SPORT - The African Mirror

Nov

21

2022

Soccer Qatar’s Bedouin roots star in World Cup opening ceremony

SPORT

ANDREW MILLS QATAR'S Bedouin roots, embodied in a tent-shaped stadium, were on display as the country's emir opened the World Cup at a ceremony during which he kissed his father's hand and welcomed the world to soccer's biggest event, the first time it has been staged in the Middle East. "From Qatar, from the Arab world, I welcome everyone to the World Cup 2022," Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani said. "How lovely it is that people can put aside what divides them to celebrate their diversity and what brings them together." Then, fireworks exploded from the roof of Al Bayt stadium,…

Nov

19

2022

By The African Mirror

Can an African team win the World Cup? New football study crunches the numbers

SPORT

MANY football lovers hope an African team will finally win the men’s 2022 Fifa World Cup. The world has been waiting for this since the great Brazilian player Pelé predicted (in the 1970s) that an African country would win before the year 2000. That didn’t happen, but it didn’t stop Patrice Motsepe, president of the Confederation of African Football, from saying (in 2021): An African team must win the World Cup in the near future. But is it realistic to keep hoping? Are African teams doing what they need to compete with the world’s best, making it just a matter…

Nov

18

2022

By The African Mirror

Ghana double sees off Swiss in World Cup warm-up

SPORT

GHANA scored twice in the space of four second-half minutes to secure a convincing 2-0 win over Switzerland in their World Cup warm-up friendly in Abu Dhabi. Defender Mohammed Salisu broke the deadlock with a looping header from a poorly defended corner as Ghana took a 70th-minute lead. A storming run from Kamaldeen Sulemana four minutes later was blocked by Swiss goalkeeper Yann Sommer but the ball popped up for Antoine Semenyo to fire home from close range. Both countries were using the match to prepare for their opening game at the World Cup in Qatar. Ghana takes on Portugal…

Nov

17

2022

By The African Mirror

World Cup 2022: Senegal and Cameroon carry Africa’s best hopes

SPORT

THE men’s Fifa World Cup kicks off on 20 November in Qatar. Africa is allocated five spots in the month-long final stage of this elite competition, held every four years. Cameroon, Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia secured their places after a preliminary knockout phase followed by a four-team round-robin competition. Once again, many pundits are wondering if an African team can win it all at this unconventionally scheduled World Cup (it’s usually held mid-year). No African team has ever qualified for the semi-finals. Only Senegal, Cameroon and Ghana have reached the quarter-final stage before. Author WYCLIFFE W. NJORORAI SIMIYU, Professor,…

Nov

16

2022

By The African Mirror

FIFA brings football training to Ivory Coast classrooms

SPORT

CHILDREN at primary schools in Abidjan traded classrooms for football fields last week to take part in a FIFA initiative to make the sport more accessible and contribute to education. Ivory Coast is the first country in West Africa and the fifth on the continent to join FIFA's "Football for Schools" (F4S) programme, launched in 2019 with pilot projects in Puerto Rico and Lebanon. Children in yellow bibs and white jerseys practised passes and dribbled between cones under the guidance of FIFA instructors. Fatimata Sow Sidibe Director of FIFA Football for Schools gives a symbolic ball to Yacine Idriss Diallo…

Nov

16

2022

By The African Mirror

Ghana can have big impact at World Cup, says coach Addo

SPORT

INTERIM Ghana manager Otto Addo believes his team can make a significant impact at the World Cup in Qatar as the Black Stars prepare for their fourth finals at the global tournament. Addo, with no previous senior coaching experience, took charge of Ghana in February after the sacking of Milovan Rajevac following their early exit from the Africa Cup of Nations. "We can beat anyone. It's up to the players, not me. It’s their performances that have brought them this far. They have the quality, with or without me," Addo told the FIFA website "I’m responsible for putting them in the right…

Nov

16

2022

By The African Mirror

LaLiga signs major partnership to develop football in KwaZulu-Natal

SPORT

LALIGA and the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, in South Africa, have partnered on a unique football development programme which will uplift the skills of hundreds of young boys and girls footballers in the province. The year-long plan will for the first time see two LaLiga Camps organised in the KwaZulu-Natal Province, for 100 boys and girls aged from under 10 to under 18, as well as 50 of the province’s amateur and professional coaches. LaLiga has reserved the right to open another 50 spots to ensure players from different disadvantaged backgrounds are given the opportunity to participate…

Nov

16

2022

By The African Mirror

Messi picks Brazil, France and England as WC favourites

SPORT

ARGENTINA'S Lionel Messi picks out Brazil, France and England as the biggest threats to his dream of finally adding a World Cup winner's medal to his bulging trophy cabinet. The 35-year-old Paris St Germain forward will again shoulder Argentina's hopes in Qatar as they bid to deliver the South American country's third world title and first since 1986. "Whenever we talk about candidates, we always talk about the same teams," Messi told South American Federation Conmebol. "If I have to put some above others I think Brazil, France and England are a little bit above the rest. But the World…

Nov

16

2022

By The African Mirror

World Cup 2022 betting odds: which team are favourites to win?

SPORT

Following are the betting odds for the winners of the 2022 FIFA World Cup and the top goalscorer at the tournament, which will be held in Qatar from November 20-December 18. WILLIAM HILL Winners: * Brazil - 4/1 * Argentina - 5/1 * France - 13/2 * England - 7/1 * Spain - 8/1 Top goalscorer: * Harry Kane (England) - 8/1 * Kylian Mbappe (France) - 9/1 * Karim Benzema (France) - 10/1 * Neymar (Brazil) - 12/1 * Lionel Messi (Argentina) - 12/1 BET365 Winners: * Brazil - 15/4 * Argentina - 11/2 * France - 13/2 *…

Nov

15

2022

By The African Mirror

No major surprises in Tunisia’s World Cup squad

SPORT

TUNISIA has dropped the French-based winger Saif-Eddine Khaoui for the World Cup but coach Jalel Kadri made no other major changes in naming his 26-man selection. Khaoui was chosen in the squad that competed at the World Cup in Russia four years ago and, although infrequently played for Tunisia since, had been expected to be included given his form in Ligue 1 for his club Clermont. A total of 10 players survive from the squad that competed at the last World Cup, where Tunisia were beaten by both Belgium and England but did win their last group game against Panama. Veteran goalkeeper…