FOOTBALL - The African Mirror

Jun

26

2023

United States to host expanded Club World Cup in 2025

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THE first edition of FIFA's new 32-team Club World Cup will be held in the United States in 2025, world soccer's governing body said. FIFA confirmed in March that the revamped Club World Cup will be played every four years from June 2025. The FIFA Council unanimously appointed the United States as the competition's host for the first edition of the expanded format. The United States will also host the 2024 Copa America while they are also co-hosts of the 2026 World Cup along with Mexico and Canada. "The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 will be the pinnacle of elite professional…

Jun

27

2023

By The African Mirror

Saudi’s Al-Hilal sign Senegal defender Koulibaly from Chelsea

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SENEGAL defender Kalidou Koulibaly has joined Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal from Premier League side Chelsea, the two clubs announced on Sunday. "We'll continue to make history together," Al-Hilal wrote on Twitter, alongside a short video featuring Koulibaly. The four-times Asian Champions League winners said Koulibaly's contract would run until 2026 without giving any financial details. British media reported that the Saudi club would pay around 17 million pounds ($21.61 million) for the centre-back. "I'm here with those who make the glory in the present and the future," the Africa Cup of Nations winner said. Koulibaly scored two goals in 32…

Jun

17

2023

By The African Mirror

Villarreal CF’s Samuel Chukwueze is the 2022/2023 LaLiga Santander African MVP Award winner

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NIGERIAN forward Samuel Chukwueze has been named the winner of the 2022/2023 LaLiga Santander African MVP Award, with the Villarreal CF star coming out tops after thousands of fans and some of Africa’s top football journalists voted for LaLiga’s standout African star this season. The dynamic Super Eagle had a fantastic season for the Yellow Submarine, scoring 13 goals and providing 11 assists in all competitions and playing in 37 of the 38 LaLiga Santander matches for the club, as his electric performances propelled Villarreal CF to a spot in European competition next season. “I feel so happy to win…

Jun

15

2023

By MARK GLEESON

Egypt qualify for Africa Cup of nations finals

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EGYPT came from behind to beat Guinea 2-1 and secure a record-extending 26th appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations finals as they made sure of top spot in their qualifying group with one match to play in the preliminary competition. Egypt is the eighth country to qualify for the 24-team finals, to be hosted in the Ivory Coast next year. Captain Mohamed Salah missed two gilt-edged chances, but Mahmoud Trezeguet and Mostafa Mohamed scored to ensure Egypt would finish top of Group D and return for another tilt at the African crown, which they have won a record seven…

Jun

12

2023

By The African Mirror

Former South Africa coach Clive Barker dies

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CLIVE Barker, the charismatic coach who ensured success for South Africa at the Africa Cup of Nations and got them into their first World Cup finals, died on Saturday, a family statement said. The 78-year-old Barker was coach of the South African side that won the 1996 Cup of Nations on home soil in the country’s first participation in the tournament. He also oversaw the side's qualification for the World Cup in France two years later, although he was sacked six months before the finals kicked off. Barker defied apartheid regulations in the 1970s to coach teams in South Africa’s…

Jun

12

2023

By FERNANDO KALLAS

How Man City 2023 stack up against Guardiola’s 2009 Barcelona

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PEP Guardiola became the first manager in Europe to win two trebles as Manchester City completed a dream season by beating Inter Milan 1-0 to secure their first Champions League title on Saturday. City completed the treble of Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup titles, matching Manchester United's feat in 1999 and drawing comparisons with Guardiola's 2008-09 Barcelona team. Here is how the 2022-23 City side stacks up against that Barca team. TEAM STRENGTHS Guardiola's 2008-09 Barca had a squad including some of the best Spanish players of their generation, defenders Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique, and midfielders Sergio…

Jun

08

2023

By RORY CARROLL

‘I’m going to Miami’ – Messi confirms move to MLS

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LIONEL Messi announced that he intends to join Major League Soccer side Inter Miami as a free agent after parting ways with French champions Paris St Germain and snubbing a lucrative contract offer in Saudi Arabia. Messi, who played his final game for PSG over the weekend, was also linked with a return to Barcelona but the Spanish club have had their hands tied due to LaLiga's financial fair play rules. "I made the decision that I'm going to go to Miami," Messi said in an interview with Mundo Deportivo and Sport newspapers. "I still haven't closed it 100%. I'm still missing…

May

27

2023

By The African Mirror

LaLiga calls for sanctioning powers to fight racism more effectively

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SPANISH law permits LaLiga only to identify and report incidents, but not sanction. LaLiga feels powerless given the lack of sanctions that often result from its reporting. Madrid, May 23, 2023 - LaLiga is to request more sanctioning powers, with the aim of being more agile and effective in the fight against violence, racism, xenophobia, and intolerance in sport, where LaLiga has been leading the identification and reporting of such behaviour in football stadiums for years, but the organization feels powerless when observing how its reporting ends. Despite its relentless fight against violence and racism to the full extent of…

May

24

2023

By The African Mirror

Spain arrests 7 after racist incidents targeting Vinicius Jr

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POLICE detained seven men over separate alleged hate crime incidents against Real Madrid football player Vinicius Jr as Spain's main soccer league urged changes to Spanish law that would enable it to take steps to curb racism in stadiums. Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti expressed support for Vinicius Jr, whom he expected would remain at the club. He lambasted Spain's "obsolete" protocols to deal with racism in the sport and said he would consider taking his players off the pitch if they were to be abused again during a game. Full Real Madrid statement here "At PUMA, we do not tolerate racism,…

May

21

2023

By The African Mirror

Holders Wydad Casablanca reach African Champions League final

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A late own goal sent holders Wydad Casablanca of Morocco into the African Champions League final on away goals after holding Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa to a 2-2 draw in Saturday’s semi-final second leg. Sundowns’ defender Mothobi Mvala powered a header into the back of his own net in a botched clearance eight minutes from time to hand Wydad a ticket to next month’s decider against Al Ahly of Egypt. The first leg of the semi-final in Casablanca ended goalless and the two away goals in the return ensured Wydad’s progress. Sundowns went ahead early in the second half…