SPORT - The African Mirror

Nov

30

2020

Tributes for Papa Diop, Senegal football legend, who has died

SPORT

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER FOOTBALL fans, colleagues and clubs that he played have paid warm tributes to retired Senegalese international football star Papa Bouba Diop who has passed on after a short illness. Diop (42) retired from international football after 63 appearances and is remembered for, among others, his special goal that sunk France 1-0 in their opening World Cup game in 2002. In a special message, football world governing body FIFA, said: “So too did world governing body FIFA, who declared: “FIFA is saddened to learn of the passing of Senegal legend Papa Bouba Diop. Once a World Cup hero,…

Nov

28

2020

By The African Mirror

World champ Hamilton wins 98th pole in Bahrain

SPORT

BOITUMELO RANTAO LEWIS Hamilton, with the 2020 Formula 1 world championship already won, has registered his 98th pole position as Mercedes locked the front row ahead of today’s race in Bahrain. Hamilton kept his practice form, outperforming teammate Valtteri Bottas who qualified in 2nd ahead of a charging Max Verstappen from Red Bull. The perfomance by Hamilton and Bottas reflected Mercedes’ dominance on the circuit this year. Hamilton has won his record 7th world championship and Mercedes bagged the constructors trophy. Hamilton paid tribute to the technical team behind his success: “The continuation of what we do as a team…

Nov

28

2020

By The African Mirror

Mosimane, Al Ahly make African football history

SPORT

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER SOUTH African coach Pitso Mosimane has celebrated his historic win of the CAF Championship League trophy with a powerful quote from the legendary Nelson Mandela. As Al-Ahly fans went wild and painted Cairo red after they had defeated rivals Zamalek 2-1, Mosimane drew inspiration from Mandela. "It always seems impossible - until it is done." Mosimane himself also had powerful words to mark the occasion. He said: "I had come to the Nile River to catch the big Fish." And, in African football, they don't come bigger than the CAF Championship. Mosimane has become the first coach…

Dec

30

2020

By The African Mirror

Banyana Banyana’s Fulutudilu signed in Scotland

SPORT

BOITUMELO RANTAO SOUTH African international striker, Ode Fulutudilu has agreed to become the newest addition to reigning Scottish League champions Glasgow City. The 30-year-old joins from Finnish side Aland United where last month she helped her side lift the League and Cup domestic double, becoming champions for the first time in seven years. The prolific striker is a pioneer for African football. Fulutudilu was only three years old when her family left an unstable Democratic Republic of Congo for neighbouring Angola, but the Southern African country was far from safe and it meant they made the move further south to…

Dec

29

2020

By The African Mirror

Aiden Markram has the chance to reshape his image

SPORT

DANIEL GALLAN AIDEN Markram shattered more than just his wrist when he punched a door in Pune last year. After his second duck in a Test that India would go on to win by an innings and 137 runs, the 26-year-old from Centurion lashed out in frustration. Along with broken bones, he damaged a running narrative that this golden boy could do no wrong. It was an important moment in Markram’s journey. The bullet points of his life portray a ride as smooth as his easy disposition and charming grin. From young prodigy to Under-19 ICC World Cup-winning captain, he…

Dec

25

2020

By The African Mirror

Kenyan star earns Golden Crown in Japan

SPORT

BOITUMELO RANTAO HARAMBEE Stars striker Michael Olunga was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) 2020 of the Japanese J1-League after concluding 34 league games for his side Kashiwa Reysol. Kashiwa Reysol finished 7th in the J1-league after Olunga helped the side to promotion from the J2-league. The Kenyan international netted 28 goals in 2020 to capture the Golden Boot, and in doing so became the 7th player in league history to win both MVP and Golden Boot in the same season. Olunga thanked his family and friends who helped him build his career “Glad to be named the Most Valuable…

Dec

24

2020

By The African Mirror

South Sudan soar to unchartered territory

SPORT

BOITUMELO RANTAO THE newest face on the African basketball court debuted at the Federation International Basketball (FIBA) Afrobasket preliminary tournament in Kigali, Rwanda and have become the biggest movers on the FIBA Top 100 World rankings. South Sudan found themselves in group D, alongside Nigeria, the number one senior men’s team in Africa, and two formidable foes in Rwanda and Mali. These fixtures painted a steep hill to climb for the nation appearing in their first Federation International Basketball (FIBA) Afrobasket preliminary tournament. After a tough opening game going down 56-76 to Nigeria, the South Sudanese regrouped to register back…

Dec

18

2020

By The African Mirror

Sergio Perez grabs Albon’s Red Bull seat

SPORT

BOITUMELO RANTAO 2020 Formula One stand-out Sergio Perez has been contracted to drive for Red Bull Racing for the 2021 season. The coveted and exceptionally demanding mantle of young star Max Verstappen’s partner has been a challenge for Red Bull over the past 3 seasons with Thai driver Alex Albon the latest to fall prey. Albon remains a member of the team and takes on the role of Red Bull Racing Test and Reserve Driver. The news comes in the wake of Perez’s stunning form in 2021 that saw him take his first career race win at the Sakhir GP.…

Dec

14

2020

By The African Mirror

Verstappen relishes final race win in Abu Dhabi

SPORT

BOITUMELO RANTAO RED Bull Racing enjoyed their first win in Abu Dhabi since 2013 with rising star Max Verstappen claiming his second 2020 win in astonishingly comfortable fashion. His first win of the season came in the early stages of the 2020 season at the 70th Anniversary GP in Silverstone. Verstappen was in unfamiliar territory, on lap 48, 12 seconds clear of second-place Valterri Bottas “I expected a very tough fight today but I think we managed everything very well and there was never really a moment where I felt under pressure which is a pretty good feeling.” Verstappen flipped…

Dec

13

2020

By The African Mirror

South African soccer star dies in car crash

SPORT

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER Bafana Bafana and Mamelodi Sundowns star defender Motjeka Madisha has been killed in a horrific car accident. Madisha, 25, who won many titles with Sundowns and seemed destined for greater things in football, died after an accident in Kempton Park, east of Johannesburg on Saturday evening. The accident took place hours after the club celebrated its 50th anniversary at a gala dinner. It also took place two days after his former team mate, Anele Ngcongca, who also died after a car crash, was buried. Madisha was travelling with an unidentified passenger in the car, who also died. …