SPORT - The African Mirror

Oct

20

2022

Messi names France and Brazil as favourites to win World Cup

SPORT

ARGENTINA captain Lionel Messi has said defending champions France and Brazil are the favourites to win the World Cup in Qatar as they have a core group of players who have played together for a long time. Messi said Brazil, Germany, France, England and Spain are always labelled favourites to win but the 35-year-old forward feels France and Brazil are the best two teams going into the November 20 - December 18 tournament. "We always say the same great teams ... but, if I have to choose, Brazil and France are the two great candidates to win the World Cup,"…

Oct

20

2022

By The African Mirror

Man United’s Greenwood granted bail after private hearing

SPORT

MANCHESTER United soccer player Mason Greenwood has been released on bail following a private hearing after he was charged with attempted rape, controlling behaviour and assault. The 21-year-old was arrested in January after social media images and videos were posted by a woman reporting incidents of physical violence. Greenwood was granted bail at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court following a private hearing, having been remanded in custody after appearing at Manchester and Salford Magistrates' Court on Monday. The British Crown Prosecution Service on Saturday authorised Greater Manchester Police to charge Greenwood with "attempted rape, engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour,…

Oct

19

2022

By SILALEI SHANI, BIRD STORY AGENCY

Women’s basketball beats records as African tournament calendar heats up

BASKETBALL

WOMEN’S basketball continues to draw in historic viewership across the globe, with the 2022 FIBA Women’s World Cup in Sydney confirmed as having had the highest attendance in the history of the competition with 145,519 fans attending throughout the competition. Mali was the only African country to represent the continent, qualifying after African champions Nigeria pulled out citing administrative difficulties around the sport in their country. Mali joined Group B alongside Australia, Canada, Serbia, France, and Japan. It was a dramatic outing for Mali, having lost all their games in the group stage and then having to deal with a…

Oct

19

2022

By The African Mirror

Keepers are being overlooked for Ballon d’Or award, says Courtois

SPORT

THIBAUT Courtois was named man of the match in last season's Champions League final, but the Belgian goalkeeper came seventh in the Ballon d'Or rankings on Monday, which drew frustration at how the trophy for the world's best player is awarded. Courtois, whose brilliant saves helped Real keep Liverpool at bay before Vinicius Junior scored the only goal in Paris in May, collected the Lev Yashin trophy for best keeper but it felt too little. "I couldn't have had a better season, especially with the saves in the Champions League," Courtois told Reuters after the ceremony before the main award…

Oct

18

2022

By The African Mirror

Qatar World Cup ticket sales near 3 million, says Infantino

SPORT

TICKET sales for the soccer World Cup are approaching the three million mark ahead of the tournament kicking off in Qatar on November 20, FIFA president Gianni Infantino and event organisers said. The top 10 purchasing countries of the 2.89 million tickets sold are Qatar, the United States, Saudi Arabia, England, Mexico, the United Arab Emirates, Argentina, France, Brazil and Germany, FIFA's World Cup Chief Operating Officer Colin Smith told a news conference in Doha. "There is currently either low or no availability for matches," Smith said. Infantino, addressing the conference in a recorded video, said 240,000 hospitality packages had…

Oct

18

2022

By The African Mirror

Kenyans Kipyokei, Lempus provisionally suspended for doping

ATHLETICS

KENYA'S 2021 Boston Marathon winner Diana Kipyokei and compatriot Betty Wilson Lempus have been provisionally suspended for using the banned substance triamcinolone acetonide, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) said on Friday. Both have also been charged with obstructing the AIU's investigation by providing false information or documentation. "After extensive investigations, the AIU has provisionally suspended two Kenyan marathoners – Diana Kipyokei and Betty Wilson Lempus – and charged them with various breaches of the World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules," the body said in a statement. "These alleged anti-doping rule violations stem from probes into the information provided by the athletes to…

Nov

02

2022

By The African Mirror

Serena Williams’ investment boots Nigeria’s technology sector

TENNIS

NIGERIA is the leading African destination for foreign direct investments in technology startup businesses. Between 2015 and 2022, Nigerian technology startups have secured funding totalling just over US$2 billion. This is the highest amount of funding recorded by any country in Africa. The “big-four” countries of Nigeria, Egypt, South Africa and Kenya, are leading Africa’s startup scene. They currently account for about a third of the continent’s start-up incubators and accelerators and receive 80% of technology startup FDI into Africa. What is interesting is that Nigeria remains the top destination for technology investments in Africa despite its endemic corruption, high…

Oct

24

2022

By The African Mirror

Ten Hag says Casemiro improving at Man Utd after Chelsea heroics

SPORT

MANCHESTER United boss Erik ten Hag hailed the growing influence of Casemiro in their midfield after the Brazilian international scored in added time of Saturday's 1-1 Premier League draw at Chelsea to salvage a point for his fifth-placed side. Casemiro was signed from Spanish side Real Madrid in August to bring some badly needed aggression and steel to the centre of the pitch for United and the five-times Champions League winner has slowly grown into his role. The 30-year-old headed past Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga in the 94th minute to deny the hosts all three points after Jorginho's late penalty…

Oct

24

2022

By The African Mirror

Griezmann scores twice as Atletico Madrid win at Real Betis

SPORT

TWO second-half goals from Antoine Griezmann, one scored directly from a corner kick, gave Atletico Madrid a 2-1 win at Real Betis on Sunday, extending their unbeaten run in LaLiga to five games. Atletico climbed back to third in the standings on 23 points, eight behind leaders Real Madrid and two from second-placed Barcelona, who have a game in hand and host Athletic Bilbao later on Sunday. Betis are fifth on 20 points. It was Atletico's fifth win in six away games this season and Betis's first loss at home. "We had lost two important points against Rayo at home…

Oct

24

2022

By The African Mirror

Leaders Arsenal held, Newcastle into top four after win at Tottenham

SPORT

RICHARD MARTIN and MARTYN HERMAN PREMIER League leaders Arsenal surrendered the lead to draw 1-1 at Southampton and drop points for only the second time this season while Newcastle United's impressive start continued when they beat Tottenham Hotspur to storm the top four on Sunday. Aston Villa moved quickly on from the midweek sacking of manager Steven Gerrard to thump Brentford 4-0. Leicester City continued their revival by thrashing Wolverhampton Wanderers 4-0 away to ease the pressure on coach Brendan Rodgers but Leeds United boss Jesse Marsch faced calls to go from his own supporters after a 3-2 home defeat…