time on Wednesday as they surrendered the League Cup with a 3-0 home defeat by Newcastle United. It was their second successive 3-0 home loss and they have lost five of their 10 home games in all competitions. They are not exactly pulling up trees away from home either and fans will not have…