SPORT - The African Mirror

Jul

10

2020

Stage set for round two of post-COVID-19 F1 Grand Prix

SPORT

BOITUMELO RANTAO THE 2020 Formula one season kicks off round two and with dramatic storylines running rampant throughout the first weekend the 2020 season - the stage for the Styrian GP is just as illuminating. Valtteri Bottas claimed the first race win of the season to go along with a lap record pole position to cap off a successful weekend in Austria for the Mercedes driver. Though, in a race where nine drivers failed to finish the upcoming race weekend is anything but predictable. Finishing on the podium alongside Bottas were Charles Leclerc in second place and Lando Norris in…

Jul

09

2020

By The African Mirror

Meet Africa’s Mr Basketball

SPORT

BOITUMELO RANTAO FOR the majority of basketball players in Africa, their only hope of creating a career out of basketball is to seek a change of scenery and travel overseas. For others, basketball can be used to better the current situation by seizing opportunities to better schools that might have not been available before. Football was known as the clear-cut favourite as Senegal’s No.1 sport, but the growing presence of basketball could not be ignored. Though hard to find the facilities, and at a time when courts were not readily available. One youngster had just received a basketball from his…

Mar

03

2021

By The African Mirror

Uganda’s qualification hampered

SPORT

BOITUMELO RANTAO UGANDA’S quest for an African Basketball Championship (Afrobasket) qualification berth has been delayed after their fixtures postponed due to an outbreak of COVID-19. Five members of Uganda’s delegation tested positive for COVID-19 upon arrival in Monastir, Tunisia for the Group E fixtures against Egypt, Morocco, and Cape Verde. “It’s a huge relief for us. We are delighted and excited at the opportunity to compete again. We are confident that our team will qualify and be in Kigali in August,” Nassir Sserunjogi - FUBA President Members of the Uganda delegation (players, coaches, and additional official members) were asked to…

Mar

23

2021

By The African Mirror

FIBA and Botswana announce partnership

SPORT

BOITUMELO RANTAO THE resurgence of Botswana basketball has begun. The Botswana Basketball Association (BBA) has announced a partnership with the International Basketball Federation (FIBA). The FIBA PLUS Strategy and Planning Program aims to “Empower National Federations” by organizing, professionalizing, and commercializing the Associations basketball activities. After taking steps to understand the current details of BBA’s organization FIBA will assist in developing and implementing strategies for basketball development in Botswana. The initiative will assist in advancing federation growth and progression through sustainable strategic goals. "The Botswana Basketball Association is delighted and honored to have been selected to benefit from the FIBA…

Mar

22

2021

By The African Mirror

Nigeria’s new NBA weapon

SPORT

BOITUMELO RANTAO DENVER Nuggets guard Monte Morris has committed to play for the Nigeria national team, providing a major boost for the country in the 2021 Summer Olympic to be held in Tokyo. Morris will play for Nigeria head coach Mike Brown on a roster that includes Al-Farouq Aminu, Josh Okogie, Chimezie Metu and Jordan Nwora, among others. Nigeria’s roster is on the verge of adding more talent to an already dominant national team. In his fourth season in the National Basketball Association (NBA), Morris is averaging 10.4 points and 3.4 assists in 27.2 minutes in the 2020-2021 campaign. Nigeria…

Mar

21

2021

By The African Mirror

Chiefs beat Pirates in thrilling Soweto derby

SPORT

SOUTH African top team Kaizer Chiefs used one of the biggest games of the season - the 100th Soweto Derby - to mark a turnaround to what so far been a lacklustre period. Chiefs beat arch-rivals Orlando Pirates 1-0 in the derby - the most important fixture for both teams and their fans - played at the Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg. A stunning overhead kick by Chiefs striker Samir Nurkovic was enough for Chiefs to claim bragging rights. It was Chiefs’ 1st defeat of Pirates in four games. Nurkovic’s 53rd minute strike provided a spark in an otherwise dull…

Mar

20

2021

By The African Mirror

Key players missing for Ghana

SPORT

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER ARSENAL midfielder Thomas Partey, along with Crystal Palace striker Jordan Ayew and Swansea City star Andre Ayew have been left out of Ghana’s national squad for the upcoming 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. A full squad of 29 has been summoned for the games against Sao Tome e Principe and South Africa. The British Premier League and Championship players have been excluded due to the United Kingdom’s COVID-19 restrictions, which includes South Africa on the red list. Travel from such countries requires a mandatory 10-day quarantine period. This restriction will see players miss a number…

Mar

19

2021

By The African Mirror

COVID-19 chaos looms over World Cup qualifiers

SPORT

SIMON EVANS NEXT week's World Cup qualifying games in Europe and beyond are set to be heavily affected by clubs refusing to release players for international duty, COVID-19 quarantines and travel restrictions. Inter Milan announced on Thursday that all of their players will be pulled out of international duty after two more positive COVID-19 cases at the club. German Bundesliga clubs are unlikely to release Austrian players for their country's qualifier in Scotland on March 25 although the game is scheduled to go ahead with the visitors fielding a weakened side. French Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 clubs will not…

Mar

18

2021

By The African Mirror

Proteas’ Lee reclaims top spot in rankings

SPORT

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER SOUTH African national cricketer Lizelle Lee has ascended to the summit of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Women’s rankings, following a string of commanding performances. The SA opener is the only woman from the (commonly known as) Proteas team to reach the number one spot in the One-Day International (ODI) rankings. Lee previously attained the top spot in 2018. https://twitter.com/ICC/status/1371738223815262212 On tour in India, the Proteas Women’s team has been in great form winning the series 4-1 in dominant fashion. Unsurprisingly, Lee was named Player Of The ODI Series scoring 288 runs over four matches. That total…

Mar

19

2021

By The African Mirror

Africa’s only cycling team keeps the wheels turning

SPORT

DANIEL GALLAN DOUG RYDER and his Team Qhubeka Assos riders put the continent on the cycling map. He explains why the future of African cycling is bright despite the name changes and struggles of the past. When Daniel Teklehaimanot of Eritrea pushed off to begin the 2015 Tour de France, he became the first Black cyclist from Africa to compete in cycling’s marquee event. It wasn’t the only first, though, throughout the 102nd edition of the Tour. Along with countryman Merhawi Kudus, Teklehaimanot wore the black-and-white stripes of MTN-Qhubeka, the first team from Africa to take part. Teklehaimanot would don…