SPORT - The African Mirror

Jun

24

2020

Health and safety concerns after COVID-19 break

SPORT

DANIEL GALLAN IT WAS football, just not as we know it. On 16 May, top-flight action returned to Germany as the Bundesliga peeped above the parapet and trudged into an unknown future. There were no crowds. The audible thump of the ball leaving the players’ boots reverberated off the yawning stands. The play was understandably ponderous and sloppy at times. But it was football, and for those who care about the fate of a ball it was welcomed like rain after a ceaseless drought. It was not without complications though. Tactics and atmosphere aside, a worrying statistic emerged. From the…

Jun

22

2020

By The African Mirror

Why Africa fared so poorly in the 2010 World Cup

SPORT

The South Africa-hosted Fifa World Cup was supposed to be the moment in which African football teams finally came good. But even with the cards stacked in their favor, they disappointed. MARK GLEESON The old palace in Cairo, Egypt, was an appropriate metaphor for African football as it gathered together all its national team coaches, just months after the 2010 Fifa World Cup in South Africa, to reflect on the tournament. Spectacularly perched on the banks of the Nile, the Gezirah Palace basks in promise, but the tatty facade hides its potential and drab thinking spoils its capability – a…

Jun

17

2020

By The African Mirror

Nigeria’s complicated relationship with Gernot Rohr

SPORT

The German coach of Nigeria’s national football team has had a tumultuous relationship with the country’s football federation – and it looks set to continue for a few more years. OLUWASHINA OKELEJI NOWHERE is the shifting nature of loyalty in football more apparent than in the relationship between coaches and administrators. The current state of affairs between the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and national team coach Gernot Rohr perfectly illustrates this. It’s an uneasy alliance that New Frame can confirm will continue until the end of the 2022 Fifa World Cup should the German sign the new contract he has been offered.…

Jun

08

2020

By The African Mirror

How African diaspora footballers juggle the identity question

SPORT

DAVID STOREY SPORT is a useful prism through which to explore aspects of national identity. This is particularly so with football, given its popularity and global reach. International teams are often portrayed as the embodiment of the nation for the duration of a match. They carry the nation’s hopes and dreams. Yet it’s becoming common to see footballers competing for a country other than the one they were born or raised in. The regulations allow this if they are eligible for citizenship of the country. This raises questions for those interested in issues of identity, citizenship and belonging. An investigation…

Jun

08

2020

By The African Mirror

Elite boys’ schools still shape South Africa’s national cricket team

SPORT

TO MAINTAIN a strong national cricket side, the building blocks have to be laid at school level to meet the required standards when schoolboy cricket players develop and transcend to provincial and national levels. In South Africa, the legacy of apartheid segregation is still prevalent in many sports. Race, class and the historical neglect of black schools continues to play a part. Habib Noorbhai It’s in this context that I conducted research into how many of South Africa’s national men’s cricketers attended boys-only schools. There are very few boys-only schools in South African townships (rural or lower-income areas in South…

Jun

27

2020

By The African Mirror

Africans star in Liverpool historic league win

SPORT

SPORTS CORRESPONDENT THE AFRICAN awesome foursome of two strikers, a midfielder and defender played crucial roles that assisted Liverpool to win its first English Premiership league in 30 years. Senegalese superstar Sadio Mane and Egyptian super striker Mohamed Salah played starring roles and scored goals that steered Liverpool to their historic league run - one loss in 31 games - which ended with the champions trophy. Guinea’s best player Naby Keita and Cameron defender Joel Matip made major contributions from the back and middle of the field to assist Jurgen Klopp's men to follow up their 2019 UEFA Champions League…

Jan

01

2021

By The African Mirror

Becky Hammon makes history as first female NBA coach

SPORT

BOITUMELO RANTAO WHEN San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich was ejected for protesting a foul call. He looked to assistant coach Becky Hammon to lead the team making her the first female to act as a head coach in National Basketball Association (NBA) history The Spurs battled the reigning NBA champions the Los Angeles Lakers in a regular season game, and the moment quickly became historic before the end of the first half. “Obviously it’s a big deal ... it’s a substantial moment," Hammon said following the game. Asked about the moment she knew she was officially taking over,…

Jan

19

2021

By The African Mirror

The rise of eSports in Africa

SPORT, E-SPORTS

BOITUMELO RANTAO WHAT if I told you you could become a millionaire after staring at a screen for a few competitions and moving your fingers intelligently on the controls? Even though, in a nutshell, it boils down to teams behind computers attempting to win a game for prize money. Although, as with any professional athlete, hours and hours of dedication, practice, and commitment are a requirement when becoming a pro esports gamer. There are rising stars emerging from every corner of Africa, the next mission is to create a welcoming and competitive atmosphere. eSports is a code that is on the…

Jul

13

2022

By The African Mirror

Mane heads list of nominees for African Footballer of the Year

SPORT

SADIO MANE heads a list of 10 nominees for the African Footballer of the Year award, to be handed out later this month for the first time in three years, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced. Mane, who won the last award in 2019, will be favoured to win again after a season in which he helped Senegal to their first Africa Cup of Nations title plus qualification to the World Cup in Qatar. He also had cup success with Liverpool at club level but has since moved to Bayern Munich. His former teammates Naby Keita and Mohamed Salah…

Jul

12

2022

By The African Mirror

Massive quarter-finals await at WAFCON 2022 with World Cup spots up for grabs

SPORT

The group stages are done and dusted. Eight teams have progressed to the quarter-finals of the 2022 TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, as we reach the business end of the tournament. 3️⃣ 𝐆𝐀𝐌𝐄𝐒, 3️⃣ 𝐖𝐈𝐍𝐒 ✅#TeamMorocco and #TeamSouthAfrica have won all of their #TotalEnergiesWAFCON2022 games so far! 🧤Many more to come? 🤔#EmpoweringOurGame | @Banyana_Banyana | @EnMaroc pic.twitter.com/J85IleBYGE— #TotalEnergiesWAFCON2022 (@CAFwomen) July 11, 2022 Morocco vs Botswana The hosts have been perfect in the tournament so far, grinding their way through their Group A matches and amassing nine points, scoring five goals and conceding just once, to top the…