FOOTBALL - The African Mirror

Feb

14

2023

Africa is building its sporting legacy

FOOTBALL

THE just-concluded 2023 Club World Cup in Morocco is just one of a series of major regional and international sporting events that have resulted in major upgrades to the continent's sporting facilities - seen as key to ensuring Africa's further success in the international sporting arena. With the semi-finals in Tangier and the finals in Rabat - 217 kilometres apart - Morocco inaugurated a high-speed train connecting the two towns. Down south, South Africa is looking to make history again by becoming the first African country to host a Women's World Cup if its bid for the 2027 event gets…

World soccer to fall silent in memory of Brazilian legend Pele

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THE sporting world expressed its sorrow at the death of one of its greatest heroes, bidding farewell to Brazilian soccer legend Pele with a flood of heartfelt tributes. Brazil's Pele, a prolific goalscorer who won the World Cup an unprecedented three times as a player in 1958, 1962 and 1970, died on Thursday aged 82 after a long battle with cancer. "Flags at the home of FIFA in Zurich are flying at half-mast today, as we remember the eternal king: Pele," world soccer's governing body FIFA said on Twitter. FIFA has also written to its over 200 member associations asking competition organisers…

Women’s Afcon final stage is underway with a new challenge – testosterone testing

FOOTBALL

THE 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) opened in Morocco with several storylines that include challenges to perennial giants, broadcast to a global audience, increased monetary payout to the winner and an expanded number of finalists. There are 12 teams left standing. Author CHUKA ONWUMECHILI, Professor of Communications, Howard University The competition is the biggest women’s football tournament on the continent and it has brought excitement before sizeable stadium crowds and those watching via television all over the world. Morocco is one of the teams expected to challenge for the title that Nigeria has dominated since winning the debut…