FOOTBALL - The African Mirror

Sep

25

2023

Darwin delights as Liverpool defeat West Ham 3-1

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LIVERPOOL striker Darwin Nunez netted a brilliant goal as his side romped to a 3-1 Premier League win over a dogged West Ham United side at Anfield, deftly steering home a volley on the hour mark. The visitors got off to a flying start when Tomas Soucek forced a brilliant save from Alisson with a downward header in the seventh minute, and two minutes later Michail Antonio headed a Soucek cross wide with the goal at his mercy. But the Hammers were left to rue those early misses when Mohamed Salah was felled by Nayef Aguerd in the 15th minute…

Sep

22

2023

By ABAY YIMEREGIFT ENYADIDKE, SPORTS NETWORK AFRICA

Q&A with Victor Boniface

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WITH two Bundesliga goals and one assist to date, Victor Boniface has made a flying start to his Bayer 04 Leverkusen career. The 22-year-old Nigerian striker, formerly at Norwegian club Bodø/Glimt, had only switched to Belgian first-division outfit Royale Union Saint-Gilloise in the summer of 2022 before moving to Leverkusen this summer, where he also scored on his German debut in the DFB-Pokal. The two goals he contributed to the 3-0 win against Borussia Mönchengladbach on Matchday 2 were a foretaste of things to come as a new Bundesliga season takes shape. Having played street football since his early childhood,…

Jul

15

2023

By The African Mirror

Morocco gets kind draw in Africa qualifiers for 2026 World Cup

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WORLD Cup semi-finalists Morocco have been handed a gentle path to the 2026 tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada after the draw was made for the African qualifiers in Abidjan. The top team in each of the nine groups, which each contains six countries, qualifies automatically for the World Cup. The four best runners-up will enter an African playoff stage, where the winners will feature in the inter-confederation playoffs to be held in March 2026. It means Africa is guaranteed nine places at the expanded 48-team finals, with a 10th side possibly added via the playoffs. Morocco has…

Jul

15

2023

By The African Mirror

Zambia call up teenage goalkeeper Lungu for Women’s World Cup

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ZAMBIA has called up 18-year-old goalkeeper Leticia Lungu as a replacement for first-choice Hazel Nali, who was forced out of the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand with a knee injury, officials said. Lungu was part of a 35-player provisional squad but did not make the final cut as Nali, Kazakhstan-based goalkeeper Catherine Musonda and Nkwazi Queens' Eunice Sakala were selected. Nali tore her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during a training camp in Germany, a blow for the team as she had helped them reach their first World Cup and to finish third in last year’s Women’s Africa…

Jul

13

2023

By The African Mirror

Al-Ahly win record-extending Egyptian League in a perfect season

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AFRICAN Champions Al-Ahly secured a record-extending 43rd Egyptian League title, without playing, as their closest rivals Pyramids were beaten 2-1 by Ceramica Cleopatra. Al-Ahly, who won a record-extending 11th title in African Champions League last month, have now clinched five titles since last October with coach Marcel Koller enjoying his first season in Egypt. The Cairo giants have now 75 points from 29 games, with five matches to play, eight points ahead of Pyramids, who have two remaining games. Pyramids opened the score with a Karim Hafez free kick, before conceding near the end of each half through Forward Salah…

Jul

09

2023

By The African Mirror

De Gea leaves Manchester United after contract expires

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DAVID de Gea has left Manchester United following the end of his contract, with the Spanish goalkeeper penning a farewell message to the Premier League club's fans on Saturday after 12 seasons with the Old Trafford side. De Gea's contract expired on June 30 but at the time the club said they were still in discussions with the 32-year-old shot-stopper over an extension. The Spaniard, who joined United in 2011 when Alex Ferguson was manager, was the current squad's longest-serving player having made nearly 550 appearances. "I just wanted to send this farewell message to all Manchester United supporters," De…

Jul

08

2023

By The African Mirror

LALIGA kicks off a new era with EA Sports™ as strategic partner

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LALIGA has kicked off a new era with Electronic Arts Inc., the competition’s new strategic partner for the next five seasons, with a launch ceremony surrounded by clubs and strategic partners. This transformation includes a major brand evolution, touching on strategy and positioning, but also extends to tangible changes in LALIGA’s audiovisual broadcasting and digital ecosystem. LALIGA's new direction reflects the growth it has experienced over the last decade to become the largest football ecosystem in the world. This global transformation began with the announcement of the brand's new positioning and purpose under the slogan "The Power of our Fútbol,"…

Jul

08

2023

By The African Mirror

Back in LALIGA after 13 years: Atlético de Madrid shore up their defensive line with versatile full-back Cesar Azpilicueta

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ATLÉTICO de Madrid continues to shape their squad for next season, and from the looks of things across the first weeks of the transfer window have made a clear decision to reinforce their defence, bringing in Javi Galán, Santiago Mourinño, Çağlar Söyüncü and, as was announced, César Azpilicueta. The arrival of Azpilicueta, a Champions League winner and former captain of Chelsea FC, represents a strong reinforcement for Diego Simeone's squad. The 33-year-old has a wealth of experience in elite football and is already familiar with LALIGA EA SPORTS having come through the ranks at CA Osasuna. He made his senior…

Jul

07

2023

By The African Mirror

South Africa FA resolve dispute with Women’s World Cup squad

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THE South Africa Football Association (SAFA) said a pay dispute with its Women's World Cup squad had been resolved after a charity stepped in with a "humble donation". The team, known by their nickname 'Banyana Banyana', had been due to face Botswana in a friendly on Sunday as a send-off to the tournament in Australia and New Zealand. But with the squad locked in a dispute with SAFA over bonus payments and contracts for the showpiece event, a shadow national side including a 13-year-old took the field instead. SAFA said an amicable resolution had been reached following a donation from the Motsepe…

Jul

07

2023

By The African Mirror

PSG appoint Enrique as new coach to replace Galtier

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PARIS St Germain has appointed former Barcelona and Spain coach Luis Enrique as their new manager on a two-year contract after the Ligue 1 champions parted ways with Christophe Galtier. Enrique led Barcelona to a treble in the 2014-15 season while he guided Spain to the semi-finals of the 2020 European Championship. He left the national team after they were knocked out of the 2022 World Cup in the last-16. Thomson Reuters Foundation