SPORT - The African Mirror

Oct

10

2020

World Rugby rules trans women out of elite female teams

SPORT

MATTHEW LAVIETES TRANSGENDER women may not participate in elite and international women's rugby, the sport's global governing body World Rugby has announced, amid a heated debate on the issue in sports leagues and LGBT+ communities. In new guidelines, World Rugby said the naturally acquired physical benefits that trans women receive by going through male puberty and the safety concerns for other female players made trans women ineligible for competition. However it said trans men could compete in men's contact rugby. "Given the best available evidence for the effects of testosterone reduction on these physical attributes for transgender women, it was…

Oct

10

2020

By The African Mirror

Ajax refuse to allow African internationals to travel

SPORT

AJAX Amsterdam has refused to allow four of their African internationals to travel and join up with their national teams this week because they would have to quarantine on their return to the Netherlands, the club has confirmed. Ghana’s Mohammed Kudus, Moroccan pair Zakaria Labyad and Noussair Mazraoui, and Lassina Traore from Burkina Faso have not been released as Ajax have made use of a FIFA ruling that allows clubs to refuse to release their players this month if they face a period of quarantine or self isolation on their return. Usually players must be released if called up for…

Oct

07

2020

By The African Mirror

South African National Team announce new kit sponsor and season kit

SPORT

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER THE South African National Football team - Bafana Bafana - have a new kit sponsor in Le Coq Sportif. The French Sportswear brand replaces the team’s long-time sponsors Nike after the American brand's deal with the South African Football Association (SAFA) ended in 2019. https://twitter.com/lecoqsportif_sa/status/1313040041078403072 “We are delighted to have entered into a long-term partnership with SAFA as the new technical sponsor for the national teams. We have made no exception with regards to the quality and standard of the new kit as we take pride in the men and women who represent the country on the…

Oct

07

2020

By The African Mirror

Serena Williams says ‘underpaid, undervalued’ as Black woman in tennis

SPORT

SONIA ELKS SERENA Williams said she has been "underpaid (and) undervalued" as a Black woman in tennis, applauding the Black Lives Matter movement for shining a light on entrenched racism, according to comments published by British Vogue magazine. The U.S. star, who has won 23 Grand Slam titles and been outspoken about sexism and racism during her career, said technology had also played a key role in highlighting racial discrimination and violence. "Now, we as Black people have a voice - and technology has been a huge part of that," she said in an interview for the upcoming British Vogue…

Nov

10

2020

By The African Mirror

Formula 1 announces provisional 23-race calendar for 2021

SPORT

FORMULA 1 has revealed the calendar for the 2021 season, with 23 Grands Prix on the provisional schedule for next year. The season will start in Australia in mid-March, finish in Abu Dhabi in early December, and feature the first-ever World Championship race in Saudi Arabia. The announcement follows an unprecedented year for Formula 1 in which the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a revised 2020 calendar of 17 races, as F1 became the first international sport to resume its season. “The plans for 2021 have involved extensive dialogue with all promoters and their local and national authorities at a time of…

Nov

10

2020

By The African Mirror

South African billionaire to run for CAF presidency

SPORT

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER PATRICE Motsepe, one of Africa’s billionaire club owners is on a mission to become the most powerful man in African football. Motsepe, the businessman who owns Mamelodi Sundowns, has emerged as a strong contender for the presidency of the Confederation of African Football (CAF). His candidacy is supported by the South African Football Football Association (SAFA) as well as the South African government. Motsepe will take on the current CAF president Ahmad Ahmad, who dethroned the football strongman Issa Hayatou, of Cameroon, three years ago and Jacques Anouma of Ivory Coast. The elections are scheduled to take…

Nov

09

2020

By The African Mirror

Top stars in Nigeria basketball squad for AfroBasket qualifiers

SPORT, BASKETBALL

BOITUMELO RANTAO NEWLY- appointed Nigerian senior men’s basketball head coach Mike Brown has released a 20 man provisional list for the 2021 Afrobasket qualifiers. The premier African basketball event will be hosted in Kigali, Rwanda between 27th and 29th, November. Currently ranked 26th globally and 1st in Africa, Nigeria is grouped alongside host- Rwanda, Mali and Algeria in Group D. Brown, former National Association (NBA) Coach of the Year, who will officially start his journey with Nigeria, submitted a list featuring 7 players who featured at the 2019 FIBA World Cup where Nigeria qualified for the Olympics in Tokyo. Captain,…

Oct

18

2020

By The African Mirror

Egyptian giants Al Ahly secures a big advantage

SPORT

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER SOUTH African Pitso Mosimane has passed his first major test after he guided his new team, Egyptian giants Al Ahly to an impressive 2-0 victory over Wydad Casablanca in the African Champions League semi-final first leg in Morocco. Mosimane, who left South African champions Mamelodi Sundowns, is yet to lose at Al Ahly. His record now stands at three wins and a draw. In Morocco yesterday, Al Ahly got off to a dream start and stunned Wydad Casablanca with an goal after striker Magdy Afsha pounced on a defensive slip to put his side ahead in the…

Oct

16

2020

By The African Mirror

Big blow for Rugby Championship as South Africa withdraw

SPORT

IAN RANSOM WORLD champions South Africa will not take part in the Rugby Championship in a decision that leaves the tournament greatly diminished two weeks before kick-off and southern hemisphere rugby facing an uncertain future. South African Rugby said on Friday "player welfare" concerns and logistical difficulties left them no choice but to pull the defending champions out of the competition which also features Australia, New Zealand and Argentina. "It seems impossible that the Springboks won't play a test match in 2020, but public health and safety have been the primary concern and we have been collateral damage like so…

Nov

15

2020

By The African Mirror

South African women’s team defends COSAFA title – sets new record

SPORT

BOITUMELO RANTAO SOUTH Africa’s Banyana Banyana went undefeated to clinch the COSAFA Cup for a record seventh time, defeating Botswana 2-1 in Port Elizabeth. The hosts were seeking to end their tournament on a high as winger Gabriela Salgado set up Sibulele Holweni to open the scoring early for Desiree Ellis' team, with her eighth goal of the tournament after just two minutes. Salgado herself added her name to the final’s score sheet, making the score 2-0 in the 66th minute to double her team’s lead. Botswana’s Thanda Makgabo fought back in the last five minutes, blasting the ball past…